Digestive glycosidases from cannonball jellyfish (Stomolophus sp. 2): identification and temporal-spatial variability.

Jellyfish are economically important organisms in diverse countries, carnivorous organisms that consume various prey (crustaceans, mollusks, bivalves, etc.) and dissolved carbohydrates in marine waters. This study was focused on detecting and quantifying the activity of digestive glycosidases from the cannonball jellyfish (Stomolophus sp. 2) to understand carbohydrate digestion and its temporal-spatial variation. Twenty-three jellyfish gastric pouches were collected in 2015 and 2016 in the Gulf of California in three localities (Las Guásimas, Hermosillo, and Caborca). Nine samples were in intra-localities from Las Guásimas. Chitinase (Ch), ß-glucosidase (ß-glu), and ß-N-acetylhexosaminidase (ß-NAHA) were detected in the gastric pouches. However, cellulase, exoglucanase, α-amylase, polygalacturonase, xylanase, and κ-carrageenase were undetected. Detected enzymes showed halotolerant glycolytic activity (i = 0-4 M NaCl), optimal pH, and temperature at 5.0 and 30-50 °C, respectively. At least five ß-glucosidase and two ß-N-acetylhexosaminidase were detected using zymograms; however, the number of proteins with chitinase activity is not precise. The annual variation of cannonball jellyfish digestive glycosidases from Las Guásimas between 2015-2016 does not show significant differences despite the difference in phytoplankton measured as chlorophyll α (1.9 and 3.4 mg/m3, respectively). In the inter-localities, the glycosidase activity was statistically different in all localities, except for ß-N-acetylhexosaminidase activity between Caborca and Hermosillo (3,009.08 ± 87.95 and 3,101.81 ± 281.11 mU/g of the gastric pouch, respectively), with chlorophyll α concentrations of 2.6, 3.4 mg/m3, respectively. For intra-localities, the glycosidase activity did not show significant differences, with a mean chlorophyll α of 1.3 ± 0.1 mg/m3. These results suggest that digestive glycosidases from Stomolophus sp. 2 can hydrolyze several carbohydrates that may belong to their prey or carbohydrates dissolved in marine waters, with salinity over ≥ 0.6 M NaCl and diverse temperature (4-80 °C) conditions. Also, chlorophyll α is related to glycosidase activity in both seasons and inter-localities, except for chitinase activity in an intra-locality (Las Guásimas).

Associations between dietary intake and physical activity, as behavioral indicators, with body fat in adolescents from Mexico / Asociaciones entre la ingesta dietética y la actividad física, como indicadores conductuales, con la grasa corporal en adolescentes de México

Introduction: the prevention of cardiometabolic diseases is currently a priority due to its relationship with COVID-19 complications. Unhealthy lifestyles, like inadequate diet and physical inactivity, are the cornerstone for obesity and cardiometabolic risk. Objective: to examine the association between diet and physical activity with body fat in Mexican adolescents. Methods: the study was cross-sectional. Data included socio-demographic variables, health history and smoking habit obtained through questionnaires; blood pressure and anthropometry measurements; food and nutrient intake through 24-hour recalls; and physical activities through the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ). Univariate analyses were used and multiple models were built by stepwise forward selection (p ≤ 0.05 and biological plausibility). Results: participants were n = 230 students, 18.5 ± 0.4 years and 54.8 % men. Three models associated with body fat were obtained. In the first model, saturated fatty acids (β = 0.30, p = 0.028) were significant positive associated, while vigorous physical activity was significant negative associated as a protective factor (β = -0.007, p = 0.023). In the second model, total fat (β = 0.17, p = 0.005) was significant positive associated, and vigorous physical activity was significant negative associated (β = -0.007, p = 0.023). The third model included fruits and vegetables (β = -5.49, p = 0.092) and vigorous physical activity (β = -0.006, p = 0.058) as protective factors. Conclusions: dietary intake of total fat and saturated fatty acids, and vigorous physical activity, were significantly associated with body fat, while fruits and vegetables trended toward significance, in Mexican adolescents. Community-based programs that promote intake of protective foods and reduction of risky foods, and encourage vigorous physical activity, are needed in adolescents. (AU)

