Healthy Pregnancy Research Articles

Fatel Medicine in Clinical Practice

Fetal medicine is a specific field of medicine dedicated to the care and management of the expanding blastula during pregnancy. It contains an off-course range of demonstrative and therapeutic methods proposed to guarantee the health and happiness of two together, the future baby and the expectant parent. This abstract investigates the relevance and meaning of the before-birth cure in contemporary dispassionate practice.In the current age, fetal medicine has supported extraordinary advancements on account of contemporary technologies and a deeper understanding of what happens before birth. Ultrasound imaging, for instance, has enhanced the necessary finish for monitoring before birth, detecting irregularities, and assessing the overall energy of the embryo. Non-obtrusive prenatal experimentation (NIPT) has transformed the early detection of ancestral disorders, permissive prompt interventions, and cognizant accountability for persons. Fetal medicine offers further conditions; it offers a spectrum of healing attacks that can significantly impact gestational consequences. Intrauterine before-birth surgeries, such as curing processes for inborn heart defects or spina bifida, elucidate the field’s volume to mediate and improve the value of history for affected babies. Furthermore, before birth, the cure plays an important role in directing extreme-risk pregnancies. It authorizes close monitoring of motherly and prenatal well-being, ensuring that potential problems are recognized and addressed immediately. This is specifically critical in cases of multiple pregnancies, motherly healing environments, or fetal tumor limits. The field’s significance is further underscored by allure skills to foster early sticking between persons and the unborn adolescent. Seeing the embryo through ultrasound scans and engaging in discussions about allure, fitness, and what’s happening can enhance the heated relationship ‘between expectant parents and their babies. In conclusion, before birth, medicine has enhanced a necessary component of new clinical practice. It offers an inclusive approach to fetal care, including diagnostics, healing interventions, and psychological support for expectant parents. As electronics continue to advance and our understanding of before-birth incidents deepens, before-birth medicine’s part in guaranteeing healthy pregnancies and improving neonatal consequences will certainly stretch to expand and develop.

Roles of lipid mediators in early pregnancy events.

Early pregnancy events, including embryo implantation, are critical for maintaining a healthy pregnancy and facilitating childbirth. Despite numerous signaling pathways implicated in establishing early pregnancy, a comprehensive understanding of implantation remains elusive. This paper provides a comprehensive review of the current research on lipids in the context of early pregnancy, with a particular focus on feto-maternal communications. Embryo implantation entails direct interaction between uterine tissues and embryos. Introducing embryos triggers significant changes in uterine epithelial morphology and stromal differentiation, facilitating embryo implantation through communication with uterine tissue. Studies employing genetic models and chemical compounds targeting enzymes and receptors have elucidated the crucial roles of lipid mediators-prostaglandins, lysophosphatidic acid, sphingosine-1-phosphate, and cannabinoids-in early pregnancy events. Given the high conservation of lipid synthases and receptors across species, lipid mediators likely play pivotal roles in rodents and humans. Further investigations into lipids hold promise for developing novel diagnostic and therapeutic approaches for infertility in humans.

Intra-urban Differences in Maternal Health Care Service Utilization in Nepal: Results from 2016 Nepal DHS

After restructure of local bodies in Nepal, some rural settings before 2015 fall under urban set tings. It is advantageous to understand the situation of maternal health care utilization among poor and non-poor in the new urban structure. Officially, one-fifth of the total population is poor in the country. The objective of this study is to explore the differentials in utilization of all the care designed during the course of reproduction from the notice of pregnancy to postnatal care within two days of delivery among urban poor and non-poor in Nepal. Differentials and roles in utilization of all care, utilization of full maternal health care service for the healthy pregnancy and childbirth are explored among the two economic groups living in urban setting of Nepal. This study has utilized Nepal demographic and health survey 2016 women’s data file. The data used for the analysis came from the 2016 Nepal Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS). This survey is nationally representative population-based household surveys that collected information on fertility, family planning, maternal and child health etc among other data. Details about the survey designs and sampling procedures of this survey are explained in publicly available final report. Using wealth index used as a proxy for household economic status, the lowest wealth quintile is taken as poor and the remaining as non-poor. Result shows that nearly 10 percentage point differences have been observed in utilizing recommended months of antenatal care visits as well as full antenatal care among poor and non-poor. Such differences remained three times more extensive in receiving de livery care from skilled birth attendants and the postnatal care within two days of delivery among those groups. Even, urban poor women are less likely to receive all components of maternal health care. Results of logistic regression confirm the lower chance of receiving full maternal health care by urban poor. The study concludes that urban setting, as local body of Nepal, needs to address the urban poor especially in utilization of maternal health care in protecting and saving health of mother and the newborn.

