Continuous Glucose Monitor Metrics That Predict Neonatal Adiposity in Early and Later Pregnancy Are Higher in Obesity Despite Macronutrient-Controlled Eucaloric Diets.

Background: Fasting glucose is higher in pregnancies with obesity (OB); less is known about postprandial (PP) and nocturnal patterns when the diet is eucaloric and fixed or about the continuous-glucose-monitor (CGM) metrics that predict neonatal adiposity (NB%fat). We hypothesized that continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) would reveal higher glycemia in OB vs. normal weight (NW) during (14-16 weeks) and (26-28 weeks) gestation despite macronutrient-controlled eucaloric diets and elucidate unique predictors of NB%fat.

MSL2 ensures biallelic gene expression in mammals.

In diploid organisms, biallelic gene expression enables the production of adequate levels of mRNA. This is essential for haploinsufficient genes, which require biallelic expression for optimal function to prevent the onset of developmental disorders. Whether and how a biallelic or monoallelic state is determined in a cell-type-specific manner at individual loci remains unclear.

Randomization to a Provided Higher-Complex-Carbohydrate Versus Conventional Diet in Gestational Diabetes Mellitus Results in Similar Newborn Adiposity.

Objective: Nutrition therapy for gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) has conventionally focused on carbohydrate restriction. In a randomized controlled trial (RCT), we tested the hypothesis that a diet (all meals provided) with liberalized complex carbohydrate (60%) and lower fat (25%) (CHOICE diet) could improve maternal insulin resistance and 24-h glycemia, resulting in reduced newborn adiposity (NB%fat; powered outcome) versus a conventional lower-carbohydrate (40%) and higher-fat (45%) (LC/CONV) diet.

Research Design And Methods: After diagnosis (at ∼28-30 weeks' gestation), 59 women with diet-controlled GDM (mean ± SEM; BMI 32 ± 1 kg/m2) were randomized to a provided LC/CONV or CHOICE diet (BMI-matched calories) through delivery.

The analogue substitution model: Introducing competition in the absence of generic substitution in Danish hospitals.

Increasingly advanced medicines have created monopolies in treatment areas with no viable options for generic substitution due to patent protection. As health care systems are increasingly under pressure to deliver health care improvements, costs become prohibitive as budgets are under pressure. To create financial flexibility, Danish regional authorities have over the period from 2009 until today developed, implemented, and gradually increased the use of a new model for analogue medicine substitution.

Tumor Targeting with Bacterial Shiga Toxin B Subunit in Genetic Porcine Models for Colorectal Cancer and Osteosarcoma.

The B subunit of bacterial Shiga toxin (STxB) is nontoxic and has low immunogenicity. Its receptor, the glycosphingolipid Gb3/CD77, is overexpressed on the cell surface of human colorectal cancer. We tested whether genetic porcine models, closely resembling human anatomy and pathophysiology, can be used to exploit the tumor-targeting potential of STxB.

Human milk imparts higher insulin concentration in infants born to women with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Objective: Human milk (HM) insulin plays many roles for the infant, especially for the newborn. We hypothesized HM insulin in women with type 2 diabetes (T2DM) would be higher than BMI-matched women with either gestational diabetes (GDM) or normal glucose tolerance (NGT). In T2DM, we also assessed macronutrient composition and relationships between maternal glycemic control and HM insulin.

Social Determinants of Health Challenges Are Prevalent Among Commercially Insured Populations.

Objectives: To evaluate the prevalence of social determinants of health (SDoH) factors in a large commercially-insured population and to characterize the prevalence of common conditions (eg, diabetes, behavioral health issues) and addressable health services utilization concerns (eg, lack of preventive care) for which employers offer no- and low-cost benefit programs.

Methods: We identified groups with SDoH challenges within a commercially-insured population of 5.1 M through administrative data and self-report.

Effect of type 2 diabetes mellitus on placental expression and activity of nutrient transporters and their association with birth weight and neonatal adiposity.

