Glutamine synthetase: an unlikely case of functional redundancy in Arabidopsis thaliana.

Glutamine synthetase (GS, EC 6.3.1.2) is an essential enzyme in plant metabolism, catalysing the assimilation of inorganic nitrogen into the amino acid glutamine. GS is a key enzyme in plant growth and has received special attention due to its recognized roles in plant nitrogen use efficiency and crop productivity. It occurs in plants as a collection of isoenzymes, located in the cytosol (GS1) and plastids (GS2), consistent with the multiplicity of roles played in plant metabolism. It is considered that the different isoenzymes, involved in a wide variety of physiological processes throughout the plant life cycle, perform non-redundant and non-overlapping roles. In fact, specific and non-redundant roles of GS isoenzymes in nitrogen metabolism were observed in species like Oryza sativa and Zea mays. However, in A. thaliana the GS isoenzymes, five cytosolic and one plastidic, are suggested to have functional redundancy and an isoenzyme compensation mechanism, specific to this species, was described. This review integrates analyses on the likely roles of the distinct cytosol- and plastid-located GS isoenzymes in A. thaliana, highlighting the redundancy of the GS gene family specifically occurring in this model plant.

Gender Differences in Perceived Family Involvement and Perceived Family Control during Emerging Adulthood: A Cross-Country Comparison in Southern Europe.

The aim of the present study was to explore gender differences in perceived parental involvement and perceived psychological and behavioral control during emerging adulthood in two Southern European countries (Spain and Portugal). Data were collected from 491 Portuguese and 552 Spanish undergraduate emerging adults (53.7 % women and 46.3 % men) aged between 18 and 29 years (M = 20.24 and SD = 2.12). Results indicated that women perceived higher levels of parental involvement than men in both countries, and men perceived more behavioral control than women in Portugal. Furthermore, gender was found to moderate the association between perceived parental involvement and perceived psychological and behavioral control differently in each country. Taken together, our findings suggest that gender-differentiated socialization patterns persist during emerging adulthood and that these patterns may be affected by the sociocultural context.

The triad psoriasis-obesity-adipokine profile.

Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin disease, often associated with overweight/obesity. The adipose tissue is a complex organ that secretes several adipokines, involved in the regulation of some metabolic processes, such as lipid metabolism, glucose homeostasis, angiogenesis, blood pressure and inflammation. In obesity, the distribution and function of adipose tissue, and the adipokine profile are altered. The unbalanced production of pro- and anti-inflammatory adipokines in obesity, contributes to the development of a chronic low-grade inflammation state, which seems to favour worsening of psoriasis lesion and a poorer response to treatment. In this review, we will debate published data concerning the current knowledge about the triad psoriasis-obesity-adipokine profile.

Coronary artery plaque burden and calcium scores in healthy men adhering to long-term wine drinking or alcohol abstinence

Observational studies suggest there are clinical benefits to moderate red wine (RW) consumption. However, the effects on coronary vasculature and overall lifestyle are unclear. We investigated whether a lifestyle of regular long-term RW consumption is associated with changes in coronary plaque burden, calcium score, carotid intima/media thickness, endothelial function, and metabolic variables, compared with alcohol abstinence. Healthy volunteers were evaluated by coronary computed tomography angiography (CTA) as well as carotid and brachial artery ultrasound. Nutritional status, psychological status, and metabolic variables were assessed. The study included 101 drinkers [aged 58.9±7.3 years (means±SD)], from wine brotherhoods, and 104 abstainers, from Anglican, Evangelical and Catholic churches both in the city of São Paulo, Brazil. No significant differences in demographics were noted. Lesion prevalence per patient assessed by coronary CTA and classified as absent (0), 1-25, 26-49, and ≥50% stenosis was similar between groups. When analyzed by individual arteries, i.e., left anterior descending, circumflex, and right coronary, prevalence was also not different. On the other hand, calcium scores were higher among drinkers than abstainers (144.4±362.2 vs 122.0±370.3; P<0.01). However, drinkers reported less history of diabetes and exercised more. RW drinkers consumed 2127.9±387.7 kcal/day while abstainers consumed 1836.0±305.0 (P<0.0001). HDL cholesterol was significantly higher among drinkers compared to abstainers (46.9±10.9 vs 39.5±9.0 mg/dL; P<0.001), while fasting plasma glucose was lower (97.6±18.2 vs 118.4±29.6 mg/dL; P<0.02). Liver enzymes were normal in both groups. In conclusion, long-term wine drinkers displayed a similar plaque burden but greater calcium score than abstainers, despite a more atherogenic diet, and the mechanisms for the increased calcium scores in the former remain speculative.

