Early Age Research Articles

Pemberian Asupan Gizi Seimbang terhadap Pertumbuhan dan Perkembangan Anak Usia Dini

This study aims to determine the effect of the application of balanced nutritional foods on early childhood growth and development at Sindang State Kindergarten. This study uses a Quantitative research method with a survey type. This method is used in evaluation to make a systematic, factual, and accurate description of the facts and properties of a particular population or area. The total research population was 33 children, then taken using purposive sampling so that the research respondents became 15 children. The instruments used in this study used observation sheets in the form of checklists with data collection through observation, documentation, and structured questionnaires regarding the effect of the application of balanced nutritional feeding on early childhood growth and development. The data analysis technique used a simple linear regression test using the help of the SPSS technique. This research data analysis technique tests validity, descriptive statistics, normality, homogeneity, simple linear regression, correlation, and dependent sample tests using statistics with the help of SPSS. Based on the results of this study there is a significant effect of balanced nutritional feeding on early childhood growth and development in Sindang State Kindergarten. This is evidenced based on the Ftable results calculated using the f test with a sig of 0.05 is 2.70 so that fcount>ftable (9.006> 4.543). This shows that Ha is accepted Ho is rejected, which means that providing balanced nutritional food has a positive and significant effect on the growth and development of children after early age at TK Negeri Sindang.

Emplacement and landscape controls on ancient submarine volcanism: 3D seismic geomorphological analysis of Cretaceous volcanic activity in the Browse Basin, Australian North West Shelf

Ancient submarine volcanic systems preserved within sedimentary basins provide opportunities to investigate the time and spatial distributions of intrusive and extrusive rocks, though existing work has largely focused on the geometrical features of submarine volcanic products, with limited interrogation of their interactions with sedimentary processes. This study investigates a buried submarine volcanic system within the Browse Basin, Australian North West Shelf. Through the integration of three-dimensional seismic reflection survey with borehole data, our study reveals intricate geometric features of a submarine volcano and lava channels, and their relationship to an associated intrusive network of Early Cretaceous age that has been preserved beneath ∼3.5 km of sedimentary overburden. In planform, the volcano has a diameter >4.5 km with a preserved height reaching 650 m. Meandering lava flow channels extend ∼20 km southward of the volcanic edifice, forming lava lobes with pressure ridges at the flow termini. Abundant sheet intrusions, identified within underlying Jurassic and older strata, indicate a magma transport from the north. The localised accumulation of sills led to variations in paleo-seafloor topography, influencing the direction of lava flows and post-volcanic sedimentation patterns. Our findings have a broad range of implications encompassing submarine volcanism and their impacts on basin dynamics.

A new helcionelloid mollusc from the Cambrian of Green land and Idaho (Laurentia)

Ressericonella gen. nov., a new genus of helcionelloid mollusc, characterized by a narrow shell with a shallowly convex dorsal surface and flat to shallowly concave lateral areas, is described from the Cambrian of Greenland and Idaho. The type species is Helcionella aequa Resser, 1939 from the Langston Formation (Naomi Peak Limestone Member) of early middle Cambrian age (Miaolingian Series, Wuliuan Stage, Albertella Biozone). Ressericonella pipalukae gen. et sp. nov. occurs in the latest early Cambrian (Cambrian Series 2, Stage 4, Bonnia–Pagetides elegans Biozone) of southern Freuchen Land, North Greenland. Silicified specimens of Ressericonella pipalukae from North Greenland preserve two-layered shell structure in which an inner layer with a transverse fibrous pattern similar to lamello-fibrillar structure is overlain by an outer layer with fine threads radiating from the apex.

Textiles and Staple Finance in the Near East and the Southern Levant

Textiles have long been recognized as a key feature in the economic and social development of early complex societies. Many comparative dimensions, however, remain unexplored, including within the ancient Near East. Unlike contemporary societies in Syria and Mesopotamia, wool was not used as a staple finance good in the Early Bronze Age southern Levant (c. 3700–2000 bce) since the landscape could not permit adequately scaled production. In larger cultural regions wool was produced at vast scales and helped underpin royal institutions. But without a non-perishable, high-volume and high-value commodity like wool, staple finance in the southern Levant was restricted to seasonally produced grain, wine and oil, primarily used in exchange for local labour. Moreover, without wool there was little need in the southern Levant for the administrative and security technologies used elsewhere, namely seals and sealing, and later, writing. This limited the development of complex institutions and cognitive abilities.

