Article
Medicine, Legal
Adeline Blanchot, Maria Cristina Antal, Alice Ameline, Laurie Gheddar, Nadia Arbouche, Jean-Sebastien Raul, Pascal Kintz
Summary: This article discusses the complex problem of determining fetal death causes for forensic pathologists. The authors present a case of an unexpected birth during a party, highlighting the importance of toxicological analysis in cases of fetal death and the collaborative work between forensic and fetal pathologists and toxicologists.
FORENSIC SCIENCE INTERNATIONAL
(2023)
Review
Obstetrics & Gynecology
Abigail C. Rousseau, Kirsten A. Riggan, Mauro H. Schenone, Kevin J. Whitford, Siobhan T. Pittock, Megan A. Allyse
Summary: The practice of maternal-fetal surgery (MFS) has expanded from treating lethal fetal conditions to treating significantly disabling but not lethal fetal abnormalities. However, MFS still faces ethical issues, including patienthood of the fetus, balancing risks and benefits between mother and fetus, informed consent for experimental procedures, and determining the conditions suitable for MFS intervention.
JOURNAL OF PERINATAL MEDICINE
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Zengjin Wang, Congcong Zhang, Fengyan Huang, Xiaojing Liu, Zhiping Wang, Bing Yan
Summary: Ingestion of nanoparticles during pregnancy can be dangerous to fetal brain development, especially in early pregnancy. Experimental results show that nanoparticles can cross multiple biological barriers, and the toxicity to the fetus depends on the stages of pregnancy and fetal development.
JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
(2021)
Review
Nutrition & Dietetics
Sanjay Basak, Ranjit K. Das, Antara Banerjee, Sujay Paul, Surajit Pathak, Asim K. Duttaroy
Summary: Obesity in pregnancy has various effects on fetal neurodevelopment, such as disturbing the transport of essential long-chain PUFAs for brain development and altering the maternal gut microbiota, which further affects fetal brain development.
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Jerod M. Rasmussen, Paul M. Thompson, Sonja Entringer, Claudia Buss, Pathik D. Wadhwa
Summary: This paper presents a transdisciplinary framework and testable hypotheses on fetal programming of energy homeostasis brain circuitry, highlighting the functional aspects of these brain circuits at birth as determinants of childhood obesity risk. The brain circuitry is influenced by intrauterine conditions and exhibits developmental plasticity, with implications for strategies aimed at preventing childhood obesity.
Article
Obstetrics & Gynecology
Andrew Healy, Christina Davidson, John Allbert, Samuel Bauer, Lorraine Toner, C. Andrew Combs
Summary: The frequency of telemedicine encounters has increased significantly. This review summarizes the literature regarding the safety and quality of telemedicine for various pregnancy-related services. Telemedicine has numerous potential benefits, such as expanded patient access and improved patient satisfaction, and its health outcomes are comparable to traditional in-person encounters. It is suggested that payers should reimburse providers for telemedicine services at least as much as for in-person services. Areas for future research are also considered.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF OBSTETRICS AND GYNECOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Neurosciences
Maria Sbeih, Benedicte Oules, Mansour Alkobtawi, Leslie Schwendimann, Qui Trung Ngo, Romain Fontaine, Natacha Teissier, Pierre Gressens, Selim Aractingi
Summary: Low doses of CCL2 can limit brain excitotoxic damage in post-partum mice by enhancing the recruitment of fetal microchimeric cells to the damaged hemisphere.
NEUROBIOLOGY OF DISEASE
(2022)
Review
Nutrition & Dietetics
Chiara Germano, Alessandro Messina, Elena Tavella, Raffaele Vitale, Vincenzo Avellis, Martina Barboni, Rossella Attini, Alberto Revelli, Paolo Zola, Paolo Manzoni, Bianca Masturzo
Summary: The recent outbreak of the novel Coronavirus has raised concerns about the potential negative effects of the virus on pregnancy outcomes and fetal brain development. Studies have suggested a possible risk of fetal brain damage and impairment due to the virus's neurotropism. Various strategies have been proposed to lower the risk of neurologic disease in newborns, and nutrition, such as arginine, n3PUFA, vitamins B1 and B9, choline, and flavonoids, has been found to be promising in mitigating fetal damages.
