Development Of Diseases In Adulthood Research Articles

Fetal programming and lactation: modulating gene expression in response to undernutrition during intrauterine life.

Adverse environmental conditions during intrauterine life, known as fetal programming, significantly contribute to the development of diseases in adulthood. Fetal programming induced by factors like maternal undernutrition leads to low birth weight and increases the risk of cardiometabolic diseases. We studied a rat model of maternal undernutrition during gestation (MUN) to investigate gene expression changes in cardiac tissue using RNA-sequencing of day 0-1 litters. Moreover, we analyzed the impact of lactation at day 21, in MUN model and cross-fostering experiments, on cardiac structure and function assessed by transthoracic echocardiography, and gene expression changes though qPCR. Our analysis identified specific genes with altered expression in MUN rats at birth. Two of them, Agt and Pparg, stand out for being associated with cardiac hypertrophy and fibrosis. At the end of the lactation period, MUN males showed increased expression of Agt and decreased expression of Pparg, correlating with cardiac hypertrophy. Cross-fostering experiments revealed that lactation with control breastmilk mitigated these expression changes reducing cardiac hypertrophy in MUN males. Our findings highlight the interplay between fetal programming, gene expression, and cardiac hypertrophy suggesting that lactation period is a potential intervention window to mitigate the effects of fetal programming. Heart remodeling involves the alteration of several groups of genes and lactation period plays a key role in establishing gene expression modification caused by fetal programming. We could identify expression changes of relevant genes in cardiac tissue induced by undernutrition during fetal life. We expose the contribution of the lactation period in modulating the expression of Agt and Pparg, relevant genes associated with cardiac hypertrophy. This evidence reveal lactation as a crucial intervention window for preventing or countering fetal programming.

Association of Fetal Lung Development Disorders with Adult Diseases: A Comprehensive Review.

Fetal lung development is a crucial and complex process that lays the groundwork for postnatal respiratory health. However, disruptions in this delicate developmental journey can lead to fetal lung development disorders, impacting neonatal outcomes and potentially influencing health outcomes well into adulthood. Recent research has shed light on the intriguing association between fetal lung development disorders and the development of adult diseases. Understanding these links can provide valuable insights into the developmental origins of health and disease, paving the way for targeted preventive measures and clinical interventions. This review article aims to comprehensively explore the association of fetal lung development disorders with adult diseases. We delve into the stages of fetal lung development, examining key factors influencing fetal lung maturation. Subsequently, we investigate specific fetal lung development disorders, such as respiratory distress syndrome (RDS), bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH), and other abnormalities. Furthermore, we explore the potential mechanisms underlying these associations, considering the role of epigenetic modifications, transgenerational effects, and intrauterine environmental factors. Additionally, we examine the epidemiological evidence and clinical findings linking fetal lung development disorders to adult respiratory diseases, including asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and other respiratory ailments. This review provides valuable insights for healthcare professionals and researchers, guiding future investigations and shaping strategies for preventive interventions and long-term care.

Long-term outcomes and potential mechanisms of offspring exposed to intrauterine hyperglycemia.

Diabetes mellitus during pregnancy, which can be classified into pregestational diabetes and gestational diabetes, has become much more prevalent worldwide. Maternal diabetes fosters an intrauterine abnormal environment for fetus, which not only influences pregnancy outcomes, but also leads to fetal anomaly and development of diseases in later life, such as metabolic and cardiovascular diseases, neuropsychiatric outcomes, reproduction malformation, and immune dysfunction. The underlying mechanisms are comprehensive and ambiguous, which mainly focus on microbiota, inflammation, reactive oxygen species, cell viability, and epigenetics. This review concluded with the influence of intrauterine hyperglycemia on fetal structure development and organ function on later life and outlined potential mechanisms that underpin the development of diseases in adulthood. Maternal diabetes leaves an effect that continues generations after generations through gametes, thus more attention should be paid to the prevention and treatment of diabetes to rescue the pathological attacks of maternal diabetes from the offspring.

