Linking dietary intake, circadian biomarkers, and clock genes on obesity: A study protocol

BackgroundThe prevalence of obesity continues to rise, and although this is a complex disease, the screening is made simply with the value of the Body Mass Index. This index only considers weight and height, being limited in portraying the multiple existing obesity phenotypes. The characterization of the chronotype and circadian system as an innovative phenotype of a patient's form of obesity is gaining increasing importance for the development of novel and pinpointed nutritional interventions. ObjectiveThe present study is a prospective observational controlled study conducted in Portugal, aiming to characterize the chronotype and determine its relation to the phenotype and dietary patterns of patients with obesity and healthy participants. MethodsAdults with obesity (study group) and healthy adults (control group), aged between 18 and 75, will be enrolled in this study. Data will be collected to characterize the chronotype, dietary intake, and sleep quality through validated questionnaires. Body composition will also be assessed, and blood samples will be collected to quantify circadian and metabolic biomarkers. DiscussionThis study is expected to contribute to a better understanding of the impact of obesity and dietary intake on circadian biomarkers and, therefore, increase scientific evidence to help future therapeutic interventions based on chronobiology, with a particular focus on nutritional interventions

A taxa de mutação pre-core em pacientes com hepatite B crônica correlacionada ao HBeAg: uma revisão sistemática / The pre-core mutation rate in patients with chronic hepatitis B correlated to HBeAg: a systematic review

Introdução:A mutação pre-core do vírus da hepatite B é umas das principais causas de hepatite crônica e associado a hepatite fulminante. A infecção acomete mais de dois bilhões de pessoas no mundo e é um problema de saúde pública. Método:  Diante do contexto, esse estudo busca fazer uma revisão integrativa da literatura com as publicações dos últimos cinco anos, das bases ele­trônicas de dados: PUB­MED e BVS, tendo como objetivo identificar a taxa de mutação pre-core em pacientes portadores de hepatite B crônica e sua relação com HBeAg. Resultados e Discussão:Os resultados demonstram a prevalência da mutação pre-core em pacientes HBeAg negativo em relação aos positivos, consoante com o aumento da chance de desenvolver carcinoma hepatocelular e cirrose. Conclusão:A taxa de mutação é maior em pacientes com HBeAg negativos, implicando maior atenção nesse grupo, pois tal marcador quantificar a replicação viral, além disso há um discordância entre os valores das transaminase e a mutação pre-core nos resultados desse trabalho, consequentemente, prejudica a segurança na avalição da atividade viral usando os critérios do antígeno HBeAg e função hepática.

Interleukin-7 Regulates Adipose Tissue Mass and Insulin Sensitivity in High-Fat Diet-Fed Mice through Lymphocyte-Dependent and Independent Mechanisms

Although interleukin (IL)-7 is mostly known as a key regulator of lymphocyte homeostasis, we recently demonstrated that it also contributes to body weight regulation through a hypothalamic control. Previous studies have shown that IL-7 is produced by the human obese white adipose tissue (WAT) yet its potential role on WAT development and function in obesity remains unknown. Here, we first show that transgenic mice overexpressing IL-7 have reduced adipose tissue mass associated with glucose and insulin resistance. Moreover, in the high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obesity model, a single administration of IL-7 to C57BL/6 mice is sufficient to prevent HFD-induced WAT mass increase and glucose intolerance. This metabolic protective effect is accompanied by a significant decreased inflammation in WAT. In lymphocyte-deficient HFD-fed SCID mice, IL-7 injection still protects from WAT mass gain. However, IL-7-triggered resistance against WAT inflammation and glucose intolerance is lost in SCID mice. These results suggest that IL-7 regulates adipose tissue mass through a lymphocyte-independent mechanism while its protective role on glucose homeostasis would be relayed by immune cells that participate to WAT inflammation. Our observations establish a key role for IL-7 in the complex mechanisms by which immune mediators modulate metabolic functions

Hepatites em pessoas privadas de liberdade: revisão sistemática / hepatites in private persons of freedom: systematic review

