Corpus callosum-fastigium and tectal lengths in late-onset small fetuses.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate measurements on neurosonography of midbrain morphology, including corpus callosum-fastigium length and tectal length, in late-onset small fetuses subclassified as small-for-gestational-age (SGA) or growth-restricted (FGR). METHODS: This was a case-control study of consecutive singleton pregnancies delivered at term at a single center between January 2019 and July 2021, including those with late-onset smallness (estimated fetal weight (EFW) < 10th centile) and appropriate-for-gestational-age controls matched by age at neurosonography. Small fetuses were further subdivided into SGA (EFW between 3rd and 9th centile and normal fetoplacental Doppler) and FGR (EFW < 3rd centile or EFW < 10th centile with abnormal cerebroplacental ratio and/or uterine artery Doppler). Transvaginal neurosonography was performed at a mean ± SD gestational age of 33 ± 1 weeks in all fetuses to evaluate corpus callosum-fastigium length and tectal length in the midsagittal plane. Intra- and interobserver agreement was evaluated using the intraclass correlation coefficient and Bland-Altman plots. RESULTS: A total of 70 fetuses with late-onset smallness (29 with SGA and 41 with FGR) and 70 controls were included. Compared with controls, small fetuses showed significantly shorter corpus callosum-fastigium length (median (interquartile range), 44.7 (43.3-46.8) mm vs 43.7 (42.4-45.5) mm, P < 0.001) and tectal length (mean ± SD, 10.5 ± 0.9 vs 9.6 ± 1.0 mm, P < 0.001). These changes were more prominent in FGR fetuses, with a linear trend across groups according to severity of smallness. Corpus callosum-fastigium length and tectal length measurements showed excellent intra- and interobserver reliability. CONCLUSIONS: Small fetuses exhibited shorter corpus callosum-fastigium length and tectal length compared with controls, and these differences were more pronounced in fetuses with more severe smallness. These findings illustrate the potential value of midbrain measurements assessed on neurosonography as biomarkers for brain development in a high-risk population. However, further studies correlating these parameters with postnatal functional tests and follow-up are needed. © 2023 International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology.

The Pinocchio effect and the Cold Stress Test: Lies and thermography.

We applied the use of thermography to cognitive neuropsychology, particularly as an objective marker of subjective experiences, in the context of lying. We conducted three experiments: (a) An important lie was invented by the participants in 3 min, and it was recounted by phone to a significant person while they were recorded by the thermographic camera, obtaining a face and hands map of the lie. (b) A similar methodology was carried out, but adding the Cold Stress Test (CST) of the dominant hand during the phone call, obtaining a second physiologic marker (the percentage of thermal recovery) to detect the lie. Further, it established a control condition where it generated anxiety in the participants using IAPS images with negative valence and high arousal, which were described by phone to a loved one. We obtained results that showed significant correlations between changes in body temperature and mental set. Of particular interest was the temperature of the nose and hand, which tended to decrease during lying (Experiment 1). The participants also showed a lower recovery of the temperature after the CST when they were lying (Experiment 2). (c) Experiment 3 is a replication of Experiment 2 but with a different type of lie (a more ecological task) in a different scenario (following the ACID interview, with the use of the phone eliminated and participants motivated to lie well). The main pattern of results was replicated. We obtained an accuracy of 85% in detection of deception with 25% of false alarms.

Changes in cardiometabolic risk factors, appetite-controlling hormones and cytokines after a treatment program in overweight adolescents: preliminary findings from the EVASYON study.

