Scope
To evaluate whether increases in the consumption of cardioprotective food groups (virgin olive oil, nuts, fruits/vegetables, legumes, whole grains, fish, and wine) are associated with ...improvements in high‐density lipoprotein (HDL) functions in high cardiovascular risk subjects.
Methods and Results
The association between 1‐year changes in food group consumption and HDL functionality traits in 296 high cardiovascular risk subjects is assessed. Increases in virgin olive oil (10 g d–1) and whole grain consumption (25 g d–1) are associated with increments in cholesterol efflux capacity (+0.7%, P = 0.026, and +0.6%, P = 0.017, respectively). Increases in nut (30 g d–1) and legume intake (25 g d–1) are linked to increments in paraoxonase‐1 activity (+12.2%, P = 0.049, and +11.7%, P = 0.043, respectively). Legume intake increases are also related to decreases in cholesteryl ester transfer protein activity (–4.8%, P = 0.028). Fish consumption increments (25 g d–1) are associated with increases in paraoxonase‐1 activity (+3.9%, P = 0.030) and declines in cholesteryl ester transfer protein activity (–1.6%, P = 0.021), HDL cholesterol concentrations (–1.1%, P = 0.039), and functions related to HDL levels (cholesterol efflux capacity, –1.1%, P = 0.010).
Conclusion
Increases in the consumption of virgin olive oil, nuts, legumes, whole grains, and fish (achievable through a regular diet) were associated with improvements in HDL functions in high cardiovascular risk subjects.
Incrementing the intake of whole grains and legumes is associated in this study with improvements in high‐density lipoprotein (HDL) functionality (increases in cholesterol efflux capacity and paraoxonase‐1 activity and decreases in cholesteryl ester transfer protein activity). The study also confirms the protective effect of consuming virgin olive oil, nuts, and fish on these properties and reinforcesthe idea that a healthy diet promotes HDL functionality in humans.
Exogenous application of gibberellic acid (GA₃) was able to reverse the inhibitory effect of salt, oxidative, and heat stresses in the germination and seedling establishment of Arabidopsis ...(Arabidopsis thaliana), this effect being accompanied by an increase in salicylic acid (SA) levels, a hormone that in recent years has been implicated in plant responses to abiotic stress. Furthermore, this treatment induced an increase in the expression levels of the isochorismate synthase1 and nonexpressor of PR1 genes, involved in SA biosynthesis and action, respectively. In addition, we proved that transgenic plants overexpressing a gibberellin (GA)-responsive gene from beechnut (Fagus sylvatica), coding for a member of the GA₃ stimulated in Arabidopsis (GASA) family (FsGASA4), showed a reduced GA dependence for growth and improved responses to salt, oxidative, and heat stress at the level of seed germination and seedling establishment. In 35S:FsGASA4 seeds, the improved behavior under abiotic stress was accompanied by an increase in SA endogenous levels. All these data taken together suggest that this GA-responsive gene and exogenous addition of GAs are able to counteract the inhibitory effects of these adverse environmental conditions in seed germination and seedling growth through modulation of SA biosynthesis. Furthermore, this hypothesis is supported by the fact that sid2 mutants, impaired in SA biosynthesis, are more sensitive to salt stress than wild type and are not affected by exogenous application of GA₃.
The aim of this work is the full characterization of all the nocturnin (
) paralogues expressed in a teleost, the goldfish. An in silico analysis of the evolutive origin of
in Osteichthyes is ...performed, including the splicing variants and new paralogues appearing after teleostean 3R genomic duplication and the cyprinine 4Rc. After sequencing the full-length mRNA of goldfish, we obtained two isoforms for
(
and
) with two splice variants (I and II), and only one for
(
) with two transcripts (II and III). Using the splicing variant II, the prediction of the secondary and tertiary structures renders a well-conserved 3D distribution of four α-helices and nine β-sheets in the three
isoforms. A synteny analysis based on the localization of
genes in the patrilineal or matrilineal subgenomes and a phylogenetic tree of protein sequences were accomplished to stablish a classification and a long-lasting nomenclature of
in goldfish, and valid to be extrapolated to allotetraploid Cyprininae. Finally, both goldfish and zebrafish showed a broad tissue expression of all the
paralogues. Moreover, the enriched expression of specific paralogues in some tissues argues in favour of neo- or subfunctionalization.
