Metabolic syndrome before puberty: Myth or reality?

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is defined as a cluster of alterations related with insulin resistance (obesity, dyslipidemia, hypertension, and impaired glucose metabolism), which are associated with a higher risk of cardiovascular disease in adults. Several definitions have been proposed for older children and adolescents. However, no definitions have been made in accordance with pubertal status, and those in prepubertal state have not received attention enough, despite there are data suggesting the early presence of risk factors. The new insights concerning healthy and unhealthy metabolic status or the addition of novel metabolic risk biomarkers, may contribute to the knowledge about the development of MetS in children. This manuscript reviews the available evidence on MetS during childhood, focusing on the prepubertal period

Whole‐brain dynamics differentiate among cisgender and transgender individuals

How the brain represents gender identity is largely unknown, but some neural differences have recently been discovered. We used an intrinsic ignition framework to investigate whether there are gender differences in the propagation of neural activity across the whole-brain and within resting-state networks. Studying 29 trans men and 17 trans women with gender incongruence, 22 cis women, and 19 cis men, we computed the capability of a given brain area in space to propagate activity to other areas (mean-ignition), and the variability across time for each brain area (node-metastability). We found that both measurements differentiated all groups across the whole brain. At the network level, we found that compared to the other groups, cis men showed higher mean-ignition of the dorsal attention network and node-metastability of the dorsal and ventral attention, executive control, and temporal parietal networks. We also found higher mean-ignition values in cis men than in cis women within the executive control network, but higher mean-ignition in cis women than cis men and trans men for the default mode. Node-metastability was higher in cis men than cis women in the somatomotor network, while both mean-ignition and node-metastability were higher for cis men than trans men in the limbic network. Finally, we computed correlations between these measurements and a body image satisfaction score. Trans men's dissatisfaction as well as cis men's and cis women's satisfaction toward their own body image were distinctively associated with specific networks in each group. Overall, the study of the whole-brain network dynamical complexity discriminates gender identity groups, functional dynamic approaches could help disentangle the complex nature of the gender dimension in the brain

Analisi scientifiche sulle tempere murali di Villa Pace

International audienceThe morphology, mineralogy, and solid-liquid phase separation of the Cu and Zn precipitates formed with sulfide produced in a sulfate-reducing bioreactor were studied at pH 3, 5, and 7. The precipitates formed at pH 7 display faster settling rates, better dewaterability, and higher concentrations of settleable solids as compared to the precipitates formed at pH 3 and 5. These differences were linked to the agglomeration of the sulfidic precipitates and coprecipitation of the phosphate added to the bioreactor influent. The Cu and Zn quenched the intensity of the dissolved organic matter peaks identified by fluorescence-excitation emission matrix spectroscopy, suggesting a binding mechanism that decreases supersaturation, especially at pH 5. X-ray absorption fine structure spectroscopy analyses confirmed the precipitation of Zn-S as sphalerite and Cu-S as covellite in all samples, but also revealed the presence of Zn sorbed on hydroxyapatite. These analyses further showed that CuS structures remained amorphous regardless of the pH, whereas the ZnS structure was more organized at pH 5 as compared to the ZnS formed at pH 3 and 7, in agreement with the cubic sphalerite-type structures observed through scanning electron microscopy at pH 5

The obestatin receptor (GPR39) is expressed in human adipose tissue and is down-regulated in obesity-associated type 2 diabetes mellitus

The G protein-coupled receptor 39 (GPR39) has recently been identified as the receptor for obestatin, a peptidic hormone involved in energy homeostasis. However, the expression levels of this receptor in human adipose tissue in obesity and obesity-associated type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) remain unknown. Therefore, we evaluated the actual presence of GPR39 mRNA in human adipose tissue and whether GPR39 expression levels are altered in obesity and obesity-associated T2DM. DESIGN: Omental adipose tissue biopsies obtained from 15 women were used in the study. Patients were classified as lean (body mass index 20.8 +/- 1.0 kg/m(2)), obese normoglycaemic (body mass index 48.4 +/- 2.1 kg/m(2)) and obese T2DM patients (body mass index 52.6 +/- 4.9 kg/m(2)). Anthropometric measurements and biochemical profiles were assessed for each subject. Real-time RT-PCR analyses were performed to quantify transcript levels of GPR39 and adiponectin. RESULTS: Obese T2DM patients exhibited significantly lower GPR39 expression levels compared to lean (P = 0.016) and obese normoglycaemic subjects (P = 0.008), while no differences between lean and obese normoglycaemic patients were observed. The mRNA expression levels of GPR39 were negatively correlated to fasting glucose concentrations (r = -0.581, P = 0.023), while exhibiting a positive correlation to adiponectin mRNA expression levels (r = 0.674, P = 0.006). CONCLUSION: GPR39 is expressed in human adipose tissue. The reduced expression levels of GPR39 in omental adipose tissue observed in obese patients with T2DM suggest an involvement of obestatin signalling in glucose homeostasis and T2DM development