Comparison of Macronutrient and Micronutrient Adequacy Among Pregnant Women in Urban and Rural Areas

Adequate macronutrients and micronutrients during pregnancy can support optimal fetal growth and development in addition to meeting the needs of the mother to ensure a healthy pregnancy. The region of residence is one of the factors that contribute to determining how nutrition is fulfilled in groups of pregnant women. This study aims to compare the adequacy of macronutrients and micronutrients between pregnant women in urban and rural areas. This study involved 50 pregnant women, 25 in urban areas and 25 in rural areas. Nutritional information was obtained using a food recall questionnaire that was assessed for 3 days, namely on 2 working days (not consecutive) and 1 day off and also using a food frequency questioner (FFQ). Data was analyzed using Chi Square and Results showed a difference in carbohydrate (p=0.049) and protein (p=0.045) consumption between urban and rural pregnant women, while energy (p=0.053) and fat (p=0.056) showed no difference in adequacy. For micronutrients, Vitamin A (p=0.043) and B12 (p=0.042) consumption showed differences between urban and rural pregnant women, while for vitamin C (p=0.065), vitamin B1 (p=0.078), vitamin B2 (p=0.084), B3 (p=0.056), B6 (p=0.075), E (p=0.088), Iron (p=0.052), Folic acid (p=0.067), Calcium (p=0.054), Phosphorus (p=0.055), fiber (p=0.079), showed no difference in consumption between urban and rural pregnant women. The consumption of micronutrients and macronutrients of pregnant women in rural and urban areas showed less intake than recommended. Nutrition education needs to be improved not only focusing on pregnant women but also on adolescent groups, pre-conception period so that early on good consumption patterns have been formed which will always be applied throughout life.

Analysis of Myocardial Left Ventricular Deformation During the Third Trimester of Healthy Pregnancy

Background: Pregnancy, a distinctive physiologic state, that associated with multiple changes in the several body systems. One of the affected systems is cardiovascular system , with volume overload being one of the typical adaptation encountered during pregnancy, with chronic volume overload being one of the characteristic changes experienced during pregnancy. However, the effect of these changes on left ventricular myocardial contractile function has not been fully illustrated. Aim: To assess the maternal cardiac function during the third trimester of healthy pregnancy using Speckle Tracking echocardiography. Patient and Methods: This cross sectional study was carried out in Al-Furat teaching hospital in the time period from 1st of April 2022 to 30 of May 2023. A total of 150 women were studied, they were classified into two groups: 75 pregnant women with normal singleton pregnancy at their third trimester served as study group and 75 non pregnant women served as control group. Clinical evaluation, anthropometric assessments, and two-dimensional M-mode and Doppler echocardiography as well as Speckle Tracking echocardiographic study had been done for each one of them to assess the left ventricular systolic function. Results: The two groups showed significant difference in accordance with weight , height & BMI. Global longitudinal strain (GLS) was significantly different between the study groups . Its Average value was decrease to -20.3 compared with -25.3 in control group. Besides, apical long-axis , three-, and four-chamber strain showed significant changes as well. With lowest strain value was the apical long-axes -18.96 in comparison with the control. Conclusion: Left ventricular global longitudinal strain (GLS) shows significant reduction during the third trimester of healthy pregnancy ,this reduction in LV thickening is one of the cardiac adaptation throughout the pregnancy.

