Developmental Patterning and Neurogenetic Gradients of Nurr1 Positive Neurons in the Rat Claustrum and Lateral Cortex

The claustrum is an enigmatic brain structure thought to be important for conscious sensations. Recent studies have focused on gene expression patterns, connectivity, and function of the claustrum, but relatively little is known about its development. Interestingly, claustrum-enriched genes, including the previously identified marker Nurr1, are not only expressed in the classical claustrum complex, but also embedded within lateral neocortical regions in rodents. Recent studies suggest that Nurr1 positive neurons in the lateral cortex share a highly conserved genetic expression pattern with claustrum neurons. Thus, we focus on the developmental progression and birth dating pattern of the claustrum and Nurr1 positive neurons in the lateral cortex. We comprehensively investigate the expression of Nurr1 at various stages of development in the rat and find that Nurr1 expression first appears as an elongated line along the anterior-posterior axis on embryonic day 13.5 (E13.5) and then gradually differentiates into multiple sub-regions during prenatal development. Previous birth dating studies of the claustrum have led to conflicting results, therefore, we combine 5-ethynyl-2′-deoxyuridine (EdU) labeling with in situ hybridization for Nurr1 to study birth dating patterns. We find that most dorsal endopiriform (DEn) neurons are born on E13.5 to E14.5. Ventral claustrum (vCL) and dorsal claustrum (dCL) are mainly born on E14.5 to E15.5. Nurr1 positive cortical deep layer neurons (dLn) and superficial layer neurons (sLn) are mainly born on E14.5 to E15.5 and E15.5 to E17.5, respectively. Finally, we identify ventral to dorsal and posterior to anterior neurogenetic gradients within vCL and DEn. Thus, our findings suggest that claustrum and Nurr1 positive neurons in the lateral cortex are born sequentially over several days of embryonic development and contribute toward charting the complex developmental pattern of the claustrum in rodents.

Is There Really a Sex Recession? Period and Cohort Effects on Sexual Inactivity Among American Men, 2006–2019

There has been a growing concern among researchers and media commentators that men in the United States may be increasingly less sexually active, creating a form of a “sex recession.” Using 14 years of survey data from men in the National Survey of Family Growth (2006–2019), this study assesses whether such concerns are warranted. Cross-classified mixed-effects models are estimated to ascertain whether there is evidence of a population-wide sex recession among men due to secular conditions specific to different time periods, or if birth cohorts that comprise the male population at any given point in time are exhibiting distinct patterns of sexual behavior. The analysis finds no evidence of a population-wide sex recession among men. Rates of sexual inactivity among men have been constant across the time series, but those born between 2000 and 2004 had significantly higher rates of sexual inactivity than previous birth cohorts did at the same age. Additionally, men who are unemployed and/or living at home with their parents are more likely to refrain from sexual intercourse than their peers who are employed and/or living independently of their parents.

Aperitif

To set the scene of drinks and drinking in India, the Aperitif presents a translation from Pali of a previous birth story of the Buddha, The Birth Story of the Jar (Kumbha Jātaka), where we learn how a rogue discovered the drink called surā that had arisen spontaneously. Then he shared it with another man, and subsequently they learned to brew surā and propagated this dangerous yet attractive substance in the world. This short Buddhist tale gives some sense of the popular understanding of how brewing worked, and the story also illustrates some of the classic perceived dangers of drink and intoxication.

The rate of intrapartum cesarean delivery based on estimated fetal weight in comparison to previous child’s birth weight

Objective: To examine whether an estimated fetal weight of the current pregnancy greater than previous birth weight is associated with increased odds of intrapartum cesarean delivery. Study design: We conducted a retrospective cohort study of all women who had more than one singleton pregnancy at 23 weeks’ gestation or greater at a single Labor and Delivery unit. We only analyzed the second pregnancy in the dataset. We excluded women who had preterm birth in the second pregnancy. Women were categorized according to the difference between estimated fetal weight and previous birth weight - estimated fetal weight close to previous birth weight within 500 grams (Similar Weight Group); estimated fetal weight significantly (more than 500 grams) greater than previous birth weight (Larger Weight Group); and estimated fetal weight significantly (more than 500 grams) lower than previous birth weight (Smaller Weight Group). The primary outcome was intrapartum cesarean delivery. Multivariable logistic regression was performed to calculate adjusted odds ratios (aOR) with 95% confidence interval (95%CI) after adjusting for predefined covariates. Results: Of 1,887 women, there were 1,415 (75%) in the Similar Weight Group, 384 (20%) in the Greater Weight Group, and 88 (5%) in the Smaller Weight Group. Individuals in the Larger Weight Group compared to those in the Similar Weight Group had higher odds of undergoing intrapartum cesarean delivery (11.2% vs. 4.5%; aOR 2.91; 95%CI 1.91-4.45). The odds of intrapartum cesarean delivery in the Smaller Weight Group compared to those in the Similar Weight Group were not increased (3.4% vs. 4.5%; crude OR 0.75; 95%CI 0.23-2.42). Conclusion: The difference between current estimated fetal weight and previous birth weight plays an important role in assessing the risk of intrapartum cesarean delivery.

