Health Consequences Research Articles

Childhood adversity, accelerated GrimAge, and associated health consequences.

Childhood adversity is linked to psychological, behavioral, and physical health problems, including obesity and cardiometabolic disease. Epigenetic alterations are one pathway through which the effects of early life stress and adversity might persist into adulthood. Epigenetic mechanisms have also been proposed to explain why cardiometabolic health can vary greatly between individuals with similar Body Mass Index (BMIs). We evaluated two independent cross-sectional cohorts of adults without known medical illness, one of which explicitly recruited individuals with early life stress (ELS) and control participants (n = 195), and the other a general community sample (n = 477). In these cohorts, we examine associations between childhood adversity, epigenetic aging, and metabolic health. Childhood adversity was associated with increased GrimAge Acceleration (GAA) in both cohorts, both utilizing a dichotomous yes/no classification (both p < 0.01) as well as a continuous measure using the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ) (both p < 0.05). Further investigation demonstrated that CTQ subscales for physical and sexual abuse (both p < 0.05) were associated with increased GAA in both cohorts, whereas physical and emotional neglect were not. In both cohorts, higher CTQ was also associated with higher BMI and increased insulin resistance (both p < 0.05). Finally, we demonstrate a moderating effect of BMI on the relationship between GAA and insulin resistance where GAA correlated with insulin resistance specifically at higher BMIs. These results, which were largely replicated between two independent cohorts, suggest that interactions between epigenetics, obesity, and metabolic health may be important mechanisms through which childhood adversity contributes to long-term physical and metabolic health effects.

Self-reported Eating Behavior Is Correlated With Health Consequences Of Relative Energy Deficiency In Sport

Self-reported Eating Behavior Is Correlated With Health Consequences Of Relative Energy Deficiency In Sport

Earlier routine induction of labor-Consequences on mother and child morbidity.

A growing number of birth interventions had led to a concern for potential health consequences. This study investigates the consequences of earlier routine labor induction. It exploits a natural experiment caused by the introduction of new Danish obstetric guidelines in 2011. Consequently, routine labor induction was moved forward from 14 to 10-13days past the expected due date (EDD) and extended antenatal surveillance was introduced from 7days past the EDD. Using administrative data, I find that affected mothers on average had a 9-11 percentage points (32%-38%) higher risk of being induced the following years. Yet, mother and child short- and medium-term morbidity were largely unaffected.

Estimates of Progress Toward Achieving Sustainable Development Goal-7 by 2030: Insights From Household Cooking Fuel in BRICS Nations

The reliance on polluting fuels has sparked global concerns over the environmental and health consequences of pollution. This paper delves into the progress of BRICS nations toward achieving Sustainable Development Goal 7 by 2030, with a specific focus on clean cooking. The analysis reveals a significant decrease in the use of polluting fuels in Brazil, India, China, and South Africa. Moreover, it highlights the encouraging emergence of electricity as a popular fuel in rural areas of China and South Africa, indicating a positive and promising shift towards cleaner energy sources.

Sedentarism and Chronic Health Problems

Increased mechanization and technological advances have simplified our lives on the one hand and increased sedentary behaviors on the other hand, paving the way for emerging global health concerns, i.e., sedentarism, which could be the leading cause of all major chronic health problems worldwide. Sedentarism is a habitual behavior of choosing and indulging in low-energy expenditure activities (≤1.5 metabolic equivalents), such as chairtype (sitting, studying, traveling) or screen-type activities (TV, computers, mobile). With technological advancements, there is a significant transition in the lifestyles of people from being active (walking) to being more deskbound (sitting). Prolonged sitting can have unintended consequences for health with sitting time &gt;7 h/d, leading to a 5% increase in all-cause mortality with each additional hour spent sitting (i.e., +7 h/d), while considering physical activity levels. This review will highlight how sedentarism is emerging as a major risk factor for the rising incidence of non-communicable diseases, especially among young adults and adults. Chronic diseases, such as obesity, diabetes, coronary heart disease, and cancer, are the leading causes of death worldwide. Hence, there is an urgent need for collective action to mitigate the burgeoning public health crisis posed by sedentarism in the 21st century. This paper intends to set in motion a call for all policymakers and public health professionals placed nationally or internationally to reach a consensus on ending sedentarism and provide viable resolutions for effective management of excessive sedentary behaviors and healthy adoption and maintenance of active lifestyles among individuals of all age groups.