Expression of caveolin-1 in human adipose tissue is upregulated in obesity and obesity-associated type 2 diabetes mellitus and related to inflammation

Caveolin-1 (CAV-1) plays important roles in many aspects of cellular biology, including vesicular transport, cholesterol homeostasis and signal transduction. The aim of the present study was to explore gene expression levels of CAV-1 in human adipose tissue in obesity and obesity-associated type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and to analyse its potential implication in the inflammatory state associated with obesity. DESIGN AND METHODS: Visceral adipose tissue (VAT) and subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) obtained from 15 females were used in the study. Patients were classified as lean (BMI 20.8 +/- 1.0 kg/m(2)) or obese (BMI 50.5 +/- 2.6 kg/m(2)). The obese group was further subclassified as normoglycaemic (NG) or patients with T2DM. Anthropometric measurements as well as circulating metabolites, hormones and adipokines were determined. Real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analyses were performed to quantify transcript levels of CAV-1 and monocyte chemoattractant protein (MCP-1). RESULTS: The presence of CAV-1 protein was detected in VAT and SAT by immunohistochemistry. Both obese NG and with T2DM patients exhibited significantly higher CAV-1 expression levels in VAT and SAT compared with lean subjects (P < 0.05). No differences between obese NG and T2DM patients were observed in VAT. However, obese T2DM patients were found to have higher CAV-1 expression levels in SAT (P < 0.05) compared with obese NG patients. A significant correlation was found between CAV-1 mRNA expression levels in VAT and different circulating inflammatory markers such as sialic acid (SA) (P < 0.001) and fibrinogen (P < 0.001) as well as with MCP1 mRNA expression (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Our findings show for the first time the upregulation of mRNA CAV-1 expression levels in VAT and SAT of obese NG and obese T2DM patients compared with lean controls, suggesting a role for CAV-1 in obesity and T2DM development. The association with different inflammatory markers further suggests an implication of CAV-1 in the low-grade inflammation accompanying obesity

Increased circulating and visceral adipose tissue expression levels of YKL-40 in obesity-associated type 2 diabetes are related to inflammation: impact of conventional weight loss and gastric bypass

Context: Plasma YKL-40 is elevated in patients with type 2 diabetes. The potential role of visceral adipose tissue (VAT) as a significant source of YKL-40 is unknown. Objective: In the study circulating and expression levels of YKL-40 were examined in VAT analyzing the contribution of adipocytes and stromovascular fraction cells (SVFCs).Wealso explored YKL-40’s implication in insulin resistance and inflammation and the effect of weight loss on plasma YKL-40 concentrations. PatientsandMethods: Samples obtained from 53 subjects were used in the study.Geneandprotein expression levels of YKL-40 were analyzed in VAT as well as in both adipocytes and SVFCs. In addition, circulating YKL-40 concentrations were measured before and after weight loss achieved either by Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (n 26) or after a conventional dietetic program (n 20). Results: Circulating concentrations and VAT expression of YKL-40 were increased in obese patients with type 2 diabetes (P 0.01) as well as associated with variables of insulin resistance and inflammation. No differences in YKL-40 expression levels between adipocytes and SVFCs were detected. Monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 and homeostasis model assessment emerged (P 0.01) as independent factors predicting circulating YKL-40. Elevated levels of YKL-40 in obese patients decreased after weight loss following a conventional hypocaloric diet (P 0.05) but not via a surgery-induced negative energy balance mediated by the Roux-en-Y gastric bypass. Conclusions: The association of increased YKL-40 mRNA and protein levels in VAT with its circulating concentrations indicates an important contribution of VAT in YKL-40 regulation. Furthermore, our data suggest a relevant role of glucose metabolism and inflammation on YKL-40 regulation

Endometrial area of the blood flow as a marker of endometritis in equine

In this study, uterine blood flow area (BFA) has been evaluated for the first time using power Doppler ultrasound (PD) as a marker of endometritis in mares and jennies. The uterine BFA in healthy mares was greater in oestrus than in diestrus (p&nbsp;&lt;.001). However, differences in endometrial blood flow between oestrus and diestrus were not observed in mares with endometritis. The uterine blood flow in healthy jennies is not affected by the oestrus cycle. Both species showed an increase in endometrial BFA in pathological uterine conditions compared to controls. BFA was a good marker of endometritis with an area under curve (AUC) (estrus:0.94 (p&nbsp;&lt;.001) diestrus:0.98 (p&nbsp;&lt;.001) in mares and AUC (0.91 (p&nbsp;&lt;.0001) in jennies. The results of this preliminary study suggest that PD ultrasound in combination with computerized image analysis has the potential to be a very useful tool in the diagnosis of endometritis

