Environmental Exposure during Pregnancy: Influence on Prenatal Development and Early Life: A Comprehensive Review.

Preconception and prenatal exposure to environmental contaminants may affect future health. Pregnancy and early life are critical sensitive windows of susceptibility. The aim of this review was to summarize current evidence on the toxic effects of environment exposure during pregnancy, the neonatal period, and childhood. Alcohol use is related to foetal alcohol spectrum disorders, foetal alcohol syndrome being its most extreme form. Smoking is associated with placental abnormalities, preterm birth, stillbirth, or impaired growth and development, as well as with intellectual impairment, obesity, and cardiovascular diseases later in life. Negative birth outcomes have been linked to the use of drugs of abuse. Pregnant and lactating women are exposed to endocrine-disrupting chemicals and heavy metals present in foodstuffs, which may alter hormones in the body. Prenatal exposure to these compounds has been associated with pre-eclampsia and intrauterine growth restriction, preterm birth, and thyroid function. Metals can accumulate in the placenta, causing foetal growth restriction. Evidence on the effects of air pollutants on pregnancy is constantly growing, for example, preterm birth, foetal growth restriction, increased uterine vascular resistance, impaired placental vascularization, increased gestational diabetes, and reduced telomere length. The advantages of breastfeeding outweigh any risks from contaminants. However, it is important to assess health outcomes of toxic exposures via breastfeeding. Initial studies suggest an association between pre-eclampsia and environmental noise, particularly with early-onset pre-eclampsia. There is rising evidence of the negative effects of environmental contaminants following exposure during pregnancy and breastfeeding, which should be considered a major public health issue.

Role of IRF5 in the pathogenesis of immunoglobulin-A vasculitis.

OBJECTIVES: Interferon regulatory factor 5 (IRF5) is a major regulator of type I interferon induction and is also critical to produce pro-inflammatory cytokines. An influence of IRF5 genetic variants on the increased risk of immune-mediated diseases has been described. Accordingly, we aimed to evaluate the implication of IRF5 in the pathogenesis of Immunoglobulin-A vasculitis (IgAV), an inflammatory vascular pathology. METHODS: Three tag genetic variants (rs2004640, rs2070197 and rs10954213), representative of 3 different haplotype blocks within IRF5, were genotyped in 372 Caucasian patients with IgAV and 876 sex and ethnically matched healthy controls by TaqMan assays. RESULTS: No significant differences in the genotype and allele frequencies between patients with IgAV and healthy controls were observed when each IRF5 polymorphism was evaluated independently. Likewise, no significant differences between patients with IgAV and healthy controls were found when we assessed the three IRF5 polymorphisms combined, conforming haplotypes. In addition, there were no significant differences in genotype, allele and haplotype frequencies of IRF5 when patients with IgAV were stratified according to the age at disease onset or to the presence/absence of gastrointestinal or renal manifestations. CONCLUSIONS: Our results do not support an influence of IRF5 on the pathogenesis of IgAV.

Influence of IL17A gene on the pathogenesis of immunoglobulin-A vasculitis.

OBJECTIVES: Cytokines signaling pathway genes represent a key component of the genetic network implicated in the pathogenesis of immunoglobulin-A vasculitis (IgAV), an inflammatory vascular pathology. Interleukin (IL)17A is described as a genetic risk locus for some autoimmune diseases, such as giant cell arteritis and spondyloarthritis. Accordingly, we aimed to determine the potential influence of IL17A on the pathogenesis of IgAV. METHODS: Five IL17A tag polymorphisms (rs4711998, rs8193036, rs3819024, rs2275913 and rs7747909), which cover the major variability of this gene, were genotyped in 360 Caucasian patients with IgAV and 1,003 sex and ethnically matched healthy controls using TaqMan probes. RESULTS: No statistically significant differences between patients with IgAV and healthy controls were observed when each IL17A genetic variant was analysed independently. Similarly, no statistically significant differences between patients with IgAV and healthy controls were found when the five IL17A polymorphisms were evaluated combined conforming haplotypes. In addition, there were no statistically significant differences in genotype, allele and haplotype frequencies of IL17A when patients with IgAV were stratified according to the age at disease onset or to the presence/absence of gastrointestinal or renal manifestations. CONCLUSIONS: Our results do not support an influence of IL17A on the pathogenesis of IgAV.

Feeding patterns and growth trajectories in breast-fed and formula-fed infants during the introduction of complementary food.

