Pregnancy Research Articles

Maternal Urinary Fluoride and Child Neurobehavior at Age 36 Months

Recent studies in Canadian and Mexican populations suggest an association of higher prenatal fluoride exposure with poorer neurobehavioral development, but whether this association holds for US-based populations is unknown. To examine associations of third trimester maternal urinary fluoride (MUF) with child neurobehavior at age 3 years in the US. This prospective cohort study utilized urine samples archived from 2017 to 2020 and neurobehavioral data assessed from 2020 to 2023 from the Maternal and Developmental Risks from Environmental and Social Stressors (MADRES) pregnancy cohort, which consisted of predominately Hispanic women residing in Los Angeles, California. Cohort eligibility criteria at recruitment included being 18 years of age or older, less than 30 weeks' gestation, and a fluent English or Spanish speaker. Exclusion criteria included having a disability preventing participation or provision of informed consent, being HIV positive or incarcerated, and having a multiple gestation pregnancy. There were 263 mother-child pairs who completed the 3-year study visit. In this analysis, women who reported prenatal smoking were excluded. Data analysis was conducted from October 2022 to March 2024. Specific gravity-adjusted MUF (MUFSG), a biomarker of prenatal fluoride exposure. Neurobehavior was quantified using the Preschool Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL), which included composite scores for Total Problems, Internalizing Problems, and Externalizing Problems. CBCL composite T scores range from 28 to 100. T scores from 60 to 63 are in the borderline clinical range, whereas scores above 63 are in the clinical range. Linear and logistic regression models adjusted for covariates were conducted. A total of 229 mother-child pairs (mean [SD] maternal age, 29.45 [5.67] years; 116 female children [50.7%] and 113 male children [49.3%]) who had MUFSG measured were included in the study. Median (IQR) MUFSG was 0.76 (0.51-1.19) mg/L, and 32 participants (14.0%) had a Total Problems T score in the borderline clinical or clinical range. A 1-IQR (0.68 mg/L) increase in MUFSG was associated with nearly double the odds of the Total Problems T score being in the borderline clinical or clinical range (odds ratio, 1.83; 95% CI, 1.17-2.86; P = .008), as well as with a 2.29-point increase in T score for the Internalizing Problems composite (B = 2.29; 95% CI, 0.47-4.11; P = .01) and a 2.14-point increase in T score for the Total Problems composite (B = 2.14; 95% CI, 0.29-3.98; P = .02). In this prospective cohort study of mother-child pairs in Los Angeles, California, prenatal fluoride exposure was associated with increased neurobehavioral problems. These findings suggest that there may be a need to establish recommendations for limiting fluoride exposure during the prenatal period.

Deficiency of UCHL1 results in insufficient decidualization accompanied by impaired dNK modulation and eventually miscarriage

BackgroundMiscarriage is a frustrating complication of pregnancy that is common among women of reproductive age. Insufficient decidualization which not only impairs embryo implantation but disturbs fetomaternal immune-tolerance, has been widely regarded as a major cause of miscarriage; however, the underlying mechanisms resulting in decidual impairment are largely unknown.MethodsWith informed consent, decidual tissue from patients with spontaneous abortion or normal pregnant women was collected to detect the expression profile of UCHL1. Human endometrial stromal cells (HESCs) were used to explore the roles of UCHL1 in decidualization and dNK modulation, as well as the mechanisms involved. C57/BL6 female mice (7–10 weeks old) were used to construct pregnancy model or artificially induced decidualization model to evaluate the effect of UCHL1 on mice decidualization and pregnancy outcome.ResultsThe Ubiquitin C-terminal hydrolase L1 (UCHL1), as a deubiquitinating enzyme, was significantly downregulated in decidua from patients with miscarriage, along with impaired decidualization and decreased dNKs. Blockage of UCHL1 led to insufficient decidualization and resultant decreased expression of cytokines CXCL12, IL-15, TGF-β which were critical for generation of decidual NK cells (dNKs), whereas UCHL1 overexpression enhanced decidualization accompanied by increase in dNKs. Mechanistically, the promotion of UCHL1 on decidualization was dependent on its deubiquitinating activity, and intervention of UCHL1 inhibited the activation of JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway, resulting in aberrant decidualization and decreased production of cytokines associated with dNKs modulation. Furthermore, we found that inhibition of UCHL1 also disrupted the decidualization in mice and eventually caused adverse pregnancy outcome.ConclusionsUCHL1 plays significant roles in decidualization and dNKs modulation during pregnancy in both humans and mice. Its deficiency indicates a poor pregnancy outcome due to defective decidualization, making UCHL1 a potential target for the diagnosis and treatment of miscarriage.Graphical

