Adenovirus 36 seropositivity is related to the expression of anti-adipogenic lncRNAs GAS5 and MEG3 in adipose tissue obtained from subjects with obesity.

BACKGROUND: Human Adenovirus D-36 (HAdV-D36) promotes adipogenesis in cellular and animal models and may contribute to the development of human obesity. Induction of PPARγ by HAdV-D36 seems to have a central role in the maintenance of adipogenic status. There is limited information about epigenetic mechanisms contributing to this process in human adipose tissue. This study evaluated the expression of lncRNAs (ADINR, GAS5 and MEG3) and miRNAs (miR-18a and miR-140) involved in the adipogenic process in visceral adipose tissue (VAT) of subjects with obesity with previous HAdV-D36 infection (seropositive) and unexposed (seronegative) subjects with obesity. METHODS: Individuals with obesity were grouped according to the presence of antibodies against HAdV-D36 (Seropositive: HAdV-D36[+], n = 29; and Seronegative: HAdV-D36[-], n = 28). Additionally, a group of individuals without obesity (n = 17) was selected as a control group. The HAdV-D36 serology was carried out by ELISA. Biopsies of VAT were obtained during an elective and clinically indicated surgery (bariatric or cholecystectomy). RNA extraction from VAT was performed and the expression of PPARG and non-coding RNAs was evaluated by qPCR. RESULTS: HAdV-D36[+] individuals had lower expression of anti-adipogenic lncRNAs GAS5 (p = 0.016) and MEG3 (p = 0.035) compared with HAdV-D36[-] subjects with obesity. HAdV-D36[+] subjects also presented increased expression of the adipogenic miRNA miR-18a (p = 0.042), which has been reported to be modulated by GAS5 through a RNA sponging mechanism during adipogenic differentiation. Additionally, an inverse correlation of GAS5 with PPARG expression was observed (r = -0.917, p = 0.01). CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that HAdV-D36 is related to non-coding RNAs implicated in adipogenesis, representing a potential mechanism by which previous HAdV-D36 infection could be associated with the long-term maintenance of adipogenic status, probably through the GAS5/miR-18a axis.

Influence of adenovirus 36 seropositivity on the expression of adipogenic microRNAs in obese subjects.

BACKGROUND: Infection by Adenovirus 36 (Ad-36) has been associated with adipogenesis using cell and animal models, and a high risk of developing obesity has been reported in Ad-36-seropositive individuals. However, molecular mechanisms involved in the maintenance over the years of adipogenesis associated with Ad-36 has not been investigated in human adipose tissue. Epigenetic mechanisms, such as micro-RNAs (miRNAs) that regulate gene expression at the post-transcriptional level, have shown an important role in the development and maintenance of metabolic diseases. AIM: This study investigated the expression of miRNA associated with the adipogenic process in visceral adipose tissue from obese individuals according to Ad-36 serology. METHODS: Obese individuals were separated according to their status of Ad-36 serology in seropositive (Ad-36 (+); n = 29) and seronegative (Ad-36 (-); n = 28) groups. Additionally, a group of lean controls (n = 17) was selected to compare with obese individuals. Biopsies of visceral adipose tissue were obtained to evaluate miRNA and gene expression. The study of Ad-36 serology was carried out by ELISA. The expression of pro-adipogenic (miR-17 and miR-210) and anti-adipogenic (miR-155, miR-130 and miR-27a) miRNAs was evaluated using Taqman advanced miRNA assays by qPCR. The expression of adipogenes encoding LEP, ADIPOQ, and PPARγ was evaluated by Taqman predesigned assays through qPCR. RESULTS: The obese group had higher LEP (p < 0.001) and PPARγ (p = 0.016) expression and lower ADIPOQ expression (p = 0.017), and also had higher expression of miR-210 (p = 0.039), whereas lower expression of miR-155 (p = 0.019) and miR-27a (p = 0.028) as compared to lean controls. Higher PPARγ expression (p = 0.008), but no influence on LEP or ADIPOQ expression was observed in Ad-36 (+) group. Those seropositive individuals also had higher expression of the miR-17 (p = 0.028) and lower levels of miR-155 (p = 0.031) in adipose tissue as compared to seronegative subjects. CONCLUSIONS: Individuals with previous infection by Ad-36 had higher expression of the pro-adipogenic miR-17 and lower expression of the anti-adipogenic miR-155, which could lead to an increased adipogenic status by positively modulating PPARγ expression in adipose tissue from obese subjects.