Introducción: la prevención de enfermedades cardiometabólicas es actualmente una prioridad por su relación con las complicaciones de la COVID-19. Los estilos de vida poco saludables son la piedra angular de la obesidad y el riesgo cardiometabólico. Objetivo: examinar la asociación entre dieta y actividad física con la grasa corporal en adolescentes mexicanos. Métodos: el estudio fue transversal. Los datos incluyeron variables sociodemográficas; mediciones de presión arterial y antropometría; ingesta de alimentos y nutrimentos con recordatorios de 24 horas; y actividades físicas con el cuestionario internacional de actividad física (IPAQ). Se utilizo análisis univariado y los modelos múltiples se construyeron mediante selección paso a paso hacia adelante (p ≤ 0.05 y plausibilidad biológica). Resultados: participaron n = 230 estudiantes, 18,5 ± 0,4 años y 54,8 % hombres. Se obtuvieron tres modelos asociados a la grasa corporal. En el primero, los ácidos grasos saturados (β = 0,30, p = 0,028) se asociaron significativamente de forma positiva, y la actividad física vigorosa significativamente de forma negativa como factor protector (β = -0,007, p = 0,023). En el segundo, la grasa total (β = 0,17, p = 0,005) se asoció positivamente y la actividad física vigorosa, negativamente (β = -0,007, p = 0,023). El tercer modelo incluyó frutas y verduras (β = -5,49, p = 0,092) y actividad física vigorosa (β = -0,006, p = 0,058) como factores protectores. Conclusiones: la ingesta dietética de grasas totales y saturadas y la actividad física vigorosa se asociaron significativamente con la grasa corporal, mientras que las frutas y verduras tendieron a ser significativas. Se necesitan programas comunitarios que promuevan la ingesta de alimentos protectores y la reducción de alimentos de riesgo, y fomenten la actividad física vigorosa en adolescentes. (AU)

Associations between dietary intake and physical activity, as behavioral indicators, with body fat in adolescents from Mexico.

Introduction: Introduction: the prevention of cardiometabolic diseases is currently a priority due to its relationship with COVID-19 complications. Unhealthy lifestyles, like inadequate diet and physical inactivity, are the cornerstone for obesity and cardiometabolic risk. Objective: to examine the association between diet and physical activity with body fat in Mexican adolescents. Methods: the study was cross-sectional. Data included socio-demographic variables, health history and smoking habit obtained through questionnaires; blood pressure and anthropometry measurements; food and nutrient intake through 24-hour recalls; and physical activities through the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ). Univariate analyses were used and multiple models were built by stepwise forward selection (p ≤ 0.05 and biological plausibility). Results: participants were n = 230 students, 18.5 ± 0.4 years and 54.8 % men. Three models associated with body fat were obtained. In the first model, saturated fatty acids (ß = 0.30, p = 0.028) were significant positive associated, while vigorous physical activity was significant negative associated as a protective factor (ß = -0.007, p = 0.023). In the second model, total fat (ß = 0.17, p = 0.005) was significant positive associated, and vigorous physical activity was significant negative associated (ß = -0.007, p = 0.023). The third model included fruits and vegetables (ß = -5.49, p = 0.092) and vigorous physical activity (ß = -0.006, p = 0.058) as protective factors. Conclusions: dietary intake of total fat and saturated fatty acids, and vigorous physical activity, were significantly associated with body fat, while fruits and vegetables trended toward significance, in Mexican adolescents. Community-based programs that promote intake of protective foods and reduction of risky foods, and encourage vigorous physical activity, are needed in adolescents.

