Preconception and pregnancy artificially sweetened beverage consumption and its association with adverse pregnancy outcomes: findings from the Australian longitudinal study on women's health.

Background And Aim: Exposure to artificial sweeteners has been linked to adverse health outcomes. We aimed to examine the association between preconception and pregnancy artificially sweetened beverage (ASB) consumption and adverse pregnancy outcomes.

Methods: We analysed data from 3,653 women from the Australian Longitudinal Study on Women's Health (ALSWH).

Morphological and developmental analysis of Plantago spp. seed capsules reveals key features of the dehiscence zones.

Background And Aims: Shattering is a natural phenomenon displayed by dry fruits or capsules that dehisce at maturity to distribute seeds. This undesirable trait in commercially important Plantago ovata can cause high yield losses, especially when triggered by weather events. However, the underlying internal and external triggers of capsule dehiscence are not well understood.

Imprinted gene alterations in the kidneys of growth restricted offspring may be mediated by a long non-coding RNA.

Altered epigenetic mechanisms have been previously reported in growth restricted offspring whose mothers experienced environmental insults during pregnancy in both human and rodent studies. We previously reported changes in the expression of the DNA methyltransferase and the imprinted genes (Cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor 1C) and (Potassium voltage-gated channel subfamily Q member 1) in the kidney tissue of growth restricted rats whose mothers had uteroplacental insufficiency induced on day 18 of gestation, at both embryonic day 20 (E20) and postnatal day 1 (PN1). To determine the mechanisms responsible for changes in the expression of these imprinted genes, we investigated DNA methylation of KvDMR1, an imprinting control region (ICR) that includes the promoter of the antisense long non-coding RNA ( opposite strand/antisense transcript 1).

General Practitioners perspectives on infant telomere length screening after a pregnancy complication: a qualitative analysis.

Background: Pregnancy complications can impact the mother and child's health in the short and longterm resulting in an increased risk of chronic disease later in life. Telomere length is a biomarker of future cardiometabolic diseases and may offer a novel way of identifying offspring most at risk for future chronic diseases.

Objective(s): To qualitatively explore General Practitioners' (GPs) perspectives on the feasibility and uptake for recommending a telomere screening test in children who were born after a pregnancy complication.

A chromosome-level genome assembly of Plantago ovata.

Plantago ovata is cultivated for production of its seed husk (psyllium). When wet, the husk transforms into a mucilage with properties suitable for pharmaceutical industries, utilised in supplements for controlling blood cholesterol levels, and food industries for making gluten-free products. There has been limited success in improving husk quantity and quality through breeding approaches, partly due to the lack of a reference genome.

The role of angiotensin II and relaxin in vascular adaptation to pregnancy.

In Brief: There is a pregnancy-induced vasodilation of blood vessels, which is known to have a protective effect on cardiovascular function and can be maintained postpartum. This review outlines the cardiovascular changes that occur in a healthy human and rodent pregnancy, as well as different pathways that are activated by angiotensin II and relaxin that result in blood vessel dilation.

Abstract: During pregnancy, systemic and uteroplacental blood flow increase to ensure an adequate blood supply that carries oxygen and nutrients from the mother to the fetus.

Placental Transcription Profiling in 6-23 Weeks' Gestation Reveals Differential Transcript Usage in Early Development.

The human placenta is a rapidly developing transient organ that is key to pregnancy success. Early development of the conceptus occurs in a low oxygen environment before oxygenated maternal blood begins to flow into the placenta at ~10-12 weeks' gestation. This process is likely to substantially affect overall placental gene expression.

Epigenetic Mechanisms Responsible for the Transgenerational Inheritance of Intrauterine Growth Restriction Phenotypes.

A poorly functioning placenta results in impaired exchanges of oxygen, nutrition, wastes and hormones between the mother and her fetus. This can lead to restriction of fetal growth. These growth restricted babies are at increased risk of developing chronic diseases, such as type-2 diabetes, hypertension, and kidney disease, later in life.

Maternal metabolic factors and the association with gestational diabetes: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Gestational diabetes (GDM) is associated with several adverse outcomes for the mother and child. Higher levels of individual lipids are associated with risk of GDM and metabolic syndrome (MetS), a clustering of risk factors also increases risk for GDM. Metabolic factors can be modified by diet and lifestyle.

Nutritional properties of selected superfood extracts and their potential health benefits.

Background: The term 'superfoods' is used to market foods considered to have significant health benefits. 'Superfoods' are claimed to prevent diseases as well as improving overall health, though the lack of explicit criteria means that any food can be labelled 'super' without support from scientific research. Typically, these 'superfoods' are rich in a particular nutrient for example antioxidants or omega-3 fatty acids.

Analysis of Genetic Diversity in the Traditional Chinese Medicine Plant 'Kushen' ( Ait.).

Kushen root, from the woody legume , is a traditional Chinese medicine that is a key ingredient in several promising cancer treatments. This activity is attributed in part to two quinolizidine alkaloids (QAs), oxymatrine and matrine, that have a variety of therapeutic activities . Genetic selection is needed to adapt for cultivation and to improve productivity and product quality.

Large-scale transcriptome-wide profiling of microRNAs in human placenta and maternal plasma at early to mid gestation.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are increasingly seen as important regulators of placental development and opportunistic biomarker targets. Given the difficulty in obtaining samples from early gestation and subsequent paucity of the same, investigation of the role of miRNAs in early gestation human placenta has been limited. To address this, we generated miRNA profiles using 96 placentas from presumed normal pregnancies, across early gestation, in combination with matched profiles from maternal plasma.

