How do mom's microbes affect pregnancy outcomes? UAB research aims to find out


As a baby slides out of the birth canal, on the way to its first breath, its body becomes coated in its mother’s microbes. This first interaction with outside organisms could be key to shaping the development of the baby’s immune system.

Our microbes, collectively called the microbiome, most often live in harmony with our bodies. They support the immune system, help to digest food and keep the metabolism on track, and fight off disease-causing bacteria. But researchers suspect that mom’s microbiome could play a role in when her children are born, and what happens to them as they grow.

“Most people know about the microbes that colonize the gut,” says Rodney Edwards, M.D., an associate professor in UAB’s Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology. “But there are bugs in and on us in many other sites—our skin, our mouths, our noses, our genitalia.”

During pregnancy, it turns out, the new needs and demands of a woman’s body change the numbers and types of these microbes. Alterations in how the body divvies up nutrients, stores fat, and produces hormones shift the properties of the microbes’ environments. But exactly how the microbiome changes over this nine-month period varies between pregnancies. And these variations, researchers are discovering, could impact not only the well being of a pregnant women herself, but the likelihood of pregnancy complications and the long-term health of a baby.

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http://themixuab.blogspot.com/2014/07/how-do-moms-microbes-affect-pregnancy.html#more

Obstetrics, Gynecology researchers receive prestigious award


The American Urogynecologic Society and the International Urogynecological Association have honored the University of Alabama at Birmingham’s Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology for work in the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development-sponsored Pelvic Floor Disorders Network, with the 2014 Best Paper in Basic Science award.

The award is given annually and was presented at the AUGS/IUGA Scientific Meeting.

“It is a great honor for the PFDN, our division and our department to be selected for producing the best basic science paper at our biggest national meeting, which is combined with one of the international organizations,” said Holly Richter, Ph.D., M.D., the J. Marion Sims Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology and director of the Division of Urogynecology and Pelvic Reconstructive Surgery. “Basic science research is important as it complements findings of clinical research initiatives. Physicians can better optimize treatment approaches if we understand the reasons that these conditions develop, and genetic information can help us more fully understand this.”

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http://www.uab.edu/medicine/news/latest/item/466-obstetrics-gynecology-researchers-receive-prestigious-award?utm_source=SOM&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=newsletter


Employee of the Month - June 2014

Luisa Hernandez Honored as OB/GYN’s June Employee of the Month


Luisa Hernandez, a Spanish Interpreter for the Obstetrics Complications Clinic (OBCC), thought that retirement after working in corporate America would be fulfilling, but soon found that she “was not ready.” And, had she remained retired, now realizes that she would have missed a wonderful opportunity to help the Hispanic population that would become more rewarding to her than to them. Hernandez has been honored as the OB/GYN June Employee of the Month.
After 12 years as an AT&T Senior Product Manager, Hernandez decided to retire rather than be relocated to another state after the company merged with BellSouth. She went home with the intention of relaxing, but soon realized that with an empty nest and her husband working days that she needed something to occupy her time. She saw a job announcement for an Office Services Specialist III position at UAB and decided to respond.
At AT&T, Hernandez handled everything related to the billing process for Spanish-speaking customers. Among other things, she developed and prepared mock-ups for the phone bill, worked with IT running tests and prepared the Spanish translations for telephone customer service prompts, instructions and communications. On a daily basis, she helped the Hispanic community - indirectly. Interestingly, she recognizes that her work at UAB is rewarding in a different way. She now helps the Hispanic community - directly.