Analysis of the Methodologic Assumptions of the NOM-020-ENER-2011—Mexican Residential Building Standard

In Mexico, residents of low income housing mainly achieve thermal comfort through mechanical ventilation and electrical air conditioning systems. Though government and private efforts have risen to meet an increasing demand for social housing, the average construction quality and thermal comfort of new housing stock has decreased over the years. Various programs and regulations have been implemented to address these concerns, including the 2011 residential building standard NOM-020-ENER-2011. This standard attempts to limit heat gains in residential buildings, in order to reduce the energy consumption required from cooling systems, and was intended to be applied throughout Mexico. NOM-020-ENER-2011, however, divides the country into just four climatic zones and only considers the energy use of cooling systems, disregarding heating costs. The recommendations of this policy are thus inadequate for the many regions in Mexico that have mild to moderate winters. This study discusses the assumptions and calculations that underlie NOM-020-ENER-2011, identifying several problems and recommending specific changes to the standard that would lead to greater comfort and lower energy use throughout Mexico

Avocado paste from industrial byproducts as an unconventional source of bioactive compounds: characterization, in vitro digestion and in silico interactions of its main phenolics with cholesterol

Avocado cv. ‘Hass’ paste is the main byproduct derived from industrial avocado processing, and contains various bioactive compounds (BCs). Consumption of these compounds from different sources has been associated with positive health effects, although studies of avocado byproducts remain minimal. Avocado paste was analyzed, regarding its physicochemical properties, proximate composition, main BCs, antioxidant capacity, in vitro digestion and in silico interactions of its three main phenolics with cholesterol. Avocado paste contained 14.2% of lipids and 13.8% of protein. Total phenolic compounds were 2.1 mg GAE/g dw, with a phenolic profile that contained phenolic acids (ferulic, protocatechuic and p-coumaric acids) as its main compounds. Carotenoids (mainly β-carotene), tocopherols (mainly α-tocopherol), fatty acids (mainly oleic acid) and other BCs were also identified and quantified. Release of its phenolic compounds and antioxidant capacity were highest in the gastric phase of an in vitro digestion. In silico analyses showed that ferulic acid had the strongest interaction with cholesterol, suggesting a possible mechanism to inhibit its intestinal absorption. According to its composition and characteristics, it is possible to suggest avocado paste may be used as an unconventional source of BCs, with possible effects on cholesterol digestion

Lesser-Consumed Tropical Fruits and Their by-Products: Phytochemical Content and their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory potential.

çaí, lychee, mamey, passion fruit and jackfruit are some lesser-consumed tropical fruits due to their low commercial production. In 2018, approximately 6.8 million tons of these fruits were harvested, representing about 6.35% of the total world production of tropical fruits. The present work reviews the nutritional content, profile of bioactive compounds, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory capacity of these fruits and their by-products, and their ability to modulate oxidative stress due to the content of phenolic compounds, carotenoids and dietary fiber. Açaí pulp is an excellent source of anthocyanins (587 mg cyanidin-3-glucoside equivalents/100 g dry weight, dw), mamey pulp is rich in carotenoids (36.12 mg β-carotene/100 g fresh weight, fw), passion fruit peel is rich in dietary fiber (61.16 g/100 dw). At the same time, jackfruit contains unique compounds such as moracin C, artocarpesin, norartocarpetin and oxyresveratrol. These molecules play an important role in the regulation of inflammation via activation of mitogen-activated protein kinases (including p38, ERK and JNK) and nuclear factor κB pathways. The properties of the bioactive compounds found in these fruits make them a good source for use as food ingredients for nutritional purposes or alternative therapies. Research is needed to confirm their health benefits that can increase their marketability, which can benefit the primary producers, processing industries (particularly smaller ones) and the final consumer, while an integral use of their by-products will allow their incorporation into the circular bioeconomy

A Roma founder BIN1 mutation causes a novel phenotype of centronuclear myopathy with rigid spine

OBJECTIVE: To describe a large series of BIN1 patients, in which a novel founder mutation in the Roma population of southern Spain has been identified. METHODS: Patients diagnosed with centronuclear myopathy (CNM) at 5 major reference centers for neuromuscular disease in Spain (n = 53) were screened for BIN1 mutations. Clinical, histologic, radiologic, and genetic features were analyzed. RESULTS: Eighteen patients from 13 families carried the p.Arg234Cys variant; 16 of them were homozygous for it and 2 had compound heterozygous p.Arg234Cys/p.Arg145Cys mutations. Both BIN1 variants have only been identified in Roma, causing 100% of CNM in this ethnic group in our cohort. The haplotype analysis confirmed all families are related. In addition to clinical features typical of CNM, such as proximal limb weakness and ophthalmoplegia, most patients in our cohort presented with prominent axial weakness, often associated with rigid spine. Severe fat replacement of paravertebral muscles was demonstrated by muscle imaging. This phenotype seems to be specific to the p.Arg234Cys mutation, not reported in other BIN1 mutations. Extreme clinical variability was observed in the 2 compound heterozygous patients for the p.Arg234Cys/p.Arg145Cys mutations, from a congenital onset with catastrophic outcome to a late-onset disease. Screening of European Roma controls (n = 758) for the p.Arg234Cys variant identified a carrier frequency of 3.5% among the Spanish Roma. CONCLUSION: We have identified a BIN1 founder Roma mutation associated with a highly specific phenotype, which is, from the present cohort, the main cause of CNM in Spain