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Background and Aims: We aimed to assess the associations of exposure to air pollutants and standard and advanced lipoprotein measures, in a nationwide sample representative of the adult population of Spain. Methods: We included 4647 adults (>18 years), participants in the national, cross‐sectional, population‐based di@bet.es study, conducted in 2008–2010. Standard lipid measurements were analysed on an Architect C8000 Analyzer (Abbott Laboratories SA). Lipoprotein analysis was made by an advanced 1H‐NMR lipoprotein test (Liposcale®). Participants were assigned air pollution concentrations for particulate matter <10 μm (PM10), <2.5 μm (PM2.5) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2), corresponding to the health examination year, obtained by modelling combined with measurements taken at air quality stations (CHIMERE chemistry‐transport model). Results: In multivariate linear regression models, each IQR increase in PM10, PM2.5 and NO2 was associated with 3.3%, 3.3% and 3% lower levels of HDL‐c and 1.3%, 1.4% and 1.1% lower HDL particle (HDL‐p) concentrations (p <.001 for all associations). In multivariate logistic regression, there was a significant association between PM10, PM2.5 and NO2 concentrations and the odds of presenting low HDL‐c (<40 mg/dL), low HDL‐p (

Objective: This study aimed to analyze the potential association of different microRNA (miRNA) molecules with both type 2 diabetes (T2D) and obesity and determine their target genes.Methods: Quantitative PCR was used to analyze the miR-20b, miR-296, and Let-7f levels in human visceral and subcutaneous adipose tissues (ATs) in relation to obesity and T2D, miRTarBase 4.0 was used for validation of target genes, and the Protein Analysis Through Evolutionary Relationships (PANTHER) Classification System and the Database for Annotation, Visualization and Integrated Discovery (DAVID) were used to annotate the biological processes of the predicted targets.Results: In AT, miR-20b, miR-296, and Let-7f levels were significantly different between normoglycemic subjects and those with T2D. In visceral adipose tissue, miRNA levels were higher in normoglycemic/obesity samples than in T2D/obesity samples. miR-20b-miR-296 and Let-7f target genes that showed significant differences in both ATs in relation to obesity and T2D were CDKN1A, CX3CL1, HIF1A, PPP2R1B, STAT3, and VEGFA. These genes are known to be principally involved in the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and WNT pathways.Conclusions: This study provides experimental evidence of the possible correlation between AT miR-20b-miR-296-Let-7f with obesity and T2D, which might involve vascular endothelial growth factor and WNT-dependent pathways that are regulated by six different genes, suggesting a novel signaling pathway that could be important for understanding the mechanisms underlying the AT dysfunction associated with obesity and T2D. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Background: systemic inflammation and oxidative stress are important factors in the pathogenesis of bronchiectasis. Pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) is recommended for bronchiectasis, but there is no data about its effect on the inflammatory and REDOX status of these patients. Aims: to investigate the effect of PR in non-cystic-fibrosis bronchiectasis (NCFB) patients, and to compare it with the effect of PR plus a hyperproteic oral nutritional supplement (PRS) enriched with beta-hydroxy-beta-methylbutyrate (HMB) on serum inflammatory and oxidative biomarkers. Materials and methods: this was an open randomized, controlled trial. Thirty individuals (65 years old or younger with a body mass index over 18.5, older than 65 years with a body mass index over 20) were recruited from September 2013 to September 2014, and randomly assigned to receive PR or PRS. Total neutrophils, and inflammatory and oxidative biomarker levels were measured at baseline, and then at 3 and 6 months. Results: in the PRS group neutrophil levels were decreased from baseline at 6 months. A significantly different fold change was found between the PR and PRS groups. In the PR group, IL-6 and adiponectin were increased by the end of the study while TNFα levels were decreased from baseline at 6 months. REDOX biomarkers remained stable throughout the study except for 8-isoprostane levels, which were increased from baseline at 6 months in both groups of patients. Conclusions: a PR program induced a pro-oxidative effect accompanied by changes in circulating inflammatory cytokine levels in NCFB patients. Our results would also suggest a possible beneficial effect of the HMB enriched supplement on neutrophil level regulation in these patients. The information provided in this study could be useful for choosing the right therapeutic approach in the management of bronchiectasis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bioinformatics is of great importance in current medicine, as it allows scientists to develop computer tools and computational methodologies to handle and analyze large amounts of biological data. During the COVID-19 pandemic, bioinformatics tools were fundamental in understanding the biological processes and molecular mechanisms of the disease, accelerating the search for vaccines and treatments. Additionally, bioinformatics has been key in the study of human genetics and the development of more effective and personalized treatments for each patient. Currently, bioinformatics is essential for integrating and interpreting data generated by different "omics" disciplines in the field of medicine. Bioinformatics has been fundamental in medical research by deciphering the function of proteins, generating structural models, and interaction networks between proteins. This has allowed for the understanding of the molecular mechanisms of various diseases and facilitated the diagnosis and development of new treatments. Furthermore, the use of algorithms and mathematical models based on artificial intelligence and machine learning has allowed for the extraction of knowledge from biomedical data and its application to problem-solving. Bioinformatics is indispensable in medical research and practice, and trained professionals in this field are required to harness its translational potential. [Extracted from the article]