Bioengineered Microphysiological Placental Models: Towards Improving Understanding of Pregnancy Health and Disease.

Driven by a lack of appropriate human placenta models, recent years have seen the introduction of bioengineered in vitro models to better understand placental health and disease. Thus far, the focus has been on the maternal-foetal barrier. However, there are many other physiologically and pathologically significant aspects of the placenta that would benefit from state-of-the-art bioengineered models, in particular, integrating advanced culture systems with contemporary biological concepts such as organoids.

Effect of Selenium and Iodine on Oxidative Stress in the First Trimester Human Placenta Explants.

Imbalanced maternal micronutrient status, poor placentation, and oxidative stress are associated with greater risk of pregnancy complications, which impact mother and offspring health. As selenium, iodine, and copper are essential micronutrients with key roles in antioxidant systems, this study investigated their potential protective effects on placenta against oxidative stress. First trimester human placenta explants were treated with different concentrations of selenium (sodium selenite), iodine (potassium iodide), their combination or copper (copper (II) sulfate).

The effect of zinc on human trophoblast proliferation and oxidative stress.

Adequate Zinc (Zn) intake is required to prevent multiple teratogenic effects however deviations from adequate Zn intake, including high maternal Zn status, have been linked to increased incidence of pregnancy complications, including those associated with inadequate placentation. Using placental trophoblast HTR8/SVneo cells and first trimester human placental explants (n = 12), we assessed the effects of varying Zn concentrations on trophoblast proliferation, viability, apoptosis and oxidative stress. Compared to physiologically normal Zn levels (20 µM), HTR-8/SVneo cell proliferation index was significantly lower in the presence of physiologically elevated (40 µM; P = .

Epigenetic mechanisms involved in intrauterine growth restriction and aberrant kidney development and function.

Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) due to uteroplacental insufficiency results in a placenta that is unable to provide adequate nutrients and oxygen to the fetus. These growth-restricted babies have an increased risk of hypertension and chronic kidney disease later in life. In rats, both male and female growth-restricted offspring have nephron deficits but only males develop kidney dysfunction and high blood pressure.

Maternal diet and offspring telomere length: a systematic review.

Context: Many studies assert a negative influence of inappropriate maternal diet and nutritional status during pregnancy on offspring, not only in utero but throughout life, because of the role in the programing of noncommunicable diseases. Telomere length is a biomarker of aging, and shorter telomeres are associated with chronic disease later in life. Maternal nutrition and nutritional status may be an important determinant of offspring telomere length.

A Review of the Potential Interaction of Selenium and Iodine on Placental and Child Health.

A healthy pregnancy is important for the growth and development of a baby. An adverse pregnancy outcome is associated with increased chronic disease risk for the mother and offspring. An optimal diet both before and during pregnancy is essential to support the health of the mother and offspring.

The metabolic syndrome in pregnancy and its association with child telomere length.

Aims/hypothesis: The aim of this study was to determine whether presence of the metabolic syndrome in pregnancy associates with child telomere length or child anthropometry (weight, BMI) and BP, measured at 10 years of age.

Methods: The Screening for Pregnancy Endpoints study (SCOPE) was a multicentre, international prospective cohort of nulliparous pregnant women recruited from Australia, New Zealand, Ireland and the UK (N = 5628). The current analysis is a 10 year follow-up of SCOPE pregnant women and their children, from the Australian cohort.

Maternal folate, one-carbon metabolism and pregnancy outcomes.

Single nucleotide polymorphisms and pre- and peri-conception folic acid (FA) supplementation and dietary data were used to identify one-carbon metabolic factors associated with pregnancy outcomes in 3196 nulliparous women. In 325 participants, we also measured circulating folate, vitamin B12 and homocysteine. Pregnancy outcomes included preeclampsia (PE), gestational hypertension (GHT), small for gestational age (SGA), spontaneous preterm birth (sPTB) and gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM).

Effect of Iodine and Selenium on Proliferation, Viability, and Oxidative Stress in HTR-8/SVneo Placental Cells.

Adequate maternal micronutrition is vital for placental formation, fetal growth, and development. Oxidative stress adversely affects placental development and function and an association between deficient placental development, oxidative stress, and micronutrient deficiency has been observed. Selenium and iodine are two essential micronutrients with antioxidant properties.

Mechanisms linking exposure to preeclampsia and the risk for cardiovascular disease.

Preeclampsia (PE) is now recognised as a cardiovascular risk factor for women. Emerging evidence suggests that children exposed to PE in utero may also be at increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in later life. Individuals exposed to PE in utero have higher systolic and diastolic blood pressure and higher body mass index (BMI) compared to those not exposed to PE in utero.

Reduced Dietary Calcium and Vitamin D Results in Preterm Birth and Altered Placental Morphogenesis in Mice During Pregnancy.

Vitamin D and calcium are essential micronutrients for reproductive success. Vitamin D deficiency during pregnancy is associated with increased risk of pregnancy complications including pre-eclampsia and preterm birth (PTB). However, inconsistencies in the literature reflect uncertainties regarding the true biological importance of vitamin D but may be explained by maternal calcium intakes.

It takes a community to conceive: an analysis of the scope, nature and accuracy of online sources of health information for couples trying to conceive.

This study examined the nature and accuracy of information available across online platforms for couples trying to conceive. A consumer simulation-based investigation of English websites and social media (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram) was undertaken using common search terms identified in a pilot study. Claims about fertility and pregnancy health were then extracted from the results and analysed thematically.