The impact of maternal vulnerability on stress biomarkers and first-trimester growth: the Rotterdam Periconceptional Cohort (Predict Study)

Abstract STUDY QUESTION Is the degree of maternal vulnerability positively associated with stress biomarkers (stress hormones, C-reactive protein, tryptophan metabolites, and one-carbon metabolites), and does long-term exposure to stress hormones reduce first-trimester growth? SUMMARY ANSWER The maternal vulnerability risk score is positively associated with concentrations of hair cortisol and cortisone and negatively with tryptophan, while higher hair cortisol concentrations are associated with reduced first-trimester growth without mediation of tryptophan. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY A high degree of maternal vulnerability during the periconception period is associated with impaired first-trimester growth and pregnancy complications, with consequences for long-term health of the child and future life course. However, due to the challenges of early identification of vulnerable women, the uptake of periconception care is low in this target group. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION Between June 2022 and June 2023, this study was conducted in a sub-cohort of 160 pregnant women participating in the Rotterdam Periconceptional Cohort (Predict Study), an ongoing prospective tertiary hospital-based cohort. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS One hundred and thirty-two women with ongoing pregnancies and available stress biomarker data were included in the analysis. Data on periconceptional social, lifestyle, and medical risk factors were collected via self-administered questionnaires, and these factors were used for the development of a composite maternal vulnerability risk score. Stress biomarkers, including stress hormones (hair cortisol and cortisone) and inflammatory and oxidative stress biomarkers (C-reactive protein, total homocysteine, and tryptophan metabolites) were determined in the first trimester of pregnancy. First-trimester growth was assessed by crown–rump length (CRL) and embryonic volume (EV) measurements at 7, 9, and 11 weeks gestation by making use of an artificial intelligence algorithm and virtual reality techniques using 3D ultrasound data sets. The associations between the maternal vulnerability risk score and stress biomarkers were identified using linear regression models, and between stress hormones and CRL- and EV-trajectories using mixed models. A mediation analysis was performed to assess the contribution of tryptophan. All associations were adjusted for potential confounders, which were identified using a data-driven approach. Several sensitivity analyses were performed to check the robustness of the findings. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE The maternal vulnerability risk score was positively associated with concentrations of hair cortisol and cortisone (pg/mg) (β = 0.366, 95% CI = 0.010–0.722; β = 0.897, 95% CI = 0.102–1.691, respectively), and negatively with tryptophan concentrations (µmol/L) (β = –1.637, 95% CI = –2.693 to –0.582). No associations revealed for C-reactive protein and total homocysteine. Higher hair cortisol concentrations were associated with reduced EV-trajectories (3√EV: β = –0.010, 95% CI = –0.017 to –0.002), while no associations were found with CRL-trajectories. Mediation by tryptophan was not shown. LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION Residual confounding cannot be ruled out, and the external validity may be limited due to the study’s single-center observational design in a tertiary hospital. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS There is mounting evidence that a high degree of maternal vulnerability negatively affects maternal and perinatal health, and that of the future life course. The results of our study emphasize the need to identify highly vulnerable women as early as possible, at least before conception. Our findings suggest that the chronic stress response and alterations of the maternal tryptophan metabolism are involved in maternal vulnerability, affecting first-trimester growth, with potential impact on the long-term health of the offspring. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S) This study was funded by the Departments of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Clinical Chemistry of the Erasmus MC, University Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands, and the Junior Award granted by the De Snoo—van ’t Hoogerhuijs Foundation in March 2022. There are no conflicts of interest. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER N/A.

