ANGPTL-4 is Associated with Obesity and Lipid Profile in Children and Adolescents

Angiopoietin-like protein 4 (ANGPTL-4) regulates lipidic metabolism and affects energy homeostasis. However, its function in children with obesity remains unknown. We investigated plasma ANGPTL-4 levels in children and its relationship with body mass index (BMI) and different lipidic parameters such as free fatty acids (FFA). Plasma ANGPTL-4 levels were analyzed in two different cohorts. In the first cohort (n = 150, age 3–17 years), which included children with normal weight or obesity, we performed a cross-sectional study. In the second cohort, which included only children with obesity (n = 20, age 5–18 years) followed up for two years after an intervention for weight loss, in which we performed a longitudinal study measuring ANGPTL-4 before and after BMI-loss. In the cross-sectional study, circulating ANGPTL-4 levels were lower in children with obesity than in those with normal weight. Moreover, ANGPTL-4 presented a negative correlation with BMI, waist circumference, weight, insulin, homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance index (HOMA index), triglycerides, and leptin, and a positive correlation with FFA and vitamin-D. In the longitudinal study, the percent change in plasma ANGPTL-4 was correlated with the percent change in FFA, total-cholesterol and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol. This study reveals a significant association of ANGPTL-4 with pediatric obesity and plasma lipid profileThis research was funded by INSTITUTO DE SALUD CARLOS III cofounded by FEDER, grants number PI18/00998, PI15/01272, PI11/02042, PI16/01301, and PI16/00871, and FUNDACIÓN MUTUA MADRILEÑAS

Proteomic Profile Associated With Loss of Spontaneous Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 Elite Control

[Background] Elite controllers (ECs) spontaneously control plasma human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) RNA without antiretroviral therapy. However, 25% lose virological control over time. The aim of this work was to study the proteomic profile that preceded this loss of virological control to identify potential biomarkers.[Methods] Plasma samples from ECs who spontaneously lost virological control (transient controllers [TCs]), at 2 years and 1 year before the loss of control, were compared with a control group of ECs who persistently maintained virological control during the same follow-up period (persistent controllers [PCs]). Comparative plasma shotgun proteomics was performed with tandem mass tag (TMT) isobaric tag labeling and nanoflow liquid chromatography coupled to Orbitrap mass spectrometry.[Results] Eighteen proteins exhibited differences comparing PC and preloss TC timepoints. These proteins were involved in proinflammatory mechanisms, and some of them play a role in HIV-1 replication and pathogenesis and interact with structural viral proteins. Coagulation factor XI, α-1-antichymotrypsin, ficolin-2, 14-3-3 protein, and galectin-3-binding protein were considered potential biomarkers.[Conclusions] The proteomic signature associated with the spontaneous loss of virological control was characterized by higher levels of inflammation, transendothelial migration, and coagulation. Galectin-3 binding protein could be considered as potential biomarker for the prediction of virological progression and as therapeutic target in ECs.This work was supported by grants from the Fondo de Investigación Sanitaria, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Fondos Europeos para el Desarrollo Regional (grant numbers PI10/02635, PI13/00796, and PI16/00503 to F. V.; PI12/02283, PI16/00684, and CPII014/00025 to E. R.-M.; FI14/00431 to L. T.-D.; and CP14/00198 to N. R.); Programa de Suport als Grups de Recerca (grant numbers 2017SGR948 and 2014SGR250); the Gilead Fellowship Program (grant numbers GLD14/293 and GLD17/00299); the Red de Investigación en Sida (grant numbers RD12/0017/0005, RD16/0025/0006, RD12/0017/0029, RD16/0025/0020, and RD12/0017/0031, RD16/0025/0013); Ministerio de Economia y Competitividad, Spain (grant number SAF2015-66193-R); and the Spanish Ministry of Education (grant number FPU13/02451 to B. D. M). E. R.-M. is supported by Consejería de Salud y Bienestar Social of Junta de Andalucía through the Nicolás Monardes program (C-0032/17). F. V. is supported by a grant from the Programa de Intensificación de Investigadores, Instituto de Salud Carlos III (grant numbers INT11/240, INT12/282, and INT15/226). A. R. is supported by a grant from the Acció Instrumental d’incorporació de científics i tecnòlegs (PERIS SLT002/16/00101), Departament de Salut, Generalitat de Catalunya.Peer reviewe

NEOTROPICAL ALIEN MAMMALS: a data set of occurrence and abundance of alien mammals in the Neotropics

Biological invasion is one of the main threats to native biodiversity. For a species to become invasive, it must be voluntarily or involuntarily introduced by humans into a nonnative habitat. Mammals were among first taxa to be introduced worldwide for game, meat, and labor, yet the number of species introduced in the Neotropics remains unknown. In this data set, we make available occurrence and abundance data on mammal species that (1) transposed a geographical barrier and (2) were voluntarily or involuntarily introduced by humans into the Neotropics. Our data set is composed of 73,738 historical and current georeferenced records on alien mammal species of which around 96% correspond to occurrence data on 77 species belonging to eight orders and 26 families. Data cover 26 continental countries in the Neotropics, ranging from Mexico and its frontier regions (southern Florida and coastal-central Florida in the southeast United States) to Argentina, Paraguay, Chile, and Uruguay, and the 13 countries of Caribbean islands. Our data set also includes neotropical species (e.g., Callithrix sp., Myocastor coypus, Nasua nasua) considered alien in particular areas of Neotropics. The most numerous species in terms of records are from Bos sp. (n = 37,782), Sus scrofa (n = 6,730), and Canis familiaris (n = 10,084); 17 species were represented by only one record (e.g., Syncerus caffer, Cervus timorensis, Cervus unicolor, Canis latrans). Primates have the highest number of species in the data set (n = 20 species), partly because of uncertainties regarding taxonomic identification of the genera Callithrix, which includes the species Callithrix aurita, Callithrix flaviceps, Callithrix geoffroyi, Callithrix jacchus, Callithrix kuhlii, Callithrix penicillata, and their hybrids. This unique data set will be a valuable source of information on invasion risk assessments, biodiversity redistribution and conservation-related research. There are no copyright restrictions. Please cite this data paper when using the data in publications. We also request that researchers and teachers inform us on how they are using the data