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Enterococcus faecalis is a commensal bacterium of the gastrointestinal tract but also a major nosocomial pathogen. This bacterium uses regulators like BglG/SacY family of transcriptional antiterminators to adapt its metabolism during host colonization. In this report, we investigated the role of the BglG/SacY family antiterminator NagY in the regulation of the nagY-nagE operon in presence of N-acetylglucosamine, with nagE encoding a transporter of this carbohydrate, as well as the expression of the virulence factor HylA. We showed that this last protein is involved in biofilm formation and glycosaminoglycans degradation that are important features in bacterial infection, confirmed in the Galleria mellonella model. In order to elucidate the evolution of these actors, we performed phylogenomic analyses on E. faecalis and Enterococcaceae genomes, identified orthologous sequences of NagY, NagE, and HylA, and we report their taxonomic distribution. The study of the conservation of the upstream region of nagY and hylA genes showed that the molecular mechanism of NagY regulation involves ribonucleic antiterminator sequence overlapping a rho-independent terminator, suggesting a regulation conforming to the canonical model of BglG/SacY family antiterminators. In the perspective of opportunism understanding, we offer new insights into the mechanism of host sensing thanks to the NagY antiterminator and its targets expression.

Limosilactobacillus (L.; previously Lactobacillus) reuteri has been shown to influence gastrointestinal (GI) tolerance. This study was a secondary analysis of GI tolerance data from a multi-country, cross-sectional, observational study in healthy infants using the validated Infant Gastrointestinal Symptom Questionnaire (IGSQ) and a gut comfort questionnaire. Breastfed infants (BFI; n = 760) were compared to formula-fed infants receiving either L. reuteri-containing formula (FFI + LR; n = 470) or standard formula without any probiotic or prebiotic (FFI-Std; n = 501). The IGSQ composite scores (adjusted mean ± SE) in FFI + LR (22.17 ± 0.39) was significantly lower than in FFI-Std (23.41 ± 0.37) and similar to BFI (22.34 ± 0.30;), indicating better GI tolerance in FFI + LR than in FFI-Std. Compared with FFI-Std, FFI + LR had lower reports of difficulty in passing stools (11% vs. 22%; adjusted-odds ratio (OR) (95%CI) = 0.46 (0.31–0.68)), fewer hard stools (mean difference = −0.12 (−0.21, −0.02)) and less physician-confirmed colic (OR = 0.61 (0.45–0.82)), and similar to BFI. Parent-reported crying time (mean difference = −0.15 (−0.28, −0.01)), frequency of spitting-up/vomiting (mean difference = −0.18 (−0.34, −0.03)), volume of spit-up (mean difference = −0.20 (−0.32, −0.08)) and fussiness due to spitting-up/vomiting (mean difference = −0.17 (−0.29, −0.05)) were lower in FFI + LR versus FFI-Std and similar to BFI. In this study, L. reuteri-containing formula was associated with improved digestive tolerance and behavioral patterns.

Supplemental material, sj-docx-2-tab-10.1177_1759720X211070205 for An oleuropein-based dietary supplement may improve joint functional capacity in older people with high knee joint pain: findings from a multicentre-RCT and post hoc analysis by Marie-No��lle Horcajada, Maurice Beaumont, Nicolas Sauvageot, Laure Poquet, Madleen Saboundjian, Berenice Costes, Peter Verdonk, Geoffrey Brands, Jean Brasseur, Didier Urbin-Choffray, Marc Vandenberghe, Karl Brabants, Kurt De Vlam, Werner Fache, Bernard Jandrain, Vincent Grek, Michel Malaise and Yves Henrotin in Therapeutic Advances in Musculoskeletal Disease

Supplemental material, sj-docx-4-tab-10.1177_1759720X211070205 for An oleuropein-based dietary supplement may improve joint functional capacity in older people with high knee joint pain: findings from a multicentre-RCT and post hoc analysis by Marie-No��lle Horcajada, Maurice Beaumont, Nicolas Sauvageot, Laure Poquet, Madleen Saboundjian, Berenice Costes, Peter Verdonk, Geoffrey Brands, Jean Brasseur, Didier Urbin-Choffray, Marc Vandenberghe, Karl Brabants, Kurt De Vlam, Werner Fache, Bernard Jandrain, Vincent Grek, Michel Malaise and Yves Henrotin in Therapeutic Advances in Musculoskeletal Disease

