The birth and future health of DOHaD

2015 ◽  
Vol 6 (5) ◽  
pp. 434-437 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Hanson
Keyword(s):  
20Th Century ◽  
Biomedical Research ◽  
Early Life ◽  
Clinical Medicine ◽  
Communicable Disease ◽  
Future Health ◽  
Late 20Th Century ◽  
Unique Aspect ◽  
Underlying Mechanisms ◽  
Non Communicable Disease

Professor David Barker, CBE, FRS, made an enormous contribution to biomedical research, which helped to change its direction and assisted translation to clinical medicine in the area of non-communicable disease (NCD). In this paper, I briefly note some of the studies, which led to his work, and describe how the underlying mechanisms came to be investigated by fetal physiologists. This is a unique aspect of the change in scientific emphasis, from a gene-centric and adult lifestyle view of NCD to a more holistic perspective, which placed emphasis on the importance of development that took place in the late 20th century. Early this century, the DOHaD Society was formed: I discuss some aspects of the formation of the Society and note the important role it is now playing in addressing the need to find early-life interventions to reduce NCD. This forms part of the unique legacy that David Barker has left to science and medicine.

scholarly journals Precision Medicine, Developmental Plasticity and Prevention of Non-Communicable Disease

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carol Wang ◽  
John Attia ◽  
Stephen Lye ◽  
Wendy Oddy ◽  
Lawrence Beilin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Precision Medicine ◽  
Early Life ◽  
Developmental Plasticity ◽  
Communicable Disease ◽  
Adult Health ◽  
Lower Systolic Blood Pressure ◽  
Adult Disease ◽  
Healthy Nutrition ◽  
Non Communicable Disease

Abstract Background: It is well established that genetics, environment, and interplay between them play crucial roles in adult disease. We aimed to evaluate the role of genetics, early life nutrition, and interaction between them, on optimal adult health. Methods: As part of a large international consortium (n~154,000), we identified 60 SNPs associated with both birthweight and adult disease. Utilising the Raine Study, we developed a birthweight polygenic score (BW-PGS) based the 60 SNPs and examined relationships between BW-PGS and adulthood cardiovascular risk factors, specifically evaluating interactions with early life nutrition. Findings: Healthy nutrition was beneficial for all individuals; longer duration of any breastfeeding was associated with lower BMI and lower Systolic Blood Pressure in those with higher BW-PGS. Interpretation: Optimal breastfeeding offers the greatest benefit to reduce adult obesity and hypertension in those genetically predisposed to high birthweight. This provides an example of how precision medicine in early life can improve adult health.

scholarly journals Special Issue on “Anticancer Drugs Activity and Underlying Mechanisms”

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (17) ◽  
pp. 8169
Author(s):  
Domenico Iacopetta
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Anticancer Drugs ◽  
Causes Of Death ◽  
Communicable Disease ◽  
Health Issue ◽  
Public Health Issue ◽  
Special Issue ◽  
Major Public Health Issue ◽  
Underlying Mechanisms ◽  
Non Communicable Disease

Cancer is a reputed non-communicable disease, namely a non-transmittable illness affecting humankind, which represents a major public health issue and is one of the leading causes of death worldwide [...]

scholarly journals Precision Medicine, Developmental Plasticity and Prevention of Non-Communicable Disease

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carol A Wang ◽  
John R Attia ◽  
Stephen J Lye ◽  
Wendy H Oddy ◽  
Lawrence Beilin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Precision Medicine ◽  
Early Life ◽  
Developmental Plasticity ◽  
Communicable Disease ◽  
Adult Health ◽  
Lower Systolic Blood Pressure ◽  
Adult Disease ◽  
Healthy Nutrition ◽  
Non Communicable Disease

Abstract Background: It is well established that genetics, environment, and interplay between them play a crucial role in adult disease. We aimed to evaluate the role of genetics, early life nutrition, and the interaction between them, on optimal adult health. Methods: As part of a large international consortium (n~154,000), we identified 60 SNPs associated with both birthweight and adult disease. Utilising the Raine Study, we developed a birthweight polygenic score (BW-PGS) based on the 60 SNPs and examined relationships between BW-PGS and adulthood cardiovascular risk factors, specifically evaluating interactions with early life nutrition. Findings: Healthy nutrition was beneficial for all individuals; longer duration of any breastfeeding was particularly associated with lower BMI and lower Systolic Blood Pressure in those with higher BW-PGS. Interpretation: Optimal breastfeeding offers the greatest benefit to reduce adult obesity and hypertension in those genetically predisposed to high birthweight. This provides an example of how precision medicine in early life can improve adult health.

