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Cohort profile: The Belgian I AM frontier prospective cohort study for comprehensive health outcome exploration
No full textObjectives The I AM Frontier cohort was set up to support proof-of-concepts aimed at personalized prevention and health promotion. The study was designed to identify patterns, markers and processes involved in the spectrum between health and early disease onset, with the aim of generating actionable insights in a clinical setting.Study design A prospective cohort study. The study was approved by the ethics committee of the Antwerp University Hospital (RegN degrees: B300201938600).Methods Data collection in the I AM Frontier study spanned 12 months as a longitudinal small-scale cohort study (n = 30) conducted in the Antwerp region of Flanders, Belgium. Participants were employees of the company hosting the study, who did not have a clinical diagnosis and were between 45-60 years old.Results Even though no severe health problems were recorded at baseline, participants reported several physical complaints. There was a clear difference in longitudinal variation between clinical and research grade omics types, which might have affected their respective ability to detect intermediate molecular changes that were be linked to phenotype changes.Conclusion By integrating findings from the IAF cohort into a large-scale cohort on personalized prevention, and incorporating new technologies for microsample data collection and participant engagement, we can develop more precise and individualized health recommendations.This project was entirely funded by VITO NV
Breaking barriers, bridging gaps, and redefining acute cardiovascular care: May issue highlights
No full textBiothiols, ethylene and autophagy - an exploration of their significance and interplay during the acute cadmium stress response in Arabidopsis thaliana
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The role of the exposome in biological ageing and appetite regulation across youth - The relation of the external exposome with telomeres and appetite hormones
No full textNoncommunicable diseases (NCDs) are chronic conditions that are not directly transmissible between individuals (e.g. cancers, cardiovascular diseases, obesity, diabetes type 2). These diseases represent a major global health burden as they significantly contribute to mortality worldwide, causing 41 million deaths each year. NCDs emerge from a complex interplay between the individual’s genetic predisposition, surrounding environment (e.g. work and living conditions) and personal lifestyle choices (e.g. smoking, diet, physical activity). However, the exact underlying mechanisms remain to be explored. While genetic makeup is fixed, environmental and lifestyle factors are modifiable, offering opportunities for intervention.
To address these modifiable contributors, the concept of the exposome has been developed, encompassing the totality of environmental exposures throughout an individual's life, starting from conception. While previous research has largely focused on the effects of single exposures or lifestyle factors on disease development, the exposome opens opportunities for understanding the interplay between exposures, their combined effects, and the underlying mechanisms which are crucial for effective prevention. Although most research has focused on adults’ lifestyle and exposures, early life may represent a critical period for the onset of NCDs, underscoring the need to investigate early-life mechanisms and exposures.
This dissertation aims to tackle these knowledge gaps by focusing on two potential underlying mechanisms (biological ageing and appetite regulation) through which the exposome may contribute to the early-life development of NCDs using population-based research. As many NCDs are linked with ageing, this dissertation investigates the link between the exposome and telomere attrition, a biomarker for biological ageing. Shorter telomeres have been linked to several NCDs, providing valuable insight into early biological effects and offering an ideal model to study the exposome's impact on ageing from early life onward. The second focus of this dissertation is on exploring underlying mechanisms of obesity, which is not only an NCD in itself but also a significant risk factor for the development of other NCDs, effectively acting as a double burden. Since obesity is often linked to increased appetite and impaired appetite hormone levels, this work explores appetite regulation as an underlying mechanism. It pioneers research concerning the exposome's impact on appetite-regulating hormones during childhood and the prenatal period, specifically focusing on ghrelin, leptin, peptide yy, glucagon-like-peptide 1 and pancreatic polypeptide.
This dissertation includes population-based research that was performed using the data of two Flemish cohorts, a birth cohort ENVIRONAGE (ENVIRonmental influence ON early AGEing) and a child/adolescent cohort IDEFICS (Identification and prevention of Dietary- and lifestyle-induced health EFfects In Children and infantS). In both cohorts data was collected on multiple exposures of the children and newborns. These exposures, could be combined by creating a multi-exposure score reflecting the exposome of the children, to assess the overall effect of a combination of exposures towards both outcomes, telomere attrition and appetite hormones.
