Serum concentration of HDL particles predicts mortality in acute heart failure patients

Clinical studies have shown that assessing circulating concentrations of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) particles by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy is superior to HDL-cholesterol in predicting cardiovascular risk. We tested the hypothesis that circulating concentrations of HDL particles predict 3-month mortality of patients with acute heart failure (AHF). Out of 152 included patients, 52% were female, additionally the mean patient age was 75.2 ± 10.3 years, and three-month mortality was 27%. Serum lipoprotein profile at admission was determined by NMR spectroscopy. Univariate logistic regression analyses revealed a significant inverse association of total (odds ratio (OR) 0.38 per 1-SD increase, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.23-0.60, p < 0.001) and small HDL particle concentrations (OR 0.35 per 1-SD increase, 95% CI 0.19-0.60, p < 0.001) with 3-month mortality, whereas concentrations of large HDL particles (p = 0.353) or HDL-cholesterol (p = 0.107) showed no significant association. After adjustment for age, sex, mean arterial pressure, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, glomerular filtration rate, urea, and N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide, both the total and small HDL particle concentrations remained significantly associated with 3-month mortality. Based on our results, we conclude that total and small HDL particle concentrations strongly and independently predict 3-month mortality in AHF patients

Metrics of high-density lipoprotein function and hospital mortality in acute heart failure patients

OBJECTIVE: The functionality of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) is impaired in chronic ischaemic heart failure (HF). However, the relationship between HDL functionality and outcomes in acute HF (AHF) has not been studied. The present study investigates whether the metrics of HDL functionality, including HDL cholesterol efflux capacity and HDL-associated paraoxonase (PON)-1 arylesterase (AE) activity are associated with hospital mortality in AHF patients. ----- METHODS AND RESULTS: The study was performed as a prospective, single-centre, observational research on 152 patients, defined and categorised according to the ESC and ACCF/AHA Guidelines for HF by time of onset, final clinical presentation and ejection fraction. The mean age of the included patients (52% female) was 75.2 years (SD 10.3) and hospital mortality was 14.5%. HDL cholesterol efflux capacity was examined by measuring the capacity of apoB depleted serum to remove tritium-labelled cholesterol from cultured macrophages. The AE activity of the HDL fraction was examined by a photometric assay. In a univariable regression analysis, low cholesterol efflux, but not AE activity, was significantly associated with hospital mortality [odds ratio (OR) 0.78, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.64-0.96, p = 0.019]. In multivariable analysis progressively adjusting for important clinical and laboratory parameters the association obtained for cholesterol efflux capacity and hospital mortality by univariable analysis, despite a stable OR, did not stay significant (p = 0.179). ----- CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that HDL cholesterol efflux capacity (but not AE activity) contributes to, but is not an independent risk factor for, hospital mortality in AHF patients. Larger studies are needed to draw firm conclusions

DP1 receptor signaling prevents the onset of intrinsic apoptosis in eosinophils and functions as a transcriptional modulator

Prostaglandin (PG) D2 is the ligand for the G‐protein coupled receptors DP1 (D‐type prostanoid receptor 1) and DP2 (also known as chemoattractant receptor homologous molecule, expressed on Th2 cells; CRTH2). Both, DP1 and DP2 are expressed on the cellular surface of eosinophils; although it has become quite clear that PGD2 induces eosinophil migration mainly via DP2 receptors, the role of DP1 in eosinophil responses has remained elusive. In this study, we addressed how DP1 receptor signaling complements the pro‐inflammatory effects of DP2. We found that PGD2 prolongs the survival of eosinophils via a DP1 receptor‐mediated mechanism that inhibits the onset of the intrinsic apoptotic cascade. The DP1 agonist BW245c prevented the activation of effector caspases in eosinophils and protected mitochondrial membranes from depolarization which—as a consequence—sustained viability of eosinophils. DP1 activation in eosinophils enhanced the expression of the anti‐apoptotic gene BCL‐XL, but also induced pro‐inflammatory genes, such as VLA‐4 and CCR3. In HEK293 cells that overexpress recombinant DP1 and/or DP2 receptors, activation of DP1, but not DP2, delayed cell death and stimulated proliferation, along with induction of serum response element (SRE), a regulator of anti‐apoptotic, early‐response genes. We conclude that DP1 receptors promote the survival via SRE induction and induction of pro‐inflammatory genes. Therefore, targeting DP1 receptors, along with DP2, may contribute to anti‐inflammatory therapy in eosinophilic diseases

Metabolic syndrome modulates association between endothelial lipase and lipid/lipoprotein plasma levels in acute heart failure patients

