Sex-Dependent Effects of the Intake of NOVA Classified Ultra-Processed Foods on Syndrome Metabolic Components in Brazilian Adults

Longitudinal studies evaluating the relationship between UPF consumption and the incidence of Metabolic Syndrome (MetS) and its components are still scarce. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of UPF consumption on the incidence of MetS and its components in adults. A prospective study was conducted with 896 participants from the 1978/79 Ribeirão Preto cohort, São Paulo, Brazil. UPF consumption was evaluated in %kcal and %g at ages 23–25 years. Incidence of MetS and its components were estimated at ages 37–39 years, according to the Joint Interim Statement criteria. Poisson regression was used to assess associations, and interactions with sex were investigated. UPF consumption had no association with MetS (%kcal Adjusted PR: 1.00; 95% CI: 0.99–1.01; %g Adjusted PR: 1.00; 95% CI: 0.99–1.01). However, women with higher UPF consumption, in %kcal and %g, had a higher risk of abdominal obesity (%kcal: p = 0.030; %g: p = 0.003); and women with higher UPF consumption, in %g, had a higher risk of low HDL-cholesterol (p = 0.041). For the other components of MetS, no significant associations were observed in either sex. These findings suggest evidence of no association between UPF consumption and MetS; however, consumption of UPF was associated with increased WC and low HDL-c, but only in women.     

Efeitos Agudos do Nitrato Dietético na Pressão Central e Desempenho Cardíaco em Hipertensos: Estudo Cruzado,Randomizado e Placebo-Controlado

BackgroundThe diet’s inorganic nitrate (NO₃^–) may provide a physiological substrate for reducing nitrate (NO₂^–) to NO independent of the endothelium. Studies suggest that inorganic NO₃^–has beneficial effects on cardiovascular health.ObjectiveThis study evaluated the acute effects of 500 mL nitrate-rich beetroot juice (BRJ; containing 11.5mmol NO₃^–) on blood pressure and endothelial function in treated hypertensive patients.MethodsA randomized, placebo-controlled, crossover study was conducted in treated hypertensive patients (n=37; women=62%) who underwent clinical and nutritional evaluation and assessment of central hemodynamic parameters and microvascular reactivity. The significance level was p<0.05.ResultsThe mean age was 59±7 years, and mean systolic and diastolic blood pressures were 142±10/83±9mmHg. There was a significant increase in the subendocardial viability ratio (SEVR; 149±25 vs. 165±30%, p<0.001) and reduction in ejection duration (ED; 37±4 vs. 34±4%, p<0.001) in the beetroot phase but no significant SEVR difference in the control phase. The % increase in perfusion (155 vs. 159 %, p=0.042) was significantly increased in the beetroot phase, which was not observed in the control phase. In the beetroot phase, the change in SEVR showed a significant correlation with the change in the area under the curve of post-occlusive reactive hyperemia (AUC-PORH) (r=0.45, p=0.012). The change in ED showed a significant correlation with the post-intervention perfusion peak (r=-0.37, p=0.031) and AUC-PORH (r=-0.36, p=0.046).ConclusionsThe acute ingestion of BRJ by hypertensive patients resulted in an improvement of endothelial function, which was associated with higher subendocardial viability and performance in myocardial contraction.     

Consensus on melanonychia nail plate dermoscopy

This statement, focused on melanonychia and nail plate dermoscopy, is intended to guide medical professionals working with melanonychia and to assist choosing appropriate management for melanonychia patients. The International Study Group on Melanonychia was founded in 2007 and currently has 30 members, including nail experts and dermatopathologists with special expertise in nails. The need for common definitions of nail plate dermoscopy was addressed during the Second Meeting of this Group held in February 2008. Prior to this meeting and to date (2010) there have been no evidence-based guidelines on the use of dermoscopy in the management of nail pigmentation.     

Long‐term effects of perinatal exposure to low doses of cadmium on the prostate of adult male rats

Developmental toxicity caused by environmental exposure to heavy metals during the perinatal period has raised questions about offspring health. Cadmium (Cd) is an endocrine‐disrupting chemical with the potential to interfere with morphogenesis and susceptibility to diseases in reproductive organs. Taking into account that in the rat prostate morphogenesis occurs during the perinatal period, and that pregnant females absorb and retain more dietary Cd than their non‐pregnant counterparts, it is important to understand the effects of perinatal Cd exposure on the adult rat prostate. Therefore this study investigated the effects of gestational and lactational Cd exposure on adult offspring rat prostate histopathology. Pregnant rats (n = 20) were divided into two groups: Control (treated with aqueous solution of sodium acetate 10 mg/l) and treated (treated with aqueous solution of cadmium acetate 10 mg/l) administered in the drinking water. After weaning, male offspring from different litters (n = 10) received food and water ‘ad libitum’. The animals were euthanized at postnatal day 90 (PND90), the ventral prostates (VPs) were removed, weighed and examined histopathologically. Blood was collected for the measurement of testosterone (T) levels. Immunohistochemistry for androgen receptor (AR) and Ki67, and a TUNEL assay were performed. There were no differences in T levels, cell proliferation and apoptosis indexes, or AR immunostaining between the experimental groups. Stromal inflammatory foci and multifocal inflammation increased significantly in the treated group. These changes were associated with inflammatory reactive epithelial atypia and stromal fibrillar rearrangement. In conclusion, VP was permanently affected by perinatal Cd exposition, with increased incidence of inflammatory disorders with ageing.