scholarly journals Developmental Programming, a Pathway to Disease

Endocrinology ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 157 (4) ◽  
pp. 1328-1340 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vasantha Padmanabhan ◽  
Rodolfo C. Cardoso ◽  
Muraly Puttabyatappa
Keyword(s):  
Perinatal Period ◽  
Developmental Programming ◽  
Environmental Chemicals ◽  
Developmental Trajectory ◽  
Medical Interventions ◽  
Disease States ◽  
Lifestyle Choices ◽  
Underlying Mechanisms ◽  
Nutritional Deficits

Abstract Accumulating evidence suggests that insults occurring during the perinatal period alter the developmental trajectory of the fetus/offspring leading to long-term detrimental outcomes that often culminate in adult pathologies. These perinatal insults include maternal/fetal disease states, nutritional deficits/excess, stress, lifestyle choices, exposure to environmental chemicals, and medical interventions. In addition to reviewing the various insults that contribute to developmental programming and the benefits of animal models in addressing underlying mechanisms, this review focuses on the commonalities in disease outcomes stemming from various insults, the convergence of mechanistic pathways via which various insults can lead to common outcomes, and identifies the knowledge gaps in the field and future directions.

Off to the right start: how pregnancy and early life can determine future animal health and production

2018 ◽  
Vol 58 (3) ◽  
pp. 459 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. L. Gatford ◽  
C. T. Roberts ◽  
K. L. Kind ◽  
P. I. Hynd
Keyword(s):  
Early Life ◽  
Low Birthweight ◽  
Animal Health ◽  
Developmental Programming ◽  
Developmental Trajectory ◽  
Long Term Effects ◽  
Prenatal Growth ◽  
Underlying Mechanisms ◽  
The Right

Animal producers are well aware that a low-birthweight animal is more likely to die in the first few days of life, and, if it survives, it is likely to perform poorly. We are now coming to appreciate that early life events can permanently change an animal’s developmental trajectory, also often referred to as developmental programming. This is an area of current interest in biomedicine, where the concept is known as the ‘developmental origins of health and disease’ (DOHaD). Current gaps in understanding include many of the underlying mechanisms, and whether and how we might intervene and restore the potential for healthy and productive development. This review introduces the biomedical perspective of developmental programming, reviews some of the evidence for long-term effects of early life exposures on welfare and productivity in animal production, with a focus on prenatal growth and maternal stress in pig production, and discusses options for intervening to improve long-term outcomes.

scholarly journals Animal Models for DOHaD Research: Focus on Hypertension of Developmental Origins

Biomedicines ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (6) ◽  
pp. 623
Author(s):  
Chien-Ning Hsu ◽  
You-Lin Tain
Keyword(s):  
Animal Models ◽  
Early Life ◽  
Later Life ◽  
Convincing Evidence ◽  
Environmental Chemicals ◽  
Developmental Origins ◽  
Critical Window ◽  
Health And Disease ◽  
Underlying Mechanisms

Increasing evidence suggests that fetal programming through environmental exposure during a critical window of early life leads to long-term detrimental outcomes, by so-called developmental origins of health and disease (DOHaD). Hypertension can originate in early life. Animal models are essential for providing convincing evidence of a causal relationship between diverse early-life insults and the developmental programming of hypertension in later life. These insults include nutritional imbalances, maternal illnesses, exposure to environmental chemicals, and medication use. In addition to reviewing the various insults that contribute to hypertension of developmental origins, this review focuses on the benefits of animal models in addressing the underlying mechanisms by which early-life interventions can reprogram disease processes and prevent the development of hypertension. Our understanding of hypertension of developmental origins has been enhanced by each of these animal models, narrowing the knowledge gap between animal models and future clinical translation.

The Co-Occurrence of Autism and Gender Diversity

2020 ◽  
pp. 197-211
Author(s):  
Jill C. Fodstad ◽  
Rebecca Elias ◽  
Shivali Sarawgi
Keyword(s):  
Gender Dysphoria ◽  
Gender Diversity ◽  
Gender Nonconforming ◽  
Medical Interventions ◽  
Gender Diverse ◽  
Nonbinary Gender ◽  
Psychiatric Conditions ◽  
The Common ◽  
And Gender

Gender diversity refers to gender expressions and/or gender identity experiences that vary from the common experiences of gender. Gender-diverse people may be gender nonconforming, gender nonbinary, gender fluid, gender exploring, transgender, and so forth. Some gender-diverse individuals experience gender dysphoria and/or gender incongruence and may require gender-affirming supports, including gender-affirming medical interventions. The co-occurrence of autism and gender diversity has been highlighted in a series of studies internationally as well as through rich community expressions. Studies in gender-referred individuals reveal high rates of autism traits as well as high rates of existing autism diagnoses. Studies in autistic populations reveal greater gender diversity characteristics. The long-term course of gender diversity in autistic individuals is poorly understood. Clinical guidelines have been developed for adolescents with the co-occurrence, but much work remains: No gender-related measures have been developed and tested for use in neurodiverse populations, no programs exist to support gender-diverse neurodiverse adults, and little is known about co-occurring mental health profiles, risks, or protective factors for people with the co-occurrence. The inclusion of this chapter on co-occurring autism and gender diversity within a book on “co-occurring psychiatric conditions” is problematic, because gender diversity is not a “psychiatric condition,” but instead a form of human diversity. The diagnosis of Gender Dysphoria is useful only insomuch as it allows individuals to obtain necessary gender-related supports. The authors’ choice to include this chapter in this book reflects a compromise, motivated by the need for educating both autism and gender specialists in this common co-occurrence.

