Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Song Ah Chae, Jun Seok Son, Min Du
Summary: Studies have shown that physical activity during pregnancy can enhance oxidative metabolism and improve placental function, while the release of placentokines plays a crucial role in fetal development and maternal metabolism. However, current research is mainly limited to rodents, and further exploration is needed to understand the effects of maternal exercise on placental function and fetal development.
Article
Reproductive Biology
Thais de Merici Domingues e Paula, Lucas Carvalho Cardoso, Fernando Felicioni, Andre Lucas Caldeira-Brant, Thais Garcia Santos, Hortencia Castro-Oliveira, Gustavo Batista Menezes, Enrrico Bloise, Helio Chiarini-Garcia, Fernanda Radicchi Campos Lobato de Almeida
Summary: This study evaluated the effects of maternal chronic caffeine intake on placental morphofunctional alterations and fetal growth. The results showed that caffeine had detrimental effects on fetal growth and placental vasculature in mice.
REPRODUCTIVE TOXICOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Bruna de Souza Lima, Ana Paula Varela Sanches, Maira Schuchter Ferreira, Josilene Lopes de Oliveira, Jane K. Cleal, Leticia Ignacio-Souza
Summary: Maternal obesity can have an impact on the health of offspring, particularly during critical periods. Studies have shown that diet and nutritional status play a crucial role in fetal outcomes and placental development. Specifically, a high-fat diet can be considered as a nutritional insult that impairs the maternal-placental axis, thus affecting offspring development and outcomes.
BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-MOLECULAR BASIS OF DISEASE
(2024)
Article
Obstetrics & Gynecology
I. F. Reijnders, Agmgj Mulders, M. P. H. Koster, A. T. M. Kropman, A. H. J. Koning, S. P. Willemsen, E. A. P. Steegers, R. P. M. Steegers-Theunissen
Summary: The study investigates the impact of first-trimester maternal haemodynamic adaptation on placental, embryonic, and fetal development, as well as birth outcomes in pregnancies with and without placenta-related complications. The results show that reduced haemodynamic adaptation in early pregnancy affects placental size, vascularization, and birthweight centile, particularly in pregnancies with placenta-related complications.
BJOG-AN INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF OBSTETRICS AND GYNAECOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Ran Li, Jing Peng, Wenhui Zhang, Yunlu Wu, Renjie Hu, Rucheng Chen, Weijia Gu, Lu Zhang, Li Qin, Mianhua Zhong, Lung-Chi Chen, Qinghua Sun, Cuiqing Liu
Summary: Recent studies have found that gestational exposure to ambient fine particulate matter (PM2.5) is associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes, particularly intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR). However, the underlying mechanism is still unclear. In this study, pregnant mice were exposed to either filtered air or ambient PM2.5, and it was found that PM2.5 exposure during gestation resulted in reduced fetal body weight and crown-rump length. Moreover, the placental blood sinusoid and expression of placental nutrient transporters and growth hormone were also affected by PM2.5 exposure. Additional tests revealed that PM2.5 exposure inhibited autophagy and activated the AMPK/mTOR signaling pathway in the placenta. These findings suggest that autophagy inhibition leading to placental developmental disorder might be an important mechanism for PM2.5-induced growth restriction.
ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY
(2022)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Wen Huang, Jin Zhou, Juanjuan Guo, Wen Hu, Guanghui Chen, Bin Li, Yajie Wen, Yimin Jiang, Kaili Fu, Huichang Bi, Yuanzhen Zhang, Hui Wang
Summary: Prenatal dexamethasone exposure can have lasting adverse effects on bile acid metabolism in offspring by affecting placental BA transporters and inducing imbalanced fetal-placental-maternal BA circulation, leading to increased levels of primary BAs in fetal serum.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Teresa Tropea, Carina Nihlen, Eddie Weitzberg, Jon O. Lundberg, Mark Wareing, Susan L. Greenwood, Colin P. Sibley, Elizabeth C. Cottrell
Summary: Nitric oxide (NO) plays a crucial role in regulating fetoplacental vascular tone to ensure proper oxygen and nutrient delivery to the fetus. Reduced fetoplacental blood flow can lead to pregnancy complications and fetal growth restriction. The study found that nitrite-induced vasorelaxation is preserved in FGR, suggesting interventions targeting this pathway could improve blood flow in FGR pregnancies.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Xizi Yang, Ruizhi Hu, Mingkun Shi, Long Wang, Jiahao Yan, Jiatai Gong, Qianjin Zhang, Jianhua He, Shusong Wu
Summary: The energy and metabolic state of sows undergo significant changes during different stages of gestation, especially in late pregnancy. This is accompanied by an increase in oxidative stress, which negatively affects both the maternal and placental health. The placenta plays a critical role in delivering nutrients from the mother to the fetus and ensuring the survival and development of the fetus. This review aims to understand the changes in energy and metabolism in sows during pregnancy and the impact of maternal oxidative stress on the placenta, ultimately affecting the fetus' survival and development.