The circadian system is formed by a network of oscillators located in central and peripheral tissues that are tightly linked to generate rhythms in vertebrates to adapt the organism to the cyclic ...environmental changes. The nuclear receptors PPARs, REV-ERBs and RORs are transcription factors controlled by the circadian system that regulate, among others, a large number of genes that control metabolic processes for which they have been proposed as key genes that link metabolism and temporal homeostasis. To date it is unclear whether these nuclear receptors show circadian expression and which
zeitgebers
are important for their synchronization in fish. Therefore, the objective of this study was to investigate whether the two main
zeitgeber
s (light-dark cycle and feeding time) could affect the synchronization of central (hypothalamus) and peripheral (liver) core clocks and nuclear receptors in goldfish. To this aim, three experimental groups were established: fish under a 12 h light-12 h darkness and fed at
Zeitgeber
Time 2; fish with the same photoperiod but randomly fed; and fish under constant darkness and fed at Circadian Time 2. After one month, clock genes and nuclear receptors expression in hypothalamus and liver and circulating glucose were studied. Clock genes displayed daily rhythms in both tissues of goldfish if the light-dark cycle was present, with shifted-acrophases of negative and positive elements, as expected for proper functioning clocks. In darkness-maintained fish hypothalamic clock genes were fully arrhythmic while the hepatic ones were still rhythmic. Among studied nuclear receptors, in the hypothalamus only
nr1d1
was rhythmic and only when the light-dark cycle was present. In the liver all nuclear receptors were rhythmic when both
zeitgeber
s were present, but only
nr1d1
when one of them was removed. Plasma glucose levels showed significant rhythms in fish maintained under random fed regimen or constant darkness, with the highest levels at 1-h postprandially in all groups. Altogether these results support that hypothalamus is mainly a light-entrained-oscillator, while the liver is a food-entrained-oscillator. Moreover, nuclear receptors are revealed as clear outputs of the circadian system acting as key elements in the timekeeping of temporal homeostasis, particularly in the liver.
The circadian system is responsible for the temporal organisation of physiological functions which, in part, involves daily cycles of hormonal activity. In this review, we analyse the interplay ...between the circadian and endocrine systems in fishes. We first describe the current model of fish circadian system organisation and the basis of the molecular clockwork that enables different tissues to act as internal pacemakers. This system consists of a net of central and peripherally located oscillators and can be synchronised by the light–darkness and feeding–fasting cycles. We then focus on two central neuroendocrine transducers (melatonin and orexin) and three peripheral hormones (leptin, ghrelin and cortisol), which are involved in the synchronisation of the circadian system in mammals and/or energy status signalling. We review the role of each of these as overt rhythms (i.e. outputs of the circadian system) and, for the first time, as key internal temporal messengers that act as inputs for other endogenous oscillators. Based on acute changes in clock gene expression, we describe the currently accepted model of endogenous oscillator entrainment by the light–darkness cycle and propose a new model for non-photic (endocrine) entrainment, highlighting the importance of the bidirectional cross-talking between the endocrine and circadian systems in fishes. The flexibility of the fish circadian system combined with the absence of a master clock makes these vertebrates a very attractive model for studying communication among oscillators to drive functionally coordinated outputs.
Photovoltaic (PV) modules are the core of every PV system, representing the power generation and their operation will affect the overall plant performance. It is one of the elements within a PV site ...with the higher failure appearance, being essential their proper operation to produce reliable, efficient and safety energy. Quantitative analysis and characterization of manufacturing, soldering and breaking PV defects is performed by a combination of electroluminescence (EL), infrared thermography (IRT), electrical current voltage (I–V) curves and visual inspection. Equivalent-circuit model characterization and microscope inspection are also performed as additional techniques when they contribute to the defects characterization. A 60-cells polycrystalline module has been ad hoc manufactured for this research, with different defective and non-defective cells. All cells are accessible from the backside of the module and the module includes similar kinds of defects in the same bypass string. This paper characterizes different defects of PV modules to control, mitigate or eliminate their influence and being able to do a quality assessment of a whole PV module, relating the individual cells performance with the combination of defective and non-defective cells within the module strings, with the objective of determining their interaction and mismatch effects, apart from their discrete performance.