Class Service for Pregnant Women: Lesson learnt from the Covid-19 Pandemic

The maternity class service is a class for pregnant women aimed at educating expecting parents so that they can undergo a healthy pregnancy and delivery process. This study examines the role of midwives in implementing class services for pregnant women during the Covid-19 pandemic. This study uses a qualitative phenomenological approach. Based on the theme, it can be figured out that there are 5 midwives as human resources. All midwives have followed training for pregnant women and have worked with nutritionists, psychiatrists, and doctors. Midwives' roles and responsibilities include providing information on pregnancy, labor, postpartum, and newborn care. The course for expectant mothers is implemented online, and the timing is irregular during the pandemic period; it is only carried out once a week, so there are obstacles in the implementation of the class for pregnant women, that is the delivery process. The midwives should also help delivery process while being the admin of the Bidan Rindu application. Therefore, the provision of information through the application does not run optimally. Overall, midwives' responsibilities in the pregnant women's class program, specifically as presenters and facilitators, are appropriate for implementing services for pregnant women

Assessment of Left Atrial Phasic Volumes and Functions During Third Trimester of Healthy Pregnancy

Background: Conception represents a physiological progression associated with adaptations in the structure, blood flow dynamics, and operational aspects of the cardiac response to temporary alternation in both preload and afterload. Ventricular volume and LA dimensions gradually and continuously increase due to increasing cardiac output and preload. The increased volume burden during the last trimester aggravates the possible cardiovascular disorders. Limited echocardiographic information exists on left atrium (LA) volume and function during the third trimester of standard conception among Iraqi women. Aim: To estimate the capacity and functionality of the left atrium throughout the last trimester of standard conception. Methods: This research was carried out on 75 normal gravid females (cases ) and 75 nonpregnant females (control ); women were given attention at Al-Furat Teaching Hospital from the 1 of April 2022 to the 30 of May 2023, the comprehensive 2D echocardiographic study had been done for each one of them. Results: Pregnant women category revealed a high noteworthy rise in left atrial maximum volume LA Max, left atrial minimum volume (LA Min) and pre-atrial volume (LA Pre- A) hn contrast to nonpregnant women group vs. vs. and vs. respectively. As well, the study showed that in pregnant women group there is high significant increase in Left atrium reservoir capacity, Left atrium conduit role and LA booster duty vs. vs. vs. contrasted with control. Additionally, the total emptying fraction% , LA Active ejection fraction % significantly higher in pregnant women than the control , vs. while the LA Passive EF% had no significant difference between pregnant women about control . Conclusion: In normal gravid females in the last trimester, there is an increase in LA volumes(LA maximum volume, LA minimum volume, and LA pre-A volumes) and enhancement in LA reservoir capacity, conduit role, and booster functions by using 2DE, which can quickly assess LA phasic volumes and function.

Polycystic ovary syndrome and adverse pregnancy outcomes: potential role of decidual function.

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common endocrine disorder affecting fertility and mental health among women of reproductive age. In addition to anovulation and hyperandrogenism, patients also experience metabolic issues, such as insulin resistance, obesity, and dyslipidemia, as well as chronic low-grade inflammation throughout the body. Recent studies have shown that even with assisted reproductive technology to treat anovulatory issues, patients with PCOS still have higher rates of adverse pregnancy outcomes and abortion compared to normal pregnancies. These findings suggest that PCOS may impair the endometrium and disrupt the onset and maintenance of healthy pregnancies. Decidualization is a crucial step in the process of healthy pregnancy, during which endometrial stromal cells (ESCs) differentiate into secretory decidual stromal cells (DSCs) regulated by hormones and local metabolism. This article comprehensively reviews the pathological processes of PCOS and the mechanisms involved in its impaired decidualization. In addition, we explore how PCOS increases the incidence of adverse pregnancy outcomes (APO). By gaining a better understanding of the adverse effects of PCOS on pregnancy and its specific mechanisms, we hope to provide a theoretical basis for reducing APO and improving the live birth rate among women with PCOS.