Supplemental material, sj-docx-1-tab-10.1177_1759720X211070205 for An oleuropein-based dietary supplement may improve joint functional capacity in older people with high knee joint pain: findings from a multicentre-RCT and post hoc analysis by Marie-No��lle Horcajada, Maurice Beaumont, Nicolas Sauvageot, Laure Poquet, Madleen Saboundjian, Berenice Costes, Peter Verdonk, Geoffrey Brands, Jean Brasseur, Didier Urbin-Choffray, Marc Vandenberghe, Karl Brabants, Kurt De Vlam, Werner Fache, Bernard Jandrain, Vincent Grek, Michel Malaise and Yves Henrotin in Therapeutic Advances in Musculoskeletal Disease

Supplemental material, sj-pptx-1-tab-10.1177_1759720X211070205 for An oleuropein-based dietary supplement may improve joint functional capacity in older people with high knee joint pain: findings from a multicentre-RCT and post hoc analysis by Marie-No��lle Horcajada, Maurice Beaumont, Nicolas Sauvageot, Laure Poquet, Madleen Saboundjian, Berenice Costes, Peter Verdonk, Geoffrey Brands, Jean Brasseur, Didier Urbin-Choffray, Marc Vandenberghe, Karl Brabants, Kurt De Vlam, Werner Fache, Bernard Jandrain, Vincent Grek, Michel Malaise and Yves Henrotin in Therapeutic Advances in Musculoskeletal Disease

Supplemental material, sj-docx-5-tab-10.1177_1759720X211070205 for An oleuropein-based dietary supplement may improve joint functional capacity in older people with high knee joint pain: findings from a multicentre-RCT and post hoc analysis by Marie-No��lle Horcajada, Maurice Beaumont, Nicolas Sauvageot, Laure Poquet, Madleen Saboundjian, Berenice Costes, Peter Verdonk, Geoffrey Brands, Jean Brasseur, Didier Urbin-Choffray, Marc Vandenberghe, Karl Brabants, Kurt De Vlam, Werner Fache, Bernard Jandrain, Vincent Grek, Michel Malaise and Yves Henrotin in Therapeutic Advances in Musculoskeletal Disease

Supplemental material, sj-docx-3-tab-10.1177_1759720X211070205 for An oleuropein-based dietary supplement may improve joint functional capacity in older people with high knee joint pain: findings from a multicentre-RCT and post hoc analysis by Marie-No��lle Horcajada, Maurice Beaumont, Nicolas Sauvageot, Laure Poquet, Madleen Saboundjian, Berenice Costes, Peter Verdonk, Geoffrey Brands, Jean Brasseur, Didier Urbin-Choffray, Marc Vandenberghe, Karl Brabants, Kurt De Vlam, Werner Fache, Bernard Jandrain, Vincent Grek, Michel Malaise and Yves Henrotin in Therapeutic Advances in Musculoskeletal Disease

Supplemental material, sj-docx-3-tab-10.1177_1759720X211070205 for An oleuropein-based dietary supplement may improve joint functional capacity in older people with high knee joint pain: findings from a multicentre-RCT and post hoc analysis by Marie-No��lle Horcajada, Maurice Beaumont, Nicolas Sauvageot, Laure Poquet, Madleen Saboundjian, Berenice Costes, Peter Verdonk, Geoffrey Brands, Jean Brasseur, Didier Urbin-Choffray, Marc Vandenberghe, Karl Brabants, Kurt De Vlam, Werner Fache, Bernard Jandrain, Vincent Grek, Michel Malaise and Yves Henrotin in Therapeutic Advances in Musculoskeletal Disease

Supplemental material, sj-docx-2-tab-10.1177_1759720X211070205 for An oleuropein-based dietary supplement may improve joint functional capacity in older people with high knee joint pain: findings from a multicentre-RCT and post hoc analysis by Marie-No��lle Horcajada, Maurice Beaumont, Nicolas Sauvageot, Laure Poquet, Madleen Saboundjian, Berenice Costes, Peter Verdonk, Geoffrey Brands, Jean Brasseur, Didier Urbin-Choffray, Marc Vandenberghe, Karl Brabants, Kurt De Vlam, Werner Fache, Bernard Jandrain, Vincent Grek, Michel Malaise and Yves Henrotin in Therapeutic Advances in Musculoskeletal Disease