Introdução:As hepatites virais B e C e seus vírus HBV e HCV, respectivamente, são graves problemas de saúde pública mundial. A população carcerária está em alto risco de adquirir hepatites virais, devido ao fato de estarem sempre enclausurados, em ambientes pequenos e compartilhando obejetos de higiene pessoal, também associada à atividade sexual desprotegida, e o uso de drogas intravenosas. O objetivo deste estudo é analisar o que a literatura atual traz sobre hepatites em pessoas privadas de liberdade e facilitar o acesso a informação para profissionais de saúde e a população em geral.Método:Trata-se de uma revisão sistemática da literatura. A busca foi realizada nas fontes de dados eletrônicas (MEDLINE/PubMed) e Biblioteca Virtual em Saúde (BVS), por meio da combinação de descritores“hepatitis” AND “prisoners”. Essa revisão sistemática seguiu as recomendações do PreferredReportingItems for SystematicReviewsand Meta-Analyses-PRISMA. Foram incluídos os artigos encontrados nas bases de dados, realizados em seres humanos, publicados nos últimos 05 anos. A coleta de dados foi realizada nos meses de dezembro de 2017, janeiro e fevereiro de 2018.Resultados e Discussão:Todos os estudos analisados trouxeram algum grau de relevância e mostratam que a população carcerária tem uma prevelência maior do gênero masculino em relação ao feminino, tanto de infecção por HBV, como por HCV, sendo que a taxa de prevalência de HCV entre prisioneiros é maior que a global. Como fatores de risco associados para HCV temos o uso de drogas injetáveis, associação com tatuagens, atividade sexual com parceiro HCV positivo e coinfecção por HIV, já para o HBV há o sexo desprotegido e compartilhamento de objetos pessoais. Conclusão: O principal fator de risco para adquirir infecções por HBV e HCV é história de uso de drogas, principalmente do tipo injetáveis para HCV. Coinfecções como o HIV e fibrose hepática são muito comuns para ambas as hepatites virais. Testes sorológicos poderiamconfirmar o diagnóstico e dar início ao tratamento dos presos na cadeia, que posteriormente dariam seguimento em liberdade. Haveria melhoria na saúde da população, diminuição da morbilidade, mortalidade, diminuição com o custo de potencias complicações, como fibrose hepática e até mesmo um transplante hepático.

Metabolically Healthy Obesity and High Carotid Intima-Media Thickness in Children and Adolescents: International Childhood Vascular Structure Evaluation Consortium

OBJECTIVE It has been argued that metabolically healthy obesity (MHO) does not increase cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk. This study examines the association of MHO with carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT), a proxy of CVD risk, in children and adolescents. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS Data were available for 3,497 children and adolescents aged 6–17 years from five population-based cross-sectional studies in Brazil, China, Greece, Italy, and Spain. Weight status categories (normal, overweight, and obese) were defined using BMI cutoffs from the International Obesity Task Force. Metabolic status (defined as "healthy" [no risk factors] or "unhealthy" [one or more risk factors]) was based on four CVD risk factors: elevated blood pressure, elevated triglyceride levels, reduced HDL cholesterol, and elevated fasting glucose. High cIMT was defined as cIMT ≥90th percentile for sex, age, and study population. Logistic regression model was used to examine the association of weight and metabolic status with high cIMT, with adjustment for sex, age, race/ethnicity, and study center. RESULTS In comparison with metabolically healthy normal weight, odds ratios (ORs) for high cIMT were 2.29 (95% CI 1.58–3.32) for metabolically healthy overweight and 3.91 (2.46–6.21) for MHO. ORs for high cIMT were 1.44 (1.03–2.02) for unhealthy normal weight, 3.49 (2.51–4.85) for unhealthy overweight, and 6.96 (5.05–9.61) for unhealthy obesity. CONCLUSIONS Among children and adolescents, cIMT was higher for both MHO and metabolically healthy overweight compared with metabolically healthy normal weight. Our findings reinforce the need for weight control in children and adolescents irrespective of their metabolic status

Proteasome inhibition and ROS generation by 4-nerolidylcatechol induces melanoma cell death

