Optimizing sustainable agriculture: A comprehensive review of agronomic practices and their impacts on soil attributes.

This study explores agronomic management (AM) effects on soil parameters under diverse conditions. Investigating tillage practices (TP), nutrient management (NM), crop rotation (CR), organic matter (OM), irrigation management (IM), and mulching (MS), it aims to reveal impacts on soil productivity, nutrient availability, microbial activity, and overall health. Varied TP affect soil quality through compaction, porosity, and erosion risk. Proper NM is vital for nutrient cycling, preventing imbalances and acidification. CR disrupts pest cycles, reduces weed pressure, and boosts nutrient recycling. OM management enhances soil quality by influencing organic carbon, nutrient availability, pH, fertility, and water retention. Optimizing IM regulates soil water content without inducing waterlogging. MS contributes to OM content, nutrient retention, soil structure, and temperature-moisture regulation, benefiting soil biota, aggregation, soil health and agricultural productivity. The review emphasizes integrated nutrient, CR, and OM management's positive impact on fertility and microbial activity. Different TP and IM variations impact soil health and crop production. Judicious implementation of these practices is essential for sustainable agriculture. This synthesis identifies uncertainties and proposes research directions for optimizing productivity while ensuring environmental sustainability. Ongoing inquiry can guide a balanced approach between yields and resilient soil stewardship for future generations.

Alcalase-Based Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) Protein Hydrolysates Efficiently Reduce Systolic Blood Pressure in Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats.

Studies on antihypertensive chickpea protein hydrolysates have rarely performed in vivo evaluations, limiting the entry of such hydrolysates into functional food development and clinical trials. Thus, our aim was to optimize the hydrolysis conditions to produce an alcalase-based chickpea hydrolysate with a hypotensive effect in vivo at convenient oral doses. The hydrolysis reaction time, temperature, and alcalase/substrate concentration were optimized using a response surface analysis (RSA). ACE-I inhibition was the response variable. The optimized hydrolysis conditions were time = 0.5 h, temperature = 40 °C, and E/S concentration = 0.254 (U/g). The IC50 of the optimized hydrolysate (OCPH) was 0.358 mg/mL. Five hydrolysates from the RSA worksheet (one of them obtained after 5 min of hydrolysis (CPH15)) had an ACE-I inhibitory potential similar to that of OCPH (p > 0.05). At 50 mg/kg doses, OCPH and CPH15 promoted a clinically relevant hypotensive effect in spontaneously hypertensive rats, up to -47.35 mmHg and -28.95 mmHg, respectively (p < 0.05 vs. negative control). Furthermore, the hypotensive effect was sustained for at least 7 h post-supplementation. Overall, OCPH and CPH15 are promising ingredients for functional food development and as test materials for clinical trials.

The Role of Diet and Physical Activity in Shaping COVID-19 Severity: Design, Validation, and Application of a Retrospective Questionnaire.

After the global challenges posed by COVID-19, researchers strived to identify risk factors for severe cases, which lead to various complications-including death. Lifestyle modifications, such as implementing a healthy diet and recommended physical activity, have been shown to be protective against severe COVID-19 cases. Despite an association of a plant-based diet with reduced COVID-19 severity, specific dietary characteristics have not been identified. Also, the methodology for measuring physical activity is variable, with studies overlooking the intensity or the habit components of physical activity. To bridge this gap, our study designed, validated, and applied a retrospective questionnaire with aims of exploring the relationship between lifestyle factors, specifically diet and physical activity, and severe COVID-19. We considered the intensity and years of physical activity habit, which is a limitation of other questionnaires. Results reveal associations of age and BMI with severe COVID-19. An excessive sugar diet was found to be associated with severe COVID-19 and increased symptom duration. We also observed an inverse relationship pattern of moderate- and vigorous-intensity physical activity across case severity, which is absent in walking physical activity. This study lays a foundation for research aiming to identify lifestyle factors that prevent severe COVID-19 cases.

Physicochemical and mineral properties of suspended sediments of the Tigris and Euphrates rivers in the Mesopotamian Plain.