The effects of antioxidant administration in the early stages of radiation-induced tumorigenesis.

ApcMin/+ mouse was a model mouse for human familial adenomatous polyposis, and irradiation at an early age increases tumors in the small and large intestine. To study the effects of antioxidant administration on tumor incidence after continuous whole-body exposure to gamma rays, ApcMin/+ mice were exposed to a medium-dose-rate, 200mGy/d, from postnatal Day 0 to 21 of age or a high-dose-rate of 0.65Gy/min (total dose 4.2Gy) on postnatal Day 7. The dams and pups were supplied with the N-acetylcysteine (NAC) in drinking water (7g/L), from gestation Day 15 until weaning (21days-old). A significant increase in the number of intestinal tumors were observed in ApcMin/+ mice irradiated with high dose-rate gamma rays as compared with the non-irradiated controls, but there was no significant difference in tumor counts between the non-irradiated controls and the medium-dose rate irradiation groups. NAC administration did not have any significant effect at least at this dose. These results suggest that the supplementation of anti-oxidant at the early stage of tumorigenesis does not suppress the formation of irradiation-induced small intestinal tumors.

Using metabolic data to investigate the role of brood size in the development of endothermy

Altricial songbirds transform themselves from naked poikilotherms to fully feathered endothermic homeotherms over a matter of days from hatching to fledging. The ontogeny of endothermy is a developmental milestone for birds that not only face warmer average temperatures, but also increasingly frequent cold snaps and extreme weather. The timing of development of endothermy has been studied in altricial birds for over half a century. However, the determinants and constraints of the onset of endothermy are not yet fully understood. We experimentally investigated whether brood size influences the ontogeny of endothermic heat production in 4–8 day‐old nestling blue tits Cyanistes caeruleus in southern Sweden. The thermogenic response to a cooling challenge (15°C) increased with age overall. We found that 8‐day‐old nestlings from reduced broods had a slightly increased capacity for endothermic heat production compared to enlarged broods. This difference cannot be explained by body mass because this trait did not differ between brood size categories. Although a metabolic response was present in most nestlings by day 6, it was brief, not lasting more than a few minutes, and not sufficient to maintain a stable body temperature in any age group. Our study shows that incipient endothermy is present at an early age in nestling blue tits and may advance faster in reduced broods, but that individual nestlings lack sufficient insulation and thermogenic performance to maintain homeothermy independently during the first week of life.

Risk Factors Involved in Postural Disorders in Children and Adolescents

Postural disorders in children and adolescents have an increasing incidence. The aim of this study was to identify the type of postural defects in school-age and preschool children, as well as the external risk factors determined by an inadequate lifestyle. The research included 134 children aged between 5 and 18 years, in whom postural defects were identified. The project involved an examination of the children’s body posture, a survey of the parents to determine the children’s lifestyle, blood tests, and spinal X-rays. A significant percentage (76%) of the children included in the study were underweight. The examination of postural defects in the students revealed scoliosis in 21% of the patients, kyphosis in 7.5%, and lordosis in 1.5%, while 70% of the patients presented an association between at least two postural defects. As far as risk factors are concerned, we identified the presence of rickets sequelae in 70% of the patients, the presence of pectus excavatum in 43% of the patients, genu varum in 15%, and flat foot in 12%. Additionally, 90% of the children had an incorrect posture at the desk, while 42% incorrectly carried their backpack on one shoulder only. In terms of diet quality, associations between an inadequate diet and postural disorders were found for kyphosis, scoliosis, and other deformities. In conclusion, postural abnormalities in children have an increased incidence from an early age and are a result of the change in lifestyle in recent years, represented by sedentarism, a lack of physical activity, the excessive use of electronic devices, stress, and an inadequate diet.

