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Trude Eid Robsahm,1 Steinar Tretli,1 Peter Abusdal Torjesen,2 Ronnie Babigumira,1 Gary G Schwartz31The Cancer Registry of Norway, Institute of Population-based Cancer Research, Oslo, Norway; 2The Hormone Laboratory, Department of Endocrinology, Oslo University Hospital Health Authority, Oslo, Norway; 3Department of Population Health, University of North Dakota School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Grand Forks, ND, USAPurpose: Circulating 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25-OHD) levels have been inversely associated with cancer death, but the nature of this relationship is unclear. We investigated this association using repeated measurements of serum 25-OHD.Patients and methods: Pre-diagnostic serum samples were collected in population health surveys in Norway (1973–2004). Participants who subsequently developed cancer (1984–2004) provided a second serum sample at the time of cancer diagnosis. Samples were stored in the Janus Serum Bank. Repeated samples existed from 202 breast cancers, 193 lung cancers, 124 lymphomas, and 37 colon cancers. Serum 25-OHD was measured via competitive radioimmunoassay. Cox regression models assessed associations between 25-OHD and cancer-specific death (case fatality) through 2012, given as hazard ratios (HRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs).Results: The median time between pre-diagnostic and diagnostic samples was 14.4 years. The median 25-OHD levels were 63.3 and 62.5 nmol/L, respectively. During follow-up, 313 cancer deaths occurred. Compared to low pre-diagnostic 25-OHD levels (<46 nmol/L), higher levels (≥46 nmol/L) had significantly lower HRs (39–54%) of case fatality. This result was also seen for the diagnostic samples. Donors who had both samples at high (≥62 nmol/L) levels had 59% lower HR of case fatality, compared to those for whom both samples were at low levels (<46 nmol/L). Furthermore, versus a decline in serum 25-OHD (median −22.4 nmol/L) from pre-diagnostic

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is increasing around the world and the possible adverse effects on reproductive health of electromagnetic fields (EMFs) in MRI are not previously studied. A prospective randomized balanced cross-over study using a head scan in real MRI with whole-body transmitting coil and sham MRI among 24 healthy male volunteers was conducted. Serum-blood samples of inhibin B, testosterone, prolactine, thyreotropine, luteinizing hormone, follicle stimulating hormone, sex-hormone binding globuline and estradiol were taken before and after the different scans. Neither immediately after, nor after 11 days were there seen any differences in the hormone levels comparing real and sham MRI. The lack of effects of EMF on male reproductive hormones should be reassuring to the public and especially for men examined in MRI. Adverse effects on other endpoints than male reproduction or possible chronic effect of multiple MRI scans have not been investigated in this study.

Hansen, E, Landstad, BJ, Gundersen, KT, Torjesen, PA, and Svebak, S. Insulin sensitivity after maximal and endurance resistance training. J Strength Cond Res 26(2): 327-334, 2012-The purpose of the study was to compare the effects of maximal resistance training (MRT) vs. endurance resistance training (ERT) on improvements in insulin levels and glucose tolerance in overweight individuals at risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Eighteen participants with baseline values suggesting impaired glucose tolerance were randomly assigned to 1 of 2 groups. Group 1 engaged in supervised MRT (Bernstein inverted pyramid system: 5 x 3-4, 60-85% 1 repetition maximum [1RM]), 3 d.wk(-1) over 4 months, whereas members of group 2 acted as controls. Later, group 2 engaged in supervised ERT (3 x 12-15, 45-65% 1RM), 3 d.wk(-1) over a 4 month period with the 2 prebaselines as controls. Both interventions consisted of 8 exercises that included the entire body. Glucose (fasting and 2-hour test), insulin and C-peptide measures were assessed from pre to post in both groups. The MRT led to reduced blood levels of 2-hour glucose (p = 0.044) and fasting C-peptide (p = 0.023) and decreased insulin resistance (p = 0.040). The ERT caused a significant reduction in the blood levels of insulin (p = 0.023) and concomitant positive effects on % insulin sensitivity (p=0.054) and beta-cell function (p=0.020). The findings indicate that both MRT and ERT lead to decreased insulin resistance in people with a risk of developing type 2 diabetes; MRT led to a greater increase in glucose uptake capacity (in muscles), whereas ERT led to greater insulin sensitivity, supporting the recommendation of both MRT and ERT as primary intervention approaches for individuals at a risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

