Physical activity as a proxy to ameliorate inflammation in patients with type 2 diabetes and periodontal disease at high cardiovascular risk

While the beneficial impact of physical activity has been ascertained in a variety of pathological scenarios, including diabetes and low-grade systemic inflammation, its potential remains still putative for periodontal health. Periodontal disease has been associated with inflammatory systemic alterations, which share a common denominator with type 2 diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular disease. Physical exercise, along with nutritional counseling, is a cornerstone in the treatment and prevention of type 2 diabetes, also able to reduce the prevalence of periodontal disease and cardiovascular risk. In addition, considering the higher incidence of periodontitis in patients with type 2 diabetes compared to healthy controls, the fascinating research question would be whether physical activity could relieve the inflammatory pressure exerted by the combination of these two diseases. This multi-disciplinary viewpoint discusses available literature in order to argument the hypothesis of a “three–way relationship” linking diabetes, periodontitis, and physical activity.     

Nutritional Status and Physical Fitness of Tribal Adolescents in Ahmednagar District of Maharashtra

We examined the influence of nutritional status, body fat, and anemia on the physical fitness (PFI) of tribal adolescents. Weight, height, skinfold thickness, PFI, and hemoglobin levels of 147 adolescents (11 to 16 years) were measured. The experience of cycling was recorded. Overall, 31.3% were mildly, 12.9% were moderately, and 10.9% were severely thin. The majority (81.6%) were nonanemic. All had “poor” PFI scores. Hemoglobin levels were significantly associated with PFI scores in boys and girls. Experience of cycling also predicted PFI in girls. Nutritional status, hemoglobin level, and physical activity were associated with the fitness levels of these adolescents.     

透明颤菌血红蛋白基因在龟裂链霉菌中的表达及其对土霉素合成的影响

目的 考察透明颤菌血红蛋白基因(vgb)在大肠埃希菌(E. coli)和龟裂链霉菌(S. rimosus)中的表达，研究在不同溶氧条件下表达的透明颤菌血红蛋白(VHb)对龟裂链霉菌生长和土霉素合成的影响。方法 将vgb插入表达型质粒pET-28a中，导入E. coli BL21(DE3)用以表达VHb并测定其活性。以整合型质粒pSET152为载体，利用ermE*启动子组成型表达vgb基因，将构建的质粒通过接合转移整合到S. rimosus M4018基因组上，利用CO差示光谱法和SDS-PAGE鉴定两个重组菌中的血红蛋白。在5L罐上考察不同溶氧条件下VHb的表达对重组龟裂链霉菌生长和土霉素合成的影响。结果 重组大肠埃希菌和重组龟裂链霉菌都能够表达具有生物活性的VHb，发酵结果表明，在117h时与对照菌相比，重组龟裂链霉菌在高氧和低氧条件下的干重分别提高了6%和32%，同时单位干重土霉素的产量分别提高了41%和93%。结论 VHb在重组龟裂链霉菌中成功表达，改善了菌体的生长和土霉素的合成，为解决工业发酵过程中氧限制问题提供了策略。     

糖化血红蛋白水平在预测妊娠期糖尿病孕妇生产结局中的价值分析

目的探讨糖化血红蛋白(glucosylated hemoglobin,HbAlc)水平在预测妊娠期糖尿病(gestational diabetes mellitus,GDM)孕妇生产结局中的价值。方法将2014年6月至2015年12月在四川省眉山市妇幼保健院进行产前检查并在该院分娩的146例GDM孕妇,按照分娩前HbAlc水平控制情况将其分为控制组86例、未控制组60例,另外选取同期HbAlc水平正常的产妇60例作为对照组,对比分析3组产妇妊娠结局。结果未控制组妊娠期高血压疾病、胎膜早破、羊水过多、剖宫产率、羊水粪染、早产、胎儿宫内窘迫、新生儿窒息和巨大儿发生率明显高于控制组和对照组(P0.05),控制组和对照组比较差异无统计学意义(P0.05)。结论 HbAlc水平对GDM孕妇的妊娠结局有较好的预测作用,可将HbAlc水平作为孕妇血糖控制情况的重要监测指标。     

Potential of phloroglucinol to improve erectile dysfunction associated with streptozotocin-induced diabetes in rats

ObjectiveDiabetes is a common metabolic disease with several complications in its patients. Often, people living with diabetes develop erectile dysfunction (ED). The primary aim of this work was to investigate the effect of phloroglucinol in diabetes-induced ED in rats.MethodsMale Wistar rats were given 52 mg/kg of streptozotocin, by intraperitoneal injection, to induce diabetes and ED. Subsequently, animals were grouped into three groups: group 1, diabetic control; group 2, low-dose phloroglucinol (150 mg/kg body weight); and group 3, high-dose phloroglucinol (250 mg/kg body weight). A group of six normal rats served as a normal control. The rats were treated with phloroglucinol for six weeks and then were assessed for treatment effects. Sexual behavior, glycosylated hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) values, serum testosterone, serum nitric oxide (NO), blood pressure and sperm count were measured after the end of treatment.ResultsAfter a 6-week treatment period, the high dose of phloroglucinol significantly decreased HbA1c values in diabetic rats. Rats treated with phloroglucinol had increased serum testosterone, NO and sperm count. Animals treated with 250 mg/kg phloroglucinol performed similar to normal rats in the sexual behavioral study, suggesting the reversal of complications of ED. Conversely, a decrease in the blood pressure in treated groups was observed.ConclusionThe results highlight the protective effect of phloroglucinol in diabetes-induced ED in rats warranting further studies.     

