Introduction
Increased BMI has been identified as a risk factor for most pregnancy complications, but the underlying metabolic factors mediating the detrimental effects of BMI are largely unknown. We ...aimed to compare metabolic profiles in overweight/obese women (body mass index BMI ≥ 25 kg/m2) and normal weight/underweight women (BMI < 25 kg/m2) across gestation. We also explored how gestational weight gain (GWG) affected maternal metabolic profiles.
Material and methods
Exploratory nested case–control study based on a prospective longitudinal cohort of women who were healthy prior to pregnancy and gave birth at Oslo University Hospital from 2002 to 2008. The sample consisted of 48 women who were overweight/obese and 59 normal‐weight/underweight women. Plasma samples from four time points in pregnancy (weeks 14–16, 22–24, 30–32 and 36–38) were analyzed by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and 91 metabolites were measured. Linear regression models were fitted for each of the metabolites at each time point.
Results
Overweight or obese women had higher levels of lipids in very‐low‐density lipoprotein (VLDL), total triglycerides, triglycerides in VLDL, total fatty acids, monounsaturated fatty acids, saturated fatty acids, leucine, valine, and total branched‐chain amino acids in pregnancy weeks 14–16 compared to underweight and normal‐weight women. Docosahexaenoic acid and degree of unsaturation were significantly lower in overweight/obese women in pregnancy weeks 36–38. In addition, overweight or obese women had higher particle concentration of XXL‐VLDL and glycoprotein acetyls (GlycA) at weeks 14–16 and 30–32. GWG did not seem to affect the metabolic profile, regardless of BMI group when BMI was treated as a dichotomous variable, ≥25 kg/m2 (yes/no).
Conclusions
Overweight or obese women had smaller pregnancy‐related metabolic alterations than normal‐weight/underweight women. There was a trend toward higher triglyceride and VLDL particle concentration in overweight/obese women. As this was a hypothesis‐generating study, the similarities with late‐onset pre‐eclampsia warrant further investigation. The unfavorable development of fatty acid composition in overweight/obese women, with possible implication for the offspring, should also be studied further in the future.
Overweight or obese women had elevated levels of most lipid‐related measures in early pregnancy, but the differences were attenuated from weeks 22–24. Particle concentration of very‐low‐density lipoprotein and GlycA were increased throughout pregnancy in overweight or obese women meanwhile the ratio of polyunsaturated fatty acids to total fatty acids (in particular docosahexaenoic acid) were decreased. Regardless of BMI group, gestational weight gain did not affect the metabolic profile.
Introduction
Preeclampsia is associated with maternal metabolic disturbances, but longitudinal studies with comprehensive metabolic profiling are lacking. We aimed to determine metabolic profiles ...across gestation in women who developed preeclampsia compared with women with healthy pregnancies. We also explored the respective effects of body mass index (BMI) and preeclampsia on various metabolic measures.
Material and methods
We measured 91 metabolites by high‐throughput nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy at four time points (visits) during pregnancy (weeks 14–16, 22–24, 30–32 and 36–38). Samples were taken from a Norwegian pregnancy cohort. We fitted a linear regression model for each metabolic measure to compare women who developed preeclampsia (n = 38) and healthy controls (n = 70).
Results
Among women who developed preeclampsia, 92% gave birth after 34 weeks of gestation. Compared to women with healthy pregnancies, women who developed preeclampsia had higher levels of several lipid‐related metabolites at visit 1, whereas fewer differences were observed at visit 2. At visit 3, the pattern from visit 1 reappeared. At visit 4 the differences were larger in most subgroups of very‐low‐density lipoprotein particles, the smallest high‐density lipoprotein, total lipids and triglycerides. Total fatty acids were also increased, of which monounsaturated fatty acids and saturated fatty acids showed more pronounced differences. Concentration of glycine tended to be lower in pregnancies with preeclampsia until visit 3, although this was not significant after correction for multiple testing. After adjustment for age, BMI, parity and gestational weight gain, all significant differences were attenuated at visits 1 and 2. The estimates were less affected by adjustment at visits 3 and 4.
Conclusions
In early pregnancy, the metabolic differences between preeclamptic and healthy pregnancies were primarily driven by maternal BMI, probably representing the women's pre‐pregnancy metabolic status. In early third trimester, several weeks before clinical manifestation, the differences were less influenced by BMI, indicating preeclampsia‐specific changes. Near term, women with preeclampsia developed an atherogenic metabolic profile, including elevated total lipids, very‐low‐density lipoprotein, triglycerides, and total fatty acids.
