Abbreviated Resonant Frequency Training to Augment Heart Rate Variability and Enhance On-Demand Emotional Regulation in Elite Sport Support Staff

Support and management staff in elite sport experience work-related stress and emotional disturbance to a similar extent as athletes (Fletcher and Wagstaff 2009). The resonant frequency breathing technique (Lehrer et al. 2000) can inhibit autonomic changes associated with stressful situations or events and as such provides a potential emotional regulation tool. The present study utilised five practitioner-led heart rate variability (HRV) biofeedback sessions and home practice via mobile applications to train support and management staff (n = 9) in resonant frequency breathing techniques. Although baseline HRV did not change from pre to post training, participants increased total HRV (i.e., SDNN; p = .006), parasympathetic HRV (i.e., RMSSD; p = .028) and HRV reflective of baroreflex function (i.e., low frequency power; p = .018) while accurately performing resonant frequency breathing without a breath pacer. Post-intervention questionnaire data revealed an increase (p = .032) in habitual use of somatic strategies for emotional regulation, and social validation data suggested that the technique enhanced emotional regulation at home, work and during international competition. HRV biofeedback and the resonant frequency technique provided an on-demand emotional regulation technique for elite sport support and management staff.     

An EEG-based machine learning method to screen alcohol use disorder

Screening alcohol use disorder (AUD) patients has been challenging due to the subjectivity involved in the process. Hence, robust and objective methods are needed to automate the screening of AUD patients. In this paper, a machine learning method is proposed that utilized resting-state electroencephalography (EEG)-derived features as input data to classify the AUD patients and healthy controls and to perform automatic screening of AUD patients. In this context, the EEG data were recorded during 5 min of eyes closed and 5 min of eyes open conditions. For this purpose, 30 AUD patients and 15 aged-matched healthy controls were recruited. After preprocessing the EEG data, EEG features such as inter-hemispheric coherences and spectral power for EEG delta, theta, alpha, beta and gamma bands were computed involving 19 scalp locations. The selection of most discriminant features was performed with a rank-based feature selection method assigning a weight value to each feature according to a criterion, i.e., receiver operating characteristics curve. For example, a feature with large weight was considered more relevant to the target labels than a feature with less weight. Therefore, a reduced set of most discriminant features was identified and further be utilized during classification of AUD patients and healthy controls. As results, the inter-hemispheric coherences between the brain regions were found significantly different between the study groups and provided high classification efficiency (Accuracy = 80.8, sensitivity = 82.5, and specificity = 80, F-Measure = 0.78). In addition, the power computed in different EEG bands were found significant and provided an overall classification efficiency as (Accuracy = 86.6, sensitivity = 95, specificity = 82.5, and F-Measure = 0.88). Further, the integration of these EEG feature resulted into even higher results (Accuracy = 89.3 %, sensitivity = 88.5 %, specificity = 91 %, and F-Measure = 0.90). Based on the results, it is concluded that the EEG data (integration of the theta, beta, and gamma power and inter-hemispheric coherence) could be utilized as objective markers to screen the AUD patients and healthy controls.     

Association of <Emphasis Type="Italic">XPA</Emphasis> Polymorphisms Towards Lung Cancer Susceptibility and its Predictive Role in Overall Survival of North Indians

The present study investigated the role of Xeroderma pigmentosum group A (XPA) polymorphism (A23G and G709A) with lung cancer risk and its association with overall survival in North Indians. 370 cases and 370 controls were investigated to evaluate association between XPA polymorphism (A23G and G709A) with lung cancer risk using logistic regression analysis. A follow-up study was also conducted for 291 lung cancer cases illustrating correlation between overall survival in lung cancer patients and XPA variants. GG genotype showed an increased lung cancer risk (p = 0.0007) for A23G polymorphism whereas G709A polymorphism was associated with significant protective effect in heterozygous (AG) subjects (p = 0.001). When stratified according to smoking status an increased risk for lung cancer was observed for GG genotype in A23G polymorphism (p = 0.0002). A poor survival in females carrying variant genotype (GG) was observed (p = 0.001; MST = 4.16 months) for A23G polymorphism. Adenocarcinoma patients with heterozygous genotype showed an increased hazard ratio (p = 0.02) for A23G polymorphism. G709A was associated with a reduced hazard ratio marking a better survival among mutant females (HR 0.17; p = 0.05; MST = 18.63 months). It can be concluded that A23G polymorphism might contribute to increased lung cancer risk in North Indian population emphasizing on poor survival among females. G709A polymorphism might result in protective effect in lung cancer subjects. The present study had a low sample size but it could act as reference for the large sample studies in future.     