Supplemental material, sj-docx-5-tab-10.1177_1759720X211070205 for An oleuropein-based dietary supplement may improve joint functional capacity in older people with high knee joint pain: findings from a multicentre-RCT and post hoc analysis by Marie-No��lle Horcajada, Maurice Beaumont, Nicolas Sauvageot, Laure Poquet, Madleen Saboundjian, Berenice Costes, Peter Verdonk, Geoffrey Brands, Jean Brasseur, Didier Urbin-Choffray, Marc Vandenberghe, Karl Brabants, Kurt De Vlam, Werner Fache, Bernard Jandrain, Vincent Grek, Michel Malaise and Yves Henrotin in Therapeutic Advances in Musculoskeletal Disease

Supplemental material, sj-docx-4-tab-10.1177_1759720X211070205 for An oleuropein-based dietary supplement may improve joint functional capacity in older people with high knee joint pain: findings from a multicentre-RCT and post hoc analysis by Marie-No��lle Horcajada, Maurice Beaumont, Nicolas Sauvageot, Laure Poquet, Madleen Saboundjian, Berenice Costes, Peter Verdonk, Geoffrey Brands, Jean Brasseur, Didier Urbin-Choffray, Marc Vandenberghe, Karl Brabants, Kurt De Vlam, Werner Fache, Bernard Jandrain, Vincent Grek, Michel Malaise and Yves Henrotin in Therapeutic Advances in Musculoskeletal Disease

Questionnaires ORISCAV-LUX 2. (Nurse Questionnaire) English version. (PDF 872 kb)

Questionnaires ORISCAV-LUX 2. (Home-based Questionnaire) English version. (PDF 898 kb)

International audience; During a 2-year study, the presence of human pathogenic bacteria and noroviruses was investigated in shellfish, seawater and/or surface sediments collected from three French coastal shellfish-harvesting areas as well as in freshwaters from the corresponding upstream catchments. Bacteria isolated from these samples were further analyzed. Escherichia coli isolates classified into the phylogenetic groups B2, or D and enterococci from Enterococcus faecalis and E. faecium species were tested for the presence of virulence genes and for antimicrobial susceptibility. Salmonella members were serotyped and the most abundant serovars (Typhimurium and its monophasic variants and Mbandaka) were genetically characterized by high discriminative subtyping methods. Campylobacter and Vibrio were identified at the species level, and haemolysin-producing Vibrio parahaemolyticus were searched by tdh- and trh- gene detection. Main results showed a low prevalence of Salmonella in shellfish samples where only members of S. Mbandaka were found. Campylobacter were more frequently isolated than Salmonella and a different distribution of Campylobacter species was observed in shellfish compared to rivers, strongly suggesting possible additional inputs of bacteria. Statistical associations between enteric bacteria, human noroviruses (HuNoVs) and concentration of fecal indicator bacteria revealed that the presence of Salmonella was correlated with that of Campylobacter jejuni and/or C. coli as well as to E. coli concentration. A positive correlation was also found between the presence of C. lari and the detection of HuNoVs. This study highlights the importance of simultaneous detection and characterization of enteric and marine pathogenic bacteria and human noroviruses not only in shellfish but also in catchment waters for a hazard assessment associated with microbial contamination of shellfish.

