Food insecurity and allergic diseases: A call to collective action.

Food security encompassess the concept of access by all people at all times to enough food for an active, healthy life. Conversely, food insecurity (FI) refers to household-level economic and social conditions of limited or uncertain access to adequate food. FI is a key social determinant of health that can negatively affect nutrition and health outcomes, as it is estimated that 10.2% of the US population meets criteria for FI. Recognizing the impact of FI on our patients and families is critical to promote health equity and optimize health outcomes. This review focuses on FI and allergic disease from the perspective of key multisector stakeholders within the field of allergy and immunology as well as from the larger health care arena, highlighting key resources and initiatives important to patients. Collectively, as specialists in allergy and immunology, and within the medical field more broadly, we must leverage our unique roles as we interface with patients and families and serve as committed advocates for change. Developing innovative strategies to promote health equity can provide a pathway forward for all children, adults, and families to gain access to healthy, nutritious food as part of their routine lifestyle. This is a call to action.

Offspring sex modifies the association between early-pregnancy adiposity and 2-year-old physical activity-The Glowing Study.

BACKGROUND: Rodent models suggest that in utero exposure to under and overnutrition programs offspring physical activity (PA) behaviors. Such nexus has not been established in humans. This study evaluated the association of early pregnancy maternal adiposity with offspring PA at age 2 years (2-yo-PA) taking into consideration prenatal and postnatal factors. METHODS: Women (n = 153) were enrolled early in pregnancy (<10 weeks). At enrollment, maternal adiposity [air displacement plethysmography, fat mass index (FMI, kg/m2)] and PA (accelerometers, activity counts) were measured, and age, race, and education self-reported. Gestational weight gain was measured at the research facility. Offspring birthweight and sex were self-reported. At age 2 years, parental feeding practices (child feeding questionnaire) were assessed, whereas anthropometrics (length and weight) and physical activity (accelerometers) were objectively measured. Offspring body mass index z-scores were calculated. Generalized linear regression analysis modeled the association of maternal FMI and 2-yo-PA [average activity counts (AC)4/day]. RESULTS: In bivariate associations, 2-yo-PA did not associate with maternal FMI (ß = -0.22, CI = -0.73 to 0.29, p = 0.398). However, maternal FMI interacted with offspring sex in association with 2-yo-PA. Specifically, 2-yo-PA was lower in girls (ß = -1.14, CI = -2.1 to -0.18, p = 0.02) compared to boys when maternal FMI was ≥7 kg/m2. When stratified by sex, 2-yo-PA of girls negatively associated with maternal FMI (ß = -0.82, CI = -1.43 to 0.29, p = 0.009) while no association was found between maternal FMI and boy's PA (ß = 0.32, CI = -0.38 to 1.01, p = 0.376). CONCLUSIONS: The association of 2-yo-PA and early pregnancy maternal adiposity was modified by offspring sex. Offspring's physical activity decreased with increasing early pregnancy adiposity maternal in girls but not boys in second parity dyads.

Human Milk Components and the Infant Gut Microbiome at 6 Months: Understanding the Interconnected Relationship.

BACKGROUND: Human milk oligosaccharides have been shown to relate to the infant gut microbiome. However, the impact of other human milk components on infant gut bacterial colonization remains unexplored. OBJECTIVES: Our cross-sectional analysis aimed to investigate associations between human milk components (energy, macronutrients, free amino acids, inflammatory markers, and hormones) and infant gut microbiome diversity and composition (phylum, family, and genus) at 6 mo of age. METHODS: Human milk and infant stool samples were collected at 6 mo postpartum. The infant gut microbiome was profiled using 16S rRNA sequencing. Linear regression models were performed to examine associations, adjusting for pregravid BMI (kg/m2), delivery mode, duration of human milk feeding, and infant sex, with q < 0.2 considered significant. RESULTS: This analysis included a total of 54 mothers (100% exclusively feeding human milk) and infants (n = 28 male; 51.9%). Total energy in human milk showed a negative association with α-diversity measures (Chao1 and Shannon). Interleukin (IL)-8 in human milk was positively associated with Chao1 and observed operational taxonomic units. At the family level, human milk glutamine and serine levels showed a negative association with the abundance of Veillonellaceae, whereas isoleucine showed a positive association with Bacteroidaceae. Human milk IL-8 and IL-6 concentrations were positively associated with Bacteroidaceae abundance. IL-8 also had a positive relationship with Bifidobacteriaceae, whereas it had a negative relationship with Streptococcacea and Clostridiaceae. Human milk IL-8 was positively associated with the phylum Bacteroidetes, and negatively associated with Proteobacteria. At the genus level, human milk IL-8 exhibited a positive relationship with Bacteroides, whereas human milk isoleucine had a negative relationship with Bacteroides and Ruminococcus. Pregravid BMI and sex effects were observed. CONCLUSIONS: IL-8 in human milk could potentially prepare the infant's immune system to respond effectively to various microorganisms, potentially promoting the growth of beneficial gut bacteria and protecting against pathogens.

