Serum levels of the novel adipokine isthmin‑1 are associated with obesity in pubertal boys

Objectives To evaluate whether there is an association between the serum levels of the novel insulin-like adipokine isthmin- 1 (ISM1) and obesity-related phenotypes in a population of Spanish children and to investigate the plausible molecular alterations behind the alteration of the serum levels of this protein in children with obesity. Methods The study population is a sub-cohort of the PUBMEP research project, consisting of a cross-sectional population of 119 pubertal children with overweight (17 boys, 19 girls), obesity (20 boys, 25 girls), and normal weight (17 boys, 21 girls). All subjects were classified into experimental groups according to their sex, obesity, and insulin resistance (IR) status. They were counted anthropometry, glucose and lipid metabolism, inflammation and cardiovascular biomarkers as well as isthmin-1 (ISM1) serum levels. This population was intended as a discovery population to elucidate the relationship between obesity and ISM1 levels in children. Furthermore, the study population had blood whole-genome DNA methylation examined, allowing deepening into the obesity–ISM1 molecular relationship. Results Higher serum ISM1 levels were observed in boys with obesity than in normal weight (P = 0.004) and overweight (P = 0.007) boys. ISM1 serum levels were positively associated with body mass index (BMI) Z-score (P = 0.005) and fat mass (P = 0.058) and negatively associated with myeloperoxidase (MPO) (P = 0.043) in boys. Although we did not find associations between ISM1 serum levels and metabolic outcomes in girls, which may indicate a putative sexual dimorphism, fat mass was positively associated in all children, including boys and girls (P = 0.011). DNA methylation levels in two-enhancer-related CpG sites of ISM1 (cg03304641 and cg14269097) were associated with serum levels of ISM1 in children. Conclusions ISM1 is associated with obesity in boys at the pubertal stage, elucidating how this protein might be of special relevance as a new biomarker of obesity in children. Further studies including a longitudinal design during puberty are needed.Universidad de Granada/CBUAPlan Nacional de Investigacion Cientifica, Desarrollo e Innovacion Tecnologica (I + D + I), Instituto de Salud Carlos III-Health Research Funding (FONDOS FEDER) PI051968 PI1102042 PI1600871Redes tematicas de Investigacion cooperativa RETIC Red SAMID RD12/0026/0015Mapfre Foundatio

La comunicación y el vínculo intersubjetivo a partir de la metodología Dalcroze. Una propuesta de análisis”

In this research work, the educational and human practices that are had with respect to music and its educational interaction, its subjectivities, are revealed from their own experiential experience and from expert teachers in the field of artistic education and the different characteristics. The types of intersubjective links that are created for better communication between the student, the teacher and the knowledge are compared, considering the reality that is lived in school classrooms and the strategies that the teacher uses to reach meaningful constructions of learning. Analyze professional opinions on the characteristics of the classes to improve musical teaching practice in relation to the Dalcroze methodology and sharpen it from the autobiographical narrative and introspection for a reflection that contrasts between what is lived in the classroom and the teacher's experience.En este trabajo de investigación se devela, a partir de la experiencia vivencial propia y de maestros expertos en el ramo de la educación artística, las prácticas educativas y humanas que se tienen con respecto a la música y a la interacción educativa a favor de la misma, sus subjetividades y sus diferentes características. Se comparan los tipos de vínculos intersubjetivos que se crean para una mejor comunicación entre el alumno, el maestro y el conocimiento, atendiendo la realidad que se vive en las aulas escolares y las estrategias que el docente utiliza para llegar a construcciones significativas de aprendizaje, se analizan opiniones profesionales sobre las características de las clases para mejorar la práctica docente musical con relación a la metodología Dalcroze y agudizarla a partir de la narrativa autobiográfica y la introspección para una reflexión que contraste entre lo que se vive dentro del aula y la experiencia del maestr

Fotoenvejecimiento. Estudio biométrico cutáneo y fotografía ultravioleta

Introducción La mayoría de la población aún no toma conciencia sobre el envejecimiento cutáneo prematuro causado por la sobreexposición solar. El objetivo de este trabajo es valorar el daño solar crónico en la piel de adultos y su posible relación con los hábitos de exposición solar. Material y métodos Se realizó un estudio a 27 voluntarios de 40 a 60 años. Se utilizó un cuestionario de hábitos de exposición solar. Mediante un analizador cutáneo se objetivó la pigmentación, elasticidad, hidratación y pérdida de agua transepidérmica (TEWL) en zonas cutáneas fotoexpuestas (frente, sien y mejillas) y no fotoexpuestas (interior del bíceps). Finalmente, se valoró el daño solar acumulado mediante estudio facial con fotografía ultravioleta. Resultados Todos los voluntarios pasaron largas temporadas vacacionales en zonas de alta insolación (100%). El análisis biométrico mostró que la piel de zonas fotoexpuestas está más deteriorada que la de piel no fotoexpuesta así como evidenció una mayor afectación cutánea en hombres respecto a mujeres, siendo estas diferencias estadísticamente significativas (p<0.05) en la frente (eritema), sien (firmeza y retracción) y mejilla (hidratación y TEWL). En todos los voluntarios la fotografía UV mostró más lesiones de fotoenvejecimiento que la fotografía normal. Conclusiones Todos los voluntarios presentaron lesiones cutáneas en zonas fotoexpuestas relacionadas con la exposición solar crónica, por lo que resulta necesario fomentar una buena educación en fotoprotección.Universidad de Málaga. Campus de Excelencia Internacional Andalucía Tech

