Review
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Christina L. Herrera, Kaushik Maiti, Roger Smith
Summary: Preterm birth is a significant cause of neonatal morbidity and mortality, and its exact mechanisms remain unclear. It is a multifactorial syndrome, making individual predictive measures less effective. Corticotrophin-releasing hormone (CRH) synthesized by the placenta is proposed as a pathway for preterm birth, as it activates the myometrium through the production of estriol and the transcription factor nuclear factor-kappa B.
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Madison Watt, Pardis Mohammadzadeh, Emma Pinsinski, Fiona K. Hollinshead, Gerrit J. Bouma
Summary: This study reports for the first time the presence and localization of CRH in feline placenta and maternal serum, as well as its increase in maternal blood during the first half of pregnancy. These findings lay the foundation for future research to determine the potential use of CRH as a novel marker for early pregnancy diagnosis, determination, and monitoring in felids, and its impact on efficiency and success in zoo breeding programs for endangered feline species.
FRONTIERS IN ENDOCRINOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biology
Alessandra Caruso, Alessandra Gaetano, Sergio Scaccianoce
Summary: CRH plays a role in regulating multiple biological systems, and is also associated with reproduction, neuropsychiatric, gastrointestinal, immune disorders, and tumor development. Further research on the physiological functions of CRH will help determine its role in human diseases and may serve as novel therapeutic targets.
Review
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Yujuan Chai, Qihang Li, Yang Wang, Enxiang Tao, Tetsuya Asakawa
Summary: Postpartum depression is a common and distressing condition, but current tools for screening and diagnosis are inadequate. Issues to address in research include sample selection, detection methods, evaluation criteria, and diagnostic cost. Findings from this study provide guidance for future investigations of postpartum depression.
FRONTIERS IN ENDOCRINOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Satoru Ikenoue, Feizal Waffarn, Masanao Ohashi, Mamoru Tanaka, Daniel L. Gillen, Claudia Buss, Sonja Entringer, Pathik D. Wadhwa
Summary: The study found that placental corticotrophin-releasing hormone in late gestation may influence fetal liver blood flow, which could be significant in clinical investigations of fetal growth and body composition.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL ENDOCRINOLOGY & METABOLISM
(2021)
Article
Psychiatry
Awirut Oon-arom, Chawisa Suradom, Somdet Srichairatanakool, Suchaya Luewan, Touchwin Petiwathayakorn, Benchalak Maneeton, Narong Maneeton, Suttipong Kawilapat, Manit Srisurapanont
Summary: This study aimed to determine whether serum oxytocin (OT) or corticotrophin-releasing hormone (CRH) levels in the third trimester of pregnancy could predict postpartum depression (PPD) at six weeks after childbirth. The results showed that only high levels of CRH, not OT, in late pregnancy could predict PPD at six weeks postpartum. However, combining CRH levels, late pregnancy stress, and newborn well-being immediately after birth seems to increase the accuracy of PPD prediction.
ASIAN JOURNAL OF PSYCHIATRY
(2023)
Review
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Laura M. Stanton, Aidan J. Price, Elizabeth E. Manning
Summary: Stress has a significant impact on mental health globally. Research has focused on understanding the mechanisms by which stress contributes to psychiatric disorders such as depression, particularly the dysfunction of the hypothalamic pituitary adrenal (HPA) axis. Corticotrophin releasing hormone (CRH) neurons in the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus (PVN) play a crucial role in regulating HPA axis activity and stress-related behaviors. This review examines the changes in PVNCRH neural function and its potential implications for the development of maladaptive behaviors in depression, and highlights the need for further research in understanding the role of PVNCRH neurons in chronic stress.
JOURNAL OF NEUROENDOCRINOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Tamara Cadet, Shanna L. Burke, Mitra Naseh, Adrienne Grudzien, Rebecca Shoaf Kozak, Jessica Romeo, Karen Bullock, Cindy Davis
Summary: Social support has an impact on breast cancer screening behavior among older women, especially among Hispanic and non-Hispanic White women, but less so among older Black women.
SOCIAL WORK IN PUBLIC HEALTH
(2021)
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Kanako Takahashi, Takeru Shima, Mariko Soya, Jang Soo Yook, Hikaru Koizumi, Subrina Jesmin, Tsuyoshi Saito, Masahiro Okamoto, Hideaki Soya
Summary: Exercise at an intensity above the lactate threshold leads to an increase in plasma adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), indicating a stress response. This study investigated the involvement of arginine vasopressin (AVP) and corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) in regulating exercise-induced ACTH response. Using a rat model, the researchers administered AVP and CRH receptor antagonists and observed a suppression of ACTH levels after exercise. Immunohistochemical evaluation confirmed the activation of AVP and CRH neurons in the hypothalamus. These findings suggest that AVP and CRH cooperatively contribute to exercise-induced ACTH response, reflecting the stress response to moderate-intensity exercise in humans.
NEUROENDOCRINOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Psychology, Biological
Isabel F. Ramos, Kharah M. Ross, Gabrielle R. Rinne, Jennifer A. Somers, Roberta A. Mancuso, Calvin J. Hobel, Mary Coussons-Read, Christine Dunkel Schetter
Summary: Linear changes in pregnancy anxiety and nonlinear changes in pCRH during pregnancy are independent risk factors for shortened gestational length. This study adds to the growing body of research on biopsychological processes in pregnancy and length of gestation. Modeling changes in psychological and biological processes during pregnancy could provide more insight into understanding risk for adverse pregnancy outcomes.
BIOLOGICAL PSYCHOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Ying-Qi Zhao, Ren-Ren Chen, Qiao-Qiao Kong, Jin-Song An, Xin-Yue Zhao, Shuai Gong, Hong-Jie Yuan, Jing-He Tan
Summary: Recent studies have shown that CRH-induced apoptosis in OECs involves both Fas and TNF-alpha signaling, while CORT-induced apoptosis in OECs only involves the Fas signaling pathway, not the TNF-alpha signaling pathway.
JOURNAL OF REPRODUCTION AND DEVELOPMENT
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Xiangrong Guo, Leilei Zhou, Jian Xu, Zhiwei Liu, Junxia Liu, Chonghuai Yan
Summary: The study revealed a non-linear association between maternal selenium status and TSH levels, suggesting that low selenium status during pregnancy may be associated with low thyroid function and low birth weight.
BIOLOGICAL TRACE ELEMENT RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Hua Zhang, Zhao-Fu Sheng, Jingxiong Wang, PeiRu Zheng, XunLei Kang, Hui-Ming Chang, Edward T. H. Yeh, De-Pei Li
Summary: This study reveals that transient activation of NMDA receptors suppresses M-currents through the Ca2+-dependent PI3K-PIP2 signaling pathway, while sustained activation of NMDA receptors reduces Kv7.3 protein expression and suppresses M-currents through a PKC-dependent pathway.
JOURNAL OF NEUROCHEMISTRY
(2022)
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Geng-Dong Chen, Ting-Ting Pang, Xia-Fen Lu, Peng-Sheng Li, Zi-Xing Zhou, Shao-Xin Ye, Jie Yang, Xiu-Yin Shen, Dong-Xin Lin, Da-Zhi Fan, De-Mei Lu, Zheng-Ping Liu
Summary: Maternal thyroid function, specifically TSH concentrations, are associated with the risk of low birth weight in newborns. TSH concentrations of 2.5-4.0 mIU/L combined with TPO Ab- were linked to a lower risk of LBW, while TSH concentrations >4.0 mIU/L increased the risk of LBW. Subclinical hypothyroidism was found to be associated with a higher risk of LBW.
FRONTIERS IN ENDOCRINOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Obstetrics & Gynecology
Jose Buratini, Mariabeatrice Dal Canto, Elena De Ponti, Fausta Brambillasca, Claudio Brigante, Silvana Gippone, Mario Mignini Renzini, Antonio La Marca
Summary: The study found that the association of basal FSH and AMH with IVF/ICSI success changes with maternal age, with basal FSH better reflecting clinical outcomes in pre-AMA patients and AMH better suiting AMA patients.
REPRODUCTIVE BIOMEDICINE ONLINE
(2021)
Article
Psychology, Clinical
Claudia Lazarides, Nora K. Moog, Glenn Verner, Manuel C. Voelkle, Wolfgang Henrich, Christine M. Heim, Thorsten Braun, Pathik D. Wadhwa, Claudia Buss, Sonja Entringer
Summary: This study found that a history of prenatal loss is associated with higher stress and impaired mood levels during subsequent pregnancies. These findings are important for designing interventions to reduce stress during pregnancy in this high-risk group.
PSYCHOLOGICAL MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Obstetrics & Gynecology
Md Reduanul Hossain, Jorge M. Tolosa, Roger C. Young, Roger Smith, Jonathan W. Paul
Summary: The study compares the inhibitory effects of a range of drugs on spontaneous ex vivo contractions in pregnant women, with glycyl-H-1152 showing the strongest inhibitory potency. These data are important for a better understanding of the effectiveness of novel tocolytics and suggest the potential of glycyl-H-1152 as a new drug for preventing preterm birth.
REPRODUCTIVE SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Pediatrics
Traci A. Bekelman, Emily A. Knapp, Yanan Dong, Dana Dabelea, Tracy M. Bastain, Carrie Breton, Kecia N. Carroll, Carlos A. Camargo, Ann M. Davis, Anne L. Dunlop, Amy J. Elliott, Assiamira Ferrara, Rebecca C. Fry, Jody M. Ganiban, Diane Gilbert-Diamond, Frank D. Gilliland, Monique M. Hedderson, Alison E. Hipwell, Christine W. Hockett, Kathi C. Huddleston, Margaret R. Karagas, Nichole Kelly, Jin-Shei Lai, Barry M. Lester, Maristella Lucchini, Melissa M. Melough, Nicole L. Mihalopoulos, T. Michael O'Shea, Andrew G. Rundle, Joseph B. Stanford, Sara VanBronkhorst, Rosalind J. Wright, Qi Zhao, Katherine A. Sauder
Summary: Societal changes during the COVID-19 pandemic may affect children's health behaviors. Parents experiencing financial strain may need additional support to promote healthy behaviors. Changing work schedules to care for children can lead to shorter screen time and longer sleep duration.
Article
Obstetrics & Gynecology
Jason Phung, Carol Wang, Jocelyn Reeders, Tamas Zakar, Jonathan W. Paul, Sonika Tyagi, Craig E. Pennell, Roger Smith
Summary: This study aimed to comprehensively determine the protein-coding transcriptomic differences between preterm nonlaboring and preterm laboring myometria with and without chorioamnionitis. The results showed that myometria from preterm patients in labor without chorioamnionitis and preterm patients not in labor were transcriptionally similar, while the presence of chorioamnionitis was associated with marked gene changes. Comprehensive bioinformatic analysis indicated that preterm labor with or without chorioamnionitis was associated with innate immune activation.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF OBSTETRICS AND GYNECOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Obstetrics & Gynecology
Satoru Ikenoue, Feizal Waffarn, Kaeko Sumiyoshi, Masanao Ohashi, Chigusa Ikenoue, Mamoru Tanaka, Daniel L. Gillen, Claudia Buss, Sonja Entringer, Pathik D. Wadhwa
Summary: This study aimed to investigate the association between maternal insulin resistance at different stages of pregnancy and fetal fat deposition. The results showed that maternal insulin resistance in mid and late pregnancy is positively associated with fetal adiposity, while insulin resistance in early pregnancy has no significant relationship with fetal adiposity.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF OBSTETRICS AND GYNECOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Obstetrics & Gynecology
William A. Grobman, Sonja Entringer, Irene Headen, Teresa Janevic, Robert S. Kahn, Hyagriv Simhan, Lynn M. Yee, Elizabeth A. Howell
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF OBSTETRICS AND GYNECOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Jerod M. Rasmussen, Jetro J. Tuulari, Saara Nolvi, Paul M. Thompson, Harri Merisaari, Maria Lavonius, Linnea Karlsson, Sonja Entringer, Pathik D. Wadhwa, Hasse Karlsson, Claudia Buss
Summary: Using an international dataset, researchers found a link between maternal overweight/obesity during pregnancy and the development of fetal hypothalamus in newborns. These findings can contribute to future prevention strategies for childhood obesity.
Review
Developmental Biology
Zakia Sultana, Yixue Qiao, Kaushik Maiti, Roger Smith
Summary: Placental oxidative stress plays a role in both normal and abnormal placental development during pregnancy. This article discusses the potential consequences of oxidative stress-induced placental dysfunction in pregnancies with fetal death or a high risk of fetal death. The placenta generates reactive oxygen free radicals due to the metabolic demands of the developing fetus, but it also has antioxidant defense systems to counteract oxidative stress. However, uncontrolled oxidative stress can lead to abnormal placental formation, immune disturbances, and placental dysfunction, which are associated with various pregnancy-related disorders.
Article
Obstetrics & Gynecology
Marina Paul, Tamas Zakar, Jason Phung, Amy Gregson, Anna Paredes Barreda, Trent A. Butler, Frederick R. Walker, Craig Pennell, Roger Smith, Jonathan W. Paul
Summary: The mechanism by which human labor is initiated in the presence of elevated circulating progesterone levels remains unknown. Recent evidence indicates that the progesterone-metabolizing enzyme, 20 alpha-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (20 alpha-HSD), may play a role in local progesterone metabolism to promote birth. AKR1C1 expression significantly increases with labor onset in term myometrium, but not in preterm myometrium. Additionally, AKR1C1 expression is associated with maternal BMI and fetal sex.
