Immunohistochemical characterization of fibroblast subpopulations in normal peritoneal tissue and in peritoneal dialysis-induced fibrosis

Peritoneal fibrosis is one of the most common morphological changes observed in continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) patients. Both resident fibroblasts and new fibroblast-like cells derived from the mesothelium by epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition are the main cells involved fibrogenesis. In order to establish markers of peritoneal impairment and pathogenic clues to explain the fibrogenic process, we conducted an immunohistochemical study focused on peritoneal fibroblasts. Parietal peritoneal biopsies were collected from four patient groups: normal controls (n=15), non-CAPD uremic patients (n=17), uremic patients on CAPD (n=27) and non-renal patients with inguinal hernia (n=12). To study myofibroblastic conversion of mesothelial cells, -smooth muscle actin (SMA), desmin, cytokeratins and E-cadherin were analyzed. The expression of CD34 by fibroblasts was also analyzed. Fibroblasts from controls and non-CAPD uremic patients showed expression of CD34, but no myofibroblastic or mesothelial markers. The opposite pattern was present during CAPD-related fibrosis. Expression of cytokeratins and E-cadherin by fibroblast-like cells and -SMA by mesothelial and stromal cells supports that mesothelial-to-myofibroblast transition occurs during CAPD. Loss of CD34 expression correlated with the degree of peritoneal fibrosis. The immunophenotype of fibroblasts varies during the progression of fibrosis. Myofibroblasts seem to derive from both activation of resident fibroblasts and local conversion of mesothelial cells.Manuel López-Cabrera and Rafael Selgas contributed equally to the article.     

Predictors of health-related quality of life in Parkinson’s disease: the impact of overlap between health-related quality of life and clinical measures

Quality of Life Research - This study aimed to determine predictors of health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in Parkinson's disease (PD) and to explore their predictive value before and after...     

Metabolic syndrome screening using visceral adipose tissue (VAT) from opportunistic MRI locations in a multi-ethnic population

ObjectiveTo determine if visceral adipose tissue (VAT) area measured through MRI can be used opportunistically to assess the presence of cardiometabolic risk factors and compare its performance to simpler adiposity measures.MethodsA cross-sectional analysis was carried out on a subset of 1683 participants (856 women) from the Adiposity Phenotype Study (mean age = 69.2y; range 59.9–77.4). The association of total VAT area (sum of four cross sections, L1–L2, L2–L3, L3–L4, L4–L5) and each location, as well as BMI and body fat % (per SD) with the metabolic syndrome (MetSx) or its components was evaluated through logistic regression analysis.ResultsTotal VAT can be accurately predicted using all sites evaluated (R² range = 0.82?0.96). In men, VAT did not show a superior association to MetSx compared to BMI in men. However, in women, VAT was consistently superior to BMI and body fat % in its association to MetSx, independent of ethnicity [odds ratio for BMI, body fat %and total VAT area = 2.25 (95% CI: 1.93–2.62); 1.66 (95% CI: 1.36–2.03); 6.20 (95% CI: 4.69–8.21) respectively in all women]. Ethnic-specific odds ratios to MetSx in women ranged from 5.38 to 8.63 for total VAT area and 2.12–4.08 for BMI.ConclusionTotal VAT area can be accurately predicted from individual VAT regions in men and women and offers superior association to BMI for MetSx in women but not in men for five ethnicities. Therefore, opportunistic screening for elevated VAT area in women may be warranted across multiple ethnic groups.     

Beneficial Effects of a Mixture of Algae and Extra Virgin Olive Oils on the Age-Induced Alterations of Rodent Skeletal Muscle: Role of HDAC-4

Aging is associated with a progressive decline in skeletal muscle mass, strength and function (sarcopenia). We have investigated whether a mixture of algae oil (25%) and extra virgin olive oil (75%) could exert beneficial effects on sarcopenia. Young (3 months) and old (24 months) male Wistar rats were treated with vehicle or with the oil mixture (OM) (2.5 mL/kg) for 21 days. Aging decreased gastrocnemius weight, total protein, and myosin heavy chain mRNA. Treatment with the OM prevented these effects. Concomitantly, OM administration decreased the inflammatory state in muscle; it prevented the increase of pro-inflammatory interleukin-6 (IL-6) and the decrease in anti-inflammatory interleukin-10 (IL-10) in aged rats. The OM was not able to prevent aging-induced alterations in either the insulin-like growth factor I/protein kinase B (IGF-I/Akt) pathway or in the increased expression of atrogenes in the gastrocnemius. However, the OM prevented decreased autophagy activity (ratio protein 1A/1B-light chain 3 (LC3b) II/I) induced by aging and increased expression of factors related with muscle senescence such as histone deacetylase 4 (HDAC-4), myogenin, and IGF-I binding protein 5 (IGFBP-5). These data suggest that the beneficial effects of the OM on muscle can be secondary to its anti-inflammatory effect and to the normalization of HDAC-4 and myogenin levels, making this treatment an alternative therapeutic tool for sarcopenia.     

25-Hydroxyvitamin D and Cardiorespiratory Fitness in Prepubertal Overweight and Obese Children

Childhood obesity has become a major global health problem. Vitamin D deficiency and poor cardiorespiratory fitness are highly prevalent in children with overweight or obesity, but little is known about their relationships. In this study, we aimed to analyze the relationship between serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) and cardiorespiratory fitness parameters in prepubertal obese and overweight children. A cross-sectional design with a sample of 57 prepubertal children, aged 9–11 years, with overweight or obesity was used. The fasting concentration of 25(OH)D was analyzed with a chemiluminescent microparticle immunoassay. Fat and lean body masses were determined by using DXA. Maximal oxygen uptake (VO_2max) was measured with the maximal treadmill test. A total of 68.4% of the sample had sufficient levels of 25(OH)D. As expected, their cardiorespiratory fitness was poor compared with that of normal-weight children, but 60% of the group exceeded the median obesity-specific reference values. No differences were found between the sexes for relative VO_2max or 25(OH)D levels. Moreover, no correlations were found between 25(OH)D and body composition or cardiorespiratory parameters for sex or vitamin D groups. Vitamin D status seems not to be directly related to body composition or cardiorespiratory fitness in prepubertal overweight or obese children.     

Disrespect and Abuse in Obstetric Care in Mexico: An Observational Study of Deliveries in Four Hospitals

Maternal and Child Health Journal - To identify and describe the frequency and characteristics of disrespect and abuse practices towards women during facility-based delivery in four hospitals in...     

Discrimination Trends and Mental Health Among Native- and Foreign-Born Latinos: Results from National Surveys in 2004 and 2013

Prevention Science - We examined national trends and mental health correlates of discrimination among Latinos in the USA. We used data from two nationally representative surveys based on the...     

Validation of the PAM-13 instrument in the Hungarian general population 40 years old and above

The European Journal of Health Economics - Patient activation comprises the skills, knowledge and motivation necessary for patients’ effective contribution to their care. We adapted and...