Caracterización de espumas microcelulares de PET reciclado inyectadas con tecnología MuCell

El present treball està emmarcat en les accions previstes de el projecte RevalPET'UP. Ll'objectiu de aquest projecte és la revalorització de residus de PET opac reciclat en materials d'alt valor afegit. En aquesta fase de el projecte es proposa la fabricació d'escumes d'estructura microcelular a partir de PET opac reciclat mitjançant la tecnologia MuCell. Aquestes serien emprades com aïllants tèrmics al sector de la construcció. En aquest treball s'estudien diferents condicions de espumació tant per a PET opac reciclat com per a PET opac reciclat modificat amb un extensor de cadena. Les escumes generades es caracteritzen mitjançant DSC, SEM i assajos d'impacte. Es va observar que l'addició de l'extensor de cadena facilitava la espumació permetent arribar a estalvis de pes de fins a un 40%.El presente trabajo está enmarcado en las acciones previstas del proyecto RevalPET’UP cuyo objetivo es la revalorización de residuos de PET opaco reciclado en materiales de alto valor añadido. En esta fase del proyecto se propone la fabricación de espumas de estructura microcelular a partir de PET opaco reciclado mediante la tecnología MuCell. Estas serían empleadas como aislantes térmicos en el sector de la construcción. Para ello en este trabajo se estudian diferentes condiciones de espumación tanto para PET opaco reciclado como para PET opaco reciclado modificado con un extensor de cadena. Las espumas generadas se caracterizan mediante DSC, SEM y ensayos de impacto. Se observó que la adición del extensor de cadena facilitaba la espumación permitiendo llegar a ahorros de peso de hasta un 40%.This work is within the planned actions of the RevalPET'UP project, whose objective is the revaluation of recycled opaque PET waste into high added value materials. In this phase of the project, it is proposed to produce foams with a microcellular structure from recycled opaque PET using MuCell technology. These foams would be used as thermal insulators in construction. In this work, different foaming conditions are studied for both recycled opaque PET and recycled opaque PET modified with a chain extender. The foams are characterized by DSC, SEM, and impact tests. It was observed that the addition of the chain extender facilitated foaming leading to weight savings of up to 40%.Objectius de Desenvolupament Sostenible::12 - Producció i Consum Responsable

Improved diet quality and nutrient adequacy in children and adolescents with abdominal obesity after a lifestyle intervention

High rates of childhood obesity require integral treatment with lifestyle modifications that achieve weight loss. We evaluated a lifestyle intervention on nutrient adequacy and diet quality in children and adolescents with abdominal obesity. A randomized controlled trial was performed on 107 participants, assigned either to a usual care group or to an intensive care group that followed a moderate hypocaloric Mediterranean diet and received nutritional education. Intake adequacy was evaluated using Dietary Reference Intakes and diet quality through the Diet Quality Index for Adolescents (DQI-A), the Healthy Lifestyle Diet-Index (HLD-I) and the Mediterranean Diet Quality Index (KIDMED). Both groups achieved a significant reduction in BMI standard deviation score (BMI-SDS), glucose and total cholesterol levels. Intake of Calcium, Iodine and vitamin D were higher in the intensive care group, with enhanced compliance with recommendations. Higher dietary scores were associated with lower micronutrient inadequacy. DQI-A and HLD-I were significantly higher in the intensive care group vs. usual care group after the treatment. In conclusion, we observed that an intensive lifestyle intervention was able to reduce BMI-SDS in children with abdominal obesity. Furthermore, participants significantly improved dietary indices getting closer to the nutritional recommendations. Therefore, these diet quality indices could be a valid indicator to evaluate micronutrient adequacy.High rates of childhood obesity require integral treatment with lifestyle modifications that achieve weight loss. We evaluated a lifestyle intervention on nutrient adequacy and diet quality in children and adolescents with abdominal obesity. A randomized controlled trial was performed on 107 participants, assigned either to a usual care group or to an intensive care group that followed a moderate hypocaloric Mediterranean diet and received nutritional education. Intake adequacy was evaluated using Dietary Reference Intakes and diet quality through the Diet Quality Index for Adolescents (DQI-A), the Healthy Lifestyle Diet-Index (HLD-I) and the Mediterranean Diet Quality Index (KIDMED). Both groups achieved a significant reduction in BMI standard deviation score (BMI-SDS), glucose and total cholesterol levels. Intake of Calcium, Iodine and vitamin D were higher in the intensive care group, with enhanced compliance with recommendations. Higher dietary scores were associated with lower micronutrient inadequacy. DQI-A and HLD-I were significantly higher in the intensive care group vs. usual care group after the treatment. In conclusion, we observed that an intensive lifestyle intervention was able to reduce BMI-SDS in children with abdominal obesity. Furthermore, participants significantly improved dietary indices getting closer to the nutritional recommendations. Therefore, these diet quality indices could be a valid indicator to evaluate micronutrient adequacy

