Maternal fish consumption, fatty acid levels and angiogenic factors: The Generation R Study

AbstractIntroductionAngiogenic factors, such as placental growth factor (PlGF) and soluble Flt-1 (sFlt-1), are key regulators of placental vascular development. Evidence from in vitro studies indicates that fatty acids can affect angiogenesis. We investigated the associations of maternal fish consumption and fatty acids levels with angiogenic factors during pregnancy, and in cord blood in a large population-based prospective cohort.MethodsFirst trimester fish consumption was assessed among 3134 pregnant women using a food-frequency questionnaire. Plasma fatty acid levels were measured in second trimester. Plasma PlGF and sFlt-1 were measured in first and second trimester and in cord blood. Associations of fish consumption or fatty acid levels with angiogenic factors were assessed by multivariable linear regression analyses.ResultsThere were no consistent associations of total fish or lean fish consumption with levels of PlGF, sFlt-1, or sFlt-1/PlGF ratio. Neither fatty fish nor shellfish were associated with angiogenic factors. Plasma omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, which are the main type of fatty acids in fish, were inconsistently associated with angiogenic factors in second trimester and cord blood. Yet, higher levels of arachidonic acid, an omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acid, were associated with lower levels of PlGF and sFlt-1.DiscussionWe found no consistent associations of fish consumption or fatty acids levels with angiogenic factors in a population with low fish consumption. Studies including populations with higher fish consumption are required to fully grasp the potential effects of maternal fish consumption on placental angiogenesis

Calcium phosphate particles stimulate interleukin-1β release from human vascular smooth muscle cells: A role for spleen tyrosine kinase and exosome release

Aims: Calcium phosphate (CaP) particle deposits are found in several inflammatory diseases including atherosclerosis and osteoarthritis. CaP, and other forms of crystals and particles, can promote inflammasome formation in macrophages leading to caspase-1 activation and secretion of mature interleukin-1β (IL-1β). Given the close association of small CaP particles with vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) in atherosclerotic fibrous caps, we aimed to determine if CaP particles affected pro-inflammatory signalling in human VSMCs. Methods and results: Using ELISA to measure IL-1β release from VSMCs, we demonstrated that CaP particles stimulated IL-1β release from proliferating and senescent human VSMCs, but with substantially greater IL-1β release from senescent cells; this required caspase-1 activity but not LPS-priming of cells. Potential inflammasome agonists including ATP, nigericin and monosodium urate crystals did not stimulate IL-1β release from VSMCs. Western blot analysis demonstrated that CaP particles induced rapid activation of spleen tyrosine kinase (SYK) (increased phospho-Y525/526). The SYK inhibitor R406 reduced IL-1β release and caspase-1 activation in CaP particle-treated VSMCs, indicating that SYK activation occurs upstream of and is required for caspase-1 activation. In addition, IL-1β and caspase-1 colocalised in intracellular endosome-like vesicles and we detected IL-1β in exosomes isolated from VSMC media. Furthermore, CaP particle treatment stimulated exosome secretion by VSMCs in a SYK-dependent manner, while the exosome-release inhibitor spiroepoxide reduced IL-1β release. Conclusions: CaP particles stimulate SYK and caspase-1 activation in VSMCs, leading to the release of IL-1β, at least in part via exosomes. These novel findings in human VSMCs highlight the pro-inflammatory and procalcific potential of microcalcification

Estudio preliminar del Astragalus garbancillo Cav.