Enhanced Seasonal Exchange of CO2 by Northern Ecosystems Since 1960

Science ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 341 (6150) ◽  
pp. 1085-1089 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. D. Graven ◽  
R. F. Keeling ◽  
S. C. Piper ◽  
P. K. Patra ◽  
B. B. Stephens ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Boreal Forests ◽  
Atmospheric Carbon Dioxide ◽  
Ecosystem Models ◽  
The North ◽  
Ecological Changes ◽  
Term Change ◽  
Major Shift ◽  
Underlying Mechanisms ◽  
Global Carbon

Seasonal variations of atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) in the Northern Hemisphere have increased since the 1950s, but sparse observations have prevented a clear assessment of the patterns of long-term change and the underlying mechanisms. We compare recent aircraft-based observations of CO2 above the North Pacific and Arctic Oceans to earlier data from 1958 to 1961 and find that the seasonal amplitude at altitudes of 3 to 6 km increased by 50% for 45° to 90°N but by less than 25% for 10° to 45°N. An increase of 30 to 60% in the seasonal exchange of CO2 by northern extratropical land ecosystems, focused on boreal forests, is implicated, substantially more than simulated by current land ecosystem models. The observations appear to signal large ecological changes in northern forests and a major shift in the global carbon cycle.

No Longer Disabled: The Legal Impact of the New Social Construction of HIV

1997 ◽  
Vol 23 (1) ◽  
pp. 7-43
Author(s):  
Wendy E. Parmet ◽  
Daniel J. Jackson
Keyword(s):  
Chronic Disease ◽  
Social Construction ◽  
Social Problem ◽  
Positive Development ◽  
Hiv Disease ◽  
Term Survival ◽  
Medical Interventions ◽  
Terminal Disease ◽  
Hiv Epidemic

The second social construction of HIV disease has begun. In the first fifteen years of the HIV epidemic, many viewed the disease “as the modern plague.” Now, as the epidemic matures and new “miracle treatments" are heralded, the disease is beginning to conjure a very different set of images. Where once AIDS was dreaded as the inexplicable cataclysm of the end of the millennium, now, as the virus appears amenable to treatment, we are beginning to see the disease as something both preventable and controllable, no longer beyond human direction. And, where the disease was once synonymous with death, disability, and decline, we now witness stories of miracle recoveries and long-term survival. In the minds of many, the terminal disease has become the chronic disease; the dreaded plague has become but another social problem.In most respects, the new social construction of HIV, emerging from the advent of potentially effective medical interventions, is a positive development.

scholarly journals When a Neonate Is Born, So Is a Microbiota

Life ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 148
Author(s):  
Alessandra Coscia ◽  
Flaminia Bardanzellu ◽  
Elisa Caboni ◽  
Vassilios Fanos ◽  
Diego Giampietro Peroni
Keyword(s):  
Bacterial Colonization ◽  
Perinatal Period ◽  
Delivery Mode ◽  
Fetal Life ◽  
Assisted Reproduction Techniques ◽  
Neonatal Nutrition ◽  
Short And Long Term ◽  
Number Of Bacteria

In recent years, the role of human microbiota as a short- and long-term health promoter and modulator has been affirmed and progressively strengthened. In the course of one’s life, each subject is colonized by a great number of bacteria, which constitute its specific and individual microbiota. Human bacterial colonization starts during fetal life, in opposition to the previous paradigm of the “sterile womb”. Placenta, amniotic fluid, cord blood and fetal tissues each have their own specific microbiota, influenced by maternal health and habits and having a decisive influence on pregnancy outcome and offspring outcome. The maternal microbiota, especially that colonizing the genital system, starts to influence the outcome of pregnancy already before conception, modulating fertility and the success rate of fertilization, even in the case of assisted reproduction techniques. During the perinatal period, neonatal microbiota seems influenced by delivery mode, drug administration and many other conditions. Special attention must be reserved for early neonatal nutrition, because breastfeeding allows the transmission of a specific and unique lactobiome able to modulate and positively affect the neonatal gut microbiota. Our narrative review aims to investigate the currently identified pre- and peri-natal factors influencing neonatal microbiota, before conception, during pregnancy, pre- and post-delivery, since the early microbiota influences the whole life of each subject.

scholarly journals Blood–brain barrier disruption and ventricular enlargement are the earliest neuropathological changes in rats with repeated sub-concussive impacts over 2 weeks

