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Cancer, the second leading cause of death worldwide, demands the identification of modifiable risk factors to optimize its prevention. Diet has emerged as a pivotal focus in current research efforts. This literature review aims to enhance the ACS guidelines on diet and cancer by integrating the latest findings and addressing unresolved questions. The methodology involved an advanced PubMed search with specific filters relevant to the research topic. Topics covered include time-restricted diet, diet quality, acid load, counseling, exercise and diet combination, Mediterranean diet, vegetarian and pescetarian diets, weight loss, dairy consumption, coffee and tea, iron, carbohydrates, meat, fruits and vegetables, heavy metals, micronutrients, and phytoestrogens. The review highlights the benefits of the Mediterranean diet in reducing cancer risk. Adherence to overnight fasting or carbohydrate consumption may contribute to cancer prevention, but excessive fasting may harm patients' quality of life. A vegetarian/pescetarian diet is associated with lower risks of general and colorectal cancer compared to a carnivorous diet. High heme and total iron intake are linked to increased lung cancer risk, while phytoestrogen intake is associated with reduced risk. Coffee and tea have a neutral impact on cancer risk. Finally, the roles of several preventive micronutrients and carcinogenic heavy metals are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Premature adrenarche in girls is defined biochemically by an increase in adrenal androgen (DHEAS) levels above the age-specific reference range before age 8 years. Recently, increased levels of 11-oxyandrogens have also been reported in girls with premature adrenarche. Epigenetic modifications, specifically CpG methylation, may affect gene expression and/or activity of steroidogenic enzymes during developmental changes in adrenal androgen secretion., Objective: To determine whether circulating 11-oxyandrogen levels in post-menarcheal girls are associated with methylation status of genes involved in 11-oxyandrogen steroidogenesis., Methods: Ninety-seven healthy girls followed since the age of 3 years were classified, according to DHEAS serum concentration at age 6-7 years, as normal DHEAS (<42μg/dL [75th percentile for population]) or high DHEAS (≥42μg/dL). At Tanner stage 2, methylation status of CpG sites located in CYP11B1 and HSD11B2 genes were analyzed in genomic DNA from peripheral blood leukocytes by Melting Curve Analysis Methylation assay. Eleven-oxyandrogen concentrations were assessed at four years post menarche., Results: Significantly lower methylation levels were detected in the CYP11B1 gene in girls with high versus normal serum DHEAS levels, with no differences found in HSD11B2 gene. Additionally, CYP11B1 methylation status correlated inversely with 11β-hydroxy-androstenedione and 11-ketotestosterone levels. Furthermore, CYP11B1 methylation in the full cohort correlated inversely with insulin concentration at Tanner 1 and with BMI at Tanner stage 1 and 2., Conclusion: This pilot study proposes the hypothesis that a lower methylation of CYP11B1 may be a mechanism contributing to increased concentrations of 11-oxyandrogens in premature adrenarche and its associated metabolic risk., (S. Karger AG, Basel.)

Methemoglobinemia is a rare condition with serious consequences if not diagnosed. We report the case of a 64-year-old woman with a history of allergy to sulfa drugs and a recent diagnosis of a small vessel vasculitis (ANCA-p) who started induction therapy with corticosteroids and rituximab. Due to the need for infectious prophylaxis, and considering her history, dapsone was administered instead of cotrimoxazole after ruling out glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency. During the admission to the hospital for her second dose of rituximab, and while being asymptomatic, she persistently presented a pulse oximetry ≪ 90% despite the administration of O2. Therefore, the infusion was postponed to study the patient. The arterial gasometric study by direct potentiometry revealed an O2 saturation of 98%, with a saturation gap > 5%. Considering the use of dapsone, a methemoglobinemia was suspected and confirmed by co-oximetry (methemoglobinemia 9%). Dapsone was suspended and one week later, her methemoglobinemia was absent.