Melanocortin-4 Receptor and Lipocalin 2 Gene Variants in Spanish Children with Abdominal Obesity: Effects on BMI-SDS after a Lifestyle Intervention

Mutations leading to a reduced function of the melanocortin-4 receptor (MC4R) exert a major gene effect on extreme obesity. Recently it was shown that the bone derived hormone lipocalin 2 (LCN2) binds to the MC4R and activates a MC4R dependent anorexigenic pathway. We identified mutations in both genes and screened the effects of MC4R and LCN2 mutations on eating behavior and weight change after a lifestyle intervention. One hundred and twelve children (11.24 ± 2.6 years, BMI-SDS 2.91 ± 1.07) with abdominal obesity participated in a lifestyle intervention. MC4R and LCN2 coding regions were screened by Sanger sequencing. Eating behavior was assessed at baseline with the Children Eating Behavior Questionnaire (CEBQ). We detected three previously described non-synonymous MC4R variants (Glu42Lys, Thr150Ile, and Arg305Gln) and one non-synonymous polymorphism (Ile251Leu). Regarding LCN2, one known non-synonymous variant (Thr124Met) was detected. Eating behavior was described in carriers of the MC4R and LCN2 mutation and in non-carriers. MC4R and LCN2 mutations were detected in 2.42% and 0.84%, respectively, of Spanish children with abdominal obesity. A number of subjects with functional mutation variants in MC4R and LCN2 were able to achieve a reduction in BMI-SDS after a lifestyle intervention

Cardiometabolic risk after two lifestyle interventions in children with obesity: the role of genetic markers

Childhood obesity has increased in recent years. In Spain about one in four children are overweight or obese, and most of them will carry this status into adulthood. Health consequences derived from obesity are numerous and complex, but the most frequent are those related to cardiometabolic risk and the future development of type 2 diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular disease. Different strategies have been proposed to reduce adiposity and improve metabolic outcomes in children with obesity. Lifestyle interventions that combined dietary, physical activity and behavioural approaches with family involvement appear to be the best options to prevent weight regain. Since, obesity development stands from the interplay between lifestyle and genetic factors it is important to understand how genetic markers could influence the weight loss response. Thus, the general objective of the present project is to evaluate the effect of two lifestyle interventions on cardiometabolic risk in children with obesity. The role of genetic markers in the individual response to the intervention will also be evaluated. This thesis project includes two different lifestyle programs: 1) the NUGENOI study based on a dietary intensive intervention (10 weeks), and 2) the IGENOI study, an integral intervention with a 2-year duration (2 months + 22 months of follow up). Both lifestyle interventions were able to reduce adiposity and improve metabolic outcomes. Parameters related to cardiometabolic risk such as inflammatory cytokines and oxidized LDL cholesterol were also diminished in children with obesity. In addition, changes in glucose metabolism derived from the lifestyle intervention were associated with cardiotrophin-1 gene expression at baseline. The integral intervention of IGENOI study includes the promotion of physical activity in children. Concerning this, children with abdominal obesity from the intensive care group were more physically active (+5.5 minutes of daily increase in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity assessed by accelerometry) and lowered their cardiometabolic risk after the intervention. In fact, favorable changes in MVPA were related to changes in leptin levels. Telomere length is influenced by oxidative stress and inflammatory status, these two processes are present in obese subjects. We observed inverse associations between telomere length and adiposity indices. Moreover, baseline telomere length seemed to be a marker of changes in glucose levels. Moreover, no change in TL was observed, despite achieving a successful decrease in BMI-SDS after the integral lifestyle intervention. Finally, IGENOI participants were screened for functional mutations in Melanocortin 4 Receptor (MC4R) and Lipocalin 2 (LCN2) genes. The prevalence for the two gene variants were 2.42% and 0.84% for MC4R and LCN2, respectively. These genetic variants seem to partially explain eating behaviours. Nevertheless, subjects with those functional mutations were able to decrease adiposity after our integral lifestyle intervention. In summary, lifestyle interventions conducted in children with obesity were effective in the reduction of adiposity and metabolic outcomes. It appears that telomere length and cardiotrophin-1 gene expression could have a predictive role in glucose metabolism outcomes. Meanwhile, MC4R and LCN2 mutations could influence eating behaviours but did not change the weight loss response

