Search Results (1,424)

The skin of bats hosts diverse microbial communities, yet most research has focused on bacteria or single fungal pathogens such as Pseudogymnoascus destructans. Here, we present the first direct comparison of culturable skin mycobiota in the greater mouse-eared bat (Myotis myotis) between hibernation and the reproductive season. Swabs collected from hibernating bats in the Nietoperek reserve and from maternity colonies in Lipy yielded 41 fungal species, including 27 that represent new records for M. myotis. Winter assemblages were less diverse but strongly dominated by Penicillium (>90% of isolates), while summer maternity roosts supported broader communities shaped by environmental exposure and plant-associated fungi. Despite seasonal turnover, a small set of taxa, including Aspergillus fumigatus, Mucor fragilis, and Pseudogymnoascus pannorum, persisted across both seasons, indicating the presence of a limited core mycobiota. Richness was higher on wing membranes than on tail membranes, whereas biometric variables such as sex, age, body mass, and forearm length showed only weak and inconsistent associations with fungal diversity. These findings demonstrate that seasonal filtering is likely one of the main factors determining the skin mycobiota in M. myotis. Additionally, we expand the known fungal diversity of this species, and emphasize its role as a reservoir of environmental, opportunistic, and pathogenic fungi. Full article

Background: The effect of intrauterine exposure to SARS-CoV-2 infection during pregnancy on neurodevelopment and growth trajectories during the first year of life remains under investigation. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the electronic medical records of all pregnant women who received care at Mayo Health System and tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 (RT-PCR) from March 2020 through October 2021 and examined the effects of fetal sex and trimester of maternal SARS-CoV-2 infection on the risk of neurodevelopmental disorder diagnosis and growth trajectories of head circumference (HC) and body weight (BW) percentiles over the first year of life using linear mixed models. Results: We observed that a higher percentage of male infants (n = 357), compared to females (n = 344), have neurodevelopmental disorders (10.9% vs. 5.2%, p = 0.008), and infants exposed to maternal SARS-CoV-2 infection in the second (n = 183) or third trimester (n = 358) have a higher prevalence of neurological diagnoses compared to those exposed in the first trimester (n = 160) (1st vs. 2nd vs. 3rd trimester: 0% vs. 0.9% vs. 0.7%, respectively, p = 0.037). In addition, female infants, compared to males, had significantly lower BW (B = −0.04, p < 0.0001) and HC (B = −0.06, p < 0.0001) percentile growth trajectories over the first year of life. Moreover, infants exposed to maternal SARS-CoV-2 infection in the second trimester had a significantly lower BW percentile growth trajectory (B = −0.01, p = 0.006), while infants exposed to maternal SARS-CoV-2 infection in the third trimester had a significantly lower HC percentile growth trajectory (B = −0.02, p = 0.02). Conclusions: In utero exposure to maternal SARS-CoV-2 infection could have long-term effects on growth trajectories, depending on the infant’s sex and timing of exposure. Full article

The proper course of pregnancy and fetal development depends, among other factors, on maintaining adequate levels of micronutrients in the maternal body. This integrative, concept-driven narrative review summarizes the current state of knowledge on the impact of selected elements, referred to as oncoelements, on placental function and obstetric outcomes. These include both potentially protective elements (selenium, zinc, copper) and toxic metals (cadmium, lead, arsenic), which, in excess may disrupt oxidative, hormonal, and epigenetic homeostasis. Rather than providing a quantitative synthesis, the article is structured around a four-level conceptual model integrating molecular mechanisms, placental protection, clinical outcomes, and umbilical cord blood as a biomarker of prenatal exposure. Mechanisms of toxicity include oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, DNA damage, and altered gene expression. Given the observational nature of most studies, clinical recommendations remain cautious. Micronutrient assessment may be useful in selected high-risk groups, but requires further validation. In environmentally burdened regions, screening for toxic metals may be considered. Future research should clarify dose–response relationships, define threshold concentrations, and explore molecular biomarkers of exposure. Umbilical cord blood offers a promising matrix for assessing fetal exposure, although interpretation is limited by methodological variability and the lack of reference values. Full article

