1. Maternal gut microbiota in gestational diabetes mellitus and fetal macrosomia : is there an association?Lejla Pašić, Katja Molan, Draženka Pongrac Barlovič, Marjanca Starčič Erjavec, Darja Žgur-Bertok, Jerneja Ambrožič, 2025, izvirni znanstveni članek Opis: Background/Objectives: Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is associated with altered maternal gut microbiota and increased risk of large-for-gestational age (LGA) births. The contribution of gut microbiota to fetal overgrowth in GDM, independent of glycemic control, remains unclear. Methods: In this pilot longitudinal study, the gut microbiota of 18 women with GDM was followed from the second (2T) to the third trimester (3T). Maternal fecal samples were analyzed by 16S rRNA gene sequencing, and associations between microbial profiles and infant birth weight were examined. In addition, these associations were adjusted for pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI) and gestational weight gain (GWG). Results: Maternal gut microbiota of LGA infants exhibited consistently lower microbial diversity, a reduced Bacillota/Bacteroidota ratio, and enrichment of pro-inflammatory taxa including Prevotella, Sutterella, and Bilophila. Short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs)-producing genera such as Acinetobacter, Odoribacter, Faecalibacterium, and Lachnoclostridium were depleted. Although Bilophila was identified as a third-trimester biomarker with LEfSE approach, its association with LGA disappeared after adjusting for BMI and GWG. Conversely, Nitrospirota, Polaromonas, Acinetobacter, and Aeromonas correlated negatively with LGA even after BMI and GWG adjustment. Conclusions: These findings suggest that specific maternal microbiota signatures, together with pre-pregnancy adiposity, influence fetal overgrowth in GDM and may serve as early biomarkers or targets for preventive interventions.
Ključne besede: gut microbiota, gestational diabetes, large for gestational age infants, gestational weight gain
Objavljeno v ReVIS: 09.12.2025; Ogledov: 236; Prenosov: 4
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2. Health literacy and interventions on antibiotics use and AMR in younger generations in high-income countries : a systematic reviewKatja Molan, Anamarija Zore, Nevenka Kregar-Velikonja, 2025, pregledni znanstveni članek Opis: Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a growing threat to global health, accelerated by the widespread inappropriate use of antibiotics. Although educational initiatives have been launched worldwide, there is little evidence on how younger generations in high-income countries (HICs) understand and address AMR. Addressing the AMR crisis requires proactive education of younger generations, including children, adolescents, and young adults, who will shape future healthcare practices. This review analyzes existing research on AMR literacy among these age groups in HICs, as knowledge gaps and risky behaviors persist even in HICs, despite their strong education and health infrastructures. The purpose of this review is to examine the knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors related to antibiotic use and antibiotic resistance in younger generations while identifying effective educational interventions. Methods: We performed a comprehensive literature search in PubMed until June 2025, followed by AI-assisted screening (Claude 4.0 Sonnet) and a manual review. The search strategy combined terms from the areas of health literacy, antibiotics, antibiotic resistance/AMR, and young populations. Studies in HICs that examined the younger generation’s knowledge about antibiotics and AMR, analyzed their attitudes or behavior toward them, or evaluated relevant educational interventions were included. Data were synthesized thematically across all included studies. Results: Nineteen studies from 11 HICs were included, including thirteen cross-sectional surveys and six educational intervention studies. The results showed that misconceptions about how antibiotics work are still very common. Several of those asked (22–80%) incorrectly stated that resistance develops in the human body and not in bacteria. Many (26–77%) mistakenly agreed with the statement that antibiotics treat viral infections. Concerning behaviors included high rates of self-medication, non-adherence to treatment, and unsafe storage practices. Several authors propose an amendment of curricula. Educational interventions, particularly gamification and peer education approaches, showed improvements in knowledge and sustained learning outcomes. Conclusions: Knowledge of AMR among young people in HICs is still inadequate, despite educational advantages. Most existing studies focus on college students, while children and adolescents, crucial groups for early prevention, are underrepresented. Targeted, age-appropriate education employing interactive methods represents an evidence-based strategy to improve antibiotic use behavior and support global AMR control efforts.
Ključne besede: antibiotic use, AMR, educational interventions, educational interventions, young people
Objavljeno v ReVIS: 26.09.2025; Ogledov: 422; Prenosov: 6
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10. Fecal short-chain fatty acids are associated with obesity in gestational diabetesKatja Molan, Jerneja Ambrožič, Matevž Likar, Draženka Pongrac Barlovič, Darja Žgur-Bertok, Marjanca Starčič Erjavec, 2025, izvirni znanstveni članek Opis: Background: Short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), which are produced by the microbial fermentation of undigested carbohydrates, play an important role in the metabolism and physiology of the host. SCFAs are involved in the regulation of maternal metabolism during pregnancy and influence weight gain, glucose metabolism, and metabolic hormones. Methods: In 2017, women who were treated for gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) at the University Medical Centre Ljubljana were invited to participate in a longitudinal study. A total of 45 women were included in this study and comprehensively phenotyped. During the second and third trimester of pregnancy, the women with GDM provided fecal samples for SCFA analysis. The samples were analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography for the simultaneous determination of acetate, propionate, and butyrate. Results: SCFA concentrations in feces differed between overweight/obese and normal-weight women with GDM. Acetate and propionate concentrations were significantly higher in pregnant women who were overweight or obese before pregnancy compared to normal-weight women but butyrate concentrations were not. Butyrate was elevated in the third trimester in the group with excessive gestational weight gain. Conclusions: The relationship between SCFAs and obesity is complex, and the association between SCFAs and GDM remains to be clarified. Regardless of the conflicting publications on the role of SCFAs, our study showed that higher acetate and propionate levels were associated with the weight categories of overweight or obesity before pregnancy and higher butyrate levels were associated with excessive gestational weight gain.
Ključne besede: fecal SCFA, pregnancy, gestational diabetes mellitus, preconception BMI, gestational weight gain
Objavljeno v ReVIS: 12.02.2025; Ogledov: 1629; Prenosov: 4
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