Growth and Metabolic Changes After Antiretroviral Initiation in South African Children

BACKGROUND

Poor growth and metabolic disturbances remain concerns for children living with HIV (CLHIV). We describe the impact of viral load (VL) on growth and lipid outcomes in South African CLHIV <12 years initiating World Health Organization recommended first-line antiretroviral therapy (ART) from 2012 to 2015.

METHODS

Z scores for length-for-age (LAZ), weight-for-age (WAZ) and body mass index-for-age were calculated. Lipids (total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein and high-density lipoprotein) were measured. Hemoglobin A1C ≥5.8 was defined as at risk for type 2 diabetes. Mixed effects models were used to assess the association of VL at ART initiation with Z scores and lipids over time.

RESULTS

Of 241 CLHIV, 151 (63%) were <3 years initiating LPV/r-based ART and 90 (37%) were ≥3 years initiating EFV-based ART. Among CLHIV <3 years, higher VL at ART initiation was associated with lower mean LAZ (ß: -0.30, P=0.03), WAZ (ß: -0.32, P=0.01) and low-density lipoprotein (ß: -6.45, P=0.03) over time. Among CLHIV ≥3, a log 10 increase in pretreatment VL was associated with lower mean LAZ (ß: -0.29, P=0.07) trending towards significance and lower WAZ (ß: -0.32, P=0.05) as well as with more rapid increases in LAZ (ß: 0.14 per year, P=0.01) and WAZ (ß: 0.19 per year, P=0.04). Thirty percent of CLHIV were at risk for type 2 diabetes at ART initiation.

CONCLUSIONS

CLHIV initiating ART <3 years exhibited positive gains in growth and lipids, though high viremia at ART initiation was associated with persistently low growth and lipids, underscoring the need for early diagnosis and rapid treatment initiation. Future studies assessing the long-term cardiometabolic impact of these findings are warranted.

Comparative physiological and transcriptomic analyses reveal ascorbate and glutathione coregulation of cadmium toxicity resistance in wheat genotypes

BACKGROUND

Cadmium (Cd) is a heavy metal with high toxicity that severely inhibits wheat growth and development. Cd easily accumulates in wheat kernels and enters the human food chain. Genetic variation in the resistance to Cd toxicity found in wheat genotypes emphasizes the complex response architecture. Understanding the Cd resistance mechanisms is crucial for combating Cd phytotoxicity and meeting the increasing daily food demand.

RESULTS

Using two wheat genotypes (Cd resistant and sensitive genotypes T207 and S276, respectively) with differing root growth responses to Cd, we conducted comparative physiological and transcriptomic analyses and exogenous application tests to evaluate Cd detoxification mechanisms. S276 accumulated more H₂O₂, O₂^-, and MDA than T207 under Cd toxicity. Catalase activity and levels of ascorbic acid (AsA) and glutathione (GSH) were greater, whereas superoxide dismutase (SOD) and peroxidase (POD) activities were lower in T207 than in S276. Transcriptomic analysis showed that the expression of RBOHA, RBOHC, and RBOHE was significantly increased under Cd toxicity, and two-thirds (22 genes) of the differentially expressed RBOH genes had higher expression levels in S276 than inT207. Cd toxicity reshaped the transcriptional profiling of the genes involving the AsA-GSH cycle, and a larger proportion (74.25%) of the corresponding differentially expressed genes showed higher expression in T207 than S276. The combined exogenous application of AsA and GSH alleviated Cd toxicity by scavenging excess ROS and coordinately promoting root length and branching, especially in S276.

CONCLUSIONS

The results indicated that the ROS homeostasis plays a key role in differential Cd resistance in wheat genotypes, and the AsA-GSH cycle fundamentally and vigorously influences wheat defense against Cd toxicity, providing insight into the physiological and transcriptional mechanisms underlying Cd detoxification.

Sorafenib is associated with a reduced rate of tumour growth and liver function deterioration in HCV-induced hepatocellular carcinoma

BACKGROUND & AIMS

Sorafenib has been the standard of care for patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma and although immunotherapeutic approaches are now challenging this position, it retains an advantage in HCV-seropositive patients. We aimed to quantify the rate of tumour progression in patients receiving sorafenib and relate this figure to survival, both overall, and according to viral status.

METHODS

Using serial data from an international clinical trial we applied a joint model to combine survival and progression over time in order to estimate the rate of tumour growth as assessed by tumour burden and serum alpha-fetoprotein, and the impact of treatment on liver function.

RESULTS

High tumour burden at baseline was associated with an increased risk of death. In patients still alive at the end of the study, the progression in relation to tumour burden was very low compared to those who died within the study. Overall, the change in mean tumour burden was 0.12 mm per day or an absolute growth rate of 3.6 mm/month. Median doubling time was 665 days. For those who progressed above 0.12 mm per day or the 12% rate, median survival was 234 days compared to 384 days if the rate was below 12%. Tumour growth rate and serum alpha-fetoprotein rise were significantly lower in those who were HCV seropositive as was the rate of decline in liver function. These results were replicated in 2 independent patient groups.

CONCLUSION

Our analysis suggests that sorafenib treatment is associated with improved survival in patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma mainly by decreasing the rate of tumour growth and liver function deterioration among patients with HCV infection.

LAY SUMMARY

Among patients receiving sorafenib for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma the rate of tumour growth (as assessed by changes in tumour size and the biomarker alpha-fetoprotein) and the deterioration of liver function is less in those who have the hepatitis C virus, than in those who do not.

Uridine Treatment of the First Known Case of SLC25A36 Deficiency

SLC25A36 is a pyrimidine nucleotide carrier playing an important role in maintaining mitochondrial biogenesis. Deficiencies in SLC25A36 in mouse embryonic stem cells have been associated with mtDNA depletion as well as mitochondrial dysfunction. In human beings, diseases triggered by SLC25A36 mutations have not been described yet. We report the first known case of SLC25A36 deficiency in a 12-year-old patient with hypothyroidism, hyperinsulinism, hyperammonemia, chronical obstipation, short stature, along with language and general developmental delay. Whole exome analysis identified the homozygous mutation c.803dupT, p.Ser269llefs*35 in the SLC25A36 gene. Functional analysis of mutant SLC25A36 protein in proteoliposomes showed a virtually abolished transport activity. Immunoblotting results suggest that the mutant SLC25A36 protein in the patient undergoes fast degradation. Supplementation with oral uridine led to an improvement of thyroid function and obstipation, increase of growth and developmental progress. Our findings suggest an important role of SLC25A36 in hormonal regulations and oral uridine as a safe and effective treatment.

A Body Weight Sensor Regulates Prepubertal Growth via the Somatotropic Axis in Male Rats

In healthy conditions, prepubertal growth follows an individual specific growth channel. Growth hormone (GH) is undoubtedly the major regulator of growth. However, the homeostatic regulation to maintain the individual specific growth channel during growth is unclear. We recently hypothesized a body weight sensing homeostatic regulation of body weight during adulthood, the gravitostat. We now investigated if sensing of body weight also contributes to the strict homeostatic regulation to maintain the individual specific growth channel during prepubertal growth. To evaluate the effect of increased artificial loading on prepubertal growth, we implanted heavy (20% of body weight) or light (2% of the body weight) capsules into the abdomen of 26-day-old male rats. The body growth, as determined by change in biological body weight and growth of the long bones and the axial skeleton, was reduced in rats bearing a heavy load compared with light load. Removal of the increased load resulted in a catch-up growth and a normalization of body weight. Loading decreased hypothalamic growth hormone releasing hormone mRNA, liver insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-1 mRNA, and serum IGF-1, suggesting that the reduced body growth was caused by a negative feedback regulation on the somatotropic axis and this notion was supported by the fact that increased loading did not reduce body growth in GH-treated rats. Based on these data, we propose the gravitostat hypothesis for the regulation of prepubertal growth. This states that there is a homeostatic regulation to maintain the individual specific growth channel via body weight sensing, regulating the somatotropic axis and explaining catch-up growth.

Multiple potential roles of thymosin β4 in the growth and development of hair follicles

The hair follicle (HF) is an important mini-organ of the skin, composed of many types of cells. Dermal papilla cells are important signalling components that guide the proliferation, upward migration and differentiation of HF stem cell progenitor cells to form other types of HF cells. Thymosin β4 (Tβ4), a major actin-sequestering protein, is involved in various cellular responses and has recently been shown to play key roles in HF growth and development. Endogenous Tβ4 can activate the mouse HF cycle transition and affect HF growth and development by promoting the migration and differentiation of HF stem cells and their progeny. In addition, exogenous Tβ4 increases the rate of hair growth in mice and promotes cashmere production by increasing the number of secondary HFs (hair follicles) in cashmere goats. However, the molecular mechanisms through which Tβ4 promotes HF growth and development have rarely been reported. Herein, we review the functions and mechanisms of Tβ4 in HF growth and development and describe the endogenous and exogenous actions of Tβ4 in HFs to provide insights into the roles of Tβ4 in HF growth and development.