Background: Maternal health behaviors during pregnancy are crucial for maternal and fetal outcomes. While global research has explored that demographic, clinical, and psychosocial determinants significantly influence these behaviors, evidence from low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), including Albania, remains limited. This study aims to evaluate psychosocial perceptions and health behaviors related to lifestyle among pregnant women in a local Albanian community in order to identify which are higher risk subgroups that need targeted and tailored antenatal care interventions. Methods: This multicenter cross-sectional study included 200 pregnant women attending antenatal clinics from May to August 2024 in Vlora city, Albania. Participants were selected using consecutive sampling based on inclusion criteria. Data were collected through a validated questionnaire composed of five sections: demographic/obstetric data; maternal health behaviors; dietary diversity; physical activity, perceived stress; and social support. Clinical and anthropometric measurements were assessed by trained health professionals during antenatal visits. SPSS version 23.0 and binary logistic regression with p-value ≤ 0.05 statistically significant were used for data analysis. Results: Mean age was 28.3 ± 6.4 years, 71% employed and 83.5% urban residents. Key unhealthy behaviors included tobacco use (25.5%), alcohol consumption (10.5%), exposure to toxins (15%), and low dietary diversity (32%). We found significant correlations between low dietary diversity and rural residence (Adj OR = 2.48), hypertension (Adj OR = 6.88), and overweight/obesity (Adj OR = 2.33). Tobacco use was associated with unemployment and alcohol use with unemployment and hypertension variables. Low/moderate social support and high perceived stress were significantly related with multiple unhealthy behaviors, such as low dietary diversity, inadequate physical activity and antenatal care. Conclusions: Unhealthy nutritional behaviors, tobacco and alcohol use and low physical activity are more prevalent risk factors among pregnant women in Vlora city. Priority should be given to vulnerable groups, including rural residents, pregnant women with low social support, high perceived stress and those with hypertension and obesity. Interventions that integrate psychosocial support and health education into antenatal care services are urgently needed to enhance pregnancy outcomes in Albanian communities. Full article

Background/Objectives. Associations between stunting and dietary practices have been understudied among HIV-exposed and HIV-free children. We investigated associations between birthweight, socio-demographics, and dietary and feeding practices with stunting at 9 and 18 months among children in eSwatini. Methods. We used generalized linear mixed models (GLMs) with a logit link to characterize associations between stunting and birthweight quartiles, socio-demographics, maternal characteristics, and infant dietary diversity scores. We examined the moderating effects of dietary factors on relations between birthweight and stunting. Generalized structural equation models characterized direct and indirect associations between exposures and stunting at 18 months, mediated through stunting at 9 months. Results. We included 367 HIV-exposed and HIV-free children. Infants in the third and fourth birthweight quartiles had reduced odds of stunting at 9 months [adjusted odds ratio (adj OR) 0.24 (IQR 0.11, 0.55), p < 0.001; 0.10 (0.03, 0.33), p < 0.001, respectively]. Moderation by dietary diversity was limited to a relative decline in the second birthweight quartile. Stunting prevalence significantly increased from 9 months (21%) to 18 months (37%). Mediated by stunting at 9 months, there were significant direct and indirect effects of birthweight and dietary diversity on stunting at 18 months. Conclusions. Among HIV-exposed and HIV-free children, stunting prevalence increased with age and was associated with lower birthweight. Dietary diversity attenuated stunting risk among children in the second birthweight quartile. Prenatal strategies to reduce low birth weight (LBW) and additional attention to the social determinants of health, particularly dietary diversity, are warranted in programs and policies to reduce stunting. Full article

Background/Objectives: Preeclampsia is a severe hypertensive disorder that has been linked to increased maternal psychiatric morbidity. However, existing literature remains inconsistent regarding whether this association is independent of underlying medical co-morbidities such as chronic hypertension and diabetes. Our objective was to precisely evaluate the Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR) of developing Postpartum Depression symptomatology (probable PPD) following a diagnosis of preeclampsia in a prospectively tracked cohort, controlling for essential confounders. Methods: This prospective cohort study included 180 women (33 in the Preeclampsia group, 147 in the Normotensive reference group), with stringent exclusion of women with prior psychiatric history to reduce confounding. PPD was assessed postpartum using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS ≥ 13 cutoff). Multivariable logistic regression was employed to calculate the AOR, adjusting for maternal age, chronic hypertension, and prepregnancy diabetes. Results: The multivariable analysis demonstrated a highly significant and independent association between the primary exposure and the outcome. Preeclampsia was associated with 12.7-fold increased odds of developing PPD (AOR: 12.7; 95% CI: 5.1–31.7; p < 0.001). In contrast, none of the included confounders—chronic hypertension (AOR: 1.96, p = 0.182), prepregnancy diabetes (AOR: 1.8, p = 0.372), or age (AOR: 0.99, p = 0.759)—showed a statistically significant independent association with PPD risk. The model achieved strong explanatory power (Nagelkerke R² = 0.327; Omnibus Test p < 0.001). Conclusions: Preeclampsia represents a powerful and independent determinant of the risk for significant PPD symptomatology, substantially increasing the adjusted odds of the condition. These findings mandate that women with a history of preeclampsia be designated a high-risk group and receive immediate, mandatory, and intensified postpartum mental health surveillance and preferential access to specialized psychological support. Full article