Most of the suspended river load from the Tigris and Euphrates rivers is deposited in the Mesopotamian Plain in Iraq. This suspended river load comprises sediments consisting of minerals and organic particles generated from weathering, erosion, transport, and sedimentation. Therefore, it is crucial to analyze, either quantitative or qualitatively, the types of minerals in the sediment particles transported by the suspended river load, in addition to the potential value they may add to the agricultural lands irrigated by the Tigris and Euphrates rivers. Herein, samples of suspended sediments were collected from both rivers for physical, chemical, and mineral assessments. The results revealed the predominance of silt particles, followed by clay, and then sand. The presence of clay particles increased while that of silt and sand decreased with further travel into the rivers. The pH values ranged from 7.39 to 7.70 and the electrical conductivity ranged from 1.39 to 2.16 ds m-1. The values of the total and active calcium carbonate minerals were 352.87-336.12 and 172.64-194.56 g kg-1 for the Tigris and Euphrates rivers, respectively. The mineral analysis identified the presence of non-clay minerals at a rate of 83 %, including calcite, quartz, albite, dolomite, and gypsum. Clay minerals, including chlorite, illite, montmorillonite, palygorskite, vermiculite, and kaolinite, were found at a rate of 17 %. Both rivers exhibited distributions of clay and non-clay minerals that vary as they move along the rivers.

A Food Matrix Triggers a Similar Allergic Immune Response in BALB/c Mice Sensitized with Native, Denatured, and Digested Ovalbumin.

The search for an animal model to evaluate the allergenic potential of processed food products is still ongoing. Both the sensitization to ovalbumin (OVA) in different structural states and the allergic response triggered after intragastric or food challenges were assessed. BALB/c mice were sensitized intraperitoneally to OVA (50 µg) in different structural states (native OVA, N-OVA; denatured OVA, D-OVA; formaldehyde- and lysine-treated OVA, FK-OVA; denatured OVA-FK, OVA-DFK; peptides from pepsin digestion, Pep-OVA). Anti-OVA-specific IgE responses were evaluated using ELISA. Anaphylactic signs and mMCP-1 serum levels were evaluated after intragastric (2.0 mg/OVA) and food (0.41 mg/OVA) challenges. IgE reactivities to N-OVA and D-OVA were similar among groups (p > 0.05). After the challenges, all OVA-sensitized mice developed mild to severe anaphylactic signs (p < 0.05 vs. control). Mice sensitized to N-OVA and D-OVA had the highest mMCP-1 serum levels after challenges (p < 0.05 vs. control). Allergic responses were similar despite the different OVA doses used for the challenges. The N-OVA-sensitized murine model of egg allergy proposed in the present study holds the potential for evaluating the impact of food matrix composition and processing on the threshold of egg-allergic responses.

Dipeptidyl Peptidase IV Inhibitory Peptides from Chickpea Proteins (Cicer arietinum L.): Pharmacokinetics, Molecular Interactions, and Multi-Bioactivities.

Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) peptides can inhibit dipeptidyl peptidase IV (DPP-IV), an important type 2 diabetes mellitus therapeutic target. The molecular interactions between the inhibitory peptides and the active site of DPP-IV have not been thoroughly examined, nor have their pharmacokinetic properties. Therefore, the predictions of legumin- and provicilin-derived DPP-IV inhibitory peptides, their molecular interactions with the active site of DPP-IV, and their pharmacokinetic properties were carried out. Ninety-two unique DPP-IV inhibitory peptides were identified. Papain and trypsin were the enzymes with the highest AE (0.0927) and lowest BE (6.8625 × 10-7) values, respectively. Peptide binding energy values ranged from -5.2 to -7.9 kcal/mol. HIS-PHE was the most potent DPP-IV inhibitory peptide and interacts with residues of the active sites S1 (TYR662) and S2 (GLU205/ARG125 (hydrogen bonds: <3.0 Å)), S2 (GLU205/GLU206 (electrostatic interactions: <3.0 Å)), and S2' pocket (PHE357 (hydrophobic interaction: 4.36 Å)). Most peptides showed optimal absorption (76.09%), bioavailability (89.13%), and were non-toxic (97.8%) stable for gastrointestinal digestion (73.9%). Some peptides (60.86%) could also inhibit ACE-I. Chickpea is a source of non-toxic and bioavailable DPP-IV-inhibitory peptides with dual bioactivity. Studies addressing the potential of chickpea peptides as therapeutic or adjunct agents for treating type 2 diabetes are warranted.

