Vascular Biology of the Placenta


Book Description

The placenta is an organ that connects the developing fetus to the uterine wall, thereby allowing nutrient uptake, waste elimination, and gas exchange via the mother's blood supply. Proper vascular development in the placenta is fundamental to ensuring a healthy fetus and successful pregnancy. This book provides an up-to-date summary and synthesis of knowledge regarding placental vascular biology and discusses the relevance of this vascular bed to the functions of the human placenta.




Biology and Pathology of Trophoblast


Book Description

This is the first dedicated, in-depth account of trophoblast: the tissue derived from the fertilized egg that nourishes and protects the developing fetus. Disorders of trophoblast during development manifest themselves in several clinical conditions during pregnancy, including gestational trophoblastic disease and pre-eclampsia.




Placental and Gestational Pathology with Online Resource


Book Description

A guide to identifying disease processes in the placenta affecting pregnancy outcome, with current diagnostic criteria and clinical consequences.




Trophoblast Cells


Book Description

Trophoblast cells coordinate the activities of maternal and embryonic tissues by secreting hormones, cytokines, and various growth factors that selectively and specifically gain access to maternal and embryonic compartments. Abnormalities associated with trophoblast cell growth, differentiation, or function result in impaired embryonic development. Understanding the complexities of the trophoblast cell signaling system was the focus of the Serono Symposia, USA conference entitled Tropho blast Cells: Pathways for Maternal-Embryonic Communication, held August 6-9, 1992, in Las Vegas, Nevada. The conference was designed to provide a forum for morphologists, cell biologists, endocrinologists, and molecular biologists and for scientists investigating primate, ru minant, and rodent trophoblast biology. An important outcome of the conference was the communication achieved between basic scientists and clinicians. This volume represents the contributions of the invited symposium speakers. The opening keynote address of the conference was entitled "Chorio carcinoma and the Embryo" and was presented by G. Barry Pierce, M. D. , Centennial Distinguished Research Professor of the University of Colorado School of Medicine. The address is not represented in this volume, but deserves a special comment. Dr. Pierce's scientific con tributions have significantly influenced our understanding of trophoblast cells. Dr. Pierce, together with Dr. A. Rees Midgley, identified the origin of syncytial trophoblast cells of the primate placenta and discovered that these cells were responsible for the production of chorionic gonadotropin (J Exp Med 1962;115:289-94; Am J Pathol 1963;43:929-43; and Science 1963;141:349-50).




Trophoblast Invasion and Endometrial Receptivity


Book Description

Interest in mechanisms of embryo implantation is increasing, particularly with the realization that failure of implantation after in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer places significant limits on the success of treatment. In addition, there is a need to provide hypotheses, and ultimately mechanisms, for the high rates of embryonic loss in women in the population at large. Traditionally, implantation research has concentrated on genetics and endocrinology without providing many therapeutic benefits. A new era is now beginning with the application of modem cellular and molecular approaches to the investigation of the relationship between trophoblast and endometrium. At the same time, older data can be reevaluated in the light of current research into cell cell and cell-matrix interactions. The feeling that new avenues of research are open was apparent when an international group of scientists came together at a workshop on "The Cell Biology of Trophoblast Invasion In Vivo and In Vitro" held during the XXIV Annual Meeting of the Cell, Tissue and Organ Culture Study Group (C.T.O.C.) at Heidelberg in 1986. What was unusual about this Conference was the interdisciplinary dialogue between implantation researchers and tumor biologists, highlighting aspects common to invasion of trophoblast and tumor cells.




Placental Bed Disorders


Book Description

It is now recognized that defective placentation in the human is a cause of many pregnancy complications, such as spontaneous abortion, preterm labor and delivery, pre-eclampsia, intrauterine growth restriction, fetal death and abruptio placenta. These clinical disorders can often have long-term consequences into adulthood, causing cardiovascular disease, obesity and diabetes for the newborn as well as an increased risk of premature death in the mother. This is the first book to be entirely focused on the placental bed, bringing together the results of basic and clinical research in cell biology, immunology, endocrinology, pathology, genetics and imaging to consolidate in a single, informative source for investigators and clinicians. Its core aim is to explore new approaches and improve current clinical practice. This is essential reading for clinicians in obstetric, cardiovascular and reproductive medicine.




