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Objective: Our purpose was to examine the effects of daily servings of butter, no-trans-fat margarine and plant sterol margarine, within recommended amounts, on plasma lipids, apolipoproteins (Apos), biomarkers of inflammation and endothelial dysfunction, and on the transfer of lipids to HDL particles in free-living subjects with the metabolic syndrome. Methods: This was a randomized, single-blind study where 53 metabolic syndrome subjects (62% women, mean age 54 years) received isocaloric servings of butter, no-trans-fat margarine or plant sterol margarine in addition to their usual diets for 5 weeks. The main outcome measures were plasma lipids, Apo, inflammatory and endothelial dysfunction markers (CRP, IL-6, CD40L or E-selectin), small dense LDL cholesterol concentrations and in vitro radioactive lipid transfer from cholesterol-rich emulsions to HDL. Difference among groups was evaluated by analysis of variance. Results: There was a significant reduction in Apo-B (-10.4 %, P = 0.043) and in the Apo-B/Apo-A-1 ratio (-11.1%, P = 0.034) with plant sterol margarine. No changes in plasma lipids were noticed with butter and no-trans-fat margarine. Transfer rates of lipids to HDL were reduced in the no-trans-fat margarine group: triglycerides -42.0%, (P< 0.001 vs butter and sterol margarine) and free cholesterol -16.2% (P = 0.006 vs sterol margarine). No significant effects were noted on the concentrations of inflammatory and endothelial dysfunction markers among the groups. Conclusions: In free-living subjects with the metabolic syndrome consumption of plant sterol and no-trans-fat margarines within recommended amounts reduced, respectively, Apo-B concentrations and the ability of HDL to accept lipids. European Journal of Clinical Nutrition (2010) 64, 1141-1149; doi: 10.1038/ejcn.2010.122; published online 21 July 2010 Keywords: butter; margarine; plant sterol; metabolic syndrome; HDL; inflammation, Introduction Population studies have documented that increased intakes of dietary saturated fat and cholesterol (butter, dairy products and meats) and decreased intakes of polyunsaturated fat have been associated with an [...]

A tendency to increase the susceptibility of low density lipoprotein to oxidation was observed in a moderate fat diet rich in monounsaturated fat (MUFA-diet), compared to a moderate fat diet rich in polyunsaturated fat (PUFA-diet). A significant difference between the negative mean change in lag time to oxidation in the PUFA-diet group and the slightly positive mean change in lag time in the MUFA-diet group was also noted. These results indicate that the MUFA-diet would prove more beneficial to patients with impaired glucose tolerance than a PUFA-diet.

Similarity of Cruzin, an Inhibitor of Trypanosoma cruzi Neuraminidase, to High-Density Lipoprotein TRYPANOSOMA CRUZI, THE CAUSATIVE agent of Chagas' disease, produces a developmentally regulated neuramindiase (E.C. 3.2.1.18) (1). The activity [...]

Introduction: Suicide has been described in patients with Alzheimer's disease. Some promising medications for treating Alzheimer's disease have had their studies suspended because they increase the risk of suicide. Understanding the correlations between suicide and Alzheimer's disease is essential in an aging world., Methods: A search was carried out on electronic websites (PubMed and Scielo) using the MeSH Terms "suicide" and "Alzheimer" (1986-2023). Of a total of 115 articles, 26 were included in this review., Results: Depression and the allele ε4 of Apolipoprotein (APOE4) were demonstrated to be the main risk factors for suicide in patients with Alzheimer's disease., Conclusion: Adequately delineating which elderly people are vulnerable to suicide is important so that new treatments for Alzheimer's disease can be successful. This review showed a need for new studies to investigate the interface between Alzheimer's disease and suicide., (Copyright© Bentham Science Publishers; For any queries, please email at epub@benthamscience.net.)