Background: Environmental challenges may affect both the exposed individuals and their offspring. We investigated possible adaptive aspects of such cross-generation transmissions, and hypothesized that chronic unpredictable food access would cause chickens to show a more conservative feeding strategy and to be more dominant, and that these adaptations would be transmitted to the offspring. Methodology/Principal Findings: Parents were raised in an unpredictable (UL) or in predictable diurnal light rhythm (PL, 12:12 h light: dark). In a foraging test, UL birds pecked more at freely available, rather than at hidden and more attractive food, compared to birds from the PL group. Female offspring of UL birds, raised in predictable light conditions without parental contact, showed a similar foraging behavior, differing from offspring of PL birds. Furthermore, adult offspring of UL birds performed more food pecks in a dominance test, showed a higher preference for high energy food, survived better, and were heavier than offspring of PL parents. Using cDNA microarrays, we found that the differential brain gene expression caused by the challenge was mirrored in the offspring. In particular, several immunoglobulin genes seemed to be affected similarly in both UL parents and their offspring. Estradiol levels were significantly higher in egg yolk from UL birds, suggesting one possible mechanism for these effects. Conclusions/Significance: Our findings suggest that unpredictable food access caused seemingly adaptive responses in feeding behavior, which may have been transmitted to the offspring by means of epigenetic mechanisms, including regulation of immune genes. This may have prepared the offspring for coping with an unpredictable environment., QC 20100525

Background: Environmental challenges may affect both the exposed individuals and their offspring. We investigated possible adaptive aspects of such cross-generation transmissions, and hypothesized that chronic unpredictable food access would cause chickens to show a more conservative feeding strategy and to be more dominant, and that these adaptations would be transmitted to the offspring. Methodology/Principal Findings: Parents were raised in an unpredictable (UL) or in predictable diurnal light rhythm (PL, 12:12 h light:dark). In a foraging test, UL birds pecked more at freely available, rather than at hidden and more attractive food, compared to birds from the PL group. Female offspring of UL birds, raised in predictable light conditions without parental contact, showed a similar foraging behavior, differing from offspring of PL birds. Furthermore, adult offspring of UL birds performed more food pecks in a dominance test, showed a higher preference for high energy food, survived better, and were heavier than offspring of PL parents. Using cDNA microarrays, we found that the differential brain gene expression caused by the challenge was mirrored in the offspring. In particular, several immunoglobulin genes seemed to be affected similarly in both UL parents and their offspring. Estradiol levels were significantly higher in egg yolk from UL birds, suggesting one possible mechanism for these effects. Conclusions/Significance: Our findings suggest that unpredictable food access caused seemingly adaptive responses in feeding behavior, which may have been transmitted to the offspring by means of epigenetic mechanisms, including regulation of immune genes. This may have prepared the offspring for coping with an unpredictable environment. Citation: Nätt D, Lindqvist N, Stranneheim H, Lundeberg J, Torjesen PA, et al. (2009) Inheritance of Acquired Behaviour Adaptations and Brain Gene Expression in Chickens. PLoS ONE 4(7): e6405. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0006405 Editor: Tom, Original Publication:Daniel Nätt, Niclas Lindqvist, Henrik Stranneheim, Joakim Lundeberg, Peter A. Torjesen and Per Jensen, Inheritance of Acquired Behaviour Adaptions and Brain Gene Expression in Chickens, 2009, PLoS ONE, (4), 7, e6405.http://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0006405Copyright: Authors

Stress may affect both the exposed individuals and the development of their offspring. We have previously shown that offspring of stressed domestic chickens can inherit the stressed-induced learning impairments of their parents and the associated modifications in brain gene expression. In this study we investigated possible adaptive aspects of such cross-generation transmissions. We hypothesized that stress would cause chickens to show a more conservative feeding strategy and to be more dominant, and that these adaptations would be transmitted to the offspring. Parents were raised in an unpredictable diurnal light rhythm (stress treatment) or in control conditions (12:12 h light:dark). In a foraging test, stressed birds pecked more at freely available than at hidden and more attractive food compared to birds from the control group. Female offspring of stressed birds, raised in control conditions without parental contact, showed a similar foraging behavior, differing from offspring of control birds. Furthermore, adult offspring of stressed birds performed more food pecks in a dominance test, showed a higher preference for high energy food, survived better, and were heavier than offspring of control parents. One possible explanation for the more dominant behavior of these birds might be increased androgen/estrogen effects from the yolk during their embryonic phase leading to increased anabolism and androgenic behavior. Using cDNA microarrays, we found that some of the differential brain gene expression caused by stress tended to be mirrored in the offspring, indicating transgenerational effects. In particular, several immunoglobulin genes seemed to be affected similarly in both stressed parents and their offspring. Estradiol, but not corticoserone, testosterone, androstendion, or dihydrotestosterone, was significantly higher in egg yolk from stressed birds, suggesting a possible mechanism for these effects. Our findings suggest that stress may cause adaptive response