Adenovirus 36 seropositivity is related to obesity risk, glycemic control, and leptin levels in Chilean subjects.

BACKGROUND: Adenovirus 36 (Ad-36) has been associated to adiposity in animal and in vitro studies. Ad-36 seropositivity has also been reported to contribute to obesity risk in children and adult populations. We investigated the relationship of Ad-36 serology with obesity and metabolic parameters in a Chilean population. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Clinical and anthropometric data were obtained and blood samples were drawn from 99 lean (BMI: 18.5-24.9 kg/m2) and 151 obese (BMI > 30 kg/m2) subjects. Laboratory tests included lipid profile as well as glucose, insulin, leptin, and adiponectin levels. Ad-36 seropositivity was evaluated in serum samples by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS: Seroprevalence of Ad-36 was higher in the obese group (58%) than in lean controls (34%) demonstrating that individuals previously infected with Ad-36 have higher risk of obesity in the study population (OR: 2.67, 95%CI: 1.58-4.51, p < 0.001). Interestingly, Ad-36 was related to lower concentrations of triglycerides and VLDL cholesterol in lean subjects (p = 0.049) and lower leptin in obese individuals (p = 0.014). Previous Ad-36 infection was also related to lower glycemia, insulinemia, and HOMA-IR (p < 0.05) in obese subjects who were not under antidiabetic drugs. CONCLUSIONS: Our results provide evidence of the contribution of previous Ad-36 infection to an increased risk of obesity in adult Chilean population. Ad-36 seropositivity was also associated to lipid profile, glycemic control, and leptin levels in adult Chilean population.

Indulging our gendered selves? Sex segregation by field of study in 44 countries.

Data from 44 societies are used to explore sex segregation by field of study. Contrary to accounts linking socioeconomic modernization to a "degendering" of public-sphere institutions, sex typing of curricular fields is stronger in more economically developed contexts. The authors argue that two cultural forces combine in advanced industrial societies to create a new sort of sex segregation regime. The first is gender-essentialist ideology, which has proven to be extremely resilient even in the most liberal-egalitarian of contexts; the second is self-expressive value systems, which create opportunities and incentives for the expression of "gendered selves." Multivariate analyses suggest that structural features of postindustrial labor markets and modern educational systems support the cultivation, realization, and display of gender-specific curricular affinities.

[Risk factors associated with bronchiolitis in children under 2 years of age]. / Factores de riesgo asociados a bronquiolitis en niños menores de dos años.

INTRODUCTION: The objective of this study was to determine the risk factors associated to bronchiolitis in infants less than two years of age. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Prospective case-control study was performed in a hospital of second level of attention. The sample size was calculated for a level of confidence of 95%, a power of 90%, and a difference of exposure of 15% between cases and controls. For each case, there was one control matched for age and sex. The cases were obtained in the pediatric emergency room and the controls were healthy infants who came to the preventive medicine service of the same hospital. The diagnosis of bronchiolitis was established by direct observation in accordance to clinical criteria and chest X-ray. All the patients were weighed to the moment to be included in the study, and through structured interview the following variables were investigated: family history of bronchial asthma and atopy in immediate family members, prematurity, mechanical ventilation, bronchopulmonary dysplasia, present-day breast-feeding, length of time of breast feeding, early weaning, passive tobacco smoke exposure, maternal smoking, housing and living with domestic animals. The global significance of the study was probed by multiple logistic regression. RESULTS: Were studied 110 pairs with a range of age of 10 days to 23 months (average of 7.1 +/- 4.7 months), 49 pairs were female and 61 male (ratio 1:1.2) The variablés significantly associated (P < or = 0.05) to bronchiolitis were family history of bronchial asthma in immediate family members (OR: 2.9, IC 95% 1.29-6.34) and prematurity (OR: 3.0, IC 95% 1.04-8.87). The early weaning(OR: 0.44, IC 95% 0.24-0.79) and present-day breast-feeding (OR: 0.53, IC 95% 0.30-0.95) revealed a significant negative association. The other studied variables didn't show statistically significant association with bronchiolitis. CONCLUSIONS: Factors that increase the risk of bronchiolitis are a history of prematurity, and family history of bronchial asthma. Factors that have a protective effect are early weaning, and present-day breast-feeding.

