scholarly journals The Association between Maternal Stress and Glucocorticoid Rhythmicity in Human Milk

Nutrients ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (5) ◽  
pp. 1608
Author(s):  
Michelle Romijn ◽  
Luca J. L. van Tilburg ◽  
Jonneke J. Hollanders ◽  
Bibian van der Voorn ◽  
Paul de Goede ◽  
...  

Background: Chronic stress is often accompanied by alterations in the diurnal rhythm of hypothalamus–pituitary–adrenal activity. However, there are limited data on the diurnal rhythmicity of breast milk glucocorticoids (GCs) among women with psychological distress. We compared mothers who sought consultation at an expertise center for pregnant women with an increased risk of psychological distress with control mothers for GC diurnal rhythmicity in milk and saliva obtained at the same time. Methods: We included 19 mothers who sought consultation at the psychiatry–obstetric–pediatric (POP) outpatient clinic and 44 control mothers. One month postpartum, mothers collected on average eight paired milk and saliva samples during a 24 h period. GC levels were measured using liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry. GC rhythmicity parameters were determined with specialized software. Results: For both milk and saliva, no group differences regarding GC rhythms were found. Milk cortisol area under the curve with respect to the ground was lower in the POP group than in the control group (p = 0.02). GC levels in human milk and saliva were highly correlated within each group (p < 0.001). Conclusion: Although there were no differences between groups in GC rhythmicity, the total amount of milk cortisol was lower in the POP group. Long-term follow-up is needed to address the impact of vertical transmission of breast milk GCs.

Viruses ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (8) ◽  
pp. 1427
Author(s):  
Paula Sobral da Silva ◽  
Sophie Eickmann ◽  
Ricardo Ximenes ◽  
Celina Martelli ◽  
Elizabeth Brickley ◽  
...  

The relation of Zika virus (ZIKV) with microcephaly is well established. However, knowledge is lacking on later developmental outcomes in children with evidence of maternal ZIKV infection during pregnancy born without microcephaly. The objective of this analysis is to investigate the impact of prenatal exposure to ZIKV on neuropsychomotor development in children without microcephaly. We evaluated 274 children including 235 ZIKV exposed and 39 controls using the Bayley-III Scales of Infant and Toddler Development (BSIDIII) and neurological examination. We observed a difference in cognition with a borderline p-value (p = 0.052): 9.4% of exposed children and none of the unexposed control group had mild to moderate delays. The prevalence of delays in the language and motor domains did not differ significantly between ZIKV-exposed and unexposed children (language: 12.3% versus 12.8%; motor: 4.7% versus 2.6%). Notably, neurological examination results were predictive of neurodevelopmental delays in the BSIDIII assessments for exposed children: 46.7% of children with abnormalities on clinical neurological examination presented with delay in contrast to 17.8% among exposed children without apparent neurological abnormalities (p = 0.001). Overall, our findings suggest that relative to their unexposed peers, ZIKV-exposed children without microcephaly are not at considerably increased risk of neurodevelopmental impairment in the first 42 months of life, although a small group of children demonstrated higher frequencies of cognitive delay. It is important to highlight that in the group of exposed children, an abnormal neuroclinical examination may be a predictor of developmental delay. The article contributes to practical guidance and advances our knowledge about congenital Zika.


2004 ◽  
Vol 34 (8) ◽  
pp. 1431-1441 ◽  
Author(s):  
ULRIKA KREICBERGS ◽  
UNNUR VALDIMARSDÓTTIR ◽  
ERIK ONELÖV ◽  
JAN-INGE HENTER ◽  
GUNNAR STEINECK

Background. Some consider the loss of a child as the most stressful life event. When the death is caused by a malignancy, the parents are commonly exposed not only to their own loss, but also to the protracted physical and emotional suffering of the child. We investigated parental risk of anxiety and depression 4–9 years after the loss of a child owing to a malignancy.Method. In 2001, we attempted to contact all parents in Sweden who had lost a child due to a malignancy during 1992–1997. We used an anonymous postal questionnaire and utilized a control group of non-bereaved parents with a living child.Results. Participation among bereaved parents was 449/561 (80%); among non-bereaved 457/659 (69%). We found an increased risk of anxiety (relative risk 1·5, 95% confidence interval 1·1–1·9) and depression (relative risk 1·4, 95% confidence interval 1·1–1·7) among bereaved parents compared with non-bereaved. The risk of anxiety and depression was higher in the period 4–6 years after bereavement than in the 7–9 years period, during which the average excess risks approached zero. Psychological distress was overall higher among bereaved mothers and loss of a child aged 9 years or older implied an increased risk, particularly for fathers.Conclusions. Psychological morbidity in bereaved parents decreases to levels similar to those among non-bereaved parents 7–9 years after the loss. Bereaved mothers and parents who lose a child 9 years or older have on average an excess risk for long-term psychological distress.