Transmitted human immunodeficiency virus drug resistance in Europe is stable at around 8%. The impact of baseline mutation patterns on susceptibility to antiretroviral drugs should be addressed using clinical guidelines. The impact on baseline susceptibility is largest for nonnucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors., Background. Numerous studies have shown that baseline drug resistance patterns may influence the outcome of antiretroviral therapy. Therefore, guidelines recommend drug resistance testing to guide the choice of initial regimen. In addition to optimizing individual patient management, these baseline resistance data enable transmitted drug resistance (TDR) to be surveyed for public health purposes. The SPREAD program systematically collects data to gain insight into TDR occurring in Europe since 2001. Methods. Demographic, clinical, and virological data from 4140 antiretroviral-naive human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)–infected individuals from 26 countries who were newly diagnosed between 2008 and 2010 were analyzed. Evidence of TDR was defined using the WHO list for surveillance of drug resistance mutations. Prevalence of TDR was assessed over time by comparing the results to SPREAD data from 2002 to 2007. Baseline susceptibility to antiretroviral drugs was predicted using the Stanford HIVdb program version 7.0. Results. The overall prevalence of TDR did not change significantly over time and was 8.3% (95% confidence interval, 7.2%–9.5%) in 2008–2010. The most frequent indicators of TDR were nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NRTI) mutations (4.5%), followed by nonnucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NNRTI) mutations (2.9%) and protease inhibitor mutations (2.0%). Baseline mutations were most predictive of reduced susceptibility to initial NNRTI-based regimens: 4.5% and 6.5% of patient isolates were predicted to have resistance to regimens containing efavirenz or rilpivirine, respectively, independent of current NRTI backbones. Conclusions. Although TDR was highest for NRTIs, the impact of baseline drug resistance patterns on susceptibility was largest for NNRTIs. The prevalence of TDR assessed by epidemiological surveys does not clearly indicate to what degree susceptibility to different drug classes is affected.

International audience; Enterococcus faecalis is a Gram-positive lactic acid intestinal opportunistic bacterium with virulence potential. For a better understanding of the adapation of this bacterium to the host conditions, we performed a transcriptome analysis of bacteria isolated from an infection site (mouse peritonitis) by RNA-sequencing. We identified a total of 211 genes with significantly higher transcript levels and 157 repressed genes. Our in vivo gene expression database reflects well the infection process since genes encoding important virulence factors like cytolysin, gelatinase or aggregation substance as well as stress response proteins, are significantly induced. Genes encoding metabolic activities are the second most abundant in vivo induced genes demonstrating that the bacteria are metabolically active and adapt to the special nutrient conditions of the host. α- and β- glucosides seem to be important substrates for E. faecalis inside the host. Compared to laboratory conditions, the flux through the upper part of glycolysis seems to be reduced and more carbon may enter the pentose phosphate pathway. This may reflect the need of the bacteria under infection conditions to produce more reducing power for biosynthesis. Another important substrate is certainly glycerol since both pathways of glycerol catabolism are strongly induced. Strongly in vivo induced genes should be important for the infection process. This assumption has been verified in a virulence test using well characterized mutants affected in glycerol metabolism. This showed indeed that mutants unable to metabolize this sugar alcohol are affected in organ colonisation in a mouse model.

International audience; Enterococcus faecalis is a Gram-positive bacterium, member of the lactic acid bacteria group and is also one of the major causative agents of nosocomial infections. Moreover, the oxidative stress is one of the main challenges bacteria have to cope with during their process of infection. This review gives a description of this opportunist pathogen bacterium and an overview of the oxidative stress response and its regulation. We subsequently summarize results that suggest a relationship between this stress response and the virulence in E. faecalis.

When carrying out a proteome analysis with a ptsH3 mutant of Lactobacillus casei, we found that the cold shock protein CspA was significantly overproduced compared to the wild-type strain. We also noticed that CspA and CspB of L. casei and CSPs from other organisms exhibit significant sequence similarity to the C-terminal part of EIIA(Glc), a glucose-specific component of the phosphoenolpyruvate:sugar phosphotransferase system. This similarity suggested a direct interaction of HPr with CSPs, as histidyl-phosphorylated HPr has been shown to phosphorylate EIIA(Glc) in its C-terminal part. We therefore compared the cold shock response of several carbon catabolite repression mutants to that of the wild-type strain. Following a shift from 37 degrees C to lower temperatures (20, 15 or 10 degrees C), all mutants showed significantly reduced growth rates. Moreover, glucose-grown mutants unable to form P-Ser-HPr (ptsH1, hprK) exhibited drastically increased sensitivity to freeze/thaw cycles. However, when the same mutants were grown on ribose or maltose, they were similarly resistant to freezing and thawing as the wild-type strain. Although subsequent biochemical and genetic studies did not allow to identify the form of HPr implicated in the resistance to cold and freezing conditions, they strongly suggested a direct interaction of HPr or one of its phospho-derivatives with CspA and/or another, hitherto undetected cold shock protein in L. casei. Copyright (c) 2007 S. Karger AG, Basel.

