Single nucleotide polymorphisms of ANKK1, DDR4, and GRIN2B genes predict behavior in a prospective cohort of Mexican children and adolescents.

Numerous studies have established associations between single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and various behavioral and neurodevelopmental conditions. This study explores the links between SNPs in candidate genes involved in central nervous system (CNS) physiology and their implications for the behavioral and emotional aspects in children and teenagers. A total of 590 participants, aged 7-15 years, from the Early Life Exposures In Mexico To Environmental Toxicants (ELEMENT) cohort study in Mexico City, underwent genotyping for at least one of 15 CNS gene-related SNPs at different timepoints. We employed multiple linear regression models to assess the potential impact of genetic variations on behavioral and cognitive traits, as measured by the Behavioral Assessment System for Children (BASC) and Conners parent rating scales. Significant associations were observed, including the rs1800497 TC genotype (ANKK1) with the Cognitive Problems/Inattention variable (p value = 0.003), the rs1800955 CT genotype (DDR4) with the Emotional Lability Global index variable (p value = 0.01), and the rs10492138 GA and rs7970177 TC genotypes (GRIN2B) with the Depression variable (p values 0.007 and 0.012, respectively). These finds suggest potential genetic profiles associated with "risk" and "protective" behaviors for these SNPs. Our results provide valuable insights into the role of genetic variations in neurobehavior and highlight the need for further research in the early identification and intervention in individuals at risk for these conditions.

Association between Gut Microbiota and Inflammation: Mediation Analysis Using Waist Circumference.

Chronic low-grade inflammation (CLI) is implicated in the development of multiple metabolic diseases. The gut microbiota (GM) activates different signaling pathways and induces phenotypic changes, offering an exciting opportunity to treat CLI. We evaluated the mediation of waist circumference on the association of GM with serum cytokines. In this cross-sectional study of 331 children, we measured 5 gut bacterial species, namely, Lactobacillus (L.) casei, L. paracasei, L. reuteri, Staphylococcus (S.) aureus, and Akkermansia (A.) muciniphila, as well as anthropometry, serum cytokines, and other covariates. We evaluated adjusted regression models, path analysis, and structural equation modeling to obtain path coefficients (PCs) for direct, indirect (waist circumference-mediated), and total effects. We found that L. paracasei was directly associated with lower interleukin-10 (IL-10) levels (PC = -173.5 pg/mL). We also observed indirect associations between S. aureus with lower adiponectin levels (PC = -0.1 µg/mL and -0.09 µg/mL). Finally, A. muciniphila was indirectly associated with higher adiponectin levels (PC = 0.1 µg/mL). Our findings suggest the importance of considering the GM composition and waist circumference when evaluating inflammatory-related factors, providing a basis for future research to identify potential strategies to intervene in inflammatory processes and prevent metabolic diseases in childhood. [Figure: see text].

Pesticide use patterns and their association with cytokine levels in Mexican flower workers.

OBJECTIVE: Occupational exposure to pesticides is a known risk for disrupting cellular immune response in flower workers due to their use of multiple chemical products, poor work conditions, and inadequate protection. Recently, the analysis of pesticide use patterns has emerged as an alternative to studying exposure to mixtures of these products. This study aimed to evaluate the association between exposure to different patterns of pesticide use and the cytokine profile of flower workers in the State of Mexico and Morelos, Mexico. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was carried out on a population of 108 flower workers. Serum levels of IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10 cytokines were analyzed by means of multiplex analysis, and TNF-α and IFN-γ using an ELISA test. Pesticide use patterns were generated by principal components analysis. RESULTS: The analysis revealed that certain patterns of pesticide use, combining insecticides and fungicides, were associated with higher levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines, particularly IL-6 and IFN-γ. CONCLUSION: These findings indicate that pesticides may possess immunotoxic properties, contributing to increased inflammatory response. However, further comprehensive epidemiological studies are needed to establish a causal relationship.

Interaction between Akkermansia muciniphila and Diet Is Associated with Proinflammatory Index in School-Aged Children.

