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Frontiers in Physiology 2024Maternal obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) during pregnancy is the risk factor for impaired fetal growth with low birth weight in the offspring. However, it is unclear...
INTRODUCTION
Maternal obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) during pregnancy is the risk factor for impaired fetal growth with low birth weight in the offspring. However, it is unclear whether gestational intermittent hypoxia (IH, a hallmark of maternal OSA) has long-term detrimental consequences on the skeletal development of offspring. This study aimed to investigate postnatal maxillofacial bone growth and cartilage metabolism in male and female offspring that were exposed to gestational IH.
METHODS
Mother rats underwent IH at 20 cycles/h (nadir, 4% O; peak, 21% O; 0% CO) for 8 h per day during gestational days (GD) 7-20, and their male and female offspring were analyzed postnatally at 5 and 10 weeks of age. All male and female offspring were born and raised under normoxic conditions.
RESULTS
There was no significant difference in whole-body weight and tibial length between the IH male/female offspring and their control counterparts. In contrast, the mandibular condylar length was significantly shorter in the IH male offspring than in the control male offspring at 5 and 10 weeks of age, while there was no significant difference in the female offspring. Real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) showed that gestational IH significantly downregulated the mRNA level of SOX9 (a chondrogenesis marker) and upregulated the mRNA level of HIF-1α (a hypoxia-inducible factor marker) in the mandibular condylar cartilage of male offspring, but not in female offspring.
CONCLUSION
Gestational IH induced underdeveloped mandibular ramus/condyles and reduced mRNA expression of SOX9, while enhancing mRNA expression of HIF-1α in a sex-dependent manner.
PubMed: 38919850
DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2024.1397262 -
Ecology and Evolution Jun 2024Maternal monitoring of conspecifics is a crucial anti-predator strategy that also protects infants against risks within the social group. This study examines how...
Maternal monitoring of conspecifics is a crucial anti-predator strategy that also protects infants against risks within the social group. This study examines how maternal characteristics, infant characteristics, mother-infant distance, and the social environment affect maternal monitoring behaviors in free-ranging Tibetan macaques (). We observed 12 females with infants and analyzed their visual monitoring patterns. Our findings indicate that maternal rank significantly influences the time allocated to maternal visual monitoring, higher-ranking mothers spending less time than lower-ranking mothers. Maternal experience also played a role in monitoring strategies. Differences in monitoring strategies were observed based on maternal experience: first-time mothers (primiparity) engaged in longer but less frequent monitoring sessions compared to experienced mothers (multiparity). The time and frequency of maternal monitoring decreased as infants aged, and mothers with male infants showed higher levels of monitoring than those with female infants. The distance between mother and infant also affected visual monitoring behavior, with mothers increasing their monitoring levels when infants were nearby (1-5 m), rather than within reach (0-1 m) or beyond nearby (>5 m). Additionally, the presence of kin and non-kin influenced monitoring: as the number of nearby kin increased, monitoring levels decreased, while the presence of more non-kin males led to an increase in monitoring time, and higher-ranking non-kin neighbors increased the frequency of monitoring. These results suggest that Tibetan macaque mothers can adapt their visual monitoring to the social risks faced by their infants, adjusting their strategies to their status and the needs of their offspring.
PubMed: 38919651
DOI: 10.1002/ece3.11626 -
Ecology and Evolution Jun 2024A sustainable solution to the global threat of the mite is the selection of varroa-resistant honey bee () colonies. Both "mite non-reproduction" (MNR) and "varroa...
