β‐Ionone: Its Occurrence and Biological Function and Metabolic Engineering

β‐Ionone is a natural plant volatile compound, and it is the 9,10 and 9’,10’ cleavage prod-uct of β‐carotene by the carotenoid cleavage dioxygenase. β‐Ionone is widely distributed in flowers, fruits, and vegetables. β‐Ionone and other apocarotenoids comprise flavors, aromas, pigments, growth regulators, and defense compounds; serve as ecological cues; have roles as insect attractants or repellants, and have antibacterial and fungicidal properties. In recent years, β‐ionone has also received increased attention from the biomedical community for its potential as an anticancer treatment and for other human health benefits. However, β‐ionone is typically produced at relatively low levels in plants. Thus, expressing plant biosynthetic pathway genes in microbial hosts and engineering the metabolic pathway/host to increase metabolite production is an appealing alternative. In the present review, we discuss β‐ionone occurrence, the biological activities of β‐ionone, empha-sizing insect attractant/repellant activities, and the current strategies and achievements used to re-construct enzyme pathways in microorganisms in an effort to to attain higher amounts of the de-sired β‐ionone

Mineralocorticoid receptor antagonism attenuates vascular apoptosis and injury via rescuing protein kinase B activation

This article may also be found at the publisher's website at http://hyper.ahajournals.org/cgi/content/abstract/53/2/158?maxtoshow=&HITS=10&hits=10&RESULTFORMAT=&fulltext=habibi&searchid=1&FIRSTINDEX=0&resourcetype=HWCITEmerging evidence indicates that mineralocorticoid receptor (MR) blockade reduces the risk of cardiovascular events beyond those predicted by its blood pressure-lowering actions; however, the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. To investigate whether protection elicited by MR blockade is through attenuation of vascular apoptosis and injury, independently of blood pressure lowering, we administered a low dose of the MR antagonist spironolactone or vehicle for 21 days to hypertensive transgenic Ren2 rats with elevated plasma aldosterone levels. Although Ren2 rats developed higher systolic blood pressures compared with Sprague-Dawley littermates, low-dose spironolactone treatment did not reduce systolic blood pressure compared with untreated Ren2 rats. Ren2 rats exhibited vascular injury as evidenced by increased apoptosis, hemidesmosome-like structure loss, mitochondrial abnormalities, and lipid accumulation compared with Sprague-Dawley rats, and these abnormalities were attenuated by MR antagonism. Protein kinase B activation is critical to vascular homeostasis via regulation of cell survival and expression of apoptotic genes. Protein kinase B serine473 phosphorylation was impaired in Ren2 aortas and restored with MR antagonism. In vivo MR antagonist treatment promoted antiapoptotic effects by increasing phosphorylation of BAD serine136 and expression of Bcl-2 and Bcl-xL, decreasing cytochrome c release and BAD expression, and suppressing caspase-3 activation. Furthermore, MR antagonism substantially reduced the elevated NADPH oxidase activity and lipid peroxidation, expression of angiotensin II, angiotensin type 1 receptor, and MR in Ren2 vasculature. These results demonstrate that MR antagonism protects the vasculature from aldosterone-induced vascular apoptosis and structural injury via rescuing protein kinase B activation, independent of blood pressure effects

Testicular adrenal rest tumor in a pediatric patient with congenital adrenal hyperplasia: A case report

Testicular adrenal rest tumors (TARTs) are benign intratesticular tumors that occur mostly in male patients with congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH), their prevalence in these populations can reach up to 94%. We hereby report a male child with known CAH, presented with bilateral irregular testicular masses which were diagnosed as TARTs. TARTs were first reported in 1940, They were named due to their resemblance to adrenal tissue, they are almost always benign but can blunt spermatogenesis and endocrine function of the testis leading to infertility, they are diagnosed by a combination of clinical history, physical exam, and imaging studies, MRI and U/S are equally good for diagnosis and follow-up, treatment includes surgical resection or observation depending on tumor size, symptoms, and fertility goals. TARTs are benign testicular tumors that are strongly associated with CAH, they can be completely asymptomatic or can cause pain and infertility, diagnosis can be done by imaging modalities like MRI or U/S, and treatment options include observation or surgical removal

Exercise and Omega-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acid Supplementation for the Treatment of Hepatic Steatosis in Hyperphagic OLETF Rats