Динаміка стану здоров’я школярів в Україні за даними анкетного опитування

Актуальність. За останні десятиріччя стан здоров’я та фізичний розвиток дитячого населення України погіршуються. Серед факторів, що спричиняють зниження рівня дитячого здоров’я, чи не найважливіша роль відводиться навчальному навантаженню, стресогенна дія якого веде до розвитку дезадаптаційного синдрому з невротичними реакціями різного ступеня інтенсивності. Матеріали та методи. На основі даних анкетування школярів м. Львова у 2002 р. (20 000 школярів), 2013 р. (32 000 учнів) і 2017 р. (70 000 школярів) поданий порівняльний аналіз вікової частоти основних скарг і симптомів, медико-соціальних особливостей учнів 1–11-х класів. Результати. Стан здоров’я школярів останніми роками не має тенденції до покращання. Найбільш частими є скарги школярів на біль у животі, печію, нудоту, біль голови, зниження апетиту, симптоми вегетативної лабільності й астенічного синдрому, інші симптоми синдрому шкільної дезадаптації, що, ймовірно, пов’язано з високим рівнем шкільного навантаження, неадекватним харчуванням, дією стресогенних факторів на тлі значного зниження фізичної активності школярів. Сучасний раціон школярів є незбалансованим, він не забезпечує добового надходження всіх необхідних нутрієнтів, у тому числі вітамінів і мікроелементів. Висновки. Комплексний підхід до оцінки стану здоров’я школярів на основі об’єктивної інформації, впровадження нових оздоровчих технологій, об’єднання зусиль медичних працівників, педагогів і батьків може запобігти розвитку функціональних порушень і органічної патології в школярів, їх хронізації, зменшити симптоми шкільної дезадаптації, підвищити рівень здоров’я і їх здатність до навчання, а також запобігти розвитку захворювань у дорослому віці. При цьому дана технологія не вимагає значних фінансових інвестицій.

Abstract P033: Identifying Racial/Ethnic Differences In Patterns Of Early Childhood Cardiovascular Health Using Electronic Health Record Data

Introduction: Racial/ethnic differences in CVH beginning at age 8 have been identified and linked with the development of cardiometabolic disease in adulthood; however, there is scarce research on CVH in very childhood. Our objective was to use a large, diverse pediatric EHR consortium to identify racial/ethnic patterns of clinical CVH from ages 2-12 years. Methods: We used ambulatory visit data spanning 2010-2018 from children aged 2-12 years within CAPriCORN - an EHR repository that combines medical records throughout the city of Chicago. The 4 clinical CVH metrics - BMI, blood pressure, cholesterol, and glucose - were categorized as ideal or non-ideal using available values of weight, height, blood pressure, laboratory readings, and ICD diagnosis codes. Multiple measurements within a given integer age were averaged by individual. Frequency of ideal and non-ideal status for each CVH metric was plotted by age in years and stratified by race/ethnicity (Figure). Results: There were 162,621 children included (47% female) with a median of 2 visits during follow-up. The race/ethnicity distribution was 4% Asian/Pacific Islander (API), 26% non-Hispanic Black (NHB), 44% non-Hispanic white (NHW), 18% Hispanic, and 8% other/unknown. Sustained decrease in ideal BMI occurred across race/ethnicity groups; however, proportion in ideal was consistently lower for NHB and Hispanic children. Ideal BP appeared to increase across childhood with few racial differences. Ideal cholesterol levels were constant across childhood, but the proportion of NHW children in ideal was lower than NHB and Hispanic children. Almost all individuals had ideal glucose levels throughout early childhood. Conclusions: Early childhood declines in CVH appeared to be driven by changes in ideal BMI. Racial/ethnic differences in ideal BMI and cholesterol were present by age 2 and were mostly sustained through age 12. Selection bias may account for some of these findings; consistent monitoring in early childhood is needed to better understand observed differences.