Introducción: Introducción: la prevención de enfermedades cardiometabólicas es actualmente una prioridad por su relación con las complicaciones de la COVID-19. Los estilos de vida poco saludables son la piedra angular de la obesidad y el riesgo cardiometabólico. Objetivo: examinar la asociación entre dieta y actividad física con la grasa corporal en adolescentes mexicanos. Métodos: el estudio fue transversal. Los datos incluyeron variables sociodemográficas; mediciones de presión arterial y antropometría; ingesta de alimentos y nutrimentos con recordatorios de 24 horas; y actividades físicas con el cuestionario internacional de actividad física (IPAQ). Se utilizo análisis univariado y los modelos múltiples se construyeron mediante selección paso a paso hacia adelante (p ≤ 0.05 y plausibilidad biológica). Resultados: participaron n = 230 estudiantes, 18,5 ± 0,4 años y 54,8 % hombres. Se obtuvieron tres modelos asociados a la grasa corporal. En el primero, los ácidos grasos saturados (ß = 0,30, p = 0,028) se asociaron significativamente de forma positiva, y la actividad física vigorosa significativamente de forma negativa como factor protector (ß = -0,007, p = 0,023). En el segundo, la grasa total (ß = 0,17, p = 0,005) se asoció positivamente y la actividad física vigorosa, negativamente (ß = -0,007, p = 0,023). El tercer modelo incluyó frutas y verduras (ß = -5,49, p = 0,092) y actividad física vigorosa (ß = -0,006, p = 0,058) como factores protectores. Conclusiones: la ingesta dietética de grasas totales y saturadas y la actividad física vigorosa se asociaron significativamente con la grasa corporal, mientras que las frutas y verduras tendieron a ser significativas. Se necesitan programas comunitarios que promuevan la ingesta de alimentos protectores y la reducción de alimentos de riesgo, y fomenten la actividad física vigorosa en adolescentes.

Low prevalence of ideal levels in cardiovascular behavior metrics among Mexican adolescents.

BACKGROUND: Lifestyle changes when transitioning from high-school to college expose students to unhealthy behaviors associated with high cardiovascular risk. The study aimed to assess the cardiovascular behavior metrics according to the AHA criteria, in freshman college adolescents from Northwest Mexico. METHODS: The study was cross-sectional. Demographics and health history were collected by questionnaires. Four behaviors were evaluated: diet quality using a duplicated FFQ, physical activity (PA) using the IPAQ, smoking, and body mass index (BMI) percentile; blood pressure was measured as a biological metric. Intakes were averaged and summed for each food group; sodium and saturated fat were calculated using the Mexican System of Food Equivalents or the USDA Database. Metrics were categorized into ideal, intermediate or poor level according to the AHA criteria. Diet outliers (± 3 SD) were trimmed and data was tested for normality. Mean±SD were calculated for continuous and percentages for categorical variables. Chi-square test compared the prevalence of demographic variables and levels of each cardiovascular metric by sex. Independent T-test evaluated differences in anthropometrics, dietary, and PA by sex, and the prevalence of ideal vs. non-ideal dietary intakes. RESULTS: Participants were n = 228, 55.6% men, age = 18.5±0.4 y. A higher prevalence of men indicated working, playing sports, and family history hypertriglyceridemia (p < 0.05). Men showed higher weight, height, BMI, waist, blood pressure, and lower PA and body fat (p < 0.05). Concerning diet quality, significant differences by sex were observed in nuts and seeds (1.1±0.6 and 0.9±0.6 oz/week, p = 0.042) and processed meats (749.8±639 and 503.6±300.3 g/week, p = 0.002); only fish and shellfish group reached AHA recommendations (513.1 ± 450.7 vs. 501.7 ± 428 g/week, p = 0.671) for men and women, respectively. Ideal level was reached by 70.9% participants for BMI percentile, 87% for smoking, 67.2% for blood pressure, 25.9% for PA, and 12.2% for diet score. Regarding food groups and nutrients, the lower prevalence in the ideal level was for sugar-sweetened beverages (10%, p = 0.013) and processed meats (4.8%, p = 0.208), and the highest for fish and shellfish (87.8%, p = 0.281) . CONCLUSIONS: The diet and PA patterns of Northwest Mexican freshman adolescents make them a high-risk group for developing long-term unhealthy habits and cardiovascular complications early in adulthood.

Treatment of tequila distillation volatile residues by electrochemical oxidation using titanium electrodes.

