035. Circadian rhythms and the early life programming of adult physiological systems

2005 ◽  
Vol 17 (9) ◽  
pp. 71
Author(s):  
D. J. Kennaway

We are all familiar with the idea that the external environment influences many diverse physiological systems. For example, the level of nutrition can not only influence adult health directly, but also fetal development and subsequently many adult functions in the offspring. Maternal stress can affect fetal outcomes as can the administration of drugs during pregnancy. Until recently, however, the daily changes in environmental light have been considered to really only influence the time that we sleep and in many other species the optimal time to mate. The impact of circadian rhythms on life trajectory has had little attention. In the last 5 years it has become clear that circadian rhythmicity is entrenched in virtually every cell of our bodies. A suite of clock gene transcription factors that include Clock, Bmal1 and the period and cryptochrome genes, generate a robust daily cycle of transcription and translation of hundreds of proteins. This cellular clock system is synchronised with the external photoperiod through retinal light perception, the hypothalamic suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) and neural and hormonal pathways. Most importantly when the clock system in peripheral tissues is disrupted, a growing list of detrimental consequences are being uncovered. As an example, mice with mutations in either Clock or Bmal1 have non-rhythmic peripheral tissues and exhibit mild to severe reproductive failure and metabolic dysfunction. Null per2 mice have a higher incidence of salivary gland hyperplasia, teratomas and increased susceptibility to radiation induced lymphomas. It is also apparent that intrauterine insults (e.g. cocaine administration, poor nutrition and stress) can have long term effects on the central circadian timing system in the SCN. Whether this involves alterations in neural development or gene function is not known. Nevertheless it is time we paid more attention to the temporal nature of our environment as a possible contributor to lifetime disorders and diseases.

2018 ◽  
Vol 314 (2) ◽  
pp. R231-R241 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tamara J. Varcoe ◽  
Kathryn L. Gatford ◽  
David J. Kennaway

The in utero environment is inherently rhythmic, with the fetus subjected to circadian changes in temperature, substrates, and various maternal hormones. Meanwhile, the fetus is developing an endogenous circadian timing system, preparing for life in an external environment where light, food availability, and other environmental factors change predictably and repeatedly every 24 h. In humans, there are many situations that can disrupt circadian rhythms, including shift work, international travel, insomnias, and circadian rhythm disorders (e.g., advanced/delayed sleep phase disorder), with a growing consensus that this chronodisruption can have deleterious consequences for an individual’s health and well-being. However, the impact of chronodisruption during pregnancy on the health of both the mother and fetus is not well understood. In this review, we outline circadian timing system ontogeny in mammals and examine emerging research from animal models demonstrating long-term negative implications for progeny health following maternal chronodisruption during pregnancy.


2016 ◽  
pp. 193-207 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. TUMOVA ◽  
M. ANDEL ◽  
J. TRNKA

Obesity is often associated with metabolic impairments in peripheral tissues. Evidence suggests an excess of free fatty acids (FFA) as one factor linking obesity and related pathological conditions and the impact of FFA overload on skeletal muscle metabolism is described herein. Obesity is associated with dysfunctional adipose tissue unable to buffer the flux of dietary lipids. Resulting increased levels and fluxes of plasma FFA lead to ectopic lipid deposition and lipotoxicity. FFA accumulated in skeletal muscle are associated with insulin resistance and overall cellular dysfunction. Mechanisms supposed to be involved in these conditions include the Randle cycle, intracellular accumulation of lipid metabolites, inflammation and mitochondrial dysfunction or mitochondrial stress. These mechanisms are described and discussed in the view of current experimental evidence with an emphasis on conflicting theories of decreased vs. increased mitochondrial fat oxidation associated with lipid overload. Since different types of FFA may induce diverse metabolic responses in skeletal muscle cells, this review also focuses on cellular mechanisms underlying the different action of saturated and unsaturated FFA.


2020 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 58-76 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bohan Rong ◽  
Qiong Wu ◽  
Chao Sun

Melatonin is a well-known molecule for its involvement in circadian rhythm regulation and its contribution to protection against oxidative stress in organisms including unicellular alga, animals and plants. Currently, the bio-regulatory effects of melatonin on the physiology of various peripheral tissues have drawn a great attention of scientists. Although melatonin was previously defined as a neurohormone secreted from pineal gland, recently it has been identified that virtually, every cell has the capacity to synthesize melatonin and the locally generated melatonin has multiple pathophysiological functions, including regulations of obesity and metabolic syndromes. Herein, we focus on the effects of melatonin on fat deposition in various peripheral organs/tissues. The two important regulatory mechanisms related to the topic, i.e., the improvements of circadian rhythms and antioxidative capacity will be thoroughly discussed since they are linked to several biomarkers involved in obesity and energy imbalance, including metabolism and immunity. Furthermore, several other functions of melatonin which may serve to prevent or promote obesity and energy dysmetabolism-induced pathological states are also addressed. The organs of special interest include liver, pancreas, skeletal muscle, adipose tissue and the gut microbiota.


