Biological effects after prenatal irradiation (embryo and fetus)

2003 ◽  
Vol 33 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 1-206 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Valentin
Keyword(s):  
Radiation Exposure ◽  
Animal Studies ◽  
Biological Effects ◽  
Prenatal Development ◽  
In Utero ◽  
Carcinogenic Risk ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Long Term Effects ◽  
Mammalian Embryo ◽  
Experimental Systems

In its 1990 recommendations, the ICRP considered the radiation risks after exposure during prenatal development. This report is a critical review of new experimental animal data on biological effects and evaluations of human studies after prenatal radiation published since the 1990 recommendations. Thus, the report discusses the effects after radiation exposure during pre-implantation, organogenesis, and fetogenesis. The aetiology of long-term effects on brain development is discussed, as well as evidence from studies in man on the effects of in-utero radiation exposure on neurological and mental processes. Animal studies of carcinogenic risk from in-utero radiation and the epidemiology of childhood cancer are discussed, and the carcinogenic risk to man from in-utero radiation is assessed. Open questions and needs for future research are elaborated. The report reiterates that the mammalian embryo and fetus are highly radiosensitive. The nature and sensitivity of induced biological effects depend upon dose and developmental stage at irradiation. The various effects, as studied in experimental systems and in man, are discussed in detail. It is concluded that the findings in the report strengthen and supplement the 1990 recommendations of the ICRP.

scholarly journals The Effects of Intermittent Fasting on Brain and Cognitive Function

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jip Gudden ◽  
Alejandro Arias Vasquez ◽  
Mirjam Bloemendaal
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Function ◽  
Animal Studies ◽  
Randomized Clinical Trials ◽  
Caloric Intake ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Intermittent Fasting ◽  
Long Term Effects ◽  
Functional Changes ◽  
Positive Effects

The importance of diet and the gut-brain axis for brain health and cognitive function is increasingly acknowledged. Dietary interventions are tested for their potential to prevent and/or treat brain disorders. Intermittent fasting (IF), the abstinence or strong limitation of calories for 12 to 48 hours, alternated with periods of regular food intake, has shown promising results on neurobiological health in animal models. In this review article, we discuss the potential benefits of IF on cognitive function and the possible effects on the prevention and progress of brain-related disorders in animals and humans. We do so by summarizing the effects of IF which - through metabolic, cellular and circadian mechanisms - lead to anatomical and functional changes in the brain. Our review shows that there is no clear evidence of a positive short-term effect of IF on cognition in healthy subjects. Clinical studies show benefits of IF for epilepsy, Alzheimer’s disease and multiple sclerosis on disease symptoms and progress. Findings from animal studies show mechanisms by which Parkinson’s disease, ischaemic stroke, autism spectrum disorder and mood- and anxiety disorders could benefit from IF. Future research should disentangle whether positive effects of IF hold true regardless of age or the presence of obesity. Also, variations in fasting patterns, total caloric intake and intake of specific nutrients may be relevant components of IF success. Longitudinal studies and Randomized Clinical Trials (RCTs) will provide a window into the long-term effects of IF on the development and progress of brain-related diseases.

scholarly journals The Effects of Intermittent Fasting on Brain and Cognitive Function

Nutrients ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (9) ◽  
pp. 3166
Author(s):  
Jip Gudden ◽  
Alejandro Arias Vasquez ◽  
Mirjam Bloemendaal
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Function ◽  
Animal Studies ◽  
Randomized Clinical Trials ◽  
Caloric Intake ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Intermittent Fasting ◽  
Long Term Effects ◽  
Functional Changes ◽  
Positive Effects

