Transsulfuration pathway thiols and methylated arginines: the hunter community study

Background: Serum homocysteine, when studied singly, has been reported to be positively associated both with the endogenous nitric oxide synthase inhibitor asymmetric dimethylarginine [ADMA, via inhibition of dimethylarginine dimethylaminohydrolase (DDAH) activity] and with symmetric dimethylarginine (SDMA). We investigated combined associations between transsulfuration pathway thiols, including homocysteine, and serum ADMA and SDMA concentrations at population level. Methods: Data on clinical and demographic characteristics, medication exposure, C-reactive protein, serum ADMA and SDMA (LC-MS/MS), and thiols (homocysteine, cysteine, taurine, glutamylcysteine, total glutathione, and cysteinylglycine; capillary electrophoresis) were collected from a sample of the Hunter Community Study on human ageing [n = 498, median age (IQR) = 64 (60–70) years]. Results: Regression analysis showed that: a) age (P = 0.001), gender (P = 0.03), lower estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR, P = 0.08), body mass index (P = 0.008), treatment with beta-blockers (P = 0.03), homocysteine (P = 0.02), and glutamylcysteine (P = 0.003) were independently associated with higher ADMA concentrations; and b) age (P = 0.001), absence of diabetes (P = 0.001), lower body mass index (P = 0.01), lower eGFR (P&lt;0.001), cysteine (P = 0.007), and glutamylcysteine (P&lt;0.001) were independently associated with higher SDMA concentrations. No significant associations were observed between methylated arginines and either glutathione or taurine concentrations. Conclusions: After adjusting for clinical, demographic, biochemical, and pharmacological confounders the combined assessment of transsulfuration pathway thiols shows that glutamylcysteine has the strongest and positive independent associations with ADMA and SDMA. Whether this reflects a direct effect of glutamylcysteine on DDAH activity (for ADMA) and/or cationic amino acid transport requires further investigations.</br

Clinical and biochemical correlates of serum L-ergothioneine concentrations in community-dwelling middle-aged and older adults

Background: Despite the increasing interest towards the biological role of L-ergothioneine, little is known about the serum concentrations of this unusual aminothiol in older adults. We addressed this issue in a representative sample of communitydwelling middle-aged and older adults. Methods: Body mass index, estimated glomerular filtration rate, serum concentrations of L-ergothioneine, taurine, homocysteine, cysteine, glutathione, cysteinylglycine, and glutamylcysteine were evaluated in 439 subjects (age 55–85 years) randomly selected from the Hunter Community Study. Results: Median L-ergothioneine concentration in the entire cohort was 1.01 IQR 0.78–1.33 mmol/L. Concentrations were not affected by gender (P = 0.41) or by presence of chronic medical conditions (P = 0.15). By considering only healthy subjects, we defined a reference interval for L-ergothioneine serum concentrations from 0.36 (90% CI 0.31–0.44) to 3.08 (90% CI 2.45–3.76) mmol/L. Using stepwise multiple linear regression analysis L-ergothioneine was negatively correlated with age (rpartial =20.15; P = 0.0018) and with glutamylcysteine concentrations (rpartial =20.13; P = 0.0063). Conclusions: A thorough analysis of serum L-ergothioneine concentrations was performed in a large group of communitydwelling middle-aged and older adults. Reference intervals were established. Age and glutamylcysteine were independently negatively associated with L-ergothioneine serum concentration.</br

Plasma L-ergothioneine measurement by high-performance liquid chromatography and capillary electrophoresis after a pre-column derivatization with 5-iodoacetamidofluorescein (5-IAF) and fluorescence detection

Two sensitive and reproducible capillary electrophoresis and high-performance liquid chromatography-fluorescence procedures were established for quantitative determination of L-egothioneine in plasma. After derivatization of L-ergothioneine with 5-iodoacetamidofluorescein, the separation was carried out by HPLC on an ODS-2 C-18 sperisorb column by using a linear gradient elution and by HPCE on an uncoated fused silica capillary, 50 µm id, and 60 cm length. The methods were validated and found to be linear in the range of 0.3 to 10 µmol/l. The limit of quantification was 0.27 µmol/l for HPCE and 0.15 µmol/l for HPLC. The variations for intra- and inter-assay precision were around 6 RSD%, and the mean recovery accuracy close to 100% (96.11%)

Exploring the role of Information and Communications Technology in the experience of refugees and their service providers in the city of Montréal

