Adverse childhood experiences, bullying, inflammation and BMI in 10-year-old children: The biological embodiment

Exposure to adversity during the first years of life might already be biologically embedded well before adult life. Thus, the impact of different stressful experiences needs to be explored. This study aims to examine if the association between being victimized (adverse childhood experiences—ACEs and bullying) and (hs-) C-Reactive Protein (CRP) is explained by the influence of adversity on the body mass index (BMI) of the child. We included children from the Portuguese birth cohort Generation XXI (n = 3712) that at 10 years of age completed a questionnaire on the exposure to ACEs and bullying victimization, assessed by an adaptation from the original ACEs study and an adaptation of The Bully Scale Survey, respectively. Following an overnight fast, a venous blood sample was collected by trained nurses and hs-CRP was assayed in fresh blood samples. Weight and height were measured with the child in underwear and bare feet. Weight was measured to the nearest one-tenth of a kilogram with the use of a digital scale (Tanita), and height was measured to the nearest one-tenth of a centimetre with the use of a wall stadiometer (seca®). BMI was calculated as the value of weight (kg) over squared height (m), and computed as an age- and sex-specific BMI standard deviation (SD) score (z-score), according to the World Health Organization Child Growth Standards (5–19 years). Regression coefficients and respective 95% Confidence Interval [β(95%CI)] were computed using path analysis. We observed that ACEs had a positive total effect on hs-CRP at the age of 10 years (β = 0.06; 95%CI: -0.02; 0.15). A direct effect (β = 0.02; 95%CI: -0.01; 0.06) accounted for 66.1% of the association between ACEs and hs-CRP. A positive total effect of bullying victimization on hs-CRP (β = 0.20; 95%CI: 0.06; 0.34) was observed. A direct effect (β = 0.08; 95%CI: -0.05; 0.21) accounted for 40.0% of the association, while an indirect effect through BMI (β = 0.12; 95%CI: 0.06; 0.18) explained 60.0% of the pathway between bullying victimization and hs-CRP. Results suggest that there might be different mechanisms involved in the biological embedding of childhood experiences. BMI seems to explain a great part of the association between exposure to bullying victimization and hs-CRP at 10 years of age. Further research is still needed to better understand the mechanisms explaining the emergence and persistence of health poorer outcomes later in life for victims of abuse. © 2022 Soares et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.This work was supported by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) through the Operational Programme Competitiveness and Internationalization and national funding from the Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT), Portuguese Ministry of Science, Technology and Higher Education under the projects “BioAdversity: How childhood social adversity shapes health: The biology of social adversity” (POCI-01- 0145-FEDER-016838; PTDC/ DTP-EPI/1687/2014), “HIneC: When do health inequalities start? Understanding the impact of childhood social adversity on health trajectories from birth to early adolescence” (POCI-01-0145-FEDER-029567; PTDC/SAU-PUB/29567/2017). It is also supported by the Unidade de Investigação em Epidemiologia - Instituto de Saúde Pública da Universidade do Porto (EPIUnit) (UIDB/04750/ 2020) and Laboratório para a Investigação Integrativa e Translacional em Saúde Populacional (ITR) (LA/P/0064/2020), Administração Regional de Saúde Norte (Regional Department of Ministry of Health) and Fundação Calouste Gulbenkian; PhD Grant SFRH/BD/108742/2015 (to SS) co-funded by FCT and the Human Capital Operational Programme (POCH/FSE Program); FCT Investigator contracts CEECIND/01516/2017 (to SF) and IF/01060/2015 (to ACS). This study is also a result of the project DOCnet (NORTE-01-0145FEDER-000003), supported by the Norte Portugal Regional Operational Programme (NORTE 2020), under the PORTUGAL 2020 Partnership Agreement. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, publication decision, or manuscript preparation. The authors gratefully acknowledge the families enrolled in Generation XXI for their kindness, all members of the research team for their enthusiasm and perseverance and the participating hospitals and their staff for their help and support

Different levels of cardiometabolic indicators in multiple vs. singleton children