A sustainable solution to the global threat of the mite is the selection of varroa-resistant honey bee () colonies. Both "mite non-reproduction" (MNR) and "varroa sensitive hygiene" (VSH) appear to be promising selection traits for achieving the goal of a resistant honey bee. MNR describes colonies that have a high number of non-reproductive mites (no offspring, no males, or delayed development of mite offspring). High numbers of non-reproductive mites have been observed in selected colonies, but the mechanism behind this trait has not yet been identified. The specialized hygienic behavior of selected honey bees, called VSH, is the removal of varroa-infested brood. These traits were thought to be linked by VSH bees preferentially removing reproductive varroa females leaving only non-reproductive mites behind in cells and thus creating colonies with high levels of MNR. To further investigate this link, we used an experimental setup and data sets from a four-year selection project designed to breed for MNR and VSH colonies. In addition, we sought to answer the question of whether non-reproductive mites are a direct consequence of worker removal behavior. To test this, we artificially induced removal behavior, and after providing the mite with enough time to re-enter another cell, we opened all capped cells, relocated the mites, and evaluated their reproduction. As shown in previous studies and in this study, VSH had no effect on MNR levels. Also, the induced removal behavior did not lead to non-reproduction in the subsequent reproductive cycle post interruption. We thus concluded that breeding for non-reproductive mites does not automatically breed for VSH behavior and worker removal behavior does not cause subsequent reproductive failure of the mites forced to flee and find a new cell for reproduction.
PubMed: 38919649
DOI: 10.1002/ece3.11595 -
Journal of Pregnancy 2024Thyroid hormones regulate fetal growth and differentiation of several tissues. Maternal dietary patterns may be correlated with changes in the level of neonatal...
Thyroid hormones regulate fetal growth and differentiation of several tissues. Maternal dietary patterns may be correlated with changes in the level of neonatal thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH). We hypothesized that since maternal nutrition affects birth weight and offspring growth, it may also impact endocrine patterns in offspring. This study is aimed at assessing the relationship between maternal dietary phytochemical index (DPI) in the first trimester of pregnancy and neonatal cord blood thyroid hormone levels. This cross-sectional study is a substudy of a birth cohort. Overall, 216 mothers, aged 16-45 years, were recruited in their first trimester of pregnancy. To calculate DPI, the daily energy percentage of phytochemical-rich foods was divided by the total daily energy intake. At delivery time, TSH and free thyroxine (FT4) levels were measured in cord blood samples using chemiluminescence immunoassay. The mean (standard deviation (SD)) age of mothers was 29.56 (5.50) years, and 47% of newborns were girls. The mean (SD) of DPI in the first, second, third, and fourth quartiles was 25.03 ± 4.67, 33.87 ± 2.18, 40.64 ± 2.10, and 51.17 ± 4.98, respectively. There was not any significant correlation between DPI score with cord serum TSH and FT4 levels in crude and adjusted analysis. No significant relationship between maternal DPI with cord serum TSH and FT4 levels was shown. Limited experience exists about the effect of maternal diet quality indices on neonatal thyroid function, and further studies are needed in this regard.
Topics: Humans; Female; Adult; Infant, Newborn; Cross-Sectional Studies; Pregnancy; Thyrotropin; Young Adult; Thyroxine; Adolescent; Fetal Blood; Male; Phytochemicals; Diet; Thyroid Gland; Maternal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; Middle Aged; Thyroid Function Tests
PubMed: 38919582
DOI: 10.1155/2024/9558023 -
Frontiers in Endocrinology 2024
Topics: Humans; Obesity; Male; Fathers; Female; Pregnancy
PubMed: 38919491
DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2024.1428886 -
Environmental Epidemiology... Aug 2024Lower birth weight and preterm birth may increase the risk of adverse health outcomes later in life. We examined whether maternal exposure to air pollution and greenness...
BACKGROUND
Lower birth weight and preterm birth may increase the risk of adverse health outcomes later in life. We examined whether maternal exposure to air pollution and greenness during pregnancy is associated with offspring birth weight and preterm birth.
METHODS
We analyzed data on 4286 singleton births from 2358 mothers from Respiratory Health in Northern Europe, a prospective questionnaire-based cohort study (1990-2010). Mixed-effects regression models with random intercepts for mothers and centers were used to estimate the association of exposures to particulate matter (PM and PM), nitrogen dioxide (NO), ozone (O), black carbon (BC), and greenness (Normalized Difference Vegetation Index in 300m-buffers [NDVI]) with birth outcomes, adjusting for potential confounders.