Psibernetika ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Devina Calista ◽  
Garvin Garvin

<p><em>Child abuse by parents is common in households. The impact of violence on children will bring short-term effects and long-term effects that can be attributed to their various emotional, behavioral and social problems in the future; especially in late adolescence that will enter adulthood. Resilience factors increase the likelihood that adolescents who are victims of childhood violence recover from their past experiences</em><em>,</em><em> become more powerful individuals and have a better life. The purpose of this study was to determine the source of resilience in late adolescents who experienced violence from parents in their childhood. This research uses qualitative research methods with in-depth interviews as a method of data collection. The result shows that the three research participants have the aspects of "I Have", "I Am", and "I Can"; a participant has "I Can" aspects as a source of resilience, and one other subject has no source of resilience. The study concluded that parental affection and acceptance of the past experience have role to the three sources of resilience (I Have, I Am, and I Can)</em></p><p><em> </em></p><p><strong><em>Keyword : </em></strong><em>Resilience, adolescence, violence, parents</em></p>


Author(s):  
Balázs Égert ◽  
Peter Gal

This chapter describes and discusses a new supply-side framework that quantifies the impact of structural reforms on per capita income in OECD countries. It presents the overall macroeconomic impacts of reforms by aggregating over the effects on physical capital, employment, and productivity through a production function. On the basis of reforms defined as observed changes in policies, the chapter finds that product market regulation has the largest overall single policy impact five years after the reforms. But the combined impact of all labour market policies is considerably larger than that of product market regulation. The paper also shows that policy impacts can differ at different horizons. The overall long-term effects on GDP per capita of policies transiting through capital deepening can be considerably larger than the five- to ten-year impacts. By contrast, the long-term impact of policies coming only via the employment rate channel materializes at a shorter horizon.


BMJ Open ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (9) ◽  
pp. e034702
Author(s):  
Wilco Zijlmans ◽  
Jeffrey Wickliffe ◽  
Ashna Hindori-Mohangoo ◽  
Sigrid MacDonald-Ottevanger ◽  
Paul Ouboter ◽  
...  

PurposeThe Caribbean Consortium for Research in Environmental and Occupational Health prospective environmental epidemiologic cohort study addresses the impact of chemical and non-chemical environmental exposures on mother/child dyads in Suriname. The study determines associations between levels of environmental elements and toxicants in pregnant women, and birth outcomes and neurodevelopment in their children.ParticipantsPregnant women (N=1143) were enrolled from December 2016 to July 2019 from three regions of Suriname: Paramaribo (N=738), Nickerie (N=204) and the tropical rainforest interior (N=201). Infants (N=992) were enrolled at birth. Follow-up will take place until children are 48 months old.Findings to dateBiospecimens and questionnaire data on physiological and psychosocial health in pregnant women have been analysed. 39.1% had hair mercury (Hg) levels exceeding values considered safe by international standards. Median hair Hg concentrations in women from Paramaribo (N=522) were 0.64 µg/g hair (IQRs 0.36–1.09; range 0.00–7.12), from Nickerie (N=176) 0.73 µg/g (IQR 0.45–1.05; range 0.00–5.79) and the interior (N=178) 3.48 µg/g (IQR 1.92–7.39; range 0.38–18.20). 96.1% of women ate fish, respective consumption of the three most consumed carnivorous species, Hoplias aimara, Serrasalmus rhombeus and Cichla ocellaris, known to have high Hg levels, was 44.4%, 19.3% and 26.3%, respectively, and was greater among the interior subcohort. 89% frequently consumed the vegetable tannia, samples of which showed presence of worldwide banned pesticides. 24.9% of pregnant women had Edinburgh Depression Scale scores indicative of probable depression.Future plansFish consumption advisories are in development, especially relevant to interior women for whom fish consumption is likely to be the primary source of Hg exposure. Effects of potentially beneficial neuroprotective factors in fish that may counter neurotoxic effects of Hg are being examined. A pesticide literacy assessment in pregnant women is in progress. Neurodevelopmental assessments and telomere length measurements of the children to evaluate long-term effects of prenatal exposures to toxicant mixtures are ongoing.