Background We aimed to compare cardiometabolic indicators in singletons and multiples at age 7 and explore the birthweight mediation effect. Methods We studied 5431 singletons and 103 sets of multiples from Generation XXI birth cohort. Anthropometric measurements, body composition, and fasting blood samples were obtained. Age- and sex-specific z-scores were calculated (additionally height-specific for blood pressure). Adjusted regression coefficients and respective 95% confidence intervals [β (95%CI)] were computed using path analysis. Results Multiples had lower weight [− 0.419 (− 0.616;-0.223)], height [− 0.404 (− 0.594;-0.213)], BMI [− 0.470 (− 0.705;-0.234)], fat mass index [− 0.359 (− 0.565;-0.152)], waist circumference [− 0.342 (− 0.537;-0.147)], and waist-to-height ratio [− 0.165 (− 0.326;-0.003)] z-scores. These results were explained by the indirect effect via birthweight, which was also negative and significant for all the aforementioned cardiometabolic indicators, while no direct effect was present. There were also significant indirect effects regarding fat-free mass index, glucose, insulin, and blood pressure, though the total effects were not significant, due to the balance between direct and indirect effects. The only significant direct effect was regarding diastolic blood pressure [− 0.165 (− 0.302;-0.028)]. Conclusions At age 7, multiples presented better cardiometabolic indicators explained by lower weight at birth, except for the lower blood pressure which was independent of an effect via birthweight.Generation XXI was funded by Programa Operacional de Saúde – Saúde XXI, Quadro Comunitário de Apoio III and Administração Regional de Saúde Norte (Regional Department of Ministry of Health); FEDER through the Operational Programme Competitiveness and Internationalization and national funding from the Foundation for Science and Technology – FCT (Portuguese Ministry of Science, Technology and Higher Education) (POCI-01- 0145-FEDER-016837), under the project “PathMOB: Risco cardiometabólico na infância: desde o início da vida ao fim da infância” (Ref. FCT PTDC/DTP-EPI/3306/2014), the Unidade de Investigação em Epidemiologia - Instituto de Saúde Pública da Universidade do Porto (EPIUnit) (POCI-01-0145-FEDER-006862; Ref. UID/DTP/04750/2013), and ACS holds a FCT Investigator contract IF/01060/2015; and by the project DOCnet (NORTE-01-0145-FEDER-000003), supported by Norte Portugal Regional Operational Programme (NORTE 2020), under the PORTUGAL 2020 Partnership Agreement, through the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and by European Commission [project reference FP7-ENV-2013-603946]

Regeneration of the peripheral nerve - Development and evaluation of guide tubes of biodegradable polymer

Damage to peripheral nerve fibers results in axonal loss and demyelination followed by regeneration and remyelination under optimal conditions with the possibility of some functional recovery. The experimental challenge is to accelerate axonal regeneration to promote reinnervation and improve functional recovery after peripheral nerve injury. In the past few decades, different types of biological or artificial guide tubes have been developed to bridge the gap of a sectioned nerve, to limit the fibrosis process and to orient the regenerating fibers towards the distal stump. Chitosan is widely used for biomedical applications, including crosslinked with other materials. In this work, chitosan guide tubes were produced and implanted using the rat sciatic nerve animal model. Functional tests were performed as well as a mechanical and structural characterization of the guide tubes. (c) 2017 IEEE

Food insecurity is associated with an unhealthy lifestyle score in middle- and older-aged adults: findings from the EPIPorto cohort

The association of food insecurity with the combined effect of lifestyles is still limited. This study evaluated the association between food insecurity and a lifestyle score in middle- and older-aged adults. A cross-sectional study (2013-2016) was performed among 595 individuals (>= 50 years) from the EPIPorto cohort (Porto, Portugal). Food security status was assessed using the US Household Food Security Survey Module: Six-Item Short Form. Information on fruit and vegetable consumption (F&V), physical activity (PA) practice, tobacco smoking, and alcohol consumption were included in a lifestyle score. Those with F&V one drink of alcoholic beverages in women, and > two in men were assigned with one point; all the others had nil points. The score could range from 0 to 4, and was further categorised into three categories. Food insecurity was positively associated with an unhealthy lifestyle profile (OR = 2.272; 95%CI:1.079-4.782), independently of the adjustment variables. Analysing each lifestyle component, food insecurity was associated with low PA practice (OR = 2.365; 95%CI:1.020-5.485). Individuals from food insecure households were more likely to have an unhealthy lifestyle profile. Public health strategies should be developed among food insecure individuals to promote healthy lifestyles

Adiposity rebound and cardiometabolic health in childhood: results from the Generation XXI birth cohort