Prevalence of Parent-Reported Food Allergy in a Mexican Pre-School Population.

The magnitude and relevance of food allergies in the preschool population remain unknown in most regions of Mexico and Latin America. Thus, our aim was to estimate the parent-reported prevalence of food allergies in a Mexican preschool population and to characterize their clinical diagnosis and presentation. A cross-sectional survey was conducted in Culiacán City. A validated questionnaire was utilized. A total of 810 parents responded to the questionnaire (valid response rate, 40.7%). The estimated prevalence rates (95% CI) were: "physician-diagnosed Food Allergy (FA), ever" 5.30% (3.86-7.08); "immediate-type FA, ever" 2.96% (1.91-4.38); "immediate-type FA, current" 1.60% (0.86-2.73); and food-dependent anaphylaxis 1.11% (0.51-2.01). The main food allergens were milk (0.49%), strawberries (0.37%), egg, and soy (0.25% each). Atopic diseases and a family history of allergies were significantly associated with immediate-type FA. Among "immediate-type FA, current" cases, 76.9% required emergency room visits, but the prescription of epinephrine autoinjectors was reported in one case only. The food reactions occurred at home (92.35%), in a relative's house (38.5), and at restaurants (23%). Immediate-type FA reactions requiring emergency room visits are not uncommon among the studied population. Actions like proper anaphylaxis management and the prevention of cross-contamination of foods should be encouraged.

Extrusion Improves the Antihypertensive Potential of a Kabuli Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) Protein Hydrolysate.

Chickpea hydrolysates could have antihypertensive potential, but there are no evaluations in vivo. Thus, the antihypertensive potential of a chickpea protein hydrolysate obtained before and after extrusion (a process that modifies protein digestibility) was evaluated. Protein precipitates were obtained from extruded and unextruded chickpea flours by isoelectric precipitation and hydrolyzed (α-amylase/pepsin/pancreatin). Chemical composition was determined (standard methods). ACE-I inhibition assays were carried out using a colorimetric test. For antihypertensive effect evaluations, spontaneously hypertensive rats (n = 8) received the treatments intragastrically (extruded or unextruded hydrolysate (1.2 g/kg), captopril (25 mg/kg), or water only). Fat, ash, and carbohydrate contents were lower in extruded chickpea flour (p < 0.05 versus unextruded). The protein content varied between protein precipitates (91.03%/78.66% unextruded/extruded (dry basis)) (p < 0.05). The hydrolysates' IC50 values (mg/mL) were 0.2834 (unextruded)/0.3218 (extruded) (p > 0.05). All treatments lowered the blood pressure (p < 0.05 vs. water). The extruded hydrolysate showed a more potent antihypertensive effect than the unextruded one (p < 0.05), an effect similar to captopril (p > 0.05). The results suggest that protein extrusion can be used to generate protein hydrolysates with improved health benefits. The findings have implications for the design and production of functional foods that could help to prevent hypertension or serve as an adjunct in its treatment.

Concordance between Ki-67 index in invasive breast cancer and molecular signatures: EndoPredict and MammaPrint.