The prevalence of adolescent obesity in the world and the Russian Federation in 2012–2018

Introduction. The spread of obesity in the world is currently a severe problem. WHO considered it possible to view obesity a “non-communicable epidemic of the XXI century.” Obesity in the adolescent generation is a determining factor in the development of diseases in adulthood. The paper analyzes the prevalence of adolescent obesity in the Russian Federation as a whole and the regions of the Federation and various countries of the world. The purpose of this study is to analyze the prevalence of obesity in adolescents and assess the dynamics of the spread of this disease in Russia and the world, as well as factors affecting it and issues of prevention of this pathology. Methods. The authors used analytical and statistical methods and performed the study and generalization of experience and comparative analysis. This study was retrospective and was conducted using statistical data from the Rosstat database and who databases. Histograms were used to illustrate rank distributions and dynamics of indicators. Calculated growth coefficients and chain and basic growth rates were used as statistical indices of disease dynamics. Results. The paper deals with the dynamics of adolescent obesity in the world and the Russian Federation. The authors analyze the factors that affect obesity and issues of prevention of this pathology and determine the need to take urgent preventive measures to reduce the incidence of obesity. Conclusion. The spread of obesity globally, which is already close to an epidemic, is a severe problem. Obesity in adolescents is the leading risk factor for developing obesity in adulthood. In this way, the state can create conditions that will help contain and possibly reduce the increase in the incidence of adolescent obesity.

Socioeconomic Status and Parental Lifestyle Are Associated With Vascular Phenotype in Children.

Background/Aims: Socioeconomic barriers and lifestyle conditions affect development of cardiovascular disease in adults, but little is known about the association of parental lifestyle and education with childhood health. We aimed to investigate the association of socioeconomic status (SES), migration background, parental physical activity (PA) and smoking status with micro-and macrovascular health in children.Methods: In 2016/2017, 833 school children (aged 7.2 ± 0.4 years) in Basel (Switzerland) were screened for retinal arteriolar-to-venular ratio (AVR), pulse wave velocity (PWV), SES, migration background and parental PA as well as smoking status.Results: High parental PA levels were associated with a favorable higher AVR (p = 0.020) and lower PWV (p = 0.035), but not independent of parental smoking status. Children with parents who smoked had a higher PWV [4.39 (4.35–4.42) m/s] compared to children with non-smoking parents [4.32 (4.29–4.34) m/s, p = 0.001]. Children of parents with a low household income had a higher PWV [4.36 (4.32–4.41) m/s] compared to children of parents with a high household income [4.30 (4.26–4.34) m/s, p = 0.033]. Low parental educational level was associated with a lower AVR [0.86 (0.85–0.88)] compared to children with highly educated parents [AVR:0.88 (0.87–0.88), p = 0.007; PWV: 4.33 (4.30–4.35) m/s, p = 0.041]. Children with a European background showed a higher AVR [0.88 (0.87–0.88)] compared to non-European children [AVR: (0.86 (0.85–0.87), p = 0.034].Conclusion: Parental PA is associated with better macro- and microvascular childhood health. However, the positive association is lost when parental smoking is considered in the analysis. Socioeconomic factors seem to associate with subclinical vascular alterations in children. Primary prevention programs should focus on including parental lifestyle interventions and educational programs to reduce the burden of lifestyle-associated barriers in order to improve cardiovascular health during lifespan.Clinical Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov Exercise and Arterial Modulation in Youth, https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02853747, NCT02853747.

Fetal programming is a way to prevent diseases in adulthood (literature review)

The article presents the literary review of domestic and foreign sources on fetal programming. Intrauterine programming is the in utero phenomenon that determines the subsequent susceptibility of the body to chronic and acute diseases, which is laid down at the cellular and molecular levels. Currently, this direction is promising and relevant due to the decrease in fertility rates in many countries, the emergence of a large number of low birth weight children and the postponement of childbearing by women to a later age. The article discloses the influence of excess and underweight at birth on the frequency and structure of diseases in adulthood, as well as the key links in the formation of insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes mellitus, obesity, osteoporosis, diseases of the cardiovascular system, which are based on various disorders of intrauterine development. The reasons for these disorders are changes in the synthesis of fetal and placental hormones, which regulate metabolism (with a deficit in body weight - the catabolic orientation of metabolism), redistribute blood flow and control growth. The main factors influencing the programming of diseases in the fetus are: nutritional status of the mother, the functioning of the feto-placental system, stress, bad habits, the state of the endocrine and immune systems. Particular attention is paid to the intrauterine effect of hormones such as insulin, cortisol, growth hormone and the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system. The present-day data on the role of essential amino acids, vitamins and microelements in the development of diseases in adulthood are presented. The negative influence of both insufficient and excess vitamins on the intrauterine development of the fetus is shown, and the optimal terms for correcting their balance are indicated.