Cardiometabolic risk after two lifestyle interventions in children with obesity: the role of genetic markers

Childhood obesity has increased in recent years. In Spain about one in four children are overweight or obese, and most of them will carry this status into adulthood. Health consequences derived from obesity are numerous and complex, but the most frequent are those related to cardiometabolic risk and the future development of type 2 diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular disease. Different strategies have been proposed to reduce adiposity and improve metabolic outcomes in children with obesity. Lifestyle interventions that combined dietary, physical activity and behavioural approaches with family involvement appear to be the best options to prevent weight regain. Since, obesity development stands from the interplay between lifestyle and genetic factors it is important to understand how genetic markers could influence the weight loss response. Thus, the general objective of the present project is to evaluate the effect of two lifestyle interventions on cardiometabolic risk in children with obesity. The role of genetic markers in the individual response to the intervention will also be evaluated. This thesis project includes two different lifestyle programs: 1) the NUGENOI study based on a dietary intensive intervention (10 weeks), and 2) the IGENOI study, an integral intervention with a 2-year duration (2 months + 22 months of follow up). Both lifestyle interventions were able to reduce adiposity and improve metabolic outcomes. Parameters related to cardiometabolic risk such as inflammatory cytokines and oxidized LDL cholesterol were also diminished in children with obesity. In addition, changes in glucose metabolism derived from the lifestyle intervention were associated with cardiotrophin-1 gene expression at baseline. The integral intervention of IGENOI study includes the promotion of physical activity in children. Concerning this, children with abdominal obesity from the intensive care group were more physically active (+5.5 minutes of daily increase in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity assessed by accelerometry) and lowered their cardiometabolic risk after the intervention. In fact, favorable changes in MVPA were related to changes in leptin levels. Telomere length is influenced by oxidative stress and inflammatory status, these two processes are present in obese subjects. We observed inverse associations between telomere length and adiposity indices. Moreover, baseline telomere length seemed to be a marker of changes in glucose levels. Moreover, no change in TL was observed, despite achieving a successful decrease in BMI-SDS after the integral lifestyle intervention. Finally, IGENOI participants were screened for functional mutations in Melanocortin 4 Receptor (MC4R) and Lipocalin 2 (LCN2) genes. The prevalence for the two gene variants were 2.42% and 0.84% for MC4R and LCN2, respectively. These genetic variants seem to partially explain eating behaviours. Nevertheless, subjects with those functional mutations were able to decrease adiposity after our integral lifestyle intervention. In summary, lifestyle interventions conducted in children with obesity were effective in the reduction of adiposity and metabolic outcomes. It appears that telomere length and cardiotrophin-1 gene expression could have a predictive role in glucose metabolism outcomes. Meanwhile, MC4R and LCN2 mutations could influence eating behaviours but did not change the weight loss response

Improved Diet Quality and Nutrient Adequacy in Children and Adolescents with Abdominal Obesity after a Lifestyle Intervention

High rates of childhood obesity require integral treatment with lifestyle modifications that achieve weight loss. We evaluated a lifestyle intervention on nutrient adequacy and diet quality in children and adolescents with abdominal obesity. A randomized controlled trial was performed on 107 participants, assigned either to a usual care group or to an intensive care group that followed a moderate hypocaloric Mediterranean diet and received nutritional education. Intake adequacy was evaluated using Dietary Reference Intakes and diet quality through the Diet Quality Index for Adolescents (DQI-A), the Healthy Lifestyle Diet-Index (HLD-I) and the Mediterranean Diet Quality Index (KIDMED). Both groups achieved a significant reduction in BMI standard deviation score (BMI-SDS), glucose and total cholesterol levels. Intake of Calcium, Iodine and vitamin D were higher in the intensive care group, with enhanced compliance with recommendations. Higher dietary scores were associated with lower micronutrient inadequacy. DQI-A and HLD-I were significantly higher in the intensive care group vs. usual care group after the treatment. In conclusion, we observed that an intensive lifestyle intervention was able to reduce BMI-SDS in children with abdominal obesity. Furthermore, participants significantly improved dietary indices getting closer to the nutritional recommendations. Therefore, these diet quality indices could be a valid indicator to evaluate micronutrient adequacy

Changes in objectively measured physical activity after a multidisciplinary lifestyle intervention in children with abdominal obesity: a randomized control trial

