81 research outputs found
Family meal environment differentially conditions the prospective association between early childhood screen time and key social relationships in adolescent girls
Background: Despite screen time recommendations, children are increasingly spending time
on electronic devices, rendering it an important risk factor for subsequent social and developmental
outcomes. Sharing meals could offer a way to promote psychosocial development. This study
examines the interaction between family meal environment and early childhood screen time on
key adolescent social relationships. Methods: Participants are 1455 millennial children (49% boys)
from the Quebec Longitudinal Study of Child Development birth cohort. Parents reported on child
screen use at ages 2 and 6 years and family meal environment quality at age 6 years. Parents and
children reported on parent–child relationships and peer victimization experiences, respectively,
at age 13 years. Sex-stratified multiple regression estimated the direct association between screen
time trends, family meal environment quality, and their interaction on later social relationship
outcomes. Results: For girls, when preschool screen time increased, sharing family meals in highquality environments was associated with more positive and less conflictual relationships with their
mothers, whereas meals shared in low- and moderate-quality environments were associated with
fewer instances of victimization by their peers. Non-linear associations were not significant for boys.
Conclusion: Capitalizing on family meal environment represents a simple/cost-efficient activity that
can compensate for some long-term risks associated with increased screen use, above and beyond
pre-existing and concurrent individual and family characteristics. Public health initiatives may benefit
from considering family meals as a complementary intervention strategy to screen use guidelines
Prospective associations between maternal depressive symptoms during early infancy and growth deficiency from childhood to adolescence
Maternal health represents an important predictor of child development; yet it often goes
unnoticed during pediatric visits. Previous work suggests that mental state affects parenting. The
relationship between infant exposure to maternal depressive symptoms suggests conflicting findings
on physical growth. Body mass index (BMI) has not been rigorously examined across development.
Using a prospective-longitudinal birth cohort of 2120 infants (50.7% boys), we estimated the prospective relationship between symptoms of maternal depressive symptoms at 5 months postpartum and
later BMI in typically developing children. We hypothesized that maternal depressive symptom
severity would predict later BMI through to adolescence. Mothers self-reported depressive symptoms at 5 months. Child BMI was measured by a trained research assistant at ages 6, 8, 10, 13, and
15 years. We estimated a series of sex-stratified regressions in which BMI was linearly regressed on
maternal symptoms, while controlling for potential pre-existing/concurrent individual and family
confounding factors. Boys born to mothers with more severe depressive symptoms at age 5 months
had a significantly lower BMI than other boys at subsequent ages. There were no such associations
observed for girls. Maternal depressive symptoms were prospectively associated with later BMI
for sons and not daughters, predicting risk of faltering in growth through to adolescence. Health
practitioners should routinely assess maternal psychological functioning during pediatric visits to
optimize parent and child flourishment
Prospective associations between meth/amphetamine (speed) and MDMA (ecstasy) use and depressive symptoms in secondary school students
Background Research has raised significant
concern regarding the affective consequences of
synthetic drug use. However, little evidence from
well-controlled longitudinal studies exists on these
consequences. The aim of this study was to determine
whether use of meth/amphetamine (speed) and 63,4-
methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA, ecstasy) is
independently predictive of subsequent depressive
symptoms in adolescents.
Methods A sample of 3880 adolescents from secondary
schools in disadvantaged areas of Quebec, Canada, were
followed over time (2003e2008). Logistic regression was used to test the association between meth/
amphetamine and MDMA use in grade 10 (ages
15e16 years) and elevated depressive symptoms on an
abridged Center for Epidemiologic Studies-Depression
scale in grade 11, controlling for pre-existing individual
and contextual characteristics.
Results After adjustment, both MDMA use (OR 1.7,
95% CI 1.1 to 2.6) and meth/amphetamine use (OR 1.6,
95% CI 1.1 to 2.3) in grade 10 significantly increased the
odds of elevated depressive symptoms in grade 11.
These relationships did not vary by gender or pre-existing
depressive symptoms. Increased risk was particularly
observed in concurrent usage (OR 1.9, 95% CI 1.2 to
2.9).
Conclusions Adolescent use of meth/amphetamine and
MDMA (particularly concurrent use) is independently
associated with subsequent depressive symptoms.
