Risk factors during first 1,000 days of life for carotid intima-media thickness in infants, children, and adolescents: A systematic review with meta-analyses.

The first 1,000 days of life, i.e., from conception to age 2 years, could be a critical period for cardiovascular health. Increased carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) is a surrogate marker of atherosclerosis. We performed a systematic review with meta-analyses to assess (1) the relationship between exposures or interventions in the first 1,000 days of life and CIMT in infants, children, and adolescents; and (2) the CIMT measurement methods. Systematic searches of Medical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System Online (MEDLINE), Excerpta Medica database (EMBASE), and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) were performed from inception to March 2019. Observational and interventional studies evaluating factors at the individual, familial, or environmental levels, for instance, size at birth, gestational age, breastfeeding, mode of conception, gestational diabetes, or smoking, were included. Quality was evaluated based on study methodological validity (adjusted Newcastle-Ottawa Scale if observational; Cochrane collaboration risk of bias tool if interventional) and CIMT measurement reliability. Estimates from bivariate or partial associations that were least adjusted for sex were used for pooling data across studies, when appropriate, using random-effects meta-analyses. The research protocol was published and registered on the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO; CRD42017075169). Of 6,221 reports screened, 50 full-text articles from 36 studies (34 observational, 2 interventional) totaling 7,977 participants (0 to 18 years at CIMT assessment) were retained. Children born small for gestational age had increased CIMT (16 studies, 2,570 participants, pooled standardized mean difference (SMD): 0.40 (95% confidence interval (CI): 0.15 to 0.64, p: 0.001), I2: 83%). When restricted to studies of higher quality of CIMT measurement, this relationship was stronger (3 studies, 461 participants, pooled SMD: 0.64 (95% CI: 0.09 to 1.19, p: 0.024), I2: 86%). Only 1 study evaluating small size for gestational age was rated as high quality for all methodological domains. Children conceived through assisted reproductive technologies (ART) (3 studies, 323 participants, pooled SMD: 0.78 (95% CI: -0.20 to 1.75, p: 0.120), I2: 94%) or exposed to maternal smoking during pregnancy (3 studies, 909 participants, pooled SMD: 0.12 (95% CI: -0.06 to 0.30, p: 0.205), I2: 0%) had increased CIMT, but the imprecision around the estimates was high. None of the studies evaluating these 2 factors was rated as high quality for all methodological domains. Two studies evaluating the effect of nutritional interventions starting at birth did not show an effect on CIMT. Only 12 (33%) studies were at higher quality across all domains of CIMT reliability. The degree of confidence in results is limited by the low number of high-quality studies, the relatively small sample sizes, and the high between-study heterogeneity. In our meta-analyses, we found several risk factors in the first 1,000 days of life that may be associated with increased CIMT during childhood. Small size for gestational age had the most consistent relationship with increased CIMT. The associations with conception through ART or with smoking during pregnancy were not statistically significant, with a high imprecision around the estimates. Due to the large uncertainty in effect sizes and the limited quality of CIMT measurements, further high-quality studies are needed to justify intervention for primordial prevention of cardiovascular disease (CVD)

The efficacy of Link N as a mediator of repair in a rabbit model of intervertebral disc degeneration

Abstract Introduction Intervertebral disc (IVD) degeneration is associated with proteolytic degradation of the extracellular matrix, and its repair requires both the production of extracellular matrix and the downregulation of proteinase activity. These properties are associated with several growth factors. However, the use of growth factors in clinical practice is limited by their high cost. This cost can be circumvented using synthetic peptides, such as Link N, which can stimulate the synthesis of proteoglycan and collagen by IVD cells in vitro. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the effect of Link N in vivo in a rabbit model of IVD degeneration. Methods New Zealand white rabbits received annular puncture in two lumbar discs. Two weeks after puncture, both punctured discs of each rabbit were injected with either Link N or saline. After 2 weeks, nine rabbits were euthanized and the annulus fibrosus (AF) and nucleus pulposus (NP) of Link N-injected and saline-injected IVDs were removed and used to prepare total RNA. Following reverse transcription, quantitative PCR was performed for aggrecan, COL2A1, COL1A1, ADAMTS-4, ADAMTS-5 and MMP-3. After 12 weeks, 19 rabbits were euthanized and the injected IVDs were removed for biochemical and histological analysis. Proteinase K digests were analyzed for DNA and sulfated glycosaminoglycan content. Disc height was monitored radiographically biweekly. Results Following needle puncture, disc height decreased by about 25% over 2 weeks, and was partially restored by Link N injection. Puncture of the IVD resulted in a trend towards decreased proteoglycan content in both the NP and AF, and a trend towards partial restoration following Link N injection, although under the time course used this did not achieve statistical significance. Link N did not alter the DNA content of the discs. Link N injection led to a significant increase in aggrecan gene expression and a significant decrease in proteinase gene expression in both the NP and AF, when compared with saline alone. Conclusions When administered to the degenerate disc in vivo, Link N stimulated aggrecan gene expression and downregulated metalloproteinase expression, and there was a trend towards increased proteoglycan content of the disc, in both the NP and AF. These are features needed for any agent designed to stimulate disc repair. In principle, therefore, Link N supplementation could be an option for treating disc degeneration

