IRF5 Variants Are Risk Factors for Systemic Lupus Erythematosus in Two Mexican Populations.

INTRODUCTION: Interferon regulatory factor 5 ( IRF5 ) is one of the pivotal genes implicated in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) among diverse ethnic groups, including Europeans, Asians, Hispanics, and Africans. Notably, its significance appears particularly pronounced among Hispanic populations. Previous studies have identified several single-nucleotide variants within IRF5 , such as rs2004640G/T, rs2070197T/C, and rs10954213G/A, as associated with susceptibility to SLE among patients from Mexico City. However, the population of Yucatan, located in the Southeast of Mexico and characterized by a greater Amerindian genetic component, remains largely unexplored in this regard. OBJECTIVES: Our study aimed to replicate the observed association between IRF5 variants and susceptibility to SLE among patients from Central Mexico and Yucatan. Furthermore, we investigated the impact of IRF5 rs59110799G/T, a variant that has not been previously studied in SLE individuals. METHOD: Our study included 204 SLE patients and 160 controls from Central Mexico, as well as 184 SLE patients and 184 controls from Yucatan. All participants were females 18 years and older. We employed a TaqMan assay to detect the presence of the following single-nucleotide variants: rs2004640G/T, rs2070197T/C, rs10954213G/A, and rs59110799G/T. Furthermore, we utilized 2 distinct web tools and databases to predict the potential functional implications of IRF5 variants. RESULTS: In SLE patients from Central Mexico, several IRF5 alleles showed significant associations with the disease following adjustment by the Bonferroni test: the rs2070197C allele (odds ratio [OR], 2.08), the rs10954213A allele (OR, 1.59), and the rs59110799G allele (OR, 1.71). Conversely, among patients from Yucatan, the following alleles showed associations: rs2004640T (OR, 1.51), rs2070197C (OR, 1.62), rs10954213A (OR, 1.67), and rs59110799G (OR, 1.44). CONCLUSION: Our findings highlight genetic variations between Mexican populations and emphasize the role of IRF5 as a risk factor in SLE patients from both Central Mexico and Yucatan.

Diminazene aceturate inhibits the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein-induced inflammation involving leukocyte migration and DNA extracellular traps formation.

AIMS: To investigate the SARS-CoV-2 Spike protein (Spk)-induced inflammatory response and its downmodulation by diminazene aceturate (DIZE). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Through inducing Spk inflammation in murine models, leukocyte migration to the peritoneum, levels of myeloperoxidase (MPO), malondialdehyde (MDA), rolling and adhesion of mesenteric leukocytes, and vascular permeability were investigated. Extracellular DNA traps (DETs) induced by Spk and the production of IL-6 and TNF-α were analyzed using human neutrophils, monocytes, and macrophages. In silico assays assessed the molecular interaction between DIZE and molecules related to leukocyte migration and DETs induction. KEY FINDINGS: Spk triggered acute inflammation, demonstrated by increasing leukocyte migration. Oxidative stress was evidenced by elevated levels of MPO and MDA in the peritoneal liquid. DIZE attenuated cell migration, rolling, and leukocyte adhesion, improved vascular barrier function, mitigated DETs, and reduced the production of Spk-induced pro-inflammatory cytokines. Computational studies supported our findings, showing the molecular interaction of DIZE with targets such as ß2 integrin, PI3K, and PAD2 due to its intermolecular coupling. SIGNIFICANCE: Our results outline a novel role of DIZE as a potential therapeutic agent for mitigating Spk-induced inflammation.

Waterborne atenolol disrupts neurobehavioral and neurochemical responses in adult zebrafish.