El trabajo de investigación trata del “garbancillo” (Astragalus  garbancillo Cav.); esta planta crece en Ancash y en lugares de alrededor de  4000 msnm, cuando  los animales consumen esta planta tienen ciertos malestares  como temblores, mareos, caída de pelaje, etc.   y  si  consumen  en  exceso  mueren. Nuestro objetivo es tratar de encontrar el  compuesto o elemento químico   responsable  de     la toxicidad de esta planta, razón por la cual  se hizo  un estudio  en la parte orgánica y través de un marcha fitoquímica se determinó la presencia de   metabolitos secundarios; lográndose determinar cuantitativamente fenoles totales , ácidos grasos, alcaloides, y en la parte inorgánica se  cuantificó  los principales elementos químicos,  determinándose  25 elementos de los cuales  toma especial importancia conocer el porcentaje  de selenio usando espectrometría de emisión atómica por plasma acoplado inductivamente (ICP); porque  se cree que  el contenido alto de este elemento,  juntamente con el contenido considerable de alcaloide podrían ser las causas de la muerte de los animales .Para  la marcha fitoquímica se trabajó en un extracto metanólico y se logró identificar flavonoides, alcaloides, terpenos, triterpenos taninos, fenoles, esteroides, quinonas, logrando cuantificar principalmente alcaloide totales expresado como escopolamina (0,55%) y fenoles expresado como ácido gálico (0,7%); para la cuantificación  de ácidos grasos y esteroles se realizó  extracciones en hexano; para el primero, se realizó una saponificación, hidrólisis ácida, metilación  y finalmente el análisis por CG. y para el segundo  se realizó una saponificación, la parte  insaponificable fue extraída con hexano y finalmente se realizó el análisis por CG determinándose como ácidos grasos mayoritarios  los siguientes: palmítico (16:0) con un 3,2 %; esteárico (18:0) con 10,6 %; linoleico (18:2)  y  cis-oleico (18:1) con  6,7 % y entre los esteroles mayoritarios se reportan  brassicaterol con un 44,03 %,  β-sitosterol en un 22,3 %; estigmasterol con un 13,1 %. y el porcentaje   de selenio  por ICP  fue de 2,2 mg/kg

LOSS OF LOBOC’S CULTURAL HERITAGE SITE: IMPACT ANDSUPPORT ASSESSMENT

On October 15, 2013 a magnitude 7.2 earthquake struck the Province of Bohol,damaging more than 73,000 structures. Among the damaged structures waschuch and bell tower located in the Municipality of Loboc, Bohol, both of whichare declared cultural heritage sites. The buildings are privately owned propertiesof the Roman Catholic Church, but as declared Heritage Sites, they are also underthe supervision of the National Historical Commission. This study sought todetermine the measures undertaken by the tripartite stakeholders and agencies(LGU, Church and National Historical Commission) in the rebuilding andconservation of the damaged historical sites. It also intends to infer the impact ofthe damage to the municipality and its citizens. Lastly, it aimsto formulaterecommendations regarding the preservation or possible restoration of thedamaged sites. The study revealed that at the forefront at the efforts to conservethe site is the National Historical Commission, with the help of parishioners whoheaded sectoral groups exerting considerable effort in raising funds. Tourismstagnated in the first few months after the incident, but reverted to normal levelswhen the ruins were turned into new tourism opportunities. Negative impact totourism and economy is minimal. The parishioners are eager to restore the old church at any cost, but the NHC hasindicated that it will be more practical to rebuild the old church rather than restoreit due to safety and cost concerns. The loss of the sites were especiallydemoralizing and dispiriting to the inhabitants of Loboc. The study also revealed agap in cooperation from the Local Government Unit with the other concernedstakeholders and support rendered by said institution was minimal at bes

Inflammaging as a link between autoimmunity and cardiovascular disease: the case of rheumatoid arthritis

Currently, traditional and non-traditional risk factors for cardiovascular disease have been established. The first group includes age, which constitutes one of the most important factors in the development of chronic diseases. The second group includes inflammation, the pathophysiology of which contributes to an accelerated process of vascular remodelling and atherogenesis in autoimmune diseases. Indeed, the term inflammaging has been used to refer to the inflammatory origin of ageing, explicitly due to the chronic inflammatory process associated with age (in healthy individuals). Taking this into account, it can be inferred that people with autoimmune diseases are likely to have an early acceleration of vascular ageing (vascular stiffness) as evidenced in the alteration of non-invasive cardiovascular tests such as pulse wave velocity. Thus, an association is created between autoimmunity and high morbidity and mortality rates caused by cardiovascular disease in this population group. The beneficial impact of the treatments for rheumatoid arthritis at the cardiovascular level has been reported, opening new opportunities for pharmacotherapy