INTRODUCTION: Introduction: several investigations have identified breastfeeding as a protective factor for rapid infant weight gain and childhood obesity while other studies have found that this protective effect could be the result of confounding factors. Objectives: to assess the associations between lactation practices (breast-fed vs formula-fed infants) during the introduction of complementary food period, as well as the following: a) patterns of food intake; and b) trajectories of growth at six, nine and 12 months (z-score of weight, height and body mass index [BMI] and changes in these z-scores from six to 12 months). Methods: two hundred and three infants randomly selected from Spanish Primary Health Centres were measured. Parents recorded all infant's food consumption for three days (g/day). Linear regression models were applied. Results: breast-fed infants had a lower intake of cereals, fruit baby food, vegetables with meat/fish and a total intake of food compared to formula-fed infants at nine months of age. After adjusting for sex, parental education and total food intake, breastfed children continued to have lower intake of cereals (-5.82, 95% CI: -9.22, -2.43), and lower total food intake (-301.23, 95% CI: -348.50, -253.96). Breast-fed infants had a lower change in z-score of weight, height and BMI from six to 12 months of age and these differences remained when adjusting for all confounders. Conclusions: formula-fed infants during the complementary feeding period have a higher food intake and show higher rates of rapid infant weight gain compared to breast-fed infants. These differences in growth trajectories depending on breastfeeding maintenance and food intake during early life must be considered in adiposity risk evaluation.

INTRODUCCIÓN: Introducción: varios estudios han identificado la lactancia materna como un factor protector frente a la ganancia rápida de peso y la obesidad infantil, mientras que otros estudios han encontrado que este efecto protector podría ser el resultado de la interferencia de factores de confusión. Objetivos: evaluar las asociaciones entre el tipo de lactancia (leche materna versus lactantes alimentados con fórmula) durante la introducción de la alimentación complementaria, así como: a) los patrones de ingesta de alimentos; y b) las trayectorias de crecimiento a los seis, nueve y 12 meses (z-score de peso, estatura e índice de masa corporal (IMC) y variaciones en estos z-score entre los seis y los 12 meses. Métodos: se midieron 203 neonatos seleccionados en centros de salud primaria españoles. Los padres registraron el consumo de alimentos de todos los bebés durante tres días (g/día). Se aplicaron modelos de regresión lineal. Resultados: los bebés alimentados con leche materna tuvieron una menor ingesta de cereales, alimentos para bebés a base de frutas, verduras con carne/pescado, así como una menor ingesta total de alimentos en comparación con los bebés alimentados con fórmula a los nueve meses de edad. Después de realizar el ajuste por sexo, educación de los padres y consumo total de alimentos, los niños alimentados con leche materna continuaron teniendo una menor ingesta de cereales (-5,82, IC 95%: -9,22, -2,43) y una ingesta total de alimentos más baja (-301,23, IC 95%: -348,50, -253,96). Los bebés alimentados al pecho tuvieron un menor incremento en la puntuación z-score de peso, talla e IMC entre los seis y los 12 meses de edad y estas diferencias se mantuvieron cuando se ajustaron para todos los factores de confusión. Conclusiones: los lactantes alimentados con fórmula durante el periodo de alimentación complementaria tienen una mayor ingesta de alimentos y muestran tasas más altas de ganancia de peso en comparación con los lactantes alimentados con leche materna. Estas diferencias en las trayectorias de crecimiento en función del mantenimiento de la lactancia materna y la ingesta de alimentos durante los primeros años de vida deben considerarse en la evaluación del riesgo de adiposidad.

Polymeric chemosensor for the detection and quantification of chloride in human sweat. Application to the diagnosis of cystic fibrosis.

We have developed a new extremely hydrophilic polymeric film suitable for the detection and quantification of chloride in human sweat directly on the skin. The film, or membrane, has chemically anchored 6-methoxyquinoline groups as chloride responsive fluorescent motifs. We have prepared the sensory material from a standard vinyl copolymer, by a convenient and easy solid-phase reaction. The sensory material has a water swelling percentage of 700%, facilitating an immediate detection of chloride, is reusable for at least 6 cycles and can be handled without care by unskilled persons. The initially high fluorescence of the material decreases in the presence of chloride, allowing the quantification of chloride concentration by using the colour definition of a digital picture or a fluorimeter. The suitability of the material to perform quantitative chloride analysis of human sweat by putting it in contact with the skin offers promise for its application in the sweat test used for the diagnosis of cystic fibrosis (CF).

STRAIGHT-A STUDENTS DISLIKE PHYSICAL EDUCATION IN ADOLESCENCE: MYTH OR TRUTH? THE AVENA, AFINOS AND UP&DOWN STUDIES.

