Human plasma pregnancy-associated miRNAs and their temporal variation within the first trimester of pregnancy

Abstract Background During pregnancy, maternal metabolism undergoes substantial changes to support the developing fetus. Such changes are finely regulated by different mechanisms carried out by effectors such as microRNAs (miRNAs). These small non-coding RNAs regulate numerous biological functions, mostly through post-transcriptional repression of gene expression. miRNAs are also secreted in circulation by numerous organs, such as the placenta. However, the complete plasmatic microtranscriptome of pregnant women has still not been fully described, although some miRNA clusters from the chromosome 14 (C14MC) and the chromosome 19 (C19MC and miR-371-3 cluster) have been proposed as being specific to pregnancy. Our aims were thus to describe the plasma microtranscriptome during the first trimester of pregnancy, by assessing the differences with non-pregnant women, and how it varies between the 4th and the 16th week of pregnancy. Methods Plasmatic miRNAs from 436 pregnant (gestational week 4 to 16) and 15 non-pregnant women were quantified using Illumina HiSeq next-generation sequencing platform. Differentially abundant miRNAs were identified using DESeq2 package (FDR q-value ≤ 0.05) and their targeted biological pathways were assessed with DIANA-miRpath. Results A total of 2101 miRNAs were detected, of which 191 were differentially abundant (fold change < 0.05 or > 2, FDR q-value ≤ 0.05) between pregnant and non-pregnant women. Of these, 100 miRNAs were less and 91 miRNAs were more abundant in pregnant women. Additionally, the abundance of 57 miRNAs varied according to gestational age at first trimester, of which 47 were positively and 10 were negatively associated with advancing gestational age. miRNAs from the C19MC were positively associated with both pregnancy and gestational age variation during the first trimester. Biological pathway analysis revealed that these 191 (pregnancy-specific) and 57 (gestational age markers) miRNAs targeted genes involved in fatty acid metabolism, ECM-receptor interaction and TGF-beta signaling pathways. Conclusion We have identified circulating miRNAs specific to pregnancy and/or that varied with gestational age in first trimester. These miRNAs target biological pathways involved in lipid metabolism as well as placenta and embryo development, suggesting a contribution to the maternal metabolic adaptation to pregnancy and fetal growth.

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Frequency of subclinical hypothyroidism and mean serum TSH level in first trimester of pregnancy.

The Professional Medical Journal ◽

10.29309/tpmj/2021.28.12.6316 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 28 (12) ◽

pp. 1763-1767

Author(s):

Fouzia Perveen ◽

Lubna Ali ◽

Afshan Hasan

Keyword(s):

Pregnant Women ◽

Gestational Age ◽

Subclinical Hypothyroidism ◽

Maternal Age ◽

Age Groups ◽

First Trimester ◽

Level Data ◽

First Trimester Of Pregnancy ◽

The Mean ◽

Serum Tsh

Objective: To find out the frequency of subclinical hypothyroidism (SCH) in our pregnant population during 1st Trimester and the mean TSH level in first trimester of pregnancy. Study Design: Cross Sectional Descriptive study. Setting: Dow University Hospital and Dr Ruth KM Pfau CHK. Period: June 2015 to May 2016. Material & Methods: All Pregnant women with <14 weeks gestation were screened for Serum TSH level. Data were recorded after informed consent and institutional ethical approval. Variables recorded were age, parity, gestational age and serum TSH level. Data were analyzed on SPSS version 16. Mean and SD were calculated for quantitative variables ie. Age, parity, gestational age, serum TSH level and serum free T4 level. Mean TSH level according to age group, parity and gestational age groups were determined by applying ANOVA test. Correlation of Serum TSH level with the maternal age, parity and gestational age groups were also assessed by Pearson Correlation test. Significant P-value was taken as <0.05. Results: The frequency of SCH found was 19.35% by taking cut off limit of <2.5 IU/L and 3.55% by taking cut off limit of <4.5 IU/L among total of 310 pregnant women. Mean TSH level was 1.84±1.36 IU/L. The mean maternal age was 27.22 ± 4.43 yrs. while median parity was 1. Mean gestational age of these patients were 9.41 ± 2.748 weeks and out of these 160 (51.61%) were between 4-9 weeks and 150(48.38%) between 10-14 weeks. Majority (74%) of these women belonged to lower middle socioeconomic class. Mean TSH level coorelation between different age groups, parity groups and gestational age groups were found to be insignificant. Conclusion: The prevalence of SCH is not so high and mean TSH level in our population was 1.84 IU/L. But to establish reference range for Pakistani population, further studies in population of different backgrounds and geographical distribution needs to be evaluated.