OBJECTIVE: We investigated the effects of the EVASYON program on body fatness, cardiometabolic risk factors, gut appetite-controlling hormones and serum levels of cytokines in adolescents with overweight or obesity (OW/OB). METHODS: This study comprised 13 boys (10 obese) and 12 girls (8 obese), aged 13-16 years, from a Madrid Hospital. The EVASYON program was based on a calorie-restricted diet (10-40%), increased physical activity (at least 60 min/day 5 days a week), psychological therapy and nutritional education for 13 months. Anthropometric and blood pressure measurements were measured before and after intervention. Serum glucose, total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglycerides, leptin, total peptide YY and insulin levels were determined before and after intervention. Serum levels of cytokines IL-1ß, IL-2, IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, and TNF-α were also assessed before and after intervention. RESULTS: A decrease in body mass index (BMI), BMI z-score, skinfolds (triceps, biceps, subscapular, thigh, and calf), sum of six skinfolds and body circumferences (arm relaxed and flexed, waist, hip, and proximal thigh) values were observed after the intervention program (all p < 0.05). In addition, diastolic blood pressure also decreased (p < 0.05). A decrease in serum leptin levels (-48.4%, p < 0.001) was observed after intervention without changes in total peptide YY and insulin levels. Levels of IL-8, IL-10, and TNF-α also decreased (all p < 0.05) after the intervention program. CONCLUSIONS: These preliminary results evidence that the EVASYON program may improve body fat, leptin, and some pro-inflammatory cytokines in adolescents with OW/OB.

Associations of physical activity with muscular fitness in adolescents.

The aim of this study was to examine the associations between objectively assessed physical activity (PA) and muscular fitness (MF) in adolescents, and to determine whether only resistance training exercise is associated with the increase of MF. A sample of 211 Spanish adolescents (105 girls) wore the ActiGraph monitor for 7 days. Participants also completed a fitness evaluation including three MF tests (handgrip strength, a 60-s abdominal test and a standing broad jump), a cardiorespiratory fitness assessment and anthropometric measures. A standardized MF score was computed using the three muscular tests. Adolescent participation in resistance training was self-reported. Linear regression showed that only vigorous PA was significantly (P=0.041) and positively (ß=0.133) associated with MF after adjustment by gender, age, pubertal status, BMI, and cardiorespiratory fitness. Significant differences in MF were found between youth in the lowest and upper tertiles of vigorous PA. Moreover, adolescents who were involved in resistance training had significantly higher MF scores compared with youth in low and medium tertiles of vigorous PA, but no significant differences were found when compared with non-lifters from the highest tertile of vigorous PA (P=0.356). These findings suggest that vigorous activity may be associated with indicators of MF in adolescents.

[Olive oil, immune system and infection]. / Aceite de oliva, sistema inmune e infección.

Polyunsaturated fatty acids contribute to the suppression of immune system functions. For this reason, n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids have been applied in the resolution of inflammatory disorders. Although the inhibition of several immune functions promotes beneficial effects on the human health, this state may lead to a significant reduction of immune protection against infectious microorganisms (viruses, bacteria, fungi and parasites). Nevertheless, less attention has been paid to the action of olive oil in immunonutrition. Olive oil, a main constituent of the Mediterranean diet, is capable of modulating several immune functions, but it does not reduce host immune resistance to infectious microorganisms. Based on these criteria, we corroborate that olive oil administration may exert beneficial effects on the human health and especially on immune system, because it contributes to the reduction of typical inflammatory activity observed in patients suffering from autoimmune disorders, but without exacerbating the susceptibility to pathogen agents. The administration of olive oil in lipid emulsions may exert beneficial effects on the health and particularly on the immune system of immunocompromised patients. Therefore, this fact acquires a crucial importance in clinical nutrition. This review contributes to clarify the interaction between the administration of diets containing olive oil and immune system, as well as to determine the effect promoted by this essential component of Mediterranean diet in the immunomodulation against an infectious agent.

Design and evaluation of a treatment programme for Spanish adolescents with overweight and obesity. The EVASYON Study.

BACKGROUND: The prevalence of overweight and obesity (OW/OB) among adolescents worldwide has increased since the 60 s. Spain has reached one of the highest OW/OB prevalence rates among adolescents from European countries. The aim of this methodological paper is to describe the design and evaluation in the EVASYON study (Development, implementation and evaluation of the efficacy of a therapeutic programme for adolescents with OW/OB: integral education on nutrition and physical activity). METHODS/DESIGN: The EVASYON was planned by a multidisciplinary team to treat OW/OB in Spanish adolescents. The EVASYON is a multi-centre study conducted in 5 hospitals in 5 Spanish cities (Granada, Madrid, Pamplona, Santander and Zaragoza) and two hundred and four OW/OB Spanish adolescents were recruited for this intervention. The treatment was implemented for approximately one-year follow-up. The adolescents were treated in groups of a maximum of 10 subjects; each group had 20 visits during the treatment period in two phases: intensive during the first 2 months (1st to 9th visits), and extensive during the last 11 months (10th to 20th visits). In order to assess the efficacy of the treatment, 8 dimensions were measured: diet; physical activity and fitness; eating behaviour; body composition; haematological profile; metabolic profile; minerals and vitamins; immuno-inflammatory markers. Moreover, genetic polymorphisms were also determined. DISCUSSION: The treatment programme developed in the EVASYON study was designed as a national pilot study to be implemented as an effective treatment for adolescents with OW/OB into the Spanish Health Care Service.