2004 ◽  
Vol 1 (3) ◽  
pp. 223-232 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael Irwin ◽  
Jennifer Pike ◽  
Michael Oxman

Both the incidence and severity of herpes zoster (HZ) or shingles increase markedly with increasing age in association with a decline in varicella zoster virus (VZV)-specific immunity. Considerable evidence shows that behavioral stressors, prevalent in older adults, correlate with impairments of cellular immunity. Moreover, the presence of depressive symptoms in older adults is associated with declines in VZV-responder cell frequency (VZV-RCF), an immunological marker of shingles risk. In this review, we discuss recent findings that administration of a relaxation response-based intervention,tai chi chih(TCC), results in improvements in health functioning and immunity to VZV in older adults as compared with a control group. TCC is a slow moving meditation consisting of 20 separate standardized movements which can be readily used in elderly and medically compromised individuals. TCC offers standardized training and practice schedules, lending an important advantage over prior relaxation response-based therapies. Focus on older adults at increased risk for HZ and assay of VZV-specific immunity have implications for understanding the impact of behavioral factors and a behavioral intervention on a clinically relevant end-point and on the response of the immune system to infectious pathogens.


2018 ◽  
Vol 25 (5) ◽  
pp. 104-110
Author(s):  
V. S. Uchaeva ◽  
Yu. A. Vasiliev ◽  
A. S. Gracheva ◽  
O. V. Gulenko ◽  
I. G. Udina

Aim. This research was designed to conduct an associative population genetic study for the consideration of the impact of SNP C677T of the gene MTHFR in the congenital maxillofacial developmental anomalies (CMDA): congenital cleft lip (CCL), congenital cleft palate (CCP), congenital cleft lip and palate (CCLP) in the Krasnodar territory. The aim of the study is to establish the associations between SNP C677T of the gene MTHFR and the development of congenital cleft lip and/ or palate.Materials and methods. In this research, the peculiarities of distribution of SNP C667T of the gene MTHFR in children with congenital cleft lip and/or palate (n=223) and their mothers (n=78) in comparison with the control group (n=124) were studied in the Krasnodar territory. The genetic demographic questionnaires were gathered for children with CMDA, the information about diagnosis was obtained from the medical records. The biological samples, including blood or scrapings of oral mucosa, were collected from children with the pathology and their mothers. The DNA was extracted from the samples by the standard method. The study of the peculiarities of distribution of alleles of SNP C677T of the gene MTHFR was performed by PCR-PFLP with endonuclease Hinf I or by tetra-primer ARMS-PCR method in children with CCL, CCP, CCLP, their mothers and the control group. Statistical processing of the obtained data was performed by the algorithms of the “Statistica” program.Results. While comparing the profiles of frequencies of SNP C677T in children with CCL, CCP and CCLP with the control group, there were identified no significant differences in the frequency of this SNP and no peculiarities of genotypes distribution. There was identified a significant difference in the peculiarities of genotypes distribution with the control group (G=19,5232, d.f.=1, p<0,001) as well as united genotypes (С/C и С/T) in accordance to T/T (G=10,4657, d.f.=1; p<0,001) and united genotypes (C/T и T/T) in accordance to C/C (G=15,1896, d.f.=1, p<0,001) for the mothers of children with CCL, CCP and CCLP.Conclusion. As a result of the study, we established the association of SNP C677T of the MTHFR gene with the development of congenital cleft lip and/or palate: mothers’ T/T genotype is associated with the increased risk of giving birth to a child with CCL, CCP and CCLP (in comparison with mothers with C/C+C/T genotype): odds ratio [OR]=16,63, 95% CI: 3,86-71,71; p=0,0003 and also for mothers with genotypes (C/T+T/T) in comparison with mothers with genotypes C/C: OR=3,22, CI:1,71-6,08; p=0,0002. The amount of risk is not significant in children with CMDA for T/T genotype. So it is possible to make a conclusion about the impact of C677T of the gene MTHFR in the development of CCL, CCP and CCLP only in mother’s genotype. 