The importance of diet and the gut-brain axis for brain health and cognitive function is increasingly acknowledged. Dietary interventions are tested for their potential to prevent and/or treat brain disorders. Intermittent fasting (IF), the abstinence or strong limitation of calories for 12 to 48 h, alternated with periods of regular food intake, has shown promising results on neurobiological health in animal models. In this review article, we discuss the potential benefits of IF on cognitive function and the possible effects on the prevention and progress of brain-related disorders in animals and humans. We do so by summarizing the effects of IF which through metabolic, cellular, and circadian mechanisms lead to anatomical and functional changes in the brain. Our review shows that there is no clear evidence of a positive short-term effect of IF on cognition in healthy subjects. Clinical studies show benefits of IF for epilepsy, Alzheimer’s disease, and multiple sclerosis on disease symptoms and progress. Findings from animal studies show mechanisms by which Parkinson’s disease, ischemic stroke, autism spectrum disorder, and mood and anxiety disorders could benefit from IF. Future research should disentangle whether positive effects of IF hold true regardless of age or the presence of obesity. Moreover, variations in fasting patterns, total caloric intake, and intake of specific nutrients may be relevant components of IF success. Longitudinal studies and randomized clinical trials (RCTs) will provide a window into the long-term effects of IF on the development and progress of brain-related diseases.

scholarly journals Prenatal Folate and Choline Levels and Brain and Cognitive Development in Children: A Critical Narrative Review

Nutrients ◽  
2022 ◽  
Vol 14 (2) ◽  
pp. 364
Author(s):  
Nathalie Irvine ◽  
Gillian England-Mason ◽  
Catherine J. Field ◽  
Deborah Dewey ◽  
Fariba Aghajafari
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Development ◽  
Animal Studies ◽  
Narrative Review ◽  
Cognitive Outcomes ◽  
Human Studies ◽  
Interactive Effects ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Long Term Effects ◽  
Confounding Variables ◽  
Child Cognitive Outcomes

Women’s nutritional status during pregnancy can have long-term effects on children’s brains and cognitive development. Folate and choline are methyl-donor nutrients and are important for closure of the neural tube during fetal development. They have also been associated with brain and cognitive development in children. Animal studies have observed that prenatal folate and choline supplementation is associated with better cognitive outcomes in offspring and that these nutrients may have interactive effects on brain development. Although some human studies have reported associations between maternal folate and choline levels and child cognitive outcomes, results are not consistent, and no human studies have investigated the potential interactive effects of folate and choline. This lack of consistency could be due to differences in the methods used to assess folate and choline levels, the gestational trimester at which they were measured, and lack of consideration of potential confounding variables. This narrative review discusses and critically reviews current research examining the associations between maternal levels of folate and choline during pregnancy and brain and cognitive development in children. Directions for future research that will increase our understanding of the effects of these nutrients on children’s neurodevelopment are discussed.

scholarly journals Changes of the genetic structure in chronically irradiated scots pine populations

2017 ◽  
Vol 15 (2) ◽  
pp. 50-61
Author(s):  
Elizaveta A Kazakova ◽  
Polina Yu Volkova ◽  
Stanislav A Geras’kin
Keyword(s):  
Antioxidant Enzymes ◽  
Genetic Structure ◽  
Radiation Exposure ◽  
Scots Pine ◽  
Biological Effects ◽  
Terrestrial Ecosystems ◽  
Long Term Effects ◽  
Chronic Radiation ◽  
Genetic Structure Of Populations ◽  
Accident Data

Background. The vast forest areas were affected by radioactive fallout of the Chernobyl accident. Data about the long-term effects of chronic radiation exposure are insufficient, as well as knowledge about its influence on the genetic structure of populations. Study of isozyme polymorphism allows us to identify how chronic low-dose radiation exposure affects the genetic structure of plant populations and to develop new methods for assessing the biological effects of anthropogenic impact on terrestrial ecosystems. Materials and methods. The study was conducted in six sites in the Bryansk region (4 radioactively contaminated and 2 reference ones). The method of vertical electrophoresis in PAAG was used for estimation of polymorphism of three enzymes involved in metabolic pathways. Activity of enzymes in seeds of Scots pine was assessed by spectrophotometry. Results. The frequency of mutations in isozymes loci increased along the level of radiation exposure (7-130 mGy/year), as well as some characteristics of the genetic structure of populations. Biochemical activity of studied enzymes does not depend on the level of dose absorbed in the generative organs of pine. Conclusions. It was found that the frequency of mutational events in loci of catabolic/anabolic enzymes and in the loci of previously studied antioxidant enzymes increases along the level of radiation exposure. The degree of the biological effect of chronic exposure was different in groups of catabolic/anabolic enzymes and antioxidant enzymes. Radiation exposure contributes to changes in the genetic structure of Scots pine populations.