Involvement of leptin in the association between percentage of body fat and cardiovascular risk factors

OBJECTIVES: Recent epidemiologic studies have shown that obesity is associated with elevated blood concentrations of prothrombotic-proinflammatory factors and markers of endothelial dysfunction such as fibrinogen, C-reactive protein (CRP), von Willebrand factor (vWF), and homocysteine. We have assessed whether these markers are associated with percentage of body fat (BF), insulin sensitivity as well as with leptin concentrations. DESIGN AND METHODS: Twenty-five men aged 49.6 +/- 12.7 yr (mean +/- SD) underwent whole-body air displacement plethysmography (Bod-Pod(R)) for estimating BF. Blood analyses for leptin and several other metabolic and cardiovascular markers were carried out. RESULTS: Obese subjects had higher levels as compared to controls of BF (37.5 +/- 5.1 vs. 26.0 +/- 6.6, p < 0.01), fibrinogen (3.30 +/- 0.43 vs. 2.67 +/- 0.11, p < 0.01), vWF (136.4 +/- 50.4% vs. 81.6 +/- 12.6%, p < 0.05), and leptin (17.6 +/- 8.7 vs. 6.2 +/- 3.3, p < 0.01), lower concentrations of HDL-cholesterol (1.09 +/- 0.20 vs. 1.51 +/- 0.10, p < 0.001) and lower QUICKI (1/[log(Ins(0)) + log(Glu(0))]) (0.31 +/- 0.03 vs. 0.34 +/- 0.02, p < 0.05). No significant changes were observed in CRP (5.7 +/- 3.4 vs. 3.8 +/- 1.6, p = 0.327) and homocysteine (9.4 +/- 4.2 vs. 8.3 +/- 0.9, p = 0.749). A positive correlation was observed between BF and fibrinogen (r = 0.67, p = 0.0003). Plasma leptin concentrations were correlated with fibrinogen (r = 0.71, p = 0.0001) and CRP (r = 0.43, p = 0.044). After adjustment for BF leptin emerged as a significant predictor of fibrinogen (beta = 0.47, p = 0.023; R(2) = 0.59, p < 0.001). QUICKI was positively correlated with HDL-cholesterol (r = 0.59, p = 0.010) and negatively with fibrinogen (r = -0.53, p = 0.025), CRP (r = -0.52, p = 0.028) and vWF (r = -0.56, p = 0.013). CONCLUSIONS: Increased BF and impaired insulin sensitivity are associated with increased concentrations of cardiovascular risk factors. Leptin seems to be involved in this elevation and emerges as a predictor of circulating fibrinogen concentrations

Genomic insertion of a heterologous acetyltransferase generates a new lipopolysaccharide antigenic structure in brucella abortus and brucella melitensis

Brucellosis is a bacterial zoonosis of worldwide distribution caused by bacteria of the genus Brucella. In Brucella abortus and Brucella melitensis, the major species infecting domestic ruminants, the smooth lipopolysaccharide (S-LPS) is a virulence factor. This S-LPS carries a N-formyl-perosamine homopolymer O-polysaccharide that is the major antigen in serodiagnostic tests and is required for virulence. We report that the Brucella O-PS can be structurally and antigenically modified using wbdR, the acetyl-transferase gene involved in N-acetyl-perosamine synthesis in Escherichia coli O157:H7. Brucella constructs carrying plasmidic wbdR expressed a modified O-polysaccharide but were unstable, a problem circumvented by inserting wbdR into a neutral site of chromosome II. As compared to wild-type bacteria, both kinds of wbdR constructs expressed shorter O-polysaccharides and NMR analyses showed that they contained both N-formyl and N-acetyl-perosamine. Moreover, deletion of the Brucella formyltransferase gene wbkC in wbdR constructs generated bacteria producing only N-acetyl-perosamine homopolymers, proving that wbdR can replace for wbkC. Absorption experiments with immune sera revealed that the wbdR constructs triggered antibodies to new immunogenic epitope(s) and the use of monoclonal antibodies proved that B. abortus and B. melitensis wbdR constructs respectively lacked the A or M epitopes, and the absence of the C epitope in both backgrounds. The wbdR constructs showed resistance to polycations similar to that of the wild-type strains but displayed increased sensitivity to normal serum similar to that of a per R mutant. In mice, the wbdR constructs produced chronic infections and triggered antibody responses that can be differentiated from those evoked by the wild-type strain in S-LPS ELISAs. These results open the possibilities of developing brucellosis vaccines that are both antigenically tagged and lack the diagnostic epitopes of virulent field strains, thereby solving the diagnostic interference created by current vaccines against Brucella