Activation of Estrogen-Responsive Genes Does Not Require Their Nuclear Co-Localization

The spatial organization of the genome in the nucleus plays a role in the regulation of gene expression. Whether co-regulated genes are subject to coordinated repositioning to a shared nuclear space is a matter of considerable interest and debate. We investigated the nuclear organization of estrogen receptor alpha (ERα) target genes in human breast epithelial and cancer cell lines, before and after transcriptional activation induced with estradiol. We find that, contrary to another report, the ERα target genes TFF1 and GREB1 are distributed in the nucleoplasm with no particular relationship to each other. The nuclear separation between these genes, as well as between the ERα target genes PGR and CTSD, was unchanged by hormone addition and transcriptional activation with no evidence for co-localization between alleles. Similarly, while the volume occupied by the chromosomes increased, the relative nuclear position of the respective chromosome territories was unaffected by hormone addition. Our results demonstrate that estradiol-induced ERα target genes are not required to co-localize in the nucleus

Prematurity, Immune Function and Infant Feeding Practices

Recently, there has been much interest in the literature in the role of early nutrition and the health of the individual in adulthood. A majority of infants in the UK are born full term, while pretem infants account for 4-6 % of the total births. Milk feeding practices are divided into three groups: breast, combination (breast-fed with formula as ‘top-up’) and bottle (formula). In studies conducted by our group and other researchers immune function in full-term and preterm infants has been assessed by monitoring total and specific immunoglobulin E and specific immunoglobulin G levels. Dietary modification by the pregnant mother with a history of allergy in the family has been shown to have a positive effect with respect to allergy outcome and prevention of atopic disease in the infant. However, this dietary modification has to occur before week 22 of pregnancy and continue until the end of lactation to achieve a beneficial outcome to the infant. The stress of mothers restricting their diets may be disadvantageous to the fetus, and therefore any gain due to the dietary restriction may be lost. Researchers have shown that the early introduction of complementary foods and the greater diversity of these foods appeared to result in an increase in the incidence of atopic disease in the infant. In conclusion, in order to reduce the risk in their babies, mothers with a family history of atopic disease should breast-feed for more than 15 weeks and introduce solid foods after 4 months, limiting the variety until at least 6 months

Prematurity, Immune Function and Infant Feeding Practices

Recently, there has been much interest in the literature in the role of early nutrition and the health of the individual in adulthood. A majority of infants in the UK are born full term, while pretem infants account for 4-6 % of the total births. Milk feeding practices are divided into three groups: breast, combination (breast-fed with formula as ‘top-up’) and bottle (formula). In studies conducted by our group and other researchers immune function in full-term and preterm infants has been assessed by monitoring total and specific immunoglobulin E and specific immunoglobulin G levels. Dietary modification by the pregnant mother with a history of allergy in the family has been shown to have a positive effect with respect to allergy outcome and prevention of atopic disease in the infant. However, this dietary modification has to occur before week 22 of pregnancy and continue until the end of lactation to achieve a beneficial outcome to the infant. The stress of mothers restricting their diets may be disadvantageous to the fetus, and therefore any gain due to the dietary restriction may be lost. Researchers have shown that the early introduction of complementary foods and the greater diversity of these foods appeared to result in an increase in the incidence of atopic disease in the infant. In conclusion, in order to reduce the risk in their babies, mothers with a family history of atopic disease should breast-feed for more than 15 weeks and introduce solid foods after 4 months, limiting the variety until at least 6 months

A single night light exposure acutely alters hormonal and metabolic responses in healthy participants

Many animal studies have reported an association between melatonin suppression and the disturbance of metabolic responses; yet, few human studies have investigated bright light effects on metabolic and hormonal responses at night. This study investigated the impact of light on plasma hormones and metabolites prior to, and after, an evening meal in healthy participants. Seventeen healthy participants, 8 females (22.2 ± 2.59 years, mean ± s.d.) and 9 males (22.8 ± 3.5 years) were randomised to a two-way cross-over design protocol; dim light (DL) (500 lux) sessions, separated by at least seven days. Saliva and plasma samples were collected prior to and after a standard evening meal at specific intervals. Plasma non-esterified fatty acid (NEFA) levels were significantly higher pre-meal in DL compared to BL (P < 0.01). Plasma glucose and insulin levels were significantly greater post-meal in the BL compared to DL session (P = 0.02, P = 0.001), respectively. Salivary melatonin levels were significantly higher in the DL compared to those in BL session (P = 0.005). BL at night was associated with significant increases in plasma glucose and insulin suggestive of glucose intolerance and insulin insensitivity. Raised pre-prandial NEFA levels may be due to changes in insulin sensitivity or the presence of melatonin and/or light at night. Plasma triglyceride (TAG) levels were the same in both sessions. These results may explain some of the health issues reported in shift workers; however, further studies are needed to elucidate the cause of these metabolic changes