Aims: Infants born to women with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) are at risk of being born large for gestational age due to excess fetal fat accretion. Placental nutrient transport determines fetal nutrient availability, impacting fetal growth. The aims of the study were to evaluate the effect of T2DM on placental insulin signaling, placental nutrient transporters and neonatal adiposity.

Single Cell RNA Sequencing of Human Milk-Derived Cells Reveals Sub-Populations of Mammary Epithelial Cells with Molecular Signatures of Progenitor and Mature States: a Novel, Non-invasive Framework for Investigating Human Lactation Physiology.

Cells in human milk are an untapped source, as potential "liquid breast biopsies", of material for investigating lactation physiology in a non-invasive manner. We used single cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) to identify milk-derived mammary epithelial cells (MECs) and their transcriptional signatures in women with diet-controlled gestational diabetes (GDM) with normal lactation. Methodology is described for coordinating milk collections with single cell capture and library preparation via cryopreservation, in addition to scRNA-seq data processing and analyses of MEC transcriptional signatures.

National Recommendations for Infant and Young Child Feeding in the World Health Organization European Region.

Objectives: Complementary feeding should provide a healthy diet with critical nutrients for growth and development. Information is limited on child and infant feeding recommendations within the World Health Organization (WHO) European Region.

Methods: The WHO Regional Office for Europe and the European Society for Paediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition (ESPGHAN) performed a survey of national recommendations on infant and young child nutrition aimed at national government departments of health and national paediatric experts.

Phenotypic and Genotypic Properties of non-O1, non-O139 Isolates Recovered from Domestic Ducks in Germany.

non-O1, non-O139 bacteria are natural inhabitants of aquatic ecosystems and have been sporadically associated with human infections. They mostly lack the two major virulence factors of toxigenic serogroups O1 and O139 strains, which are the causative agent of cholera. Non-O1, non-O139 strains are found in water bodies, sediments, and in association with other aquatic organisms.

Obstructive Sleep Apnea Is Associated With Altered Glycemic Patterns in Pregnant Women With Obesity.

Objective: Often unrecognized, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) worsens over pregnancy and is associated with poorer perinatal outcomes. The association between OSA in late pregnancy and metabolic biomarkers remains poorly understood. We tested the hypothesis that OSA in pregnant women with obesity is positively correlated with 24-hour patterns of glycemia and IR despite controlling for diet.

Unraveling the transcriptional regulation of TWIST1 in limb development.

The transcription factor TWIST1 plays a vital role in mesoderm development, particularly in limb and craniofacial formation. Accordingly, haploinsufficiency of TWIST1 can cause limb and craniofacial malformations as part of Saethre-Chotzen syndrome. However, the molecular basis of TWIST1 transcriptional regulation during development has yet to be elucidated.

Functional Expression of Organic Anion Transporting Polypeptide 1a4 Is Regulated by Transforming Growth Factor-/Activin Receptor-like Kinase 1 Signaling at the Blood-Brain Barrier.

Central nervous system (CNS) drug delivery can be achieved by targeting drug uptake transporters such as Oatp1a4. In fact, many drugs that can improve neurologic outcomes in CNS diseases [3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA reductase inhibitors (i.e.

Postprandial Triglycerides Predict Newborn Fat More Strongly than Glucose in Women with Obesity in Early Pregnancy.

Objective: Maternal obesity (OB) accounts for the majority of large-for-gestational-age infants, and newborn percent fat (NB%fat) correlates strongest with childhood OB. In addition to maternal glucose, fasting triglycerides (TGs) may contribute, but postprandial triglycerides (PPTGs) are unstudied. It was hypothesized that fasting TGs and PPTGs are higher in women with OB compared with women with normal weight (NW) throughout pregnancy, correlate more strongly with NB%fat than glucose, and may relate to dietary chylomicron TGs.

Utility of cardiac MRI in paediatric myocarditis.