Coronary artery plaque burden and calcium scores in healthy men adhering to long-term wine drinking or alcohol abstinence.

Observational studies suggest there are clinical benefits to moderate red wine (RW) consumption. However, the effects on coronary vasculature and overall lifestyle are unclear. We investigated whether a lifestyle of regular long-term RW consumption is associated with changes in coronary plaque burden, calcium score, carotid intima/media thickness, endothelial function, and metabolic variables, compared with alcohol abstinence. Healthy volunteers were evaluated by coronary computed tomography angiography (CTA) as well as carotid and brachial artery ultrasound. Nutritional status, psychological status, and metabolic variables were assessed. The study included 101 drinkers [aged 58.9 ± 7.3 years (means ± SD)], from wine brotherhoods, and 104 abstainers, from Anglican, Evangelical and Catholic churches both in the city of São Paulo, Brazil. No significant differences in demographics were noted. Lesion prevalence per patient assessed by coronary CTA and classified as absent (0), 1-25, 26-49, and ≥ 50% stenosis was similar between groups. When analyzed by individual arteries, i.e., left anterior descending, circumflex, and right coronary, prevalence was also not different. On the other hand, calcium scores were higher among drinkers than abstainers (144.4 ± 362.2 vs 122.0 ± 370.3; P<0.01). However, drinkers reported less history of diabetes and exercised more. RW drinkers consumed 2127.9 ± 387.7 kcal/day while abstainers consumed 1836.0 ± 305.0 (P<0.0001). HDL cholesterol was significantly higher among drinkers compared to abstainers (46.9 ± 10.9 vs 39.5 ± 9.0 mg/dL; P<0.001), while fasting plasma glucose was lower (97.6 ± 18.2 vs 118.4 ± 29.6 mg/dL; P<0.02). Liver enzymes were normal in both groups. In conclusion, long-term wine drinkers displayed a similar plaque burden but greater calcium score than abstainers, despite a more atherogenic diet, and the mechanisms for the increased calcium scores in the former remain speculative.

Circulating cell-free DNA levels in Portuguese patients with psoriasis vulgaris according to severity and therapy.

BACKGROUND: Inflammation has a key role in the pathogenesis of psoriasis. Circulating cell-free DNA (CFD) is a marker of tissue cell damage closely associated with inflammation. OBJECTIVES: We aimed to understand the relation of CFD levels with psoriasis severity, defined by the Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI), with inflammation and with psoriasis therapy. METHODS: Forty-six patients with psoriasis vulgaris were evaluated before (T0) and after 12 weeks (T12) of treatment with narrowband ultraviolet light B (NB-UVB; n = 17), psoralen plus UVA (PUVA; n = 20) or topical therapy (n = 9). We evaluated interleukin (IL)-6 and circulating CFD levels. RESULTS: Compared with controls, at T0, patients presented significantly higher levels of circulating CFD. CFD presented a significant positive correlation with IL-6 and a trend towards a positive correlation with PASI. Multiple linear regression analysis identified IL-6 as an independent variable associated with CFD circulating levels. As shown by the PASI score, a trend towards higher values of CFD was observed in the severe psoriasis forms; moderate and severe psoriasis presented also significantly higher CFD values, compared with control. Both NB-UVB and PUVA treatments significantly decreased the levels of CFD. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with psoriasis, at the active stage of the disease, presented an increased inflammation associated with raised circulating CFD levels, which seem to be linked to psoriasis severity. Both NB-UVB and PUVA, anti-inflammatory therapies, were effective in decreasing CFD values. We propose that the evaluation of circulating CFD may provide a new biomarker to monitor psoriasis, its severity and its treatment.

The role of adipocytes in the modulation of iron metabolism in obesity.

A tight relationship between iron deficiency and obesity is known to exist. The chronic low-grade inflammation that characterizes obesity enhances hepcidin production, the principal regulator of iron availability. Adipose tissue is known to secret interleukin-6 and leptin that triggers hepcidin production. It was found that adipose tissue also expresses hepcidin and hemojuvelin, a regulator of hepcidin production. These recent findings suggest that adipose tissue may have an important role in erythropoiesis particularly on obesity that is still poorly clarified. This paper discusses these findings and how they can modulate erythropoiesis.