Bone health in SATB2-associated syndrome: Results from a large prospective cohort and recommendations for surveillance.

Alterations in SATB2 result in SATB2-associated syndrome (SAS; Glass syndrome, OMIM 612313), an autosomal dominant multisystemic disorder predominantly characterized by developmental delay, craniofacial anomalies, and growth retardation. The bone phenotype of SAS has been less explored until recently and includes a variety of skeletal deformities, increased risk of low bone mineral density (BMD) with a propensity to fractures, and other biochemical abnormalities that suggest elevated bone turnover. We present the results of ongoing surveillance of bone health from 32 individuals (47% females, 3-18 years) with molecularly-confirmed SAS evaluated at a multidisciplinary clinic. Five individuals (5/32, 16%) were documented to have BMD Z-scores by DXA scans of -2.0 SD or lower and 7 more (7/32, 22%) had Z-scores between -1 and - 2 SD at the lumbar spine or the total hip. Alkaline phosphatase levels were found to be elevated in 19 individuals (19/30, 63%) and determined to correspond to bone-specific alkaline phosphatase elevations when measured (11/11, 100%). C-telopeptide levels were found to be elevated when adjusted by age and gender in 6 individuals (6/14, 43%). Additionally, the two individuals who underwent bone cross-sectional geometry evaluation by peripheral quantitative computed tomography were documented to have low cortical bone density for age and sex despite concurrent DXA scans that did not have this level of decreased density. While we could not identify particular biochemical abnormalities that predicted low BMD, the frequent elevations in markers of bone formation and resorption further confirmed the increased bone turnover in SAS. Based on our results and other recently published studies, we propose surveillance guidelines for the skeletal phenotype of SAS.

Associations between mother's depressive symptoms during pregnancy and newborn's brain functional connectivity.

Depression during pregnancy is common and the prevalence further increased during the COVID pandemic. Recent findings have shown potential impact of antenatal depression on children's neurodevelopment and behavior, but the underlying mechanisms are unclear. Nor is it clear whether mild depressive symptoms among pregnant women would impact the developing brain. In this study, 40 healthy pregnant women had their depressive symptoms evaluated by the Beck Depression Inventory-II at ~12, ~24, and ~36 weeks of pregnancy, and their healthy full-term newborns underwent a brain MRI without sedation including resting-state fMRI for evaluation of functional connectivity development. The relationships between functional connectivities and maternal Beck Depression Inventory-II scores were evaluated by Spearman's rank partial correlation tests using appropriate multiple comparison correction with newborn's gender and gestational age at birth controlled. Significant negative correlations were identified between neonatal brain functional connectivity and mother's Beck Depression Inventory-II scores in the third trimester, but not in the first or second trimester. Higher depressive symptoms during the third trimester of pregnancy were associated with lower neonatal brain functional connectivity in the frontal lobe and between frontal/temporal lobe and occipital lobe, indicating a potential impact of maternal depressive symptoms on offspring brain development, even in the absence of clinical depression.

Relationships between physical behaviour phenotypes of mothers in pregnancy and their offspring with child body composition.

AIM: The aim of this study was to identify physical behaviour phenotypes in mothers in the first trimester and in their offspring at 24 months of age. The secondary aim was to examine relationships between mother and child behaviours with child body composition at age 24 months. METHODS: Longitudinal secondary analysis of the Glowing cohort collected between 1 February 2011 and 22 August 2017 in Little Rock, Arkansas. Behaviours were measured using ankle-worn accelerometers in mothers during the first trimester and offspring at 24 months of age, including total activity, sleep, sedentary time and a novel variable of daily variation, patternicity. Child body fat was measured using quantitative nuclear magnetic resonance. RESULTS: Three phenotypes were identified for mothers and children (n = 159 complete dyads). There were no relationships between mother and child phenotypes, but higher maternal patternicity was associated with higher child patternicity (0.2, 95% CI 0.1, 0.3, p = 0.001). There were no associations between mother or child phenotypes with child body composition, however higher child activity was associated with lower body fat (-0.01, 95% CI: -0.02, -0.001, p = 0.031). CONCLUSION: Limited associations were found between mothers' pregnancy physical behaviours with child behaviours or child body composition at 24 months of age. Factors such as child diet or current parental physical activity may be better predictors of early childhood outcomes.

