The joint association of serum vitamin D status and cardiorespiratory fitness with obesity and metabolic syndrome in Tehranian adults

Objective: We aimed to assess the individual and joint association of serum vitamin D and cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) with obesity and metabolic syndrome (MetSyn). Design: A cross-sectional study Setting: Health centers from five districts in Tehran, Iran. Methods: 270 adults with an age range of 18 years and older participated. CRF was assessed with Bruce protocol. MetSyn was defined based on International Diabetes Federation 2009. The odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) of obesity and MetSyn across tertiles of serum vitamin D and CRF were estimated with control for confounders. Results: The results indicated that neither 25(OH)D nor 1,25(OH)D was associated with obesity and MetSyn. There was a strong inverse association between CRF and general (P-trend<0.001) and abdominal adiposity (P-trend: 0.001). The joint association of vitamin D and CRF indicated that the inverse association of CRF with obesity was stronger in those with high serum vitamin D than those with low serum vitamin D and this joint association remained after considering age and diet quality. There was a significant inverse association for those with low serum 25(OH)D and high CRF (OR: 0.12, 95%CI: 0.04-0.81; P = 0.02) compared to those with low serum 25(OH)D and low CRF in the crude model. Also, the OR of general obesity was 0.17 (95%CI: 0.02-0.79; P=0.03) for those with high CRF and low serum 1,25(OH)D compared with the reference group. Conclusion: Our findings indicated a strong inverse association between CRF and obesity, especially in those with high serum vitamin D.

Dietary Factors and Prevention: Risk of End-Stage Kidney Disease by Fruit and Vegetable Consumption

<b><i>Background:</i></b> The association between fruit and vegetable (FV) intake and the risk of end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) has not been examined in the general population and fully explored in chronic kidney disease (CKD). We prospectively evaluated this relationship in US representative sample of adults and evaluated consistency by the presence or absence, and severity, of CKD. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> We used data from the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (1988–1994) linked with the US Renal Data System, including 14,725 adults aged ≥20 years and with follow-up for ESKD through 2008. Daily FV intake was ascertained using a food frequency questionnaire. We examined the association between selected categories of FV intake and ESKD using a Fine Gray competing risk model adjusting for sociodemographics, lifestyle, clinical and nutritional factors, estimated glomerular filtration rate, and albuminuria. We evaluated whether risk varied in individuals with severe versus any CKD. <b><i>Results:</i></b> 230 participants (1.5%) developed ESKD during follow-up. In the adjusted model, compared to highest intake, those in lowest categories of FV intake had a higher risk of ESKD, for &#x3c;2 times/day (1.45 [1.24–1.68], 2 to &#x3c;3 times/day (1.40 [1.18–1.61]), 3 to &#x3c;4 times/day (1.25 [1.04–1.46]), and 4 to &#x3c;6 times/day (1.14 [0.97–1.31]). There was suggestion of heterogeneity (<i>p</i> for interaction = 0.03) with possible stronger inverse association in patients with CKD than those without CKD. After stratification, we obtained similar strong inverse association when we examined ESKD incidence across intake of FVs in participants with CKD stages 1–4 (<i>n</i> = 5,346) and specifically in those with CKD stages 3–4 (<i>n</i> = 1,084). <b><i>Conclusions:</i></b> Low intake of FVs was associated with higher risk of ESKD in US adults with and without CKD, supporting an emerging body of literature on the potential benefits of plant-rich diets for prevention of ESKD.

Dietary Habits and Risk of Early-Onset Dementia in an Italian Case-Control Study

Risk of early-onset dementia (EOD) might be modified by environmental factors and lifestyles, including diet. The aim of this study is to evaluate the association between dietary habits and EOD risk. We recruited 54 newly-diagnosed EOD patients in Modena (Northern Italy) and 54 caregivers as controls. We investigated dietary habits through a food frequency questionnaire, assessing both food intake and adherence to dietary patterns, namely the Greek-Mediterranean, the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH), and the Mediterranean-DASH Intervention for Neurodegenerative Delay (MIND) diets. We modeled the relation between dietary factors and risk using the restricted cubic spline regression analysis. Cereal intake showed a U-shaped relation with EOD, with risk increasing above 350 g/day. A high intake (>400 g/day) of dairy products was also associated with excess risk. Although overall fish and seafood consumption showed no association with EOD risk, we found a U-shaped relation with preserved/tinned fish, and an inverse relation with other fish. Similarly, vegetables (especially leafy) showed a strong inverse association above 100 g/day, as did citrus and dry fruits. Overall, sweet consumption was not associated with EOD risk, while dry cake and ice-cream showed a positive relation and chocolate products an inverse one. For beverages, we found no relation with EOD risk apart from a U-shaped relation for coffee consumption. Concerning dietary patterns, EOD risk linearly decreased with the increasing adherence to the MIND pattern. On the other hand, an inverse association for the Greek-Mediterranean and DASH diets emerged only at very high adherence levels. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study that explores the association between dietary factors and EOD risk, and suggests that adherence to the MIND dietary pattern may decrease such risk.