Circulation ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 132 (suppl_3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Zi Ye ◽  
Maurice Enriquez-Sarano ◽  
Joseph Malouf ◽  
Hector I Michelena ◽  
Allan S Jaffe ◽  
...  

Introduction: Left ventricular longitudinal strain (LV-LS) 1) predicts mortality in patients with aortic stenosis (AS) and 2) is highly correlated to type-B natriuretic peptide (BNP) values. The BNP ratio (measured BNP/maximal expected BNP value specific for age and sex) is a powerful independent predictor of death in patients with AS. Hypothesis: we hypothesize that BNP activation (i.e. BNP ratio >1) affects the association between LV-LS and mortality in patients with asymptomatic AS and preserved LV ejection fraction (EF ≥50%). Methods: 315 patients (age 74±12 years, 56% men and mean aortic valve area = 1.02±0.15cm2) underwent simultaneous Doppler echocardiographic and BNP measurements. LV-LS was calculated as the average of 12 LV segments from apical 2- and 4-chamber views using Velocity Vector Imaging. Results: Mean LV-LS was -16.8±3.2%, LV EF 66±7%, median BNP level 121 (interquartile 48-320) pg/ml. 58% of patients had BNP activation. Better LV-LS was associated with lower log BNPratio (regression coefficient 0.10, p<0.001). After a median follow-up of 6.5 yrs (interquartile: 3.6-8.2), 119 deaths occurred. After adjustment for age, sex, Charlson score index, hemoglobin level, aortic valve replacement (as a time dependent variable), LV-LS and log BNPratio were separately associated with increased risk for death (all p<0.01). Further adjustment for predictors of mortality, LV-LS and log-BNP ratio remained associated with increased risk for death (hazard ratio HR [95%CI]: 1.09 [1.03-1.15]; p=0.003 and 1.82 [1.52-2.19]; p<0.0001 respectively). In patients without BNP activation (i.e. normal BNP), LV-LS was associated with mortality (HR: 1.22 [1.04-1.43]; p=0.01) while it was not in patients with BNP activation (p=0.22). Conclusions: In patients with asymptomatic AS, without clinically obvious myocardial impairment (i.e. normal LVEF), a notable proportion of patients present with myocardial alterations detected by an elevated BNPratio or reduced LV-LS. These signs of myocardial alterations were predictive of mortality after diagnosis. Thus both BNP and LV-LS should be assessed in the clinical setting to provide complementary information on prognosis in patients with asymptomatic AS and preserved LV EF.


Glycobiology ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (10) ◽  
pp. 774-786 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sara Porfirio ◽  
Stephanie Archer-Hartmann ◽  
G Brett Moreau ◽  
Girija Ramakrishnan ◽  
Rashidul Haque ◽  
...  

Abstract Human breast milk is an incredibly rich and complex biofluid composed of proteins, lipids and complex carbohydrates, including a diverse repertoire of free human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs). Strikingly, HMOs are not digested by the infant but function as prebiotics for bacterial strains associated with numerous benefits. Considering the broad variety of beneficial effects of HMOs, and the vast number of factors that affect breast milk composition, the analysis of HMO diversity and complexity is of utmost relevance. Using human milk samples from a cohort of Bangladeshi mothers participating in a study on malnutrition and stunting in children, we have characterized breast milk oligosaccharide composition by means of permethylation followed by liquid chromatography coupled with high-resolution tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) analysis. This approach identified over 100 different glycoforms and showed a wide diversity of milk composition, with a predominance of fucosylated and sialylated HMOs over nonmodified HMOs. We observed that these samples contain on average 80 HMOs, with the highest permethylated masses detected being &gt;5000 mass units. Here we report an easily implemented method developed for the separation, characterization and relative quantitation of large arrays of HMOs, including higher molecular weight sialylated HMOs. Our ultimate goal is to create a simple, high-throughput method, which can be used for full characterization of sialylated and/or fucosylated HMOs. These results demonstrate how current analytical techniques can be applied to characterize human milk composition, providing new tools to help the scientific community shed new light on the impact of HMOs during infant development.


2015 ◽  
Vol 6 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joanna Turner ◽  
Danuta Chessor

Coping with psychological suffering after combat deployment has been identified across a diverse range of wars and countries as having the potential to negatively influence the long-term wellbeing of female partners of veterans. The aim of the study was to explore whether romantic partners of veterans (N = 97) suffered higher levels of psychological distress and destructive relationship conflict, lower relationship satisfaction and perceived social support when compared to female Australians in the civilian population (N = 87). Australian participants completed an anonymous online survey, and overall means were calculated for each group and compared using independent samples t tests. Results from the study indicated strong support for all research hypotheses in the expected directions. Research findings suggest that Australian females romantically involved with Afghanistan War veterans are more vulnerable to experiencing relationship dysfunction and are at an increased risk of impaired psychological health in the Australian population.