Background and Objectives: To evaluate the association between high levels of glycemia and low serum uric acid levels in two independent population-based samples., Patients and Methods: The first sample was taken from the Pizarra Study, a population-based prospective study of 1.226 persons classified according to their glycometabolic status, as measured from an oral glucose tolerance test. Variables recorded included anthropometric data, serum fasting insulin, uric acid (UA) and HOMA-IR. The second sample was obtained from the Central Laboratory Database, which includes 81,754 laboratory requests for HbA(1c) carried out over 30 months. We selected those that included measurements of UA, triglycerides and albuminuria., Results: In the Pizarra Study, the fasting glucose levels showed a bell-shaped relation with serum UA levels in men and more especially in women (P<0.0001). In the second sample, the UA levels in women showed a bell-shaped relation with HbA(1c), increasing as the HbA(1c) rose to 7% and then falling with the further increase of HbA(1c) (P<0.0001). Men experienced a linear decrease in UA levels as the HbA(1c) rose (r=-0.19; P<0.0001), though only with effect from HbA(1c) values > 7%. The odds ratio for hyperuricemia (≥ 6mg/dL in women and ≥ 7mg/dL in men) fell continuously as the HbA(1c) levels rose., Conclusions: This study, undertaken in two different populations, showed that serum UA levels are non-linearly correlated with the levels of glucose, HbA(1c) and HOMA-IR, especially in women. The risk of hyperuricemia and gout may be higher in persons with prediabetic states or with better-controlled diabetes than in persons with poorly-controlled diabetes., (Copyright © 2010 Elsevier España, S.L. All rights reserved.)

Discordances exist in epidemiological studies regarding the association between the intake of nutrients and death and disease. We evaluated the social and health profile of persons who consumed olive oil in a prospective population cohort investigation (Pizarra study) with a 6-year follow-up. A food frequency questionnaire and a 7 d quantitative questionnaire were administered to 538 persons. The type of oil used in food preparation was determined by direct measurement of the fatty acids in samples obtained from the kitchens of the participants at baseline and after follow-up for 6 years. The fatty acid composition of the serum phospholipids was used as an endogenous marker of the type of oil consumed. Total fat intake accounted for a mean 40 % of the energy (at baseline and after follow-up). The concordance in intake of MUFA over the study period was high. The fatty acid composition of the serum phospholipids was significantly associated with the type of oil consumed and with fish intake. The concentration of polar compounds and polymers, indicative of degradation, was greater in oils from the kitchens where sunflower oil or refined olive oil was used, in oils used for deep frying and in oils that had been reused for frying five times or more. Consumption of olive oil was directly associated with educational level. Part of the discordance found in epidemiological studies between diet and health may be due to the handling of oils during food preparation. The intake of olive oil is associated with other healthy habits.