Early postnatal caloric restriction protects adult male intrauterine growth-restricted offspring from obesity.

Postnatal ad libitum caloric intake superimposed on intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) is associated with adult-onset obesity, insulin resistance, and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). We hypothesized that this paradigm of prenatal nutrient deprivation-induced programming can be reversed with the introduction of early postnatal calorie restriction. Ten-month-old male rats exposed to either prenatal nutrient restriction with ad libitum postnatal intake (IUGR), pre- and postnatal nutrient restriction (IPGR), or postnatal nutrient restriction limited to the suckling phase (50% from postnatal [PN]1 to PN21) (PNGR) were compared with age-matched controls (CON). Visceral adiposity, metabolic profile, and insulin sensitivity by hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamps were examined. The 10-month-old male IUGR group had a 1.5- to 2.0-fold increase in subcutaneous and visceral fat (P < 0.0002) while remaining euglycemic, insulin sensitive, inactive, and exhibiting metabolic inflexibility (Vo(2)) versus CON. The IPGR group remained lean, euglycemic, insulin sensitive, and active while maintaining metabolic flexibility. The PNGR group was insulin sensitive, similar to IPGR, but less active while maintaining metabolic flexibility. We conclude that IUGR resulted in obesity without insulin resistance and energy metabolic perturbations prior to development of glucose intolerance and T2DM. Postnatal nutrient restriction superimposed on IUGR was protective, restoring metabolic normalcy to a lean and active phenotype

Social Injustice and Pediatric Health: Pediatric COVID-19 Guidelines are Exacerbating Health Disparities

Fewer cases of COVID-19 and hospitalizations have been reported in children. This has impacted the prioritization of pediatrics in understanding the infection, transmission, and treatment of SARS-CoV-2 in children. Unfortunately, COVID-19 rates are higher among racial and ethnic minoritized children. Simultaneously unfolding during this pandemic is a national outcry to address systemic injustice, including institutional racism in healthcare which are driving these disparities. Aligned with social justice, this paper reflects on how Pediatric COVID-19 guidelines may be exacerbating existing health disparities among racial and ethnic minoritized youth, as well as urges for and provides possible ways to culturally tailor current guidance

(E,E)-2,2′-[1,1′-(Cyclohexane-1,2-diyl­dinitrilo)diethylidyne]diphenol

The title compound, C22H26N2O2, is chiral; the absolute configuration follows from the known chirality of the input reagents. The asymmetric unit contains two crystallographically independent mol­ecules in different orientations. The two mol­ecules are related to each other by a non-crystallographic twofold rotation axis, while each mol­ecule exhibits a further pseudo-twofold axis. Bond distances and angles are similar in the two mol­ecules. Inter­molecular C—H⋯π(ring) inter­actions and intra­molecular O—H⋯N hydrogen bonds are observed in the crystal structure

The Placental Transcriptome in Late Gestational Hypoxia Resulting in Murine Intrauterine Growth Restriction Parallels Increased Risk of Adult Cardiometabolic Disease.

Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) enhances risk for adult onset cardiovascular disease (CVD). The mechanisms underlying IUGR are poorly understood, though inadequate blood flow and oxygen/nutrient provision are considered common endpoints. Based on evidence in humans linking IUGR to adult CVD, we hypothesized that in murine pregnancy, maternal late gestational hypoxia (LG-H) exposure resulting in IUGR would result in (1) placental transcriptome changes linked to risk for later CVD, and 2) adult phenotypes of CVD in the IUGR offspring. After subjecting pregnant mice to hypoxia (10.5% oxygen) from gestational day (GD) 14.5 to 18.5, we undertook RNA sequencing from GD19 placentas. Functional analysis suggested multiple changes in structural and functional genes important for placental health and function, with maximal dysregulation involving vascular and nutrient transport pathways. Concordantly, a ~10% decrease in birthweights and ~30% decrease in litter size was observed, supportive of placental insufficiency. We also found that the LG-H IUGR offspring exhibit increased risk for CVD at 4 months of age, manifesting as hypertension, increased abdominal fat, elevated leptin and total cholesterol concentrations. In summary, this animal model of IUGR links the placental transcriptional response to the stressor of gestational hypoxia to increased risk of developing cardiometabolic disease

The influence of quality of work life, perceived union effectiveness and job security on union commitment among bank employees

This study investigates the influence of quality of work-life, perceived union effectiveness, job security on union commitment among bank employees in Malaysia. This study is motivated by the decline of union density ii worldwide in recent times. Specifically, the objective of the study is to examine the influence of quality of work life, perceived union effectiveness, job security as well as descriptive generational differences and union branch differences on union commitment. To achieve the research objectives, primary data was collected through survey questionnaire which was distributed to all five branches of the National Union ~f Bank Employees (NUBE) in Malaysia. The data were collected from 350 respond end using simple random sampling. The data was analyzed using multiple regression analysis, independent t-test and one-way ANOVA test. The finding of the stuff indicates that quality of work-life, perceived union effectiveness and union brunches had a positive and significant influence on union commitment. On the other hand, job security had shown insignificant influence on union commitment. Thus the representatives or the leaders in NUBE should focus more on the job insecurity of member in banking sector and should not discourage the younger generation to participate in the union activities. Membership declining dilemma can be sort out by giving priorities to important issue such as job security among banking employees

