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The consumption of diets rich in saturated fats is known to be associated with higher mortality. The adoption of healthy habits, for instance adhering to a Mediterranean diet, has proved to exert a preventive effect towards cardiovascular diseases and dyslipidemia. Little is known about how a suboptimal diet can affect brain function, structure, and the mechanisms involved. The aims of this study were to examine how a high-fat diet can alter the brain N-glycan and lipid profile in male Golden Syrian hamsters and to evaluate the potential of a Mediterranean-like diet to reverse this situation. During twelve weeks, hamsters were fed a normal fat diet (CTRL group), a high-fat diet (HFD group), and a high-fat diet followed by a Mediterranean-like diet (MED group). Out of seventy-two identified N-glycans, fourteen were significant (p < 0.05) between HFD and CTRL groups, nine between MED and CTRL groups, and one between MED and HFD groups. Moreover, forty-nine lipids were altered between HFD and CTRL groups, seven between MED and CTRL groups, and five between MED and HFD groups. Our results suggest that brain N-glycan composition in high-fat diet-fed hamsters can produce events comparable to those found in some neurodegenerative diseases, and may promote brain ageing.

© 2018, Cancer Research UK. Background: Optimal duration of anticoagulation for cancer-associated thrombosis (CAT) remains unclear. This study assessed D-dimer (DD) and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) levels after the withdrawal of anticoagulation treatment to predict the risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE) recurrence among patients with CAT. Methods: Prospective, multicentre study to evaluate CAT with ≥3 months of anticoagulation that was subsequently discontinued. Blood samples were taken when patients stopped the anticoagulation and 21 days later to determine the DD and hs-CRP levels. All patients were followed up for 6 months to detect VTE recurrence. Results: Between 2013 and 2015, 325 patients were evaluated and 114 patients were ultimately enrolled in the study. The mean age was 62 ± 14 years and nearly 40% had metastasis. Ten patients developed VTE recurrence within 6 months (8.8%, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 4.3–15.5%). The DD and hs-CRP levels after 21 days were associated with VTE recurrence. The subdistribution hazard ratios were 9.82 for hs-CRP (95% CI: 19–52) and 5.81 for DD (95% CI: 1.1–31.7). Conclusions: This study identified that hs-CRP and DD were potential biomarkers of VTE recurrence after discontinuation of anticoagulation in CAT. A risk-adapted strategy could identify low-risk patients who may benefit from discontinuation of anticoagulation.

A rich elasmobranch assemblage is reported from the Early Neogene marine sediments of the lower member of the Navidad Formation, Central Chile. The fauna comprise Squalus sp., Pristiophorus sp., Heterodontus sp., Megascyliorhinus trelewensis. Carcharias cuspidata, Odontaspis ferox, Isurus oxyirinchus, Isurus hastalis, Cosmopolitodus hastalis, Carcharoides totuserratus, Myliobatis sp. and Callorhinchus sp., all of which are reported for the first time in the Early Miocene of Chile. The presence of Carcharoides totuserratus supports the Early Miocene age for the lower part of the basal Navidad Formation. The Chilean fossil elasmobranch fauna is represented by deep water and shallow water taxa, which probably were mixed in a submarine fan. Certain taxa suggest warm-temperate waters. The Early Miocene fauna from the Navidad Formation show affinities with other faunas previously reported from the Late Paleogene and Neogene of Argentina and New Zealand. Se describe una rica asociacion de elasmobranquios fosiles pro veniente de los sedimentos marines del Neogeno Inferior de la Formación Navidad, Chile central. La fauna comprende Squalus sp., Pristiophorus sp., Heterodontus spp., Megascyliorhinus trelewensis, Carcharias cuspidata, Odontaspis ferox, hums oxirinchus, Cosmopolitodus hastalis, Carcharoides totuserratus, Myliobatis sp. and Callorhinchus sp., todos los cuales son reportados por primera vez para el Mioceno Temprano de Chile. La presencia de Carcharoides totuserratus permite proponer una edad miocena temprana para la parte basal del miembro inferior de la Formatión Navidad. Los componentes de la fauna de elasmobranquios fósiles incluyen formas de agua profunda y somera que habrían sido mezcladas al depositarse en un abanico submarino. Algunos taxones sugieren la presencia de aguas temperadas-cálidas. La fauna de la Formatión Navidad presenta afmidades faunísticas con otras faunas de elasmobranquios previamente reportadas para el Paleógeno tardfo y Neógeno de Argent