Abstract 4137309: Superior Ventricular Longitudinal Strain Is Linked To Metabolic Adaptations, Protective Ventricular Remodeling Among Older Women And Clinical Outcomes.

Background: Superior left ventricular (LV) systolic function among older women over men has been linked to differences in aging-related ventricular remodeling. Global longitudinal strain (LVGLS) is particularly susceptible to early aging perturbations and may precede systolic failure. Combining cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) with metabolomics, we investigated LVGLS in parallel with markers of myocardial biosynthesis and metabolism pathways to explore the mechanisms and sex dimorphisms of cardiac aging. Methods: Community adults without cardiovascular disease (CVD) underwent serum metabolomics profiling and simultaneous CMR. Prospective clinical outcomes were tracked from 2014 to 2021. Multiple logistic regression adjusted for significant baseline variables. Results: Among 202 participants (46% women, 70.2±8.8 years), participants with better LVGLS were characterized by smaller LV chambers (LVESVi 30.0±14.2 vs 22.0±5.6ml/m 2 , adj. p <0.001; LVEDVi 70.9±19.9 vs 64.0±10.2ml/m 2 , p=0.001 adj. p=0.054) and mass (LVMi 51.5±14.5 vs 43.9±8.8g/m 2 , adj. p=0.008) accompanied by lower levels of several long-chain acylcarnitines species (C12:2-OH/C10:2-DC, C12:1-OH, C12-OH/C10-DC, C14, C16:3-OH/C14:3-DC) independent of sex, diastolic blood pressure, smoking history, and body habitus. Compared to men of similar age, women had superior LVGLS (-21.9±2.6 vs -20.1±2.8%, adj. p=0.024) in tandem with smaller ventricles and less hypertrophy despite similar adjusted LVEF. Higher anaplerotic (methionine, arginine) and proteogenic (phenylalanine, tyrosine) amino acids (AA), together with lower acylcarnitines, distinguished women with better over poorer LVGLS while no AA differences were observed among men. During follow-up, poorer baseline LVGLS was associated with incident composite mortality and hospitalizations (OR=1.12 95%CI 1.01-1.24, p=0.026 adj. p=0.049). Conclusion: Preserved ventricular systolic function among older women was linked to superior LVGLS and favorable remodeling than men. Better LVGLS was accompanied by biomarkers of better mitochondrial oxidation, anaplerosis, and proteogenesis, suggesting enhanced myocardial fuel energetics and biosynthesis with better strain. LVGLS represents a promising quantifiable marker of early systolic aging among older adults without CVD linked to prospective clinical outcomes. Biological insights into the aging-adaptive mechanisms of strain conservation may reveal targets in preventing aging susceptibilities to myocardial dysfunction.

Abstract 4137058: Clinical Characteristics and Outcomes of South Asians Presenting with Acute Coronary Syndrome

Background: Patients of South Asian descent have a higher incidence of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease and are affected by clinically significant coronary artery disease at an earlier age when compared to the general population. As a result, they have been shown to have a higher rate of cardiovascular events. This at-risk population has not been well studied as it pertains to acute coronary syndrome. Methods: Out of 1610 patients who presented to one of two tertiary care centers between 2021-2022 with a diagnosis of acute coronary syndrome and underwent coronary angiography, 240 patients were identified as being South Asian and were included in the study. 480 non-South Asian patients were randomly selected as controls. A retrospective analysis was conducted to study the demographics, risk factors, clinical presentation, diagnostic features, and outcomes of the two groups. Results: South Asian patients who were diagnosed with acute coronary syndrome and underwent coronary angiography were significantly younger than non-South Asian patients (61 vs 65 years, p < 0.001). Though they were less likely to be smokers, they were significantly more likely to have other known risk factors including hypertension, dyslipidemia, and a history of prior myocardial infarction (p < 0.001). South Asians had mean lower HDL (p = 0.02), higher triglycerides (0.006), and higher Hgb A1C (p < 0.001). Surprisingly, rates of multivessel disease (defined as stenosis of 50% or greater in two or three vessels) were similar between the two groups. South Asians were more likely to be referred for CABG after initial coronary angiography most likely due to diffuse disease (p = 0.014). Clinical outcomes including pre-discharge LVEF, and 2-year mortality were similar between the groups. Conclusions: South Asians are a notoriously high-risk group when it comes to early-onset and more severe coronary artery disease. The pathophysiology behind this disproportionate manifestation of cardiovascular disease is not entirely understood, but several efforts to delineate this are ongoing. Our data demonstrate that this is at least in part, due to a higher prevalence of conventional modifiable and nonmodifiable risk factors in South Asian patients.