Article
Obstetrics & Gynecology
K. S. Joseph, Amelie Boutin, Sarka Lisonkova, Giulia M. Muraca, Neda Razaz, Sid John, Azar Mehrabadi, Yasser Sabr, Cande V. Ananth, Enrique Schisterman
Summary: Rigorous studies by the National Center for Health Statistics showed that reported increases in maternal mortality rates in the United States were due to changes in surveillance methods rather than actual increases in mortality. While crude maternal mortality rates did not significantly change, age-adjusted analyses indicated a reduction in maternal mortality rates over time. Racial disparities in maternal mortality rates persist, with Non-Hispanic Black women experiencing significantly higher rates compared to Non-Hispanic White women.
OBSTETRICS AND GYNECOLOGY
(2021)
Review
Immunology
Jinli Ding, Yan Zhang, Xiaopeng Cai, Lianghui Diao, Chaogang Yang, Jing Yang
Summary: The immune tolerance microenvironment at the maternal-fetal interface is crucial for pregnancy establishment and maintenance. Macrophages and trophoblasts play essential roles in this process and their interaction influences trophoblast behaviors and the state of the maternal-fetal immune microenvironment.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2021)
Review
Medicine, General & Internal
Gabrio Bassotti, Vincenzo Villanacci, Maura Corsetti
Summary: Despite progress in pharmaceutical research, medical treatment for chronic idiopathic constipation still has room for improvement. This article reviews literature data on drugs that are poorly studied, commercially unavailable, or unapproved, but potentially useful for treating chronic idiopathic constipation in adults. The literature search reveals drugs with recently proven efficacy, likely to be included in future guidelines, as well as drugs with limited evidence from small or outdated studies or associated side effects that could be used with caution by experienced practitioners. Some drugs also lack a solid scientific background but may have potential in the future. Looking ahead, additional therapeutic options may be available for certain subgroups of patients with chronic constipation.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Medical Laboratory Technology
Laura Abella, Ebe D'Adamo, Mariachiara Strozzi, Valentina Botondi, Ernesto Abella, Maurizio Cassinari, Laura Mazzucco, Antonio Maconi, Michela Testa, Cristian Zanelli, Roberta Patacchiola, Michela Librandi, Jacopo Osmelli, Maura Carabotta, Francesco Chiarelli, Diego Gazzolo
Summary: By measuring the concentration of S100B in maternal blood, it is possible to predict the occurrence of intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) accurately. The study found that pregnant women who had lower S100B levels in early stages were more likely to develop IUGR later on, suggesting the feasibility of non-invasive early diagnosis and monitoring of IUGR.
CLINICAL CHEMISTRY AND LABORATORY MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Anesthesiology
Julie Ayre, Hazel Jenkins, Kirsten J. McCaffery, Christopher G. Maher, Mark J. Hancock
Summary: There is evidence that tailored exercise programs can help prevent future low back pain. Important outcome measures include pain intensity, duration, frequency, and severity, as well as general fitness and the ability to engage in daily activities, social interactions, and work. Exercise programs for individuals with fluctuating pain should focus on fostering a sense of progress, setting realistic expectations, and supporting the establishment of adaptable exercise routines. Patients also desire social connection through exercise programs.
Review
Immunology
Ho-Keun Kwon, Gloria B. Choi, Jun R. Huh
Summary: Exposure to infections or inflammatory insults during pregnancy can lead to neurodevelopmental and psychiatric disorders in children. Rodent models have provided insights into how maternal immune activation (MIA) affects brain development, with key immune factors playing important roles. The microbiome also plays a significant role in shaping maternal immune function and the development of autism-like phenotypes.
TRENDS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Tiina Pessa-Morikawa, Aleksi Husso, Olli Karkkainen, Ville Koistinen, Kati Hanhineva, Antti Iivanainen, Mikael Niku
Summary: The maternal microbiota has a profound impact on the fetal metabolome, with microbial metabolites passing through the placenta into the fetus and potentially influencing fetal development.