Personalized sleep and nutritional strategies to combat adverse effects of night shift work: a controlled intervention protocol

Abstract Background Working during the night interferes with the timing of normal daily activities and is associated with an increased risk of chronic diseases. Under controlled experimental conditions, interventions focusing on sleep and nutrition can mitigate the short-term adverse effects of shift work. However, it is unclear how these results translate to real-life, how they can be targeted to individual conditions, and how they relate to long-term health. Therefore, the current study aims to implement a personalized sleep and nutritional intervention among night shift workers in the field. Methods A non-blinded controlled intervention study is used, consisting of a run-in period, an intervention of 3 months, post-intervention measurements, and a follow-up after 12 months. Three study arms are included: sleep intervention, nutritional intervention, and control group (n = 25 each). Participants are healthy 18–60-year male night shift workers, with at least one year of experience in night shift work. Information from the run-in period will be used to personalize the interventions. The main outcomes are sleep measurements and continuous interstitial glucose levels. Furthermore, general health biomarkers and parameters will be determined to further evaluate effects on long-term health. Discussion This study aims to mitigate negative health consequences associated with night shift work by introducing two personalized preventive interventions. If proven effective, the personalized interventions may serve as practical solutions that can have a meaningful impact on the sustainable health and employability of night shift workers. This study will thereby contribute to the current need for high–quality data on preventative strategies for night shift work in a real-life context. Trial registration This trial has been registered under ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier NCT06147089. Registered 27 November 2023.

The Synergistic Health Threats of State Laws Targeting Marginalized Groups in the United States

Discriminatory state laws have deleterious effects on the health of socially marginalized groups. Health care clinicians, institutions, researchers, and research funders have tended to view different discriminatory laws in isolation, focusing on particular issues or groups. In contrast, intersectionality calls attention to the overlapping and synergistic systems of oppression that discriminatory legislation promotes or upholds, warranting an integrated analysis of these laws. In this analytic essay, we assess discriminatory state laws simultaneously and discuss their implications for health care clinicians, institutions, and researchers. We present a multifunctional model of law and population health that describes how discriminatory law affects health outcomes among marginalized groups. We then draw on publicly available legislation trackers to identify 30 states that have enacted legislation since 2020 that targets Black people and other people of color; lesbian, gay, bisexual, and queer people; transgender and nonbinary people; and women and other birthing people. Finally, we call for a coordinated, multilateral, and forceful effort by health care professionals, institutions, researchers, and research funders to counter these laws and address their predictable health consequences. ( Am J Public Health. Published online ahead of print September 19, 2024:e1–e9. https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2024.307830 )

Respiratory and physical health consequences in older adults in a high-risk volcanic area: Comparison of two rural villages

Introduction Volcanism is an important natural producer of pollution that impacts health and the quality of the environment. Lung changes caused by exposure to volcanoes have been previously studied. However, limited information exists regarding the effects of prolonged exposure to volcanic compounds. So, this study aimed to analyze the pulmonary effects and stress tolerance in older adults for chronic exposure to the volcanic ashes of the Galeras volcano. Methods A descriptive cross-sectional study of association included rural inhabitants aged over 60 years from Genoy, a village located in a high volcanic hazard zone of Galeras volcano, 2603 meters above sea level. Those in this group, called exposed, were contrasted with a sample of El Encano inhabitants with similar socioeconomic and cultural characteristics. Both villages belong to the rural area of San Juan de Pasto in Colombia. Results It was found that of 31 exposed participants, 18 had obstructive alteration, and in the control group, it was found that of 31 subjects, 6 presented this alteration. The difference between the two groups was significant (p&lt;0.001). A similar situation occurred with distal airway obstruction assessed with the forced expiratory flow of 25–75%. No significant differences were found in restrictive alteration between the exposed and unexposed groups. Conclusion Chronic exposure to volcanic compounds has generated obstructive changes in the population, and these changes were greater in number and severity than those in the control group of unexposed people.

Potential of ZnO nanoparticles for multi-drug resistant Escherichia coli having CRISPR-Cas from poultry market in Lahore