International audience; The three genes pduCDE encoding the diol dehydratase of Lactobacillus collinoides, have been cloned for overexpression in the pQE30 vector. Although the three subunits of the protein were highly induced, no activity was detected in cell extracts. The enzyme was therefore purified to near homogeneity by ammonium sulfate precipitation and gel filtration chromatography. In fractions showing diol dehydratase activity, three main bands were present after SDS/PAGE with molecular masses of 63, 28 and 22 kDa, respectively. They were identified by mass spectrometry to correspond to the large, medium and small subunits of the dehydratase encoded by the pduC, pduD and pduE genes, respectively. The molecular mass of the native complex was estimated to 207 kDa in accordance with the calculated molecular masses deduced from the pduC, D, E genes (61, 24.7 and 19,1 kDa, respectively) and a α2β2γ2 composition. The Km for the three main substrates were 1.6 mm for 1,2‐propanediol, 5.5 mm for 1,2‐ethanediol and 8.3 mm for glycerol. The enzyme required the adenosylcobalamin coenzyme for catalytic activity and the Km for the cofactor was 8 µm. Inactivation of the enzyme was observed by both glycerol and cyanocobalamin. The optimal reaction conditions of the enzyme were pH 8.75 and 37 °C. Activity was inhibited by sodium and calcium ions and to a lesser extent by magnesium. A fourth band at 59 kDa copurified with the diol dehydratase and was identified as the propionaldehyde dehydrogenase enzyme, another protein involved in the 1,2‐propanediol metabolism pathway.

Shellfish farming is an important economic activity in the Brittany and Normandy regions. However, a part of the production sites corresponds to relatively sensitive areas where the presence of faecal microorganisms is a major concern for shellfish and constitutes a possible health risk. Indeed, shellfish bioaccumulates in their tissues pathogenic contaminants present in water and can cause food-borne diseases such as salmonellosis. During a two-year study, we evaluated the presence of faecal indicators, measured the prevalence of Salmonella spp., isolated and characterized Salmonella spp. from three French shellfish-harvesting areas (shellfish and sediment) and their watersheds (from river water samples).

Maltodextrin is a mixture of maltooligosaccharides, which are produced by the degradation of starch or glycogen. They are mostly composed of α-1,4- and some α-1,6-linked glucose residues. Genes presumed to code for the Enterococcus faecalis maltodextrin transporter were induced during enterococcal infection. We therefore carried out a detailed study of maltodextrin transport in this organism. Depending on their length (3 to 7 glucose residues), E. faecalis takes up maltodextrins either via MalT, a maltose-specific permease of the phosphoenolpyruvate (PEP):carbohydrate phosphotransferase system (PTS), or the ATP binding cassette (ABC) transporter MdxEFG-MsmX. Maltotriose, the smallest maltodextrin, is primarily transported by the PTS permease. A malT mutant therefore exhibits significantly reduced growth on maltose and maltotriose. The residual uptake of the trisaccharide is catalyzed by the ABC transporter, because a malT mdxF double mutant no longer grows on maltotriose. The trisaccharide arrives as maltotriose-6"-P in the cell. MapP, which dephosphorylates maltose-6'-P, also releases Pi from maltotriose-6"-P. Maltotetraose and longer maltodextrins are mainly (or exclusively) taken up via the ABC transporter, because inactivation of the membrane protein MdxF prevents growth on maltotetraose and longer maltodextrins up to at least maltoheptaose. E. faecalis also utilizes panose and isopanose, and we show for the first time, to our knowledge, that in contrast to maltotriose, its two isomers are primarily transported via the ABC transporter. We confirm that maltodextrin utilization via MdxEFG-MsmX affects the colonization capacity of E. faecalis, because inactivation of mdxF significantly reduced enterococcal colonization and/or survival in kidneys and liver of mice after intraperitoneal infection. Fil: Sauvageot, Nicolas. Universite de Caen Basse Normandie; Francia Fil: Mokhtari, Abdelhamid. Université Paris-Saclay; Francia. Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique; Francia. 8 May 1945 University of Guelma; Argelia Fil: Joyet, Philippe. Université Paris-Saclay; Francia. Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique; Francia Fil: Budin Verneuil, Aurélie. Universite de Caen Basse Normandie; Francia Fil: Blancato, Victor Sebastian. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Rosario. Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular de Rosario. Universidad Nacional de Rosario. Facultad de Ciencias Bioquímicas y Farmacéuticas. Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular de Rosario; Argentina Fil: Repizo, Guillermo Daniel. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Rosario. Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular de Rosario. Universidad Nacional de Rosario. Facultad de Ciencias Bioquímicas y Farmacéuticas. Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular de Rosario; Argentina Fil: Henry, Céline. Université Paris-Saclay; Francia. Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique; Francia Fil: Pikis, Andreas. National Institutes of Health; Estados Unidos. Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, Food and Drug Administration; Estados Unidos Fil: Thompson, John. National Institutes of Health; Estados Unidos Fil: Magni, Christian. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Rosario. Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular de Rosario. Universidad Nacional de Rosario. Facultad de Ciencias Bioquímicas y Farmacéuticas. Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular de Rosario; Argentina Fil: Hartke, Axel. Universite de Caen Basse Normandie; Francia Fil: Deutscher, Josef. Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique; Francia. Université Paris-Saclay; Francia. Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique; Francia. Université Paris Diderot - Paris 7; Francia

