Articles tagged with Placenta
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Researchers at North Carolina State University have discovered a gene associated with the immune system that is overexpressed in placentas of women with preeclampsia, leading to a better understanding of the disorder. The finding may lead to improved screening and prenatal care for these patients and their babies.
Potential risks of sex in pregnancy include premature labour, pelvic inflammatory disease, and blood clots, but the evidence is often contradictory and limited. For low-risk women, frequent intercourse may increase the risk of premature labour, while restricted activity is recommended for those at high risk
Research suggests that specific bacteria in the placenta during pregnancy may contribute to preterm birth and inflammatory responses. Placentas colonized by bacteria commonly associated with bacterial vaginosis showed elevated pro-inflammatory proteins in newborns, while those colonized by Lactobacillus species had lower levels.
The study found that faster growth rates in some mammals are due to the more intimate connection between mother and baby, resulting in shorter pregnancies. Humans have relatively lengthy pregnancies due to their simple placenta structure with limited connections between mother's tissues and foetus.
Researchers found several new bacteria originating in the mouth can travel through the blood to cause an inflammatory reaction in the placenta and lead to health issues such as miscarriages and stillbirths. Oral bacteria that colonize in the placenta can stimulate an inflammatory response leading to cervical and membrane weaknesses and...
Researchers at Mount Sinai School of Medicine found that epigenetic marks on human placentas change throughout pregnancy, potentially allowing for early diagnosis and prevention of complications. The study's findings suggest that genomic imprinting appears to be an ever-changing process in the placenta.
A recent study found that MRI is highly accurate in detecting placenta accreta, a condition where the placenta attaches too deeply to the uterus. The condition can lead to severe bleeding and maternal death if not diagnosed early. With an accuracy rate of 90.1%, MRI has become a valuable tool in prenatal care.
Researchers have identified SHP-2 as a crucial mediator of insulin-like growth factors' effects on stimulating placental growth. This discovery may lead to new treatments for growth restriction of babies in the womb, improving their health outcomes.
A new study reveals that the absence of angiotensin II receptors in the uteri of pregnant women with preeclampsia contributes to the disease's progression. This finding brings researchers closer to understanding the condition and may lead to new treatments.
Researchers at Yale School of Medicine have developed an equation to measure the volume of the placenta, providing a reliable way to monitor fetal growth and prevent pregnancy loss. The 'Estimated Placenta Volume' (EPV) test has shown accuracy of up to 89%, with potential to become routine for pregnant women.
Research using mice suggests that assisted reproductive techniques like IVF and ICSI can increase the incidence of metabolic problems in offspring, including higher blood pressure, increased fasting glucose levels, and more body fat. The study found altered expression of genes important for nutrient transport in the placenta.
Researchers at Imperial College London hope to raise awareness about the importance of reducing stress and anxiety in expectant mothers. Studies have shown that maternal stress can alter fetal brain development, leading to increased risk of emotional problems, behavioral issues, and lower cognitive development.
Researchers have found a way to obtain large numbers of hematopoietic stem cells from human term placentas, which is an order of magnitude larger than those obtained from cord blood. The findings demonstrate that human term placentas are a high-capacity source of live and functional hematopoietic stem cells.
A groundbreaking study reveals a new avenue for harvesting stem cells from healthy newborn placentas, which contain more stem cells than umbilical cord blood and can be safely extracted for transplantation. The discovery holds promise for curing chronic blood-related disorders such as sickle cell disease and leukemia.
A new study suggests that balancing two types of estrogen and a hormone in the placenta can signal labor. Researchers found that when estradiol (E2) and estriol (E3) are in balance, there is no drive to labor, but an imbalance leads to the onset of labor.
Minimally invasive treatments using embolization effectively control life-threatening bleeding in women after C-sections, reducing the need for blood transfusions and hospital stays. Interventional radiology also helps women with invasive placenta by stopping excessive bleeding and potentially eliminating the need for a hysterectomy.
A study at University of Rochester Medical Center discovered a gene mutation in the placenta that is also influential in cancer development. The SENP2 gene's role in early embryo development was not known until now.
Research published in The FASEB Journal found that a mother's high-fat diet during pregnancy can lead to oversized offspring and an increased risk of obesity in children. This is because fat causes the placenta to produce excessive nutrients for the fetus.