Abstract 4113164: Central Arterial Stiffness in Young Adults with Perinatal HIV Exposure

Intro: Young adults with perinatally acquired HIV (YPHIV) have higher morbidity and mortality than uninfected persons. Antiretroviral therapy (ART) has extended life expectancy making adult CV disease a concern. Perinatal exposure to HIV increases inflammation which is associated with increased arterial stiffness which predicts CV disease. Aims: We compared arterial stiffness between YPHIV and young adults perinatally HIV exposed but uninfected (YPHEU), and evaluated the association of type and duration of ART regimens, HIV disease severity, and cardiac structure and function with arterial stiffness. Methods: In a substudy of the Pediatric HIV/AIDS Cohort Study, 150 participants (95 YPHIV, 55 YPHEU, mean 23.4 yrs, 60% female, 72% Black, 24% Hispanic) had echocardiography and pulse wave velocity (PWV) measured. We compared PWV between YPHIV and YPHEU, adjusting for covariates. Among YPHIV, we fit linear regression models to evaluate the association of current (within 1 year of PWV) and historical measures of HIV disease severity with PWV. We computed correlations between PWV and measures of left ventricular (LV) structure and function, overall and by HIV status. Results: Mean PWV and hemodynamic parameters did not differ between YPHIV and YPHEU (YPHIV 5.63 vs YPHEU 5.39 m/s; p=0.5). HIV control was good (82% with viral load <400 copies/ml), 91% used combination ART: integrase strand inhibitors (INSTIs; median duration 4.6 years), protease inhibitors (PIs 15.1 years), or non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTIs 5.2 years). Most participants had normal PWV compared to healthy controls but all values above 11.8 m/sec ( Figure , level associated with CV events in adults) were only in YPHIV. Only weak correlations were observed between PWV and echocardiographic measures (<0.20) in both YPHEU and YPHIV. Among YPHIV, HIV severity measures were not associated with PWV using either current or historical measures. Mean PWV was 1.68 (-0.36, 3.72) m/s higher among YPHIV with current PI use than those on INSTIs, and 1.58 (-0.94, 4.11) m/s higher than those on NNRTIs, although these differences were not significant. Conclusions: PWV was within normal ranges in most YPHIV and YPHEU although 5% YPHIV had elevated PWV. PWV may be higher with PI use due to cardiometabolic side effects. Successful HIV treatment and control of traditional CV risk factors may prevent premature vascular aging and subsequent cardiac compromise in YPHIV.

Hillforts – built by collective action or coercive leadership? Socio-economic and military organization in eastern Norway AD 1–600

In this article, we will examine the socio-economic and military landscape of the Early Iron Age (AD 1–600) in the historical county of Vingulmark, which consisted of the area from Eiker in the west to Bohuslän in the east. Our starting point is hillforts, which are usually interpreted as places of refuge for people in rural areas in times of unrest. In Norway, around 450 hillforts are known, mainly dated to the period AD 200–550. Vingulmark contains 109 of them, thus almost a quarter of the known hillforts. We discuss why there are so many hillforts in Vingulsmark, and the relation between hillforts and central farms / places in Vingulmark. Are the hillforts the result of community solutions in farming communities or was the construction of the hillforts controlled by elites from one or more centres, under threats of coercion? We will assess the hillforts in relation to socio-economic relations, settlement expansion, central farms and central places in a landscape perspective with the application of anarchist theories and collective action theory. Keywords: hillforts, conflict, socio-economic and military organization, communities, leadership