Issues of Supplemental Support in Pediatric Ophthalmology

The ophthalmologist often raises the issues about using of various vitamins, trace elements and other nutrients for the prevention and treatment of the different ocular diseases at their practice. The significance of this problem is caused by the importance of the vision for the socialization of modern person, as well as the high intensity of the visual analyzer using both in the process of performing professional occupation and in the usual indoor/outdoor activities. The issues of the supplemental support in pediatric ophthalmology are especially important, as today formation of the visual organ in children develops under increased visual stress. For the total population, including children, of the industrialized countries the most typical form of vitamin deficiency is subnormal vitamin supply, which occurs among almost healthy children of different ages. The supplemental support issues should be considered in relation to certain types of ocular pathology in children. The most common problem today among children is myopia with projected high increase of this refraction anomaly magnitude in the future. The oxidative stress is the main pathogenesis factor of many degenerative diseases development, including myopia. It is considered as the oxidative stress is realized due to both endogenous processes and various external factors impact, including ultraviolet radiation. Not only vitamins with antioxidant properties (A, C, E), but the trace elements (zinc and copper), bioflavonoids (anthocyanoides) and xanthophilic pigments (lutein, zeaxanthin) are necessary to stabilize myopia and to prevent the development of degenerative diseases in adulthood. These substances are involved in the most important physiological and biosynthetic processes in the sclera, retina and other eye structures and render an influence on its microvessels and hemodynamics in general. All these substances are not synthesized in the human body, and in order to maintain metabolism and homeostasis the sufficient alimentary intake should be provided beginning with early age. The complex drugs, which include multipotential and synergistic active substances, are of particular interest.

Abstract MP16: Metabolic Predictors Of Target Organ Damage In Adolescents: The SHIP AHOY Study

The development of cardiovascular disease in adults has been directly linked to a metabolic phenotype that includes hypertension, obesity and dyslipidemia. While there is evidence that the development of these risk factors in childhood is linked with persistence into adulthood and eventual development of cardiovascular disease, less is known about whether these risk factors contribute to target organ damage during childhood. We collected data from 379 otherwise healthy adolescents (mean age 15.5 +/- 1.8, 60% male, 37% Non-White) across the blood pressure spectrum to determine if there is a metabolic phenotype that predicts target organ damage in adolescents. A cardiovascular risk score was calculated (1 point each for: LDL >155 or HDL <40 or TG >150; BMI > 95%; fasting glucose >100; HOMA-IR > 2.5). Generalized linear models were constructed to determine if the cardiovascular risk score was independently associated with measures of target organ damage. Cardiovascular risk score was significantly associated increased left ventricular mass index (β = 1.64, R 2 0.19) , increased pulse wave velocity (β = 0.05, R 2 0.21) and several echocardiographic parameters of diastolic dysfunction (e’/a’: β = -0.07 R 2 0.27; E/A: β = -0.04, R 2 0.11; E/e’: β =0.03, R 2 0.13) after correction for age, sex, race, HR, creatinine, uric acid and log CRP (all models P<0.0009). We found no association with peak longitudinal strain or microalbuminuria. Our study suggests that presence of cardiovascular risk factors in adolescence predicts target organ damage at a young age and could potentially be modified to prevent progression of disease.

Abstract P219: Mice Exposed To Early Life Stress Have Impaired Autonomic Activity At Baseline And In Response To Acute Stress In Adulthood

