Progression of metabolic syndrome and associated cardiometabolic risk factors from prepuberty to puberty in children: The PUBMEP study

Introduction: Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a cluster of clinical and metabolic alterations related to the risk of cardiovascular diseases (CVD). Metabolic changes occurring during puberty, especially in children with overweight and obesity, can influence the risk of developing chronic diseases, especially CVD. Methods: Longitudinal study based on the follow-up until puberty of a cohort of 191 prepubertal Spanish boys and girls without congenital, chronic, or inflammatory diseases: undernutrition: or intake of any drug that could alter blood glucose, blood pressure, or lipid metabolism. The following parameters were used to determine the presence of MetS: obesity, hypertension, hyperglycemia, hypertriglyceridemia, and low HDL-c. Results: A total of 75·5% of participants stayed in the same BMI category from prepuberty to puberty, whereas 6·3% increased by at least one category. The prevalence of MetS was 9·1% (prepubertal stage) and 11·9% (pubertal stage). The risk of presenting alterations in puberty for systolic blood pressure (SBP), plasma triacylglycerols, HDL cholesterol (HDL-c), and HOMA-IR was significantly higher in those participants who had the same alterations in prepuberty. MetS prevalence in puberty was predicted by sex and levels of HOMA-IR, BMI-z, and waist circumference in the prepubertal stage, in the whole sample: in puberty, the predictors were levels of HOMA-IR, BMI-z, and diastolic blood pressure in participants with obesity. Two fast-and-frugal decision trees were built to predict the risk of MetS in puberty based on prepuberty HOMA-IR (cutoff 2·5), SBP (cutoff 106 mm of Hg), and TAG (cutoff 53 mg/dl). Discussion: Controlling obesity and cardiometabolic risk factors, especially HOMA-IR and blood pressure, in children during the prepubertal stage appears critical to preventing pubertal MetS effectively.Plan Nacional de Investigación Cientı́fica, Desarrollo e Innovación Tecnológica (I+D+I)Instituto de Salud Carlos III-Health Research Funding (FONDOS FEDER) (PI05/1968, PI11/01425, PI11/02042, PI11/ 02059, PI16/01301, PI16/01205, PI16/00871, PI20/00988, PI20/ 00924 and PI20/00563)CIBEROBN Network (CB15/00131, CB15/00043)Acción Estratégica en Salud 2013– 2016 (IFI17/00048)Research Plan of the Vice-Rectorate of Research and Transfer of the University of Granada, Spai

Profiling the Fatty Acids Content of Ornamental Camellia Seeds Cultivated in Galicia by an Optimized Matrix Solid-Phase Dispersion Extraction

Camellia (genus of flowering plants of fam. Theaceae) is one of the main crops in Asia, where tea and oil from leaves and seeds have been utilized for thousands of years. This plant is excellently adapted to the climate and soil of Galicia (northwestern Spain) and northern Portugal where it is grown not only as an ornamental plant, but to be evaluated as a source of bioactive compounds. In this work, the main fatty acids were extracted from Camellia seeds of four varieties of Camellia: sasanqua, reticulata, japonica and sinensis, by means of matrix-solid phase dispersion (MSPD), and analyzed by gas chromatography (GC) with MS detection of the corresponding methyl esters. MSPD constitutes an efficient and greener alternative to conventional extraction techniques, moreover if it is combined with the use of green solvents such as limonene. The optimization of the MSPD extraction procedure has been conducted using a multivariate approach based on strategies of experimental design, which enabled the simultaneous evaluation of the factors influencing the extraction efficiency as well as interactions between factors. The optimized method was applied to characterize the fatty acids profiles of four Camellia varieties seeds, allowing us to compare their fatty acid compositionThis research was supported by European Regional Development Fund 2007–2013 (FEDER), and project GPC2014/035 (Consolidated Research Groups Program of Galician Government Xunta de Galicia)S

Study of Fucoidans as Natural Biomolecules for Therapeutical Applications in Osteoarthritis