This study examined the association of chocolate consumption with insulin resistance and serum liver enzymes in a national sample of adults in Luxembourg. A random sample of 1153 individuals, aged 18–69 years, was recruited to participate in the cross-sectional Observation of Cardiovascular Risk Factors in Luxembourg study. Chocolate consumption (g/d) was obtained from a semi-quantitative FFQ. Blood glucose and insulin levels were used for the homoeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR). Hepatic biomarkers such as serum γ-glutamyl-transpeptidase (γ-GT), serum aspartate transaminase and serum alanine transaminase (ALT) (mg/l) were assessed using standard laboratory assays. Chocolate consumers (81·8 %) were more likely to be younger, physically active, affluent people with higher education levels and fewer chronic co-morbidities. After excluding subjects taking antidiabetic medications, higher chocolate consumption was associated with lower HOMA-IR (β=−0·16, P=0·004), serum insulin levels (β=−0·16, P=0·003) and γ-GT (β=−0·12, P=0·009) and ALT (β=−0·09, P=0·004), after adjustment for age, sex, education, lifestyle and dietary confounding factors, including intakes of fruits and vegetables, alcohol, polyphenol-rich coffee and tea. This study reports an independent inverse relationship between daily chocolate consumption and levels of insulin, HOMA-IR and liver enzymes in adults, suggesting that chocolate consumption may improve liver enzymes and protect against insulin resistance, a well-established risk factor for cardiometabolic disorders. Further observational prospective research and well-designed randomised-controlled studies are needed to confirm this cross-sectional relationship and to comprehend the role and mechanisms that different types of chocolate may play in insulin resistance and cardiometabolic disorders.

There is uncertainty regarding the impact of tea and coffee consumption on arterial blood pressure. The present study aimed to examine the association between blood pressure (BP) components, namely, systolic BP (SBP), diastolic BP, mean arterial pressure, and pulse pressure (PP), and tea or coffee consumption, taking into account simultaneous consumption. The study population was derived from a national cross-sectional stratified sample of 1352 individuals aged 18 to 69 years, recruited between November 2007 and January 2009 to participate in the Observation of Cardiovascular Risk Factors in Luxembourg study. We hypothesized that greater tea consumption would be independently associated with lower BP. Tea and coffee consumptions in deciliters per day were obtained from a semiquantitative food frequency questionnaire. Participants were classified into 3 groups: nonconsumers, ≤3-dL/d consumers, and >3-dL/d consumers of each beverage separately. After exclusion of subjects taking antihypertensive medications, several general linear models were performed to investigate the independent relationship between tea/coffee consumption and BP components. Tea consumers (36.3%) were more likely to be younger women, nonsmokers, with better cardiometabolic profiles, and less frequent chronic pathologies, whereas the reverse was true for coffee consumers (88%). Greater tea consumption was associated with lower SBP and PP values, after adjustment for age, sex, education, lifestyle, and dietary confounding factors, including coffee drinking. No association between BP components and coffee consumption was observed. Daily consumption of 1 dL of tea was associated with a significant reduction of SBP by 0.6 mm Hg and PP by 0.5 mm Hg. Given the widespread consumption of tea and coffee throughout the world, together with the major cardiovascular disease risk, our findings have important implications for human health. Refereed/Peer-reviewed

