scholarly journals Perinatal and Early-Life Nutrition, Epigenetics, and Allergy

Nutrients ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (3) ◽  
pp. 724
Author(s):  
Nathalie Acevedo ◽  
Bilal Alashkar Alhamwe ◽  
Luis Caraballo ◽  
Mei Ding ◽  
Antonio Ferrante ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Factors ◽  
Allergic Disease ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Time Frame ◽  
Metabolic Reprogramming ◽  
Optimal Time ◽  
Epigenetic Mechanisms ◽  
Extrinsic Factors ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Insight Into

Epidemiological studies have shown a dramatic increase in the incidence and the prevalence of allergic diseases over the last several decades. Environmental triggers including risk factors (e.g., pollution), the loss of rural living conditions (e.g., farming conditions), and nutritional status (e.g., maternal, breastfeeding) are considered major contributors to this increase. The influences of these environmental factors are thought to be mediated by epigenetic mechanisms which are heritable, reversible, and biologically relevant biochemical modifications of the chromatin carrying the genetic information without changing the nucleotide sequence of the genome. An important feature characterizing epigenetically-mediated processes is the existence of a time frame where the induced effects are the strongest and therefore most crucial. This period between conception, pregnancy, and the first years of life (e.g., first 1000 days) is considered the optimal time for environmental factors, such as nutrition, to exert their beneficial epigenetic effects. In the current review, we discussed the impact of the exposure to bacteria, viruses, parasites, fungal components, microbiome metabolites, and specific nutritional components (e.g., polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), vitamins, plant- and animal-derived microRNAs, breast milk) on the epigenetic patterns related to allergic manifestations. We gave insight into the epigenetic signature of bioactive milk components and the effects of specific nutrition on neonatal T cell development. Several lines of evidence suggest that atypical metabolic reprogramming induced by extrinsic factors such as allergens, viruses, pollutants, diet, or microbiome might drive cellular metabolic dysfunctions and defective immune responses in allergic disease. Therefore, we described the current knowledge on the relationship between immunometabolism and allergy mediated by epigenetic mechanisms. The knowledge as presented will give insight into epigenetic changes and the potential of maternal and post-natal nutrition on the development of allergic disease.

scholarly journals The Impact of Environmental Chemicals on the Gut Microbiome

2020 ◽  
Vol 176 (2) ◽  
pp. 253-284 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karen Chiu ◽  
Genoa Warner ◽  
Romana A Nowak ◽  
Jodi A Flaws ◽  
Wenyan Mei
Keyword(s):  
Gut Microbiome ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Environmental Chemicals ◽  
Microbial Composition ◽  
Multiple Factors ◽  
Microbiome Research ◽  
Health Related ◽  
Exogenous Factors ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Insight Into

Abstract Since the surge of microbiome research in the last decade, many studies have provided insight into the causes and consequences of changes in the gut microbiota. Among the multiple factors involved in regulating the microbiome, exogenous factors such as diet and environmental chemicals have been shown to alter the gut microbiome significantly. Although diet substantially contributes to changes in the gut microbiome, environmental chemicals are major contaminants in our food and are often overlooked. Herein, we summarize the current knowledge on major classes of environmental chemicals (bisphenols, phthalates, persistent organic pollutants, heavy metals, and pesticides) and their impact on the gut microbiome, which includes alterations in microbial composition, gene expression, function, and health effects in the host. We then discuss health-related implications of gut microbial changes, which include changes in metabolism, immunity, and neurological function.

scholarly journals Hypoxia- and MicroRNA-Induced Metabolic Reprogramming of Tumor-Initiating Cells

Cells ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (6) ◽  
pp. 528 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pit Ullmann ◽  
Martin Nurmik ◽  
Rubens Begaj ◽  
Serge Haan ◽  
Elisabeth Letellier
Keyword(s):  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Tumor Hypoxia ◽  
Metabolic Reprogramming ◽  
Stress Factors ◽  
Western World ◽  
Special Focus ◽  
Tumor Initiating Cells ◽  
Cell Compartment ◽  
Extrinsic Factors ◽  
The Past