Women with Recurrent Pregnancy Loss More Often Have an Older Brother and a Previous Birth of a Boy: Is Male Microchimerism a Risk Factor?

Known etiologic factors can only be found in about 50% of patients with recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL). We hypothesized that male microchimerism is a risk factor for RPL and aimed to explore whether information on family tree and reproductive history, obtained from 383 patients with unexplained RPL, was supportive of this hypothesis. The male:female sex ratio of older siblings was 1.49 (97:65) in all RPL patients and 1.79 (52:29) in secondary RPL (sRPL) patients, which differed significantly from the expected 1.04 ratio (p = 0.027 and p = 0.019, respectively). In contrast, the sex ratio of younger siblings was close to the expected ratio. Sex ratio of the firstborn child before sRPL was 1.51 (p = 0.026). When combined, 79.1% of sRPL patients had at least one older brother, a firstborn boy, or both. This differed significantly from what we expected based on the distribution of younger siblings and a general 1.04 sex ratio of newborns (p = 0.040). We speculate whether (s)RPL patients possibly acquired male microchimerism from older brother(s) and/or previous birth of boy(s) by transplacental cell trafficking. This could potentially have a detrimental impact on their immune system, causing a harmful response against the fetus or trophoblast, resulting in RPL.

The Impact of Grandparental Death on the Fertility of Adult Children

The increasingly central role of vertical family kinship in Western societies underscores the potential value of intergenerational linkages that tie grandparents to the fertility of their adult children. Recent research has examined the changing demography of grandparenthood and the roles fulfilled by living grandparents, but the complex implications of grandparental death—a key feature of intergenerational linkages over the life course—have drawn less attention. In this article, we explore whether and how childbearing of adult women is affected by the death of grandparents—their own parent(s) or their spouse's parent(s). We develop a novel conceptual framework that presents the pathways of influence and considers the overall impact of grandparental death on childbearing of adult children. We then estimate fixed-effects models to identify causal relationships between grandparental death and childbearing, using linked micro-level census and population register data from Israel for the period 1986–2014. We find that grandparental death leads to a reduction of approximately 5 percentage points in the five-year probability of childbirth. The effects of grandparental death are negative across all parities examined and are broadly similar across grandparent's gender and kinship relation. Additional effects are identified, including how the impact of grandparental death varies with time since the previous birth as well as residential proximity prior to death. We explain how our findings regarding the effect of grandparental death offer insight into the role of living grandparents. Our results suggest that policy-makers concerned with low fertility should explore mechanisms that reinforce potential sources of support from grandparents.

Application of Marginal Models to Identify Risk Factors of Childhood Stunting in Ethiopia

Background: Child malnutrition is an underlying cause of almost half (45%) of child deaths, particularly in low socioeconomic communities of developing countries. In Ethiopia, the prevalence of stunting decreased from 47% in 2005 to 39% in 2016. Objective: The main objective of the study was identifying risk factors of stunting among under-five children in Ethiopia using marginal models.Methods: Data was taken from the EDHS 2016, which is a nationally representative survey of children in the 0-59 month age groups. Generalized estimating equation and alternating logistic regression models from marginal models family were used for the analysis. Results: The result of the analysis revealed that the variables child’s age, mother’s education level, mother’s body mass index, place of residence, wealth index and previous birth interval were found to be significant determinants of childhood stunting in Ethiopia and from the result it is revealed that children born with lower previous birth interval (less than 24 months) were more likely to be stunted than those born within higher birth interval. Children of rural Ethiopia were more likely to be stunted than children of urban Ethiopia. Conclusion: It is suggested that for reducing childhood malnutrition, due emphasis should be given in improving the knowledge and practice of parents on appropriate young child feeding practice and frequent growth monitoring together with appropriate and timely interventions.

Retrospective study of maternal and neonatal outcomes after induction compared to spontaneous start of labour in women with one previous birth in uncomplicated pregnancies ≥ 41+3

ObjectivesTo study the association between induction and outcome among two-parous women in uncomplicated pregnancies ≥ 41+3, stratified by first labour delivery mode and conditions present at first delivery.MethodsThe Swedish Medical Birth Register was used to identify 58,964 uncomplicated singleton pregnancies among women with one previous birth between 1998 and 2014. Women with any registered pregnancy complications were excluded to minimise the risk for indication bias. The outcomes considered were emergency caesarean section (CS), and poor neonatal outcome (Apgar score <7 at 5 min, neonatal death, or meconium aspiration).ResultsWomen who were induced at their second labour had higher emergency CS rates compared to women in spontaneously started deliveries (adjusted risk ratio, ARR: 2.11; 95% CI: 2.00–2.23). Low Apgar score was more common after induction compared to spontaneously started labours (1.0 vs. 0.7%) (ARR: 1.44; 95% CI: 1.18–1.77). Increased CS rates were also found when comparing induction at 41 + 3 to 41 + 6 weeks to labour at 42 weeks or more, regardless of labour start (ARR 1.39; 95% CI: 1.26–1.52).ConclusionsWe found an increased risk of CS and poor neonatal outcome after second labour induction in prolonged pregnancies. The second labour vaginal success rate after induction was highly dependent, on first labour delivery mode, but also on diagnoses and conditions present at the first delivery.