Effects of concentrated supernatants recovered from Lactobacillus plantarum on Escherichia coli growth and on the viability of a human promyelocytic cell line.

AIMS: The ability of concentrated supernatants from Lactobacillus plantarum to produce a disruption of plasma membrane in eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells has been examined. METHODS AND RESULTS: A strain of Lact. plantarum (tolerant to acid and bile salts and resistant to several antibiotics) was used. It inhibited the growth of pathogenic Escherichia coli and L. monocytogenes. Supernatants from Lact. plantarum were concentrated by centrifugation. Either E. coli or HL-60 cells (a human promyelocytic cell line) were treated in the presence of the concentrated supernatants. The effect of concentrated supernatants from Lact. plantarum on E. coli growth demonstrated a bacteriostatic activity and a loss of cell viability measured by sytox green staining. Concentrated supernatants were capable of disturbing plasma membrane in E. coli and of promoting a cytotoxic and lyctic action on HL-60 cells and on human erythrocytes, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that Lact. plantarum release an effective compound responsible for an important effect in the disruption of E. coli plasma membrane and for a cytototoxic activity on promyelocytic leukaemia cells. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: This is the first in vitro study about the antimicrobial and biological activities of concentrated supernatants from Lact. plantarum.

Comparison of the ActiGraph accelerometer and Bouchard diary to estimate energy expenditure in Spanish adolescents.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to evaluate the agreement between the ActiGraph accelerometer and the Bouchard diary to estimate energy expenditure (EE) in a Spanish adolescent population. METHODS: Sixty-one Spanish adolescents, aged 12-16 years, were recruited for this study. The Bouchard diary and the ActiGraph were administered for 3 consecutive days. EE estimated by the Bouchard diary was calculated using 2 different MET category values (BD-Bouchard and BD-Bratteby). EE estimated by the ActiGraph was calculated using 3 predictive equations (AC-Trost, AC-Freedson, and AC-Ekelund). Participants with complete 24 h data were also analyzed to control the possible loss of accuracy. Agreement was examined by Pearson and concordance correlations, paired t-test, and Bland-Altman method. RESULTS: Thirty-seven adolescents were included in the analyses with complete 72 h. Relationships between EE calculated by the Bouchard diary and the ActiGraph were high (ranged: r = 0.61-0.78). Concordance correlations were moderate (r c = 0.60) by BD-Bratteby and AC-Trost, and low using BD-Bratteby and AC-Ekelund (r c = 0.15). EE estimated by BD-Bratteby and AC-Trost also showed no significant differences (P> 0.05) and absolutely agree 0.0 +/- 5.0 MJ/d (95% confidence interval: +/- 0.90 MJ/d), but with wide limits of agreement (+/- 9.80 MJ/d). Relationships were higher and differences were smaller in the 72 h sample than in the 24 h sample. CONCLUSIONS: The Bouchard diary and the ActiGraph showed high relationships, moderate concordance, and large differences to estimate EE in Spanish adolescents. Advantages, disadvantages, and agreements between both instruments must be taking into consideration for health-related research.

Analysis of caspase activities in rat mammary tumours induced by N-methyl-nitrosourea.