Further enquiry must determine whether these
associations reflect drug-induced neurotoxicity and
whether adolescence is a period of increased
vulnerability to the hazards of synthetic drug exposure
Lack of Methyl-CpG Binding Protein 2 (MeCP2) Affects Cell Fate Refinement During Embryonic Cortical Development
During differentiation, neurons progressively restrict their fate repressing the expression of specific genes. Here we describe the involvement in such developmental steps of the methyl-CpG binding protein 2 (MeCP2), an epigenetic factor that participates to chromatin folding and transcriptional regulation. We previously reported that, due to transcriptional impairments, the maturation of Mecp2 null neurons is delayed. To evaluate whether this could stem from altered progenitors proliferation and differentiation, we investigated whether lack of Mecp2 affects these features both in vitro and in vivo. We show that in Mecp2 null embryonic cortexes the expression of genes defining the identity of proliferating neuroprogenitors is enriched and that their permanence in the G1 phase is prolonged. Moreover, the number of cells transitioning from a stage of maturation to a more mature one is increased in Mecp2 null embryonic cortices, in line with the central role of G1 for cell identity refinement. We thus suggest that, possibly due to the lack of proper transcriptional control normally exerted by Mecp2, fate refinement is impaired in developing null cells. We propose that the maturation delay affecting the developing Mecp2 null cortex originates, at least in part, from deranged mechanisms of cell fate refinement
Validation of ammonia diffusive and pumped samplers in a controlled atmosphere test facility using traceable Primary Standard Gas Mixtures
We report the determination of ammonia (NH3) diffusive sampling rates for six different designs of commercial
diffusive samplers (CEH ALPHA sampler, Gradko diffusion tube, Gradko DIFRAM-400, Passam ammonia sampler,and ICS Maugeri Radiello radial sampler (blue and white turbulence barriers)), together with the validation test results for a pumped sampler (CEH DELTA denuder). The devices were all exposed in the UK's National Physical Laboratory's (NPL) controlled atmosphere test facility (CATFAC). For each of the seven diffusive sampler exposure tests there were traceable concentrations of ammonia (in the range 3–25 μgm−3) generated under well-defined conditions of temperature, relative humidity and wind speed, which are applicable to a variety of ambient monitoring environments. The sampler exposure time at each concentration was 28 days,
except for the radial devices, which were exposed for 14 days. The work relied on the dilution of newly developed
stable Primary Standard Gas Mixtures (PSMs) prepared by gravimetry in passivated gas cylinders as a method of improving the metrological traceability of ammonia measurements. The exposed diffusive samplers were sent blind to the participants for analysis and the reported NH3 concentrations were then compared against the known reference concentration. From the results for each sampler type a diffusive sampling rate was calculated and compared against the rate used routinely by the participants. Some measurement results were in good agreement with the known traceable reference concentration (particularly for one diffusive sampler design (ALPHA)), while other devices exhibited over-reading and under-reading (each with a clear bias). The new diffusive sampling rates determined in the laboratory study were then applied to measurements in a field comparison campaign, and this was found to deliver an improvement in agreement between the different devices deployed
Complete genome sequence of the phenanthrene-degrading soil bacterium Delftia acidovorans Cs1-4
Abstract
Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) are ubiquitous environmental pollutants and microbial biodegradation is an important means of remediation of PAH-contaminated soil. Delftia acidovorans Cs1-4 (formerly Delftia sp. Cs1-4) was isolated by using phenanthrene as the sole carbon source from PAH contaminated soil in Wisconsin. Its full genome sequence was determined to gain insights into a mechanisms underlying biodegradation of PAH. Three genomic libraries were constructed and sequenced: an Illumina GAii shotgun library (916,416,493 reads), a 454 Titanium standard library (770,171 reads) and one paired-end 454 library (average insert size of 8 kb, 508,092 reads). The initial assembly contained 40 contigs in two scaffolds. The 454 Titanium standard data and the 454 paired end data were assembled together and the consensus sequences were computationally shredded into 2 kb overlapping shreds. Illumina sequencing data was assembled, and the consensus sequence was computationally shredded into 1.5 kb overlapping shreds. Gaps between contigs were closed by editing in Consed, by PCR and by Bubble PCR primer walks. A total of 182 additional reactions were needed to close gaps and to raise the quality of the finished sequence. The final assembly is based on 253.3 Mb of 454 draft data (averaging 38.4 X coverage) and 590.2 Mb of Illumina draft data (averaging 89.4 X coverage). The genome of strain Cs1-4 consists of a single circular chromosome of 6,685,842 bp (66.7 %G+C) containing 6,028 predicted genes; 5,931 of these genes were protein-encoding and 4,425 gene products were assigned to a putative function. Genes encoding phenanthrene degradation were localized to a 232 kb genomic island (termed the phn island), which contained near its 3’ end a bacteriophage P4-like integrase, an enzyme often associated with chromosomal integration of mobile genetic elements. Other biodegradation pathways reconstructed from the genome sequence included: benzoate (by the acetyl-CoA pathway), styrene, nicotinic acid (by the maleamate pathway) and the pesticides Dicamba and Fenitrothion. Determination of the complete genome sequence of D. acidovorans Cs1-4 has provided new insights the microbial mechanisms of PAH biodegradation that may shape the process in the environment.http://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/134560/1/40793_2015_Article_41.pd
Level of agreement between frequently used cardiovascular risk calculators in people living with HIV
Objectives
The aim of the study was to describe agreement between the QRISK2, Framingham and Data Collection on Adverse Events of Anti‐HIV Drugs (D:A:D) cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk calculators in a large UK study of people living with HIV (PLWH).