Tequila production occurs in Mexico's designated area of origin, principally in the Jalisco State. Its residues are a challenge in treatment and tracking due to a lack of technology, non-economic treatments available, low environmental consciousness and incipient control from authorities. In 2021, average production was close to 1.5 million tequila litres per day with an estimated residue yield of 10-12 litres of stillage (tequila vinasses) per tequila litre produced, including volatile fractions. This research aims to reduce organic matter by electrooxidation (EO) from 5 distillation volatile residual effluents (two-stage still distillation) from three tequila distilleries, first and second-stage heads and heads and tails and second-stage non-evaporated fraction. Round 3 mm titanium (grade-1) electrodes (one anode and one cathode) were used, with fixed voltage to a value of 30 VDC at 0, 3, 6, 9 and 12 h with 75 experiments. Gas chromatography was used to analyse methanol, ethanol, acetaldehyde, ethyl acetate, n-propanol, sec-butanol, iso-butanol, n-butanol, iso-amyl, n-amyl, and ethyl lactate content. Treatment shows positive results, reducing organic matter content in all effluents in a Chemical Oxygen Demand COD range of 580-1880 mg/L.h, particularly useful in the second-stage non-evaporated fraction for water recovery.HIGHLIGHTSResidual effluent treatment is beneficial to environmental and resource sustainability.Process without adding materials achieving cleaner treated effluents.Process aimed as the final step to recover water.This process could help the Tequila industry to reach a higher sustainability level by reducing water usage and untreated residues.

Reproducibility and validity of a food frequency questionnaire to assess cardiovascular health-related food intake among Mexican adolescents.

There is a lack of region-adapted tools to evaluate diet as a risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD) in adolescents. The study aim was to evaluate the reproducibility and validity of a paper-based and region-adapted food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) designed to assess CVD-related food and nutrient intakes of adolescents from Northwest México. The study design was cross-sectional. The FFQ was developed in a two-step process: prototype designing and a pilot test, with re-tested in a 3-month period, along with two administrations of 24 h-recall (24 hR). Pearson's and intra-class correlation coefficients (PCC and ICC) were assessed. Bland-Altman plots, limits of agreement and quintile classifications were carried out. Participants (n 221) were 53·8 % male, 18·5 ± 0·4 years old. Reproducibility had a median PCC = 0·66 for processed meats, ranging from 0·40 (saturated fat) to 0·74 (fish & shellfish), P = 0·001. ICC ranged from 0·53 (saturated fat) to 0·80 (sodium; and nuts, seeds and legumes), P = 0·001. Validity comparing FFQ1 v. 24 hR mean, PCCs ranged from 0·12 (P = 0·06) to 0·95 (P = 0·001), and ICC from 0·20 (P = 0·048) to 0·88 (P = 0·001); comparing FFQ2 v. 24 hR mean, PCCs ranged from 0·07 (P = 0·25) to 0·46 (P = 0·001), and ICC from 0·15 (P = 0·106) to 0·58 (P = 0·001). The FFQ overestimated the intake of all food groups and nutrients (P < 0·05), while Cohen's κ showed coefficients lower than 0·20. The proposed FFQ represents a moderately validated tool to estimate CVD-related food and nutrient intakes as a risk factor, which can be used in combination with multiple administrations of 24 hRs, as a critical mean in future interventions intended to reduce cardiometabolic risk in adolescents.

Efficiency of an up-flow Anaerobic Sludge Blanket reactor coupled with an electrochemical system to remove chloramphenicol in swine wastewater.

The application and design of treatment systems in wastewater are necessary due to antibiotics' potential toxicity and resistant genes on residual effluent. This work evaluated a coupled bio-electrochemical system to reduce chloramphenicol (CAP) and chemical oxygen demand (COD) on swine wastewater (SWW). SWW characterization found CAP of <10 µg/L and 17,434 mg/L of COD. The coupled system consisted of preliminary use of an Up-flow Anaerobic Sludge Blanket Reactor (UASB) followed by electrooxidation (EO). The UASB reactor (primary stage) was operated for three months at an organic load of 8.76 kg of COD/m3d and 50 mg CAP/L as initial concentration. In EO, we carried out a 22 (time operation and intensity) factorial design with a central composite design; we tried two Ti cathodes and one anode of Ti/PbO2. Optimal conditions obtained in the EO process were 240 min of operation time and 1.51 A of current intensity. It was possible to eliminate 44% of COD and 64.2% of CAP in the preliminary stage. On bio-electrochemicals, total COD and CAP removal were 82.35 and >99.99%, respectively. This coupled system can be applied to eliminate antibiotics and other organic pollutants in agricultural, industrial, municipal, and other wastewaters.