scholarly journals Self-rated health among undocumented and newly regularized migrants in Geneva: a cross-sectional study

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Julien Fakhoury ◽  
Claudine Burton-Jeangros ◽  
Idris Guessous ◽  
Liala Consoli ◽  
Aline Duvoisin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Social Support ◽  
Social Networks ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Undocumented Migrants ◽  
Long Term Effects ◽  
Residence Permit ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Convenience Sample ◽  
Self Rated Health

Abstract Background In Europe, knowledge about the social determinants of health among undocumented migrants is scarce. The canton of Geneva, Switzerland, implemented in 2017–2018 a pilot public policy aiming at regularizing undocumented migrants. We sought to test for associations between self-rated health, proven eligibility for residence status regularization and social and economic integration. Methods This paper reports data from the first wave of the Parchemins Study, a prospective study whose aim is to investigate the effect of residence status regularization on undocumented migrants’ living conditions and health. The convenience sample included undocumented migrants living in Geneva for at least 3 years. We categorized them into those who were in the process of receiving or had just been granted a residence permit (eligible or newly regularized) and those who had not applied or were ineligible for regularization (undocumented). We conducted multivariate regression analyses to determine factors associated with better self-rated health, i.e., with excellent/very good vs. good/fair/poor self-rated health. Among these factors, measures of integration, social support and economic resources were included. Results Of the 437 participants, 202 (46%) belonged to the eligible or newly regularized group. This group reported better health more frequently than the undocumented group (44.6% versus 28.9%, p-value < .001), but the association was no longer significant after adjustment for social support and economic factors (odds ratio (OR): 1.12; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.67–1.87). Overall, better health was associated with larger social networks (OR: 1.66; 95% CI: 1.04–2.64). This association remained significant even after adjusting for health-related variables. Conclusion At the onset of the regularization program, access to regularization was not associated with better self-rated health. Policies aiming at favouring undocumented migrants’ inclusion and engagement in social networks may promote better health. Future research should investigate long-term effects of residence status regularization on self-rated health.

scholarly journals Defining a research agenda for youth sport specialisation in the USA: the AMSSM Youth Early Sport Specialization Summit

2021 ◽  
Vol 55 (3) ◽  
pp. 135-143
Author(s):  
Stephanie A Kliethermes ◽  
Stephen W Marshall ◽  
Cynthia R LaBella ◽  
Andrew M Watson ◽  
Joel S Brenner ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Research Agenda ◽  
Sport Participation ◽  
Youth Sport ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Medical Society ◽  
Current Evidence ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Long Term Effects ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
The Usa

Sport specialisation is becoming increasingly common among youth and adolescent athletes in the USA and many have raised concern about this trend. Although research on sport specialisation has grown significantly, numerous pressing questions remain pertaining to short-term and long-term effects of specialisation on the health and well-being of youth, including the increased risk of overuse injury and burnout. Many current elite athletes did not specialise at an early age. Methodological and study design limitations impact the quality of current literature, and researchers need to prioritise pressing research questions to promote safe and healthy youth sport participation. The American Medical Society for Sports Medicine hosted a Youth Early Sport Specialization Summit in April 2019 with the goal of synthesising and reviewing current scientific knowledge and developing a research agenda to guide future research in the field based on the identified gaps in knowledge. This statement provides a broad summary of the existing literature, gaps and limitations in current evidence and identifies key research priorities to help guide researchers conducting research on youth sport specialisation. Our goals are to help improve the quality and relevance of research on youth sport specialisation and to ultimately assure that opportunities for healthy and safe sport participation continue for all youth.