Review
Cell Biology
Tereza Cindrova-Davies, Amanda N. Sferruzzi-Perri
Summary: The placenta plays a critical role in the health of the fetus and its mother. However, our understanding of placental development is limited due to ethical restrictions and lack of suitable models. This review discusses current knowledge of early human placental development, emphasizing the role of the maternal endometrium and fetal-maternal dialogue, and introduces the latest cell models.
SEMINARS IN CELL & DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Obstetrics & Gynecology
Camille Couture, Marie -Eve Brien, Ines Boufaied, Cyntia Duval, Dorothee Dal Soglio, Elizabeth Ann L. Enninga, Brian Cox, Sylvie Girard
Summary: This study aims to investigate the contributions of the maternal and placental compartments to preterm birth compared with normal term pregnancies, in order to understand the involvement of immune/inflammatory responses and identify potential therapeutic targets. The results revealed immune system changes in preterm birth, including elevated levels of inflammatory mediators and altered distribution of immune cells. Furthermore, compared with term pregnancies, preterm births showed increased inflammatory lesions in placental histology and circulating immune profiles.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF OBSTETRICS AND GYNECOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Anya L. Arthurs, Melanie D. Smith, Mhyles D. Hintural, James Breen, Dylan McCullough, Francesca I. Thornton, Shalem Y. Leemaqz, Gustaaf A. Dekker, Tanja Jankovic-Karasoulos, Claire T. Roberts
Summary: Parturition signals the end of immune tolerance in pregnancy. The activation of placental inflammasome differs in terms of mode of delivery and neonatal sex. Assessing placental inflammasome activation may identify babies who have been exposed to aberrant inflammation at birth.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Developmental Biology
Kimberly O. O'Brien
Summary: The human placenta is a specialized organ responsible for housing and nourishing the fetus during pregnancy. Iron is an essential nutrient for successful pregnancy outcomes, but iron deficiency is common in pregnant women. Hormones produced by the mother, placenta, and fetus play important roles in iron homeostasis, but their functions vary in each compartment. Further research is needed to understand the partitioning of iron between these compartments.
Review
Obstetrics & Gynecology
Sanjay Basak, Asim K. Duttaroy
Summary: Dietary polyunsaturated fatty acids, particularly omega-3 and omega-6 long-chain PUFAs, are crucial for fetal brain development. Omega-3 fatty acids, despite being highly unsaturated, play a protective role in the brain as antioxidants. Deficiency of omega-3 fatty acids during fetal development can cause irreversible damage to neurodevelopment. Dietary PUFAs also impact placental structure and functions, promoting nutrient exchange through remodeling of uteroplacental architecture. Omega-3 PUFA deficiency leads to epigenetic changes in the placenta, possibly affecting fetal development.
REPRODUCTIVE SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Natasha de Alwis, Sally Beard, Natalie K. Binder, Natasha Pritchard, Tu'uhevaha J. Kaitu'u-Lino, Susan P. Walker, Owen Stock, Katie Groom, Scott Petersen, Amanda Henry, Joanne M. Said, Sean Seeho, Stefan C. Kane, Stephen Tong, Lisa Hui, Natalie J. Hannan
Summary: Elevated levels of OLAH in the placenta may be associated with placental dysfunction in pregnancies complicated by preterm preeclampsia and fetal growth restriction. Further research is required to understand the role of OLAH in the placenta, and whether these changes are a maternal adaptation or consequence of disease.
Article
Peripheral Vascular Disease
William E. Ackerman, Catalin S. Buhimschi, Thomas L. Brown, Guomao Zhao, Taryn L. Summerfield, Irina A. Buhimschi
Summary: By applying transcriptomics with weighted gene correlation network analysis, this study provides evidence for a molecular subphenotype consistent with a glycolytic metabolic shift in placental specimens of early-onset preeclampsia (EOPE) with or without fetal growth restriction (FGR). The identified gene group is enriched for hypoxia-response and metabolic pathways, and the expression ratios of specific genes could be used as surrogate indices for identifying this subgroup.
