Effect of polymorphisms in the CD36 and STAT3 genes on different dietary interventions among patients with coronary artery disease: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

BackgroundCardiovascular disease has become a major health problem, and it has been associated with both environmental and genetic factors. Studies have shown that the Mediterranean Diet (MeDiet), or its components such as nuts and olive oil, may be strongly associated with the improvement of cardiovascular risk factors in specific populations. The purpose of the GENUTRI study is to investigate the interaction of genetics with cardiovascular risk factors in a non-Mediterranean population with coronary artery disease (CAD) according to three different diets: rich in pecan nuts, in extra-virgin olive oil or a control diet.Methods/designThe GENUTRI study is a single-center, randomized, open-label, parallel-group, 12-week pragmatic clinical trial conducted in patients aged 40 to 80 years and diagnosed with CAD. A standardized questionnaire will be applied to data collection and a blood sample will be obtained for lipid, glycemic and inflammatory profile evaluation. Polymorphisms in the CD36 and STAT3 genes will be detected using the TaqMan® SNP Genotyping Assay. Patients will be allocated in three groups: group 1: 30 g/day of pecan nuts; group 2: 30 ml/day of olive oil; and group 3: control diet. The primary outcome will consist of changes in LDL-cholesterol (in mg/dl) after 12 weeks of intervention.DiscussionStudies have shown the beneficial effects of diets rich in nuts and olive oil mainly in the Mediterranean population. GENUTRI is a clinical trial focusing on the effects of nuts or olive oil supplementation in Brazilian individuals. Additionally, we will try to demonstrate that genetic polymorphisms linked to cardiovascular disease may modulate the effects of different diets on biochemical and inflammatory markers among these subjects.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: {"type":"clinical-trial","attrs":{"text":"NCT02202265","term_id":"NCT02202265"}}NCT02202265 (registered on 18 July 2014: first version).     

Pulmonary mycoplasmosis in farmed white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus)

An outbreak of respiratory disease at a farmed cervid facility resulted in isolation and identification of Mycoplasma boris in four affected white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) fawns. Microscopically, pulmonary lesions similar to those associated with M. bovis infections in calves, inclulding lymphoplasmacytic peribronchiolar cuffing and caseonecrotic bronchiectasis, were present. Arcanobacterium pyogenes was recovered from lung tissue as well. This report indicates that M. bovis can be associated with respiratory disease in white-tailed deer.     

Photoinactivation of Catalase Occurs under Both High- and Low-Temperature Stress Conditions and Accompanies Photoinhibition of Photosystem II

Severe photoinactivation of catalase (EC 1.11.1.6) and a decline of variable fluorescence (F_v), indicating photoinhibition of photosynthesis, were observed as rapid and specific symptoms in leaves exposed to a high heat-shock temperature of 40°C as well as in leaves exposed to low chilling temperatures in white light of only moderately high photosynthetic photon flux density of 520 μE m⁻² s⁻¹. Other parameters, such as peroxidase (EC 1.11.1.7), glycolate oxidase (EC 1.1.3.1), glutathione reductase (EC 1.6.4.2), or the chlorophyll content, were hardly affected under these conditions. At a compatible temperature of 22°C, the applied light intensity did not induce severe photoinactivations. In darkness, exposures to high or low temperatures did not affect catalase levels. Also, decline of F_v in light was not related to temperature sensitivity in darkness. The effective low-temperature ranges inducing photoinactivation of catalase differed significantly for chilling-tolerant and chilling-sensitive plants. In leaves of rye (Secale cereale L.) and pea (Pisum sativum L.), photoinactivation occurred only below 15°C, whereas inactivation occurred at 15°C in cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) and maize (Zea mays L.). The behavior of F_v was similar, but the difference between chilling-sensitive and chilling-tolerant plants was less striking. Whereas the catalase polypeptide, although photoinactivated, was not cleaved at 0 to 4°C, the D1 protein of photosystem II was greatly degraded during the low-temperature treatment of rye leaves in light. Rye leaves did not exhibit symptoms of any major general photodamage, even when they were totally depleted of catalase after photoinactivation at 0 to 4°C, and catalase recovered rapidly at normal temperature. In cucumber leaves, the decline of catalase after exposures to bright light at 0 to 4°C was accompanied by bleaching of chlorophyll, and the recovery observed at 25°C was slow and required several days. Similar to the D1 protein of photosystem II, catalase differs greatly from other proteins by its inactivation and high turnover in light. Inasmuch as catalase and D1 protein levels depend on continuous repair synthesis, preferential and rapid declines are generally to be expected in light whenever translation is suppressed by stress actions, such as heat or chilling, and recovery will reflect the repair capacity of the plants.     

Emotional and Affective Temperaments in Smoking Candidates for Bariatric Surgery

Introduction

The prevalence of smoking habits in severe obesity is higher than in the general population. There is some evidence that smokers have different temperaments compared to non-smokers. The aim of this study is to evaluate the associations between smoking status (smokers, ex-smokers and non-smokers) and temperament characteristics in bariatric surgery candidates.