Life-Time Environmental Chemical Exposure and Obesity: Review of Epidemiological Studies Using Human Biomonitoring Methods

The exponential global increase in the incidence of obesity may be partly attributable to environmental chemical (EC) exposure. Humans are constantly exposed to ECs, primarily through environmental components. This review compiled human epidemiological study findings of associations between blood and/or urinary exposure levels of ECs and anthropometric overweight and obesity indices. The findings reveal research gaps that should be addressed. We searched MEDLINE (PubMed) for full text English articles published in 2006-2020 using the keywords "environmental exposure" and "obesity". A total of 821 articles were retrieved; 102 reported relationships between environmental exposure and obesity indices. ECs were the predominantly studied environmental exposure compounds. The ECs were grouped into phenols, phthalates, and persistent organic pollutants (POPs) to evaluate obesogenic roles. In total, 106 articles meeting the inclusion criteria were summarized after an additional search by each group of EC combined with obesity in the PubMed and Scopus databases. Dose-dependent positive associations between bisphenol A (BPA) and various obesity indices were revealed. Both individual and summed di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) and non-DEHP metabolites showed inconsistent associations with overweight and obesity indices, although mono-butyl phthalate (MBP), mono-ethyl phthalate (MEP), and mono-benzyl phthalate (MBzP) seem to have obesogenic roles in adolescents, adults, and the elderly. Maternal exposure levels of individual POP metabolites or congeners showed inconsistent associations, whereas dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene (DDE) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) were positively associated with obesity indices. There was insufficient evidence of associations between early childhood EC exposure and the subsequent development of overweight and obesity in late childhood. Overall, human evidence explicitly reveals the consistent obesogenic roles of BPA, DDE, and PFOA, but inconsistent roles of phthalate metabolites and other POPs. Further prospective studies may yield deeper insights into the overall scenario.

Knockdown of OsSAE1a affects the growth and development and phosphate homeostasis in rice

SUMOylation is a post-translational modification process that comprises a tandem enzymatic cascade, i.e., maturation, activation, conjugation, and ligation of a small ubiquitin-like modifier, which triggers the modulated activities and transport of the cellular proteins to other areas of the cell. In Oryza sativa (rice), OsSIZ1/2 encoding E3 SUMO ligase exerts regulatory influences on Pi homeostasis and developmental responses. However, the role of OsSAE1a, SUMO E1 activating enzyme, in regulating phosphate (Pi) utilization and/or growth and development is not known in rice and was thus investigated in this study. The qRT-PCR assay revealed a constitutive and variable spatiotemporal expression pattern of OsSAE1a in the vegetative and reproductive tissues and was comparable in the root and shoot grown under different Pi regimes. RNAi-mediated suppression of OsSAE1a exerted variable effects on the concentrations of Pi and total P in different tissues, uptake and distribution of ³²Pi, and relative expression levels of several genes that play pivotal roles in the maintenance of Pi homeostasis. The effects of the mutation in OsSAE1a were also evident in the vegetative and reproductive traits of rice during growth in a hydroponic system and pot soil, respectively. Overall, these results suggest a broad-spectrum role of OsSAE1a in the maintenance of Pi homeostasis and regulating growth and development.

Nutrient regulation of somatic growth in teleost fish. The interaction between somatic growth, feeding and metabolism

This review covers the current knowledge on the regulation of the somatic growth axis and its interaction with metabolism and feeding regulation. The main endocrine and neuroendocrine factors regulating both the growth axis and feeding behavior will be briefly summarized. Recently discovered neuropeptides and peptide hormones will be mentioned in relation to feeding control as well as growth hormone regulation. In addition, the influence of nutrient and nutrient sensing mechanisms on growth axis will be highlighted. We expect that in this process gaps of knowledge will be exposed, stimulating future research in those areas.

Testing for context-dependent effects of prenatal thyroid hormones on offspring survival and physiology: an experimental temperature manipulation

Maternal effects via hormonal transfer from the mother to the offspring provide a tool to translate environmental cues to the offspring. Experimental manipulations of maternally transferred hormones have yielded increasingly contradictory results, which may be explained by differential effects of hormones under different environmental contexts. Yet context-dependent effects have rarely been experimentally tested. We therefore studied whether maternally transferred thyroid hormones (THs) exert context-dependent effects on offspring survival and physiology by manipulating both egg TH levels and post-hatching nest temperature in wild pied flycatchers (Ficedula hypoleuca) using a full factorial design. We found no clear evidence for context-dependent effects of prenatal THs related to postnatal temperature on growth, survival and potential underlying physiological responses (plasma TH levels, oxidative stress and mitochondrial density). We conclude that future studies should test for other key environmental conditions, such as food availability, to understand potential context-dependent effects of maternally transmitted hormones on offspring, and their role in adapting to changing environments.

Salt stress decreases seedling growth and development but increases quercetin and kaempferol content in Apocynum venetum

Apocynum venetum L. is a traditional Chinese medicinal herb with great potential to treat angiocardiopathy. Its major medicinal constituents are flavonoids. However, the natural habitats of A. venetum are typically affected by salt stress, which can modify both biomass and accumulation of medicinal compounds. In this study, the effects of salt stress on growth and development of A. venetum, accumulation of flavonoids and expression patterns of genes involved in flavonoid biosynthesis were evaluated. In general, the growth and development of seedlings (seedling height, root length, leaf length, leaf width and seed germination) were inhibited by salt stress. Unlike typical halophytes, there was no optimal NaCl concentration range that promoted growth and development, but seedlings had an elevated DW/FW ratio under salt stress (induced by irrigation with 50, 100, 200 or 400 mm NaCl). Furthermore, quercetin and kaempferol were significantly accumulated in A. venetum seedlings under salt stress, resulting in a balanced content and reduced FW. Moreover, the expression of AvCHS, AvCHI and AvF3GT was inhibited by salt stress; however, AvF3'H, AvF3H and AvFLS, which are involved in the flavonol synthesis pathway, were up-regulated under salt stress, consistent with a decrease in total flavonoids and an increase of flavonols (quercetin and kaempferol). In summary, cultivation of A. venetum in saline soils appeared to be feasible and improved the medicinal quality of A. venetum (quercetin and kaempferol accumulation under salt stress), thus this species can effectively utilize saline soil resources.

Effects of different levels of arginine and methionine in a high-lysine diet on the immune status, performance, and carcass traits of turkeys

We postulated that the use of appropriate levels and proportions of arginine (Arg) and methionine (Met) in compound feed with high lysine content (Lys) would make it possible to fully exploit the growth potential of modern fattening turkey crossbreds, without compromising their immune system. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of different ratios of Arg and Met in diets with high Lys content on the performance and immune status of turkeys. The turkeys were assigned to 6 groups with 8 replicates per group and 18 birds per replicate. Six feeding programs, with 3 dietary Arg levels (90, 100, and 110%) and 2 dietary Met levels (30 and 45%) relative to dietary Lys content, were compared. During each of 4 feeding phases (weeks 0–4, 5–8, 9–12, and 13–16), birds were fed ad libitum isocaloric diets containing high level of Lys, approximately 1.83, 1.67, 1.49, and 1.20%, respectively. The dietary treatments had no effect on daily feed intake or body weight at any stage of the study. The protein content of the breast meat was higher in the treatments with the highest Arg level (110%) compared with the lowest Arg level (90%). Similarly, protein content was higher in the treatments with the higher Met level compared with the lower Met level. Higher plasma levels of tumor necrosis factor, interleukin 6 (IL-6), and immunoglobulin Y were found in turkeys fed diets with the lowest Arg content. An increase in Met content resulted in a decrease in plasma content of IL-6. In growing turkeys fed diets high in Lys, an Arg level of 90% relative to Lys can be used without negatively affecting production results and immune system. Regardless of dietary Arg levels, an increase in Met content does not stimulate the immune defense system and shows no effect on growth performance of turkeys in current trial.

Developmental alterations in the transcriptome of three distinct rodent models of schizophrenia

Schizophrenia is a debilitating disorder affecting just under 1% of the population. While the symptoms of this disorder do not appear until late adolescence, pathological alterations likely occur earlier, during development in utero. While there is an increasing literature examining transcriptome alterations in patients, it is not possible to examine the changes in gene expression that occur during development in humans that will develop schizophrenia. Here we utilize three distinct rodent developmental disruption models of schizophrenia to examine potential overlapping alterations in the transcriptome, with a specific focus on markers of interneuron development. Specifically, we administered either methylazoxymethanol acetate (MAM), Polyinosinic:polycytidylic acid (Poly I:C), or chronic protein malnutrition, on GD 17 and examined mRNA expression in the developing hippocampus of the offspring 18 hours later. Here, we report alterations in gene expression that may contribute to the pathophysiology of schizophrenia, including significant alterations in interneuron development and ribosome function.

UPLC-HDMS-based on serum metabolomics reveals the toxicity of arecae semen

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Arecae semen has been used as vermifuge and digestant in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) for more than one thousand years. However, the toxicity effect of areca semen and its underlying mechanism are still unclear.

THE AIM OF THE STUDY

This study was aimed to investigate the toxicity of arecae semen and to explore its mechanisms by serum metabolomics.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The male Wistar rats were divided into the control group and treated group (n = 6 in each group), which were given by gavage with distill water or arecae semen aqueous extract (ASAE) once a day for 30 days, respectively. Serum samples were collected from all the rats after treatment of 7-day, 14-day and 30-day for metabolomics analysis. Moreover, biochemistry analysis and histopathological examination were performed at the end of study.