Early life stress (ELS) is an independent risk factor for the development of cardiovascular disease in adulthood in both humans and rodent models. Maternal separation and early weaning (MSEW), a model of ELS, produces mice with an increased risk of cardiovascular dysfunction in adulthood, despite resting blood pressures (BP), heart rates (HR), and body weights comparable to normally reared controls. Autonomic regulation of HR and BP is an important component of the homeostatic response to stress but has not been investigated in MSEW mice. We hypothesized that exposure to MSEW impairs autonomic function at baseline and in response to an acute psychosocial stressor in adult male mice. C57Bl/6J litters were randomly assigned to MSEW or normally reared control conditions. MSEW litters were separated from dams for 4 h on postnatal days (PDs) 2-5, 8 h on PDs 6-16, and weaned at PD 17. Control litters were undisturbed until weaning at PD 21. At 9 weeks old, telemeters were implanted in MSEW (n=16) and control mice (n=12). During cage switch stress (CSS), mice were moved to a soiled, unfamiliar cage for 4 h. HR, systolic BP (SBP), diastolic BP (DBP), and activity (monitored by telemetry) were similar between control and MSEW mice at baseline and during CSS (p>0.05, 2-way ANOVA). Spectral analysis of HR, SBP, and DBP indicated that HR variability (HRV) total power was lower in MSEW mice during the 12 h inactive period compared to controls (18.9±1.1 ms 2 vs. 27.5±3.1 ms 2 ; p=0.0033, 2-way ANOVA) at baseline. HRV low frequency (LF) power was also lower during the 12 h inactive period in MSEW mice (4.2±0.4 ms 2 vs.6.6±0.9 ms 2 ; p=0.009). At baseline, 12 h and 24 h DBP variability LF/high frequency (HF) ratio, normalized LF, and normalized HF power were lower in the MSEW group (p<0.05, all comparisons). During the final 90 minutes of CSS, MSEW mice had lower HRV total, LF, and HF power compared to controls (p<0.05); although HR, SBP, DBP, and activity remained similar between groups. These data suggest that MSEW mice have impaired autonomic control of HR and DBP and lack the ability to robustly respond and recover from an acute stressor. Reduced responsiveness of the autonomic nervous system may contribute to the increased risk of cardiovascular disease development in adult mice exposed to MSEW.

The meconium microbiota shares more features with the amniotic fluid microbiota than the maternal fecal and vaginal microbiota

ABSTRACT The early-life gut microbiota is associated with potential development of diseases in adulthood. The sterile womb paradigm has been challenged by recent reports that revealed the presence of the meconium, amniotic fluid, and placenta microbiome. This study aimed to explore the maternal origin of the microbiota of neonate meconium by using the PacBio single-molecule real-time circular consensus sequencing technology. Such technology could produce high fidelity reads of full-length 16S rRNA genes, improving the sensitivity and specificity of taxonomic profiling. It also reduced the risk of false positives. This study analyzed the full-length 16S rRNA-based microbiota of maternal samples (amniotic fluid, feces, vaginal fluid, saliva) and first-pass meconium of 39 maternal-neonate pairs. Alpha- and beta-diversity analyses revealed sample type-specific microbiota features. Most sample types were dominated by sequences representing different genera (Lactobacillus and Curvibacter in the amniotic fluid and vaginal fluid microbiota; Bacillus and Escherichia/Shigella in the meconium microbiota; Bacteroides and Faecalibacterium in the maternal fecal microbiota; Streptococcus and Prevotella in the maternal saliva microbiota). Moreover, specific operational taxonomic units (OTUs) were identified in all sample types. Dyad analysis revealed common OTUs between the meconium microbiota and microbiota of multiple maternal samples. The meconium microbiota shared more features with the amniotic fluid microbiota than the maternal fecal and vaginal microbiota. Our results strongly suggested that the meconium microbiota was seeded from multiple maternal body sites, and the amniotic fluid microbiota contributed most to the seeding of the meconium microbiota among the investigated maternal body sites.

The Importance of Reference Centers and Registries for Rare Diseases: The Example of Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency

Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency (AATD) is a rare and underdiagnosed disease that is associated with the development of liver disease in adults and children and pulmonary emphysema in adults. Several studies have shown that there is limited knowledge about the disease and its diagnosis among health care providers, and there is an important inequity in the access to specialized care and appropriate treatment across Europe. The European Commision and the European Respiratory Society (ERS) recommend that the care of patients with AATD must be organized in reference centers at national or regional levels. These reference centers must provide optimal clinical care in terms of adequate diagnostic techniques, such as phenotyping and genotyping, and ensure access to treatment according to guidelines. Reference centers should also provide continuous medical education for health care professionals, genetic counseling, collaboration with patient associations and promote collaborative research and clinical trials with new and existing treatments for the disease. These centers must have a registry of their activity and collaborate with large, international, multicenter registries, such as the European Alpha-1 antitrypsin Deficiency Research Collaboration (EARCO) international registry, which is endorsed by the ERS, and aims to recruit up to 3,000 patients over a period of three years and prospectively follow them to better understand the natural history of the disease and the impact of different treatments on outcomes in a real life setting. International collaboration and standardized collection of high-quality prospective data will provide new insights into the clinical manifestations and prognosis of AATD.