Abstract 4136996: Co-morbid Insomnia and Obstructive Sleep Apnea (COMISA) are Related to Incident Hypertension in a 20-Year Retrospective Cohort Study of 1.3 million Younger Men and Women Veterans: Associations by Sex

Introduction: Insomnia and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) each increase risk for hypertension (HTN). Among older adults, there is a negative synergistic association of comorbid insomnia and OSA (i.e., COMISA) on incident cardiovascular disease (CVD) but it is unknown if this comorbidity is associated with HTN risk earlier in the lifespan. Research Questions: 1) Is COMISA associated with incident HTN among younger adults? 2) Do COMISA-HTN associations differ by sex? Hypotheses: We hypothesized that 1) COMISA would be associated with a greater risk of HTN than having no sleep disorder, 2) the hazard would be larger than for insomnia and OSA alone, and 3) distinct COMISA-HTN associations would be observed among men and women, respectively. Methods: Analyses included Veterans who enrolled in Veterans Health Administration (VA) care 2001-2021, a group selected because of its early adult age distribution. We merged administrative data, including outpatient and inpatient encounters, diagnoses, (ICD-9-CM/10 codes/dates) and pharmacy records. Veterans without demographic data, a history of other sleep disorders or CVD, or <2 clinical encounters were excluded. Sleep disorders were defined by 1 inpatient or ≥2 outpatient encounters. HTN was defined by 1 inpatient or ≥2 outpatient encounters and/or ≥1 antihypertensive medication fill. Time-varying Cox proportional hazard models were adjusted for sociodemographic, behavioral/lifestyle, and clinical factors, and stratified analyses by sex. We used multiple imputation to address missing data. Results: Analyses included 1,293,165 Veterans (12% women; mean age 32.8) with an average follow-up of 7.6 years. Men with COMISA showed a 19% greater risk of HTN vs. no sleep diagnosis (95% CL: 1.17-1.20). Risks were slightly lower – but still significant – for men with only insomnia (HR:1.08 [95% CL: 1.06-1.09]) or only OSA (HR:1.15 [95% CL: 1.13-1.16]). Women with COMISA had a 21% greater risk of HTN vs. those without a sleep diagnosis (95% CL: 1.16-1.26), and those with insomnia (HR:1.15 [95% CL: 1.11-1.19]) or OSA (HR:1.13 [95% CL: 1.09-1.17]) showed a lower, though still significant risk. Conclusion: In this younger group, Veterans with COMISA had a 19-21% greater risk of HTN than without a disorder, and this risk was similar by sex and slightly higher than that attributable to insomnia or OSA alone. Increased identification of disordered sleep among younger adults should be a cardiovascular prevention priority.

Air pollution and skin aging

Air pollution is a leading environmental health risk worldwide, with detrimental effects not only on human health but also on skin aging. This review explores the link between air pollution and skin aging, focusing on the harmful effects of particulate matter (PM) and other pollutants such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), nitrogen oxides (NO2), and ozone (O3). These pollutants penetrate the skin, inducing oxidative stress and inflammation, which accelerates the degradation of collagen and elastin in the extracellular matrix. This contributes to premature aging, wrinkles, hyperpigmentation, and inflammatory skin conditions. The smallest fractions of PM, particularly PM2.5, are the most harmful, causing significant cellular damage. Long-term exposure to these pollutants also disrupts the skin's microbiome, leading to dysbiosis and further weakening the skin's protective barrier. Current therapeutic strategies focus on protecting the skin using antioxidants, such as Vitamin C and Vitamin E, as well as probiotics and moisturizers that support the skin's natural defenses. Sunscreens also play a vital role in protecting the skin from UV-induced oxidative stress, further mitigating pollution-related damage. This review highlights the importance of developing comprehensive skincare regimens that target both pollution-induced oxidative stress and the maintenance of a healthy skin barrier. It also emphasizes the need for further research into personalized approaches to counteract the aging effects of air pollution on the skin.

Frequent Occurrence of High-Risk Basal Cell Carcinoma in Xeroderma Pigmentosum: A Histopathological Insight From an Indian Cohort.

