The dietary inflammatory index (DII) is a new tool to assess the inflammatory potential of the diet. In the present study, we aimed to determine the association between the DII and BMI, waist ...circumference and waist:height ratio (WHtR). We conducted a cross-sectional study of 7236 participants recruited into the PREvención con DIeta MEDiterránea trial. Information from a validated 137-item FFQ was used to calculate energy, food and nutrient intakes. A fourteen-item dietary screener was used to assess adherence to the Mediterranean diet (MeDiet). Sex-specific multivariable linear regression models were fitted to estimate differences (and 95 % CI) in BMI, waist circumference and WHtR across the quintiles of the DII. All nutrient intakes, healthy foods and adherence to the MeDiet were higher in the quintile with the lowest DII score (more anti-inflammatory values) except for intakes of animal protein, saturated fat and monounsaturated fat. Although an inverse association between the DII and total energy was apparent, the DII was associated with higher average BMI, waist circumference and WHtR after adjusting for known risk factors. The adjusted difference in the WHtR for women and men between the highest and lowest quintiles of the DII was 1·60 % (95 % CI 0·87, 2·33) and 1·04 % (95 % CI 0·35, 1·74), respectively. Pro-inflammatory scores remained associated with obesity after controlling for the effect that adherence to a MeDiet had on inflammation. In conclusion, the present study shows a direct association between the DII and indices of obesity, and supports the hypothesis that diet may have a role in the development of obesity through inflammatory modulation mechanisms.
This report includes the reanalysis of data from a clinical trial showing a lower rate of cardiovascular events among persons assigned to a Mediterranean diet supplemented with extra-virgin olive oil ...or nuts than among those assigned to a low-fat diet.
Abstract Background and aim The Mediterranean diet is considered a model for healthy eating. However, prospective evidence in Mediterranean countries evaluating the relationship between this dietary ...pattern and non-fatal cardiovascular events is scarce. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the association between the adherence to the Mediterranean diet and the incidence of fatal and non-fatal cardiovascular events among initially healthy middle-aged adults from the Mediterranean area. Methods and results We followed-up 13,609 participants (60 percent women, mean age: 38 years) initially free of cardiovascular disease (CVD) during 4.9 years. Participants were part of a prospective cohort study of university graduates from all regions of Spain. Baseline diet was assessed using a validated 136-item food-frequency questionnaire. A 9-point score was used to appraise adherence to the Mediterranean diet. Incident clinical events were confirmed by a review of medical records. We observed 100 incident cases of CVD. In multivariate analyses, participants with the highest adherence to the Mediterranean diet (score > 6) exhibited a lower cardiovascular risk (hazard ratio = 0.41, 95% confidence interval CI: 0.18–0.95) compared to those with the lowest score (<3). For each 2-point increment in the score, the adjusted hazard ratios were 0.80 (95% CI: 0.62–1.02) for total CVD and 0.74 (0.55–0.99) for coronary heart disease. Conclusions There is an inverse association between adherence to the Mediterranean diet and the incidence of fatal and non-fatal CVD in initially healthy middle-aged adults.
Summary
Background
The malignant mechanisms that control the development of cutaneous T‐cell lymphoma (CTCL) are beginning to be identified. Recent evidence suggests that disturbances in specific ...intracellular signalling pathways, such as RAS–mitogen‐activated protein kinase, T‐cell receptor (TCR)–phospholipase C gamma 1 (PLCG1)–nuclear factor of activated T cells (NFAT) and Janus kinase (JAK)–signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT), may play an essential role in the pathogenesis of CTCL.
Objectives
To investigate the mechanisms controlling disease development and progression in mycosis fungoides (MF), the most common form of CTCL.
