Developmental origins of myocardial abnormalities in postnatal life

2019 ◽  
Vol 97 (6) ◽  
pp. 457-462 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paramjit S. Tappia ◽  
Bram Ramjiawan
Keyword(s):  
Heart Disease ◽  
Maternal Nutrition ◽  
Critical Factor ◽  
Later Life ◽  
Poor Quality ◽  
Postnatal Life ◽  
Low Protein ◽  
Developing Heart ◽  
The Impact

Poor quality and quantity maternal nutrition during pregnancy exerts permanent and damaging effects on the heart of the developing fetus. The developmental origin of adult heart disease is considered an important and critical factor in the pathogenesis of myocardial abnormalities in later life. Low birth mass, a marker of intrauterine stress, has been linked to a predisposition to heart disease. In this article, our work on the impact of exposure to a low-protein diet, in utero, on the developing heart and its long-term consequences are discussed. Other studies providing some supportive evidence are also described. It is proposed that normal fetal nutrition, growth, and development through efficient maternal nutrition (as well as other predisposing factors) before and during pregnancy may serve as a strategy for the primary prevention of heart disease.

scholarly journals Fourth Ageism: Real and Imaginary Old Age

Societies ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 12
Author(s):  
Paul Higgs ◽  
Chris Gilleard
Keyword(s):  
Older People ◽  
Long Term Care ◽  
Social Representations ◽  
Later Life ◽  
Chronological Age ◽  
Biological Parameters ◽  
Term Care ◽  
The Impact ◽  
State Responses

This paper is concerned with the issue of ageism and its salience in current debates about the COVID-19 pandemic. In it, we address the question of how best to interpret the impact that the pandemic has had on the older population. While many feel angry at what they see as discriminatory lock-down practices confining older people to their homes, others are equally concerned by the failure of state responses to protect and preserve the health of older people, especially those receiving long-term care. This contrast in framing ageist responses to the pandemic, we suggest, arises from differing social representations of later life, reflecting the selective foregrounding of third versus fourth age imaginaries. Recognising the tension between social and biological parameters of ageing and its social categorisations, we suggest, may offer a more measured, as well as a less discriminatory, approach to addressing the selective use of chronological age as a line of demarcation within society.

Restriction of placental function alters heart development in the sheep fetus

2007 ◽  
Vol 293 (1) ◽  
pp. R306-R313 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. L. Morrison ◽  
K. J. Botting ◽  
J. L. Dyer ◽  
S. J. Williams ◽  
K. L. Thornburg ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Heart Development ◽  
Relative Proportion ◽  
Relative Size ◽  
Neonatal Morbidity ◽  
Growth Restriction ◽  
Heart Weight ◽  
Postnatal Life ◽  
Fetal Sheep ◽  
The Impact

Placental insufficiency, resulting in restriction of fetal substrate supply, is a major cause of intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) and increased neonatal morbidity. Fetal adaptations to placental restriction maintain the growth of key organs, including the heart, but the impact of these adaptations on individual cardiomyocytes is unknown. Placental and hence fetal growth restriction was induced in fetal sheep by removing the majority of caruncles in the ewe before mating (placental restriction, PR). Vascular surgery was performed on 13 control and 11 PR fetuses at 110–125 days of gestation (term: 150 ± 3 days). PR fetuses with a mean gestational Po2 < 17 mmHg were defined as hypoxic. At postmortem (<135 or >135 days), fetal hearts were collected, and cardiomyocytes were isolated and fixed. Proliferating cardiomyocytes were counted by immunohistochemistry of Ki67 protein. Cardiomyocytes were stained with methylene blue to visualize the nuclei, and the proportion of mononucleated cells and length and width of cardiomyocytes were measured. PR resulted in chronic fetal hypoxia, IUGR, and elevated plasma cortisol concentrations. Although there was no difference in relative heart weights between control and PR fetuses, there was an increase in the proportion of mononucleated cardiomyocytes in PR fetuses. Whereas mononucleated and binucleated cardiomyocytes were smaller, the relative size of cardiomyocytes when expressed relative to heart weight was larger in PR compared with control fetuses. The increase in the relative proportion of mononucleated cardiomyocytes and the relative sparing of the growth of individual cardiomyocytes in the growth-restricted fetus are adaptations that may have long-term consequences for heart development in postnatal life.