Effects of Heart Rate Variability Biofeedback on EEG Alpha Asymmetry and Anxiety Symptoms in Male Athletes: A Pilot Study

Heart rate variability biofeedback (HRV-BFB) has been shown as useful tool to manage stress in various populations. The present study was designed to investigate whether the biofeedback-based stress management tool consisting of rhythmic breathing, actively self-generated positive emotions and a portable biofeedback device induce changes in athletes’ HRV, EEG patterns, and self-reported anxiety and self-esteem. The study involved 41 healthy male athletes, aged 16–21 (mean 18.34 ± 1.36) years. Participants were randomly divided into two groups: biofeedback and control. Athletes in the biofeedback group received HRV biofeedback training, athletes in the control group didn’t receive any intervention. During the randomized controlled trial (days 0–21), the mean anxiety score declined significantly for the intervention group (change-4 p < 0.001) but not for the control group (p = 0.817). In addition, as compared to the control, athletes in biofeedback group showed substantial and statistically significant improvement in heart rate variability indices and changes in power spectra of both theta and alpha brain waves, and alpha asymmetry. These changes suggest better self-control in the central nervous system and better flexibility of the autonomic nervous system in the group that received biofeedback training. A HRV biofeedback-based stress management tool may be beneficial for stress reduction for young male athletes.     

Feasibility and relevance of compound strain imaging in non-stenotic arteries: comparison between individuals with cardiovascular diseases and healthy controls

Background

Compound strain imaging is a novel method to noninvasively evaluate arterial wall deformation which has recently shown to enable differentiation between fibrous and (fibro-)atheromatous plaques in patients with severe stenosis. We tested the hypothesis that compound strain imaging is feasible in non-stenotic arteries and provides incremental discriminative power to traditional measures of vascular health (i.e., distensibility coefficient (DC), central pulse wave velocity [cPWV], and intima-media thickness [IMT]) for differentiating between participants with and without a history of cardiovascular diseases (CVD).

Methods

Seventy two participants (60 ± 7 years) with non-stenotic arteries (IMT < 1.1 mm) were categorized in healthy participants (CON, n = 36) and CVD patients (n = 36) based on CVD history. Participants underwent standardised ultrasound-based assessment (DC, cPWV, and IMT) and compound strain imaging (radial [RS] and circumferential [CS] strain) in left common carotid artery. Area under receiver operating characteristics (AROC)-curve was used to determine the discriminatory power between CVD and CON of the various measures.

Results

CON had a significantly (P < 0.05) smaller carotid IMT (0.68 [0.58 to 0.76] mm) than CVD patients (0.76 [0.68 to 0.80] mm). DC, cPWV, RS, and CS did not significantly differ between groups (P > 0.05). A higher CS or RS was associated with a higher DC (CS: r = ?0.32;p < 0.05 and RS: r = 0.24;p < 0.05) and lower cPWV (CS: r = 0.24;p < 0.05 and RS: r = ?0.25;p < 0.05). IMT could identify CVD (AROC: 0.66, 95%-CI: 0.53 to 0.79), whilst the other measurements, alone or in combination, did not significantly increase the discriminatory power compared to IMT.

Conclusions

In non-stenotic arteries, compound strain imaging is feasible, but does not seem to provide incremental discriminative power to traditional measures of vascular health for differentiation between individuals with and without a history of CVD.

