Metabolic Syndrome and Risk for Incident Alzheimer's Disease or Vascular Dementia: The Three-City Study

OBJECTIVE—Associations between metabolic syndrome and its individual components with risk of incident dementia and its different subtypes are inconsistent

Large kidneys predict poor renal outcome in subjects with diabetes and chronic kidney disease

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Renal hypertrophy occurs early in diabetic nephropathy, its later value is unknown. Do large kidneys still predict poor outcome in patients with diabetes and Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD)?</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Seventy-five patients with diabetes and CKD according to a Glomerular Filtration Rate (GFR, by 51Cr-EDTA clearance) below 60 mL/min/1.73 m²or an Albumin Excretion Rate above 30 mg/24 H, had an ultrasound imaging of the kidneys and were cooperatively followed during five years by the Diabetology and Nephrology departments of the Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Bordeaux.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The patients were mainly men (44/75), aged 62 ± 13 yrs, with long-standing diabetes (duration:17 ± 9 yrs, 55/75 type 2), and CKD: initial GFR: 56.5 (8.5-209) mL/min/1.73 m², AER: 196 (20-2358) mg/24 H. Their mean kidney lenght (108 ± 13 mm, 67-147) was correlated to the GFR (r = 0.23, p < 0.05). During the follow-up, 9/11 of the patients who had to start dialysis came from the half with the largest kidneys (LogRank: p < 0.05), despite a 40% higher initial isotopic GFR. Serum creatinine were initially lower (Small kidneys: 125 (79-320) μmol/L, Large: 103 (50-371), p < 0.05), but significantly increased in the "large kidneys" group at the end of the follow-up (Small kidneys: 129 (69-283) μmol/L, Large: 140 (50-952), p < 0.005 vs initial). The difference persisted in the patients with severe renal failure (KDOQI stages 4,5).</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Large kidneys still predict progression in advanced CKD complicating diabetes. In these patients, ultrasound imaging not only excludes obstructive renal disease, but also provides information on the progression of the renal disease.</p

Amyloid Precursor Protein and Proinflammatory Changes Are Regulated in Brain and Adipose Tissue in a Murine Model of High Fat Diet-Induced Obesity

Background: Middle age obesity is recognized as a risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease (AD) although a mechanistic linkage remains unclear. Based upon the fact that obese adipose tissue and AD brains are both areas of proinflammatory change, a possible common event is chronic inflammation. Since an autosomal dominant form of AD is associated with mutations in the gene coding for the ubiquitously expressed transmembrane protein, amyloid precursor protein (APP) and recent evidence demonstrates increased APP levels in adipose tissue during obesity it is feasible that APP serves some function in both disease conditions. Methodology/Principal Findings: To determine whether diet-induced obesity produced proinflammatory changes and altered APP expression in brain versus adipose tissue, 6 week old C57BL6/J mice were maintained on a control or high fat diet for 22 weeks. Protein levels and cell-specific APP expression along with markers of inflammation and immune cell activation were compared between hippocampus, abdominal subcutaneous fat and visceral pericardial fat. APP stimulation-dependent changes in macrophage and adipocyte culture phenotype were examined for comparison to the in vivo changes. Conclusions/Significance: Adipose tissue and brain from high fat diet fed animals demonstrated increased TNF-a and microglial and macrophage activation. Both brains and adipose tissue also had elevated APP levels localizing to neurons and macrophage/adipocytes, respectively. APP agonist antibody stimulation of macrophage cultures increased specific cytokin

Fish, docosahexaenoic acid and Alzheimer’s disease

Cognitive decline in the elderly, particularly Alzheimer’s disease (AD), is a major socio-economic and healthcare concern. We review here the literature on one specific aspect of diet affecting AD, that of the ω3 fatty acids, particularly the brain’s principle ω3 fatty acid – docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). DHA has deservedly received wide attention as a nutrient supporting both optimal brain development and for cardiovascular health. Our aim here is to critically assess the quality of the present literature as well as the potential of ω3 fatty acids to treat or delay the onset of AD. We start with a brief description of cognitive decline in the elderly, followed by an overview of well recognized biological functions of DHA. We then turn to epidemiological studies, which are largely supportive of protective effects of fish and DHA against risk of AD. However, biological studies, including blood and brain DHA analyses need careful interpretation and further investigation, without which the success of clinical trials with DHA may continue to struggle. We draw attention to some of the methodological issues that need resolution as well as an emerging mechanism that may explain how DHA could be linked to protecting brain function in the elderly