Adenoviral infection is initiated by attachment of adenoviral fiber proteins to the CAR protein and subsequent internalization aided by α[sub v] -containing integrins, eg αvβ[sub 3] and α[sub v]β[sub 5]. To further understand the process of infection and assembly of recombinant adenoviral (rAd) vectors, we examined rAd production in HEK-293 cells and one of its subclones, clone D, isolated from the parental cells for high viral production. By flow cytometry, surface expression of integrin α[sub v]β[sub 3] by clone D cells was two-fold higher than by HEK-293 cells. However, clone D cells did not demonstrate greater translational efficiency or number of viral genome DNA copies shortly after rAd infection. Treating cells with inhibitors of integrin α[sub v]β[sub 3] reduced rAd production and transfecting HEK-293 cells with integrin α[sub v]β[sub 3] cDNAs increased rAd production. Subjecting cells to a sudden reduction in serum (10% to 0.1% FCS) for 5 days, clone D cells maintained 80% viability compared with 40% for HEK-293 cells. Further indication of survival signaling involvement was provided by Western blot analysis demonstrating p38 and p44/42 MAPKs were constitutively phosphorylated in HEK-293 cells. However, for clone D cells, p38 MAPK was phosphorylated only after rAd infection. The role of survival signaling mediated by integrin αv[sub 1]β[sub 3] in rAd production will be discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Human milk (HM) is a complex biofluid rich in nutrients and bioactive compounds essential for infant health. Recent advances in omics technologies—such as proteomics, metabolomics, and transcriptomics—have shed light on the influence of HM on bone development and health. This review discusses the impact of various HM components, including proteins, lipids, carbohydrates, and hormones, on bone metabolism and skeletal growth. Proteins like casein and whey promote calcium absorption and osteoblast differentiation, supporting bone mineralization. Long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids like docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) contribute to bone health by modulating inflammatory pathways and regulating osteoclast activity. Additionally, human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs) act as prebiotics, improving gut health and calcium bioavailability while influencing bone mineralization. Hormones present in HM, such as insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1), leptin, and adiponectin, have been linked to infant growth, body composition, and bone density. Research has shown that higher IGF-1 levels in breast milk are associated with increased weight gain, while leptin and adiponectin influence fat mass and bone metabolism. Emerging studies have also highlighted the role of microRNAs (miRNAs) in regulating key processes like adipogenesis and bone homeostasis. Furthermore, microbiome-focused techniques reveal HM's role in establishing a balanced infant gut microbiota, indirectly influencing bone development by enhancing nutrient absorption. Although current findings are promising, comprehensive longitudinal studies integrating omics approaches are needed to fully understand the intricate relationships among maternal diet, HM composition, and infant bone health. Bridging these gaps could offer novel dietary strategies to optimize skeletal health during infancy, advancing early-life nutrition science. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Oxidative stress and inflammation accompany endothelial dysfunction that results from the excessive or uncontrolled production of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (RONS) in older adults. This study was designed to assess the usefulness of serum oxi-inflammatory component combinations in vascular disease prediction and prevention with regard to sex. Women (n = 145) and men (n = 50) aged 72.2 ± 7.8 years participated in this project. The females demonstrated the elevated production of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and nitric oxide (NO) responsible for intravascular low-density lipoprotein oxidation. NO generation was enhanced in the women, but its bioavailability was reduced, which was expressed by a high 3-nitrotyrosine (3-NitroT) concentration. The relation of NO/3-NitroT (rs = 0.811, p < 0.001) in the women and NO/3-NitroT (rs = −0.611, p < 0.001) in the men showed that sex determines endothelial dysfunction. RONS generation in the women simultaneously promoted endothelial regeneration, as demonstrated by a ~1.5-fold increase in circulating progenitor cells. Inflammation-specific variables, such as the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio, the systemic immune inflammation index, and the neutrophil-to-high-density lipoprotein (HDL) ratio, were reduced in the women and showed their diagnostic utility for clinical prognosis in vascular dysfunction, especially the C-reactive-protein-to-HDL ratio (AUC = 0.980, specificity 94.7%, sensitivity 93.3%, OR = 252, 95% CI 65–967, p < 0.001). This study is the first to have revealed sex-specific changes in the oxi-inflammatory response, which can generate the risk of cardiovascular events at an older age. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a heterogeneous blood-related neoplasm that predominantly afflicts older adults with a poor prognosis due to their physical condition and the presence of medical accompanying comorbidities, adverse biological disease features, and suitability for induction intensive chemotherapy and allogenic stem cells transplantation. Recent research into the molecular and biological factors contributing to disease development and progression has led to significant advancements in treatment approaches for older patients with AML. This review article discusses the latest biological and therapeutic developments that are transforming the management of AML in older adults. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]