Background and objectivesApart from known factors such as irrational use of antibiotics and horizontal gene transfer, it is now reported that clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR) are also associated with increased antimicrobial resistance. Hence, it is critical to explore alternatives to antibiotics to control economic losses. Therefore, the present study aimed to determine not only the association of CRISPR-Cas system with antibiotic resistance but also the potential of Zinc Oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs) for avian pathogenic Escherichia coli (APEC) isolated from poultry market Lahore. Materials and methodsSamples (n = 100) were collected from live bird markets of Lahore, and isolates were confirmed as Escherichia coli (E. coli) using the Remel One fast kit, and APEC was identified using PCR. The antibiotic resistance pattern in APEC was determined using the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), followed by genotypic confirmation of antibiotic-resistant genes using the PCR. The CRISPR-Cas system was also identified in multidrug-resistant (MDR) isolates, and its association with antibiotics was determined using qRT-PCR. The potential of ZnO-NPs was evaluated for multidrug-resistant (MDR) isolates by MIC.ResultsAll isolates of APEC were resistant to nalidixic acid, whereas 95% were resistant to chloramphenicol and 89% were resistant to streptomycin. Nineteen MDR APEC were found in the present study and the CRISPR-Cas system was detected in all of these MDR isolates. In addition, an increased expression of CRISPR-related genes was observed in the standard strain and MDR isolates of APEC. ZnO-NPs inhibited the growth of resistant isolates.ConclusionsThe findings showed the presence of the CRISPR-Cas system in MDR strains of APEC, along with the potential of ZnO-NPs for a possible solution to proceed. This highlights the importance of regulating antimicrobial resistance in poultry to reduce potential health consequences.

Moving Toward Anti-Ableist Practices in Aphasia Rehabilitation and Research: A Viewpoint.

Ableism is a pervasive set of beliefs that regard nondisabled bodies and minds as ideal and necessary to live a full life. Ableism manifests for people with aphasia as stigma and discrimination based on their language ability. We assert that ableism contributes to decreased quality of life for people with aphasia and should be actively challenged and disrupted by clinicians and researchers in the field. We applied the Health Stigma and Discrimination Framework (HSDF) to outline how stigma and discrimination are perpetuated against people with aphasia on the basis of language ability and their downstream health and social consequences. We presented this framework at the Clinical Aphasiology Conference in 2023 and share themes and challenges that arose from this discussion and from our ongoing learning. Applying the HSDF to aphasia outlined potential sequelae of ableism. We identified preliminary foci of future initiatives aimed at challenging ableist beliefs and practices and means to monitor the effectiveness of such interventions. Furthermore, we draw attention to the seeming tension between anti-ableist practices and traditional language rehabilitation goals. We assert that this tension may be a catalyst for fruitful discourse on how clinicians and researchers can resist ableism while honoring the lived experiences of people with aphasia and their goals for language rehabilitation. These discussions may be facilitated by existing models in disability studies (e.g., the political/relational model). Clinicians and researchers are well positioned to challenge ableism and minimize the resultant health and social impacts for people living with aphasia. Anti-ableist practices are not antithetical to aphasia rehabilitation and can be thoughtfully integrated into rehabilitation practices and discourse.

Understanding the Emergence of Comorbidity between Problematic Online Gaming and Gambling: A Network Analysis Approach

Background/Objectives: Problematic online gaming and gambling tend to co-occur. The exact mechanisms underlying this phenomenon and the potential effects of gender differences remain unknown. This study aimed to identify the early clustering patterns of problematic online gaming and gambling in a community sample of young adults without a lifetime history of psychiatric treatment. Methods: Data were collected through an online survey and analyzed using partial correlations and Bayesian networks. Results: Altogether, 1441 individuals (aged 18–40 years, 51.4% females) participated in the survey. Both problematic online behaviors were weakly interrelated, suggesting that they serve as distinct constructs. Men’s networks appeared to be more complex and had significantly higher global connectivity. Moreover, men and women differed with respect to the specific nodes that bridged both constructs. In men, the bridge nodes were “being criticized because of betting or being told about gambling problems”, “loss of previous interests due to gaming”, “deceiving other people because of gaming”, and “health consequences of gambling”. Among women, the bridge nodes were “feeling guilty because of gambling”, “loss of previous interests because of gaming”, “social consequences of gaming”, and “continued gaming problems with other people”. In men, the strongest edge was found between “borrowing money/selling anything to gamble” and “financial problems because of gambling”, while in women, the strongest edge appeared between “betting more than afforded to be lost” and “tolerance symptoms of gambling”. Conclusions: The findings indicate that problematic online gaming and gambling tend to emerge in different ways among men and women. Therapeutic interventions should be planned considering gender differences.

Coping patterns associations with cognitive function in older adults.