2020 ◽  
Vol 33 (2) ◽  
pp. 241-246
Author(s):  
Ana Cristina Resende Camargos ◽  
Pedro Henrique Scheidt Figueiredo ◽  
Sueli Ferreira da Fonseca ◽  
Mariana Aguiar de Matos ◽  
Katherine Simone Caires Oliveira ◽  
...  

AbstractBackgroundThe salivary circadian diurnal cortisol plays an important role in growth and development. Inappropriate levels may induce changes associated with an increased risk of obesity later in life. It is unknown if there are differences in cortisol secretion pattern between overweight/obese infants when compared with theirs peers in infancy. Thus, this study aimed to compare the salivary cortisol secretion pattern in overweight/obese and normal-weight infants.MethodsThirty-three (overweight/obese = 17 and normal weight = 16) infants between 6 and 24 months of age had saliva samples collected upon awakening (T1), 30 min after waking (T2), at 12:00 am or before the baby’s meal (T3), and prior to bedtime (T4). Highly sensitive enzyme immunoassays were used for cortisol analyses.ResultsSalivary cortisol levels were similar between the groups: T1 (p = 0.22; 95% confidence interval [CI]: −5.65, 1.37), T2 (p = 0.24; 95% CI: −8.23, 2.17), T3 (p = 0.95; 95% CI: −3.16, 2.96), and T4 (p = 0.81; 95% CI: −1.39, 1.08); and no differences were observed between area under the curve (AUC) (p = 0.80; 95% CI: −4.58–13.66). The cortisol level reduced in T4 (95% CI: 1.35–2.96) compared to T1 (95% CI: 5.15–8.49) and T2 in the overweight/obese group (p < 0.001; 95% CI: 6.02–11.04). In the normal-weight group, the cortisol reduced in T3 (95% CI: 2.86–8.18) compared to T1 (95% CI: 5.64–12.28) and decreased until T4 (p = 0.001; 95% CI: 1.25–3.37).ConclusionsThe overweight/obese infant group presented a different pattern of cortisol secretion, although cortisol levels did not differ between the control group.


Blood ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 122 (21) ◽  
pp. 4799-4799
Author(s):  
Soudabeh Hosseeini ◽  
Ebrahim Kalantari ◽  
Akbar Dorgalaleh ◽  
Arash Rozei ◽  
Marzieh Jafari ◽  
...  

Background Deep venous thrombosis (DVT) refers to the formation of a thrombus within a deep vein that frequently occurs after surgical procedures, trauma, in the presence of cancer and immobilization conditions. DVT is a major health problem that causes high rate of morbidity and mortality in the general population. Hyper coagulation states such as antithrombin-III, protein-C and protein-S deficiencies, contribute to formation of DVT. Congenital and acquired gene mutations are other risk factors that stimulate formation of thrombus. Our aims in this study was to molecularly analyze the patients with DVT and assess the impact of common mutations of MTHFR (C677T) (A1298C), PAI-1, Prothrombin 20210 and FV Leiden mutation on occurrence of deep venous thrombosis. Methods This long-term study was conducted from June 2009 to July 2013 on 221 patients with deep venues thrombosis. Two hundred and twenty-one age and sex matched individuals were also chosen as control group. The diagnosis of venous thromboembolic disease was based on patient’s history, clinical findings and D-dimer test. Finally deep venous thrombosis was confirmed with Doppler ultrasonography. In addition, all participants were asked to complete a standardized questionnaire on acquired risk factors for venous thrombosis. After confirmation of DVT, both groups were assessed molecularly for five mutations including, MTHFR C677T, MTHFR A1298C, PAI-1 4G/5G, Prothrombin 20210 and FV Leiden. The relationship between these mutations and the risk of DVT was calculated using logistic regression and expressed as an OR with a 95% confidence interval (CI). Results The mean age of patients and control group were 38±0.8 and 3.7± 0.7 years. Our results revealed that the MTHFR C677T (OR 2.9, 95% 95% CI 1.1 to 7.5) and MTHFR A1298C in heterozygote manner (OR 4.3, 95% CI 1.4 to 13.7) were each associated with an increased risk of DVT. The OR associated with being a carrier of the PAI-1 4G/5G genotype was 2.9 (95% CI 1.14 to 7.5). There was a 4-fold increased risk of DVT associated with Prothrombin 20210 mutation in heterozygote manner (OR 4.3, 95% CI 1.4 to 13.7). For patients who were heterozygous for FV Leiden mutation OR DVT was 2.6 (95% CI 1.3 to 5.0). Conclusion Our findings suggest that genetic risk factors have a contributory role on occurrence of DVT. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.


