Cardiovascular and Cerebrovascular Implications of Growth Restriction: Mechanisms and Potential Treatments

Fetal growth restriction (FGR) is a common complication of pregnancy, resulting in a fetus that fails to reach its genetically determined growth potential. Whilst the fetal cardiovascular response to acute hypoxia is well established, the fetal defence to chronic hypoxia is not well understood due to experiment constraints. Growth restriction results primarily from reduced oxygen and nutrient supply to the developing fetus, resulting in chronic hypoxia. The fetus adapts to chronic hypoxia by redistributing cardiac output via brain sparing in an attempt to preserve function in the developing brain. This review highlights the impact of brain sparing on the developing fetal cardiovascular and cerebrovascular systems, as well as emerging long-term effects in offspring that were growth restricted at birth. Here, we explore the pathogenesis associated with brain sparing within the cerebrovascular system. An increased understanding of the mechanistic pathways will be critical to preventing neuropathological outcomes, including motor dysfunction such as cerebral palsy, or behaviour dysfunctions including autism and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

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Fetal Growth Restriction – Diagnostic Work-up, Management and Delivery

Geburtshilfe und Frauenheilkunde ◽

10.1055/a-1232-1418 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 80 (10) ◽

pp. 1016-1025 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Dietmar Schlembach

Keyword(s):

Early Onset ◽

Late Onset ◽

Fetal Monitoring ◽

Later Life ◽

Growth Restriction ◽

Growth Potential ◽

Ductus Venosus ◽

Optimum Approach ◽

Diagnostic Work ◽

Genetically Determined

AbstractFetal or intrauterine growth restriction (FGR/IUGR) affects approximately 5 – 8% of all pregnancies and refers to a fetus not exploiting its genetically determined growth potential. Not only a major cause of perinatal morbidity and mortality, it also predisposes these fetuses to the development of chronic disorders in later life. Apart from the timely diagnosis and identification of the causes of FGR, the obstetric challenge primarily entails continued antenatal management with optimum timing of delivery. In order to minimise premature birth morbidity, intensive fetal monitoring aims to prolong the pregnancy and at the same time intervene, i.e. deliver, before the fetus is threatened or harmed. It is important to note that early-onset FGR (< 32 + 0 weeks of gestation [wks]) should be assessed differently than late-onset FGR (≥ 32 + 0 wks). In early-onset FGR progressive deterioration is reflected in abnormal venous Doppler parameters, while in late-onset FGR this manifests primarily in abnormal cerebral Doppler ultrasound. According to our current understanding, the “optimum” approach for monitoring and timing of delivery in early-onset FGR combines computerized CTG with the ductus venosus Doppler, while in late-onset FGR assessment of the cerebral Doppler parameters becomes more important.

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SUMBER-SUMBER RESILIENSI PADA REMAJA AKHIR YANG MENGALAMI KEKERASAN DARI ORANGTUA PADA MASA KANAK-KANAK

Psibernetika ◽

10.30813/psibernetika.v11i1.1161 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Devina Calista ◽

Garvin Garvin

Keyword(s):

Late Adolescents ◽

Long Term Effects ◽

Short Term ◽

Parental Affection ◽

Resilience Factors ◽

Childhood Violence ◽

Past Experiences ◽

The Impact ◽

Depth Interviews

Child abuse by parents is common in households. The impact of violence on children will bring short-term effects and long-term effects that can be attributed to their various emotional, behavioral and social problems in the future; especially in late adolescence that will enter adulthood. Resilience factors increase the likelihood that adolescents who are victims of childhood violence recover from their past experiences, become more powerful individuals and have a better life. The purpose of this study was to determine the source of resilience in late adolescents who experienced violence from parents in their childhood. This research uses qualitative research methods with in-depth interviews as a method of data collection. The result shows that the three research participants have the aspects of "I Have", "I Am", and "I Can"; a participant has "I Can" aspects as a source of resilience, and one other subject has no source of resilience. The study concluded that parental affection and acceptance of the past experience have role to the three sources of resilience (I Have, I Am, and I Can) Keyword : Resilience, adolescence, violence, parents