[Abstract] Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most prevalent articular chronic disease. Although, to date there is no cure for OA. Fucoidans, one of the main therapeutic components of brown algae, have emerged as promising molecules in OA treatment. However, the variability between fucoidans makes difficult the pursuit of the most suitable candidate to target specific pathological processes. By an in vitro experimental approach in chondrocytes and fibroblast-like synoviocytes, we observed that chemical composition of fucoidan, and specifically the phlorotannin content and the ratio sulfate:fucose, seems critically relevant for its biological activity. Nonetheless, other factors like concentration and molecular weight of the fucoidan may influence on its beneficial effects. Additionally, a cell-type dependent response was also detected. Thus, our results shed light on the potential use of fucoidans as natural molecules in the treatment of key pathological processes in the joint that favor the development of rheumatic disorders as OA.Xunta de Galicia; ED431G2019/0

Predictive Value of Serum Antibodies and Point Mutations of AQP4, AQP1 and MOG in A Cohort of Spanish Patients with Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorders

The detection of IgG aquaporin-4 antibodies in the serum of patients with Neuromyelitis optica (NMO) has dramatically improved the diagnosis of this disease and its distinction from multiple sclerosis. Recently, a group of patients have been described who have an NMO spectrum disorder (NMOsd) and who are seronegative for AQP4 antibodies but positive for IgG aquaporin-1 (AQP1) or myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG) antibodies. The purpose of this study was to determine whether AQP1 and MOG could be considered new biomarkers of this disease; and if point mutations in the gDNA of AQP4, AQP1 and MOG genes could be associated with the etiology of NMOsd. We evaluated the diagnostic capability of ELISA and cell-based assays (CBA), and analyzed their reliability, specificity, and sensitivity in detecting antibodies against these three proteins. The results showed that both assays can recognize these antigen proteins under appropriate conditions, but only anti-AQP4 antibodies, and not AQP1 or MOG, appears to be a clear biomarker for NMOsd. CBA is the best method for detecting these antibodies; and serum levels of AQP4 antibodies do not correlate with the progression of this disease. So far, the sequencing analysis has not revealed a genetic basis for the etiology of NMOsd, but a more extensive analysis is required before definitive conclusions can be drawn.Ministerio de Economía y CompetitividadFEDER (Grants PI16/01249 y PI16/00493

Human Milk Oligosaccharides (HMOs) and Infant Microbiota: A Scoping Review

Human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs) are the third most abundant solid component of breast milk. However, the newborn cannot assimilate them as nutrients. They are recognized prebiotic agents (the first in the newborn diet) that stimulate the growth of beneficial microorganisms, mainly the genus Bifidobacterium, dominant in the gut of breastfed infants. The structures of the oligosaccharides vary mainly according to maternal genetics, but also other maternal factors such as parity and mode of delivery, age, diet, and nutritional status or even geographic location and seasonality cause different breast milk oligosaccharides profiles. Differences in the profiles of HMO have been linked to breast milk microbiota and gut microbial colonization of babies. Here, we provide a review of the scope of reports on associations between HMOs and the infant gut microbiota to assess the impact of HMO compositionS

Numerical analysis of emissions from marine engines using alternative fuels

The current restrictions on emissions from marine engines, particularly sulphur oxides (SOx ), nitrogen oxides (NOx ) and carbon dioxide (CO2 ), are compelling the shipping industry to a change of tendency. In the recent years, many primary and secondary reduction techniques have been proposed and employed in marine engines. Nevertheless, the increasingly restrictive legislation makes it very difficult to continue developing efficient eduction procedures at competitive prices. According to this, the paper presents the possibility to employ alternative fuels. A numerical model was developed to analyze the combustion process and emissions using oil fuel, natural gas and hydrogen. A commercial marine engine was studied, the Wärtsilä 6L 46. It was found, that hydrogen is the cleanest fuel regarding CO2 , hydrocarbons (HC) and carbon monoxide (CO). Nevertheless, it is very expensive for marine applications. Natural gas is cheaper and cleaner than fuel oil regarding CO2 and CO emissions. Still, natural gas emits more NOx and HC than oil fuel. SOx depends basically on the sulphur content of each particular fuel.S