BACKGROUND: Imbalance in the intestinal microbiota can lead to chronic low-grade inflammation. Diet may influence this association. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the interaction between Akkermansia muciniphila (A. muciniphila) and dietary patterns using a proinflammatory index. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional study with school-aged children. We quantified the relative abundance (RA) of A. muciniphila in feces using a polymerase chain reaction. We collected dietary information through employing a food frequency questionnaire and generated dietary patterns using principal component analysis. We generated a proinflammatory index from serum levels of interleukin-6, interleukin-10, tumor necrosis factor alpha, and adiponectin validated by receptor operating characteristic curves. We evaluated the association between A. muciniphila and the proinflammatory index using logistic regression, including an interaction term with dietary patterns. RESULTS: We found that children with a low RA of A. muciniphila and a high intake of simple carbohydrates and saturated fats had increased odds of being high on the proinflammatory index. However, when the consumption of this dietary pattern is low, children with a low RA of A. muciniphila had decreased odds of being high on the proinflammatory index. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that the simultaneous presence of A. muciniphila and diet have a more significant impact on the presence of being high on the proinflammatory index compared to both factors separately.

Interferon-tau (IFN-τ) Has Antiproliferative Effects, Induces Apoptosis, and Inhibits Tumor Growth in a Triple-negative Breast Cancer Murine Tumor Model.

BACKGROUND/AIM: Resistant triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is a subtype of this disease that is resistant to conventional chemotherapy agents. IFN-τ is a cytokine that has recently been shown to have immunoregulatory and antitumor effects. The present study aimed to examine the antiproliferative and apoptosis effects of IFN-τ in breast cancer cells and the antitumor effect in a murine tumor model of TNBC. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Murine breast cancer 4T1 cells were cultured and treated with ovine IFN-τ and through MTT and Caspase-Glo 3/7 assays, viability and cell death were determined. In addition, the antitumor effect of IFN-τ was determined in a murine tumor model of TNBC. RESULTS: Ovine IFN-τ showed a concentration-dependent antiproliferative effect on 4T1 murine breast cancer cells. Also, treatment of 4T1 cells with IFN-τ induced the activation of caspase 3 and 7, which is indicative of apoptotic cell death. Moreover, we detected an increase in the expression of type I interferon receptor (IFNAR1/2) in cells treated with IFN-. The intratumoral application of IFN-τ in mice inhibited tumor growth compared to the control non-treated group, and the effect was associated with the increased expression of GM-CSF. CONCLUSION: Ovine IFN-τ may be an effective immunotherapeutic cytokine for the treatment of TNBC.

Longitudinal patterns of breastfeeding and its association with adiposity and subjective indicators of satiety/appetite in the first 2 years of life.

Evidence about the association between breastfeeding and its duration with growth, appetite and satiety indicators, and adiposity in low and middle-income countries facing nutritional transition is scarce. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between longitudinal patterns of breastfeeding (exclusive [EBF] and continued [CBF]) with adiposity and growth, and the mediating role of appetite and satiety indicators in these associations in Mexican children during the first 2 years of life. Information from 378 mother-child pairs from the MAS-Lactancia birth cohort was analysed. Information was collected at birth and at months 1, 3, 6, 9, 12, 18 and 24 of life. Duration of EBF and CBF was computed. Linear mixed models were used to assess the association of EBF and CBF with growth and adiposity. Path analysis was used for mediation analysis. Compared with the reference group (EBF duration <1 month), males with >3 to ≤6 months of EBF had less abdominal circumference (ß = -0.66, p = 0.05), Z-score weight-for-length (ß = -0.17, p = 0.19) and length-for-age (ß = -0.49, p < 0.01). Participants without CBF beyond 6 months had higher BMI Z-score (ß = 0.19, p < 0.01), abdominal circumference (ß = 0.62, p < 0.01) and skinfold sum (ß = 0.80, p = 0.09), and o difference in length-for-age. For EBF, mediation was confirmed for satiety responsiveness on the association with BMI Z-Score, for food fussiness for the association with abdominal circumference and length-for-age Z-score, and enjoyment of food on the association with length-for-age Z-score. For CBF, mediation was confirmed for food fussiness in the association with length-for-age. This study suggests that a longer exposure to EBF and CBF is associated with lower adiposity in children under 2 years of age, and that this association could be partially mediated by appetite and satiety indicators.

