Potential benefits of mindfulness during pregnancy on maternal autonomic nervous system function and infant development

Mindfulness is known to decrease psychological distress. Possible benefits in pregnancy have rarely been explored. Our aim was to examine the prospective association of mindfulness with autonomic nervous system function during pregnancy and with later infant social‐emotional development. Pregnant women (N = 156) completed self‐report mindfulness and emotional distress questionnaires, and had their autonomic function assessed in their first and third trimesters, including heart rate (HR), indices of heart rate variability (HRV), preejection period (PEP), and systolic (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP). The social‐emotional development of 109 infants was assessed at 4 months of age. More mindful pregnant women had less prenatal and postnatal emotional distress (p < .001) and higher cardiac parasympathetic activity: root mean square of successive differences (RMSSD: p = .03) and high‐frequency (HF) HRV (p = .02). Between the first and third trimesters, women's overall HR increased (p < .001), and HRV (RMSSD, HF HRV, and low‐frequency (LF) HRV: p < .001) and PEP decreased (p < .001). In more mindful mothers, parasympathetic activity decreased less (RMSSD: p = .01; HF HRV: p = .03) and sympathetic activity (inversely related to PEP) increased less (PEP: p = .02) between trimesters. Their offspring displayed less negative social‐emotional behavior (p = .03) compared to offspring of less mindful mothers. Mindfulness in pregnancy was associated with ANS changes likely to be adaptive and with better social‐emotional offspring development. Interventions to increase mindfulness during pregnancy might improve maternal and offspring health, but randomized trials are needed to demonstrate this.     

Social support during pregnancy: effects on maternal depressive symptoms, smoking and pregnancy outcome

BACKGROUND: The goal was to study the effects of social support during pregnancy on maternal depressive symptoms, quality of life and pregnancy outcomes. METHODS: Eight hundred ninety-six women were prospectively studied in the first trimester of pregnancy and following completion of the pregnancy. The sample was divided into quartiles yielding groups of low, medium and high social support based on perceived social support. RESULTS: Pregnant women with low support reported increased depressive symptoms and reduced quality of life. The effects of social support on pregnancy outcomes were particularly pronounced in women who had smoked during pregnancy, with significant main effects of social support in a two-way analysis of variance (smoking status and social support) for child body length (F = 4.26, P = 0.04; 50.43 +/- 2.81 cm with low support versus 51.76 +/- 2.31 cm with high support) and birthweight (F = 11.35, P = 0.001; 3175 +/- 453 g with low support versus 3571 +/- 409 g with high support). In smokers, pregnancy complications occurred more frequently when given low support {34 versus 10.3% with high support, chi(2) = 5.49, P = 0.019; relative risk (RR) = 3.3 [95% confidence interval (95% CI) = 1.1-10.2]}, and the proportion of preterm deliveries was greater given low support (10.0 versus 0% with high support, chi(2) = 3.84, P = 0.05, odds ratio = 8.1). CONCLUSIONS: Lack of social support constitutes an important risk factor for maternal well-being during pregnancy and has adverse effects on pregnancy outcomes.     

Effects of alcohol and smoking during pregnancy on infant autonomic control

Prenatal exposure to smoking and alcohol increases the risk for Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). Physiological changes associated with these exposures are not well studied. Full‐term infants were tested within the first 3 days of life. We hypothesized that maternal alcohol consumption and/or smoking during pregnancy would alter autonomic nervous system function. Newborns whose mothers smoked during pregnancy had lower beat‐to‐beat heart rate variability in quiet sleep. Infants whose mothers consumed alcohol had lower global heart rate variability, but only in active sleep. Unexposed infants demonstrated increases in heart rate with head‐up tilt and decreases in heart rate with head‐down tilt, but smoking and alcohol‐exposed infants showed no significant responses. These results indicate that autonomic function is altered by prenatal exposure to alcohol and smoking. Such markers may provide early identification of infants at greatest risk for SIDS. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Dev Psychobiol 51: 234–242, 2009     

Perceived social support moderates neural reactivity to emotionally valenced stimuli during pregnancy

