Making and Breaking Trust in Forest Collaborative Groups

There has been a recent increase in use of an organized, forest ‘collaborative’ group approach for multi-stakeholder input on federal forestlands in the U.S. West. This approach relies on the creation of shared trust to achieve social agreement. Yet growing critiques suggest a lack of trust in the U.S. Forest Service [Forest Service], between stakeholders, and the collaborative process itself. We conducted three comparative case studies of established forest collaborative groups in Oregon, Washington, and Idaho to ask how trust is created and damaged or broken in this context. We found multiple, interlinked dimensions to trust, including significant reliance on procedural trust, trust of ‘in-groups’ who shared norms for conduct, and distrust of new participants. We also found that trust or distrust in the Forest Service affected other trust and process dynamics within groups. Our research offers new insights into the functions and limitations of a collaborative approach that is increasingly central to federal forest governance; and new empirical knowledge toward recent theoretical developments about trust in natural resource collaboration

Epigenetic regulation in neonatal ECFCs following intrauterine exposure to gestational diabetes

poster abstractGestational diabetes (GDM) complicates up to 10% of pregnancies. In addition to acute risks, the children of diabetic mothers have an increased risk of obesity, diabetes, and hypertension, starting in childhood. While the causes of this increased risk are unknown, previous studies in our lab have identified functional deficits in endothelial colony forming cells (ECFCs) isolated from the cord blood of GDM pregnancies. This study focused on identifying genes that have altered epigenetic modifications that result in abnormal mRNA and protein expression in ECFCs from the cord blood GDM pregnancies. The objective of this study was to identify mRNA expression and DNA methylation alterations in ECFCs that may help identify the causes of ECFC dysfunction following intrauterine exposure to GDM. ECFCs were obtained from control and GDM pregnancies. DNA, RNA, and protein samples were isolated in parallel from ECFCs. RNA microarray analysis using the Affymetrix Human 1.0 Gene Array was used to identify gene expression alterations in GDM ECFCs compared to control ECFCs. Genome-wide DNA methylation was assessed using an Infinium 450K Methylation Array for DNA samples at >450,000 CpG sites. Correlation analysis was performed to identify possible sites that have altered CpG methylation and RNA expression. RNA expression results were validated using qRT-PCR and western blotting. Bisulfite sequencing of genomic DNA from the ECFCs was performed to identify additional sites with altered methylation for regions not included in the DNA methylation array. Of the 28,000 genetic loci tested, 596 mRNAs were altered between control and GDM ECFCs (p<0.01). More stringent criteria identified 38 genes for further investigation by limiting analysis to genes that exhibited increased or decreased expression by at least 50%, with a p<0.01. PLAC8 was identified as being increased 5-fold by microarray analysis, a result which was confirmed in two cohorts by qRT-PCR and western blotting. Analysis of the methylation array and bisulfite sequencing results revealed 3 regions surrounding the transcriptional start site of PLAC8 gene whose CpG methylation negatively correlate with RNA expression in samples from control and GDM ECFCs. In contrast, a CpG island is fully unmethylated in both control and GDM ECFCs. The discovery of CpG sites whose methylation correlates with PLAC8 mRNA expression in ECFCs is consistent with the hypothesis that intrauterine exposure to GDM results in epigenetic changes. Analysis of methylation at this site could be used as a biomarker for children of mothers with GDM who may be at risk for disease later in life. Using bisulfite pyrosequencing, we are currently developing assays to quickly determine if methylation of the PLAC8 putative promoter region is altered in cord blood mononuclear cells obtained from GDM or healthy control pregnancies. We are also investigating the role of methylation in regulating PLAC8 RNA expression, determining if there is altered histone modifications and transcription factor binding in these regions, and examining other genes that may comprise a molecular signature of ECFC dysfunction

Factors Associated with Risk of Perinatal Depressive Symptoms Among Puerto Rican Women with Hyperglycemia