Characterizing the Dynamic Expression of C1q/TNF-α-Related Protein 6 (CTRP6) during Pregnancy in Humans and Mice with Gestational Diabetes Mellitus.

C1q/TNF-related protein 6 (CTRP6) is a novel adipokine involved in insulin resistance. Thus, we aim to investigate the expression profile of CTRP6 in the plasma, adipose tissue and placenta of GDM patients and mice. Chinese Han pregnant women (GDM n = 9, control n = 10) with a scheduled caesarean section delivery were recruited. A number of high-fat diet (HFD) induced-pregnancy C57BL/6 mice were chosen as an animal model of GDM. Circulating levels of CTRP6 and adiponectin were examined by ELISA. CTRP6 expression in adipose tissue and placenta were detected by real-time qPCR and WB. Plasma CTRP6 levels were decreased during the first and second trimesters in mice, as well as the second and third trimesters in patients, while they were increased at delivery in GDM patients and mice. Plasma CTRP6 levels were significantly correlated with WBC, systolic pressure, diastolic pressure and fasting blood glucose. Moreover, CTRP6 mRNA expression in the subcutaneous (sWAT) and omental white adipose tissue (oWAT), as well as in the placenta, was significantly higher in GDM human patients at cesarean delivery. Furthermore, the mRNA expression of Ctrp6 was increased in the sWAT and visceral WAT (vWAT), whilst decreased in the interscapular brown adipose tissue (iBAT), of GDM mice at cesarean delivery. Dynamically expressed CTRP6 may be served as a candidate target for treatment of GDM.

Impact of maternal posture on fetal physiology in human pregnancy: a narrative review.

In numerous medical conditions, including pregnancy, gravity and posture interact to impact physiology and pathophysiology. Recent investigations, for example, pertaining to maternal sleeping posture during the third trimester and possible impact on fetal growth and stillbirth risk highlight the importance and potential clinical implications of the subject. In this review, we provide an extensive discussion of the impact of maternal posture on fetal physiology from conception to the postpartum period in human pregnancy. We conducted a systematic literature search of the MEDLINE database and identified 242 studies from 1991 through 2021, inclusive, that met our inclusion criteria. Herein, we provide a synthesis of the resulting literature. In the first section of the review, we group the results by the impact of maternal posture at rest on the cervix, uterus, placenta, umbilical cord, amniotic fluid, and fetus. In the second section of the review, we address the impact on fetal-related outcomes of maternal posture during various maternal activities (e.g., sleep, work, exercise), medical procedures (e.g., fertility, imaging, surgery), and labor and birth. We present the published literature, highlight gaps and discrepancies, and suggest future research opportunities and clinical practice changes. In sum, we anticipate that this review will shed light on the impact of maternal posture on fetal physiology in a manner that lends utility to researchers and clinicians who are working to improve maternal, fetal, and child health.