Most metabolic alterations prior to pregnancy weeks 22–24 were attributed to maternal overweight and obesity. Level of glycine was lower already from pregnancy weeks 14–16 among women who subsequently developed preeclampsia in comparison to women with healthy pregnancies. From early third trimester, women with preeclampsia developed an atherogenic metabolic profile with increased levels of total lipids, VLDL particles, triglycerides and fatty acids.
Introduction
Educational institutions worldwide have implemented learning management systems (LMSs) to centralise and manage learning resources, educational services, learning activities and ...institutional information. LMS has mainly been used by teachers as storage and transfer of course material. To effectively utilise digital technologies in education, there is a need for more knowledge of student experiences with digital technology, such as LMSs and especially regarding how LMSs can contribute to student engagement and learning.
Objective
This study aimed to gain knowledge about postgraduate nursing students’ experiences with the use of LMS in a subject in an advanced practice nursing master's programme.
Methods
A qualitative method with a descriptive design was employed. Two focus group interviews were performed with eight postgraduate nursing students from an advanced practice nursing programme at a university college in Norway. Data were analysed using qualitative content analysis.
Results
Three themes emerged from the data material: 1) A course structure that supports learning; 2) LMS tools facilitate preparation, repetition and flexibility; and 3) own responsibility for using the LMS for preparation before on-campus activities.
Conclusion
The course structure within the LMS seemed to be important to enhance postgraduate students’ ability to prepare before on-campus activities. Implementation and use of LMS tools can facilitate preparation, repetition and flexibility, especially when postgraduate students study difficult topics. Postgraduate students seem to have different views regarding their own responsibility for using the LMS to prepare before on-campus activities.
Policy makers and researchers are increasingly emphasising the need for more diversified and localised food systems. This study investigates relations between local food systems and community ...development, revealing how local food is linked with identity, social relations, and community pride. We also address barriers and enablers for developing such links. We conducted an in-depth case study of local food systems in three Norwegian rural municipalities. Our results show how local food systems are linked to geographical location, and how they strengthen social relations by bringing actors in the food system closer together, fostering mutual responsibilities, pride, and a sense of belonging in local communities. We argue that local food is not only for somewhere, but from here, thus adding meaning and accountability to local food regimes. Local food exchange is motivated by mutual moral obligations and value-driven preferences, enabling reconnection between different actors in the food system. This is a central factor in local food’s contribution to community development and sustainability in food systems. Our findings furthermore demonstrate the importance of non-conventional exchange channels for local food distribution and exchange. Some findings nevertheless also show a need for efforts to make local food more affordable and available for most citizens. Together, the cases studied show that a holistic and context-dependent development of local food systems is necessary to provide pathways for communities to expand the role of local food as part of their community development and in order to enhance sustainability.
Policy makers and researchers are increasingly emphasising the need for more diversified and localised food systems. This study investigates relations between local food systems and community ...development, revealing how local food is linked with identity, social relations, and community pride. We also address barriers and enablers for developing such links. We conducted an in-depth case study of local food systems in three Norwegian rural municipalities. Our results show how local food systems are linked to geographical location, and how they strengthen social relations by bringing actors in the food system closer together, fostering mutual responsibilities, pride, and a sense of belonging in local communities. We argue that local food is not only for somewhere, but from here, thus adding meaning and accountability to local food regimes. Local food exchange is motivated by mutual moral obligations and value-driven preferences, enabling reconnection between different actors in the food system. This is a central factor in local food’s contribution to community development and sustainability in food systems. Our findings furthermore demonstrate the importance of non-conventional exchange channels for local food distribution and exchange. Some findings nevertheless also show a need for efforts to make local food more affordable and available for most citizens. Together, the cases studied show that a holistic and context-dependent development of local food systems is necessary to provide pathways for communities to expand the role of local food as part of their community development and in order to enhance sustainability.
Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) of the breast is a precursor of invasive breast carcinoma. DNA methylation alterations are thought to be an early event in progression of cancer, and may prove ...valuable as a tool in clinical decision making and for understanding neoplastic development.
We generate genome-wide DNA methylation profiles of 285 breast tissue samples representing progression of cancer, and validate methylation changes between normal and DCIS in an independent dataset of 15 normal and 40 DCIS samples. We also validate a prognostic signature on 583 breast cancer samples from The Cancer Genome Atlas. Our analysis reveals that DNA methylation profiles of DCIS are radically altered compared to normal breast tissue, involving more than 5,000 genes. Changes between DCIS and invasive breast carcinoma involve around 1,000 genes. In tumors, DNA methylation is associated with gene expression of almost 3,000 genes, including both negative and positive correlations. A prognostic signature based on methylation level of 18 CpGs is associated with survival of breast cancer patients with invasive tumors, as well as with survival of patients with DCIS and mixed lesions of DCIS and invasive breast carcinoma.
