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Abstract: The intestinal microbiota and gut immune system must constantly communicate to maintain a balance between tolerance and activation: on one hand, our immune system should protect us from pathogenic microbes and on the other hand, most of the millions of microbes in and on our body are innocuous symbionts and some can even be beneficial. Since there is such a close interaction between the immune system and the intestinal microbiota, it is not surprising that some lymphomas such as mucosal-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphoma have been shown to be caused by the presence of certain bacteria. Animal models played an important role in establishing causation and mechanism of bacteria-induced MALT lymphoma. In this review we discuss different ways that animal models have been applied to establish a link between the gut microbiota and lymphoma and how animal models have helped to elucidate mechanisms of microbiota-induced lymphoma. While there are not a plethora of studies demonstrating a connection between microbiota and lymphoma development, we believe that animal models are a system which can be exploited in the future to enhance our understanding of causation and improve prognosis and treatment of lymphoma. Keywords: Lymphoma, intestinal microbiota, cancer, bacteria.Download Full Article |
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Abstract: Isovaleric Acidemia (IVA) is considered a severe metabolic disorder with significant morbidity and mortality. It is caused by deficiency of the enzyme Isovaleryl-CoA dehydrogenase (IVD). Early treatment with carnitine and glycine reduces the episodes of the severe metabolic crises. With the advent of neonatal screening, IVD deficiency has shown a spectrum of severity. We describe a novel homozygous mutation, R332L, in the IVD enzyme with a benign phenotype. Keywords: IVA, IVD, Isovalerylcarnitine, Isovalerylglycine, newborn screen. Download Full Article |
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Abstract: Aims: This paper presents our 20-year experience with diagnosing heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (HFH) and monitoring its diet and drug treatment in 94 children (6-18 years) by means of noncholesterol sterols (NCS), namely lathosterol (Lat) and desmosterol (Des) as cholesterol synthesis precursors, and campesterol (Cam) and sitosterol (Sit) as cholesterol absorption precursors. Patients and Methods:Four groups were included in the study: (1) 64 children with genetically confirmed HFH; (2) 30 children with clinical and laboratory symptoms of HFH where the relevant genetic mutations have not been found; (3) 77 children with alimentary hyperlipidemia (AH), and (4) 84 healthy children as a control group. The followed-up markers were routine lipid profile comprising total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and triacylglycerides (TAG), complemented by apolipoprotein A1 (ApoA), apolipoprotein B (ApoB), lipoprotein(a) (Lp(a)), low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDL-R), apolipoprotein E (ApoE) polymorphism, and plasma NCS (Lat, Des, Cam and Sit), the latter being established by means of GC/MS. The medical treatment of HFH patients consisted of simvastatin and ezetimibe. Correlations between TC lowering and decrease in Lat and other NCS values during combination treatment were examined in various types of hypercholesterolemia. Results: HFH patients, whether genetically confirmed or not, exhibit a significant decrease in Lat (and in milder concentrations also Des) which correlates directly to the TC lowering during the combination therapy (r = 0.912 for Lat; r = 0.798 for Des; p<0.001). Cam and Sit do not correlate with the TC lowering at all (r = -0.378 for Cam; r = -0.208 for Sit). By contrast, high TC levels in AH patients are not accompanied by significantly elevated Lat levels, and, therefore, caloric restriction cannot result in significant Lat or Des decrease (p<0.001). Lat and Des levels are also high following drug treatment interruption during long vacations or when the drug treatment is neglected. Compensatory elevation of Cam and Sit occurs in 50% of treated children patients after the desirable TC level below 4.8 mmol/l has been achieved and maintained. In our experience, the combination of statin and ezetimibe is the most efficacious therapy to lower TC together with Lat and Des in children with HFH. Conclusions: Inclusion precursors for cholesterol synthesis and absorption in laboratory testing improve differential diagnosis of HFH, and makes monitoring and/or treatment of pediatric patients more precise and convenient. Keywords: Noncholesterol sterols, lathosterol, desmosterol, campesterol, sitosterol, phytosterols, heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia, alimentary hyperlipidemia, monitoring diet and drug treatment, simvastatins, ezetimibe. |
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Abstract: Objective: To assess the level of awareness and adherence of patients to dietary recommendations in the management of Cardiovascular Diseases (CVDs). Methods: This cross-sectional study included CVD patients on medical visits at the cardiology unit of Ngaoundere Regional Hospital. Well informed and consenting participants filled a pre-tested questionnaire on dietary knowledge and practice. Results: 129 patients were retained in this study out of 151 enrolled. 58.9% of participants knew that the consumption of vegetables is beneficial for their status. Fruit consumption recorded the same level of awareness. All other dietary variables studied revealed less than 50% level of awareness among participants. Concerning recommended dietary practices, 73.64% of participants consumed oils rich in saturated fatty acids. Meat and fish consumption were recorded at 62.01% and 65.12% respectively, with a 94.57% preference to red meat consumption. Almost 19.38% of the study population consumed eggs more than 3 times per week, 31.78% and 41.09% consumed vegetables and fruits at least thrice and twice a week respectively. The overall mean adherence to the studied cardiovascular disease dietary recommendations was 38.31%, with only fish, vegetable and tea/coffee recommendations recording adherences of 50% and above. Conclusion: The findings demonstrate a low level of awareness and adherence to dietary recommendations in the management of CVDs, thus the need for the strengthening of health promotion programs and improvement of the nutritional advices in our context. Keywords: Cameroon, Ngaoundere Regional Hospital, Cardiovascular diseases, Diet, Knowledge, Practice. |
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Abstract: This policy article sets the stage for birth of a novel public science that establishes living on rhythms to minimize risks of different cancers in the overly busy modern life. Keeping body and mind away from irregularities before incursion in genes, proteomes, metaboloms, and cells and thus in the incognizant human societies of the new times, must be highly pursued. Healthy rhythms in working, eating, drinking, sleeping, entertaining, socializing, sciencing, modernizing, exercising, travelling, and contemplating must be created and maintained for a life style to not be threatened by cancer. Keywords: Rhythm, Cancer, Science, Public health.Download Full Article |