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Introduction: Hypertensive Disorders of Pregnancy (HDP) is an independent risk factor of cardiovascular (CVS) disease with endothelial dysfunction postulated to be the pathophysiology. Endothelin-1 (ET-1), a potent vasoconstrictor, has been identified as a pivotal mediator in HDP. Disturbances in nitric oxide (NO) bioavailability found in endothelial dysfunction may increase susceptibility to cardiovascular diseases such as hypertension. The study aims to determine serial ET-1 and NO levels in patients with HDP and its role in persistent endothelial dysfunction. Materials and Methods: Thirty-six pregnant women from the following categories (i) normal pregnant women (Control) (ii) chronic hypertension during pregnancy (CH) and (iii) pregnancy induced hypertension (PIH) participated in this study. Blood pressure indices measurements and sample collection were done at antepartum (32 weeks) and postpartum (8 weeks and 12 weeks). ET-1 and serum NO were measured using the Human ET-1 (Endothelin-1) ELISA Kit and Nitric Oxide (total) detection kit respectively. Results: Serum ET-1 was significantly higher in patients with CH (55.3 pg/ml) and PIH (35.6 pg/ml) compared to Control (11.8 pg/ml) during antenatal until 3 months postpartum (CH 38.3 pg/ml, PIH 29.5 pg/ml, Control 1.9 pg/ml). This was accompanied by significantly lower levels of serum NO in HDP patients. Conclusion: Persistently higher than normal levels of ET-1 and lower than normal levels of NO up to 3 months postpartum in patients with history of HDP indicate presence of persistent endothelial dysfunction despite BP normalisation in PIH patients. Long term NO/ET-1 imbalance may account for the increased CVS disease risk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This case study demonstrates a 33-year old nursing mother who had noticed that her breastmilk had traces of blood giving the appearance of a strawberry coloured milk while expressing for her infant. This is an uncommon encounter but important issue to raise concern among Muslim nursing mothers in terms of medical safety and Islamic ruling of the standpoint of legal theorists (usul al-fiqh) and legal maxim (qawai'id fiqhiyyah). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The hypothalamus plays a crucial role in the modulation of social behavior by encoding internal states. The hypothalamic hypocretin/orexin neurons, initially identified as regulators of sleep and appetite, are important for emotional and motivated behaviors. However, their role in social behavior remains unclear. Using fiber photometry and behavioral analysis, we show here that hypocretin neurons differentially encode social discrimination based on the nature of social encounters. The optogenetic inhibition of hypocretin neuron activity or blocking of hcrt-1 receptors reduces the amount of time mice are engaged in social interaction in males but not in females. Reduced hcrt-1 receptor signaling during social interaction is associated with altered activity in the insular cortex and ventral tegmental area in males. Our data implicating hypocretin neurons as sexually dimorphic regulators within social networks have significant implications for the treatment of neuropsychiatric diseases with social dysfunction, particularly considering varying prevalence among sexes., Competing Interests: Declaration of interests The authors declare no competing interests., (Copyright © 2023 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)