Исследование соотношений между показателями ритмической активности сердца человека

The purpose of this article was to determine the correlations between the electrical and mechanical parameters of the rhythmic activity of the heart (HRA) in humans taking into account age and the effect of functional loads. Materials and methods. The research involved 146 people of both sexes aged between two hours after birth and 92 years, who were examined using functional tests that differed depending on the age of the subjects. Electrocardiogram (ECG) and heart rate (HR) parameters were recorded in the standard lead II using the Poly-Spectrum ECG system (Neurosoft, Ivanovo). Results. Correlations between HRA parameters can be traced from the first hours of post-embryogenesis throughout the rest of a person’s life. The data obtained indicate a dependence of HRA on the age and on the effect of functional tests, as well as confirm the proposition that there is an inverse relationship between HR dynamics and the dynamics of myocardial electrical parameters. ECG recordings at birth indicate that the correlations between ECG and HR are formed as early as in the prenatal period. Their correlations in people aged between 70 and 92 years indicate a strain associated with the wear and tear of the body’s functional systems. HR and ECG parameters are based on the electrical properties of the myocardium, which are significantly affected by the autonomic nervous system (ANS). A linear range of correlations between HR and ECG intervals was compiled. The maximum values of the duration of the PP interval and TP segment correspond to the minimum HR values. With an increase in HR from 40 to 80 beats/min, the duration of the TP segment decreases twoto three-fold. With HR reaching 120 ± 5 beats/min, the duration of the TP segment drops to zero. Since the increase in HR continues further in response to functional tests, it is obvious that at this stage the process is provided only by the neurohumoral components of the ANS. Due to the maximum variability of the duration of the TP segment, its most important role in the organization of HRA is emphasized.

Personalized embryo transfer guided by rsERT improves pregnancy outcomes in patients with repeated implantation failure.

Embryo implantation requires synchronous communication between the embryo and maternal endometrium. Inadequate maternal endometrial receptivity is one of the principal causes for embryo implantation failure [especially repeated implantation failure (RIF)] when biopsied good-quality euploid embryos are transferred. An RNA-seq-based endometrial receptivity test (rsERT) was previously established to precisely guide successful embryo implantation. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the effect of personalized embryo transfer (pET) via rsERT on the clinical outcomes in patients with RIF. A total of 155 patients with RIF were included in the present retrospective study and were divided into two groups: 60 patients who underwent rsERT and pET (Group rsERT) and 95 patients who underwent standard frozen embryo transfer (FET) without rsERT (Group FET). Reproductive outcomes were compared for patients who underwent rsERT-guided pET and standard FET. Forty percent (24/60) of the patients who underwent rsERT were receptive, and the remaining 60% (36/60) were non-receptive. The positive human chorionic gonadotropin (β-hCG) rate (56.3% vs. 30.5%, P = 0.003) and clinical pregnancy rate (43.8% vs. 24.2%, P = 0.017) were significantly higher in Group rsERT patients than in FET group patients. Additionally, Group rsERT patients also showed a higher implantation rate (32.1% vs. 22.1%, P = 0.104) and live birth rate (35.4% vs. 21.1%, P = 0.064) when compared with FET patients, although without significance. For subpopulation analysis, the positive β-hCG rate, clinical pregnancy rate, implantation rate, and live birth rate of receptive patients were not statistically significant different from those of non-receptive patients. The rsERT can significantly improve the pregnancy outcomes of RIF patients, indicating the clinical potential of rsERT-guided pET.

Postpartum Obesity Is Associated With Increases in Child Adiposity in Midchildhood in a Cohort of Black and Dominican Youth

BackgroundObesity disproportionately affects marginalized and low-income populations. Birth parent obesity from the prenatal period and childhood has been associated with child obesity. It is unknown whether prenatal or postnatal birth parent obesity has differential effects on subsequent changes in adiposity and metabolic health in children. ObjectivesWe evaluated how birth parent obesity 7 y after delivery was associated with child body composition changes and cardiometabolic health in midchildhood and further assessed the influence of the perinatal and postpartum period on associations. MethodsBlack and Dominican pregnant individuals were enrolled, and dyads (n = 319) were followed up at child age 7 and 9 y. Measures included, height, weight, waist circumference (WC), and percent body fat (BF%). Multiple linear regression was used to relate postpartum weight status with child outcomes accounting for attrition, and a series of secondary analyses were conducted with additional adjustment for perinatal weight status, gestational weight gain (GWG), and/or long-term weight retention to evaluate how these factors influenced associations. ResultsAlmost one-quarter (23%) of birth parents and 24.1% children were classified with obesity at child age 7 y, while at 9 y, 30% of children had obesity. Birth parent obesity at child age 7 y was associated with greater changes, from ages 7 to 9 y, in child BMI z-score (β: 0.13; 95% CI: 0.02, 0.24) and BF% (β: 1.15; 95% CI: 0.22, 2.09) but not obesity at age 9 y. All observed associations crossed the null after additional adjustment for prenatal factors. ConclusionsBirth parent obesity at 7-y postpartum is associated with greater gains in child BMI z-score and BF% in midchildhood. These associations diminish after accounting for prenatal size, suggesting a lasting impact of the perinatal environment and that interventions supporting families from the prenatal period through childhood are needed.