Methods
PLWH enrolled in the Pharmacokinetic and Clinical Observations in People over Fifty (POPPY) study without a prior CVD event were included in this study. QRISK2, Framingham CVD and the full and reduced D:A:D CVD scores were calculated; participants were stratified into ‘low’ ( 20%) categories for each. Agreement between scores was assessed using weighted kappas and Bland–Altman plots.
Results
The 730 included participants were predominantly male (636; 87.1%) and of white ethnicity (645; 88.5%), with a median age of 53 [interquartile range (IQR) 49–59] years. The median calculated 10‐year CVD risk was 11.9% (IQR 6.8–18.4%), 8.9% (IQR 4.6–15.0%), 8.5% (IQR 4.8–14.6%) and 6.9% (IQR 4.1–11.1%) when using the Framingham, QRISK2, and full and reduced D:A:D scores, respectively. Agreement between the different scores was generally moderate, with the highest level of agreement being between the Framingham and QRISK2 scores (weighted kappa = 0.65) but with most other kappa coefficients in the 0.50–0.60 range.
Conclusions
Estimates of predicted 10‐year CVD risk obtained with commonly used CVD risk prediction tools demonstrate, in general, only moderate agreement among PLWH in the UK. While further validation with clinical endpoints is required, our findings suggest that care should be taken when interpreting any score alone
Genetic contributions to circadian activity rhythm and sleep pattern phenotypes in pedigrees segregating for severe bipolar disorder
Abnormalities in sleep and circadian rhythms are central features of bipolar disorder (BP), often persisting between episodes. We report here, to our knowledge, the first systematic analysis of circadian rhythm activity in pedigrees segregating severe BP (BP-I). By analyzing actigraphy data obtained from members of 26 Costa Rican and Colombian pedigrees [136 euthymic (i.e., interepisode) BP-I individuals and 422 non-BP-I relatives], we delineated 73 phenotypes, of which 49 demonstrated significant heritability and 13 showed significant trait-like association with BP-I. All BP-I-associated traits related to activity level, with BP-I individuals consistently demonstrating lower activity levels than their non-BP-I relatives. We analyzed all 49 heritable phenotypes using genetic linkage analysis, with special emphasis on phenotypes judged to have the strongest impact on the biology underlying BP. We identified a locus for interdaily stability of activity, at a threshold exceeding genome-wide significance, on chromosome 12pter, a region that also showed pleiotropic linkage to two additional activity phenotypes.National Institute of Health/[R01MH075007]/NIH/Estados UnidosNational Institute of Health/[R01MH095454]/NIH/Estados UnidosNational Institute of Health/[P30NS062691]/NIH/Estados UnidosNational Institute of Health/[T32MH073526]/NIH/Estados UnidosNational Institute of Health/[K23MH074644-01]/NIH/Estados UnidosNational Institute of Health/[K08MH086786]/NIH/Estados UnidosUCR::Vicerrectoría de Investigación::Unidades de Investigación::Ciencias Básicas::Centro de Investigación en Biología Celular y Molecular (CIBCM
Les enfants des milieux défavorisés inscrits à la maternelle à plein temps réussissent-ils mieux à l’école primaire ?
Cette étude examine l’adaptation et le rendement des enfants dans des écoles situées en milieux socioéconomiquement défavorisés. Selon une analyse rétrospective longitudinale, le cheminement scolaire des enfants est comparé, en première, troisième et sixième années, en fonction des conditions de scolarisation à la maternelle (demi-temps et plein-temps). Les résultats montrent que l’augmentation du temps de fréquentation à la maternelle n’a pas d’impact significatif sur le fonctionnement des enfants à l’école primaire. Ces résultats sont discutés en regard des conclusions d’études similaires et des limites de nos connaissances dans ce domaine.Using a retrospective longitudinal design, this study examines school performance and social adaptation of a large sample of first, third, and sixth graders from disadvantaged neighborhoods who completed either a full-time or a half-time kindergarten program. Our objective is to compare the benefits of both kindergarten policies, which differ in program dosage. Results indicate that beyond the influence of personal characteristics, children from disadvantaged neighborhoods in full-time dosage do not perform better and do not show higher levels of social adaptation. These results are discussed within the context of other findings addressing the same objective and underscore how little we really know about the advantages of this costly policy.Este estudo examina a adaptação e o rendimento das crianças a frequentar escolas localizadas em meios socioeconomicamente desfavorecidos. A partir de uma análise rectrospectiva longitudinal é comparado o percurso escolar das crianças a frequentar o primeiro, o terceiro e o sexto anos, em função das condições de escolarização na pré-escola (meio-tempo e tempo-inteiro). Os resultados mostram que o aumento do tempo de frequência, na pré-escola, não tem impacto significativo no funcionamento das crianças na escola primária. Estes resultados são discutidos no contexto das conclusões de estudos similares e dos limites dos nossos conhecimentos neste domínio
- …