Background and Aims. This study examined if exercise and omega-3 fatty acid (n3PUFA) supplementation is an effective treatment for hepatic steatosis in obese, hyperphagic Otsuka Long-Evans Tokushima Fatty (OLETF) rats. Methods. Male OLETF rats were divided into 4 groups (n=8/group): (1) remained sedentary (SED), (2) access to running wheels; (EX) (3) a diet supplemented with 3% of energy from fish oil (n3PUFA-SED); and (4) n3PUFA supplementation plus EX (n3PUFA+EX). The 8 week treatments began at 13 weeks, when hepatic steatosis is present in OLETF-SED rats. Results. EX alone lowered hepatic triglyceride (TAG) while, in contrast, n3PUFAs failed to lower hepatic TAG and blunted the ability of EX to decrease hepatic TAG levels in n3PUFAs+EX. Insulin sensitivity was improved in EX animals, to a lesser extent in n3PUFA+EX rats, and did not differ between n3PUFA-SED and SED rats. Only the EX group displayed higher complete hepatic fatty acid oxidation (FAO) to CO2 and carnitine palmitoyl transferase-1 activity. EX also lowered hepatic fatty acid synthase protein while both EX and n3PUFA+EX decreased stearoyl CoA desaturase-1 protein. Conclusions. Exercise lowers hepatic steatosis through increased complete hepatic FAO, insulin sensitivity, and reduced expression of de novo fatty acid synthesis proteins while n3PUFAs had no effect

Patterns in a Low- to Middle Income Population, Zambia

Demographic features (age, gender) of pancreatic cancer using the Cancer Disease Hospital (CDH) data base in a native African population in comparison with the African-American cohort using the Surveillance, Epidemiology End Results (SEER) Program database.In 2007, the Cancer Disease Hospital (CDH) was opened as the national referral center for patients diagnosed with cancer in Zambia. Since inception of the CDH, there has been no systematic analysis of the disease burden and implication on healthcare delivery with regards to pancreatic cancer. There are limited studies describing patterns of pancreatic cancer in a native African population. Data suggest African-Americans have a higher incidence and poorer prognosis of pancreatic cancer than non-African Americans. Objective: The aim is to describe the demographic features (age, gender) of pancreatic cancer using the Cancer Disease Hospital (CDH) data base in a native African population and compare with the African-American cohort using the Surveillance, Epidemiology End Results (SEER) Program database. Methods: This was a retrospective study of patients diagnosed with pancreatic cancer at the CDH in Zambia, Southern Africa between 2007 and 2014. The term “pancreatic cancer” was entered into the CDH database, extracted patient medical records numbers, and manually located the records for review. From each chart we extracted: age, gender, geographic origin, ethnicity, clinical features at presentations, location of tumor, stage at diagnosis and treatment. Data collection tool and master code sheet created a priori were used. Data was analyzed using statistical analysis software (SAS). Descriptive statistics including means, medians as well as frequency distributions and crosstabulations were used. SEER database was used to compare subjects between Zambia and USA. Groups were compared using Chi-square tests and Wilcoxon Signed Rank test. A p-value less than 0.05 was used as the level of significance. Results: Thirty-eight charts were identified in the CDH dataset, of which 27 were included in final analysis and 11 excluded (5 non-pancreatic cancer diagnosis, 6 not manually located). The mean age of diagnosis was 55.7 years in the native African population, compared to 66.7 years for the AfricanAmericans in the SEER database, p < 0.0001. There were 63.0% males (CDH) compared to 48.1% (SEER), p=0.121. Further review of the CDH database revealed that the most common presenting symptom was abdominal pain (52.6%), mode of diagnosis surgical (83%, missing 3), histopathology adenocarcinoma (86%, missing 6), location head of pancreas (83%, missing 9) and stage 4 at diagnosis (100%, missing 3). Conclusion: Pancreatic cancer occurs at a younger age in Zambians when compared to the African American, USA population. There is no statistically significant difference in sex presentation between Zambian and USA black population.Office of Global AIDS/US Department of State

Traditional and Non-Traditional Risk Factors of Acute Coronary Syndrome in Young Women: Evidence from the ANCORS-YW Study

