Epigenetic modifications as outcomes of exercise interventions related to specific metabolic alterations: a systematic review

Background: Chronic diseases arise as a consequence of an unhealthy lifestyle primarily characterized by physical inactivity and unbalanced diets. Regular physical activity can improve health, and there is consistent evidence that these improvements may be the result of epigenetic modifications. Objective: To identify epigenetic modificationsas outcomes of exercise interventions related to specific metabolic alterations. Methods: The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Protocols (PRISMA-P) methodology for manuscript research and preparation was followed using PubMed and EBSCO databases for literature review. Out of 2,638 articles identified, only 34 articles met the inclusion criteria. Results: The sections of the review were organized by metabolic alterations in which studies were grouped according to healthy, diseased, and trained individuals. Resistance exercise in humans induced epigenetic changes in pathways associated with energy metabolism and insulin sensitivity, contributing to healthy skeletal muscle. Endurance exercise also caused modifications in biomarkers associated to metabolic alterations through changes in DNA methylation and the expression of specific miRNAs. However, both resistance and endurance exercise are necessary to obtain a better physiological adaptation and a combination of both seems to be needed to properly tackle the increasing prevalence of non-communicable pathologies. Conclusion: Given the heterogeneity and complexity of the existing literature, it is currently not possible to propose a specific recommendation about the type, intensity, or duration of exercise that could be beneficial for different subsets of the population (healthy, diseased, and/or trained). Nevertheless, this review highlights the importance of exercise for health and shows the need to perform more research in this emerging area to identify epigenetic biomarkers that could serve as indicators of exercise adaptations

Clinical Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic in Mexican Patients with Thoracic Malignancies

BACKGROUND: Accumulated evidence indicates that patients with lung cancer are a vulnerable population throughout the pandemic. Limited information is available in Latin America regarding the impact of the pandemic on medical care. The goal of this study was to describe the clinical and social effect of COVID-19 on patients with thoracic cancer and to ascertain outcomes in those with a confirmed diagnosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This cohort study included patients with thoracic neoplasms within a single institution between March 1, 2020, and February 28, 2021. All variables of interest were extracted from electronic medical records. During this period, the Depression Anxiety and Stress Scale 21 (DASS-2) was applied to evaluate and identify more common psychological disorders. RESULTS: The mean age for the total cohort (n = 548) was 61.5 ± 12.9 years; non-small cell lung cancer was the most frequent neoplasm (86.9%), advanced stages predominated (80%), and most patients were under active therapy (82.8%). Any change in treatment was reported in 23.9% of patients, of which 78.6% were due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Treatment delays (≥7 days) were the most frequent modifications in 41.9% of cases, followed by treatment suspension at 37.4%. Patients without treatment changes had a more prolonged progression-free survival and overall survival (hazard ratio [HR] 0.21, p < .001 and HR 0.28, p < .001, respectively). The mean DASS-21 score was 10.45 in 144 evaluated patients, with women being more affected than men (11.41 vs. 9.08, p < .001). Anxiety was reported in 30.5% of cases, followed by depression and distress in equal proportions (18%). Depressed and stressed patients had higher odds of experiencing delays in treatment than patients without depression (odds ratio [OR] 4.5, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.53–13.23, p = .006 and OR 3.18, 95% CI 1.2–10.06, p = .006, respectively). CONCLUSION: Treatment adjustments in patients with thoracic malignancies often occurred to avoid COVID-19 contagion with detrimental effects on survival. Psychological disorders could have a role in adherence to the original treatment regimen

Fatty acids, epigenetic mechanisms and chronic diseases: a systematic review

Background: Chronic illnesses like obesity, type 2 diabetes (T2D) and cardiovascular diseases, are worldwide major causes of morbidity and mortality. These pathological conditions involve interactions between environmental, genetic, and epigenetic factors. Recent advances in nutriepigenomics are contributing to clarify the role of some nutritional factors, including dietary fatty acids in gene expression regulation. This systematic review assesses currently available information concerning the role of the different fatty acids on epigenetic mechanisms that affect the development of chronic diseases or induce protective effects on metabolic alterations. Methods: A targeted search was conducted in the PubMed/Medline databases using the keywords “fatty acids and epigenetic”. The data were analyzed according to the PRISMA-P guidelines. Results: Consumption fatty acids like n-3 PUFA: EPA and DHA, and MUFA: oleic and palmitoleic acid was associated with an improvement of metabolic alterations. On the other hand, fatty acids that have been associated with the presence or development of obesity, T2D, pro-inflammatory profile, atherosclerosis and IR were n-6 PUFA, saturated fatty acids (stearic and palmitic), and trans fatty acids (elaidic), have been also linked with epigenetic changes. Conclusions: Fatty acids can regulate gene expression by modifying epigenetic mechanisms and consequently result in positive or negative impacts on metabolic outcomes

