Objectives:Loneliness among left-behind adolescents is the most frequently reported emotional problem because of parental neglect.The present study explored the relationship between maternal absence and adolescent lon...Objectives:Loneliness among left-behind adolescents is the most frequently reported emotional problem because of parental neglect.The present study explored the relationship between maternal absence and adolescent loneliness as well as its mechanisms.Methods:The study included 305 participants(Meanage=15.99±0.81,48.9%females)in southeast China,and constructed a chain mediation model to test the roles of rejection sensitivity and friendship quality.Parent absence types,rejection sensitivity,friendship quality,and adolescent loneliness were all assessed with questionnaires.Results:The results showed that adolescents with a mother absent(both-parent absent,mother-only absent)experienced higher levels of loneliness than those with a mother not absent(father-only absent,non-parent absent)(β=0.3137,95%CI[0.0849,0.5425],p<0.01).Besides,the mediating roles of rejection sensitivity(β=0.0344,95%CI[0.0020,0.0808])and friendship quality(β=0.1198,95%CI[0.0049,0.2428])and their chain mediating role were found significant between maternal absence and loneliness(β=0.0245,95%CI[0.0015,0.0575]).Conclusions:These findings have revealed the significant impact of maternal absence on adolescent loneliness and provide important practical implications for educators to reduce adolescent loneliness.展开更多
Objective:To investigate the efficacy and mechanism of Ditan Qingnao decoction(DTQND)in alleviating schizophrenia-like symptoms in a maternal immune activation(MIA)-induced rat model.Methods:DTQND components were anal...Objective:To investigate the efficacy and mechanism of Ditan Qingnao decoction(DTQND)in alleviating schizophrenia-like symptoms in a maternal immune activation(MIA)-induced rat model.Methods:DTQND components were analyzed using high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry.An MIA-induced rat model was established by injecting Poly Ⅰ:C into pregnant dams on gestational day 9.Male offspring were administered DTQND(14.1 g/kg),risperidone(RIS;0.4 mg/kg),or distilled water,while the controls received only distilled water via gavage for 4 weeks.Behavioral assessments were conducted using the open-field,Y-maze,prepulse inhibition,and sucrose preference tests.Serum levels of interleukin(IL)-6,IL-18,IL-1β,and tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α)were measured via an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.Hippocampal protein levels of nuclear factor kappa B p65(NF-κB p65),phospho-NF-κB p65(p-p65),inhibitor of kappa B-alpha(IκB-α),phospho-IκB-α(p-IκB-α),and nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-like receptor family pyrin domain-containing protein 3(NLRP3)were assessed via western blots.Immunohistochemistry detected hippocampal expression of ionized calcium-binding adapter molecule 1(Iba1)and cluster of differentiation 68(CD68).Results:Multiple DTQND compounds were identified,including stachyose,β-syringin,and isofraxidin,among others.DTQND treatment considerably enhanced spontaneous activity,reduced anxiety,improved spatial working memory,and alleviated sensory gating defects in male offspring with MIA.The DTQND group showed significantly lower serum levels of IL-1β(P=.002)and IL-18(P=.046)than the model group,with no discernible variations in IL-6 or TNF-α levels.In the hippocampus,DTQND significantly suppressed the expression of p-p65(P<.001),p-IκB-α(P=.023),and NLRP3(P<.001)compared to the model group.Additionally,DTQND modulated microglial activation markers,decreasing CD68 expression(P=.004)without affecting Iba1 levels.Conclusions:DTQND alleviated schizophrenia-like behavioral deficits and cognitive impairment by inhibiting the NF-κB/NLRP3 pathway,supporting its potential as an alternative therapy for schizophrenia.展开更多
Background:The World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule 2.0(WHODAS 2.0)is a popular tool for eval-uating functioning and disability in a range of population demographics and medical situations.However,...Background:The World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule 2.0(WHODAS 2.0)is a popular tool for eval-uating functioning and disability in a range of population demographics and medical situations.However,very little is known about the WHODAS 2.0's validity and reliability,particularly when dealing with potentially life-threatening maternal condi-tions(PLTCs).The aim of this study was to evaluate the validity of the WHODAS 2.0 Tigrigna version.Methods:This cross-sectional study was conducted in Tigray,northern Ethiopia,from December 15 to 20,2023.Following translation and back translation,women who had experienced PLTCs during a recent pregnancy,childbirth,or postpartum period were administered the 36-item WHODAS 2.0 in Tigrigna version 6 months after the childbirth.In total,121 women with a history of PLTCs participated.Cronbach′sαwas used to evaluate internal consistency in all six WHODAS 2.0 domains,while Spearman′s correlation coefficient was used to evaluate convergent validity.With confirmatory factor analysis,construct validity was also examined.Results:All domain scores of the Tigrigna version of the WHODAS 2.0 indicated excellent internal consistency(α=0.917-0.978 for 36 items andα=0.874-0.940 for 12 items),while the Cronbach′sαcoefficients for the summary score were 0.981 and 0.952 for 36 and 12 items,respectively.The convergent validity between the 36-item and 12-item WHODAS 2.0 showed a strong correlation between similar constructs(r=0.909-0.981).Conclusion:Despite the small sample limitation,the WHODAS 2.0 tool adapted to the Tigrigna version indicated an acceptable reliability and validity and therefore could be applied to women with a history of PLTCs at 6 months postpartum.展开更多
Background Undernutrition disrupts pregnant ewe's metabolic homeostasis and severely inhibits fetal growth and development.In this study,undernourished and nutrition-recovery pregnant sheep models and rumen epithe...Background Undernutrition disrupts pregnant ewe's metabolic homeostasis and severely inhibits fetal growth and development.In this study,undernourished and nutrition-recovery pregnant sheep models and rumen epithelial cells were utilized to investigate the mechanisms behind undernutrition-induced disruptions in male fetal rumen metabolism and development.Results Maternal undernutrition significantly reduced male fetal rumen weight and papilla length,width and surface area.Maternal undernutrition extremely suppressed nutrient metabolism and energy production in male fetal rumen via JAK3/STAT3 signaling to inhibit cell cycle progression and male fetal rumen development,while maternal nutritional recovery partially restored metabolic inhibition but failed to alleviate male fetal rumen development.Meanwhile,64 differentially expressed miRNAs(DEMs)were identified in male fetal rumen between undernourished ewes and controls.Novel miR-736 was overexpressed both in male fetal rumen of undernourished and nutrition-recovery models.E2F transcription factor 2(E2F2)and MYB proto-oncogene like 2(MYBL2)were the intersection of male fetal rumen differentially expressed genes(DEGs)and DEMs target genes integrated analysis and were predicted as novel miR-736 target genes.Further,we confirmed that novel miR-736 targeted and downregulated E2F2 and MYBL2 expression levels.Silencing E2F2 and MYBL2 promoted apoptosis and inhibited S-phase entry in rumen epithelial cells.Conclusions In summary,maternal undernutrition disrupted male fetal rumen metabolism and elevated novel miR-736,which targeted and downregulated E2F2 and MYBL2 to inhibit cell cycle progression and promote apoptosis,finally inhibited male fetal rumen development.This study provides new insights into the epigenetic mechanisms underlying maternal undernutrition-induced male fetal rumen developmental deficits.展开更多
Background:The growing parenting stress among Chinese mothers in recent years raises concerns about its impact on adolescent internalizing problems.The purpose of this study was to examine the curvilinear relationship...Background:The growing parenting stress among Chinese mothers in recent years raises concerns about its impact on adolescent internalizing problems.The purpose of this study was to examine the curvilinear relationship between maternal parenting stress and internalizing problems in adolescents,and further explore the moderating effects of family socioeconomic status(SES)and adolescent gender.Methods:Data were collected from 405 mothers and adolescents(203 boys,Meanage=12.23)across five cities(Beijing,Hebei,Shanxi,Shenzhen,and Shandong)in China,who completed self-report measures of maternal parenting stress and internalizing problems.Descriptive statistics and multiple regression analyses were conducted using SPSS 27.0.Results:Multiple regression analyses indicated that the association between maternal parenting stress2 and adolescents’internalizing problems was moderated by the interaction between gender and SES(b=−0.03,p<0.01).Specifically,a significant U-shaped relationship was observed among high-SES boys(b=0.12,t=3.89,p<0.001),with internalizing problems peaking at both low and high levels of maternal parenting stress,whereas the moderating effect of SES was not significant among girls.Conclusion:The study highlights that moderate maternal parenting stress is associated with lower internalizing problems among adolescents,particularly among high-SES boys,indicating that interventions should consider the optimal balance of parental stress and account for family socioeconomic and adolescent gender differences.展开更多