Identifying patients with hormone receptor-positive (HR+) early invasive breast cancer (EIBC) who benefit from adjuvant chemotherapy has improved with molecular signature tests. However, due to high cost and limited availability, alternative tests are used. The present study sought to evaluate the performance of the proliferation marker Ki-67 to identify these patients and explore its association with molecular signatures and risk stratification markers. From the San José TecSalud Hospital in Monterrey México, patients with HR+ EIBC as tested with EndoPredict or MammaPrint and Ki-67 index were identified. They were categorized into two groups: Group 1 (June 2016-August 2018) was evaluated using EndoPredict and Group 2 (June 2016-August 2018) with MammaPrint. A ≥20% Ki67 index cutoff was utilized to identify highly proliferative EIBC and an area under the receiver-operating characteristic curve and κ concordance were utilized to evaluate the performance of Ki-67 index compared to molecular signature tests. In the EndoPredict group, 54/96 patients were considered high-risk based on their EPclin score, while 57/96 patients had Ki-67 index ≥20%. However, there was no significant overall concordance between them (59.37%, κ=0.168, P=0.09), while the given risk of distant recurrence given in percentage by EPclin had a positive association with the Ki67 index (P=0.04). In the MammaPrint group, 21/70 patients were considered high-risk and 36/70 patients presented with a Ki-67 index ≥20% with a significant overall concordance (67.14%, κ=0.35, P<0.001). In addition, high Ki-67 index was associated with the Nottingham histological grade in both groups. In conclusion, there was a concordance between Ki-67 and MammaPrint risk stratification of HR+ EIBC and no concordance with the EndoPredict molecular signature, but a positive association with the given percentage of recurrence and the median Ki-67 index as the cutoff at our center. Cost-effectiveness analyses of these tests in developing countries are required; until then, the use of Ki-67 appears reasonable to aid clinical decisions, together with the other established clinicopathological variables.

Prediction of ACE-I Inhibitory Peptides Derived from Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.): In Silico Assessments Using Simulated Enzymatic Hydrolysis, Molecular Docking and ADMET Evaluation.

Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) peptides have shown in vitro potential to inhibit the angiotensin I-converting enzyme (ACE-I). However, the potential molecular interactions between chickpea peptides (CP) and ACE-I as well as their ADMET (absorption/distribution/metabolism/excretion/toxicity) characteristics remain unknown. Thus, our aim was to study the in silico interactions of CP with ACE-I and the CP ADMET characteristics. Legumin and provicilin sequences were submitted to in silico analysis to search for ACE-I inhibitory peptides. Simulated enzymatic hydrolysis was performed using the BIOPEP-UWM database, and the ACE-I inhibitory peptides generated (EC50 ≤ 200 µM) were selected to perform molecular docking and ADMET analysis. After hydrolysis, 59 out of 381 peptides with ACE-I inhibitory potential were released. Based on A and B parameters, the legumin peptides showed better ACE-I inhibitory potential than the provicilin ones. CP mainly interact with residues from pocket S1 (Ala354/Glu384) and S2 (His353/His513) through hydrogen bonds (distances < 3.0 Å) and hydrophobic interactions (binding energy from −5.7 to −9.2 kcal/mol). Through ADMET analysis, CP showed optimal values for inhibiting ACE-I in vivo. ACE-I inhibitory peptides from legumin and provicilin can bind strongly and tightly to the active site of ACE-I. Further studies to evaluate in vivo the antihypertensive effects of CP are warranted.

Assessment of the Route of Exposure to Ovalbumin and Cow's Milk Proteins on the Induction of IgE Responses in BALB/c Mice.

BALB/c mice can be orally sensitized to food proteins under acid suppressive medication, mimicking human exposure and triggering a human-like allergic immune response. However, the reproducibility of such an oral food allergy model remains questionable. Our aim was to evaluate the IgE responses triggered against ovalbumin (OVA) and cow's milk proteins (CMP) after intragastric (IG), either under gastric-acid suppression or not, or intraperitoneal (IP) sensitization in BALB/c mice. OVA (0.2 mg) and different concentrations of CMP were administered with/without the antacid sucralfate by the IG route. For IP sensitization, OVA or CMP (0.5 mg) were administered. ELISA was used to evaluate IgE responses. The IP sensitization protocols triggered more robust and consistent anti-OVA or anti-CMP IgE responses than the intragastric ones (with/without sucralfate) (p < 0.05). 2.7% (1/36), and 5.5% (3/54) of the mice that underwent the sucralfate-assisted IG protocol triggered IgE responses against OVA or CMP, respectively. All the mice were administered OVA or CMP via IP triggered detectable IgE responses. The IP sensitization model is more reliable than the IG one for evaluating the intrinsic sensitizing and/or allergenic potential of food proteins, even if IG immunizations are carried out under gastric-acid suppression.