The original research findings are presented in two parts (Part II–III). In Part II the relation between the exposome and telomere attrition is assessed in children (2–10 years old at baseline) (Chapter 1). Part III shifts focus to appetite regulation and its link to the exposome. Chapter 2 explores the relationship between the exposome and appetite-regulating hormones in children and adolescents (aged 4–16 years). Chapter 3 investigates the health relevance of appetite hormones in cord blood by examining their associations with early-life growth trajectories and body composition, key risk factors for later obesity. Chapter 4 assesses the influence of prenatal exposures on cord blood appetite hormone levels.
In summary, we observed that a combination of a healthy lifestyle and a green environment is associated with reduced telomere attrition over 5 to 7 years in childhood. Specifically, exposure to residential green space, particularly vegetation taller than 3 meters, was linked to slower telomere shortening, with part of this association mediated by smaller waist circumference. Environmental exposures at study (i.e. air pollution and residential green space), were also associated with fasting appetite hormone levels in children, potentially contributing to obesity development early in life. Similarly, prenatal exposure to air pollution was found to influence appetite hormone levels in cord blood. Interestingly, these cord blood appetite hormone levels were associated with postnatal growth trajectories and body composition. Collectively, these results highlight that the exposome influences internal processes related to biological ageing and appetite regulation as early as the prenatal and childhood periods.
This dissertation strengthens the existing literature on how lifestyle factors and environmental exposures are linked to biological processes, emphasizing that both lifestyle and environmental factors play critical roles in health starting from conception. It also provides new insights, particularly into the relationship between the exposome and appetite hormones early in life, and is the first to show associations between specific cord blood appetite hormones and postnatal growth and body composition. Therefore, this work can serve as a starting point for further exploration of appetite hormones, telomeres, and their potential contribution to the development of NCDs.
Future research should verify these results in other (larger) study populations, especially populations with a higher obesity prevalence and lower socio-economic status. Experimental studies are necessary to establish causality of the observed associations. Finally, methodological improvements are suggested to minimize bias.
From a public health perspective, this dissertation underscores the importance of early-life interventions targeting both lifestyle and environmental factors to reduce the risk of NCDs. By linking the exposome to biological ageing and appetite regulation, this work contributes to the growing body of evidence advocating for preventive strategies to address the NCD burden, particularly the obesity crisis, from an early age onwards. Ultimately, the research conducted in this dissertation emphasizes prevention as the cornerstone for sustainable health improvements, aligning with the adage: "Prevention is better than cure
Organic Modification of Eutectogels Enhances Electrolyte/Electrode Contact in Sodium-Ion Batteries
No full textNa+ ion conducting deep eutectic solvents (DESs) hold promise as alternative electrolytes for future sodium-ion batteries (SIBs) because of their higher thermal stability compared to conventional liquid electrolytes, drastically improving safety characteristics. However, their liquid nature remains to pose a risk of potential leakage. In this study, the latter is resolved by the encapsulation of DESs in a solid host matrix, creating so-called eutectogels, which are promising alternatives to ionogels because of their cost-effectiveness. The nature of the host matrix heavily influences the mechanical properties of the gels, where completely inorganic host materials readily experience mechanical deterioration when stress is applied. In this work, organic modification of the inorganic host matrix enhances the pliability of eutectogels, decreasing their Young's modulus from 4.8 to 2.1 MPa. This results in an improved electrolyte/electrode contact (reduced charge-transfer resistance) without compromising ionic conductivity (up to 0.17 mS cm(-1)) or electrochemical stability window (approximate to 0.9 V vs. Na+/Na to approximate to 4.5 vs. Na+/Na). As such, the eutectogels outperformed conventional liquid SIB electrolytes in full cells.This research was made possible by the Research Foundation Flanders (FWO, project G053519N and 1S08921N) and the Special Research Fund (BOF) of Hasselt University (BOF20INCENT19). This work was further supported by Hasselt University and FWO Vlaanderen via the Hercules projects AUHL/15/2-GOH3816N and I001324N
Real-life effectiveness of sacubitril/valsartan in older Belgians with heart failure, reduced ejection fraction and most severe symptoms
