Concentration-Dependent Effects of N-3 Long-Chain Fatty Acids on Na,K-ATPase Activity in Human Endothelial Cells

N-3 eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) seem to prevent endothelial dysfunction, a crucial step in atherogenesis, by modulating the levels of vasoactive molecules and by influencing Na,K-ATPase activity of vascular myocytes. The activity of endothelial Na,K-ATPase controls the ionic homeostasis of the neighboring cells, as well as cell function. However, controversy exists with respect to the vascular protective effect of EPA and DHA. We argue that this dispute might be due to the use of different concentrations of EPA and DHA in different studies. Therefore, this study was designed to define an optimal concentration of EPA and DHA to investigate endothelial function. For this purpose, human endothelial cells were exposed for 24 h to different concentrations of DHA or EPA (0\u201320 \u3bcM) to study membrane fluidity, peroxidation potential and Na,K-ATPase activity. EPA and DHA were linearly incorporated and this incorporation was mirrored by the linear increase of unsaturation index, membrane fluidity, and peroxidation potential. Na,K-ATPase activity peaked at 3.75 \u3bcM of EPA and DHA and then gradually decreased. It is noteworthy that DHA effects were always more pronounced than EPA. Concluding, low concentrations of EPA and DHA minimize peroxidation sensitivity and optimize Na,K-ATPase activity

Weight Loss Improves Cardio-Metabolic and Inflammatory State in Subjects with Metabolic Syndrome

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a condition characterized by a constellation of reversible major risk factors for cardiovascular disease (CVD) and type 2 diabetes (T2DM). While it has been widely demonstrated that weight reduction by 5\u201310% decreases CVD and T2DM risk factors, including atherogenic dyslipidemia, on the other hand, its effects on comprehensive serum cytokine profile and endotoxemia are less investigated. Furthermore, the impact of weight loss on these parameters was studied especially in subjects with morbid obesity, often after bariatric surgery; while the studies on the effects of a physiological weight reduction with a balanced hypocaloric diet in overweight and moderately obese subjects showed contradictory results

Effect of polyglucosamine on weight loss and metabolic parameters in overweight and obesity: A systemic review and meta-analysis

The use of dietary supplements for weight loss has gained significant momentum. Polyglucosamine, a chitosan derivative, is a dietary supplement increasingly used for weight loss. In this meta-analysis, we systematically summarized and quantified the key findings of four randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trials examining the effects of polyglucosamine supplementation and caloric restriction, and physical activity on body weight, body mass index (BMI), and waist circumference in subjects with overweight and obesity. The control group was set with a physical activity from 6–7 MET-h/week activity and up to 21 MET-h/week activity with caloric restriction. Compliance in the latter trials was reported via a follow-up questionnaire with the individual participants. The analysis included 399 subjects followed for a period ranging from 12 weeks to one year. Subjects’ age ranged from 21–75 years, BMI from 26–45 kg/m2, and all were white European or Caucasian in ethnicity. The meta-analyzed mean differences for random effects showed that polyglucosamine supplementation improves weight loss by −1.78 kg [−2.78, −0.79], BMI by −1.52 kg/m2 [−3.58, 0.54], and improves waist circumference reduction by −1.45 cm [−2.77, −0.12]. In conclusion, the use of polyglucosamine supplementation in conjunction with lifestyle behavioral therapies can be effective for weight reduction. Further studies are needed to examine the long-term effects of polyglucosamine supplementation on weight loss and other metabolic parameters

The Role of Triacylglycerol in the Oxidizability of Low Density Lipoproteins and High Density Lipoproteins: Possible Contributions to Atherosclerosis in Metabolic Syndrome

Objective: Metabolic Syndrome (MetS) is a cluster of Cardio-Vascular Disease (CDV) risk factors including visceral obesity, hyperglycemia, hypertension, low HDL cholesterol, hypertriglyceridemia and increased oxidative stress. Pyrene-lipid derivatives selectively incorporated into the hydrophobic core and surrounding amphipathic envelope of LDLs and HDLs are useful markers of the oxidizability of these lipoprotein regions. We performed an observational study aimed at investigating the effect of lipid composition, in particular triacylglycerol (TAG) levels, on the oxidizability of the core and the envelope of LDLs and HDLs in MetS. Methods: We induced changes in the chemical composition of lipoprotein in vivo by placing on a hypocaloric balanced diet fifteen overweight and moderately obese men (BMI: 25-35 kg/mq) with MetS until they lost at least 5% of their initial weight. The core and the surface of LDLs and HDLs were labeled with selective pyrenic probes. Susceptibility to 2,2'-azobis-2-methyl-propanimidamide-dihydrochloride-induced peroxidation was measured following kinetically the decrease of fluorescence of these probes. The length of the lag phase (lag-time) of peroxidation kinetic were calculated and used as indices of lipoprotein oxidizability. In addition, we measured paraoxonase activity and plasma oxidative status. Results: After weight loss, together with a reduction of triglyceridemia and the improvement of the other CDV risk factors associated with MetS, we observed a massive transfer of TAG from HDLs toward LDLs. In the LDLs core, the increased TAG concentration halved the resistance to peroxidation, while in the HDLs core the reduction of this parameter doubled the value of lag-time. In the lipoprotein hydrophobic cores, the duration of lag-time correlated directly with ratio between cholesteryl esters and TAG. No significant changes were found in paraoxonase activity and plasma oxidative status. Conclusions: Less oxidizable HDLs, but also more oxidizable LDLs seem to accompany the improvement of different metabolic factors induced by weight loss in obese men with MetS