Prevalence of Food-Hypersensitivity and Food-Dependent Anaphylaxis in Colombian Schoolchildren by Parent-Report.

Background and objectives: The epidemiology of food allergy (FA) and food-dependent anaphylaxis remains unknown in Colombia. Our aim was to estimate by parent-report the prevalence of FA and food-dependent anaphylaxis in a Colombian population of schoolchildren. Materials and methods: A printed questionnaire was sent to parents of schoolchildren aged 5-12 years old from Medellín, Colombia in order to collect FA-related data. Results: Nine hundred and sixty-nine (969) parents returned the questionnaire with valid responses (response rate, 52.5%). The estimated prevalence rates (95% CI) were: adverse food reactions 12.79% (10.76-15.07), "perceived FA, ever" 10.93% (9.08-13.08), "physician-diagnosed FA, ever" 4.33% (3.14-5.81), "immediate-type FA, ever" 6.81% (5.30-8.58), "immediate-type FA, current" 3.30% (2.26-4.63), and food-dependent anaphylaxis 1.85% (1.10-2.92). The most frequently reported food allergens were milk (1.44%), fruits (0.41%), meat (0.41%), and peanut (0.3%). Sixty-one percent of "food-dependent anaphylaxis" cases sought medical attention, but only eleven percent of the cases reported the prescription of an epinephrine autoinjector. Conclusions: FA and food-dependent anaphylaxis are not uncommon among schoolchildren from Colombia. The prescription of epinephrine autoinjectors should be encouraged among health personnel for the optimal management of suspected cases of food-dependent anaphylaxis.

Prevalence of Wheat/Gluten-Related Disorders and Gluten-Free Diet in Paraguay: An Online Survey-Based Study.

Gluten-related disorders (GRDs) are increasing around the world, but their magnitude and relevance remain unknown in most Latin American countries. Thus, an online survey was conducted to estimate the prevalence of GRDs as well as adherence to a gluten-free diet (GFD) in Paraguayan adult population. There were 1058 individuals surveyed using a validated questionnaire (response rate of 93.9%). The self-reported prevalence rates were as follows (95% CI): gluten sensitivity (GS), 10.30% (8.53-12.29); non-celiac GS (NCGS), 5.19% (3.94-6.71); physician-diagnosed celiac disease (PD-CD), 3.11% (2.15-4.35); wheat allergy (WA), 2.07% (1.30-3.13); and adherence to GFD, 15.69% (13.55-18.02). Excluding CD, more women than men met the criteria for GRDs, adverse food reactions, and GFD (p < 0.05). Eight respondents reported the coexistence of NCGS with PD-CD and/or WA. Most cases on a GFD indicated medical/dietitian advice for following the diet (68.07%). Non-self-reported GS individuals indicated weight control (46.4%) and the notion that the GFD is healthier (20.2%) as the main motivations for following the diet. GRDs are not uncommon in Paraguayan adult population. It seems that there is awareness about GRDs and the GFD, but training about the diagnosis of GRDs is desirable because of the informed overlapping diagnoses of CD or WA with NCGS. Future studies involving face-to-face interviews are necessary.

Design, Assessment, and Validation of a Questionnaire to Estimate Food-Dependent Exercise-Induced Anaphylaxis Prevalence in Latin American Population.

