Aim: Methotrexate (MTX) is a commonly used chemotherapy drug, yet its late neurotoxic side effects are gaining attention. The aim of the study was to evaluate the role of miR-155 in the pathogenesis of MTX-induced cognitive impairment, mainly focused on the interplay of blood-brain barrier (BBB) integrity and MTX toxicity.
Main Methods: We use young rat model mimicking children leukemia treatment protocol, focusing on the systemic MTX effect on the central nervous system by intraperitoneal (IP) MTX injection.
Metabolomics research provides a clearer understanding of an organism's metabolic state and enables a more accurate representation of its functional performance. This study aimed to investigate changes in the metabolome of lung tissues resulting from prenatal exposure to polystyrene microplastics (PS-MPs) and to understand the underlying mechanisms of lung damage in rat offspring. We conducted metabolomic analyses of lung tissue from seven-day-old rat pups exposed to prenatal PS-MPs.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Offspring hypertension arising from adverse maternal conditions can be mitigated through dietary nutritional supplementation, including resveratrol. Previously, we identified derivatives of resveratrol butyrate ester (RBE), specifically 3,4'-di-O-butanoylresveratrol (ED2) and 3-O-butanoylresveratrol (ED4), demonstrating their superior antioxidant capabilities compared to RBE itself. This study sought to assess the protective impact of maternal supplementation with ED2 or ED4 on offspring hypertension in a rat model subjected to a high-fructose (HF) diet during pregnancy and lactation.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe issue of environmental nanoplastic (NPl) particle and microplastic (MPl) particle pollution is becoming increasingly severe, significantly impacting ecosystems and biological health. Research shows that NPl/MPl can penetrate the placental barrier and enter the fetus, leading to transgenerational effects. This review integrates the existing literature on the effects of prenatal NPl/MPl exposure on mammalian offspring, focusing particularly on its negative impacts on the central nervous system, liver, intestinal health, reproductive function, and skeletal muscles.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe effects of gut microbiota on the association between carbohydrate intake during pregnancy and neonatal low birth weight (LBW) were investigated. A prospective cohort study was conducted with 257 singleton-born mother-child pairs in Taiwan, and maternal dietary intake was estimated using a questionnaire, with each macronutrient being classified as low, medium, or high. Maternal fecal samples were collected between 24 and 28 weeks of gestation, and gut microbiota composition and diversity were profiled using 16S rRNA amplicon gene sequencing.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFMesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) isolated from Wharton's jelly (WJ-MSCs) and adipose tissue (AD-MSCs) are alternative sources for bone marrow-derived MSCs. Owing to their multiple functions in angiogenesis, immune modulation, proliferation, migration, and nerve regeneration, MSC-derived exosomes can be applied in "cell-free cell therapy". Here, we investigated the functional protein components between the exosomes from WJ-MSCs and AD-MSCs to explain their distinct functions.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: This study investigated the prevalence of post COVID-19 condition (PCC) in Taiwanese children, explored common symptoms and behavioral manifestations in children with PCC, and examined potential associations with parental stress and family functioning.
Methods: A total of 116 children who had contracted COVID-19 and their parents participated. At 1 month after the confirmed COVID-19 infection (baseline), the parents were asked to complete a questionnaire about the post COVID-19 symptoms, the child behavior checklist (CBCL) based on the child's situation, also the impact event scale of COVID-19 (IES-C) and family APGAR based on the parents' own situation.
Prenatal high-fat diet (HFD) or exposure to microplastics can affect the accumulation of liver fat in offspring. We sought to determine the effects of maternal HFD intake and microplastic exposure on fatty liver injury through oxidative stress in pups. Pregnant female Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into maternal HFD (experimental group) or normal control diet (NCD; control group) groups with or without microplastic exposure.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFUnlabelled: Bronchiolitis is the most common seasonal viral respiratory disorder in infants. However, risk factors for the development of bronchiolitis, particularly during pregnancy, remain unclear.
Methods: A questionnaire was administered to the parents of the hospitalized infants with acute bronchiolitis to obtain information regarding patients' medical, family, and prenatal exposure history.
Hyperbilirubinemia is a common pathological condition in neonates. Free bilirubin can penetrate the blood-brain barrier (BBB), which can lead to bilirubin neurotoxicity. In the context of predicting the risk of bilirubin neurotoxicity, although the specificity and sensitivity of free bilirubin levels are higher than those of total serum bilirubin (TSB), free bilirubin is not widely monitored in clinical practice.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFPreterm birth is a major challenge in pregnancy worldwide. Prematurity is the leading cause of death in infants and may result in severe complications. Nearly half of preterm births are spontaneous, but do not have recognizable causes.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFCommunity-acquired pneumonia (CAP) is common among children and can be fatal in certain conditions. In children, CAP can be caused by viral or bacterial infections. Identification of pathogens can help select appropriate therapeutic strategies.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFMaternal nutrition has a key role in the developmental programming of adult disease. Excessive maternal fructose intake contributes to offspring hypertension. Newly discovered evidence supports the idea that early-life gut microbiota are connected to hypertension later in life.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFImportance: Early awareness of Kawasaki disease (KD) helps physicians administer appropriate therapy to prevent acquired heart disease in children. However, diagnosing KD is challenging and relies largely on subjective diagnosis criteria.
Objective: To develop a prediction model using machine learning with objective parameters to differentiate children with KD from other febrile children.
Succinate and its receptor, the G protein-coupled receptor 91 (GPR91), have pathological implications in metabolic syndrome (MetS) and its associated bladder dysfunction, particularly in decreasing bladder cAMP levels and promoting proinflammation. Using fructose-fed rats (FFRs), a rat model of MetS, we investigate the effects of vinpocetine (a phosphodiesterase-1 inhibitor) and celecoxib (a selective cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitor) on MetS-associated bladder overactivity. Phenotypes of the overactive bladder, including increased micturition frequency and a shortened intercontractile interval in cystometry, were observed in FFRs, together with elevated succinate levels in the liver and serum and the downregulation of GPR91 in the liver and urinary bladder.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe role of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) in the brain on the developmental programming of hypertension is poorly understood. The present study explored dysregulated tissue levels of SCFAs and expression of SCFA-sensing receptors in the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus (PVN), a key forebrain region engaged in neural regulation of blood pressure of offspring to maternal high fructose diet (HFD) exposure. We further investigated the engagement of SCFA-sensing receptors in PVN in the beneficial effects of -biotics (prebiotic, probiotic, synbiotic, and postbiotic) on programmed hypertension.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFMetabolic disorders can start in utero. Maternal transmission of metabolic phenotypes may increase the risks of adverse metabolic outcomes, such as nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD); effective intervention is essential to prevent this. The gut microbiome plays a crucial role in fat storage, energy metabolism, and NAFLD.
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