Cognitive function may contribute to variability in older adults' ability to cope with chronic stress; however, limited research has evaluated this relationship. This study investigated the relationship between theoretically derived coping domains and cognitive function in 165 middle-to-older adults during the Omicron stage of COVID-19. Participants completed a clinical interview and self-report measures of health. The National Alzheimer's Coordinating Center Uniform Data Set neuropsychological battery was used to evaluate memory, language, executive function/speed, and working memory. Structural equation modeling evaluated the underlying factor structure of the Brief COPE adapted for COVID-19. The data supported the proposed second-order Approach factor comprised of Problem-Solving and Emotion Regulation (ER) strategies and a first-order Avoidance factor. Higher Avoidance was associated with greater depression symptoms, lower income and worse memory, executive function, working memory, and verbal fluency performance. Higher Problem-Solving was associated with better verbal fluency performance. ER strategies were not significantly associated with cognitive function. The use of Problem-Solving was not associated with less Avoidance. Greater use of Problem-Solving, ER, and Avoidance were all associated with higher levels of stress. Post-hoc analyses found that higher Acceptance was the only coping strategy associated with less stress. These findings demonstrate that older adults with worse cognitive function were more likely to use Avoidance during the pandemic, which could result in prolonged stress and adverse health consequences. Future research is warranted to investigate whether acceptance-based interventions reduce the avoidance and impact of stress on health in vulnerable older adults.

Prenatal exposure to PM2.5 led to impaired respiratory function in adult mice

BackgroundPM2.5 is a complex mixture, with water-soluble inorganic ions (WSII), mainly NH4+, SO42−, and NO3−, constituting major components. Early-life PM2.5 exposure has been shown to induce adverse health consequence but it is difficult to determine whether such an effect occurs prenatally (preconception, gestational) or postnatally in human studies. MethodsFour groups of C57BL/6 J mice were assigned to four exposure conditions: PM2.5 NO3−, PM2.5 SO42−, PM2.5 NH4+ and clean air, and exposure started at 4 weeks old. At 8 weeks old, mice bred within group. The exposure continued during gestation. After delivery, both the maternal and F1 mice (offspring) were kept in clean air without exposure to PM2.5. Respiratory function and pulmonary pathology were assessed in offspring mice at 8 weeks of age. In parallel, placenta tissue was collected for transcriptome profiling and mechanistic investigation. ResultsF1 mice in PM2.5 NH4+, SO42- and NO3− groups had 32.2 % (p=6.0e-10), 30.3 % (p=3.8e-10) and 16.9 % (p=5.7e-8) lower peak expiratory flow (PEF) than the clean air group. Importantly, the exposure-induced lung function decline was greater in male than female offspring. Moreover, exposure to PM2.5 WSII before conception and during gestation was linked to increased airway wall thickness and elevated pulmonary neutrophil and macrophage counts in the offspring mice. At the molecular level, the exposure significantly disrupted gene expression in the placenta, affecting crucial functional pathways related to sex hormone response and inflammation. ConclusionsPM2.5 WSII exposure during preconception and gestational period alone without post-natal exposure substantially impacted offspring’s respiratory function as measured at adolescent age. Our results support the paradigm of fetal origin of environmentally associated chronic lung disease and highlight sex differences in susceptibility to air pollution exposure.

Uncovering the coronavirus outbreak: present understanding and future research paths.

The review discusses the pathophysiological mechanisms of SARS-CoV-2, the modes of transmission, and the long-term health consequences of COVID-19, emphasizing the importance of research and successful public health initiatives. COVID-19 taxonomy, pathophysiology, symptomatology, and epidemiological importance are the key objects of this research paper. This review explains how COVID-19 affects different systems of the body, including respiratory, cardiovascular, and reproductive systems of the human body. It describes the modes of entry of the virus into the cell; more precisely, ACE2 and TMPRSS2 in viral entry. In addition, the present study analyzes the situation of COVID-19 in India regarding vaccine development and the transmission rate related to socioeconomic factors. The manifestation of COVID-19 presents a lot of symptoms and post-acute problems, issues which are seriously impacting mental health and physical health as well. The present review summarizes current research into pathogenicity and the mode of virus transmission, together with immunological responses. Coupled with strong vaccination programs, public health initiatives should hold the key to fighting this pandemic. Long-term effects and the development of treatment methods will need further study, as ambiguities on COVID-19 remain. Multidisciplinary collaboration across healthcare sectors in this respect is of paramount importance for the prevention of further spread and protection of public health.