RESULTS

The phenomenon of diarrhea, less physical activity, tremors and body curl up were observed in the treated group. Additionally, the body weights of treated rats were significantly decreased compared with control rats from the 8th day after oral administration. Except the level of creatinekinase (CK) in the treated group significantly increased compared with the control group, there were no differences on biochemistry parameters and histopathological test in the two groups. Combined with the methods of principal component analysis (PCA), orthogonal projection to latent structure-discrimination analysis (OPLS-DA) and available databases, the treated and control rats were clearly distinguished from each other and 19 metabolites were identified as the potential biomarkers in the arecae semen treated rats. The identified biomarkers indicated that there were perturbations of the phospholipid metabolism, amino acid metabolism and fat acid metabolism in the treated group.

CONCLUSIONS

This indicated that arecae semen possessed certain cardiotoxicity and inhibited the normal growth in Wistar male rats. In addition, the metabolomics approach is a useful tool to study the toxicity in TCM.

Preliminary safety assessment of oridonin in zebrafish

Context: Oridonin, isolated from the leaves of Isodon rubescens (Hemsl.) H.Hara (Lamiaceae), has good antitumor activity. However, its safety in vivo is still unclear. Objective: To investigate the preliminary safety of oridonin in zebrafish. Materials and methods: Embryo, larvae and adult zebrafish (n = 40) were used. Low, medium and high oridonin concentrations (100, 200 and 400 mg/L for embryo; 150, 300 and 600 mg/L for larvae; 200, 400 and 800 mg/L for adult zebrafish) and blank samples were administered. At specific stages of zebrafish development, spontaneous movement, heartbeat, hatching rate, etc., were recorded to assess the developmental effects of oridonin. VEGFA, VEGFR2 and VEGFR3 gene expression were also examined. Results: Low-dose oridonin increased spontaneous movement and hatching rate with median effective doses (ED₅₀) of 115.17 mg/L at 24 h post-fertilization (hpf) and 188.59 mg/L at 54 hpf, but these values decreased at high doses with half maximal inhibitory concentrations (IC₅₀) of 209.11 and 607.84 mg/L. Oridonin decreased heartbeat with IC₅₀ of 285.76 mg/L at 48 hpf, and induced malformation at 120 hpf with half maximal effective concentration (EC₅₀) of 411.94 mg/L. Oridonin also decreased body length with IC₅₀ of 324.78 mg/L at 144 hpf, and increased swimming speed with ED₅₀ of 190.98 mg/L at 120 hpf. The effects of oridonin on zebrafish embryo development may be attributed to the downregulation of VEGFR3 gene expression. Discussions and conclusions: Oridonin showed adverse effects at early stages of zebrafish development. We will perform additional studies on mechanism of oridonin based on VEGFR3.

Spinosad-mediated effects in the post-embryonic development of Partamona helleri (Hymenoptera: Apidae: Meliponini)

The use of insecticides based on metabolites found in live organisms, such as the insecticide spinosad, has been an option for the control of agricultural pests because of the allegedly low toxicological risk for nontarget arthropods, such as stingless bees. In the current study, we evaluate the effects of chronic oral exposure to spinosad during the larval phase on survival, developmental time, body mass, midgut epithelial remodeling, and the peritrophic matrix (PM) of Partamona helleri stingless bee workers. Worker larvae that were raised in the laboratory were orally exposed to different concentrations (0, 6.53, 13.06, 32.64, and 3,264 ng. a.i. bee^-1) of spinosad (formulation), and the resulting survival, developmental time, and body mass were studied. The concentration of spinosad recommended for use in the field (3,264 ng. a.i. bee^-1) reduced the survival of workers during development. Also, sublethal concentrations of spinosad delayed the development and caused morphological changes in the midgut epithelium. Finally, the chronic exposure of larvae to 32.64 ng. a.i. bee^-1 spinosad also altered the remodeling of the midgut during metamorphosis and affected the organization of the PM of larvae, pupae, and adults. Our data suggest possible environmental risks for using spinosad in cultures that are naturally pollinated by stingless bees.

Prenatal exposure to airborne polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and childhood growth trajectories from age 5-14 years

There is evidence that exposures to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) and fine particles in air pollution are associated with higher childhood body mass index (BMI). Birth cohort analyses of prenatal exposures to PAH and child BMI Z-scores from age 5-14 years were conducted. African-American and Hispanic children born in the Bronx or Northern Manhattan, New York (1998-2006), whose mothers underwent personal air monitoring for airborne PAH exposure during pregnancy, were followed up with measurements of height and weight at approximate ages 5, 7, 9, 10, 11, 12.5 and 13.5 years. Multivariable generalized estimating equation analyses were used to relate prenatal airborne PAH exposures to child BMI Z-scores through time. The analyses adjusted for many known risk factors for childhood obesity and included interactions terms between age and exposure tertiles and age squared and exposure tertiles. In total, 535 children had at least one height and weight measure during follow-up. The prevalence of obesity was 20.6% at age 5 and increased across follow-ups until age 11 when it was 33.0%. At age 5, BMI Z-scores were significantly greater for children in the third tertile of exposure relative to the first tertile (0.35 Z-score units, 95% CI 0.09, 0.61, p = 0.007) and were non-significantly higher for the second tertile of exposure compared to the first tertile (0.25 Z-score units, 95% CI -0.02, 0.52, P = 0.075). The trajectories of BMI Z-scores by tertiles of exposure converged as the children aged, such that by age 11 years the estimated mean BMI Z-scores associated with each tertile of exposure were not different. Prenatal exposures to airborne PAH were associated with higher childhood BMI Z-scores at a young age, but growth trajectories converged by age 11 years. Accordingly, highly exposed children spend a greater proportion of their childhood with higher BMI Z-scores.

Effects of Maternal Prenatal Multi-Micronutrient Supplementation on Growth and Development until 3 Years of Age

At present, there is insufficient evidence on whether prenatal multi-micronutrient (MM) supplementation can be an antenatal nutritional intervention or not. This study aimed to explore the sustained effect of prenatal MM supplementation on early childhood health. A total of 939 mother–offspring pairs were followed up in the study between 2015 to 2018 in Changsha, China. Information was mainly collected through household surveys at the ages of 1, 3, 6, 8, 12, 18, 24, and 36 months. General linear models and generalized estimating equation models were used to estimate the effects of maternal prenatal MM compared with IFA supplementation on infant growth and development. Offspring of women who used prenatal MM compared with IFA supplements had lower weight-for-age z score (WAZ) (adjusted β: −0.23, 95% CI: (−0.40, −0.06)) and weight-for-length z score (WLZ) (adjusted β: −0.20, 95% CI: (−0.37, −0.02)) at 3 months old, but a reduced risk of obesity at birth (aRR: 0.30, 95% CI: 0.11–0.78) and being overweight at 3 months old (aRR: 0.52, 95% CI: 0.32–0.84). Moreover, offspring of women who used prenatal MM compared with IFA supplements had significantly higher scores for communication (adjusted β: 0.41, 95% CI: 0.61–0.21), gross motor (adjusted β: 0.68, 95% CI: 0.49–0.88), fine motor (adjusted β: 1.64, 95% CI: 1.45–1.84), problem solving (adjusted β: 0.29, 95% CI: 0.10–0.49), and personal–social (adjusted β: 0.90, 95% CI: 0.70–1.10) skills at 36 months old. Prenatal MM supplementation could result in better infant growth in the first few months of life and improve development scores at the age of 3 years compared with IFA supplementation.

Bovine dopamine type-2 receptor SNP has no effect on growth, semen characteristics and prolactin concentrations in beef bulls treated with a dopamine agonist

A dopamine type-2 receptor (DRD2) SNP, previously found to be correlated with serum prolactin (PRL) concentrations in cattle, was evaluated for impact on growth traits, serum prolactin concentration, and semen quality. Over a four-year period, yearling beef bulls were allowed diets containing or lacking ergot alkaloids (EA). Every 21 or 28 d semen was collected for semen motility and morphology assessment and blood samples were collected to measure serum PRL concentrations. In addition, body condition score and scrotal circumference were evaluated. Serum PRL concentrations were assessed using a radioimmunoassay. In the first year, all bulls were sacrificed at the end of a 126-day study. Testicles and epididymis were collected at the end of the study or 60 days after removal from treatment. Immunohistochemistry was performed on testis, epididymis, and sperm cells, incubated with or without a primary antibody for DRD2 and counterstained with DAPI. Isolation of DNA was performed on sperm pellets using DNAzol (Thermo Fisher Scientific, Waltham, MA, USA) methods. Polymerase chain reaction was performed to amplify the region of the DRD2 gene containing the SNP of interest. The products were subjected to restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis. Further, all samples were subjected to genotyping using a custom Taqman genotyping assay (Applied Biosystems, Foster city, CA, USA). The presence of DRD2 was detected in the testis, epididymis, and sperm cells. The DRD2 genotype was not associated with semen quality, serum PRL, or growth traits. Consumption of EA resulted in lesser PRL serum concentrations but had no effect on values for other variable examined.