Reactivity to emotional information, measurable at the level of neural activity using event-related potentials, is linked to symptoms of affective disorders. Behavioral evidence suggests that contextual factors, such as social support, can alter emotional reactivity such that affective responding is normalized when social support is high. This possibility remains largely untested at the neural level, specifically through approaches that can offer insight into the mechanistic processes contributing to individual differences in emotional reactivity. Yet, such knowledge could be useful for prevention and intervention efforts, particularly with groups at risk for increased emotional reactivity, such as pregnant mothers for whom emotional distress predicts both maternal and child outcomes. Expectant mothers took part in a longitudinal study that tested whether the late positive potential (LPP), a neural index of reactivity to emotional information, was moderated by maternal perceptions of social support. In the third trimester of pregnancy, lower perceived social support was associated with an absence of a traditional LPP effect, which differentiates valenced from neutral stimuli. Findings suggest that perceptions of social support may normalize emotional processing at the neural level and highlight the potential importance of social support modulation of emotional reactivity during times of known biological change.     

Facial affect recognition moderates the relation between autonomic nervous system reactivity and aggression during dyadic conflict

Researchers examining physiological factors of emotion have identified differential patterns of physiological reactivity among intimate partner violence perpetrators during interpersonal conflict. Although it is unclear what mechanisms are influencing these distinct physiological patterns, research suggests that perpetrators’ ability to decode emotions may be involved. The current study examined how the relation between an individual's physiological reactivity and their aggression during conflict with an intimate partner is influenced by the affect they are exposed to and their affect recognition ability. Sixty-seven heterosexual couples completed self-report measures and participated in a conflict discussion while physiological measures were recorded. The sympathetic nervous system (SNS) was indexed by Skin Conductance Level (SCL) and the parasympathetic nervous system (PNS) by Respiratory Sinus Arrhythmia (RSA). Aggressive affect was coded from video. Additionally, men were administered a facial affect recognition task. Results indicated that observed aggression during the conflict discussion was associated with RSA and SCL suppression, but only for men with moderate to high affect recognition ability. Additionally, the interaction effects between physiological reactivity and affect recognition on male aggression was conditional on their partner exhibiting at least moderate levels of aggressive affect. Findings from our study suggest that the relation between autonomic nervous system reactivity during conflict and aggression toward an intimate partner is conditional on men's ability to decode the facial affect of their partner. For individuals who were able to decode aggressive affect from their partner, aggression was associated with decreased parasympathetic and SNS activation.     

The effects of heat and massage application on autonomic nervous system

Purpose

The objective of this study is to evaluate the effects of heat and massage application on autonomic nervous system.

Materials and Methods

One hundred thirty-nine subjects volunteered and completed this study. Heat and massage was daily applied for 40 minutes, 5 days a week for 2 weeks. Primary-dependent measures included heart rate variability, sympathetic skin response, and serum cortisol and norepinephrine levels.

Results

Serum cortisol levels were significantly decreased at 2 weeks compared to baseline (p=0.003). Plasma norepinephrine levels at 4 weeks were significantly decreased compared to baseline (p=0.010). Heart rate, using the power spectra, increased significantly after 2 weeks compared to baseline. Of autonomic nerve conduction measures, latency was significantly increased at 2 and 4 weeks compared to baseline (p=0.023, 0.012), and amplitude was significantly decreased at 4 weeks compared to baseline (p=0.008). There were no serious adverse events such as burns or other major complications.

Conclusion

The results of this study suggest that heat and massage applications provide relaxation to the autonomic nervous system without serious adverse events.     

