Associations of maternal prepregnancy body mass index and gestational weight gain with cardio-metabolic risk factors in adolescent offspring: a prospective cohort study.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the associations of maternal prepregnancy body mass index (BMI) and rates of early-pregnancy, mid-pregnancy and total gestational weight gain with adolescent body fat distribution and cardio-metabolic outcomes. DESIGN: Population-based prospective cohort study. SETTING: Western Australia. POPULATION: Thousand three hundred and ninety-two mothers and their children. METHODS: Maternal prepregnancy weight was assessed by questionnaire. Maternal weights at a mean of 16.5 ± 2.2 SD and 34.1 ± 1.5 SD weeks of gestation were obtained from medical records. Offspring adiposity and cardio-metabolic outcomes were assessed at a median age 17.0 years [95% confidence interval (CI) range: 16.7, 17.7]. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Adolescent BMI, waist circumference (WC), waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), blood pressure, total and HDL-cholesterol, triglycerides, insulin, glucose and HOMA-IR. RESULTS: Higher prepregnancy BMI was associated with higher adolescent BMI, WC, WHR, systolic blood pressure, insulin, glucose and HOMA-IR levels (P-values <0.05). Adjustment for adolescent current BMI attenuated the associations of prepregnancy BMI with adolescent cardio-metabolic outcomes. Higher weight gain in early-pregnancy, but not mid-pregnancy, was associated with higher adolescent BMI, WC and WHR (P-values <0.05), but not with other cardio-metabolic risk factors. Total gestational weight gain was associated with adolescent BMI and WC (P-values <0.05). Higher prepregnancy BMI and early-pregnancy weight gain were associated with increased risks of the high-metabolic risk cluster in adolescents (OR 1.57, 95% CI 1.33, 1.85 and OR 1.23, 95% CI 1.03, 1.47 per SD increase in prepregnancy BMI and early-pregnancy weight gain, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Higher maternal prepregnancy BMI and early-pregnancy weight gain rate are associated with an adverse adolescent cardio-metabolic profile. These associations are largely mediated by adolescent BMI.

Maternal haemoglobin levels and cardio-metabolic risk factors in childhood: the Generation R study.

OBJECTIVE: To assess whether variations in maternal haemoglobin levels during pregnancy are associated with cardio-metabolic risk factors in school age children. DESIGN: Population-based prospective cohort study. SETTING: Rotterdam, The Netherlands, 2002-2012. POPULATION: Mothers and children (n = 5002) participating in the Generation R Study. METHODS: We obtained maternal haemoglobin levels during early pregnancy (median gestational age 14.6 weeks [95% range 10.3, 25.3]) from venous blood samples. Maternal anaemia and elevated haemoglobin levels were based on World Health Organization criteria. We measured childhood cardio-metabolic risk factors at age 6 years. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Cardio-metabolic risk factors included body mass index, total fat mass percentage, android/gynoid fat mass ratio, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, left ventricular mass, and blood levels of cholesterol, insulin and C-peptide. RESULTS: Maternal haemoglobin levels were not associated with childhood body mass index, total fat mass percentage, android/gynoid fat mass ratio, systolic blood pressure, cholesterol or insulin levels. Compared with children with normal maternal haemoglobin levels, children from anaemic mothers had slightly higher diastolic blood pressures (difference 0.70 mmHg, 95% CI 0.12, 1.29) and lower C-peptide levels (difference factor 0.93, 95% CI 0.88, 0.98), and children of mothers with elevated haemoglobin levels had lower left ventricular masses (difference -1.08 g, 95% CI -1.88, -0.29). These associations attenuated after adjustment for multiple testing and were not consistent within linear models. CONCLUSION: These results do not strongly support the hypothesis that variations in maternal haemoglobin levels during pregnancy influence cardio-metabolic risk factors in childhood.

Genomic annotation and transcriptome analysis of the zebrafish (Danio rerio) hox complex with description of a novel member, hox b 13a.

The zebrafish (Danio rerio) is an important model in evolutionary developmental biology, and its study is being revolutionized by the zebrafish genome project. Sequencing is at an advanced stage, but annotation is largely the result of in silico analyses. We have performed genomic annotation, comparative genomics, and transcriptional analysis using microarrays of the hox homeobox-containing transcription factors. These genes have important roles in specifying the body plan. Candidate sequences were located in version Z v 4 of the Ensembl genome database by TBLASTN searching with Danio and other vertebrate published Hox protein sequences. Homologies were confirmed by alignment with reference sequences, and by the relative position of genes along each cluster. RT-PCR using adult Tübingen cDNA was used to confirm annotations, to check the genomic sequence and to confirm expression in vivo. Our RT-PCR and microarray data show that all 49 hox genes are expressed in adult zebrafish. Significant expression for all known hox genes could be detected in our microarray analysis. We also find significant expression of hox 8 paralogs and hox b 7 a in the anti-sense direction. A novel gene, D. rerio hox b 13 a, was identified, and a preliminary characterization by in situ hybridization showed expression at 24 hpf at the tip of the developing tail. We are currently characterizing this gene at the functional level. We argue that the oligo design for microarrays can be greatly enhanced by the availability of genomic sequences.

