Los suplementos proteicos como fuente de Na, Mg, K, Ca, Fe y Zn / Protein supplementation as a source of Na, Mg, K, Ca, Fe and Zn

JUSTIFICACIÓN: además de proteínas, los suplementos proteicos contienen otros elementos de interés nutricional (Na, Mg, K, Ca, Fe y Zn) que disponen de ingestas diarias recomendadas (IDR). Sin embargo, su creciente autoconsumo invita a evaluar su calidad y la seguridad de su uso.OBJETIVOS: determinar el contenido de Na, Mg, K, Ca, Fe y Zn en suplementos proteicos y evaluar la exposición dietética en población adulta (20 - 49 años) en base a la pauta media de consumo y las IDR establecidas.MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: Na, Mg, K, Ca, Fe y Zn fueron cuantificados mediante espectrometría de emisión óptica con plasma acoplado inductivamente y detector óptico (ICP-OES) en 27 muestras de suplementos proteicos (92,6 % de origen europeo) de 17 marcas y de 5 tipos según la fuente de proteína (suero (81,5 %), guisante y arroz (7,4 %), soja (3,7 %), guisante, garbanzo, cáñamo, calabaza (3,7 %), cacahuete (3,7 %). La evaluación dietética para la población española adulta se ejecutó considerando un consumo de 25 g/día y las IDR (mg/día) fijadas: Na (1500); Mg (350 hombres y 300 mujeres); K (3100); Ca (900); Fe (9 hombres y 18 mujeres) y Zn (9,5 hombres y 7 mujeres) (FESNAD, 2010).RESULTADOS/DISCUSIÓN: los suplementos proteicos deben ser considerados, en consumidores crónicos, como fuentes dietéticas adicionales de Na, Mg, K, Ca, Fe y Zn pues sus contenidos medios (mg/kg) son: 3537 (434-9891), 673 (202-2686), 4460 (726- 7491), 3044 (305-7764), 36,6 (3,1-282,8), 14,7 (1,7-65,4), respectivamente. La gran variabilidad en el contenido entre los distintos complementos, posiblemente debida a la fuente de la proteína, condiciona la variable contribución a las IDR derivada del consumo de estos productos. (AU)

Ingesta de Fluoruro a partir de zumos y néctares de frutas. Evaluación del riesgo en población infantil y adolescente / Fluoride intake from fruit juices and nectars. Risk assessment in children and adolescents

JUSTIFICACIÓN: el fluoruro es una hormetina (beneficioso a dosis bajas y tóxica a dosis altas) a la cual el hombre se expone por vía dietética. La European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) no ha estimado un Torerable Upper Level pero ha establecido una Adequate Intake (AI) de 0.05 (mg/día kg p.c.). Los zumos/néctares, consumidos mayoritariamente por niños, han sido identificados como fuentes dietéticas de F-. y su estudio se alinea con la recomendación de EFSA de ampliar el registro de niveles de F- en alimentos.OBJETIVOS: determinar el contenido de fluoruro en zumos y néctares y evaluar, en diferentes patrones de consumo, la exposición dietética a F- derivada de su consumo en distintos subgrupos de población infantil.MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: 60 muestras de diferentes marcas y sabores fueron analizadas por determinación potenciométrica de ion selectivo de F-. La estimación de la exposición y la evaluación del riesgo se realizó para dos escenarios de consumo; 1 y 2 envases/día (0.2 y 0.4 L/día).RESULTADOS/DISCUSIÓN: la concentración media de F- fue de 0.42 ± 0.31 (mg/L) y por sabores: melocotón 0.33±0.24 (0.06-0.72), manzana 0.46±0.36 (0.12-1.14) y piña 0.48±0.31 (0.2-1.1) mg/L. (AU)

Prevalencia de los factores de riesgo de pie diabético y nivel de conocimiento sobre autocuidados en personas con diabetes. Estudio PIEDIFAC / Prevalence of diabetic foot risk factors and level of knowledge about self-care in people with diabetes. PIEDIFAC study