BACKGROUND Paternal perinatal depression(PPD)is closely associated with maternal mental health challenges,marital strain,and adverse child developmental outcomes.Despite its significant impact,PPD remains under-recogn...BACKGROUND Paternal perinatal depression(PPD)is closely associated with maternal mental health challenges,marital strain,and adverse child developmental outcomes.Despite its significant impact,PPD remains under-recognized in family-centered clinical practice.Concurrently,against the backdrop of rising rates of delayed marriage and China’s Maternity Incentive Policy,the proportion of women giving birth at an advanced maternal age is increasing.Nevertheless,research specifically examining PPD among spouses of older mothers remains critically scarce,both in China and globally.AIM To investigate PPD and its influencing factors in Chinese advanced maternal age families.METHODS This cross-sectional study included 358 participants;it was conducted among fathers of pregnant women of advanced maternal age at five hospitals in the Pearl River Delta region of China from September 2023 to June 2024.Data were collected via a general information questionnaire,the Social Support Rating Scale,and the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale.Latent profile analysis and regression mixture models(RMMs)were adopted to analyze the latent PPD types and factors that influenced PPD.RESULTS The incidence of PPD was 16.48%,and three profiles were identified:Low-symptomatic(175 cases,48.89%),monophasic(140 cases,39.10%),and high-symptomatic(43 cases,12.01%).The RMM analysis revealed that first pregnancy,low income(<¥3000/month),part-time work,and a history of abnormal pregnancy were positively associated with the high-symptomatic type(P<0.05).Conversely,high subjective support and support utilization were negatively associated with the high-symptomatic type compared with the low-symptomatic type(P<0.05).Good couple relationships,high objective and subjective support,and high support utilization were negatively associated with monophasic disorder(P<0.05).CONCLUSION PPD incidence is high among Chinese fathers with advanced maternal age partners,and the characteristics of depression are varied.Healthcare practitioners should prioritize individuals with low levels of social support.展开更多
Objectives:This scoping review aims to methodically identify and analyse the determinants which influence maternal mortality and healthcare utilization in women of childbearing years in Nigeria.The review specifically...Objectives:This scoping review aims to methodically identify and analyse the determinants which influence maternal mortality and healthcare utilization in women of childbearing years in Nigeria.The review specifically addresses the difficulties faced in assessing medical care,and the ongoing initiatives to lower the maternal mortality ratio.Methods:Primary studies(published after year 2000)focused on maternal mortality,health determinants,and the utilization of maternal healthcare services in Nigeria were retrieved following a systematic search across multiple databases,including Scopus,PubMed,Google Scholar,and Web of Science.These were screened using defined inclusion and exclusion criteria.Data from these studies were extracted and thematically analysed to identify common themes and trends.Results:A total of 21 publications were included in this review comprising 2 qualitative,17 quantitative,and2 mixed study designs.Major health determinants identified in these studies include hypertensive disorders of pregnancy,haemorrhage,and sepsis/septicaemia,contributing as much as 29%,24%,and 14.2%of maternal deaths respectively in over 10%of the reviewed studies.Similarly,social-economic determinants including poverty,maternal education,health system issues and culture significantly impacted the utilization of maternal healthcare services,inadvertently impacting maternal mortality.Despite various maternal health interventions such as the"Abiye"Safe Motherhood Initiative,the Integrated Maternal,Newborn,and Child Health Strategy and strengthening emergency obstetric care by governmental and non-governmental agencies,early childbearing,unemployment,large family sizes,and dependence on male spouses continued to result in suboptimal utilization of services and adverse maternal outcomes.Conclusion:This scoping review comprehensively integrated existing data from published studies to provide a detailed picture of maternal mortality,its health determinants,and factors influencing care utilization among women of childbearing age in Nigeria and approaches to reduce maternal mortality in the country and possibly in the West African sub-region.展开更多
OBJECTIVES:To investigate the effect of Bushen Tongluo recipe(BSTLR, 补肾通络方) on rats with diabetic kidney disease(DKD) and to explore the underlying mechanism of action. METHODS:The rat model of DKD was establishe...OBJECTIVES:To investigate the effect of Bushen Tongluo recipe(BSTLR, 补肾通络方) on rats with diabetic kidney disease(DKD) and to explore the underlying mechanism of action. METHODS:The rat model of DKD was established, and rats were treated with different doses of BSTLR. Body weight and the levels of urinary protein, α1-microglobulin, glucose, blood urea nitrogen, creatinine, Cystatin C, superoxide dismutase, malondialdehyde, and catalase were analyzed biochemically or by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The pathological damage to renal tissues was assessed by hematoxylin-eosin staining. Immunohistochemical staining was carried out to detect the expression levels of fibronectin, E-cadherin, α-smooth muscle actin, laminin, vimentin, collagen type Ⅳ in kidney tissues. Western blot analysis was conducted to analyze the expression levels of Nephrin, Desmin, Podocin, transforming growth factor-β1, mothers against decapentaplegic homolog 3(Smad3), Notch1, jagged, hairy and enhancer of split 1(Hes1) in kidney tissues, and the expression levels of maternally expressed gene 3(MEG3) and mi R-145 were measured by quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. Moreover, dual-luciferase reporter assay was employed to verify the binding of mi R-145 to MEG3. RESULTS:BSTLR increased the body weight of DKD rats, effectively ameliorated the renal function and pathological injury in DKD, regulated the balance of renal oxidative stress, inhibited the TGF/Notch signaling pathway, and affected the variations in the lnc RNA MEG3/mi R-145 axis. CONCLUSION:BSTLR improved oxidative stress homeostasis, inhibited the TGF/Notch signaling pathway, and regulated the lnc RNA MEG3/mi R-145 axis, effectively delaying the progression of DKD.展开更多
Objective Electronic cigarettes(ECs)differ from traditional tobacco smoke but may contribute to cardiopulmonary remodeling.Pulmonary hypertension(PH),characterized by pulmonary artery and right ventricle remodeling,po...Objective Electronic cigarettes(ECs)differ from traditional tobacco smoke but may contribute to cardiopulmonary remodeling.Pulmonary hypertension(PH),characterized by pulmonary artery and right ventricle remodeling,poses a significant risk of mortality in infants,children,and adolescents.However,the impact of maternal EC exposure on PH development in offspring remains unclear.To address this,we established a PH rat model with maternal EC exposure.Methods Maternal EC exposure was initiated on gestation day 12 via electronic nicotine delivery systems.Offspring were administered monocrotaline(MCT)at 6 weeks of age(6-wo)to induce PH.Mechanistic experiments were conducted at 10-week-old(10-wo).Protein expression of NADPH oxidases,DNA methyltransferases,and autophagy-related markers was analyzed by Western blot.Morphological changes and the severity of PH were evaluated via hematoxylin and eosin(HE)staining and echocardiography,respectively.Furthermore,the involvement of the oxidative stress/DNA methylation/autophagy axis in response to maternal EC exposure was confirmed through a combination of ELISA,Western blot,HE staining,and echocardiography.Additionally,ATG5 mRNA expression was measured by qRT-PCR.Results Compared with control conditions,maternal EC exposure significantly worsened MCT-induced PH in male offspring.This was associated with increased oxidative stress,DNA hypomethylation,and anomalous autophagy in the offspring.In vivo treatment with chloroquine inhibited autophagy and ameliorated PH development in offspring exposed to maternal EC.Furthermore,N-acetylcysteine(NAC),an antioxidant,attenuated maternal EC exposure-induced oxidative stress,DNA hypomethylation,and excessive autophagy,thereby improving PH.DNA hypermethylation also reversed PH development,accompanied by reduced oxidative stress and suppressed autophagy.ATG5,a key regulator of autophagy,was identified as a potential therapeutic target,as its repression mitigated PH in maternal EC-exposed offspring.Conclusion Maternal EC exposure induces oxidative stress and DNA hypomethylation in offspring,leading to anomalous autophagy and exacerbation of PH development.Targeting ATG5-mediated autophagy may represent a novel therapeutic approach for improving PH outcomes in offspring exposed to maternal EC.Graphical Abstract Pregnant rats were exposed to either EC vapor or standard air from gestation day 12 until 2 days before delivery,with all offspring undergoing PH induction at 6-wo.Offspring exposed to maternal EC presented increased oxidative stress,which in turn affected DNA methylation patterns.The decreased DNA methylation in male offspring led to the activation of autophagy,exacerbating the development of PH.Treatment with ATG5 siRNA inhibited autophagy and alleviated heightened PH in male offspring with maternal EC exposure.展开更多