•Photovoltaic defects characterization and quality assessment.•Manufacturing, soldering and breaking photovoltaic defects characterization.•Electroluminescence, infrared thermography, I–V curves and visual inspections.•Interaction of defective and non-defective cells and mismatch effects analysis.
Incidence of thrombotic events associated to Coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) is difficult to assess and reported rates differ significantly. Optimal thromboprophylaxis is unclear.
We aimed to ...analyze the characteristics of patients with a confirmed thrombotic complication including inflammatory and hemostatic parameters, compare patients affected by arterial vs venous events and examine differences between survivors and non-survivors. We reviewed compliance with thromboprophylaxis and explored how the implementation of a severity-adjusted protocol could have influenced outcome.
Single-cohort retrospective study of COVID-19 patients admitted, from March 3 to May 3 2020, to the Infanta Leonor University Hospital in Madrid, epicenter of the Spanish outbreak.
Among 1127 patients, 80 thrombotic events were diagnosed in 69 patients (6.1% of the entire cohort). Forty-three patients (62%) suffered venous thromboembolism, 18 (26%) arterial episodes and 6 (9%) concurrent venous and arterial thrombosis. Most patients (90%) with a confirmed thrombotic complication where under low-molecular-weight heparin treatment. Overt disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) was rare. Initial ISTH DIC score and pre-event CRP were significantly higher among non-survivors. In multivariate analysis, arterial localization was an independent predictor of mortality (OR = 18, 95% CI: 2.4–142, p < .05).
Despite quasi-universal thromboprophylaxis, COVID-19 lead to a myriad of arterial and venous thrombotic events. Considering the subgroup of patients with thrombotic episodes, arterial events appeared earlier in the course of disease and conferred very poor prognosis, and an ISTH DIC score ≥ 3 at presentation was identified as a potential predictor of mortality. Severity-adjusted thromboprophylaxis seemed to decrease the number of events and could have influenced mortality. Randomized controlled trials are eagerly awaited.
•COVID-19-associated coagulopathy and thrombogenesis are under scrutiny.•Retrospective study of 80 thrombotic events in 69 patients from a 1100-patient cohort•COVID-19 lead to a myriad of arteriovenous thrombotic events despite thromboprophylaxis.•Hemostatic and inflammatory abnormalities are associated with mortality.•Arterial thromboembolic events confer a high risk of death.
Short dietary assessment tools can be useful to estimate food intake and diet quality in large-scale epidemiological studies with time constraints.
To determine the concurrent validity of the 17-item ...energy-restricted Mediterranean Adherence Screener (er-MEDAS) used in the PREDIMED (PREvención con DIeta MEDiterránea)-Plus trial and to analyse its capacity to detect 1-year changes in diet and cardiometabolic risk factors.
Validation study nested in the PREDIMED-Plus (n = 6760, 55–75 years). Dietary data were collected by the 17-item er-MEDAS and a 143-item validated semiquantitative food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) at baseline and after 1-year intervention. Cardiometabolic risk markers were measured at both time points. A Mediterranean diet (MedDiet) score was derived from both instruments. Concurrent validity was evaluated by Pearson and intra-class correlation coefficients (ICC) and Bland and Altman limits of agreement. Construct validity was evaluated by assessing 1-year changes in FFQ-reported dietary intake and cardiometabolic profile changes in relation to changes in er-MEDAS.
A moderate to good correlation between the MedDiet score calculated by both measurement instruments was found: r = 0.61 and ICC = 0.60 (both p < 0.001). Agreement of each of the er-MEDAS items ranged from 55.4% to 85.0% with a moderate mean concordance (kappa = 0.41). Between baseline and 1-year follow-up, energy intake measured by the FFQ decreased by 242 kcal, while Mediterranean food consumption increased in participants with the highest increase in the er-MEDAS MedDiet score. An increase in the er-MEDAS MedDiet score ratings was associated with a decrease in BMI, waist circumference, triglycerides, fasting glucose, diastolic blood pressure, and triglycerides/HDL-cholesterol ratio (p < 0.001 for all), and with an increase in HDL-cholesterol (p = 0.006).