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INTRAUTERINE GROWTH RETARDATION - A REVIEW ARTICLE

Journal of Medicine and Pharmacy ◽

10.34071/jmp.2018.6.25a ◽

2018 ◽

pp. 184-195

Author(s):

Minh Son Pham ◽

Vu Quoc Huy Nguyen ◽

Dinh Vinh Tran

Keyword(s):

Fetal Growth ◽

Gestational Age ◽

Small For Gestational Age ◽

Fetal Growth Restriction ◽

Growth Restriction ◽

Growth Potential ◽

National Guidelines ◽

Intrauterine Growth ◽

No Gold Standard

Small for gestational age (SGA) and fetal growth restriction (FGR) is difficult to define exactly. In this pregnancy condition, the fetus does not reach its biological growth potential as a consequence of impaired placental function, which may be because of a variety of factors. Fetuses with FGR are at risk for perinatal morbidity and mortality, and poor long-term health outcomes, such as impaired neurological and cognitive development, and cardiovascular and endocrine diseases in adulthood. At present no gold standard for the diagnosis of SGA/FGR exists. The first aim of this review is to: summarize areas of consensus and controversy between recently published national guidelines on small for gestational age or fetal growth restriction; highlight any recent evidence that should be incorporated into existing guidelines. Another aim to summary a number of interventions which are being developed or coming through to clinical trial in an attempt to improve fetal growth in placental insufficiency. Key words: fetal growth restriction (FGR), Small for gestational age (SGA)

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The Quantification of Structural Reforms in OECD Countries

10.1093/oso/9780198821878.003.0007 ◽

2018 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Balázs Égert ◽

Peter Gal

Keyword(s):

Product Market ◽

Physical Capital ◽

Oecd Countries ◽

Market Regulation ◽

Structural Reforms ◽

Long Term Effects ◽

Per Capita ◽

Product Market Regulation ◽

The Impact

This chapter describes and discusses a new supply-side framework that quantifies the impact of structural reforms on per capita income in OECD countries. It presents the overall macroeconomic impacts of reforms by aggregating over the effects on physical capital, employment, and productivity through a production function. On the basis of reforms defined as observed changes in policies, the chapter finds that product market regulation has the largest overall single policy impact five years after the reforms. But the combined impact of all labour market policies is considerably larger than that of product market regulation. The paper also shows that policy impacts can differ at different horizons. The overall long-term effects on GDP per capita of policies transiting through capital deepening can be considerably larger than the five- to ten-year impacts. By contrast, the long-term impact of policies coming only via the employment rate channel materializes at a shorter horizon.

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Caribbean Consortium for Research in Environmental and Occupational Health (CCREOH) Cohort Study: influences of complex environmental exposures on maternal and child health in Suriname

BMJ Open ◽

10.1136/bmjopen-2019-034702 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 10 (9) ◽

pp. e034702

Author(s):