Blood ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 126 (23) ◽  
pp. 1677-1677
Author(s):  
Louise De Swart ◽  
Tom Johnston ◽  
Alexandra Smith ◽  
Pierre Fenaux ◽  
Argiris Symeonidis ◽  
...  

Abstract Background The outcome of lower-risk MDS patients with red blood cell transfusions (RBCT) dependency is inferior to that of RBCT independent patients, but whether the intensity of RBCT is important for prognosis is unknown. The EUMDS Registry is a non-interventional, observational longitudinal study enrolling patients with lower-risk MDS from 142 sites in 17 countries as described elsewhere (1). The EUMDS registry has accrued 1,902 patients as of July 21, 2015. We hypothesized that RBCT intensity is an independent prognostic factor for survival. Methods We first assessed the impact of RBCT intensity in the first year post-diagnosis (1yrPD) on progression-free survival among the 1034 patients who survived at least 1yrPD and had potential for a further year of follow-up. Secondly, we developed a longitudinal model of platelet counts throughout follow-up for 1660 patients in the registry with potential for at least one year follow-up. Results Among the 1034 patients, 323 patients had died: 67 after progression to higher-risk MDS/AML and 256 without progression. A further 41 surviving patients had progressed to AML. The overall 5-year survival was 52%. In a proportional hazards regression model (Table), the risk of death or progression increased in a non-linear fashion with age at diagnosis (p<0.001). The risk of death was increased in the intermediate IPSS-R risk group compared to low risk. Patients with RARS and 5q- syndrome had a better outcome compared to RCMD. Increased RBCT intensity in 1yrPD (Table, Figure) was strongly associated with an increased risk of death (p<0.001). In the 1660 patients no significant decline in platelet counts was observed (0.16x109 platelets/l average monthly decline, p=0.16) among patients who were not RBC transfused at any time during follow-up. However platelet counts of patients receiving RBCT declined more quickly (p<0.0001) at an average rate of 1.14x109 platelets/l/month. Among the 920 RBCT dependent patients, lower platelet counts were associated with receiving more RBCT units in the preceding six months. 185 Patients had at least 2 observations both before and after becoming RBCT dependent, defined as 1st RBCT. 50% of these patients had a decreasing trend of platelets prior to their 1st RBCT and 67% had a decreasing slope of platelets after their 1st RBCT. In the control group of RBC untransfused patients, decreasing slopes of platelets occurred in around 50% of the patients throughout the whole observation period of 4 visits. Logistic regression of the risk of having a post-1st RBCT decreasing trend in platelets showed that transfused patients were at a greater risk (OR=1.7, 95% CI: 1.1-2.7) of having a post-1st RBCT decreasing trend in platelets than untransfused patients. Conclusion These multivariate regression models including age, sex, country, IPSS and WHO classification showed that more intensive RBCT treatment is associated with poor prognosis and a more rapid decline of platelets. This indicates that the intensity of RBCT should be incorporated in the regular prognostic scoring systems and the choice of therapeutic interventions. (1): De Swart L et al. Br J Haematol 2015; 170: 372-83. Disclosures Fenaux: NOVARTIS: Honoraria, Research Funding; CELGENE: Honoraria, Research Funding; JANSSEN: Honoraria, Research Funding; AMGEN: Honoraria, Research Funding. Hellström-Lindberg:Celgene Corporation: Research Funding. Sanz:JANSSEN CILAG: Honoraria, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau. Mittelman:Roche: Research Funding; Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation: Research Funding; GlaxoSmithKline: Research Funding; Johnson & Johnson: Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Celgene: Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Amgen: Research Funding. Almeida:Bristol Meyer Squibb: Speakers Bureau; Shire: Speakers Bureau; Celgene: Consultancy; Novartis: Consultancy. Park:Hospira: Research Funding; Novartis: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Celgene: Research Funding. Itzykson:Oncoethix: Research Funding. de Witte:Novartis: Research Funding.


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