Methods

We analyzed data on temperament of 420 bariatric surgery candidates, as assessed by the AFECTS scale, in an exploratory cross-sectional survey of bariatric surgery candidates who have been grouped into smokers, ex-smokers and non-smokers.

Results

We detected significant statistical differences in temperament related to the smoking status in this population after controlling the current use of psychiatric medication. Smokers had higher anxiety and lower control than non-smokers. Ex-smokers with BMI >50 kg/m² presented higher coping and control characteristics than smokers.

Conclusions

Smoking in bariatric surgery candidates was associated with lower control and higher anxious temperament, when controlled by current use of psychiatric medication. Smokers with BMI >50 kg/m² presented lower coping and control than ex-smokers. Assessment of temperament in bariatric surgery candidates may help in decisions about smoking cessation treatment and prevention of smoking relapse after surgery.     

Nuclear staining with alum hematoxylin

The hematoxylin and eosin stain is the most common method used in anatomic pathology, yet it is a method about which technologists ask numerous questions. Hematoxylin is a natural dye obtained from a tree originally found in Central America, and is easily converted into the dye hematein. This dye forms coordination compounds with mordant metals, such as aluminum, and the resulting lake attaches to cell nuclei. Regressive formulations contain a higher concentration of dye than progressive formulations and may also contain a lower concentration of mordant. The presence of an acid increases the life of the solution and in progressive solutions may also affect selectivity of staining. An appendix lists more than 60 hemalum formulations and the ratio of dye to mordant for each.     

Increased renal GLUT1 abundance and urinary TGF-beta 1 in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats: implications for the development of nephropathy complicating diabetes.

Increased expression of transforming growth factor beta-1 (TGF-beta 1) and glucose transporter (GLUT1) has been implicated in the genesis of diabetic nephropathy. The aim of this study was to evaluate GLUT1 protein levels in the renal cortex of a rat model of diabetes as well as its relationship to urinary albumin and TGF-beta1. Streptozotocin-injected rats (n = 13) and controls (n = 13) were compared for their urinary albumin, and TGF-beta 1 and for renal cortical and medullar GLUT1 protein abundance. GLUT1 protein content was determined by optical densitometry after Western blotting using an anti-GLUT1 antibody; urinary albumin was measured using electroimmunoassay, urinary TGF-beta 1 using ELISA. Forty-five days of diabetes resulted in increased albuminuria (p < 0.05), urinary TGF-beta 1 (p < 0.05) and GLUT1 protein abundance (p < 0.05). There was a positive correlation between urinary TGF-beta 1 and plasma glucose levels (r = 0.65, p < 0.05) and albuminuria (r = 0.72, p < 0.05). We concluded that 45 days of diabetes result in incipient diabetic nephropathy and increased cortical GLUT1 protein abundance. We speculate that the higher cortical GLUT1 protein levels in diabetes may amplify the effects of hyperglycemia in determining higher intracellular glucose in mesangial cells, thereby contributing to diabetes-related kidney damage.     

Changes in dietary sodium consumption modulate GLUT4 gene expression and early steps of insulin signaling

Previous studies have shown that chronic salt overload increases insulin sensitivity, while chronic salt restriction decreases it. In the present study we investigated the influence of dietary sodium on 1) GLUT4 gene expression, by No the n and Western blotting analysis; 2) in vivo GLUT4 protein translocation, by measuring the GLUT4 protein in plasma membrane and microsome, before and after insulin injection; and 3) insulin signaling, by analyzing basal and insulin-stimulated tyrosine phosphorylation of insulin receptor (IR)-beta, insulin receptor substrate (IRS)-1, and IRS-2. Wistar rats we e fed no mal-sodium (NS-0.5%), low-sodium (LS-0.06%), o high-sodium diets (HS-3.12%) fo 9 wk and were killed under pentobarbital anesthesia. Compared with NS ats, HS ats inc eased (P < 0.05) the GLUT4 protein in adipose tissue and skeletal muscle, whereas GLUT4 mRNA was increased only in adipose tissue. GLUT4 expression was unchanged in LS ats compared with NS ats. The GLUT4 translocation in HS ats was higher (P < 0.05) both in basal and insulin-stimulated conditions. On the other hand, LS ats did not increase the GLUT4 translocation after insulin stimulus. Compared with NS ats, LS ats showed reduced (P < 0.01) basal and insulin-stimulated tyrosine phosphorylation of IRS-1 in skeletal muscle and IRS-2 in live, whereas HS ats showed enhanced basal tyrosine phosphorylation of IRS-1 in skeletal muscle (P < 0.05) and of IRS-2 in live. In summary, increased insulin sensitivity in HS ats is elated to increased GLUT4 gene expression, enhanced insulin signaling, and GLUT4 translocation, whereas decreased insulin sensitivity of LS ats does not involve changes in GLUT4 gene expression but is elated to impaired insulin signaling.