Formaldehyde exposure and its effects during pregnancy: Recommendations for laboratory attendance based on available data

Formalin is commonly used in fixation of cadaveric specimens. Exposure to formaldehyde, a component of formalin and a known carcinogen, during gross anatomy laboratory dissection is a continuing concern for pregnant students and instructors. Since there is little literature on this specific topic, the current review was compiled in the hope of offering recommendations to pregnant students and instructors who are engaged in human anatomical dissection where formalin is used. Relevant articles were obtained through searches of PubMed and Google Scholar for the terms “formaldehyde,” “pregnant,” “formalin,” and “exposure.” A literature search was conducted for chemical information and articles about exposure as issued by government regulatory agencies and chemical companies that produce formaldehyde. This led to the compilation of 29 articles each of which included references to previous, relevant, human research. The reviewed literature contains data strongly suggesting that pregnancy can be affected by formaldehyde exposure. Therefore, on the basis our analysis, female students who might be pregnant should avoid formaldehyde exposure, including that in a gross anatomy laboratory. Instructors should find other means of ensuring anatomical competence for these students. Clin. Anat. 28:972–979, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

孕期个体化营养指导对胎儿发育及孕妇健康的影响

目的探讨孕期定时个体化营养指导对胎儿生长发育及孕妇健康的影响。方法将2005年1月至2006年12月在我院孕妇学校就学的400例初孕妇随机分为营养指导组和对照组各200例,前者根据妊娠的不同时期对孕妇进行具体的膳食营养指导,后者则根据孕妇的饮食习惯与喜好进食。两者在同等孕期监测胎儿生长发育、孕妇体重、宫高以及血红蛋白的变化,B超动态检测量胎儿双顶经、头围、股骨长度,测定胎儿出生时体重并进行统计学分析。结果指导组妊娠中后期双顶经、头围、股骨长度指标明显优于对照组,指导组妊娠中后期孕妇血红蛋白显著高于对照组（P（0.01）。结论对孕妇进行定期个体化营养指导有利于优生优育,降低妊娠合并症有利于孕妇健康,值得推广。     

Timing of caffeine's impact on autonomic and central nervous system measures: clarification of arousal effects

The timing of caffeine effects on arousal levels was examined. From previous work in our laboratory, an increase in skin conductance level (SCL) was used as the marker of arousal increase, and we sought to identify the timing of this and related effects following caffeine ingestion. A single oral dose of caffeine (250 mg) was used in a randomised double-blind placebo-controlled repeated-measures cross-over study. Eyes-closed resting electroencephalogram (EEG) and autonomic data (SCL, heart rate, respiration rate, and systolic and diastolic blood pressure) during 2 min epochs that commenced every 4 min after ingestion, were analysed. The SCL placebo data were used to identify potential arousal measures prior to examining caffeine effects. Caffeine was associated with increased SCL, increased respiratory rate and a global reduction in alpha power. There were no significant cardiovascular effects of caffeine-induced arousal. These caffeine results are consistent with our recent electrodermal and EEG studies of arousal, and confirm the potential use of caffeine as a simple means of experimentally modifying arousal levels without task-related confounds.     

Physiological indices of challenge and threat: A data‐driven investigation of autonomic nervous system reactivity during an active coping stressor task

We utilized a data‐driven, unsupervised machine learning approach to examine patterns of peripheral physiological responses during a motivated performance context across two large, independent data sets, each with multiple peripheral physiological measures. Results revealed that patterns of cardiovascular response commonly associated with challenge and threat states emerged as two of the predominant patterns of peripheral physiological responding within both samples, with these two patterns best differentiated by reactivity in cardiac output, pre‐ejection period, interbeat interval, and total peripheral resistance. However, we also identified a third, relatively large group of apparent physiological nonresponders who exhibited minimal reactivity across all physiological measures in the motivated performance context. This group of nonresponders was best differentiated from the others by minimal increases in electrodermal activity. We discuss implications for identifying and characterizing this third group of individuals in future research on physiological patterns of challenge and threat.     

Topography of the pelvic autonomic nervous system and its potential impact on surgical intervention in the pelvis