Background: Physical activity (PA) is associated with changes in body composition that affect insulin sensitivity and leptin levels. Few studies have assessed the effect of lifestyle interventions on changes in objectively measured PA levels in obese children. To evaluate the effects of a multidisciplinary lifestyle intervention on anthropometric indices, biochemical parameters and accelerometer measured PA in abdominal obese children. Methods: A randomized control trial was performed in 106 children and adolescents with abdominal obesity. Participants were randomly assigned to usual or intensive care group for 8-week. PA was measured by accelerometry over four days including, at least, two weekdays in all participants. Both groups were encouraged to accumulate an extra time of 200 min per week in their PA. Results: At baseline, 75% of subjects do not fulfill the WHO recommendation of being more than 60 min/day on moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA). The intensive care group achieved a significant reduction in anthropometric indexes compared to the usual care but no significant change was found in biochemical or PA parameters. Both groups achieved a significant reduction in light PA. Interestingly, intensive care participants significantly increased MVPA in 5.5 min/day. Moreover, an inverse association between changes in MVPA and leptin levels was found. Conclusion: The two lifestyle intervention reduced anthropometric indexes and lowered light PA in abdominal obese children. No significant differences were observed between intensive care and usual care in regard to PA. Intensive care participants significantly increase physical activity (MVPA) and, changes in MVPA were inversely associated with changes in leptin levels after the intervention

Association between favourable changes in objectively measured physical activity and telomere length after a lifestyle intervention in pediatric patients with abdominal obesity

The purpose of this study was to assess the effect of physical activity (PA) changes, measured by accelerometry, on telomere length (TL) in pediatric patients with abdominal obesity after a lifestyle intervention. One hundred and twenty-one children (7–16 years old) with abdominal obesity were randomized to the intervention (a moderately hypocaloric Mediterranean diet) or the usual care group (standard pediatric recommendations) for 22 months (a 2 month intensive phase and a subsequent 20 month follow-up). Both groups were encouraged to accumulate an extra 200 min/week of PA. TL was measured by MMqPCR. Data were analyzed in 102 subjects after 2 months and 64 subjects at the first 10 months of follow-up. Light PA level decreased in both groups after 12 months of intervention. At month 2, moderate to vigorous PA (MVPA) increased in the intervention group (+5.4 min/day, p = 0.035) and so did sedentary time in the usual care group (+49.7 min/day, p = 0.010). TL changes were positively associated (p < 0.050) with metabolic equivalents (METs), MVPA level, and number of steps, and were inversely associated with sedentary and light PA levels in the intervention group after the intensive phase. In conclusion, favourable changes in PA levels in the intensive phase of a lifestyle intervention could contribute to TL maintenance in a pediatric population with abdominal obesity. Novelty • Changes in physical activity levels had a direct effect on telomere length, a biomarker of cellular aging and oxidative stress. • PA advice based on The American College of Sports Medicine included in this intervention is easy to implement in primary care.The accepted manuscript in pdf format is listed with the files at the bottom of this page. The presentation of the authors' names and (or) special characters in the title of the manuscript may differ slightly between what is listed on this page and what is listed in the pdf file of the accepted manuscript; that in the pdf file of the accepted manuscript is what was submitted by the author

Changes in objectively measured physical activity after a multidisciplinary lifestyle intervention in children with abdominal obesity: a randomized control trial

Abstract Background Physical activity (PA) is associated with changes in body composition that affect insulin sensitivity and leptin levels. Few studies have assessed the effect of lifestyle interventions on changes in objectively measured PA levels in obese children. To evaluate the effects of a multidisciplinary lifestyle intervention on anthropometric indices, biochemical parameters and accelerometer measured PA in abdominal obese children. Methods A randomized control trial was performed in 106 children and adolescents with abdominal obesity. Participants were randomly assigned to usual or intensive care group for 8-week. PA was measured by accelerometry over four days including, at least, two weekdays in all participants. Both groups were encouraged to accumulate an extra time of 200 min per week in their PA. Results At baseline, 75% of subjects do not fulfill the WHO recommendation of being more than 60 min/day on moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA). The intensive care group achieved a significant reduction in anthropometric indexes compared to the usual care but no significant change was found in biochemical or PA parameters. Both groups achieved a significant reduction in light PA. Interestingly, intensive care participants significantly increased MVPA in 5.5 min/day. Moreover, an inverse association between changes in MVPA and leptin levels was found. Conclusion The two lifestyle intervention reduced anthropometric indexes and lowered light PA in abdominal obese children. No significant differences were observed between intensive care and usual care in regard to PA. Intensive care participants significantly increase physical activity (MVPA) and, changes in MVPA were inversely associated with changes in leptin levels after the intervention. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov, Identifier: NCT03147261. Registered 10 May 2017. Retrospectively registered