scholarly journals Ageing and vulnerable elderly people: European perspectives

2006 ◽  
Vol 26 (1) ◽  
pp. 105-134 ◽  
Author(s):  
EMILY GRUNDY
Keyword(s):  
Older People ◽  
Evaluation Studies ◽  
Later Life ◽  
Poor Quality ◽  
Psychological Help ◽  
Rigorous Evaluation ◽  
Support Policy ◽  
Vulnerable Elderly

This paper considers the processes and circumstances that create vulnerability among older people, specifically to a very poor quality of life or an untimely or degrading death. Models of ageing processes are used to define vulnerable older people as those whose reserve capacity falls below the threshold needed to cope successfully with the challenges they face. Compensatory supports may intervene to mitigate the effects of challenges and to rebuild reserve. The dimensions of reserve, challenges and compensation are discussed, with emphasis on demographic and other influences on the availability of family and social support. Policy initiatives to reduce vulnerability can focus on each part of the dynamic process that creates vulnerability, namely, ensuring that people reach later life with ‘reserve’, reducing the challenges they face in later life, and providing adequate compensatory supports. The promotion through the lifecourse of healthy lifestyles and the acquisition of coping skills, strong family and social ties, active interests, and savings and assets, will develop reserves and ensure that they are strong in later life. Some of the physical and psychological challenges that people may face as they age cannot be modified, but others can. Interventions to develop compensatory supports include access to good acute care and rehabilitation when needed, substitute professional social and psychological help in times of crisis, long-term help and income support. Our knowledge of which interventions are most effective is however limited by the paucity of rigorous evaluation studies.

scholarly journals Vibration Analysis and Empirical Law Definition for Different Equipment in a Civil Construction

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (14) ◽  
pp. 4689 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rafael Rodríguez ◽  
Marc Bascompta
Keyword(s):  
Maximum Velocity ◽  
Poor Quality ◽  
International Standards ◽  
Economic Implications ◽  
Standard Values ◽  
Historical Sites ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Term Maintenance

The potential affection of any construction, and especially historical sites, is of great concern for their long-term maintenance and stability. This study has determined the vibration behavior in poor-quality rock mass conditions generated by some of the most typical equipment used in construction: excavator, ripper, ripper vibrator, hydraulic hammer, bulldozer and vibrating roller. Several empirical expressions are proposed to know the maximum velocity at different distances for each type of equipment, taking into account the intensity of the vibration generated and its pattern. A general equation has also been defined to determine the vibration propagation along the distance at a construction site, based on the impact generated by all the possible vibration elements, exogenous and endogenous, including machinery working individually or in any possible combination and number. On the other hand, the maximum allowable velocity in the case study is also discussed and compared to international standards, stating some recommendations. It would be very important to have a clear legislation in this regard due to the high density of sensitive constructions in Spain and the economic implications of applying too high or too low standard values.

Immunological footprint: the development of a child's immune system in environments rich in microorganisms and parasites

Parasitology ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 138 (12) ◽  
pp. 1508-1518 ◽  
Author(s):  
YENNY DJUARDI ◽  
LINDA J. WAMMES ◽  
TANIAWATI SUPALI ◽  
ERLIYANI SARTONO ◽  
MARIA YAZDANBAKHSH
Keyword(s):  
Immune System ◽  
Environmental Factors ◽  
Later Life ◽  
Third Party ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Middle Income Countries ◽  
Geographical Regions ◽  
Micro Organisms ◽  
The Impact