OBJETIVO: Conocer la prevalencia de los factores de riesgo de pie diabético, el nivel de conocimientos, la capacidad y la realización de autocuidados de las personas con diabetes. Evaluar las intervenciones farmacéuticas.MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: Diseño: Estudio observacional descriptivo y transversal a realizar en farmacias comunitarias españolas del 15 al 30 de noviembre de 2021. Aprobado por el Comité de Ética de la Investigación (CEICA) de Zaragoza. Inclusión: Usuarios mayores de edad, con tratamiento hipoglucemiante superior a un año, con autonomía y consienten participar. Variable principal: la puntuación del cuestionario adhoc (media±DS) y categorización(N+%), agrupado en los ítems: información sobre la revisión de los pies; adecuación de calzado y calcetines; capacidad física de autoexploración correcta y de detección de alteraciones; Inspección e información por farmacéutico. Recogida de datos: SEFAC e-XPERT. Procedimiento: 1.Diseño de un cuestionario de conocimientos y autocuidados del pie diabético. 2. Ofrecimiento, selección y aleatorización de los usuarios. 3. Cumplimentación de los datos sociodemográficos y la primera parte del cuestionario: conocimiento de autocontroles del pie. 4. Exploración del pie por el farmacéutico. 5. Intervención. (AU)

Detección de personas en riesgo de padecer diabetes, en farmacias comunitarias españolas 2021 / Screening of people at risk of diabetes in Spanish community pharmacies 2021

JUSTIFICACIÓN: según el estudio Di@betes, estudio de prevalencia de la diabetes, se encontró que la prevalencia global de diabetes mellitus era del 13,8%, de los cuales aproximadamente la mitad (6%) no estaban diagnosticados. Las personas con diabetes tipo dos no diagnosticada presentan un alto riesgo de padecer otras enfermedades como cardíacas, dislipemias, etc. Por esta razón, la detección precoz y el tratamiento inmediato reducen la gravedad de la enfermedad, así como las futuras complicaciones e ingresos hospitalarios.OBJETIVO: conocer la prevalencia y sus características de personas con riesgo alto y/o muy alto de padecer diabetes utilizando el cuestionario de Findrisc en farmacia comunitaria, con el fin de colaborar en el diagnóstico precoz de la enfermedad.MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: estudio observacional transversal del 15 al 30 de noviembre de 2021 en las farmacias comunitarias españolas con socios de SEFAC. Inclusión: Usuarios de la farmacia, de ≥45 años, no diagnosticados con autonomía y que consientan participar. Estudio aprobado por el Comité de Ética de la Investigación (CEICA) de Zaragoza. Variable principal: la puntuación del test de Findrisc (media±DS) y (N+%) en intervalos de riesgo. Se calculan las frecuencias relativas para las demás variables categóricas del cuestionario y también media±DS para las cuantitativas. Recogida de datos: a través SEFAC e_XPERT. Procedimiento: formación farmacéuticos participantes, captación en mostrador, realización medidas antropométricas, cumplimentación test Findrisc, información del resultado e intervención farmacéutica: -Si F<15, educación sanitaria, repetir test en 1 o 5 años en función riesgo. -Si F≥15, determinación glucemia basal y/o HbA1c. Glucemia≥110mg/dl y/o HbA1c≥5,7% derivación al médico. (AU)

Target identification for repurposed drugs active against SARS-CoV-2 via high-throughput inverse docking.

Screening already approved drugs for activity against a novel pathogen can be an important part of global rapid-response strategies in pandemics. Such high-throughput repurposing screens have already identified several existing drugs with potential to combat SARS-CoV-2. However, moving these hits forward for possible development into drugs specifically against this pathogen requires unambiguous identification of their corresponding targets, something the high-throughput screens are not typically designed to reveal. We present here a new computational inverse-docking protocol that uses all-atom protein structures and a combination of docking methods to rank-order targets for each of several existing drugs for which a plurality of recent high-throughput screens detected anti-SARS-CoV-2 activity. We demonstrate validation of this method with known drug-target pairs, including both non-antiviral and antiviral compounds. We subjected 152 distinct drugs potentially suitable for repurposing to the inverse docking procedure. The most common preferential targets were the human enzymes TMPRSS2 and PIKfyve, followed by the viral enzymes Helicase and PLpro. All compounds that selected TMPRSS2 are known serine protease inhibitors, and those that selected PIKfyve are known tyrosine kinase inhibitors. Detailed structural analysis of the docking poses revealed important insights into why these selections arose, and could potentially lead to more rational design of new drugs against these targets.

