Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Morgan R. Firestein, Harvey J. Kliman, Ayesha Sania, Lucy T. Brink, Parker H. Holzer, Katherine M. Hofmann, Kristin M. Milano, Nicolo Pini, Lauren C. Shuffrey, Hein J. Odendaal, William P. Fifer
Summary: Objective trophoblast inclusions are associated with adverse birth outcomes and specific placental pathologies. The presence of trophoblast inclusions is significantly higher in preterm and stillborn deliveries compared to full-term liveborn deliveries. These findings suggest the need for further investigation into the complex mechanisms underlying trophoblast inclusions.
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Thorsten Braun, Loreen Ehrlich, Wolfgang Henrich, Sebastian Koeppel, Ievgeniia Lomako, Philipp Schwabl, Bettina Liebmann
Summary: The study identified the presence of microplastics (> 50 μm) in placenta and meconium samples from caesarean deliveries, with polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, and polyurethane being the main types detected. However, airborne polyurethane microplastics were also found in the operating room, indicating potential contamination sources. Further research into nano-sized plastics in human tissues is recommended.
Article
Obstetrics & Gynecology
Nicole Graham, Louise Stephens, Edward D. Johnstone, Alexander E. P. Heazell
Summary: Placental examination at the time of stillbirth is crucial for predicting the risk of adverse outcomes in subsequent pregnancies, while information about maternal characteristics and classification of the cause of stillbirth does not provide significant prognostic information.
ACTA OBSTETRICIA ET GYNECOLOGICA SCANDINAVICA
(2021)
Review
Neurosciences
Mariana Astiz, Henrik Oster
Summary: The circadian clock system adapts physiology and behavior to daily recurring changes in the environment. Recent findings suggest that the embryo/fetal molecular clock machinery is present and functional in several tissues early during gestation, entrained by maternal rhythmic signals. This highlights the complex interaction and coordination between maternal, placental, and embryo/fetal clocks in regulating the circadian system's development and response to external perturbations during critical times.
FRONTIERS IN NEUROSCIENCE
(2021)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Shahla Shojaei, Moustafa S. Ali, Madhumita Suresh, Tushar Upreti, Victoria Mogourian, Michael Helewa, Hagar Labouta
Summary: Current medications for pregnant women may pose fetal risks, prompting the use of nanoparticles for targeted drug delivery to minimize these risks. Understanding the transfer of nanoparticles from mother to fetus is crucial, and placenta-on-a-chip offers a physiologically relevant in vitro model for assessment. There is a need for dynamic placenta-on-a-chip models to evaluate the safety of novel nanoparticle-based therapies during pregnancy.
BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-MOLECULAR BASIS OF DISEASE
(2021)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Jorge Carvajal, Paola Casanello, Alberto Toso, Marcelo Farias, Karina Carrasco-Negue, Kenny Araujo, Paola Valero, Javiera Fuenzalida, Caterina Solari, Luis Sobrevia
Summary: The SARS-CoV-2 infection causes COVID-19 disease, which leads to acute respiratory distress syndrome, bilateral pneumonia, and organ failure. The effects of maternal SARS-CoV-2 infection on pregnant women, fetuses, and neonates are still controversial, and it is important to determine the presence of viral and non-viral vertical transmission. SARS-CoV-2 infection alters the function of asymptomatic and symptomatic pregnant women, the fetoplacental unit, and the neonate, and various pregnancy-related diseases, including COVID-19, can affect the fetoplacental function and result in long-term health consequences.
BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-MOLECULAR BASIS OF DISEASE
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Frank Z. Stanczyk, David F. Archer
Summary: Estetrol (E4) is a promising estrogen for therapeutic use, produced only during pregnancy. It is not known which pathway predominates, but both the fetal liver and the placenta are involved in its production.
JOURNAL OF STEROID BIOCHEMISTRY AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Developmental Biology
Mercy Singoei, Moses Madadi Obimbo, Paul Ochieng Odula, Jesse Gitaka, Ibsen Henric Ongidi
Summary: This study found histological alterations in the chorioamniotic membrane in patients with malaria in pregnancy, including changes in epithelial type, denudation, extensive fibrin deposition, and leukocyte infiltration. Further research is needed to characterize chorioamnionitis in malaria in pregnancy and its associations with adverse pregnancy outcomes.