     

Congruence and the Biomonitoring of Aquatic Ecosystems: Are Odonate Larvae or Adults the Most Effective for the Evaluation of Impacts

Odonata have been widely used as indicators for the biomonitoring of terrestrial and aquatic habitats due to their sensitivity to environmental impacts. We aimed to determine whether the larval or adult phases of these insects were the best predictors of variation in habitat parameters and the loss of environmental integrity. Specimens were collected during three seasons (dry, rainy, and ebb) from 12 points in the Suiá-missu River basin, at the headwaters of the Xingu River in Mato Grosso, Brazil. The Protest analysis indicated a high degree of congruence between the assemblages of larvae and adults in streams with varying degrees of habitat integrity (R = 0.832, p < 0.001, m ² = 0.307). When the congruence with environmental factors was analyzed, a significant association was found only for the larval phase (R = 0.318, p = 0.03, m ² = 0.888). When the suborders were analyzed separately, congruence was confirmed for anisopteran adults (R = 0.338, p = 0.031, m ² = 0.885) and larvae (R = 0.417, p = 0.003, m ² = 0.826) and for the zygopteran adults (R = 0.345, p = 0.027, m ² = 0.881) and larvae (R = 0.405, p = 0.011, m ² = 0.836). These results indicate that both larvae and adults respond systematically to environmental impacts. We suggest that either life phase can be used for biomonitoring, given their effectiveness for the interpretation of disturbance in terrestrial and aquatic habitats. These findings further reinforce the effectiveness of this insect order for the detection of modifications to the environment, showing that they are good indicators of environmental conditions.     

Impact of neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio on periprocedural myocardial infarction in patients undergoing non-urgent percutaneous coronary revascularisation

Background

Pro-thrombotic conditions importantly influence myocardial perfusion and procedural results after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). The neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) has emerged as a predictor of cardiovascular events and of long-term prognosis, especially in ST-elevation myocardial infarction patients undergoing primary PCI. The aim of our study was to evaluate the role of NLR on periprocedural myocardial infarction (MI) in patients undergoing non-urgent PCI.

Methods

In a consecutive cohort of 1542 patients undergoing PCI, myonecrosis biomarkers were determined at 6, 12, 24 and 48 hours post-procedure. Patients were divided into quintiles according to NLR values. Periprocedural myonecrosis was defined as a troponin I increase of 3 times the upper limit of normal or as 50?% of an elevated baseline value, whereas periprocedural MI was defined as a CK-MB increase of 3 times the upper limit of normal or 50?% of baseline.

Results

Higher NLR was related to age, established risk factors and cardiovascular history. NLR was associated with severe coronary artery disease (p = 0.009), tighter stenosis (p < 0.001), coronary calcifications (p = 0.005), intracoronary thrombus or thrombectomy use (p < 0.001), TIMI flow pre- and post-PCI (p < 0.001), and inversely to restenosis (p = 0.04) and use of a drug-eluting stent (p = 0.001). NLR did not influence the occurrence of myonecrosis (p = 0.75; adjusted OR (95?% CI) = 0.99 (0.63–1.54), p = 0.96), but was associated with a higher occurrence of periprocedural MI, even after correction for baseline differences (p = 0.03; adjusted OR (95?% CI) = 1.33 (1.02–2.3), p = 0.02), with NLR ≥ 3 best predicting the risk of periprocedural MI at the receiver operating characteristic curve analysis.

Conclusion

In patients undergoing non-urgent PCI, a higher NLR increases the risk of periprocedural MI, especially for values ≥ 3.