Ageing characteristics related to cation exchange and interlayer spacing of some Brazilian bentonites.

This study investigated the influence of cation type on the sodium deactivation of Brazilian bentonite varieties. Four bentonite clays were studied, including three mixed-cationic and one magnesium. Swelling and the main exchangeable cations (Na+, K+, Mg2+ and Ca2+) were the main evaluation parameters in this study. Periodic washes of the sodium-activated bentonites were performed based on the hypothesis that a possible desorption of the cations (primarily Na+) could cause the deactivation. Sodium activation was monitored using XRD measurements and an increase in swelling. Sodium deactivation was observed and monitored via a decrease in swelling. Positive and negative effects, caused by the proportions of the cations and the dominance of Mg2+, were emphasized by the set of cationically different samples applied in this study, which helped to answer the influence of main exchangeable cations, specially Mg2+, on the deactivation process.

FTIR spectral signatures of amazon inorganic phosphates: Igneous, weathering, and biogenetic origin.

The characterization of phosphates is generally hampered by the variability of their sources, the complexity of the mineralogical assemblies and/or the thermochemical transformations undergone. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy can characterize and differentiate phosphates in a practical and efficient way. In this sense, in order to differentiate phosphates from different Amazonian deposits and establish a spectral database, initially small because it is starting, six samples of phosphate rocks were analyzed by FTIR spectroscopy in the near-IR and middle-IR regions using the transmittance, attenuated reflectance, and diffuse reflectance methods. X-ray diffraction and X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy were also used as complementary analyses. The IR results revealed that the transmittance and diffuse reflectance methods are the most suitable for the analysis of phosphate materials, and they should be used together whenever possible. The identification of the PO4 bands, as well as of the (CO3)2-, Al2OH, and NH4 bands, allowed the differentiation of the phosphate materials according to their geological source and the establishment of a database of the studied materials by both the transmittance and diffuse reflectance methods.

A meta-review of literature reviews assessing the capacity of patients with severe mental disorders to make decisions about their healthcare.

BACKGROUND: Determining the mental capacity of psychiatric patients for making healthcare related decisions is crucial in clinical practice. This meta-review of review articles comprehensively examines the current evidence on the capacity of patients with a mental illness to make medical care decisions. METHODS: Systematic review of review articles following PRISMA recommendations. PubMed, Scopus, CINAHL and PsycInfo were electronically searched up to 31 January 2020. Free text searches and medical subject headings were combined to identify literature reviews and meta-analyses published in English, and summarising studies on the capacity of patients with serious mental illnesses to make healthcare and treatment related decisions, conducted in any clinical setting and with a quantitative synthesis of results. Publications were selected as per inclusion and exclusion criteria. The AMSTAR II tool was used to assess the quality of reviews. RESULTS: Eleven publications were reviewed. Variability on methods across studies makes it difficult to precisely estimate the prevalence of decision-making capacity in patients with mental disorders. Nonetheless, up to three-quarters of psychiatric patients, including individuals with serious illnesses such as schizophrenia or bipolar disorder may have capacity to make medical decisions in the context of their illness. Most evidence comes from studies conducted in the hospital setting; much less information exists on the healthcare decision making capacity of mental disorder patients while in the community. Stable psychiatric and non-psychiatric patients may have a similar capacity to make healthcare related decisions. Patients with a mental illness have capacity to judge risk-reward situations and to adequately decide about the important treatment outcomes. Different symptoms may impair different domains of the decisional capacity of psychotic patients. Decisional capacity impairments in psychotic patients are temporal, identifiable, and responsive to interventions directed towards simplifying information, encouraging training and shared decision making. The publications complied satisfactorily with the AMSTAR II critical domains. CONCLUSIONS: Whilst impairments in decision-making capacity may exist, most patients with a severe mental disorder, such as schizophrenia or bipolar disorder are able to make rational decisions about their healthcare. Best practice strategies should incorporate interventions to help mentally ill patients grow into the voluntary and safe use of medications.