Decreased GlycA after lifestyle intervention among obese, prediabetic adolescent Latinos.

BACKGROUND: Obese youth with prediabetes are at increased risk for premature morbidity and mortality through multiple mechanisms, including increased systemic inflammation. GlycA is a novel measure of systemic inflammation that predicts type II diabetes, cardiovascular events, and all-cause mortality in adults. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of the present study was to examine changes in GlycA after lifestyle intervention among obese, prediabetic Latino youth. METHODS: Obese, prediabetic Latino youth (n = 27; 15.5 ± 1.1 years, 13 males/14 females) completed a 12-week lifestyle intervention that included weekly nutrition education and 3 d/wk of moderate to vigorous physical activity. Prediabetes was characterized by an expanded definition of impaired glucose tolerance, using 2-hour glucose ≥120 mg/dL after an oral glucose tolerance test. GlycA was assessed at baseline and 12 weeks using nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. RESULTS: After the lifestyle intervention, GlycA was significantly reduced (445.3 ± 51.3 µmol/L to 419.0 ± 50.0 µmol/L, P = .01) (mean ± standard deviation). Additional improvements were observed in multiple cardiovascular risk factors, including body mass index (BMI; 34.8 ± 5.0 kg/m2 to 34.0 ± 5.1 kg/m2, P < .001), total cholesterol (154.1 ± 30.3 mg/dL to 143.3 ± 29.1 mg/dL, P = .003), and 2-hour glucose (141.0 ± 13.2 mg/dL to 115.9 ± 31.4 mg/dL, P < .001). Decreases in GlycA were associated with decreases in 2-hour glucose (r = 0.49, P = .008) and BMI (r = 0.41, P = .03). CONCLUSION: These data are consistent with the hypothesis that lifestyle intervention might improve GlycA levels in obese, prediabetic adolescent Latinos, but randomized trial evidence is needed. Healthy lifestyle modifications among high-risk youth may decrease future risk of cardiometabolic disease through reducing systemic inflammation, in addition to improving traditional cardiovascular risk factors.

Effects of a lifestyle intervention on markers of cardiometabolic risk and oxidized lipoproteins among obese adolescents with prediabetes.

OBJECTIVE: Obesity and hyperglycaemia contribute to the atherosclerotic process in part through oxidative modifications to lipoprotein particles. The present study aimed to evaluate the effects of a lifestyle intervention on markers of oxidized lipoproteins in obese Latino adolescents with prediabetes. DESIGN: Pre-post design. SETTING: Participants were enrolled into a 12-week lifestyle intervention. Measurements pre- and post-intervention included anthropometrics and body composition, lipid panel, oxidized LDL (oxLDL), oxidized HDL (oxHDL), intake of fresh fruits and vegetables, and cardiorespiratory fitness. PARTICIPANTS: Thirty-five obese Latino adolescents (seventeen females, eighteen males; mean age 15·5 (sd 1·0) years; mean BMI percentile 98·5 (sd 1·2)) with prediabetes. RESULTS: Intervention participation resulted in significant reductions in weight (-1·2 %, P = 0·042), BMI and BMI percentile (-2·0 and -0·4 %, respectively, P < 0·001), body fat (-7·0 %, P = 0·025), TAG (-11·8 %, P = 0·032), total cholesterol (-5·0 %, P = 0·002), VLDL-cholesterol (-12·5 %, P = 0·029), and non-HDL-cholesterol (-6·7 %, P = 0·007). Additionally, fitness (6·4 %, P < 0·001) and intake of fruits and vegetables (42·4 %, P = 0·025) increased significantly. OxLDL decreased significantly after the intervention (51·0 (sd 14·0) v. 48·7 (sd 12·8) U/l, P = 0·022), while oxHDL trended towards a significant increase (395·2 (sd 94·6) v. 416·1 (sd 98·4) ng/ml, P = 0·056). CONCLUSIONS: These data support the utility of lifestyle intervention to improve the atherogenic phenotype of Latino adolescents who are at high risk for developing premature CVD and type 2 diabetes.