Rasheed Ibdah,1,&ast; Mohammed Al-Nusair,1,&ast; Raghad Abuhalimeh,2 Saad A Mahmoud,1 Bushra Laswi,1 Sukaina Rawashdeh,1 Ayman Hamoudeh,3 Khalid A Kheirallah4 1Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid, Jordan; 2School of Medicine, University of Jordan, Amman, Jordan; 3Department of Cardiology, Istishari Hospital, Amman, Jordan; 4Department of Public Health and Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid, Jordan&ast;These authors contributed equally to this workCorrespondence: Khalid A Kheirallah, Jordan University of Science and Technology, P. O.Box 3030, Irbid, 22110, Jordan, Email [email protected]: Young women are at risk of acute coronary syndrome (ACS). They represent a unique population exposed to traditional cardiovascular risk factors and female sex-specific, non-traditional risk factors. The current study aimed to describe traditional and non-traditional risk factors of ACS in young women from the Middle East.Patients and Methods: The present study used data from the Jordanian, nationwide, multicenter, case-control study, ANCORS-YW. Bivariate analyses and logistic regression models were used to predict independent risk factors of ACS using adjusted odds ratios (AOR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI).Results: The study included 572 young women (≤ 50-years) with a median age of 45-years, divided into an ACS group (n=154, 26.9%) and a control group with no atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (n=418, 73.1%). The most common presentation of ACS was non-ST-elevation ACS (n=98, 64%). The ACS group, compared to control group, had higher proportions of type-2 diabetes (41.6%vs.11.7%, p< 0.001), hypertension (53.9%vs.23.4%, p< 0.001), tobacco use (37.7%vs.24.2%, p=0.001), family history of cardiovascular disease (53.2%vs.23.4%, p< 0.001), metabolic syndrome (14.3%vs.2.4%, p< 0.001), and preterm delivery (24.7%vs.16.7%, p=0.032). ACS group had nonsignificantly greater proportions of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (29.2%vs.22.7%, p=0.109) and gestational diabetes (15.6%vs.10.3%, p=0.081). Multivariable logistic regression analyses identified five independent predictors of ACS: type-2 diabetes (AOR, 95% CI: 3.45, 1.98&boxh;5.99), family history of cardiovascular disease (3.33, 2.15&boxh;5.17), tobacco use (2.01, 1.26&boxh;3.21), hypertension (1.72, 1.07&boxh;2.78), and metabolic syndrome (4.35, 1.72&boxh;11.03).Conclusion: Modifiable risk factors play an important role in ACS risk among young women. Efforts should be made to improve primordial and primary prevention in this population.Keywords: cardiovascular, female, ischemic heart disease, prevention, myocardial infarctio

Emergency repair of traumatic avulsion of the right main stem bronchus using biliary stent in a 6-year-Old girl: A case report

Introduction: Pediatric thoracic trauma is a rare condition, but results in high levels of morbidity and mortality. These injuries are often more devastating in the pediatric population due to differences in children’s anatomy and physiology relative to adult patients. Tracheobronchial injuries secondary to blunt trauma are difficult to diagnose compared to penetrating trauma. So, a high index of suspicion is of utmost importance. Case presentation: We report a case of a 6-year-old girl who experienced complete avulsion of the right main bronchus. The patient presented with extensive emphysema and severe respiratory distress with bilateral tension pneumothorax. Endotracheal intubation and two thoracostomy tubes were applied. Pneumothorax and a massive air leak persisted on the right side. After thoracotomy, right main bronchus avulsion was present and then repaired by end-to-end anastomosis and muscle flap. minimal air leaks from right chest tubes and partially expanding right lung on chest X-ray are seen after that. So, reinforcement by biliary (instead of bronchial) stent was performed because unavailability of bronchial stent with the desired size at that time. Discussion: Traumatic tracheobronchial damage occurs in just 0.05–3% of all pediatric thoracic traumas. It’s fatal condition especially in first hour. With proper recognition and management of these injuries, there is an associated improved long-term outcome. This article reviews the current literature and discusses the initial evaluation, current management practices, and future directions in pediatric thoracic trauma. Conclusion: Biliary stent placement could be a reasonable treatment option for racheobronchial damage.The authors thank the patient and her family

Rats selectively bred for low aerobic capacity have reduced hepatic mitochondrial oxidative capacity and susceptibility to hepatic steatosis and injury

Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/65411/1/jphysiol.2009.169060.pd

Partial Resistance to Peroxisome Proliferator–Activated Receptor-α Agonists in ZDF Rats Is Associated With Defective Hepatic Mitochondrial Metabolism

OBJECTIVE—Fluxes through mitochondrial pathways are defective in insulin-resistant skeletal muscle, but it is unclear whether similar mitochondrial defects play a role in the liver during insulin resistance and/or diabetes. The purpose of this study is to determine whether abnormal mitochondrial metabolism plays a role in the dysregulation of both hepatic fat and glucose metabolism during diabetes