An exploration of the teaching and learning of Information Technology (IT) programming in a higher education institution in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN)

Doctoral Degree. University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban.In this study, classic grounded theory, threshold concepts, self-study and practitioner research capture the processes of Information Technology (IT) academics who teach computer programming to first-year IT students at a university of technology in Kwa-Zulu Natal. The qualitative data analysis revealed the basic pedagogy of teaching and learning computer programming, and described how IT academics perceived their vocation and their decisions to take action to ultimately improve the quality of teaching and learning of IT programming. From the data, the following four themes emerged in the process of teaching and learning computer programming: 1) Teaching IT; 2) Learning IT and its impact; 3) Challenges in teaching IT; 4) Recommendations for teaching IT programming. This study will assist first-year IT programming academics to understand their pedagogical impact at an institution of higher learning. This study will further potentially serve as a path for future research and aid in understanding the pedagogical impact of the teaching and learning of IT on first-year IT students

Neuronal glucose transporter isoform 3 deficient mice demonstrate features of autism spectrum disorders.

Neuronal glucose transporter (GLUT) isoform 3 deficiency in null heterozygous mice led to abnormal spatial learning and working memory but normal acquisition and retrieval during contextual conditioning, abnormal cognitive flexibility with intact gross motor ability, electroencephalographic seizures, perturbed social behavior with reduced vocalization and stereotypies at low frequency. This phenotypic expression is unique as it combines the neurobehavioral with the epileptiform characteristics of autism spectrum disorders. This clinical presentation occurred despite metabolic adaptations consisting of an increase in microvascular/glial GLUT1, neuronal GLUT8 and monocarboxylate transporter isoform 2 concentrations, with minimal to no change in brain glucose uptake but an increase in lactate uptake. Neuron-specific glucose deficiency has a negative impact on neurodevelopment interfering with functional competence. This is the first description of GLUT3 deficiency that forms a possible novel genetic mechanism for pervasive developmental disorders, such as the neuropsychiatric autism spectrum disorders, requiring further investigation in humans

INFLUENCE OF QUALITY OF WORK LIFE, PERCEIVED UNION EFFECTIVENESS AND JOB SECURITY ON UNION COMMITMENT AMONG BANK EMPLOYEES

This study investigates the relationship between quality of work-life, perceived union effectiveness and job security with union commitment among bank employees in Malaysia. This study is motivated by the decline of union density worldwide in recent times. Indeed, the National Union of Bank Employees (NUBE) has experienced a huge decline of membership, which may weaken and challenge the union to perform efficiently. Hence, this study examined the influence of quality of work-life, perceived union effectiveness and job security on union commitment. Survey questionnaires were distributed using simple random sampling to all five branches of the NUBE in Malaysia. The primary data were collected from 350 respondents and analyzed using correlation and multiple regression analysis. The findings of the study indicated that quality of work-life and perceived union effectiveness have positive and significant influences on union commitment. On the other hand, job security showed no significant influence on union commitment. Thus, representatives or the leaders in NUBE should focus more on the job insecurity of member in banking sector and should encourage the younger generation to participate in the union activities. Membership declining dilemma can be resolved by giving priorities to important issue such as job security among banking employees.

Intra-uterine Growth Restriction Downregulates the Hepatic Toll Like Receptor-4 Expression and Function

Maternal starvation is a significant cause of intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) in the world and increases the risk of infection in the neonate. We examined the effect of maternal starvation on Toll like receptor (TLR)4 expression in hepatic, splenic and intestinal tissues obtained from the adult IUGR offspring of prenatal calorie restricted rats. The hepatic TLR4 protein concentration was undetectable in the IUGR rats that had restricted milk intake during the suckling period (SM/SP; n = 4, p < 0.05) as compared to the normal growth controls (CM/CP; n=4), and access to ad lib milk intake during the sucking period partially corrected the hepatic TLR4 expression (SM/CP; n = 4). IUGR had no effect on the splenic (n = 4) or intestinal (n = 4) TLR4 mRNA levels. In the liver, IUGR led to a 20% increase in baseline tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α mRNA expression ( p < 0.03) and a 70% increase in interleukin-1β (IL-1β) mRNA expression ( p < 0.008) as compared to the control rats (CM/CP; n = 7). LPS-induced hepatic TNF-α release was significantly higher in SM/SP as compared to CM/CP. We propose that IUGR dysregulates TLR4 expression and function in the offspring, which may help explain the increased risk of Gram-negative sepsis and inflammatory diseases in this population