Wilco Zijlmans ◽

Jeffrey Wickliffe ◽

Ashna Hindori-Mohangoo ◽

Sigrid MacDonald-Ottevanger ◽

Paul Ouboter ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cohort Study ◽

Occupational Health ◽

Pregnant Women ◽

Fish Consumption ◽

Depression Scale ◽

Environmental Exposures ◽

International Standards ◽

Long Term Effects ◽

The Impact ◽

Environmental And Occupational Health

PurposeThe Caribbean Consortium for Research in Environmental and Occupational Health prospective environmental epidemiologic cohort study addresses the impact of chemical and non-chemical environmental exposures on mother/child dyads in Suriname. The study determines associations between levels of environmental elements and toxicants in pregnant women, and birth outcomes and neurodevelopment in their children.ParticipantsPregnant women (N=1143) were enrolled from December 2016 to July 2019 from three regions of Suriname: Paramaribo (N=738), Nickerie (N=204) and the tropical rainforest interior (N=201). Infants (N=992) were enrolled at birth. Follow-up will take place until children are 48 months old.Findings to dateBiospecimens and questionnaire data on physiological and psychosocial health in pregnant women have been analysed. 39.1% had hair mercury (Hg) levels exceeding values considered safe by international standards. Median hair Hg concentrations in women from Paramaribo (N=522) were 0.64 µg/g hair (IQRs 0.36–1.09; range 0.00–7.12), from Nickerie (N=176) 0.73 µg/g (IQR 0.45–1.05; range 0.00–5.79) and the interior (N=178) 3.48 µg/g (IQR 1.92–7.39; range 0.38–18.20). 96.1% of women ate fish, respective consumption of the three most consumed carnivorous species, Hoplias aimara, Serrasalmus rhombeus and Cichla ocellaris, known to have high Hg levels, was 44.4%, 19.3% and 26.3%, respectively, and was greater among the interior subcohort. 89% frequently consumed the vegetable tannia, samples of which showed presence of worldwide banned pesticides. 24.9% of pregnant women had Edinburgh Depression Scale scores indicative of probable depression.Future plansFish consumption advisories are in development, especially relevant to interior women for whom fish consumption is likely to be the primary source of Hg exposure. Effects of potentially beneficial neuroprotective factors in fish that may counter neurotoxic effects of Hg are being examined. A pesticide literacy assessment in pregnant women is in progress. Neurodevelopmental assessments and telomere length measurements of the children to evaluate long-term effects of prenatal exposures to toxicant mixtures are ongoing.

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The psychological impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on adults with autism: a survey study across three countries

Molecular Autism ◽

10.1186/s13229-021-00424-y ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 12 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Danna Oomen ◽

Annabel D. Nijhof ◽

Jan R. Wiersema

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Social Life ◽

Social Stress ◽

Mental Health Problems ◽

Survey Study ◽

Specific Information ◽

Long Term Effects ◽

Adults With Autism ◽

Psychological Burden ◽

The Impact

Abstract Background Previous studies have reported a negative psychological and mental health impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. This impact is likely to be stronger for people with autism as they are at heightened risk of mental health problems and because the pandemic directly affects social functioning and everyday routines. We therefore examined COVID-19 pandemic-related changes in mental health, the impact of the pandemic on their social life and routines, satisfaction with pandemic-related information and tips, and participants’ wishes for guidance. Methods We used a mixed-method approach, collecting quantitative and qualitative survey data from adults with and without autism across three European countries: Belgium, the Netherlands, and the UK (N = 1044). Results We found an increase in depression and anxiety symptoms in response to the pandemic for both the non-autism and the autism group, which was greater for adults with autism. Furthermore, adults with autism showed a greater increase in worries about their pets, work, getting medication and food, and their own safety/security. They felt more relieved from social stress, yet experienced the loss of social contact as difficult. Adults with autism also felt more stressed about the loss of routines. Pleasant changes noted by adults with autism were the increase in solidarity and reduced sensory and social overload. Adults with autism frequently reported problems with cancellation of guidance due to the pandemic and expressed their wish for (more) autism-specific information and advice. Limitations Our sample is likely to reflect some degree of selection bias, and longitudinal studies are needed to determine long-term effects. Conclusions Results highlight the psychological burden of the pandemic on adults with autism and shed light on how to support them during this COVID-19 pandemic, which is especially important now that the pandemic is likely to have a prolonged course. There is a need for accessible, affordable (continued) support from health services. Guidance may focus on the maintenance of a social network, and adjusting routines to the rapid ongoing changes. Finally, we may learn from the COVID-19 pandemic-related changes experienced as pleasant by adults with autism to build a more autism-friendly society post-pandemic.