Background: We aimed to evaluate the association of adiposity rebound (AR) timing on cardiometabolic health in childhood. Methods: Participants were part of the Generation XXI birth cohort, enrolled in 2005/2006 in Porto. All measurements of the child's weight and height performed by health professionals as part of routine healthcare were collected. Individual body mass index (BMI) curves were fitted for 3372 children, using mixed-effects models with smooth spline functions for age and random effects. The AR was categorized into very early (<42 months), early (42-59 months), normal (60-83 months) and late (≥84 months). At age 10 years, cardiometabolic traits were assessed and age- and sex-specific z-scores were generated. Adjusted regression coefficients and 95% confidence intervals [β (95% CI)] were computed. Results: The mean age at AR was 61.9 months (standard deviations 15.7). Compared with children with normal AR, children with very early or early AR had higher z-scores for BMI [β = 0.40 (95% CI: 0.28; 0.53); β = 0.21 (95% CI: 0.12; 0.30)], waist circumference [β = 0.33 (95% CI: 0.23; 0.43); β = 0.18 (95% CI: 0.10; 0.25)], waist-height ratio [β = 0.34 (95% CI: 0.24; 0.44); β = 0.14 (95% CI: 0.07; 0.22)], fat mass index [β = 0.24 (95% CI: 0.15; 0.33); β = 0.14 (95% CI: 0.08; 0.21)], fat-free mass index [β = 0.25 (95% CI: 0.14; 0.35); β = 0.11 (95% CI: 0.03; 0.19)], systolic blood pressure [β = 0.10 (95% CI: 0.01; 0.20); β = 0.08 (95% CI: 0.01; 0.15)], insulin [β = 0.16 (95% CI: 0.04; 0.29); β = 0.10 (95% CI: 0.01; 0.19)], HOMA-IR [β = 0.17 (95% CI: 0.04; 0.29); β = 0.10 (95% CI: 0.03; 0.19)] and C-reactive protein [β = 0.14 (95% CI: 0.02; 0.26); β = 0.10 (95% CI: 0.01; 0.19)]. Children with very early AR also had worse levels of diastolic blood pressure [β = 0.09 (95% CI: 0.02; 0.16)], triglycerides [β = 0.21 (95% CI: 0.08; 0.34)] and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol [β=-0.18 (95% CI: -0.31; -0.04)]. When analysed continuously, each additional month of age at the AR was associated with healthier cardiometabolic traits. Conclusion: The earlier the AR, the worse the cardiometabolic health in late childhood, which was consistently shown across a wide range of outcomes and in the categorical and continuous approach.This work was supported by: Programa Operacional de Saúde—Saúde XXI, Quadro Comunitário de Apoio III and Administração Regional de Saúde Norte (Regional Department of Ministry of Health); FEDER through the Operational Programme Competitiveness and Internationalization and national funding from the Foundation for Science and Technology—FCT (Portuguese Ministry of Science, Technology and Higher Education) (POCI-01–0145-FEDER-016837), under the project ‘PathMOB.: Risco cardiometabólico na infância: desde o início da vida ao fim da infância’ (Ref. FCT PTDC/DTP-EPI/3306/2014) and FCT Investigator contract (info:eu-repo/grantAgreement/FCT/Investigador FCT/IF/01060/2015/CP1319/CT0001/PT) to A.C.S.; Unidade de Investigação em Epidemiologia—Instituto de Saúde Pública da Universidade do Porto (EPIUnit) (POCI-01–0145-FEDER-006862; Ref. info:eu-repo/grantAgreement/FCT/6817 - DCRRNI ID/UID/DTP/04750/2013/PT); Norte Portugal Regional Operational Programme (NORTE 2020), under the PORTUGAL 2020 Partnership Agreement, through the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF): Project DOCnet (NORTE-01–0145-FEDER-000003). C.M. was partially financed by Portuguese funds through FCT within the Projects UIDB/00013/2020 and UIDP/00013/2020

Coinfecção por Citomegalovírus e Vírus Herpes Simples: Recorrência em Doente Transplantado Renal

info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

How equal is equality? Discussions about same-sex marriage in Portugal

In Portugal, public and political discussions about same-sex marriage have been going on since the 1990s. In 2010, same-sex marriage was legalized under intense dispute since it excludes same-sex couples from adoption and reproductive rights. During parliamentary debates, political parties and civil organizations linked to the Catholic Church resorted to conflicting ideas of ‘equality’ and ‘difference’ to advance their claims. In this article, we analyse the contents of petitions, bills and parliamentary proceedings concerning the legal recognition of same-sex unions, highlighting the presence of conflicting notions of equality linked to pervasive beliefs about the inadequacy of homo-erotic desire and practices

The influence of item order of the Household Food Security Survey Module on the assessment of food insecurity in households with children

Abstract Objective: Changes in the item order of the US Household Food Security Survey Module (USHFSSM) were performed throughout time. This study aimed to compare the psychometric properties of the general and specific factors of the 2000 and 2012 versions of the USHFSSM to measure the construct of food insecurity in two Portuguese samples of households with children. Design: Cross-sectional. Setting: Portugal. Participants: An adaptation of the 2000 version was applied to 839 adults (from households with children aged 7-17 years) from the National Food, Nutrition and Physical Activity Survey 2015-2016, while the 2012 version was used among 2855 families from the Generation XXI birth cohort. Results: The 2000 version showed to have a stronger ωh than the 2012 version (0·89 v. 0·78 for the general factor), as well as eigenvalues higher than 1 for the general factor (eigenvalues equal to 9·54, 0·97 and 0·80, for the general factor, specific factor 1 and specific factor 2, respectively), while the 2012 version had also the contribution of specific factors to explain food insecurity (eigenvalues equal to 9·40, 2·40 and 1·20, for general factor and specific factors 1 and 2, respectively). Good internal consistency (ωt = 0·99, for both versions) was obtained. Conclusions: In conclusion, the 2000 and 2012 versions of the USHFSSM showed good psychometric properties; however, the 2000 version has stronger general factor, while the 2012 version also has the contribution of specific factors.