     

Wax Removal and Diamondback Moth Performance in Collards Cultivars

The diamondback moth Plutella xylostella (Linnaeus, 1758) (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae) is an herbivorous specialist on Brassicaceae species. Brassicas spp. plants developed a range of defenses (chemical, physical, and morphological) to prevent herbivores attack. In this study, we reported the antixenotic and antibiotic effects of outermost layer of two species of epicuticular wax of Brassicaceae, Brassica oleracea L. var. “Santo Antônio,” and Hybrid Kope F1 100MX, on larvae and adult of P. xylostella. In the choice experiment, P. xylostella adults showed an oviposition preference for collard cultivars Santo Antônio (control) and Hybrid Kope F1 100MX with wax removal. In the no-choice experiment, oviposition was 6.4 times higher in the Hybrid Kope F1 100MX with wax removal than without wax removal. There were significant differences among larvae feeding on leaf disks of Hybrid Kope F1 100MX in the treatments with (65.3 mg) and without wax removal (23.5 mg). The net reproduction rate (R ₀ ), and intrinsic (rm) and finite rates of increase (λ) of P. xylostella in the cv. Santo Antônio were bigger in the treatment without wax removal (R ₀  = 50.4, rm = 0.23 and λ = 1.26) than treatment with wax removal (R ₀  = 28.5, rm = 0.20 and λ = 1.22). However, only the R ₀ value was affected by mechanical wax removal in the Hybrid Kope F1 100MX (with wax removal R ₀  = 43.3 and without wax removal R ₀  = 30.8). In conclusion, the results indicate that collard’s wax is important to accessibility and development of P. xylostella, and its removal changes the resistance of collard’s varieties to P. xylostella.     

How are anatomical and hydraulic features of the mangroves <Emphasis Type="Italic">Avicennia marina</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Rhizophora mucronata</Emphasis> influenced by siltation?

Key message

This article provides significant data in the debate on whether siltation might have a negative impact on the hydraulic functioning of two widespread mangrove tree species Avicennia marina and Rhizophora mucronata.

Abstract

Elevated sediment addition, or siltation, within mangrove ecosystems is considered as being negative for trees and saplings, resulting in stress and higher mortality rates. However, little is known about how siltation influences the hydraulic functioning of mangrove trees. Comparing two mangrove tree species (Avicennia marina Vierh. Forsk. and Rhizophora mucronata Lam.) from low and high-siltation plots led to the detection of anatomical and morphological differences and tendencies. Adaptations to high siltation were found to be either mutual among both species, e.g., significant smaller single leaf area (p _A.marina  = 0.058, F1.38 = 3.8; p _R.mucronata  = 0.005, F1.38 = 8.7; n = 20 × 20) and a tendency towards smaller stomatal areas (p _A.marina  = 0.131, F1.8 = 2.8; p _R.mucronata  = 0.185, F1.8 = 2.1, n = 5 × 60), or species-specific trends for A. marina, such as higher phloem band/growth layer ratios (p = 0.101, F1.8 = 3.4, n = 5 × 3) and stomatal density (p = 0.052, F1.8 = 5.2, n = 5 × 4). All adaptations seemingly contributed to a comparable hydraulic conductivity independent of the degree of siltation. These findings indicate that silted trees level off fluctuations in their hydraulic performance as a survival mechanism to cope with this less favourable environment. Most of the trees’ structural adaptations to cope with siltation are similar to known drought stress-imposed adaptations.

     

High plasma adenosine levels in overweight/obese pregnant women

We aim to investigate whether overweight/obese pregnant women have elevated plasma levels of adenosine associated with increased consumption of high-calorie food. Sixty women were included. They were divided into lean (n = 23 and n = 12) or overweight/obese (n = 7 and n = 18) non-pregnant and pregnant women, respectively. Clinical records and maternal blood samples were collected after informed consent. A self-reported dietary questionnaire was also completed. Plasma adenosine levels were determined with high-performance liquid chromatography. Biochemical parameters, including glucose, total protein, and lipid profile, were determined using standard colorimetric assays. Adenosine levels were higher in pregnant women than in non-pregnant women (18.7 ± 1.6 vs 10.8 ± 1.3 nM/μg protein, respectively, p < 0.0001). Overweight/obese pregnant women (21.9 ± 2.5 nM/μg protein) exhibited higher adenosine levels than lean pregnant (14.5 ± 1.0 nM/μg protein, p = 0.04) or non-pregnant women (11.7 ± 1.5 nM/μg protein, p = 0.0005). Also, pregnant women with elevated weight gain exhibited higher (26.2 ± 3.7 nM/μg protein) adenosine levels than those with adequate weight gain (14.9 ± 1.4 nM/μg protein, p = 0.03). These differences were not statistically significant compared with those of pregnant women with reduced weight gain (17.4 ± 2.1 nM/μg protein, p = 0.053). Body mass index and adenosine only in pregnant women were positively correlated (r = 0.39, p = 0.02). While, polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) consumption was negatively correlated with plasma adenosine levels only in non-pregnant women (r = ?0.33, p = 0.03). Pregnancy is associated with high plasma adenosine levels, which are further elevated in pregnant women who are overweight/obese. High PUFA intake might reduce plasma adenosine levels in non-pregnant women.     

