To compare perinatal outcomes in pregnant women diagnosed with gestational diabetes using the one-step and the two-step test.
Meta-analysis of observational studies pregnancies women with gestational ...diabetes from January 2014 to February 2019. The outcomes studied were induction of labor and delivery, preterm delivery, fetal macrosomia, neonatal hypoglycemia, hyperbilirubinemia, low birth weight, and admission to the neonatal intensive care unit.
Eight studies were included with a population of 108,609 pregnancies. Statistical differences were obtained for fetal macrosomia RR0.9 (95%CI0.85–0.97; I20%) and neonatal hypoglycemia RR1.1 (95%CI1.01–1.40; I248.5%).
Neonatal macrosomia appears to be less present when the one-step diagnostic test is used and neonatal hypoglycemia was lower with the two-step test.
Register PROSPERO CRD42020215062.
•There is controversy about what is the best diagnostic test for the detection of gestational diabetes.•This meta-analysis tries to clarify which diagnostic test best improves maternal-perinatal outcomes.•The analysis included eight studies, with a total population of 108,609 pregnant women.•The use of the one-step diagnostic test (IADPSG) seems to decrease the neonatal macrosomia outcome (RR0.9).•The risk of neonatal hypoglycemia was lower using the two-step diagnostic test (Carpenter&Coustan) (RR1.1).
Summary
Objective
Pregnancy is characterized by several metabolic changes that promote fat gain and later onset of insulin resistance. As Brain‐derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) decreases ...hyperglycaemia and hyperphagia, we aimed to investigate the potential role of placental and circulating BDNF levels in these pregnancy‐related metabolic changes in rats and humans.
Design and methods
We identified the mRNA and protein expression of placental BDNF and its receptor TrkB using real‐time PCR, Western blot and immunohistochemical approaches in both rat and humans. Serum BDNF was measured by ELISA. We also did a longitudinal prospective cohort study in 42 pregnant women to assess BDNF levels and correlations with other metabolic parameters.
Results
We found that BDNF and TrkB are expressed in both rat and human placenta. In rat, both placental mRNA and serum levels are increased throughout pregnancy, whereas their protein levels are significantly decreased at the end of gestation. Serum BDNF levels in pregnant women are significantly lower in the first trimester when compared to the second and third trimester (P < 0·0148, P < 0·0012, respectively). Serum BDNF levels were negatively correlated with gestational age at birth and fasting glucose levels.
Conclusion
Our findings suggest that both BDNF and its receptor TrkB are expressed in rodent and human placenta being regulated during pregnancy. Taken together, these findings support a role of BDNF in the regulation of several metabolic functions during pregnancy.
Freshwater ecosystems are the most threatened ecosystems worldwide. Argentinian‐protected areas have been established mainly to protect vertebrates and plants in terrestrial ecosystems. In order to ...create a comprehensive biodiverse conservation plan, it is crucial to integrate both aquatic and terrestrial systems and to include macroinvertebrates. Here, we address this topic by proposing priority areas of conservation including invertebrates, aquatic ecosystems, and their connectivity and land uses. Location: Northwest of Argentina. We modeled the ecological niches of different taxa of macroinvertebrates such as Coleoptera, Ephemeroptera, Hemiptera, Megaloptera, Lepidoptera, Odonata, Plecoptera, Trichoptera, Acari, and Mollusca. Based on these models, we analyzed the contribution of currently established protected areas in the conservation of the aquatic biodiversity and we propose a spatial prioritization taking into account possible conflict regarding different land uses. Our analysis units were the real watersheds, to which were added longitudinal connectivity up and down the rivers. A total of 132 species were modeled in the priority area analyses. The analysis 1 showed that only an insignificant percentage of the macroinvertebrates distribution is within the protected areas in the North West of Argentina. The analyses 2 and 3 recovered similar values of protection for the macroinvertebrate species. The upper part of Bermejo, Salí‐Dulce, San Francisco, and the Upper part of Juramento basins were identified as priority areas of conservation. The aquatic ecosystems need special protection and 10% or even as much as 17% of land conservation is insufficient for species of macroinvertebrates. In turn the protected areas need to combine the aquatic and terrestrial systems and need to include macroinvertebrates as a key group to sustain the biodiversity. In many cases, the land uses are in conflict with the conservation of biodiversity; however, it is possible to apply the connectivity of the watersheds and create multiple‐use modules.
We proposed priority areas of conservation including invertebrates, aquatic ecosystems, and their connectivity and land uses. Also, we analyzed the contribution of currently established protected areas in the conservation of the aquatic biodiversity.
