Prenatal famine exposure and adult health outcomes: an epigenetic link

Abstract Numerous human chronic pathological conditions depend on epigenetic modifications induced by environmental triggers throughout sensitive stages early in development. Developmental malnutrition is regarded as one of the most important risk factors in these processes. We present an overview of studies that the initiation and progression of many diseases are largely dependent on persisting epigenetic dysregulation caused by environmental insults early in life. For particular disorders, candidate genes were identified that underlie these associations. The current study assessed the most convincing evidence for the epigenetic link between developmental malnutrition and adult-life disease in the human population. These findings were obtained from quasi-experimental studies (so-called ‘natural experiments’), i.e. naturally occurring environmental conditions in which certain subsets of the population have differing levels of exposure to a supposed causal factor. Most of this evidence was derived on the DNA methylation level. We discussed DNA methylation as a key player in epigenetic modifications that can be inherited through multiple cell divisions. In this Perspective article, an overview of the quasi-experimental epidemiological evidence for the role of epigenetic mechanisms in the developmental programming by early-life undernutrition is provided.

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How does the food in the first 1000 days affect infant and toddler brain development?

Functional Foods in Health and Disease ◽

10.31989/ffhd.v10i10.738 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 10 (10) ◽

pp. 419

Author(s):

Ksenia Varakina-Mitrail ◽

Yuliya Berezovskaya ◽

Viktoriya Nechaeva ◽

Irina Kholodova

Keyword(s):

Fatty Acids ◽

Cognitive Development ◽

Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids ◽

Experimental Studies ◽

Well Being ◽

Adopted Children ◽

Adult Health ◽

Omega 3 ◽

Balanced Diet ◽

Quasi Experimental

Today, hundreds of millions of children under the age of 5 fall short of their development potential. Advances in neuroscience have confirmed that adult health and well-being are based on the developmental conditions and opportunities they had in early childhood, from conception to 24 months (first 1000 days) and then to the age of 5 (second 1000 days). Young children, who eat a healthy balanced diet, who are treated with care and attention, and who have more opportunities to learn, have a better chance to thrive. Data from a survey of adopted children, as well as experimental and quasi-experimental studies, showed that prevention of stunting is most effective during the first 1000 days and developmental delays in both the first and second 1000 days. External factors affect cognitive development significantly less after this period, and the older a person becomes, the less effective educational programs are, and the longer it takes to learn a new skill. In this regard, it is necessary to identify the degree of influence of nutrient components, such as polyunsaturated fatty acids and lutein, on the cognitive development of the child in the first year of life, as it determines the intellectual potential of the person throughout life. The goal of this review is to review the existing literature to find out how certain food components (polyunsaturated fatty acids and lutein) affect infant and toddler brain development.Keywords: omega-3, omega-6, polyunsaturated fatty acids, lutein, cognitive development

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Aplicabilidade clínica das técnicas de liberação manual diafragmática: uma revisão sistemática

Caderno de Educação Física e Esporte ◽

10.36453/2318-5104.2020.v18.n3.p111 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 18 (3) ◽

pp. 111-116

Author(s):

Dulce Marieli Danieli ◽

Fabíola De Almeida Gomes ◽

Bruna Eibel ◽

William Dhein

Keyword(s):

