Two-hour postload glycemia is associated to an increased risk of NAFLD in healthy subjects with family history of type 2 diabetes: a case control study

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) includes steatosis and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), which can be complicated by cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma [1]. NAFLD affects over 30 % of the general population and is associated with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), obesity and metabolic syndrome. NAFLD prevalence in T2DM patients is about 70 % using ultrasonography (US). NAFLD and T2DM share insulinresistance, which in the liver increases gluconeogenesis and glycogenolysis, resulting in hyperglycemia. The pancreatic beta islet cells adapt to hyperglycemia by increasing insulin secretion. Hyperinsulinemia upregulates several lipogenic transcription factors, promoting hepatic lipid synthesis. The association between NAFLD and T2DM seems to be the result of a “common soil”. Several studies showed that NAFLD predicts T2DM and vice versa, and that each condition may act as a progression factor for the other. There is evidence of a high risk of NASH and its progression to hepatocellular carcinoma in T2DM patients [6]. Conversely, recent studies showed that NAFLD not only predicts diabetes, but also contributes to poor glycemic control and chronic complications [8]. Despite its clear link with T2DM, the association of NAFLD with family history of diabetes has been poorly investigated. A recent cross-sectional study in nondiabetic individuals with NAFLD demonstrated that family history of diabetes increased the risk of NASH and fibrosis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of NAFLD in healthy first degree relatives of T2DM patients (T2DM-rel) and in healthy subjects without family history of T2DM and to assess the risk factors associated with NAFLD development

Artichoke (Cynara scolymus L.) as cash-cover crop in an organic vegetable system

<p style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">In organic vegetable systems green manure crops play an important role as a nitrogen source, but they cover the soil for several months without producing a direct income. Globe artichoke (<em>Cynara scolymus</em> L.) provides both heads to be harvested and particularly abundant plant residues to be possibly incorporated into the soil, so it may play a double role of cash and cover crop. This paper describes an on-farm study in which seed-propagated artichoke, cultivated as an annual crop, preceded zucchini squash and lettuce cultivated in sequence within a vegetable organic system. Artichoke produced about 7 t ha^-1 of saleable heads and left, after harvest, 50.3 t ha^-1 of fresh biomass usable as green manure. Zucchini squash and lettuce following artichoke showed a significant increase in yield when artichoke residues were incorporated into the soil. Furthermore, a residual positive effect of green manure on soil fertility was detected after lettuce harvest.</p><p style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"> </p

Current state and perspectives of simulation and modeling of aliphatic isocyanates and polyisocyanates

Aliphatic isocyanates and polyisocyanates are central molecules in the fabrication of polyurethanes, coatings, and adhesives and, due to their excellent mechanical and stability properties, are continuously investigated in advanced applications; however, despite the growing interest in isocyanate-based systems, atomistic simulations on them have been limited by the lack of accurate parametrizations for these molecular species. In this review, we will first provide an overview of current research on isocyanate systems to highlight their most promising applications, especially in fields far from their typical usage, and to justify the need for further modeling works. Next, we will discuss the state of their modeling, from first-principle studies to atomistic molecular dynamics simulations and coarse-grained approaches, highlighting the recent advances in atomistic modeling. Finally, the most promising lines of research in the modeling of isocyanates are discussed in light of the possibilities opened by novel approaches, such as machine learning.This work was supported by the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) in the framework of the Strategic Funding UIDB/04650/2020 and by the project SATRAP (POCI-01-0145-FEDER-028108). The work has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020—Research and Innovation Framework Programme under the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Grant Agreement no. 642890 (http://thelink-project.eu/, accessed on 14 April 2022)

Frontiers in Plant Breeding: Perspectives for the Selection of Vegetables Less Susceptible to Enteric Pathogens

Fresh vegetables including baby greens, microgreens, and sprouts can host human pathogens without exhibiting any visible signs of spoilage. It is clear that the vast majority of foodborne disease outbreaks associated with vegetable produce are not simply a result of an oversight by a producer, as it was shown that zoonotic pathogens fromEnterobacteriaceaecan contaminate produce through various routes throughout the entire production cycle. In this context, phenotypic and genotypic signatures have been used since early ages in agriculture to obtain better produce, and can be used today as a strategy to reduce the risk of outbreaks through plant breeding. In this mini-review, we provide an updated view and perspectives on to what extent the selection of biological markers can be used to select safer cultivars of vegetable crops such as tomato (the most studied), leafy greens and cabbage. Once this knowledge will be better consolidated, these approaches should be integrated into the development of comprehensive farm-to-fork produce safety programs

Screening for type 1 diabetes-, thyroid-, gastric-, and adrenal-specific humoral autoimmunity in 529 children and adolescents with celiac disease at diagnosis identifies as positive one in every nine patients

No abstract availabl

Endothelial dysfunction markers as a therapeutic target for Sildenafil treatment and effects on metabolic control in type 2 diabetes

Endothelial dysfunction (ED) plays a role in diabetic cardiovascular complications. Hyperglycemia increases cytockines involved in vascular inflammation. Inhibition of phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) exerts a relaxation on corpora cavernosa and has cardioprotective properties. The effect of chronic sildenafil treatment, on ED markers and metabolic parameters in a non-randomized study on men with type 2 diabetes (T2DM), was investigated

O ensino e aprendizagem de gêneros textuais com o auxílio das Tecnologias Digitais de Informação e Comunicação

TCC(especialização) - Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina. Centro de Ciências da Educação. Departamento de Metodologia de Ensino. Educação na Cultura Digital.Este trabalho objetiva analisar o uso das Tecnologias Digitais de Informação e Comunicação (TDIC) no ensino de gêneros textuais na escola, observando a importância de um currículo integrado com as TDIC (web currículo) e o uso dessas como meio de construção de conhecimento, o que contribui para transformar o aluno em protagonista de seu aprendizado dentro de uma formação humana integral. Este trabalho aborda temas como a reconfiguração cultural da escola, o conceito de multiletramento e práticas de ensino desenvolvidas dentro da perspectiva de ensino aliada ao uso das tecnologias digitais. Ao final, apresento reflexões, dificuldades e êxitos a partir dessas práticas desenvolvidas com turmas do ensino médio regular. Há também um questionário realizado com professores de língua portuguesa da Escola de Educação Básica Frederico Hardt, onde pude analisar as maneiras como estes aliam o conteúdo ao uso das TDIC