A social contagious model of the obesity epidemic

Alcohol consumption as a socially contagious phenomenon in the Framingham Heart Study social network

We use longitudinal social network data from the Framingham Heart Study to examine the extent to which alcohol consumption is influenced by the network structure. We assess the spread of alcohol use in a three-state SIS-type model, classifying individuals as abstainers, moderate drinkers, and heavy drinkers. We find that the use of three-states improves on the more canonical two-state classification, as the data show that all three states are highly stable and have different social dynamics. We show that when modelling the spread of alcohol use, it is important to model the topology of social interactions by incorporating the network structure. The population is not homogeneously mixed, and clustering is high with abstainers and heavy drinkers. We find that both abstainers and heavy drinkers have a strong influence on their social environment; for every heavy drinker and abstainer connection, the probability of a moderate drinker adopting their drinking behaviour increases by [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text], respectively. We also find that abstinent connections have a significant positive effect on heavy drinkers quitting drinking. Using simulations, we find that while both are effective, increasing the influence of abstainers appears to be the more effective intervention compared to reducing the influence of heavy drinkers.

The risk prediction of intergenerational transmission of overweight and obesity between mothers and infants during pregnancy

BACKGROUND

Overweight and obesity in mothers before pregnancy lead to overweight and obesity in their offspring, which is the main form of intergenerational transmission of overweight and obesity in early life. Many factors, especially non-genetic factors, may influence intergenerational transmission, but little prediction research has been conducted. Therefore, we analyzed the status of intergenerational transmission in maternal and infant overweight and obesity. Second, we explored the factors during the pregnancy that might affect the the intergenerational transmission; According to the two application scenarios of pregnancy screen and self-management, risk prediction models for pregnant women were carried out.

METHODS

Based on a prospective birth cohort, a total of 908 mothers and offspring were followed up during early life. Follow-up visits were performed at the first trimester, second trimester, third trimester, delivery, 42 days after delivery, and 6 months and 12 months of age. The investigation methods included questionnaire survey, physical examination, biological sample collection and clinical data collection. In terms of risk prediction, univariate analysis was used to screen candidate predictors. Second, multivariable Cox proportional hazard regression models were used to determine the final selected predictors. Third, the corresponding histogram models were drawn, and then the 10-fold cross-validation methods were used for internal verification.

RESULTS

Regarding intergenerational transmission of overweight and obesity between mothers and infants during pregnancy, the risk prediction model for pregnancy screen was constructed. The model established: h(t|X) = h0(t)exp.(- 0.95 × (Bachelor Degree or above) + 0.75 × (Fasting blood glucose in the second trimester) + 0.89 × (Blood pressure in the third trimester) + 0.80 × (Cholesterol in third trimester) + 0.55 × (Abdominal circumference in third trimester))., with good discrimination (AUC = 0.82) and calibration (Hosmer-Lemeshow2 = 4.17). The risk prediction model for self-management was constructed. The model established: h(t|X) = h0(t)exp. (0.98 × (Sedentary >18METs) + 0.88 × (Sleep index≥8) + 0.81 × (Unhealthy eating patterns Q3/Q4) + 0.90 × (Unhealthy eating patterns Q4/Q4) + 0.85 × (Depression)), with good discrimination (AUC = 0.75) and calibration (Hosmer-Lemeshow2 = 3.81).

CONCLUSIONS

The risk predictions of intergenerational transmission of overweight and obesity between mothers and infants were performed for two populations and two application scenarios (pregnancy screening and home self-management). Further research needs to focus on infants and long-term risk prediction models.

Endoscopic Administration of Combined Autologous Mesenchymal Stem Cells and Platelet-Rich Plasma for the Treatment of Gastric Staple Line Leaks After Sleeve Gastrectomy

BACKGROUND

Gastric staple line leak treatment after laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) remains challenging. Regenerative medicine is gaining place in the accelerated treatment of damaged tissues. This study presents the first series of gastric leak treatment after LSG using endoscopic intragastric administration of combined autologous mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) and platelet-rich plasma (PRP).

METHODS

MSC-PRP harvesting and endoscopic administration techniques are described in detail. Data were prospectively gathered and analyzed. Primary endpoints were morbidity/mortality rates and fistula closure time.

RESULTS

Twelve patients (9 women, 3 men) were included. Median age was 41.5 years, median weight 105.5 kg and median BMI 38.9 kg/m2. Median time to gastric staple line leak detection was 10 days post-LSG. Median time between re-laparoscopy and MSC-PRP administration was 5 days. MSC-PRP endoscopic administration was successfully performed and tolerated by all patients, with median procedure duration of 27 min and minimal blood loss. Four postoperative complications were noted: two patients with increased tibial pain at tibial puncture site, one with tibial hematoma, and one with epigastric pain/dysphagia. Median length of hospital stay was 1 day. Gastric leak healing occurred after a median of 14 days, only two patients requiring a second MSC-PRP endoscopic injection. Median follow-up was 19 months, all patients being in good health at last contact.

CONCLUSION

Endoscopic administration of combined autologous MSC-PRP seems to be a good option for treatment of gastric leaks after sleeve gastrectomy. It is a challenging procedure that should be performed in specialized bariatric centers by expert bariatric surgeons and endoscopists after meticulous patient selection.

Changes in gut microbiota and cytokines following laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy are associated with cognitive function improvement

Purpose

Variations of cytokines and gut microbiota diversity with improved cognitive function in patients with obesity following bariatric surgery were poorly understood. The aim of this study was to testify the relationship among gut microbiota, cytokines and cognitive function in patients with obesity before and after laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG).

Methods

Forty patients were enrolled in this study. Demographics, and serum and stool specimens were collected from all patients before and 3 months after LSG. The Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) scale, as well as assessment of immediate and delayed memory were used to evaluate self-perceived cognitive improvement after LSG.

Results

LSG resulted in significant weight loss and improvement in cognitive functions, as measured by questionnaires. Bariatric surgery tended to increase gut microbiota relative abundance and diversity. The intestinal flora increased in the proportion of Bacteroidetes and Fusobacteria phyla, and decreased in the proportion of Firmicutes, Proteobacteria, and Actinobacteria phyla after LSG. Plasma IL-1β and TNF-α levels were significantly decreased following LSG, while IL-4 was significantly increased. MoCA test scores were significant correlated with IL-4, TNF-α and IL-1β. In addition, Firmicutes had a positive correlation with TNF-α, while Fuscobacteria had a negative correlation with IL-1β. Bacteroidetes was negatively correlated with IL-4.

Conclusion

Changes in gut microbiota were positive relationship with cognitive function improvement following LSG. Inflammation cytokines maybe played as a mediator between gut microbiota and cognitive function through gut-microbiota-brain axis.

360-Degree Perspectives on Obesity

Alarming statistics show that the number of people affected by excessive weight has surpassed 2 billion, representing approximately 30% of the world's population. The aim of this review is to provide a comprehensive overview of one of the most serious public health problems, considering that obesity requires an integrative approach that takes into account its complex etiology, including genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors. Only an understanding of the connections between the many contributors to obesity and the synergy between treatment interventions can ensure satisfactory outcomes in reducing obesity. Mechanisms such as oxidative stress, chronic inflammation, and dysbiosis play a crucial role in the pathogenesis of obesity and its associated complications. Compounding factors such as the deleterious effects of stress, the novel challenge posed by the obesogenic digital (food) environment, and the stigma associated with obesity should not be overlooked. Preclinical research in animal models has been instrumental in elucidating these mechanisms, and translation into clinical practice has provided promising therapeutic options, including epigenetic approaches, pharmacotherapy, and bariatric surgery. However, more studies are necessary to discover new compounds that target key metabolic pathways, innovative ways to deliver the drugs, the optimal combinations of lifestyle interventions with allopathic treatments, and, last but not least, emerging biological markers for effective monitoring. With each passing day, the obesity crisis tightens its grip, threatening not only individual lives but also burdening healthcare systems and societies at large. It is high time we took action as we confront the urgent imperative to address this escalating global health challenge head-on.

Associations between sleep characteristics, chronotype and body mass index among Chinese college freshmen

Research indicates that sleep problem is a behavioral risk factor of obesity. However, few research have applied a multi-dimensional approach to investigate the relationship between sleep health and adiposity. Therefore, the current study aimed to examine the associations of sleep characteristics (duration, quality) and chronotype with overweight/obesity as measured by body mass index. Data were obtained from 2014 college students from the Dali University in the Yunnan province of China in the year 2021. Sleep characteristics and chronotype were measured using self-reported questionnaires. The presence of overweight/obesity was assessed by anthropometric measurements. Multiple logistic regression models and restricted cubic spline hazard models were established to examine associations between sleep characteristics, chronotype and adiposity. After adjusting for demographic characteristics and other obesity-related behavioral risk factors, evening type was positively associated with overweight/obesity, and an L-shaped dose-effect relationship was observed between chronotype scores and the presence of overweight/obesity. However, sleep duration and quality were not associated with the presence of overweight/obesity in the logistic regression models and restrictive cubic splines models. This study indicated that Chinese college students who had the evening chronotype were more likely to be affected by overweight/obesity. Chronotype as an important dimension of sleep health should be incorporated in obesity intervention programs.

LncRNA HEM2ATM improves obesity-associated adipose tissues meta-inflammation and insulin resistance by interacting with heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein U

Obesity is a complicated metabolic disease characterized by meta-inflammation in adipose tissues. In this study, we explored the roles of a new long non-coding RNA (lncRNA), HEM2ATM, which is highly expressed in adipose tissue M2 macrophages, in modulating obesity-associated meta-inflammation and insulin resistance. HEM2ATM expression decreased significantly in adipose tissue macrophages (ATMs) obtained from epididymal adipose tissues of high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obese mice. Overexpression of macrophage HEM2ATM improved meta-inflammation and insulin resistance in the adipose tissues of HFD-fed mice. Functionally, HEM2ATM negatively regulated the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) in macrophages. Mechanistically, HEM2ATM bound to heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein U (hnRNP U), suppressed hnRNP U translocation from the nucleus to the cytoplasm, hindered the function of cytoplasmic hnRNP U on TNF-α and IL-6 mRNA stabilization, and decreased the secretion of TNF-α and IL-6. Collectively, HEM2ATM is a novel suppressor of obesity-associated meta-inflammation and insulin resistance.

Anti-Obesity Effect of Chitoglucan in High-Fat-Induced Obesity Mice

BACKGROUND

Chitoglucan (CG) is a bioactive component obtained from Flammulina velutipes Sing, an edible mushroom, which is known to have an anti-obesity effect. However, its biological and hormonal activities in alleviating obesity through regulation of adipocyte-derived proteins have not been examined yet.

PURPOSE

The present study aimed to investigate the anti-obesity effects of chitoglucan and its hormonal mechanisms in high-fat diet (HFD)-induced mice.

METHODS

The mice were fed either a normal diet (Normal group) or a high fat diet (HFD group) over 6 weeks. The HFD fed mice were administered with saline (HFD group), adipex (HFD + adipex group), chitoglucan 50, 150, or 300 mg/kg/day for 3 weeks (HFD + CG groups). The food consumption, body weight, fat contents, and the levels of serum leptin and resistin were assessed after treatment of chitoglucan.

RESULTS

the HFD produced a marked increase in body and fat weights after 6 weeks of feeding compared with the Normal group. Administration of chitoglucan for 3 weeks tended to reduce body weight and significantly decreased parametrical adipose tissues in HFD groups. The level of serum leptin in the HFD group was markedly higher than that in the Normal group, whereas the level of leptin in the chitoglucan treated groups was significantly decreased in comparison with the HFD group. In addition, the level of serum resistin in high-fat diet group tended to be more increased than Normal group. However, the serum resistin level was significantly reduced in HF diet groups after treatment with chitoglucan (50 mg/kg or 150 mg/kg).

CONCLUSION

Collectively, these data suggest that chitoglucan from the Flammulina velutipes may be useful in the treatment of high diet-induced obesity and metabolic syndrome.

Perceived urban environment attributes and obesity indices in adults: an 8-Nation study from Latin America

This study examines the associations between perceived urban environment attributes and obesity indices by country using data from an eight-nation study from Latin America. The data were collected from 8185 adults. The Neighbourhood Environment Walkability-abbreviated scale was used to assess perceived urban environment attributes. Obesity indices considered were body mass index, waist circumference, neck circumference, a body shape index and waist-to-height ratio. The perception of a more and better land use mix-diversity (β - 0.44; 95% CI - 0.59, - 0.28), traffic safety (- 0.39; - 0.66, - 0.12), and safety from crime (- 0.36; - 0.57, - 0.15) was associated with lower body mass index across the entire sample. Land use mix-diversity (- 1.21; - 1.60, - 0.82), street connectivity (- 0.26; - 0.37, - 0.15), and traffic safety (- 0.79; - 1.47, - 0.12) were negatively associated with waist circumference. Land use mix-diversity (- 0.11; - 0.20, - 0.03), land use mix-access (- 0.23; - 0.34, 0.12), walking/cycling facilities (- 0.22; - 0.37, - 0.08), and safety from crime (- 0.27; - 0.42, - 0.12) were negatively associated with neck circumference. No associations between perceived urban environment attributes and a body shape index were found. Land use mix-diversity (- 0.01; - 0.02, - 0.01), aesthetics (- 0.02; - 0.03, - 0.01), and safety from crime (- 0.02; - 0.04, - 0.01) were associated with waist-to-height ratio. Environmental interventions involving urban environment attributes are associated with obesity indices and, therefore, may help decrease the prevalence of overweight and obesity.

Carbon Source Influences Antioxidant, Antiglycemic, and Antilipidemic Activities of Haloferax mediterranei Carotenoid Extracts

Haloarchaeal carotenoids have attracted attention lately due to their potential antioxidant activity. This work studies the effect of different concentrations of carbon sources on cell growth and carotenoid production. Carotenoid extract composition was characterized by HPLC-MS. Antioxidant activity of carotenoid extracts obtained from cell cultures grown under different nutritional conditions was determined by 2,2'-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) and 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), Ferric Reducing Ability Power (FRAP) and β-carotene bleaching assays. The ability of these carotenoid extracts to inhibit α-glucosidase, α-amylase, and lipase enzymes was also assessed to determine if they could be used to reduce blood glucose and lipid absorption. The maximum production of carotenoids (92.2 µg/mL) was observed combining 12.5% inorganic salts and 2.5% of glucose/starch. Antioxidant, hypoglycemic, and antilipidemic studies showed that higher carbon availability in the culture media leads to changes in the extract composition, resulting in more active haloarchaeal carotenoid extracts. Carotenoid extracts obtained from high-carbon-availability cell cultures presented higher proportions of all-trans-bacterioruberin, 5-cis-bacterioruberin, and a double isomeric bacterioruberin, whereas the presence 9-cis-bacterioruberin and 13-cis-bacterioruberin decreased. The production of haloarchaeal carotenoids can be successfully optimized by changing nutritional conditions. Furthermore, carotenoid composition can be altered by modifying carbon source concentration. These natural compounds are very promising in food and nutraceutical industries.

Reliability and validity of the Japanese version of the weight bias internalization scale

Objective

The weight bias internalization scale (WBIS) is widely used in several languages. However, there is no Japanese version of the WBIS. The purpose of this study is to develop a Japanese version of the WBIS and to verify its reliability and validity. We translated the original version of the WBIS and had approval from the scale developer. Adults who perceived themselves to be obese completed online baseline survey (N = 285) and two-week follow-up survey (N = 100). We used the Japanese WBIS and scales for obesity-related quality of life, self-esteem, self-efficacy, and depression. We calculated Cronbach’s alpha and intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC) to assess reliability of the WBIS and conducted confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and correlation analysis to assess its validity.

Results

Cronbach’s alpha was 0.91 at baseline and 0.92 at follow-up, and the ICC was 0.87. CFA showed that a one-factor model demonstrated an acceptable fit (χ2 (44) = 158.6, CFI = 0.93, RMSEA = 0.096, SRMR = 0.051), similar to the original version. As we had hypothesized, overall, the Japanese version of the WBIS was significantly correlated with obesity-related quality of life, self-esteem, self-efficacy, and depression. These results confirmed its adequate reliability and validity.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13104-022-06221-x.

Inflammasome-Mediated Cytokines: A Key Connection between Obesity-Associated NASH and Liver Cancer Progression

Liver cancer is one of the most lethal malignancies and is commonly diagnosed as hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), a tumor type that affects about 90% of patients. Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and obesity are both risk factors for this disease. HCC initiation and progression are deeply linked with changes in the hepatic microenvironment, with cytokines playing key roles. The understanding of the pathogenic pathways that connect these disorders to liver cancer remains poor. However, the inflammasome-mediated cytokines associated with both diseases are central actors in liver cancer progression. The release of the pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-1β and IL-18 during inflammasome activation leads to several detrimental effects on the liver microenvironment. Considering the critical crosstalk between obesity, NASH, and HCC, this review will present the connections of IL-1β and IL-18 from obesity-associated NASH with HCC and will discuss approaches to using these cytokines as therapeutic targets against HCC.

Overexpression of G protein-coupled receptor 40 protects obesity-induced cardiomyopathy through the SIRT1/LKB1/AMPK pathway

Obesity has become a serious global public health problem, and cardiomyopathy caused by obesity has been paid more and more attention in recent years. As an important protein involved in glucose and lipid metabolism, G protein-coupled receptor 40 (GPR40) exerts cardioprotective effects in some disease models. The aim of this study was to explore whether GPR40 plays a protective role in obesity-induced cardiomyopathy. We established an obesity model by feeding rats with a high-fat diet, and H9c2 cells were stimulated with palmitic acid to mimic high-fat stimulation. Overexpression of GPR40 was achieved by infection with lentivirus or cDNA plasmids. Obesity-induced cardiac injury models exhibit cardiac dysfunction, myocardial hypertrophy and collagen accumulation, accompanied by increased inflammation, oxidative stress and apoptosis. However, GPR40 overexpression attenuated these alterations. Its anti-inflammatory effect may be through inhibiting the nuclear factor-κB pathway, and the anti-oxidative stress may be through activating the nuclear transcription factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 pathway. For the mechanism of GPR40 against obese cardiomyopathy, GPR40 overexpression not only activated the sirtuin 1 (SIRT1)- liver kinase B1 (LKB1)- AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) pathway, but also enhanced the binding of SIRT1 to LKB1. The anti-fibrotic, anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidative stress and anti-apoptotic effects of GPR40 overexpression were inhibited by SIRT1 small interfering RNA. In conclusion, GPR40 overexpression protects against obesity-induced cardiac injury in rats, possibly through the SIRT1- LKB1- AMPK pathway.

Serum Levels of Free Fatty Acids in Obese Mice and Their Associations with Routine Lipid Profiles

PURPOSE

To investigate serum levels of free fatty acids (FFAs) and their associations with routine serum lipids in diet-induced obese mice, which have been scantily reported before.

METHODS

Male C57BL/6 J mice were fed high-fat diets for 12 weeks to induce obesity. Levels of serum FFAs were measured by ultra-performance liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization-tandem mass spectrometry.

RESULTS

Obese mice had higher serum levels of total cholesterol (TC), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), but lower triglycerides (TG) than control mice. A total of 30 FFAs were found, and 3 saturated fatty acids (SFAs), all 8 monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs) and 7 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) decreased in obese mice, but one SFA (C4:0) increased. Differences in the relative levels of individual FFAs to total FFAs, SFAs, MUFAs or PUFAs between obese and control mice were different from each other and from those evaluated by concrete levels except C4:0, C16:1, C19:1 and C18:4. Only the concrete levels of C4:0, C22:3 and C18:4 were associated with routine serum lipids, including C22:3 negatively with TG in control mice, and C4:0 and C18:4 positively with LDL-C in obese mice, although the relative levels of C4:0 to total MUFAs negatively with TC, and C23:3 to total SFAs or MUFAs negatively with TG in control mice. Different relative levels of the remaining FFAs were differently associated with different routine serum lipids in obese and/or control mice.

CONCLUSION

Obesity may influence serum FFAs profiles. The relationship of individual FFAs and their relative levels to other FFAs with routine serum lipids in obese and control mice suggests that individual FFAs may interact with others and obesity on levels of routine serum lipids. Once confirmed, the interactions may be novel perspectives when fatty acids are used to improve hyperlipidemia in the subjects with obesity.

Hashtag bone: detrimental effects on bone contrast with metabolic benefits one and five years after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass

Bone loss is a potential adverse consequence of rapid and sustained weight loss after bariatric surgery. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the bone mass, body fat distribution, and metabolic parameters in women submitted to Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB). The study included the following three groups: one group of lean women (control [C] group) and two groups of obese women, one evaluated one year (B1) and the other five years (B5) after RYGB. Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry and magnetic resonance imaging were used to determine bone mineral density (BMD; lumbar spine, total hip, and femoral neck) and abdominal fat content (subcutaneous [SAT] and visceral [VAT] adipose tissues, and intrahepatic lipids [IHL]). The BMD/body mass index ratio was lower in the B5 compared with the C group at all sites. Serum C-terminal telopeptide of type I collagen (CTX) levels were higher in the B1 and B5 groups compared with the C group. Individuals submitted to RYGB showed greater SAT but similar VAT and IHL values compared with those in the C group. However, the B5 group had higher mean parathyroid hormone levels compared with the other two groups. Individuals submitted to RYGB presented increased levels of CTX and low BMD for body weight than those in the C group, suggesting that bone catabolism is a persistent alteration associated with RYGB. In conclusion, the long-lasting metabolic benefits obtained with RYGB in obesity are counterbalanced by a persistent catabolic effect of the procedure on bone and mineral metabolism.

Obesity Inhibits Angiogenesis Through TWIST1-SLIT2 Signaling

Angiogenesis is required for functional adipose tissue maintenance, remodeling, and expansion. Physiologically balanced adipogenesis and angiogenesis are inhibited in subcutaneous adipose tissue in obese humans. However, the mechanism by which angiogenesis is inhibited in obese adipose tissue is not fully understood. Transcription factor TWIST1 controls angiogenesis and vascular function. TWIST1 expression is lower in obese human adipose tissues. Here, we have demonstrated that angiogenesis is inhibited in endothelial cells (ECs) isolated from adipose tissues of obese humans through TWIST1-SLIT2 signaling. The levels of TWIST1 and SLIT2 are lower in ECs isolated from obese human adipose tissues compared to those from lean tissues. Knockdown of TWIST1 in lean human adipose ECs decreases, while overexpression of TWIST1 in obese adipose ECs restores SLIT2 expression. DNA synthesis and cell migration are inhibited in obese adipose ECs and the effects are restored by TWIST1 overexpression. Obese adipose ECs also inhibit blood vessel formation in the gel subcutaneously implanted in mice, while these effects are restored when gels are mixed with SLIT2 or supplemented with ECs overexpressing TWIST1. These findings suggest that obesity impairs adipose tissue angiogenesis through TWIST1-SLIT2 signaling.

Personalized diet study of dietary advanced glycation end products (AGEs) and fatty acid desaturase 2 (FADS2) genotypes in obesity

Obesity prevalence have tripled in the past decades. It is logical to consider new approaches to halt its prevalence. In this concept, considering the effect of interaction between fatty acid desaturase 2 (FADS₂) gene variants and dietary advanced glycation end products (AGEs) on obesity-related characteristics seems to be challenging. The present cross-sectional study conducted among 347 obese individuals. A validated semi-quantitative 147-item food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) was used to estimate dietary intakes and American multiethnic database was used to calculate AGEs content of food items which were not available in Iranian Food Composition Table (FCT). FADS₂ gene variants were determined according to Polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP). Analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) was used to evaluate the modifier effect of FADS₂ gene-dietary AGEs on biochemical values. Based on our findings, no significant differences was reported in term of biochemical variables between AGEs tertiles. In contrast, percent of macronutrients (carbohydrate, protein and fat) of total calorie intake, amount of daily intake of fiber and meat groups showed a significant differences among AGEs tertiles. Furthermore, statistical assays clarified the modifier effects of FADS₂ gene-AGEs on weight (P_interaction = 0.04), fat mass (P_interaction = 0.03), waist circumference (P_interaction = 0.008) and cholesterol (P_interaction = 0.04) level. Accordingly, higher consumption of protein or fat based foods constitute high amount of AGEs and heterozygote genotype for FADS₂ tended to show lower level of AGEs content. These findings address further investigation to develop new approaches for nutritional interventions.

Accounting for the spread of vaccination behavior to optimize influenza vaccination programs

Vaccination is the most efficient means of preventing influenza infection and its complications. While previous studies have considered the externalities of vaccination that arise from indirect protection against influenza infection, they have often neglected another key factor-the spread of vaccination behavior among social contacts. We modeled influenza vaccination as a socially contagious process. Our model uses a contact network that we developed based on aggregated and anonymized mobility data from the cellphone devices of ~1.8 million users in Israel. We calibrated the model to high-quality longitudinal data of weekly influenza vaccination uptake and influenza diagnoses over seven years. We demonstrate how a simple coupled-transmission model accurately captures the spatiotemporal patterns of both influenza vaccination uptake and influenza incidence. Taking the identified complex underlying dynamics of these two processes into account, our model determined the optimal timing of influenza vaccination programs. Our simulation shows that in regions where high vaccination coverage is anticipated, vaccination uptake would be more rapid. Thus, our model suggests that vaccination programs should be initiated later in the season, to mitigate the effect of waning immunity from the vaccine. Our simulations further show that optimally timed vaccination programs can substantially reduce disease transmission without increasing vaccination uptake.

Immune Responses to SARS-CoV2 Mirror Societal Responses to COVID-19: Identifying Factors Underlying a Successful Viral Response

Simple Summary

The immune system was sculpted in numerous evolutionary battles to protect individuals, societies, and species from novel pathogens. During that time, it had developed highly effective strategies to cope with novel pathogenic challenges and retain immune “memory” following pathogen clearance. We found surprising parallels between person-level immune responses to the virus causing COVID-19 and the society-level responses to the COVID-19 pandemic. Similarly, the events which lead to a life-endangering immune cytokine storm, parallel those leading to a devastating socioeconomic crisis we termed a “social cytokine storm”. This new understanding may help explain why COVID-19, caused by a virus with no “exceptional” epidemiological capabilities, had inflicted such profound social and global toll. Understanding the set of events leading to an immunological and societal cytokine storms may aid scientists and policymakers to adopt more effective strategies that could reduce future disease morbidity and mortality, avert avoidable social cytokine storms, and minimize the socioeconomic toll.

Abstract

The adaptive immune system was sculpted to protect individuals, societies, and species since its inception, developing effective strategies to cope with emerging pathogens. Here, we show that similar successful or failed dynamics govern personal and societal responses to a pathogen as SARS-CoV2. Understanding the self-similarity between the health-protective measures taken to protect the individual or the society, help identify critical factors underlying the effectiveness of societal response to a pathogenic challenge. These include (1) the quick employment of adaptive-like, pathogen-specific strategies to cope with the threat including the development of “memory-like responses”; (2) enabling productive coaction and interaction within the society by employing effective decision-making processes; and (3) the quick inhibition of positive feedback loops generated by hazardous or false information. Learning from adaptive anti-pathogen immune responses, policymakers and scientists could reduce the direct damages associated with COVID-19 and avert an avoidable “social cytokine storm” with its ensuing socioeconomic damage.

Risk Factors of Metabolic Syndrome among Polish Nurses

The metabolic syndrome, also known as syndrome X or the insulin resistance, is defined by the World Health Organization as a pathologic condition characterized by abdominal obesity, insulin resistance, hypertension, and hyperlipidemia. Both all over the world and in Poland, there is a shortage of nurses; most of those employed are in the pre-retirement age. However, the requirements in this profession and the patient’s right to care at the highest level remain unchanged and do not take into account the poor condition or age of working nurses, so special attention should be paid to the state of health in this professional group. There is an emphasis on the importance of the adopted attitude toward health and the resulting behaviors, such as regular weight control, following dietary recommendations, regular physical activity and participation in preventive examinations. The aim of the study was to assess the frequency of the occurrence of the metabolic syndrome, its individual components and determining the factors influencing its development in Polish nurses. The research conducted among the nurses in question included DXA (Dual Energy X-ray Absorptiometry) measurements, assessment of glucose concentration, lipid profile, blood pressure and a questionnaire survey. Almost half of the surveyed nurses have metabolic syndrome, which significantly increases the risk of developing cardiovascular diseases or diabetes. After multivariate analysis, it was found that being overweight and obesity were significant factors influenced the MS (metabolic syndrome) occurrence among Polish nurses. Being overweight increases the chances of MS occurrence 8.58 times in relation to BMI (Body Mass Index) <25, obesity increases the chances of MS occurrence 8.085 times in relation to BMI <25, and obesity class II/III increases the chances of MS occurrence 16.505 times in relation to BMI <25. Preventive and supportive measures for this professional group are needed.

Studying the pharmacogenomic effect of cranberry extract on reducing body weight using collaborative cross mice

The non-dialyzable material (NDM) of polyphenol-rich cranberry extract (CRE) powder (NDM-CRE) was studied for its effect of inducing body weight (BW) loss in 13 different mouse lines with well-defined genetically diverse backgrounds, named the collaborative cross (CC). From the age of 8 weeks, the mice were maintained on a high-fat diet (HFD) for 18 weeks, to induce obesity, and BW was measured biweekly. From week 12, CRE was injected intraperitoneally (IP) (50 mg kg^-1) 3 times a week per mouse for a 6 week period. Statistical analysis results have shown a significant increase in body weight between week 0 and week 12; the increase in BW of 13 lines of mice on HFD was in the range of 10.41% to 68.65% for males and 9.78% to 64.74% for females. After injecting NDM-CRE extract, our analysis has shown an induced change in BW between week 12 and week 18. In males, NDM-CRE caused a significant decrease in BW of 5 out of the 13 lines in the range of -5.68% to -16.69% and a significant increase of 8.31% in BW of one male line, whereas in seven lines there was no significant decrease (-2.14% to -4.09%). In females, NDM-CRE caused a significant decrease in BW of 5 out of the 13 lines in the range of -3.90% to -11.83%, whereas in eight lines there were no significant changes in BW and it ranged between -1.50% and 4.90%. The broad-sense heritability (H²) and genetic coefficient of variation (CV_g) were estimated and found to be between 0.71 and 0.81 for H², and 0.18 and 0.24 for CV_g of females and males, respectively, with respect to the efficacy of NDM-CRE on body weight reduction. Our results have shown that hosts with different genetic backgrounds respond differently to body weight increase, as well as to NDM-CRE treatment for body weight reduction. These results provide a platform for assessing more CC lines and mapping genes underlying the efficacy of the NDM-CRE treatment as a way of understanding pharmacogenomics.

The Dynamical Interplay of Collective Attention, Awareness and Epidemics Spreading in the Multiplex Social Networks During COVID-19

Leveraging social and communication technologies, we can digitally observe that the collective attention typically exhibits a heterogeneous structure. It shows that people's interests are organized in clusters around different topics, but the rising of an extraordinary emergency event, as the coronavirus disease epidemics, channels the people's attention into a more homogenized structure, shifting it as triggered by a non-random collective process. The connectedness of networked individuals, on multiple social levels, impacts on the attention, representing a tuning element of different behavioural outcomes, changing the awareness diffusion enough to produce effects on epidemics spreading. We propose a mathematical framework to model the interplay between the collective attention and the co-evolving processes of awareness diffusion, modelled as a social contagion phenomenon, and epidemic spreading on weighted multiplex networks. Our proposed modeling approach structures a systematically understanding as a social network marker of interdependent collective dynamics through the introduction of the multiplex dimension of both networked individuals and topics, quantifying the role of human-related factors, as homophily, network properties, and heterogeneity. We introduce a data-driven approach by integrating different types of data, digitally traced as user-generated data from Twitter and Google Trends, in response to an extraordinary emergency event as coronavirus disease. Our findings demonstrate how the proposed model allows us to quantify the reaction of the collective attention, proving that it can represent a social predictive marker of the awareness dynamics, unveiling the impact on epidemic spreading, for a timely crisis response planning. Simulations results shed light on the coherence between the data-driven approach and the proposed analytical model.

The Effect of Physical Activity and High Body Mass Index on Health-Related Quality of Life in Individuals with Metabolic Syndrome

The main objective of this study was to examine the relationship between the level of physical activity (PA) and the degree of obesity with health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in individuals with metabolic syndrome (MetS) who participated in the Predimed-Plus study. A total of 6875 subjects between 55 and 75 years of age with MetS were selected and randomized in 23 Spanish centers. Subjects were classified according to categories of body mass index (BMI). PA was measured with the validated Registre Gironí del Cor (REGICOR) questionnaire and subjects were classified according to their PA level (light, moderate, vigorous) and the HRQoL was measured with the validated short-form 36 (SF-36) questionnaire. By using the ANOVA model, we found a positive and statistically significant association between the level of PA and the HRQoL (aggregated physical and mental dimensions p < 0.001), but a negative association with higher BMI in aggregated physical dimensions p < 0.001. Furthermore, women obtained lower scores compared with men, more five points in all fields of SF-36. Therefore, it is essential to promote PA and body weight control from primary care consultations to improve HRQoL, paying special attention to the differences that sex incurs.

Time dependence of susceptible-infected-susceptible epidemics on networks with nodal self-infections

The average fraction of infected nodes, in short the prevalence, of the Markovian ɛ-SIS (susceptible-infected-susceptible) process with small self-infection rate ɛ>0 exhibits, as a function of time, a typical "two-plateau" behavior, which was first discovered in the complete graph K_{N}. Although the complete graph is often dismissed as an unacceptably simplistic approximation, its analytic tractability allows to unravel deeper details, that are surprisingly also observed in other graphs as demonstrated by simulations. The time-dependent mean-field approximation for K_{N} performs only reasonably well for relatively large self-infection rates, but completely fails to mimic the typical Markovian ɛ-SIS process with small self-infection rates. While self-infections, particularly when their rate is small, are usually ignored, the interplay of nodal self-infection and spread over links may explain why absorbing processes are hardly observed in reality, even over long time intervals.

Addiction is socially engineered exploitation of natural biological vulnerability

Interdisciplinary study of addiction is facilitated by relative unification of the concept. What should be sought is not formal unification through literal analytic definition, which would undermine practical flexibility within disciplines and intervention practices. However, leading controversies around whether addiction should be conceived as a 'disease', and over whether addiction is 'chosen' behavior, are made more difficult to resolve by failure to apply philosophical reflection on these general concepts. Such reflection should be sensitive to two kinds of constraint: coherence in description of empirical, including neuroscientific, observation, and utility in framing normative goals in treatment and policy design. Following review of various interpretations of addiction, disease, and choice across contributing disciplines, it is concluded that addiction is most plausibly viewed as a disease at the scale of public health research and policy, but not personal (e.g. clinical) management and intervention. Addicts must make choices to recover, and in that respect addiction is a 'disorder of choice'. However, it is concluded that the most relevant sense of 'disorder' arises at the social rather than the personal scale.

Maternal exposure to a high-fat diet showed unfavorable effects on the body weight, apoptosis and morphology of cardiac myocytes in offspring

OBJECTIVE

The study intends to explore the functions of maternal high-fat diet exposure on progeny weight and heart.

METHODS

Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats, fed on a high-fat diet, were used to establish a model of weight gain before and during pregnancy. The body and cardiac weight of neonatal, 1-month- and 3-month-old rats were measured. The morphology of myocardial cells was observed by hemotoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining. The expression of caspase-3, 8, 9 was measured by qRT-PCR and western blot.

RESULTS

Normal pregnant rats, fed on a high-fat diet throughout pregnancy, had a significant increase in body and cardiac weight of their neonates, and more fat deposition in myocardial cells and an increased expression of caspase-3, 8, 9, compared with that of the normal pregnant rats + normal diet group. These phenomena were relieved through later diet control. Pregnant rats, which fed on a high-fat diet throughout pregnancy, showed more adverse effects on neonatal body and cardiac weight, myocardial cell fat deposition, and the expression of caspase-3, 8, 9, compared with pregnant rats exposed to high-fat diet + normal diet and pregnant rats exposed to high-fat diet + normal diet + exercise. These phenomena cannot be fully restored via controlling later diet.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results stated that a proper diet before and during pregnancy was important for the cardiac health of offspring.

Explosive phase transition in susceptible-infected-susceptible epidemics with arbitrary small but nonzero self-infection rate

The ɛ-susceptible-infected-susceptible (SIS) epidemic model on a graph adds an independent, Poisson self-infection process with rate ɛ to the "classical" Markovian SIS process. The steady state in the classical SIS process (with ɛ=0) on any finite graph is the absorbing or overall-healthy state, in which the virus is eradicated from the network. We report that there always exists a phase transition around τ_{c}^{ɛ}=O(ɛ^{-1/N-1}) in the ɛ-SIS process on the complete graph K_{N} with N nodes, above which the effective infection rate τ>τ_{c}^{ɛ} causes the average steady-state fraction of infected nodes to approach that of the mean-field approximation, no matter how small, but not zero, the self-infection rate ɛ is. For τ<τ_{c}^{ɛ} and small ɛ, the network is almost overall healthy. The observation was found by mathematical analysis on the complete graph K_{N}, but we claim that the phase transition of explosive type may also occur in any other finite graph. We thus conclude that the overall-healthy state of the classical Markovian SIS model is unstable in the ɛ-SIS process and, hence, unlikely to exist in reality, where "background" infection ɛ>0 is imminent.

Evaluating Potential Behavioral Mediators for Increasing Similarity in Friends' Body Size among College Students

College students and their friends become more similar in weight status over time. However, it is unclear which mediators explain this relationship. Using validated survey measures of diet, physical activity, alcohol intake, sleep behaviors, mental health, and food security status, we take a comprehensive look at possible factors associated with excess weight gain that may explain friends’ convergence on body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, waist to hip ratio, and waist to height ratio over time. We use linear mixed models applied to a longitudinal dataset of first-year college students to examine whether these variables satisfy two criteria for potential candidate mediators of friends’ influence on anthropometrics—cross-sectional similarity among friends (n = 509) and longitudinal associations with increasing anthropometrics (n = 428). While friends were similar on some survey measures (such as dining hall use, home cooked meal consumption, fruit intake, alcohol intake, hours of sleep, and stress). Only dining hall use and stress emerged as potential explanations for why friends’ BMI and anthropometric change may be similar. Given that only a few variables satisfied the two criteria as potential mediators, future research may need to consider alternative measurement approaches, including real-time assessments, objective measurements, and alternative factors causing the convergence of friends’ and college students’ body size over time.

Political Orientation and Public Attributions for the Causes and Solutions of Physical Inactivity in Canada: Implications for Policy Support

Objectives: To examine how public attributions for the causes and solutions of physical inactivity and individuals' self-identified political orientation are associated with support for different policy actions in addressing physical inactivity. Methods: A secondary data analysis was conducted with a sample of 2,044 Canadian adults. Two sets of 2 X 3 analyses of variance and post-hoc analyses were conducted to assess (1) the mean differences by the causes of the issue of physical inactivity (individual, or both internal and external/external) and political orientation (liberal, centrist, and conservative), and (2) responsibility for solutions (private matter, or both private and public health matter, and /public health matter) and political orientation on support for least, moderate, and most intrusive policy actions. Results: No interaction effects existed between causal attribution and political orientation on policy support, but a main effect of causal attributions for physical inactivity and political orientation was significant. Those who held internal attributions for the cause of physical inactivity showed less support for policies compared to those who held external causal attributions or both internal and external causal attributions. Conservative individuals reported the least support for all policy actions in comparison to liberal or centrist orientations. There were interaction effects between responsibility for solutions and political orientation on policy support. Conservative individuals who perceived the responsibility for solving physical inactivity as a private matter had less support for all three policy actions. Conclusions: Public acceptance of policy actions addressing physical inactivity varies by the attributions the public have regarding causes and responsibility for solving the problem, and by political orientation. Advocacy and messaging for policy implementation in the physical activity arena needs to be communicated in ways that encourage reflective and informed deliberation that is representative of the Canadian population.

A call to action to inform patient-centred approaches to obesity management: Development of a disease-illness model

Patient-centred care is an essential component of high-quality health care, shown to improve clinical outcomes and patient satisfaction, and reduce costs. While there are several authoritative models of obesity pathophysiology and treatment algorithms, a truly patient-centred model is lacking. We describe the development of a patient-centric obesity model. A disease-illness framework was selected because it emphasizes each patient's unique experience while capturing biomedical aspects of the disease. Model input was obtained from an accumulation of research including contributions from experts in obesity and patient-reported outcomes, qualitative research with adults living in the United States, and two targeted literature searches. The model places the patient with obesity at its core and links pathologic imbalances of energy intake and expenditure to environmental, sociodemographic, psychological, behavioural, physiological and medical health determinants. It highlights relationships between obesity signs and symptoms, comorbid conditions, impacts on health-related quality of life, and some barriers to obesity management that must be considered to attain better outcomes. Providers need to evaluate patients holistically, understand what changes each patient is motivated to make, and recognize what challenges might impede weight reduction, improvements in comorbid conditions, signs and symptoms, and health-related quality of life before pursuing individualized treatment goals. Patients living with obesity who do lose weight perceive benefits beyond weight loss. Ideally, this model will increase awareness of the complex, heterogeneous impacts of obesity on patients' well-being and recognition of obesity as a chronic disease, and prompt a call to action among stakeholders to improve quality of care.

A Mathematical Model for Predicting Obesity Transmission with Both Genetic and Nongenetic Heredity

OBJECTIVE

Obesity is transmissible across generations through both genetic and nongenetic routes, but distinguishing between these factors is challenging. This study aimed to quantitatively examine the contribution of these genetic and nongenetic effects to assess their influence on obesity prevalence.

METHODS

A mathematical model was proposed that incorporated both the genetic and nongenetic effects of obesity. Model parameters were estimated by using observational data. Model simulations were used to assess the sensitivity of model parameters. To strengthen the study's approach, parameter estimation and simulation using data from the United Kingdom were also performed.

RESULTS

Individuals homozygous for a "hypothetical obesogenic gene" were suggested to be more susceptible to both socially contagious risk and spontaneous weight gain risk. The model predicted that obesity prevalence would reach 41.03% (39.28, 44.31) and 26.77% (25.62, 28.06) at 2030 in the United States and United Kingdom, respectively. The socially contagious risk factor had a greater overall impact on the distribution of the population with obesity than did spontaneous weight gain risk or mother-to-child obesity transmission risk.

CONCLUSIONS

Although the proposed "first approximation" model captured the complex interactions between the genetic and nongenetic effects on obesity, this framework remains incomplete. Future work should incorporate other key features driving the obesity epidemic.

Quantifying the propagation of distress and mental disorders in social networks

Heterogeneity of human beings leads to think and react differently to social phenomena. Awareness and homophily drive people to weigh interactions in social multiplex networks, influencing a potential contagion effect. To quantify the impact of heterogeneity on spreading dynamics, we propose a model of coevolution of social contagion and awareness, through the introduction of statistical estimators, in a weighted multiplex network. Multiplexity of networked individuals may trigger propagation enough to produce effects among vulnerable subjects experiencing distress, mental disorder, which represent some of the strongest predictors of suicidal behaviours. The exposure to suicide is emotionally harmful, since talking about it may give support or inadvertently promote it. To disclose the complex effect of the overlapping awareness on suicidal ideation spreading among disordered people, we also introduce a data-driven approach by integrating different types of data. Our modelling approach unveils the relationship between distress and mental disorders propagation and suicidal ideation spreading, shedding light on the role of awareness in a social network for suicide prevention. The proposed model is able to quantify the impact of overlapping awareness on suicidal ideation spreading and our findings demonstrate that it plays a dual role on contagion, either reinforcing or delaying the contagion outbreak.

Obese fathers lead to an altered metabolism and obesity in their children in adulthood: review of experimental and human studies

OBJECTIVE

To discuss the recent literature on paternal obesity, focusing on the possible mechanisms of transmission of the phenotypes from the father to the children.

SOURCES

A non-systematic review in the PubMed database found few publications in which paternal obesity was implicated in the adverse transmission of characteristics to offspring. Specific articles on epigenetics were also evaluated. As the subject is recent and still controversial, all articles were considered regardless of year of publication.

SUMMARY OF FINDINGS

Studies in humans and animals have established that paternal obesity impairs their hormones, metabolism, and sperm function, which can be transmitted to their offspring. In humans, paternal obesity results in insulin resistance/type 2 diabetes and increased levels of cortisol in umbilical cord blood, which increases the risk factors for cardiovascular disease. Notably, there is an association between body fat in parents and the prevalence of obesity in their daughters. In animals, paternal obesity led to offspring alterations on glucose-insulin homeostasis, hepatic lipogenesis, hypothalamus/feeding behavior, kidney of the offspring; it also impairs the reproductive potential of male offspring with sperm oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction. An explanation for these observations (human and animal) is epigenetics, considered the primary tool for the transmission of phenotypes from the father to offspring, such as DNA methylation, histone modifications, and non-coding RNA.

CONCLUSIONS

Paternal obesity can induce programmed phenotypes in offspring through epigenetics. Therefore, it can be considered a public health problem, affecting the children's future life.

Effects of Obesity on Pro-Oxidative Conditions and DNA Damage in Liver of DMBA-Induced Mammary Carcinogenesis Models

The prevalence of the overweight and obesity is on the rise worldwide. Obesity can increase the risk of certain cancers and liver steatosis development. Previously, we reported that obesity increased liver steatosis in a mammary tumor model, but little is known about the effects of obesity in the liver in regard to global DNA methylation, DNA damage, and oxidative/nitrosative stress. Using a mammary tumor model, we investigated the effects of obesity on oxidative stress and DNA reaction. Five-week-old lean and obese female rats were used. At 50 days of age, all rats received 7,12-dimethylbenz(α)anthracene (DMBA) and were sacrificed 155 days later. HPLC with electrochemical and ultraviolet detection and LC-MS were used. Obesity caused higher (p < 0.0004) methionine levels, had no effect (p < 0.055) on SAM levels, caused lower (p < 0.0005) SAH levels, caused higher (p < 0.0005) SAM/SAH ratios, and increased (p < 0.02) global DNA methylation. Levels of free reduced GSH were not significantly lower (p < 0.08), but free oxidized GSSG was higher (p < 0.002) in obese rats. The GSH/GSSG ratio was lower (p < 0.0001), and oxidized guanosine was higher (p < 0.002) in DNA of obese rats compared to lean rats. Obesity caused significant oxidative/nitrosative stress, oxidative DNA damage, and change of DNA methylation pattern in the liver, and these changes may contribute to the development of liver steatosis in breast cancer models.