University Libraries and its Role in Undergraduate Students Learning: The Challenge of Listening to All Voices

Undergraduate students are usually the largest populations in higher education institutions. More information about qualitative aspects of learning practices and deeper knowledge about student needs is necessary to understand and promote a more implicated role of libraries in undergraduate student learning. This project is developed by researchers from two private universities libraries in Mexico: Biblioteca Francisco Xavier Clavigero, Universidad Iberoamericana Ciudad de México, and Bibllioteca Dr. Jorge Villalobos Padilla, S.J., Instituto Tecnológico y de Estudios Superiores de Occidente (ITESO), Guadalajara. The research methodology is mixed. After analysis and discussion of initial data some student’s characteristics were established as diversity markers which we expect will facilitate to select students for deep interview in order to listen the variety of undergraduate voices, analyze them and eventually guide the design of new library spaces, collections and services We expect also that the methodology developed will help to approach in detail other diverse user groups.ITESO, A.C

Selecting Undergraduate Students as Library Research Subjects from a Diversity Perspective

Undergraduate students are usually the largest populations in higher education institutions. More information about qualitative aspects of learning practices and deeper knowledge about student needs is necessary to understand and promote a more implicated role of libraries in undergraduate student learning. The project reported at this poster is developed by researchers from two private universities libraries in Mexico. The research methodology used is mixed. After analysis and discussion of initial data some student’s characteristics were established as diversity markers which we expect will facilitate to select students for deep interview in order to listen the variety of undergraduate voices and analyze them to guide the design of new library spaces, collections and services We expect also that the methodology developed will help to select participants from other library user groups from a diversity perspective

Discerning carnivore agency through the three-dimensional study of tooth pits: Revisiting crocodile feeding behaviour at FLK- Zinj and FLK NN3 (Olduvai Gorge, Tanzania)

Hominins and carnivores have shared similar habitats in Africa, evolving as direct competitors for the same prey and spaces. The overlap of their ecological niches has raised an important debate on the role that carnivores played in archaeological site formation. Different analytical techniques differentiate the action of carnivores and humans and identify the type of carnivore involved of which tooth mark analyses are prominent. However, available taphonomic studies present some limitations given the great overlap among tooth mark sizes from different carnivores, enabling only the distinction of size groups, not specific carnivores. In this work, we use a new technique combining three-dimensional (3D) reconstruction and geometric morphometrics (GMM) of tooth pits on equid and bovid bone created by different carnivores (including crocodiles, hyenas, jaguars, lions and wolves) in controlled settings. The 3D methodology we present isolates and differentiates tooth marks generated by different carnivores. We also test the applicability of the technique to ascribe tooth pits recorded on some hominin specimens from FLK Zinj and FLKNN 3 (Bed I, Olduvai Gorge). The tooth marks on the Olduvai OH8 and OH35 hominin fossils, previously assigned to crocodiles show that while OH8 tooth pit morphology falls in the range created by crocodiles, the pits on OH35 can not be interpreted as crocodile-inflicted marks

Invitations to interview on the role of the library in the undergraduate academic life: survey to select participants from diverse origin through posters and digital social networks

Undergraduate students are usually the largest populations in higher education institutions. More information about qualitative aspects of learning practices and deeper knowledge about student needs is necessary to understand and promote a more implicated role of libraries in undergraduate student learning. The project reported at this poster is developed by researchers from two private universities libraries in Mexico. The research methodology used is mixed. After analysis and discussion of initial data some student’s characteristics were established as diversity markers which we expect will facilitate to select students for deep interview in order to listen the variety of undergraduate voices and analyze them to guide the design of new library spaces, collections and services We expect also that the methodology developed will help to select participants from other library user groups from a diversity perspective

A specific protein-enriched enteral formula decreases cortisolemia and improves plasma albumin and amino acid concentrations in elderly patients