Danger Signs and 4T Risk Factors of Pregnant Women

The number of cases of maternal death in 2020 was 122, an increase of 25 cases compared to 2019, which was 97 cases of maternal death. The highest number of maternal death cases was in West Lombok district with 43 cases. The maternal mortality rate in NTB Province has increased from 93.92 per 100,000 live births to 119.05 per 100,000 live births. When compared with the performance achievements in the RPJMN, the NTB province is still below the national target. The 4T factors (too old, too young, too closely spaced between pregnancies and too many children) can increase cases of complications in the mother. Birth interval between one child and another child of less than 2 years can increase the risk of maternal death. Delivery at intervals of less than 24 months (too often) is a high-risk group for postpartum hemorrhage. This research aimed to determine the risk factors experienced by pregnant women so that prevention can be taken to prevent maternal death during childbirth. The research method used a quantitative analytical observational with a Focus Group Discussion (FGD) approach. The research results showed that pregnant women did not understand the danger signs and risk factors for 4T, so that pregnant women are able to take preventive measures. Apart from that, this research also provides anticipatory solutions so that pregnant women and their husbands can avoid further complications related to the risks of 4T. This research concludes that the understanding of pregnant women and their husbands regarding the danger signs and risks of 4T has increased so that they are able to know the mother's condition during pregnancy and are able to plan and have a healthy pregnancy.

Pregnancy complications

A normal pregnancy is generally considered to be a healthy and uncomplicated pregnancy. It typically lasts around 40 weeks and is divided into three trimesters. During a normal pregnancy, the fertilized egg implants in the lining of the uterus, and the baby develops and grows inside the uterus. Throughout the pregnancy, there are several important milestones and changes that occur. These include regular prenatal check-ups, monitoring the baby's growth, and ensuring the mother's overall health. Common symptoms during pregnancy may include nausea or morning sickness, fatigue, increased urination, breast tenderness, and mood swings.

Comparison of Afamin Values in Umbilical Cord Blood After Delivery in Pregnancies With and Without Gestational Diabetes Mellitus

Objective Afamin is a protein that increases in gestational diabetes but its concentration in neonates hasn’t been investigated. Our objective is to compare cord blood afamin levels in neonates born to mothers with and without diabetes, and to explore its relationship with maternal and neonatal variables. Methods In this case control study, umbilical cord blood was collected for afamin measurement in pregestational/gestational diabetic pregnancies (n = 40) and healthy pregnancies (n = 45) after delivery. Correlation analysis was conducted to examine the relationship between afamin levels and maternal BMI, age, HbA1c, fasting and postprandial blood glucose, gestational age, birth weight. Results The diabetic group had a higher median afamin level (p < 0.001). Afamin concentrations did not differ significantly between diabetic subgroups. The concentration of afamin in cord blood was independent of maternal BMI, age, HbA1c, blood glucose, gestational age, birth weight. Conclusion The concentration of afamin in cord blood of diabetic pregnancies is significantly higher, irrespective of other clinical factors.

Pemberdayaan Remaja dalam Menghadapi Persiapan Pernikahan di kelas Calon Pengantin (Catin)

Marriage is the beginning of healthy reproduction. The large number of divorce phenomena in teenage marriages and unhealthy pregnancies have increased maternal morbidity and mortality. This Community Service provides religious premarital education, conflict management psychology and healthy pregnancy preparation at the Karanganom Klaten health center. This Community Service uses lecture, question and answer and role play methods which will be completed on 1-3 July 2023. The target is teenage couples who are about to get married. The results of the service were obtained as many as 30 premarital couple participants took part in the Bride and Groom Candidate (Catin) class. It was found that the prospective bride and groom's knowledge before the catin training activity at the Karanganom Community Health Center was found to be 45.01 ± 11.24. After the catin training was carried out, the respondent's knowledge increased by 78.88 ± 12.61. The results of statistical tests show that there is a significant increase in knowledge. This means that youth training in marriage preparation is effective for prospective brides and grooms. This activity can be a community-based pre-marital education option that can be carried out independently or as part of an existing community empowerment initiative, such as a youth posyandu or youth organization.