The er-MEDAS shows a modest to good concurrent validity compared with FFQ data. It shows acceptable construct validity, as a greater er-MEDAS score was associated with more favourable dietary and cardiometabolic profiles over time.
ISRCTN89898870; registration date, 24 July 2014. https://www.isrctn.com/ISRCTN89898870.
This study sought to investigate the clinical impact of the use of intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) during revascularization of patients with left main coronary artery (LM) disease with drug-eluting ...stents (DES).
Whether the use of IVUS during the procedure adds a clinical benefit remains unclear. There is only 1 previous observational study, with relevant limitations, supporting the value of this strategy.
We performed a patient-level pooled analysis of 4 registries of patients with LM disease treated with DES in Spain. A propensity score-matching method was used to obtain matched pairs of patients with and without IVUS guidance.
A total of 1,670 patients were included, and 505 patients (30.2%) underwent DES implantation under IVUS guidance (IVUS group). By means of the matching method, 505 patients without the use of IVUS during revascularization were selected (no-IVUS group). Survival free of cardiac death, myocardial infarction, and target lesion revascularization at 3 years was 88.7% in the IVUS group and 83.6% in the no-IVUS group (p = 0.04) for the overall population, and 90% and 80.7%, respectively (p = 0.03), for the subgroups with distal LM lesions. The incidence of definite and probable thrombosis was significantly lower in the IVUS group (0.6% vs. 2.2%; p = 0.04). Finally, IVUS-guided revascularization was identified as an independent predictor for major adverse events in the overall population (hazard ratio: 0.70, 95% confidence interval: 0.52 to 0.99; p = 0.04) and in the subgroup with distal lesions (hazard ratio: 0.54, 95% confidence interval: 0.34 to 0.90; p = 0.02).
The results of this pooled analysis show an association of IVUS guidance during percutaneous coronary intervention with better outcomes in patients with LM disease undergoing revascularization with DES.
Current recommendations for echocardiographic assessment of diastolic function (2016 guidelines of the American Society of Echocardiography (ASE)/European Association of Cardiovascular Imaging ...(EACVI) in patients with metabolic syndrome and overweight/obesity result in a significant number of patients with indeterminate diastolic dysfunction (LVDD). The aim of this article is to study whether the use of the left atrial strain criterion (LALS) reduces the number of indeterminate patients.
229 patients were studied with a complete echocardiographic study that included left ventricular longitudinal strain (LVLS) analysis, LALS and a maximal ergospirometry test with assessment of oxygen uptake (VO2max).
The mean age was 65 ± 5 years, 153 (67%) males, with a mean EF of 60 ± 5%. The mean LVLS was −19.4 ± 2% and the LALS Reservoir was 23.8 ± 7%. There were 140 patients who did not meet LVDD criteria and 82 who did meet the indeterminate LVDD criterion. When the left atrial volume index (LAVI) >34 ml/m2 criterion was replaced in the 2016 ASE/EACVI algorithm by LALS Reservoir ≤20%, the number of indeterminate patients was reduced from 36% to 23% (p < 0.001) at the expense of increasing normal studies (61% and 74%). Adding the LALS Reservoir criterion ≤23% in the 82 patients of the indeterminate group resulted in two groups with a different VO2max (11.6 ± 3 and 18 ± 5 ml/kg/min, p:0.081).
This study confirms the low prevalence of diastolic dysfunction in overweight/obese patients with metabolic syndrome. Adding left atrial strain criterion to the current recommendations significantly reduces the number of indeterminate patients by reclassifying them as normal.
•Diastolic dysfunction is often associated with metabolic syndrome and overweight/obesity.•Guidelines for echocardiographic diagnosis of diastolic dysfunction show a high proportion of indeterminate studies.•It explores the usefulness of longitudinal left atrial strain for echocardiographic assessment of diastolic function.•The use of this parameter reduces the number of indeterminate patients when applying current recommendations.
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