Effect of high fat diet on the IL-33/ST2 pathway in the aorta of rats.

<p>Representative pictures of slides immunostained for IL-33, ST2 and MyD88 are presented (<b>A</b>). Aortic mRNA levels of IL-33, sST2 and ST2L (<b>B</b>). Protein levels of aortic IL-33, ST2L and MyD88 are shown (<b>C</b>). All conditions were performed at least by triplicate. Histogram bars represent the mean ± SEM of 6–7 animals, in arbitrary units normalized to HPRT and β-actin for cDNA and protein respectively. *p<0.05; **p<0.01 <i>vs</i>. control group.</p

Subgroup PS-weighted analyses of the <i>inopressors and inodilators</i> vs. <i>inopressors alone</i> on short-term mortality.

<p>HR, hazard ratios; PS, propensity score; SBP, systolic blood pressure; ACS, acute coronary syndrome.</p

Association of Empirically Derived Dietary Patterns with Cardiovascular Risk Factors: A Comparison of PCA and RRR Methods

<div><p>Introduction</p><p>Principal component analysis is used to determine dietary behaviors of a population whereas reduced rank regression is used to construct disease-related dietary patterns. This study aimed to compare both types of DP and theirs associations with cardiovascular risk factors (CVRF).</p><p>Materiel and Methods</p><p>Data were derived from the cross sectional NESCAV (Nutrition, Environment and Cardiovascular Health) study, aiming to describe the cardiovascular health of the Greater region’s population (Grand duchy of Luxembourg, Wallonia (Belgium), Lorraine (France)). 2298 individuals were included for this study and dietary intake was assessed using a 134-item food frequency questionnaire.</p><p>Results</p><p>We found that CVRF-related patterns also reflect eating behaviours of the population. Comparing concordant food groups between both dietary pattern methods, a diet high in fruits, oleaginous and dried fruits, vegetables, olive oil, fats rich in omega 6 and tea and low in fried foods, lean and fatty meat, processed meat, ready meal, soft drink and beer was associated with lower prevalence of CVRF. In the opposite, a pattern characterized by high intakes of fried foods, meat, offal, beer, wine and aperitifs and spirits, and low intakes of cereals, sugar and sweets and soft drinks was associated with higher prevalence of CVRF.</p><p>Conclusion</p><p>In sum, we found that a “Prudent” and “Animal protein and alcohol” patterns were both associated with CVRF and behaviourally meaningful. Moreover, the relationships of those dietary patterns with lifestyle characteristics support the theory that food choices are part of a larger pattern of healthy lifestyle.</p></div

Effects of sST2 on fibrotic parameters in VSMCs.

<p>mRNA levels of collagen type I, fibronectin, TGF-β and CTGF in VSMCs stimulated with sST2 (2 µg/ml) during 6 hours (<b>A</b>). Protein expression of collagen type I, fibronectin and elastin (<b>B</b>). MMP-2, MMP-9, MMP-13 activity in VSMCs stimulated with sST2 (<b>C</b>). All conditions were performed at least by triplicate. Histogram bars represent the mean ± SEM of 4 assays, in arbitrary units normalized to HPRT and β-actin respectively for cDNA and protein. *p<0.05; **p<0.01; ***p<0.001 <i>vs</i>. control.</p

Primers used in real time PCR analysis.

<p>Primers used in real time PCR analysis.</p

Parameters measured in aortic tunica media from Controls and HFD rats.

<p>Dry weight and contents in proteins are expressed in mg/cm. Parameters of inflammation were performed at least by triplicate and expressed in arbitrary units normalized to HPRT for cDNA. Values are mean ± SEM.</p>*<p>p<0.05;</p>**<p>p<0.01;</p>***<p>p<0.001 <i>vs</i>. control group.</p

Factor loadings and explained variation of dietary patterns (n = 2298).

<p>Factor loadings and explained variation of dietary patterns (n = 2298).</p

Associations between dietary patterns and CVRF (n = 2298).

<p>Associations between dietary patterns and CVRF (n = 2298).</p

Kappa measurements of intra- and inter-observer agreement with regard to diastolic dysfunction.

<p>Legend: 95% CI: 95% confidence interval</p><p>Kappa measurements of intra- and inter-observer agreement with regard to diastolic dysfunction.</p

Sociodemographic characteristics, lifestyle characteristics and cardiovascular risk factors of participants by gender (n = 2298).

<p>Sociodemographic characteristics, lifestyle characteristics and cardiovascular risk factors of participants by gender (n = 2298).</p