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Background Although screening and brief intervention (SBI) for unhealthy alcohol use has demonstrated efficacy in some trials, its implementation has been limited. Technology-delivered approaches are a promising alternative, particularly during pregnancy when the importance of alcohol use is amplified. The present trial evaluated the feasibility and acceptability of an interactive, empathic, video-enhanced, and computer-delivered SBI (e-SBI) plus three separate tailored mailings, and estimated intervention effects. Methods We recruited 48 pregnant women who screened positive for alcohol risk at an urban prenatal care clinic. Participants were randomly assigned to the e-SBI plus mailings or to a control session on infant nutrition, and were reevaluated during their postpartum hospitalization. The primary outcome was 90-day period-prevalence abstinence as measured by timeline follow-back interview. Results Participants rated the intervention as easy to use and helpful (4.7-5.0 on a 5-point scale). Blinded follow-up evaluation at childbirth revealed medium-size intervention effects on 90-day period prevalence abstinence (OR = 3.4); similarly, intervention effects on a combined healthy pregnancy outcome variable (live birth, normal birthweight, and no NICU stay) were also of moderate magnitude in favor of e-SBI participants (OR=3.3). As expected in this intentionally under-powered pilot trial, these effects were non-significant (p = .19 and .09, respectively). Conclusions This pilot trial demonstrated the acceptability and preliminary efficacy of a computer-delivered screening and brief intervention (e-SBI) plus tailored mailings for alcohol use in pregnancy. These findings mirror the promising results of other trials using a similar approach, and should be confirmed in a fully-powered trial.

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The fetal zone of the human fetal adrenal (HFA) gland is established to have decreased 3 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase/delta 4-5 isomerase (3 beta HSD) activity compared to the neocortex or definitive zone. 3 beta HSD activity, however, can be induced in primary cell culture through treatment with ACTH. Therefore, the HFA with two distinct steroidogenic zones with differences in 3 beta HSD activity as well as the capacity to increase 3 beta HSD activity in response to ACTH provides an excellent model to study the regulation of this enzyme. The presence of 3 beta HSD in the fetal and neocortex zones of the HFA was examined using a polyclonal antibody raised against purified human placental microsomal 3 beta HSD. After homogenates of the fetal and neocortical zones of the HFA were electrophoresed on a sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel and immunoblotted, the presence of the 3 beta HSD protein with a molecular size of 45 kDa could be demonstrated only in the neocortical zone. ACTH treatment (greater than 2 days) of fetal and neocortical zone explant cultures produced increases in cortisol secretion associated with the respective levels of immunodetectable 3 beta HSD protein. Cortisol and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate were the respective principal steroid products of neocortical and fetal zone explants. After ACTH treatment, immunodetectable 3 beta HSD was induced to a greater magnitude in the neocortex. These findings provide evidence that the lack of 3 beta HSD activity in the fetal zone, previously considered to be the result of the presence of an endogenous inhibitor, is due to an absence of the protein in this portion of the gland. The lack or minimal expression of 3 beta HSD in the fetal zone of HFA may be due to the action (or lack thereof) of a tissue-specific factor regulating the synthesis of 3 beta HSD.

A methodology is described for analyzing single human ova for 8 or 9 different metabolic enzymes, or 4 or 5 enzymes plus as many metabolites. This overcomes an obstacle to the study of human ovum metabolism: the severe limitation of usable material. Results obtained with this methodology, applied to discarded specimens from an in vitro fertilization program, indicate that in spite of imperfections these ova can provide a valid picture of the metabolic characteristics of normal human ova. Data are presented for 17 enzymes from 8 metabolic pathways in human and mouse ova. Relative to size, 10 of the enzymes were substantially higher in human than mouse ova. Most dramatically so were 2 enzymes of fatty acid metabolism (10-fold and 15-fold), hexokinase (9-fold), and aspartate aminotransferase (19-fold). This suggests that major species differences in metabolism are present. The validity of the human data, in spite of restriction to discarded material, is supported by (1) consistency of results among most of the ova, 2] concordance between average levels with those of rare specimens that were discarded because sperm were not available, and (3) the presence of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) concentrations similar to those of normal mouse ova. Surprisingly, both human and mouse ova contain phosphocreatine at levels nearly equal of those of ATP.

Background Early life pet exposure may protect against allergic sensitization during childhood. Few studies have evaluated the effect of prenatal pet exposure on potential neonatal markers of allergic risk. Objective To investigate whether maternal exposure to pets affects cord blood IgE levels in a population-based, general risk, ethnically mixed birth cohort. Methods Pet keeping during pregnancy was ascertained from women residing in a defined area of Wayne County Michigan and recruited from five staff model obstetric clinics. Maternal venous blood was analyzed for total and allergen-specific IgE along with cord blood total IgE from 1049 infants. Results Compared to infants from households with no cats or dogs kept indoors during pregnancy, infants whose homes had either cats or dogs had significantly reduced mean cord IgE levels [0.34 IU/ml (95%CI 0.30–0.38) vs. 0.24 IU/ml (0.20–0.27) p = 0.025]. Similar effects were apparent in cat-only households [0.21 IU/ml (0.16–0.27), p = 0.020] and dog-only households [0.24 IU/ml (0.19–0.29), p = 0.045]. There was no effect on results when excluding mothers who reported avoiding pets due to allergy-related concerns. Conclusion Mothers with either cats or dogs in their home during pregnancy deliver children with lower cord blood IgE levels compared to mothers who do not live with these pets, supporting the hypothesis that pet exposure influences immune development in a manner that is protective for atopy and is operant even before birth.

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Most quality-of-life domains were not affected by treatment with estrogen or raloxifene. Estrogen provided relief from vasomotor symptoms but caused menstrual symptoms. Raloxifene 60 mg/day improved anxiety levels in postmenopausal women.