A Postpartum Weight Loss-focused Stepped-care Intervention in a Military Population: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

OBJECTIVE: Postpartum weight retention is associated with adverse health among both civilian and military women. PURPOSE: The current study evaluated a stepped-care weight management intervention, Moms Fit 2 Fight, adapted for use in a pregnant and postpartum military population. METHODS: Active duty women and other TRICARE beneficiaries (N = 430) were randomized to one of three conditions: gestational weight gain only (GWG-only) intervention (n =144), postpartum weight loss only (PPWL-only) intervention (n =142), or a combined GWG + PPWL intervention (n = 144). Those participants who received the PPWL intervention (i.e., the PPWL-only and GWG+PPWL conditions) were combined consistently with the pre-registered protocol and compared to those participants who did not receive the PPWL intervention in the primary analyses. Primary outcome data (i.e., postpartum weight retention) were obtained at 6-months postpartum by unblinded data collectors, and intent-to-treat analyses were conducted. RESULTS: Retention at 6-months postpartum was 88.4%. Participants who received the PPWL intervention retained marginally less weight (1.31 kg) compared to participants that received the GWG-only intervention (2.39 kg), with a difference of 1.08 kg (p = .07). None of the measured covariates, including breastfeeding status, were significantly associated with postpartum weight retention. Of the participants who received the PPWL intervention, 48.1% participants returned to their pre-pregnancy weight at 6-months postpartum, with no significant differences compared to those who received the GWG-only intervention. CONCLUSIONS: A behavioral intervention targeting diet and physical activity during the postpartum period had a trend for reduced postpartum weight retention. CLINICAL TRIAL INFORMATION: The trial is registered on clinicaltrials.gov (NCT03057808).

Since postpartum weight retention is associated with negative health outcomes among women in the military and women in the general population, the Moms Fit 2 Fight study evaluated a stepped-care weight management intervention among active duty women and other military health insurance beneficiaries. Participants (N = 430) were recruited in their first trimester of pregnancy and randomized to one of three conditions: pregnancy weight gain-only intervention, postpartum weight loss (PPWL)-only intervention, or a combined pregnancy weight gain and PPWL intervention. Participants who received the PPWL intervention (i.e., the participants who received the PPWL-only intervention or the combined intervention) were compared to the participants who did not receive the PPWL intervention, based on weight retention at 6-months postpartum. Participants who received the PPWL intervention retained marginally less weight compared to participants that did not receive the PPWL intervention. Thus, this behavioral intervention targeting diet and physical activity during the postpartum period had a trend for reducing postpartum weight retention, which may be beneficial for achieving military fitness standards and avoiding escalating obesity over multiple pregnancies.

Physical Activity, Sedentary and Sleep Phenotypes in Women During the First Trimester of Pregnancy.

OBJECTIVES: Patterns of physical behaviors including physical activity, sedentary time, and sleep are unknown during pregnancy, but are likely to influence health outcomes. The purpose was to first identify "physical behavior phenotypes" from accelerometer-measured physical behaviors in pregnant women during the first trimester and secondly, to explore the associations between the identified phenotypes with demographic variables and body-mass-index (BMI). METHODS: Data were from the Glowing Study (gov ID: NCT01131117), collected between 2011 and 2017 with accelerometer-measured physical behaviors of women in their 12th week of pregnancy. Latent class analysis was used to identify patterns of total physical activity, sleep time, sedentary time, and variation in physical activity. Maternal Body-Mass-Index (BMI). BMI and sociodemographic characteristics were compared between physical behavior phenotypes. RESULTS: A total of 212 pregnant women were included in the study (mean age 30.2 years (range 22.1 to 42.4), mean days wear 4.3 (SD 0.7)). Three physical behavior phenotypes were identified from the four physical behavior constructs: low sedentary and stable activity (n = 136, 64%), variable activity (n = 39, 18%), high sedentary and low sleep (n = 37, 17%). BMI, race, and education were significantly different between the three phenotypes, with the low sedentary and stable activity phenotype having the lowest BMI and a higher percentage of white and college educated women. CONCLUSIONS FOR PRACTICE: Total physical activity and physical behavior phenotypes during the first trimester were associated with early-pregnancy BMI, race, and education. Future research should examine whether these physical behavior phenotypes are associated with maternal and child health outcomes.