The Human Placenta


Book Description

The placenta is fascinating and complex. Basically foreign to the maternal body, it can be thought of as an organ transplanted onto the mother's host tissue. As such it embodies all the principles of tissue acceptance and rejection. Many of the risks of pregnancy and labor have now been eliminated and the placenta is likely to be at the root of many of the dangers to the unborn child that remain. A breakdown of the relationship between the placenta and the maternal tissue may turn out to be the cause of the majority of early lost pregnancies.




Essentials of Stem Cell Biology


Book Description

First developed as an accessible abridgement of the successful Handbook of Stem Cells, Essentials of Stem Cell Biology serves the needs of the evolving population of scientists, researchers, practitioners and students that are embracing the latest advances in stem cells. Representing the combined effort of seven editors and more than 200 scholars and scientists whose pioneering work has defined our understanding of stem cells, this book combines the prerequisites for a general understanding of adult and embryonic stem cells with a presentation by the world's experts of the latest research information about specific organ systems. From basic biology/mechanisms, early development, ectoderm, mesoderm, endoderm, methods to application of stem cells to specific human diseases, regulation and ethics, and patient perspectives, no topic in the field of stem cells is left uncovered. - Selected for inclusion in Doody's Core Titles 2013, an essential collection development tool for health sciences libraries - Contributions by Nobel Laureates and leading international investigators - Includes two entirely new chapters devoted exclusively to induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells written by the scientists who made the breakthrough - Edited by a world-renowned author and researcher to present a complete story of stem cells in research, in application, and as the subject of political debate - Presented in full color with glossary, highlighted terms, and bibliographic entries replacing references




Placenta and Trophoblast


Book Description

A collection of cutting-edge laboratory techniques for the study of trophoblast and placental biology. The techniques presented range from experimental animal models, to animal and human placental organ and cell culture systems, to morphological, biochemical, and molecular strategies for assessing trophoblast/placental growth, differentiation and function. Volume 1 provides readily reproducible protocols for studying embryo-uterine implantation, trophoblast cell development, and the organization and molecular characterization of the placenta. Highlights include strategies for the isolation and culture of trophoblast cells from primates, ruminants, and rodents, and precise guidance to the molecular and cellular analysis of the placental phenotype. A companion second volume concentrates on methods for investigating placental function.




Color Atlas of Human Fetal and Neonatal Histology


Book Description

The first edition of Color Atlas of Fetal and Neonatal Histology was an important step in updating the histology texts available to practicing pathologists and pathology trainees who perform fetal autopsy and/or participate in research involving fetal tissues. It was a well-received volume that filled a major gap in pathology references related to normal histology and provided a comprehensive, state-of-the art review of fetal and neonatal histology. While the basics of fetal histology have changed little in the intervening years since publication of the first edition, this successor edition provides new insights and a fresh perspective. This book contains six new chapters including: blood vessels and lymphatics, external genitalia, eye, ear, skin, and maceration changes. Many existing chapters have also been expanded to address a greater breadth of fetal and neonatal histology such as postnatal testis development and the cardiac conduction system. The “Special Considerations” sections were also expanded in many chapters to address particularly problematic issues within individual organ systems. The book reviews the histology of the major organ systems in the fetus and neonate and provides detailed images, up-to-date references, and practical guidelines for identifying tissues across all gestational ages of development. The second edition of Color Atlas of Fetal and Neonatal Histology serves as the ultimate go-to resource for pathologists and researchers dealing with, and interested in, fetal and neonatal histology. It provides a comprehensive summary of the current status of the field with excellent and extensive illustrative examples that help guide the clinical study of fetal and neonatal histology and stimulate investigative efforts with fetal tissue.