No impact of CMV or EBV seropositivity on the frequency of highly differentiated T-cells in Mexican-American adolescents

Recurring activations of the prevalent latent herpes viruses Cytomegalovirus (CMV) and Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) induces immune cell division leading to the premature terminal differentiation of T-cells. Terminally differentiated T-cells are known to accumulate with age causing a reduction in the naïve T-cell repertoire, which compromises the ability of the adaptive immune system to respond to novel pathogens. Although CMV and EBV seropositivity are hallmarks of the “immune risk profile” and are known to influence the frequency of terminally differentiated T-cells and increase infection risk in adults, it is not known if CMV or EBV impacts on the frequency of these cells in a young subject cohort. PURPOSE: To examine the impact of CMV and EBV seropositivity on the frequency of highly differentiated blood T-cells in Mexican-American adolescents. METHODS: Fasted resting blood samples were obtained from 77 adolescents consisting of both males and females. The presence of antibodies against CMV and EBV was determined in serum by ELISA. Lymphocytes isolated from peripheral blood were assessed for a combination of cell surface markers to determine their stage of differentiation. Monoclonal antibodies and four-color flow cytometry were used to identify senescent (CD27-, CD28-, CD57+), naïve (CCR7+, CD45RA+), memory (CCR7-, CD45RA-) and effector memory (CCD7-, CD45RA+) T-cell markers on pan CD3+ T-cells, CD4+ T-cells and CD8+ T-cells. Differences in T-cell phenotype between the CMV/EBV seropositive and seronegative participants were compared using independent Student t-tests. RESULTS: The prevalence of latent CMV and EBV infection among the subject cohort was 16% and 44% respectively, while 7% of all participants were carrying a latent infection for both. No differences in senescent and memory phenotypes were found between the CMV or EBV seropositive and seronegative groups. CONCLUSION: Despite the known influence of latent CMV and EBV infection on the frequency of senescent T-cells in adults, these preliminary data indicate that CMV and EBV seropositivity has no impact on the frequency of senescent T-cells in adolescents. These data suggest that the increased frequency of terminally differentiated T-cells that are associated with CMV and EBV seropositivity in adults is probably due to long-term infections. Future studies will assess the impact of CMV and EBV seropositivity on immunosenescence in association with other factors known to have an effect on T-cells differentiation, such as BMI and physical activity status

Elevated MCP-1, TNF-α, Monocyte Concentration, and Dyslipidemia in Obese Mexican-American Children

Background: Obesity is an independent risk factor for chronic disease. The prevalence of obesity is especially high among Mexican-American children. Peripheral blood monocytes contribute to systemic inflammation and may mediate the relationship between obesity and chronic disease. Obesity affects monocytes and the circulating levels of cytokines/chemokines that influence monocyte behavior. Purpose: investigate alterations in blood monocytes and plasma cytokines/chemokine levels among healthy weight (zBMI ≤ 85th percentile; N=66), overweight (zBMI=85th-95th percentile; N=23), and obese (zBMI ≥ 95th percentile; N=39) Mexican-American children. Methods: Blood samples were analyzed for total monocyte concentration, pro-inflammatory monocyte concentration, and classic monocyte concentration via flow cytometry. Serum MCP-1, Fractalkine, IL-8, and TNF-α were measured using a Milliplex MagPix assay. Serum cholesterol, HDL, triglycerides, and glucose were measured using an enzymatic reagent kit. Results: Total monocyte concentration (P=0.012), classic monocyte concentration (P=0.045), MCP-1 (P=0.015), and TNF- α (P=0.002) were significantly greater in obese children compared to heathly weight children. Also, overweight and obese children had elevated triglycerides (P=0.001) and reduced HDL (P=0.033) compared to healthy weight children. Conclusion: Elevations in circulating monocytes, MCP-1, and TNF-α have been implicated in the development of obesity-related chronic disease in adults. Childhood obesity alters monocytes and circulating chemokines, putting children at a greater risk of developing obesity-related chronic diseases in adulthood. Further characterization of early immune alterations in childhood obesity may provide additional clinical insight into the assessment of obesity-related disease risk

Childhood Overweight is Associated with Increased Monocyte Concentration and Altered Subset Distribution