HIGHER MATERNAL EDUCATION AND NON-WORKING MOTHER AS A STRONG DETERMINANT OF HIGHER MATERNAL LEVEL OF KNOWLEDGE ON IRON SUPPLEMENTATION IN BANTUL DISTRICT, YOGYAKARTA, INDONESIA

In Indonesia, maternal anemia, which affects nearly half of pregnant women, is still a growing nutritional issue. Several negative impacts of maternal anemia have been validated, including its effect on their offspring such as low birthweight and risk of being stunting. Maternal knowledge affects maternal compliance on iron supplementation consumption which significantly correlated with maternal anaemia status. This study aimed to investigate determinants of maternal knowledge on iron supplementation. A total of 121 pregnant women from Pajangan Sub-District in Bantul participated in this cross-sectional study. A bivariate and multivariate analysis conducted to investigate the correlations of each independent variable to the outcome. The crude and adjusted OR showed that higher mothers’ education level (AOR=3.77, CI=1.184 – 11.98), unemployeed mothers (AOR =2.99, CI = 1.02 – 8.77) and non-anaemic mothers (AOR=5.14, CI=1.51 – 17.45) associated significantly with higher iron supplementation knowledge. Maternal pregnancy status (gravidity and age of pregancy) as well as family income were not associated with maternal knowledge. Information regarding iron supplementation enhancer, inhibition and side effects should be promoted more among mothers. Health practitionaires should also provide health promotion at the workspace to reach employeed mothers in improving healthy pregnancy literacy.

Long non-coding RNAs: a summary of their roles in placenta development and pathology†.

Long non-coding RNAs are cellular transcripts that have ˃200 nucleotides in length and do not code for proteins. Due to their low expression levels, long non-coding RNAs were previously considered as mere transcriptional noise. However, current evidence indicates that they regulate a myriad of biological processes such as cell proliferation, invasion, and apoptosis. Hence, their expression patterns are crucial indicators of the physiological or pathological states of cells, tissues, and organs. The utilization of long non-coding RNAs as biomarkers and therapeutic targets for the clinical management of several diseases have been suggested. Gradually, long non-coding RNAs are gaining a substantial attention in the field of feto-maternal medicine. After embryo implantation, the interactions between the trophoblast cells from the embryo and the uterus of the mother facilitate placenta development and pregnancy progression. These processes are tightly regulated, and their impairments result in pregnancy pathologies such as miscarriage and preeclampsia. Accumulating evidence implicates long non-coding RNAs in these processes. Herein, we have summarized the roles of several long non-coding RNAs in human placenta development, have proposed some mechanisms by which they participate in physiological and pathological placentation, have revealed some knowledge deficits, and have recommended ideal experimental approaches that will facilitate the clarification of the mechanistic actions of each long non-coding RNA at the feto-maternal interface during healthy and pathological pregnancies.

Progesterone-induced blocking factor blockade causes hypertension in pregnant rats.

Preeclampsia (PE) is a multisystem disorder characterized by new onset hypertension in mid-late gestation and can include multi-organ dysfunction with or without proteinuria. It affects 5%-7% of all pregnancies in the U.S., making PE a major contributor to maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality. Currently, there is no cure for this pregnancy complication except for early delivery of the placenta and fetus. Moreover, the therapeutic options to treat PE are very limited. One potential trigger for the development of PE is progesterone deficiency-induced imbalance between T Helper 1(Th1)/Th2 cells, an increase in cytolytic natural killer (NK) cells and inflammatory cytokines that in turn leads to endothelial dysfunction, intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) and hypertension. Importantly, progesterone signals the synthesis of progesterone-induced blocking factor (PIBF) which has anti-inflammatory effects and could promote the regulation of inflammation balance during pregnancy. However, the role of progesterone and PIBF in the pathophysiology of PE is still not fully understood. Thus, this current study was designed to test the hypothesis that inhibition of PIBF causes signs of PE in pregnant Sprague Dawley rats. In order to address our hypothesis, rabbit anti-PIBF IgG (0.25, low dose-LD or 0.50mg/mL, high dose-HD) was administered intraperitoneally on gestation day (GD) 15 to normal pregnant Sprague Dawley (NP) rats. On GD 18, carotid catheters were inserted and on GD 19 mean blood pressure (MAP) and samples were collected for further analysis. MAP in normal pregnant rats (NP) rats (n=7) was 99±3mmHg, which increased to 116±2 mmHg in NP+ anti-PIBF LD (n=10) and 113±4mmHg in NP+ anti-PIBF HD (n=4), p<0.05. Plasma TNF-alpha levels were 35±8 pg/mL in NP rats and increased to 84±21 pg/mL in NP+ Anti-PIBF HD (n=4), p<0.05. Plasma IL-4 and IL-10 levels were 22±5 and 25+6 pg/mL in NP (n=5), which decreased to 6±1 and 8±1 pg/mL in NP+ Anti-PIBF LD (n=6, p<0.05) and 16±4 and 15±5 pg/mL in NP+ Anti-PIBF HD (n=4). Circulating total NK cells were 67±11 % gatein NP rats (n=3), which decreased to 28±7% gate in NP+ Anti-PIBF LD and 45±6% gate in NP+ Anti-PIBF HD. Cytolytic NK cells were increased in NP+ Anti-PIBF HD, p<0.05. Moreover, circulating NO levels were significantly decreased while renal cortex PPET-1 levels increased NP+ Anti-PIBF HD. Our study demonstrates that PIBF blockade causes hypertension, inflammation and signs of endothelial dysfunction, all of which are associated with PE, thus indicating the importance of progesterone signalling pathways during a healthy pregnancy.