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Bailey Hiles-Murison ◽  
Andrew P. Lavender ◽  
Mark J. Hackett ◽  
Joshua J. Armstrong ◽  
Michael Nesbit ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Oxidative Stress ◽  
Blood Brain Barrier ◽  
Hippocampal Formation ◽  
Brain Barrier ◽  
Lateral Ventricles ◽  
Blood Brain Barrier Disruption ◽  
Blood Brain ◽  
Brain Barrier Disruption ◽  
Underlying Mechanisms

AbstractRepeated sub-concussive impact (e.g. soccer ball heading), a significantly lighter form of mild traumatic brain injury, is increasingly suggested to cumulatively alter brain structure and compromise neurobehavioural function in the long-term. However, the underlying mechanisms whereby repeated long-term sub-concussion induces cerebral structural and neurobehavioural changes are currently unknown. Here, we utilised an established rat model to investigate the effects of repeated sub-concussion on size of lateral ventricles, cerebrovascular blood–brain barrier (BBB) integrity, neuroinflammation, oxidative stress, and biochemical distribution. Following repeated sub-concussion 3 days per week for 2 weeks, the rats showed significantly enlarged lateral ventricles compared with the rats receiving sham-only procedure. The sub-concussive rats also presented significant BBB dysfunction in the cerebral cortex and hippocampal formation, whilst neuromotor function assessed by beamwalk and rotarod tests were comparable to the sham rats. Immunofluorescent and spectroscopic microscopy analyses revealed no significant changes in neuroinflammation, oxidative stress, lipid distribution or protein aggregation, within the hippocampus and cortex. These data collectively indicate that repeated sub-concussion for 2 weeks induce significant ventriculomegaly and BBB disruption, preceding neuromotor deficits.

scholarly journals Remediation of mercury-contaminated soils and sediments using biochar: a critical review

Biochar ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Qian Yang ◽  
Yongjie Wang ◽  
Huan Zhong
Keyword(s):  
Health Risks ◽  
Contaminated Soils ◽  
Functional Materials ◽  
Redox Conditions ◽  
Existing Problems ◽  
Soils And Sediments ◽  
Underlying Mechanisms ◽  
Biochar Amendment

AbstractThe transformation of mercury (Hg) into the more toxic and bioaccumulative form methylmercury (MeHg) in soils and sediments can lead to the biomagnification of MeHg through the food chain, which poses ecological and health risks. In the last decade, biochar application, an in situ remediation technique, has been shown to be effective in mitigating the risks from Hg in soils and sediments. However, uncertainties associated with biochar use and its underlying mechanisms remain. Here, we summarize recent studies on the effects and advantages of biochar amendment related to Hg biogeochemistry and its bioavailability in soils and sediments and systematically analyze the progress made in understanding the underlying mechanisms responsible for reductions in Hg bioaccumulation. The existing literature indicates (1) that biochar application decreases the mobility of inorganic Hg in soils and sediments and (2) that biochar can reduce the bioavailability of MeHg and its accumulation in crops but has a complex effect on net MeHg production. In this review, two main mechanisms, a direct mechanism (e.g., Hg-biochar binding) and an indirect mechanism (e.g., biochar-impacted sulfur cycling and thus Hg-soil binding), that explain the reduction in Hg bioavailability by biochar amendment based on the interactions among biochar, soil and Hg under redox conditions are highlighted. Furthermore, the existing problems with the use of biochar to treat Hg-contaminated soils and sediments, such as the appropriate dose and the long-term effectiveness of biochar, are discussed. Further research involving laboratory tests and field applications is necessary to obtain a mechanistic understanding of the role of biochar in reducing Hg bioavailability in diverse soil types under varying redox conditions and to develop completely green and sustainable biochar-based functional materials for mitigating Hg-related health risks.

Management problems in the pregnant diabetic

1993 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 29-38 ◽  
Author(s):  
FA Van Assche
Keyword(s):  
Gestational Diabetes ◽  
Pathological Condition ◽  
Metabolic Adaptation ◽  
Medical Complication ◽  
Mother And Child ◽  
Insulin Dependent ◽  
Underlying Mechanisms ◽  
Near Future ◽  
Pregnant Diabetic

Major progress has been made in the knowledge and management of diabetes and pregnancy. However diabetes in pregnancy remains an important medical complication, with implications for mother and child in both the short and the long term. There are still controversies concerning the diagnostic criteria of gestational diabetes and concerning the best strategry for the treatment of this disorder. There is even less agreement about whether gestational diabetes is a pathological condition. The perinatal mortality in gestational diabetes has recently become as low as that in the general population. This has led to the conclusion that gestational diabetes is no more than a variant of metabolic adaptation during pregnancy. However, fetal hyperinsulinism is present in gestational diabetes, resulting in macrosomia, neonatal complications and most probably long term consequences. Improvements in the care of the preexisting insulin-dependent pregnant diabetic have been achieved but further progress in understanding the underlying mechanisms and in preventing and treating the disease are important goals for the near future.

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