Effects of 12 Weeks of Resistance Training on Cardiovascular Risk Factors in School Adolescents

Background and objectives: The practice of physical exercise, especially resistance exercise, is important for the treatment and/or prevention of cardiovascular risk factors in adult individuals. However, there are few studies on its effects on adolescent individuals. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of applying a 12-week resistance training program on cardiovascular risk factors in adolescents. Materials and Methods: Thus, 122 adolescents aged 13–16 years of both genders participated in the study from school in the city of Lagarto, Sergipe (SE), Brazil, divided into two groups: Control Group (CG) and Group undergoing resistance training (RTG). Blood collection and anthropometric measurements were performed before and after the 12-week resistance training program (RTP). Results: After 12 weeks of the RTP in the adolescents, there was a reduction in the triglyceride variables (9.55%, p = 0.0286), Low-Density Lipoproteins (LDL) (5.42%, p = 0.0244), non-High-Density Lipoproteins (HDL) (5.40%, p = 0.0019), blood glucose (6.71%, p = 0.0040), systolic blood pressure (10.13%, p < 0.0001), as well as an increase in the body weight variable (1.73%, p = 0.0003). Conclusions: It was concluded that a 12-week RTP can prevent and/or alleviate the development of several chronic degenerative diseases in adulthood and that resistance training is important for maintaining the health of adolescents.

Confiabilidad de la Escala Apoyo Social en Redes Sociales para el manejo del peso corporal

Introducción: La adolescencia es considerada una etapa crítica en la que se podrían adoptar estilos de vida poco saludables que contribuyen al desarrollo de enfermedades en la edad adulta, este panorama aumenta las posibilidades para que los adolescentes se interesen y preocupen por el manejo del peso corporal, en este sentido los consejos, aliento y recomendaciones sobre una alimentación saludable son de importancia para lograr resultados favorables, lo anterior es un tipo de apoyo social que puede encontrarse en ambientes virtuales o redes sociales. Objetivo: Diseñar y valorar un primer análisis de confiabilidad de una escala corta para valorar el apoyo social percibido por adolescentes en redes sociales para el manejo del peso corporal basado en una alimentación saludable (Fase I). Metodología: Diseño descriptivo polietápico, se diseñó y valoró la confiabilidad de la escala apoyo social percibido por adolescentes en redes sociales para el manejo del peso corporal basado en una alimentación saludable, se aplicó a 32 adolescentes. Resultado: El alfa de Cronbach que demostró el cuestionario fue 0.85. Conclusión: El cuestionario demostró una confiabilidad aceptable.

Developmental Programming of PCOS Traits: Insights from the Sheep.

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a complex disorder that results from a combination of multiple factors, including genetic, epigenetic, and environmental influences. Evidence from clinical and preclinical studies indicates that elevated intrauterine androgen levels increase the susceptibility of the female offspring to develop the PCOS phenotype. Additionally, early postnatal endocrine and metabolic imbalances may act as a “second-hit”, which, through activational effects, might unmask or amplify the modifications programmed prenatally, thus culminating in the development of adult disease. Animal models provide unparalleled resources to investigate the effects of prenatal exposure to androgen excess and to elucidate the etiology and progression of disease conditions associated with this occurrence, such as PCOS. In sheep, prenatal treatment with testosterone disrupts the developmental trajectory of the fetus, culminating in adult neuroendocrine, ovarian, and metabolic perturbations that closely resemble those seen in women with PCOS. Our longitudinal studies clearly demonstrate that prenatal exposure to testosterone excess affects both the reproductive and the metabolic systems, leading to a self-perpetuating cycle with defects in one system having an impact on the other. These observations in the sheep suggest that intervention strategies targeting multiple organ systems may be required to prevent the progression of developmentally programmed disorders.