On-board study of gas embolism in marine turtles caught in bottom trawl fisheries in the Atlantic Ocean.

Decompression sickness (DCS) was first diagnosed in marine turtles in 2014. After capture in net fisheries, animals typically start showing clinical evidence of DCS hours after being hauled on-board, often dying if untreated. These turtles are normally immediately released without any understanding of subsequent clinical problems or outcome. The objectives of this study were to describe early occurrence and severity of gaseous embolism (GE) and DCS in marine turtles after incidental capture in trawl gear, and to provide estimates of on-board and post-release mortality. Twenty-eight marine turtles were examined on-board fishing vessels. All 20 turtles assessed by ultrasound and/or post-mortem examination developed GE, independent of season, depth and duration of trawl and ascent speed. Gas emboli were obvious by ultrasound within 15 minutes after surfacing and worsened over the course of 2 hours. Blood data were consistent with extreme lactic acidosis, reduced glomerular filtration, and stress. Twelve of 28 (43%) animals died on-board, and 3 of 15 (20%) active turtles released with satellite tags died within 6 days. This is the first empirically-based estimate of on-board and post-release mortality of bycaught marine turtles that has until now been unaccounted for in trawl fisheries not equipped with turtle excluder devices.

Implications of the Collar Sign in Incompletely Occluded Aneurysms after Pipeline Embolization Device Implantation: A Follow-Up Study.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The angiographic collar sign has been recently described in patients with incompletely occluded aneurysms after Pipeline Embolization Device implantation. The long-term implications of this sign are unknown. We report angiographic outcomes of patients with the collar sign with follow-up of up to 45 months and the implications of this angiographic finding. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We performed a retrospective review of a prospectively maintained data base of patients who underwent Pipeline Embolization Device implantation for an intracranial aneurysm at our institution between January 2014 and December 2016. We included patients with a collar sign at the initial follow-up angiogram after Pipeline Embolization Device implantation. RESULTS: A total of 198 patients with 285 aneurysms were screened for the collar sign on initial and subsequent follow-up angiograms. There were 226 aneurysms (79.3%) with complete occlusion at the first follow-up. Of 59 incompletely occluded aneurysms, 19 (32.2%) aneurysms in 17 patients were found to have a collar sign on the first angiographic follow-up (median, 6 months; range, 4.2-7.2). Ten (52.6%) aneurysms underwent retreatment with a second Pipeline Embolization Device, which resulted in aneurysm occlusion in 1 (10%) patient. There were only 3 (15.8%) aneurysms with complete occlusion at the last follow-up, 2 (10.5%) of which had a single Pipeline Embolization Device implantation and another single (5.3%) aneurysm with a second Pipeline Embolization Device implantation. CONCLUSIONS: A collar sign on the initial angiogram after Pipeline Embolization Device placement is a predictor of poor aneurysm occlusion. Because the occlusion rates remain equally low regardless of retreatment in patients with a collar sign, radiologic follow-up may be more appropriate than retreatment.

Diffuse Alveolar Hemorrhage in a Patient with Antisynthetase Syndrome.

An alveolar hemorrhage case is reported as the initial manifestation of antisynthetase syndrome in a 40-year-old man, who is admitted to the Emergency Department for diagnostic approach of chronic cough and progressive dyspnea. The diagnosis of the alveolar hemorrhage was based on the presence of acute respiratory failure, decrease in hemoglobin levels, and observation of macrophages filled with hemosiderin. The antisynthetase syndrome was classified through a tomographic image compatible with a nonspecific interstitial pneumonia, along with antibodies associated to myositis (PL-12 and Ro-52). The study protocol was completed with the result of a myopathic pattern showed in electromyography. This patient presented a good response to steroids and disease-modifying antirheumatic drug (DMARD).