OBJECTIVES: Rates of perinatal depression and pregnancy hyperglycemia are higher in Hispanic women as compared to non-Hispanic white women. In turn, depressive symptoms may reduce a woman\u27s ability to engage in lifestyle changes that could reduce their subsequent diabetes risk. METHODS: We conducted a secondary analysis using data from Estudio Parto to evaluate sociodemographic, behavioral, psychosocial, and medical factors associated with perinatal depressive symptoms. Estudio Parto was a randomized controlled trial conducted in Western Massachusetts from 2013 to 17. Eligible participants had pregnancy hyperglycemia. The Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) was administered at 24-28 weeks gestation and at 6 weeks, 6 months, and 12 months postpartum. An EPDS cutpoint of 10 or greater defined the presence of depressive symptoms. RESULTS: In this sample of Puerto Rican women with pregnancy hyperglycemia, 32% and 27% showed prenatal and postpartum depressive symptoms, respectively. Among participants, 35.5% were diagnosed with GDM, 44.3% with isolated hyperglycemia, and 20.2% with impaired glucose tolerance. In multivariable models, being unmarried (OR 3.87; 95% CI 1.51-9.94), prenatal substance use (smoking or alcohol consumption; OR 2.96; 95% CI 1.41-6.18), and maternal age (1.11 for each year; 95% CI 1.04-1.18) were associated with higher odds of prenatal depressive symptoms. None of the risk factors were associated with subsequent postpartum depression in adjusted analyses. CONCLUSIONS: Identifying factors associated with prenatal and postpartum depression in Puerto Rican women with pregnancy hyperglycemia can inform targeted lifestyle interventions in this at-risk group, increase the likely adoption of healthy lifestyle behaviors, and thereby work to address health disparities. CLINICALTRIALS: gov NCT01679210; date of registration 08/07/2012

The impact of risk factors on aspirin\u27s efficacy for the prevention of preterm birth

Background: The ASPIRIN Trial was a landmark study that demonstrated a reduction in preterm birth (PTB) and hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP) in nulliparous women who received low-dose aspirin (LDA). All women in the study had at least one moderate-risk factor for preeclampsia, nulliparity. Unlike current United States Preventative Service Task Force (USPSTF) guidelines, which recommend LDA for two or more moderate-risk factors, women in this study were randomized to receive LDA regardless of the presence or absence of an additional risk factor. Objective: To compare how low-dose aspirin (LDA) differentially benefits nulliparous women with and without additional preeclampsia risk factors for the prevention of preterm birth (PTB) and hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP). Study design: This is a non-pre-specified secondary analysis of the ASPIRIN trial that randomized nulliparous women with singleton pregnancies from six low-middle income countries to receive LDA or placebo. Our primary exposure was having an additional preeclampsia risk-factor beyond nulliparity. Our primary outcome was PTB before 37 weeks and our secondary outcomes included PTB before 34 weeks, PTB before 28 weeks, HDP, and perinatal mortality. Results: Among 11,558 nulliparous women who met the inclusion criteria, 66.8% had no additional risk factors. LDA similarly reduced the risk of PTB (RR 0.75 vs. 0.85, p=0.35). Additionally for our secondary outcomes, LDA similarly reduced the risk of PTB \u3c28 \u3eweeks, HDP, and perinatal mortality in women with and without additional risk factors. The reduction of PTB (RR 0.69 vs. 1.04, p=0.04). Conclusion: LDA\u27s ability to prevent PTB, HDP, and perinatal mortality is similar in nulliparous women with and without additional risk factors. Professional societies should consider recommending LDA to all nulliparous wome

The impact of risk factors on aspirin\u27s efficacy for the prevention of preterm birth

Background: The Aspirin Supplementation for Pregnancy Indicated Risk Reduction In Nulliparas trial was a landmark study that demonstrated a reduction in preterm birth and hypertensive disorders of pregnancy in nulliparous women who received low-dose aspirin. All women in the study had at least 1 moderate-risk factor for preeclampsia (nulliparity). Unlike current US Preventative Service Task Force guidelines, which recommend low-dose aspirin for ≥2 moderate-risk factors, women in this study were randomized to receive low-dose aspirin regardless of the presence or absence of an additional risk factor.Objective: This study aimed to compare how low-dose aspirin differentially benefits nulliparous women with and without additional preeclampsia risk factors for the prevention of preterm birth and hypertensive disorders of pregnancy.Study design: This was a non-prespecified secondary analysis of the Aspirin Supplementation for Pregnancy Indicated Risk Reduction In Nulliparas trial that randomized nulliparous women with singleton pregnancies from 6 low-middle-income countries to receive low-dose aspirin or placebo. Our primary exposure was having an additional preeclampsia risk factor beyond nulliparity. Our primary outcome was preterm birth before 37 weeks of gestation, and our secondary outcomes included preterm birth before 34 weeks of gestation, preterm birth before 28 weeks of gestation, hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, and perinatal mortality.Results: Among 11,558 nulliparous women who met the inclusion criteria, 66.8% had no additional risk factors. Low-dose aspirin similarly reduced the risk of preterm birth at \u3c37 weeks of gestation in women with and without additional risk factors (relative risk: 0.75 vs 0.85; P=.35). Additionally for our secondary outcomes, low-dose aspirin similarly reduced the risk of preterm birth at \u3c28 weeks of gestation, hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, and perinatal mortality in women with and without additional risk factors. The reduction of preterm birth at \u3c34 weeks of gestation with low-dose aspirin was significantly greater in women without additional risk factors than those with an additional risk factor (relative risk: 0.69 vs 1.04; P=.04).Conclusion: Low-dose aspirin\u27s ability to prevent preterm birth, hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, and perinatal mortality was similar in nulliparous women with and without additional risk factors. Professional societies should consider recommending low-dose aspirin to all nulliparous women