RESULTS
Median (interquartile range [IQR]) exposures to PM, PM, NO, O, BC, and NDVI during pregnancy were 8.4(5.0) µg/m, 14.4(8.3) µg/m, 14.0(11.0) µg/m, 54.7(10.2) µg/m, 0.47(0.41) µg/m, and 0.31(0.20), respectively. IQR increases in air pollution exposures during pregnancy were associated with decreased birth weight and the strongest association was seen for PM (-49g; 95% confidence interval [CI] = -83, -16). However, O showed an opposite association. IQR increase in NDVI was associated with an increase in birth weight of 25 g (95% CI = 7, 44). Preterm birth was not associated with the exposures.
CONCLUSION
Increased greenness and decreased air pollution may contribute to healthier pregnancies and improve overall health in the next generation. This emphasizes the need to adopt policies that target the reduction of air pollution emissions and exposure of the population.
PubMed: 38919266
DOI: 10.1097/EE9.0000000000000318 -
Journal of Neuroinflammation Jun 2024The SARS-CoV-2 virus activates maternal and placental immune responses. Such activation in the setting of other infections during pregnancy is known to impact fetal...
BACKGROUND
The SARS-CoV-2 virus activates maternal and placental immune responses. Such activation in the setting of other infections during pregnancy is known to impact fetal brain development. The effects of maternal immune activation on neurodevelopment are mediated at least in part by fetal brain microglia. However, microglia are inaccessible for direct analysis, and there are no validated non-invasive surrogate models to evaluate in utero microglial priming and function. We have previously demonstrated shared transcriptional programs between microglia and Hofbauer cells (HBCs, or fetal placental macrophages) in mouse models.
METHODS AND RESULTS
We assessed the impact of maternal SARS-CoV-2 on HBCs isolated from 24 term placentas (N = 10 SARS-CoV-2 positive cases, 14 negative controls). Using single-cell RNA-sequencing, we demonstrated that HBC subpopulations exhibit distinct cellular programs, with specific subpopulations differentially impacted by SARS-CoV-2. Assessment of differentially expressed genes implied impaired phagocytosis, a key function of both HBCs and microglia, in some subclusters. Leveraging previously validated models of microglial synaptic pruning, we showed that HBCs isolated from placentas of SARS-CoV-2 positive pregnancies can be transdifferentiated into microglia-like cells (HBC-iMGs), with impaired synaptic pruning behavior compared to HBC models from negative controls.
CONCLUSION
These findings suggest that HBCs isolated at birth can be used to create personalized cellular models of offspring microglial programming.
Topics: Female; Pregnancy; Microglia; Humans; Placenta; COVID-19; Macrophages; Pregnancy Complications, Infectious; SARS-CoV-2; Fetus; Adult; Brain; Mice; Animals
PubMed: 38918792
DOI: 10.1186/s12974-024-03157-w -
BMC Pulmonary Medicine Jun 2024Asthma exacerbation (AE) is a significant clinical problem during pregnancy. This study aimed to identify maternal and perinatal outcomes associated with AE during...
BACKGROUND
Asthma exacerbation (AE) is a significant clinical problem during pregnancy. This study aimed to identify maternal and perinatal outcomes associated with AE during pregnancy.
METHODS
We conducted a retrospective cohort study using the Peking University Third Hospital database from January 1, 2013 to December 31, 2020. We compared the clinical characteristics and maternal, perinatal and offspring outcomes of asthma with and without exacerbations among women who delivered during this period. The primary outcome was hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP). Univariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses were used to analyze the clinical characteristics of AE during pregnancy and the association between AE and adverse maternal and perinatal outcomes.
RESULTS
The prevalence of asthma during pregnancy increased from 0.52% in 2013 to 0.98% in 2020. Of the 220 patients with asthma during pregnancy included in the study, 105 experienced AE during pregnancy: 62.9% (n = 66) had mild-to-moderate AE and 37.1% (n = 39) had severe AE. Pregnant women with allergic rhinitis have a higher risk of AE during pregnancy. Women who experienced AE were more at risk for hypertensive disorders of pregnancy than women who did not experience any exacerbation (12.4%vs3.5%, p < 0.05).
