Early Fetal Development and the Environment: Reproductive Genetics, The Placenta, Gestational Changes of the Reproductive Tract and Breasts, Environmental Influences on Fetal Development. Fetal Diagnostic and Treatment Modalities: Ultrasound in Perinatal Medicine, Measurement of Fetal Activity, Biophysical Evaluation of Fetal Status, Acid-Base Physiology in the Fetus, Endocrine and Other Evaluations of the Fetal Environment, Evaluation of Fetal Lung Maturity. Maternal and Fetal Pathophysiology: Pregnancy Wastage, Disorders of Parturition, Normal and Abnormal Labour, Fetal Growth, Multiple Gestation, Placental Abnormalities, Maternal and Fetal Infections, Maternal Blood Group Immunization, Maternal Disorders, Neonatal Problems.

https://adc.bmj.com/content/archdischild/64/10/1524.3.full.pdf

Maternal Fetal Medicine. Principles and Practice

Piper species are aromatic plants used as spices in the kitchen, but their secondary metabolites have also shown biological effects on human health. These plants are rich in essential oils, which can be found in their fruits, seeds, leaves, branches, roots and stems. Some Piper species have simple chemical profiles, while others, such as Piper nigrum, Piper betle, and Piper auritum, contain very diverse suites of secondary metabolites. In traditional medicine, Piper species have been used worldwide to treat several diseases such as urological problems, skin, liver and stomach ailments, for wound healing, and as antipyretic and anti-inflammatory agents. In addition, Piper species could be used as natural antioxidants and antimicrobial agents in food preservation. The phytochemicals and essential oils of Piper species have shown strong antioxidant activity, in comparison with synthetic antioxidants, and demonstrated antibacterial and antifungal activities against human pathogens. Moreover, Piper species possess therapeutic and preventive potential against several chronic disorders. Among the functional properties of Piper plants/extracts/active components the antiproliferative, anti-inflammatory, and neuropharmacological activities of the extracts and extract-derived bioactive constituents are thought to be key effects for the protection against chronic conditions, based on preclinical in vitro and in vivo studies, besides clinical studies. Habitats and cultivation of Piper species are also covered in this review. In this current work, available literature of chemical constituents of the essential oils Piper plants, their use in traditional medicine, their applications as a food preservative, their antiparasitic activities and other important biological activities are reviewed.

Piper Species: A Comprehensive Review on Their Phytochemistry, Biological Activities and Applications.

Annona muricata: Is the natural therapy to most disease conditions including cancer growing in our backyard? A systematic review of its research history and future prospects.

Graviola (Annona muricata) is a small deciduous tropical evergreen fruit tree, belonging to the Annonaceae family, and is widely grown and distributed in tropical and subtropical regions around the world. The aerial parts of graviola have several functions: the fruits have been widely used as food confectionaries, while several preparations, especially decoctions of the bark, fruits, leaves, pericarp, seeds, and roots, have been extensively used in traditional medicine to treat multiple ailments including cancers by local communities in tropical Africa and South America. The reported therapeutic benefits of graviola against various human tumors and disease agents in in vitro culture and preclinical animal model systems are typically tested for their ability to specifically target the disease, while exerting little or no effect on normal cell viability. Over 212 phytochemical ingredients have been reported in graviola extracts prepared from different plant parts. The specific bioactive constituents responsible for the major anticancer, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and other health benefits of graviola include different classes of annonaceous acetogenins (metabolites and products of the polyketide pathway), alkaloids, flavonoids, sterols, and others. This review summarizes the current understanding of the anticancer effects of A. muricata and its constituents on diverse cancer types and disease states, as well as efficacy and safety concerns. It also includes discussion of our current understanding of possible mechanisms of action, with the hope of further stimulating the development of improved and affordable therapies for a variety of ailments.

/pdf/anticancer-properties-of-graviola-annona-muricata-a-3wrdkuyq5l.pdf

Anticancer Properties of Graviola (Annona muricata): A Comprehensive Mechanistic Review

This article is a comprehensive review of the literature pertaining to the antidepressant effects and mechanisms of regular tea consumption. Meta-data supplemented with recent observational studies were first analyzed to assess the association between tea consumption and depression risk. The literature reported risk ratios (RR) were 0.69 with 95% confidence intervals of 0.62–0.77. Next, we thoroughly reviewed human trials, mouse models, and in vitro experiments to determine the predominant mechanisms underlying the observed linear relationship between tea consumption and reduced risk of depression. Current theories on the neurobiology of depression were utilized to map tea-mediated mechanisms of antidepressant activity onto an integrated framework of depression pathology. The major nodes within the network framework of depression included hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis hyperactivity, inflammation, weakened monoaminergic systems, reduced neurogenesis/neuroplasticity, and poor microbiome diversity affecting the gut–brain axis. We detailed how each node has subsystems within them, including signaling pathways, specific target proteins, or transporters that interface with compounds in tea, mediating their antidepressant effects. A major pathway was found to be the ERK/CREB/BDNF signaling pathway, up-regulated by a number of compounds in tea including teasaponin, L-theanine, EGCG and combinations of tea catechins and their metabolites. Black tea theaflavins and EGCG are potent anti-inflammatory agents via down-regulation of NF-κB signaling. Multiple compounds in tea are effective modulators of dopaminergic activity and the gut–brain axis. Taken together, our findings show that constituents found in all major tea types, predominantly L-theanine, polyphenols and polyphenol metabolites, are capable of functioning through multiple pathways simultaneously to collectively reduce the risk of depression.