Interleukin (IL)-22, IL-17, IL-23, IL-8, vascular endothelial growth factor and tumour necrosis factor-α levels in patients with psoriasis before, during and after psoralen-ultraviolet A and narrowband ultraviolet B therapy.

BACKGROUND: Several cross-sectional studies have shown that different cytokines and growth factors are enhanced in psoriasis. OBJECTIVES: We aimed to understand the role/relation of interleukin (IL)-22, IL-17, IL-23, IL-8, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α in psoriasis vulgaris, addressing their levels and changes before, during and after psoralen-ultraviolet A (PUVA) and narrowband ultraviolet B (NB-UVB) treatment. METHODS: A cross-sectional and a longitudinal study (n = 34) - before (T0) and at 3 (T3), 6 (T6) and 12 (T12) weeks of NB-UVB and PUVA therapy - were performed; 17 patients started NB-UVB and 17 PUVA, and IL-22, IL-17, IL-23, IL-8, TNF-α and VEGF levels were evaluated. RESULTS: At T0, compared with controls (n = 20), all the parameters were significantly higher in patients, except for TNF-α. Both NB-UVB and PUVA treatment gave, at T3, a significant decrease in TNF-α and IL-23; IL-22 and IL-17 decreased significantly at T6; all parameters and Psoriasis Area and Severity Index decreased significantly at T12. However, in both groups, at T12, VEGF was still significantly higher than control. CONCLUSIONS: Psoriasis seems to be a complex disease in which the cytokine network is disturbed, namely in levels of IL-22, IL-17, IL-23, IL-8, TNF-α and VEGF. NB-UVB and PUVA follow-up studies suggested that the reduction in the IL-23/Th17 axis might be important in the pathogenic mechanisms of psoriasis. Further follow-up studies of patients with psoriasis treated with these and other therapies could be very helpful for the understanding of the disturbance in the cytokine network in psoriasis and indirectly in its pathogenesis.

Circulating adipokine levels in Portuguese patients with psoriasis vulgaris according to body mass index, severity and therapy.

BACKGROUND: Psoriasis vulgaris is associated with overweight/obesity and with increased C-reactive protein (CRP), tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-6, leptin and resistin levels and decreased adiponectin levels. OBJECTIVES: To understand the role/relationship of adipokines, as well as CRP, in a Portuguese psoriatic population, by assessing the relationship of their levels with psoriasis severity, defined by Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI), with obesity, defined by body mass index (BMI), and psoriasis therapy. METHODS: A cross-sectional (n=66) and longitudinal study (before and after 12 weeks of therapy; n=44) was performed; 10 patients started topical treatment, 17 narrow-band ultraviolet B (NBUVB) and 17 psolaren associated with UVA (PUVA). RESULTS: Patients presented significantly higher BMI, leptin, resistin, TNF-α, IL-6 and CRP and significantly lower adiponectin values. CRP and IL-6 correlated with PASI. Adiponectin and leptin were more altered in patients with higher BMI. Concerning severity, CRP, resistin and adiponectin were more altered in the severer forms. After treatment, a significant reduction in PASI, CRP, resistin, TNF-α and IL-6, and a significant rise in adiponectin were observed. Nonetheless, CRP and adiponectin remained different from those of control. Concerning therapies, topical therapy was not associated with any significant change, except for TNF-α. After NBUVB, a significant reduction was observed in TNF-α and in CRP. For PUVA, we observed a significant reduction in TNF-α, IL-6 and CRP, and a significant increase in adiponectin. CONCLUSION: In psoriatic patients, increased overweight/obesity was associated with raised leptin levels and decreased adiponectin levels. Leptin may contribute to enhance the inflammatory process in overweight/obese psoriatic patients. Resistin, IL-6, CRP and adiponectin levels appear to be dependent on psoriasis severity. CRP, together with IL-6, appears to be a useful marker of psoriasis severity. Both NBUVB and PUVA were effective; however, PUVA results seem to be more successful. Nonetheless, after NBUVB and PUVA, a low-grade inflammation still persists.

C-reactive protein and leucocyte activation in psoriasis vulgaris according to severity and therapy.