Colorectal cancer (CRC), the second most common cause of cancer mortality in the Western world, is a highly heterogeneous disease that is driven by a rare subpopulation of tumorigenic cells, known as cancer stem cells (CSCs) or tumor-initiating cells (TICs). Over the past few years, a plethora of different approaches, aimed at identifying and eradicating these self-renewing TICs, have been described. A focus on the metabolic and bioenergetic differences between TICs and less aggressive differentiated cancer cells has thereby emerged as a promising strategy to specifically target the tumorigenic cell compartment. Extrinsic factors, such as nutrient availability or tumor hypoxia, are known to influence the metabolic state of TICs. In this review, we aim to summarize the current knowledge on environmental stress factors and how they affect the metabolism of TICs, with a special focus on microRNA (miRNA)- and hypoxia-induced effects on colon TICs.

scholarly journals The Role of Epigenetics in Arterial Calcification

2015 ◽  
Vol 2015 ◽  
pp. 1-8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shan-Shan Wu ◽  
Xiao Lin ◽  
Ling-Qing Yuan ◽  
Er-Yuan Liao
Keyword(s):  
Dna Methylation ◽  
Gene Regulation ◽  
Environmental Factors ◽  
Recent Progress ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Therapeutic Interventions ◽  
Arterial Calcification ◽  
Epigenetic Mechanisms ◽  
Genetic And Environmental Factors

Arterial calcification is highly prevalent and correlated with cardiovascular mortality, especially in patients with ESRD or diabetes. The pathogenesis of arterial calcification is multifactorial, with both genetic and environmental factors being implicated. In recent years, several mechanisms contributing to arterial calcification have been proposed. However, these can only explain a small proportion of the variability in arterial calcification, which is a major obstacle for its prevention and management. Epigenetics has emerged as one of the most promising areas that may fill in some of the gaps in our current knowledge of the interaction between the environmental insults with gene regulation in the development of diseases. Epigenetics refers to heritable and acquired changes in gene transcription that occur independently of the DNA sequence. Well-known components of epigenetic regulation include DNA methylation, histone modifications, and microRNAs. Epigenetics research in the regulation of arterial calcification has only recently been elucidated. In this review, we will summarise recent progress in epigenetic pathways involved in arterial calcification and discuss potential therapeutic interventions based on epigenetic mechanisms.

scholarly journals Food and Nutrition in the Pathogenesis of Liver Damage

Nutrients ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
pp. 1326
Author(s):  
Andrea Mega ◽  
Luca Marzi ◽  
Michael Kob ◽  
Andrea Piccin ◽  
Annarosa Floreani
Keyword(s):  
Liver Injury ◽  
Environmental Factors ◽  
Liver Damage ◽  
Liver Diseases ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Regulation Of Metabolism ◽  
Food And Nutrition ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Exogenous Substances

The liver is an important organ and plays a key role in the regulation of metabolism and in the secretion, storage, and detoxification of endogenous and exogenous substances. The impact of food and nutrition on the pathophysiological mechanisms of liver injury represents a great controversy. Several environmental factors including food and micronutrients are involved in the pathogenesis of liver damage. Conversely, some xenobiotics and micronutrients have been recognized to have a protective effect in several liver diseases. This paper offers an overview of the current knowledge on the role of xenobiotics and micronutrients in liver damage.

scholarly journals Extrinsic Factors Shaping the Skin Microbiome

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (7) ◽  
pp. 1023 ◽  
Author(s):  
Veronica Moskovicz ◽  
Adi Gross ◽  
Boaz Mizrahi
Keyword(s):  
Human Skin ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Skin Microbiome ◽  
Additional Insight ◽  
Extrinsic Factors ◽  
Healthy Environment ◽  
Development And Differentiation ◽  
Immune System Modulation ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Insight Into

Human skin, our most environmentally exposed organ, is colonized by a vast array of microorganisms constituting its microbiome. These bacterial communities are crucial for the fulfillment of human physiological functions such as immune system modulation and epidermal development and differentiation. The structure of the human skin microbiome is established during the early life stages, starting even before birth, and continues to be modulated throughout the entire life cycle, by multiple host-related and environmental factors. This review focuses on extrinsic factors, ranging from cosmetics to the environment and antibacterial agents, as forces that impact the human skin microbiome and well-being. Assessing the impact of these factors on the skin microbiome will help elucidate the forces that shape the microbial populations we coexist with. Furthermore, we will gain additional insight into their tendency to stimulate a healthy environment or to increase the propensity for skin disorder development.

scholarly journals Nature versus nurture: unravelling cause and effect in epigenetics and disease