Associations Between Maternal Physical Activity, Maternal Lipid Levels, and Infant Anthropometric Outcomes at Two Weeks of Age.

BACKGROUND: This study determined the relationship between physical activity (PA), circulating lipids throughout pregnancy and infant anthropometric outcomes at birth and 2 weeks of age. METHODS: Women (N = 234) with normal weight (NW, BMI 18.5-24.9 kg/m2) and with overweight and class I obesity (OW/OB, BMI 25-35 kg/m2) were categorized into high and low PA based on average cohort steps during pregnancy (8099 steps/day). Circulating fasting lipids were measured at each trimester. Standardized methods were used to obtain anthropometrics measures. Infant body composition was estimated by quantitative nuclear magnetic resonance (EchoMRI-AH small; ECHO Medical Systems). RESULTS: Women with NW who had higher activity had lower circulating triglycerides (TG) and total cholesterol (TC) levels at 12 weeks compared to women with NW and low activity (p < 0.05). Women with OW/OB and high activity level throughout pregnancy had lower circulating TG, and low density lipoprotein (LDL), at 12 weeks, lower LDL at 24 weeks, and lower TG at 36 weeks compared to the women with OW/OB who had low activity levels (p < 0.05). For children born to women with OW/OB, maternal circulating TG and LDL were most associated with infant anthropometrics at 2 weeks of age. CONCLUSION: This study supports that higher PA during pregnancy is associated with lower lipid levels throughout pregnancy with a greater effect size in women with OW/OB. Maternal lipids were associated with anthropometrics and infant body composition at two weeks of life in women with OW/OB.

Changes in self-reported and accelerometer-measured physical activity among pregnant TRICARE Beneficiaries.

BACKGROUND: Physical activity is recommended for all pregnant individuals and can prevent excessive gestational weight gain. However, physical activity has not been assessed among military personnel and other TRICARE beneficiaries, who experience unique military lifestyles. The current study assessed physical activity among pregnant TRICARE beneficiaries, both active duty and non-active duty, as measured by accelerometry and self-report data to examine potential predictors of physical activity engagement in the third trimester, and if self-report data was consistent with accelerometry data. We expected having a lower BMI, being active-duty, and having higher baseline physical activity engagement to be associated with higher physical activity at 32-weeks. We also hypothesized that accelerometry data would show lower physical activity levels than the self-reported measure. METHODS: Participants were 430 TRICARE adult beneficiaries (204 Active Duty; 226 non-Active Duty) in San Antonio, TX who were part of a randomized controlled parent study that implemented a stepped-care behavioral intervention. Participants were recruited if they were less than 12-weeks gestation and did not have health conditions precluding dietary or physical activity changes (e.g., uncontrolled cardiovascular conditions) or would contribute to weight changes. Participants completed self-report measures and wore an Actical Activity Monitor accelerometer on their wrist to collect physical activity data at baseline and 32-weeks gestation. RESULTS: Based on the accelerometer data, 99% of participants were meeting moderate physical activity guidelines recommending 150 min of moderate activity per week at baseline, and 96% were meeting this recommendation at 32-weeks. Based on self-report data, 88% of participants at baseline and 92% at 32-weeks met moderate physical activity recommendations. Linear regression and zero-inflated negative binomial models indicated that baseline physical activity engagement predicted moderate physical activity later in pregnancy above and beyond BMI and military status. Surprisingly, self-reported data, but not accelerometer data, showed that higher baseline activity was associated with decreased vigorous activity at 32-weeks gestation. Additionally, self-report and accelerometry data had small correlations at baseline, but not at 32-weeks. CONCLUSIONS: Future intervention efforts may benefit from intervening with individuals with lower pre-pregnancy activity levels, as those who are active seem to continue this habit. TRIAL REGISTRATION: The trial is registered on clinicaltrials.gov (NCT03057808).

Digital Intervention Strategies for Increasing Physical Activity Among Preschoolers: Systematic Review.

