Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Betul R. Erdogan, Martina B. Michel, Jan Matthes, Tamara R. Castaneda, Urs Christen, Ebru Arioglu-Inan, Martin C. Michel, Andrea Pautz
Summary: Diabetes often leads to lower urinary tract dysfunction. This study compared bladder weight and bladder/body weight ratio in different mouse models of obesity and diabetes, and found that sex differences in diabetes/obesity-associated bladder enlargement may be model dependent.
FRONTIERS IN PHARMACOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Susumu Katsuma, Kanako Hirota, Noriko Matsuda-Imai, Takahiro Fukui, Tomohiro Muro, Kohei Nishino, Hidetaka Kosako, Keisuke Shoji, Hideki Takanashi, Takeshi Fujii, Shin-ichi Arimura, Takashi Kiuchi
Summary: This study identifies a Wolbachia protein that interacts with a host masculinization factor and leads to male killing in lepidopteran insects, providing insights into the mechanism by which Wolbachia manipulate the sexual development and reproduction of their insect hosts.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Lukas Reitzle, Christin Heidemann, Jens Baumert, Matthias Kaltheuner, Heinke Adamczewski, Andrea Icks, Christa Scheidt-Nave
Summary: This study assessed the risks of pregnancy complications in women with pregestational diabetes mellitus (preDM) or gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) based on birth data in Germany. The results showed that GDM and preDM were associated with higher risks of premature birth, elevated birth weight, cesarean section, and transfer of the newborn to the perinatal unit. PreDM also increased the risk of stillbirth, while GDM was associated with a lower risk. The study emphasizes the importance of continuous monitoring and care-relevant aspects in pregnant women with diabetes.
DEUTSCHES ARZTEBLATT INTERNATIONAL
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Simon Thibault, Anh-Tuan Ton, Francois Huynh, Celine Fiset
Summary: Men have a higher risk of developing atrial fibrillation than women. This study found that male mice have different atrial electrical and structural properties compared to females, and castration can reduce the susceptibility of male mice to atrial fibrillation.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Review
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Qiqi You, Qingqing Jiang, Irakoze Shani, Yiling Lou, Shen Huang, Shiqi Wang, Shiyi Cao
Summary: This study systematically assessed the association between a history of miscarriage or stillbirth and the risk of diabetes in women. It found that women who have ever experienced a miscarriage have an increased risk of non-gestational diabetes and gestational diabetes, and women with three or more miscarriages have a higher risk of non-gestational diabetes. Women with a history of stillbirth also have an increased risk of non-gestational diabetes. However, the study did not find a stable association between stillbirth and gestational diabetes risk.
DIABETES RESEARCH AND CLINICAL PRACTICE
(2023)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Zhenyu Wang, Jia Chen, Tuhong Long, Lixuan Liang, Caijuan Zhong, Yingtao Li
Summary: We analyzed the clinical characteristics of patients with diabetes in pregnancy (DIP) associated with stillbirth and found that hypertensive disorders, placenta previa, placental abruption, fetal malformation, high plasma glucose levels, and polyhydramnios were associated with higher incidences of stillbirth in DIP. Antenatal plasma glucose levels and HbA1c were significantly associated with stillbirth in DIP. Age, hypertensive disorders, body mass index, preeclampsia, and diabetic ketoacidosis were positively correlated with the occurrence of stillbirth in DIP. Controlling perinatal plasma glucose, managing comorbidities/complications, and timely termination of pregnancy can reduce the incidence of stillbirths associated with DIP.
Article
Immunology
Graham H. Bothamley
Summary: Males show a bias towards developing sputum smear-positive pulmonary tuberculosis, with immune responses affected by estrogen and testosterone. Specific cut-off values based on gender may be more effective in determining who should receive preventive treatment in tuberculosis screening and management strategies.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Psychology, Multidisciplinary
Xiaomin Li, Ashley Kuelz, Savannah Boyd, Kristin August, Charlotte Markey, Emily Butler
Summary: This study examined physiological linkage among same-sex male couples and identified two different patterns: simple and complex. Results suggest that partners in well-functioning relationships and emotionally challenging situations may show complex physiological linkage patterns, reflecting or supporting coregulatory processes.
FRONTIERS IN PSYCHOLOGY
(2021)
Review
Pediatrics
Demeke Mesfin Belay, Wubet Alebachew Bayih, Abebaw Yeshambel Alemu, Amare Simegn Ayele, Demewoz Kefale Mekonen, Binyam Minuye Birhane
Summary: This study aimed to estimate the pooled prevalence of stillbirth among diabetic mothers in Ethiopia and its determinants. The national prevalence of stillbirth among diabetic mothers was found to be 2.39%, with factors such as younger age, gestational age of less than 37 weeks, and being a housewife significantly associated with stillbirth.