Fatty acids, epigenetic mechanisms and chronic diseases: a systematic review

Background: Chronic illnesses like obesity, type 2 diabetes (T2D) and cardiovascular diseases, are worldwide major causes of morbidity and mortality. These pathological conditions involve interactions between environmental, genetic, and epigenetic factors. Recent advances in nutriepigenomics are contributing to clarify the role of some nutritional factors, including dietary fatty acids in gene expression regulation. This systematic review assesses currently available information concerning the role of the different fatty acids on epigenetic mechanisms that affect the development of chronic diseases or induce protective effects on metabolic alterations. Methods: A targeted search was conducted in the PubMed/Medline databases using the keywords “fatty acids and epigenetic”. The data were analyzed according to the PRISMA-P guidelines. Results: Consumption fatty acids like n-3 PUFA: EPA and DHA, and MUFA: oleic and palmitoleic acid was associated with an improvement of metabolic alterations. On the other hand, fatty acids that have been associated with the presence or development of obesity, T2D, pro-inflammatory profile, atherosclerosis and IR were n-6 PUFA, saturated fatty acids (stearic and palmitic), and trans fatty acids (elaidic), have been also linked with epigenetic changes. Conclusions: Fatty acids can regulate gene expression by modifying epigenetic mechanisms and consequently result in positive or negative impacts on metabolic outcomes

Land-Use Change and Management Intensification Is Associated with Shifts in Composition of Soil Microbial Communities and Their Functional Diversity in Coffee Agroecosystems

Despite the central role of microorganisms in soil fertility, little understanding exists regarding the impact of management practices and soil microbial diversity on soil processes. Strong correlations among soil microbial composition, management practices, and microbially mediated processes have been previously shown. However, limited integration of the different parameters has hindered our understanding of agroecosystem functioning. Multivariate analyses of these systems allow simultaneous evaluation of the parameters and can lead to hypotheses on the microbial groups involved in specific nutrient transformations. In the present study, using a multivariate approach, we investigated the effect of microbial composition (16SrDNA sequencing) and soil properties in carbon mineralization (CMIN) (BIOLOG&trade;, Hayward, CA, USA) across different management categories on coffee agroecosystems in Mexico. Results showed that (i) changes in soil physicochemical variables were related to management, not to region, (ii) microbial composition was associated with changes in management intensity, (iii) specific bacterial groups were associated with different management categories, and (iv) there was a broader utilization range of carbon sources in non-managed plots. The identification of specific bacterial groups, management practices, and soil parameters, and their correlation with the utilization range of carbon sources, presents the possibility to experimentally test hypotheses on the interplay of all these components and further our understanding of agroecosystem functioning and sustainable management

Guía de práctica clínica para el manejo del cáncer de pulmón de células pequeñas: enfermedad extensa

Antecedentes: El cáncer de células pequeñas (CPCP) representa el 13-15% del total de neoplasias primarias de pulmón. Se caracteriza por su rapidez en la tasa de crecimiento y en el desarrollo de metástasis a distancia. Objetivos: Orientar y estandarizar el tratamiento del CPCP enfermedad extensa en México basado en evidencia clínica nacional e internacional. Material y métodos: Este documento se desarrolló como una colaboración del Instituto Nacional de Cancerología y la Sociedad Mexicana de Oncología en cumplimiento con estándares internacionales. Se integró un grupo conformado por oncólogos médicos, cirujanos oncólogos, cirujanos de tórax, radio-oncólogos y metodólogos con experiencia en revisiones sistemáticas de la literatura y guías de práctica clínica. Resultados: Se consensaron, por el método Delphi y en reuniones a distancia, las recomendaciones en CPCP enfermedad extensa, producto de preguntas de trabajo. Se identificó y evaluó la evidencia científica que responde a cada una de dichas preguntas clínicas antes de incorporarla al cuerpo de la guía. Conclusión: Esta guía proporciona recomendaciones clínicas para el manejo de la enfermedad extensa del CPCP y durante el proceso de toma de decisiones de los clínicos involucrados con su manejo en nuestro país para mejorar la calidad de la atención clínica para estos pacientes