Background: The diagnostic role of cardiac MRI in myocarditis is evolving, however with extremely limited data in paediatrics. The goal of this study was to assess the utility of cardiac MRI in paediatric myocarditis and present a new prognostic score for risk stratification.

Method: The present study is a retrospective investigation of children with a clinical diagnosis of myocarditis, including analysis of demographics, clinical presentation, diagnostic studies, including cardiac MRI, and outcomes.

Efficacy of FemiScan Pelvic Floor Therapy for the Treatment of Anal Incontinence.

Objectives: Pelvic floor muscle training can be effective in alleviating anal incontinence; however, women need instruction, motivation, and feedback to gain optimal benefit. The FemiScan Pelvic Floor Therapy System is approved in the United States and European Union for the treatment of urinary incontinence. It uses office electromyography and an in-home programmable device.

Nuclear mechanotransduction: sensing the force from within.

The cell nucleus is a hallmark of eukaryotic evolution, where gene expression is regulated and the genome is replicated and repaired. Yet, in addition to complex molecular processes, the nucleus has also evolved to serve physical tasks that utilize its optical and mechanical properties. Nuclear mechanotransduction of externally applied forces and extracellular stiffness is facilitated by the physical connectivity of the extracellular environment, the cytoskeleton and the nucleoskeletal matrix of lamins and chromatin.

The Prenatal Distress Measure: Adaptation of the Postpartum Distress Measure for a Prenatal Sample.

Background: Pregnancy is a significant transition period for women that can be markedly stressful. The presence of elevated depressed mood and anxiety during pregnancy places mothers, fetuses, and neonates at greater risk for developing biological and psychological difficulties. It appears that no general measures of distress currently exist that can be used to screen for both prenatal anxiety and mood.

Postflight reconditioning for European Astronauts - A case report of recovery after six months in space.

Background: Postflight reconditioning of astronauts is understudied. Despite a rigorous, daily inflight exercise countermeasures programme during six months in microgravity (μG) on-board the International Space Station (ISS), physiological impairments occur and postflight reconditioning is still required on return to Earth. Such postflight programmes are implemented by space agency reconditioning specialists.

Changes in the severity and subtype of Guillain-Barré syndrome admitted to a specialist Neuromedical ICU over a 25 year period.

We report a retrospective review of 110 patients with acute Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) admitted to a specialised intensive care unit (ICU) in a tertiary referral centre over a 25 year period, the start of which coincided with the widespread introduction of plasma exchange (PE) and intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG). The results were analysed by comparing 52 patients admitted in the first decade (1991-2000; Group 1) with 58 patients admitted between 2001-2014 (Group 2). Patients in both groups were comparable with respect to age and sex, and had a similar incidence and range of ICU complications.

Efficacy of FemiScan Pelvic Floor Therapy for the Treatment of Urinary Incontinence.

Objectives: Pelvic floor muscle training can be effective in alleviating urinary incontinence; however, women need instruction, motivation, and feedback to gain optimal benefit from pelvic rehabilitation. The Food and Drug Administration-approved FemiScan Pelvic Floor Therapy System uses office electromyography and an in-home programmable device to provide training, motivation, and feedback between office visits. This study was undertaken to document the outcomes of women who completed an MD-supervised program using the FemiScan Pelvic Floor Therapy System.

Prolonged feeding with green tea polyphenols exacerbates cholesterol-induced fatty liver disease in mice.

Scope: This study investigated the potential deleterious impact of dietary supplementation with green tea extract (GTE) on the progression of fatty liver disease, in a mouse model of cholesterol-induced steatohepatitis that represents chronic liver injury.

Methods And Results: Male C57BL mice (n = 32, 8-wk-old) were fed for 6 wk with one of the following diets: normal control diet (ND, Con), Con + 1% w/w polyphenols from GTE (Con + GTE); high cholesterol diet, Con + 1% cholesterol + 0.5% cholate w/w (HCD); HCD + 1% green tea polyphenols w/w (HCD + GTE).