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Antibiotic Prescriptions among China Ambulatory Care Visits of Pregnant Women: A Nationwide Cross-Sectional Study

Antibiotics ◽

10.3390/antibiotics10050601 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 (5) ◽

pp. 601

Author(s):

Houyu Zhao ◽

Mei Zhang ◽

Jiaming Bian ◽

Siyan Zhan

Keyword(s):

Pregnant Women ◽

Ambulatory Care ◽

National Level ◽

Mainland China ◽

Antibiotic Use ◽

First Trimester ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Fetal Safety ◽

First Trimester Of Pregnancy

Background: Antibiotic use in pregnant women at the national level has rarely been reported in China. Objectives: We aimed to investigate antibiotic prescriptions during pregnancy in ambulatory care settings in China. Methods: Data of 4,574,961 ambulatory care visits of pregnant women from October 2014 to April 2018 were analyzed. Percentages of Antibiotic prescriptions by different subgroups and various diagnosis categories and proportions of inappropriate antibiotic prescriptions for different subgroups were estimated. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) pregnancy categories were used to describe the antibiotic prescription patterns. The 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated using the Clopper––Pearson method or Goodman method. Results: Among the 4,574,961 outpatient visits during pregnancy, 2.0% (92,514 visits; 95% CI, 2.0–2.0%) were prescribed at least one antibiotic. The percentage of antibiotic prescriptions for pregnant women aged >40 years was 4.9% (95% CI, 4.7–5.0%), whereas that for pregnant women aged 26–30 years was 1.5% (95% CI, 1.4–1.5%). In addition, percentages of antibiotic prescriptions varied among different trimesters of pregnancy, which were 5.4% (95% CI, 5.3–5.4%) for the visits in the first trimester of pregnancy and 0.5% (95% CI, 0.4–0.5%) in the third trimester of pregnancy. Furthermore, the percentages of antibiotic prescriptions substantially varied among different diagnosis categories and nearly three-quarters of antibiotic prescriptions had no clear indications and thus might be inappropriate. In total, 130,308 individual antibiotics were prescribed; among these, 60.4% (95% CI, 60.0–60.8%) belonged to FDA category B, 2.7% (95% CI, 2.1–3.5%) were classified as FDA category D and 16.8% (95% CI, 16.2–17.4%) were not assigned any FDA pregnancy category. Conclusions: Antibiotic prescriptions in ambulatory care during pregnancy were not highly prevalent in mainland China. However, a substantial proportion of antibiotics might have been prescribed without adequate indications. Antibiotics whose fetal safety has not been sufficiently illustrated were widely used in pregnant women.

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Distribution of diandric and digynic triploidy depending on gestational age

Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics ◽

10.1007/s10815-021-02202-4 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Diana Massalska ◽

Katarzyna Ozdarska ◽

Tomasz Roszkowski ◽

Julia Bijok ◽

Anna Kucińska-Chahwan ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Gestational Age ◽

Pregnancy Loss ◽

First Trimester ◽

Parental Origin ◽

Second Trimester ◽

Chain Reaction ◽

Spontaneous Pregnancy ◽

First Trimester Of Pregnancy ◽

Polymerase Chain ◽

Fluorescent Polymerase Chain Reaction

Abstract Purpose To establish the distribution of diandric and digynic triploidy depending on gestational age. Methods 107 triploid samples tested prospectively in a single genetic department during a four-year period were analyzed for parental origin of triploidy by Quantitative Fluorescent Polymerase Chain Reaction (QF-PCR) (n=95) with the use of matching parental samples or by MS-MLPA (n=12), when parental samples were unavailable. Tested pregnancies were divided into three subgroups with regard to the gestational age at spontaneous pregnancy loss: <11 gestational weeks, 11–14 gestational weeks, and >14 gestational weeks. Results Diandric triploidy constituted overall 44.9% (46.5% in samples miscarried <11 gestational weeks, 64.3% in samples miscarried between 11 and 14 gestational weeks, and 27.8% in pregnancies which survived >14 gestational weeks). Conclusions The distribution of diandric and digynic triploidy depends on gestational age. The majority of diandric triploid pregnancies is lost in the first trimester of pregnancy. In the second trimester, diandric cases are at least twice less frequent than digynic ones.

