Prenatal Birth: Molecular mechanisms within fetal lungs that initiate labor ♦ Folate bio markers determined ♦ Maternal stress alters offspring gut, brain through vaginal microbiome

Maternal stress alters offspring gut, brain through vaginal microbiome The neonate is exposed to the maternal vaginal microbiota during birth, providing the primary source for normal gut colonization, host immune maturation, and metabolism. These early interactions between the host and microbiota occur during a critical window of neurodevelopment, suggesting early life as an important period of cross talk between the developing gut and brain. Changes in the vaginal microbiome are associated with effects on offspring gut microbiota and on the developing brain.

Prenatal DDT exposure tied to nearly four-fold increase in breast cancer risk Women who were exposed to higher levels of the pesticide DDT in utero were nearly four times more likely to be diagnosed with breast cancer as adults than women who were exposed to lower levels before birth.

Researchers find molecular mechanisms within fetal lungs that initiate labor Researchers have identified two proteins in a fetus’ lungs responsible for initiating the labor process, providing potential new targets for preventing preterm birth. They discovered that the proteins SRC-1 and SRC-2 activate genes inside the fetus' lungs near full term, leading to an inflammatory response in the mother's uterus that initiates labor

Folate bio markers determined An international paper on folate bio markers is part of an initiative to provide evidence-based guidance for the global nutrition and public health community. The comprehensive study on folate, an essential B vitamin required for DNA synthesis and normal growth and development, represents a consensus of the top folate scientists globally. A major birth defect affecting the spinal cord -- spinabifida, for example -- and brain can be prevented by maternal consumption of sufficient folate prior to and during the very early stages of fetal development.

Pregnancy Research: Pacemaker designed for fetal use ♦ Mother's diet influences weight-control neural circuits in offspring ♦ Effects of smoking seen in unborn babies

First fully-implantable micro pacemaker designed for fetal use The first fully implantable micro pacemaker designed for use in a fetus with complete heart block has been designed by researchers. The investigators anticipate the first human use of the device in the near future.

Mother's diet influences weight-control neural circuits in offspring Maternal diet during pregnancy and lactation may prime offspring for weight gain and obesity later in life, according to researchers who looked at rats whose mothers consumed a high-fat diet and found that the offspring's feeding controls and feelings of fullness did not function normally.

High-definition scans suggest effects of smoking seen in unborn babies The harmful effects of smoking during pregnancy may be reflected in the facial movements of mothers' unborn babies, new research has suggested. The researchers say that the reason for this might be that the fetal central nervous system, did not develop at the same rate and in the same manner as in fetuses of mothers who did not smoke during pregnancy

Research on medical abortion, miscarriage may change international routines Two scientific studies are expected to form the basis of new international recommendations for the treatment of medical abortions and miscarriages. One of the studies shows that it is possible to replace the clinical follow-up examinations recommended today with medical abortions that include a home pregnancy test. The other study shows that midwives can safely and effectively treat failed abortions and miscarriages in rural districts of Uganda.

Prenatal Health: Prenatal exposure to common air pollution ♦ Pregnant women not getting enough omega-3, critical ♦ Evidence against the fetal origins of cancer

New moms more satisfied after giving birth in a public hospital  Women who give birth in a public hospital are more confident parents compared to women who have babies privately. "We found that compared to women in a private hospital, women who birthed in the public sector had six times the odds of being telephoned by a care provider, 34 times the odds of being visited at home and five times the odds of visiting a GP within 10 days of being at home,"

Prenatal exposure to common air pollution linked to cognitive, behavioral impairment  A powerful relationship between prenatal polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) exposure and disturbances in parts of the brain that support information processing and behavioral control have been identified by researchers. The study showed reductions in nearly the entire white matter surface of the brain's left hemisphere -- loss associated with slower processing of information during intelligence testing and more severe behavioral problems, including ADHD and aggression

Pregnant women not getting enough omega-3, critical for infant development, research shows A research team studied the first 600 women in a cohort during and after their pregnancy to see whether they were consuming enough omega-3 long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (omega 3-LCPUFA) to meet current recommendations. They found that in fact, most of these women were not.

Study provides evidence against the fetal origins of cancer, cardiovascular disease A study evaluated the relationship between nutritional conditions in early life and adult health, and found that famine exposure during the first pregnancy trimester was associated with increases in mortality from causes other than cancer or cardiovascular disease. This is the first study to quantify the possible long-term effects of nutrition deprivation at different stages of pregnancy and long-term mortality.

2/6/15 Health News:Drug-resistant bacteria lurk in subway ♦ Stress hormone levels affect fetal growth ♦ Probiotic helps treat diabetes ♦ Blood transfusions increase risk of pneumonia

Drug-resistant bacteria lurk in subway stations, high school students discover

Forget commuters and rats, New York City's subway system is crowded with microbes. After spending her vacation swabbing benches and turnstiles beneath the city, high school students found bacteria impervious to two major antibiotics. Continue Reading

Mother's stress hormone levels may affect fetal growth and long term health of child

Increased levels of stress hormones can lead pregnant mice to overeat, but affect growth of the fetus and, potentially, the long term health of the offspring, according to a new study Continue Reading

Probiotic helps treat diabetes in rats, could lead to human remedy

Researchers have engineered a strain of lactobacillus, a human probiotic common in the gut, to secrete a Glucagon-like peptide. They then administered it orally to diabetic rats for 90 days and found the rats receiving the engineered probiotic had up to 30 percent lower high blood glucose, a hallmark of diabetes. Continue Reading

Blood transfusions during heart surgery increase risk of pneumonia

Patients who receive red blood cell transfusions during coronary artery bypass grafting surgery are at an increased risk of developing pneumonia, "Patients should receive red blood cell transfusions based on clinical need," an investigator noted.." Continue Reading

New protein detonates 'invincible' bacteria from within

The epidemic of 'superbugs,' bacteria resistant to antibiotics, knows no borders -- presenting a clear and present danger around the globe. Now a groundbreaking discovery may strengthen efforts by the medical community to fight this looming superbug pandemic. By sequencing the DNA of bacteria resistant to viral toxins, researchers identified novel proteins capable of stymieing growth in treacherous antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Continue Reading