Maternal hyperglycemia in singleton pregnancies conceived by IVF may be modified by first-trimester BMI

STUDY QUESTION

Does IVF independently increase the risk of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and is this increase in risk modified by maternal body mass index?

SUMMARY ANSWER

IVF appears to be an independent risk factor for GDM and elevated blood glucose levels in overweight women (BMI > 25 kg/m2).

WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY

IVF has been associated with increased risk of GDM, but most previous studies did not adequately assess confounding or effect modification by other risk factors.

STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION

Cross-sectional study using data from 1089 women with singleton pregnancies who participated in a Singaporean birth cohort study (GUSTO) and received a 75 g oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) at 26-28 weeks gestation.

PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS

A total of 1089 women (n = 1013 conceived spontaneously, n = 76 conceived through IVF) with singleton pregnancies received a 75 g OGTT at 26-28 weeks gestation. Fasting and 2 h postprandial blood glucose levels were assayed. World Health Organization criteria (1999) standard criteria were used to classify GDM: ≥7.0 mmol/L for fasting and/or ≥7.8 mmol/L for 2-h postprandial plasma glucose levels, which was the clinical guideline in use during the study.

MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE

IVF pregnancies had nearly double the odds of GDM (OR = 1.83, 95% CI: 1.03-3.26) and elevated fasting (mean difference = 0.12 mmol/L, 95% CI: 0.00-0.24) and OGTT 2-h blood glucose levels (mean difference = 0.64 mmol/L, 95% CI: 0.27-1.01), after adjusting for commonly recognized risk factors for GDM. After stratification by first-trimester BMI, these increased risks of GDM (OR = 3.54, 95% CI: 1.44-8.72) and elevated fasting (mean difference = 0.39 mmol/L, 95% CI: 0.13-0.65) and 2-h blood (mean difference = 1.24 mmol/L, 95% CI: 0.56-1.91) glucose levels were significant only in the IVF group who is also overweight or obese (BMI > 25 kg/m2).

LIMITATIONS REASONS FOR CAUTION

One limitation of our study is the absence of a 1 h post-OGTT plasma glucose sample, as we were using the 1999 WHO diagnostic criteria (the clinical guideline in Singapore) at the time of our study, instead of the revised 2013 WHO diagnostic criteria. Our cohort may not be representative of the general Singapore obstetric population, although participants were recruited from the two largest maternity hospitals in the country and include both private and subsidized patients.

WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS

IVF appears to be an independent risk factor for GDM and elevated blood glucose levels in overweight women. Our findings reinforce the need to advise overweight or obese women contemplating IVF to lose weight before the procedure to reduce their risk of GDM and hyperglycemia-related adverse outcomes arising therefrom. In settings where universal GDM screening is not routine, overweight or obese women who conceive by IVF should be screened.

STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S)

This research was supported by the Singapore National Research Foundation under its Translational and Clinical Research (TCR) Flagship Program and administered by the Singapore Ministry of Health's National Medical Research Council (NMRC), Singapore (NMRC/TCR/004-NUS/2008; NMRC/TCR/012-NUHS/2014). Additional funding was provided by the Singapore Institute for Clinical Sciences, Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR). K.M.G. and Y.S.C. have received lecture fees from Nestle Nutrition Institute and Danone, respectively. K.M.G., Y.S.C. and S.Y.C. are part of an academic consortium that has received research funding from Abbott Nutrition, Nestec and Danone. The other authors have nothing to disclose. The other authors have nothing to disclose.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

N/A.

The impact of vaccination on RBC alloimmunization in a murine model

Emerging data in animal models and humans suggest that pathogen-associated and damage-associated molecular patterns variably impact RBC alloantibody formation. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that vaccinations may enhance immune responses to transfused RBCs. The Pneumovax23 vaccine decreased the magnitude of anti-KEL alloimmunization in a murine model, whereas the hepB vaccine did not impact the response; RBC transfusion did not alter immune responses to either vaccine. These data highlight the complexities of the intersection of innate and adaptive immunity and suggest that future studies investigating the pathways through which inflammation impacts alloimmunization are warranted.

Split-hand/feet malformation: A rare syndrome

Split-hand/split-foot malformation (SHFM) is mainly inherited as an autosomal dominant trait with incomplete penetrance and characterized by malformation of the limb involving the central rays of the autopod. It presents with a deep median cleft of the hand and/or foot, aplasia/hypoplasia of the phalanges, metacarpals, and metatarsals. Pathogenic mechanism is a failure to maintain signaling from the median apical ectodermal ridge. Without this signaling, cells of the underlying progress zone stop proliferation and differentiation which in turn results in defects of the central rays. We describe a case of SHFM in 10-year-old boy.