Researchers at Yale University identified a key regulatory link in the evolution of pregnancy involving the altered function of HoxA-11 protein. This finding revolutionizes our understanding of how pregnancy evolved in mammals, highlighting a crucial genetic switch that tempered the immune system and allowed for internal development.
The study found that placental insufficiency leads to smaller brain volume in preterm infants, and degree of prematurity is the single most significant risk factor for brain injury. The research also suggests a link between genetic regulation of an inflammatory transmitter and brain growth.
Researchers used proteomics to compare the nuclear proteome of immature and mature gonadotrophic cells, revealing novel proteins that regulate gonadotropin gene transcription and RNA splicing. Urban air pollution was found to affect placental development, leading to reduced fetal growth and pregnancy complications.
A recent study suggests that a specific biochemical process in the placenta may contribute to postpartum blues and depression. The researchers propose that an imbalance in serotonin levels, triggered by the withdrawal of interleukin-1 beta after birth, may lead to symptoms of depression.
Scientists have uncovered a cellular signaling mechanism that determines whether an embryo develops into an embryo or a placenta. By manipulating a specific gene, they were able to cause embryonic stem cells to differentiate into trophoblastic stem cells, which give rise to the placenta.
Researchers at Stanford University School of Medicine have discovered the first clues about the ancient origins of the placenta, a vital organ exchanging gas and nutrients between mother and fetus. The study suggests that the placenta evolved from simpler tissue in eggshells of birds and reptiles.
Researchers found that milk-protein genes arose in the mammalian common ancestor and preceded the loss of egg protein genes. This transition allowed mammals to feed their young via the placenta and with milk, abandoning eggs as a source of nutrition. The study provides insights into the origins of lactation and placentation in mammals.
A study published in Pediatric Dermatology reveals that infants who developed hemangiomas had lower levels of oxygen in their placentas compared to healthy preterm infants. The research suggests that disturbed placental circulation may have contributed to the development of infantile hemangioma.
Researchers argue that improved understanding of placental function and dysfunction can lead to novel screening tests. These tests could identify high-risk pregnancies and prevent devastating events like stillbirth. Despite the prevalence of stillbirths, research in this area is underfunded.
A research team, including UC Riverside biologists, has found experimental evidence supporting a theory of genetic conflict in the reproduction of fish that bear placentas. The conflict is likened to an
A study found that new immigrant women had lower risks of maternal placental syndrome and related complications during pregnancy compared to those who had lived in the country for longer. The risk increased with length of residence in Ontario.
Researchers at Mount Sinai Hospital in Toronto have developed a non-invasive screening test to detect placental damage in high-risk pregnancies. The test, which combines ultrasound and blood tests, can identify abnormal placental function at 16-23 weeks gestation, allowing for early intervention and improved pregnancy outcomes.
Preeclampsia researchers found specific proteins in placentas that damage maternal blood vessels, including plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 and soluble Flt-1. Microparticles from the placenta contain high levels of a mysterious protein with unknown function.
A study of the retinoblastoma gene found that it is essential for placenta development and may also contribute to miscarriages. The research used transgenic mice to disable the gene and observe its effects on embryonic development.
Researchers discovered that Rb is required for the maintenance of trophoblast stem cell population, which is critical for forming the placenta. Specific loss of Rb in trophoblast stem cells leads to overexpansion of trophoblast cells and aberrant placental formation.
A study by Kathleen Caron and colleagues found that reduced expression of gene AM in female mice leads to severely decreased fertility and fetal growth issues. This suggests a potential link between altered AM expression in humans and impaired fertility.
A team of scientists found that endogenous retroviruses are critical during early pregnancy in sheep, supporting the development of the placenta. The study suggests these retroviruses are remnants of ancient infections and have become indispensable for pregnancy in mammals.
Researchers at Karolinska Institutet in Sweden and Makerere University in Uganda have identified how the malaria parasite conceals itself in the placenta, paving the way for a potential vaccine. The study found that several receptors on the placenta are involved in binding to the parasite, contrary to previous laboratory studies.
Researchers discovered that listeria bacteria first infect the placenta before using it as a breeding ground and then infecting other organs. The bacteria proliferate rapidly in the placenta before pouring out to cause infections.
Researchers have identified a potential biomarker for autism in placentas of children born with the condition, indicating that an unusual placental abnormality may be present from birth. This finding suggests that the ideal time for autism diagnosis could be at birth, prior to age one.
