Nrf2-interacting nutrients and COVID-19 : time for research to develop adaptation strategies

There are large between- and within-country variations in COVID-19 death rates. Some very low death rate settings such as Eastern Asia, Central Europe, the Balkans and Africa have a common feature of eating large quantities of fermented foods whose intake is associated with the activation of the Nrf2 (Nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like 2) anti-oxidant transcription factor. There are many Nrf2-interacting nutrients (berberine, curcumin, epigallocatechin gallate, genistein, quercetin, resveratrol, sulforaphane) that all act similarly to reduce insulin resistance, endothelial damage, lung injury and cytokine storm. They also act on the same mechanisms (mTOR: Mammalian target of rapamycin, PPAR gamma:Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor, NF kappa B: Nuclear factor kappa B, ERK: Extracellular signal-regulated kinases and eIF2 alpha:Elongation initiation factor 2 alpha). They may as a result be important in mitigating the severity of COVID-19, acting through the endoplasmic reticulum stress or ACE-Angiotensin-II-AT(1)R axis (AT(1)R) pathway. Many Nrf2-interacting nutrients are also interacting with TRPA1 and/or TRPV1. Interestingly, geographical areas with very low COVID-19 mortality are those with the lowest prevalence of obesity (Sub-Saharan Africa and Asia). It is tempting to propose that Nrf2-interacting foods and nutrients can re-balance insulin resistance and have a significant effect on COVID-19 severity. It is therefore possible that the intake of these foods may restore an optimal natural balance for the Nrf2 pathway and may be of interest in the mitigation of COVID-19 severity

Cabbage and fermented vegetables : From death rate heterogeneity in countries to candidates for mitigation strategies of severe COVID-19

Large differences in COVID-19 death rates exist between countries and between regions of the same country. Some very low death rate countries such as Eastern Asia, Central Europe, or the Balkans have a common feature of eating large quantities of fermented foods. Although biases exist when examining ecological studies, fermented vegetables or cabbage have been associated with low death rates in European countries. SARS-CoV-2 binds to its receptor, the angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2). As a result of SARS-CoV-2 binding, ACE2 downregulation enhances the angiotensin II receptor type 1 (AT(1)R) axis associated with oxidative stress. This leads to insulin resistance as well as lung and endothelial damage, two severe outcomes of COVID-19. The nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like 2 (Nrf2) is the most potent antioxidant in humans and can block in particular the AT(1)R axis. Cabbage contains precursors of sulforaphane, the most active natural activator of Nrf2. Fermented vegetables contain many lactobacilli, which are also potent Nrf2 activators. Three examples are: kimchi in Korea, westernized foods, and the slum paradox. It is proposed that fermented cabbage is a proof-of-concept of dietary manipulations that may enhance Nrf2-associated antioxidant effects, helpful in mitigating COVID-19 severity.Peer reviewe

Research needs in allergy: an EAACI position paper, in collaboration with EFA

Abstract In less than half a century, allergy, originally perceived as a rare disease, has become a major public health threat, today affecting the lives of more than 60 million people in Europe, and probably close to one billion worldwide, thereby heavily impacting the budgets of public health systems. More disturbingly, its prevalence and impact are on the rise, a development that has been associated with environmental and lifestyle changes accompanying the continuous process of urbanization and globalization. Therefore, there is an urgent need to prioritize and concert research efforts in the field of allergy, in order to achieve sustainable results on prevention, diagnosis and treatment of this most prevalent chronic disease of the 21 st century. The European Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology (EAACI) is the leading professional organization in the field of allergy, promoting excellence in clinical care, education, training and basic and translational research, all with the ultimate goal of improving the health of allergic patients. The European Federation of Allergy and Airways Diseases Patients' Associations (EFA) is a non-profit network of allergy, asthma and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disorder (COPD) patients' organizations. In support of their missions, the present EAACI Position Paper, in collaboration with EFA, highlights the most important research needs in the field of allergy to serve as key recommendations for future research funding at the national and European levels. Although allergies may involve almost every organ of the body and an array of diverse external factors act as triggers, there are several common themes that need to be prioritized in research efforts. As in many other chronic diseases, effective prevention, curative treatment and accurate, rapid diagnosis represent major unmet needs. Detailed phenotyping/endotyping stands out as widely required in order to arrange or re-categorize clinical syndromes into more coherent, uniform and treatment-responsive groups. Research efforts to unveil the basic pathophysiologic pathways and mechanisms, thus leading to the comprehension and resolution of the pathophysiologic complexity of allergies will allow for the design of novel patient-oriented diagnostic and treatment protocols. Several allergic diseases require well-controlled epidemiological description and surveillance, using disease registries, pharmacoeconomic evaluation, as well as large biobanks. Additionally, there is a need for extensive studies to bring promising new biotechnological innovations, such as biological agents, vaccines of modified allergen molecules and engineered components for allergy diagnosis, closer to clinical practice. Finally, particular attention should be paid to the difficult-to-manage, precarious and costly severe disease forms and/or exacerbations. Nonetheless, currently arising treatments, mainly in the fields of immunotherapy and biologicals, hold great promise for targeted and causal management of allergic conditions. Active involvement of all stakeholders, including Patient Organizations and policy makers are necessary to achieve the aims emphasized herein