Normal breast development is controlled by a balance between cell proliferation and apoptosis. The balance between the two parameters is crucial for determining the growth or regression of breast tumours in response to therapies and treatments. Therefore, it is necessary to understand the role of apoptosis in tumour progression. Active caspases participate as essential elements in the execution of apoptotic mechanisms. In the present study, we analysed the activities of caspase-3, -8 and -9 as well as cytochrome c release in N-methyl-nitrosourea (NMU)-induced rat mammary tumours, in order to establish the apoptotic events that occur in tumour growth in this animal model. Forty female virgin Wistar rats were randomly divided into two groups. One group was injected intraperitoneally with three doses of 50 mg/kg body weight of NMU. The control group received the vehicle only. After 122 days of NMU injection, the rats were sacrificed and the tumours were excised and processed. Results showed that in mammary tumours induced by NMU, the apoptotic death receptor-mediated pathway is activated through caspase-3 and -8, but the apoptotic mitochondrial pathway is suppressed through a non-activating process of caspase-9 activity, despite the release of cytochrome c. In conclusion, these findings have demonstrated a suppression of the apoptotic mitochondrial pathway through a non-activating process of caspase-9 activity, despite the release of cytochrome c in mammary tumours induced by NMU. Although the apoptotic death receptor-mediated pathway is activated, it is not enough to maintain the balance between proliferation and apoptosis, and thus determine the overall growth of the tumour.

Oestrogenicity of paper and cardboard extracts used as food containers.

Bisphenol-A (BPA), dibutyl phthalate (DBP), and di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP), which are common chemical residues in food-packaging materials, were investigated in paper and cardboard containers used for take-away food. The oestrogenicity of aqueous extracts was tested in E-Screen bioassay and analysis carried out by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC/MS). Oestrogenicity was demonstrated in 90% of extracts (geometric mean [GM] = 11.97 pM oestradiol equivalents g(-1)). DEHP, DBP, and BPA (GM = 341.74, 37.59, and 2.38 ng g(-1) of material) were present in 77.50, 67.50, and 47.50% of samples, respectively. In bivariate analyses, no significant association was found between the levels of these chemicals and oestrogenicity in cardboard/paper extracts. A close-to-significant association was found between oestrogenicity and DBP (beta = 1.25; p = 0.06) in paper extracts, which reached statistical significance in multivariate analysis (beta = 1.61; p = 0.03). Paper and cardboard used in food packaging may contribute to the inadvertent exposure of consumers to endocrine-disrupting chemicals.

[Analysis of the immune resistance in an experimental murine model fed dietary lipids and infected with Listeria monocytogenes]. / Análisis de la resistencia inmune en un modelo murino experimental alimentado con dietas lipídicas e infectado con Listeria monocytogenes.

Several dietary lipids are capable of exerting an immunosupressor effect. This action may have undiserable effects on the host immune resistance to infectious diseases. The purpose of the present study was to determinate the immune status of mice fed dietary lipids and experimentally infected with a virulent strain of Listeria monocytogenes. Balb/c mice were divided into four groups and were fed with their respective diet: low fat diet (LF, 20%), olive oil diet (OO, 20%), fish oil diet (FO, 20%) and hydrogenated coconut oil (HCO, 20%). Mice were fed for four weeks and infected with L. monocytogenes by endovenous route. Results have shown a survival reduction in mice fed a diet containing FO, as well as a significant increase in the number of viable bacteria from spleen. In addition, we have observed an increase in the bactericidal activity in peritoneal cells from OO group, although the invasion of L. monocytogenes in cells from this group was larger. Finally, a significant reduction of lymphocyte proliferation was observed in the group fed an FO diet, whereas natural killer (NK) cell activity was not modified. These results indicate that dietary lipids constituted by polyunsaturated n-3 fatty acids reduce the murine immune resistance, whereas a diet constituted by OO-does not exert an immunosuppressor effect as relevant as FO diet, and it does not reduce the immune resistance leading to an efficient L. monocytogenes elimination.