BACKGROUND: Psoriasis vulgaris is a chronic recurrent inflammatory skin disease and psoriatic lesions have shown leucocyte infiltration. OBJECTIVES: We aimed to study C-reactive protein (CRP) and leucocyte activation markers/inhibitors as potential monitors of psoriasis vulgaris. METHODS: A cross-sectional (n = 73) and a longitudinal study (before, at 3, 6 and 12 weeks of therapy; n = 47) was performed; 10 patients started topical treatment, 17 narrow-band ultraviolet light B (NBUVB) and 20 psolaren associated to UVA (PUVA); psoriasis severity was defined by Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI). RESULTS: Compared with control (n = 38), we found higher CRP levels, total leukocyte/neutrophil count, elastase, lactoferrin and alpha1-antitrypsin. Increasing PASI was linked to increasing CRP and a trend to higher elastase and lactoferrin, suggesting that worsening enhances inflammatory response with neutrophil activation. CRP correlated with PASI, total leucocytes, neutrophils, elastase, lactoferrin and alpha1-antitrypsin. NBUVB and PUVA presented similar effects. CONCLUSION: We propose CRP as a useful marker of psoriasis severity that could be used to monitor psoriasis and its treatment, and, together with PASI and elastase, could also be used as a global index of severity.

The action of red wine and purple grape juice on vascular reactivity is independent of plasma lipids in hypercholesterolemic patients.

Although red wine (RW) reduces cardiovascular risk, the mechanisms underlying the effect have not been identified. Correction of endothelial dysfunction by RW flavonoids could be one mechanism. We measured brachial artery reactivity by high-resolution ultrasonography, plasma lipids, glucose, adhesion molecules (ICAM-1 and VCAM), and platelet function in 16 hypercholesterolemic individuals (8 men and 8 women; mean age 51.6 +/- 8.1 years) without other risk factors. Twenty-four normal subjects were used as controls for vascular reactivity. Subjects randomly received RW, 250 ml/day, or purple grape juice (GJ), 500 ml/day, for 14 days with an equal wash-out period. At baseline, all 16 subjects were hypercholesterolemic (mean LDL = 181.0 +/- 28.7 mg/dl) but HDL, triglycerides, glucose, adhesion molecules, and platelet function were within normal limits. Brachial artery flow-mediated dilation was significantly decreased compared to controls (9.0 +/- 7.1 vs 12.1 +/- 4.5%; P < 0.05) and increased with both GJ (10.1 +/- 7.1 before vs 16.9 +/- 6.7% after: P < 0.05) and RW (10.1 +/- 6.4 before vs 15.6 +/- 4.6% after; P < 0.05). RW, but not GJ, also significantly increased endothelium-independent vasodilation (17.0 +/- 8.6 before vs 23.0 +/- 12.0% after; P < 0.01). GJ reduced ICAM-1 but not VCAM and RW had no effect on either molecule. No significant alterations were observed in plasma lipids, glucose or platelet aggregability with RW or GJ. Both RW and GJ similarly improved flow-mediated dilation, but RW also enhanced endothelium-independent vasodilation in hypercholesterolemic patients despite the increased plasma cholesterol. Thus, we conclude that GJ may protect against coronary artery disease without the additional negative effects of alcohol despite the gender.

The action of red wine and purple grape juice on vascular reactivity is independent of plasma lipids in hypercholesterolemic patients

Although red wine (RW) reduces cardiovascular risk, the mechanisms underlying the effect have not been identified. Correction of endothelial dysfunction by RW flavonoids could be one mechanism. We measured brachial artery reactivity by high-resolution ultrasonography, plasma lipids, glucose, adhesion molecules (ICAM-1 and VCAM), and platelet function in 16 hypercholesterolemic individuals (8 men and 8 women; mean age 51.6 ± 8.1 years) without other risk factors. Twenty-four normal subjects were used as controls for vascular reactivity. Subjects randomly received RW, 250 ml/day, or purple grape juice (GJ), 500 ml/day, for 14 days with an equal wash-out period. At baseline, all 16 subjects were hypercholesterolemic (mean LDL = 181.0 ± 28.7 mg/dl) but HDL, triglycerides, glucose, adhesion molecules, and platelet function were within normal limits. Brachial artery flow-mediated dilation was significantly decreased compared to controls (9.0 ± 7.1 vs 12.1 ± 4.5 percent; P < 0.05) and increased with both GJ (10.1 ± 7.1 before vs 16.9 ± 6.7 percent after: P < 0.05) and RW (10.1 ± 6.4 before vs 15.6 ± 4.6 percent after; P < 0.05). RW, but not GJ, also significantly increased endothelium-independent vasodilation (17.0 ± 8.6 before vs 23.0 ± 12.0 percent after; P < 0.01). GJ reduced ICAM-1 but not VCAM and RW had no effect on either molecule. No significant alterations were observed in plasma lipids, glucose or platelet aggregability with RW or GJ. Both RW and GJ similarly improved flow-mediated dilation, but RW also enhanced endothelium-independent vasodilation in hypercholesterolemic patients despite the increased plasma cholesterol. Thus, we conclude that GJ may protect against coronary artery disease without the additional negative effects of alcohol despite the gender.