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Age-Dependent Decline in Neuron Growth Potential and Mitochondria Functions in Cortical Neurons

Cells ◽

10.3390/cells10071625 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 (7) ◽

pp. 1625

Author(s):

Theresa C. Sutherland ◽

Arthur Sefiani ◽

Darijana Horvat ◽

Taylor E. Huntington ◽

Yuanjiu Lei ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cortical Neurons ◽

Traumatic Injury ◽

Axon Growth ◽

Neurite Growth ◽

Growth Potential ◽

Mitochondrial Functions ◽

Cord Injury ◽

Age Dependent ◽

Mitochondria Functions ◽

The Impact

The age of incidence of spinal cord injury (SCI) and the average age of people living with SCI is continuously increasing. However, SCI is extensively modeled in young adult animals, hampering translation of research to clinical applications. While there has been significant progress in manipulating axon growth after injury, the impact of aging is still unknown. Mitochondria are essential to successful neurite and axon growth, while aging is associated with a decline in mitochondrial functions. Using isolation and culture of adult cortical neurons, we analyzed mitochondrial changes in 2-, 6-, 12- and 18-month-old mice. We observed reduced neurite growth in older neurons. Older neurons also showed dysfunctional respiration, reduced membrane potential, and altered mitochondrial membrane transport proteins; however, mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) abundance and cellular ATP were increased. Taken together, these data suggest that dysfunctional mitochondria in older neurons may be associated with the age-dependent reduction in neurite growth. Both normal aging and traumatic injury are associated with mitochondrial dysfunction, posing a challenge for an aging SCI population as the two elements can combine to worsen injury outcomes. The results of this study highlight this as an area of great interest in CNS trauma.

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152 Impact of chorionic somatomammotropin RNA interference on uterine blood flow and placental glucose uptake in the absence of intrauterine growth restriction

Journal of Animal Science ◽

10.1093/jas/skaa278.220 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 98 (Supplement_4) ◽

pp. 121-121

Author(s):

Amelia R Tanner ◽

Asghar Ali ◽

Quinton A Winger ◽

Paul J Rozance ◽

Russell V Anthony

Keyword(s):

Rna Interference ◽

Glucose Uptake ◽

Intrauterine Growth Restriction ◽

Growth Restriction ◽

Intrauterine Growth ◽

Blood Flows ◽

Umbilical Blood ◽

Exact Function ◽

Chorionic Somatomammotropin ◽

The Impact

Abstract Chorionic somatomammotropin (CSH) is one of the most abundant hormones produced by the sheep placenta, yet the exact function of CSH has been elusive. Previously we reported the use of in vivo RNA interference (RNAi) to assess the impact of CSH deficiency on placental and fetal growth in sheep. Near-term (135 dGA), there are two distinct CSH RNAi phenotypes: 1) pregnancies with intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR), and 2) pregnancies with normal fetal and placental weights. This study describes physiological changes in the latter phenotype. To generate the CSH RNAi pregnancies, the trophectoderm of hatched blastocysts (9 dGA) were infected with lentiviral-constructs expressing either a scrambled control (NTS) or CSH-specific shRNA (CSH RNAi), prior to transfer into synchronized recipient ewes. At 120 dGA, 6 NTS and 6 CSH RNAi pregnancies were fitted with maternal and fetal catheters. Uterine and umbilical blood flows were measured utilizing the 3H2O transplacental diffusion technique at 132 dGA, and nutrient uptakes were calculated by the Fick principle. Resulting data were analyzed by Student’s t-test and significance was set at P ≤ 0.05. CSH RNAi tended (P ≤ 0.10) to reduce placentome weight with no effect on fetal weight. Absolute (ml/min) and relative (ml/min/kg fetus) uterine blood flows were reduced (P ≤ 0.05) in CSH RNAi pregnancies, but umbilical flows were not impacted. The uterine artery-to-vein glucose gradient (mmol/l) was significantly (P ≤ 0.05) increased, whereas the gradients for taurine and glycine were reduced (P ≤ 0.05). Uteroplacental glucose uptake (mmol/min/kg placenta) was increased 27% (P ≤ 0.05), whereas umbilical glucose uptake (mmol/min/kg fetus) was reduced 13%. This cohort demonstrates that even in the absence of IUGR, CSH deficiency has significant physiological ramifications, and the investigation of CSH RNAi pregnancies exhibiting both IUGR and non-IUGR phenotypes may help determine the direct effects of CSH and its potential impact on fetal programming. Supported by NIH R01 HD093701.