FRONTIERS IN PEDIATRICS
(2021)
Review
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Mehrdad Khezri, Fatemeh Tavakoli, Sheree Schwartz, Mohammad Karamouzian, Hamid Sharifi, Courtney A. McKnight, Don Des Jarlais, Stefan Baral, Mostafa Shokoohi
Summary: This study aimed to summarize the available evidence on abortion among female sex workers (FSWs). The findings showed that induced abortion is prevalent among FSWs, emphasizing the need for interventions to increase access to effective contraception and safe abortion care. While induced abortion prevalence did not significantly differ across the legal grounds for abortion, self-managed abortion prevalence was higher in countries where elective abortion was illegal, highlighting the urgent need for accessible abortion services for FSWs in criminalized settings.
ANNALS OF EPIDEMIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Boudjema Imarazene, Kang Du, Severine Beille, Elodie Jouanno, Romain Feron, Qiaowei Pan, Jorge Torres-Paz, Celine Lopez-Roques, Adrien Castinel, Lisa Gil, Claire Kuchly, Cecile Donnadieu, Hugues Parrinello, Laurent Journot, Cedric Cabau, Margot Zahm, Christophe Klopp, Tomas Pavlica, Ahmed Al-Rikabi, Thomas Liehr, Sergey A. Simanovsky, Joerg Bohlen, Alexandr Sember, Julie Perez, Frederic Veyrunes, Thomas D. Mueller, John H. Postlethwait, Manfred Schartl, Amaury Herpin, Sylvie Retaux, Yann Guiguen
Summary: Sex chromosomes are typically derived from classical type-A chromosomes, with few alternative models proposed. B chromosomes (Bs) are supernumerary and dispensable chromosomes found in many species, considered as selfish genetic elements. Although Bs may play a role in sex determination, the characterization of putative B master sex-determining genes has not yet been provided.
Article
Obstetrics & Gynecology
Sukainah Al Khalaf, Karolina Kublickiene, Marius Kublickas, Ali S. Khashan, Alexander E. P. Heazell
Summary: The study found that women with a history of stillbirth in the first two pregnancies have an increased risk of stillbirth or other adverse outcomes in the third pregnancy. Additional surveillance is recommended for these women.
ACTA OBSTETRICIA ET GYNECOLOGICA SCANDINAVICA
(2023)
Article
Biology
Thomas J. Hitchcock, Andy Gardner
Summary: Recent research has focused on the role of kin selection in sexual conflict, investigating how demography influences the evolution of male harming genes in different parts of the genome. Different demographic parameters can drive conflicts between autosomes, sex chromosomes, and cytoplasmic genes, ultimately shaping patterns of sexual conflict.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY B-BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Reproductive Biology
Reka Eniko Balogh, Balazs Csorbai, Csaba Guti, Szilvia Keszte, Bela Urbanyi, Laszlo Orban, Balazs Kovacs
Summary: African catfish is a promising food fish species in freshwater aquaculture, with male individuals possessing improved production characteristics. However, the sex determination mechanism of this species is still limited and controversial.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Diana C. C. Nunes, Joao C. Ribeiro, Marco G. G. Alves, Pedro F. F. Oliveira, Raquel L. L. Bernardino
Summary: Infertility is a growing problem globally, and there is a misconception that it is mostly caused by females. However, literature suggests that infertility has an equal contribution from both sexes. Testosterone, a male sex hormone, plays a significant role in male infertility. Hypogonadism, characterized by changes in testosterone levels, is a common cause of male infertility.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Allergy
Jui Das, Christine Andrews, Vicki Flenady, Vicki L. Clifton
Summary: This study found that extremes of BMI, specifically underweight and obesity, increased the risk of adverse perinatal outcomes among pregnant women with asthma. It highlights the importance of considering BMI in the management of asthmatic women during pre-conception and pregnancy.
Review
Developmental Biology
Jade M. Kubler, Vicki L. Clifton, Trine Moholdt, Kassia S. Beetham
Summary: This study systematically reviewed the effects of exercise training during pregnancy on placental composition. The results showed that exercise training may not alter placental weight or the placental weight to birthweight ratio, but it can promote advantageous morphological changes to placental tissues.
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Wrivu N. Martin, Carol A. Wang, Stephen J. Lye, Rebecca M. Reynolds, Stephen G. Matthews, Carly E. McLaughlin, Christopher Oldmeadow, Trevor A. Mori, Lawrence Beilin, Roger Smith, Craig E. Pennell
Summary: Animal and human data show independent relationships between fetal growth, HPA-A function, and adult cardiometabolic outcomes. While the association between fetal growth and adult cardiometabolic outcomes is well-established, the specific role of HPA-A in these relationships remains unclear.
