OBJECTIVE—The ATP-binding cassette transporter A1 (ABCA1) R230C variant is associated with low HDL cholesterol levels, obesity, and the metabolic syndrome in Mexican-Mestizos. Because a pivotal role for ABCA1 in pancreatic β-cell function was recently observed in the mouse model, we assessed the association of this variant with type 2 diabetes in this population. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS—The initial group included 446 unrelated Mexican individuals: 244 with type 2 diabetes aged 20–69 years (121 with onset ≤45 years), and 202 nondiabetic control subjects aged >50 years. An independent study group included 242 type 2 diabetic case subjects and 225 control subjects with similar characteristics. RESULTS—R230C/C230C genotypes were significantly more frequent in type 2 diabetic individuals (24.6%) than in control subjects (11.4%) in the initial study group (OR 2.501; P = 0.001). After stratifying by age at diagnosis, the association was significant only in the early-onset group (age at diagnosis ≤45 years) (OR 3.776, P = 3.3 × 10−6). Both associations remained significant after adjusting for admixture (P = 0.0008 and P = 8.1 × 10−6, respectively). Similar trends were observed in the independent study group, and the combined analysis of both populations showed a highly significant association of the R230C variant with type 2 diabetes, particularly with that of early onset (P = 7.6 × 10−6 and 9.4 × 10−8, respectively). CONCLUSIONS—The R230C ABCA1 variant is associated with type 2 diabetes, particularly of early onset, in the Mexican-Mestizo population.

Brown algae and its carotenoids have been shown to have a positive influence on obesity and its comorbidities. This study evaluated the effect of Undaria pinnatifida and fucoxanthin on biochemical, physiological and inflammation markers related to obesity and on the expression of genes engaged on white adipose tissue lipid metabolism in a murine model of diet-induced obesity. The treatments improved energy expenditure, β-oxidation and adipogenesis by upregulating PPARα, PGC1α, PPARγ and UCP-1. Adipogenesis was also confirmed by image analysis of the retroperitoneal adipose tissue, by measuring cell area, perimeter and cellular density. Additionally, the treatments, ameliorated adipose tissue accumulation, insulin resistance, blood pressure, cholesterol and triglycerides concentration in serum, and reduced lipogenesis and inflammation by downregulating acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC) gene expression, increasing serum concentration and expression of adiponectin as well as downregulating IL-6 expression. Both fucoxanthin and Undaria pinnatifida may be considered for treating obesity and other diseases related.

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BackgroundInfluenza viruses pose a threat to human health because of their potential to cause global disease. Between mid March and mid April a pandemic influenza A virus emerged in Mexico. This report details 202 cases of infection of humans with the 2009 influenza A virus (H1N1)v which occurred in Mexico City as well as the spread of the virus throughout the entire country.Methodology and FindingsFrom May 1st to May 5th nasopharyngeal swabs, derived from 751 patients, were collected at 220 outpatient clinics and 28 hospitals distributed throughout Mexico City. Analysis of samples using real time RT-PCR revealed that 202 patients out of the 751 subjects (26.9%) were confirmed to be infected with the new virus. All confirmed cases of human infection with the strain influenza (H1N1)v suffered respiratory symptoms. The greatest number of confirmed cases during the outbreak of the 2009 influenza A (H1N1)v were seen in neighbourhoods on the northeast side of Mexico City including Iztapalapa, Gustavo A. Madero, Iztacalco, and Tlahuac which are the most populated areas in Mexico City. Using these data, together with data reported by the Mexican Secretariat of Health (MSH) to date, we plot the course of influenza (H1N1)v activity throughout Mexico.ConclusionsOur data, which is backed up by MSH data, show that the greatest numbers of the 2009 influenza A (H1N1) cases were seen in the most populated areas. We speculate on conditions in Mexico which may have sparked this flu pandemic, the first in 41 years. We accept the hypothesis that high population density and a mass gathering which took in Iztapalapa contributed to the rapid spread of the disease which developed in three peaks of activity throughout the Country.

Adipose tissue from children with obesity demonstrates a dysregulation of key modulators of MB and organelle structure, and displays hyperacetylation of key proteins and altered expression of upstream regulators of cell metabolism.