Long-term follow-up in primary Sjögren’s syndrome reveals differences in clinical presentation between female and male patients

Background

Despite men being less prone to develop autoimmune diseases, male sex has been associated with a more severe disease course in several systemic autoimmune diseases. In the present study, we aimed to investigate differences in the clinical presentation of primary Sjögren’s syndrome (pSS) between the sexes and establish whether male sex is associated with a more severe form of long-term pSS.

Methods

Our study population included 967 patients with pSS (899 females and 68 males) from Scandinavian clinical centers. The mean follow-up time (years) was 8.8 ± 7.6 for women and 8.5 ± 6.2 for men (ns). Clinical data including serological and hematological parameters and glandular and extraglandular manifestations were compared between men and women.

Results

Male patient serology was characterized by more frequent positivity for anti-Ro/SSA and anti-La/SSB (p = 0.02), and ANA (p = 0.02). Further, men with pSS were more frequently diagnosed with interstitial lung disease (p = 0.008), lymphadenopathy (p = 0.04) and lymphoma (p = 0.007). Conversely, concomitant hypothyroidism was more common among female patients (p = 0.009).

Conclusions

We observe enhanced serological responses and higher frequencies of lymphoma-related extraglandular manifestations in men with pSS. Notably, lymphoma itself was also significantly more common in men. These observations may reflect an aggravated immune activation and a more severe pathophysiological state in male patients with pSS and indicate a personalized managing of the disease due to the influence of the sex of patients with pSS.

     

Association between the blood concentrations of ammonia and carnitine/amino acid of schizophrenic patients treated with valproic acid

Background

Administration of valproic acid (VPA) is complicated with approximately 0.9% of patients developing hyperammonemia, but the pathogenesis of this adverse effect remains to be clarified. The aim of the present study was to search for mechanisms associated with VPA-induced hyperammonemia in the light of changes in serum amino acids concentrations associated with the urea cycle of schizophrenic patients.

Method

Blood samples (10 mL) were obtained from 37 schizophrenic patients receiving VPA for the prevention of violent behaviors in the morning after overnight fast. Blood concentrations of ammonia, VPA, free carnitine, acyl-carnitine, and 40 amino acids including glutamate and citrulline were measured for each patient. Univariate and multivariate regression analyses were performed to identify amino acids or concomitantly administered drugs that were associated with variability in the blood concentrations of ammonia.

Result

The blood ammonia level was positively correlated with the serum glutamate concentration (r = 0.44, p < 0.01) but negatively correlated with glutamine (r = ?0.41, p = 0.01), citrulline (r = ?0.42, p = 0.01), and glycine concentrations (r = ?0.54, p < 0.01). It was also revealed that the concomitant administration of the mood stabilizers (p = 0.04) risperidone (p = 0.03) and blonanserin (p < 0.01) was positively associated with the elevation of the blood ammonia level.

Conclusion

We hypothisized that VPA would elevate the blood ammonia level of schizophrenic patients. The observed changes in serum amino acids are compatible with urea cycle dysfunction, possibly due to reduced carbamoyl-phosphate synthase 1 (CPS1) activity. We conclude that VPA should be prudently prescribed to schizophrenic patients, particularly those receiving mood stabilizers or certain antipsychotics.