Factores de riesgo asociados a bronquiolitis en niños menores de dos años / Risk factors associated with bronchiolitis in children under 2 years of age

INTRODUCTION: The objective of this study was to determine the risk factors associated to bronchiolitis in infants less than two years of age. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Prospective case-control study was performed in a hospital of second level of attention. The sample size was calculated for a level of confidence of 95, a power of 90, and a difference of exposure of 15 between cases and controls. For each case, there was one control matched for age and sex. The cases were obtained in the pediatric emergency room and the controls were healthy infants who came to the preventive medicine service of the same hospital. The diagnosis of bronchiolitis was established by direct observation in accordance to clinical criteria and chest X-ray. All the patients were weighed to the moment to be included in the study, and through structured interview the following variables were investigated: family history of bronchial asthma and atopy in immediate family members, prematurity, mechanical ventilation, bronchopulmonary dysplasia, present-day breast-feeding, length of time of breast feeding, early weaning, passive tobacco smoke exposure, maternal smoking, housing and living with domestic animals. The global significance of the study was probed by multiple logistic regression. RESULTS: Were studied 110 pairs with a range of age of 10 days to 23 months (average of 7.1 +/- 4.7 months), 49 pairs were female and 61 male (ratio 1:1.2) The variablÚs significantly associated (P < or = 0.05) to bronchiolitis were family history of bronchial asthma in immediate family members (OR: 2.9, IC 95 1.29-6.34) and prematurity (OR: 3.0, IC 95 1.04-8.87). The early weaning(OR: 0.44, IC 95 0.24-0.79) and present-day breast-feeding (OR: 0.53, IC 95 0.30-0.95) revealed a significant negative association. The other studied variables didn't show statistically significant association with bronchiolitis. CONCLUSIONS: Factors that increase the risk of bronchiolitis are a history of prematurity, and family history of bronchial asthma. Factors that have a protective effect are early weaning, and present-day breast-feeding.

Condicionantes de la alimentación en senescentes / Feedings conditions in the elderly

Las modificaciones demográficas de la población chilena de las últimas décadas necesariamnete requieren de estudios epidemiológicos, base para implementar estructuras, atención de salud integral especialmente de la población de adulto mayor. El estudio se realizó en 816 personas de 60 años y más de dad de la IV-IX Región y sector rural de la Región Metropolitana, donde se conocieron aspectos ambientales que influyen en alimentación-nutrición y salud. La mayor proporción poblacional se encuentra en los rangos de 70-79/80-89 años de edad. Mayor es el número de mujeres en ambas regiones. En los hogares el 31,4% son analfabetos y en los domicilios el 29,5%. Con instrucción básica se encontró al 53,3% y 66,2% en domicilios respectivamente. El 98,7% reciben ingresos monetarios; al 23,3% le otorgan ayudas alimentarias. Más del 90% dispone de agua potable y 63,3% de alcantarillado. En los Centros Intitucionales se encontró por índice peso/talla 27,4% de déficit nutricional, 43,7% normal y 28,9% sobrepeso-obesidad. La ingesta promedio de proteínas fue de 48,0 g diarios en hogares y 41,0 g los que viven en domicilios. El promedio de calorías fue 1.468 diarias y 1.362 en hogares y domicilios respectivamente. Los antecedentes obtenidos reflejan condiciones de vida, estado nutricional y factores ambientales que inciden en la alimentación de los senescentes chilenos

Situación nutricional da población Mapuche menor de 18 años: Cautin, Chile / Nutritional status of a Mapuche population under 18 years of age: Province of Cautin, Chile

Con el propósito de conocer el estado nutricional de población mapuche, se evaluaron 2 276 menores de 18 años, de ambos sexos, mediante antropometría. Se utilizaron los criterios P/T y T/E y se estratificaron en 3 áreas geográficas (Costa, Valle, Cordillera de los Andes). Los resultados muestran un reducido porcentaje de desnutrición según índice P/T (4,1%), especialmente en los menores de 6 años. También se encontró una alta concentración de individuos con sobrepeso y obesidad (40,5%) en las 3 áreas, que tienden a aumentar notoriamente con la edad, principalmente en el sexo femenino, alcanzando a un 83,3% en las adolescentes del área cordillerana. Según el índice T/E, se detectó un alto porcentaje de déficit estatural (77,7%) en ambos sexos; el cual también tiende a aumentar directamente con la edad. En la Cordillera se encontraron las mayores cifras de talla baja