Arthritis Research UK, Medical Research Council, Bupa Foundation, and National Institute for Health Research.

During pregnancy, the mother adapts to meet the calcium demands of the fetus. The effect of this adaptation on the maternal skeleton is not fully understood. Our objectives were to evaluate changes in bone mineral density (BMD) and bone turnover during pregnancy. We studied 16 women longitudinally, with baseline measurements before pregnancy; then at 16, 26, and 36 weeks of pregnancy; and postpartum. We measured total-body BMD and biochemical markers of bone resorption (urinary pyridinium crosslinks and telopeptides of type I collagen) and bone formation (serum bone alkaline phosphatase, propeptides of type I procollagen [PINP] and osteocalcin). We also measured parathyroid hormone (PTH), insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I), and human placental lactogen. Postpartum, BMD increased in the arms (2.8%, P F 0.01) and legs (1.9%, P F 0.01) but decreased in the pelvis (؊3.2%, P F0.

No abstract

Many women associate one or more of their pregnancies with the development of adult obesity. Such an association has not been fully explored. This longitudinal study examines the changes in maternal anthropometric indices during pregnancy and postpartum. Seventy-seven pregnant subjects were investigated longitudinally at about 13, 25 and 36 weeks gestation, of whom fortyseven continued taking part into the postpartum period. Maternal weight, height and skinfold thickness (triceps, biceps, subscapular, suprailiac and mid thigh) were measured at each visit. Maternal fat mass was estimated from the conversion of the first four skinfold thicknesses. Maternal waist and hip circumferences were also measured at the first visit and 6 weeks and 6 months postpartum. Weight and fat gain during pregnancy (13-36 weeks gestation) was 10⋅9 (SD 4⋅7) kg and 4⋅6 (SD 3⋅3) kg (P Ͻ 0⋅001) respectively. A significant increase in fat mass from 13 weeks gestation to 6-months postpartum was observed (2⋅6 (SD 4⋅5), P Ͻ 0⋅001). The increased weight at 6-months postpartum, however, was not statistically significant (1⋅1 (SD 6⋅0) kg, P = 0⋅20). Based on BMI in early pregnancy, the subjects were divided into groups of underweight, normal weight, overweight and obese. The last three groups were compared using ANOVA. The obese group showed a significant difference in the pattern of changes in the skinfold thickness, waist : hip ratio and fat mass at the postpartum period, in comparison with the other two groups. In conclusion, there is a tendency in the obese group to develop central obesity at the postpartum period.

Mast cells (MCs) play critical roles in allergy and inflammation, yet their development remains controversial due to limitations posed by traditional animal models. The zebrafish provides a highly efficient system for studying vertebrate hematopoiesis. We have identified zebrafish MCs in the gill and intestine, which resemble their mammalian counterparts both structurally and functionally. Carboxypeptidase A5 (cpa5), a MCspecific enzyme, is expressed in zebrafish blood cells beginning at 24 hours post fertilization (hpf). At 28 hpf, colocalization is observed with pu.1, mpo, l-plastin, and lysozyme C, but not fms or cepb␣, identifying these early MCs as a distinct myeloid population arising from a common granulocyte/ monocyte progenitor. Morpholino "knockdown" studies demonstrate that transcription factors gata-2 and pu.1, but not gata-1 or fog-1, are necessary for early MC development. These studies validate the zebrafish as an in vivo tool for studying MC ontogeny and function with future capacity for modeling human MC diseases. (Blood. 2008;112:2969-2972) IntroductionMast cells (MCs) play central roles in allergic and inflammatory reactions. 1,2 Stimulation of cell-surface receptors, such as C-KIT and the high-affinity IgE receptor, 1,2 results in the release of mediators from cytoplasmic granules, including tryptase and histamine. 2 MC number and function are regulated by their development, proliferation, migration, and survival. 1 Barriers to understanding these processes include accessibility and imaging limitations posed by traditional animal models. The zebrafish has proven itself to be a robust and highly conserved model for studying vertebrate hematopoiesis. 3 Here, we provide the first evidence that the zebrafish possesses MC equivalents that share structural and functional characteristics with their mammalian counterparts. Furthermore, we demonstrate the utility of the zebrafish as an in vivo tool in dissecting the contribution of transcription factors to MC development. MethodsZebrafish were maintained, bred, and developmentally staged according to Westerfield. 4 Use of zebrafish in this study was approved by the Dalhousie University Animal Care Committee. Zebrafish gills and intestine were fixed in 10% neutral buffered formalin, and standard staining procedures were applied ( Figure 1A-F). Immunohistochemistry was facilitated by antigen retrieval ( Figure 1I,J). For electron microscopy, tissues were fixed overnight in 2% glutaraldehyde in 0.1 M caccodylate and postfixed in 1% osmium tetroxide. Thin sections (90 nm) were stained in 25% uranyl acetate in methanol and lead citrate.Bromophenol blue and 10 g compound 48/80 or saline were injected intraperitoneally, and blood was extracted by cardiac puncture after 2.5 minutes. Tryptase activity was measured in plasma spectrophotometrically at 415 nm by the release of p-nitroanilide from N-benzoyl-DL-argininep-nitroanilide (BAPNA), a tryptase substrate.Digoxogenin-or fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)-labeled antisense mRNA probes for zebrafish carboxypep...