Clinically significant anti-KEL RBC alloantibodies are transferred by breast milk in a murine model

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Fetuses affected by maternal RBC alloantibodies may have prolonged anaemia after birth, leading one to question whether maternal alloantibody transfer may occur outside the placenta. In response to a recent publication describing breast milk transfer of clinically significant amounts of maternal antiplatelet IgA antibodies from mother to nursing infant, we hypothesized that maternal RBC alloantibodies may also be capable of being transferred in breast milk.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The presence and clinical significance of breast milk alloantibody transfer were tested through a series of pregnancy, fostering and transfusion experiments, using a murine model in which transgenic RBCs express the human KEL glycoprotein.

RESULTS

Maternal anti-KEL immunoglobulins, induced through transfusion or pregnancy, were detected in the aqueous phase of breast milk. Further, efficient transfer of maternal anti-KEL IgG and IgA to nursing pups was observed in fostering experiments. The breast milk-acquired alloantibodies were clinically significant in wild-type pups in a transfusion setting, binding to 'incompatible' KEL RBCs and leading to premature clearance from the circulation. Although breast milk-acquired alloantibodies also bound to the RBCs of transgenic KEL-positive fostered pups, no anaemia resulted.

CONCLUSIONS

Taking these murine data in combination with recently published human data of maternal antiplatelet IgA antibodies in breast milk leading to sequelae in some infants, it is theoretically possible that maternal anti-RBC IgA alloantibodies may also be transferred in human breast milk and may lead to sequelae in some infants under some circumstances.

The impact of Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (hCG) on growth and food conversion efficiency in Royal Danio, Barilius bakeri Day

In aquaculture, growth hormones attract many researchers as they play a key role in the regulation of body weight and metabolism. In this study, we observed the influence of hCG on growth in Barilius bakeri, a common ornamental fish endemic to the Western Ghats, Kerala, India. Juveniles of B. bakeri 2.19 ± 0.92 g were selected and stocked in the experimental tanks of size 90 x 45 x 45 cm. Water quality parameters were examined periodically and were maintained under tolerable limits. The feeds were formulated at 40% protein level. Different levels of hCG i.e. @ 2.5, 5, 7.5, 10, 12.5 and 15 ppm were tested for both short term and long term. Fishes were fed with experimental diets twice daily at the rate of 5% body weight. Fishes were examined fortnightly and their length and weight documented. Their gross body compositions were also analyzed. The results of the study were subjected to ANOVA using statistical package SPSS version 10.1. Feed incorporated with 12.5 ppm hCG showed the best result in providing percentage gain in length, weight and SGR. The FCE, FAE, PER and protein digestibility values were highest in fishes given feed incorporated with 12.5 ppm hCG.

A case of relapsed visceral Kaposi's sarcoma with bilateral chylothoraces successfully treated with paclitaxel

Chylothorax is a rare complication of visceral Kaposi's sarcoma. We report a case with bilateral chylothoraces secondary to relapsed visceral Kaposi's sarcoma who was successfully treated with paclitaxel chemotherapy.

Immobilization of carbonic anhydrase enzyme purified from Bacillus subtilis VSG-4 and its application as CO(2) sequesterer

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Development and feasibility study of a sensory-enhanced robot-aided motor training in stroke rehabilitation

Functional impairment of the upper limb is a major challenge faced by many stroke survivors. The present study aimed at developing a novel sensory-enhanced robot-aided motor training program and testing its feasibility in stroke rehabilitation. A specially designed robot handle was developed as an attachment to the Inmotion2 robotic system. This handle provided sensory stimulation through pins connected to small servo motors inside the handle. Vibration of the pins was activated during motor training once pressure on the handle reached a certain threshold indicating an active motion of the study subject. Nine chronic stroke survivors were randomly assigned to either a sensory-enhanced robot-aided motor training group (SERMT) or robot-aided motor training only group (RMT). All participants underwent a 6-week motor training program, performing target reaching movements with the specialized handle with or without vibration stimulation during training. Motor Status (MS) scores were measured for functional outcome prior to and after training. The results showed significant improvement in the total MS scores after training in both experimental groups. However, MS sub-scores for the shoulder/elbow and the wrist/hand increased significantly only in the SERMT group (p<0.05). Future studies are required to confirm these preliminary findings.

Positive antibacterial co-action between hop (Humulus lupulus) constituents and selected antibiotics

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Rosai–Dorfman disease of the central nervous system

Rosai-Dorfman disease (RDD) is an idiopathic, non-neoplastic, lymphoproliferative disorder characterized by sinus histiocytosis and massive lymphadenopathy. When RDD involves the central nervous system the lesion simulates a meningioma. Histological and immunohistochemical confirmation is essential for a definitive diagnosis. In this paper, ten cases of RDD confined to the central nervous system are reported. Another case with orbital RDD was excluded. Nine cases involved the cranial cavity alone; in one, the cervical extradural region was also involved. Treatment consisted of surgical excision or biopsy. Histology and immunohistochemistry revealed a mixed cell population of predominantly mature histiocytes with evidence of emperipolesis and strong positivity for S100 protein in all cases. No recurrence was observed during follow up ranging from three months to eight years.