Adherence to the Mediterranean diet is associated with sustainable nutrition and environmental footprints on higher educated individuals.

INTRODUCTION: This study aimed to investigate the relationship between Med-Diet adherence with sustainable nutrition and environmental footprints in academicians. METHODS: The study involved 153 academicians aged 23-64 working in a university in Turkey. Data were collected through a questionnaire including socio-demographic characteristics, anthropometric measurements, Mediterranean Diet Adherence Scale (MEDAS) and Sustainable and Healthy Eating Behaviours Scale (SHEBS). Carbon and water footprints were calculated. RESULTS: All sub-scales of SHEBS were higher in individuals who adhered to Med-Diet than those who did not (p<0.05). The carbon and water footprints of individuals with high adherence to the Med-Diet were lower than those of no adherence (p<0.05). Each 1-point increase in MEDAS score was associated with a 1-point increase in SHEBS score, a 0.15 CO2 eq/kg and a 0.001 m3/year decrease in the amount of carbon and water footprint of food. CONCLUSION: Higher adherence to the Med-Diet was associated with higher sustainable nutrition behaviours, and lower environmental footprints.

How abciximab might be clinically useful.

Platelet aggregation is a crucial feature in coronary artery thrombus formation and is a major causative factor in both acute coronary syndromes (ACS) and reocclusion after percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI). The glycoprotein (GP) IIb/IIIa (αIIbß3) integrin receptor is the pivotal mediator of platelet aggregation. In late 1990s, the introduction of GP IIb/IIIa inhibitors (GPI) was associated with a reduction of ischemic complication, and a clear clinical benefit in PCI during ACS, for both non ST-elevation (NSTE) and ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). The currently available GPI (abciximab, eptifibatide and tirofiban) tended to be replaced in the current therapy of STEMI by different agents and this is in part related to the effectiveness and to the potential adverse effects (thrombocytopenia and bleeding). There might be a certain level of variability among these agents and here we have reviewed only abciximab in detail. Interestingly, however, the story may not be entirely different from that of positive inotropic agents in the context of acute ischemia where the potent action to sustain left ventricular function had an arrhythmogenic counterpart to evaluate and take into consideration and therefore therapeutically it will always be necessary to weigh benefits and harms if actions are expected by relatively potent agents.

The correlation between T regulatory cells and autologous peripheral blood stem cell transplantation in multiple myeloma.

OBJECTIVE: Multiple myeloma (MM) is characterized by malignant proliferation of plasmocytes and their precursors. T regulatory cells (Tregs) have a role in immunosuppression and control of autoimmunity, and are currently an important topic in the study of immune response to tumor cells. The correlation between Tregs and autologous peripheral blood stem cell transplantation (APBSCT) in MM has not been studied. The aim of this study was to compare CD4+CD25+FOXP3+ Treg, CD200, and PD-1 levels in MM patients that did and did not undergo APBSCT. METHODS: Peripheral blood samples were collected from 28 MM patients ranging in age from 41 to 78 years for analysis of CD4CD25+ FOXP3+ Tregs, PD-1 (CD279), and CD200. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells were isolated via density gradient centrifugation. Four-color flow cytometry was performed. Using a sequential gating strategy, Tregs were identified as CD4+CD25+FOXP3+ T-cells. Results were analyzed using the Mann Whitney U non-parametric test and a compare means test. p values <0.05 were considered statistically significant. RESULTS: The study included 28 MM patients (10 female and 18 male). In all, 11 of the patients underwent APBSCT. The level of Tregs identified as CD4+CD25+FOXP3+ T-cells was higher in the patients that underwent APBSCT (p=0.042). CD200 and PD-1 levels did not significantly differ between the 2 groups (p=0.711 and p=0.404, respectively). There weren't any statistically significant differences in CD200, PD-1, or CD4+CD25+FOXP3+ T-cell levels between the patients that did and did not undergo APBSCT (p>0.05). CONCLUSION: Treg levels were higher in the patients that underwent APBSCT. Tregs are crucial for the induction and maintenance of peripheral tolerance to self-antigens. In addition, Tregs can suppress immune responses to tumor antigens; however, APBSCT and Treg levels were not correlated with CD200 or PD-1 expression. Relationship of Tregs with prognosis needs to be determined by studies that include larger cohorts.