Epigenetic Regulation of Placenta-Specific 8 Contributes to Altered Function of Endothelial Colony-Forming Cells Exposed to Intrauterine Gestational Diabetes Mellitus

Intrauterine exposure to gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is linked to development of hypertension, obesity, and type 2 diabetes in children. Our previous studies determined that endothelial colony-forming cells (ECFCs) from neonates exposed to GDM exhibit impaired function. The current goals were to identify aberrantly expressed genes that contribute to impaired function of GDM-exposed ECFCs and to evaluate for evidence of altered epigenetic regulation of gene expression. Genome-wide mRNA expression analysis was conducted on ECFCs from control and GDM pregnancies. Candidate genes were validated by quantitative RT-PCR and Western blotting. Bisulfite sequencing evaluated DNA methylation of placenta-specific 8 (PLAC8). Proliferation and senescence assays of ECFCs transfected with siRNA to knockdown PLAC8 were performed to determine functional impact. Thirty-eight genes were differentially expressed between control and GDM-exposed ECFCs. PLAC8 was highly expressed in GDM-exposed ECFCs, and PLAC8 expression correlated with maternal hyperglycemia. Methylation status of 17 CpG sites in PLAC8 negatively correlated with mRNA expression. Knockdown of PLAC8 in GDM-exposed ECFCs improved proliferation and senescence defects. This study provides strong evidence in neonatal endothelial progenitor cells that GDM exposure in utero leads to altered gene expression and DNA methylation, suggesting the possibility of altered epigenetic regulation

High-Provitamin A Carotenoid (Orange) Maize Increases Hepatic Vitamin A Reserves of Offspring in a Vitamin A-Depleted Sow-Piglet Model during Lactation

The relationship of dietary vitamin A transfer from mother to fetus is not well understood. The difference in swine offspring liver reserves was investigated between single-dose vitamin A provided to the mother post-conception compared with continuous provitamin A carotenoid dietary intake from biofortified (enhanced provitamin A) orange maize (OM) fed during gestation and lactation. Vitamin A-depleted sows were fed OM (n = 5) or white maize (WM) + 1.05 mmol retinyl palmitate administered at the beginning of gestation (n = 6). Piglets (n = 102) were killed at 0, 10, 20, and 28 d after birth. Piglets from sows fed OM had higher liver retinol reserves (P \u3c 0.0001) and a combined mean concentration from d 10 to 28 of 0.11 ± 0.030 μmol/g. Piglets from sows fed WM had higher serum retinol concentrations (0.56 ± 0.25 μmol/L; P = 0.0098) despite lower liver retinol concentrations of 0.068 ± 0.026 μmol/g from d 10 to 28. Milk was collected at 0, 5, 10, 20, and 28 d. Sows fed OM had a higher milk retinol concentration (1.36 ± 1.30 μmol/L; P = 0.038), than those fed WM (0.93 ±1.03 μmol/L). Sow livers were collected at the end of the study (n = 3/group) and had identical retinol concentrations (0.22 ± 0.05 μmol/g). Consumption of daily provitamin A carotenoids by sows during gestation and lactation increased liver retinol status in weanling piglets, illustrating the potential for provitamin A carotenoid consumption from biofortified staple foods to improve vitamin A reserves. Biofortified OM could have a measurable impact on vitamin A status in deficient populations if widely adopted