Xeroderma pigmentosum (XP) is a genodermatosis, characterized both by premature aging and significantly increased risk of non-melanoma and melanoma skin cancers at an early age. However, limited literature is available on the common histopathological subtypes of basal cell carcinoma (BCC) in these patients. In this ambispective case series, we recruited patients of XP who had either a currently present skin tumor or previously excised one, provided their histopathological sections were available. Cytogenetic analysis was performed in all the patients. The histopathological findings were recorded by two trained dermatopathologists. Of 22 recruited patients with XP, 12 patients had 41 BCCs, and 23 (56.09%) of them showed a high-risk histopathological subtype. Basosquamous carcinoma (10, 24.39%) was the most frequent high-risk tumor followed by infiltrative variant (7, 17.07%). Mixed-histopathological subtypes were noted in six (14.63%) cases, and all of them had a high-risk component. The low-risk subtypes included nodular (n = 17, 41.46%) and superficial BCC (1, 2.43%). Though a deep dermal involvement was seen in 27 (65.85%) lesions, none showed a perineural invasion or necrosis. Three (7.31%) lesions showed ulceration, while 10 (24.39%) showed presence of pigmentation. A frequent occurrence of high-risk basal cell carcinoma was noted in patients with XP-mandating creation of appropriate treatment and follow-up strategies in these patients.

Immobilization of arsenic wastes and retardation effect on cement hydration: Experimental and molecular dynamic analysis

AbstractThis work was designed to investigate the influence of arsenic dosage, variety on the mechanical properties, hydration, and solidification from the perspective of Portland cement (PC) performance evolution. The results demonstrate that using PC could solidify the arsenic wastes effectively, with arsenic leaching concentrations consistently below 5 mg/L. Arsenic wastes retard cement hydration, leading to a slower rate of hydrates formation, disrupting the calcium silicate hydrate (C–S–H) stacking structure, and thus detrimental to strength development especially at early age. The adverse effect is highly dependent on the arsenic variety. The insoluble calcium arsenate exhibits the least impact, while the arsenates show the largest challenging to immobilization due to the instability of hydrates. Molecular dynamic simulation indicates that arsenic can be chemically immobilized with Ca2+, and be physically adsorbed onto the positively charged C–S–H by forming As‐O···Ca···Si‐O units, accompanied by a significant reduction in adsorption energy by 46.5%. The arsenic solidification behavior provides a basis for the resource utilization of arsenic wastes in cementitious materials.

Giant pelvic dermoid cyst in a 17-year-old girl

BACKGROUND: Dermoid cysts in the presacral and retrorectal space in children are relatively rare. However, even more rarely, they have clinical manifestations at patient’s early age and so, can be silent for a long time. CLINICAL CASE DESCRIPTION: The article describes a rare clinical observation — a giant dermoid cyst in the retrorectal space in a 17-year-old girl. The child had a tendency to constipation from her early childhood. Menses started at age 13, painful. During the last year, disorders in her menstrual cycle were noticed. The girl was examined by a gynecologist. Ultrasound examination revealed a cystic formation in the pelvic cavity up to 9 cm in diameter. Non-malignant nature of the process was confirmed by: normal level of cancer markers (α-fetoprotein, β-human chorionic gonadotropin), single node, clearly defined formation capsule, homogeneous nature of its contents, no invasive growth and lesions in the regional lymph nodes. Magnetic resonance imaging with intravenous contrasting defined a true relationship of the cystic formation with other organs and structures of the pelvic cavity. The cystic formation caused deformation of the cervix, vagina, and rectum. The obtained findings allowed to plan surgical intervention correctly. Surgical access-transverse in the coccyx projection up to 10 cm long. The cystic formation was a thin-walled connective tissue capsule with a yellowish content. Due to very large cyst dimensions, first it was opened in a limited area and emptied. Then the capsule was isolated and completely removed. The cyst intimately adhere to rectum, vagina, and cervix walls. Histological conclusion: "Capsule of a dermoid cyst with hemorrhages". The postoperative period was smooth. The patient recovered, all disease manifestations disappeared. She was discharged home in a satisfactory state. Follow-up visits were in 6 and 12 months after surgery. No evidence of possible relapse. CONCLUSION: There are only few descriptions of such cases in the available literature. Ultrasound and MRI examinations allowed to have a full picture of dermoid cyst position and its connection with other pelvic organs due to which surgeons could develop a correct plan for surgical intervention.