Mediation Analysis of Waist Circumference in the Association of Gut Microbiota with Insulin Resistance in Children.

BACKGROUND: Persistent gut microbiota (GM) imbalance has been associated with metabolic disease development. This study evaluated the mediating role of waist circumference in the association between GM and insulin resistance (IR) in children. METHODS: This cross-sectional study included 533 children aged between 6 and 12. The anthropometry, metabolic markers, and relative abundance (RA) of five intestinal bacterial species were measured. Path coefficients were estimated using path analysis to assess direct, indirect (mediated by waist circumference), and total effects on the association between GM and IR. RESULTS: The results indicated a positive association mediated by waist circumference between the medium and high RA of S. aureus with homeostatic model assessments for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) and for insulin resistance adiponectin-corrected (HOMA-AD). We found a negative association mediated by waist circumference between the low and medium RA of A. muciniphila and HOMA-IR and HOMA-AD. Finally, when we evaluated the joint effect of S. aureus, L. casei, and A. muciniphila, we found a waist circumference-mediated negative association with HOMA-IR and HOMA-AD. CONCLUSIONS: Waist circumference is a crucial mediator in the association between S. aureus and A. muciniphila RA and changes in HOMA-IR and HOMA-AD scores in children.

The impact of short-chain fatty acid-producing bacteria of the gut microbiota in hyperuricemia and gout diagnosis.

INTRODUCTION/OBJECTIVES: Persistent hyperuricemia is a key factor in gout; however, only 13.5% of hyperuricemic individuals manifest the disease. The gut microbiota could be one of the many factors underlying this phenomenon. We aimed to assess the difference in taxonomic and predicted functional profiles of the gut microbiota between asymptomatic hyperuricemia (AH) individuals and gout patients. METHODS: The V3-V4 region of the 16S rRNA gene of the gut microbiota of AH individuals, gout patients, and controls was sequenced. Bioinformatic analyses were carried out with QIIME2 and phyloseq to determine the difference in the relative abundance of bacterial genera among the study groups. Tax4fun2 was used to predict the functional profile of the gut microbiota. RESULTS: AH individuals presented a higher abundance of butyrate- and propionate-producing bacteria than gout patients; however, the latter had more bacteria capable of producing acetate. The abundance of Prevotella genus bacteria was not significantly different between the patients but was higher than that in controls. This result was corroborated by the functional profile, in which AH individuals had less pyruvate oxidase abundance than gout patients and less abundance of an enzyme that regulates glutamate synthetase activation than controls. CONCLUSION: We observed a distinctive taxonomic profile in AH individuals characterized by a higher abundance of short-chain fatty acid-producing bacteria in comparison to those observed in gout patients. Furthermore, we provide scientific evidence that indicates that the gut microbiota of AH individuals could provide anti-inflammatory mediators, which prevent the appearance of gout flares. Key Points • AH and gout patients both have a higher abundance of Prevotella genus bacteria than controls. • AH individuals' gut microbiota had more butyrate- and propionate-producing bacteria than gout patients. • The gut microbiome of AH individuals provides anti-inflammatory mediators that could prevent gout flares.

Burden of disease and associated complications of hepatitis a in children and adults in Mexico: A retrospective database study.