Placental levels of metals and associated factors in urban and sub-urban areas of Seville (Spain).

Environmental exposure to metals among women, revealed their adverse effects on pregnancy. The fetus is exposed to these toxic elements only via the placenta which are able to accumulate there or cross it, compromising the protective functions of this organ. Numerous studies have shown associations between the prenatal exposition to some metals and an impact on cognitive, motor and intellectual development of the child. Sixty two placental samples were taken at delivery to determine the mineral content (Al, B, Ba, Ca, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, K, Li, Mg, Mn, Mo, Na, Ni, Pb, Sr, V, Zn) by ICP-OES. Among these metals, essential ones (B, Ca, Cu, Fe, Mg, Mn, Mo, Na, Zn) can have health beneficial effects at low levels however, in high concentration are potentially toxic. On the other hand, elements such as Al, Cd, Pb, are classified as toxic metals, no matter what its concentration is. The aim of this study is to find the potential relationships between these metals levels, newborn's parameters, pregnancy details and the epidemiologic information obtained using a questionnaire data from the participant pregnant women from Seville (Spain). The main maternal determinant of detectable placenta Cd levels was smoking during pregnancy. Other maternal factors that may affect placenta metal levels were gestational age (Al, B, Ba, and Pb) or dietary supplement (Fe). It has to be stressed that our results have to be interpreted with caution, because of the small study group and the low exposure levels, along with the lack of information on potential sources of exposure to these metals. The use of placenta samples obtained at delivery can be considered strength of this study since the concentration of some metals in placenta can indicate the extent of maternal exposure during gestation.

Prevalence of depression among medical students in a private medical school: A cross-sectional study / The Health Sciences Journal

INTRODUCTION@#Medical students are susceptible to depression due to the constant exposure to stressful situations and almost 30% of medical students suffer from depression. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of depression among first- to third-year medical students in a private medical institution.@*METHODS@#A descriptive, cross-sectional study design was employed on first- to third-year medical students selected through simple random sampling. They were asked to answer the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 for the assessment of depression. @*RESULTS@#The prevalence of moderate to severe depression was 19.1%. Almost 15% of the first-year medical students, 23.7% of the second-year medical students and 18.3% of the third-year students were found to have a risk of having depression. Twenty-one percent of the male students and 18.4% of the females were classified to have depression.@*CONCLUSION@#Almost one-fifth of the first- to third-year medical students in the private medical institution have depression. The highest prevalence of having depression was among second-year medical students, males, 20 to 22 years old.

Reparación endovascular del aneurisma de aorta abdominal. Papel del deterioro postoperatorio de la función renal en la supervivencia / Endovascular aortic repair of abdominal aortic aneurysm: Role of post-surgical renal function decline in survival

Introducción: La reparación endovascular del aneurisma de aorta abdominal (EVAR) ha supuesto desde su llegada y desarrollo una disminución en la mortalidad precoz con respecto a la cirugía convencional. Como factores predictivos de mortalidad se han identificado el deterioro de función renal preoperatorio, la enfermedad pulmonar obstructiva crónica y la cardiopatía isquémica. Objetivo: Evaluar la influencia en la supervivencia a largo plazo de los factores de riesgo preoperatorios y del deterioro de función renal perioperatorio en los pacientes sometidos a EVAR en nuestro centro. Material y métodos: Se realizó un estudio observacional retrospectivo en pacientes sometidos a EVAR en nuestro centro entre los años 2008 y 2012. Se hizo un análisis de la supervivencia a medio y largo plazo, llevado a cabo mediante curvas de Kaplan-Meier. Se estudió la influencia de los factores de riesgo preoperatorios y del deterioro de función renal perioperatorio sobre la supervivencia empleando el modelo de regresión de Cox. Resultados: Se incluyeron 79 pacientes con una edad media de 75,2 años (57,6-85,9). La mediana del tiempo de seguimiento fue de 38 meses (0,4-83,4). Durante este periodo de tiempo se registraron 26 muertes (32,9%). La probabilidad de supervivencia al cabo de un año fue del 93,7%; a los 2 años del 82,3%; a los 4 años del 68,9%; y a los 6 años del 56,5%. Una mayor tasa de supervivencia se asoció con cifras analíticas de creatinina menores de 1,2 mg/dl a las 24 h y a los 7 días, y filtrado glomerular mayor de 60 ml/min a las 24 h y a los 7 días. El análisis multivariante evidenció una probabilidad de muerte 2,39 veces mayor en los pacientes que presentaron un valor analítico de creatinina a las 24 h mayor de 1,2 mg/dl con respecto a los que mostraron una cifra menor de 1,2 mg/dl (HR: 2,39; IC95%: 1,06-5,42); p = 0,037). Conclusión: El deterioro de función renal tras la EVAR es un factor independiente de mal pronóstico a largo plazo. Tanto en la preparación preoperatoria como durante el postoperatorio deben ponerse los medios necesarios encaminados a corregir las circunstancias que provoquen un deterioro de la función renal