BACKGROUND: Digital interventions are increasingly used to improve health behaviors. Improved access and lower costs (relative to in-person interventions) make such interventions appealing. Specifically, digital platforms may be a promising approach for increasing physical activity (PA) in young children. OBJECTIVE: The goal of this systematic review was three-pronged: (1) to determine the quality of studies using digital PA intervention strategies with preschool-aged children (ie, 3 to 5 years old); (2) to assess the efficacy of digital interventions and approaches designed to improve PA in preschool-aged children; and (3) to examine theoretical application and implementation outcomes with current approaches to digital PA interventions. METHODS: This review identified and summarized studies on digitally supported interventions for promoting PA in preschool-aged children. We generated 3 lists of relevant search terms that included technology-related terms, PA-related terms, and weight-related terms. The search included Ovid MEDLINE(R) and Epub Ahead of Print, In-Process & Other Non-Indexed Citations, and Daily, Ovid EMBASE, Ovid Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Ovid Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, and Scopus. Study selection was led by a single author and verified by a second; the same 2 authors assessed study quality using a standardized tool, and 3 authors completed data extraction on PA outcomes, theory application, and implementation outcomes. RESULTS: In total, 601 studies were identified; 8 met the inclusion criteria. For study quality, only 2 studies received an overall rating of strong quality and low risk of bias. All but 1 study had a small sample size (<100). Positive and significant changes in child PA outcomes were reported in only 2 studies with weak overall quality, both of which used child-directed approaches. In total, 5 studies applied a behavioral theory for designing the intervention; no patterns of effectiveness were identified based on the application of theory. Finally, no studies reported on the implementation outcomes of adoption, cost, penetration, or sustainability; 1 study did not assess any implementation outcomes, and no single study reported on more than 2 implementation outcomes. Studies measured the implementation outcome of acceptability most frequently (n=4), and researchers assessed fidelity in 3 studies. CONCLUSIONS: The interventions with a significant effect on PA used child-centered activities; parent-directed digital interventions alone were ineffective for improving PA. Future research with rigorous designs, monitoring of implementation outcomes, and testing of the contributions of digital components will advance understanding of the effectiveness of digital interventions for increasing PA in children.

Early infant feeding effect on growth and body composition during the first 6 years and neurodevelopment at age 72 months.

BACKGROUND: This study longitudinally characterized the developmental status, growth, and body composition of children who were fed human milk (breastfed, BF), cow's milk-based (MF), or soy protein-based (SF) infant formula from 3 to 12 months. METHODS: Standardized anthropometrics and dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry were used to characterize growth and body composition at 3, 6, 9, 12, 24, 36, 48, 60, and 72 months (NCT00616395). Preschool Language Scale-3, Children's Memory Scale Index (CMS), and Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence were administered at age 72 months. Mixed-effects models adjusting for gestational age, birth weight, child race and sex, parental education, and maternal IQ were performed. RESULTS: Body Mass index (BMI) was significantly lower between 24 and 72 months in BF children compared to SF children. At 3 and 6 months, BF infants had significantly higher fat mass (FM) than SF infants, whereas BF children had significantly lower FM at 36 and 48 months than SF children. Delayed Recognition Index of the CMS was higher for SF than for MF participants (p = 0.009). There was no other significant difference in developmental outcomes between groups. CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, BF, MF, and SF support adequate growth and development up to age 6 years. IMPACT: Although soy protein-based infant formula is reported to support normal infant growth and development compared to cow's milk-based formula and human milk, there are limited data on the effect of these feeding methods in school-aged children. This study suggests a significant difference in body composition, specifically BMI, after 24 months between infant feeding methods during the first year of life and in early childhood; however, all diets provide adequate nutrients to maintain normal development up to 72 months.

Divergent Changes in Serum Branched-Chain Amino Acid Concentrations and Estimates of Insulin Resistance throughout Gestation in Healthy Women.