Acetabular revision with impacted freeze-dried cancellous bone chips and a cemented cup: a report of 7 cases at 5 to 9 years' follow-up.

The long-term results of bone impaction grafting with fresh-frozen femoral head allografts and a cemented cup are favorable. Because of intermittent shortage of fresh-frozen femoral heads at our local bone bank, we used processed freeze-dried bone in 7 acetabular revisions operated between 1989 and 1994. All 7 consecutive patients were followed annually. At final review (March 2000), 1 patient had died after 8.5 years of follow-up of a cause not related to the surgery. In 1 hip, a rerevision was performed for septic loosening 5 years after the previous septic loosening. Radiographically the freeze-dried allografts seemed to incorporate in all cases but the reinfected one; progressive radiolucent lines were not seen, although 1 case had a stable line in 1 zone. The overall survival rate for the 7 acetabular reconstructions at an average follow-up of 7 years (range, 5-9 years) was 86%. At midterm follow-up, there was no aseptic loosening. In this limited case report, the results at midterm for freeze-dried allograft bone chips in acetabular reconstructions are acceptable.

Acetabular reconstruction with impacted morcellized cancellous bone autograft and cemented primary total hip arthroplasty: a 10- to 17-year follow-up study.

During the period 1979 through 1986, 69 acetabular reconstructions in 63 patients were performed with the use of autologous morcellized bone-grafts because of acetabular bone stock loss. Nine cases (10 hips) were lost to follow-up. Eleven patients (12 hips) died <10 years after surgery; none had a revision. The results for the remaining 43 patients (47 hips) were reviewed at an average interval of 12.3 years (range, 10-17 years). No preoperative Harris hip score was available. The average Harris hip score at follow-up was 88 (range, 60-100). Radiographically, all grafts united. One hip developed a deep infection. Three other hips (6%) were revised because of aseptic loosening of the acetabular component. An additional 3 acetabular components were considered radiographic failures. Excluding the infected case, the overall survival rate of these acetabular reconstructions with a revision as endpoint was 94% at an average follow-up of 12.3 years. Reconstruction of acetabular bone stock loss with autologous morcellized bone-grafts is an attractive technique with a good potential for long-term success.

An evaluation of various response criteria in assessing biological availability of phosphorus for broilers.

The relative bioavailability of P from seven sources was determined in relation to a standard dicalcium phosphate dihydrate (CaHPO4.2H2O) in a 21-d assay involving 1,320 broiler male chicks using several response criteria. The seven sources (Lucaphos-48, Lucaphos-40, Rukana, Cefkaphos-N, phosphoric acid, monocalcium phosphate monohydrate, or Biophos) were added to the basal diet (.40% total P and 1.10% Ca) at levels to supply .05, .08, .12, .17, .23, and .32% P. Two additional levels (.44 and .66%) of P from dicalcium phosphate dihydrate were included for the standards. The criteria selected to evaluate included tibia ash, tibia specific gravity, tibia shear force, toe shear force, and metatarsal shear force. Other criteria: weight, length, diameter, and volume of tibia; weight, volume, and specific gravity of metatarsus; and weight, volume, and specific gravity of toe were not selected because their response to increasing P levels were inconsistent and quite variable. Nonlinear (asymptotic and sigmoidal) regression equations were fitted to the data than linear equations. The ratios of regression coefficients were used to determine the bioavailability of various test phosphates relative to the reference standard. The results indicated that the response criteria used for the determination will considerably influence the relative bioavailability estimates of a P source. Body weight gain and toe ash percentage were found to be an equally or a more sensitive criteria for assessment of P availability than tibia ash. Tibia specific gravity, tibia shear force, toe shear force, and metatarsal shear force were of limited value as response criteria in P bioavailability assays based on standard error and difference required for significance.

Stimulation of growth by intravenous injection of copper in weanling pigs.

This study was conducted to examine whether Cu could exert its growth-promoting effect when injected, rather than being fed, and thus bypass the gastrointestinal tract. In two 18-d experiments, pigs were injected every 2 d with a Cu histidinate or histidine solution. Amounts of Cu injected were calculated to simulate varying absorption rates in pigs fed 250 ppm of dietary Cu. In Exp. 1, 44 pigs were randomly assigned to four groups of 11 pigs each. Pigs were injected with four levels of Cu histidinate (0, 5, 10, and 15% estimated apparent absorption coefficients based on calculated feed intake). Average daily gain responded quadratically (P < .05) to levels of Cu histidinate; maximum growth was seen in the 5% group. At d 6, serum mitogenic activity also exhibited a similar quadratic response (P < .05). In Exp. 2, estimated Cu absorptions of 0, 2, 4, 6, and 8% were tested. Forty-five pigs were randomly assigned to five groups of nine pigs each and injected as in Exp. 1. Both ADG and serum mitogenic activity displayed a quadratic response (P < .05); the maximum response was seen in the 4% group. Liver Cu content, superoxide dismutase activity, and serum Cu concentrations were linearly increased (P < .05) with increasing dosage of Cu in both Exp. 1 and 2. Also, brain Cu content linearly increased (P < .05) with increasing dosage of Cu in both Exp. 1 and 2. Also, brain Cu hormone mRNA concentrations in Exp. 2 were not significantly influenced by treatments.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)