2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Danna Oomen ◽  
Annabel D. Nijhof ◽  
Jan R. Wiersema

Abstract Background Previous studies have reported a negative psychological and mental health impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. This impact is likely to be stronger for people with autism as they are at heightened risk of mental health problems and because the pandemic directly affects social functioning and everyday routines. We therefore examined COVID-19 pandemic-related changes in mental health, the impact of the pandemic on their social life and routines, satisfaction with pandemic-related information and tips, and participants’ wishes for guidance. Methods We used a mixed-method approach, collecting quantitative and qualitative survey data from adults with and without autism across three European countries: Belgium, the Netherlands, and the UK (N = 1044). Results We found an increase in depression and anxiety symptoms in response to the pandemic for both the non-autism and the autism group, which was greater for adults with autism. Furthermore, adults with autism showed a greater increase in worries about their pets, work, getting medication and food, and their own safety/security. They felt more relieved from social stress, yet experienced the loss of social contact as difficult. Adults with autism also felt more stressed about the loss of routines. Pleasant changes noted by adults with autism were the increase in solidarity and reduced sensory and social overload. Adults with autism frequently reported problems with cancellation of guidance due to the pandemic and expressed their wish for (more) autism-specific information and advice. Limitations Our sample is likely to reflect some degree of selection bias, and longitudinal studies are needed to determine long-term effects. Conclusions Results highlight the psychological burden of the pandemic on adults with autism and shed light on how to support them during this COVID-19 pandemic, which is especially important now that the pandemic is likely to have a prolonged course. There is a need for accessible, affordable (continued) support from health services. Guidance may focus on the maintenance of a social network, and adjusting routines to the rapid ongoing changes. Finally, we may learn from the COVID-19 pandemic-related changes experienced as pleasant by adults with autism to build a more autism-friendly society post-pandemic.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Xingjian Zhang ◽  
Trevor Chan ◽  
Michael Mak

AbstractCancer cell metastasis is a major factor in cancer-related mortality. During the process of metastasis, cancer cells exhibit migratory phenotypes and invade through pores in the dense extracellular matrix. However, the characterization of morphological and subcellular features of cells in similar migratory phenotypes and the effects of geometric confinement on cell morphodynamics are not well understood. Here, we investigate the phenotypes of highly aggressive MDA-MB-231 cells in single cell and cell doublet (an initial and simplified collective state) forms in confined microenvironments. We group phenotypically similar single cells and cell doublets and characterize related morphological and subcellular features. We further detect two distinct migratory phenotypes, fluctuating and non-fluctuating, within the fast migrating single cell group. In addition, we demonstrate an increase in the number of protrusions formed at the leading edge of cells after invasion through geometric confinement. Finally, we track the short and long term effects of varied degrees of confinement on protrusion formation. Overall, our findings elucidate the underlying morphological and subcellular features associated with different single cell and cell doublet phenotypes and the impact of invasion through confined geometry on cell behavior.


2021 ◽  
pp. 146801732110117
Author(s):  
Fakir Al Gharaibeh ◽  
Laura Gibson

Summary COVID-19 is shaping all aspects of life throughout the world. The unexpected number of people who have been infected with and died from coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is evidence that the pandemic has affected families and societies. The strong shock wave that has resulted in the international response has focused more on medical rather than psychosocial interventions. Little has been written or studied about the impact of COVID-19 on families. This article explores the impact of the COVID-19 quarantine on the mental health of families. We conducted 20 in-depth interviews with Jordanian families through snowball sampling. Findings The results show that 20 interviewees described varied and new experiences. Many of the families we interviewed displayed symptoms of mental health problems, including disrupted sleep patterns, changes in eating habits, excessive digital media use, anxiety, depression, excessive smoking, stomach aches, bedwetting among children, and persistent headaches. The study also demonstrated the psychological stress partners felt during the lockdown due to their worries about job security. They also communicated their hope that renewed family commitments might bring more stability to their relationships. During the lockdown, family members spent more time together, and it became harder to conceal any issues from each other. Applications The findings of this research demonstrate a critical need for social workers, and it is hoped that future legislation will include a role for social workers in various fields of crisis. Moreover, social workers should encourage families to ask for intervention to overcome the long-term effects that may result from COVID-19.


2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 444-445
Author(s):  
Naomi Meinertz ◽  
Pi-Ju Liu ◽  
Ron Acierno

Abstract Abuse in later life could potentially lead to lower levels of social support, especially when perpetrated by family members who are charged with protecting the older adult in their care. Using both waves of the National Elder Mistreatment longitudinal data (wave one collected in 2008 and wave two in 2015; N=774), long-term effects of abuse (i.e., physical, emotional, sexual, and financial) on levels of social support, physical health, and clinical depressive symptoms for respondents at or above the age of 60 years were analyzed. A multivariate analysis of variance showed that respondents abused at wave one (n=261) by a family member (B=-0.55, p≤0.001), a spouse or ex-partner (B=-0.349, p=0.02), or a non-relative or stranger (B=-0.301, p=0.026) had lower levels of social support eight years later at wave two. Those abused by a family member at wave one also experienced higher levels of depressive symptoms at wave two (B=-0.187, p=0.01). Perpetrator type did not predict general health at wave two. These results emphasize the long-term impact of abuse on the lives of older adults and highlight the importance trusted relationships, such as with family members, have on older adult health and wellbeing.


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