Environmental contamination by pharmaceuticals from industrial waste and anthropogenic activities poses adverse health effects on non-target organisms. We evaluated the neurobehavioral and biochemical responses accompanying exposure to ecological relevant concentrations of atenolol (0, 0.1, 1.0, and 10 µg/L) for seven uninterrupted days in adult zebrafish (Danio rerio). Atenolol-exposed fish exhibited anxiety-like behavior, characterized by significant bottom-dwelling with marked reduction in vertical exploration. Atenolol-exposed fish exhibited marked increase in the duration and frequency of aggressive events without altering their preference for conspecifics. Biochemical data using brain samples indicated that atenolol disrupted antioxidant enzyme activities and induced oxidative stress. Exposure to atenolol markedly decreased ATP and AMP hydrolysis without affecting ADP hydrolysis and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity. Atenolol significantly upregulated tryptophan hydroxylase 1 (tph1) mRNA expression but downregulated brain-derived neurotrophic factor (bdnf) mRNA. Collectively, waterborne atenolol elicits aggressive and anxiety-like responses in adult zebrafish, accompanied by oxidative stress, reduced nucleotide hydrolysis, altered tph1 and bdnf mRNA expression, which may impact the survival and health of fish in aquatic environment.

Utility of zebrafish-based models in understanding molecular mechanisms of neurotoxicity mediated by the gut-brain axis.

The gut microbes perform several beneficial functions which impact the periphery and central nervous systems of the host. Gut microbiota dysbiosis is acknowledged as a major contributor to the development of several neuropsychiatric and neurological disorders including bipolar disorder, depression, anxiety, Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, and autism spectrum disorder. Thus, elucidation of how the gut microbiota-brain axis plays a role in health and disease conditions is a potential novel approach to prevent and treat brain disorders. The zebrafish (Danio rerio) is an invaluable vertebrate model that possesses conserved brain and intestinal features with those of humans, thus making zebrafish a valued model to investigate the interplay between the gut microbiota and host health. This chapter describes current findings on the utility of zebrafish in understanding molecular mechanisms of neurotoxicity mediated via the gut microbiota-brain axis. Specifically, it highlights the utility of zebrafish as a model organism for understanding how anthropogenic chemicals, pharmaceuticals and bacteria exposure affect animals and human health via the gut-brain axis.

Severity and complications in infants with respiratory syncytial virus infection after the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic.

BACKGROUND: After the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, there has been an increase in hospitalization for lower respiratory infection secondary to respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), with greater complications. Associated extrapulmonary alterations, biventricular dysfunction, acute kidney injury, among others, have been found. The objective of this study was to analize the evolution and complications in hospitalized children with lower respiratory infection secondary to RSV after COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: All pediatric patients under 2 years of age admitted to the emergency department with RSV infection were included. Clinical characteristics, need for supplemental oxygen, use of amines, renal angina index, and requirement for renal replacement therapy were analyzed. Lung ultrasound was performed upon admission. Statistical analysis was carried out for the quantitative variables by means of mean and standard deviation, and qualitative variables by frequency and percentage. Differences in the distribution were evaluated with Fisher's exact distribution. RESULTS: 45 patients with RSV infection were identified, 26.7% required invasive mechanical ventilation and 11.1% requiered peritoneal dialysis. Fatality was observed in four cases, three of these younger than 12 months with a LUS score > 7; contrasts with 90.2% of survivors with a score < 7 (p = 0.0004). CONCLUSIONS: An increase in the incidence of bronchiolitis after pandemic was observed, with more than half having moderate to severe symptoms and requiring supplemental oxygen support in all patients upon admission. Acute kidney injury is the most common extrapulmonary manifestation.

