Association of the Glu298→Asp polymorphism in the endothelial nitric oxide synthase gene with risk of coronary artery disease

Genetic variants of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) could influence individual susceptibility to coronary artery disease (CAD) with or without associated demographic factors. The aim of this study was to assess whether Glu298/Asp polymorphism of the eNOS gene is associated with the occurrence and severity of angiographycially defined coronary artery disease. Polymerase chain reaction/restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) analyses were carried out to detect the Glu298/Asp variant of the eNOS gene in 279 patients with CAD as compared to controls (250). The prevalence of the Asp298 variant of eNOS was not found to be significantly and independently associated with the risk of CAD (OR = 1.08, 95% CI = 0.77 to 1.51, P = 0.663), extent of CAD on angiography (OR = 1.18, 95% CI = 0.63 to 2.23, P = 0.605) and in-hospital mortality (OR = 1.08, 95% CI = 0.29 to 4.04, P = 0.908). This investigation examined whether the Glu298/Asp polymorphism of the eNOS could represent a useful genetic marker to identify individuals prone to the development of atherosclerotic diseases. More studies are needed to confirm whether the Glu298/Asp polymorphism of the eNOS gene could represent a useful genetic marker to identify individuals of the study population prone to the development of atherosclerotic disease.Key words: eNOS gene, polymorphisms, coronary artery disease (CAD), risk factors, genetic markers

Global variation in anastomosis and end colostomy formation following left-sided colorectal resection

Background End colostomy rates following colorectal resection vary across institutions in high-income settings, being influenced by patient, disease, surgeon and system factors. This study aimed to assess global variation in end colostomy rates after left-sided colorectal resection. Methods This study comprised an analysis of GlobalSurg-1 and -2 international, prospective, observational cohort studies (2014, 2016), including consecutive adult patients undergoing elective or emergency left-sided colorectal resection within discrete 2-week windows. Countries were grouped into high-, middle- and low-income tertiles according to the United Nations Human Development Index (HDI). Factors associated with colostomy formation versus primary anastomosis were explored using a multilevel, multivariable logistic regression model. Results In total, 1635 patients from 242 hospitals in 57 countries undergoing left-sided colorectal resection were included: 113 (6·9 per cent) from low-HDI, 254 (15·5 per cent) from middle-HDI and 1268 (77·6 per cent) from high-HDI countries. There was a higher proportion of patients with perforated disease (57·5, 40·9 and 35·4 per cent; P < 0·001) and subsequent use of end colostomy (52·2, 24·8 and 18·9 per cent; P < 0·001) in low- compared with middle- and high-HDI settings. The association with colostomy use in low-HDI settings persisted (odds ratio (OR) 3·20, 95 per cent c.i. 1·35 to 7·57; P = 0·008) after risk adjustment for malignant disease (OR 2·34, 1·65 to 3·32; P < 0·001), emergency surgery (OR 4·08, 2·73 to 6·10; P < 0·001), time to operation at least 48 h (OR 1·99, 1·28 to 3·09; P = 0·002) and disease perforation (OR 4·00, 2·81 to 5·69; P < 0·001). Conclusion Global differences existed in the proportion of patients receiving end stomas after left-sided colorectal resection based on income, which went beyond case mix alone

Oleoresins from Capsicum spp.: Extraction Methods and Bioactivity

Capsicum spp. fruit is one of the most produced vegetables around the world, and it is consumed both as fresh vegetable and as a spice like a food additive for their characteristic red color and, in many cases, its pungency. In addition to its economic importance, the bioactivity of some important compounds such as capsaicinoids and carotenoids has promoted its research. The use of Capsicum oleoresins has been increased due to its advantages comparing with the traditional dry spice. These include obtaining higher quality products with the desired content of bioactive and flavored substances. The wide diversity of extraction methods including water extraction, organic solvent extraction, microwave-assisted extraction, and ultrasound assisted extraction as well as supercritical fluid extraction among others are discussed in the present review. Moreover, pretreatments such as chemical treatments, osmotic dehydration, sun and oven drying, and freeze-drying commonly used before the extraction are also presented. Due to its importance, Capsicum oleoresins produced with “green” solvents and the improvement of fractional extraction techniques that allow to obtain separately the various bioactive fractions will continue under research for further development