Wine, alcohol and atherosclerosis: clinical evidences and mechanisms

Atherosclerosis is a chronic inflammatory disease which may cause obstructions of the coronary, cerebral and peripheral arteries. It is typically multifactorial, most often dependent on risk factors such as hypercholesterolemia, diabetes, smoking, hypertension, sedentarism, and obesity. It is the single main cause of death in most developed countries due to myocardial infarction, angina, sudden death, and heart failure. Several epidemiological studies suggest that moderate alcohol intake, especially red wine, decrease cardiac mortality due to atherosclerosis. The alcohol effect is described by a J curve, suggesting that moderate drinkers may benefit while abstainers and heavy drinkers are at higher risk. Experimental studies indicate that most beneficial effects of drinking are attributable to flavonoids that are present in red wine, purple grape juice and several fruits and vegetables. The mechanisms include antiplatelet actions, increases in high-density lipoprotein, antioxidation, reduced endothelin-1 production, and increased endothelial nitric oxide synthase expression which causes augmented nitric oxide production by endothelial cells. These findings lead to the concept that moderate red wine drinking, in the absence of contraindications, may be beneficial to patients who are at risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular events. Moreover, a diet based on fruits and vegetables containing flavonoids may be even more beneficial.

Wine, alcohol and atherosclerosis: clinical evidences and mechanisms.

Atherosclerosis is a chronic inflammatory disease which may cause obstructions of the coronary, cerebral and peripheral arteries. It is typically multifactorial, most often dependent on risk factors such as hypercholesterolemia, diabetes, smoking, hypertension, sedentarism, and obesity. It is the single main cause of death in most developed countries due to myocardial infarction, angina, sudden death, and heart failure. Several epidemiological studies suggest that moderate alcohol intake, especially red wine, decrease cardiac mortality due to atherosclerosis. The alcohol effect is described by a J curve, suggesting that moderate drinkers may benefit while abstainers and heavy drinkers are at higher risk. Experimental studies indicate that most beneficial effects of drinking are attributable to flavonoids that are present in red wine, purple grape juice and several fruits and vegetables. The mechanisms include antiplatelet actions, increases in high-density lipoprotein, antioxidation, reduced endothelin-1 production, and increased endothelial nitric oxide synthase expression which causes augmented nitric oxide production by endothelial cells. These findings lead to the concept that moderate red wine drinking, in the absence of contraindications, may be beneficial to patients who are at risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular events. Moreover, a diet based on fruits and vegetables containing flavonoids may be even more beneficial.

Alcohol and atherosclerosis.

Atherosclerosis is manifested as coronary artery disease (CAD), ischemic stroke and peripheral vascular disease. Moderate alcohol consumption has been associated with reduction of CAD complications. Apparently, red wine offers more benefits than any other kind of drinks, probably due to flavonoids. Alcohol alters lipoproteins and the coagulation system. The flavonoids induce vascular relaxation by mechanisms that are both dependent and independent of nitric oxide, inhibits many of the cellular reactions associated with atherosclerosis and inflammation, such as endothelial expression of vascular adhesion molecules and release of cytokines from polymorphonuclear leukocytes. Hypertension is also influenced by the alcohol intake. Thus, heavy alcohol intake is almost always associated with systemic hypertension, and hence shall be avoided. In individuals that ingest excess alcohol, there is higher risk of coronary occlusion, arrhythmias, hepatic cirrhosis, upper gastrointestinal cancers, fetal alcohol syndrome, murders, sex crimes, traffic and industrial accidents, robberies, and psychosis. Alcohol is no treatment for atherosclerosis; but it doesn't need to be prohibited for everyone. Thus moderate amounts of alcohol (1-2 drinks/day), especially red wine, may be allowed for those at risk for atherosclerosis complications.