Maternal education and its influence on child growth and nutritional status during the first two years of life: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: The first 1000 days of life are critical for a child's health and development. Impaired growth during this period is linked to increased child morbidity, mortality, and long-term consequences. Undernutrition is the main cause, and addressing it within the first 1000 days of life is vital. Maternal education is consistently identified as a significant predictor of child undernutrition, but its specific impact remains to be determined. This study presents a systematic review and meta-analysis investigating the influence of high versus low maternal education levels on child growth from birth to age two, using population-based cohort studies. Methods: Databases including PubMed, Scopus, EMBASE, Web of Science, ERIC, and Google Scholar were searched from January 1990 to January 2024 using appropriate search terms. We included population-based cohort studies of healthy children aged two years and under and their mothers, categorizing maternal education levels. Child growth and nutritional outcomes were assessed using various indicators. Two reviewers independently conducted data extraction and assessed study quality. The Newcastle Ottawa scale was utilized for quality assessment. Random-effects models were used for meta-analysis, and heterogeneity was assessed using the Cochrane Q and I2 statistic. Subgroup and sensitivity analyses were performed, and publication bias was evaluated. Findings: The literature search retrieved 14,295 titles, and after full-text screening of 639 reports, 35 studies were included, covering eight outcomes: weight for age z-score (WAZ), height for age z-score (HAZ), BMI for age z-scores (BMIZ), overweight, underweight, stunting, wasting, and rapid weight gain. In middle-income countries, higher maternal education is significantly associated with elevated WAZ (MD 0.398, 95% CI 0.301-0.496) and HAZ (MD 0.388, 95% CI 0.102-0.673) in children. Similarly, in studies with low-educated population, higher maternal education is significantly linked to increased WAZ (MD 0.186, 95% CI 0.078-0.294) and HAZ (0.200, 95% CI 0.036-0.365). However, in high-income and highly educated population, this association is either absent or reversed. In high-income countries, higher maternal education is associated with a non-significant lower BMI-Z (MD -0.028, 95% CI -0.061 to 0.006). Notably, this inverse association is statistically significant in low-educated populations (MD -0.045, 95% CI -0.079 to -0.011) but not in highly educated populations (MD 0.003, 95% CI -0.093 to 0.098). Interpretation: Maternal education's association with child growth varies based on country income and education levels. Further research is needed to understand this relationship better. Funding: This study was a student thesis supported financially by Tehran University of Medical Sciences (TUMS).

A spotlight on the interplay between Wnt/ß-catenin signaling and circular RNAs in hepatocellular carcinoma progression.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the deadliest cancers due to multifocal development and distant metastasis resulting from late diagnosis. Consequently, new approaches to HCC diagnosis and treatment are required to reduce mortality rates. A large body of evidence suggests that non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) are important in cancer initiation and progression. Cancer cells release many of these ncRNAs into the blood or urine, enabling their use as a diagnostic tool. Circular RNAs (CircRNAs) are as a members of the ncRNAs that regulate cancer cell expansion, migration, metastasis, and chemoresistance through different mechanisms such as the Wnt/ß-catenin Signaling pathway. The Wnt/ß-catenin pathway plays prominent roles in several biological processes including organogenesis, stem cell regeneration, and cell survival. Aberrant signaling of both pathways mentioned above could affect the progression and metastasis of many cancers, including HCC. Based on several studies investigated in the current review, circRNAs have an effect on HCC formation and progression by sponging miRNAs and RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) and regulating the Wnt/ß-catenin signaling pathway. Therefore, circRNAs/miRNAs or RBPs/Wnt/ß-catenin signaling pathway could be considered promising prognostic and therapeutic targets in HCC.

Melatonin as a regulator of apoptosis in leukaemia: molecular mechanism and therapeutic perspectives.

Leukaemia is a dangerous malignancy that causes thousands of deaths every year throughout the world. The rate of morbidity and mortality is significant despite many advancements in therapy strategies for affected individuals. Most antitumour medications used now in clinical oncology use apoptotic signalling pathways to induce cancer cell death. Accumulated data have shown a direct correlation between inducing apoptosis in cancer cells with higher tumour regression and survival. Until now, the efficacy of melatonin as a powerful antitumour agent has been firmly established. A change in melatonin concentrations has been reported in multiple tumours such as endometrial, hematopoietic, and breast cancers. Findings show that melatonin's anticancer properties, such as its prooxidation function and ability to promote apoptosis, indicate the possibility of utilizing this natural substance as a promising agent in innovative cancer therapy approaches. Melatonin stimulates cell apoptosis via the regulation of many apoptosis facilitators, including mitochondria, cytochrome c, Bcl-2, production of reactive oxygen species, and apoptosis receptors. This paper aimed to further assess the anticancer effects of melatonin through the apoptotic pathway, considering the role that cellular apoptosis plays in the pathogenesis of cancer. The effect of melatonin may mean that it is appropriate for use as an adjuvant, along with other therapeutic approaches such as radiotherapy and chemotherapy.

Epigenetic regulation in myocardial infarction: Non-coding RNAs and exosomal non-coding RNAs.

Myocardial infarction (MI) is one of the leading causes of deaths globally. The early diagnosis of MI lowers the rate of subsequent complications and maximizes the benefits of cardiovascular interventions. Many efforts have been made to explore new therapeutic targets for MI, and the therapeutic potential of non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) is one good example. NcRNAs are a group of RNAs with many different subgroups, but they are not translated into proteins. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are the most studied type of ncRNAs, and have been found to regulate several pathological processes in MI, including cardiomyocyte inflammation, apoptosis, angiogenesis, and fibrosis. These processes can also be modulated by circular RNAs and long ncRNAs via different mechanisms. However, the regulatory role of ncRNAs and their underlying mechanisms in MI are underexplored. Exosomes play a crucial role in communication between cells, and can affect both homeostasis and disease conditions. Exosomal ncRNAs have been shown to affect many biological functions. Tissue-specific changes in exosomal ncRNAs contribute to aging, tissue dysfunction, and human diseases. Here we provide a comprehensive review of recent findings on epigenetic changes in cardiovascular diseases as well as the role of ncRNAs and exosomal ncRNAs in MI, focusing on their function, diagnostic and prognostic significance.