Small-Scale Deliberation and Mass Democracy: A Systematic Review of the Spillover Effects of Deliberative Minipublics

2021 ◽  
pp. 003232172110072
Author(s):  
Ramon van der Does ◽  
Vincent Jacquet
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Empirical Evidence ◽  
Empirical Research ◽  
Spillover Effects ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Long Term Effects ◽  
Current Crisis ◽  
Mass Democracy

Deliberative minipublics are popular tools to address the current crisis in democracy. However, it remains ambiguous to what degree these small-scale forums matter for mass democracy. In this study, we ask the question to what extent minipublics have “spillover effects” on lay citizens—that is, long-term effects on participating citizens and effects on non-participating citizens. We answer this question by means of a systematic review of the empirical research on minipublics’ spillover effects published before 2019. We identify 60 eligible studies published between 1999 and 2018 and provide a synthesis of the empirical results. We show that the evidence for most spillover effects remains tentative because the relevant body of empirical evidence is still small. Based on the review, we discuss the implications for democratic theory and outline several trajectories for future research.

scholarly journals Ketamine’s effect on inflammation and kynurenine pathway in depression: A systematic review

2021 ◽  
pp. 026988112110264
Author(s):  
Emma Kopra ◽  
Valeria Mondelli ◽  
Carmine Pariante ◽  
Naghmeh Nikkheslat
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Animal Studies ◽  
Bipolar Depression ◽  
Strong Support ◽  
Kynurenine Pathway ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Downstream Effects ◽  
Tnf Α ◽  
The Central Nervous System ◽  
Anti Inflammatory

Background: Ketamine is a novel rapid-acting antidepressant with high efficacy in treatment-resistant patients. Its exact therapeutic mechanisms of action are unclear; however, in recent years its anti-inflammatory properties and subsequent downstream effects on tryptophan (TRP) metabolism have sparked research interest. Aim: This systematic review examined the effect of ketamine on inflammatory markers and TRP–kynurenine (KYN) pathway metabolites in patients with unipolar and bipolar depression and in animal models of depression. Methods: MEDLINE, Embase, and PsycINFO databases were searched on October 2020 (1806 to 2020). Results: Out of 807 initial results, nine human studies and 22 animal studies on rodents met the inclusion criteria. Rodent studies provided strong support for ketamine-induced decreases in pro-inflammatory cytokines, namely in interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and indicated anti-inflammatory effects on TRP metabolism, including decreases in the enzyme indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO). Clinical evidence was less robust with high heterogeneity between sample characteristics, but most experiments demonstrated decreases in peripheral inflammation including in IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α. Preliminary support was also found for reduced activation of the neurotoxic arm of the KYN pathway. Conclusion: Ketamine appears to induce anti-inflammatory effects in at least a proportion of depressed patients. Suggestions for future research include investigation of markers in the central nervous system and examination of clinical relevance of inflammatory changes.

scholarly journals Long-Term Effects on Loneliness of a Computer-Tailored Intervention for Older Adults With Chronic Diseases: A Randomized Controlled Trial

2021 ◽  
pp. 089826432110150
Author(s):  
Janet M. Boekhout ◽  
Esmee Volders ◽  
Catherine A. W. Bolman ◽  
Renate H. M. de Groot ◽  
Lilian Lechner
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Randomized Controlled Trial ◽  
Chronic Diseases ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Social Activity ◽  
Time Frame ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Long Term Effects ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
Social Loneliness

Objectives: This study explores the effects of the Active Plus intervention aiming to decrease loneliness among older adults (>65 years) with chronic diseases. Methods: A randomized controlled trial (RCT) was performed (N = 585; age: M = 74.5 years, SD = 6.4), assessing loneliness at baseline, 6 months and 12 months. Outcome measures in the multilevel linear regression analyses were total, social and emotional loneliness. Results: At 12 months, significant decreases in total ( B = −.37, p = .01) and social loneliness ( B = −.24, p = .02) were found. Age was a significant moderator for total and social loneliness; however, the intervention was effective only for participants aged 80 years and older. Discussion: The Active Plus intervention showed a significant decrease in total and social loneliness and was especially beneficial for the vulnerable age group of 80 years and older. A more comprehensive tool for measuring social activity and mobility impairments, and using a longer time frame to detect loneliness changes, may form interesting future research.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document