Background: Since its introduction and development, endovascular aortic repair (EVAR) has shown an improvement in short-term mortality compared to conventional surgery. Pre-operative renal function impairment, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and ischaemic heart disease, have been identified as mortality predictors. Objective:To assess the influence on long-term survival of pre-operative risk factors and peri-operative renal function impairment in patients that underwent EVAR in our centre. Material and methods: A retrospective observational study was conducted on patients subjected to EVAR in our centre between the years 2008 and 2012. The Kaplan-Meier curve was used to analyse the long and medium-term survival. The influence of pre-operative risk factors and perioperative renal impairment on survival was analysed using the Cox regression model. Results: A total of 79 patients were finally included in the study. The mean age was 75.2 years (57.6-85.9). The mean follow-up period was 38 months (0.4-83.4). During this period 26 (32.9%) deaths were registered. Survival probabilities during the first, second, fourth, and sixth years were 93.7%, 82.3%, 68.9%, and 56.5%, respectively. A greater survival rate was associated with creatinine levels lower than 1.2mg/dL at 24hours and at 7 days, and a glomerular filtration rate higher than 60mL/min at 24hours and at 7 days. Multivariate analysis showed a HR 2.39 higher in patients with a creatinine level higher than 1.2mg/dL at 24hours compared to patients with a creatinine level lower than 1.2mg/dL (HR: 2.39, 95% CI: 1.06-5.42; P=.037). Conclusion: Renal function impairment after endovascular aortic repair of abdominal aortic aneurysm represents an independent long-term poor prognosis factor. During pre-operative preparation and post-operative care necessary steps should be taken aimed at correcting the circumstances that cause renal function impairment

Metal Concentrations in Wild-Harvested Phaeophyta Seaweed from the Atlantic Ocean (Canary Islands, Spain).

Seaweeds are being consumed more often worldwide and are a source of essential minerals, fiber, vitamins, amino acids, and various bioactive compounds that have many beneficial effects on human health. However, marine pollution and the high capacity of seaweed to absorb metals may mean this food can also be dangerous to human health. The concentrations of some trace elements (B, Ba, Fe, Ni, Li, and V) and toxic metals (Al, Cd, and Pb) were determined in various species of wild seaweeds in the Phaeophyta group of brown algae from the Atlantic Ocean. Inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry revealed high concentrations of Al (256 mg/kg dry weight), Pb (3.92 mg/kg dry weight), and Cd (0.20 mg/kg dry weight) in Padina pavonica. Pb contributed the most to the tolerable daily intake (TDI) of toxic metals in these samples; 57.2 and 45.3% of the TDI for Pb was found in 5 g of dehydrated P. pavonica and Halopteris scoparia, respectively. This percent contribution is half of the recommended TDI for this metal, which is 34.24 µg/day; therefore, high consumption of these species is discouraged. The maximum TDIs established by various institutions for the other metals were not exceeded from the daily consumption of 5 g of the other dehydrated seaweeds evaluated in this study.

Effect of Intercalated Water on Potassium Ion Transport through Kv1.2 Channels Studied via On-the-Fly Free-Energy Parametrization.

We introduce a two-dimensional version of the method called on-the-fly free energy parametrization (OTFP) to reconstruct free-energy surfaces using Molecular Dynamics simulations, which we name OTFP-2D. We first test the new method by reconstructing the well-known dihedral angles free energy surface of solvated alanine dipeptide. Then, we use it to investigate the process of K+ ions translocation inside the Kv1.2 channel. By comparing a series of two-dimensional free energy surfaces for ion movement calculated with different conditions on the intercalated water molecules, we first recapitulate the widely accepted knock-on mechanism for ion translocation and then confirm that permeation occurs with water molecules alternated among the ions, in accordance with the latest experimental findings. From a methodological standpoint, our new OTFP-2D algorithm demonstrates the excellent sampling acceleration of temperature-accelerated molecular dynamics and the ability to efficiently compute 2D free-energy surfaces. It will therefore be useful in large variety complex biomacromolecular simulations.

Bifidobacterium pseudocatenulatum CECT 7765 Ameliorates Neuroendocrine Alterations Associated with an Exaggerated Stress Response and Anhedonia in Obese Mice.

Obesity, besides being a problem of metabolic dysfunction, constitutes a risk factor for psychological disorders. Experimental models of diet-induced obesity have revealed that obese animals are prone to anxious and depressive-like behaviors. The present study aimed to evaluate whether Bifidobacterium pseudocatenulatum CECT 7765 could reverse the neurobehavioral consequences of obesity in a high-fat diet (HFD) fed mouse model via regulation of the gut-brain axis. Adult male wild-type C57BL-6 mice were fed a standard diet or HFD, supplemented with either placebo or the bifidobacterial strain for 13 weeks. Behavioral tests were performed, and immune and neuroendocrine parameters were analyzed including leptin and corticosterone and their receptors, Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2) and neurotransmitters. We found that obese mice showed anhedonia (p < 0.050) indicative of a depressive-like behavior and an exaggerated hypothalamic-pituitary axis (HPA)-mediated stress response to acute physical (p < 0.001) and social stress (p < 0.050), but these alterations were ameliorated by B. pseudocatenulatum CECT 7765 (p < 0.050). These behavioral effects were parallel to reductions of the obesity-associated hyperleptinemia (p < 0.001) and restoration of leptin signaling (p < 0.050), along with fat mass loss (p < 0.010). B. pseudocatenulatum CECT 7765 administration also led to restoration of the obesity-induced reductions in adrenaline in the hypothalamus (p < 0.010), involved in the hypothalamic control of energy balance. Furthermore, the bifidobacterial strain reduced the obesity-induced upregulation of TLR2 protein or gene expression in the intestine (p < 0.010) and the hippocampus (p < 0.050) and restored the alterations of 5-HT levels in the hippocampus (p < 0.050), which could contribute to attenuating the obesity-associated depressive-like behavior (p < 0.050). In summary, the results indicate that B. pseudocatenulatum CECT 7765 could play a role in depressive behavior comorbid with obesity via regulation of endocrine and immune mediators of the gut-brain axis.

Metal Concentrations in Samples of Frozen Cephalopods (Cuttlefish, Octopus, Squid, and Shortfin Squid): An Evaluation of Dietary Intake.

Cephalopods are an important source of nutrients and some of the most widely consumed marine foods. However, because of contamination of the oceans and the bioaccumulative nature of toxic metals, these foods may pose a health risk. For this reason, the concentrations of some trace elements (chromium [Cr], lithium, strontium [Sr], copper [Cu], and nickel) and toxic metals (aluminum [Al], cadmium, and lead) were determined in 65 frozen samples of cuttlefish, octopus, common squid, and shortfin squid by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry to evaluate dietary intake and toxic risk. Sr was the major trace element (3.03 mg/kg) in cuttlefish; however, Cu (1.57 mg/kg) was found in the highest concentration in common squid. Among the toxic metals, Al had the highest concentration (3.09 mg/kg) in common squid. Al can pose an important health risk to individuals with kidney problems and to children because these groups are most vulnerable to the toxic effects. Significant differences among the four cephalopod types were found in the concentrations of most of the metals examined. Taking into account the average consumption of cephalopods, the contribution of toxic metals does not pose a risk to the health of adults.