OBJECTIVE: to examine if those adolescents who dislike physical education classes get better results on academic and cognitive performance than their peers. METHODS: participants included 4 226 adolescents from the AVENA, AFINOS and UP&DOWN studies. Physical education enjoyment was assessed with a 7-point Likert scale. Cognitive performance in the AVENA study was assessed using the Spanish version of the SRA Test of Educational Ability. Academic performance in the AFINOS and UP&DOWN studies was assessed through Mathematics and Language grades and the average of both subjects. RESULTS: in the AVENA study we found differences in verbal ability among girls who dislike physical education and their peers (P = 0.033). In the AFINOS study, boys who dislike physical education had higher scores in Language than their peers (P = 0.024). In the UP&DOWN study girls who disliked physical education had higher scores in Language and in the average of Language and Mathematics than their peers (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: in the AVENA and AFINOS studies adolescents who disliked physical education had similar results in cognitive and academic performance than their peers, but in the UP&DOWN study girls who disliked physical education showed higher results in academic performance than their peers.

Objetivo: conocer si a aquellos adolescentes que no les gusta la educación física obtienen mejores resultados en rendimiento académico y cognitivo que sus compañeros. Métodos: los participantes incluyen 4.226 adolescentes de los estudios AVENA, AFINOS y UP&DOWN. El gusto por la educación física se valoró con una escala Likert de 7 puntos. El rendimiento cognitivo se valoró en el estudio AVENA usando la versión española del SRA Test of Educational Ability. El rendimiento académico se valoró en los estudios AFINOS y UP&DOWN con las notas de Matemáticas, Lengua y la media de Lengua y Matemáticas. Resultados: en el estudio AVENA encontramos diferencias en la habilidad verbal entre las chicas a las que no les gustaba la educación física y sus compañeros (P = 0,033). En el estudio AFINOS los chicos a los que no les gustaba la educación física tenían mejores notas en Lengua que sus compañeros (P = 0,024). En el estudio UP&DOWN las chicas a las que no les gustaba la educación física obtuvieron mejores resultados en Lengua y en la media de Lengua y Matemáticas (P < 0,001). CONCLUSION: en los estudios AVENA y AFINOS los adolescentes a los que no les gusta la educación física obtuvieron resultados similares a los que sus compañeros, mientras que en el estudio UP&DOWN las chicas a las que no les gustaba la educación física obtuvieron mejores resultados en rendimiento académico que sus compañeros.

Straight-A students dislike physical education in adolescence: myth or truth? The AVENA, AFINOS and UP&DOWN studies / A los mejores estudiantes no les gusta la educación física durante la adolescencia ¿mito o realidad? Los estudios AVENA, AFINOS y UP&DOWN

Objective: to examine if those adolescents who dislike physical education classes get better results on academic and cognitive performance than their peers. Methods: participants included 4 226 adolescents from the AVENA, AFINOS and UP&DOWN studies. Physical education enjoyment was assessed with a 7-point Likert scale. Cognitive performance in the AVENA study was assessed using the Spanish version of the SRA Test of Educational Ability. Academic performance in the AFINOS and UP&DOWN studies was assessed through Mathematics and Language grades and the average of both subjects. Results: in the AVENA study we found differences in verbal ability among girls who dislike physical education and their peers (P=0.033). In the AFINOS study, boys who dislike physical education had higher scores in Language than their peers (P=0.024). In the UP&DOWN study girls who disliked physical education had higher scores in Language and in the average of Language and Mathematics than their peers (P<0.001). Conclusion: in the AVENA and AFINOS studies adolescents who disliked physical education had similar results in cognitive and academic performance than their peers, but in the UP&DOWN study girls who disliked physical education showed higher results in academic performance than their peers (AU)

Objetivo: conocer si a aquellos adolescentes que no les gusta la educación física obtienen mejores resultados en rendimiento académico y cognitivo que sus compañeros. Métodos: los participantes incluyen 4.226 adolescentes de los estudios AVENA, AFINOS y UP&DOWN. El gusto por la educación física se valoró con una escala Likert de 7 puntos. El rendimiento cognitivo se valoró en el estudio AVENA usando la versión española del SRA Test of Educational Ability. El rendimiento académico se valoró en los estudios AFINOS y UP&DOWN con las notas de Matemáticas, Lengua y la media de Lengua y Matemá- ticas. Resultados: en el estudio AVENA encontramos diferencias en la habilidad verbal entre las chicas a las que no les gustaba la educación física y sus compañeros (P=0,033). En el estudio AFINOS los chicos a los que no les gustaba la educación física tenían mejores notas en Lengua que sus compañeros (P=0,024). En el estudio UP&DOWN las chicas a las que no les gustaba la educación física obtuvieron mejores resultados en Lengua y en la media de Lengua y Matemáticas (P<0,001). Conclusion: en los estudios AVENA y AFINOS los adolescentes a los que no les gusta la educación física obtuvieron resultados similares a los que sus compañeros, mientras que en el estudio UP&DOWN las chicas a las que no les gustaba la educación física obtuvieron mejores resultados en rendimiento académico que sus compañeros (AU)