We hypothesised that the established association of endothelial lipase (EL) plasma levels with atherogenic lipid profile is altered in acute heart failure (AHF) and additionally affected by overlapping metabolic syndrome (MetS). We examined the association of EL plasma levels and lipid/lipoprotein plasma levels in AHF patients without and with overlapping MetS. The study was performed as a single-centre, observational study on 152 AHF patients, out of which 85 had overlapping MetS. In the no-MetS group, EL plasma levels were significantly positively correlated with plasma levels of atherogenic lipids/lipoproteins, including total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol, total LDL particles and triglycerides, but also with plasma levels of antiatherogenic high-density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol, total HDL particles and small HDL particles. In the MetS group, EL plasma levels were positively correlated with triglyceride and small LDL-particle levels, and significantly negatively correlated with plasma levels of large HDL particles as well as with LDL- and HDL-particle size, respectively. EL- and lipid/lipoprotein- plasma levels were different in the no-MetS patients, compared to MetS patients. The association of EL with atherogenic lipid profile is altered in AHF and additionally modified by MetS, which strongly modulates EL- and lipid/lipoprotein-plasma levels in AHF

Assessment of quality changes in frozen sardine (Sardina pilchardus) by fluorescence detection

6 páginas, 2 figuras, 4 tablas.-- The final publication is available at www.springerlink.comThe formation of fluorescent compounds was tested as a quality assessment during the frozen storage of sardine at –18°C (up to 24 mon) and at –10°C (up to 120 d). The fluorescence ratio between two excitation/emission maxima (393/463 and 327/415 nm) was studied in the aqueous (δFaq) and organic (δFor) extracts after Bligh and Dyer extraction of the white muscle. Fluorescence results were compared to common quality indices [total volatile base-nitrogen (TVB-N); conjugated dienes; thiobarbituric acid index (TBA-i); and free fatty acids (FFA)]. δFaq showed good correlations with storage time (r = 0.80 and r = 0.72 at –18 and –10°C, respectively) and TBA-i (r = 0.92 and r = 0.81). Principal-component analysis grouped δFaq with quality indices that are sensitive for the assessment of fish damage during frozen storage at both temperatures (TBA-i and FFA at –18°C; BVT-N, TBA-i, and FFA at –10°C). According to these results, fluorescence detection of interaction compounds in the aqueous phase can provide an accurate method to assess quality differences during frozen storage of fish. JAOCS 75, 575–580 (1998)Xunta de Galicia (Project XUGA 402 01B93).Peer reviewe

Contributions à la paleontology du Miocène moyen continental du basin du Tage; (IV) Charophytes - Póvoa de Santarém, Pero Filho et Tremês

This study on middle Miocene Charophytes from the Tagus' basin indicates the presence of two species, hitherto undescribed from these strata in Portugal. Correlation diagrams of height and width of gyrogonite demonstrate that the populations of Nitellopsis (Tectochara) etrusca from the localities Póvoa de Santarém and Pêro Filho are identical to that from La Grenatière (Hérault, France), The population of Lychnothamnus duplicicarinatus from Tremês is identical to that already known from Anwill (Switzerland). The age of this flora is therefore suggested as being the upper part of the middle Miocene. The results of Charophyte studies are in accordance with stratigraphical conclusions from previously conducted mammalian studies (Antunes and Mein). A table showing the distribution of species in the three portuguese localities is given

Contributions à la paleontology du Miocène moyen continental du basin du tage

This study on middle Miocene Charophytes from the Tagus'basin indicates the presence of two species. hitherto undescribed from these strata in Portugal, Correlation diagrams of height and width of gyrogonite demonstrate that the populations of Nitellopsis (Tectochara) etrusca from the localities Póvoa de Santarém and Pêro Filho are identical to that from La Grenatière (Hérault, France), The population of Lychnothamnus duplicicarinatus from Tremês is identical to that already known from Anwill (Switzerland). The age of this flora is therefore suggested as being the upper part of the middle Miocene. The results of Charophyte studies are in accordance with stratigraphical conclusions from previously conducted mammalian studies (Antunes and Mein), A table showing the distribution of species in the three portuguese localities is given

Clearance kinetics and matrix binding partners of the receptor for advanced glycation end products

Elucidating the sites and mechanisms of sRAGE action in the healthy state is vital to better understand the biological importance of the receptor for advanced glycation end products (RAGE). Previous studies in animal models of disease have demonstrated that exogenous sRAGE has an anti-inflammatory effect, which has been reasoned to arise from sequestration of pro-inflammatory ligands away from membrane-bound RAGE isoforms. We show here that sRAGE exhibits in vitro binding with high affinity and reversibly to extracellular matrix components collagen I, collagen IV, and laminin. Soluble RAGE administered intratracheally, intravenously, or intraperitoneally, does not distribute in a specific fashion to any healthy mouse tissue, suggesting against the existence of accessible sRAGE sinks and receptors in the healthy mouse. Intratracheal administration is the only effective means of delivering exogenous sRAGE to the lung, the organ in which RAGE is most highly expressed; clearance of sRAGE from lung does not differ appreciably from that of albumin. Copyright: © 2014 Milutinovic et al