Polymorphism at 129 dictates metastable conformations of the human prion protein N-terminal ß-sheet.

We study the thermodynamic stability of the native state of the human prion protein using a new free-energy method, replica-exchange on-the-fly parameterization. This method is designed to overcome hidden-variable sampling limitations to yield nearly error-free free-energy profiles along a conformational coordinate. We confirm that all four (M129V, D178N) polymorphs have a ground-state conformation with three intact ß-sheet hydrogen bonds. Additionally, they are observed to have distinct metastabilities determined by the side-chain at position 129. We rationalize these findings with reference to the prion "strain" hypothesis, which links the variety of transmissible spongiform encephalopathy phenotypes to conformationally distinct infectious prion forms and classifies distinct phenotypes of sporadic Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease based solely on the 129 polymorphism. Because such metastable structures are not easily observed in structural experiments, our approach could potentially provide new insights into the conformational origins of prion diseases and other pathologies arising from protein misfolding and aggregation.

Elongación en Z del ligamentum carpi transversum vs. apertura completa para el tratamiento del síndrome del túnel del carpo / Z-Elongation of the transverse carpal ligament vs. complete resection for the treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome

Introdución. La apertura completa del ligamentum carpi transversum (LCT) es el tratamiento de elección para el síndrome del túnel carpiano. Sin embargo, la pérdida de fuerza de prensión y el dolor sobre la eminencia tenar e hipotenar, denominado «pillar pain» son complicaciones comunes asociadas a dicha técnica. Se han descrito técnicas que reconstruyen dicho ligamento o lo elongan para disminuir estas complicaciones. Objetivo. Analizar la efectividad de la elongación en Z del LCT y la disminución de dichas complicaciones comparándolo con la apertura completa del LCT. Material y método. Se realiza un estudio de intervención prospectivo aleatorizado de 80 pacientes. Los pacientes fueron divididos en 2 grupos: 1) apertura completa de LCT; 2) elongación en Z según técnica modificada de Simonetta. Se analiza la fuerza de agarre, presencia de pillar pain y valoración clínica y funcional mediante el cuestionario Levine. Resultados. No hay diferencias estadísticamente significativas (p>0,05) en la pérdida de fuerza de agarre y presencia de pillar pain entre ambas técnicas en las revisiones realizadas a los 15 días, un mes, 3 meses y un año posquirúrgico. Sí hay diferencias estadísticamente significativas entre los datos preoperatorios y postoperatorios sin embargo, no hay diferencias estadísticamente significativas en el cuestionario de Levine entre ambas técnicas. Discusión. La elongación en Z del LCT es una técnica igual de efectiva que la apertura completa para el tratamiento del síndrome del túnel carpiano pero sin ofrecer ventajas en cuanto a la disminución de fuerza, presencia de pillar pain o mejoría de los resultados funcionales (AU)

Background. Carpal tunnel syndrome is treated successfully by surgical release of the transverse carpal ligament (TCL). However, persistent weakness of grip and pain over the thenar and hypothenar ends of this ligament, and 'pillar pain', are reported to be common complications. In order to reduce these complications, different ligament reconstruction or lengthening techniques have been proposed. Objective. The purpose of this study is compare effectiveness and complications of TCL z-lengthening technique with complete TCL section. Methods. A prospective, randomised, intervention trial was conducted on 80 patients. The patients were divided into 2 groups: 1) complete release of TCL; 2) z-lengthening of TCL according to a modified Simonetta technique. Grip strength, pillar pain and clinical and functional assessment were carried out using the Levine et al. questionnaire. Results. No significant differences were observed (p>.05) in the postoperative reviews between the two groups as regards grip strength loss and pillar pain. There were significant differences between preoperative and postoperative mean Levine scores, but there was no difference in the mean scores of the two procedures at any time. Discussion. In conclusion, according to the results, TCL z-lengthening is more effective than simple division, but there is no identifiable benefit in z-lengthening for avoiding complications (AU)