This work demonstrates that changes in the epigenome occur early in the neoplastic progression, provides evidence for the possible utilization of DNA methylation-based markers of progression in the clinic, and highlights the importance of epigenetic changes in carcinogenesis.
Impacts of anthropogenic activities on coastal seabirds might be extensive, especially in the breeding season. Identifying important foraging areas and associated habitats is important for a proper ...management of seabirds. To identify habitat characteristics driving the selection of foraging sites of breeding European shags
Phalacrocorax aristotelis,
this study used tracking data (GPS- and TDR-loggers), from 282 individual birds comprising 905 foraging trips and 27,303 dives with known locations, to create habitat selection models. To explore possible effects of regional differences in habitat on foraging behavior, the study was performed at two Norwegian colonies, Sklinna in the Norwegian Sea (65°N, 11°E) and Hornøya in the Barents Sea (70°N, 31°E), with distinct differences in seascape structure and habitat availability. Shags at Sklinna foraged further away from the colony than those at Hornøya but diving depth and duration were similar at the two colonies. In both colonies, sea depth was an important predictor of habitats selected by chick-rearing shags during foraging, with birds preferring shallow depths. At Sklinna, shags also selected for flat areas with high probability of kelp forest occurrence. There was no difference in trip length and duration between sexes, but males dived deeper than females in both colonies. This suggests that males and females might utilize different microhabitats within the same foraging area. The study discusses the application of habitat selection modeling to identify important foraging areas for coastal seabirds, and how this may contribute to the management, conservation and assessment of impacts of human activities.
Excess peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) stimulation has been associated with detrimental health effects including impaired myocardial function. Recently, supplementation with n-3 ...polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) has been associated with improved left ventricular function and functional capacity in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy. We investigated the long-term effects of the pan-PPAR agonist tetradecylthioacetic acid (TTA) and/or high-dose fish oil (FO) on cardiac fatty acid (FA) composition and lipid metabolism. Male Wistar rats were given one out of four different 25% (w/v) fat diets: control diet; TTA diet; FO diet; or diet containing both TTA and FO.
After 50 weeks n-3 PUFA levels were increased by TTA and FO in the heart, whereas liver levels were reduced following TTA administration. TTA was associated with a decrease in arachidonic acid, increased activities of carnitine palmitoyltransferase II, fatty acyl-CoA oxidase, glycerol-3-phosphate acyltransferase, and fatty acid synthase in the heart. Furthermore, cardiac Ucp3 and Cact mRNA was upregulated.
Long-term treatment with the pan-PPAR agonist TTA or high-dose FO induced marked changes in PUFA composition and enzymatic activity involved in FA metabolism in the heart, different from liver. Changes included increased FA oxidation and a selective increase in cardiac n-3 PUFA.
The 3-thia fatty acid tetradecylthioacetic acid (TTA) is a synthetic modified fatty acid, which, similar with dietary fish oil (FO), influences the regulation of lipid metabolism, the inflammatory ...response and redox status. This study was aimed to penetrate the difference in TTA's mode of action compared to FO in a long-term experiment (50 weeks of feeding). Male Wistar rats were fed a control, high-fat (25% w/v) diet or a high-fat diet supplemented with either TTA (0.375% w/v) or FO (10% w/v) or their combination. Plasma fatty acid composition, hepatic lipids and expression of relevant genes in the liver and biomarkers of oxidative damage to protein were assessed at the end point of the experiment. Both supplements given in combination demonstrated an additive effect on the decrease in plasma cholesterol levels. The FO diet alone led to removal of plasma cholesterol and a concurrent cholesterol accumulation in liver; however, with TTA cotreatment, the hepatic cholesterol level was significantly reduced. Dietary FO supplementation led to an increased oxidative damage, as seen by biomarkers of protein oxidation and lipoxidation. Tetradecylthioacetic acid administration reduced the levels of these biomarkers confirming its protective role against lipoxidation and protein oxidative damage. Our findings explore the lipid reducing effects of TTA and FO and demonstrate that these bioactive dietary compounds might act in a different manner. The experiment confirms the antioxidant capacity of TTA, showing an improvement in FO-induced oxidative stress.
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