SP189Risk factors for the development of chronic kidney disease in adults with IgA vasculitis

SP189Risk factors for the development of chronic kidney disease in adults with IgA vasculitis

Mild energy restriction and physical swimming activity: biochemical effects and food preference in male rats

Caloric restriction at the beginning of life has been associated with the development of chronic diseases in adulthood. However, physical exercise can be advocated as a non-invasive intervention to minimize adverse effects. Female Wistar rats were fed either a normocaloric or hypocaloric diet from the third week of gestation to the end of lactation. The offspring were also submitted to either a normocaloric or hypocaloric diet and were allocated to groups with or without physical exercise. Thus, six groups were formed: normocaloric–normocaloric-inactive—NNI (n = 9), normocaloric–normocaloric-active—NNA (n = 7), hypocaloric–normocaloric-inactive—HNI (n = 8), hypocaloric–normocaloric-active—NHA (n = 9), hypocaloric–hypocaloric-inactive—HHI (n = 6) and hypocaloric–hypocaloric-active—HHA (n = 6). Body weight, food consumption and preference, biochemical variables, visceral fat and organ weight were evaluated. Perinatal energy restriction led to lower body weight during the lactation period, but with recovery in all groups after weaning. No difference in food intake was found among the groups, but the food preference test revealed that the continual energy restriction and physical activity were associated with a preference for carbohydrates. Continuous energy restriction exerted a harmful effect on biochemical variables such as glucose, LDL-c and total cholesterol. Lipid recovery serum, however, was observed in the HNA group. Metabolic changes were more pronounced in animals submitted to a continual hypocaloric diet, but physical activity proved to be beneficial with regard to some of the analyzed variables.

Trends in urban/rural inequalities in cardiovascular risk biomarkers among Chinese adolescents in two decades, 1991–2011

Introduction Urban living affects children's nutrition and growth, which determine their survival, cognitive development and lifelong health. Despite well-documented rural-urban inequalities in child health in China, there are few attempts to examine how these relationships have changed during the process of China's urbanisation. This study aims to examine urban/rural inequalities in cardiovascular risk biomarkers among Chinese adolescents in two decades from 1991 to 2011 during the process of China's rapid urbanisation. Methods Data were drawn from a nationwide longitudinal dataset of the China Health and Nutrition Survey (CHNS) (sweeps 1991, 1993, 1997, 2000, 2004, 2006, 2009 and 2011). Children aged between 12 and 17 years (boys: n = 6,055; girl: n = 5,528) were included. A dynamic urbanisation index was created for each community (village or neighbourhood) based on community-level data that can reveal the heterogeneity within and across places and capture dimensions of social, economic and physical characteristics of urban living over time and space. Multilevel modeling analyses (level 1: occasions; level 2: individuals; level 3: households; level 4: communities) were performed on outcomes of cardiovascular risk biomarkers including anthropometric measures and blood pressure. Cardiovascular risk biomarkers increase during 1991 to 2011. Results After adjustment for individual- and household-level confounders, urbanisation tends to have an independent and positive impact on BMI and waist circumference for boys but not for girls. We found significant and positive interaction effect between urbanisation index and survey years for waist circumference for girls: time trends become greater when areas become more urbanized. For blood pressure, when areas become more urbanized the trends for boys become less pronounced. Conclusions Chinese adolescents are experiencing an upward trend of cardiovascular risk in last two decades. Its rapid urbanisation appears to further increase the risk, especially for boys, which may contribute to the development of cardiovascular disease in adulthood. Given China's urbanisation is strongly influenced by the state, there is a possibility for policy intervention to reduce inequality during the process of China's planned urbanisation.

Effect of stress on human biology: Epigenetics, adaptation, inheritance, and social significance.

I present a brief introduction to epigenetics, focused primarily on methylation of the genome and various regulatory RNAs, modifications of associated histones, and their importance in enabling us to adapt to real and changing environmental, developmental, and social circumstances. Following this is a more extensive overview of how it impacts our inheritance, our entire life (which changes as we age), and how we interact with others. Throughout, I emphasize the critical influence that stress, of many varieties exerts, via epigenetic means, on much of how we live and survive, mostly in the brain. I end with a short section on multigenerational transmission, drugs, and the importance of both social life and early life experiences in the development of adult diseases. There will be nothing about cancer. Although epigenetics is critical in that field, it is a whole different cobweb of complications (some involving stress).