INTRODUCCIÓN: Posterior a la pandemia por SARS-CoV-2 se ha observado un incremento en la hospitalización por virus respiratorio sincitial (VRS), con mayores complicaciones. Se han encontrado alteraciones extrapulmonares asociadas, disfunción biventricular y lesión renal aguda, entre otras. El objetivo de este estudio fue analizar la evolución y las complicaciones en niños hospitalizados con enfermedad respiratoria de vías bajas secundaria a infección por VRS tras la pandemia de COVID-19. MÉTODOS: Se incluyeron todos los menores de 2 años que ingresaron al servicio de urgencias con infección por VRS. Se analizaron las características clínicas, la necesidad de oxígeno suplementario, el uso de aminas, el índice de angina renal y el requerimiento de terapia de sustitución renal. Se realizó ecografía pulmonar al ingreso. En el análisis estadístico, para las variables cuantitativas se determinaron la media y la desviación estándar, y para las variables cualitativas la frecuencia y el porcentaje. Se evaluaron las diferencias de la distribución con la prueba exacta de Fisher. RESULTADOS: Hubo 45 pacientes con infección por VRS. El 26.7% requirieron ventilación mecánica invasiva y el 11.1% diálisis peritoneal. La letalidad fue de cuatro casos, tres de ellos menores de 12 meses con puntuación de LUS > 7; esto contrasta con el 90.2% de los sobrevivientes con puntaje < 7 (p = 0.0004). CONCLUSIONES: Se observó un aumento en la incidencia de bronquiolitis tras la pandemia, en más de la mitad de los casos con cuadros de moderados a graves, y todos requirieron oxígeno suplementario al ingreso. La lesión renal aguda fue la manifestación extrapulmonar más frecuente.

Gravedad y complicaciones en lactantes con infección por el virus respiratorio sincitial posterior a la pandemia por SARS-CoV-2 / Severity and complications in infants with respiratory syncytial virus infection after the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic

Resumen Introducción: Posterior a la pandemia por SARS-CoV-2 se ha observado un incremento en la hospitalización por virus respiratorio sincitial (VRS), con mayores complicaciones. Se han encontrado alteraciones extrapulmonares asociadas, disfunción biventricular y lesión renal aguda, entre otras. El objetivo de este estudio fue analizar la evolución y las complicaciones en niños hospitalizados con enfermedad respiratoria de vías bajas secundaria a infección por VRS tras la pandemia de COVID-19. Métodos: Se incluyeron todos los menores de 2 años que ingresaron al servicio de urgencias con infección por VRS. Se analizaron las características clínicas, la necesidad de oxígeno suplementario, el uso de aminas, el índice de angina renal y el requerimiento de terapia de sustitución renal. Se realizó ecografía pulmonar al ingreso. En el análisis estadístico, para las variables cuantitativas se determinaron la media y la desviación estándar, y para las variables cualitativas la frecuencia y el porcentaje. Se evaluaron las diferencias de la distribución con la prueba exacta de Fisher. Resultados: Hubo 45 pacientes con infección por VRS. El 26.7% requirieron ventilación mecánica invasiva y el 11.1% diálisis peritoneal. La letalidad fue de cuatro casos, tres de ellos menores de 12 meses con puntuación de LUS > 7; esto contrasta con el 90.2% de los sobrevivientes con puntaje < 7 (p = 0.0004). Conclusiones: Se observó un aumento en la incidencia de bronquiolitis tras la pandemia, en más de la mitad de los casos con cuadros de moderados a graves, y todos requirieron oxígeno suplementario al ingreso. La lesión renal aguda fue la manifestación extrapulmonar más frecuente.

Abstract Background: After the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, there has been an increase in hospitalization for lower respiratory infection secondary to respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), with greater complications. Associated extrapulmonary alterations, biventricular dysfunction, acute kidney injury, among others, have been found. The objective of this study was to analize the evolution and complications in hospitalized children with lower respiratory infection secondary to RSV after COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: All pediatric patients under 2 years of age admitted to the emergency department with RSV infection were included. Clinical characteristics, need for supplemental oxygen, use of amines, renal angina index, and requirement for renal replacement therapy were analyzed. Lung ultrasound was performed upon admission. Statistical analysis was carried out for the quantitative variables by means of mean and standard deviation, and qualitative variables by frequency and percentage. Differences in the distribution were evaluated with Fisher’s exact distribution. Results: 45 patients with RSV infection were identified, 26.7% required invasive mechanical ventilation and 11.1% requiered peritoneal dialysis. Fatality was observed in four cases, three of these younger than 12 months with a LUS score > 7; contrasts with 90.2% of survivors with a score < 7 (p = 0.0004). Conclusions: An increase in the incidence of bronchiolitis after pandemic was observed, with more than half having moderate to severe symptoms and requiring supplemental oxygen support in all patients upon admission. Acute kidney injury is the most common extrapulmonary manifestation.

