Introduction: Extremes of fetal growth are associated with increased perinatal mortality and morbidity and a higher prevalence of cardiovascular disease, obesity and diabetes in later life. We aimed to identify changes in placental gene expression in pregnancies with evidence of growth dysfunction and candidate genes that may be used to identify abnormal patterns of growth prior to delivery. Methods: Growth-restricted (n = 4), macrosomic (n = 6) and normal term (n = 5) placentas were selected from a banked series (n = 200) collected immediately after caesarean section. RNA was extracted prior to microarray analysis using Affymetrix HG-U219 arrays to determine variation in gene expression. Genes of interest were confirmed using qRT-PCR. Results: 338 genes in the growth-restricted and 41 genes in the macrosomic group were identified to be significantly dysregulated (>2-fold change; p < 0.05). CPXM2 and CLDN1 were upregulated and TXNDC5 and LRP2 downregulated in fetal growth restriction. In macrosomia, PHLDB2 and CLDN1 were upregulated and LEP and GCH1 were downregulated. Discussion: Dysfunctional growth is associated with differential placental gene expression and affects genes with a whole spectrum of developmental and cellular functions. Better elucidation of these pathways may allow the development of biomarkers to identify growth abnormalities and effective prenatal intervention.
In the present study, biodegradable intelligent films (pH indicators) were developed using elephant foot yam starch and Xanthan gum in the combination of red cabbage (RC, anthocyanins) and Beetroot (BR, betalain) (10% to 40%). Fourier-transform infrared spectrum confirmed that the increase in extract concentration did not affect the chemical bonding, but it decreased the film's moisture content, water activity, and solubility. The addition of extract increased the phenolic, flavonoid, and antioxidant activity of the film. The film showed an excellent response (color change) for different pH levels, and the color transition from purple to deep pink in the acidic medium and purple to green in the basic medium was observed for RC films. However, the color transition for BR films was from red to brown in the acidic medium and from red to yellow in the acidic medium, hence it can be used as spoilage indicates for different food products.
Key Findings• Significant color change was observed with change in pH • Crystallinity of film decreased at higher extract concentration• RC films show higher antioxidant activity compared to BR films
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