Desmoplakin Cardiomyopathy in Pediatric Patients: A Distinct, Underrecognized Cohort of Arrhythmogenic Cardiomyopathy.

DSP cardiomyopathy is a distinct subset of arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy, reported primarily in adults, that has predominantly left ventricular involvement and features of myocarditis. Clinical characteristics, risk stratification, and management of pediatric patients with DSP variants are not well known. We sought to identify phenotypic features and prognosis of pediatric patients with DSP pathogenic or likely pathogenic variants. Multicenter, retrospective study of patients <21 years of age with DSP variants from 6 tertiary pediatric hospitals. Thirty-four patients, including 10 probands with clinical disease and 24 genotype-positive phenotype-negative patients, were included in the study. The majority of probands were initially diagnosed with myocarditis (50%) and had biventricular (60%) or left ventricular predominant (40%) disease. Chest pain was the most common symptom at presentation (30%), and all had troponin elevation. Probands with homozygous or compound heterozygous DSP variants were likely to present at an early age (<13 years) with symptoms of heart failure, severe biventricular involvement, and dermatologic abnormalities. Low-voltage QRS was the most prominent ECG abnormality. Of those who underwent implantable cardioverter defibrillator implantation, 50% received appropriate implantable cardioverter defibrillator therapy and were found to have significant biventricular involvement in addition to severe left ventricular dysfunction with an ejection fraction <35%. DSP cardiomyopathy in children and adolescents has varied phenotypic manifestations based on age and genotype and often can be diagnosed as myocarditis. Severe left ventricular dysfunction and biventricular involvement may be associated with a higher likelihood of malignant ventricular tachyarrhythmia.

Non-modifiable and Modifiable Risk Factors in Vascular Ageing Extremes: The African-PREDICT Study

Abstract Background Cardiovascular risk factors accelerate vascular ageing beyond chronological age, hence early vascular ageing (EVA). Carotid to femoral pulse wave velocity (cfPWV) is a measure of vascular ageing and is used to identify EVA and supernormal vascular ageing (SUPERNOVA). Vascular ageing is not completely understood in African populations. Therefore, we aimed to phenotype young South African adults stratified by cfPWV extremes in terms of non-modifiable and modifiable risk factors. This study included 1133 young adults (mean age: 24.5 years). We measured cfPWV using applanation tonometry. Body composition measures, self-reported 24-h dietary intake, smoking and alcohol consumption were included. Fasting blood samples were analysed for biochemical risk factors. Three groups based on cfPWV percentiles were compared and included SUPERNOVA (≤ 10th percentile), average vascular ageing (AVA, between 10 to 90th percentile) and EVA (≥ 90th percentile). Results Chronological age, male sex, smoking, alcohol use, and blood pressure were incrementally higher across PWV groups (all p trend ≤ 0.007). Black ethnicity was higher (p = 0.038) in the SUPERNOVA group. In exploratory factor analysis, a factor pattern including mean arterial pressure and fasting glucose showed beneficial odds (OR 0.62, p = 0.002) for SUPERNOVA and higher likelihood (OR 2.10, p &lt; 0.001) for EVA. Another factor pattern of socio-economic status and total dietary fat showed lower odds (OR 0.64, p = 0.003) for EVA. Conclusion Poor lifestyle behavioural risk factors seem detrimental in the EVA group conferring a possible higher risk of future CVD.