CONCLUSIONS
The prevalence of asthma among pregnant women in China is on the rise. There is a notable correlation between pregnant women who suffer from allergic rhinitis and an elevated risk of AE during pregnancy. Studies have shown that AE during pregnancy are associated with an increased risk of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy.
Topics: Humans; Female; Pregnancy; Asthma; Retrospective Studies; China; Adult; Pregnancy Complications; Pregnancy Outcome; Prevalence; Infant, Newborn; Risk Factors; Young Adult; Hypertension, Pregnancy-Induced; Logistic Models; East Asian People
PubMed: 38918763
DOI: 10.1186/s12890-024-03112-8 -
Nutrition Journal Jun 2024Maternal diet during pregnancy might influence the development of childhood allergic disorders. There are few studies on the association between processed food intake...
Association of maternal ultra-processed food consumption during pregnancy with atopic dermatitis in infancy: Korean Mothers and Children's Environmental Health (MOCEH) study.
BACKGROUND
Maternal diet during pregnancy might influence the development of childhood allergic disorders. There are few studies on the association between processed food intake and infant atopic dermatitis (AD) during pregnancy. The aim of the present study was to investigate the association of ultra-processed food (UPF) intake during pregnancy with infantile AD.
METHODS
This study involved 861 pairs of pregnant women and their offspring from the Mothers' and Children's Environmental Health (MOCEH) study, a multi-center birth cohort project conducted in Korea. Dietary intake was estimated using a 24-h recall method at 12-28 weeks gestation. The NOVA classification was used to identify UPF, and UPF intake was calculated as the percentage of total energy consumption and categorized into quartiles. Infantile AD was assessed based on medical history and the criteria of the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC). Associations were assessed by logistic regression with adjustment for confounding factors.
RESULTS
Children born to mothers in the highest quartile of UPF consumption (15.5% or more of the total energy) compared to the lowest quartile (6.8% or less) showed a higher risk of AD within 12 months [odds ratio (OR) = 1.69; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.07-2.66, P for trend 0.0436]. After adjustment for the confounding factors under study, the association was strengthened; the adjusted OR between extreme quartiles was 2.19 (95% CI: 1.11-4.32, P for trend = 0.0418). This association was maintained even after an additional adjustment based on the Korean Healthy Eating Index (KHEI), an indicator of diet quality.
CONCLUSIONS
Higher maternal consumption of UPF during pregnancy was associated with a greater risk of infantile AD within the first year of life.
Topics: Humans; Dermatitis, Atopic; Female; Pregnancy; Republic of Korea; Infant; Adult; Fast Foods; Diet; Male; Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects; Cohort Studies; Maternal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; Food Handling; Mothers; Risk Factors; Food, Processed
PubMed: 38918685
DOI: 10.1186/s12937-024-00969-7 -
Reumatologia Clinica Jun 2024To design a care protocol in Chronic Inflammatory Arthritis during the pre-conceptional period, pregnancy, postpartum and lactation. This protocol aims to be practical...
OBJECTIVE
To design a care protocol in Chronic Inflammatory Arthritis during the pre-conceptional period, pregnancy, postpartum and lactation. This protocol aims to be practical and applicable in consultations where patients with chronic inflammatory rheumatological diseases are treated, thus helping to better control these patients. Likewise, recommendations are offered on when patients could be consulted/referred to a specialized center by the physician.
METHODS
A multidisciplinary panel of expert physicians from different specialties identified the key points, analyzed the scientific evidence, and met to develop the care protocol.
RESULTS
The recommendations prepared have been divided into three blocks: rheumatology, gynecology and pediatrics. The first block has been divided into pre-pregnancy, pregnancy and postpartum visits.
CONCLUSIONS
This protocol tries to homogenize the follow-up of the patients from the moment of the gestational desire until the year of life of the infants. It is important to perform tests in patients of childbearing age and use drugs compatible with pregnancy. If appropriate, the patient should be referred to specialized units. Multidisciplinarity (rheumatology, gynecology and pediatrics) is essential to improve the control and monitoring of these patients and their offspring.
PubMed: 38918163
DOI: 10.1016/j.reumae.2024.03.001