Low Back Pain ◽

Back Pain ◽

Gastroesophageal Reflux ◽

Randomized Clinical Trials ◽

Experimental Studies ◽

Scar Tissue ◽

Low Back ◽

Musculoskeletal Manipulations ◽

Clinical Applicability ◽

Quasi Experimental

INTRODUÇÃO: O diafragma é o principal músculo respiratório e desempenha um papel importante na respiração e na regulação fisiológica. Uma terapia que visa melhorar essas condições referentes ao diafragma, é a técnica de liberação manual diafragmática. OBJETIVO: O objetivo deste estudo foi verificar a aplicabilidade clínica das técnicas manuais de liberação diafragmática e identificar as principais técnicas, populações investigadas, variáveis avaliadas e seus desfechos. MÉTODOS: Foram pesquisadas as seguintes bases de dados: PubMed, Scielo e Science Direct, com os descritores “Diaphragm [Mesh]” e “Musculoskeletal Manipulations [Mesh]” com seus correspondentes no mesmo idioma. Foram incluídos ensaios clínicos randomizados, não randomizados, estudos semi, quase-experimentais e estudos pilotos ou de caso, que abordaram técnicas de liberação manuais diafragmáticas.RESULTADOS: Há variadas técnicas de liberação diafragmática, sendo as mais mencionadas: normalização dos pilares do diafragma, alongamento e estiramento do diafragma, relaxamento dos pilares do diafragma. Além disso, as técnicas de liberação diafragmática vêm sendo associadas a protocolos de terapia manipulativa osteopática (TMO). As principais populações estudadas foram de pacientes saudáveis, com lombalgia, cervicalgia, osteoartrite, asmáticos, doença pulmonar obstrutiva crônica, constipados, cardiopatas e com refluxo gastroesofágico. Os principais desfechos avaliados são variáveis musculoesqueléticas (dor, flexibilidade, amplitude, espessura diafragmática), variáveis cardiorrespiratórias (pressão inspiratória/expiratória máxima (PImax e Pemax), mobilidade torácica, frequência cardíaca e respiratória), qualidade de vida e disfunções gastrointestinais/gastroesofágicas. CONCLUSÃO: A aplicabilidade clínica das técnicas de liberação diagramática está sendo investigada associado com outras técnicas osteopáticas, em protocolos de TMO em pacientes saudáveis, pneumopatas, cardiopatas, gestantes, em cicatriz pós-cirúrgica, constipados, com refluxo gastroesofágico, osteoartrite, cervicalgia e com lombalgia. Evidencia-se: diminuição ou eliminação das dores musculoesqueléticas, aumento da flexibilidade, ADM, Pimáx e Pemáx, aumento da mobilidade torácica, aumento da qualidade de vida, diminuição do inchaço e dor abdominal e sem efeito em cardiopatas.ABSTRACT. Clinical applicability of manual diaphragmatic release techniques: a systematic review.BACKGROUND: The diaphragm is the main respiratory muscle and plays an important role in breathing and physiological regulation. A therapy that aims to improve these conditions regarding the diaphragm, is the manual diaphragmatic release technique.OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to verify the clinical applicability of manual diaphragmatic release techniques and searching the main techniques, population, evaluated variables, and outcomes. METHODS: The following electronic databases were searched: PubMed, Scielo, and Science Direct, with the descriptors “Diaphragm [Mesh]” and “Musculoskeletal Manipulations [Mesh]” with their correspondents in the same language. There were included randomized clinical trial, non-randomized clinical trials, semi, and quasi-experimental studies, and pilot or case studies, which addressed manual diaphragmatic release techniques.RESULTS: There are various diaphragmatic release techniques, the most mentioned are: normalization of the diaphragm pillars, stretching of the diaphragm, relaxation of the diaphragm pillars, and protocols for osteopathic manipulative therapy (OMT) for the diaphragm. The main populations studied were healthy patients, with low back pain, asthmatics, chronic pulmonary obstructive disease, constipated, cardiac patients, and gastroesophageal reflux. The main outcomes assessed are musculoskeletal variables (pain, flexibility, range of motion, diaphragmatic thickness), cardiorespiratory variables (maximal inspiratory/expiratory pressure (MIP and MEP), chest mobility, heart, and respiratory rate), quality of life, and gastrointestinal/ gastroesophageal disorders.CONCLUSION: The clinical applicability of diagrammatic release techniques is being investigated in association with other osteopathic techniques, in protocols of OMT in healthy subjects, patients with lung diseases, heart disease, pregnant women, scar tissue, constipated, with gastroesophageal reflux, osteoarthritis, cervicalgia and with low back pain. There is evidence of reduction and elimination of musculoskeletal pain, increased MIP, increased chest mobility, an increase in health quality, a decrease of bloating and abdominal pain related to constipation, and a decrease of reflux symptoms.

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Epigenetic Studies in Psychotherapy: A Systematic Review

Current Psychiatry Research and Reviews ◽

10.2174/2666082216999200622140922 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 16 (2) ◽

pp. 86-92

Author(s):

Rafael Penadés ◽

Bárbara Arias ◽

Mar Fatjó-Vilas ◽

Laura González-Vallespí ◽

Clemente García-Rizo ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Systematic Review ◽

Dna Methylation ◽

Mental Disorders ◽

Epigenetic Modifications ◽

Symptom Improvement ◽

Epigenetic Changes ◽

Main Hypothesis ◽

Psychological Treatments ◽

Time Period ◽

The Impact

Background: Epigenetic modifications appear to be dynamic and they might be affected by environmental factors. The possibility of influencing these processes through psychotherapy has been suggested. Objective: To analyse the impact of psychotherapy on epigenetics when applied to mental disorders. The main hypothesis is that psychological treatments will produce epigenetic modifications related to the improvement of treated symptoms. Methods: A computerised and systematic search was completed throughout the time period from 1990 to 2019 on the PubMed, ScienceDirect and Scopus databases. Results: In total, 11 studies were selected. The studies were evaluated for the theoretical framework, genes involved, type of psychotherapy and clinical challenges and perspectives. All studies showed detectable changes at the epigenetic level, like DNA methylation changes, associated with symptom improvement after psychotherapy. Conclusion: Methylation profiles could be moderating treatment effects of psychotherapy. Beyond the detected epigenetic changes after psychotherapy, the epigenetic status before the implementation could act as an effective predictor of response.