Methods
We collected 100 samples that were submitted for diagnosis of, or a second opinion regarding, MF between 2001 and 2018, 80% of which were in the early clinical stages of the disease. Formalin‐fixed paraffin‐embedded tissues were used for histological review and to measure the expression by immunohistochemistry of surrogate markers of activation of the TCR–PLCG1–NFAT, JAK–STAT and NF‐κB pathways. Folliculotropism and large‐cell transformation were also examined.
Results
NFAT and nuclear factor kappa B (NF‐κB) markers showed a comparable activation status in early and advanced stages, while STAT3 activation was more frequent in advanced stages and was associated with large‐cell transformation. Consistently with this observation, STAT3 activation occurred in parallel with MF progression in two initially MF‐negative cases. A significant association of NFAT with NF‐κB markers was also found, reflecting a common mechanism of activation in the two pathways. Genomic studies identified nine mutations in seven genes known to play a potential role in tumorigenesis in T‐cell leukaemia/lymphoma, including PLCG1, JAK3 and STAT3, which underlies the activation of these key cell‐survival pathways. A higher mutational allele frequency was detected in advanced stages.
Conclusions
Our results show that STAT3 is activated in advanced cases and is associated with large‐cell transformation, while the activation of NFAT and NF‐κB is maintained throughout the disease. These findings could have important diagnostic and therapeutic implications.
What's already known about this topic?
Mycosis fungoides is characterized by a clonal expansion of T cells in the skin.
The mechanisms controlling disease development and progression are not fully understood.
What does this study add?
An association of the nuclear factor of activated T cells and nuclear factor kappa B pathways was found, which could reflect a common mechanism of activation. These pathways were activated in early and advanced stages at the same level.
Signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 activation was associated with large‐cell transformation and was more frequent in advanced stages.
A genomic analysis of cutaneous T‐cell lymphoma‐associated genes was performed. Nine mutations were detected.
What is the translational message?
These results could have important implications for the treatment of MF in the near future.
Linked Comment: Ødum. Br J Dermatol 2020; 182:16–17.
Summary Background and aims Epidemiological data have shown an inverse association between the consumption of polyphenol-rich foods and the risk of cardiovascular disease or overall mortality. A ...comprehensive estimation of individual polyphenol intake in nutritional cohorts is needed to gain a better understanding of this association. The aim of this study was to estimate the quantitative intake of polyphenols and the major dietary sources in the PREDIMED (PREvención con DIeta MEDiterránea) cohort using individual food consumption records. Methods and results The PREDIMED study is a large, parallel-group, multicentre, randomised, controlled 5-year feeding trial aimed at assessing the effects of the Mediterranean diet on the primary prevention of cardiovascular disease. A total of 7200 participants, aged 55–80 years, completed a validated 1-year food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) at baseline. Polyphenol consumption was calculated by matching food consumption data from the FFQ with the recently developed Phenol-Explorer database on polyphenol content in foods. The mean total polyphenol intake was 820 ± 323 mg day−1 (443 ± 218 mg day−1 of flavonoids and 304 ± 156 mg day−1 of phenolic acids). Hydroxycinnamic acids were the phenolic group with the highest consumption and 5-caffeoylquinic acid was the most abundantly ingested individual polyphenol. The consumption of olives and olive oil was a differentiating factor in the phenolic profile of this Spanish population compared with other countries. Conclusion In Mediterranean countries, such as Spain, the main dietary source of polyphenols is coffee and fruits, but the most important differentiating factor with respect to other countries is the consumption of polyphenols from olives and olive oil. Clinical trial registry International Standard Randomised Controlled Trial Number (ISRCTN of London, England) 35739639.