JOURNAL OF DEVELOPMENTAL ORIGINS OF HEALTH AND DISEASE
(2022)
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
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
Psychiatry
Barnaby J. W. Dixson, Danielle Borg, Kym M. Rae, Koa Whittingha, Brenda Gannon, Steven M. McPhail, Hannah E. Carter, Karen M. Moritz, Roslyn N. Boyd, Samudragupta Bora, Sailesh Kumar, Julanne Frater, Daniel Schweitzer, Paul Miller, Divya Mehter, Vicki L. Clifton
Summary: Antenatal depression affects fathers and can have negative impacts on maternal mental health and well-being. The study found that lower social support and higher sleep impairment were associated with higher levels of antenatal depression for fathers. Mothers who reported higher physical pain and poor sleep quality had higher levels of antenatal depression, stress, and anxiety. Postnatally, lower social support was associated with higher levels of depression, anxiety, stress, and psycho-social well-being for mothers. While there were no significant associations between paternal antenatal depression and maternal antenatal or postnatal depression, exploratory analysis revealed that mothers whose partners reported lower antenatal social support also reported lower postnatal social support and higher postnatal depression.
ARCHIVES OF WOMENS MENTAL HEALTH
(2023)
Article
Allergy
Sreeparna Bhaumik, Jack Lockett, Zarqa Saif, Andrew Lai, Carlos Salomon, Jonathan P. Whitehead, Vicki L. Clifton
Summary: This study found that metabolic markers in obese pregnant women do not change with the presence and severity of asthma. However, differences in the associations between metabolic and inflammatory pathways were observed in women with asthma and may contribute to uncontrolled asthma in obese pregnant women.
Article
Obstetrics & Gynecology
Jennifer A. Whitty, Adam P. Wagner, Evelyn Kang, David Ellwood, Wendy Chaboyer, Sailesh Kumar, Vicki L. Clifton, Lukman Thalib, Brigid M. Gillespie
Summary: This study assessed the cost-effectiveness of closed incision negative pressure wound therapy (ci-NPWT) compared to standard dressings for preventing surgical site infections (SSIs) in obese women undergoing caesarean section (CS). The results showed that although ci-NPWT can reduce the occurrence of SSIs in obese women, it is associated with higher costs and does not improve quality of life. Therefore, routine use of ci-NPWT for preventing SSIs in obese women undergoing CS is currently not recommended.
AUSTRALIAN & NEW ZEALAND JOURNAL OF OBSTETRICS & GYNAECOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Allergy
J. L. Robinson, K. L. Gatford, C. P. Hurst, V. L. Clifton, J. L. Morrison, M. J. Stark
Summary: Asthma in pregnant women in Australia affects about 17% of pregnancies and is associated with negative perinatal outcomes. Revised guidelines in South Australia aim to improve asthma management during pregnancy based on severity. This study explores whether the revised guidelines have reduced the impact of maternal asthma on adverse perinatal outcomes.
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)
Review
Health Care Sciences & Services
Joshua L. Robinson, Kathy L. Gatford, Vicki L. Clifton, Janna L. Morrison, Michael J. Stark
Summary: This scoping review aims to describe the methodology, phenotype, and characteristics of maternal asthma models used in preclinical studies, as well as the measured outcomes in the mother and progeny. The review also aims to identify gaps in knowledge regarding maternal and progeny outcomes following maternal asthma in pregnancy.
JBI EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS
(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)
Review
Biology
Sreeparna Bhaumik, Jack Lockett, James Cuffe, Vicki L. Clifton
Summary: This review explores the impact of glucocorticoids on female fertility, reproduction, and foetal development. It discusses the interaction of glucocorticoids with receptors in the reproductive system and their potential effects on fertility. The review also highlights the different versions of glucocorticoid receptors found in different parts of the reproductive system and their role in stress responses and pregnancy outcomes.
Article
Nutrition & Dietetics
Sophie M. Leech, Morgan C. Gilbert, Vicki L. Clifton, Sailesh Kumar, Kym M. Rae, Danielle Borg, Marloes Dekker Nitert
Summary: Using shotgun metagenomic sequencing, the researchers assessed the microbes present in expressed breastmilk at six weeks postpartum and found that the microbial load was low and similar to controls. The microbes identified were mostly consistent with skin and oral microbes, with some samples having no identifiable bacterial sequences. The results do not provide convincing evidence for the existence of a breastmilk microbiota at six weeks postpartum, suggesting that the microbes present in breastmilk may come from the infant's mouth and surrounding skin, as well as contamination during sampling and processing.