Since January 2017, the increased number of asylum claims made in Canada has resulted in a significantly backlogged immigration system. In Montréal, refugee claimants awaiting court hearings for months on end often face isolation and exclusion. Research has shown that refugees increasingly rely on Information and Communications Technology (ICT) to curb the effects of living in legal, cultural and social limbo. What remains unknown, however, is how service providers (community organizations, social workers, volunteers) perceive ICT and adapt their work to the omnipresence of these tools. Drawing from ethnographic data including ten in-depth interviews conducted with refugees and service providers, this thesis explores the role of ICT in refugee support networks of Montréal. Refugee participants reported using ICT to stay connected with their family abroad while developing a locally-situated network. Similarly, ICT facilitated service providers’ work and increased the engagement of the local community. However, ICT use did not only yield positive outcomes: participants expressed concern about the problematic spread of misinformation online, and about privacy and traceability issues. Results therefore indicate that ICT can be exploited to promote social inclusion in a context of forced displacement, but also exacerbates refugees’ exposure to certain threats

Centella asiatica in the Conservative Treatment of Anal Fissure and Hemorrhoids in Comparison with Flavonoids

Background: In this review, we report about therapeutic effects of Centella asiatica (Ca) in comparison with Flavonoids (Fs) to find out which of them best deals with some items such as bleeding and pain healing time in the treatment of outpatients with chronic Anal Fissure (AF) on one hand. On the other hand, we report about the same parameters in outpatients treated for hemorrhoidal disease (HD). Methodology: Ninety-eight outpatients who complained of AF were randomly assigned to the treated group (either Fs or Ca) and control group [1]. The control group (group C, n = 32) underwent standard treatment. Patients assigned the treated group were divided into subgroups that were treated, additionally, either with Fs (group A, n = 30) or Ca (group B, n = 36) and observed over 8 weeks. In another study on 130 outpatients (who underwent hemorrhoidectomy and operated for hemorrhoidal thrombosis) bleeding and pain were studied [2]. The treated group (both conservative and surgical) was randomized into two subgroups: the one treated with Fs (group A), the other with Ca (group B). Sixty patients (the control group C, both conservative and surgical) received the standard treatment. Time-to-stop bleeding was checked at the start (day 0) up to day 42 (end of the 6th week). Results: Outpatients complained of AF, the median time-to-stop bleeding in group A resulted in 1 week, in 3 weeks group B, and 4 weeks in group C respectively. Among groups, for the time-to-end-bleeding (A vs B: p-value = 0.022; A vs C: p-value &lt; 0.001; B vs C: p-value = 0.070) significant differences were observed. As for the pain score, from day 0 up to the end of the 2nd week, on the one hand among groups A and B, and on the other hand among groups A vs C, and B vs C significant differences respectively were observed (A vs C: p-value = 0.004; B vs C: p-value 0.035). All patients healed within the end of 8th week [1]. The paper about patients with HD showed “time-to-stop bleeding of 2 weeks for groups A and B; 3 weeks for group C” [2]. As for the VAS score (irritation) comparison among groups (A vs C: p = 0.007; B vs C: p = 0.041; and A vs B: p = 0.782) respectively resulted [2]. The patients underwent hemorrhoidectomy, “the time-to-stop bleeding was 3 and 4 weeks in groups A and B and 5 in group C”, respectively [2]. “Histopathology showed a tight association between flavonoids and piles’ fibrosis (p = 0.008)” [2]. Discussion: “The outpatients with AF treated with either Fs or Ca experienced an earlier healing and disappearance of pain in comparison with patients underwent to the traditional treatment” [1]. Fs showed the most efficacy for bleeding. Ca showed the most efficacy for edemas. Fs and Ca did not show side effects. Conclusion: The outpatients with AF as well as those with HD treated either with Fs or Ca (phlebotonics) experienced early pain disappearance in comparison with the standard treatment group respectively. In the treatment of HD as well as after anal surgery, Fs and Ca showed significant beneficial effects. Fs among phlebotonics are the most effective against bleeding and anal irritation in HD. As for the Ca, among phlebotonics, seems the most effective for tissues’ edema

Velleron – Sylvestre

Identifiant de l'opération archéologique : 8401 Date de l'opération : 2006 - 2007 (SD) Inventeur(s) : Roth Congès Anne (CNRS) ; Carru Dominique (COL) Des travaux agricoles effectués en 2006 à Velleron, chemin de la Sylvestre, avaient mis au jour une centaine de blocs en calcaire local pour la plupart informes. Parmi eux se trouvaient : Quatre sondages ont été ouverts en bordure d’un canal artificiel, affluent de la Sorgue de Velleron, avec l’aide de fouilleurs bénévoles (association archéolog..