SUMMARYThe shaping of a child's immune system starts in utero, with possible long-term consequences in later life. This review highlights the studies conducted on the development of the immune system in early childhood up to school-age, discussing the impact that environmental factors may have. Emphasis has been put on studies conducted in geographical regions where exposure to micro-organisms and parasites are particularly high, and the effect that maternal exposures to these may have on an infant's immune responses to third-party antigens. In this respect we discuss the effect on responses to vaccines, co-infections and on the development of allergic disorders. In addition, studies of the impact that such environmental factors may have on slightly older (school) children are highlighted emphasizing the need for large studies in low to middle income countries, that are sufficiently powered and have longitudinal follow-up components to understand the immunological footprint of a child and the consequences throughout life.

scholarly journals Resilience to childhood adversity

2016 ◽  
Vol 85 (2) ◽  
pp. 22-25
Author(s):  
Catherine Anne Wassenaar
Keyword(s):  
Childhood Adversity ◽  
Later Life ◽  
Environmental Research ◽  
Post Traumatic Stress ◽  
Gene Coding ◽  
Environmental Interactions ◽  
Mitigating Factor ◽  
High Degree ◽  
The Impact

Despite being linked to several negative long-term physical and psychological pathologies in adulthood, childhood adversity elicits variable responses in the sufferer. When searching for explanations for this heterogeneity, the concept of resilience has been postulated as a potential mitigating factor. Gene-environmental interactions are a promising avenue in the study of resilience. The premise of gene-environmental research is that interindividual variability in the response to an environmental stressor is due to an individual’s genetic make-up exacerbating or buffering the impact of that stressor. Herein, gene-environmental findings are illustrated in the context of depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Many of the gene loci found to interact with childhood adversity influence both depression and PTSD possibly due to the high degree of shared heritability between these psychopathologies. Variation in the serotonin transporter gene, SLC6A4, and in FKBP5, a gene coding for a glucocorticoid receptor binding protein, interacts with childhood adversity to influence the development and symptomology of depression and of PTSD. Findings in the field of gene-environmental interactions has led to a proposed 3-hit model whereby 3 hits, genetics, early life experiences and later life stressors, interact to determine whether an individual is vulnerable or resilient to the development of psychopathology. As limitations with the current research are addressed and complementary lines of research are integrated, the insight gained on childhood adversity has the potential to better predict children at risk of the long-term sequelae of adversity and to inform potential intervention and prevention strategies.

scholarly journals Демографический дайджест

2016 ◽  
Vol 3 (3) ◽  
pp. 170-188
Author(s):  
Илья Савельевич Кашницкий
Keyword(s):  
Home Ownership ◽  
Later Life ◽  
European Population ◽  
Second Home ◽  
Internal Migrants ◽  
Recent Trends ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Migration And Development

Murphy M. The Impact of Migration on Long-Term European Population Trends, 1850 to PresentKelle J.,  A.O. Haller. Who Benefits from Economic Growth? Work and Pay in BrazilVictora C.G., R. Bahl, A.J.D. Barros, G.V.A. França, S. Horton, J. Krasevec, S. Murch, M.J. Sankar, N. Walker, N.C Rollins. Breastfeeding in the 21st century: epidemiology, mechanisms, and lifelong effect Stillwell J., M. Thomas. How far do internal migrants really move? Demonstrating a new method for the estimation of intra-zonal distanceMarjavaara R., E. Lundholm. Does Second-Home Ownership Trigger Migration in Later Life?Bell M., E. Charles-Edwards, P. Ueffing, J. Stillwell, M. Kupiszewski, D. Kupiszewska. Internal Migration and Development: Comparing Migration Intensities Around the WorldGoujon A., S. KC, M. Speringer, B. Barakat, M. Potancoková, J. Eder, E. Striessnig, R. Bauer, W. Lutz. A harmonized dataset on global educational attainment between 1970 and 2060 – an analytical window into recent trends and future prospects in human capital developmentCooray A., F. Schneider. Does corruption promote emigration? An empirical examinationUeffing P., F. Rowe, C.H. Mulder. Differences in Attitudes towards Immigration between Australia and Germany: The Role of Immigration Policy

scholarly journals Long-term programming of blood pressure by maternal dietary iron restriction in the rat

