Exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals and anthropometric measures of obesity: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: Endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) are viewed as a major potential link between the environment and obesity development. We did a systematic review and meta-analysis to examine the association between exposure to EDCs and obesity. DATA SOURCES, DESIGN AND ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA: PubMed, Scopus and Web of Science were searched from inception to 6 June 2018 for studies primarily addressing the association between exposure to EDCs after the age of 2 years and anthropometric measures of obesity or body fat. The Newcastle-Ottawa scale was used to assess the risk of bias. DATA EXTRACTION AND SYNTHESIS: Two independent reviewers screened and conducted data extraction and synthesis. A third reviewer resolved disagreements. RESULTS: A total of 73 studies investigating bisphenol A (32 286 individuals), organochlorine compounds (34 567 individuals), phthalates (21 401 individuals), polybrominated biphenyls (2937 individuals), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (5174 individuals), parabens (4097 individuals), benzoic acid (3671 individuals) and polyfluoroalkyl substances (349 individuals) met our inclusion criteria. Most had a cross-sectional design and low or medium risk of bias. In qualitative analysis, bisphenol A and phthalates were consistently associated with general and abdominal obesity, in children and adults, and some studies suggested this association was age-dependent and gender-dependent. Meta-analysis indicated a significant association between exposure to bisphenol A and overweight (OR 1.254, 95% CI 1.005 to 1.564), obesity (OR 1.503, 95% CI 1.273 to 1.774) and increased waist circumference (OR 1.503, 95% CI 1.267 to 1.783) in adults, and between exposure to 2,5-dichlorophenol and obesity in children (OR 1.8, 95% CI 1.1018 to 3.184). CONCLUSION: Most observational studies supported a positive association between obesity and exposure to EDCs. Although causality cannot be determined from these data, they underscore the need to limit human exposure to EDCs in light of the evidence from animal and cell-based studies indicating the effects of these chemicals on adiposity. PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER: CRD42018074548.

Remodeling process in bone of aged rats in response to resistance training.

AIMS: We investigate the effects of RT on the mechanical function, gene, and protein expression of key factors involved in bone remodeling during aging. MAIN METHODS: Male rats of 3 and 21 months of age were randomly allocated into four groups (8 per group): young sedentary (YS), young trained (YT), old sedentary (OS), and old trained (OT). RT was performed three times per week (12 weeks). Bone tenacity and stiffness were measured by biomechanical tests and mRNA levels of COL1A1, MEPE, SOST, OPG, BMP-2, PPAR-y, MMP-2-9-13, and TIMP-1 were evaluated by quantitative PCR. COL1A1 protein and MMP-2 activity were detected by western blotting and zymography assays. KEY FINDINGS: Aging increased stiffness, while BMP-2, OPG, COL1A1 and MMP-2 mRNA levels reduced (OS vs YS; p ≤ 0.05). RT increased the tenacity of the femur and reduced PPAR-γ regardless of age (YT vs. YS; OT vs. OS; p ≤ 0.05). RT downregulated SOST mRNA levels only in the OT group (vs. OS group, p ≤ 0.05). RT mitigated the age-associated increase in MMP-9 mRNA levels (p ≤ 0.05). In young animals, upregulation in MEPE, MMP-13, TIMP-1 were observed after RT, as well an increase in COL1A1 protein and MMP-2 activity (p ≤ 0.05). SIGNIFICANCE: RT improved bone tenacity independent of aging, which is relevant for mechanical function, while, at protein levels, RT upregulated MMP-2 activity and collagen 1 only in young rats. This study highlights the importance of exercise on bone health and identifies specific molecular changes in response to RT. Our findings provide insights into the mechanisms involved in age-related changes.

Salivary metabolites to detect patients with cancer: a systematic review.

