Hepatic lipase activity is increased in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease beyond insulin resistance

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

Hepatic lipase is a lipolytic enzyme mostly synthesized and localized at the surface of liver sinusoidal capillaries, which hydrolyses triglycerides and phospholipids of intermediate density, large low density (LDL) and high density lipoproteins. Hepatic lipase activity is increased in insulin resistant states. Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is characterized by insulin resistance. However, at present, no data are available regarding the behaviour of hepatic lipase with regard to the degree of hepatic steatosis. Our aim was to evaluate hepatic lipase activity in NAFLD patients and its relationship to the severity of hepatic steatosis.

DESIGN AND PATIENTS

We studied 48 patients with NAFLD (diagnosed by ultrasonography and confirmed by liver biopsy) and 30 controls. Steatosis was semi-quantitatively assessed and considered as mild or grade 1, moderate or grade 2 and severe or grade 3.

MEASUREMENTS

hepatic lipase activity, lipid and lipoprotein profile (including intermediate density lipoproteins and dense LDL), adiponectin, insulin, glucose and high sensitivity C-reactive protein were measured. Homeostasis model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA) index was calculated.

RESULTS

Patients with hepatic steatosis presented with higher hepatic lipase activity, HOMA and dense LDL and lower levels of adiponectin, high density lipoproteins, cholesterol and apoA-I. Hepatic lipase activity positively correlated significantly with the severity of hepatic steatosis. Hepatic lipase correlated with a more atherogenic profile and persisted higher in patients even after corrected for age, gender, body mass index, HOMA and adiponectin.

CONCLUSION

The higher hepatic lipase activity in NAFLD patients contributes to a more atherogenic profile linked to increased cardiovascular risk, beyond the insulin resistance and the reduction in adiponectin.

Phytoavailability of antimony and heavy metals in arid regions: the case of the Wadley Sb district (San Luis, Potosí, Mexico)

This paper presents original results on the Sb and heavy metals contents in sediments and waste tailings, plants and water from the giant Wadley antimony mine district (San Luis Potosí State, Mexico). The dominant antimony phases in mining wastes are stibiconite, montroydite and minor hermimorphite. The waste tailings contain high concentrations of metals and metalloids (antimony, iron, zinc, arsenic, copper, and mercury). Manganese, copper, zinc, and antimony contents exceed the quality guidelines values for groundwater, plants and for waste tailings. Results indicate that peak accumulation is seasonal due to the concentration by high metabolism plants as Solanaceae Nicotiana. The metal phytoavailability in waste tailings is highly dependant on the metal speciation, its capability to be transported in water and, more particularly, the plant metabolism efficiency.

Effects of bisphosphonates in orthodontic therapy:systematic review

BACKGROUND

Currently, the use of oral and systemic bisphosphonates, in the form of anti-osteoporosis medications or as a part of a chemotherapeutic regimen for several malignant diseases, is increasing dramatically in a large group of orthodontic patients. Animal studies have reported adverse dental effects from bisphosphonates, including decreased tooth movement, impaired bone healing, and osteonecrosis in the mandible and the maxilla.

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this paper was to analyze the effects of bisphosphonates on orthodontic therapy in humans.

STRATEGY

The literature was systematically reviewed using PubMed, LILACS and OvidMedline up to December 31, 2011. Handsearching included several dental journals.

STUDY SELECTION

All RCT’s, controlled trials and case reports-series about the effects of bisphosphonates on orthodontic therapy were analyzed and selected independently by two different researchers based on previously established inclusion and exclusion criteria. The main search terms were: bisphosphonates, orthodontic treatment and tooth movement.

RESULTS

The search strategy yielded 136 titles/abstracts: 134 from PubMed and 2 from LILIACS; no articles from OvidMedline, Chocrane Library and manual search. Eighty three records were screened, after removal of duplicates. After applying the inclusion/exclusion criteria, 135 papers were removed: 43 studies on animals, 4 French and Portuguese articles, 17 reviews and letters, 18 unrelated to orthodontic therapy or to the topic of this review.

CONCLUSIONS

Further studies are required to assess possible adverse effects of bisphosphonate on orthodontic treatment in humans.

Clinical features of patients with blepharospasm: a report of 240 patients

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

To characterize patients with benign essential blepharospasm (BEB) by diagnosis, environmental risk factors, and family history.

METHODS

Two hundred and forty patients with BEB were evaluated through a clinical examination and questionnaire. The questionnaire reviewed personal medical history, demographic factors, risk factors for the development of blepharospasm and family history of dystonia and other neurological conditions.

RESULTS

Benign essential blepharospasm was more commonly found in women (2.8:1) and 93% of the patients were Caucasian. Fifty percent had pure BEB, 31% had BEB/Meige's syndrome, and 4% had BEB and eyelid opening apraxia (+/- Meige's syndrome). A minority of patients reported preceding photophobia (25%) or other eye conditions (22%). The majority were non-smokers, had no exposure to anti-emetic or antipsychotic agents, had a normal birth history, and had no history of head trauma. Seventy-two percent did report a stressful event immediately prior to the development of symptoms. Treatments reported included botulinum toxin (BoNT), oral medications, surgical procedures, and acupuncture. Thirty-two percent of patients reported a family history of focal dystonia, and BEB was the most commonly reported.

CONCLUSION

This study confirms previous reports of usual age, sex, caffeine and tobacco use, and family history in patients with blepharospasm. New findings include a report on occupation, lower reports of preceding eye conditions and photophobia, and higher reported stressful events. Further, this study shows a change in treatment with an increase in BoNT use and decrease in surgical procedures.

Search for proton decay via p-->e+pi0 and p-->micro+pi0 in a large water Cherenkov detector

We have searched for proton decays via p-->e;{+}pi;{0} and p-->micro;{+}pi;{0} using data from a 91.7 kt.yr exposure of Super-Kamiokande-I and a 49.2 kt.yr exposure of Super-Kamiokande-II. No candidate events were observed with expected backgrounds induced by atmospheric neutrinos of 0.3 events for each decay mode. From these results, we set lower limits on the partial lifetime of 8.2 x 10;{33} and 6.6 x 10;{33} years at 90% confidence level for p-->e;{+}pi;{0} and p-->micro;{+}pi;{0} modes, respectively.