The polymorphism T1470A of the SLC16A1 gene is associated with the lactate and ventilatory thresholds but not with fat oxidation capacity in young men.

PURPOSE: To examine the association of the single nucleotide polymorphism A1470T in the SLC16A1 gene with blood lactate accumulation during a graded exercise test and its associated metaboreflex. METHODS: Forty-six Latin-American men (Age: 27 ± 6 years; Body fat: 17.5 ± 4.7%) performed a graded exercise test on a treadmill for the assessment of maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max), lactate threshold (LT), ventilatory threshold (VT) and the exercise intensity corresponding to maximal fat oxidation rate (FATmax), via capillary blood samples and indirect calorimetry. Genomic DNA was extracted from a peripheral blood sample. Genotyping assay was carried out by real-time polymerase chain reaction to identify the A1470T polymorphism (rs1049434). RESULTS: Genotypes distribution were in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium (X2 = 5.6, p > 0.05), observing allele frequencies of 0.47 and 0.53 for the A and T alleles, respectively. No difference in VO2max, body composition nor FATmax were observed across genotypes, whereas carriers of the TT genotype showed a higher LT (24.5 ± 2.2 vs. 15.6 ± 1.7 mL kg-1 min-1, p < 0.01) and VT in comparison to carriers of the AA + AT genotypes (32.5 ± 3.3 vs. 21.7 ± 1.5 mL kg-1 min-1, p < 0.01). Both, VO2max and the A1470T polymorphism were positively associated to the LT (R2 = 0.50, p < 0.01) and VT (R2 = 0.55, p < 0.01). Only VO2max was associated to FATmax (R2 = 0.39, p < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Independently of cardiorespiratory fitness, the A1470T polymorphism is associated to blood lactate accumulation and its associated ventilatory response during submaximal intensity exercise. However, the A1470 polymorphism does not influence fat oxidation capacity during exercise in young men.

Schistosoma mansoni vaccine candidates identified by unbiased phage display screening in self-cured rhesus macaques.

Schistosomiasis, a challenging neglected tropical disease, affects millions of people worldwide. Developing a prophylactic vaccine against Schistosoma mansoni has been hindered by the parasite's biological complexity. In this study, we utilized the innovative phage-display immunoprecipitation followed by a sequencing approach (PhIP-Seq) to screen the immune response of 10 infected rhesus macaques during self-cure and challenge-resistant phases, identifying vaccine candidates. Our high-throughput S. mansoni synthetic DNA phage-display library encoded 99.6% of 119,747 58-mer peptides, providing comprehensive coverage of the parasite's proteome. Library screening with rhesus macaques' antibodies, from the early phase of establishment of parasite infection, identified significantly enriched epitopes of parasite extracellular proteins known to be expressed in the digestive tract, shifting towards intracellular proteins during the late phase of parasite clearance. Immunization of mice with a selected pool of PhIP-Seq-enriched phage-displayed peptides from MEG proteins, cathepsins B, and asparaginyl endopeptidase significantly reduced worm burden in a vaccination assay. These findings enhance our understanding of parasite-host immune responses and provide promising prospects for developing an effective schistosomiasis vaccine.