Novel adjunctive screening aids are needed to reduce the morbidity and mortality related to cancer, and every effort should be made for early diagnosis. This systematic review aimed to evaluate salivary metabolites and their diagnostic value in patients with cancer.The systematic review was performed in two phases and included studies that focused on the diagnostic value of salivary metabolites in humans with solid malignant neoplasms. Five electronic databases were searched, and the risk of bias in individual studies was evaluated using the revised Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies criteria (QUADAS-2). All procedures were performed according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines.Of the 1151 studies retrieved, 25 were included; 13 studies used targeted and 12 untargeted metabolomics approaches. Most studies included patients with breast and oral cancer. Except for one, all studies had case-control designs, and none fulfilled all quality assessments. Overall, 140 salivary metabolites were described. The most frequently reported metabolites were alanine, valine, and leucine. Among the 11 studies that reported diagnostic test accuracy (DTA) values, proline, threonine, and histidine in combination and monoacylglycerol alone demonstrated the highest DTA for breast cancer. Combined choline, betaine, pipecolinic acid, and L-carnitine showed better discriminatory performance for early oral cancer.This systematic review highlights the current evidence on salivary metabolites that may be used as a future strategy to diagnose cancer. Further studies including larger sample sizes with confirmation of the results by untargeted analysis are warranted.

Protocols for Genetic and Epigenetic Studies of Rare Diseases Affecting Dental Tissues.

This chapter describes methods related to the diagnosis of genetic dental diseases. Based on the present knowledge, clinical phenotyping and next-generation sequencing techniques are discussed. Methods necessary for Sanger sequencing, multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification, and epigenetic modification methods are detailed. In addition, protocols for cell culture establishment and characterization from patients with inherited dental anomalies are described.

Effects of turmeric and curcumin on oral mucositis: A systematic review.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of turmeric and curcumin in the management of oral mucositis in cancer patients undergoing chemo and/or radiotherapy. The systematic review was reported according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses. The search was performed in the following database: Cochrane Library, LILACS, LIVIVO, PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science. A gray literature search was undertaken using Google Scholar, Open Grey, and ProQuest. The methodology of included studies was evaluated by the Meta-Analysis of Statistics Assessment and Review Instrument. After a two-step selection process, four randomized and one nonrandomized clinical trials were included in the analysis. Two studies were categorized as low and three as moderate risk of bias. Turmeric/curcumin was applied topically as a gel or as a mouthwash. Patients treated with turmeric/curcumin experienced reduced grade of mucositis, pain, erythema intensity, and ulcerative area. Current evidence suggests that topical application of turmeric or curcumin is effective in controlling signs and symptoms of oral mucositis. Thus, further investigation is required to confirm the promising effect of turmeric and curcumin in oral inflammatory lesions.

Variability of systemic and oro-dental phenotype in two families with non-lethal Raine syndrome with FAM20C mutations.

BACKGROUND: Raine syndrome (RS) is a rare autosomal recessive bone dysplasia typified by osteosclerosis and dysmorphic facies due to FAM20C mutations. Initially reported as lethal in infancy, survival is possible into adulthood. We describe the molecular analysis and clinical phenotypes of five individuals from two consanguineous Brazilian families with attenuated Raine Syndrome with previously unreported features. METHODS: The medical and dental clinical records were reviewed. Extracted deciduous and permanent teeth as well as oral soft tissues were analysed. Whole exome sequencing was undertaken and FAM20C cDNA sequenced in family 1. RESULTS: Family 1 included 3 siblings with hypoplastic Amelogenesis Imperfecta (AI) (inherited abnormal dental enamel formation). Mild facial dysmorphism was noted in the absence of other obvious skeletal or growth abnormalities. A mild hypophosphataemia and soft tissue ectopic mineralization were present. A homozygous FAM20C donor splice site mutation (c.784 + 5 g > c) was identified which led to abnormal cDNA sequence. Family 2 included 2 siblings with hypoplastic AI and tooth dentine abnormalities as part of a more obvious syndrome with facial dysmorphism. There was hypophosphataemia, soft tissue ectopic mineralization, but no osteosclerosis. A homozygous missense mutation in FAM20C (c.1487C > T; p.P496L) was identified. CONCLUSIONS: The clinical phenotype of non-lethal Raine Syndrome is more variable, including between affected siblings, than previously described and an adverse impact on bone growth and health may not be a prominent feature. By contrast, a profound failure of dental enamel formation leading to a distinctive hypoplastic AI in all teeth should alert clinicians to the possibility of FAM20C mutations.