QUANTITATIVE ULTRASOUND: A NOVEL APPROACH TO ASSESSING THE PREGNANT CERVIX

这个子项目是许多研究子项目中的一个 由NIH/NCRR资助的中心赠款提供的资源。子项目和 研究者（PI）可能从另一个NIH来源获得了主要资金， 因此可以在其他CRISP条目中表示。所列机构为 研究中心，而研究中心不一定是研究者所在的机构。 目的：探索一种客观评估妊娠宫颈胶原蛋白变化的无创方法，以开发一种了解宫颈异常变化（例如早产和足月引产失败）的方法。 早产率在世纪里没有改变。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;当宫颈发生明显变化时，为时已晚。生物化学、分子和生物力学研究表明，胶原蛋白是宫颈癌的主要原因。不幸的是，没有实用和简单的方法来表征宫颈胶原蛋白的早期变化。我们建议定量超声（背向散射）来评估宫颈的胶原结构;一个坚实的和非侵入性的评估方法将促进全面了解重塑过程（正常和异常）在怀孕。我们目前正在从恒河猴身上获取子宫切除标本，用于其他研究项目。我们使用微型（3.3mm）超声换能器采集数据，从宫颈管的四个象限（12：00、3：00、6：00和9：00）中以2 mm、4 mm和6 mm的深度采样。在每个位置，我们获得原始射频（RF）回波信号，波束以5 o的增量从0 o方向转向到+45 o。我们给一些动物服用米索前列醇（一种在妇科手术或引产前用于使子宫颈成熟的标准药物），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、7、14和21天扫描一组未怀孕的恒河猴雌性动物，以提供一个关于激素波动的生物学变异性的想法。最终，我们计划在整个妊娠期间跟踪动物，每月扫描一次（产后第6、10、14、18、22和2周），以创建整个妊娠期间宫颈胶原蛋白变化的诺模图。 该项目最近启动;我们目前正在获取初步数据，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.