Independent and joint effects of neighborhood-level environmental and socioeconomic exposures on body mass index in early childhood: The environmental influences on child health outcomes (ECHO) cohort

Past studies support the hypothesis that the prenatal period influences childhood growth. However, few studies explore the joint effects of exposures that occur simultaneously during pregnancy. To explore the feasibility of using mixtures methods with neighborhood-level environmental exposures, we assessed the effects of multiple prenatal exposures on body mass index (BMI) from birth to age 24 months. We used data from two cohorts: Healthy Start (n = 977) and Maternal and Developmental Risks from Environmental and Social Stressors (MADRES; n = 303). BMI was measured at delivery and 6, 12, and 24 months and standardized as z-scores. We included variables for air pollutants, built and natural environments, food access, and neighborhood socioeconomic status (SES). We used two complementary statistical approaches: single-exposure linear regression and quantile-based g-computation. Models were fit separately for each cohort and time point and were adjusted for relevant covariates. Single-exposure models identified negative associations between NO2 and distance to parks and positive associations between low neighborhood SES and BMI z-scores for Healthy Start participants; for MADRES participants, we observed negative associations between O3 and distance to parks and BMI z-scores. G-computations models produced comparable results for each cohort: higher exposures were generally associated with lower BMI, although results were not significant. Results from the g-computation models, which do not require a priori knowledge of the direction of associations, indicated that the direction of associations between mixture components and BMI varied by cohort and time point. Our study highlights challenges in assessing mixtures effects at the neighborhood level and in harmonizing exposure data across cohorts. For example, geospatial data of neighborhood-level exposures may not fully capture the qualities that might influence health behavior. Studies aiming to harmonize geospatial data from different geographical regions should consider contextual factors when operationalizing exposure variables.

Placental human papillomavirus infections and adverse pregnancy outcomes

IntroductionKnowledge on prevalence and association of human papillomavirus (HPV) in third trimester placentae and adverse pregnancy outcomes is limited. We investigated the prevalence of placental HPV at delivery, explored urine HPV characteristics associated with placental HPV and whether placental HPV increased the risk adverse pregnancy outcomes. MethodsPregnant women were enrolled in the Scandinavian PreventADALL mother-child cohort study at midgestation. Human papillomavirus genotyping was performed on placental biopsies collected at delivery (n = 587) and first-void urine at midgestation and delivery (n = 556). Maternal characteristics were collected by questionnaires at gestational week 18 and 34. Adverse pregnancy outcomes were registered from chart data including hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, gestational diabetes mellitus and newborns small for gestational age. Uni- and multivariable regression models were used to investigate associations. ResultsPlacental HPV was detected in 18/587 (3 %). Twenty-eight genotypes were identified among the 214/556 (38 %) with midgestational urine HPV. Seventeen of the 18 women with placental HPV were midgestational HPV positive with 89 % genotype concordance. Midgestational high-risk-(HR)-HPV and high viral loads of Any- or HR-HPV were associated with placental HPV. Persisting HPV infection from midgestation to delivery was not associated with placental HPV. Adverse pregnancy outcomes were seen in 2/556 (0.4 %) of women with placental HPV. DiscussionIn this general cohort of pregnant women, the prevalence of placental HPV was 3 %, and midgestational urinary HPV 38 %. High HPV viral load increased the risk for placental HPV infections. We observed no increased risk for adverse pregnancy outcomes in women with placental HPV.