2017 ◽  
Vol 39 (5) ◽  
pp. 28-31
Author(s):  
Helen Albert
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Factors ◽  
Allergic Disease ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Disease Susceptibility ◽  
Cause And Effect ◽  
Nature Versus Nurture ◽  
The University ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Scientific Advances

The impact of a person's genetics on their susceptibility to certain diseases has been known for some time. While it is clear that the environment can also play a role, the exact molecular mechanisms for this influence have remained obscure. Recent scientific advances in the field of epigenetics have allowed researchers to look at the impact of environmental factors on DNA and disease susceptibility more closely. Helen Albert talks to Professor John Holloway from the University of Southampton who has been investigating the effects of the environment on our DNA and how such exposures change our risk for developing asthma and allergic disease.

Nucleosome dynamics

2006 ◽  
Vol 73 ◽  
pp. 109-119 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chris Stockdale ◽  
Michael Bruno ◽  
Helder Ferreira ◽  
Elisa Garcia-Wilson ◽  
Nicola Wiechens ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
High Resolution ◽  
Chromatin Structure ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Dynamic Properties ◽  
Structure And Dynamics ◽  
Nucleosome Dynamics ◽  
Sharp Focus ◽  
Recent Advances ◽  
Insight Into ◽  
Chromatin Structure And Dynamics

In the 30 years since the discovery of the nucleosome, our picture of it has come into sharp focus. The recent high-resolution structures have provided a wealth of insight into the function of the nucleosome, but they are inherently static. Our current knowledge of how nucleosomes can be reconfigured dynamically is at a much earlier stage. Here, recent advances in the understanding of chromatin structure and dynamics are highlighted. The ways in which different modes of nucleosome reconfiguration are likely to influence each other are discussed, and some of the factors likely to regulate the dynamic properties of nucleosomes are considered.

Coming-of-Age Cinema in New Zealand

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alistair Fox
Keyword(s):  
Coming Of Age ◽  
Belief Systems ◽  
Time Frame ◽  
New Wave ◽  
Art Cinema ◽  
Literary Sources ◽  
French New Wave ◽  
Significant Phenomenon ◽  
The Impact ◽  
New Zealanders

This book investigates the coming-of-age genre as a significant phenomenon in New Zealand’s national cinema, tracing its development from the 1970s to the present day. A preliminary chapter identifies the characteristics of the coming-of-age film as a genre, tracing its evolution and the influence of the French New Wave and European Art Cinema, and speculating on the role of the genre in the output of national cinemas. Through case studies of fifteen significant films, including The God Boy, Sleeping Dogs, The Scarecrow, Vigil, Mauri, An Angel at My Table, Heavenly Creatures, Once Were Warriors, Rain, Whale Rider, In My Father’s Den, 50 Ways of Saying Fabulous, Boy, Mahana, and Hunt for the Wilderpeople, subsequent chapters examine thematic preoccupations of filmmakers such as the impact of repressive belief systems and social codes, the experience of cultural dislocation, the expression of a Māori perspective through an indigenous “Fourth Cinema,” bicultural relationships, and issues of sexual identity, arguing that these films provide a unique insight into the cultural formation of New Zealanders. Given that the majority of films are adaptations of literary sources, the book also explores the dialogue each film conducts with the nation’s literature, showing how the time frame of each film is updated in a way that allows these films to be considered as a register of important cultural shifts that have occurred as New Zealanders have sought to discover their emerging national identity.

Assessing the sustainability of the Siberian Federal District regions

2020 ◽  
Vol 18 (5) ◽  
pp. 891-908
Author(s):  
T.A. Smirnova
Keyword(s):  
Sustainable Development ◽  
Environmental Factors ◽  
Regional Development ◽  
Federal District ◽  
Integrated Approach ◽  
Siberian Federal District ◽  
The Sustainable Development ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Empirical Analyses

Subject. This article deals with the issues of functioning of the region as a system. Objectives. The article aims to identify the problems of the region's functioning as a system, develop methodological tools to monitor the sustainable development of the Siberian Federal District territories, and determine the the impact of socio-economic and environmental factors on the sustainable development of the region as a whole. Methods. For the study, I used the methods of theoretical, statistical, and empirical analyses taking into account an integrated approach. Results. The article reveals the impact of some individual components of regional development on the sustainability of the territorial system as a whole. Relevance. The results of the study can be used to analyze the sustainability of regions' development.

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