University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey

About: University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey is a based out in . It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Pregnancy. The organization has 14634 authors who have published 19610 publications receiving 1041794 citations.

Anemia, Iron and Pregnancy Outcome

Abstract: When maternal anemia is diagnosed before midpregnancy, it has been associated with an increased risk of preterm delivery. Maternal anemia detected during the later stages of pregnancy, especially the third trimester, often reflects the expected (and necessary) expansion of maternal plasma volume. Third-trimester anemia usually is not associated with increased risk of preterm delivery. High hemoglobin concentration, elevated hematocrit and increased levels of serum ferritin late in pregnancy, however, all have been associated with increased preterm delivery. This increased risk may reflect in part the failure to expand maternal plasma volume adequately, thus diminishing appropriate placental perfusion. Although controlled trials of iron supplementation during pregnancy have consistently demonstrated positive effects on maternal iron status at delivery, they have not demonstrated reductions in factors that are associated with maternal anemia, i.e., increased risk of preterm delivery and infant low birth weight. One reason for discordant findings may be the exclusion of many gravidas with iron deficiency from these trials or the data concerning gravidas with pregnancy outcomes such as preterm delivery from the analysis. Finally, recent concerns have been voiced about harmful effects of iron supplementation during pregnancy. No adverse effects of iron supplementation on pregnancy outcome have been demonstrated to date. Questions about the efficacy of iron supplementation during pregnancy for reducing adverse outcomes such as preterm delivery and side effects from iron supplementation, including the potential for oxidation of lipids and DNA, require further research in iron-deficient women.

Studies on the mechanism of improved glucose control during regular exercise in type 2 (non-insulin-dependent) diabetes

Abstract: The effects of 6 weeks of thrice weekly training on glycaemic control were assessed in 20 sedentary Type 2 (non-insulin-dependent) diabetic patients and 11 control subjects matched for previous physical activity. Maximal oxygen uptake was lower in the diabetic patients than in control subjects before training (26.2±1.1 versus 32.6±1.7 ml·kg-1·min-1; p<0.001). Glycosylated haemoglobin levels decreased in the diabetic patients during the training programme (12.2±0.5 to 10.7±0.4%; p < 0.02). Oral and intravenous glucose tolerance determined 72 h after the last exercise period showed only minimal improvement. Plasma glucose levels were, however, significantly lower at 12 h than 72 h after exercise in eight subjects tested at both time points. These data suggest that an exercise programme can produce a significant decrease in glycosylated haemoglobin levels in Type 2 diabetic males probably due, in great measure, to the cumulative effect of transient improvements in glucose tolerance which follow each individual period of exercise.

Adenosine Augments IL-10 Production by Macrophages through an A2B Receptor-Mediated Posttranscriptional Mechanism

Abstract: Adenosine receptor ligands have anti-inflammatory effects and modulate immune responses by up-regulating IL-10 production by immunostimulated macrophages. The adenosine receptor family comprises G protein-coupled heptahelical transmembrane receptors classified into four types: A 1 , A 2A , A 2B , and A 3 . Our understanding of the signaling mechanisms leading to enhanced IL-10 production following adenosine receptor occupancy on macrophages is limited. In this study, we demonstrate that adenosine receptor occupancy increases IL-10 production by LPS-stimulated macrophages without affecting IL-10 promoter activity and IL-10 mRNA levels, indicating a posttranscriptional mechanism. Transfection experiments with reporter constructs containing sequences corresponding to the AU-rich 3′-untranslated region (UTR) of IL-10 mRNA confirmed that adenosine receptor activation acts by relieving the translational repressive effect of the IL-10 3′-UTR. By contrast, adenosine receptor activation failed to liberate the translational arrest conferred by the 3′-UTR of TNF-α mRNA. The IL-10 3′-UTR formed specific complexes with proteins present in cytoplasmic extracts of RAW 264.7 cells. Adenosine enhanced binding of proteins to a region of the IL-10 3′-UTR containing the GUAUUUAUU nonamer. The stimulatory effect of adenosine on IL-10 production was mediated through the A 2B receptor, because the order of potency of selective agonists was 5′- N -ethylcarboxamidoadenosine (NECA) > N 6 -(3-iodobenzyl)-adenosine-5′- N -methyluronamide (IB-MECA) > 2-chloro- N 6 -cyclopentyladenosine (CCPA) = 2- p -(2-carboxyethyl)phenethylamino-5′- N -ethyl-carboxamidoadenosine (CGS-21680). Also, the selective A 2B antagonist, alloxazine, prevented the effect of adenosine. Collectively, these studies identify a novel pathway in which activation of a G protein-coupled receptor augments translation of an anti-inflammatory gene.