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Food Bioactive Compounds and Emerging Techniques for Their Extraction: Polyphenols as a Case Study

Foods ◽

10.3390/foods10010037 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 10 (1) ◽

pp. 37 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

José S. Câmara ◽

Bianca R. Albuquerque ◽

Joselin Aguiar ◽

Rúbia C. G. Corrêa ◽

João L. Gonçalves ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Bioactive Compounds ◽

Chemical Structure ◽

Experimental Studies ◽

Analytical Techniques ◽

Convincing Evidence ◽

Protective Effects ◽

Extraction Techniques ◽

Biological Impact ◽

Preventive Effects

Experimental studies have provided convincing evidence that food bioactive compounds (FBCs) have a positive biological impact on human health, exerting protective effects against non-communicable diseases (NCD) including cancer and cardiovascular (CVDs), metabolic, and neurodegenerative disorders (NDDs). These benefits have been associated with the presence of secondary metabolites, namely polyphenols, glucosinolates, carotenoids, terpenoids, alkaloids, saponins, vitamins, and fibres, among others, derived from their antioxidant, antiatherogenic, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antithrombotic, cardioprotective, and vasodilator properties. Polyphenols as one of the most abundant classes of bioactive compounds present in plant-based foods emerge as a promising approach for the development of efficacious preventive agents against NCDs with reduced side effects. The aim of this review is to present comprehensive and deep insights into the potential of polyphenols, from their chemical structure classification and biosynthesis to preventive effects on NCDs, namely cancer, CVDs, and NDDS. The challenge of polyphenols bioavailability and bioaccessibility will be explored in addition to useful industrial and environmental applications. Advanced and emerging extraction techniques will be highlighted and the high-resolution analytical techniques used for FBCs characterization, identification, and quantification will be considered.

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Between Level Up and Game Over: A Systematic Literature Review of Gamification in Education

Sustainability ◽

10.3390/su13042247 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (4) ◽

pp. 2247 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Ana Manzano-León ◽

Pablo Camacho-Lazarraga ◽

Miguel A. Guerrero ◽

Laura Guerrero-Puerta ◽

José M. Aguilar-Parra ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Systematic Review ◽

Academic Performance ◽

Game Design ◽

Learning Strategy ◽

Experimental Studies ◽

Quasi Experimental ◽

Current Lines ◽

Meta Analyses ◽

Game Elements ◽

The Impact

Educational gamification consists of the use of game elements and game design techniques in the educational context. The objective of this study is to examine the existing evidence on the impact of educational gamification on student motivation and academic performance in the last five years in order to analyze its distribution over time, educational level, variables, and most used game elements, and know the advantages of its implementation in the classroom. For this, a systematic review is proposed through the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) methodology in three multidisciplinary databases, through an exhaustive search with inclusion and exclusion criteria on quantitative experimental studies that explore gamification in educational centers, which provide information about the most current lines of research. Fourteen studies were included in this review. These used experimental or quasi-experimental designs. Most of them report gamification as a valid learning strategy. The results support the conclusion that educational gamification has a potential impact on the academic performance, commitment, and motivation of students. Therefore, this study implies the need to expand research on the needs and challenges of students when learning with gamified techniques.

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Epigenetic Modulation of TLR4 Expression by Sulforaphane Increases Anti-Inflammatory Capacity in Porcine Monocyte-Derived Dendritic Cells

Biology ◽

10.3390/biology10060490 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 (6) ◽

pp. 490

Author(s):

Xueqi Qu ◽

Christiane Neuhoff ◽

Mehmet Ulas Cinar ◽

Maren Pröll ◽

Ernst Tholen ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Dna Methylation ◽

Dendritic Cells ◽

Epigenetic Modifications ◽

Dna Demethylation ◽

Dependent Manner ◽

Experimental Conditions ◽

Hdac Activity ◽

Protein Levels ◽

Anti Inflammatory ◽

Epigenetic Modulation

Inflammation is regulated by epigenetic modifications, including DNA methylation and histone acetylation. Sulforaphane (SFN), a histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitor, is also a potent immunomodulatory agent, but its anti-inflammatory functions through epigenetic modifications remain unclear. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the epigenetic effects of SFN in maintaining the immunomodulatory homeostasis of innate immunity during acute inflammation. For this purpose, SFN-induced epigenetic changes and expression levels of immune-related genes in response to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulation of monocyte-derived dendritic cells (moDCs) were analyzed. These results demonstrated that SFN inhibited HDAC activity and caused histone H3 and H4 acetylation. SFN treatment also induced DNA demethylation in the promoter region of the MHC-SLA1 gene, resulting in the upregulation of Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), MHC-SLA1, and inflammatory cytokines’ expression at 6 h of LPS stimulation. Moreover, the protein levels of cytokines in the cell culture supernatants were significantly inhibited by SFN pre-treatment followed by LPS stimulation in a time-dependent manner, suggesting that inhibition of HDAC activity and DNA methylation by SFN may restrict the excessive inflammatory cytokine availability in the extracellular environment. We postulate that SFN may exert a protective and anti-inflammatory function by epigenetically influencing signaling pathways in experimental conditions employing porcine moDCs.

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The histone variant H2A.W and linker histone H1 co-regulate heterochromatin accessibility and DNA methylation

Nature Communications ◽

10.1038/s41467-021-22993-5 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 12 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Pierre Bourguet ◽

Colette L. Picard ◽

Ramesh Yelagandula ◽

Thierry Pélissier ◽

Zdravko J. Lorković ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Dna Methylation ◽

Histone H1 ◽

Epigenetic Modifications ◽

Flowering Plants ◽

Linker Histone ◽

Histone Variant ◽

Null Mutant ◽

Chromatin Compaction ◽

Linker Histone H1

AbstractIn flowering plants, heterochromatin is demarcated by the histone variant H2A.W, elevated levels of the linker histone H1, and specific epigenetic modifications, such as high levels of DNA methylation at both CG and non-CG sites. How H2A.W regulates heterochromatin organization and interacts with other heterochromatic features is unclear. Here, we create a h2a.w null mutant via CRISPR-Cas9, h2a.w-2, to analyze the in vivo function of H2A.W. We find that H2A.W antagonizes deposition of H1 at heterochromatin and that non-CG methylation and accessibility are moderately decreased in h2a.w-2 heterochromatin. Compared to H1 loss alone, combined loss of H1 and H2A.W greatly increases accessibility and facilitates non-CG DNA methylation in heterochromatin, suggesting co-regulation of heterochromatic features by H2A.W and H1. Our results suggest that H2A.W helps maintain optimal heterochromatin accessibility and DNA methylation by promoting chromatin compaction together with H1, while also inhibiting excessive H1 incorporation.

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Mitochondrial DNA Methylation and Human Diseases

International Journal of Molecular Sciences ◽

10.3390/ijms22094594 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 22 (9) ◽

pp. 4594

Author(s):

Andrea Stoccoro ◽

Fabio Coppedè

Keyword(s):

Dna Methylation ◽

Mitochondrial Dna ◽

Mitochondrial Genome ◽

Nuclear Dna ◽

Epigenetic Modification ◽

Nuclear Genome ◽

Epigenetic Modifications ◽

Human Diseases ◽

Loop Region ◽

D Loop

Epigenetic modifications of the nuclear genome, including DNA methylation, histone modifications and non-coding RNA post-transcriptional regulation, are increasingly being involved in the pathogenesis of several human diseases. Recent evidence suggests that also epigenetic modifications of the mitochondrial genome could contribute to the etiology of human diseases. In particular, altered methylation and hydroxymethylation levels of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) have been found in animal models and in human tissues from patients affected by cancer, obesity, diabetes and cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases. Moreover, environmental factors, as well as nuclear DNA genetic variants, have been found to impair mtDNA methylation patterns. Some authors failed to find DNA methylation marks in the mitochondrial genome, suggesting that it is unlikely that this epigenetic modification plays any role in the control of the mitochondrial function. On the other hand, several other studies successfully identified the presence of mtDNA methylation, particularly in the mitochondrial displacement loop (D-loop) region, relating it to changes in both mtDNA gene transcription and mitochondrial replication. Overall, investigations performed until now suggest that methylation and hydroxymethylation marks are present in the mtDNA genome, albeit at lower levels compared to those detectable in nuclear DNA, potentially contributing to the mitochondria impairment underlying several human diseases.

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