Associations between heat wave during pregnancy and term birth weight outcomes: The PARIS birth cohort

BackgroundClimate change will make extreme weather events more frequent in the 21st century. Extreme ambient temperatures during the prenatal period have been associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes such as preterm birth. It is unclear, however, whether heat waves during pregnancy impact fetal growth in apparently healthy term newborns. ObjectivesWe aimed to investigate associations between heat wave during pregnancy and birth weight outcomes in term newborns from the PARIS birth cohort, and to explore meteorological conditions and air pollution as possible intermediate factors. MethodsWe examined data on 3,359 newborns born between 37 and 42 weeks in Paris, France, between 2003 and 2006. Associations of maternal exposure to heat wave (during whole pregnancy and each trimester) with birth weight and small for gestational age (SGA) at term were studied using linear and logistic regression models adjusted for potential confounders. Maternal characteristics were investigated as possible modifiers. We explored the mediating role of ambient temperature, relative humidity, and air pollution levels in the relationship between heat wave during the first trimester and term SGA. ResultsMothers who were pregnant during the 2003 French heat wave (n = 506, 15 %) were more likely to have a term SGA baby (aOR = 2.70; 95 %CI: 1.38, 5.28) compared to mothers who did not experience heat wave during pregnancy. The association was stronger when heat wave occurred during the first trimester (aOR = 4.18; 95 %CI: 1.69, 10.35). Primiparous women were identified as more vulnerable than multiparous women. Average ambient temperature and air quality index explained about 36 % and 56 % of the association between heat wave during the first trimester and term SGA, respectively. ConclusionsThis study suggests prenatal exposure to heat wave, especially during the first trimester, may adversely affect fetal growth of term newborns, which could be explained by both increasing ambient temperatures and worsening air quality.

Qualitative Study to Explore the Occupational and Reproductive Health Challenges among Women Tobacco Farm Laborers in Mysore District, India.

Tobacco farm laborers are primarily women and children working for very low wages. The aim of this study was to explore occupational and reproductive health challenges faced by women tobacco farm laborers in Mysore District, India. We conducted interviews and six focus group discussions among 41 women tobacco farm laborers. Codes and themes were generated based on deductive and inductive approaches using the socioecological model. Participants reported symptoms of green tobacco sickness including headaches, back pain, gastric problems, weakness, and allergies during menstruation, pre-natal, and post-natal periods. Participants had poor awareness about the health effects of tobacco farming, and there were gender inequalities in wages and the use of personal protective equipment. Participants received support from family and community health workers during their pregnancy and post-natal period. Women reported wanting maternity benefits from the tobacco board, as well as monetary support and nutritional supplements. There is a need for health education about the environmental dangers of tobacco among farm laborers, and more supportive policies for women farmworkers during pregnancy and post-natal periods.

LIF-STAT signaling in decidual cells: a possible role in embryo implantation and early pregnancy.

In this study, we investigate the effects of miRNA-138-5p and probable G-protein coupled receptor 124 (GPR124)-regulated inflammasome and downstream leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF)-STAT and adhesion molecule signaling in human decidual stromal cells. After informed consent was obtained from women aged 25-38 years undergoing surgical termination of the normal pregnancy and spontaneous miscarriage after 6-9 weeks of gestation, human decidual stromal cells were extracted from the decidual tissue. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) with microRNA (miRNA) between cells have been regarded as critical factors for embryo-maternal interactions on embryo implantation and programming of human pregnancy. MicroRNA-138-5p acts as the transcriptional regulator of GPR124 and the mediator of downstream inflammasome. LIF-regulated STAT activation and expression of integrins might influence embryo implantation. Hence, a better understanding of LIF-STAT and adhesion molecule signaling would elucidate the mechanism of microRNA-138-5p- and GPR124-regulated inflammasome activation on embryo implantation and pregnancy. Our results show that microRNA-138-5p, purified from the EVs of decidual stromal cells, inhibits the expression of GPR124 and the inflammasome, and activates the expression of LIF-STAT and adhesion molecules in human decidual stromal cells. Additionally, the knockdown of GPR124 and NLRP3 through siRNA increases the expression of LIF-STAT and adhesion molecules. The findings of this study help us gain a better understanding the role of EVs, microRNA-138-5p, GPR124, inflammasomes, LIF-STAT, and adhesion molecules in embryo implantation and programming of human pregnancy.