BACKGROUND: Hepatitis A virus (HAV) infection is a leading cause of viral hepatitis in children, yet the HAV vaccine is not included in the national immunization program (NIP) in Mexico. This study addresses an identified evidence gap of the burden of hepatitis A disease, complications, and associated costs in Mexico by analyzing surveillance and healthcare data. Data review included disease morbidity (incidence and hospitalization), mortality, and healthcare resource utilization costs. METHODS: In this observational, retrospective database study, we conducted a systematic screening, extraction, and analysis of outcome data from the national surveillance system in Mexico from January 2000 to December 2019. RESULTS: During the analysis period (2000-2019), the average incidence rate/year of HAV cases was 14.7 (5.4-21.5) per 100,000 inhabitants. Children 1-9 years of age (YoA) had the highest average incidence rate/year with 47.8 (14.7-74.5). The average hospitalization rate/year due to HAV infection was 5.8% (2.9-9.6%). Although the highest burden of HAV continued to be in children (1-9 YoA), an increase in incidence and hospitalizations (with complications) in older age groups (≥ 10-64 YoA) was observed. The annual average fatality rate was estimated to be 0.44% (0.26-0.83%) of which 28.8% of deaths were concentrated in adults ≥ 65 YoA. The total direct costs of medical attention due to HAV and related complications were estimated at $382 million Mexican pesos. CONCLUSION: The overall results suggest an uptrend in HAV infections in adolescents/adults compared to children in Mexico. Therefore, as the overall incidence risk of HAV infection decreases, the mean age of infection increases. This consequently increases the risk of severity and complications in older age groups, thus increasing the demand for healthcare resources. Our findings provide evidence for including the inactivated HAV vaccine in the Mexican NIP.

Association of Gut Microbiota with Dietary-dependent Childhood Obesity.

AIM: To evaluate the taxonomic profile of the gut microbiota using metagenomics and the association with diet-dependent childhood obesity. METHODS: A cross-sectional study of a subsample of 46 children was conducted. The children were classified as normal-weight, overweight, and obese according to their age and sex and the World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines. Dietary patterns were determined through principal component analysis. The profile of the human gut microbiota was determined by bioinformatic analysis using whole metagenome shotgun sequencing. The association of gut microbiota and z-BMI, waist circumference and hip circumference, and the possible modifying effect of diet were analyzed using multiple regression models. RESULTS: Children with an abundance of Holdemania spp. and high protein and complex carbohydrate consumption had a lower z-BMI (ß -19.06, p = 0.011), waist circumference (ß -171.92, p = 0.003), and hip circumference (ß -157.57, p = 0.004). In contrast, observed a positive association between Coprococcus catus and the low intake of this dietary pattern with hip circumference (ß 147.87, p = 0.025). Furthermore, the presence of Bilophila spp. and Paraprevotella xylaniphila with high saturated fat and simple carbohydrate consumption we observed a positive association between z-BMI (ß 47.5, p = 0.002), hip circumference (ß 44.54, p = 0.025), and waist circumference (ß 44.34, p = 0.004). CONCLUSION: We suggest that the synergism between diet and the profile of children's gut microbiota can be a factor that could be associated with the development of obesity and its complications in childhood.

Severe Quantitative Scale of Acanthosis Nigricans in Neck is Associated with Abdominal Obesity, HOMA-IR, and Hyperlipidemia in Obese Children from Mexico City: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Background: Acanthosis nigricans (AN) is a clinical sign that commonly occurs in obesity; however, its specificity and sensitivity have been controversial. It is unknown if AN severity degree can be a useful marker for cardiometabolic disorders screening. We suggest that the stratified analysis of AN severity degree in neck by Burke's scale could be a useful tool in the screening of cardiometabolic alterations in obese children. Objective: The aim of this study was the association of AN severity degree in neck by Burke's scale with anthropometric, biochemical, and inflammatory parameters in obese school-age children from Mexico City. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted, including 95 obese school-age children stratified by AN severity degree in neck by Burke's scale. Anthropometric and fasting biochemical measurements were determined. Variables were compared by x 2 test for frequencies and one-way ANOVA with Bonferroni posttest for continuous variables. Linear regression analysis adjusted by gender, BMI, and age was performed to evaluate the association between AN severity degree and cardiometabolic alterations. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. Results: As AN severity degree in neck by Burke's scale increased, diastolic blood pressure (p=0.001) and triglycerides (p=0.02) significantly increased and adiponectin significantly decreased (p=0.02). Positive associations between grade 3 AN and waist circumference, HOMA-IR, triglycerides, total cholesterol, and LDL cholesterol were observed. Conclusion: Our findings could be used to identify an easier clinical tool to prevent obesity progression and its complications in pediatrics. There are no similar studies.