Potential of epicatechin as antioxidant and antiaging in UV-induced BJ cells by regulating COL1A1, FGF-2, GPX-1, and MMP-1 gene, protein levels, and apoptosis

Background Oxidative stress caused by exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light on the skin can damage deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) and cause keratinocytes to undergo apoptosis. Endogenous antioxidants which play a role in trapping free radicals are also unable to overcome excess reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the body due to UV exposure, so exogenous antioxidants are needed. Polyphenolic compounds extracted from natural ingredients such as flavonoids, quercetin, and epicatechin have quite strong antioxidant activity. This is influenced by the chemical structure of these compounds which are rich in hydroxyl groups and aromatic groups. This structure allows the compound to become an electron donor so that it can neutralize free radicals. In vitro research was used to see the potential effectiveness of epicatechin as an antiaging and antioxidant. The study aims to confirm the potential of epicatechin as an antiaging by in vitro assay. Methods The viability test of epicatechin on human skin fibroblast (BJ) cells was carried out using the water-soluble tetrazolium (WST) assay. BJ cells were UV-induced as a cell model of premature aging. Epicatechin 6.25, 12.5, and 25 µg/mL were administered to UV-induced BJ cells. The gene expression of Collagen I Alpha 1 (COL1A1), matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MMP-1), fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF-2), and glutathione peroxidase-1 (GPX-1) were analyzed by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). Elastin (ELN), hyaluronidase (HAase), cyclooxigenase-2 (COX-2), 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine (8-OhdG), and melatonin (MT) protein levels were analyzed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The apoptosis of BJ cells was analyzed using flow cytometry. Results Treatment with epicatechin increased relative gene expression including COL1A1 (5.94), FGF-2 (8.34), and GPX-1 (8.09), and also decreased MMP-1 (2.90) relative gene expression compared to the UV-induced BJ cells. Epicatechin also increased levels of ELN (107.7 ng/mg protein) and MT (830 ng/mg protein) levels compared to the UV-induced BJ cells. Epicatechin treatment decreased levels of HAase (505.96 ng/mg protein), COX-2 (33.69 ng/mg protein), and 8-OHdG (97.87 ng/mg protein) compared to the UV-induced BJ cells. Epicatechin also succeeded in maintaining the percentage of live cells and reducing apoptosis, necrotic of UV-induced skin fibroblast cells. Conclusions Epicatechin has the potential to be an antiaging agent by in vitro assay.

Голодомор і ранньомодерні московські стратегії “виводу еліт” та “випаленої землі”: перегук підходів

The article is devoted to research of the correlation between the mechanism of the Holodomor of 1932–1933 on the one side and the previous Muscovite expansionist strategies related to the integration of the Russian imperia on the other. The aim is to examine the coherence of the early modern Muscovite practices “deportation of elites” and “burnt earth” with the approaches to the organization of the Holodomor. The conceptual strategy of the research bases on the historicism principle, contextual analysis and comparative methods. The scientific novelty. The article is a pioneer research of the above-mentioned problem. The main results of the research. It was figured out that the authority strategies directed to create in the Ukrainian village the conditions which are incompatible with life were not exclusive invention of the Stalin`s regime. These strategies have a old roots in the early modern age and organically continued the traditional practices , transformed to the circumstances of the first half of the twentieth century. In fact the activity of the Stalin`s regime regarding the create of Holodomor only finalized approaches which were previously approbated by Russian imperial elites during the creation of the Russian imperia. The deportation of many peasant in the course of the Holodomor genetically connected with deportation the elites inherent the Muscovy from the fifteenth century. In the Ukraine the Muscovite tsar began to use this approach after the Pereyaslav Council of 1654. The burgers of the some West Ukrainian towns could become victims of the deportation. The real deportations of Cossack officers Muscovy carried out in Ukraine in the second half of the seventeenth century. It is traceable the succession between the practices of Early Modern age and Holodomor in the field of the involvement the representatives of the local population to the legitimation of the deportation. Some elements of Peter I strategies of the “burnt earth”, used in 1708, are precursors the actions directed to the killing by famine in1932–1933. The problem of the millstone and non sanctioned by authority grinding of grain was similarly interpreted by Moscow at the beginning of the eighteenth century and during the Holodomor. The results of the research open the perspective to study the connection between other Muscovite strategies. Keywords: Holodomor, genocide, Russian expansion, strategies of the “deportation of elites” and “burnt earth”, succession.