Central Hemodynamics in African American Women: Examining the Role of Superwoman Schema Endorsement.

African American women bear a disproportionate burden of cardiovascular diseases, potentially due to altered central hemodynamics. Racism and sexism often lead to African American women taking on numerous caretaking roles and overall increases their use of the Strong Black Woman (ie, Superwoman) mindset, which may have negative health consequences. We hypothesized that endorsing the Superwoman role and its Obligation to Help Others dimension would be associated with a deleterious central hemodynamics profile in African American women. Using cross-sectional data, we examined central systolic blood pressure (mm Hg; n=408), augmentation index (percentage, adjusted for height and heart rate; n=408), and pulse wave velocity (m/s; n=368) in African American women aged 30 to 46 years. The Giscombe Superwoman Schema (SWS) questionnaire assessed endorsement of Overall SWS (range, 0-105) and SWS-Obligation to Help Others (range, 0-3). Multiple linear regression modeled associations between Overall SWS (10-unit increments) and SWS-Obligation to Help Others (1-unit increments) and central hemodynamics while adjusting for pertinent sociodemographic, clinical, and psychosocial factors. In fully adjusted models, central systolic blood pressure was significantly associated with Overall SWS (β=0.83 [95% CI, 0.19-1.47]) and SWS-Obligation to Help Others (β=2.03 [95% CI, 0.39-3.67]). Augmentation index was associated with Overall SWS (β=0.66 [95% CI, 0.02-1.30]) and SWS-Obligation to Help Others (β=2.21 [95% CI, 0.58-3.84]). Significant associations were not observed between pulse wave velocity and SWS. Greater endorsement of the Superwoman role and prioritizing caregiving over self-care were associated with higher central systolic blood pressure and augmentation index, which may contribute to adverse cardiovascular health among African American women.

Class I Recalls of Cardiovascular Devices Between 2013 and 2022 : A Cross-Sectional Analysis.

Cardiovascular devices account for one third of all Class I recalls, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) most severe designation, indicating a reasonable probability of "serious adverse health consequences or death." Understanding recalls and their causes is important for patient safety. To characterize Class I recalls of cardiovascular devices and the clinical evidence supporting authorization. In this cross-sectional study, cardiovascular device recalls from 1 January 2013 through 31 December 2022 were identified using the FDA's annual log. Information about devices was extracted from publicly available FDA decision summaries. The FDA Medical Device Recalls database. Cardiovascular devices with Class I recalls. Recalls were characterized by their causes and scope. Devices were characterized by their regulatory history (product code, special designations) and clinical evidence (premarket testing, postmarket surveillance). Clinical studies were analyzed for quality, including end point selection (clinical vs. surrogate, use of composites). From 2013 to 2022, there were 137 Class I recall events affecting 157 unique cardiovascular devices, of which 112 (71.3%) were moderate-risk 510(k) devices and 45 (28.7%) were high-risk premarket approval (PMA) devices. Recalls affected a median of 7649 units (IQR, 953 to 28 446) and were most commonly attributed to device design (43 [31.4%]). Forty-two (26.8%) devices had multiple Class I recalls. Thirty (19.1%) devices underwent premarket clinical testing (7 [6.2%] 510(k) devices, 17 [85.0%] PMA devices, and 6 [24.0%] PMA supplement devices). Most studies used surrogate (27 [79.4%]) and composite (24 [70.6%]) measures as primary end points. Twenty-two (48.9%) PMA devices had required postapproval studies, with 14 reporting delays. No 510(k) devices were subject to postmarket surveillance. Details about clinical testing may be missing from FDA summaries. Cardiovascular devices with Class I recalls were infrequently subjected to premarket or postmarket testing, with recalls affecting thousands of patients annually. None.