Regulation of MMP-2 by IL-8 in Vascular Endothelial Cells: Probable Mechanism for Endothelial Dysfunction in Women with Preeclampsia.

Endothelial dysfunction (ED) in preeclampsia (PE) results from the convergence of oxidative stress, inflammation, and alterations in extracellular matrix components, affecting vascular tone and permeability. The molecular network leading to ED includes IL-8 and MMP-2. In vitro, IL-8 regulates the concentration and activity of MMP-2 in the trophoblast; this interaction has not been studied in endothelial cells during PE. We isolated human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) from women with healthy pregnancies (NP, n = 15) and PE (n = 15). We quantified the intracellular concentration of nitric oxide and reactive oxygen species with colorimetric assays, IL-8 with ELISA, and MMP-2 with zymography and using an ELISA-type system. An IL-8 inhibition assay was used to study the influence of this cytokine on MMP-2 concentration and activity. HUVECs from women with PE showed significantly higher oxidative stress than NP. IL-8 and MMP-2 were found to be significantly elevated in PE HUVECs compared to NP. Inhibition of IL-8 in HUVECs from women with PE significantly decreased the concentration of MMP-2. We demonstrate that IL-8 is involved in the mechanisms of MMP-2 expression in HUVECs from women with PE. Our findings provide new insights into the molecular mechanisms regulating the ED distinctive of PE.

PLACENTAL MUTATIONAL BURDEN NEGATIVELY CORRELATES WITH GESTATIONAL AGE IN EARLY-ONSET PREECLAMPSIA

Abstract The placenta exists in a hypoxic environment during early pregnancy, making it susceptible to somatic genetic mutations caused by oxidative stress and rapid cell proliferation. Oxidative stress is one of the leading factors involved in cellular aging causing genetic mutations, cellular senescence, and mitochondria dysfunction over time. While it has been demonstrated that healthy placentas accumulate somatic mutations as they develop, we hypothesize that diseased placentas display an accelerated aging phenotype through the accumulation of somatic mutations. To address this, we analyzed RNA-seq data from 84 human placentas throughout gestation from healthy (N=33) and preeclamptic pregnancies (N=51). We identified rare single nucleotide variants, insertions and deletions using GATK Best practices Workflow for RNA-seq short variant discovery using bcbio-nextgen and annotated with VEP and LOFTEE. Mutational burden, defined as the total number of rare mutations per megabase, was calculated after strict quality control and filtering for rare (gnomADg&amp;lt; 0.05) variants using maftools in R. Linear regression models were employed to determine the association between mutational burden and gestational age. Differences in mean values were computed with a pairwise t-test . This study revealed that mutational burden in early-onset preeclampsia placentas is negatively correlated to gestational age (R^2=0.256; p-value=0.032). The early-onset preeclampsia group had a higher mutational burden relative to the other groups (p-value&amp;lt; 0.05). This study revealed a significant correlation of mutational burden with gestational age in early-onset preeclampsia, paving the way for additional investigation of accelerated aging in placentas and its contribution to the development of preeclampsia.

