in-vitro-assessment-myocardial-protection-following-hypothermia

In vitro Assessment of Myocardial Protection following Hypothermia-Preconditioning in a Human Cardiac Myocytes Model

Ischemia/reperfusion-derived myocardial dysfunction is a common clinical scenario in patients after cardiac surgery. In particular, the sensitivity of ...

Children's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University

The prognosis of children with congenital heart defects(CHDs) continues to improve with advancing surgical techniques; however, lack of information about modifiable risk factors for malformations in cardiovascular development impeded the prevention of CHDs. We investigated an association between maternal lifestyle factors and the risk of CHDs, because epidemiological studies have reported conflicting results regarding maternal lifestyle factors and the risk of CHDs recently. A review published on 2007 provided a summary of maternal exposures associated with an increased risk of CHDs. As part of noninherited risk factors, we conducted a brief overview of studies on the evidence linking common maternal lifestyle factors, specifically smoking, alcohol, illicit drugs, caffeine, body mass index and psychological factors to the development of CHDs in offspring. Women who smoke and have an excessive body mass index(BMI) during pregnancy are suspected to be associated with CHDs in offspring. Our findings could cause public health policy makers to pay more attention to women at risk and could be used in the development of population-based prevention strategies to reduce the incidence and burden of CHDs. However, more prospective studies are needed to investigate the association between maternal lifestyle factors and CHDs. 

Maternal lifestyle factors in pregnancy and congenital heart defects in offspring: review of the current evidence.

To explore the association between maternal alcohol consumption and/or binge drinking and congenital heart defects (CHDs), we conducted a meta-analysis for more sufficient evidence on this issue.

Association between alcohol consumption during pregnancy and risks of congenital heart defects in offspring: meta-analysis of epidemiological observational studies.

Neurodevelopmental biology, coupled with the application of advanced histological, imaging, molecular, cellular, biochemical, and genetic approaches, has provided new insights into these intricate genetic, cellular, and molecular events. During telencephalic development, specific neural progenitor cells (NPCs) proliferate, differentiate into numerous cell types, migrate to their apposite positions, and form an integrated circuitry. Critical disturbance to this dynamic process via genetic and environmental risk can cause neurological disorders and disability. The phosphatidylinositol-3-OH kinase (PI3K)-Akt-mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling cascade contributes to mediate various cellular processes, including cell proliferation and growth, and nutrient uptake. In light of its critical function, dysregulation of this node has been regarded as a root cause of several neurodevelopmental diseases, such as megalencephaly ("big brain"), microcephaly ("small brain"), autism spectrum disorders, intellectual disability, schizophrenia, and epilepsy. In this review, particular emphasis will be given to the PI3K-Akt-mTOR signaling pathway and their paramount importance in neurodevelopment of the cerebral neocortex, because of its critical roles in complex cognition, emotional regulation, language, and behaviors.

Brain Development and Akt Signaling: the Crossroads of Signaling Pathway and Neurodevelopmental Diseases.

Zika virus (ZIKV), a relatively elusive Aedes mosquito-transmitted flavivirus, had been brought into spotlight until recent widespread outbreaks accompanied by unexpectedly severe clinical neuropathies, including fetal microcephaly and Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) in the adult. In this review, we focus on the underlying cellular and molecular mechanisms by which vertically transmitted microorganisms reach the fetus and trigger neuropathies.

Molecular and cellular insights into Zika virus-related neuropathies.

Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) plays a crucial role in the hyperhomocysteinemia, which is a risk factor related to the occurrence of congenital heart defect (CHD). However, the association between MTHFR polymorphism and CHD has been inconclusive.

MTHFR A1298C polymorphisms reduce the risk of congenital heart defects: a meta-analysis from 16 case-control studies.

We conducted this meta-analysis to address the open question of a possible association between maternal body mass index (BMI) and congenital heart defects (CHDs) in infants. We conducted a comprehensive computerized search of PubMed, Web of Science, Medline, and Embase databased (January 1980 through August 2017). We assessed the association between maternal BMI and the risk for congenital heart defects in their offspring. Study-specific relative risk estimates were polled according to random-effect or fixed-effect models. From 2567 citations, a total of 13 case-control studies and 4 cohort studies were selected for a meta-analysis, including more than 1 150 000 cases. The pooled odds radio (OR) of 1.065 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.021-1.100; P = .001; I = 60.1%) indicated a positive effect of maternal overweight status (BMI 25.0-29.9 kg/m ) on the risk for congenital heart defects in infants. Moreover, we observed a significant association between maternal obesity (BMI ≥ 30 kg/m ) and congenital heart defects in their offspring (OR: 1.174; 95% CI, 1.146-1.203, P = 0.161; I =25.5%). However, there was little significant evidence of an association between maternal underweight status (BMI < 18.5 kg/m ) and offspring with congenital heart defects, and the pooled OR was 1.015 (95% CI, 0.980-1.052; P = 0.085; I =34.0%). Our meta-analysis provides robust evidence of the positive association between maternal BMI and the risk for fetal congenital heart defects.

Article	Year
Maternal lifestyle factors in pregnancy and congenital heart defects in offspring: review of the current evidence. Italian journal of pediatrics\| PubMed ID: 25385357	2014
Association between alcohol consumption during pregnancy and risks of congenital heart defects in offspring: meta-analysis of epidemiological observational studies. Italian journal of pediatrics\| PubMed ID: 26843087	2016
Brain Development and Akt Signaling: the Crossroads of Signaling Pathway and Neurodevelopmental Diseases. Journal of molecular neuroscience : MN\| PubMed ID: 28025777	2017
Molecular and cellular insights into Zika virus-related neuropathies. Journal of neurovirology\| PubMed ID: 28127671	2017
MTHFR A1298C polymorphisms reduce the risk of congenital heart defects: a meta-analysis from 16 case-control studies. Italian journal of pediatrics\| PubMed ID: 29202788	2017
Association between maternal body mass index and congenital heart defects in infants: A meta-analysis. Congenital heart disease\| PubMed ID: 29363266	2018

Di Yu

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