     

Serum Trace Elements and Electrolytes Are Associated with Fasting Plasma Glucose and HbA<Subscript>1c</Subscript> in Postmenopausal Women with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

The primary aim of the research was to assess the level of trace elements and electrolytes in serum of postmenopausal diabetic women. Sixty-four postmenopausal women with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM2) and 64 age- and body mass index-matched controls were examined. Serum trace elements were assessed using inductively coupled plasma dynamic reaction cell mass spectrometry (ICP-DRC-MS). Fasting plasma glucose (FPG) and glycated hemoglobin (HbA_1c) levels were evaluated using Randox kits. The obtained data demonstrate that DM2 patients were characterized by 42 and 34 % higher FPG and HbA_1c levels, respectively (p < 0.001). The level of Cu and Se in diabetic postmenopausal women was increased by 10 and 15 % in comparison to the respective control values (p = 0.002 and <0.001). Serum Mn, Zn, and Ni concentrations were lower than the control ones by 32 % (p = 0.003), 8 % (p = 0.003), and 23 % (p = 0.046), respectively. FPG and HbA_1c levels directly correlated with serum Se (p < 0.001) and Cu (p = 0.014 and p = 0.028) concentrations and inversely related to Zn (p < 0.001) and Tl (p = 0.023 and p = 0.029) levels. Multiple regression analysis demonstrated a significant association between serum Zn and Se and FPG and HbA_1c levels. It is proposed that Zn and Se play an important role in DM2 pathogenesis. Further studies are required to assess the intimate mechanisms of the observed differences.     

Takotsubo cardiomyopathy: serious early complications and two-year mortality – a 101 case study

Background

Takotsubo cardiomyopathy (TTC) is characterised by transient contractility disturbances of the apex of the left ventricle.

Methods

We enrolled 101 patients from the northern-eastern part of Poland in the years 2008–2012 who were hospitalised for TCC. The control group consisted of female patients diagnosed with anterior myocardial infarction with ST-segment elevation (anterior STEMI) (n = 101).

Results

89?% of the study group were women. Patients with TTC had diabetes (12.6?% vs 29.7?%; p = 0.002) and hyperlipidaemia (36.8?% vs 64.4?%; p = 0.0001) significantly less frequently, and better kidney function assessed by estimated glomerular filtration rate versus patients with anterior STEMI (74.52?% vs 64.30?%; p = 0.004). In the TTC group there were more patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (11.6?% vs 1.0?%; p = 0.002) and thyroid disturbances, especially hyperthyroidism (23.4?% vs 11.0?%; p = 0.021). In patients with TTC sudden cardiac arrest, pulmonary oedema and cardiogenic shock were observed less frequently than in the control group (14.7?% vs 30.7?%; p = 0.0078). Hospitalisations in TTC patients were less frequently complicated by pneumonia (20.0?% vs 35.6?%; p = 0.0148) and urinary infection (4.2?% vs 21.8?%; p = 0.0003). Cardiac rupture occurred in 3 patients with TTC and in 1 with anterior STEMI. In-hospital mortality was significantly lower in the group with TTC. Also, mortality at 30 days, 3 months, 1 year and 2.5 years was significantly lower in patients with TTC than in patients with MI (p = 0.035; p = 0.0226; p = 0.0075; p = 0.009).

Conclusions

Previously considered to be a benign syndrome, TTC should be reconsidered as a clinical condition at risk for serious complications such as cardiac arrest, cardiogenic shock, pulmonary oedema and cardiac rupture leading to death and causing substantial early hazard. The prognosis in TTC is significantly better than in patients with anterior STEMI.