OBJECTIVE: XXXto assess the effect on cognition of a controlled intervention testing Mediterranean diets (MedDiet). DESIGN: XXXrandomized trial after 6.5 years of nutritional intervention. SETTING: ...Eight primary care centers affiliated to the University of Navarra. PARTICIPANTS: A random subsample of 285 participants (95 randomly allocated to each of 3 groups) of the PREDIMED-NAVARRA trial. All of them were at high vascular risk (44.8% men, 74.1± 5.7 years at cognitive evaluation). INTERVENTIONS: Nutritional intervention comparing two MedDiets (supplemented with extra-virgin olive oil EVOO or mixed nuts) versus a low-fat control diet. Participants received intensive education to increase adherence to the intended intervention. Participants allocated to the MedDiet groups received EVOO (1 l/week) or 30 g/day of mixed nuts. Dietary habits were evaluated using a validated 137-item food frequency questionnaire (FFQ). Additionally, adherence to MedDiet was appraised using a 14-item questionnaire both at baseline and yearly thereafter. MEASUREMENTS: XXXcognitive performance as a main outcome and cognitive status (normal, mild cognitive impairment MCI or dementia) as a secondary outcome were evaluated by two neurologists blinded to group assignment after 6.5 years of nutritional intervention. RESULTS: Better post-trial cognitive performance versus control in all cognitive domains and significantly better performance across fluency and memory tasks were observed for participants allocated to the MedDiet+EVOO group. After adjustment for sex, age, education, apolipoprotein E genotype, family history of cognitive impairment/dementia, smoking, physical activity, body mass index, hypertension, dyslipidaemia, diabetes, alcohol and total energy intake, this group also showed lower MCI (OR=0.34 95% CI: 0.12–0.97) compared with control group. Participants assigned to MedDiet+Nuts group did not differ from controls. CONCLUSION: A long-term intervention with an EVOO-rich MedDiet resulted in a better cognitive function in comparison with a control diet. However, non-significant differences were found for most cognitive domains. Participants allocated to an EVOO-rich MedDiet had less MCI than controls.
Cr-doped diamond-like carbon (Cr-DLC) films with Cr contents ranging from 3 up to 20 at. % were synthesised in a codeposition process with HiPIMS (Cr deposition) and DC-pulsed technology (C ...deposition). The application of HiPIMS at low frequencies was observed to significantly enhance the energy density during the Cr plasma discharge due to the interaction of Cr–C species. The higher energy bombardment at low HiPIMS frequencies allowed doping with Cr the DLC structure avoiding the graphitization of the carbon structure. EELS spectroscopy was used to evaluate sp3 content and Raman was used for sp2 structural characterization of the films. Enhanced mechanical properties (hardness up to 30 GPa) were observed with nanoindentation for Cr-doped DLC at low frequencies. High temperature nanoindentation tests were also performed from room temperature to 425 °C in order to evaluate the evolution of hardness and Young Modulus with temperature. The results showed that the mechanical properties at high temperature mainly depend on the initial sp3-sp2 structure. Tribological tests were carried out in air from room temperature to 250 °C. Cr-doped DLC coatings deposited by low-frequency HiPIMS showed lower friction and wear compared to undoped DLC.
•Cr-doped DLC coatings were co-deposited by low-frequency/high current HiPIMS method.•Cr doping by low frequency HiPIMS preserves DLC sp3 content and reduces compressive stress.•Low at. % Cr-doped DLC exhibit high hardness (up to 29 GPa) and delayed graphitization (up to 400 C).•Low at. % Cr-doped DLC presents enhanced tribological behaviour at high temperatures by creating stable tribolayers.
Telomeres are nucleoprotein structures that protect the ends of eukaryote chromosomes. Shorter telomere length (TL) is associated with some age-related human disorders, but its relationship with ...obesity or adiposity parameters remains unclear.
The aim of this study was to assess the relationship between TL and changes in adiposity indices after a 5-year nutritional intervention.
TL was measured by quantitative real-time PCR in 521 subjects (55-80 years, 55% women). Participants were randomly selected from the PREDIMED-NAVARRA centre after they completed a 5-year intervention programme. Anthropometric parameters were directly measured by trained personnel at baseline and on a yearly basis thereafter. TL at baseline and changes in TL after a 5-year intervention were assessed.