Overview of the Large-Scale Biosphere–Atmosphere Experiment in Amazonia Data Model Intercomparison Project (LBA-DMIP)

A fundamental question connecting terrestrial ecology and global climate change is the sensitivity of key terrestrial biomes to climatic variability and change. The Amazon region is such a key biome: it contains unparalleled biological diversity, a globally significant store of organic carbon, and it is a potent engine driving global cycles of water and energy. The importance of understanding how land surface dynamics of the Amazon region respond to climatic variability and change is widely appreciated, but despite significant recent advances, large gaps in our understanding remain. Understanding of energy and carbon exchange between terrestrial ecosystems and the atmosphere can be improved through direct observations and experiments, as well as through modeling activities. Land surface/ecosystem models have become important tools for extrapolating local observations and understanding to much larger terrestrial regions. They are also valuable tools to test hypothesis on ecosystem functioning. Funded by NASA under the auspices of the LBA (the Large-Scale Biosphere–Atmosphere Experiment in Amazonia), the LBA Data Model Intercomparison Project (LBA-DMIP) uses a comprehensive data set from an observational network of flux towers across the Amazon, and an ecosystem modeling community engaged in ongoing studies using a suite of different land surface and terrestrial ecosystem models to understand Amazon forest function. Here an overview of this project is presented accompanied by a description of the measurement sites, data, models and protocol

Comparative analysis of rosaceous genomes and the reconstruction of a putative ancestral genome for the family

Abstract Background Comparative genome mapping studies in Rosaceae have been conducted until now by aligning genetic maps within the same genus, or closely related genera and using a limited number of common markers. The growing body of genomics resources and sequence data for both Prunus and Fragaria permits detailed comparisons between these genera and the recently released Malus × domestica genome sequence. Results We generated a comparative analysis using 806 molecular markers that are anchored genetically to the Prunus and/or Fragaria reference maps, and physically to the Malus genome sequence. Markers in common for Malus and Prunus, and Malus and Fragaria, respectively were 784 and 148. The correspondence between marker positions was high and conserved syntenic blocks were identified among the three genera in the Rosaceae. We reconstructed a proposed ancestral genome for the Rosaceae. Conclusions A genome containing nine chromosomes is the most likely candidate for the ancestral Rosaceae progenitor. The number of chromosomal translocations observed between the three genera investigated was low. However, the number of inversions identified among Malus and Prunus was much higher than any reported genome comparisons in plants, suggesting that small inversions have played an important role in the evolution of these two genera or of the Rosaceae.Apple genome research at FEM is supported by the research office of the Provincia autonoma di Trento. DJS and ELG acknowledge a grant from the East Malling Trust. Fragaria genomics at EMR is funded by the BBSRC. JMB is supported by a grant by Plant & Food Research's Excellence Programme. Apple genomics at Plant & Food Research is partially supported by the New Zealand Foundation for Research Science and Technology project C06X0812 "Exploiting Opportunities from Horticultural Genomics". Research conducted at IRTA was partly funded by the CONSOLIDER-INGENIO 2010 Program (CSD2007-00036) and project INIA-RTA2007-00063-00-00, both from the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation. RosCOS development at OSU/MSU was funded by the National Research Initiative Competitive Grant 2005-35300-15454 of USDA's National Institute of Food and Agriculture.Peer Reviewe

Global overview of the management of acute cholecystitis during the COVID-19 pandemic (CHOLECOVID study)

Background: This study provides a global overview of the management of patients with acute cholecystitis during the initial phase of the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: CHOLECOVID is an international, multicentre, observational comparative study of patients admitted to hospital with acute cholecystitis during the COVID-19 pandemic. Data on management were collected for a 2-month study interval coincident with the WHO declaration of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic and compared with an equivalent pre-pandemic time interval. Mediation analysis examined the influence of SARS-COV-2 infection on 30-day mortality. Results: This study collected data on 9783 patients with acute cholecystitis admitted to 247 hospitals across the world. The pandemic was associated with reduced availability of surgical workforce and operating facilities globally, a significant shift to worse severity of disease, and increased use of conservative management. There was a reduction (both absolute and proportionate) in the number of patients undergoing cholecystectomy from 3095 patients (56.2 per cent) pre-pandemic to 1998 patients (46.2 per cent) during the pandemic but there was no difference in 30-day all-cause mortality after cholecystectomy comparing the pre-pandemic interval with the pandemic (13 patients (0.4 per cent) pre-pandemic to 13 patients (0.6 per cent) pandemic; P = 0.355). In mediation analysis, an admission with acute cholecystitis during the pandemic was associated with a non-significant increased risk of death (OR 1.29, 95 per cent c.i. 0.93 to 1.79, P = 0.121). Conclusion: CHOLECOVID provides a unique overview of the treatment of patients with cholecystitis across the globe during the first months of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. The study highlights the need for system resilience in retention of elective surgical activity. Cholecystectomy was associated with a low risk of mortality and deferral of treatment results in an increase in avoidable morbidity that represents the non-COVID cost of this pandemic