Molecular profiling of non-small-cell lung cancer patients with or without brain metastases included in the randomized SAFIR02-LUNG trial and association with intracranial outcome.

Introduction: Lung cancer remains the most frequent cause of brain metastases (BMs) and is responsible for high morbidity and mortality. Intracranial response to systemic treatments is inconsistent due to several mechanisms: genomic heterogeneity, blood-tumor barrier, and the brain-specific microenvironment. We conducted a study using data from the SAFIR02-LUNG trial.

Brain F-FDG PET Metabolic Abnormalities in Patients with Long-Lasting Macrophagic Myofascitis.

The aim of this study was to characterize brain metabolic abnormalities in patients with macrophagic myofascitis (MMF) and the relationship with cognitive dysfunction through the use of PET with F-FDG. F-FDG PET brain imaging and a comprehensive battery of neuropsychological tests were performed in 100 consecutive MMF patients (age [mean ± SD], 45.9 ± 12 y; 74% women).

Oxidative stress and DNA methylation regulation in the metabolic syndrome.

DNA methylation is implicated in tissue-specific gene expression and genomic imprinting. It is modulated by environmental factors, especially nutrition. Modified DNA methylation patterns may contribute to health problems and susceptibility to complex diseases.

Iron-ascorbate-mediated lipid peroxidation causes epigenetic changes in the antioxidant defense in intestinal epithelial cells: impact on inflammation.

Introduction: The gastrointestinal tract is frequently exposed to noxious stimuli that may cause oxidative stress, inflammation and injury. Intraluminal pro-oxidants from ingested nutrients especially iron salts and ascorbic acid frequently consumed together, can lead to catalytic formation of oxygen-derived free radicals that ultimately overwhelm the cellular antioxidant defense and lead to cell damage.

Hypothesis: Since the mechanisms remain sketchy, efforts have been exerted to evaluate the role of epigenetics in modulating components of endogenous enzymatic antioxidants in the intestine.

PCSK9 plays a significant role in cholesterol homeostasis and lipid transport in intestinal epithelial cells.

Objectives: The proprotein convertase subtillisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) regulates cholesterol metabolism via degradation of low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLr). Although PCSK9 is abundantly expressed in the intestine, limited data are available on its functions. The present study aims at determining whether PCSK9 plays important roles in cholesterol homeostasis and lipid transport in the gut.

Total parenteral nutrition induces sustained hypomethylation of DNA in newborn guinea pigs.

Background: Neonatal total parenteral nutrition (TPN) is associated with animals with low glucose tolerance, body weight, and physical activity at adulthood. The early life origin of adult metabolic perturbations suggests a reprogramming of metabolism following epigenetic modifications induced by a change in the pattern of DNA expression. We hypothesized that peroxides contaminating TPN inhibit the activity of DNA methyltransferase (DNMT), leading to a modified DNA methylation state.