Maternal MUAC and fetal outcome in an Indian tertiary care hospital: A prospective observational study

Studies to date demonstrated the relatedness of mid‐upper arm circumference (MUAC) measurement of pregnant women to their anthropometry/weight. Hence, the objective was to determine whether maternal MUAC at different gestational age predicted birthweight, and if so, to identify which cut‐offs provided the best prediction of low birthweight (LBW) in pregnant women cohort. A total of 928 pregnant women, free of any obstetrical and medical complications known to affect fetal growth, were followed from 20 to 24 weeks' gestation till delivery. Weight, height, and MUAC were determined for the pregnant women, and gestational age along with newborns anthropometry was collected. The mean birthweight was 2.6 ± 0.460 kg. Maternal age, height, weight, MUAC (three time points), gestational age at delivery, and post‐natal weight showed positive correlation with birthweight, crown heel length, and head circumference of the neonates. The cut‐off limit with the best sensitivity–specificity (54.0 and 59.8, respectively) for MUAC was 23 cm, whereas maternal weight of 55 kg had sensitivity and specificity of 62.5 and 59.9 for predicting LBW. Maternal weight of 55 kg and MUAC value of 23 cm had almost similar sensitivity and specificity for predicting LBW. MUAC (≤23 cm) can be considered as a potential indicator of LBW where weighing of pregnant women is not feasible or when presentation for antenatal care is late, especially where pre‐pregnancy weights are not available.

Sarco(endo)plasmic reticulum Ca2+ ATPase isoforms and their role in muscle physiology and pathology

Recent studies suggest that SR Ca2+ transport function is altered in hypertrophied and failing myocardium. To understand whether alterations in SR Ca2+ ATPase levels affect myocardial contractility, we generated transgenic mice that specifically overexpress SERCA2a or SERCA1 pump in the mouse heart, using the cardiac alpha-MHC promoter. Analysis of SERCA2a transgenic mice show both an increase in mRNA and protein levels (120-150% of the wild type). Isolated work performing heart preparations revealed that SERCA2a mice have improved myocardial performance. On the other hand, SERCA1 overexpression in the heart resulted in isoform replacement without any change in total SERCA protein. Interestingly, SERCA1 transgenic hearts exhibited super contractility with a significant increase in rates of muscle contraction (+dp/dt) and relaxation (-dp/dT). The time to peak pressure and half-time to relaxation were significantly shorter.