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Adequacy and Sources of Protein Intake among Pregnant Women in the United States, NHANES 2003–2012

Nutrients ◽

10.3390/nu13030795 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (3) ◽

pp. 795

Author(s):

Mary M. Murphy ◽

Kelly A. Higgins ◽

Xiaoyu Bi ◽

Leila M. Barraj

Keyword(s):

Pregnant Women ◽

Protein Intake ◽

First Trimester ◽

The United States ◽

Limited Information ◽

Health And Nutrition ◽

Animal Source ◽

Usual Intake ◽

First Trimester Of Pregnancy ◽

Using Data

Limited information is available on protein intake and adequacy of protein intake among pregnant women. Using data from a sample of 528 pregnant women in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (NHANES) 2003–2012, usual intake of protein (g/day and g/kg body weight (bw)/day) and prevalence of intake below the Estimated Average Requirement (EAR) by trimester of pregnancy were calculated using the National Cancer Institute method. Percent contributions to protein intake by source (i.e., plant and animal, including type of animal source) were also calculated. Mean usual intake of protein was 88 ± 4.3, 82 ± 3.1, and 82 ± 2.9 g/day among women in trimester 1, 2, and 3 of pregnancy, respectively, or 1.30 ± 0.10, 1.35 ± 0.06, and 1.35 ± 0.05 g/kg bw/day, respectively. An estimated 4.5% of women in the first trimester of pregnancy consumed less protein than the EAR of 0.66 g/kg bw/day; among women in the second and third trimesters of pregnancy, 12.1% and 12.8% of women, respectively, consumed less protein than the EAR of 0.88 g/kg bw/day. Animal sources of protein accounted for approximately 66% of total protein. Findings from this study show that one in eight women in the second and third trimesters of pregnancy have inadequate intake of protein. Pregnant women should be encouraged to consume sufficient levels of protein from a variety of sources.

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AYURVEDIC MANAGEMENT OF GARBHINI CHARDI (Emesis Gravidarum) WITH CHATURJATA CHOORNA (CHATURJATA POWDER) - A PILOT STUDY

November 2020 - International Ayurvedic Medical Journal ◽

10.46607/iamj0308072020 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 8 (9) ◽

pp. 4317-4323

Author(s):

Priyanka 1 ◽

Shreyes. S ◽

Yogitha Bali M.R

Keyword(s):

Pilot Study ◽

Pregnant Women ◽

First Trimester ◽

Nausea And Vomiting ◽

Morning Sickness ◽

Excessive Salivation ◽

First Trimester Of Pregnancy ◽

Rice Water ◽

Single Blind

Background: During pregnancy many demands are made by growing fetus, to meet these requirements maternal system has to undergo certain changes. Garbhinichardi (Emesis Gravidarum) is one among them and this has been termed as Gruhita Garbha Lakshanas (Immediate signs of conception) in Ayurvedic clas-sics. Approximately 80 % of pregnant women experience excessive salivation, nausea and vomiting during pregnancy, commonly known as “morning sickness”, which is seen frequently throughout the day. Design: This is single blind pilot study. 30 patients with complaints of Garbhinichardi (Emesis Gravidarum) in first trimester were included in this study. Patients were given Chaturjatachurna (Chatutjata powder)for a peri-od of 2 weeks in dose of 3gms thrice a day after meal with Anupana (Adjuvant) as Madhu (honey) of 5ml mixed with Tandulodaka (Raw rice water) Results: This pilot study showed statistically significant changes with Chaturjatachurna in reducing the complaints of pregnant women such as nausea (p<0.001), vomiting (p<0.001) and Aruchi (Anorexia) (p<0.001) in their first trimester of pregnancy. Conclusion: Chaturjata-churna was effective in the management of Garbhini Chardi (Emesis Gravidarum) and other symptoms in the first trimester of pregnancy.

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Understanding barriers preventing pregnant women from starting antenatal clinic in the first trimester of pregnancy in Ntcheu District-Malawi

Reproductive Health ◽

10.1186/s12978-018-0605-5 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 15 (1) ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Chancy S. Chimatiro ◽

Precious Hajison ◽

Effie Chipeta ◽

Adamson S. Muula

Keyword(s):

Pregnant Women ◽

First Trimester ◽

Antenatal Clinic ◽

First Trimester Of Pregnancy

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Obstetrical and Neonatal Outcomes in Pregnant Women with Serum Thyroid-Stimulating Hormone (TSH) Levels >2.0 mU/Lvs.Those with TSH <2.0 in the First Trimester of Pregnancy

10.1210/endo-meetings.2011.part2.or6.or15-4 ◽

2011 ◽

pp. OR15-4-OR15-4

Author(s):

Shweta Achit ◽

Tapasya Dhar ◽

Kumkum Awasthi ◽

Bharti Uppal ◽

Jubbin Jagan Jacob

Keyword(s):

Pregnant Women ◽

First Trimester ◽

Thyroid Stimulating Hormone ◽

Neonatal Outcomes ◽

First Trimester Of Pregnancy ◽

Tsh Levels ◽

Stimulating Hormone

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Adverse pregnancy outcomes are associated with Plasmodium vivax malaria in a prospective cohort of women from the Brazilian Amazon

PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases ◽

10.1371/journal.pntd.0009390 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 15 (4) ◽

pp. e0009390

Author(s):

Jamille Gregório Dombrowski ◽

André Barateiro ◽

Erika Paula Machado Peixoto ◽

André Boler Cláudio da Silva Barros ◽

Rodrigo Medeiros de Souza ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Pregnant Women ◽