There are no epidemiological data about food-dependent exercise-induced anaphylaxis (FDEIA) in Latin America. Our aim was to design, assess, and validate a questionnaire to identify potential FDEIA cases and/or estimate its prevalence by self-report. Questions were included in the instrument to address the main symptoms of FDEIA, type/intensity of physical activity, and anaphylaxis. The instrument's clarity, comprehension and repeatability were evaluated. These evaluations were carried out by Hispanic people (Argentinians/Colombians/Mexicans/Peruvians), including nine individuals with medical diagnosis of FDEIA, and Brazilians. The Flesch-Kincaid score was calculated using the INFLESZ software. The instrument was translated from Spanish to Brazilian Portuguese following the translation back-translation procedure. The participants rated the two versions of the questionnaire as clear and comprehensible (three-point ordinal scale) and very easy to understand [0.33; average (scale 0-10)]. For these evaluations, the Kendall's W coefficient showed strong agreement among raters (W = 0.80; average). The Flesch-Kincaid score was 63.5 in average (documents considered as readable). The Cohen's Kappa coefficient showed almost perfect agreement in repeatability (0.88; average). The validation process of two versions of an instrument, used to identify potential FDEIA cases, was successfully carried out and it was found applicable to Latin American countries for generating epidemiological data.

Characteristics of Allergen Labelling and Precautionary Allergen Labelling in Packaged Food Products Available in Latin America.

The characteristics of food allergen labelling are relevant for avoiding accidental exposure to the allergens of interest but no Latin American country has evaluated these characteristics. Our aim was to evaluate the characteristics of food allergen labelling and precautionary allergen labelling (PAL) in six Latin American countries. All data were collected directly from the supermarkets surveyed. A total of 10,254 packaged food products were analyzed, of which 63.3% (n = 6494) and 33.2% (n = 3405) featured allergen labelling and/or PAL, respectively. Most products complied with local regulations (≥87.4% for both locally produced and imported). Thirty-three types of PAL statements were detected; the most frequent was "may contain traces of…" (35.1%). Countries without regulations on the characteristics of allergen labelling had two-fold more products that contained allergens in their ingredients lists but no food allergen labelling. The use of PAL in countries that regulate it (38.2%) was as high as that in countries without PAL regulations (19.2%-44.7%). The findings suggest that the lack of regulations for the characteristics of allergen labeling increases the risk of accidental exposure to allergens of interest. Our findings also suggest that beyond regulations, a scientific approach is required for minimizing and standardizing the use of PAL.

Synergistic Combinations of Curcumin, Sulforaphane, and Dihydrocaffeic Acid against Human Colon Cancer Cells.

Nutraceutical combinations that act synergistically could be a powerful solution against colon cancer, which is the second deadliest malignancy worldwide. In this study, curcumin (C), sulforaphane (S), and dihydrocaffeic acid (D, a chlorogenic acid metabolite) were evaluated, individually and in different combinations, over the viability of HT-29 and Caco-2 colon cancer cells, and compared against healthy fetal human colon (FHC) cells. The cytotoxic concentrations to kill 50%, 75%, and 90% of the cells (CC50, CC75, and CC90) were obtained, using the MTS assay. Synergistic, additive, and antagonistic effects were determined by using the combination index (CI) method. The 1:1 combination of S and D exerted synergistic effects against HT-29 at 90% cytotoxicity level (doses 90:90 µM), whereas CD(1:4) was synergistic at all cytotoxicity levels (9:36-34:136 µM) and CD(9:2) at 90% (108:24 µM) against Caco-2 cells. SD(1:1) was significantly more cytotoxic for cancer cells than healthy cells, while CD(1:4) and CD(9:2) were similarly or more cytotoxic for healthy cells. Therefore, the SD(1:1) combination was chosen as the best. A model explaining SD(1:1) synergy is proposed. SD(1:1) can be used as a basis to develop advanced food products for the prevention/co-treatment of colon cancer.

Health status of rescued people by the NGO Open Arms in response to the refugee crisis in the Mediterranean Sea.