Background: Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a frequent pregnancy pathology with poor maternal and fetal outcomes and risk of type 2 diabetes in later life. Despite known risk factors, such as obesity, age, and familial history, new data suggest that environmental exposure to agents, such as pesticides, can play a role in the etiogenesis of GDM. Objective: The epidemiologic, experimental, and mechanistic evidence between pesticide exposure and GDM risk is summarized here, and we concentrate on recent research (2000–2025). Methods: We conducted a literature search in PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Library for studies published from January 2000 to December 2025 using combinations of the terms “fertilizers”, “herbicides”, and “pesticides” with “diabetes mellitus” and “gestational diabetes”. After deduplication, 12 unique studies met inclusion criteria for qualitative synthesis (GDM endpoint or pregnancy glycemia with pesticide exposure). Results: Occupational and agricultural exposure to pesticides during first pregnancy was determined to be associated with a significantly increased risk of GDM through various epidemiologic studies. New studies have implicated new classes of pesticides, including pyrethroids and neonicotinoids, with higher GDM risk with first-trimester exposure. Experimental studies suggest that pesticides provide potential endocrine-disrupting chemicals that can induce insulin resistance through disruption of hormonal signaling, oxidative stress, inflammation, β-cell toxicity, and epigenetic modifications. However, significant limitations exist. Most of the evidence is observational, measurement of exposure is often indirect, and confounding factors are difficult to exclude. Notably, low dietary and residential exposure is not well studied, and dose–response relationships are undefined. Conclusions: New data indicate that pesticide exposure during early pregnancy and occupational exposure may increase the risk of GDM. Prospective cohort studies using biomonitoring, chemical mixture exposure, and geographic variation in pesticide exposure should be the focus of future research. Due to potential public health implications, preventive strategies to ensure the quality of nutrition and to reduce maternal exposure to pesticides during pregnancy are rational. Full article

Background and Objectives: Antiretroviral therapy used during pregnancy in HIV infected women effectively reduces vertical transmission, though concerns about potential adverse newborn outcomes persists. This study focused on prematurity and low birth weight in antiretroviral HIV-exposed children in two major Romanian centers, Bucharest and Constanța, in the context of free access to antiretroviral treatment for pregnant women in Romania since 2001. Materials and Methods: A retrospective observational study was performed including couples of HIV-infected women and their live singleton newborns from 2006 and 2012. Preterm delivery was defined as birth before week 37 and low birth weight was defined as birth weight less than 2500 g in full-term babies. Results: A total number of 352 children and 313 women were enrolled. Mean maternal age at delivery was 23.1 years. Mean newborn birth weight was 2726 g. In the children group, 191 (54.2%) were boys, and the rate of HIV transmission was 13.9%. The prematurity rate was 21.5% and low birth weight rate was 25.56%. Preterm birth was associated with high HIV RNA in the third trimester, HIV-positive final status in infants, and vaginal delivery. Low birth weight was associated with lack of antiretroviral treatment during pregnancy and HIV-positive status in infants. No association was found between prematurity and low birth weight in full-term newborns and exposure to any antiretroviral class, any specific antiviral drug, or with any number of maternal regimens, duration of antiretroviral treatment prior to conception, or maternal exposure during puberty. Conclusions: In our study, preterm birth was significantly associated with HIV vertical transmission in newborns and with exposure to high maternal viral replication during the last trimester of pregnancy. Low birth weight in full-term babies was significantly associated with lack of antiretroviral exposure in utero in our analysis. Full article

Adequate nutrition and healthy behaviours during pregnancy are essential to maternal and neonatal health. Evidence from Greece on maternal dietary and lifestyle practices remains limited, despite global guidelines promoting supplementation, physical activity (PA) and abstinence from harmful substances. This review evaluates micronutrient intake, supplementation practices, PA and substance exposure among pregnant women in Greece, based on studies from 2010 to 2025. The results reveal widespread use of supplements, but frequent deviations from clinical guidelines. Suboptimal intake of key micronutrients remains common, and unsupervised supplementation raises concerns about excessive intake. Caffeine and tobacco use persist during pregnancy and lactation, while alcohol consumption shows a declining trend. PA is generally below international recommendations, with most pregnant women engaging in sedentary or low-intensity activities. These findings underscore systemic gaps in antenatal care in Greece, including inconsistent counselling, lack of structured screening and the absence of coordinated national strategies. Culturally tailored public health interventions, with a focus on equitable access and behaviour change support, are urgently needed to enhance nutritional adequacy, reduce behavioural risks and promote evidence-based care across the perinatal period. Full article