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Morphodynamic signatures of MDA-MB-231 single cells and cell doublets undergoing invasion in confined microenvironments

Scientific Reports ◽

10.1038/s41598-021-85640-5 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Xingjian Zhang ◽

Trevor Chan ◽

Michael Mak

Keyword(s):

Single Cell ◽

Single Cells ◽

Leading Edge ◽

Cell Group ◽

Collective State ◽

Long Term Effects ◽

Cell Metastasis ◽

Geometric Confinement ◽

Short And Long Term ◽

The Impact

AbstractCancer cell metastasis is a major factor in cancer-related mortality. During the process of metastasis, cancer cells exhibit migratory phenotypes and invade through pores in the dense extracellular matrix. However, the characterization of morphological and subcellular features of cells in similar migratory phenotypes and the effects of geometric confinement on cell morphodynamics are not well understood. Here, we investigate the phenotypes of highly aggressive MDA-MB-231 cells in single cell and cell doublet (an initial and simplified collective state) forms in confined microenvironments. We group phenotypically similar single cells and cell doublets and characterize related morphological and subcellular features. We further detect two distinct migratory phenotypes, fluctuating and non-fluctuating, within the fast migrating single cell group. In addition, we demonstrate an increase in the number of protrusions formed at the leading edge of cells after invasion through geometric confinement. Finally, we track the short and long term effects of varied degrees of confinement on protrusion formation. Overall, our findings elucidate the underlying morphological and subcellular features associated with different single cell and cell doublet phenotypes and the impact of invasion through confined geometry on cell behavior.

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The impact of COVID-19 quarantine measures on the mental health of families

Journal of Social Work ◽

10.1177/14680173211011705 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 146801732110117

Author(s):

Fakir Al Gharaibeh ◽

Laura Gibson

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Social Workers ◽

Digital Media ◽

Mental Health Problems ◽

Eating Habits ◽

Strong Shock ◽

Psychosocial Interventions ◽

Snowball Sampling ◽

Long Term Effects ◽

The Impact

Summary COVID-19 is shaping all aspects of life throughout the world. The unexpected number of people who have been infected with and died from coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is evidence that the pandemic has affected families and societies. The strong shock wave that has resulted in the international response has focused more on medical rather than psychosocial interventions. Little has been written or studied about the impact of COVID-19 on families. This article explores the impact of the COVID-19 quarantine on the mental health of families. We conducted 20 in-depth interviews with Jordanian families through snowball sampling. Findings The results show that 20 interviewees described varied and new experiences. Many of the families we interviewed displayed symptoms of mental health problems, including disrupted sleep patterns, changes in eating habits, excessive digital media use, anxiety, depression, excessive smoking, stomach aches, bedwetting among children, and persistent headaches. The study also demonstrated the psychological stress partners felt during the lockdown due to their worries about job security. They also communicated their hope that renewed family commitments might bring more stability to their relationships. During the lockdown, family members spent more time together, and it became harder to conceal any issues from each other. Applications The findings of this research demonstrate a critical need for social workers, and it is hoped that future legislation will include a role for social workers in various fields of crisis. Moreover, social workers should encourage families to ask for intervention to overcome the long-term effects that may result from COVID-19.

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