QUANTITATIVE ULTRASOUND: A NOVEL APPROACH TO ASSESSING THE PREGNANT CERVIX

这个子项目是许多研究子项目中利用 资源由NIH/NCRR资助的中心拨款提供。子项目和 调查员(PI)可能从NIH的另一个来源获得了主要资金， 并因此可以在其他清晰的条目中表示。列出的机构是 该中心不一定是调查人员的机构。 目的：探索一种无创、客观评价宫颈胶原变化的方法，为了解宫颈异常变化(如早产、过期引产失败)提供一种新的方法。 一个世纪以来，早产率从未发生过变化。预测方法(即超声评估宫颈长度)的使用有限，因为没有预防的选择；当宫颈发生严重变化时，为时已晚。生化、分子和生物力学研究表明，胶原蛋白是造成宫颈病变的主要原因。不幸的是，没有实用和简单的方法来表征宫颈胶原的早期变化。我们建议定量超声(背向散射)来评估宫颈的胶原结构；一种可靠和非侵入性的评估方法将促进对妊娠期间重塑过程(正常和异常)的全面了解。我们目前正在采集恒河猴的子宫切除标本，专门用于其他研究项目。我们用微型(3.3 mm)超声换能器采集数据，从2 mm、4 mm和6 mm深度的四个颈椎象限(12：00、3：00、6：00和9：00)采集数据。在每个位置，我们获得原始的射频(RF)回波信号，波束以5度至+45度的增量从0度方向转向。我们给一些动物服用米索前列醇(一种用于在妇科手术或引产前使宫颈成熟的标准制剂)，并将这些测量结果与其他动物(不含米索前列醇)的测量结果进行比较。我们计划在月经周期的第1天、第7天、第14天和第21天扫描一组未怀孕的雌性恒河猴，以提供关于荷尔蒙波动的生物变异性的想法。最终，我们计划在整个怀孕期间跟踪动物，每月扫描(产后6周、10周、14周、18周、22周和2周)以创建怀孕期间宫颈胶原变化的诺模图。 该项目是最近启动的；我们目前正在收集初步数据，为资金申请做准备。 该项目依赖于WNPRC研究服务。

This subproject is one of many research subprojects utilizing the resources provided by a Center grant funded by NIH/NCRR. The subproject and investigator (PI) may have received primary funding from another NIH source, and thus could be represented in other CRISP entries. The institution listed is for the Center, which is not necessarily the institution for the investigator. Objective: To explore a noninvasive method to objectively assess changes to collagen in the pregnant cervix in order to develop a method to learn about abnormal cervical change (e.g. preterm birth and failed post-term inductions of labor). The preterm birth rate has not changed in a century. Methods of prediction (i.e. ultrasound assessment of cervical length) are of limited use because there are no options for prevention; by the time the cervix has changed grossly, it is too late. Biochemical, molecular, and biomechanical studies suggest that collagen is primarily responsible for cervical. Unfortunately, there is no practical and simple way to characterize early changes to cervical collagen. We propose quantitative ultrasound (backscatter) to evaluate the collagen structure of the cervix; a solid and noninvasive method of assessment would promote a comprehensive understanding of the remodeling process (normal and abnormal) in pregnancy. We are currently acquiring hysterectomy specimens from Rhesus monkeys dedicated to other research projects. We acquire data with a tiny (3.3mm) ultrasound transducer, sampling from the cervical canal in the four cervical quadrants (12:00, 3:00, 6:00 and 9:00) at depths of 2mm, 4mm and 6mm. At each location we obtain raw radiofrequency (RF) echo signals, with the beams steered from 0o orientation in increments of 5 o up to +45o. We administer misoprostol (a standard agent used to ripen the cervix prior to gyn procedures or induction of labor) to some animals and compare those measurements to those taken from the other animals (without misoprostol). We plan to scan a group of nonpregnant Rhesus females on menstrual cycle days 1, 7, 14, and 21 to provide an idea of biological variability with hormonal fluctuations. Ultimately, we plan to follow animals throughout gestation, scanning monthly (weeks 6, 10, 14, 18, 22 and 2 weeks postpartum) to create a nomogram of cervical changes to collagen throughout pregnancy. This project is recently initiated; we are currently acquiring preliminary data in preparation for a funding application. This project relies on WNPRC Research Services.