Pregnancy Outcomes ◽

Multivariate Logistic Regression Analysis ◽

Brazilian Amazon ◽

First Trimester ◽

Inflammatory Factors ◽

Anthropometric Measures ◽

First Trimester Of Pregnancy ◽

Adverse Pregnancy ◽

Angiopoietin 2

Background Malaria in Brazil represents one of the highest percentages of Latin America cases, where approximately 84% of infections are attributed to Plasmodium (P.) vivax. Despite the high incidence, many aspects of gestational malaria resulting from P. vivax infections remain poorly studied. As such, we aimed to evaluate the consequences of P. vivax infections during gestation on the health of mothers and their neonates in an endemic area of the Amazon. Methods and findings We have conducted an observational cohort study in Brazilian Amazon between January 2013 and April 2015. 600 pregnant women were enrolled and followed until delivery. After applying exclusion criteria, 329 mother-child pairs were included in the analysis. Clinical data regarding maternal infection, newborn’s anthropometric measures, placental histopathological characteristics, and angiogenic and inflammatory factors were evaluated. The presence of plasma IgG against the P. vivax (Pv) MSP119 protein was used as marker of exposure and possible associations with pregnancy outcomes were analyzed. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that P. vivax infections during the first trimester of pregnancy are associated with adverse gestational outcomes such as premature birth (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 8.12, 95% confidence interval [95%CI] 2.69–24.54, p < 0.0001) and reduced head circumference (aOR 3.58, 95%CI 1.29–9.97, p = 0.01). Histopathology analysis showed marked differences between placentas from P. vivax-infected and non-infected pregnant women, especially regarding placental monocytes infiltrate. Placental levels of vasomodulatory factors such as angiopoietin-2 (ANG-2) and complement proteins such as C5a were also altered at delivery. Plasma levels of anti-PvMSP119 IgG in infected pregnant women were shown to be a reliable exposure marker; yet, with no association with improved pregnancy outcomes. Conclusions This study indicates that P. vivax malaria during the first trimester of pregnancy represents a higher likelihood of subsequent poor pregnancy outcomes associated with marked placental histologic modification and angiogenic/inflammatory imbalance. Additionally, our findings support the idea that antibodies against PvMSP119 are not protective against poor pregnancy outcomes induced by P. vivax infections.

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The possibility of modifications methods of determine volume of amniotic fluid

Journal of obstetrics and women s diseases ◽

10.17816/jowd65312-17 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 65 (3) ◽

pp. 12-17

Author(s):

Viktor A Mudrov

Keyword(s):

Body Mass Index ◽

Amniotic Fluid ◽

Pregnant Women ◽

Body Mass ◽

Gestational Age ◽

First Trimester ◽

Fetal Weight ◽

Abdominal Circumference ◽

Pregnancy And Childbirth ◽

Maternity Hospitals

Selection of the optimal tactics of pregnancy and childbirth significantly depends on the expected volume of amniotic fluid. The amount of amniotic fluid reflects a condition of a fetus and changes at pathological conditions of both a fetus, and an uteroplacental complex. The aim of the study was a modification of methods for determining the expected volume of amniotic fluid. On the basis of maternity hospitals Trans-Baikal Region in the years 2013-2015 was held retrospective and prospective analysis of 300 labor histories, which were divided into 3 equal groups: 1 group - pregnant women with a body mass index (BMI) for Quetelet less than 24, Group 2 - with a BMI from 24 to 30, group 3 - with a BMI more than 30. In order to determine the expected volume of amniotic fluid were used the subjective method, the Chamberlain’s and Phelan’s methods. The error in determining volume of amniotic fluid by the existing methods exceeds 10 %, that defined need of creation of a quantitative method. On the basis of mathematical and 3d-modeling of the volume of amniotic fluid and fetal weight determined pattern change, which is expressed by the formula: VAF = IAF × М × π / GA2, where IAF - index of amniotic fluid (mm), M - fetal weight (g), GA - gestational age (weeks). Through a comprehensive analysis of anthropometric research of the pregnant women defined formula’s volume of amniotic fluid: V = 0,017 × HUF × (AC - 25 × BMI / GA)2 - М, where GA - gestational age (weeks), AC - abdominal circumference of the pregnant women (cm), BMI - body mass index for Quetelet in the first trimester of pregnancy (kg/m2), HUF - height of an uterine fundus (cm), M - the estimated fetal weight (g). In calculating volume of amniotic fluid according to the proposed ultrasonic formula error does not exceed 5,3 %, anthropometric formula error does not exceed 10,2 %. Thus, the method has a smaller error compared to the standard, and can be used to reliably determine volume of amniotic fluid in II and III trimester of pregnancy.

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