2002 ◽  
Vol 88 (3) ◽  
pp. 283-290 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rohan M. Lewis ◽  
Alison J. Forhead ◽  
Clive J. Petry ◽  
Susan E. Ozanne ◽  
C. Nicolas Hales
Keyword(s):  
Blood Pressure ◽  
Glucose Tolerance ◽  
Maternal Nutrition ◽  
Serum Insulin ◽  
Maternal Diet ◽  
Renin Angiotensin System ◽  
Later Life ◽  
Nutritional Restriction ◽  
Old Rats

We have reported that blood pressure was elevated in 3-month-old rats whose mothers were Fe-restricted during pregnancy. These animals also had improved glucose tolerance and decreased serum triacylglycerol. The aim of the present study was to determine whether these effects of maternal nutritional restriction, present in these animals at 3 months of age, can be observed in the same animals in later life. Pulmonary and serum angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) concentrations were also measured to investigate whether the renin–angiotensin system was involved in the elevation of blood pressure observed in the offspring of Fe-restricted dams. Systolic blood pressure was higher in the offspring of Fe-restricted dams at 16 months of age. Heart and kidney weight were increased as a proportion of body weight in the offspring of Fe-restricted dams. The pulmonary ACE concentration was not significantly different between the groups. The serum ACE concentration was significantly elevated in the offspring of Fe-restricted dams at 3 but not 14 months of age. There was a strong correlation between serum ACE levels at 3 and 14 months of age. Glucose tolerance and serum insulin were not different between the maternal diet groups. Serum triacylglycerol tended to be lower in the offspring of Fe-restricted dams. There were no differences in serum non-esterified fatty acids or serum cholesterol between the maternal diet groups. This study provides further evidence that maternal nutrition has effects on the offspring that persist throughout life. At 16 months of age, the elevation of blood pressure in Fe-restricted offspring does not appear to be mediated via changes in ACE levels. Both cardiac hypertrophy and decreased serum triacylglycerol have also been observed in Fe-restricted fetuses, suggesting that these changes may be initiated in utero.

scholarly journals Effect of supplementation with methyl-donor nutrients on neurodevelopment and cognition: considerations for future research

2018 ◽  
Vol 76 (7) ◽  
pp. 497-511 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah E McKee ◽  
Teresa M Reyes
Keyword(s):  
Dna Methylation ◽  
Animal Studies ◽  
Maternal Nutrition ◽  
Disease Risk ◽  
Later Life ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Postnatal Life ◽  
Micronutrient Deficiencies ◽  
Nutrient Deficiencies ◽  
Methyl Donor

Abstract Pregnancy represents a critical period in fetal development, such that the prenatal environment can, in part, establish a lifelong trajectory of health or disease for the offspring. Poor nutrition (macro- or micronutrient deficiencies) can adversely affect brain development and significantly increase offspring risk for metabolic and neurological disease development. The concentration of dietary methyl-donor nutrients is known to alter DNA methylation in the brain, and alterations in DNA methylation can have long-lasting effects on gene expression and neuronal function. The decreased availability of methyl-donor nutrients to the developing fetus in models of poor maternal nutrition is one mechanism hypothesized to link maternal malnutrition and disease risk in offspring. Animal studies indicate that supplementation of both maternal and postnatal (early- and later-life) diets with methyl-donor nutrients can attenuate disease risk in offspring; however, clinical research is more equivocal. The objective of this review is to summarize how specific methyl-donor nutrient deficiencies and excesses during pre- and postnatal life alter neurodevelopment and cognition. Emphasis is placed on reviewing the current literature, highlighting challenges within nutrient supplementation research, and considering potential strategies to ensure robust findings in future studies.

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