Background: Maternal mortality remains a major public health problem worldwide. Objectives: Our study aims to present the results of an analysis of reviews of maternal deaths at HGOPY. Methodology: This was a descript...Background: Maternal mortality remains a major public health problem worldwide. Objectives: Our study aims to present the results of an analysis of reviews of maternal deaths at HGOPY. Methodology: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study with retrospective data collection from archived records and reviewed maternal death reports. Our study lasted 8 months, from October 1, 2023 to May 31, 2024. The study covered maternal death files at the HGOPY over an 8-year period, from 1st of January 2016 to the 31st of December 2023. Data were processed and analyzed using Statitical Paquage for Social Science (SPSS) version 26.0. Results: We counted a total of 160 maternal deaths, of which 97 had been reviewed. We excluded 61 deceased women reviewed and retained 33. We recorded a cumulative total of 160 maternal deaths and 19,651 live births. The peak in the proportion of maternal deaths at the Yaoundé Gynaeco-Obstetric and Paediatric Hospital was in 2021, with a proportion of 0.013. No maternal deaths had been reviewed between 2016 to 2017. Most deaths (64%) occurred between 37 and 40 weeks. The majority (30.5%) were aged between 30 and 35. The data show that 80.6% of maternal deaths were due to direct obstetric causes, while 19.4% were due to indirect causes. Most deaths (69.4%) were preventable. Only 8.3% were not preventable. Conclusion: Concerted efforts must be made to adapt maternal death prevention and management strategies to local contexts in order to significantly reduce these alarming figures.展开更多
Background: Birth weight has been identified as one of the most significant predictors of a child’s physical growth, development, and survival in later life. A quest to provide an answer on the impact of maternal ant...Background: Birth weight has been identified as one of the most significant predictors of a child’s physical growth, development, and survival in later life. A quest to provide an answer on the impact of maternal anthropometry on neonatal birth weight necessitated this study. Materials and methods: It is a cross-sectional descriptive hospital based study that involved 130 participants selected using a systematic sampling method, utilizing a semi-structured, pre-tested interviewer administered questionnaire. Data were collected using a standard procedure and were summarized using proportions, and the Chi square test was used to explore the association between categorical variables. Predictors of birth weight were determined using logistic regression. The level of statistical significance was set at p Results: Participants had a mean age of 28.6 ± 5.1 years, mean weight of 72.2 ± 11.2 kg and mean height of 1.63 ± 0.07m while the mean fetal birth weight was 3.10 ± 0.56 kg. There was a significant association between maternal delivery body mass index and neonatal birth weight (p Conclusion: The prevalence of low birth weight and macrosomia in this study population was high. The focus should be geared towards balanced nutrition support for all mothers at booking so as to mitigate the risks associated with these extremes of birth weight.展开更多
Gestational diabetes mellitus(GDM)is the most common metabolic abnormality of pregnancy and is associated with early and late adverse outcomes for both mothers and fetuses.Conventionally,GDM is diagnosed between 24 an...Gestational diabetes mellitus(GDM)is the most common metabolic abnormality of pregnancy and is associated with early and late adverse outcomes for both mothers and fetuses.Conventionally,GDM is diagnosed between 24 and 28 gestational weeks(GW)(late-onset GDM).With the increasing prevalence of prediabetes among women of reproductive age,GDM is increasingly being diagnosed before 24 GW in high-risk populations(early-onset GDM).Compared with late-onset GDM pregnancies,early-onset GDM pregnancies are at greater risk for neonatal adverse events,such as perinatal mortality,neonatal hypoglycemia,neonatal respiratory distress syndrome,and macrosomia.The TOBOGM study revealed that the initiation of treatment before 20 GW can modestly reduce composite neonatal outcomes,mainly due to a reduction in the rate of neonatal respiratory distress syndrome.The benefit was greater when treatment was initiated before 14 GW.The probable mechanisms for early-onset hyper-glycemiainduced neonatal adverse events are decidual and placental defects,interference with fetal lung development,and fetal glucose steal.There is no international consensus on the GDM screening strategy in early pregnancy,and its cost-effectiveness is questioned by several professional bodies.Further prospective randomized controlled studies are strongly recommended to alleviate confusion in clinical practice regarding the management of mild hyperglycemia in early pregnancy.展开更多
The oviduct epithelium is the initial maternal contact site for embryos after fertilization,offering the microenviron-ment before implantation.This early gestation period is particularly sensitive to stress,which can ...The oviduct epithelium is the initial maternal contact site for embryos after fertilization,offering the microenviron-ment before implantation.This early gestation period is particularly sensitive to stress,which can cause reduced fertil-ity and reproductive disorders in mammals.Nevertheless,the local impact of elevated stress hormones on the ovi-duct epithelium has received limited attention to date,except for a few reports on polyovulatory species like mice and pigs.In this study,we focused on the effects of chronic maternal stress on cattle,given its association with infertil-ity issues in this monoovulatory species.Bovine oviduct epithelial cells(BOEC)differentiated at the air–liquid interface(ALI)were stimulated with 250 nmol/L cortisol for 1 or 3 weeks.Subsequently,they were assessed for morphology,bioelectrical properties,and gene expression related to oviduct function,glucocorticoid pathway,cortisol metabo-lism,inflammation,and apoptosis.Results revealed adverse effects of cortisol on epithelium structure,featured by deciliation,vacuole formation,and multilayering.Additionally,cortisol exposure led to an increase in transepithelial potential difference,downregulated mRNA expression of the major glucocorticoid receptor(NR3C1),upregulated the expression of cortisol-responsive genes(FKBP5,TSC22D3),and significant downregulation of oviductal glycopro-tein 1(OVGP1)and steroid receptors PGR and ESR1.The systematic comparison to a similar experiment previously performed by us in porcine oviduct epithelial cells,indicated that bovine cultures were more susceptible to elevated cortisol levels than porcine.The distinct responses between both species are likely linked to their divergence in the cortisol-induced expression changes of HSD11B2,an enzyme controlling the cellular capacity to metabolise cortisol.These findings provide insights into the species-specific reactions and reproductive consequences triggered by maternal stress.展开更多
Background:Maternal viral infection during pregnancy can lead to maternal immune activation(MIA),increasing the risk of neurodevelopmental disorders in offspring.Amantadine(AMA)exhibits antiviral activity and is widel...Background:Maternal viral infection during pregnancy can lead to maternal immune activation(MIA),increasing the risk of neurodevelopmental disorders in offspring.Amantadine(AMA)exhibits antiviral activity and is widely employed in the management of neurologic conditions.Nevertheless,the efficacy of AMA in treating MIA is currently not established.Methods:MIA was induced by polyinosinic acid-polycytidylic acid(poly(I:C));AMA was administered from embryonic(E)day 11.5 for 3 days.BV-2 cells were stimulated using poly(I:C)and treated with AMA.Behavior was assessed via open field test,elevated plus maze test,three-chamber sociability test,and marble burying test.Neuronal morphology was vizualized using Nissl stain;apoptosis via TUNEL(terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick-end labeling)stain;protein expression(Iba1,NeuN,CD68,TNF-α[tumor necrosis factor-alpha],IL-1β[interleukin-1β])using immunofluorescence(IF);interleukin-6(IL-6)levels using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay;reactive oxygen species using staining;Iba1,NeuN,Bcl-2,Bax,and cleaved caspase 3 using Western blot;and gene expression changes using RNA-seq.Results:AMA treatment reduced the levels of IL-6 in maternal blood,improved autism-like behaviors in MIA offspring,and effectively prevented neuronal damage and neuroinflammation.In vitro cellular studies have demonstrated that AMA effectively downregulates the expression levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines,including IL-6,TNF-α,and IL-1β.RNA-seq analysis indicated that AMA mitigates abnormal activation of microglia by modulating inflammatory pathways associated with IL-6.Conclusion:AMA can prevent the development of neuropsychiatric disorders in MIA offspring.This effect may be related to its ability to attenuate neuronal damage,reduce neuronal apoptosis,and inhibit neuroinflammation,indicating that the antiviral drug AMA may be a potential treatment for MIA.展开更多
BACKGROUND Food insecurity(FI)during pregnancy negatively impacts maternal health and raises the risk of gestational diabetes mellitus(GDM)and pregnancy-induced hypertension(PIH),resulting in adverse outcomes for both...BACKGROUND Food insecurity(FI)during pregnancy negatively impacts maternal health and raises the risk of gestational diabetes mellitus(GDM)and pregnancy-induced hypertension(PIH),resulting in adverse outcomes for both mother and baby.AIM To investigate the relationships between FI and pregnancy outcomes,particularly GDM and PIH,while also examining the mediating role of the dietary diversity score(DDS).METHODS A cross-sectional study was undertaken to examine this relationship,involving 600 pregnant women.Participants were women aged 18 years or older who provided complete data on FI and pregnancy outcomes.The FI was measured via the Household Food Security Survey Module,with GDM defined as fasting plasma glucose levels of≥5.1 mmol/L or a 2-hour oral glucose tolerance test value of≥8.5 mmol/L.The DDS is determined by evaluating one's food consumption based on nine distinct food groups.A logistic regression model was used to explore the relationship between FI and PIH,and GDM.RESULTS Seventeen percent of participants reported experiencing FI during pregnancy.The study found a significant association between FI and an elevated risk of GDM[odds ratio(OR)=3.32,95%CI:1.2-5.4].Once more,food-insecure pregnant women had higher rates of PIH(OR=0.10,95%CI:0.02-0.45)and they also faced a higher likelihood of neonatal complications,such as neonatal intensive care unit’s admissions and the birth of infants with extremely low birth weight.The FI wasfurther linked to metabolic disruptions,such as elevated fasting blood sugar(FBS),low-density lipoprotein cholesterol,and triglyceride levels.Our results indicate that the DDS acts as a significant mediator in the relationship between FI and the incidence of GDM.In particular,the mediation analysis showed that approximately 65%of the effect was mediated through DDS(P=0.002).CONCLUSION These findings underscore the serious challenges that FI presents during pregnancy and its effects on maternal and infant health.Additionally,the study explored how DDS mediates the relationship between FI and the incidence of GDM.展开更多