Usefulness of lung ultrasound in the evaluation of children with lower respiratory tract infection in the emergency room / Utilidad de ecografía pulmonar en la valoración de niños con infección respiratoria baja en urgencias

Abstract Background: Lung ultrasound is a bedside tool that allows the evaluation of pulmonary parenchymal involvement in pediatric patients through the lung ultrasound score (LUS). We aimed to evaluate a group of patients under 3 years of age with lower respiratory tract infections using LUS at the Hospital Infantil del Estado de Sonora. Methods: We included patients younger than 3 years admitted to the emergency department with lower respiratory tract infections. A lung ultrasound was performed within the first 24 h of admission to the emergency department and evaluated using LUS. We analyzed age, sex, etiology of infection, days of stay, use of mechanical ventilation, Downes scale, failure of mechanical ventilation on admission, and mortality. Descriptive analysis was performed with frequencies and percentages for qualitative variables and medians and interquartile intervals for quantitative variables. Differences in the distribution of LUS variables were evaluated with the Fishers´ exact test and Student´s t-test. Results: We included a total of 19 patients with lower respiratory tract infections, 73.7% with bronchiolitis. Fifty percent of the cases scored 7 on the LUS, 91.7% were admitted to the pediatric intensive care unit, and 53.8% required invasive mechanical ventilation. Conclusions: The use of LUS in lower respiratory tract infections can predict the need for PICU admission, the use of invasive ventilatory support, and prolonged hospital stay.

Resumen Introducción: El ultrasonido pulmonar es una herramienta a pie de cama que permite evaluar la afectación del parénquima pulmonar en pacientes pediátricos por medio de la escala de LUS (lung ultrasound score, por sus siglas en inglés). El objetivo del estudio fue evaluar a niños menores de 3 años con infección respiratoria baja mediante la escala de LUS, en el Hospital Infantil del Estado de Sonora. Métodos: Se incluyeron pacientes menores de 3 años que ingresaron al Servicio de Urgencias con infección respiratoria baja. Se realizó ecografía pulmonar en las primeras 24 horas de ingreso a urgencias y se evaluó mediante la escala de LUS. Se analizó, edad, sexo, etiología de la infección, días de estancia, uso de terapia ventilatoria, escala de Downes, fracaso a la terapia ventilatoria de ingreso y mortalidad. Se realizó un análisis descriptivo por medio de frecuencia y porcentaje para las variables cualitativas y para las cuantitativas con mediana e intervalo intercuartil. Las diferencias en la distribución de las variables por la escala de LUS con la prueba exacta de Fisher y la t de Student. Resultados: Se identificaron 19 pacientes con infección pulmonar aguda, de los cuales el 73.7% presentó bronquiolitis. El 50% de los casos obtuvo 7 puntos de la escala de LUS, el 91.7% ingresó a UCIP y el 53.8% requirió ventilación mecánica asistida. Conclusiones: El uso de la escala LUS en infección respiratoria baja puede predecir la necesidad de ingreso a Unidad de Cuidados Intensivos Pediátricos, así como la utilización de soporte ventilatorio invasivo y una estancia hospitalaria prolongada.

Usefulness of lung ultrasound in the evaluation of children with lower respiratory tract infection in the emergency room.

BACKGROUND: Lung ultrasound is a bedside tool that allows the evaluation of pulmonary parenchymal involvement in pediatric patients through the lung ultrasound score (LUS). We aimed to evaluate a group of patients under 3 years of age with lower respiratory tract infections using LUS at the Hospital Infantil del Estado de Sonora. METHODS: We included patients younger than 3 years admitted to the emergency department with lower respiratory tract infections. A lung ultrasound was performed within the first 24 h of admission to the emergency department and evaluated using LUS. We analyzed age, sex, etiology of infection, days of stay, use of mechanical ventilation, Downes scale, failure of mechanical ventilation on admission, and mortality. Descriptive analysis was performed with frequencies and percentages for qualitative variables and medians and interquartile intervals for quantitative variables. Differences in the distribution of LUS variables were evaluated with the Fishers' exact test and Student's t-test. RESULTS: We included a total of 19 patients with lower respiratory tract infections, 73.7% with bronchiolitis. Fifty percent of the cases scored 7 on the LUS, 91.7% were admitted to the pediatric intensive care unit, and 53.8% required invasive mechanical ventilation. CONCLUSIONS: The use of LUS in lower respiratory tract infections can predict the need for PICU admission, the use of invasive ventilatory support, and prolonged hospital stay.