High Relative Abundance of Staphylococcus aureus and Serum Cytokines Are Associated with Cardiometabolic Abnormalities in Children.

Background: The alteration in the composition of the gut microbiota has been associated with an increased risk of developing cardiovascular and metabolic diseases. The present study evaluated the association between the relative abundance (RA) of intestinal Staphylococcus aureus and the inflammatory response with cardiometabolic alterations in children. Methods: This cross-sectional study included 1142 children (age 6-12 years), which were classified by degree of adiposity. Anthropometry, cardiometabolic markers, and RA of intestinal S. aureus were measured. Cytokine concentrations were available in 626 children. Path coefficients (PC) were estimated by path analysis. Results: RA of S. aureus was positively associated with cholesterol PC = 24.98 (95% CI 10.76 to 39.21) and negatively with triglycerides PC = -13.10 (95% CI -22.73 to -3.48). Body mass index (BMI) Z-scores had significant mediation effects on the association between RA of S. aureus with waist circumference PC = 2.87 (95% CI 0.58 to 5.16), triglycerides PC = 6.63 (95% CI 1.29 to 11.98), low-density lipoproteins (LDL) PC = 1.73 (95% CI 0.27 to 3.18), and high-density lipoproteins PC = -1.20 (95% CI -2.19 to -0.22). Interleukin 6 (IL-6) was negatively associated with glucose PC = -3.01 (95% CI -5.85 to -0.17) and LDL PC = -8.65 (95% CI -16.54 to -0.77), and interleukin 10 (IL-10) was positively associated with glucose PC = 3.37 (95% CI 0.47 to 6.26). Conclusions: It is suggested that the RA of S. aureus, IL-6, and IL-10 are associated with cardiometabolic alterations in children, where BMI Z-scores have an important mediating effect for the development of these.

Alterations of the Gut Microbiome Associated to Methane Metabolism in Mexican Children with Obesity.

Gut microbiota is associated with the development of metabolic disorders. To study its association with childhood obesity, we performed a cross-sectional study with 46 children (6-12 years old). We collected fecal samples, food-frequency questionnaires (FFQs), and anthropometric measurements. Shotgun metagenomics were used to obtain the microbial taxonomic diversity and metabolic potential. We identified two dietary profiles characterized by complex carbohydrates and proteins (pattern 1) and saturated fat and simple carbohydrates (pattern 2). We classified each participant into normal weight (NW) or overweight and obese (OWOB) using their body mass index (BMI) z-score. The ratio of Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes and alpha diversity were not different between the BMI groups. Genera contributing to beta diversity between NW and OWOB groups included Bacteroides rodentium, B. intestinalis, B. eggerthii, Methanobrevibacter smithii, Eubacterium sp., and Roseburia sp. B. rodentium was associated with lower BMI and dietary pattern 1 intake. Eubacterium sp. and Roseburia sp. were associated with BMI increments and high consumption of dietary pattern 2. Methane and energy metabolism were found enriched in under-represented KEGG pathways of NW group compared to OWOB. Complex dietary and microbiome interaction leads to metabolic differences during childhood, which should be elucidated to prevent metabolic diseases in adolescence and adulthood.

Infant feeding, appetite and satiety regulation, and adiposity during infancy: a study design and protocol of the 'MAS-Lactancia' birth cohort.