Higher baseline TL significantly predicted a greater decrease in body weight (B=-1.09 kg, 95% confidence interval (CI): -2.01 to -0.16), body mass index (BMI) (B=-0.47 kg m(-2), 95% CI: -0.83 to -0.11), waist circumference (B=-1.15 cm, 95% CI: -2.28 to -0.01) and waist to height ratio (B=-0.008, 95% CI: -0.010 to -0.001) in multiple-adjusted models. In addition, changes in TL during the 5-year intervention were inversely associated with changes in the four anthropometric variables. The reduction in adiposity indices during the intervention, associated with increasing TL, was even higher among subjects with the longest telomeres at baseline. Logistic regression analysis showed that the risk of remaining obese after 5 years was lower in those participants who initially had the longest telomeres and increased their TL after intervention (odds ratio=0.27, 95% CI: 0.03-2.03).
Our research suggests that TL is inversely associated with changes in obesity parameters. The assessment of TL can provide further insights for biological pathways leading to adiposity. We show for the first time an improvement of obesity indices when an increase in TL is observed after a 5-year Mediterranean diet intervention.
•We report the synthesis of magnetic nanofibrous materials.•Magnetic nanofibrous materials were obtained from the electrospinning technique.•We electrospun nanofibrous materials from CMC/PVA blends ...loaded with SMON.•Nanofibers' diameter decrease as the weight of SMON loaded in blends increases.•Magnetic nanofibrous materials display a novel soft ferromagnetic response.
In this paper, the synthesis of magnetic nanofibrous materials with a soft ferromagnetic response based on magnetite nanoparticles (SMON) loaded to aqueous carboxymethyl-cellulose (CMC)/polyvinyl-alcohol (PVA) polymeric blends is reported. The nanofibrous materials were obtained from the electrospinning of SMON-CMC/PVA blends with different SMON content, applying a constant tension of 15 kV. The synthesized samples were analyzed by transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared, Raman and X-Ray photoelectron spectroscopy, as well as static magnetic measuring. Our experimental findings indicate that nanofibers’ diameter decreases as SMON content in the electrospun polymeric blends is increased, since these magnetic nanoparticles diminish the interactions between PVA and CMC molecules, which improves their spinnability. Moreover, the spatial distribution of SMON in the fibers provides to the synthesized nanofibrous materials a novel soft ferromagnetic response at room temperature. This phenomenon is attributed to the formation of nanoparticles’ aggregates that are discretely distributed in the nanofibers.
Objective To assess the relation between adherence to a Mediterranean diet and the incidence of diabetes among initially healthy participants.Design Prospective cohort study with estimates of ...relative risk adjusted for sex, age, years of university education, total energy intake, body mass index, physical activity, sedentary habits, smoking, family history of diabetes, and personal history of hypertension.Setting Spanish university department.Participants 13 380 Spanish university graduates without diabetes at baseline followed up for a median of 4.4 years.Main outcome measures Dietary habits assessed at baseline with a validated 136 item food frequency questionnaire and scored on a nine point index. New cases of diabetes confirmed through medical reports and an additional detailed questionnaire posted to those who self reported a new diagnosis of diabetes by a doctor during follow-up. Confirmed cases of type 2 diabetes.Results Participants who adhered closely to a Mediterranean diet had a lower risk of diabetes. The incidence rate ratios adjusted for sex and age were 0.41 (95% confidence interval 0.19 to 0.87) for those with moderate adherence (score 3-6) and 0.17 (0.04 to 0.75) for those with the highest adherence (score 7-9) compared with those with low adherence (score <3). In the fully adjusted analyses the results were similar. A two point increase in the score was associated with a 35% relative reduction in the risk of diabetes (incidence rate ratio 0.65, 0.44 to 0.95), with a significant inverse linear trend (P=0.04) in the multivariate analysis.Conclusion Adherence to a Mediterranean diet is associated with a reduced risk of diabetes.
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