INTRODUCCIÓN: El ultrasonido pulmonar es una herramienta a pie de cama que permite evaluar la afectación del parénquima pulmonar en pacientes pediátricos por medio de la escala de LUS (lung ultrasound score, por sus siglas en inglés). El objetivo del estudio fue evaluar a niños menores de 3 años con infección respiratoria baja mediante la escala de LUS, en el Hospital Infantil del Estado de Sonora. MÉTODOS: Se incluyeron pacientes menores de 3 años que ingresaron al Servicio de Urgencias con infección respiratoria baja. Se realizó ecografía pulmonar en las primeras 24 horas de ingreso a urgencias y se evaluó mediante la escala de LUS. Se analizó, edad, sexo, etiología de la infección, días de estancia, uso de terapia ventilatoria, escala de Downes, fracaso a la terapia ventilatoria de ingreso y mortalidad. Se realizó un análisis descriptivo por medio de frecuencia y porcentaje para las variables cualitativas y para las cuantitativas con mediana e intervalo intercuartil. Las diferencias en la distribución de las variables por la escala de LUS con la prueba exacta de Fisher y la t de Student. RESULTADOS: Se identificaron 19 pacientes con infección pulmonar aguda, de los cuales el 73.7% presentó bronquiolitis. El 50% de los casos obtuvo 7 puntos de la escala de LUS, el 91.7% ingresó a UCIP y el 53.8% requirió ventilación mecánica asistida. CONCLUSIONES: El uso de la escala LUS en infección respiratoria baja puede predecir la necesidad de ingreso a Unidad de Cuidados Intensivos Pediátricos, así como la utilización de soporte ventilatorio invasivo y una estancia hospitalaria prolongada.

Toward Exercise Guidelines for Optimizing Fat Oxidation During Exercise in Obesity: A Systematic Review and Meta-Regression.

BACKGROUND: Exercise training performed at maximal fat oxidation (FATmax) is an efficient non-pharmacological approach for the management of obesity and its related cardio-metabolic disorders. OBJECTIVES: Therefore, this work aimed to provide exercise intensity guidelines and training volume recommendations for maximizing fat oxidation in patients with obesity. METHODS: A systematic review of original articles published in English, Spanish or French languages was carried out in EBSCOhost, PubMed and Scopus by strictly following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) statement. Those studies that analyzed maximal fat oxidation (MFO) and FATmax in patients with obesity (body fat > 25% for men; > 35% for women) by calculating substrate oxidation rates through indirect calorimetry during a graded exercise test with short-duration stages (< 10 min) were selected for quantitative analysis. The accuracy of relative oxygen uptake (% peak oxygen uptake [%[Formula: see text]O2peak]) and relative heart rate (% peak heart rate [%HRpeak]) for establishing FATmax reference values was investigated by analyzing their intra-individual and inter-study variation. Moreover, cluster analysis and meta-regression were used for determining the influence of biological factors and methodological procedures on MFO and FATmax. RESULTS: Sixty-four manuscripts were selected from 146 records; 23 studies only recruited men (n = 465), 14 studies only evaluated women (n = 575), and 27 studies included individuals from both sexes (n = 6434). The majority of the evaluated subjects were middle-aged adults (aged 40-60 y; 84%) with a poor cardiorespiratory fitness (≤ 43 mL·kg-1·min-1; 81%), and the reported MFO ranged from 0.27 to 0.33 g·min-1. The relative heart rate at FATmax (coefficient of variation [CV]: 8.8%) showed a lower intra-individual variation compared with relative oxygen uptake (CV: 17.2%). Furthermore, blood lactate levels at FATmax ranged from 1.3 to 2.7 mmol·L-1 while the speed and power output at FATmax fluctuated from 4 to 5.1 km·h-1 and 42.8-60.2 watts, respectively. Age, body mass index, cardiorespiratory fitness, FATmax, the type of ergometer and the stoichiometric equation used to calculate the MFO independently explained MFO values (R2 = 0.85; p < 0.01). The MFO in adolescents was superior in comparison with MFO observed in young and middle-aged adults. On the other hand, the MFO was higher during treadmill walking in comparison with stationary cycling. Body fat and MFO alone determined 29% of the variation in FATmax (p < 0.01), noting that individuals with body fat > 35% showed a heart rate of 61-66% HRpeak while individuals with < 35% body fat showed a heart rate between 57 and 64% HRpeak. Neither biological sex nor the analytical procedure for computing the fat oxidation kinetics were associated with MFO and FATmax. CONCLUSION: Relative heart rate rather than relative oxygen uptake should be used for establishing FATmax reference values in patients with obesity. A heart rate of 61-66% HRpeak should be recommended to patients with > 35% body fat while a heart rate of 57-64% HRpeak should be recommended to patients with body fat < 35%. Moreover, training volume must be higher in adults to achieve a similar fat oxidation compared with adolescents whereas exercising on a treadmill requires a lower training volume to achieve significant fat oxidation in comparison with stationary cycling.