scholarly journals Earth Dreams: Reimagining ARPA for Health of People, Places and Planet

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (23) ◽  
pp. 12788
Author(s):  
Alan C. Logan ◽  
Brian M. Berman ◽  
Susan L. Prescott
Keyword(s):  
Early Life ◽  
New Technologies ◽  
Communicable Disease ◽  
Value Systems ◽  
Early Interventions ◽  
International Collaborations ◽  
Life Course Health ◽  
The Many ◽  
Structural Inequities ◽  
Non Communicable Disease

Bold new approaches are urgently needed to overcome global health challenges. The proposed Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H) is intended to provide rapid health breakthroughs. While new technologies for earlier disease detection and more effective treatment are critical, we urge equal attention be given to the wider (physical, emotional, social, political, and economic) environmental ecosystems driving the non-communicable disease (NCD) crisis in the first place. This requires an integrated, cross-sectoral vision that spans the interwoven connections affecting health across the scales of people, places, and planet. This wider “exposome” perspective considers biopsychosocial factors that promote resilience and reduce vulnerabilities of individuals and communities over time—the many variables driving health disparities. Since life course health is strongly determined by early life environments, early interventions should be prioritized as a matter of effectiveness and social justice. Here, we explore the origins of the Advanced Research Project Agency and point to its potential to build integrated solutions, with wisdom and ethical value systems as a compass. Since the planned ARPA-H is anticipated to spawn international collaborations, the imagined concept is of relevance to a broad audience of researchers. With appropriate input, the quest for health equity through personalized, precision medicine while deconstructing unacceptable structural inequities may be accelerated.

First 1000 days: New Zealand Mothers’ perceptions of early life nutrition resources

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-7
Author(s):  
Jillian Rae Hildreth ◽  
Mark H. Vickers ◽  
Clare R. Wall ◽  
Jacquie L. Bay
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Nutrition Education ◽  
Early Life ◽  
Communicable Disease ◽  
Maternal Diet ◽  
Healthcare Providers ◽  
Dietary Guidelines ◽  
Future Health ◽  
Starting Point ◽  
First Time

Abstract Research into associations between early life nutritional exposures and vulnerability to adult non-communicable disease (NCD) highlights the importance of maternal diet. A booklet outlining evidence-based dietary guidelines for the first 1000 days of life was first published in 2016 by early life nutrition experts for distribution to pregnant women in Australia and New Zealand. First-time New Zealand mothers’ (n=9) perceptions of the booklet and its relevance for the future health of their child were explored via semi-structured focus groups and interviews. Recruitment took place via social media channels and antenatal classes around Auckland. Three major themes were identified using thematic analysis: 1. A difference in the ways mothers related to the booklet depending on their apparent level of health literacy and communication preferences; 2. A tendency for women to outsource decision-making to nutrition ‘rules’, rather than interpreting information to suit personal circumstances; 3. Intense pressure to comply, resulting in feelings of shame or guilt when the ‘rules’ were not followed. In this study, first-time mums expressed feeling under pressure to ‘get it right’ and identified a desire for more support from healthcare providers and society. Nutrition education is essential; however, a booklet should provide a starting point for conversation rather than a stand-alone list of recommendations. Further exploration is needed to develop a resource that can be used by health professionals working alongside women and their partners to support healthy child development.

“Band Wagon and Gravy Train”: uses and abuses along the Silk Road

Afghanistan ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 171-194
Author(s):  
Warwick Ball
Keyword(s):  
20Th Century ◽  
21St Century ◽  
Silk Road ◽  
Late 20Th Century ◽  
Ancient Trade ◽  
International Image ◽  
Academic Discussion ◽  
The Silk Road

The Silk Road as an image is a relatively new one for Afghanistan. It appeals to both the pre-Islamic and the perceived Islamic past, thus offering an Islamic balance to previous identities linked to Bamiyan or to the Kushans. It also appeals to a broader and more international image, one that has been taken up by many other countries. This paper traces the rise of the image of the Silk Road and its use as a metaphor for ancient trade to encompass all contacts throughout Eurasia, prehistoric, ancient and modern, but also how the image has been adopted and expanded into many other areas: politics, tourism and academia. It is argued here that the origin and popularity of the term lies in late 20th century (and increasingly 21st century) politics rather than any reality of ancient trade. Its consequent validity as a metaphor in academic discussion is questioned

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