Obese and unfit students dislike physical education in adolescence: myth or truth? The AVENA and UP&DOWN studies / A los adolescentes que no les gusta la educación física tienen peor condición física y más obesidad: ¿mito o realidad? Los estudios AVENA y UP&DOWN

Introduction: In the physical education context a well-known myth suggest that obese and unfit youth dislike physical education. Objective: To examine if adolescents who dislike physical education have higher levels of fatness and lower of fitness than their peers. Methods: Participants included 2606 (49.3% girls) adolescents from AVENA and UP&DOWN studies. Physical education enjoyment was assessed with a 7-point Likert scale. Fatness was assessed with BMI, skinfolds and waist circumference. Physical fitness was assessed with cardiorespiratory, motor and muscular fitness tests. Results: Boys who dislike physical education had similar levels of fatness and fitness than their peers (all P>0.05). Adolescent girls who dislike physical education had higher levels in body fat (P=0.035), and lower levels in muscular (P=0.007) and motor (P=0.007) fitness than their peers. Conclusion: Since only girls who dislike physical education seem to have, albeit weak, higher levels of fatness and lower of fitness than their peers, it partially confirms the myth in adolescent girls (AU)

Introducción: En el contexto de la EF (educación física), n mito bien conocido podría sugerir que a los jóvenes obesos y con baja condición física no les gusta la EF. Objetivo: Examinar si a los adolescentes a los que no les gusta la EF tienen niveles más altos de obesidad y niveles más bajos de forma física que sus compañeros. Métodos: Se tomó a 2606 participantes (49.3% chicas) adolescentes de los estudios AVENA y UP&DOWN. El disfrute de la EF se evaluó empleando una escala Likert de 7 puntos. La obesidad se evaluó mediante el IMC, pliegues cutáneos y circunferencia de la cintura. La condición física fue evaluada mediante pruebas cardiorespiratorias, motoras y musculares. Resultados: Los chicos a los que no les gusta la EF presentaron niveles similares de obesidad que sus compañeros (total P>0.05). Las chicas adolescentes a las que no les gusta la EF presentaron niveles más altos de grasa corporal (P=0.035), y niveles más bajos en condición física muscular (P=0.007) y motora (P=0.007) que sus compañeros. Conclusión: Dado que solo las chicas a las que no les gusta la EF parecen presentar, sin bien levemente, niveles más altos de obesidad y niveles menores de forma física que sus compañeros, el mito se confirma parcialmente ara las chicas adolescentes (AU)

Obese and unfit students dislike physical education in adolescence: myth or truth? The AVENA and UP&DOWN studies.

INTRODUCTION: In the physical education context a well- known myth suggest that obese and unfit youth dislike physical education. OBJECTIVE: To examine if adolescents who dislike physical education have higher levels of fatness and lower of fitness than their peers. METHODS: Participants included 2606 (49.3% girls) adolescents from AVENA and UP&DOWN studies. physical education enjoyment was assessed with a 7-point Likert scale. Fatness was assessed with BMI, skinfolds and waist circumference. Physical fitness was assessed with cardiorespiratory, motor and muscular fitness tests. RESULTS: Boys who dislike physical education had similar levels of fatness and fitness than their peers (all P>0.05). Adolescent girls who dislike physical education had higher levels in body fat (P=0.035), and lower levels in muscular (P=0.007) and motor (P=0.007) fitness than their peers. CONCLUSION: Since only girls who dislike physical education seem to have, albeit weak, higher levels of fatness and lower of fitness than their peers, it partially confirms the myth in adolescent girls.

Introducción: En el contexto de la EF (educación física), un mito bien conocido podría sugerir que a los jóvenes obesos y con baja condición física no les gusta la EF. Objetivo: Examinar si a los adolescentes a los que no les gusta la EF tienen niveles más altos de obesidad y niveles más bajos de forma física que sus compañeros. Métodos: Se tomó a 2606 participantes (49.3% chicas) adolescentes de los estudios AVENA y UP&DOWN. El disfrute de la EF se evaluó empleando una escala Likert de 7 puntos. La obesidad se evaluó mediante el IMC, pliegues cutáneos y circunferencia de la cintura. La condición física fue evaluada mediante pruebas cardiorespiratorias, motoras y musculares. Resultados: Los chicos a los que no les gusta la EF presentaron niveles similares de obesidad que sus compañeros (total P>0.05). Las chicas adolescentes a las que no les gusta la EF presentaron niveles más altos de grasa corporal (P=0.035), y niveles más bajos en condición física muscular (P=0.007) y motora (P=0.007) que sus compañeros. Conclusión: Dado que solo las chicas a las que no les gusta la EF parecen presentar, sin bien levemente, niveles más altos de obesidad y niveles menores de forma física que sus compañeros, el mito se confirma parcialmente para las chicas adolescentes.