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Old age is associated with an involuntary and progressive but physiological loss of muscle mass. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of exclusive consumption for 6 months of a protein-enriched enteral diet with a relatively high content of branched-chain amino acids on albuminemia, cortisolemia, plasma amino acids, insulin resistance, and inflammation biomarkers in elderly patients.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Thirty-two patients from the Clinical Nutrition Outpatient Unit at our hospital exclusively consumed a protein-enriched enteral diet for 6 months. Data were collected at baseline and at 3 and 6 months on anthropometric and biochemical parameters and on plasma concentrations of amino acids, cortisol, adrenocorticotropic hormone, urea, creatinine, insulin resistance, and inflammation biomarkers.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The percentage of patients with albumin concentration below normal cut-off values decreased from 18% to 0% by the end of the study. At 6 months, concentrations of total plasma (<it>p </it>= 0.008) and essential amino acids (<it>p </it>= 0.011), especially branched-chain amino acids (<it>p </it>= 0.031), were higher versus baseline values, whereas 3-methylhistidine (<it>p </it>= 0.001), cortisol (<it>p </it>= 0.001) and adrenocorticotropic hormone (<it>p </it>= 0.004) levels were lower.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Regular intake of specific protein-enriched enteral formula increases plasma essential amino acids, especially branched-chain amino acids, and decreases cortisol and 3-methylhistidine, while plasma urea and creatinine remain unchanged.</p

Vitamin D Food Fortification and Nutritional Status in Children: A Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials

Children are in the risk group for developing hypovitaminosis D. Several strategies are used to reduce this risk. Among these, fortification of foods with vitamin D (25(OH)D) has contributed to the achievement of nutritional needs. This systematic review aims to discuss food fortification as a strategy for maintenance or recovery of nutritional status related to vitamin D in children. The work was developed according to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) and registered in the International prospective register of systematic reviews (PROSPERO) database (CRD42018052974). Randomized clinical trials with children up to 11 years old, who were offered vitamin D-fortified foods, and who presented 25(OH)D concentrations were used as eligibility criteria. After the selection stages, five studies were included, totaling 792 children of both sexes and aged between two and 11 years. Interventions offered 300–880 IU of vitamin D per day, for a period of 1.6–9 months, using fortified dairy products. In four of the five studies, there was an increase in the serum concentrations of 25(OH)D with the consumption of these foods; additionally, most children reached or maintained su ciency status. Moreover, the consumption of vitamin D-fortified foods proved to be safe, with no concentrations of 25(OH)D > 250 nmol/L. Based on the above, the fortification of foods with vitamin D can help maintain or recover the nutritional status of this vitamin in children aged 2–11 years. However, it is necessary to perform additional randomized clinical trials in order to establish optimal doses of fortification, according to the peculiarities of each region.This research was funded by the National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq/MS/SCTIE/DECIT/DAB/CGAN), grant number 440809/2017-7. In part by the Coordination of Improvement of Higher Education Personnel—Brazil (CAPES)—Finance Code 001. And by Unidad Científica de Excelencia Ejercicio y Salud (UCEES), University of Granada, Spain

Membrane vesicles released by a hypervesiculating Escherichia coli Nissle 1917 tolR mutant are highly heterogeneous and show reduced capacity for epithelial cell interaction and entry.

Membrane vesicles (MVs) produced by Gram-negative bacteria are being explored for novel clinical applications due to their ability to deliver active molecules to distant host cells, where they can exert immunomodulatory properties. MVs released by the probiotic Escherichia coli Nissle 1917 (EcN) are good candidates for testing such applications. However, a drawback for such studies is the low level of MV isolation from in vitro culture supernatants, which may be overcome by the use of mutants in cell envelope proteins that yield a hypervesiculation phenotype. Here, we confirm that a tolR mutation in EcN increases MV production, as determined by protein, LPS and fluorescent lipid measurements. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) of negatively stained MVs did not reveal significant differences with wild type EcN MVs. Conversely, TEM observation after high-pressure freezing followed by freeze substitution of bacterial samples, together with cryo-TEM observation of plunge-frozen hydrated isolated MVs showed considerable structural heterogeneity in the EcN tolR samples. In addition to common one-bilayer vesicles (OMVs) and the recently described double-bilayer vesicles (O-IMVs), other types of MVs were observed. Time-course experiments of MV uptake in Caco-2 cells using rhodamine- and DiO-labelled MVs evidenced that EcN tolR MVs displayed reduced internalization levels compared to the wild-type MVs. The low number of intracellular MVs was due to a lower cell binding capacity of the tolR-derived MVs, rather than a different entry pathway or mechanism. These findings indicate that heterogeneity of MVs from tolR mutants may have a major impact on vesicle functionality, and point to the need for conducting a detailed structural analysis when MVs from hypervesiculating mutants are to be used for biotechnological applications