Pollution in aquatic ecosystems is intensifying under the combined pressures of climate change and anthropogenic contaminants, with nanoplastics (NPs) emerging as a critical threat to fish reproduction. Although extensive research has demonstrated the physiological impacts of NPs, their direct effects on sperm quality and functionality remain poorly characterized. This review synthesizes evidence from original research articles that specifically examined NPs’ impacts on fish sperm quality and related reproductive endpoints. The findings reveal that NPs consistently impair sperm motility, viability, and fertilization capacity, while inducing oxidative stress, DNA damage, mitochondrial dysfunction, and endocrine disruption. Particle size, surface chemistry, and exposure route were identified as key determinants of toxicity, with direct sperm exposure causing immediate impairments and chronic or maternal transfer exposures leading to systemic and transgenerational effects. Notably, several studies reported reduced offspring survival, altered development, and disrupted gene expression, highlighting the intergenerational risks of NPs contamination. Despite these advances, significant knowledge gaps remain, including limited research on marine wild and cultured fish species, the effects of diverse life histories on NPs toxicity, environmentally relevant exposure levels, and the combined effects of NPs with other stressors. Overall, this review underscores that fish sperm are highly sensitive to NPs pollution, with consequences that extend across generations and threaten population stability, calling for urgent mechanistic and ecologically realistic investigations. Full article

Maternal exposure to infectious agents has been associated with an increased risk of mental disorders in offspring, such as autism spectrum disorder. Evidence suggests that maternal immune responses during infection can significantly impact the neurodevelopment of the offspring, potentially affecting central nervous system functions in the future. Inulin is an indigestible soluble fiber that acts as a prebiotic. It promotes the production of short-chain fatty acids, such as butyrate, which can help inhibit the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Thus, this study aims to investigate whether inulin treatment during pregnancy can mitigate or reduce the impact of maternal immune activation (MIA) on the neurodevelopment of the offspring. Swiss mice were used in a dose–response study to evaluate the protective effects of inulin against maternal exposure to soluble Toxoplasma gondii antigen. Adult offspring of both sexes underwent behavioral assessments, and their gut microbiota was characterized. Both males and females in the soluble T. gondii antigen (STAg) group exhibited reduced sociability, as evidenced by the three-chamber social interaction test. Moreover, co-treatment with inulin mitigated this effect. Additionally, anhedonia was observed only in female offspring from the MIA group, but treatment with 1% and 3% inulin also mitigated this effect. The analysis of fecal microbiota showed significant differences between the STAg and inulin treatments at both the family and genus levels. Therefore, inulin appears to have a potential protective effect on the neurodevelopment of the offspring exposed to maternal antigenic challenges during pregnancy mediated by offspring microbiome modulations. Full article

Background: Vitamin D (VD) plays a central role in calcium homeostasis during pregnancy and has been implicated in redox-related biological processes. While VD deficiency (VDD) has been consistently associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes, the relationships between VD insufficiency (VDI), maternal antioxidant-related biomarkers, and neonatal outcomes remain incompletely characterized, particularly during the third trimester. Objective: To determines the prevalence of VDI in third-trimester pregnant women and to examine its associations with antioxidant-related markers and selected neonatal outcomes. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among pregnant women in the third trimester attending a tertiary referral hospital in Mexico City. Maternal serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25-OHD) concentrations were measured, along with a panel of redox-related markers, including 2,2-diphenyl-2-2picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity, reduced glutathione (GSH), glutathione S-transferase (GST), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC). Neonatal anthropometric parameters were recorded at birth. Associations between maternal VD status, redox-related markers, environmental factors, and neonatal outcomes were evaluated using appropriate statistical analyses. Results: A high prevalence of VDI was observed in the study population. Maternal VDI was associated with lower activities of GSH, GST, and GPx. Passive exposure to tobacco smoke and season of sampling were also associated with lower VD concentrations. Neonates born to women with VDI had higher birth weight compared with those born to women with sufficient VD concentrations. Maternal serum 25-OHD concentrations correlated positively with selected antioxidant enzyme activities. Conclusions: In this cohort of third-trimester pregnant women, VDI co-occurred with environmental factors, differences in maternal redox-related markers, and selected neonatal outcomes. These findings support an associative framework in which suboptimal VD status during the third trimester is accompanied by variations in redox-related markers. Longitudinal and mechanistic studies are needed to clarify the temporal sequence and biological relevance of these associations. Full article