BACKGROUND: Branched-chain amino acid (BCAA) concentrations in the blood have been correlated with insulin resistance, but this relation throughout gestation (period in which insulin resistance typically increases) is unclear. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to determine the associations between changes in BCAA concentrations and estimates of insulin resistance throughout gestation. METHODS: Serum BCAA (Leu, Ile, Val) concentrations and insulin resistance/sensitivity [i.e., homeostatic model assessment-2 of insulin resistance (HOMA2-IR), estimated metabolic clearance rate (MCR) of glucose, and estimated first- and second-phase insulin responses] were assessed at early (EP; 8.5 ± 0.2 wk) and/or late (LP; 29.2 ± 0.8 wk) pregnancy in 53 healthy women from the Glowing cohort. Adjusted Spearman correlations were used to evaluate the association between BCAA and insulin resistance/sensitivity measures at EP and LP, adjusted for body fat percentage and gestational weight gain (GWG). A multiple linear regression analysis was used to assess the association between changes in HOMA2-IR and BCAAs throughout gestation. Groups were made post hoc based on the mean percentage change (10% decrease) in Leu throughout gestation, creating a group with a ≥10% decrease in LeuLP-EP (BELOW) and a <10% decrease in LeuLP-EP (ABOVE), and Student's t tests were performed to assess differences between groups. RESULTS: Leu and Ile concentrations positively correlated with HOMA2-IR at both time points, but these relations at EP disappeared/weakened when adjusted for body fat percentage. From EP to LP, the change in Leu (LeuLP-EP) was negatively associated with the change in HOMA2-IR (HOMA2-IRLP-EP) (ß = -0.037, P = 0.006). MCR was lower in the BELOW group compared with the ABOVE group, whereas there was no difference in HOMA2-IR between groups. CONCLUSIONS: In this pregnancy cohort, BCAA concentrations decreased throughout gestation, whereas the mean insulin resistance did not change. These data do not support a connection between changes in blood BCAA concentrations and estimates of insulin resistance in pregnant women. This trial is registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT01131117.

Obesity leads to distinct metabolomic signatures in follicular fluid of women undergoing in vitro fertilization.

Although obesity negatively influences the metabolic homeostasis of cells within a broad range of tissues, its impact on oocyte metabolism is not fully understood. Prior evidence suggests that obesity increases expression of oocyte genes associated with inflammation, oxidative stress, and lipid metabolism; however, the metabolic impact of these genetic differences is not known. To address this gap, we conducted an exploratory assessment of the follicular fluid (FF) metabolome in eight overweight/obese (OW) and nine normal-weight (NW) women undergoing in vitro fertilization. FF and serum were collected and analyzed by untargeted metabolomics using gas chromatography-quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry and charged-surface hybrid column-electrospray ionization quadrupole time-of-flight tandem mass spectrometry. Untargeted metabolomics identified obesity-associated changes in FF metabolites related to oxidative stress/antioxidant capacity, xenometabolism/amino acid biosynthesis, and lipid metabolism. Discriminant FF metabolites included elevated uric acid, isothreonic acid, one unknown primary metabolite, and six unknown complex lipids in OW compared with NW women. Conversely, 2-ketoglucose dimethylacetal, aminomalonate, two unknown primary metabolites, and two unknown complex lipids were decreased in FF of OW relative to NW women. Indole-3-propionic acid (IPA), a bacteria-derived metabolite, was also decreased in both FF and serum of OW women ( P < 0.05). The significant correlation between antioxidant IPA in serum and FF ( R = 0.95, P < 0.0001) suggests a potential serum biomarker of FF antioxidant status or reflection of the gut metabolism interaction with the follicle. These results suggest that obesity has important consequences for the follicular environment during the preconception period, a window of time that may be important for lifestyle interventions to ameliorate obesity-associated risk factors.

Diffusion Tensor MRI of White Matter of Healthy Full-term Newborns: Relationship to Neurodevelopmental Outcomes.

Background It is well known that white matter injuries observed at birth are associated with adverse neurodevelopmental outcomes later in life. Whether white matter developmental variations in healthy newborns are also associated with changes in later neurodevelopment remains to be established. Purpose To evaluate whether developmental variations of white matter microstructures identified by MRI correlate with neurodevelopmental outcomes in healthy full-term infants. Materials and Methods In this prospective study, pregnant women were recruited and their healthy full-term newborns underwent a brain MRI including diffusion tensor imaging at approximately 2 weeks of age. These infants were tested at approximately 2 years of age with the Bayley Scales of Infant Development (BSID). Voxel-wise correlation analyses of fractional anisotropy (FA), measured with diffusion tensor MRI, and neurodevelopmental test scores, measured by using BSID, were performed by using tract-based spatial statistics (TBSS), followed by region-of-interest (ROI) analyses of correlations between mean FA in selected white matter ROIs and each BSID subscale score. Results Thirty-eight full-term infants (20 boys, 18 girls) underwent MRI examination at 2 weeks of age (14.3 days ± 1.6) and BSID measurement at 2 years of age (732 days ± 6). TBSS analyses showed widespread clusters in major white matter tracts, with positive correlations (P ≤ .05, corrected for the voxel-wise multiple comparisons) between FA values and multiple BSID subscale scores. These correlations were largely independent of several demographic parameters as well as family environment. Gestational age at birth appeared to be a confounding factor as TBSS-observed correlations weakened when it was included as a covariate; however, after controlling for gestational age at birth, ROI analyses still showed positive correlations (P ≤ .05, R = 0.35 to 0.48) between mean FA in many white matter ROIs and BSID cognitive, language, and motor scores. Conclusion There were significant associations between white matter microstructure developmental variations in healthy full-term newborns and their neurodevelopmental outcomes. © RSNA, 2019 Online supplemental material is available for this article. See also the editorial by Hu and McAllister in this issue.

