Epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) facilitates the escape of pancreatic cancer cells from the primary tumor site, which is a key early event in metastasis. In the present study, we examined if intermittent hypoxia facilitates the invasiveness of human pancreatic cancer cell lines (Panc-1 and BxPC-3) by Transwell assay. We used western blotting and flow cytometry analysis to quantify stem-like cells in the migratory cells during intermittent hypoxia in the human pancreatic cancer cells. Under normoxia or intermittent hypoxia, the expression of autophagy-related proteins (LC3-II and Beclin), hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) and EMT-related markers (E-cadherin, Vimentin and N-cadherin) was examined by western blotting. siRNA and the autophagic inhibitor were used to access the role of HIF-1α and autophagy in promoting metastasis and EMT. Under intermittent hypoxia, pancreatic cancer cells demonstrated enhanced invasive ability and enriched stem-like cells. The migratory cells displayed stem-like cell characteristics and elevated the expression of LC3-II and Beclin-1, HIF-1α, E-cadherin, Vimentin and N-cadherin under intermittent hypoxia conditions. Moreover, enhanced autophagy was induced by the elevated level of HIF-1α. The metastatic ability and EMT of pancreatic cancer stem cells was associated with HIF-1α and autophagy. This novel finding may indicate the specific role of HIF-1α and autophagy in promoting the metastatic ability of pancreatic cancer stem cells. Additionally, it emphasizes the importance of developing therapeutic strategies targeting cancer stem cells and autophagy to reduce metastasis.

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This study was designed to quantify the role of reactive oxygen metabolites (ROMs) in two distinct components of murine peritoneal macrophage activity, phagocytosis and killing, and to discriminate quantitatively the degree to which each component is dependent on NADPH oxidase and/or xanthine oxidase. A fluorochromatic vital staining technique was modified to simultaneously quantify phagocytosis and microbicidal activity of macrophages incubated with Candida parapsilosis targets. To determine the role of ROMs, macrophages were preincubated with free radical scavengers [superoxide dismutase (SOD) and/or catalase] or with selective inhibitors of xanthine oxidase (XO, e.g., allopurinol) or NADPH oxidase [diphenyleneiodonium (DPI)]. Phagocytosis was not affected by treatment of macrophages with SOD, catalase, allopurinol, or DPI. Candidacidal activity, however, was inhibited by SOD, allopurinol, or DPI. The inhibitory effects of DPI and allopurinol were additive. Histochemical and biochemical assays demonstrated substantial quantities of XO in murine peritoneal macrophages. The findings suggest that the generation of ROMs by XO- and NADPH oxidase-dependent pathways are each important for phagocytic killing by murine peritoneal macrophages.

The Samoan population has been undergoing a nutrition transition toward more imported and processed foods and a more sedentary lifestyle. We aimed to identify dietary patterns in Samoa and to evaluate their associations with metabolic outcomes. The sample of this cross-sectional study includes 2774 Samoan adults recruited in 2010 (1104 with metabolic syndrome compared with 1670 without). Principal component analysis on food items from a 104-item food-frequency questionnaire was used to identify dietary patterns. Adjusted least squares means of each component of metabolic syndrome were estimated by quintiles of factor scores for each dietary pattern. Metabolic syndrome status was regressed on quintiles of scores by using log-binomial models to obtain prevalence ratios. We identified a modern pattern, a mixed-traditional pattern, and a mixed-modern pattern. The modern pattern included a high intake of imported and processed foods, including pizza, cheeseburgers, margarine, sugary drinks, desserts, snacks, egg products, noodles, nuts, breads, and cakes and a low intake of traditional agricultural products and fish. The mixed-traditional pattern had a high intake of neotraditional foods, including fruits, vegetables, soup, poultry, and fish, and imported and processed foods, including dairy products, breads, and cakes. The mixed-modern pattern was loaded with imported and processed foods, including pizza, cheeseburgers, red meat, egg products, noodles, and grains, but also with neotraditional foods, such as seafood and coconut. It also included a low intake of fish, tea, coffee, soup, and traditional agricultural staples. Higher adherence to the mixed-modern pattern was associated with lower abdominal circumference (-trend < 0.0001), lower serum triglycerides (-trend = 0.03), and higher serum HDL cholesterol (-trend = 0.0003). The mixed-modern pattern was inversely associated with prevalence of metabolic syndrome (the highest quintile: prevalence ratio = 0.79; 95% CI: 0.69, 0.91; -trend = 0.006). Mixed dietary patterns containing healthier foods, rather than a largely imported and processed modern diet, may help prevent metabolic syndrome in Samoa.

Further longitudinal monitoring and evaluation of early childhood growth and development are needed to understand the influences of early diet on child health in Samoa.

Background Measures of subclinical atherosclerosis are predictors of future cardiovascular outcomes as well as of physical and cognitive functioning. The menopausal transition is associated with accelerated progression of atherosclerosis in women. The prospective association between a healthy lifestyle during the midlife and subclinical atherosclerosis is unclear. Methods and Results Self‐reported data on smoking, diet, and physical activity from 1143 women in the Study of Women's Health Across the Nation were used to construct a 10‐year average Healthy Lifestyle Score ( HLS ) during the midlife. Markers of subclinical atherosclerosis were measured 14 years after baseline and included common carotid artery intima‐media thickness ( CCA ‐ IMT ), adventitial diameter ( CCA ‐ AD ), and carotid plaque. The associations of average HLS with CCA ‐ IMT and CCA ‐ AD were estimated using linear models; the association of average HLS with carotid plaque was estimated using cumulative logit models. Average HLS was associated with smaller CCA ‐ IMT and CCA ‐ AD in the fully adjusted models ( P= 0.0031 and <0.001, respectively). Compared with participants in the lowest HLS level, those in the highest level had 0.024 mm smaller CCA ‐ IMT (95% confidence interval: −0.048, 0.000), which equals 17% of the SD of CCA ‐ IMT , and 0.16 mm smaller CCA ‐ AD (95% confidence interval: −0.27, −0.04), which equals 24% of the SD of CCA ‐ AD . Among the 3 components of the HLS , abstinence from smoking had the strongest association with subclinical atherosclerosis. Conclusions Healthy lifestyle during the menopausal transition is associated with less subclinical atherosclerosis, highlighting the growing recognition that the midlife is a critical window for cardiovascular prevention in women.

Background: School feeding programs are beneficial for the physical, mental, and psychosocial development of school-age children and adolescents, particularly those in low-and middle-income countries (LMICs). While school feeding programs are ubiquitous in LMICs, the specific benefits of school feeding programs are unclear. The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis is to evaluate the impacts of school feeding programs on the educational and health outcomes of children and adolescents in LMICs. Methods: Rigorously designed interventional studies on the impacts of school feeding on nutritional and health outcomes of children and adolescents receiving primary or secondary education in LMICs will be included. The following information sources were used to identify relevant published or unpublished studies: MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, the Cochrane Library, and governmental or organizational websites. The risk of bias of randomized and non-randomized studies will be assessed using the Cochrane Risk of Bias tool and the ROBINS-I tool, respectively. Two reviewers will independently conduct the selection of studies, data extraction, and assessment of the risk of bias. A narrative synthesis of all the included studies will be provided. Meta-analyses will be performed whenever appropriate. Heterogeneity of effects will be assessed by I 2 , subgroup analyses, and meta-regression. The certainty of evidence for each outcome will be assessed using the Grading of Recommendation, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) approach. Discussion: The design and implementation of school feeding programs in LMICs should be based on the understanding of the benefits of such programs. This work will provide a crucial evidence base for the educational and health benefits of school feeding on children and adolescents in LMICs.

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