INTRODUCTION: The prevalence of childhood obesity has risen dramatically in recent years. A proportion of this burden has been attributed to factors that occur during the first 1000 days of life such as genetic predisposition, breast feeding and complementary feeding. Although the mechanisms by which these factors affect weight and adiposity are less well understood, appetite and satiety regulation may be a key to understanding them. This cohort study aims to investigate the role of appetite and satiety regulation as a mediator in the association between infant feeding practices and genetic polymorphisms with children's growth, adiposity and metabolic risk factors. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: 'MAS-Lactancia' (the first word means 'more' and is also an acronym in Spanish for 'Appetite and Satiety Mechanisms', the second word is 'breastfeeding') is an open, ongoing, prospective birth cohort that began the enrolment in 2016 of mother-child pairs affiliated to the Mexican Social Security Institute and that live in the city of Cuernavaca, Mexico. Pregnant women between 16-week and 22-week gestation are followed during the second half of their pregnancies, at birth and throughout their infant's first 48 months of life (at 1 month, 3 months, 6 months, 9 months, 12 months, 18 months, 24 months, 36 months and 48 months) at the clinic and at-home visits that include questionnaires, anthropometric measurements and biospecimen collection. The main exposure variables are infant feeding (breast feeding and complementary feeding) and genetic polymorphisms (fat mass and obesity-associated, leptin and adiponectin genes). Outcome variables include infant's growth, adiposity and metabolic risk factors. We will conduct longitudinal models and path analyses to identify the potential mediating role of satiety and appetite indicators (leptin, adiponectin, insulin concentrations, appetite and satiety perception). ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: The study protocol, data collection instruments, consent forms and procedures were approved by the institutional review boards of the National Institute of Public Health and the Mexican Social Security Institute in Mexico. Findings will be disseminated through conferences, peer-reviewed publications and meetings with stakeholders.

Taxonomic variations in the gut microbiome of gout patients with and without tophi might have a functional impact on urate metabolism.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the taxonomic composition of the gut microbiome in gout patients with and without tophi formation, and predict bacterial functions that might have an impact on urate metabolism. METHODS: Hypervariable V3-V4 regions of the bacterial 16S rRNA gene from fecal samples of gout patients with and without tophi (n = 33 and n = 25, respectively) were sequenced and compared to fecal samples from 53 healthy controls. We explored predictive functional profiles using bioinformatics in order to identify differences in taxonomy and metabolic pathways. RESULTS: We identified a microbiome characterized by the lowest richness and a higher abundance of Phascolarctobacterium, Bacteroides, Akkermansia, and Ruminococcus_gnavus_group genera in patients with gout without tophi when compared to controls. The Proteobacteria phylum and the Escherichia-Shigella genus were more abundant in patients with tophaceous gout than in controls. Fold change analysis detected nine genera enriched in healthy controls compared to gout groups (Bifidobacterium, Butyricicoccus, Oscillobacter, Ruminococcaceae_UCG_010, Lachnospiraceae_ND2007_group, Haemophilus, Ruminococcus_1, Clostridium_sensu_stricto_1, and Ruminococcaceae_UGC_013). We found that the core microbiota of both gout groups shared Bacteroides caccae, Bacteroides stercoris ATCC 43183, and Bacteroides coprocola DSM 17136. These bacteria might perform functions linked to one-carbon metabolism, nucleotide binding, amino acid biosynthesis, and purine biosynthesis. Finally, we observed differences in key bacterial enzymes involved in urate synthesis, degradation, and elimination. CONCLUSION: Our findings revealed that taxonomic variations in the gut microbiome of gout patients with and without tophi might have a functional impact on urate metabolism.

Bovine Interferon-Tau Activates Type I interferon-Associated Janus-signal Transducer in HPV16-positive Tumor Cell.

The mechanisms of signal transduction by interferon-tau (IFN-τ) are widely known during the gestation of ruminants. In trophoblast cells, IFN-τ involves the activation of the JAK-STAT pathway, and it can have effects on other cell types, such as tumor cells. Here we report that the HPV16-positive BMK-16/myc cell treated with ovine IFN-τ, results in the activation of the canonical JAK-STAT and non-canonical JAK-STAT pathway. The MAPK signaling pathway was activated, we detected the proteins MEK1, MEK2, Raf1, STAT3, STA4, STAT5 and STAT6. Moreover, IFN-τ induced the expression of MHC Class I, MX and IP10 in the tumor cells and this response may be associated with the viral replication and with the anti-proliferative and the immunoregulatory effects of IFN-τ.

Lactobacillus paracasei as a protective factor of obesity induced by an unhealthy diet in children.