Regulation of α-Klotho Expression by Dietary Phosphate During Growth Periods

Inorganic phosphate (Pi) is an essential nutrient for maintaining various biological functions, particularly during growth periods. Excess intake of dietary Pi increases the secretion of fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23) and parathyroid hormone to maintain plasma Pi levels. FGF23 is a potent phosphaturic factor that binds to the α-klotho/FGFR complex in the kidney to promote excretion of Pi into the urine. In addition, excess intake of dietary Pi decreases renal α-klotho expression. Down-regulation or lack of α-klotho induces a premature aging-like phenotype, resulting from hyperphosphatemia, and leading to conditions such as ectopic calcification and osteoporosis. However, it remains unclear what effects dietary Pi has on α-klotho expression at different life stages, especially during growth periods. To investigate this, we used C57BL/6J mice in two life stages during growing period. Weaned (3 weeks old) and periadolescent (7 weeks old) were randomly divided into seven experimental groups and fed with 0.02, 0.3, 0.6, 0.9, 1.2, 1.5, or 1.8% Pi diets for 7 days. As a result, elevated plasma Pi and FGF23 levels and decreased renal α-klotho expression were observed in weaned mice fed with a high Pi diet. In addition, a high Pi diet clearly induced renal calcification in the weaned mice. However, in the periadolescent group, renal calcification was not observed, even in the 1.8% Pi diet group. The present study indicates that a high Pi diet in weaned mice has much greater adverse effects on renal α-klotho expression and pathogenesis of renal calcification compared with periadolescent mice.

Dose response effects of postnatal hydrocortisone on growth and growth factors in the neonatal rat

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Hydrocortisone (HC), at different dosages, is used in critically ill newborns for lung stability, blood pressure support, and prevention of chronic lung disease (CLD). Its long-term effects on postnatal growth are not well studied. We hypothesized that early exposure to high doses of HC adversely affects growth, growth factors, metabolic hormones, and neurological outcomes, persisting in adulthood.

EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN

Rat pups received a single daily intramuscular dose of HC (1 mg/kg/day, 5 mg/kg/day, or 10 mg/kg/day on days 3, 4 & 5 postnatal age (P3, P4, P5). Age-matched controls received equivalent volume saline. Body weight, linear growth, and neurological outcomes were monitored. Animals were sacrificed at P21, P45, and P70 for blood glucose, insulin, IGF-I, GH, leptin, and corticosterone levels. Liver mRNA expression of IGFs and IGFBPs were determined at P21 and P70. Memory and learning abilities were tested using the Morris water maze test at P70.

RESULTS

HC suppressed body weight and length at P12, P21 and P45, but by P70 there was catchup overgrowth in the 5 and 10 mg/kg/day groups. At P70 blood insulin, IGF-I, GH, and leptin levels were low, whereas blood glucose, and liver IGFs and IGFBPs were high in the high dose groups. High HC also caused delayed memory and learning abilities at P70.

CONCLUSIONS

These data demonstrate that while higher doses of HC may be required for hemodynamic stability and prevention of CLD, these doses may result in growth deficits, as well as neurological and metabolic sequelae in adulthood.

Liraglutide protects β-cell function by reversing histone modification of Pdx-1 proximal promoter in catch-up growth male rats

AIMS

Catch-up growth after a period of nutritional deprivation in adulthood is related to the onset of metabolic disorders. This process involves chromatin remodelling of the Pdx-1 gene in pancreas. The objective of this study was to determine the chromatin remodelling mechanism of GLP-1 analogue Liraglutide upon Pdx-1 in catch-up growth rats in vivo and in vitro.

METHODS

Five-week-old male specific pathogen free (SPF) Wistar rats were randomly divided into normal group, catch-up growth group and Liraglutide group. Hyperglycemic clamp test and glucose-stimulated insulin secretion test were carried out to evaluate β-cell function in vivo and in vitro. The histone H3 modification changes at the Pdx-1 proximal promoter were assessed by chromatin immunoprecipitation.

RESULTS

The catch-up growth state was characterized by less recruitment of histone H3 lysine4 trimethylation and histone H3 acetylation and more recruitment of histone H3 lysine9 dimethylation at the Pdx-1 proximal promoter. Liraglutide treatment reversed these epigenetic changes and increased Pdx-1 expression, which could be abrogated by GLP-1 receptor antagonist Exendin 9-39. The β-cell function of catch-up growth rats was improved after Liraglutide treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

The protective effects of Liraglutide on pancreatic islet β-cell function may be related to histone H3 modification at the Pdx-1 proximal promoter during catch-up growth and could be used to treat catch-up growth-related metabolic disorders.

Growth, bone health & ambulatory status of boys with DMD treated with daily vs. intermittent oral glucocorticoid regimen

Oral glucocorticoids (GC) preserve muscle strength and prolong walking in boys with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). Although vertebral fractures have been reported in boys taking GC, fracture rates for different GC regimes have not been investigated. The aim of this pragmatic longitudinal study was to compare growth, body mass, bone mineral density (BMD), vertebral fractures (VF) and ambulatory status in boys with DMD on daily (DAILY) or intermittent (INTERMITTENT), oral GC regimens. A convenience sample of 50 DMD boys from two centres was included in the study; 25 boys each were on the DAILY or INTERMITTENT regimen. Size adjusted lumbar spine BMD (LS BMAD), total body less head BMD (TBLH), by DXA and distal forearm bone densities by pQCT, GC exposure, VF assessment and ambulatory status were analysed at three time points; baseline, 1 and 2 years. At baseline, there were no differences in age, GC duration or any bone parameters. However, DAILY boys were shorter (height SDS DAILY = -1.4(0.9); INTERMITTENT = -0.8(1.0), p = 0.04) with higher BMI (BMI SDS DAILY = 1.5(0.9); INTERMITTENT = 0.8(1.0), p = 0.01). Over 2 years, DAILY boys got progressively shorter (delta height SDS DAILY = -0.9(1.1); INTERMITTENT = +0.1(0.6), p < 0.001). At their 2 year assessment, 5 DAILY and 10 INTERMITTENT boys were non-ambulant. DAILY boys had more VFs than INTERMITTENT boys (10 versus 2; χ² p = 0.008). BMAD SDS remained unchanged between groups. TBLH and radius BMD declined significantly but the rate of loss was not different. In conclusion, there was a trend for more boys on daily GCs to remain ambulant but at the cost of more VFs, greater adiposity and markedly diminished growth. In contrast, boys on intermittent GCs had fewer vertebral fractures but there was a trend for more boys to loose independent ambulation.

Effects of Replacement of Methionine in Diets with Taurine on Growth Performance and Blood Index in Broilers

We studied effects of replacement of methionine with taurine on growth performance and blood index of AA+ broilers. Six hundred 1 day broilers were divided into 5 groups, with 3 replicates of 40 broilers in each. The experiment lasted for 42 days.The control group were fed on formulated diets containing 2% methionine; the other groups were offered feed with equal nitrogen and calories to the control group, but contained 25, 50, 75 and 100% taurine in place of methionine.Compared with the control group, no significant differences were observed in growth performance of 1-21 days broilers, or the serum LDL-C, TC, IgG and SOD of the experimental groups (P> 0.05). ADG and F/G from days 1-42, ADG, ADFI and F/G from days 22-42 were significantly different between the experimental groups and the control group (P < 0.05). ADFI and Mortality in 50, 75 and 100% taurine groups were significantly different compared with the control group (P < 0.05). IgM and GSH-PX of 50 and 75% taurine groups were significantly different compared with the control group (P < 0.05). Serum HDL-C, T-AOC levels in 50, 75 and 100% taurine groups were significantly different compared with the control group (P < 0.05). Based on the quadratic regression analysis, the best replacement ratios were 58%, 61% and 61% on days 1-21, 22-42, and 1-42, respectively. In conclusion, appropriate levels of taurine supplement can improve growth performance, immune system, T-AOC, and lipid metabolism.

Early Life Interventions for Childhood Growth and Development in Tanzania (ELICIT): a protocol for a randomised factorial, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of azithromycin, nitazoxanide and nicotinamide

INTRODUCTION

In many developing areas in the world, a high burden of enteric pathogens in early childhood are associated with growth deficits. The tryptophan-kynurenine-niacin pathway has been linked to enteric inflammatory responses to intestinal infections. However, it is not known in these settings whether scheduled antimicrobial intervention to reduce subclinical enteric pathogen carriage or repletion of the tryptophan-kynurenine-niacin pathway improves linear growth and development.

METHODS AND ANALYSIS

We are conducting a randomised, placebo-controlled, factorial intervention trial in the rural setting of Haydom, Tanzania. We are recruiting 1188 children within the first 14 days of life, who will be randomised in a 2×2 factorial design to administration of antimicrobials (azithromycin and nitazoxanide, randomised together) and nicotinamide. The nicotinamide is administered as a daily oral dose, which for breast-feeding children aged 0-6 months is given to the mother and for children aged 6-18 months is given to the child directly. Azithromycin is given to the child as a single oral dose at months 6, 9, 12 and 15; nitazoxanide is given as a 3-day course at months 12 and 15. Mother/child pairs are followed via monthly in-home visits. The primary outcome is the child's length-for-age Z-score at 18 months. Secondary outcomes for the child include additional anthropometry measures; stool pathogen burden and bacterial microbiome; systemic and enteric inflammation; blood metabolomics, growth factors, inflammation and nutrition; hydrogen breath assessment to estimate small-intestinal bacterial overgrowth and assessment of cognitive development. Secondary outcomes for the mother include breastmilk content of nicotinamide, other vitamins and amino acids; blood measures of tryptophan-kynurenine-niacin pathway and stool pathogens.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

This trial has been approved by the Tanzanian National Institute for Medical Research, the Tanzanian FDA and the University of Virginia IRB. Findings will be presented at national and international conferences and published in peer-review journals.

PROTOCOL VERSION

5.0, 4 December 2017.

PROTOCOL SPONSOR

Haydom Lutheran Hospital, Haydom, Manyara, Tanzania.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

NCT03268902; Pre-results.

The serum concentrations of perfluoroalkyl compounds were inversely associated with growth parameters in 2-year old children

The relationship between the serum concentrations of perfluoroalkyl compounds (PFCs) and growth parameters was investigated in 2-year-old Korean children. The study included 361 children aged 2years (192 boys and 169 girls; 22-27months), born at term appropriate-for-gestational-age, who visited between 2012 and 2013. Growth parameters of height and weight, and serum samples were collected from 2-year-old children. Four PFCs (perfluorohexane sulfonic acid [PFHxS], perfluorooctane sulfonic acid [PFOS], perfluorooctanoic acid [PFOA], and perfluorononanoic acid [PFNA]), perfluorodecanoic acid (PFDA), perfluoroundecanoic acid (PFUnDA), and perfluoroheptanoic acid (PFHpA) were detected in >99, 93.4, 89.8, and 74.2% of the serum samples, respectively. The duration of breastfeeding was positively associated with the serum concentrations of ln-transformed PFHxS, PFOS, PFHpA, PFOA, PFNA, PFDA, and PFUnDA (all P<0.001). Height at 2years of age was inversely related to PFHxS, PFOS, PFOA, PFNA, and PFDA concentrations (adjusted β per ln unit [95% confidence interval, CI]: -0.84 [-1.26, -0.42], -0.77 [-1.27, -0.15], -0.91 [-1.36, -0.47], -0.48 [-1.40, -0.51], and -0.44 [-0.77, -0.10] cm, respectively), after adjusting for age, sex, and midparental height. Weight at 2years of age was inversely associated with PFNA (adjusted β per ln unit [95% CI]: -0.32 [-0.48, -0.15] kg), after adjusting for age, sex, and parental BMI. In conclusion, the serum concentrations of PFCs were inversely associated with growth parameters in 2-year-old children.

Long-term dietary (n-3) polyunsaturated fatty acids show benefits to the lungs of Cftr F508del mice

Introduction

The pro-inflammatory status of cystic fibrosis (CF) patients promotes pulmonary colonization with opportunist and pathogenic bacteria, which is favored by a sticky mucus. Oral supplementation with (n-3) long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LC-PUFA) has shown anti-inflammatory effects. The aim of this study was to demonstrate the positive effects of a long-term diet enriched in (n-3) LC-PUFA on the lungs of Cftr F508del mice.

Materials and methods

Breeding CftrΔF508del/+ mice received a control diet or a diet enriched in (n-3) LC-PUFA for 5 weeks before mating, gestation and lactation. After weaning, the offspring were given the same diet as their mother until post-natal day 60. The effects of (n-3) LC-PUFA supplementation on the lungs were evaluated in homozygous Cftr F508del mice and their wild-type littermates after acute lung inflammation induced by Pseudomonas aeruginosa lipopolysaccharide (LPS) inhalation.

Results

(n-3) LC-PUFA enrichment of mothers contributes to enrichment of mammary milk and cell membrane of suckling pups. Cftr F508del mice exhibited growth retardation and lung damage with collapsed alveoli, hyperplasia of bronchial epithelial cells and inflammatory cell infiltration. The (n-3) LC-PUFA diet corrected the growth delay of Cftr F508del mice and decreased hyperplasia of bronchial epithelial cells. Besides decreasing metaplasia of Club cells after LPS inhalation, (n-3) LC-PUFA modulated lung inflammation and restricted lung damage.

Conclusion

Long-term (n-3) LC-PUFA supplementation shows moderate benefits to the lungs of Cftr F508del mice.

Leptin stimulates aromatase in the growth plate: limiting catch-up growth efficiency

Catch-up growth (CUG) in childhood is defined as periods of growth acceleration, after the resolution of growth attenuation causes, bringing the children back to their original growth trajectory. Sometimes, however, CUG is incomplete, leading to permanent growth deficit and short stature. The aim of this study was to investigate the mechanisms that limit nutritional-CUG. Specifically, we focused on the crosstalk between leptin, increased by re-feeding, and sex hormones, which increase with age. In vivo studies were performed in young male Sprague Dawley rats fed ad libitum or subjected to 10/36 days of 40% food restriction followed by 90-120 days of re-feeding. In vitro studies were performed on ATDC5 cells. Analyses of mRNA and protein levels were done using qPCR and Western blot, respectively. CUG was complete in body weight and humerus length in animals that were food-restricted for 10 days but not for those food-restricted for 36 days. In vitro studies showed that leptin significantly increased aromatase gene expression and protein level as well as the expression of estrogen and leptin receptors in a dose- and time-dependent manner. The effect of leptin on aromatase was direct and was mediated through the MAPK/Erk, STAT3 and PI3K pathways. The crosstalk between leptin and aromatase in the growth plate suggests that re-feeding during puberty may lead to increased estrogen level and activity, and consequently, irreversible premature epiphyseal growth plate closure. These results may have important implications for the development of novel treatment strategies for short stature in children.

Haloperidol ameliorates androgen-induced behavioral deficits in developing male rats

The purpose of present study was to infer the potential effects of testosterone increase in some male-based childhood-onset neuropsychiatric disorders, such as Tourette syndrome. Thus, the influence of early postnatal androgen exposure upon the neurobehaviors and its possible neural basis were investigated in the study. Male pup rats received consecutive 14-day testosterone propionate (TP) subcutaneous injection from postnatal day (PND) 7. The TP treatment produced the hyperactive motor behavior and grooming behavior as well as the increased levels of dopamine, tyrosine hydroxylase and dopamine transporter in the mesodopaminergic system and the elevated levels of serotonin in the nucleus accumbens, without affecting the levels of glutamate, γ-aminobutyric acid, norepinephrine and histamine in the caudate putamen and nucleus accumbens of PND21 and PND49 rats. Dopamine D2 receptor antagonist haloperidol was administered to the early postnatal TP-exposed PND21 and PND49 male rats 30 min prior to open field test. Haloperidol significantly ameliorated the motor behavioral and grooming behavioral defects induced by early postnatal TP exposure. The results demonstrated that early postnatal androgen exposure significantly disturbed the brain activity of developing male rats via enhancing the mesodopaminergic activity. It was suggested that abnormal increments of testosterone levels during the early postnatal development might be a potential risk factor for the incidence of some male-based childhood-onset neuropsychiatric disorders by affecting the mesodopaminergic system.

Differing growth responses to nutritional supplements in neighboring health districts of Burkina Faso are likely due to benefits of small-quantity lipid-based nutrient supplements (LNS)

Background

Of two community-based trials among young children in neighboring health districts of Burkina Faso, one found that small-quantity lipid-based nutrient supplements (LNS) increased child growth compared with a non-intervention control group, but zinc supplementation did not in the second study.

Objectives

We explored whether the disparate growth outcomes were associated with differences in intervention components, household demographic variables, and/or children’s morbidity.

Methods

Children in the LNS study received 20g LNS daily containing different amounts of zinc (LNS). Children in the zinc supplementation study received different zinc supplementation regimens (Z-Suppl). Children in both studies were visited weekly for morbidity surveillance. Free malaria and diarrhea treatment was provided by the field worker in the LNS study, and by a village-based community-health worker in the zinc study. Anthropometric assessments were repeated every 13–16 weeks. For the present analyses, study intervals of the two studies were matched by child age and month of enrollment. The changes in length-for-age z-score (LAZ) per interval were compared between LNS and Z-Suppl groups using mixed model ANOVA or ANCOVA. Covariates were added to the model in blocks, and adjusted differences between group means were estimated.

Results

Mean ages at enrollment of LNS (n = 1716) and Z-Suppl (n = 1720) were 9.4±0.4 and 10.1±2.7 months, respectively. The age-adjusted change in mean LAZ per interval declined less with LNS (-0.07±0.44) versus Z-Suppl (-0.21±0.43; p<0.0001). There was a significant group by interval interaction with the greatest difference found in 9–12 month old children (p<0.0001). Adjusting for demographic characteristics and morbidity did not reduce the observed differences by type of intervention, even though the morbidity burden was greater in the LNS group.

Conclusions

Greater average physical growth in children who received LNS could not be explained by known cross-trial differences in baseline characteristics or morbidity burden, implying that the observed difference in growth response was partly due to LNS.

Hypothalamic regulation of body growth and appetite by ghrelin-derived peptides during balanced nutrition or undernutrition

Among the gastrointestinal hormones that regulate food intake and energy homeostasis, ghrelin plays a unique role as the first one identified to increases appetite and stimulate GH secretion. This review highlights the latest mechanism by which ghrelin modulates body growth, appetite and energy metabolism by exploring pharmacological actions of the hormone and consequences of genetic or pharmacological blockade of the ghrelin/GHS-R (Growth Hormone Secretagogue Receptor) system on physiological responses in specific nutritional situations. Within the hypothalamus, novel mechanisms of action of this hormone involve its interaction with other ghrelin-derived peptides, such as desacyl ghrelin and obestatin, which are thought to act as functional ghrelin antagonists, and possible modulation of the GHS-R with other G-protein coupled receptors. During chronic undernutrition such as anorexia nervosa, variations of ghrelin-derived peptides may be an adaptative metabolic response to maintain normal glycemic control. Interestingly, some of ghrelin's metabolic actions are thought to be relayed through modulation of GH, an anabolic and hyperglycemic agent.

Fibroblast growth factor 2 alters the oxytocin receptor in a developmental model of anxiety-like behavior in male rat pups

We aimed to determine the short-term effects of early-life stress in the form of maternal separation (MS) on anxiety-like behavior in male rat pups. In order to assess anxiety, we measured 40kHz separation-induced ultrasonic vocalizations (USV) on postnatal day (PND) 11. We further aimed to evaluate the potential involvement of two neurochemical systems known to regulate social and anxiety-like behaviors throughout life: oxytocin (OT) and fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF2). For these purposes, we tested the effects of neonatal administration (on PND1) of an acute dose of FGF2 on USV and its potential interaction with MS. In addition, we validated the anxiolytic effects of OT and measured oxytocin receptor (OTR) gene expression, binding and epigenetic regulation via histone acetylation. Our results show that MS potentiated USV while acute administration of OT and FGF2 attenuated them. Further, we found that both FGF2 and MS increased OTR gene expression and the association of acH3K14 with the OTR promoter in the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BNST). Comparable changes, though not as pronounced, were also found for the central amygdala (CeA). Our findings suggest that FGF2 may exert its anxiolytic effects in male MS rats by a compensatory increase in the acetylation of the OTR promoter to overcome reduced OT levels in the BNST.

The Effects of Bisphenol A Exposure at Different Developmental Time Points in an Androgen-Sensitive Neuromuscular System in Male Rats

The industrial plasticizer bisphenol A (BPA) is a ubiquitous endocrine disruptor to which the general human population is routinely exposed. Although BPA is well known as an estrogenic mimic, there have been some suggestions that this compound may also alter activity at the androgen receptor. To determine whether BPA does have antiandrogenic properties, we evaluated BPA effects in the spinal nucleus of the bulbocavernosus and dorsolateral nucleus, sexually dimorphic groups of motor neurons in the lumbar spinal cord that are critically dependent on androgens for survival and maintenance, as well as the monomorphic retrodorsolateral nucleus. In experiment 1, we administered varying concentrations of BPA to juvenile rats pre- and postnatally and examined both the number and size of motor neurons in adulthood. In experiment 2, different doses of BPA were given to adult rats for 28 days, after which the soma size of motor neurons were measured. Although no effect of BPA on neural survival or soma size was noted after perinatal BPA exposure, BPA exposure did result in a decrease in soma size in all motor neuron pools after chronic exposure in adulthood. These findings are discussed with regard to putative antiandrogenic effects of BPA; we argue that BPA is not antiandrogenic but is acting through nonandrogen receptor-dependent mechanisms.

Effects of experimentally manipulated yolk thyroid hormone levels on offspring development in a wild bird species

Maternal effects are a crucial mechanism in a wide array of taxa to generate phenotypic variation, thereby affecting offspring development and fitness. Maternally derived thyroid hormones (THs) are known to be essential for offspring development in mammalian and fish models, but have been largely neglected in avian studies, especially in respect to natural variation and an ecological context. We studied, for the first time in a wild species and population, the effects of maternally derived THs on offspring development, behavior, physiology and fitness-related traits by experimental elevation of thyroxine and triiodothyronine in ovo within the physiological range in great tits (Parus major). We found that elevated yolk TH levels had a sex-specific effect on growth, increasing male and decreasing female growth, relative to controls, and this effect was similar throughout the nestling period. Hatching or fledging success, motor coordination behavior, stress reactivity and resting metabolic rate were not affected by the TH treatment. We conclude that natural variation in maternally derived THs may affect some offspring traits in a wild species. As this is the first study on yolk thyroid hormones in a wild species and population, more such studies are needed to investigate its effects on pre-hatching development, and juvenile and adult fitness before generalizations on the importance of maternally derived yolk thyroid hormones can be made. However, this opens a new, interesting avenue for further research in the field of hormone mediated maternal effects.

Behaviour, development and metal accumulation in striped marsh frog tadpoles (Limnodynastes peronii) exposed to coal mine wastewater

Coal mining generates large quantities of complex effluent, and this often contains high levels of dissolved solids, suspended solids, metals, hydrocarbons, salts and other compounds. Substantial volumes of mine wastewater are periodically discharged into the environment, through both planned and accidental releases, and this raises concerns about the potential for adverse impacts on aquatic wildlife. There have been few attempts to explore sub-lethal effects of coal mine wastewater on amphibians compared to other organisms, and this is particularly true for Australian species. To address existing knowledge gaps, we exposed striped marsh frog (Limnodynastes peronii) tadpoles to 25, 50 and 100% coal mine wastewater collected from two holding dams (CMW1 and CMW2) located at an open cut mine in Central Queensland, Australia. The exposure lasted for four weeks, after which survival, growth and development, swimming behaviour, and concentrations of metals and metalloids in tail and liver tissues were assessed. Physico-chemical parameters varied considerably between sites, with higher turbidity, nutrients, total and dissolved organic carbon, alkalinity and arsenic (As) concentrations at CMW1, and higher conductivity, salinity, dissolved solids, hardness and sulfate levels at CMW2. There was no mortality in controls and less than 5% mortality in CMW1 treatments, whereas survival was significantly decreased in tadpoles exposed to CMW2 with 40 and 55% mortality in the 50 and 100% treatments, respectively. Development was significantly delayed in 100% CMW1 wastewater, but tadpole size (growth) was not influenced by the exposure. Hepatosomatic indices were significantly increased in tadpoles exposed to 25 and 50% CMW1 but not the 100% treatment group. Exposed tadpoles (predominantly those exposed to CMW1) exhibited increased activity after very short-term exposure (24h), but this did not persist as animals approached metamorphic climax. At the end of the experiment, tadpoles exposed to both wastewaters had elevated levels of selenium (Se), cobalt (Co) and As in tail and liver tissue compared to controls. Manganese (Mn) levels were also elevated in livers and tails of CMW2 exposed tadpoles. Hepatic tissue accumulated 8-9 times higher concentrations of Co, Mn and Se compared to tail tissue, irrespective of treatments. Future research is warranted to explore possible relationships between metal bioaccumulation, morpho-physiological effects during development, and subsequent higher-level outcomes related to individual performance and population fitness.

Influence of metal(loid) bioaccumulation and maternal transfer on embryo-larval development in fish exposed to a major coal ash spill

In December 2008, an earthen retaining wall at the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) Kingston Fossil Fuel Plant failed and released 4.1 millionm(3) of coal ash to rivers flowing into Watts Bar Reservoir in east Tennessee, United States (U.S.). As part of a comprehensive effort to evaluate the risks to aquatic resources from this spill - the largest in U.S. history - we compared bioaccumulation and maternal transfer of selenium (Se), arsenic (As), and mercury (Hg) in adult redear sunfish (Lepomis macrolophus), collected two years after the spill from both coal-ash exposed and non-exposed areas of the Emory and Clinch Rivers, with the success of embryo-larval development in their offspring. Whole body and ovary concentrations of Se in female sunfish at three study sites downstream of the spill were significantly elevated (site means=4.9-5.3 and 6.7-9.0mg/kg d.w. whole body and ovary concentrations, respectively) compared with concentrations in fish from reference sites upstream of the spill site (2.2-3.2mg/kg d.w. for whole bodies and 3.6-4.8mg/kg d.w. for ovaries). However, Se concentrations in coal ash-exposed areas remain below proposed U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) criteria for the protection of aquatic life. Site-to-site variation in fish concentrations of As and Hg were not well-correlated with ash-exposure, reflecting the multiple sources of these metal(loid)s in the affected watersheds. In 7-day laboratory tests of embryos and larvae derived from in vitro crosses of eggs and sperm from these field-collected sunfish, fertilization success, hatching success, embryo-larval survival, and incidences of developmental abnormalities did not differ significantly between ash-exposed and non-exposed fish. Furthermore, these developmental endpoints were not correlated with whole body or ovary concentrations of Se, As, or Hg in the maternal fish, or with fish size, ovary weight, or gonadal-somatic indices. Results from this and related studies associated with the Kingston coal ash spill are consistent with proposed USEPA fish-based water quality criteria for Se, and to date continue to suggest that long-term exposures to sediment containing residual ash may not present a significant chronic risk to fish populations exposed to this major coal ash release.

Developmental alterations and endocrine-disruptive responses in farmed Nile crocodiles (Crocodylus niloticus) exposed to contaminants from the Crocodile River, South Africa

In the present study, the developmental (including fertility) and endocrine-disruptive effects in relation to chemical burden in male and female Nile crocodiles (Crocodylus niloticus), from a commercial crocodile farm in the Brits district, South Africa, exposed to various anthropogenic aquatic contaminants from the natural environment was investigated. Hepatic transcript levels for vitellogenin (Vtg), zona pellucida (ZP) and ERα (also in gonads) were analyzed using real-time PCR. Plasma estradiol-17β (E2), testosterone (T) and 11-ketotestosterone (11-KT) were analyzed using enzyme immunoassay. Gonadal aromatase and hepatic testosterone metabolism (6β-hydroxylase (6β-OHase)) were analyzed using biochemical methods. Overall, there is high and abnormal number (%) of infertile and banded eggs during the studied reproductive seasons, showing up to 57 and 34% of infertile eggs in the 2009/2010 and 2013/2014 seasons, respectively. In addition, the percentage of banded eggs ranged between 10 and 19% during the period of 2009-2014 seasons. While hepatic ERα, Vtg, ZP mRNA and testosterone 6β-OHase, were equally expressed in female and male crocodiles, gonadal ERα mRNA and aromatase activity were significantly higher in females compared to male crocodiles. On the other hand, plasma T and 11-KT levels were significantly higher in males, compared to female crocodiles. Principal component analysis (PCA) produced significant grouping that revealed correlative relationships between reproductive/endocrine-disruptive variables and liver contaminant burden, that further relates to measured contaminants in the natural environment. The overall results suggest that these captive pre-slaughter farm crocodiles exhibited responses to anthropogenic aquatic contaminants with potentially relevant consequences on key reproductive and endocrine pathways and these responses may be established as relevant species endocrine disruptor biomarkers of exposure and effects in this threatened species.

Paternal B Vitamin Intake Is a Determinant of Growth, Hepatic Lipid Metabolism and Intestinal Tumor Volume in Female Apc1638N Mouse Offspring

Background

The importance of maternal nutrition to offspring health and risk of disease is well established. Emerging evidence suggests paternal diet may affect offspring health as well.

Objective

In the current study we sought to determine whether modulating pre-conception paternal B vitamin intake alters intestinal tumor formation in offspring. Additionally, we sought to identify potential mechanisms for the observed weight differential among offspring by profiling hepatic gene expression and lipid content.

Methods

Male Apc^1638N mice (prone to intestinal tumor formation) were fed diets containing replete (control, CTRL), mildly deficient (DEF), or supplemental (SUPP) quantities of vitamins B₂, B₆, B₁₂, and folate for 8 weeks before mating with control-fed wild type females. Wild type offspring were euthanized at weaning and hepatic gene expression profiled. Apc^1638N offspring were fed a replete diet and euthanized at 28 weeks of age to assess tumor burden.

Results

No differences in intestinal tumor incidence or burden were found between male Apc^1638N offspring of different paternal diet groups. Although in female Apc^1638N offspring there were no differences in tumor incidence or multiplicity, a stepwise increase in tumor volume with increasing paternal B vitamin intake was observed. Interestingly, female offspring of SUPP and DEF fathers had a significantly lower body weight than those of CTRL fed fathers. Moreover, hepatic trigylcerides and cholesterol were elevated 3-fold in adult female offspring of SUPP fathers. Weanling offspring of the same fathers displayed altered expression of several key lipid-metabolism genes. Hundreds of differentially methylated regions were identified in the paternal sperm in response to DEF and SUPP diets. Aside from a few genes including Igf2, there was a striking lack of overlap between these genes differentially methylated in sperm and differentially expressed in offspring.

Conclusions

In this animal model, modulation of paternal B vitamin intake prior to mating alters offspring weight gain, lipid metabolism and tumor growth in a sex-specific fashion. These results highlight the need to better define how paternal nutrition affects the health of offspring.

Developmental effects of vasotocin and nonapeptide receptors on early social attachment and affiliative behavior in the zebra finch

Zebra finches demonstrate selective affiliation between juvenile offspring and parents, which, like affiliation between pair partners, is characterized by proximity, vocal communication and contact behaviors. This experiment tested the hypothesis that the nonapeptide arginine vasotocin (AVT, avian homologue of vasopressin) and nonapeptide receptors play a role prior to fledging in the development of affiliative behavior. Zebra finch hatchlings of both sexes received daily intracranial injections (post-hatch days 2-8) of either AVT, Manning Compound (MC, a potent V1a receptor antagonist) or saline (vehicle control). The social development of both sexes was assessed by measuring responsiveness to isolation from the family and subsequent reunion with the male parent after fledging. In addition, we assessed the changes in affiliation with the parents, unfamiliar males, and unfamiliar females each week throughout juvenile development. Compared to controls, MC subjects showed decreased attachment to the parents and MC males did not show the normal increase in affiliative interest in opposite sex individuals as they reached reproductive maturity. In contrast, AVT subjects showed a sustained affiliative interest in parents throughout development, and males showed increased interest in opposite sex conspecifics as they matured. These results provide the first evidence suggesting that AVT and nonapeptide receptors play organizational roles in social development in a bird.

Titanium dioxide nanoparticles: some aspects of toxicity/focus on the development

Nanosized titanium dioxide (TiO2) particles belong to the most widely manufactured nanoparticles (NPs) on a global scale because of their photocatalytic properties and the related surface effects. TiO2 NPs are in the top five NPs used in consumer products. Ultrafine TiO2 is widely used in the number of applications, including white pigment in paint, ceramics, food additive, food packaging material, sunscreens, cosmetic creams, and, component of surgical implants. Data evidencing rapid distribution, slow or ineffective elimination, and potential long-time tissue accumulation are especially important for the human risk assessment of ultrafine TiO2 and represent new challenges to more responsibly investigate potential adverse effects by the action of TiO2 NPs considering their ubiquitous exposure in various doses. Transport of ultrafine TiO2 particles in systemic circulation and further transition through barriers, especially the placental and blood-brain ones, are well documented. Therefore, from the developmental point of view, there is a raising concern in the exposure to TiO2 NPs during critical windows, in the pregnancy or the lactation period, and the fact that human mothers, women and men in fertile age and last but not least children may be exposed to high cumulative doses. In this review, toxicokinetics and particularly toxicity of TiO2 NPs in relation to the developing processes, oriented mainly on the development of the central nervous system, are discussed Keywords: nanoparticles, nanotoxicity, nanomaterials, titanium dioxide, reproductive toxicity, developmental toxicity, blood brain barrier, placental barrier.

Effect of Total Dissolved Solids on Fertilization and Development of Two Salmonid Species

Some studies have shown that the early life stages of salmonids are particularly sensitive to elevated concentrations of total dissolved solids (TDS). We evaluated the effect of TDS released in treated effluent into Snap Lake (Northwest Territories, Canada) by the Snap Lake Diamond Mine on two salmonids native to Snap Lake: Salvenius namaycush (lake trout) and Thymallus arcticus (Arctic grayling). Exposures encompassed the embryo-alevin-fry early life stages and extended to 142 days for lake trout and 69 days for Arctic grayling. Such extended testing is uncommon with these two species. Two exposures were conducted with each species, one initiated prior to fertilization, and the other subsequent to fertilization. Fertilization, survival, and growth were not adversely affected for either species by TDS at concentrations >1400 mg/L, with the exception of survival of lake trout, which produced an LC20 of 991 mg/L in one test, and >1484 mg/L in the second test. For the specific TDS composition tested, which was dominated by chloride (45 %-47 %) and calcium (20 %-21 %), the early life stages of these two fish species were relatively insensitive. Although some authors have suggested lower TDS regulatory limits for salmonid early life stages, our study indicates that this is not necessary, at least for these two fish species and for the specific ionic composition tested.

Phosphorylation of epigenetic "readers, writers and erasers": Implications for developmental reprogramming and the epigenetic basis for health and disease

Epigenetic reprogramming that occurs during critical periods of development can increase the susceptibility to many diseases in adulthood. Programming of the epigenome during development occurs via the activity of a variety of epigenetic modifiers, including "readers, writers and erasers" of histone methyl marks. Posttranslational modification of these programmers can alter their activity, resulting in global or gene-specific changes in histone methylation and gene transcription. This review summarizes what is currently known about phosphorylation of histone methyltransferases ("writers"), demethylases ("erasers") and effector proteins ("readers) that program the epigenome, and the impact of this posttranslational modification on their activity. Understanding how the activity of these epigenetic programmers is perturbed by environmental exposures via changes in phosphorylation is key to understanding mechanisms of developmental reprogramming and the epigenetic basis of health and disease.

Effects of different dietary phospholipid levels on growth performance, fatty acid composition, PPAR gene expressions and antioxidant responses of blunt snout bream Megalobrama amblycephala fingerlings

A 60-day feeding trial was conducted to evaluate the effects of different levels of dietary phospholipid (PL) from soybean lecithin on growth performance, liver fatty acid composition, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) gene expression levels and antioxidant responses of blunt snout bream fingerlings. Fish (average initial weight 0.35 ± 0.01 g) were fed five experimental diets containing the following inclusion levels of PL: 0, 2, 4, 6 and 8%. Results showed that final body weight, weight gain and specific growth rate increased significantly (P < 0.05) as dietary PL level increased from 0 to 6%, meanwhile the survival was not affected by dietary PL supplementation. Increasing dietary PL level significantly (P < 0.05) increased in 20:4n-6 content in neutral lipid of liver, indicating fish had the capacity to convert C18 to C20 and C22 by elongation and desaturation. The expression levels of PPAR-α and PPAR-γ and the activities of catalase, superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase in liver were significantly (P < 0.05) increased, and liver thiobarbituric acid reactive substances value was decreased with dietary PL supplementation up to 6% compared with the control. Therefore, it was concluded that supplementation of 6% (18.8 g kg(-1), polar lipid of diet) PL could improve growth performance of blunt snout bream fingerlings.