Induction of apoptotic cell death in response to chemotherapy and other external stimuli has proved extremely difficult in melanoma, leading to tumor progression, metastasis formation and resistance to therapy. A promising approach for cancer chemotherapy is the inhibition of proteasomal activity, as the half-life of the majority of cellular proteins is under proteasomal control and inhibitors have been shown to induce cell death programs in a wide variety of tumor cell types. 4-Nerolidylcatechol (4-NC) is a potent antioxidant whose cytotoxic potential has already been demonstrated in melanoma tumor cell lines. Furthermore, 4-NC was able to induce the accumulation of ubiquitinated proteins, including classic targets of this process such as Mcl-1. As shown for other proteasomal inhibitors in melanoma, the cytotoxic action of 4-NC is time-dependent upon the pro-apoptotic protein Noxa, which is able to bind and neutralize Mcl-1. We demonstrate the role of 4-NC as a potent inducer of ROS and p53. The use of an artificial skin model containing melanoma also provided evidence that 4-NC prevented melanoma proliferation in a 3D model that more closely resembles normal human skin.FAPESP [2006/50479-7, 2006/60930-8, 2008/58817-4, 2009/54816-6 2010/50157-5]FAPESPCNPqCNPqINCT_if (CNPq)INCT-if CNPqCAPESCAPESPRP-USPPRPUS

Guidelines for the management of neuroendocrine tumours by the Brazilian gastrointestinal tumour group

Neuroendocrine tumours are a heterogeneous group of diseases with a significant variety of diagnostic tests and treatment modalities. Guidelines were developed by North American and European groups to recommend their best management. However, local particularities and relativisms found worldwide led us to create Brazilian guidelines. Our consensus considered the best feasible strategies in an environment involving more limited resources. We believe that our recommendations may be extended to other countries with similar economic standards.Univ Sao Paulo, Inst Canc Estado Sao Paulo, BR-01246000 Sao Paulo, BrazilUniv Sao Paulo, Fac Med, Dept Radiol & Oncol, BR-01246903 Sao Paulo, BrazilHosp Sirio Libanes, BR-01308050 Sao Paulo, BrazilHosp Moinhos de Vento Porto Alegre, BR-90035000 Porto Alegre, RS, BrazilOncoctr, BR-30360680 Belo Horizonte, MG, BrazilUniv Fed Rio Grande do Sul, Dept Cirurgia, BR-90040060 Porto Alegre, RS, BrazilHosp Clin Porto Alegre, BR-90035903 Porto Alegre, RS, BrazilUniv Fed Ceara, Fac Med, Dept Fisiol & Farmacol, BR-60020180 Fortaleza, Ceara, BrazilHosp Univ Walter Cantidio, BR-60430370 Fortaleza, Ceara, BrazilInst Nacl Canc, BR-20230240 Rio De Janeiro, BrazilUniv Sao Paulo, Fac Med, Disciplina Endocrinol & Metabol, BR-01246903 Sao Paulo, BrazilAC Camargo Canc Ctr, Dept Surg, BR-01509010 Sao Paulo, BrazilUniv Sao Paulo, Fac Med, Dept Gastroenterol, Sao Paulo, BrazilUniv Fed Ciencias Saude Porto Alegre, BR-90050170 Porto Alegre, RS, BrazilHosp Albert Einstein, BR-05652900 Sao Paulo, BrazilHosp Base, Fac Med Sao Jose do Rio Preto, BR-15090000 Sao Paulo, BrazilSanta Casa Sao Jose do Rio Preto, BR-15025500 Sao Jose Do Rio Preto, BrazilPontificia Univ Catolica Parana, Hosp Erasto Gaertner, BR-81520060 Curitiba, Parana, BrazilUniv Fed Rio Grande do Norte, BR-59300000 Natal, RN, BrazilUniv Sao Paulo, Inst Coracao, BR-05403900 Sao Paulo, BrazilAC Camargo Canc Ctr, Med Oncol, BR-01509010 Sao Paulo, BrazilUniv Fed Sao Paulo, Disciplina Gastroenterol, BR-04021001 Sao Paulo, BrazilHosp Sao Rafael, BR-41253190 Salvador, BA, BrazilHosp Canc Barretos, Dept Cirurgia Aparelho Digest Alto & Hepatobiliop, BR-14784400 Sao Paulo, BrazilUniv Sao Paulo, Fac Med, Dept Patol, BR-01246903 Sao Paulo, BrazilClin AMO, BR-1950640 Salvador, BA, BrazilHosp Sao Jose, BR-01323001 Sao Paulo, BrazilUniv Nove de Julho, BR-02111030 Sao Paulo, BrazilUniv Fed Sao Paulo, Disciplina Gastroenterol, BR-04021001 Sao Paulo, BrazilWeb of Scienc