This study examined the association between intestinal lactobacilli and obesity dependent on dietary patterns in children. A cross-sectional study was conducted including 1111 children, 6-12 years old. Obesity was determined according to the WHO cut-off points. Diet information from a Food Frequency Questionnaire identified three dietary patterns. Lactobacillus sp. were determined by a real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The consumption of complex carbohydrates and a high abundance of L. paracasei were associated with a lower risk of obesity (0.35, Confidence Interval 95% 0.19-0.65). The same happened with a medium consumption of fats and a medium abundance of L. paracasei (0.43, CI95% 0.24-0.78). In contrast, an increased risk of obesity is observed with a medium and high consumption of simple carbohydrates (2.37, CI95% 1.29-4.34 and 2.52, CI95% 1.36-4.66, respectively, p-trend<0.05), and low consumption of complex carbohydrates (2.49, CI95% 1.35-4.58), in the presence of a high relative abundance of L. reuteri. A high relative abundance of L. paracasei decreased the risk of obesity, even when high-fat and simple carbohydrate diets were consumed; while a high relative abundance of L. reuteri was associated with a greater possibility of obesity with these types of diets. Our results provide evidence of diet implication in metabolism regulators like lactobacilli. This is helpful in strategies development to promote healthy diets during early stages of life.

BRCA1 and VDR gene polymorphisms are associated with prostate cancer risk in Mexican men.

Prostate cancer (PC) is a polygenic disease with broad differences across ethnicities. BRCA1/2 and VDR have exhibited a featured genetic contribution to PC development in European populations. Nonetheless, its contribution in Latino populations specifically among Mexican men, where 70% of PC cases are detected in advanced stages, is still unknown. The contribution of seven polymorphisms in BRCA1/2 and VDR genes to PC susceptibility was evaluated in 370 incident PC cases and 759 age-matched (±5 years) controls belonging to the Mexican population. Based on Gleason score at diagnosis, PC cases were classified as well-differentiated PC (Gleason <7) and moderate or poorly differentiated PC (Gleason ≥7). Age at diagnosis was used to divided PC cases in earlier (<60 years) and late-onset PC (≥60 years). Prostate and breast cancer family histories were obtained through interview. Our results provided evidences about the contribution of BRCA1-rs1799966 (ORCC genotype = 2.30; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.36-3.91) to the moderate or poorly differentiated PC risk, independently of the family history of prostate, breast or ovary cancer. Further, VDR-rs2238135-G allele was associated with early-onset PC (ORG allele = 2.05; 95% CI = 1.06-3.95), and marginally with moderate or poorly differentiated PC risk. The present study revealed the crucial role of BRCA1 in PC aggressiveness risk, outstanding the gender imbalance regarding the breast cancer risk in women.

High Relative Abundance of Lactobacillus reuteri and Fructose Intake are Associated with Adiposity and Cardiometabolic Risk Factors in Children from Mexico City.

In Mexico, 3 of 10 children are overweight. Fructose intake and relative abundance (RA) of Lactobacillus reuteri (L. reuteri) in the intestinal microbiota are associated with obesity and diabetes in adults, but studies in children are limited. This study evaluates the association between fructose intake and L. reuteri RA with adiposity and cardiometabolic risk markers in Mexican children dietary information, microbiota profiles, adiposity indicators (Body Mass Index, BMI and Waste Circumference, WC), and cardiometabolic markers were analyzed in 1087 children aged 6-12 years. Linear regression and path analysis models were used. High-tertile fructose intake and L. reuteri RA were positively associated with BMI (ßTertil 3 vs. Tertil 1 = 0.24 (95% CI, 0.04; 0.44) and ßT3 vs. T1 = 0.52 (95% CI, 0.32; 0.72)) and WC (ßT3 vs. T1 = 2.40 (95% CI, 0.93; 3.83) and ßT3 vs. T1 = 3.40 (95% CI, 1.95; 4.90)), respectively. Also, these factors mediated by adiposity were positively correlated with high triglycerides and insulin concentrations and HOMA-IR (p ≤ 0.03) and negatively associated with HDL-C concentration (p < 0.01). High-tertile fructose intake and L. reuteri RA were directly associated with adiposity and indirectly associated though adiposity with metabolic disorders in children. In conclusion, fructose intake and L. reuteri RA were directly associated with adiposity and indirectly associated with metabolic disorders in children, mediated by adiposity.