Import of atmospheric trace metal elements in the aspe valley and somport tunnel (Pyrénées Atlantiques, France): Level of contamination and evaluation of emission sources [Apports atmosphériques des éléments traces métalliques dans la vallée d'aspe et le tunnel du somport (Pyrénées-Atlantiques, France): Niveau de contamination et évaluation des sources d'émissions]

cited By 3International audienceThe objective of this study is to define a reference state of metallic contaminants for the monitoring of road traffic emissions since the opening of the Somport tunnel in the Aspe valley (Pyrénées). To establish air quality indicators, trace metal elements (TME) (Al, Na, Mg, K, Ca, V, Mn, Cr, Zn, Cu, Rb, Cd, Sn, Sb, Ba, Ce, Pb and U) and lead isotopic ratios ( 208Pb/206Pb and206Pb/207Pb) were determined in various atmospheric receptors (fresh snow, bulk deposition, atmospheric particles and epiphytic lichen). Sampling and analyses with ultra clean procedures were employed for TME quantification. The different investigated atmospheric receptors allow the integration of the atmospheric inputs from daily to pluriannual temporal scales and along spatial scales through the North-South axis of the valley and as a function of the altitude. The Aspe valley exhibits a contamination level characteristic of remote European areas and the major metallic contaminants identified are Cd, Sb, Zn, Cu, Pb and Sn. All the analyses of TME in atmospheric receptors point out a decrease of Pb and Cd emissions in the northern hemisphere. The comparison with previous studies demonstrates a significant change in lead isotope composition and both Cu and Sb increase concentrations in atmospheric receptors. These results suggest a significant contribution of both incinerators emissions and the new road traffic pollution. In addition, elementary ratios Zn/Sb vs Cu/Sb seems to discriminate the inputs from waste treatment industries in the Aspe valley. The monitoring of wet deposition and atmospheric particles indicates an additional contribution from regional sources for Zn, Pb and Cd, in the low Aspe valley. The analysis of TME in atmospheric receptors allows thus to assess the contaminant contributions (i) from local emissions of domestic heat sources, from agricultural burning practices and road traffic, and (ii) from regional anthropogenic sources of waste incinerators, industries and urban area. Furthermore, the valley is significantly influenced by wind erosion and long range transport of TME in the Northern Hemisphere. The determination of TME and Pb isotopic ratios in the Somport tunnel indicate that local road traffic emissions are characterised (i) by a significant contribution of Sb, Zn and Cu, and (ii) by a slightly radiogenic Pb isotopic composition. Cu/Sb ratio that is used to trace brake wear emission is also well correlated with the road traffic in the Somport tunnel. In summary, the actual low traffic intensity in the Aspe valley prevents from conclusive evidence of significant and widespread contamination from road traffic emissions. The spatial distribution of the TME enrichment factor in epiphytic lichen, from the main road (RN134), indicates however the dry particulate mobilisation and emission by vehicles close to the road

Evaluation of analytical strategies for the determination of metal concentrations to assess landfill leachate contamination

cited By 13International audienceDue to the complex nature of landfill leachates, metal and metalloid analyses prove to be tricky and suffer from a lack of standard protocols. A complete approach has been adopted to investigate the influence of the different steps during the sample processing of French landfill leachates. The validation of the entire protocol has been achieved using a laboratory reference material. This material, which is a real landfill leachate, is representative of real samples. Its evaluation has allowed a quality control for metal and metalloid analyses in landfill leachates. Precautions concerning storage temperature, aeration and filtration are proposed to perform accurate metal analyses in these complex matrices. The sample processing has been applied to the seasonal monitoring of a French landfill. The assessment of major leachate metallic contaminants such as As, Cr, Sb, Sn, has been performed by evaluating the relative enrichment of metals and metalloids in comparison with rain water and groundwater. In addition, hydrological data are useful and complementary information for pointing out the main factors affecting metal concentrations and thus their potential remobilisation pathways