Alkylation isobutane-butenes en présence de zircone sulfatée et d'hétéropolyacides en phase liquide et supercritique

Notre étude concerne la réaction d'alkylation de l'isobutane par les butènes en phase liquide. Nous avons utilisé deux types de catalyseurs solides acides, des sels alcalins d'hétéropolyacide de type Keggin, (H3PW12O40) et une zircone sulfatée. Nous montrons que la sélectivité de la réaction est étroitement liée à la température de prétraitement du catalyseur. La caractérisation de l'acidité au moyen d'une réaction test (isomérisation du n-C4), par RNM du proton et par absorption de molécules sondes suivies par IR, montre que l'augmentation de la température de prétraitement ne modifie pas la nature des sites acides mais augmentent leur force. La présence de sites acides forts oriente la sélectivité vers la formation des triméthylpentanes et des produits de craquage. En présence de sites plus faibles, la dimérisation de l'oléfine, réaction secondaire, est prépondérante. Par ailleurs, l'optimisation des conditions opératoires montre que l'hétéropolyacide est plus sélectif que la zircone sulfatée en triméthylpentanes, ce que nous attribuons à une densité plus faible de sites acides et à sa microporosité. L'optimisation de la composition de l'hétéropolyacide a révélé le rôle majeur de la densité des sites acides. La stabilité du catalyseur est sensiblement accrue en présence d'une faible densité de sites acides forts, contribuant à limiter la dimérisation du butène, responsable de la désactivation du catalyseur. Par ailleurs, un hétéropolyacide de composition "optimale" a été testé, en autoclave, en présence des réactifs en phase supercritique. Alors qu'au voisinage du point critique la composition de l'alkylat est très proche de celle obtenue en phase liquide à haute température, nous observons une amélioration de la qualité de l'alkylat lorsque la densité du fluide supercritique est augmentée dans des conditions isothermes. Cependant cette augmentation ne compense pas l'effet négatif de l'utilisation de hautes températures nécessaires pour atteindre l'état supercritique.LYON1-BU.Sciences (692662101) / SudocSudocFranceF

Les nouvelles élites criminelles. Vers le crime organisé en col blanc

International audienc

Open Source Software for Patient Data Management in Critical Care

We have previously developed a Patient Data Management System for Intensive Care based on Open Source Software. The aim of this work was to adapt this software to use in Emergency Departments in low resource environments. The new software includes facilities for utilization of the South African Triage Scale and prediction of mortality based on independent predictive factors derived from data from the Tabarre Emergency Trauma Center in Port au Prince, Haiti.SCOPUS: cp.kinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishe

Open Source Software for Patient Data Management in Critical Care

We have previously developed a Patient Data Management System for Intensive Care based on Open Source Software. The aim of this work was to adapt this software to use in Emergency Departments in low resource environments. The new software includes facilities for utilization of the South African Triage Scale and prediction of mortality based on independent predictive factors derived from data from the Tabarre Emergency Trauma Center in Port au Prince, Haiti.SCOPUS: cp.kinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishe

Organocatalyzed enantio- and diastereoselective isomerization of prochiral 1,3-cyclohexanediones into nonalactones bearing distant stereocenters

International audienceThe lactonization of 2-(2-nitrophenyl)-1,3-cyclohexanediones containing an alcohol side chain and up to three distant prochiral elements is reported by isomerization under the mediation of simple organocatalysts such as quinidine. Through a process of ring expansion, strained nonalactones and decalactone are produced with up to three stereocenters in high er and dr (up to 99 : 1). Distant groups, including alkyl, aryl, carboxylate and carboxamide moieties, were examine