Archive for category: News

Up to 25% of new mothers suffer from postpartum depression, which can significantly impact their parenting behavior and the wellbeing of their children. A new study from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign looks at long-term effects of early maternal depression on children, underscoring the need to provide adequate support for mothers who might be struggling.

“We wanted to explore how mother’s early postpartum depression might influence children’s executive function and emotional overeating, focusing on the psychological mechanisms driving the effects,” said lead author Samantha Iwinski, postdoctoral research associate in the Department of Human Development and Family Studies at Illinois.

“Emotional overeating is about using food to cope with stress or emotions rather than using it to satisfy hunger. Instead of thinking about food as a source of nourishment or enjoyment, it becomes a coping strategy for negative emotions. If children aren’t able to talk about their emotions or show how they really feel, they may react to a stressful situation by grabbing something to eat,” Iwinski said.

The study included families participating in the Midwest STRONG Kids2 project, which investigates how individual biology interacts with the family environment to promote healthy eating habits in young children. Mothers filled out questionnaires to assess postpartum depression at six weeks, children’s emotional functioning at 24 months, and children’s eating behavior at 48 months.

The researchers analyzed the data using the biopsychosocial pathways model, which outlines how interactions between biological, psychological, and social factors affect health outcomes, including appetite self-regulation. They focused on postpartum depression as a critical social factor predicting children’s emotional overeating, mediated through emotional and cognitive psychological processes.

“In our sample, almost 12% of mothers met the criteria for postpartum depression, and we found that maternal postpartum depression at six weeks negatively influenced children’s executive function with inhibition and emotional control at 24 months and overeating at 48 months,” Iwinski said.

“Inhibition involves being able to control one’s attention, behaviors, and thoughts. This can include doing what may be appropriate in a given situation, which may involve overriding internal predispositions For example, if a child is doing their homework and the TV is playing, they can direct their attention and focus on their homework rather than the TV. Emotional control is about being able to regulate oneself when certain situations are happening; for example, crying might help in response to distress.”

In addition to the indirect effects on eating behavior through executive functioning, there was also a direct correlation between maternal depression and children’s overeating.

Mothers who suffer from postpartum depression may be less responsive to their children’s cognitive and emotional needs, which can affect healthy development and capacity for self-regulation. Women with postpartum depression symptoms may also engage in appetite fluctuation, modeling this behavior for their children.

The researchers say their findings underscore the need for early intervention and support for women who suffer from depression.

“By supporting the mother’s mental health, we’re really supporting the families, because of the long-term effects on children. It’s important to have early identification of what might be happening in order to help families teach their children healthy strategies for coping with emotions, such as play, mindfulness, or even just talking about our feelings,” Iwinski stated.

“Teachers and other supportive adults can also participate in supporting children and families. For example, they can be looking at eating patterns, noticing how children might be reacting in certain situations, and if food might be a coping mechanism for them. They can then use that information to talk about other ways to deal with emotions and bring the family more into the conversation.”

Reference:

Samantha J. Iwinski, Sehyun Ju, Qiujie Gong, Kelly K. Bost, Maternal postpartum depression and children’s emotional overeating: The mediating role of executive function, Eating Behaviors, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eatbeh.2025.101945.

Spinal anaesthesia (SA) is frequently associated with hypotension during caesarean sections (CS), with reported occurrences between 30% to 83%. To mitigate this complication, various preventive measures have been explored, including uterine tilting, crystalloid or colloid preloading, and the use of vasopressors. Recent meta-analyses suggest the effectiveness of vasopressors such as mephentermine and phenylephrine, albeit with ephedrine exhibiting less efficacy. This study investigates the impact of preoperative oxytocin infusion on haemodynamics in women undergoing elective CS under SA, specifically comparing the effects of administering oxytocin preoperatively versus post-delivery.

Study Design and Participants

The study was approved by the Ethics Committee and adhered to the Declaration of Helsinki. It involved women aged 18 or older with singleton pregnancies who were at least 37 weeks along. Exclusion criteria included hypertensive disorders, pre-labour rupture of membranes, and various risk factors complicating CS outcomes. Participants were randomized into two groups: Group C received preloading with a saline infusion, and Group O received preoperative oxytocin at 6 milli-IU/min.

Pre-operative Evaluations and Monitoring

All pre-operative participants underwent baseline evaluations for haemodynamic parameters, including blood pressure, heart rate, and cardiac output, using a sophisticated monitoring system. Upon shifting to the surgical environment, a standard protocol was followed for administering SA. The timing of measurements was critical, with haemodynamics assessed every minute until delivery and subsequently at regular intervals until the end of surgery.

Outcome Measures and Statistical Analysis

The primary outcome measure was the change in systolic blood pressure (SBP) following SA. Secondary outcomes included heart rate, mean arterial pressure, cardiac output, and any need for additional doses of vasopressors or oxytocin. Statistical analyses used t-tests and Mann-Whitney U tests for comparison between groups, with significance set at a p-value below 0.05.

Results and Comparison of Groups

From the 70 recruited patients, three were excluded, leaving 67 for analysis. The results indicate that Group O exhibited a significantly higher SBP at the 1-minute mark following SA when compared to Group C (107 mmHg vs. 89 mmHg respectively, p < 0.05). Moreover, Group O maintained a higher SBP for a longer duration after delivery, with significant differences observed for up to 15 minutes (p < 0.001). Participants in Group C required significantly more doses of both phenylephrine and oxytocin compared to those in Group O, showcasing improved haemodynamic stability in the preoperative oxytocin group.

