Elevated levels of exogenous prolactin promote inflammation at the maternal-fetal interface via the JAK2/STAT5B signaling axis.

The placenta is a unique organ with various immunological and endocrinological roles that modulate maternal and fetal physiology to promote maternal-fetal tolerance, pregnancy maintenance, and parturition at term. During pregnancy, the hormone prolactin (PRL) is constitutively secreted by the placenta and is necessary for implantation, progesterone support, fetal development, and overall immune modulation. While PRL is essential for pregnancy, studies suggest that elevated levels of serum PRL (hyperprolactinemia) are associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes, including miscarriage, preterm birth, and preeclampsia.

Distinct immune responses to HIV and CMV in Hofbauer cells across gestation highlight evolving placental immune dynamics.

Placental immune responses to Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and Human Cytomegalovirus (CMV) vary across gestational stages and may influence postnatal outcomes. This study investigates the innate immunity of Hofbauer cells from placentae obtained at early/mid-gestation (18-21.6 weeks) and term (>37 weeks).

Identification of functional enhancer variants associated with type I diabetes in CD4+ T cells.

Type I diabetes is an autoimmune disease mediated by T-cell destruction of β cells in pancreatic islets. Currently, there is no known cure, and treatment consists of daily insulin injections. Genome-wide association studies and twin studies have indicated a strong genetic heritability for type I diabetes and implicated several genes.

Melatonin: the placental antioxidant and anti-inflammatory.

Melatonin (N-acetyl-5-methoxytryptamine) is an indolamine hormone with many physiological and biological roles. Melatonin is an antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, free radical scavenger, circadian rhythm regulator, and sleep hormone. However, its most popular role is the ability to regulate sleep through the circadian rhythm.

Medical catastrophe at the wheel.

There is a widely held view in the community that elderly, and medically unfit, drivers are a hazard in the road system. It is important, therefore, that the true position regarding these drivers should be put before the public, because it appears from available evidence that this group does not provide a greater risk on the road than the general cross-section of drivers.