Hearing Loss in Alzheimer’s Disease Is Associated with Altered Serum Lipidomic Biomarker Profiles

Recent data have found that aging-related hearing loss (ARHL) is associated with the development of Alzheimer’s Disease (AD). However, the nature of the relationship between these two disorders is not clear. There are multiple potential factors that link ARHL and AD, and previous investigators have speculated that shared metabolic dysregulation may underlie the propensity to develop both disorders. Here, we investigate the distribution of serum lipidomic biomarkers in AD subjects with or without hearing loss in a publicly available dataset. Serum levels of 349 known lipids from 16 lipid classes were measured in 185 AD patients. Using previously defined co-regulated sets of lipids, both age- and sex-adjusted, we found that lipid sets enriched in phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylethanolamine showed a strong inverse association with hearing loss. Examination of biochemical classes confirmed these relationships and revealed that serum phosphatidylcholine levels were significantly lower in AD subjects with hearing loss. A similar relationship was not found in normal subjects. These data suggest that a synergistic relationship may exist between AD, hearing loss and metabolic biomarkers, such that in the context of a pathological state such as AD, alterations in serum metabolic profiles are associated with hearing loss. These data also point to a potential role for phosphatidylcholine, a molecule with antioxidant properties, in the underlying pathophysiology of ARHL in the context of AD, which has implications for our understanding and potential treatment of both disorders.

The Gly460Trp polymorphism and the overnight sodium potassium excretion in hypertensives

Introduction The Gly460Trp polymorphism is associated to hypertension and renal sodium (Na) potassium (K) exchange. This study explores the relationship between blood pressure (BP) and urinary overnight Na/K ratio (UONaK) in patients genotyped for Gly460Trp polymorphism, from a cohort of hypertensive (HT) and normotensive (NT) subjects from National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute funded, Family Blood Pressure Program (FBPP). Hypothesis Abnormal renal K and Na excretion is associated to the Trp allele of Gly460Trp polymorphism. Methods 3,545 subjects genotyped for Gly460Trp polymorphism were analyzed from FBPP. Subjects with diastolic BP (DBP) ≥80 or systolic BP (SBP) ≥130 mmHg were classified HTN; subjects with SBP &lt;130 and DBP &lt;80 mmHg were classified as NT. UONAK was calculated by dividing overnight Na by K concentration. Correlation analysis done with partial variables (body mass index, waist hip ratio, overnight urine creatinine). Results In HTN group (n=1,464), 75% had Gly/Gly, 22% Gly/Trp and 3% Trp/Trp. HTN with Gly/Gly showed strong associations between UONaK and DBP (r=0.191 p&lt;0.0001) and SBP (r=0.06, p=0.04); HTN with Gly/Trp showed strong association for DBP (r=0.123 p=0.025) but not for SBP (r=0.07, p=0.188); while HTN with Trp/Trp there was strong inverse association with SBP (r=−0.399, p=0.010; Fig. 1) and none with DBP (r=0.215 p=0.18). In NT group (n=2,081), 69% had Gly/Gly, 28% Gly/Trp and 3% Trp/Trp; NT with Gly/Gly showed strong associations between UONaK and DBP (r=0.104 p&lt;0.0001) and SBP (r=0.09, p=0.0002); NT with Gly/Trp showed strong association for DBP (r=0.146, p=0.0004) but not for SBP (r=0.05, p=0.18); while NT with Trp/Trp showed no association with DBP (r=−0.003 p=97), or SBP (r=0.06, p=0.61). Conclusions Hypertensives with Trp/Trp showed strong correlation between systolic blood pressure and UONaK, indicating abnormal K excretion in hypertensives, and possible subgroup targeted to potassium sparing drugs. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding source: None

Hearing loss in Alzheimer Disease is associated with altered serum lipidomic biomarker profiles

Recent data have found that aging-related hearing loss (ARHL) is associated with the development of Alzheimer Disease (AD). However, the nature of the relationship between these two disorders is not clear. There are multiple potential factors that link ARHL and AD, and previous investigators have speculated that shared metabolic dysregulation may underlie the propensity to develop both disorders. Here, we investigate the distribution of serum lipidomic biomarkers in AD subjects with or without hearing loss in a publicly available dataset. Serum levels of 349 known lipids from 16 lipid classes were measured in 185 AD patients. Using previously defined co-regulated sets of lipids, both age- and sex-adjusted, we found that lipid sets enriched in phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylethanolamine showed a strong inverse association with hearing loss. Examination of biochemical classes confirmed these relationships and revealed that serum phosphatidylcholine levels were significantly lower in AD subjects with hearing loss. A similar relationship was not found in normal subjects. These data suggest that a synergistic relationship may exist between AD, hearing loss and metabolic biomarkers, such that in the context of a pathological state such as AD, alterations in serum metabolic profiles are associated with hearing loss. These data also point to a potential role for phosphatidylcholine, a molecule with antioxidant properties, in the underlying pathophysiology of ARHL in the context of AD, which has implications for our understanding and potential treatment of both disorders.