The Oxidative state of LDL is the major determinant of anti/prooxidant effect of coffee on Cu²⁺ catalysed peroxidation

Antioxidants exert contrasting effect on low density lipoprotein (LDL) oxidation catalysed by metals, acting as pro-oxidants under select in vitro conditions. Through our study on the effect of coffee on LDL oxidation, we identified the parameters governing this phenomenon, contributing to the comprehension of its mechanism and discovering significant implications for correct alimentary recommendations. By measuring conjugated diene formation, we have analysed the quantitative and qualitative effects exerted by an extract of roasted coffee on LDL oxidation triggered by copper sulphate. When the relative effects of different coffee concentrations were plotted against the lag time (LT) of control LDL (C-LDL), the apparently random experimental data arranged in sensible patterns: by increasing the LT the antioxidant activity of coffee decreased progressively to become prooxidant. The critical LT, at which coffee switches from antioxidant to prooxidant, increased by increasing coffee concentration. Also the contrasting results obtained following a delayed addition of coffee to the assay, arranged in a simple pattern when referred to the LT of C-LDL: the prooxidant effect decreased to become antioxidant as the LT of C-LDL increased. The dependence of coffee effect on the LT of C-LDL was influenced by LDL but not by metal catalyst concentration. These novel findings point to the oxidative state of LDL as a major parameter controlling the anti/prooxidant effect of coffee and suggest the LT of C-LDL as a potent analytical tool to express experimental data when studying the action exerted by a compound on LDL oxidation

Benefits and biosafety of use of buckypaper for surgical applications. A pilot study in a rabbit clinical trial model

Background: One of the main problems related to prosthetic abdominal surgery is mesh fixation. Suture line tension, mesh separation, displacement, or improper application of stitches are the leading causes of complications, including seroma, postoperative pain, and recurrence. A surface able to adhere firmly to living tissue represents an effective alternative to conventional perforating fixations. As a bio-adhesive tape, we report experimental evidence on the potential applicability of the BuckyPaper (BP), a felt composed of entangled multi-walled carbon nanotubes. Matherial and methods: BP is implanted to assess its biosafety and effectiveness as an adhesive prosthetic device. Results: During 35 days we observed no rabbit behavioral alteration, BP stability in the implantation site, good adhesion, and integration of the device with the surrounding tissue, and no adverse reactions. Conclusions: BP could be used as an adhesive to secure the prostheses to tissues in abdominal wall prosthetic surgery, but large-size animal studies are needed

Homocysteine and risk of age-related macular degeneration: a systematic review and meta-analysis

There is still no agreement on total plasma homocysteine (tHcy) role in age-related macular degeneration (AMD), the leading cause of new blindness in industrialized countries. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of the published data on the correlation between tHcy and AMD. MEDLINE/PubMed and ISI Web of Sciences searches were performed according to MOOSE guidelines. Case-control studies were eligible for inclusion. Participants and controls were AMD patients and subjects without AMD. The main outcome measure was wet AMD. Homocysteine level was the main exposure variable. Data were pooled using a random-effects model. Twelve case-control studies were identified: 10 assessed wet AMD, four dry AMD, one early AMD, one late AMD, and one any AMD. As for wet AMD, there was a total of 453 cases and 514 controls. Mean tHcy was on average 1.1 μmol/l (95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.96-1.25) greater in wet AMD cases, but there was evidence of extreme between-study heterogeneity (p &lt; 0.001, I2 = 91.8%). In a model homogenous for age, including six wet AMD studies (214 cases, 274 controls), mean tHcy was on average 0.58 μmol/l (95% CI = 0.35-0.73) greater in the case group, a not statistically significant result (p = 0.144) associated with moderate heterogeneity (I2 = 39.2%). Our meta-analysis indicates that there is some weak evidence that increased tHcy might be associated with wet AMD; however, this result should be interpreted cautiously, because of a marked between-study heterogeneity and the possible effect of publication bias. Future studies, preferably of cohort design, are necessary before any firm conclusions on the putative role of increased tHcy on AMD can be drawn