Diverse treatments, including polyhexamethylene biguanide dressings, have been explored for managing diabetic foot ulcers. Platelet-rich plasma, known for its potential in chronic wound healing, has ...demonstrated efficacy both in vivo and in vitro, with possible intralesional or topical application. However, research on the production costs of PRP is scarce. This study compares the effectiveness and financial implications of polyhexamethylene biguanide dressings versus Platelet-rich Plasma in the treatment of diabetic foot ulcers. Conducted at the General Hospital of Mexico from July to August 2019, this case series involved 8 patients, split equally between the two treatment groups. Weekly assessments showed consistent reductions in wound size in both groups. By the fourth week, 75% of patients achieved clinical healing. The PHMB group demonstrated a 75.13% reduction in wound size, compared to a 37.38% reduction in the PRP group. However, due to the small sample size, no statistical significance was found between wound size, healing time, and dressing type. This report suggests no clear relationship between treatment, healing duration, and wound diameter. Additionally, PRP did not show a clear financial advantage over PHMB dressings. Randomized control trials with sufficient sample sizes are required to demonstrate overall advantage for each therapy choice.
The global rise in urbanization and industrial activity has led to the production and incorporation of foreign contaminant molecules into ecosystems, distorting them and impacting human and animal ...health. Physical, chemical, and biological strategies have been adopted to eliminate these contaminants from water bodies under anthropogenic stress. Biotechnological processes involving microorganisms and enzymes have been used for this purpose; specifically, laccases, which are broad spectrum biocatalysts, have been used to degrade several compounds, such as those that can be found in the effluents from industries and hospitals. Laccases have shown high potential in the biotransformation of diverse pollutants using crude enzyme extracts or free enzymes. However, their application in bioremediation and water treatment at a large scale is limited by the complex composition and high salt concentration and pH values of contaminated media that affect protein stability, recovery and recycling. These issues are also associated with operational problems and the necessity of large-scale production of laccase. Hence, more knowledge on the molecular characteristics of water bodies is required to identify and develop new laccases that can be used under complex conditions and to develop novel strategies and processes to achieve their efficient application in treating contaminated water. Recently, stability, efficiency, separation and reuse issues have been overcome by the immobilization of enzymes and development of novel biocatalytic materials. This review provides recent information on laccases from different sources, their structures and biochemical properties, mechanisms of action, and application in the bioremediation and biotransformation of contaminant molecules in water. Moreover, we discuss a series of improvements that have been attempted for better organic solvent tolerance, thermo-tolerance, and operational stability of laccases, as per process requirements.
In Chile, there is no specific information how affect the quality of sleep and fatigue to the construction workers.
To present the results of a cognitive behavioral intervention in construction ...workers aimed at reducing fatigue through improvement in sleep quality.
Pragmatic non-randomized clinical trial with follow-up. Sample of 180 workers from a construction company, organized in a control group and the intervention group belonging to five construction projects.
Long-term effects are reflected in the third measurement of the Epworth scores, in the presence of fatigue. Those workers who received the cognitive behavioral intervention reduced their levels of sleepiness and fatigue.A multidisciplinary approach is required to study not only fatigue and sleep, but also other relevant aspects of health, since impact on accident rates, days lost from work, and quality of life.
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a terminal neurodegenerative disease. Genetic predisposition, epigenetic changes, aging and accumulated life-long environmental exposures are known ALS risk ...factors. The complex and dynamic interplay between these pathological influences plays a role in disease onset and progression. Recently, the gut microbiome has also been implicated in ALS development. In addition, immune cell populations are differentially expanded and activated in ALS compared to healthy individuals. However, the temporal evolution of both the intestinal flora and the immune system relative to symptom onset in ALS is presently not fully understood. To better elucidate the timeline of the various potential pathological factors, we performed a longitudinal study to simultaneously assess the gut microbiome, immunophenotype and changes in ileum and brain epigenetic marks relative to motor behavior and muscle atrophy in the mutant superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1
) familial ALS mouse model. We identified alterations in the gut microbial environment early in the life of SOD1
animals followed by motor dysfunction and muscle atrophy, and immune cell expansion and activation, particularly in the spinal cord. Global brain cytosine hydroxymethylation was also altered in SOD1
animals at disease end-stage compared to control mice. Correlation analysis confirmed interrelationships with the microbiome and immune system. This study serves as a starting point to more deeply comprehend the influence of gut microorganisms and the immune system on ALS onset and progression. Greater insight may help pinpoint novel biomarkers and therapeutic interventions to improve diagnosis and treatment for ALS patients.This article has an associated First Person interview with the joint first authors of the paper.
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