The role of sex in the relationship between fasting adipokines levels, maximal fat oxidation during exercise, and insulin resistance in young adults with excess adiposity.

AIM: Previous evidence suggest that a sexual dimorphism in exercise fat oxidation and adipokines levels may explain a lower risk of cardio-metabolic disorders in women. Therefore, we investigated the role of sex in the relationship between adipokines levels, maximal fat oxidation (MFO) during exercise and insulin resistance. METHODS: Fifty young adults with excess adiposity (31 women; body fat: 38.7 ± 5.3%) were included in this study. The fasting levels of leptin, adiponectin, glucose and insulin were determined from blood samples and the homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance index (HOMA-IR) subsequently calculated. Body fat percentage and visceral adipose tissue (VAT) were assessed through dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry whereas MFO was estimated during an incremental-load exercise test after an overnight fasting through indirect calorimetry. RESULTS: Men had lower levels of body fat (d = 1.80), adiponectin (d = 1.35), leptin (d = 0.43) and MFO (d = 1.25) than women. Conversely, men showed higher VAT (d = 0.85) and fasting glucose levels (d = 0.89). No sex differences were observed in HOMA-IR (d = 0.34). Adipokines levels were not associated with MFO in both sexes (r < 0.30), whereas adiponectin levels were inversely related with HOMA-IR in both men (r = -0.58) and women (r = -0.50). Leptin concentration was associated to HOMA-IR only in men (r = 0.41), while no statistically significant relationships were observed between MFO and HOMA-IR in both sexes (r < 0.44). CONCLUSION: Insulin resistance was similar between sexes regardless of superior levels of adipokines and MFO during exercise in women. Therefore, adiponectin and leptin may regulate glucose homeostasis without altering whole body fat oxidation rate during exercise.

Assessment of metabolic flexibility by measuring maximal fat oxidation during submaximal intensity exercise: Can we improve the analytical procedures?

Assessment of maximal fat oxidation rate (MFO) during a submaximal exercise test has been employed by many studies to investigate the differences in metabolic flexibility (MetFlex) across several populations. Nevertheless, many incorrect assumptions and methodological limitations exist in the procedures employed by previous studies, which might lead to misinterpretation of the reported findings. Considering the data retrieved from 19 trained men (Age: [27 â€‹± â€‹4] years; %Body fat: [16.4 â€‹± â€‹4.5]%; maximal oxygen consumption: [55.8 â€‹± â€‹5.3] mL·kg-1·min-1) who performed a graded exercise test over a motor-driven treadmill, this opinion paper shows that MFO alone does not perfectly capture the MetFlex in response to submaximal intensity exercise and recommend a novel index that considers both fat oxidation and energy expenditure modifications for an accurate examination of MetFlex.