Necrosis avascular idiopática del hueso grande. Reporte de caso

Introduction. Avascular necrosis (AVN) of the capitate bone is a rare disease of unknown etiology that usually appears in young people and causes chronic pain and functional impotence in the wrist. There are multiple treatments for this pathology; however, there is currently no clear consensus on the indications for these techniques. Presentation of the case. A 27-year-old woman who attended the Orthopedic Surgery and Traumatology Service of a tertiary care institution for pain in the left wrist that she began eight months ago. As the only antecedent of importance, she had presented a blow in the area. No alterations were found in the X-ray presented by the patient. Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) was ordered, which showed an extensive trabecular fracture of the capitate with signs of pseudoarthrosis and bone edema, for which conservative management was initiated. In the follow-up MRI, performed one year later, persistence of bone edema was observed, so AVN of the capitate was suspected and a computerized axial tomography was performed, which confirmed the diagnosis. The patient was treated by arthroscopic resection of the proximal pole of the capitate with good short-term results. Conclusion. It is necessary to carry out new studies with long-term results that compare the different therapeutic options to clarify the best treatment for this rare disease.Introducción. La necrosis avascular (NAV) del hueso grande es una enfermedad rara y de etiología desconocida que suele aparecer en personas jóvenes y causa dolor crónico e impotencia funcional en la muñeca. Existen múltiples tratamientos para esta patología; sin embargo, actualmente no hay un consenso claro sobre las indicaciones de estas técnicas. Presentación del caso. Mujer de 27 años quien asistió al Servicio de Cirugía Ortopédica y Traumatología de una institución de tercer nivel de atención por dolor en la muñeca izquierda que comenzó ocho meses atrás. Como único antecedente de importancia, había presentado un golpe en el área. En la radiografía que presentó la paciente no se encontraron alteraciones. Se ordenó resonancia magnética nuclear (RMN) que mostró fractura trabecular extensa del hueso grande con signos de pseudoartrosis y edema óseo, por lo que se inició manejo conservador. En la RMN de control, realizada un año después, se observó persistencia de edema óseo, por lo que se sospechó NAV del hueso grande y se realizó tomografía axial computarizada que confirmó el diagnóstico. La paciente fue tratada mediante resección artroscópica del polo proximal del hueso grande con buenos resultados a corto plazo. Conclusión. Es necesario realizar nuevos estudios con resultados a largo plazo y que comparen las diferentes opciones terapéuticas para esclarecer el mejor tratamiento de esta rara enfermedad

Impact of Herbicide Treatments on the Construction Materials in the Roman Wall of Lugo, Spain (UNESCO World Heritage Site)

Combined laboratory and field research examining the possible alterations caused by herbicide treatments applied to the construction materials (schist and some granite, bound with mortar) in the Roman wall of Lugo (NW Spain), declared a World Heritage site by UNESCO in 2000, was performed in three separate studies in the past 20 years. In the summers of 1998 and 1999, the herbicides glyphosate, sulphosate and glufosinate–ammonium, as well as physical treatments (infrared and burning) were separately applied to different areas of the wall. In the spring of 2016, the oxyfluorfen herbicide Goal Supreme® was applied to test areas. In the winter of 2018, three essential oils, Origanum vulgare L., Thymus zygis Loefl. ex L., and Thymus vulgaris L., were each applied to test areas. Mineralogical modifications in the materials (determined by X-ray diffraction analysis), as well as visible physical changes, such as colour changes, and the appearance of saline residues were evaluated after the treatments. In the 1998/9 trial, glyphosate and both physical treatments triggered changes in the vermiculite clay minerals in the schists, and the physical treatments also caused changes in the kaolinite. None of the treatments caused highly perceptible colour changes. The oxyfluorfen herbicide did not cause any mineralogical alterations in the construction materials, but it did generate an increase in chloride, nitrate and sulphate contents of the granite and a slight darkening of this material. In the most recent study, the only deleterious effect observed was a perceptible increase in lightness and reduction in the yellow component after the application of Thymus zygis Loefl. ex L. essential oil to graniteThe results of the different studies presented here were financially supported by the following contracts: “Evaluación de diferentes métodos de control de las malas hierbas de la muralla de Lugo. Xunta de Galicia. Consellería de Cultura, Comunicación Social e Turismo. 1998 and 1999”; “Seguimiento de los tratamientos de control de la flora vascular en la muralla romana de Lugo. Restauraciones y Construcciones Luis J. Sánchez SA. 2015–2017”; “Realizar el seguimiento del segundo tratamiento fitosanitario 2017 y realizar un ensayo de herbicidas naturales en las paredes da muralla. Restauraciones y Construcciones Luis J. Sánchez SA. 2017–2018”; “Realizar el seguimiento de la limpieza manual de las paredes de la muralla romana de Lugo en el verano-otoño de 2019 y la aplicación en las paredes de la muralla romana de Lugo de herbicidas naturales potenciales para controlar la germinación de Parietaria Judaica L. Restauraciones y Construcciones Luis J. Sánchez SA. 2019–2020”. The authors are also grateful for financial support from the Xunta de Galicia (grant ED431C 2018/32)S