Cigarette Smoking and the Risk of Cutaneous Melanoma: A Case-Control Study

Objective: Previous studies regarding cigarette smoking causing a lower risk of melanoma are inconclusive. Here, we re-examined melanoma risk in relation to cigarette smoking in a large, case-control study. Methods: In total 1,157 patients with melanoma diagnosed between 2003 and 2011 in the Netherlands and 5,595 controls from the Nijmegen Biomedical Study were included. Information concerning smoking habits and known risk factors for melanoma were obtained through self-administered questionnaires. Logistic regression analyses stratified by gender were performed to study the risk of cigarette smoking on melanoma risk, adjusted for age, marital status, highest level of education, skin type, sun vacation, use of solarium, time spent outdoors, and sun protective measures. Results: Among men, current and former smokers did not have a higher risk of melanoma compared to never smokers: adjusted odds ratio (OR) = 0.56 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.40–0.79) and adjusted OR = 0.50 (95% CI: 0.39–0.64), respectively. With an increasing number of years smoked the risk of melanoma decreased: <20 years: OR = 0.61 (95% CI: 0.46–0.80); 21–40 years: OR = 0.50 (95% CI: 0.37–0.68); >40 years: OR = 0.26 (95% CI: 0.15–0.44). No clear trend was found for the number of cigarettes smoked. Results for females were less clear and not statistically significant (current smoker: adjusted OR = 0.96, 95% CI: 0.74–1.26, former smoker: adjusted OR = 0.89, 95% CI: 0.73–1.08). Conclusion: This study shows a strong inverse association between cigarette smoking and melanoma risk in men. Fundamental laboratory research is necessary to investigate the biological relation between smoking cigarettes and melanoma.

Breastfeeding Status and Duration and Infections, Hospitalizations for Infections, and Antibiotic Use in the First Two Years of Life in the ELFE Cohort

In low- and middle-income countries, the protective effect of breastfeeding against infections is well established, but in high-income countries, the effect could be weakened by higher hygienic conditions. We aimed to examine the association between breastfeeding and infections in the first 2 years of life, in a high-income country with relatively short breastfeeding duration. Among 10,349 young children from the nationwide Etude Longitudinale Française depuis l’Enfance (ELFE) birth cohort, breastfeeding and parent-reported hospitalizations, bronchiolitis and otitis events, and antibiotic use were prospectively collected up to 2 years. Never-breastfed infants were used as reference group. Any breastfeeding for <3 months was associated with higher risks of hospitalizations from gastrointestinal infections or fever. Predominant breastfeeding for <1 month was associated with higher risk of a single hospital admission while predominant breastfeeding for ≥3 months was associated with a lower risk of long duration (≥4 nights) of hospitalization. Ever breastfeeding was associated with lower risk of antibiotic use. This study confirmed the well-known associations between breastfeeding and hospitalizations but also highlighted a strong inverse association between breastfeeding and antibiotic use. Although we cannot infer causality from this observational study, this finding is worth highlighting in a context of rising concern regarding antibiotic resistance.

High Prevalence of Asymptomatic Anterior Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome in Toddy Tappers of South India: A Case Series of 21 Participants

Background Anterior tarsal tunnel syndrome (ATTS) is an uncommon entrapment neuropathy which occurs due to the compression of deep peroneal nerve under the inferior extensor retinaculum at the ankle. We observed a frequent occurrence of this syndrome in toddy palm tappers and hence, planned to study the association between the two. Materials and Methods We studied the prevalence of isolated deep peroneal neuropathy at the ankle among the asymptomatic toddy tappers enrolled over a period of 3 months. Results In our case series, 81% (17/21) of the study participants had ATTS of which 43% (9/21) had unilateral and 38% (8/21) had bilateral involvement. There was a strong inverse association (p < 0.001) of “duration of toddy tapping in years” with peroneal (extensor digitorum brevis) amplitudes on both the sides. Conclusion Our study confirms “palm tree climbing” to be an occupational etiology of ATTS.

Is Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor: A Common Link Between Neurodegenerative Disorders and Cancer?

Background: Cancer is a common disease caused by the excessive proliferation of cells, and neurodegenerative diseases are the disorders caused due to the degeneration of neurons. Both can be considered as diseases caused by the dysregulation of cell cycle events. A recent data suggests that there is a strong inverse association between cancer and neurodegenerative disorders. There is indirect evidence to postulate Brain-derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) as a potential molecular link in this association. Discussion: The BDNF levels are found to be downregulated in many neurodegenerative disorders and are found to be upregulated in various kinds of cancers. The lower level of BDNF in Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease has been found to be related to cognitive and other neuropsychological impairments, whereas, its higher levels are associated with the tumour growth and metastasis and poor survival rate in the cancer patients. Conclusion: In this review, we propose that variance in BDNF levels is critical in determining the course of cellular pathophysiology and the development of cancer or neurodegenerative disorder. We further propose that an alternative therapeutic strategy that can modulate BDNF expression, can rescue or prevent above said pathophysiological course. Larger studies that examine this link through animal studies are imperative to understand the putative biochemical and molecular link to wellness and disease.