Weight following birth and childhood dietary intake: A prospective cohort study

Objectives: Unhealthy childhood dietary habits track through life and are independent and modifiable risk factors for disease. Therefore, it is essential to understand the factors involved. We aimed to evaluate the associations of birthweight (BW) and newborn weight change (NWC) during the first 96 h of life and childhood longitudinal weight trajectories with dietary intake at age 4. Methods: As part of the Generation XXI birth cohort (G21), children were recruited in 2005 and 2006 at all public units providing obstetrical and neonatal care in Porto, Portugal. Information was collected by face-to-face interview and abstracted from clinical records. At age 4, weight measurements recorded from birth to current age were abstracted and weight trajectories estimated. Food frequency questionnaires were applied, and three dietary patterns (DPs) were identified: “Energy-dense food (EDF)+Dairy,” “Lower in Healthy Food,” and “Healthier.” Logistic regression models were used to compute the odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) (OR [95% CI]) in a sample of 775 children. Results: Children with higher BW were less frequently in the “EDF+Dairy” DP (0.94 [0.89–0.98] per 100 g increase in BW). Children with higher NWC had lower odds of eating fruit ≥3/d (0.93 [0.87–0.99] per 1% increase in NWC). Children with higher weight during childhood had higher odds of belonging to the “EDF+Dairy” DP (1.90 [1.04–3.47]) and lower odds of eating vegetable soup ≥2/d (0.56 [0.34–0.91]). Children showing catch-up grow in the first year of life had higher odds of eating dairy products ≥3/d (3.76 [1.31–10.80]). Conclusions: The way that children grow during childhood played a major role on dietary intake at age 4

The association of problematic eating behaviours with food quality and body mass index at 7 years of age

Background/objectives: There is scarce evidence of how certain eating behaviours compromise the compliance with dietary guidelines and weight status in school-aged children. This study aims to evaluate the association of children’s problematic eating behaviours with food quality and body mass index at 7 years of age. Subjects/methods: Participants were children aged 7 years old from a population-based cohort study from Porto, Portugal-Generation XXI. Children’s quantity and speed of ingestion, food refusal at the table and food rewards requesting were evaluated by caregiver’s perception. Food consumption was evaluated by a food frequency questionnaire and compared with age-appropriate guidelines. Children’s weight status was assessed by objective measurements and parent’s perceptions. Associations were estimated by logistic regressions (odds ratio (OR), 95% confidence intervals (95% CI)) adjusted for maternal age, education, smoking during pregnancy, birth type, child’s sex, weight-for-gestational age and sports (n = 3801). Results: Children eating small amounts of food, refusing to eat at the table with the rest of the family during meals and asking for food rewards showed a higher consumption of energy-dense foods (OR = 1.51; 95% CI:1.23–1.86; OR = 1.58; 95% CI:1.16–2.16; OR = 1.56; 95% CI:1.14–2.12) and presented higher odds of consuming fruit and vegetables below recommendations (OR = 1.41; 95% CI:1.22–1.64; OR = 1.20; 95% CI:1.00–1.45; OR = 1.28; 95% CI:1.05–1.55). Children displaying these eating behaviours were less likely to be overweight/obese, hence their parents were less likely to show concern with their weight. Including food quality as covariate in the final models with obesity status did not change the associations. Conclusions: Problematic eating behaviours were associated with poorer food quality (more energy-dense foods and low fruit and vegetables), but food quality does not seem to explain the association with obesity status. Parents were less likely to be concerned about their child’s weight if the child ate slowly or poorly, and accordingly the odds of them being overweight or obese were lower.Generation XXI was funded by the Health Operational Programme—Saúde XXI, Community Support Framework III and the Regional Department of Ministry of Health. This study was supported through FEDER from the Operational Programme Factors of Competitiveness (COMPETE) and through national funding from the Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT; Portuguese Ministry of Education and Science) under the project PTDC/SAU-EPI/121532/2010 (FCOMP-01-0124-FEDER-021177) and through the Investigator Programme (IF/01350/2015–Andreia Oliveira and IF/01060/2015–Ana Cristina Santos). It also had support from the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation