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Kramer P. Iconic logic: the visual art of drawing the right conclusion. Front Psychol 2024; 15:1368989. [PMID: 38911953 PMCID: PMC11190960 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1368989] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2024] [Accepted: 05/09/2024] [Indexed: 06/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Most people, evidence suggests, have a hard time thinking straight. Symbolic logic is a tool that can help remedy this problem. Unfortunately, it is highly abstract and uses symbols whose meanings rely on unintuitive arbitrary conventions. Without sacrificing rigor, iconic logic is more concrete and uses icons that resemble what they stand for and whose meanings are thus easier to picture, process, and remember. Here I review and critique iconic existential graphs and concept diagrams-the former link iconic logic to iconic mathematics; the latter expand popular Euler or Venn diagrams and have, to some degree, been empirically investigated for user-friendliness. I lay out how expertise in perception, cognition, and genetics can inform and improve such empirical research to help make iconic logic more ergonomic. After all, logic is a tool, and tools should not only suit their use but also their user.
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2
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Cui J, Fu S, Zhu L, Li P, Song C. Mendelian randomization shows causal effects of birth weight and childhood body mass index on the risk of frailty. Front Public Health 2024; 12:1270698. [PMID: 38855449 PMCID: PMC11158621 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2024.1270698] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2023] [Accepted: 05/08/2024] [Indexed: 06/11/2024] Open
Abstract
Background The association between birth weight and childhood body mass index (BMI) and frailty has been extensively studied, but it is currently unclear whether this relationship is causal. Methods We utilized a two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) methodology to investigate the causal effects of birth weight and childhood BMI on the risk of frailty. Instrumental variables (p < 5E-08) strongly associated with own birth weight (N = 298,142 infants), offspring birth weight (N = 210,267 mothers), and childhood BMI (N = 39,620) were identified from large-scale genomic data from genome-wide association studies (GWAS). The frailty status was assessed using the frailty index, which was derived from comprehensive geriatric assessments of older adults within the UK Biobank and the TwinGene database (N = 175,226). Results Genetically predicted one standard deviation (SD) increase in own birth weight, but not offspring birth weight (maternal-specific), was linked to a decreased frailty index (β per SD increase = -0.068, 95%CI = -0.106 to -0.030, p = 3.92E-04). Conversely, genetically predicted one SD increase in childhood BMI was associated with an elevated frailty index (β per SD increase = 0.080, 95%CI = 0.046 to 0.114, p = 3.43E-06) with good statistical power (99.8%). The findings remained consistent across sensitivity analyses and showed no horizontal pleiotropy (p > 0.05). Conclusion This MR study provides evidence supporting a causal relationship between lower birth weight, higher childhood BMI, and an increased risk of frailty.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junhao Cui
- Children's Hospital Affiliated to Zhengzhou University, Henan Children's Hospital, Zhengzhou Children's Hospital, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
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Abrishamcar S, Zhuang B, Thomas M, Gladish N, MacIsaac J, Jones M, Simons E, Moraes T, Mandhane P, Brook J, Subbarao P, Turvey S, Chen E, Miller G, Kobor M, Huels A. Association between Maternal Perinatal Stress and Depression on Infant DNA Methylation in the First Year of Life. RESEARCH SQUARE 2024:rs.3.rs-3962429. [PMID: 38562779 PMCID: PMC10984027 DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-3962429/v1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/04/2024]
Abstract
Maternal stress and depression during pregnancy and the first year of the infant's life affect a large percentage of mothers. Maternal stress and depression have been associated with adverse fetal and childhood outcomes as well as differential child DNA methylation (DNAm). However, the biological mechanisms connecting maternal stress and depression to poor health outcomes in children are still largely unknown. Here we aim to determine whether prenatal stress and depression are associated with changes in cord blood mononuclear cell DNAm (CBMC-DNAm) in newborns (n = 119) and whether postnatal stress and depression are associated with changes in peripheral blood mononuclear cell DNAm (PBMC-DNAm) in children of 12 months of age (n = 113) from the Canadian Healthy Infant Longitudinal Development (CHILD) cohort. Stress was measured using the 10-item Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) and depression was measured using the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Questionnaire (CESD). Both stress and depression were measured at 18 weeks and 36 weeks of pregnancy and six months and 12 months postpartum. We conducted epigenome-wide association studies (EWAS) using robust linear regression followed by a sensitivity analysis in which we bias-adjusted for inflation and unmeasured confounding using the bacon and cate methods. To investigate the cumulative effect of maternal stress and depression, we created composite prenatal and postnatal adversity scores. We identified a significant association between prenatal stress and differential CBMC-DNAm at 8 CpG sites and between prenatal depression and differential CBMC-DNAm at 2 CpG sites. Additionally, we identified a significant association between postnatal stress and differential PBMC-DNAm at 8 CpG sites and between postnatal depression and differential PBMC-DNAm at 11 CpG sites. Using our composite scores, we further identified 2 CpG sites significantly associated with prenatal adversity and 7 CpG sites significantly associated with postnatal adversity. Several of the associated genes, including PLAGL1, HYMAI, BRD2, and ERC2 have been implicated in adverse fetal outcomes and neuropsychiatric disorders. This suggested that differential DNAm may play a role in the relationship between maternal mental health and child health.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Anke Huels
- Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University
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Jones SL, De Braga V, Caccese C, Lew J, Elgbeili G, Castellanos-Ryan N, Parent S, Muckle G, Herba CM, Fraser WD, Ducharme S, Barnwell J, Trasler J, Séguin JR, Nguyen TV, Montreuil TC. Prenatal paternal anxiety symptoms predict child DHEA levels and internalizing symptoms during adrenarche. Front Behav Neurosci 2024; 17:1217846. [PMID: 38239262 PMCID: PMC10794355 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2023.1217846] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2023] [Accepted: 11/30/2023] [Indexed: 01/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction This study examined (1) whether measures of paternal anxious and depressive symptoms collected prenatally and during a follow-up assessment when the child was in middle childhood, predict child neuroendocrine outcomes, and (2) whether neuroendocrine outcomes are intermediate factors between paternal mental health and child cognitive/behavioral outcomes. Middle childhood coincides with increased autonomy as the child transitions into grade school, and with adrenarche, as the maturing adrenal gland increases secretion of dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and its sulfated metabolite (DHEA-S), hormones that are implicated in corticolimbic development which regulate emotions and cognition. Methods Participants were recruited from a subsample of a large prospective birth cohort study (3D study). We conducted a follow-up study when children were 6-8 years old (N = 61 families, 36 boys, 25 girls). Parental symptoms of anxiety, stress and depression were assessed via validated self-report questionnaires: prenatally using an in-house anxiety questionnaire, the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) and the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression (CES-D), and at the follow up, using the Beck Anxiety and Beck Depression Inventories. Children provided salivary hormone samples, and their pituitary gland volume was measured from structural Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scans. Child behaviors were measured using the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire and cognitive outcomes using the WISC-V. Multiple regression analyses were used to test whether paternal mental health symptoms assessed prenatally and during childhood are associated with child neuroendocrine outcomes, adjusting for maternal mental health and child sex. Indirect-effect models assessed whether neuroendocrine factors are important intermediates that link paternal mental health and cognitive/behavioral outcomes. Results (1) Fathers' prenatal anxiety symptoms predicted lower DHEA levels in the children, but not pituitary volume. (2) Higher prenatal paternal anxiety symptoms predicted higher child internalizing symptoms via an indirect pathway of lower child DHEA. No associations were detected between paternal anxiety symptoms measured in childhood, and neuroendocrine outcomes. No child sex differences were detected on any measure. Conclusion These results highlight the often-overlooked role of paternal factors during pregnancy on child development, suggesting that paternal prenatal anxiety symptoms are associated with child neuroendocrine function and in turn internalizing symptoms that manifest at least up to middle childhood.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sherri Lee Jones
- Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Department of Psychiatry, Research Institute of the McGill University Health Center, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Department of Psychiatry, Douglas Research Center, Douglas Mental Health University Institute, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Victoria De Braga
- Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Department of Psychiatry, Research Institute of the McGill University Health Center, Montreal, QC, Canada
- School of Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Christina Caccese
- Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Department of Psychiatry, Research Institute of the McGill University Health Center, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Jimin Lew
- Department of Psychiatry, Research Institute of the McGill University Health Center, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Integrated Program in Neuroscience, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Guillaume Elgbeili
- Department of Psychiatry, Research Institute of the McGill University Health Center, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Department of Psychiatry, Douglas Research Center, Douglas Mental Health University Institute, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | | | - Sophie Parent
- School of Psychoeducation, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Gina Muckle
- Centre de Recherche du Centre Hospitalier Universitaire (CHU) de Québec, School of Psychology, Laval University, Québec, QC, Canada
| | - Catherine M. Herba
- Centre Hospitalier Universitaire (CHU) Ste-Justine Research Centre, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Department of Psychology, Université du Québec à Montréal (UQAM), Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - William D. Fraser
- Centre Hospitalier Universitaire (CHU) Ste-Justine Research Centre, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Centre de Recherche du CHU de Sherbrooke, University of Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC, Canada
| | - Simon Ducharme
- Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Department of Psychiatry, Douglas Research Center, Douglas Mental Health University Institute, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Julia Barnwell
- Department of Psychiatry, Research Institute of the McGill University Health Center, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Human Genetics and Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Jacquetta Trasler
- Department of Psychiatry, Research Institute of the McGill University Health Center, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Human Genetics and Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Jean R. Séguin
- Centre Hospitalier Universitaire (CHU) Ste-Justine Research Centre, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Department of Psychiatry and Addiction, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Tuong-Vi Nguyen
- Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Department of Psychiatry, Research Institute of the McGill University Health Center, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Reproductive Psychiatry Program, McGill University Health Centre, Departments of Psychiatry and Obstetrics and Gynecology, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Tina C. Montreuil
- Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Department of Psychiatry, Research Institute of the McGill University Health Center, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Centre Hospitalier Universitaire (CHU) Ste-Justine Research Centre, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Department of Educational and Counselling Psychology, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
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Rautiala P, Gardner A. The geometry of evolutionary conflict. Proc Biol Sci 2023; 290:20222423. [PMID: 36750194 PMCID: PMC9904945 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2022.2423] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Conflicts of interest abound not only in human affairs but also in the biological realm. Evolutionary conflict occurs over multiple scales of biological organization, from genetic outlawry within genomes, to sibling rivalry within nuclear families, to collective-action disputes within societies. However, achieving a general understanding of the dynamics and consequences of evolutionary conflict remains an outstanding challenge. Here, we show that a development of R. A. Fisher's classic 'geometric model' of adaptation yields novel and surprising insights into the dynamics of evolutionary conflict and resulting maladaptation, including the discoveries that: (i) conflict can drive evolving traits arbitrarily far away from all parties' optima and, indeed, if all mutations are equally likely then contested traits are more often than not driven outwith the zone of actual conflict (hyper-maladaptation); (ii) evolutionary conflicts drive persistent maladaptation of orthogonal, non-contested traits (para-maladaptation); and (iii) modular design greatly ameliorates conflict-driven maladaptation, thereby facilitating major transitions in individuality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Petri Rautiala
- School of Biology, University of St Andrews, Greenside Place, St Andrews KY16 9TH, UK
| | - Andy Gardner
- School of Biology, University of St Andrews, Greenside Place, St Andrews KY16 9TH, UK
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Rudge MVC, Alves FCB, Hallur RLS, Oliveira RG, Vega S, Reyes DRA, Floriano JF, Prudencio CB, Garcia GA, Reis FVDS, Emanueli C, Fuentes G, Cornejo M, Toledo F, Valenzuela-Hinrichsen A, Guerra C, Grismaldo A, Valero P, Barbosa AMP, Sobrevia L. Consequences of the exposome to gestational diabetes mellitus. Biochim Biophys Acta Gen Subj 2023; 1867:130282. [PMID: 36436753 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbagen.2022.130282] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2022] [Revised: 10/14/2022] [Accepted: 11/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
The exposome is the cumulative measure of environmental influences and associated biological responses throughout the lifespan, including those from the environment, diet, behaviour, and endogenous processes. The exposome concept and the 2030 Agenda for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) from the United Nations are the basis for understanding the aetiology and consequences of non-communicable diseases, including gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). Pregnancy may be developed in an environment with adverse factors part of the immediate internal medium for fetus development and the external medium to which the pregnant woman is exposed. The placenta is the interface between maternal and fetal compartments and acts as a protective barrier or easing agent to transfer exposome from mother to fetus. Under and over-nutrition in utero, exposure to adverse environmental pollutants such as heavy metals, endocrine-disrupting chemicals, pesticides, drugs, pharmaceuticals, lifestyle, air pollutants, and tobacco smoke plays a determinant role in the development of GDM. This phenomenon is worsened by metabolic stress postnatally, such as obesity which increases the risk of GDM and other diseases. Clinical risk factors for GDM development include its aetiology. It is proposed that knowledge-based interventions to change the potential interdependent ecto-exposome and endo-exposome could avoid the occurrence and consequences of GDM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marilza V C Rudge
- Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Botucatu Medical School, São Paulo State University (UNESP), 18618-687 Botucatu, São Paulo, Brazil.
| | - Fernanda C B Alves
- Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Botucatu Medical School, São Paulo State University (UNESP), 18618-687 Botucatu, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Raghavendra L S Hallur
- Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Botucatu Medical School, São Paulo State University (UNESP), 18618-687 Botucatu, São Paulo, Brazil; Centre for Biotechnology, Pravara Institute of Medical Sciences (DU), Loni-413736, Rahata Taluk, Ahmednagar District, Maharashtra, India
| | - Rafael G Oliveira
- Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Botucatu Medical School, São Paulo State University (UNESP), 18618-687 Botucatu, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Sofia Vega
- Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Botucatu Medical School, São Paulo State University (UNESP), 18618-687 Botucatu, São Paulo, Brazil; Cellular and Molecular Physiology Laboratory (CMPL), Department of Obstetrician, Division of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, School of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago 8330024, Chile
| | - David R A Reyes
- Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Botucatu Medical School, São Paulo State University (UNESP), 18618-687 Botucatu, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Juliana F Floriano
- Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Botucatu Medical School, São Paulo State University (UNESP), 18618-687 Botucatu, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Caroline B Prudencio
- Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Botucatu Medical School, São Paulo State University (UNESP), 18618-687 Botucatu, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Gabriela A Garcia
- São Paulo State University (UNESP), School of Sciences, Postgraduate Program in Materials Science and Technology (POSMAT), 17033-360 Bauru, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Fabiana V D S Reis
- Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Botucatu Medical School, São Paulo State University (UNESP), 18618-687 Botucatu, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Costanza Emanueli
- National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, London SW3 6LY, UK
| | - Gonzalo Fuentes
- Department of Pathology and Medical Biology, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, 9713GZ Groningen, The Netherlands; Faculty of Health Sciences, Universidad de Talca, Talca 3460000, Chile; Cellular and Molecular Physiology Laboratory (CMPL), Department of Obstetrician, Division of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, School of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago 8330024, Chile
| | - Marcelo Cornejo
- Department of Pathology and Medical Biology, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, 9713GZ Groningen, The Netherlands; Faculty of Health Sciences, Universidad de Talca, Talca 3460000, Chile; Faculty of Health Sciences, Universidad de Antofagasta, Antofagasta 02800, Chile; Cellular and Molecular Physiology Laboratory (CMPL), Department of Obstetrician, Division of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, School of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago 8330024, Chile
| | - Fernando Toledo
- Faculty of Basic Sciences, Universidad del Bío-Bío, Chillán 3780000, Chile; Cellular and Molecular Physiology Laboratory (CMPL), Department of Obstetrician, Division of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, School of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago 8330024, Chile
| | - Andrés Valenzuela-Hinrichsen
- Cellular and Molecular Physiology Laboratory (CMPL), Department of Obstetrician, Division of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, School of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago 8330024, Chile
| | - Catalina Guerra
- Cellular and Molecular Physiology Laboratory (CMPL), Department of Obstetrician, Division of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, School of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago 8330024, Chile
| | - Adriana Grismaldo
- Tecnologico de Monterrey, Eutra, The Institute for Obesity Research (IOR), School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Monterrey, Nuevo León 64710, Mexico; Cellular and Molecular Physiology Laboratory (CMPL), Department of Obstetrician, Division of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, School of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago 8330024, Chile
| | - Paola Valero
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Universidad de Talca, Talca 3460000, Chile; Cellular and Molecular Physiology Laboratory (CMPL), Department of Obstetrician, Division of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, School of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago 8330024, Chile
| | - Angelica M P Barbosa
- Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Botucatu Medical School, São Paulo State University (UNESP), 18618-687 Botucatu, São Paulo, Brazil; Department of Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy, School of Philosophy and Sciences, São Paulo State University (UNESP), 17525-900 Marília, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Luis Sobrevia
- Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Botucatu Medical School, São Paulo State University (UNESP), 18618-687 Botucatu, São Paulo, Brazil; Department of Pathology and Medical Biology, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, 9713GZ Groningen, The Netherlands; Tecnologico de Monterrey, Eutra, The Institute for Obesity Research (IOR), School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Monterrey, Nuevo León 64710, Mexico; Department of Physiology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidad de Sevilla, Seville E-41012, Spain; University of Queensland Centre for Clinical Research (UQCCR), Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Queensland, Herston QLD 4029, Queensland, Australia; Cellular and Molecular Physiology Laboratory (CMPL), Department of Obstetrician, Division of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, School of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago 8330024, Chile.
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Intrachromosomal Looping and Histone K27 Methylation Coordinately Regulates the lncRNA H19-Fetal Mitogen IGF2 Imprinting Cluster in the Decidual Microenvironment of Early Pregnancy. Cells 2022; 11:cells11193130. [PMID: 36231092 PMCID: PMC9563431 DOI: 10.3390/cells11193130] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2022] [Revised: 09/13/2022] [Accepted: 09/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Recurrent spontaneous abortion (RSA) is a highly heterogeneous complication of pregnancy with the underlying mechanisms remaining uncharacterized. Dysregulated decidualization is a critical contributor to the phenotypic alterations related to pregnancy complications. To understand the molecular factors underlying RSA, we explored the role of longnoncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) in the decidual microenvironment where the crosstalk at the fetal–maternal interface occurs. By exploring RNA-seq data from RSA patients, we identified H19, a noncoding RNA that exhibits maternal monoallelic expression, as one of the most upregulated lncRNAs associated with RSA. The paternally expressed fetal mitogen IGF2, which is reciprocally coregulated with H19 within the same imprinting cluster, was also upregulated. Notably, both genes underwent loss of imprinting, as H19 and IGF2 were actively transcribed from both parental alleles in some decidual tissues. This loss of imprinting in decidual tissues was associated with the loss of the H3K27m3 repressive histone marker in the IGF2 promoter, CpG hypomethylation at the central CTCF binding site in the imprinting control center (ICR), and the loss of CTCF-mediated intrachromosomal looping. These data suggest that dysregulation of the H19/IGF2 imprinting pathway may be an important epigenetic factor in the decidual microenvironment related to poor decidualization.
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Kramer P. Iconic Mathematics: Math Designed to Suit the Mind. Front Psychol 2022; 13:890362. [PMID: 35769758 PMCID: PMC9234488 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2022.890362] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2022] [Accepted: 05/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Mathematics is a struggle for many. To make it more accessible, behavioral and educational scientists are redesigning how it is taught. To a similar end, a few rogue mathematicians and computer scientists are doing something more radical: they are redesigning mathematics itself, improving its ergonomic features. Charles Peirce, an important contributor to ordinary symbolic logic, also introduced a rigorous but non-symbolic, graphical alternative to it that is easier to picture. In the spirit of this iconic logic, George Spencer-Brown founded iconic mathematics. Performing iconic arithmetic, algebra, and even trigonometry, resembles doing calculations on an abacus, which is still popular in education today, has aided humanity for millennia, helps even when it is merely imagined, and ameliorates severe disability in basic computation. Interestingly, whereas some intellectually disabled individuals excel in very complex numerical tasks, others of normal intelligence fail even in very simple ones. A comparison of their wider psychological profiles suggests that iconic mathematics ought to suit the very people traditional mathematics leaves behind.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter Kramer
- *Correspondence: Peter Kramer, ; orcid.org/0000-0003-4807-7077
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9
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Warner JO, Warner JA. The Foetal Origins of Allergy and Potential Nutritional Interventions to Prevent Disease. Nutrients 2022; 14:nu14081590. [PMID: 35458152 PMCID: PMC9026316 DOI: 10.3390/nu14081590] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2022] [Revised: 04/06/2022] [Accepted: 04/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The first nine months from conception to birth involves greater changes than at any other time in life, affecting organogenesis, endocrine, metabolic and immune programming. It has led to the concept that the “first 1000 days” from conception to the second birthday are critical in establishing long term health or susceptibility to disease. Immune ontogeny is predominantly complete within that time and is influenced by the maternal genome, health, diet and environment pre-conception and during pregnancy and lactation. Components of the immunological protection of the pregnancy is the generation of Th-2 and T-regulatory cytokines with the consequence that neonatal adaptive responses are also biased towards Th-2 (allergy promoting) and T-regulatory (tolerance promoting) responses. Normally after birth Th-1 activity increases while Th-2 down-regulates and the evolving normal human microbiome likely plays a key role. This in turn will have been affected by maternal health, diet, exposure to antibiotics, mode of delivery, and breast or cow milk formula feeding. Complex gene/environment interactions affect outcomes. Many individual nutrients affect immune mechanisms and variations in levels have been associated with susceptibility to allergic disease. However, intervention trials employing single nutrient supplementation to prevent allergic disease have not achieved the expected outcomes suggested by observational studies. Investigation of overall dietary practices including fresh fruit and vegetables, fish, olive oil, lower meat intake and home cooked foods as seen in the Mediterranean and other healthy diets have been associated with reduced prevalence of allergic disease. This suggests that the “soup” of overall nutrition is more important than individual nutrients and requires further investigation both during pregnancy and after the infant has been weaned. Amongst all the potential factors affecting allergy outcomes, modification of maternal and infant nutrition and the microbiome are easier to employ than changing other aspects of the environment but require large controlled trials before recommending changes to current practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- John O. Warner
- National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College, London SW3 6LY, UK
- Paediatric Allergy, Red Cross Memorial Children’s Hospital, University of Cape Town, Cape Town 7700, South Africa;
- Correspondence:
| | - Jill Amanda Warner
- Paediatric Allergy, Red Cross Memorial Children’s Hospital, University of Cape Town, Cape Town 7700, South Africa;
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10
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Theunissen G, D'Souza S, Peterson ER, Walker C, Morton SMB, Waldie KE. Prenatal determinants of depressive symptoms in childhood: Evidence from Growing Up in New Zealand. J Affect Disord 2022; 302:41-49. [PMID: 35074461 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2022.01.076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2021] [Revised: 01/16/2022] [Accepted: 01/18/2022] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Young people who experience depression are at an increased risk of adverse psychosocial and developmental outcomes that can persist over the lifecourse. Identifying maternal prenatal risk factors that may contribute to childhood depressive symptoms can be useful when considering mental health intervention. METHODS The current study included 3,925 children from the Growing Up in New Zealand (GUiNZ) study who had complete data for self-reported depressive symptoms and mothers' antenatal information. Depressive symptoms were measured at age 8 using the Centre for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale for Children (CESD-10) short form questionnaire. Hierarchical linear regression was used to determine the relationship between prenatal factors and depressive symptoms at age 8. RESULTS When controlling for sociodemographic characteristics, our hierarchical linear regression revealed that the most significant maternal prenatal predictors of high depressive symptoms at age 8 were maternal perceived stress, smoking during pregnancy, body mass index (BMI) in the overweight/obese range, and paracetamol intake. LIMITATIONS One limitation with the current study was a reduction in the sample due to attrition. This may have affected our statistical power, reflected in our modest effect sizes. The sample remained both socioeconomically and ethnically diverse, however our results should be interpreted with respect to the sample and not the whole New Zealand population. CONCLUSIONS A combination of maternal mental health and lifestyle factors contribute to depressive symptoms for children, possibly through foetal programming. Our results emphasise the importance of mental and physical health support for expectant mothers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gisela Theunissen
- School of Psychology, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Stephanie D'Souza
- Centre of Methods and Policy Application in the Social Sciences, University of Auckland, Private Bag 92019, Auckland 1142, New Zealand; School of Social Sciences, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand; A Better Start National Science Challenge, New Zealand
| | - Elizabeth R Peterson
- School of Psychology, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand; Centre for Longitudinal Research - He Ara ki Mua, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Caroline Walker
- Centre for Longitudinal Research - He Ara ki Mua, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand; School of Population Health, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Susan M B Morton
- Centre for Longitudinal Research - He Ara ki Mua, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand; School of Population Health, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Karen E Waldie
- School of Psychology, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand; Centre for Longitudinal Research - He Ara ki Mua, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand.
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11
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Dong MZ, Li QN, Fan LH, Li L, Shen W, Wang ZB, Sun QY. Diabetic Uterine Environment Leads to Disorders in Metabolism of Offspring. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:706879. [PMID: 34381787 PMCID: PMC8350518 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.706879] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2021] [Accepted: 06/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Aims Research evidence indicates that epigenetic modifications of gametes in obese or diabetic parents may contribute to metabolic disorders in offspring. In the present study, we sought to address the effect of diabetic uterine environment on the offspring metabolism. Methods Type 2 diabetes mouse model was induced by high-fat diet combined with streptozotocin (STZ) administration. We maintained other effect factors constant and changed uterine environment by zygote transfers, and then determined and compared the offspring numbers, symptoms, body weight trajectories, and metabolism indices from different groups. Result We found that maternal type 2 diabetes mice had lower fertility and a higher dystocia rate, accompanying the increased risk of offspring malformations and death. Compared to only a pre-gestational exposure to hyperglycemia, exposure to hyperglycemia both pre- and during pregnancy resulted in offspring growth restriction and impaired metabolism in adulthood. But there was no significant difference between a pre-gestational exposure group and a no exposure group. The deleterious effects, no matter bodyweight or glucose tolerance, could be rescued by transferring the embryos from diabetic mothers into normal uterine environment. Conclusion Our data demonstrate that uterine environment of maternal diabetes makes critical impact on the offspring health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ming-Zhe Dong
- Institute of Reproductive Science, College of Life Sciences, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao, China.,State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Qian-Nan Li
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Li-Hua Fan
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Li Li
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Wei Shen
- Institute of Reproductive Science, College of Life Sciences, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao, China
| | - Zhen-Bo Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Qing-Yuan Sun
- Fertility Preservation Lab, Reproductive Medicine Center, Guangdong Second Provincial General Hospital, Guangzhou, China
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12
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Ochoa E. Alteration of Genomic Imprinting after Assisted Reproductive Technologies and Long-Term Health. Life (Basel) 2021; 11:728. [PMID: 34440472 PMCID: PMC8398258 DOI: 10.3390/life11080728] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2021] [Revised: 06/24/2021] [Accepted: 07/15/2021] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Assisted reproductive technologies (ART) are the treatment of choice for some infertile couples and even though these procedures are generally considered safe, children conceived by ART have shown higher reported risks of some perinatal and postnatal complications such as low birth weight, preterm birth, and childhood cancer. In addition, the frequency of some congenital imprinting disorders, like Beckwith-Wiedemann Syndrome and Silver-Russell Syndrome, is higher than expected in the general population after ART. Experimental evidence from animal studies suggests that ART can induce stress in the embryo and influence gene expression and DNA methylation. Human epigenome studies have generally revealed an enrichment of alterations in imprinted regions in children conceived by ART, but no global methylation alterations. ART procedures occur simultaneously with the establishment and maintenance of imprinting during embryonic development, so this may underlie the apparent sensitivity of imprinted regions to ART. The impact in adulthood of imprinting alterations that occurred during early embryonic development is still unclear, but some experimental evidence in mice showed higher risk to obesity and cardiovascular disease after the restriction of some imprinted genes in early embryonic development. This supports the hypothesis that imprinting alterations in early development might induce epigenetic programming of metabolism and affect long-term health. Given the growing use of ART, it is important to determine the impact of ART in genomic imprinting and long-term health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eguzkine Ochoa
- Department of Medical Genetics, University of Cambridge and NIHR Cambridge Biomedical Research Centre, Cambridge CB2 0QQ, UK
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13
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Naveh NSS, Deegan DF, Huhn J, Traxler E, Lan Y, Weksberg R, Ganguly A, Engel N, Kalish JM. The role of CTCF in the organization of the centromeric 11p15 imprinted domain interactome. Nucleic Acids Res 2021; 49:6315-6330. [PMID: 34107024 PMCID: PMC8216465 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkab475] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2020] [Revised: 04/22/2021] [Accepted: 05/20/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
DNA methylation, chromatin-binding proteins, and DNA looping are common components regulating genomic imprinting which leads to parent-specific monoallelic gene expression. Loss of methylation (LOM) at the human imprinting center 2 (IC2) on chromosome 11p15 is the most common cause of the imprinting overgrowth disorder Beckwith-Wiedemann Syndrome (BWS). Here, we report a familial transmission of a 7.6 kB deletion that ablates the core promoter of KCNQ1. This structural alteration leads to IC2 LOM and causes recurrent BWS. We find that occupancy of the chromatin organizer CTCF is disrupted proximal to the deletion, which causes chromatin architecture changes both in cis and in trans. We also profile the chromatin architecture of IC2 in patients with sporadic BWS caused by isolated LOM to identify conserved features of IC2 regulatory disruption. A strong interaction between CTCF sites around KCNQ1 and CDKN1C likely drive their expression on the maternal allele, while a weaker interaction involving the imprinting control region element may impede this connection and mediate gene silencing on the paternal allele. We present an imprinting model in which KCNQ1 transcription is necessary for appropriate CTCF binding and a novel chromatin conformation to drive allele-specific gene expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natali S Sobel Naveh
- Division of Human Genetics, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Daniel F Deegan
- Fels Institute for Cancer Research and Molecular Biology, Temple University School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19140, USA
| | - Jacklyn Huhn
- Fels Institute for Cancer Research and Molecular Biology, Temple University School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19140, USA
| | - Emily Traxler
- Division of Human Genetics, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Yemin Lan
- Epigenetics Institute, Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Rosanna Weksberg
- Division of Clinical and Metabolic Genetics, Genetics and Genome Biology, Hospital for Sick Children, and Institute of Medical Science, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Arupa Ganguly
- Department of Genetics, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Nora Engel
- Fels Institute for Cancer Research and Molecular Biology, Temple University School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19140, USA
| | - Jennifer M Kalish
- Division of Human Genetics, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.,Department of Genetics, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.,Department of Pediatrics, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
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Desoye G, Wells JCK. Pregnancies in Diabetes and Obesity: The Capacity-Load Model of Placental Adaptation. Diabetes 2021; 70:823-830. [PMID: 33741605 PMCID: PMC7980199 DOI: 10.2337/db20-1111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2020] [Accepted: 01/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Excess nutritional supply to the growing fetus, resulting from maternal diabetes and obesity, is associated with increased risks of fetal maldevelopment and adverse metabolic conditions in postnatal life. The placenta, interposed between mother and fetus, serves as the gateway between the two circulations and is usually considered to mediate maternal exposures to the fetus through a direct supply line. In this Perspective, however, we argue that the placenta is not an innocent bystander and mounts responses to fetal "signals of distress" to sustain its own adequate function and protect the fetus. We describe several types of protection that the placenta can offer the fetus against maternal metabolic perturbations and offer a theoretical model of how the placenta responds to the intrauterine environment in maternal diabetes and obesity to stabilize the fetal environment. Our approach supports growing calls for early screening and control of pregnancy metabolism to minimize harmful fetal outcomes.
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Bressan P, Kramer P. Mental Health, Mitochondria, and the Battle of the Sexes. Biomedicines 2021; 9:biomedicines9020116. [PMID: 33530498 PMCID: PMC7911591 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines9020116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2021] [Revised: 01/21/2021] [Accepted: 01/22/2021] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
This paper presents a broad perspective on how mental disease relates to the different evolutionary strategies of men and women and to growth, metabolism, and mitochondria—the enslaved bacteria in our cells that enable it all. Several mental disorders strike one sex more than the other; yet what truly matters, regardless of one’s sex, is how much one’s brain is “female” and how much it is “male”. This appears to be the result of an arms race between the parents over how many resources their child ought to extract from the mother, hence whether it should grow a lot or stay small and undemanding. An uneven battle alters the child’s risk of developing not only insulin resistance, diabetes, or cancer, but a mental disease as well. Maternal supremacy increases the odds of a psychosis-spectrum disorder; paternal supremacy, those of an autism-spectrum one. And a particularly lopsided struggle may invite one or the other of a series of syndromes that come in pairs, with diametrically opposite, excessively “male” or “female” characteristics. By providing the means for this tug of war, mitochondria take center stage in steadying or upsetting the precarious balance on which our mental health is built.
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Obesity and Related Type 2 Diabetes: A Failure of the Autonomic Nervous System Controlling Gastrointestinal Function? GASTROINTESTINAL DISORDERS 2020. [DOI: 10.3390/gidisord2040039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The pandemic spread of obesity and type 2 diabetes is a serious health problem that cannot be contained with common therapies. At present, the most effective therapeutic tool is metabolic surgery, which substantially modifies the gastrointestinal anatomical structure. This review reflects the state of the art research in obesity and type 2 diabetes, describing the probable reason for their spread, how the various brain sectors are involved (with particular emphasis on the role of the vagal system controlling different digestive functions), and the possible mechanisms for the effectiveness of bariatric surgery. According to the writer’s interpretation, the identification of drugs that can modulate the activity of some receptor subunits of the vagal neurons and energy-controlling structures of the central nervous system (CNS), and/or specific physical treatment of cortical areas, could reproduce, non-surgically, the positive effects of metabolic surgery.
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