Responses to various exposure durations of levonorgestrel during early-life stages of fathead minnows (Pimephales promelas)

Pharmaceuticals are routinely detected in the environment; and several of these compounds have been extensively researched due to their potential impacts to the endocrine system of aquatic organisms. The negative reproductive consequences of synthetic progestins in teleost species have only recently been investigated. The current study examined different exposure periods that may be most sensitive for levonorgestrel (LNG) in early-life stages of fathead minnow larvae. Larvae were exposed to a single concentration of LNG (125ng/L) for different durations from fertilized egg through 28 days post hatch (dph) with growth and mRNA expression of FSH, 3β-HSD, 20β-HSD, and CYP19a1 measured. Regardless of the duration of exposure, LNG significantly decreased growth in the fathead minnow larvae at day 28. For both 20β-HSD and CYP19a1, mRNA expression was decreased following LNG exposure durations ≥7 days. 3β-HSD and FSH showed similar trends after exposure to LNG with later stages of development exhibiting decreased expression. 20β-HSD and 3β-HSD were the only transcripts to remain down regulated once larvae were moved to clean water after the 7-14dph LNG exposure. This study is the first to investigate the effects of exposure time to a synthetic progestin on developing fish. Future research is needed to understand what impacts these changes have on adult stages of development.

Antibiotics in early life and obesity

The intestinal microbiota can influence host metabolism. When given early in life, agents that disrupt microbiota composition, and consequently the metabolic activity of the microbiota, can affect the body mass of the host by either promoting weight gain or stunting growth. These effects are consistent with the role of the microbiota during development. In this Perspective, we posit that microbiota disruptions in early life can have long-lasting effects on body weight in adulthood. Furthermore, we examine the dichotomy between antibiotic-induced repression and promotion of growth and review the experimental and epidemiological evidence that supports these phenotypes. Considering the characteristics of the gut microbiota in early life as a distinct dimension of human growth and development, as well as comprehending the susceptibility of the microbiota to perturbation, will allow for increased understanding of human physiology and could lead to development of interventions to stem current epidemic diseases such as obesity, type 1 diabetes mellitus and type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Evaluation of toxic endpoints for a set of cosmetic ingredients with CAESAR models

The randomly selected set of 558 chemicals from Cosmetic inventory was studied with internet accessible program package CAESAR. Four toxic endpoints were considered: mutagenicity, carcinogenicity, developmental toxicity and skin sensitization. The CAESAR program provides beside the predictions comprehensive information on applicability domain and the similarity between the considered compound and the compounds from model's training set. This information was used to implement for clustering and classification of chemicals. As the technique the Self Organizing Maps was applied. This technique also enables us to define to each cluster the cluster indicator, i.e., the characteristic compound, which is considered as a representative for a cluster.

Dietary L-arginine supplementation affects the skeletal longissimus muscle proteome in finishing pigs

Forty-eight Duroc x Landrace x Large White gilts were used to determine the relationship between proteome changes of longissimus muscle and intramuscular fat (IMF) content in arginine-supplemented pigs. Beginning at 60 kg BW, pigs were fed a corn- and soybean meal-based diet supplemented or not with 1% L-arginine until they reached a BW of 100 kg. Supplementation with 1% L-arginine did not affect the growth performance or carcass traits, while it increased IMF content by 32% (P < 0.01), it also decreased the drip loss at 48 h post-mortem and the b* meat color value at 24 h post-mortem; supplementation with 1% dietary L-arginine did not change the proportion of SFA and MUFA in muscle lipids. The proteome changes in longissimus muscle between the control and supplemented pigs showed that L-arginine significantly influenced the abundance of proteins related to energy metabolism, fiber type and structure. The increase in IMF content was positively correlated with the increased abundance of slow twitch troponin I (TNNI1) protein and negatively correlated with myosin heavy chain IIb (MyHC IIb) protein content. It is suggested that the proteome changes in longissimus muscle contributed to the greater IMF content in L-arginine supplemented pigs.

Role of synaptic structural plasticity in impairments of spatial learning and memory induced by developmental lead exposure in Wistar rats

Lead (Pb) is found to impair cognitive function. Synaptic structural plasticity is considered to be the physiological basis of synaptic functional plasticity and has been recently found to play important roles in learning and memory. To study the effect of Pb on spatial learning and memory at different developmental stages, and its relationship with alterations of synaptic structural plasticity, postnatal rats were randomly divided into three groups: Control; Pre-weaning Pb (Parents were exposed to 2 mM PbCl₂ 3 weeks before mating until weaning of pups); Post-weaning Pb (Weaned pups were exposed to 2 mM PbCl₂ for 9 weeks). The spatial learning and memory of rats was measured by Morris water maze (MWM) on PND 85–90. Rat pups in Pre-weaning Pb and Post-weaning Pb groups performed significantly worse than those in Control group (p<0.05). However, there was no significant difference in the performance of MWM between the two Pb-exposure groups. Before MWM (PND 84), the number of neurons and synapses significantly decreased in Pre-weaning Pb group, but not in Post-weaning Pb group. After MWM (PND 91), the number of synapses in Pre-weaning Pb group increased significantly, but it was still less than that of Control group (p<0.05); the number of synapses in Post-weaning Pb group was also less than that of Control group (p<0.05), although the number of synapses has no differences between Post-weaning Pb and Control groups before MWM. In both Pre-weaning Pb and Post-weaning Pb groups, synaptic structural parameters such as thickness of postsynaptic density (PSD), length of synaptic active zone and synaptic curvature increased significantly while width of synaptic cleft decreased significantly compared to Control group (p<0.05). Our data demonstrated that both early and late developmental Pb exposure impaired spatial learning and memory as well as synaptic structural plasticity in Wistar rats.

Peak bone strength is influenced by calcium intake in growing rats

In this study we investigated the effect of supplementing the diet of the growing male rat with different levels of calcium (from low to higher than recommended intakes at constant Ca/P ratio), on multiple factors (bone mass, strength, size, geometry, material properties, turnover) influencing bone strength during the bone accrual period. Rats, age 28days were supplemented for 4weeks with high Ca (1.2%), adequate Ca (0.5%) or low Ca level (0.2%). Bone metabolism and structural parameters were measured. No changes in body weight or food intake were observed among the groups. As anticipated, compared to the adequate Ca intake, low-Ca intake had a detrimental impact on bone growth (33.63 vs. 33.68mm), bone strength (-19.7% for failure load), bone architecture (-58% for BV/TV) and peak bone mass accrual (-29% for BMD) due to the hormonal disruption implied in Ca metabolism. In contrast, novel, surprising results were observed in that higher than adequate Ca intake resulted in improved peak bone strength (106 vs. 184N/mm for the stiffness and 61 vs. 89N for the failure load) and bone material properties (467 vs. 514mPa for tissue hardness) but these effects were not accompanied by changes in bone mass, size, microarchitecture or bone turnover. Hormonal factors, IGF-I and bone modeling were also evaluated. Compared to the adequate level of Ca, IGF-I level was significantly lower in the low-Ca intake group and significantly higher in the high-Ca intake group. No detrimental effects of high Ca were observed on bone modeling (assessed by histomorphometry and bone markers), at least in this short-term intervention. In conclusion, the decrease in failure load in the low calcium group can be explained by the change in bone geometry and bone mass parameters. Thus, improvements in mechanical properties can be explained by the improved quality of intrinsic bone tissue as shown by nanoindentation. These results suggest that supplemental Ca may be beneficial for the attainment of peak bone strength and that multiple factors linked to bone mass and strength should be taken into account when setting dietary levels of adequate mineral intake to support optimal peak bone mass acquisition.

The response of amphibian larvae to exposure to a glyphosate-based herbicide (Roundup WeatherMax) and nutrient enrichment in an ecosystem experiment

Herbicides and fertilizers are widely used throughout the world and pose a threat to aquatic ecosystems. Using a replicated, whole ecosystem experiment in which 24 small wetlands were split in half with an impermeable barrier we tested whether exposure to a glyphosate-based herbicide, Roundup WeatherMax™, alone or in combination with nutrient enrichment has an effect on the survival, growth or development of amphibians. The herbicide was applied at one of two concentrations (low=210 μg a.e./L, high=2880 μg a.e./L) alone and in combination with nutrient enrichment to one side of wetlands and the other was left as an untreated control. Each treatment was replicated with six wetlands, and the experiment was repeated over two years. In the high glyphosate and nutrient enrichment treatment the survival of wood frog (Lithobates sylvaticus) larvae was lower in enclosures placed in situ on the treated sides than the control sides of wetlands. However, these results were not replicated in the second year of study and they were not observed in free swimming wood frog larvae in the wetlands. In all treatments, wood frog larvae on the treated sides of wetlands were slightly larger (<10%) than those on the control side, but no effect on development was observed. The most dramatic finding was that the abundance of green frog larvae (Lithobates clamitans) was higher on the treated sides than the control sides of wetlands in the herbicide and nutrient treatments during the second year of the study. The results observed in this field study indicate that caution is necessary when extrapolating results from artificial systems to predict effects in natural systems. In this experiment, the lack of toxicity to amphibian larvae was probably due to the fact the pH of the wetlands was relatively low and the presence of sediments and organic surfaces which would have mitigated the exposure duration.