Concentrations of Purine Metabolites Are Elevated in Fluids from Adults and Infants and in Livers from Mice Fed Diets Depleted of Bovine Milk Exosomes and their RNA Cargos.

Background: Humans and mice absorb bovine milk exosomes and their RNA cargos. Objectives: The objectives of this study were to determine whether milk exosome- and RNA-depleted (ERD) and exosome- and RNA-sufficient (ERS) diets alter the concentrations of purine metabolites in mouse livers, and to determine whether diets depleted of bovine milk alter the plasma concentration and urine excretion of purine metabolites in adults and infants, respectively. Methods: C57BL/6 mice were fed ERD (providing 2% of the microRNA cargos compared with ERS) and ERS diets starting at age 3 wk; livers were collected at age 7 wk. Plasma and 24-h urine samples were collected from healthy adults who consumed (DCs) or avoided (DAs) dairy products. Spot urine samples were collected from healthy infants fed human milk (HM), milk formula (MF), or soy formula (SF) at age 3 mo. Purine metabolites were analyzed in liver, plasma, and urine; mRNAs and microRNAs were analyzed in the livers of female mice. Results: We found that 9 hepatic purine metabolites in ERD-fed mice were 1.76 ± 0.43 times the concentrations in ERS-fed mice (P < 0.05). Plasma concentrations and urine excretion of purine metabolites in DAs was ≤1.62 ± 0.45 times the concentrations in DCs (P < 0.05). The excretion of 13 purine metabolites in urine from SF infants was ≤175 ± 39 times the excretion in HM and MF infants (P < 0.05). mRNA expression of 5'-nucleotidase, cytosolic IIIB, and adenosine deaminase in mice fed ERD was 0.64 ± 0.52 and 0.60 ± 0.28 times the expression in mice fed ERS, respectively. Conclusion: Diets depleted of bovine-milk exosomes and RNA cargos caused increases in hepatic purine metabolites in mice, and in plasma and urine from human adults and infants, compared with exosome-sufficient controls. These findings are important, because purines play a role in intermediary metabolism and cell signaling.

A Behavioral Intervention to Reduce Excessive Gestational Weight Gain.

Objectives Excessive gestational weight gain (GWG) is a key modifiable risk factor for negative maternal and child health. We examined the efficacy of a behavioral intervention in preventing excessive GWG. Methods 230 pregnant women (87.4 % Caucasian, mean age = 29.2 years; second parity) participated in the longitudinal Glowing study (clinicaltrial.gov #NCT01131117), which included six intervention sessions focused on GWG. To determine the efficacy of the intervention in comparison to usual care, participants were compared to a matched contemporary cohort group from the Arkansas Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring Survey (PRAMS). Results Participants attended 98 % of intervention sessions. Mean GWG for the Glowing participants was 12.7 ± 2.7 kg for normal weight women, 12.4 ± 4.9 kg for overweight women, and 9.0 ± 4.2 kg for class 1 obese women. Mean GWG was significantly lower for normal weight and class 1 obese Glowing participants compared to the PRAMS respondents. Similarly, among those who gained excessively, normal weight and class 1 obese Glowing participants had a significantly smaller mean weight gain above the guidelines in comparison to PRAMS participants. There was no significant difference in the overall proportion of the Glowing participants and the proportion of matched PRAMS respondents who gained in excess of the Institute of Medicine GWG guidelines. Conclusions for Practice This behavioral intervention was well-accepted and attenuated GWG among normal weight and class 1 obese women, compared to matched participants. Nevertheless, a more intensive intervention may be necessary to help women achieve GWG within the Institute of Medicine's guidelines.

Maternal obesity is associated with ovarian inflammation and upregulation of early growth response factor 1.