     

Association between <Emphasis Type="Italic">cagA</Emphasis>, <Emphasis Type="Italic">vacAi</Emphasis>, and <Emphasis Type="Italic">dupA</Emphasis> genes of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Helicobacter pylori</Emphasis> and gastroduodenal pathologies in Chilean patients

In addition to the already known cagA gene, novel genetic markers have been associated with Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) virulence: the dupA and vacAi genes. These genes might play an important role as specific markers to determine the clinical outcome of the disease, especially the vacAi gene, which has been expected to be a good marker of severe pathologies like gastric adenocarcinoma. In the present study, the association of cagA, dupA, and vacAi genes with gastroduodenal pathologies in Chilean patients was studied. One hundred and thirty-two patients positive for H. pylori were divided into two groups—non-severe and severe gastric pathologies—and investigated for the presence of cagA, dupA, and vacAi H. pylori virulence genes by PCR. The cagA gene was detected in 20/132 patients (15.2%), the vacAi1 gene was detected in 54/132 patients (40.9%), the vacAi2 gene was detected in 26/132 patients (19.7%), and the dupA gene was detected in 50/132 (37.9%) patients. Logistic regression model analysis showed that the vacAi1 isoform gene in the infected strains and the severity of the diseases outcome were highly associated, causing severe gastric damage that may lead to gastric cancer (p < 0.0001; OR = 8.75; 95% CI 3.54–21.64). Conversely, cagA (p = 0.3507; OR = 1.62; 95% CI 0.59–4.45) and vacAi2 (p = 0.0114; OR = 3.09; 95% CI 1.26–7.60) genes were not associated with damage, while the dupA gene was associated significantly with non-severe clinical outcome (p = 0.0032; OR = 0.25; 95% CI 0.09–0.65). In addition, dupA gene exerts protection against severe gastric pathologies induced by vacAi1 by delaying the outcome of the disease by approximately 20 years.     

Maternal obesity is associated with gut microbial metabolic potential in offspring during infancy

Children born to obese mothers are at increased risk for obesity, but the mechanisms behind this association are not fully understood. Our study aimed to investigate differences in the functions encoded by the microbiome of infants at 18 months of age when the transition from early infant-feeding to solid family foods is established. To investigate the impact of maternal prepregnancy body mass index on infants’ gut microbiome, faecal samples from infants born to normoweight (n = 21) and obese mothers (n = 18) were analysed by 16S rRNA gene sequencing and a functional-inference-based microbiome analysis. Our results indicated that Firmicutes was significantly enriched in infants born to normoweight mothers whereas Bacteroidetes was significantly enriched in infants born to obese women. In both microbiomes, the greatest number of genes (>50%) that were assigned a function encoded for proteins involved in “metabolism” among tier 1 KEGG Orthology (KO) categories. At lower KO functional categories, the microbiome of infants born to normoweight mothers was characterized by a significant enrichment in the abundances of “pentose phosphate pathway” (p = 0.037), “lysine biosynthesis” (p = 0.043), “glycerolipid metabolism” (p = 0.042), and “C5-branched dibasic acid metabolism” (p = 0.045). Notably, the microbiome of infants born to obese mothers was significantly enriched in “streptomycin biosynthesis” (p = 0.047), “sulphur metabolism” (p = 0.041), “taurine and hypotaurine metabolism” (p = 0.036), and “lipopolysaccharide biosynthesis” (p = 0.043). In summary, our study showed that maternal prepregnancy obesity may imprint a selective gut microbial composition during late infancy with distinct functional performances.     

Factors Influencing Non-<Emphasis Type="Italic">albicans</Emphasis> Candidemia: A Case–Case–Control Study