PROTECTED AREAS MANAGEMENT IN AGRICULTURE AND FORESTRY

The paper presents the main objectives regarding the management of protected areas - "The protected area is a clearly defined geographical space, recognized, designated and managed on the basis of legal documents or other effective means, in order to achieve long-term conservation of nature and also ecosystem services and associated cultural values ". Managing a protected area is designated to protect a species or to encourage natural succession, to preserve a way of life or restore vegetation. Through the study of management was established the legal basis for protected areas, the priorities being the planning, relations with government and local communities, applying research and also current management tasks (monitoring agriculture, particularly forestry, maintaining trails, providing services for visitors, environmental education , training and perfecting the employees). Management of protected areas is a field that has just began to develop, starting with the establishment in 1992 of the Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve (DDBR)

AGRICULTURE 4.0 - THE USE OF SMART TECHNOLOGIES FOR HIGHPERFORMANCE AGRICULTURE

Given that the labor market in Romania has an acute shortage of labor (about 1 million people), in agriculture this lack is felt even more acutely because the population in the villages is declining and aging, thus it is increasingly difficult for Romanian farmers to find labor, let alone skilled labor. One solution can be the digitization of agriculture, ie the introduction of the latest management concepts, sensors, automation, robots, etc. in the modernization of work processes in agriculture, thus reducing the need for labor, while increasing productivity and efficiency in agriculture

RESEARCHES REGARDING THE OBTAINING OF JUICE FROM SUGAR SORGHUM STALK

Sugar sorghum is a technical plant with high energy value due to the high productivity obtained per hectare. By pressing of sugar sorghum strains it can be obtained a juice that can be further used in various forms: alcohol, ethanol, etc

AGRICULTURE 4.0 - A CHALLENGE FOR ROMANIAN AGRICULTURE

Given that the labor market in Romania has an acute shortage of labor (about 1 million people), in agriculture this lack is felt even more acutely because the population in the villages is declining and aging, thus it is increasingly difficult for Romanian farmers to find labor, let alone skilled labor. One solution can be the digitization of agriculture, ie the introduction of the latest management concepts, sensors, automation, robots, etc. in the modernization of work processes in agriculture, thus reducing the need for labor, while increasing productivity and efficiency in agriculture

CONSIDERATIONS CONCERNING THE VALORIZATION OF THE JUICE OBTAINED FROM SUGAR SORGHUM STALK FROM ALCOHOL

 With a high production per hectare, sugar sorghum is a high value technical plant for farmers because from an average production of 70-80 t/ha, a high quantity of juice can be obtained, which can be used as such in the food industry (natural sweetener) or processed for the purpose of obtaining alcohol. The alcohol has a higher value/liter, can be stored more easily and its uses are multiple: in the food, pharmaceutical, chemical industry, etc

Risk factors and determinants of carotid intima-media thickness in children: protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) is a surrogate marker of atherosclerosis that is measured in adults and children to better understand the natural history of cardiovascular disease (CVD). In adults, CIMT is predictive of myocardial infarction and stroke. In children and adolescents, CIMT is used to assess vascular changes in the presence of CVD risk factors (obesity, hypertension, smoking, etc) or clinical conditions associated with a high risk for premature CVD. However, there is no comprehensive overview, in a life-course epidemiology perspective, of the risk factors and determinants of CIMT in children. It is also important to evaluate between-study differences in CIMT measurement methods and take them into consideration when drawing conclusions. Our objective is to systematically review the evidence on the relationship between CIMT and prenatal and postnatal exposures or interventions in children, as well as documenting and discussing the CIMT measurement methods. Systematic searches of the Medical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System Online (MEDLINE), Excerpta Medica (EMBASE)and Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) databases will be conducted. The reference lists and other literatures sources will be browsed. Observational and experimental studies in children from birth up to 18 years will be included. Prenatal and postnatal exposures or interventions assessed in relationship with CIMT will be considered for inclusion. Examples might include gestational age, obesity, hypertension, tobacco exposure, specific at-risk conditions (chronic kidney disease, diabetes, etc) or statin treatment. The outcome will be CIMT assessed by ultrasonography. The setting, scanning and measurement methods for each included study will be described in detail. Results will be synthesised descriptively and, if appropriate, will be pooled across studies to perform meta-analyses. Separate meta-analyses for each exposure or intervention type will be conducted. This systematic review will be published in a peer-reviewed journal. A report will be prepared for clinicians and other healthcare decision-makers. CRD42017075169