Association of the Chronotype Score with Circulating Trimethylamine N-Oxide (TMAO) Concentrations

Individual differences in the chronotype, an attitude that best expresses the individual circadian preference in behavioral and biological rhythms, have been associated with cardiometabolic risk and gut dysbiosis. Up to now, there are no studies evaluating the association between chronotypes and circulating TMAO concentrations, a predictor of cardiometabolic risk and a useful marker of gut dysbiosis. In this study population (147 females and 100 males), subjects with the morning chronotype had the lowest BMI and waist circumference (p < 0.001), and a better metabolic profile compared to the other chronotypes. In addition, the morning chronotype had the highest adherence to the Mediterranean diet (p < 0.001) and the lowest circulating TMAO concentrations (p < 0.001). After adjusting for BMI and adherence to the Mediterranean diet, the correlation between circulating TMAO concentrations and chronotype score was still kept (r = −0.627, p < 0.001). Using a linear regression analysis, higher chronotype scores were mostly associated with lower circulating TMAO concentrations (β = −0.479, t = −12.08, and p < 0.001). Using a restricted cubic spline analysis, we found that a chronotype score ≥59 (p < 0.001, R² = −0.824) demonstrated a more significant inverse linear relationship with circulating TMAO concentrations compared with knots <59 (neither chronotype) and <41 (evening chronotype). The current study reported the first evidence that higher circulating TMAO concentrations were associated with the evening chronotype that, in turn, is usually linked to an unhealthy lifestyle mostly characterized by low adherence to the MD.     

Carcinoma intraductal de próstata concomitante y respuesta al tratamiento hormonal en el carcinoma de próstata metastásico

Introduction and objectiveMost prostate cancers are classified as acinar adenocarcinoma. Intraductal carcinoma of the prostate (IDC-P) is a distinct histologic entity that is believed to represent retrograde spread of invasive acinar adenocarcinoma into prostatic ducts and acini.We have analyzed the impact of IDC-P in hormonal naïve and castration resistant metastatic prostate cancer patients.Patients and methodsWe retrospectively evaluated 118 metastatic castration resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) patients who were initially diagnosed with distant metastases from May 2010 to September 2018. Group 1 patients included 81 metastatic PCa patients with acinar adenocarcinoma and Group 2 included 37 metastatic PCa patients with IDC-P.ResultsMean age at presentation was 76 years (IQR 73.4-78.7) in group 1 and 74 years (68.5-80.6) in group 2. Mean PSA at diagnosis was 619 ng/mL (IQR 85-1113) and 868 ng/mL (IQR 186-1922), respectively. Time to castration resistance was 24.7 months (IQR 16.7-32.7) in group 1 and 10.2 months (IQR 4.2-16.2) in group 2 (p = 0.007). Time to progression in CPRC patients was: 10.6 months (IQR 5.6-15.6) and at 6.2 months (3.2-9.2), respectively (p = 0.05). Overall survival was 57.9 months in group 1(CI 95% 56.4-59.5) and 38 months (CI 95% 19.9-48.06) in group 2 (p = 0.001). In the multivariate analysis, adenocarcinoma subtype was statistically significant p 0.014, CI 95% (HR 0.058, 0.006-0.56).ConclusionsIDC-P seems to be a subtype of prostate cancer that is associated with a shorter response to hormonal treatment when compared to acinar adenocarcinoma in metastatic patients. New drugs in CRPC scenario as abiraterone and enzalutamide also obtained less response in IDC-P patients. In daily clinical practice it might be interesting to take into account that patients with IDC-P may present shorter responses to first and second line hormonal treatments.     

Influence of the BDNF Val66Met polymorphism on weight loss after bariatric surgery: a 24-month follow-up

BackgroundBariatric surgery is currently the most effective long-term treatment for severe obesity. However, interindividual variation in surgery outcome has been observed, and research suggests a moderating effect of several factors including baseline co-morbidities (e.g., type 2 diabetes [T2D] and genetic factors). No data are currently available on the interaction between T2D and variants in brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and its effect on weight loss after surgery.ObjectivesTo examine the role of the BDNF Val66Met polymorphism (rs6265) and the influence of T2D and their interaction on weight loss after bariatric surgery in a cohort of patients with severe obesity.SettingUniversity hospital in Spain.MethodsThe present study evaluated a cohort of 158 patients with obesity submitted to bariatric surgery (Roux-en-Y gastric bypass or sleeve gastrectomy) followed up for 24 months (loss to follow-up: 0%). During the postoperative period, percentage of excess body mass index loss (%EBMIL), percentage of excess weight loss (%EWL), and total weight loss (%TWL) were evaluated.ResultsLongitudinal analyses showed a suggestive effect of BDNF genotype on the %EWL (P = .056) and indicated that individuals carrying the methionine (Met) allele may experience a better outcome after bariatric surgery than those with the valine/valine (Val/Val) genotype. We found a negative effect of a T2D diagnosis at baseline on %EBMIL (P = .004). Additionally, we found an interaction between BDNF genotype and T2D on %EWL and %EBMIL (P = .027 and P = .0004, respectively), whereby individuals with the Met allele without T2D displayed a greater %EWL and greater %EBMIL at 12 months and 24 months than their counterparts with T2D or patients with the Val/Val genotype with or without T2D.ConclusionOur data showed an association between the Met variant and greater weight loss after bariatric surgery in patients without T2D. The presence of T2D seems to counteract this positive effect.     