Childhood obesity rates have nearly tripled in the last 30 years. Obesity increases risk for chronic disease. While monocytes, cells of the innate immune system that are altered with obesity, are purported to play an integral role in the development of these chronic diseases, no research has focused on early phenotypic changes in monocytes of overweight children. Two monocytes subsets exist, classic and pro-inflammatory; alterations in number and distribution may be implicated in disease development in obesity. The purpose of this study was to examine the concentration and relative distribution of monocytes among “normal weight” (N=66) and “at risk for being overweight/overweight” (N=56) Mexican American children. Blood samples were collected and analyzed for total monocyte concentration and monocyte subset concentration via flow cytometry. Total monocyte concentration, as well as the concentration of both classic and pro-inflammatory monocyte subsets was significantly greater in the “at risk for overweight/overweight” children (P\u3e0.05). Understanding early alterations in monocyte populations will be the first step in the development of early diagnosis and treatment techniques

Foreyt

This study evaluated the effectiveness of nondieting versus dieting treatments for overweight, bingeeating women. Participants (N = 219) were randomly assigned to 1 of 3 groups: diet treatment (DT), nondiet treatment (NDT), or wait-list control (WLC). DT received a balanced-deficit diet reinforced with behavioral strategies. NDT received therapy designed to help participants break out of their dieting cycles. Treatment in both conditions was administered in weekly groups for 6 months, followed by 26 biweekly maintenance meetings, for a total of 18 months of contact. At 6 months posttreatment, DT lost 0.6 kg while NDT gained 1.3 kg. Both treatment groups reduced their Binge Eating Scale scores significantly more than WLC. At 18-month follow-up, both treatment groups experienced weight gain but maintained similar reductions in binge eating. Results indicate that neither intervention was successful in producing short-or long-term weight loss. Therapist biases, which may have affected treatment integrity, and other methodological issues are discussed in relation to the small weight losses achieved. Estimates of binge eating among obese patients range from 20% to 50%, depending on the criteria used and the study population (Bruce & Wilfiey, 1996; It is unclear whether or not binge-eating obese patients experience greater difficulty in treatment programs as a result of these liabilities. Obese binge eaters have been found to respond to weight loss programs similarly to nonbingers, and experience similar or lower attrition rates This research was supported by National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases Grant DK43109 and by a Minority Scientist Development Award from the American Heart Association and its Puerto Rican Affiliate. Correspondence concerning this article should be addressed to G. Ken Goodrick, Behavioral Medicine Research Center, Baylor College of Medicine, 6535 Fannin, Mailstop F-700, Houston, Texas 77030. outcomes Several nondieting therapeutic approaches have been developed for the treatment of obesity The purpose of this prospective, randomized, controlled study was to evaluate the effectiveness of this nondieting approach in the treatment of obese, binge-eating women, compared with a standardized, behavioral dieting treatment and a control group. Method Participants The mean age of participants was 40 years (SD = 6.3, range = 25 to 50 years). Participants' mean pretreatment weight was 88 kg (SD = 9.6, range = 66 to 110 kg). The mean body mass index (BMI) was 33 kg/m 2 (SD = 3.4), with a range of 26 to 43 kg/m 2. The ethnic-racial composition of the sample was 85% White, 8% Black, and 7% Hispanic. Of the total participants, 62% were married, 21% were single or divorced, and 17% were never married. Twenty-four percent of the participants had a college degree, 65% had some college, and 11% had a high school diploma or less. Sixty-nine percent were employed full time, and 9% part time. Procedure Female participants were recruited from Houston and the surrounding area using print and electronic media to publicize the study. Those 36

Weight loss in individuals with metabolic syndrome given DASH diet counseling when provided a low sodium vegetable juice: a randomized controlled trial