No full textWe assessed the real-world effectiveness of sacubitril/valsartan in patients with chronic heart failure (HF) and reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) with an emphasis on those with older age (≥ 75 years) or with New York Heart Association (NYHA) class IV, for whom greater uncertainty existed regarding clinical outcomes. We conducted a retrospective cohort study based on patient-level linkage of electronic healthcare datasets. Data from all adults with HFrEF in Belgium receiving a prescription for sacubitril/valsartan between 01-November-2016 and 31-December-2018 were collected, with a follow-up of > 6 years. The total study population comprised 5446 patients, older than the PARADIGM-HF trial participants, and with higher NYHA class (all P 26% in the overall cohort, and in subgroups of patients ≥ 75 years, with NYHA class III/IV (all P < 0.0001) or with NYHA class IV (P < 0.05), vs. baseline. All-cause mortality did not increase in real-world patients with NYHA class III/IV. The results support the long-term beneficial effects of sacubitril/valsartan in older patients and in those experiencing the most severe symptoms.Acknowledgements
Healthdata.be, Sciensano, Brussels, Belgium facilitated data exchange for this study, enabling the analysis of this Belgian registry. Specifcally, we thank Hélène Ameels and Johan Van Bussel for helpful discussion and comments on a draf version of this manuscript. We thank Tahnee Sente, former project manager at Novartis Pharma Belgium, who initiated the project with healthdata.be in 2017. We thank the Data42 team at Novartis Pharma, and specifcally Silvia Zaoli and Nelly Hajizadeh, data science experts who provided great support and guidance for the use of the internal platform and the analyses related to the PARADIGM-HF trial. We thank the members of the cardio-renal-metabolic medical department and market access team at Novartis Pharma Belgium for helpful discussion
Correction: Interneuron migration impairment and brain regionspecific DNA damage response following irradiation during early neurogenesis in mice
No full textas long as you give appropriate credit to the original author(s) and the source, provide a link to the Creative Commons licence, and indicate if changes were made. The images or other third party material in this article are included in the article's Creative Commons licence, unless indicated otherwise in a credit line to the material. If material is not included in the article's Creative Commons licence and your intended use is not permitted by statutory regulation or exceeds the permitted use, you will need to obtain permission directly from the copyright holder. To view a copy of this licence, visit h t t p : / / c r e a t i v e c o m m o n s. o r g / l i c e n s e s / b y / 4. 0 /. Publisher's note Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to juris-dictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations. Correction: Cellular and Molecular Life Sciences (2025) 82:118 h t t p s : / / d o i. o r g / 1 0. 1 0 0 7 / s 0 0 0 1 8-0 2 5-0 5 6 4 3-7 The original article can be found online at h t t p s : / / d o i. o r g / 1 0. 1 0 0 7 / s 0 0 0 1 8-0 2 5-0 5 6 4 3-7. Roel Quinten
Knowing the Unknown. The protection of insects in the EU Habitats Directive in light of scientific uncertainty.
No full textAssessment of psychosocial aspects in adults in post-COVID-19 condition: the EURONET-SOMA recommendations on core outcome domains for clinical and research use
No full textBackground Harmonizing core outcome domains allows for pooling data, comparing interventions, and streamlining research evaluation. At the same time clinicians require concise and feasible measures for routine practice. Considering the heterogeneity of post-COVID-19 condition, a biopsychosocial approach requires sufficient coverage of the psychosocial dimension with assessments. Previous recommendations for core outcome sets have serious limitations regarding the psychosocial aspects of post-COVID-19 condition. This paper specifically focuses on psycho-social outcomes for adults with post-COVID-19 condition, providing both a comprehensive set of outcome domains for research and a streamlined clinical core set tailored for routine clinical use. Methods In a structured Consensus Development Approach, the European Network to improve diagnostic, treatment , and healthcare for patients with persistent somatic symptoms (EURONET-SOMA) developed psychosocial core outcome domains and assessments regarding post-COVID-19 condition. The experts identified variables and instruments which should be considered in studies on adults suffering from post-COVID-19 condition, and which are feasible in the clinical setting and relevant for research. Results We identified three higher-order dimensions with each encompassing several domains: The first higher-order dimension, "outcomes", encompasses (1) the classification/ diagnostics of post-COVID-19 condition, (2) somatic symptoms (including fatigue), (3) the psychopathological status and mental comorbidities, (4) the physical status and somatic comorbidities, (5) neurocognitive symptoms, and (6) illness consequences. The second higher-order domain "mechanisms" encompasses (7) cognitive components, (8) affective components, (9) behavioral components, (10) social components, and (11) psychobiological bridge markers (e.g., neuroimmunological and psychoneuroendo-crinological variables). The third higher-order domain, "risk factors", includes factors such as (12) socioeconomic status and sociocultural factors, (13) pre-existing mental and somatic health issues, (14) personality factors (e.g., neuroticism),Open Access funding enabled and organized by Projekt DEAL.EURONET-SOMA
Our members come from the following institutions across Europe
oa;
Hasselt University, Belgium (waarvoor Katleen Bogaerts