A study of over 845,300 pregnancies found a three-fold higher risk of placenta praevia among mothers who had conceived both naturally and through ART. The increased risk may be directly related to reproductive techniques used, including embryo placement methods.
The Mayo Clinic study found a significant association between high levels of HtrA1 in placental tissues and severe preeclampsia. The findings may lead to the development of a blood test to track HtrA1 levels, enabling early detection and management of preeclampsia.
A Swedish study found that women with placentas weighing at least 700 g had a 38% increased risk of developing breast cancer compared to those with lighter placentas. Higher placental weight during pregnancy may reflect elevated hormone exposure, which can increase breast cancer risk.
Studies have found that monozygotic twin pregnancies can be complicated by a surprisingly high rate of fetal death despite intensive fetal surveillance. In one study, ten unexpected intrauterine deaths occurred in seven pregnancies with no prior signs of complications after 32 weeks' gestation.
The RELEASE study is a randomised clinical trial testing a new technique to treat retained placenta, aiming to improve outcomes for women in developing countries and the UK. The technique involves injecting oxytocin into the placenta via umbilical cord injection.
A recent study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that vaginal birth after a prior cesarean delivery poses relatively low risks. However, the study also revealed that women attempting vaginal birth after a cesarean delivery may face increased complications such as uterine rupture and infant brain oxygenation issues.
Researchers have discovered VAR2CSA, a protein that enables malaria parasites to infect the placenta during pregnancy. Women with high levels of antibodies against this protein experience fewer complications and give birth to healthier babies.
A conference is being held to discuss the increasing incidence of childhood leukaemia and potential environmental factors contributing to its rise. Research has shown that unborn children are particularly sensitive to exposure to environmental agents due to placental transfer from mother to child.
A defect in blood vessel formation due to the LBP-1a gene mutation can lead to growth retardation, spontaneous abortion, and infant death. The study found that embryos lacking LPB-1a had abnormally large and thin blood vessels, preventing nutrient exchange with the mother's blood.
Case researchers substantiated a bacterial link to preterm birth through mouse studies, finding that Fusobacterium nucleatum from the mouth can reach the sterile womb environment. Periodontal disease and pregnancy compromise the immune system, allowing bacteria to target the placenta.
A study published in the American Journal of Physiology-Endocrinology and Metabolism found that fatty-acid oxidation is essential for the placenta to function efficiently and support fetal growth. The research could lead to new treatments for low-birth-weight or small babies.
Research reveals that genetic mutations can lead to structural changes in the placenta, causing fetal death or miscarriage. The study found that embryos with normal placentas but defective Rb genes can still be carried to term, suggesting a critical role of the Rb gene in placental development.
UC Riverside biologists present a model system for studying the evolution of complex organs using guppy-like fish. They find that placentas have evolved independently three times in closely related species, suggesting that they can emerge on a relatively short time scale.
A new study suggests that the placenta produces high levels of progesterone to interact with the sigma receptor, which disables the mother's immune system. This mechanism allows the fetus to survive without being rejected by the mother's immune system.
Researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Madison have made a breakthrough in gene transfer technology by inserting a jellyfish gene into rhesus monkey embryos, resulting in transgenic placentas that produce the desired protein. The study promises new insights into pathologies of pregnancy and has implications for human gene therapy.
A research team has found that the immune system protein Crry is essential for fetomaternal tolerance in mice, preventing destruction of the developing fetus. Without this protein, complement components activate, leading to embryonic death and miscarriage.
Elevated levels of corticipotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) may predict preterm delivery and shorter gestation lengths in pregnant women. The study found that higher CRH levels at 28-30 weeks gestation were associated with earlier deliveries and increased risk of preterm birth.
Scientists have grown healthy human placental cells in a laboratory using a new technique, providing a means to test the safety of drugs during pregnancy. The cells can survive and function like those in the womb, mimicking blood flow and nutrient exchange.
A recent study led by Professor Susan Fisher of the University of California at San Francisco found that low oxygen levels regulate cell proliferation in early pregnancy, controlling placental development. The team also discovered a process similar to cancerous growth occurs when cells invade healthy tissue under low-oxygen conditions.
Preeclampsia occurs when cytotrophoblasts fail to invade the uterine wall and mimic blood vessel cells, leading to high blood pressure and potential complications. Early detection through testing could save lives and prevent birth defects.