Accumulation of Polychlorinated Biphenyls in Adipocytes: Selective Targeting to Lipid Droplets and Role of Caveolin-1

Background : Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are persistent environmental pollutants that preferentially accumulate in lipid-rich tissues of contaminated organisms. Although the adipose tissue constitutes a major intern reservoir of PCBs and recent epidemiological studies associate PCBs to the development of obesity and its related disorders, little is known about the mechanisms involved in their uptake by the adipose tissue and their intracellular localization in fat cells

Sex differences in diabetic foot ulcer severity and outcome in Belgium

Background Sex differences are increasingly recognized to play an important role in the epidemiology, treatment and outcomes of many diseases. This study aims to describe differences between sexes in patient characteristics, ulcer severity and outcome after 6 months in individuals with a diabetic foot ulcer (DFU). Methods A total of 1,771 patients with moderate to severe DFU participated in a national prospective, multicenter cohort study. Data were collected on demographics, medical history, current DFU and outcome. For data analysis, a Generalized Estimating Equation model and an adjusted Cox proportional hazards regression were&nbsp;used. Results The vast majority of patients included were male (72%). Ulcers in men were deeper, more frequently displaying probe to bone, and more frequently deeply infected. Twice as many men presented with systemic infection as women. Men demonstrated a higher prevalence of previous lower limb revascularization, while women presented more frequently with renal insufficiency. Smoking was more common in men than in women. No differences in presentation delay were observed. In the Cox regression analysis, women had a 26% higher chance of healing without major amputation as a first event (hazard ratio 1.258 (95% confidence interval&nbsp;1.048–1.509)). Conclusions Men presented with more severe DFU than women, although no increase in presentation delay was observed. Moreover, female sex was significantly associated with a higher probability of ulcer healing as a first event. Among many possible contributing factors, a worse vascular state associated with a higher rate of (previous) smoking in men stands&nbsp;out.</p

Influence of dietary fat composition on fatty acid composition and sensory properties of dry-cured Parma ham

A feeding trial with 27 pigs was performed in order to estimate the effect of different dietary fats on the fatty acid composition, flavour and sensory properties of dry-cured Parma hams, ripened for 16 months. The animals received a pelleted diet supplemented with different fat sources: tallow (TA), corn oil (CO), and rapeseed oil (RO). The sensory quality of the hams was evaluated by means of sensory analyses and by instrumental procedures such as gas chromatography-mass spectrometry of the volatile aroma compounds. A treatment effect was detected for linolenic acid in RO vs. CO and TA hams (P < 0.01) and for MUFA content (P < 0.01) that was higher in RO and TA compared with CO. The results of panel test showed a significant difference (P < 0.05) between TA vs. CO and RO hams. Volatile compounds showed limited differences even if in CO group the amount of singular compound is higher than TA and RO

The COVID-19 pandemic strongly reduced the presentation rate of diabetic foot ulcers in Belgium, but the impact on severity was limited to slightly larger lesions

Aim: The Belgian government introduced a national COVID-19 lockdown from 14/03 until 03/05/2020. Free movement was restricted and only urgent medical care was allowed. Although diabetic foot clinics (DFC) were advised to treat all foot problems as urgent, patients were reluctant to visit the hospital. This study investigates the impact of the lockdown on presentation rate and diabetic foot ulcer (DFU) severity at&nbsp;presentation. Method: Within the ongoing national care quality improvement initiative (IQED-Foot), a prospective cohort study was conducted among 22 DFC. 887 consecutive patients with DFU of Wagner grade ≥ 2 were included. Patients were divided based on their first contact: pre-lockdown group (A, first contact between 01/01 and 13/03/2020, n=322) or (post-)lockdown group (B,&nbsp; first contact between 14/03 and 30/09/2020,&nbsp;&nbsp;n=565). Results: &nbsp;All DFC, except one, remained open for active foot problems with implementation of COVID-19 measures. During lockdown, the average weekly presentation rate was strongly reduced (0.6 vs. 1.4 patients/week/DFC in 2018; p&lt;0.001). However, median patient-reported presentation delay did not increase (A: 3 [1-8] vs. B: 3 [1-7] weeks; p=0,81). Demographic data such as gender, age, diabetes type and duration were not different. Patients that presented during/after lockdown had less frequently a prior DFU (B: 50% vs. A: 60%; p=0,005). Regarding DFU severity, patients seen during/after lockdown had less frequently critical ischemia (B: 11% vs. A: 18%; p=0.0103) and presented with slightly larger lesions (&lt; 1cm2 B: 32% vs. A: 38%; p=0.0003, 1-3cm2 B: 45% vs. A: 40%; p=0.0152). No differences in depth, infection or loss of protective sensation were&nbsp;observed. Conclusion: DFC in Belgium remained accessible to patients with foot problems. Although patient inclusion was strongly reduced, overall presentation delay did not increase. The impact on DFU severity was limited to slightly larger lesions. Follow-up is ongoing and outcome data will be available by&nbsp;September.</p