Bladder, bowel, and sexual dysfunction caused by iatrogenic lesions of the inferior hypogastric plexus (IHP) are well known and commonly tolerated in pelvic surgery. Because the pelvic autonomic nerves are difficult to define and dissect in surgery, and their importance often ignored, we conducted a gross anatomic study of 90 adult and four fetal hemipelves. Using various non-surgical approaches, the anatomic relations and pathways of the IHP were dissected. The IHP extended from the sacrum to the genital organs at the level of the lower sacral vertebrae. It originated from three different sources: the hypogastric nerve, the sacral splanchnic nerves from the sacral sympathetic trunk (mostly the S2 ganglion), and the pelvic splanchnic nerves, which branched primarily from the third and fourth sacral ventral rami. These fibers converge to form a uniform nerve plate medial to the vascular layer and deep to the peritoneum. The posterior portion of the IHP supplied the rectum and the anterior portion of the urogenital organs; nerve fibers traveled directly from the IHP to the anterolateral wall of the rectum and to the inferolateral and posterolateral aspects of the urogenital organs. The autonomic supply from the IHP was supplemented by nerves accompanying the ureter and the arteries. An understanding of the location of the autonomic pelvic network, including important landmarks, should help prevent iatrogenic injury through the adoption of surgical techniques that reduce or prevent postoperative autonomic dysfunction.     

Bax抑制因子1对人妊娠期肝内胆汁淤积症胎盘滋养细胞凋亡的影响及其机制

目的：探讨Bax 抑制因子1（BI-1）对人妊娠期肝内胆汁淤积症（ICP）胎盘滋养细胞凋亡的影响及其机 制。方法：选取2018 年5 月至2019 年5 月新疆维吾尔自治区人民医院产科住院分娩的ICP 孕产妇15 例为研究对 象,设为ICP 组,另取15 例正常孕产妇作为对照组,免疫组织化学显色检测ICP 组和对照组孕妇胎盘组织BI-1 的 表达;体外培养滋养细胞系HTR8,应用不同浓度（10、50、100 μmol/L）的牛磺胆酸（TCA）进行刺激,RTPCR 及免疫印迹检测HTR8细胞BI-1 mRNA 及蛋白的表达;用过表达BI-1 的慢病毒载体感染HTR8细胞,荧光显 微镜及RT-PCR 检测感染效率后,将细胞分为对照组（NC组）、TCA处理的感染LV-NC 细胞组（TCA+LV-NC 组）、 TCA处理感染LV-BI-1 细胞组（TCA+LV-BI-1 组）;分别用Annexin V-FITC、透射电镜及JC-1 流式线粒体膜电位 检测试剂盒检测3 组滋养细胞凋亡、线粒体超微结构及线粒体膜电位;免疫印迹检测3 组细胞Cyt-C 及凋亡相关 蛋白Bcl-2、Bax 及cleaved caspase-3 的表达。结果：与对照组相比,ICP 组胎盘组织BI-1 表达显著降低;体外实 验结果显示,TCA能够显著降低HTR8细胞BI-1 mRNA及蛋白表达,且呈浓度依赖性;应用慢病毒成功建立过 表达BI-1 的滋养细胞系。与NC组细胞相比,TCA+LV-NC 组与TCA+LV-BI-1 组细胞凋亡率和线粒体损伤水平均 显著增加,线粒体膜电位明显降低;而与TCA+LV-NC 组相比,LV+BI-1 组细胞凋亡率与线粒体损伤水平均明显 降低,线粒体膜电位显著增加;过表达BI-1 能够有效阻止TCA导致的滋养细胞Bcl-2/Bax 比值的降低,以及线粒 体Cyt-C 的释放及cleaved caspase-3 表达的增加。结论：BI-1 在ICP 患者胎盘组织中的表达显著降低,而体外过 表达BI-1 可能通过上调滋养细胞中Bcl-2/Bax 比值,抑制细胞线粒体膜电位降低及结构损伤,从而减少Cyt-C 的 释放,最终降低凋亡蛋白caspase-3 活化而改善TCA诱导的凋亡作用。     

Role of sympathetic nervous system in protective effects of selectivek-opiate receptor agonist dynorphin A1–13 on the incidence of cardiac arrhythmia during myocardial ischemia

Preliminary administration of dynorphin A_1–13 to narcotized cats with myocardial ischemia attenuated cardiac fibrillation, but increased the incidence of ventricular tachycardia. Protective effect of dynorphin A_1–13 was observed only under conditions of intact sympathetic cardiac innervation. Translated fromByulleten' Eksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 129, No. 1, pp. 34–37, January, 2000