Article
Psychiatry
Younga H. Lee, Sara Cherkerzian, Larry J. Seidman, George D. Papandonatos, David A. Savitz, Ming T. Tsuang, Jill M. Goldstein, Stephen L. Buka
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PSYCHIATRY
(2020)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Stephen L. Buka, Mitch T. Wallin, William J. Culpepper, Younga H. Lee, Ruth Ann Marrie, Lorene M. Nelson, Wendy E. Kaye, Laurie Wagner, Helen Tremlett, Jon Campbell, Nicholas LaRocca
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Younga H. Lee, George D. Papandonatos, David A. Savitz, William C. Heindel, Stephen L. Buka
PAEDIATRIC AND PERINATAL EPIDEMIOLOGY
(2020)
Article
Psychiatry
Cristina A. Fernandez, Karmel W. Choi, Brandon D. L. Marshall, Benjamin Vicente, Sandra Saldivia, Robert Kohn, Karestan C. Koenen, Kristopher L. Arheart, Stephen L. Buka
BRITISH JOURNAL OF PSYCHIATRY
(2020)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Marcia P. Jimenez, Gregory A. Wellenius, Peter James, S. V. Subramanian, Stephen Buka, Charles Eaton, Stephen E. Gilman, Eric B. Loucks
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH
(2020)
Editorial Material
Medicine, General & Internal
David P. Harrington, Lindsey R. Baden, Joseph W. Hogan
Summary: The study reported preliminary results of several pharmacologic treatments that have generated substantial interest in clinical trials, involving 405 hospitals in 30 countries worldwide. These treatments are based on remdesivir, hydroxychloroquine, lopinavir, and interferon beta-1a.
NEW ENGLAND JOURNAL OF MEDICINE
(2021)
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Tao Liu, Joseph W. Hogan
Summary: Confounding is a major concern when inferring causal treatment effects from observational studies. This paper proposes a method that unifies instrumental variables and inverse probability weighting to construct meaningful bounds on causal treatment effects, incorporating assumptions based on partially identified potential outcomes and a sensitivity parameter for unmeasured confounding.
STATISTICAL METHODS IN MEDICAL RESEARCH
(2021)
Editorial Material
Medicine, General & Internal
Natalie E. Dean, Joseph W. Hogan, Mireille E. Schnitzer
Summary: Observational studies are becoming crucial for assessing vaccine effectiveness, especially when large randomized controlled trials are not feasible. These studies can monitor vaccine efficacy waning and assess the effectiveness against new coronavirus variants.
NEW ENGLAND JOURNAL OF MEDICINE
(2021)
Editorial Material
Medicine, General & Internal
Winfred W. Williams, Joseph W. Hogan, Julie R. Ingelfinger
NEW ENGLAND JOURNAL OF MEDICINE
(2021)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Joseph W. Hogan, Noya Galai, Wendy W. Davis
Summary: There is growing evidence that social determinants of health play a key role in understanding morbidity and mortality outcomes globally. Factors such as stigma, racism, poverty, and access to health and social services have complex effects on population health through relationships with individual characteristics, behaviors, and disease prevention and treatment outcomes. Modeling the role of social determinants of health is crucial but inherently complex.
Editorial Material
Medicine, General & Internal
Chana A. Sacks, Julie R. Ingelfinger, Darren B. Taichman, Stephen Morrissey, Debra Malina, Elizabeth G. Phimister, Kathy L. Stern, Ellen M. C. Duff, Joseph W. Hogan, Eric J. Rubin
Summary: The passage highlights the significant number of Americans who lost their lives to gun violence between May 14 and June 1, emphasizing the importance of knowing each victim's name and story.
NEW ENGLAND JOURNAL OF MEDICINE
(2022)
Article
Psychology
Hannah L. Shields, Kyoko Konishi, Sarah Aroner, Harlyn Aizley, Anne Remington, Hang Lee, Stephen Buka, Jill M. Goldstein
Summary: The study aimed to investigate the impact of sex differences in the timing of hypertension onset on midlife risk for cognitive decline, as well as whether sex-dependent advantages seen in normotensive populations are influenced by the presence of hypertension. Results showed that hypertension in midlife is associated with worse attention and memory performance, with the specific cognitive domains impacted varying by sex. Sex differences observed in normotensive adults' midlife cognitive performance were attenuated in those with hypertension.
JOURNAL OF NEUROPSYCHOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Family Studies
Hannah N. Ziobrowski, Stephen L. Buka, S. Bryn Austin, Adam J. Sullivan, Nicholas J. Horton, Melissa Simone, Alison E. Field
CHILD ABUSE & NEGLECT
(2020)
Article
Psychology, Clinical
Amy L. Non, Jorge Carlos Roman, Elizabeth S. Clausing, Stephen E. Gilman, Eric B. Loucks, Stephen L. Buka, Allison A. Appleton, Laura D. Kubzansky
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BEHAVIORAL MEDICINE
(2020)
Article
Psychiatry
Dana M. Allswede, Robert H. Yolken, Stephen L. Buka, Tyrone D. Cannon