Hb Alesha [β67(E11)Val→Met (GTG>ATG); HBB: c.202G > A] Found in a Chinese Girl

Mutations that cause destabilization of the hemoglobin (Hb) tetramer are a rare cause of hemolytic anemia. In contrast to the hemolytic anemia caused by enzyme deficiencies, a dominant mode of inheritance characterizes the unstable Hbs. Hb Alesha [β67(E11)Val→Met; HBB: c.202G>A] is caused by a G>A mutation at codon 67 of the β-globin gene, resulting in a valine to methionine substitution at helix E11. This replacement disrupts the apolar bonds between valine and the heme group, producing an unstable Hb and severe hemolysis. We report this rare hemoglobinopathy in a Chinese girl with severe hemolytic anemia, splenomegaly and frequent requirement for red blood cell (RBC) transfusions.     

Genetic therapies for sickle cell disease

After decades with few novel therapeutic options for sickle cell disease (SCD), autologous hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) based genetic therapies including lentiviral gene therapy (GT), and genome editing (GE) now appear imminent. Lentiviral GT has advanced considerably in the past decade with promising clinical trial results in multiple disorders. For β-hemoglobinopathies, GT strategies of gene addition and fetal hemoglobin induction through BCL11A regulation are both being evaluated in open clinical trials. GE techniques offer the possibility of a nonviral curative approach, either through sickle hemoglobin mutation repair or fetal hemoglobin elevation. Although GE currently remains at the preclinical stage, multiple clinical trials will likely open soon. In addition to reviewing current strategies for GT and GE, this review highlights important next steps toward optimization of these therapies. All autologous cell-based genetic therapies rely on safely obtaining an adequate yield of autologous HSCs for genetic modification and transplantation. HSC collection is uniquely challenging in SCD. Peripheral mobilization with plerixafor has recently emerged as a promising approach. The acute and long-term toxicities associated with myeloablative conditioning are risks that may not be acceptable to a significant number of SCD patients, highlighting the need for novel conditioning regimens. Finally, increasing availability of autologous genetic therapies will require comprehensive and collaborative discussions regarding cost and access for SCD patients, at individual centers and worldwide.     

Symptomatic Erythrocytosis Due to Homozygosity for Hb Luton [HBA2: c.269A>T (or HBA1)] and α-Thalassemia: A Clinical Update

A female proband homozygous for both Hb Luton [α89(FG1)His→Leu (CAC>CTC), HBA2: c.269A>T (or HBA1)], a high oxygen affinity hemoglobin (Hb), and for α⁺-thalassemia (α-thal), (–α^4.2, leftward deletion) was first described in 2012. This is a follow-up report of the same case. At the age of 18, the described patient presented with progressively worsening lethargy, headaches, dizziness, syncope and Raynaud’s phenomenon. Following extensive cardiological and neurological investigation, it was felt that significant erythrocytosis was the most likely cause. Venesection followed by regular exchange transfusions were arranged with marked amelioration in symptomatology. In the vast majority of cases of high oxygen affinity Hbs, venesection is not recommended due to the asymptomatic phenotype and reduced oxygen delivery resulting from venesection. This update describes the evolving phenotype of this unique proband and, to the best of our knowledge, the first use of regular, long-term therapeutic red cell exchange transfusions in a case of high affinity Hb.     

A REPORT OF 8 CASES WITH HEMOGLOBIN H DISEASE IN AN IRANIAN FAMILY

α-Thalassemia is a common genetic disorder in Iran. However, no comprehensive data on epidemiology of severe forms of α-thalassemia, including hemoglobin H (HbH) or hydrops fetalis, is available in this population. This is a first case report of an Iranian family with large number of HbH individuals. The proband is a 48-year-old woman, referred to our center with anemia and no history of previous blood transfusions. Similar clinical phenotype has been observed in all of her 5 siblings, 2 of her 4 children, and her granddaughter, whose parents are first cousins. A reverse hybridization assay covering 21 α globin mutations was performed to determine the genotype in 11 members of this family and a fetus. HbH genotype was identified in 9 individuals, representing 3 generations, including a fetus. The high prevalence of α-thalassemia carriers together with the high rate of consanguineous marriages could lead to a large number of individuals with HbH or even hydrops fetalis in Iranian families. Therefore, to avoid the risk of having affected offspring, carrier detection, genetic counseling, and prenatal diagnosis would be of vital importance for individuals with low red blood cell (RBC) indices, normal iron status, and normal HbA₂ level, who are suspected to be α-thalassemia carriers.