Review on Childhood Obesity: Discussing Effects of Gestational Age at Birth and Spotting Association of Postterm Birth with Childhood Obesity

Overweight and obesity in children and adolescents and its negative effects on health, including increased risks of long-term diseases like type II DM, CVD, dyslipidemia, , stroke, hypertension, respiratory issues, gallbladder disease, sleep apnea, osteoarthritis, along with certain malignancies, which are already identified during the perinatal and prenatal period is one of the most important worldwide health concerns of the twenty-first century. To overcome the current epidemic of overweight and obesity, obstructing their risk factors is important in an effort to prevent the development of obesity and overweight. Multiple epidemiological research studies have shown a connection between BMI acquired later in life and birth weight; however, the results are constrained by the absence of information on gestational age. Majority of studies reported relation of childhood obesity with the preterm born children in study of relation with the gestational age. Although more likely to become obese in later adulthood, preterm and low birth weight born child are small and/or lean at birth, whereas post-term usually not and above all, children born postterm showed signs of a rapid weight gain that led to obesity decades early. Thus, the purpose of this review study is to determine the impact of the gestational age at delivery and to provide an overview of the evidence supporting the link between childhood obesity and post-term birth.. Thorough systemic review conducted on online database Pubmed, Google Scholar and found only few studies on association with the post- term born children. Limited evidence necessitated the studying of additional adult post-term cohorts to accurately determine future risks to health and to investigate these potential metabolic alterations, as well as if the alterations in adiposity continue or get worse throughout adulthood, and how these correlations vary in adult born post-term in terms of pattern and amplitude.

RSV Severe Infection Risk Stratification in a French 5-Year Birth Cohort Using Machine-learning.

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) poses a substantial threat to infants, often leading to challenges in hospital capacity. With recent pharmaceutical developments to be used during the prenatal and perinatal periods aimed at decreasing the RSV burden, there is a pressing need to identify infants at risk of severe disease. We aimed to stratify the risk of developing a clinically severe RSV infection in infants under 1 year of age. This retrospective observational study was conducted at the Hospices Civils de Lyon, France, involving infants born between 2014 and 2018. This study focused on infants hospitalized with severe and very severe acute lower respiratory tract infections associated with RSV (SARI-WI group). Data collection included perinatal information and clinical data, with machine-learning algorithms used to discriminate SARI-WI cases from nonhospitalized infants. Of 42,069 infants, 555 developed SARI-WI. Infants born in November were very likely (>80%) predicted SARI-WI. Infants born in October were very likely predicted SARI-WI except for births at term by vaginal delivery and without siblings. Infants were very unlikely (<10%) predicted SARI-WI when all the following conditions were met: born in other months, at term, by vaginal delivery and without siblings. Other infants were possibly (10-30%) or probably (30-80%) predicted SARI-WI. Although RSV preventive measures are vital for all infants, and specific recommendations exist for patients with high-risk comorbidities, in situations where prioritization becomes necessary, infants born just before or within the early weeks of the epidemic should be considered as a risk group.

Twin reversed arterial perfusion sequence in monochorionic diamniotic pregnancy: A rare occurrence

Twin reversed arterial perfusion is a rare complication occurring in monochorionic multifetal pregnancies. This condition is characterized by a malformed fetus being perfused by a normal twin through an artery-to-artery anastomosis in the reverse direction. Herein, we report a case of a multigravida female with a twin pregnancy at 27 weeks 5 days of gestation referred in view of twin pregnancy with the intra-uterine demise of one twin. Gray scale and color Doppler imaging revealed a monochorionic diamniotic pregnancy with a viable, normal twin, and an amorphously developed acardiac twin. The patient was monitored with weekly ultrasonography, echocardiography, and Doppler ultrasound examination to ascertain the well-being of the pump twin. She delivered a normal live baby at term and an acardius acephalus fetus. The perinatal mortality of the pump twin is significantly high. Therefore, it is necessary to diagnose this entity at an early gestational age through improved imaging techniques, so that timely intervention can be planned.

