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Glioblastoma is a highly aggressive disease with poor survival outcomes. An emerging body of literature links the role of the renin–angiotensin system (RAS), well-known for its function in the cardiovascular system, to the progression of cancers. We studied the expression of RAS-related genes (ATP6AP2, AGTR1, AGTR2, ACE, AGT, and REN) in The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) glioblastoma cohort, their relationship to patient survival, and association with tumour microenvironment pathways. The expression of RAS genes was then examined in 12 patient-derived glioblastoma cell lines treated with chemoradiation. In cases of glioblastoma within the TCGA, ATP6AP2, AGTR1, ACE, and AGT had consistent expressions across samples, while AGTR2 and REN were lowly expressed. High expression of AGTR1 was independently associated with lower progression-free survival (PFS) (p = 0.01) and had a non-significant trend for overall survival (OS) after multivariate analysis (p = 0.095). The combined expression of RAS receptors (ATP6AP2, AGTR1, and AGTR2) was positively associated with gene pathways involved in hypoxia, microvasculature, stem cell plasticity, and the molecular characterisation of glioblastoma subtypes. In patient-derived glioblastoma cell lines, ATP6AP2 and AGTR1 were upregulated after chemoradiotherapy and correlated with an increase in HIF1A expression. This data suggests the RAS is correlated with changes in the tumour microenvironment and associated with glioblastoma survival outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Higher dietary intakes of Omega-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 LC-PUFAs) have been linked to lower rates of preterm birth and preeclampsia. The aim of this analysis was to describe dietary intake and fractions of red blood cell (RBC) membrane LC-PUFAs during pregnancy in a cohort of Indigenous Australian women. Maternal dietary intake was assessed using two validated dietary assessment tools and quantified using the AUSNUT (Australian Food and Nutrient) 2011–2013 database. Analysis from a 3-month food frequency questionnaire indicated that 83% of this cohort met national n-3 LC-PUFA recommendations, with 59% meeting alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) recommendations. No nutritional supplements used by the women contained n-3 LC-PUFAs. Over 90% of women had no detectable level of ALA in their RBC membranes, and the median Omega-3 Index was 5.5%. This analysis appears to illustrate a decline in concentrations of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) across gestation in women who had preterm birth. However, there was no visible trend in LC-PUFA fractions in women who experienced hypertension during pregnancy. Further research is needed to better understand the link between dietary intake of n-3 LC-PUFA-rich foods and the role of fatty acids in preterm birth and preeclampsia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Indigenous infants are disproportionately more likely to have negative outcomes compared to non-Indigenous infants with suboptimal nutrition in the first 1000 d playing a major role. This review aimed to systematically assess the effectiveness of interventions designed to optimise dietary intake and/or nutrition-related behaviours among Indigenous infants globally and to identify whether Indigenous populations were involved in the co-design of the intervention.Design: Articles published before June 2020 that reported nutrition-related interventions and outcomes for Indigenous infants were identified from a database search. Data extracted included study aims and design, target population, geographical location, the health condition of the participants, intervention characteristics and outcomes. A narrative synthesis consisting of effects and acceptability of the interventions and involvement of participants in the study design were highlighted.Settings: Population-based intervention studies that focused on improving dietary intakes and/or nutrition-related behaviours of Indigenous infants in the first 1000 d of life were included in this review.Results: Of the 2784 studies identified, three studies met the inclusion criteria. These were conducted among two Indigenous tribes in Guatemala and the USA. Two studies reported the food and nutrient intake of participants with one study showing an improvement in dietary intake of the infants. Only one study reported community participation in the study design, intervention design and implementation, and acceptability of the intervention by the participants.Conclusion: Engaging Indigenous communities throughout the entire process of nutrition interventions could have beneficial effects through improved outcomes in the first 1000 d of life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: The nutritional quality of foods consumed by infants and young children to complement breastfeeding or formula feeding influences growth and development. The aim of this study was to identify the dietary intake of Indigenous infants and young children in the Gomeroi gaaynggal cohort, and evaluate the nutritional adequacy of their intake compared with Australian recommendations. Methods: Dietary intake was assessed using diet recalls at approximately 9‐, 12‐ and 24‐month visits. Nutrient values of foods were obtained from AUSNUT 2011‐13 and nutrient intake compared to the Australian Nutrient Reference Values. Foods were categorised into food groups and intakes compared to the Australian Guide to Healthy Eating. Results: A total of 206 infants and young children were included in the study. Of these, 95 individual children had dietary data collected between 7.6 and 24.7 months. Infant formula and breastfeeding rates were highest among infants (70% and 20%, respectively). Cow's milk intake was highest among young children (75%). Infants and young children in the cohort met most macro‐ and micronutrient intake recommendations. Few young children met recommendation for iron (42%), no infant met recommendation for omega‐3 fatty acids and almost all exceeded recommendation for sodium. Most young children met daily dairy and fruit recommendations although intake of discretionary foods was high. Conclusions: This study found that diets of Indigenous infants and young children met most key nutrient reference targets. Potential target areas that require dietary optimisation have been identified and will be the focus of community‐led strategies in adequate infant nutrition promotion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]