Environmental fluctuations are a pervasive natural phenomenon that typically favor diverse maternal investment strategies.Organisms across various evolutionary lineages have acquired the ability to enter the dormancy ...Environmental fluctuations are a pervasive natural phenomenon that typically favor diverse maternal investment strategies.Organisms across various evolutionary lineages have acquired the ability to enter the dormancy state to tolerate conditions that are unsuitable for normal life activities.In cyclical parthenogenesis,sexual reproduction is generally linked with dormancy,thereby enhancing the long-term fitness of populations through positive feedback mechanisms.This study evaluates the impact of environmental variability on offspring population dynamics through sexual reproduction in the rotifer Brachionus calyciflorus.We found that mictic females(sexual females)exposed to low-predictability environments produced resting eggs with a sporadic hatching pattern,reduced hatching rate,and smaller sizes of resting egg,embryo,and stem females,while increasing variations in fertilization among individuals to maximize population fitness.Variations in population growth could be manifested in enhanced reproductive capacity 2–3 d post-hatching,along with differences in fecundity among individuals.This suggests that dormant eggs from unstable environments may prioritize offspring survival and adjust to increased fertilization among individuals.This adaptive strategy enables rotifer populations to rapidly adjust to environmental changes,thus avoiding extinction and thriving in diverse habitats.Our systematic study enhances the understanding of how environmental stability affects long-term population fitness in cyclical parthenogens.展开更多
Hypobaric hypoxia encountered at high altitudes impairs reproductive health and fertility across species.Previous findings have demonstrated that maternal hypoxia exposure disrupts granulosa cell(GC)viability and oocy...Hypobaric hypoxia encountered at high altitudes impairs reproductive health and fertility across species.Previous findings have demonstrated that maternal hypoxia exposure disrupts granulosa cell(GC)viability and oocyte maturation in female offspring;however,its transgenerational impact on male reproductive outcomes remains poorly elucidated.In this study,pregnant mice(F0)were subjected to hypoxic conditions,and male progeny across four generations(F1-F4)were evaluated.Results revealed that maternal hypoxia induced mild alterations in sperm DNA methylation in F1 males but caused profound developmental defects in F2 embryos,predominantly affecting males.Following mating of F1males with control females,a substantial proportion of male F2 fetuses were lost at embryonic day(E)13.5,attributed to placental malformations.Integrated RNA sequencing and whole-genome bisulfite sequencing of placentas from male fetuses revealed aberrant expression of imprinted genes,including Gnas,Slc38a4,Jade1,and Kcnq1,which also exhibited differential methylation in F1sperm.These findings demonstrate that maternal hypoxia disrupts epigenetic programming in F1 germ cells,impairing placental development and fetal viability in F2males,thereby leading to an unbalanced sex ratio.Overall,this study elucidates the mechanisms by which environmental hypoxia influences sex ratios and offers critical insights into hypoxia-induced reproductive impairments in mammals.展开更多
Introduction: The Coronavirus pandemic was responsible for an unprecedented health crisis that shook the world with its high contagiousness and lethality. Its impact on maternal and fetal health places pregnant women ...Introduction: The Coronavirus pandemic was responsible for an unprecedented health crisis that shook the world with its high contagiousness and lethality. Its impact on maternal and fetal health places pregnant women at high risk. The aim of our study was to determine the factors associated with the occurrence of COVID-19 in pregnant women, and the maternal and perinatal outcomes of infected patients. Methodology: This was a case-control study involving 42 cases matched to 42 controls recruited from two public and tertiary hospitals in the cities of Yaoundé and Douala over a period from November 31 to May 31, 2024. Cases were defined as deliveries or records of COVID-19 deliveries confirmed positive by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) or by a COVID-19 rapid diagnostic test (Covid-RDT). Controls were defined as deliveries or records of deliveries negative to the same test. They were matched by the hospital. Non-consenting births and unusable records were excluded. The data collected were recorded on a pre-established, pretexted data sheet examining sociodemographic, clinical characteristics and maternal and perinatal outcomes which were then analyzed using SPSS version 23.0 software. Results: After multivariate analysis, the independent sociodemographic factors were: belonging to the [30 - 40] age group (OR: 4.4;P = 0.010), being married (OR: 8.1;P = 0.030);being unemployed (OR: 3;P = 0.040). Independent clinical factors were: being in the third trimester of pregnancy (OR: 1.1;P = 0.017), being diabetic (OR: 5;P = 0.033) and being obese (OR: 11.5;P = 0.043). Independent factors associated with maternal outcome were: caesarean section (OR: 10;P = 0.001);admission to intensive care (OR: 30.7;P = 0.013);SO2 ≤ 94% (OR: 11.7;P = 0.033);HR > 100 (OR: 15.5;P = 0.001). Independent factors associated with perinatal outcome were: weight Conclusion: The factors associated with the occurrence of COVID-19 in pregnant women are multiple, and maternal outcome depends on its condition on admission, and has a significant impact on perinatal health, including mode of delivery. Emphasis must be placed on prevention and optimal management of these associated factors.展开更多
Chemical exposure during prenatal development has significant implications for both maternal and child health.Compared to blood,saliva is a non-invasive and less resource-intensive,alternative.Given the temporal varia...Chemical exposure during prenatal development has significant implications for both maternal and child health.Compared to blood,saliva is a non-invasive and less resource-intensive,alternative.Given the temporal variability of xenobiotic metabolites(XM),repeated sampling is essential.Therefore,saliva offers a valuable tool for the longitudinal assessment of prenatal exposomes.Despite its potential,no studies have explored saliva for XM measurement.This study pioneered using saliva to assess XM detectability and investigate the associations between prenatal XM and endogenous metabolomes in pregnant women.Saliva samples were analysed using mass spectrometry from 80 pregnant women at 24–34 weeks gestation.Metabolomes and exposomes were annotated using the Human Metabolome and U.S.Environmental Protection Agency databases.Metabolome-XM associations were clustered using Glay community clustering.Linear regression models,adjusted for age,estimated associations between catecholamines and XMs.XM levels were validated in a cohort of women(n=14)with and without preeclampsia.Our study identified 582 metabolomes and 125 XM in saliva,demonstrating its potential as a matrix for exposure measurement.After false discovery rate correction,18109 significant metabolome-XM associations were identified.Community clustering revealed 37 connected clusters,with the largest cluster(238 nodes)enriched in tyrosine and catecholamine metabolism.Food-contactchemicals and food-additives were significantly associated with higher catecholamine and their metabolite levels.Subgroup analyses revealed higher concentrations of these chemicals in women with preeclampsia compared to healthy controls.This study demonstrates that saliva contains valuable molecular data for measuring exposomes.Food-related chemicals were associated with higher catecholamine levels,which may be relevant to the prevalence of hypertensive crises in pregnancy.展开更多
Autism spectrum disorder is a mental neurodevelopmental condition characterized by social deficits and repetitive behavior,and its development is influenced by genetic and environmental factors.Furthermore,an importan...Autism spectrum disorder is a mental neurodevelopmental condition characterized by social deficits and repetitive behavior,and its development is influenced by genetic and environmental factors.Furthermore,an important factor in etiology is the health status of the mother during pregnancy.Maternal health can critically affect the development of the offspring’s nervous system,including the central nervous system and enteric nervous system.Unfavorable maternal health can disrupt the normal development of the offspring’s nervous system in various ways,such as changes in microbiota composition.As one of the common comorbidities of autism spectrum disorder,no consistent conclusion has been drawn on how poor maternal health affects enteric nervous system and cen-tral nervous system development in offspring.From the perspective of maternal health,this review discusses how maternal status affects the gastrointestinal health of offspring and the development of mental systems to raise public awar-eness of maternal health and provide a new idea for eugenics and childbearing.展开更多
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(32171069).
文摘Objectives:Loneliness among left-behind adolescents is the most frequently reported emotional problem because of parental neglect.The present study explored the relationship between maternal absence and adolescent loneliness as well as its mechanisms.Methods:The study included 305 participants(Meanage=15.99±0.81,48.9%females)in southeast China,and constructed a chain mediation model to test the roles of rejection sensitivity and friendship quality.Parent absence types,rejection sensitivity,friendship quality,and adolescent loneliness were all assessed with questionnaires.Results:The results showed that adolescents with a mother absent(both-parent absent,mother-only absent)experienced higher levels of loneliness than those with a mother not absent(father-only absent,non-parent absent)(β=0.3137,95%CI[0.0849,0.5425],p<0.01).Besides,the mediating roles of rejection sensitivity(β=0.0344,95%CI[0.0020,0.0808])and friendship quality(β=0.1198,95%CI[0.0049,0.2428])and their chain mediating role were found significant between maternal absence and loneliness(β=0.0245,95%CI[0.0015,0.0575]).Conclusions:These findings have revealed the significant impact of maternal absence on adolescent loneliness and provide important practical implications for educators to reduce adolescent loneliness.
基金supported by the Beijing Natural Science Foundation(7222274)the Fifth Batch of National Outstanding Talents in Clinical Chinese Medicine(20221)。
文摘Objective:To investigate the efficacy and mechanism of Ditan Qingnao decoction(DTQND)in alleviating schizophrenia-like symptoms in a maternal immune activation(MIA)-induced rat model.Methods:DTQND components were analyzed using high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry.An MIA-induced rat model was established by injecting Poly Ⅰ:C into pregnant dams on gestational day 9.Male offspring were administered DTQND(14.1 g/kg),risperidone(RIS;0.4 mg/kg),or distilled water,while the controls received only distilled water via gavage for 4 weeks.Behavioral assessments were conducted using the open-field,Y-maze,prepulse inhibition,and sucrose preference tests.Serum levels of interleukin(IL)-6,IL-18,IL-1β,and tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α)were measured via an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.Hippocampal protein levels of nuclear factor kappa B p65(NF-κB p65),phospho-NF-κB p65(p-p65),inhibitor of kappa B-alpha(IκB-α),phospho-IκB-α(p-IκB-α),and nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-like receptor family pyrin domain-containing protein 3(NLRP3)were assessed via western blots.Immunohistochemistry detected hippocampal expression of ionized calcium-binding adapter molecule 1(Iba1)and cluster of differentiation 68(CD68).Results:Multiple DTQND compounds were identified,including stachyose,β-syringin,and isofraxidin,among others.DTQND treatment considerably enhanced spontaneous activity,reduced anxiety,improved spatial working memory,and alleviated sensory gating defects in male offspring with MIA.The DTQND group showed significantly lower serum levels of IL-1β(P=.002)and IL-18(P=.046)than the model group,with no discernible variations in IL-6 or TNF-α levels.In the hippocampus,DTQND significantly suppressed the expression of p-p65(P<.001),p-IκB-α(P=.023),and NLRP3(P<.001)compared to the model group.Additionally,DTQND modulated microglial activation markers,decreasing CD68 expression(P=.004)without affecting Iba1 levels.Conclusions:DTQND alleviated schizophrenia-like behavioral deficits and cognitive impairment by inhibiting the NF-κB/NLRP3 pathway,supporting its potential as an alternative therapy for schizophrenia.
文摘Background:The World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule 2.0(WHODAS 2.0)is a popular tool for eval-uating functioning and disability in a range of population demographics and medical situations.However,very little is known about the WHODAS 2.0's validity and reliability,particularly when dealing with potentially life-threatening maternal condi-tions(PLTCs).The aim of this study was to evaluate the validity of the WHODAS 2.0 Tigrigna version.Methods:This cross-sectional study was conducted in Tigray,northern Ethiopia,from December 15 to 20,2023.Following translation and back translation,women who had experienced PLTCs during a recent pregnancy,childbirth,or postpartum period were administered the 36-item WHODAS 2.0 in Tigrigna version 6 months after the childbirth.In total,121 women with a history of PLTCs participated.Cronbach′sαwas used to evaluate internal consistency in all six WHODAS 2.0 domains,while Spearman′s correlation coefficient was used to evaluate convergent validity.With confirmatory factor analysis,construct validity was also examined.Results:All domain scores of the Tigrigna version of the WHODAS 2.0 indicated excellent internal consistency(α=0.917-0.978 for 36 items andα=0.874-0.940 for 12 items),while the Cronbach′sαcoefficients for the summary score were 0.981 and 0.952 for 36 and 12 items,respectively.The convergent validity between the 36-item and 12-item WHODAS 2.0 showed a strong correlation between similar constructs(r=0.909-0.981).Conclusion:Despite the small sample limitation,the WHODAS 2.0 tool adapted to the Tigrigna version indicated an acceptable reliability and validity and therefore could be applied to women with a history of PLTCs at 6 months postpartum.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(32402767)National Key Research and Development Program of China(2022YFD1301102)+3 种基金Anhui Province Natural Science Foundation Youth Project(2308085QC104)AAU Introduction of High-level Talent Funds(RC392107)Key Laboratory of Utilization of Livestock and Forage Resources in Circum-Tarim Region(Co-construction by Ministry and Province),Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs(BSGJSYS202502)the China Agriculture Research System(CARS-38)。
文摘Background Undernutrition disrupts pregnant ewe's metabolic homeostasis and severely inhibits fetal growth and development.In this study,undernourished and nutrition-recovery pregnant sheep models and rumen epithelial cells were utilized to investigate the mechanisms behind undernutrition-induced disruptions in male fetal rumen metabolism and development.Results Maternal undernutrition significantly reduced male fetal rumen weight and papilla length,width and surface area.Maternal undernutrition extremely suppressed nutrient metabolism and energy production in male fetal rumen via JAK3/STAT3 signaling to inhibit cell cycle progression and male fetal rumen development,while maternal nutritional recovery partially restored metabolic inhibition but failed to alleviate male fetal rumen development.Meanwhile,64 differentially expressed miRNAs(DEMs)were identified in male fetal rumen between undernourished ewes and controls.Novel miR-736 was overexpressed both in male fetal rumen of undernourished and nutrition-recovery models.E2F transcription factor 2(E2F2)and MYB proto-oncogene like 2(MYBL2)were the intersection of male fetal rumen differentially expressed genes(DEGs)and DEMs target genes integrated analysis and were predicted as novel miR-736 target genes.Further,we confirmed that novel miR-736 targeted and downregulated E2F2 and MYBL2 expression levels.Silencing E2F2 and MYBL2 promoted apoptosis and inhibited S-phase entry in rumen epithelial cells.Conclusions In summary,maternal undernutrition disrupted male fetal rumen metabolism and elevated novel miR-736,which targeted and downregulated E2F2 and MYBL2 to inhibit cell cycle progression and promote apoptosis,finally inhibited male fetal rumen development.This study provides new insights into the epigenetic mechanisms underlying maternal undernutrition-induced male fetal rumen developmental deficits.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(32171069).
文摘Background:The growing parenting stress among Chinese mothers in recent years raises concerns about its impact on adolescent internalizing problems.The purpose of this study was to examine the curvilinear relationship between maternal parenting stress and internalizing problems in adolescents,and further explore the moderating effects of family socioeconomic status(SES)and adolescent gender.Methods:Data were collected from 405 mothers and adolescents(203 boys,Meanage=12.23)across five cities(Beijing,Hebei,Shanxi,Shenzhen,and Shandong)in China,who completed self-report measures of maternal parenting stress and internalizing problems.Descriptive statistics and multiple regression analyses were conducted using SPSS 27.0.Results:Multiple regression analyses indicated that the association between maternal parenting stress2 and adolescents’internalizing problems was moderated by the interaction between gender and SES(b=−0.03,p<0.01).Specifically,a significant U-shaped relationship was observed among high-SES boys(b=0.12,t=3.89,p<0.001),with internalizing problems peaking at both low and high levels of maternal parenting stress,whereas the moderating effect of SES was not significant among girls.Conclusion:The study highlights that moderate maternal parenting stress is associated with lower internalizing problems among adolescents,particularly among high-SES boys,indicating that interventions should consider the optimal balance of parental stress and account for family socioeconomic and adolescent gender differences.