Regulation of placental amino acid transport in health and disease.

Abnormal fetal growth, i.e., intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) or fetal growth restriction (FGR) and fetal overgrowth, is associated with increased perinatal morbidity and mortality and is strongly linked to the development of metabolic and cardiovascular disease in childhood and later in life. Emerging evidence suggests that changes in placental amino acid transport may contribute to abnormal fetal growth. This review is focused on amino acid transport in the human placenta, however, relevant animal models will be discussed to add mechanistic insights. At least 25 distinct amino acid transporters with different characteristics and substrate preferences have been identified in the human placenta. Of these, System A, transporting neutral nonessential amino acids, and System L, mediating the transport of essential amino acids, have been studied in some detail. Importantly, decreased placental Systems A and L transporter activity is strongly associated with IUGR and increased placental activity of these two amino acid transporters has been linked to fetal overgrowth in human pregnancy. An array of factors in the maternal circulation, including insulin, IGF-1, and adiponectin, and placental signaling pathways such as mTOR, have been identified as key regulators of placental Systems A and L. Studies using trophoblast-specific gene targeting in mice have provided compelling evidence that changes in placental Systems A and L are mechanistically linked to altered fetal growth. It is possible that targeting specific placental amino acid transporters or their upstream regulators represents a novel intervention to alleviate the short- and long-term consequences of abnormal fetal growth in the future.

Children's food allergy: Effects of environmental influences and antibiotic use across critical developmental windows

BackgroundIncreasing studies linked outdoor air pollution (OAP), indoor environmental factors (IEFs), and antibiotics use (AU) with the first wave of allergies (i.e., asthma, allergic rhinitis, and eczema), yet the role of their exposures on children’s second wave of allergy (i.e., food allergy) are unknown. ObjectivesTo investigate the association between exposure to OAP and IEFs and childhood doctor-diagnosed food allergy (DFA) during the pre-pregnancy, prenatal, early postnatal, and current periods, and to further explore the effect of OAP and IEFs on DFA in children co-exposed to antibiotics. MethodsA retrospective cohort study involving 8689 preschoolers was carried out in Changsha, China. Data on the health outcomes, antibiotic use, and home environment of each child were collected through a questionnaire. Temperature and air pollutants data were obtained from 8 and 10 monitoring stations in Changsha, respectively. Exposure levels to temperature and air pollutants at individual home addresses were calculated by the inverse distance weighted (IDW) method. Multiple logistic regression models were employed to assess the associations of childhood DFA with exposure to OAP, IEF, and AU. ResultsChildhood ever doctor-diagnosed food allergy (DFA) was linked to postnatal PM10 exposure with OR (95% CI) of 1.18 (1.03–1.36), especially for CO and O3 exposure during the first year with ORs (95% CI) = 1.08 (1.00–1.16) and 1.07 (1.00–1.14), as well as SO2 exposure during the previous year with OR (95% CI) of 1.13 (1.02–1.25). The role of postnatal air pollution is more important for the risk of egg, milk and other food allergies. Renovation-related IAP (new furniture) and dampness-related indoor allergens exposures throughout all time windows significantly increased the risk of childhood DFA, with ORs ranging from 1.23 (1.03–1.46) to 1.54 (1.29–1.83). Furthermore, smoke-related IAP (environmental tobacco smoke [ETS], parental and grandparental smoking) exposure during pregnancy, first year, and previous year was related to DFA. Additionally, exposure to pet-related indoor allergens (cats) during first year and total plant-related allergens (particularly nonflowering plants) during previous year were associated with DFA. Moreover, exposure to plant-related allergy during first and previous year was specifically associated with milk allergy, while keeping cats during first year increased the risk of fruits/vegetables allergy. Life-time and early-life AU was associated with the increased risk of childhood DFA with ORs (95% CI) = 1.57 (1.32–1.87) and 1.46 (1.27–1.67), including different types food allergies except fruit/vegetable allergy. ConclusionsPostnatal OAP, life-time and early-life IEFs and AU exposure played a vital role in the development of DFA, supporting the "fetal origin of childhood FA" hypothesis.