REPRODUCTIVE SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Magdalena Klimek, Sonja Entringer, Agnieszka Matras, Mateusz Blukacz, Ilona Nenko, Andrzej Galbarczyk, Grazyna Jasienska
Summary: This study examined the association between childhood adversities and reproductive parameters in women. The results showed that childhood adversity was negatively associated with age at menarche, and different types of adversity were associated with different reproductive outcomes, such as emotional and physical neglect being linked to earlier age at menarche, emotional abuse being related to earlier age at first birth, and physical abuse being associated with fewer number of sons.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2023)
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
John R. Speakman, Jasper M. A. de Jong, Srishti Sinha, Klaas R. Westerterp, Yosuke Yamada, Hiroyuki Sagayama, Philip N. Ainslie, Liam J. Anderson, Lenore Arab, Kweku Bedu-Addo, Stephane Blanc, Alberto G. Bonomi, Pascal Bovet, Soren Brage, Maciej S. Buchowski, Nancy F. Butte, Stefan G. J. A. Camps, Jamie A. Cooper, Richard Cooper, Sai Krupa Das, Peter S. W. Davies, Lara R. Dugas, Ulf Ekelund, Sonja Entringer, Terrence Forrester, Barry W. Fudge, Melanie Gillingham, Santu Ghosh, Annelies H. Goris, Michael Gurven, Lewis G. Halsey, Catherine Hambly, Hinke H. Haisma, Daniel Hoffman, Sumei Hu, Annemiek M. Joosen, Jennifer L. Kaplan, Peter Katzmarzyk, William E. Kraus, Robert F. Kushner, William R. Leonard, Marie Loef, Corby K. Martin, Eric Matsiko, Anine C. Medin, Erwin P. Meijer, Marian L. Neuhouser, Theresa A. Nicklas, Robert M. Ojiambo, Kirsi H. Pietilaeinen, Jacob Plange-Rhule, Guy Plasqui, Ross L. Prentice, Susan B. Racette, David A. Raichlen, Eric Ravussin, Leanne M. Redman, Susan B. Roberts, Michael C. Rudolph, Luis B. Sardinha, Albertine J. Schuit, Analiza M. Silva, Eric Stice, Samuel S. Urlacher, Giulio Valenti, Ludo M. Van Etten, Edgar A. Van Mil, Brian M. Wood, Jack A. Yanovski, Tsukasa Yoshida, Xueying Zhang, Alexia J. Murphy-Alford, Cornelia U. Loechl, Anura Kurpad, Amy H. Luke, Herman Pontzer, Matthew S. Rodeheffer, Jennifer Rood, Dale A. Schoeller, William W. Wong
Summary: Obesity is caused by prolonged positive energy balance, and the contribution of reduced activity levels to energy expenditure is still debated. Our study shows that total energy expenditure (TEE) adjusted for body composition and age has declined since the late 1980s, while adjusted activity energy expenditure has increased over time in both sexes. The decline in adjusted basal energy expenditure (BEE) is identified as a previously unrecognized factor. These findings suggest that the increasing obesity in the United States/Europe is not likely fueled by reduced physical activity leading to lowered TEE.
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Karin de Punder, Christine Heim, Dries S. Martens, Pathik D. Wadhwa, Sonja Entringer
Summary: Exposure to stress is associated with shorter telomeres, and the enzyme telomerase plays a key role in regulating telomere length. Our study found that telomerase activity is positively correlated with telomere length, and that the effect of stress on telomere length is mediated by individual differences in telomerase activity.
PSYCHONEUROENDOCRINOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Obstetrics & Gynecology
Marina Paul, Anna Paredes Barreda, Amy Gregson, Richard Kahl, Madeline King, Waleed M. Hussein, Frederick R. Walker, Roger Smith, Tamas Zakar, Jonathan W. Paul
Summary: In this study, the effects of various treatments on AKR1C1 expression in pregnant human myometrium were determined. It was found that culture-induced upregulation of AKR1C1 expression was repressed by histone/protein deacetylase inhibitors, suggesting the importance of histone deacetylase in maintaining progesterone sensitivity in the uterus.
REPRODUCTIVE SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Nora K. Moog, Peter Cummings, Kathryn L. Jackson, Judy L. Aschner, Emily S. Barrett, Theresa M. Bastain, Courtney K. Blackwell, Michelle Bosquet Enlow, Carrie Breton, Nicole R. Bush, Sean C. L. Deoni, Cristiane S. Duarte, Assiamira Ferrara, Torie L. Grant, Alison E. Hipwell, Kathryn Jones, Leslie D. Leve, Stephanie Lovinsky-Desir, Richard K. Miller, Catherine Monk, Emily Oken, Jonathan Posner, Rebecca J. Schmidt, Rosalind J. Wright, Sonja Entringer, Hyagriv N. Simhan, Pathik D. Wadhwa, Thomas G. O'Connor, Rashelle J. Musci, Claudia Buss
Summary: This study investigated the association between exposure to maternal childhood maltreatment and common childhood physical and mental health problems, neurodevelopmental disorders, and related comorbidity patterns in offspring. The findings showed that mothers who experienced childhood maltreatment were more likely to have children with internalising problems, autism spectrum disorder, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and asthma. The study also highlighted a dose-response relationship between exposure to multiple forms of maltreatment and offspring health outcomes.
LANCET PUBLIC HEALTH
(2023)