BACKGROUND: The migration over the Mediterranean has become one of the deadliest sea voyages in last few years. The NGO Open Arms works in the area since 2015, with the objectives of protecting and reporting human rights at sea. This paper aims to give an overview on characteristics and health conditions of rescued people by the NGO in the Central Mediterranean. METHODS: A descriptive retrospective population study was conducted, including people who were rescued from distress at sea by the NGO Open Arms from 1st July 2016 to 31st December 2018. RESULTS: In this period of time 22,234 people were rescued from sea. Among them 2234 (22.7%) were minors, and 177 (0.8%) pregnant women. The most frequent countries of origin were Nigeria (1278-13.1%), Eritrea (1215-12.3%) and Bangladesh (981-9.9%). Among all people rescued, 4516 (20.3%) reported symptoms. Scabies was the most frequent pathology, being suspected in 1817 (8.2%) people. Other infectious diseases were diagnosed in 91 (0.4%). Thirty-five (0.16%) patients suffered some complication from their chronic diseases. Acute injuries due to trauma, burns, aggressions, and bullet or bladed weapon wound were reported in 135 (0.6%) cases. Seventy-four corpses were recovered. CONCLUSIONS: Main diagnoses on board were directly related to the precarious living conditions through migratory route, violence and complications of chronic diseases due to lack of care. The large number of people rescued highlights the catastrophic effect on migrants' health of European policies, which overlap the desire to restrict migratory movements on the humanitarian and health issues. An integrated information system and a coordinated response are basic to improve the situation in the area.

Prevalence of Adverse Reactions to Gluten and People Going on a Gluten-Free Diet: A Survey Study Conducted in Brazil.

BACKGROUND: The prevalence of gluten-related disorders (GRD) and adherence to a gluten-free diet (GFD) remains unknown in Brazilian population and there is no published information on the scientific literature about the proportion of Brazilians that were diagnosed with a gluten-related disorder. Thus, the aim of this work was to estimate the prevalence of GRDs and adherence to a GFD by self-report in adult Brazilian population. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A questionnaire-based cross-sectional study was conducted in two Brazilian cities. RESULTS: The response rate was 93.2% (1630/1749). The self-reported prevalence rates were (95% CI): adverse reactions to gluten 10.06% (8.64-11.62); gluten sensitivity 2.33% (1.65-3.18); physician-diagnosed celiac disease 0.3% (0.09-0.71); non-celiac gluten sensitivity 1.71% (1.14-2.47); wheat allergy 0.79% (0.42-1.36); adherence to gluten-free diet 7.48% (6.25-8.87); gluten avoiders 15.21% (13.5-17.05). Among those who were following a GFD (n = 122), 65.6% (n = 80) of them reported that they did not develop symptoms after wheat/gluten ingestion and 50% (n = 61) were following the diet without medical/dietitian advice. The main motivation for following a GFD in the self-reported and non-self-reported gluten sensitivity groups were the symptoms triggered after wheat/gluten ingestion (86.8%) and weight control (57.1%), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Implementation of programs to increase awareness about GRDs among healthcare professionals and giving scientifically sound information to the general population about the risks and benefits for following a GFD are desirable actions in Brazil. The results also add to the growing body of evidence for highlighting the under-diagnosis of GRD and the trend for following a GFD in Latin America.

Sequential application of postharvest wounding stress and extrusion as an innovative tool to increase the concentration of free and bound phenolics in carrots.

Postharvest wounding stress in carrots induces the accumulation of phenolics, whereas extrusion generates modifications in the nutritional profiles of food matrixes. In the present study, the sequential application of wounding stress and extrusion on total free and bound phenolics as well as on carotenoid profiles of carrots was evaluated. Wounding was applied by shredding carrots and storing the tissue (48 h, 15 °C). The stressed-tissue was dehydrated and extruded at 63 °C or 109 °C and at continuous or expansion screw configurations. Extrudates were milled and sieved before phytochemical analysis. Wounding increased total free (288.1%) and bound (407.6%) phenolic content, whereas the carotenoid content was unaltered. The free and bound phenolics that showed the highest increase due to wounding were the chlorogenic (579.8%) and p-coumaric (390.9%) acids. Extrusion, at 109 °C under expansion screw configuration, further increased the wound-induced accumulation of total free (296.6%) and bound (22.1%) phenolics and induced trans-cis isomerization of ß-carotene.