Transplacental migration of maternal natural killer and T cells assessed by ex vivo human placenta perfusion

IntroductionThe transplacental passage of cells between a mother and her fetus, known as microchimerism, is a less studied process during pregnancy. The frequency of maternal microchimeric cells in fetal tissues in physiological pregnancies and mechanisms responsible for transplacental cell trafficking are poorly understood. This study aimed to evaluate the placental trafficking of maternal peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) using human ex vivo placenta perfusion. MethodsTen placentas and maternal PBMC were obtained after healthy pregnancies. Flow cytometry was used to characterize PBMC subtypes. They showed a higher percentage of CD3+ T cells compared to CD56+ NK cells. The isolated PBMC were stained with a fluorescent dye and perfused through the maternal circuit of the placenta in an ex vivo perfusion system. Subsequent immunofluorescence staining for CD3+ T cells and CD56+ NK cells was performed on placental tissue sections, and the number of detectable PBMC in different tissue areas was counted using fluorescence microscopy. ResultsThe applied method allowed discrimination of perfused autologous maternal cells from cells resident in the placenta before perfusion. Further, it allows additional immunohistochemical labelling and distinction of immune cell subsets. Perfused PBMC were detected in all analyzed placentas, mostly in contact to the syncytiotrophoblast. CD3+ T cells were identified more frequently than CD56+ NK cells and some CD3+ T cells were found inside fetoplacental tissues and vasculature. The results indicate that also other PBMCs than T or NK cells adhere to or enter villous tissue, but they have not been specified in this analysis. DiscussionPrevious studies have detected maternal cells in the fetal circulation which we could mimick in our ex vivo placenta perfusion experiments with fluorescence labelled autologous maternal PBMC. The applied experimental settings did not allow comparison of transmigration abilities of PBMC subsets, but slight modifications of the model will permit further studies of cell transfer processes and microchimerism in pregnancy.

Mitochondrial might: powering the peripartum for risk and resilience.

The peripartum period, characterized by dynamic hormonal shifts and physiological adaptations, has been recognized as a potentially vulnerable period for the development of mood disorders such as postpartum depression (PPD). Stress is a well-established risk factor for developing PPD and is known to modulate mitochondrial function. While primarily known for their role in energy production, mitochondria also influence processes such as stress regulation, steroid hormone synthesis, glucocorticoid response, GABA metabolism, and immune modulation - all of which are crucial for healthy pregnancy and relevant to PPD pathology. While mitochondrial function has been implicated in other psychiatric illnesses, its role in peripartum stress and mental health remains largely unexplored, especially in relation to the brain. In this review, we first provide an overview of mitochondrial involvement in processes implicated in peripartum mood disorders, underscoring their potential role in mediating pathology. We then discuss clinical and preclinical studies of mitochondria in the context of peripartum stress and mental health, emphasizing the need for better understanding of this relationship. Finally, we propose mitochondria as biological mediators of resilience to peripartum mood disorders.

The Influence Of Health Education On The Level Of Knowledge Of Pregnant Woman About The Importance Of Tablets (Fe) and the Dangers of Anemia

Background: The level of knowledge of pregnant women about anemia is one of the factors that also plays a role in the occurrence of anemia. Pregnant women's knowledge about anemia, nutrition rich in iron and folic acid during pregnancy is very necessary to ensure a healthy pregnancy, apart from that, knowledge about the importance of consuming blood supplement (Fe) tablets as a supplement rich in iron is also important in treating anemia. The impact if mothers do not know the importance of blood supplement tablets (Fe), pregnant women will tend to be disobedient in consuming blood supplement tablets. Objective: The general objective of this study is to determine the level of knowledge of pregnant women about the importance of blood supplement tablets (Fe) and the dangers of anemia before and after being given health education at the Tanete Health Center. Method: This research is a quantitative research with a pre-experimental research design with a one-group pretest-posttest design approach. The sample in this study was 38 respondents with a sampling technique using probability sampling with random sampling. Data were collected by administering a questionnaire containing 30 items with multiple choices. Results: This research found that the average knowledge of pregnant women regarding the importance of blood supplement tablets (Fe) and the dangers of anemia increased after providing health education in the good category compared to before providing health education in the poor category. The results of the Wilcoxon marginal homogeneity test obtained a value of p = 0.000. Conclusions and suggestions: There is an effect of providing health education interventions in increasing pregnant women's knowledge about the importance of blood supplement tablets (Fe) and the dangers of anemia at the Tanete Community Health Center.