The study identified factors predisposing to non-albicans candidemia with special interest to prior antimicrobial treatment. A retrospective, case–case–control study was performed at the University Hospital of Heraklion, Greece, from November 2007 through September 2011 including adult patients. The study had three groups. The first included 58 patients with non-albicans candidemia, the second 48 with C. albicans candidemia, while the third (control) 104 without candidemia. Each of the two candidemia groups was compared with the control using multivariate logistic regression model. The mean (SD) age of the non-albicans, the albicans and the control patients was 67 (12), 67 (18) and 59 (19) years, respectively. The most common non-albicans Candida spp. isolated were C. parapsilosis in 19 patients (33%), C. glabrata in 17 (29%) and C. tropicalis in 15 (26%). Independent risk factors for non-albicans candidemia were prior treatment with quinolones (p < 0.001), b-lactam-b-lactamase inhibitors (p = 0.011) and presence of central venous catheter (p = 0.05), while for C. albicans candidemia were prior treatment with quinolones (p < 0.001), carbapenems (p = 0.003) along with cardiac disease (p < 0.001). Neither duration of hospitalization nor in-hospital mortality [41% for the non-albicans vs 29% for C. albicans group (p = 0.192)] was significantly different between the two candidemia groups. The study reveals the role of antimicrobial exposure as a risk factor for candidemia caused by different species. Prior treatment with b-lactam-b-lactamase inhibitors was associated with non-albicans, while with carbapenems with C. albicans candidemia. Prior use of quinolones was associated with candidemia in general.     

Milk and Dairy Products Intake Is Associated with Low Levels of Lead (Pb) in Workers highly Exposed to the Metal

Lead (Pb) is a toxic metal, frequently associated with occupational exposure, due to its widespread use in industry and several studies have shown high Pb levels in workers occupationally exposed to the metal. The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of milk and dairy products (MDP) on Pb levels in blood (B-Pb), plasma (P-Pb), and urine (U-Pb), in workers from automotive battery industries in Brazil. The study included 237 male workers; information concerning diet and lifestyle were gathered through a questionnaire, and B-Pb, P-Pb, and U-Pb were determined by ICP-MS. Mean B-Pb, P-Pb, and U-Pb were 21 ± 12, 0.62 ± 0.73 μg/dL, and 39 ± 47 μg/g creatinine, respectively. Forty three percent of participants declared consuming ≤3 portions/week of MDP (classified as low-MDP intake), while 57% of individuals had >3portions/week of MDP (high-MDP intake). B-Pb and P-Pb were correlated with working time (r _s  = 0.21; r _s  = 0.20; p < 0.010). Multivariable linear regressions showed a significant influence of MDP intake on B-Pb (β = ?0.10; p = 0.012) and P-Pb (β = ?0.16; p < 0.010), while no significance was seen on U-Pb. Our results suggest that MDP consumption may modulate Pb levels in individuals highly exposed to the metal; these findings may be due to the Pb-Ca interactions, since the adverse effects of Pb are partially based on its interference with Ca metabolism and proper Ca supplementation may help to reduce the adverse health effects induced by Pb exposure.     

The CYP17-MspA1 rs743572 polymorphism is not associated with gender dysphoria

Gender dysphoria is commonly thought to arise from discrepant cerebral and genital sexual differentiation. Increasing evidence supports the idea of genetic vulnerability. The purpose of this paper was to investigate whether the polymorphism CYP17-MspA1 rs743572 is associated with gender dysphoria. Fragments that included the rs743572 polymorphism were PCR amplified and digested with MspA1 in 317 MtFs, 223 FtMs, 358 control men and 264 control women. The allele/genotype frequencies were compared between groups, with the 1000 Genomes Data Base and with international literature. Allele and genotype frequencies did not differ significantly between the FtM and female control groups (χ² = 0.631; p = 0.43 and χ² = 2.767; p = 0.25), or between the MtF and male control groups (χ² = 0.105; p = 0.74 and χ² = 0.789; p = 0.67). A2 frequency was higher in the FtM (0.43) than the female control group (0.41), male control group (0.40), or MtF group (0.39), but this difference did not reach statistical significance. Genotype frequencies did not differ significantly between groups (p = 0.66), between genotypes (p = 0.4) or between sexes (p = 0.66). Our data contradict previous findings about the CYP17-MspA1 rs743572 polymorphism and gender dysphoria and concur with the 1000 Genomes Data Base, which shows that the allele frequencies vary between countries and ethnicities but not between sexes. Our data do not support a hypothetical involvement of the rs743572 polymorphism in the genetic basis of gender dysphoria.