Carbohydrate and lipid balances in the positive plant phenotypic response to arbuscular mycorrhiza: increase in sink strength.

The exchange of phosphorus (P) and carbon (C) between plants and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) is a major determinant of their mutualistic symbiosis. We explored the C dynamics in tomato (Solanum lycorpersicum) inoculated or not with Rhizophagus irregularis to study their growth response under different NaH2 PO4 concentrations (Null P, 0 mM; Low P, 0.065 mM; High P, 1.3 mM). The percentage of AMF colonization was similar in plants under Null and Low P, but severely reduced under High P. However, the AMF mass biomarker 16:1ω5 revealed higher fungal accumulation in inoculated roots under Low P, while more AMF spores were produced in the Null P. Under High P, AMF biomass and spores were strongly reduced. Plant growth response to mycorrhiza was negative under Null P, showing reduction in height, biovolume index, and source leaf (SL) area. Under Low P, inoculated plants showed a positive response (e.g., increased SL area), while inoculated plants under High P were similar to non-inoculated plants. AMF promoted the accumulation of soluble sugars in the SL under all fertilization levels, whereas the soluble sugar level decreased in roots under Low P in inoculated plants. Transcriptional upregulation of SlLIN6 and SlSUS1, genes related to carbohydrate metabolism, was observed in inoculated roots under Null P and Low P, respectively. We conclude that P-limiting conditions that increase AMF colonization stimulate plant growth due to an increase in the source and sink strength. Our results suggest that C partitioning and allocation to different catabolic pathways in the host are influenced by AMF performance.

El Niño frequency threshold controls coastal biotic communities.

El Niño has profound influences on ecosystem dynamics. However, we know little about how it shapes vertebrate faunal community composition over centennial time scales, and this limits our ability to forecast change under projections of future El Niño events. On the basis of correlations between geological records of past El Niño frequency and the species composition of bird and fish remains from a Baja California bone deposit that spans the past 12,000 years, we documented marked faunal restructuring when major El Niño events occurred more than five times per century. This tipping point has implications for the past and future ecology of eastern Pacific coastal environments.

A systematic review and meta-analysis on the accuracy of rapid immunochromatographic tests for dengue diagnosis.

Rapid immunochromatographic tests are frequently used to diagnose dengue due to their easy use, low cost, and fast response. A high level of accuracy is essential for rapid diagnostic tests to support their large-scale use. Thus, this systematic review aims to evaluate the accuracy of rapid dengue diagnostic tests. The investigation was run through the following databases: LILACS, Medline (Pubmed), CRD, The Cochrane Library, Trip Medical Database, and Google Scholar. To solve difficulties, two independent reviewers performed document screening and selection. ELISA assay was adopted as a reference test because of several methodologic advantages. Seventeen articles were included accordingly, reckoning 6837 participating individuals. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) and Forest Plot were conducted to evaluate the sensitivity and specificity for each analyzed parameter (anti-dengue IgM, IgG, and NS1 antigen). The risk of bias and quality of evidence were assessed as moderate using QUADAS-2 and Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE), respectively. The sensitivity of IgM concerning the studied tests ranged from 13.8 to 90%, while that of NS1 ranged from 14.7 to 100% (95% CI). The antibodies with NS1 presented increased sensitivity; pooled data show that the association of the three analytes bestows the best result, with a combined sensitivity of 90% (CI 95%: 87-92%) and a pooled specificity of 89% (CI 95%: 87-92%). Thus, the present review provides relevant knowledge for decision-making between available rapid diagnostic tests.