Hepatitis a virus identification in an outbreak by enzymatic amplification

From April 28th to May 22nd, 1987, the Medical Authority identified 13 cases (6 symptomatic cases) of hepatitis A (HA) in a school and in a college of Rome.The principal risk factor was determined to be full-time presence at the State school and boarders at the college. The distribution of HA cases suggested a person to person contact; antihepatitis A virus IgM were identified in 12 out of 13 cases with high levels of transaminases.During the disease epidemic, water samples were taken from the well of the college for bacteriological and virological analyses. The water was classified as undrinkable due to the presence of 16 total coliforms/100 ml and 35 total bacteria count at 36° C.Fecal coliforms, fecal streptococci and sulfite reducing clostridia were absent. Two water samples of 100 liters were collected and concentrated by adsorption-elution method on electropositive membranes or by ultrafiltration using a Millipore apparatus.Infectious Hepatitis A virus was only isolated from samples concentrated by adsorption-elution method on electropositive membranes using tissue culture methods and subsequently HA virus was identified by other traditional methods (Elisa and immunofluorescence). In contrast, PCR test performed on the concentrated samples, was positive only for the ultraconcentrated sample. The positivity of the PCR test confirmed the presence of the Hepatitis A virus in the well water.     

Immunohistochemical detection of p140trkA and p75LNGFR neurotrophin receptors in neuroblastoma

In neuroblastoma, high levels of mRNA for p14h ^trkA and p75 ^LNGFR neurotrophin receptors are predictive of favorable outcome. Their evaluation by Northern blot, however, requires substantial amounts of tissue and this prevents their routine evaluation as well as the possibility for multicenter studies to be easily carried out. In an attempt to overcome these limitations, the feasibility and reliability of determining both neurotrophin receptors on cryostat sections by immunohistochemistry were assessed, and these findings were compared to those obtained from Northern blot analysis. Primary tumor samples from 28 untreated patients at all stages were evaluated by using H10 anti-p140 ^trkA and ME20.4 anti-p75 ^LNGFR mAbs. Although weak, positiveimmunostaining was found in 9 of 28 tumors for p140 ^trkA and in 5 of 28 tumors for p75 ^LNGFR . As compared to Northern blot, the concordance rate was 79% (22 of 28 cases) for p140 ^trkA (p < 0.05) and 71% (20 of 28 cases) for p75 ^LNGFR (p < 0.05). No case negative for Northern blot was found to be positive with immunohistochemistry. Since only high mRNA levels for both receptors have been shown to be clinically relevant, their immunohistochemical detection, although less sensitive than Northern blot, can be just as sufficient and reliable as a prognostic tool, and possibly with a better cost-benefit ratio.     

The rheological characteristics of nasal mucus in patients with rhinitis

In this paper we have analyzed the physical properties of nasal mucus from 120 outpatients with rhinitis. We focused on the most relevant rheological features: viscosity, elasticity, adhesiveness, as well as ability to be spun (spinability) or poured (pourability). A double-capillary type viscometer was used to measure viscosity and elasticity and the platinum ring method to measure adhesiveness. Spinability was measured with an automatic apparatus (Filancemetre Sefam) and pourability was determined by describing flow under gravity. Efficacy of nasal clearance was analyzed by measuring mucociliary transport time with an inert tracer using vegetal charcoal powder. Results showed that impaired nasal mucosal function in patients with rhinitis could be determined by studying rheological features in addition to measuring mucociliary activity. Information provided proved invaluable when considering possible treatment with agents affecting kinesis of nasal mucus.     

Adenocarcinoma arising from a recurrent fistula-in-ano

Anal fistulas are frequent events which often recur after an inadequate surgical treatment. Nevertheless their evolution into malignant diseases is infrequently observed. The authors report one case of mucinous adenocarcinoma arising out of a recurrent, long-lasting fistula-in-ano. As reported, abdomino-perineal resection combined with radiotherapy can be the choice treatment. The difficulty is to obtain a reliable differential diagnosis. No imaging technique nor histologic examination can establish a definitive reliable diagnosis; nevertheless, as the risk of adenocarcinoma developing from a long-lasting recurrent fistula-in-ano, although small, is real, authors believe that operative exploration and biopsy of recurrent abscesses and fistulas should be recommended.