Neonatal Outcomes

APGAR scores at both 1 and 5 minutes post-delivery were comparable between groups, suggesting that the preoperative administration of oxytocin did not negatively impact neonatal outcomes.

Conclusions and Future Directions

Considering these findings, the study concludes that preoperative oxytocin administration during elective CS under SA promotes better haemodynamic stability by preserving SBP and cardiac output. This approach also decreases the requirement for vasopressors, providing a potentially safer anaesthetic practice in this population. However, the research acknowledges limitations including a restricted sample size and the exclusive focus on elective pre-labour CS, which may not fully represent the broader population of women undergoing intrapartum procedures. Further studies are suggested to enhance understanding of the efficacy and safety of prophylactic oxytocin administration in varied clinical scenarios.

Key Points

– Spinal anaesthesia (SA) during caesarean sections (CS) is commonly linked to hypotension, with incidences reported between 30% and 83%. The study evaluates the effects of preoperative oxytocin infusion on haemodynamics in women undergoing elective CS under SA, comparing the outcomes of administering oxytocin either preoperatively or post-delivery.

– A randomized controlled trial was conducted involving women with singleton pregnancies, aged 18 or older, at least 37 weeks gestation, excluding those with hypertensive disorders or other risks affecting CS outcomes. Participants were divided into two groups: Group C received saline preloading, while Group O received oxytocin at a dosage of 6 milli-IU/min preoperatively.

– Participants underwent thorough baseline evaluations of haemodynamic parameters such as blood pressure and heart rate. Blood pressure was monitored every minute after SA, with further assessments until the end of surgery to track changes in the patient’s condition.

– The primary outcome measure was the change in systolic blood pressure (SBP) post-SA, while secondary outcomes included heart rate, mean arterial pressure, cardiac output, and the requirements for additional vasopressors. Statistical analysis demonstrated significant differences, notably a higher SBP in Group O at the 1-minute mark post-SA (107 mmHg) compared to Group C (89 mmHg), with continued superiority for 15 minutes (p < 0.001).

– Group C also required more doses of phenylephrine and oxytocin than Group O, indicating that preoperative oxytocin administration significantly improved haemodynamic stability during elective CS under SA.

– Neonatal outcomes, measured by APGAR scores at 1 and 5 minutes post-delivery, were found to be similar between both groups, suggesting that the preoperative oxytocin administration did not adversely affect neonatal health. Future research is recommended to explore the broader applicability of these findings in varied clinical contexts.

Reference –

Ram Jeevan et al. (2025). Effect Of Preoperative Oxytocin Infusion On Haemodynamics Among Women Undergoing Elective Caesarean Section Under Spinal Anaesthesia: A Randomised Controlled Study. *Indian Journal Of Anaesthesia*. https://doi.org/10.4103/ija.ija_1062_24.

Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is a leading cause of cancer-related deaths, and early detection is key to improving patient outcomes. However, the mechanisms driving the transition from preneoplastic lesions to full-blown cancer are not well understood. Previous research has primarily targeted advanced OSCC, overlooking the early stages of tumor progression.

A new study published in the journal PLOS Computational Biology reveals how foot traffic data from mobile devices can enhance neighborhood-level COVID-19 forecasts in New York City. The research, led by researchers at Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health and Dalian University of Technology, provides a novel approach to predicting the spread of the SARS-CoV-2 virus and improving targeted public health interventions during future outbreaks.

 Mumbai: Global pharma major Lupin Limited has announced that the company has
launched Eslicarbazepine Acetate Tablets, 200 mg, 400 mg, 600 mg, and 800 mg, following the
approval of its Abbreviated New Drug Application (ANDA) from the U.S. FDA.

The product is indicated for the treatment of partial-onset seizures in patients 4 years of age and older.

Eslicarbazepine Acetate Tablets, 200 mg, 400 mg, 600 mg, and 800 mg are bioequivalent to Aptiom Tablets, 200 mg, 400 mg, 600 mg, and 800 mg, of Sumitomo Pharma America, Inc..

Read also: Lupin Diagnostics receives NABL accreditation for all Greenfield Labs

According to the Company, it is one of the first ANDA applicants and is eligible for 180 days of shared generic exclusivity.

Eslicarbazepine Acetate Tablets (RLD Aptiom) had estimated annual sales of USD 395 million in the
U.S. (IQVIA MAT March 2025).

Last year, Lupin secured the USFDA approval for its Abbreviated New Drug Application for Topiramate Extended-Release Capsules, 25 mg, 50 mg, 100 mg, and 200 mg, to market a generic equivalent of Trokendi XR Extended-Release Capsules, 25 mg, 50 mg, 100 mg, and 200 mg, of Supernus Pharmaceuticals, Inc. 

Read also: Lupin Launches Ajaduo M Forte, a Triple Fixed-Dose Combination of Empagliflozin, Linagliptin, and Metformin Extended Release (ER)

Lupin Limited is a global pharmaceutical leader headquartered in Mumbai, India, with products distributed in
over 100 markets. Lupin specializes in pharmaceutical products, including branded and generic formulations,
complex generics, biotechnology products, and active pharmaceutical ingredients. The company has a strong position in India and the U.S. across
multiple therapy areas, including respiratory, cardiovascular, anti-diabetic, anti-infective, gastrointestinal,
central nervous system, and women’s health. Lupin has 15 state-of-the-art manufacturing sites and 7 research
centers globally.

Read also: BRESER Study Demonstrates Real-World Efficacy and Safety of Lupin’s Ranibizumab Biosimilar (Ranieyes)