Deciphering the cytotoxicity of micro- and nanoplastics in Caco-2 cells through meta-analysis and machine learning

Plastic pollution, driven by micro- and nanoplastics (MNPs), poses a major environmental threat, exposing humans through various routes. Despite human colorectal adenocarcinoma Caco-2 cells being used as an in vitro model for studying the intestinal epithelium, uncertainties linger about MNPs harming these cells and the factors influencing adverse effects. Addressing this lacuna, our study aimed to elucidate the pivotal MNP parameters influencing cytotoxicity in Caco-2 cells, employing meta-analysis and machine learning techniques for quantitative assessment. Initial scrutiny of 95 publications yielded 17 that met the inclusion criteria, generating a dataset of 320 data points. This dataset underwent meticulous stratification based on polymer type, exposure time, polymer size, MNP concentration, and biological assays utilised. Subsequent dose-response curve analysis revealed moderate correlations for selected subgroups, such as the (3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5 diphenyl tetrazolium bromide) MTT biological assay and exposure time exceeding 24 h, with coefficient of determination (R2) values of 0.50 (p-value: 0.0065) and 0.60 (p-value: 0.0018) respectively. For the aforementioned two subgroups, the MNP concentrations surpassing 10 μg/mL led to diminished viability of Caco-2 cells. Notably, we observed challenges in employing meta-analysis to navigate this multidimensional MNP dataset. Leveraging a random forest model, we achieved improved predictive performance, with R2 values of 0.79 and a root mean square error (RMSE) of 0.14 for the prediction of the Log Response Ratio on the test set. Model interpretation indicated that size and concentration are the principal drivers influencing Caco-2 cell cytotoxicity. Additionally, the partial dependence plot illustrating the relationship between the size of MNPs and predicted cytotoxicity reveals a complex pattern. Our study provides crucial insights into the health impacts of plastic pollution, informing policymakers for targeted interventions, thus contributing to a comprehensive understanding of its human health consequences.

Unveiling the dynamic processes of dietary advanced glycation end-products (dAGEs) in absorption, accumulation, and gut microbiota metabolism.

This study delves into the dynamics of dietary advanced glycation end-products (dAGEs) on host health and gut microbiota. Using 13C-labeled carboxymethyllysine (CML) bound casein, we identify bound AGEs as the primary entry route, in contrast to free AGEs dominating urinary excretion. Specifically, our results show that the kidneys accumulate 1.5 times more dAGEs than the liver. A high AGE (HA) diet prompts rapid gut microbiota changes, with an initial stress-induced mutation phase, evidenced by a 20% increase in Bacteroides and Parabacteroides within the first week, followed by stabilization. These bacteria emerge as potential dAGE-utilizing bacteria, influencing the microbiota composition. Concurrent metabolic shifts affect lipid and carbohydrate pathways, with lipid metabolism alterations persisting over time, impacting host metabolic homeostasis. This study illuminates the intricate interplay between dietary AGEs, gut microbiota, and host health, offering insights into the health consequences of short- and long-term HA dietary patterns.

Phytogenic feed additives as an alternative to control postpartum problems in organic dairy farming

Organic dairy farming presents unique challenges, particularly regarding postpartum problems in dairy cows. This article explores the potential of phytogenic feed additives as an alternative solution to control such issues in organic dairy farming. Postpartum problems, including retained placenta, metritis, and mastitis, can have serious consequences for dairy cow health and productivity. The conventional treatment methods, such as antibiotics and anti-inflammatory drugs, are restricted in organic farming, necessitating the search for alternative solutions. Phytogenic feed additives, derived from plant sources, offer a promising alternative to conventional treatments. They provide anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, antimicrobial, and antioxidant effects, which can help prevent and manage postpartum problems in dairy cows. Studies have shown the efficacy of various plant-based remedies in treating specific postpartum issues, such as retained placenta, uterine prolapse, uterine infections, repeat breeding, mastitis, and post parturient hypocalcemia. The use of herbal remedies for postpartum problems aligns with the principles of organic farming, offering sustainable and environmentally friendly solutions. By exploring the potential of phytogenic feed additives, this article aims to contribute to the advancement of natural and eco-friendly practices in organic dairy farming, promoting the health and welfare of dairy cows while ensuring farm sustainability and profitability. In conclusion, phytogenic feed additives have shown promising results in controlling postpartum problems in organic dairy farming. They offer a safe, effective, and sustainable alternative to conventional allopathic treatments, helping to address the unique challenges faced by organic dairy farmers. However, more research and professional guidance are necessary to fully harness the potential of phytogenic feed additives in organic dairy farming.