Repositioning of Anti-parasitic Drugs in Cyclodextrin Inclusion Complexes for Treatment of Triple-Negative Breast Cancer

Drug repositioning refers to the identification of new therapeutic indications for drugs already approved. Albendazole and ricobendazole have been used as anti-parasitic drugs for many years; their therapeutic action is based on the inhibition of microtubule formation. Therefore, the study of their properties as antitumor compounds and the design of an appropriate formulation for cancer therapy is an interesting issue to investigate. The selected compounds are poorly soluble in water, and consequently, they have low and erratic bioavailability. In order to improve their biopharmaceutics properties, several formulations employing cyclodextrin inclusion complexes were developed. To carefully evaluate the in vitro and in vivo antitumor activity of these drugs and their complexes, several studies were performed on a breast cancer cell line (4T1) and BALB/c mice. In vitro studies showed that albendazole presented improved antitumor activity compared with ricobendazole. Furthermore, albendazole:citrate-β-cyclodextrin complex decreased significantly 4T1 cell growth both in in vitro and in vivo experiments. Thus, new formulations for anti-parasitic drugs could help to reposition them for new therapeutic indications, offering safer and more effective treatments by using a well-known drug.Fil: Priotti, Josefina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Rosario. Instituto de Química Rosario. Universidad Nacional de Rosario. Facultad de Ciencias Bioquímicas y Farmacéuticas. Instituto de Química Rosario; ArgentinaFil: Baglioni, María Virginia. Universidad Nacional de Rosario. Facultad de Ciencias Medicas. Instituto de Genetica Experimental; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: García, Agustina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Rosario. Instituto de Química Rosario. Universidad Nacional de Rosario. Facultad de Ciencias Bioquímicas y Farmacéuticas. Instituto de Química Rosario; ArgentinaFil: Rico, Maria Jose. Universidad Nacional de Rosario. Facultad de Ciencias Medicas. Instituto de Genetica Experimental; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Leonardi, Darío. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Rosario. Instituto de Química Rosario. Universidad Nacional de Rosario. Facultad de Ciencias Bioquímicas y Farmacéuticas. Instituto de Química Rosario; ArgentinaFil: Lamas, Maria Celina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Rosario. Instituto de Química Rosario. Universidad Nacional de Rosario. Facultad de Ciencias Bioquímicas y Farmacéuticas. Instituto de Química Rosario; ArgentinaFil: Menacho Márquez, Mauricio Ariel. Universidad Nacional de Rosario. Facultad de Ciencias Medicas. Instituto de Genetica Experimental; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Rosario. Instituto de Investigaciones para el Descubrimiento de Fármacos de Rosario. Universidad Nacional de Rosario. Instituto de Investigaciones para el Descubrimiento de Fármacos de Rosario; Argentin