Evaluation of Relation between Vitamin D Deficiency and Body Composition Indices of Indian Women in Child Bearing Age

Evaluation of Relation between Vitamin D Deficiency and Body Composition Indices of Indian Women in Child Bearing Age

The neuroprotective effect of Diosgenin in the rat Valproic acid model of autism

Background and aimAutism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder with two core behavioral symptoms restricted/repetitive behavior and social-communication deficit. The unknown etiology of ASD makes it difficult to identify potential treatments. Valproic acid (VPA) is an anticonvulsant drug with teratogenic effects during pregnancy in humans and rodents. Prenatal exposure to VPA induces autism-like behavior in both humans and rodents. This study aimed to investigate the protective effects of Diosgenin in prenatal Valproic acid-induced autism in rats. Methodpregnant Wister female rats were given a single intraperitoneal injection of VPA (600 mg/kg, i.p.) on gestational day 12.5. The male offspring were given oral Dios (40 mg/kg, p.o.) or Carboxymethyl cellulose (5 mg/kg, p.o.) for 30 days starting from postnatal day 23. On postnatal day 52, behavioral tests were done. Additionally, biochemical assessments for oxidative stress markers were carried out on postnatal day 60. Further, histological evaluations were performed on the prefrontal tissue by Nissl staining and Immunohistofluorescence. ResultsThe VPA-exposed rats showed increased anxiety-like behavior in the elevated plus maze (EPM). They also demonstrated repetitive and grooming behaviors in the marble burying test (MBT) and self-grooming test. Social interaction was reduced, and they had difficulty detecting the novel object in the novel object recognition (NOR) test. Also, VPA-treated rats have shown higher levels of oxidative stress malondialdehyde (MDA) and lower GPX, TAC, and superoxide dismutase (SOD) levels. Furthermore, the number of neurons decreased and the ERK signaling pathway upregulated in the prefrontal cortex (PFC). On the other hand, treatment with Dios restored the behavioral consequences, lowered oxidative stress, and death of neurons, and rescued the overly activated ERK1/2 signaling in the prefrontal cortex. ConclusionChronic treatment with Dios restored the behavioral, biochemical, and histological abnormalities caused by prenatal VPA exposure.

WITHDRAWN: Comparative study of difference in anatomy & histopathology of placenta & umbilical cord in natural pregnancy vs. IVF pregnancy & it’s impact on fetal & maternal outcome

Aim and ObjectivesComparison of naturally conceived pregnancy with IVFET pregnancy for feto-maternal outcome and morphology and histopathology of placenta & umbilical cord. Methods100 pregnant women were divided into 2 subsets of spontaneous pregnancy group (n = 50) and the IVFET pregnancy group (n = 50).The two groups were compared for Maternal age, parity, maternal weight gain, prepregnancy maternal BMI, gestational age, birth weight of baby, placental weight, placenta and umbilical cord cross sections, insertion site of the umbilical cord, and length of the umbilical cord. Inclusion criteriaPatients registered at ANC OPD/ART centre of our institute and subsequently reporting to maternity ward/ labor room for delivery at our centre. Exclusion criteriaThe pregnancies conceived after ART outside our institute, multifetal pregnancies. Study duration01year ResultsOur study revealed that spontaneous pregnancy group had less antenatal co-morbidities with more number of term vaginal deliveries and less intrapartum and neonatal complications compared to IVFET pregnancy women (p<0.05). ConclusionsAssisted reproductive technologies have an impact on placental growth and function in pregnancy. The occurrence of placental abnormalities were the most significant and pertinent finding in the IVF-ET placentas. On histopathological examination maternal vascular malperfusion andconcomitant anomalies of the umbilical cord were most noticeable findings.