Obesity impairs reproductive functions through multiple mechanisms, possibly through disruption of ovarian function. We hypothesized that increased adiposity will lead to a proinflammatory gene signature and upregulation of Egr-1 protein in ovaries from obese (OB; n = 7) compared with lean (LN; n = 10) female Sprague-Dawley rats during the peri-implantation period at 4.5 days postcoitus (dpc). Obesity was induced by overfeeding (40% excess calories for 28 days) via total enteral nutrition prior to mating. OB dams had higher body weight (P < 0.001), greater fat mass (P < 0.001), and reduced lean mass (P < 0.05) and developed metabolic dysfunction with elevated serum lipids, insulin, leptin, and CCL2 (P < 0.05) compared with LN dams. Microarray analyses identified 284 differentially expressed genes between ovaries from LN vs. OB dams (±1.3 fold, P < 0.05). RT-qPCR confirmed a decrease in expression of glucose transporters GLUT4 and GLUT9 and elevation of proinflammatory genes, including CCL2, CXCL10, CXCL11, CCR2, CXCR1, and TNFα in ovaries from OB compared with LN (P < 0.05). Protein levels of PI3K and phosphorylated Akt were significantly decreased (P < 0.05), whereas nuclear levels of Egr-1 (P < 0.05) were increased in OB compared with LN ovaries. Moreover, Egr-1 was localized to granulosa cells, with the highest expression in cumulus cells of preovulatory follicles. mRNA expression of VCAN, AURKB, and PLAT (P < 0.05) correlated with %visceral fat weight (r = 0.51, -0.77, and -0.57, respectively, P ≤ 0.05), suggesting alterations in ovarian function with obesity. In summary, maternal obesity led to an upregulation of inflammatory genes and Egr-1 expression in peri-implantation ovarian tissue and a concurrent downregulation of GLUTs and Akt and PI3K protein levels.

Are early first trimester weights valid proxies for preconception weight?

BACKGROUND: An accurate estimate of preconception weight is necessary for providing a gestational weight gain range based on the Institute of Medicine's guidelines; however, an accurate and proximal preconception weight is not available for most women. We examined the validity of first trimester weights for estimating preconception body mass index category. METHODS: Under identical measurement conditions, preconception weight and two first trimester weights (i.e., 4-10 and 12 weeks gestation) were obtained (n = 43). RESULTS: The 4-10 week and the 12 week weight correctly classified 95 and 91% women, respectively. Mean weight changes were relatively small overall (M = 0.74 ± 1.99 kg at 4-10 weeks and M = 1.02 ± 2.46 at 12 weeks). There was a significant difference in mean weight gain by body mass index category at 4-10 weeks (-0.09 ± 1.86 kg for normal weight participants vs. 1.61 + 1.76 kg for overweight/obese participants, p = 0.01), but not at 12 weeks (0.53 ± 2.29 kg for normal weight participants vs. 1.54 ± 2.58 kg for overweight/obese participants). CONCLUSIONS: Assigning gestational weight gain guidelines based on an early first trimester weight resulted in 5-9% of women being misclassified depending on the gestational week the weight was obtained. Thus, most women are correctly classified based on a first trimester weight, particularly an early first trimester weight, although it is possible that modeling strategies could be developed to further improve estimates of preconception body mass index category. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Clinicaltrials.gov # NCT01131117 , registered May 25, 2010.

Compared with feeding infants breast milk or cow-milk formula, soy formula feeding does not affect subsequent reproductive organ size at 5 years of age.

BACKGROUND: Literature reports suggest that phytochemicals, such as isoflavones found in soybeans, impair reproductive function in animals and raise the possibility that consuming soy infant formula could alter hormonally sensitive organ development in children. OBJECTIVE: This study compared reproductive organs volumes and structural characteristics in children at age 5 y who were enrolled in the Beginnings study long-term cohort. METHODS: Breast bud, uterus, ovaries, prostate, and testes volumes and characteristics were assessed by ultrasonography in 101 children (50 boys and 51 girls) aged 5 y who were breastfed (n = 35) or fed cow-milk formula (n = 32) or soy formula (n = 34) as infants. Analyses were adjusted for race, gestational age, and birth weight. RESULTS: Among girls, no significant differences were found in breast bud, ovarian, or uterine volumes; counts of ovaries with cysts; ovarian cysts numbers; ovarian cyst size; and uterine shape between the diet groups. Among boys, no significant differences were found in breast bud, testes, or prostate volumes or structural characteristics between the diet groups. CONCLUSIONS: In this cohort, no early infant feeding effects were found on reproductive organs volumes and structural characteristics in children age 5 y. The follow-up of these children through puberty is planned and should help delineate potential early infant feeding effect on reproductive function later in life.