Review
Nutrition & Dietetics
Stephen W. D'Souza, Andrew J. Copp, Nicholas D. E. Greene, Jocelyn D. Glazier
Summary: Supplementation with myo-inositol may reduce the risk of neural tube defects, especially for NTDs unresponsive to folic acid. Maternal myo-inositol intake plays a crucial role in embryonic development, establishing active cellular uptake mechanisms and effectively lowering NTD risk in human pregnancy. The generation of materno-fetal inositol concentration gradients and a transport pathway for myo-inositol delivery contribute to inositol's ability to confer embryonic developmental benefit.
ADVANCES IN NUTRITION
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Isabelle Plante, Louise M. Winn, Cathy Vaillancourt, Petya Grigorova, Lise Parent
Summary: Pregnancy involves significant physiological and psychological changes in the mother to meet the needs of the growing fetus, with potential long-term impacts on health for both mother and baby. Dysregulation of placental function may lead to increased risk of chronic diseases for the fetus later in life.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Tito Ramirez-Lozada, Maria Concepcion Loranca-Garcia, Claudia Erika Fuentes-Venado, Carmen Rodriguez-Cerdeira, Esther Ocharan-Hernandez, Marvin A. Soriano-Ursua, Eunice D. Farfan-Garcia, Edwin Chavez-Gutierrez, Xochitl Ramirez-Magana, Maura Robledo-Cayetano, Marco A. Loza-Mejia, Ivonne Areli Garcia Santa-Olalla, Oscar Uriel Torres-Paez, Rodolfo Pinto-Almazan, Erick Martinez-Herrera
Summary: Pregnancy predisposes individuals to viral infection and bacterial coinfections can increase mortality rates for COVID-19, with antibiotics potentially entering the fetal circulation and causing harm. Proper antibiotic use is essential to prevent adverse effects on both the mother and fetus during pregnancy.
Article
Virology
Maria Y. Valdespino-Vazquez, Cecilia A. Helguera-Repetto, Moises Leon-Juarez, Oscar Villavicencio-Carrisoza, Arturo Flores-Pliego, Elsa R. Moreno-Verduzco, Diana L. Diaz-Perez, Isabel Villegas-Mota, Elba Carrasco-Ramirez, Irma E. Lopez-Martinez, David M. Giraldo-Gomez, Rosalia Lira, Martha Yocupicio-Monroy, Mario Rodriguez-Bosch, Edgar E. Sevilla-Reyes, Manuel Cortes-Bonilla, Sandra Acevedo-Gallegos, Horacio Merchant-Larios, Jorge Arturo Cardona-Perez, Claudine Irles
Summary: The study found that congenital SARS-CoV-2 infection is possible during the first trimester of pregnancy, leading to damage in placenta and fetal organs, with organs like lungs and kidneys being specific targets for the coronavirus.
JOURNAL OF MEDICAL VIROLOGY
(2021)
Review
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Harleen Kaur, Beverly S. Muhlhausler, Claire T. Roberts, Kathryn L. Gatford
Summary: The growth hormone (GH)-insulin-like growth factor (IGF) axis undergoes significant changes during pregnancy, with increased secretion of GH and IGFs leading to maternal metabolic adaptations, enhanced placental function, and fetal growth. Exogenous GH or IGF treatment in animal models of normal and compromised pregnancy also promotes similar effects, suggesting alternative approaches to enhance maternal GH abundance during pregnancy for better maternal and fetal outcomes.
JOURNAL OF ENDOCRINOLOGY
(2021)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Charles Megier, Gregoire Dumery, Dominique Luton
Summary: Thyroid hormones and iodine are crucial for regulating various physiological functions, such as metabolic rate, protein synthesis, and fetal development. Imbalances in thyroid and iodine metabolism can have negative effects, especially during pregnancy. The placenta, as the interface between the mother and fetus, plays a vital role in regulating thyroid and iodine metabolism. This review provides an update on the current understanding of thyroid and iodine metabolism in both normal and pathological pregnancies, highlighting their importance for maternal and fetal health.
Article
Obstetrics & Gynecology
Stephen A. McCartney, Raj Kapur, H. Denny Liggitt, Audrey Baldessari, Michelle Coleman, Austyn Orvis, Jason Ogle, Ronit Katz, Lakshmi Rajagopal, Kristina M. Adams Waldorf
Summary: The levels of interleukin 6 and interleukin 8 in amniotic fluid were found to be superior predictors of fetal lung injury compared to placental histopathology or maternal plasma cytokines. This suggests a potential role for amniocentesis in predicting neonatal lung morbidity due to intra-amniotic infection.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF OBSTETRICS AND GYNECOLOGY
(2021)