基金Supported by High-level Professional Groups in Gangdong Province,No.GSPZYQ2020101Guangdong Province Educational Research Planning Project,No.2024GXJK742。
文摘BACKGROUND Paternal perinatal depression(PPD)is closely associated with maternal mental health challenges,marital strain,and adverse child developmental outcomes.Despite its significant impact,PPD remains under-recognized in family-centered clinical practice.Concurrently,against the backdrop of rising rates of delayed marriage and China’s Maternity Incentive Policy,the proportion of women giving birth at an advanced maternal age is increasing.Nevertheless,research specifically examining PPD among spouses of older mothers remains critically scarce,both in China and globally.AIM To investigate PPD and its influencing factors in Chinese advanced maternal age families.METHODS This cross-sectional study included 358 participants;it was conducted among fathers of pregnant women of advanced maternal age at five hospitals in the Pearl River Delta region of China from September 2023 to June 2024.Data were collected via a general information questionnaire,the Social Support Rating Scale,and the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale.Latent profile analysis and regression mixture models(RMMs)were adopted to analyze the latent PPD types and factors that influenced PPD.RESULTS The incidence of PPD was 16.48%,and three profiles were identified:Low-symptomatic(175 cases,48.89%),monophasic(140 cases,39.10%),and high-symptomatic(43 cases,12.01%).The RMM analysis revealed that first pregnancy,low income(<¥3000/month),part-time work,and a history of abnormal pregnancy were positively associated with the high-symptomatic type(P<0.05).Conversely,high subjective support and support utilization were negatively associated with the high-symptomatic type compared with the low-symptomatic type(P<0.05).Good couple relationships,high objective and subjective support,and high support utilization were negatively associated with monophasic disorder(P<0.05).CONCLUSION PPD incidence is high among Chinese fathers with advanced maternal age partners,and the characteristics of depression are varied.Healthcare practitioners should prioritize individuals with low levels of social support.
文摘Objectives:This scoping review aims to methodically identify and analyse the determinants which influence maternal mortality and healthcare utilization in women of childbearing years in Nigeria.The review specifically addresses the difficulties faced in assessing medical care,and the ongoing initiatives to lower the maternal mortality ratio.Methods:Primary studies(published after year 2000)focused on maternal mortality,health determinants,and the utilization of maternal healthcare services in Nigeria were retrieved following a systematic search across multiple databases,including Scopus,PubMed,Google Scholar,and Web of Science.These were screened using defined inclusion and exclusion criteria.Data from these studies were extracted and thematically analysed to identify common themes and trends.Results:A total of 21 publications were included in this review comprising 2 qualitative,17 quantitative,and2 mixed study designs.Major health determinants identified in these studies include hypertensive disorders of pregnancy,haemorrhage,and sepsis/septicaemia,contributing as much as 29%,24%,and 14.2%of maternal deaths respectively in over 10%of the reviewed studies.Similarly,social-economic determinants including poverty,maternal education,health system issues and culture significantly impacted the utilization of maternal healthcare services,inadvertently impacting maternal mortality.Despite various maternal health interventions such as the"Abiye"Safe Motherhood Initiative,the Integrated Maternal,Newborn,and Child Health Strategy and strengthening emergency obstetric care by governmental and non-governmental agencies,early childbearing,unemployment,large family sizes,and dependence on male spouses continued to result in suboptimal utilization of services and adverse maternal outcomes.Conclusion:This scoping review comprehensively integrated existing data from published studies to provide a detailed picture of maternal mortality,its health determinants,and factors influencing care utilization among women of childbearing age in Nigeria and approaches to reduce maternal mortality in the country and possibly in the West African sub-region.
文摘OBJECTIVES:To investigate the effect of Bushen Tongluo recipe(BSTLR, 补肾通络方) on rats with diabetic kidney disease(DKD) and to explore the underlying mechanism of action. METHODS:The rat model of DKD was established, and rats were treated with different doses of BSTLR. Body weight and the levels of urinary protein, α1-microglobulin, glucose, blood urea nitrogen, creatinine, Cystatin C, superoxide dismutase, malondialdehyde, and catalase were analyzed biochemically or by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The pathological damage to renal tissues was assessed by hematoxylin-eosin staining. Immunohistochemical staining was carried out to detect the expression levels of fibronectin, E-cadherin, α-smooth muscle actin, laminin, vimentin, collagen type Ⅳ in kidney tissues. Western blot analysis was conducted to analyze the expression levels of Nephrin, Desmin, Podocin, transforming growth factor-β1, mothers against decapentaplegic homolog 3(Smad3), Notch1, jagged, hairy and enhancer of split 1(Hes1) in kidney tissues, and the expression levels of maternally expressed gene 3(MEG3) and mi R-145 were measured by quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. Moreover, dual-luciferase reporter assay was employed to verify the binding of mi R-145 to MEG3. RESULTS:BSTLR increased the body weight of DKD rats, effectively ameliorated the renal function and pathological injury in DKD, regulated the balance of renal oxidative stress, inhibited the TGF/Notch signaling pathway, and affected the variations in the lnc RNA MEG3/mi R-145 axis. CONCLUSION:BSTLR improved oxidative stress homeostasis, inhibited the TGF/Notch signaling pathway, and regulated the lnc RNA MEG3/mi R-145 axis, effectively delaying the progression of DKD.
基金supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.82300268)Guangzhou Municipal Science and Technology Project(No.2023B03J1255).
文摘Objective Electronic cigarettes(ECs)differ from traditional tobacco smoke but may contribute to cardiopulmonary remodeling.Pulmonary hypertension(PH),characterized by pulmonary artery and right ventricle remodeling,poses a significant risk of mortality in infants,children,and adolescents.However,the impact of maternal EC exposure on PH development in offspring remains unclear.To address this,we established a PH rat model with maternal EC exposure.Methods Maternal EC exposure was initiated on gestation day 12 via electronic nicotine delivery systems.Offspring were administered monocrotaline(MCT)at 6 weeks of age(6-wo)to induce PH.Mechanistic experiments were conducted at 10-week-old(10-wo).Protein expression of NADPH oxidases,DNA methyltransferases,and autophagy-related markers was analyzed by Western blot.Morphological changes and the severity of PH were evaluated via hematoxylin and eosin(HE)staining and echocardiography,respectively.Furthermore,the involvement of the oxidative stress/DNA methylation/autophagy axis in response to maternal EC exposure was confirmed through a combination of ELISA,Western blot,HE staining,and echocardiography.Additionally,ATG5 mRNA expression was measured by qRT-PCR.Results Compared with control conditions,maternal EC exposure significantly worsened MCT-induced PH in male offspring.This was associated with increased oxidative stress,DNA hypomethylation,and anomalous autophagy in the offspring.In vivo treatment with chloroquine inhibited autophagy and ameliorated PH development in offspring exposed to maternal EC.Furthermore,N-acetylcysteine(NAC),an antioxidant,attenuated maternal EC exposure-induced oxidative stress,DNA hypomethylation,and excessive autophagy,thereby improving PH.DNA hypermethylation also reversed PH development,accompanied by reduced oxidative stress and suppressed autophagy.ATG5,a key regulator of autophagy,was identified as a potential therapeutic target,as its repression mitigated PH in maternal EC-exposed offspring.Conclusion Maternal EC exposure induces oxidative stress and DNA hypomethylation in offspring,leading to anomalous autophagy and exacerbation of PH development.Targeting ATG5-mediated autophagy may represent a novel therapeutic approach for improving PH outcomes in offspring exposed to maternal EC.Graphical Abstract Pregnant rats were exposed to either EC vapor or standard air from gestation day 12 until 2 days before delivery,with all offspring undergoing PH induction at 6-wo.Offspring exposed to maternal EC presented increased oxidative stress,which in turn affected DNA methylation patterns.The decreased DNA methylation in male offspring led to the activation of autophagy,exacerbating the development of PH.Treatment with ATG5 siRNA inhibited autophagy and alleviated heightened PH in male offspring with maternal EC exposure.