Introduction: We previously showed that baboon offspring born to mothers deprived of estrogen during the second half of gestation exhibited insulin resistance prior to and after the onset of puberty. Moreover, the size of skeletal muscle myofibers and the number of microvessels important for delivery of insulin/glucose to myofibers were lower in near-term fetuses deprived of estrogen during pregnancy, and myofiber capillarization remained reduced in post-pubertal offspring deprived of estrogen in utero. However, it remains to be determined whether skeletal muscle size is restored to normal in animals deprived of estrogen in utero after the onset of puberty/gonadal estrogen production. Methods: To answer this question, the current study quantified the size and number of slow and fast fibers in biopsies of vastus lateralis skeletal muscle obtained from post-pubertal female baboon offspring 9–12 years old, born to mothers who were untreated (n = 7) or treated during the second half of gestation with letrozole (n = 6; suppressed maternal and fetal estrogen by >90%) or letrozole plus estradiol benzoate (n = 3). Results: Results indicated that skeletal muscle slow and fast fiber growth in female offspring appeared to occur by hypertrophy and that respective size of fibers after the onset of puberty was similar in offspring born to mothers who were untreated or deprived of estrogen in utero. Conclusions: Postnatal myofiber hypertrophy likely reflects the impact of the pubertal surge in and continued exposure of offspring myofibers to ovarian estrogen and is restored to normal in post-pubertal female offspring deprived of estrogen in utero. Full article

Pedunculate oak (Quercus robur L.) face increasing threats from drought and nutrient limitation under climate change, yet their genetic variation may have adaptive potential. We examined the responses of pedunculate oak (Quercus robur L.) half-sib progeny from five maternal trees (1, 12, 32, 57, and 60) to water stress (WS), nitrogen limitation (NL), and combined WS+NL. WS reduced leaf relative water content (RWC) by 18–32% in all families and decreased proline only in two families (233.57 and 209.1), while four families (63.12, 149.1, 303.32, and 339.57) showed 1.7–2.0-fold proline accumulation. Exposure to WS+NL inhibited height and diameter growth in family 339.57 and diameter growth in families 23.12, 303.32 and 405.60, relative to the control. NL decreased chlorophyll (Chl) in two families (23.12 and 405.60) 1.5-fold and increased carotenoids in one of them (405.60) and RWC by 29% and 12% in 23.12 and 303.32 families, respectively. ROS-scavenging activities of catalase (CAT), guaiacol-dependent peroxidase (POD), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) enzymes increased 1.4- to 26.7-fold across all families except 151.1. Overall, families 303.32 and 339.57 were the most resilient to WS, NL, and WS+NL, whereas 233.57 and 151.1 were the most sensitive to WS, 23.12 to NL, and 405.60 to both stresses. These results highlight the family-level variation in stress responses and provide a basis for selecting resilient oak genotypes for forestry and conservation. Full article

Improved maternal experiences and outcomes have been widely linked to the presence of birth companions. However, cultural norms, institutional constraints, and privacy concerns frequently restrict women’s choice of birth companions in many Middle Eastern countries, including Jordan. This study investigated Jordanian women’s beliefs and barriers about the presence of companions in the labour room. A qualitative descriptive study design was conducted using Braun and Clarke’s framework for thematic analysis. Thirteen women (ages 21 to 38 years) with prior pregnancy and childbirth experience were chosen from a free health awareness event in Irbid, Northern Jordan in July 2025, to participate in semi-structured interviews. The responses were recorded on audio tapes and subsequently stored in their original format. Data were coded, transcribed, and then thematically analyzed to identify beliefs and perceived barriers. The most significant beliefs were: (i) emotional and psychological support, wherein companionship was thought to alleviate fear and provide reassurance; (ii) strengthening family ties, as women saw shared childbirth experiences as improving family bonds; and (iii) cultural and religious interpretations, wherein female relatives were frequently seen as more acceptable than husbands. Women reported two barriers to allowing companions in the labour room: (i) privacy and modesty issues, where they feared embarrassment, exposure, and judgment, and (ii) institutional and policy restrictions, such as restrictive hospital regulations. Although Jordanian women recognized the emotional and interpersonal benefits of having company during childbirth, they encountered numerous substantial institutional, cultural, and privacy-related barriers. Improving women’s birth experiences and promoting respectful maternity care may be achieved by addressing these issues through culturally sensitive education, privacy-enhancing infrastructure, and regulatory reform. Full article