The scientific community has become increasingly interested in the overall quality of diets rather than in single food-based or single nutrient-based approaches to examine diet–disease relationships. Despite the plethora of indices used to measure diet quality, there still exist questions as to which of these can best predict health outcomes. The present study aimed to compare the ability of five diet quality indices, namely the Recommendation Compliance Index (RCI), Diet Quality Index-International (DQI-I), Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH), Mediterranean Diet Score (MDS), and Dietary Inflammatory Index (DII), to detect changes in chronic disease risk biomarkers. Nutritional data from 1352 participants, aged 18–69 years, of the Luxembourg nationwide cross-sectional ORISCAV-LUX (Observation of Cardiovascular Risk Factors in Luxembourg) study, 2007–8, were used to calculate adherence to the diet quality index. General linear modelling was performed to assess trends in biomarkers according to adherence to different dietary patterns, after adjustment for age, sex, education level, smoking status, physical activity and energy intake. Among the five selected diet quality indices, the MDS exhibited the best ability to detect changes in numerous risk markers and was significantly associated with lower levels of LDL-cholesterol, apo B, diastolic blood pressure, renal function indicators (creatinine and uric acid) and liver enzymes (serum γ-glutamyl-transpeptidase and glutamate-pyruvate transaminase). Compared with other dietary patterns, higher adherence to the Mediterranean diet is associated with a favourable cardiometabolic, hepatic and renal risk profile. Diets congruent with current universally accepted guidelines may be insufficient to prevent chronic diseases. Clinicians and public health decision makers should be aware of needs to improve the current dietary guidelines.

Background: Cardiovascular disease is the number one cause of death in the United States and in most European countries. Cardiovascular health, as defined by the American Heart Association, is comprised of seven health metrics(smoking, body mass index, physical activity, diet, total cholesterol, blood pressure, and fasting plasma glucose). No studies have compared US data with data collected elsewhere, using this index of cardiovascular health. Methods: We performed comparative analyses of cardiovascular health status in participants from 2 study sites in 2different countries: the Maine-Syracuse Study, conducted in Central New York, USA in 2001-2006 (n = 673), and the Observation of Cardiovascular Risk Factors in Luxembourg, conducted in 2007-2009 (n = 1145). Results: The Cardiovascular Health Score, the sum of the total number of metrics at ideal levels, was higher in the Luxembourg site than in the Central New York site. Ideal cardiovascular health levels for body mass index, smoking,physical activity, and diet were more prevalent in the Luxembourg site than the Central New York site. Ideal levels for blood pressure were more prevalent in Central New York. Differences between the two sites remained with control for age, gender and socioeconomic indicators.Conclusions: Cardiovascular health, as indexed by seven health metrics, was higher in the European study site than in the US study site. The largest differences were for the four lifestyle/behavior metrics, namely body mass index,smoking, physical activity, and diet. Preventative and intervention strategies will continue to be important for both countries in order to improve cardiovascular health Refereed/Peer-reviewed

ObjectiveTo examine the association of total animal protein intake and protein derived from different dietary sources (meat; fish and shellfish; eggs; milk products) with global and abdominal obesity among adults in Luxembourg.DesignBinary logistic regression analysis was used to assess the relationship between animal protein intake (as a percentage of total energy intake) and global obesity (BMI≥30·0 kg/m2) and abdominal obesity (waist circumference ≥102 cm for men and ≥88 cm for women), after controlling for potential confounders.SettingObservation of Cardiovascular Risk Factors in Luxembourg (ORISCAV-LUX) study.SubjectsThe study population was derived from a national cross-sectional stratified sample of 1152 individuals aged 18–69 years, recruited between November 2007 and January 2009.ResultsThere was an independent positive association between total animal protein intake and both global (OR=1·18; 95 % CI 1·12, 1·25) and abdominal obesity (OR=1·14; 95 % CI 1·08, 1·20) after adjustment for age, gender, education, smoking, physical activity and intakes of total fat, carbohydrate, fibre, and fruit and vegetables. Protein intakes from meat, fish and shellfish were positively associated with global and abdominal obesity with further adjustment for vegetal protein and other sources of animal-derived protein (all PConclusionsOur findings suggest that protein derived from animal sources, in particular from meat, fish and shellfish, may be associated with increased risk of both global and abdominal obesity among presumably healthy adults in Luxembourg. These findings suggest that lower animal protein intakes may be important for maintenance of healthy body weight.