文摘Background: Maternal mortality remains a major public health problem worldwide. Objectives: Our study aims to present the results of an analysis of reviews of maternal deaths at HGOPY. Methodology: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study with retrospective data collection from archived records and reviewed maternal death reports. Our study lasted 8 months, from October 1, 2023 to May 31, 2024. The study covered maternal death files at the HGOPY over an 8-year period, from 1st of January 2016 to the 31st of December 2023. Data were processed and analyzed using Statitical Paquage for Social Science (SPSS) version 26.0. Results: We counted a total of 160 maternal deaths, of which 97 had been reviewed. We excluded 61 deceased women reviewed and retained 33. We recorded a cumulative total of 160 maternal deaths and 19,651 live births. The peak in the proportion of maternal deaths at the Yaoundé Gynaeco-Obstetric and Paediatric Hospital was in 2021, with a proportion of 0.013. No maternal deaths had been reviewed between 2016 to 2017. Most deaths (64%) occurred between 37 and 40 weeks. The majority (30.5%) were aged between 30 and 35. The data show that 80.6% of maternal deaths were due to direct obstetric causes, while 19.4% were due to indirect causes. Most deaths (69.4%) were preventable. Only 8.3% were not preventable. Conclusion: Concerted efforts must be made to adapt maternal death prevention and management strategies to local contexts in order to significantly reduce these alarming figures.
文摘Background: Birth weight has been identified as one of the most significant predictors of a child’s physical growth, development, and survival in later life. A quest to provide an answer on the impact of maternal anthropometry on neonatal birth weight necessitated this study. Materials and methods: It is a cross-sectional descriptive hospital based study that involved 130 participants selected using a systematic sampling method, utilizing a semi-structured, pre-tested interviewer administered questionnaire. Data were collected using a standard procedure and were summarized using proportions, and the Chi square test was used to explore the association between categorical variables. Predictors of birth weight were determined using logistic regression. The level of statistical significance was set at p Results: Participants had a mean age of 28.6 ± 5.1 years, mean weight of 72.2 ± 11.2 kg and mean height of 1.63 ± 0.07m while the mean fetal birth weight was 3.10 ± 0.56 kg. There was a significant association between maternal delivery body mass index and neonatal birth weight (p Conclusion: The prevalence of low birth weight and macrosomia in this study population was high. The focus should be geared towards balanced nutrition support for all mothers at booking so as to mitigate the risks associated with these extremes of birth weight.
文摘Gestational diabetes mellitus(GDM)is the most common metabolic abnormality of pregnancy and is associated with early and late adverse outcomes for both mothers and fetuses.Conventionally,GDM is diagnosed between 24 and 28 gestational weeks(GW)(late-onset GDM).With the increasing prevalence of prediabetes among women of reproductive age,GDM is increasingly being diagnosed before 24 GW in high-risk populations(early-onset GDM).Compared with late-onset GDM pregnancies,early-onset GDM pregnancies are at greater risk for neonatal adverse events,such as perinatal mortality,neonatal hypoglycemia,neonatal respiratory distress syndrome,and macrosomia.The TOBOGM study revealed that the initiation of treatment before 20 GW can modestly reduce composite neonatal outcomes,mainly due to a reduction in the rate of neonatal respiratory distress syndrome.The benefit was greater when treatment was initiated before 14 GW.The probable mechanisms for early-onset hyper-glycemiainduced neonatal adverse events are decidual and placental defects,interference with fetal lung development,and fetal glucose steal.There is no international consensus on the GDM screening strategy in early pregnancy,and its cost-effectiveness is questioned by several professional bodies.Further prospective randomized controlled studies are strongly recommended to alleviate confusion in clinical practice regarding the management of mild hyperglycemia in early pregnancy.
基金German research Foundation(DFG,grant numbers:CH2321/1–1 and SCHO1231/7–1)JH has received a scholarship from the Chinese Scholarship Council(CSC No.:201908350115).
文摘The oviduct epithelium is the initial maternal contact site for embryos after fertilization,offering the microenviron-ment before implantation.This early gestation period is particularly sensitive to stress,which can cause reduced fertil-ity and reproductive disorders in mammals.Nevertheless,the local impact of elevated stress hormones on the ovi-duct epithelium has received limited attention to date,except for a few reports on polyovulatory species like mice and pigs.In this study,we focused on the effects of chronic maternal stress on cattle,given its association with infertil-ity issues in this monoovulatory species.Bovine oviduct epithelial cells(BOEC)differentiated at the air–liquid interface(ALI)were stimulated with 250 nmol/L cortisol for 1 or 3 weeks.Subsequently,they were assessed for morphology,bioelectrical properties,and gene expression related to oviduct function,glucocorticoid pathway,cortisol metabo-lism,inflammation,and apoptosis.Results revealed adverse effects of cortisol on epithelium structure,featured by deciliation,vacuole formation,and multilayering.Additionally,cortisol exposure led to an increase in transepithelial potential difference,downregulated mRNA expression of the major glucocorticoid receptor(NR3C1),upregulated the expression of cortisol-responsive genes(FKBP5,TSC22D3),and significant downregulation of oviductal glycopro-tein 1(OVGP1)and steroid receptors PGR and ESR1.The systematic comparison to a similar experiment previously performed by us in porcine oviduct epithelial cells,indicated that bovine cultures were more susceptible to elevated cortisol levels than porcine.The distinct responses between both species are likely linked to their divergence in the cortisol-induced expression changes of HSD11B2,an enzyme controlling the cellular capacity to metabolise cortisol.These findings provide insights into the species-specific reactions and reproductive consequences triggered by maternal stress.
基金Collaborative Innovation Project of Zigong Medical Big Data and Artificial Intelligence Research Institute,Grant/Award Number:2023-YGY-1-02 and 2024-YGY-02-04National Natural Science Foundation of China,Grant/Award Number:31900950+4 种基金Project Supported by the Natural Science Basic Research Plan in Shaanxi Province of China,Grant/Award Number:2024JCYBMS-706National Key Research and Development Program of China,Grant/Award Number:2022YFC2009900Zigong Science and Technology Program,Grant/Award Number:2023YKY11Scientific Research Project of Zigong Health Commission,Grant/Award Number:22yb001 and 24zd008Key Science and Technology Plan Projects in Zigong,Grant/Award Number:2022ZCNKY07,2023-NKY-01-02,2023-NKY-02-13 and 2023-NKY-02-14。
文摘Background:Maternal viral infection during pregnancy can lead to maternal immune activation(MIA),increasing the risk of neurodevelopmental disorders in offspring.Amantadine(AMA)exhibits antiviral activity and is widely employed in the management of neurologic conditions.Nevertheless,the efficacy of AMA in treating MIA is currently not established.Methods:MIA was induced by polyinosinic acid-polycytidylic acid(poly(I:C));AMA was administered from embryonic(E)day 11.5 for 3 days.BV-2 cells were stimulated using poly(I:C)and treated with AMA.Behavior was assessed via open field test,elevated plus maze test,three-chamber sociability test,and marble burying test.Neuronal morphology was vizualized using Nissl stain;apoptosis via TUNEL(terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick-end labeling)stain;protein expression(Iba1,NeuN,CD68,TNF-α[tumor necrosis factor-alpha],IL-1β[interleukin-1β])using immunofluorescence(IF);interleukin-6(IL-6)levels using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay;reactive oxygen species using staining;Iba1,NeuN,Bcl-2,Bax,and cleaved caspase 3 using Western blot;and gene expression changes using RNA-seq.Results:AMA treatment reduced the levels of IL-6 in maternal blood,improved autism-like behaviors in MIA offspring,and effectively prevented neuronal damage and neuroinflammation.In vitro cellular studies have demonstrated that AMA effectively downregulates the expression levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines,including IL-6,TNF-α,and IL-1β.RNA-seq analysis indicated that AMA mitigates abnormal activation of microglia by modulating inflammatory pathways associated with IL-6.Conclusion:AMA can prevent the development of neuropsychiatric disorders in MIA offspring.This effect may be related to its ability to attenuate neuronal damage,reduce neuronal apoptosis,and inhibit neuroinflammation,indicating that the antiviral drug AMA may be a potential treatment for MIA.
基金The research received approval from Children’s Hospital of Shanxi Committee (Approval Number:KLT6230511).