Objectives: As a part of an ongoing project to develop a nutritional screening tool, we evaluated the performance of a semi-quantitative food-frequency questionnaire (FFQ) in terms of validity in a Sheffield Caucasian pregnant population using two different statistical approaches -the correlation coefficient and the limits of agreement (LOA). The FFQ was designed specifically for pregnant women and previously used in a large-scale study. Design: A validation study. Setting: A community-based field study of a general population of pregnant women booked for their first antenatal appointment at the Jessop Wing, Royal Hallamshire Hospital, Sheffield, UK. Subjects: One hundred and twenty-three women of different socio-economic status, aged between 17 and 43 years, provided complete dietary data. Results: The validity of the FFQ was tested against a series of two 24-hour recalls. As expected, the intakes of all examined nutrients, except for iodine, carotene, vitamin E, biotin, vitamin C and alcohol, were higher when determined by the FFQ than when determined by 24-hour recall. Pearson's correlation coefficient between the two methods ranged from 0.19 (added sugar, zinc) to 0.47 (Englyst fibre). The LOA were broader for some of the nutrients, e.g. protein, Southgate fibre and alcohol, and an increasing lack of agreement between the two methods was identified with higher dietary intakes. Conclusions: The FFQ gave useful estimates of the nutrient intakes of Caucasian pregnant women and appears to be a valid tool for categorising pregnant women according to dietary intake. The FFQ performed well for most nutrients and had acceptable agreement with the 24-hour recall.

No abstract

MAVIDOS is a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial (ISRCTN82927713, registered 2008 Apr 11), funded by Arthritis Research UK, MRC, Bupa Foundation and NIHR.BackgroundOsteoporosis is a major public health problem as a result of associated fragility fractures. Skeletal strength increases from birth to a peak in early adulthood. This peak predicts osteoporosis risk in later life. Vitamin D insufficiency in pregnancy is common (31% in a recent Southampton cohort) and predicts reduced bone mass in the offspring. In this study we aim to test whether offspring of mothers supplemented with vitamin D in pregnancy have higher bone mass at birth than those whose mothers were not supplemented.Methods/DesignWomen have their vitamin D status assessed after ultrasound scanning in the twelfth week of pregnancy at 3 trial centres (Southampton, Sheffield, Oxford). Women with circulating 25(OH)-vitamin D levels 25-100 nmol/l are randomised in a double-blind design to either oral vitamin D supplement (1000 IU cholecalciferol/day, n = 477) or placebo at 14 weeks (n = 477). Questionnaire data include parity, sunlight exposure, dietary information, and cigarette and alcohol consumption. At 19 and 34 weeks maternal anthropometry is assessed and blood samples taken to measure 25(OH)-vitamin D, PTH and biochemistry. At delivery venous umbilical cord blood is collected, together with umbilical cord and placental tissue. The babies undergo DXA assessment of bone mass within the first 14 days after birth, with the primary outcome being whole body bone mineral content adjusted for gestational age and age. Children are then followed up with yearly assessment of health, diet, physical activity and anthropometric measures, with repeat assessment of bone mass by DXA at age 4 years.DiscussionAs far as we are aware, this randomised trial is one of the first ever tests of the early life origins hypothesis in human participants and has the potential to inform public health policy regarding vitamin D supplementation in pregnancy. It will also provide a valuable resource in which to study the influence of maternal vitamin D status on other childhood outcomes such as glucose tolerance, blood pressure, cardiovascular function, IQ and immunology.