https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/11/6/1361/pdf

Mechanisms Underlying the Anti-Depressive Effects of Regular Tea Consumption

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are non-hematopoietic multipotent stem cells with selfrenewal
properties and ability to differentiate into a variety of mesenchymal tissues.
This chapter overviews effects of hypoxia on MSCs, makes it promising therapy to
various diseases. Cultivation of MSCs under hypoxic condition results in variety of
outcome that is important to be noted in clinical use. In most studies, hypoxic condition
appears to increase proliferation, differentiation, and immune regulatory performance
of MSCs without affecting its characteristic. Those benefits are therefore utilized in
clinical application. However, there are also studies that report on negative effects of
hypoxia in MSCs such as chromosomal instability. Molecular mechanism of MSCs in
hypoxic condition is provided for better understanding, which is crucial for further
development with better outcome.

/pdf/hypoxia-in-mesenchymal-stem-cell-3xi2oafco2.pdf

Hypoxia in Mesenchymal Stem Cell

Preeclampsia is a major cause of morbidity and mortality, both maternal and perinatal. The etiology and pathophysiology of preeclampsia remain unknown. Research shows the implantation of the placenta in preeclampsia occurs due to incomplete angiogenic imbalance as one of the preeclampsia pathogenesis. PlGF is angiogenic protein which is synthesized in placenta by mRNA PlGF. When damage occurs, mRNA will be released from cell and form cell-free mRNA. This study aims to analyze the differences between the PlGF mRNA expression in severe preeclampsia and normal pregnancy as well as to measure the relationship between cell-free mRNA and levels of PlGF with the incidence of severe preeclampsia. The method used in this study is an observational analytic study with cross-sectional design. Blood samples were obtained from patients with preeclampsia and normal pregnancies as the controlling factors in accordance with inclusion and exclusion criterias. Examination of the PlGF level was measured by ELISA method and mRNA PIGF expression was measured by RT-PCR. Physical and laboratory examinations of patients were recorded and collected as data. Calculations were done by statistical analysis. Mean of the cell-free mRNA PlGF expression level in severe preeclampsia is 2.2983 ng/mL within the scale of 1.96–2.83 ng/mL and deviation standard of 0.1897. Using Pearson Analysis Test, the result shows that there is a positive correlation between cell-free mRNA expression and PlGF protein level in severe preeclampsia, with r = 0.640 dan p < 0.004. There is no difference between expression of cell-free mRNA PlGF in severe preeclampsia serum and normal pregnancy. There is a significant correlation between expression of cell-free mRNA and PlGF protein level in severe preeclampsia.

/pdf/correlation-between-cell-free-mrna-expressions-and-plgf-3lzujhv1q5.pdf

Correlation between cell-free mRNA expressions and PLGF protein level in severe preeclampsia

Brick workers are exposed to dust contained of mixtures of chemical substances andhigh temperature. Those environmental factors can affect the health status of the workers;mainly the cardiovascular system. The aim of this research was to observe the effect of heatpressure on vital sign of brick factory manufacturing workers in Sukarami Palembang. Theresearch was conducted in RT 07/13 Sungai Durian, Kecamatan Sukarami, Palembang. Thesubjects were 40 people brick workers; 20 workers were exposed to heat pressure and 20workers did not. We found that in the workers with heat pressure exposure,the average vitalsigns before working are blood pressure of 117/76 mmHg, pulse of 77 x/minutes, and bodytemperature of 36,5Â°C and after working are blood pressure of 130/84 mmHg, pulse of 92x/minutes, and body temperature of 38Â°C. In the workers without heat pressure exposure, theaverage vital signs before working are blood pressure of 107/80 mmHg, pulse of 75 x/minutes,and body temperature of 36Â°C and the average vital signs after working are blood pressure of112/81 mmHg, pulse of 79 x/minutes, and body temperature of 37Â°C. Conclusion, heat pressurehas effects on vital sign of brick factory manufacturing workers in Sukarami Palembang.Keywords: blood pressure, body temperature, brick factory pulse, heat pressure

Dwi Davidson Rihibiha

Papers

Hypoxia in Mesenchymal Stem Cell

Correlation between cell-free mRNA expressions and PLGF protein level in severe preeclampsia

Vital Signs Changes of Brick Industry Workers Exposed to Heat Pressure in Sukarami Palembang