文摘BACKGROUND Food insecurity(FI)during pregnancy negatively impacts maternal health and raises the risk of gestational diabetes mellitus(GDM)and pregnancy-induced hypertension(PIH),resulting in adverse outcomes for both mother and baby.AIM To investigate the relationships between FI and pregnancy outcomes,particularly GDM and PIH,while also examining the mediating role of the dietary diversity score(DDS).METHODS A cross-sectional study was undertaken to examine this relationship,involving 600 pregnant women.Participants were women aged 18 years or older who provided complete data on FI and pregnancy outcomes.The FI was measured via the Household Food Security Survey Module,with GDM defined as fasting plasma glucose levels of≥5.1 mmol/L or a 2-hour oral glucose tolerance test value of≥8.5 mmol/L.The DDS is determined by evaluating one's food consumption based on nine distinct food groups.A logistic regression model was used to explore the relationship between FI and PIH,and GDM.RESULTS Seventeen percent of participants reported experiencing FI during pregnancy.The study found a significant association between FI and an elevated risk of GDM[odds ratio(OR)=3.32,95%CI:1.2-5.4].Once more,food-insecure pregnant women had higher rates of PIH(OR=0.10,95%CI:0.02-0.45)and they also faced a higher likelihood of neonatal complications,such as neonatal intensive care unit’s admissions and the birth of infants with extremely low birth weight.The FI wasfurther linked to metabolic disruptions,such as elevated fasting blood sugar(FBS),low-density lipoprotein cholesterol,and triglyceride levels.Our results indicate that the DDS acts as a significant mediator in the relationship between FI and the incidence of GDM.In particular,the mediation analysis showed that approximately 65%of the effect was mediated through DDS(P=0.002).CONCLUSION These findings underscore the serious challenges that FI presents during pregnancy and its effects on maternal and infant health.Additionally,the study explored how DDS mediates the relationship between FI and the incidence of GDM.
基金Supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.32071528)。
文摘Environmental fluctuations are a pervasive natural phenomenon that typically favor diverse maternal investment strategies.Organisms across various evolutionary lineages have acquired the ability to enter the dormancy state to tolerate conditions that are unsuitable for normal life activities.In cyclical parthenogenesis,sexual reproduction is generally linked with dormancy,thereby enhancing the long-term fitness of populations through positive feedback mechanisms.This study evaluates the impact of environmental variability on offspring population dynamics through sexual reproduction in the rotifer Brachionus calyciflorus.We found that mictic females(sexual females)exposed to low-predictability environments produced resting eggs with a sporadic hatching pattern,reduced hatching rate,and smaller sizes of resting egg,embryo,and stem females,while increasing variations in fertilization among individuals to maximize population fitness.Variations in population growth could be manifested in enhanced reproductive capacity 2–3 d post-hatching,along with differences in fecundity among individuals.This suggests that dormant eggs from unstable environments may prioritize offspring survival and adjust to increased fertilization among individuals.This adaptive strategy enables rotifer populations to rapidly adjust to environmental changes,thus avoiding extinction and thriving in diverse habitats.Our systematic study enhances the understanding of how environmental stability affects long-term population fitness in cyclical parthenogens.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(32400711,U22A20447)Natural Science Foundation of Qinghai(2025-ZJ-910Q)“Kunlun Talents”Project from the Qinghai Provincial Government(to Q.E.Y.)。
文摘Hypobaric hypoxia encountered at high altitudes impairs reproductive health and fertility across species.Previous findings have demonstrated that maternal hypoxia exposure disrupts granulosa cell(GC)viability and oocyte maturation in female offspring;however,its transgenerational impact on male reproductive outcomes remains poorly elucidated.In this study,pregnant mice(F0)were subjected to hypoxic conditions,and male progeny across four generations(F1-F4)were evaluated.Results revealed that maternal hypoxia induced mild alterations in sperm DNA methylation in F1 males but caused profound developmental defects in F2 embryos,predominantly affecting males.Following mating of F1males with control females,a substantial proportion of male F2 fetuses were lost at embryonic day(E)13.5,attributed to placental malformations.Integrated RNA sequencing and whole-genome bisulfite sequencing of placentas from male fetuses revealed aberrant expression of imprinted genes,including Gnas,Slc38a4,Jade1,and Kcnq1,which also exhibited differential methylation in F1sperm.These findings demonstrate that maternal hypoxia disrupts epigenetic programming in F1 germ cells,impairing placental development and fetal viability in F2males,thereby leading to an unbalanced sex ratio.Overall,this study elucidates the mechanisms by which environmental hypoxia influences sex ratios and offers critical insights into hypoxia-induced reproductive impairments in mammals.
文摘Introduction: The Coronavirus pandemic was responsible for an unprecedented health crisis that shook the world with its high contagiousness and lethality. Its impact on maternal and fetal health places pregnant women at high risk. The aim of our study was to determine the factors associated with the occurrence of COVID-19 in pregnant women, and the maternal and perinatal outcomes of infected patients. Methodology: This was a case-control study involving 42 cases matched to 42 controls recruited from two public and tertiary hospitals in the cities of Yaoundé and Douala over a period from November 31 to May 31, 2024. Cases were defined as deliveries or records of COVID-19 deliveries confirmed positive by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) or by a COVID-19 rapid diagnostic test (Covid-RDT). Controls were defined as deliveries or records of deliveries negative to the same test. They were matched by the hospital. Non-consenting births and unusable records were excluded. The data collected were recorded on a pre-established, pretexted data sheet examining sociodemographic, clinical characteristics and maternal and perinatal outcomes which were then analyzed using SPSS version 23.0 software. Results: After multivariate analysis, the independent sociodemographic factors were: belonging to the [30 - 40] age group (OR: 4.4;P = 0.010), being married (OR: 8.1;P = 0.030);being unemployed (OR: 3;P = 0.040). Independent clinical factors were: being in the third trimester of pregnancy (OR: 1.1;P = 0.017), being diabetic (OR: 5;P = 0.033) and being obese (OR: 11.5;P = 0.043). Independent factors associated with maternal outcome were: caesarean section (OR: 10;P = 0.001);admission to intensive care (OR: 30.7;P = 0.013);SO2 ≤ 94% (OR: 11.7;P = 0.033);HR > 100 (OR: 15.5;P = 0.001). Independent factors associated with perinatal outcome were: weight Conclusion: The factors associated with the occurrence of COVID-19 in pregnant women are multiple, and maternal outcome depends on its condition on admission, and has a significant impact on perinatal health, including mode of delivery. Emphasis must be placed on prevention and optimal management of these associated factors.
基金supported by grants from Singhealth Duke-NUS Academic Medicine Research grant(AM/SU035/2020)NMRC Clinician-Scientist Individual Research Grant New Investigator Grant(CNIG20nov-0003).
文摘Chemical exposure during prenatal development has significant implications for both maternal and child health.Compared to blood,saliva is a non-invasive and less resource-intensive,alternative.Given the temporal variability of xenobiotic metabolites(XM),repeated sampling is essential.Therefore,saliva offers a valuable tool for the longitudinal assessment of prenatal exposomes.Despite its potential,no studies have explored saliva for XM measurement.This study pioneered using saliva to assess XM detectability and investigate the associations between prenatal XM and endogenous metabolomes in pregnant women.Saliva samples were analysed using mass spectrometry from 80 pregnant women at 24–34 weeks gestation.Metabolomes and exposomes were annotated using the Human Metabolome and U.S.Environmental Protection Agency databases.Metabolome-XM associations were clustered using Glay community clustering.Linear regression models,adjusted for age,estimated associations between catecholamines and XMs.XM levels were validated in a cohort of women(n=14)with and without preeclampsia.Our study identified 582 metabolomes and 125 XM in saliva,demonstrating its potential as a matrix for exposure measurement.After false discovery rate correction,18109 significant metabolome-XM associations were identified.Community clustering revealed 37 connected clusters,with the largest cluster(238 nodes)enriched in tyrosine and catecholamine metabolism.Food-contactchemicals and food-additives were significantly associated with higher catecholamine and their metabolite levels.Subgroup analyses revealed higher concentrations of these chemicals in women with preeclampsia compared to healthy controls.This study demonstrates that saliva contains valuable molecular data for measuring exposomes.Food-related chemicals were associated with higher catecholamine levels,which may be relevant to the prevalence of hypertensive crises in pregnancy.
基金Supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China,No.82305035China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences,Special Project for Cultivating Outstanding Young Scientific and Technological Talents,No.2217-YQ-029Institute of Acupuncture,China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences,Special Project for Innovative Talents,No.ZZ-YC2023002.
文摘Autism spectrum disorder is a mental neurodevelopmental condition characterized by social deficits and repetitive behavior,and its development is influenced by genetic and environmental factors.Furthermore,an important factor in etiology is the health status of the mother during pregnancy.Maternal health can critically affect the development of the offspring’s nervous system,including the central nervous system and enteric nervous system.Unfavorable maternal health can disrupt the normal development of the offspring’s nervous system in various ways,such as changes in microbiota composition.As one of the common comorbidities of autism spectrum disorder,no consistent conclusion has been drawn on how poor maternal health affects enteric nervous system and cen-tral nervous system development in offspring.From the perspective of maternal health,this review discusses how maternal status affects the gastrointestinal health of offspring and the development of mental systems to raise public awar-eness of maternal health and provide a new idea for eugenics and childbearing.