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Metabolic syndrome, a constellation of metabolic risk factors for type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease, is one of the fastest growing disease entities in the world. Weight loss is thought to be a key to improving all aspects of metabolic syndrome. Research studies have suggested benefits from diets rich in vegetables and fruits in helping individuals reach and achieve healthy weights.</p> <p>Objective</p> <p>To evaluate the effects of a ready to serve vegetable juice as part of a calorie-appropriate Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet in an ethnically diverse population of people with Metabolic Syndrome on weight loss and their ability to meet vegetable intake recommendations, and on their clinical characteristics of metabolic syndrome (waist circumference, triglycerides, HDL, fasting blood glucose and blood pressure).</p> <p>A secondary goal was to examine the impact of the vegetable juice on associated parameters, including leptin, vascular adhesion markers, and markers of the oxidative defense system and of oxidative stress.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>A prospective 12 week, 3 group (0, 8, or 16 fluid ounces of low sodium vegetable juice) parallel arm randomized controlled trial. Participants were requested to limit their calorie intake to 1600 kcals for women and 1800 kcals for men and were educated on the DASH diet. A total of 81 (22 men & 59 women) participants with Metabolic Syndrome were enrolled into the study. Dietary nutrient and vegetable intake, weight, height, leptin, metabolic syndrome clinical characteristics and related markers of endothelial and cardiovascular health were measured at baseline, 6-, and 12-weeks.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>There were significant group by time interactions when aggregating both groups consuming vegetable juice (8 or 16 fluid ounces daily). Those consuming juice lost more weight, consumed more Vitamin C, potassium, and dietary vegetables than individuals who were in the group that only received diet counseling (p < 0.05).</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The incorporation of vegetable juice into the daily diet can be a simple and effective way to increase the number of daily vegetable servings. Data from this study also suggest the potential of using a low sodium vegetable juice in conjunction with a calorie restricted diet to aid in weight loss in overweight individuals with metabolic syndrome.</p

DNA multigene characterization of Fasciola hepatica and Lymnaea neotropica and its fascioliasis transmission capacity in Uruguay, with historical correlation, human report review and infection risk analysis

Fascioliasis is a highly pathogenic zoonotic disease emerging in recent decades, in part due to the effects of climate and global changes. South America is the continent presenting more numerous human fascioliasis endemic areas and the highest Fasciola hepatica infection prevalences and intensities known in humans. These serious public health scenarios appear mainly linked to altitude areas in Andean countries, whereas lowland areas of non-Andean countries, such as Uruguay, only show sporadic human cases or outbreaks. To understand this difference, we characterized F. hepatica from cattle and horses and lymnaeids of Uruguay by sequencing of ribosomal DNA ITS-2 and ITS-1 spacers and mitochondrial DNA cox1, nad1 and 16S genes. Results indicate that vectors belong to Lymnaea neotropica instead of to Lymnaea viator, as always reported from Uruguay. Our correlation of fasciolid and lymnaeid haplotypes with historical data on the introduction and spread of livestock species into Uruguay allow to understand the molecular diversity detected. We study the life cycle and transmission features of F. hepatica by L. neotropica of Uruguay under standardized experimental conditions to enable a comparison with the transmission capacity of F. hepatica by Galba truncatula at very high altitude in Bolivia. Results demonstrate that although L. neotropica is a highly efficient vector in the lowlands, its transmission capacity is markedly lower than that of G. truncatula in the highlands. On this baseline, we review the human fascioliasis cases reported in Uruguay and analyze the present and future risk of human infection in front of future climate change estimations

COVID-19 and Obesity: A Pandemic Wrapped in an Epidemic

While most physicians understand the significant links between obesity, coronary heart disease, diabetes, and the metabolic syndrome, many health care professionals do not recognize that obesity also predisposes individuals to multiple complications from COVID-19. Thus, during this terrible pandemic of COVID-19, the twin epidemic of obesity has exacerbated both the degree and severity of illness and resulted in substantial increases in mortality

High-Fructose Corn Syrup: Controversies And Common Sense

High-fructose corn syrup is often mischaracterized and misunderstood. This sweetener was introduced into the food supply in the United States in the late 1960s as a liquid sweetener alternative to sucrose and existed in relative obscurity for many years. It carries the designations “Generally Recognized As Safe” (GRAS) and “natural” from the US Food and Drug Administration. In 2004, several investigators suggested that high-fructose corn syrup might be linked to the increased prevalence of obesity in the United States. Subsequent human studies have shown no unique link between high-fructose corn syrup and obesity. In composition, high-fructose corn syrup, sucrose, honey, invert sugar, and concentrated fruit juices are essentially interchangeable, and human studies to date have shown no significant differences in metabolic, endocrine, hormonal, or appetitive responses to these caloric sweeteners. This review explores the metabolic and nutritional effects of high-fructose corn syrup with a particular emphasis on its relationship to sucrose, the sweetener it replaced in many food products. © 2010, SAGE Publications. All rights reserved