Anti-oxidant properties of N-acetyl-L-cysteine do not improve the immune resistance of mice fed dietary lipids to Listeria monocytogenes infection.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Current knowledge of the potential effects that several dietary lipids exert on immune functions indicates that these substances participate actively in the modulation of immune system by which they contribute to the improvement of the conditions of patients suffering from inflammatory disorders. However, long-chain n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids induce an immunosuppressive status that leads to a reduction of the host natural resistance to infectious agents as well as to an enhancement of oxidative damage. Hence, the present study has been designed to evaluate the effects on the immune system of the antioxidant N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC) in mice fed dietary lipids and infected with Listeria monocytogenes. METHODS: Balb/c mice were fed for 4 weeks with diets containing either olive oil (OO, 20% by weight), fish oil (FO, 20% by weight) or hydrogenated coconut oil (HCO, 20% by weight). After dietary lipid administration mice were experimentally infected with L. monocytogenes or treated with NAC (25mg/ml intraperitoneally). RESULTS: NAC at a concentration of 1mM promoted a loss of cell viability, although no differences were observed among the four groups. After injection of NAC in combination with L. monocytogenes, 25% of mice fed a low-fat (LF) diet survived. However, in the groups fed dietary lipids no effect on survival of mice was found. NAC participated in the reduction of superoxide anion generation measured with nitroblue tetrazolium (NBT) in the group fed a FO diet. Finally, NAC reduced the recovery of L. monocytogenes from spleen of mice fed diets containing LF or HCO. CONCLUSIONS: On the basis of these results, we can confirm that the administration of NAC improves survival in mice fed LF diet, whereas a reduction in the generation of superoxide radicals was measured in mice fed a FO diet and infected with L. monocytogenes. Similarly, bacterial recovery was diminished in mice fed diets containing LF or HCO. Hence, these data reveal a beneficial effect of NAC in mice fed LF or HCO and a detrimental action of this antioxidant in mice fed diets containing FO or OO.

Modulatory effects of long-chain n-3 fatty acids on cell functions.

In recent years, it has been demonstrated that certain fatty acids are involved in the modulation of immune system functions. The mechanisms responsible for these effects are not fully elucidated, but many hypotheses have described numerous changes in the cell functionality as the main factors capable of altering the immune functions. In the present investigation, we have analysed the potential effects of FFA on cell viability, production of superoxide radicals or proteasome activity in assays in vitro. Thus, different FFA, such as OA, EPA or SA have been incorporated to cellular cultures at a concentration of 100 microM. Phospholipase, cyclooxygenase or lipooxygenase inhibitors abolished the loss of thymocyte viability exerted by EPA, the most immunosuppressive fatty acid. Similarly, measurement of the oxidative process by NBT reduction in cells treated with EPA was markedly increased. Nevertheless, the proteasome activity as a mechanism that participates in T-cell activation was not modified by direct action of the different fatty acids on the in vitro cultures. Overall, these results underline the differential role of several fatty acids (particularly long-chain n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids) in order to modulate many functions of the immune system.

Immunomodulatory effects of dietary lipids alter host natural resistance of mice to Listeria monocytogenes infection.

Over the past two decades, unsaturated fatty acids have received particular attention due to their ability to suppress immune functions. Nevertheless, suppression of immune functions also involves a reduction of host natural resistance to eliminate the infectious agents. We have analyzed the role of dietary lipids on immune functions in cells cultured with Listeria monocytogenes. Bactericidal efficiency of peritoneal cells from mice fed a fish oil diet against this bacterium was reduced and the incubation of peritoneal cells with polyunsaturated fatty acids led to similar results. The levels of superoxide radicals in the presence of L. monocytogenes increased in cells from mice fed olive oil or fish oil diets. Proteasome activity, a mechanism that participates in T cell activation, was inhibited in all of the dietary groups assayed in the presence of L. monocytogenes, but this inhibition was abolished in the presence of both MG132 (a proteasome inhibitor) and L. monocytogenes. Overall, these results underline the potential role of fatty acids in the modulation of many functions of the immune system.

Loss of natural killer cell activity after murine tumor transplantation appears as a consequence of dietary lipid administration.

It is generally assumed that unsaturated fatty acids are important biological mediators that may be applied in the treatment of patients suffering from autoimmune disorders, in the modulation of tumorigenic processes or in the induction or inhibition of apoptosis. In this study, mice divided into three groups were fed dietary lipids; olive oil (20% w/w), fish oil (20% w/w) or hydrogenated coconut oil (20% w/w) for four weeks. Then, survival percentage, natural killer (NK) cell activity and lipid peroxidation were measured after murine lymphoma (LSTRA) transplantation. Survival percentage showed a reduced resistance to LSTRA tumor in mice fed fish oil diet and generaly loss of NK cell activity was observed after lymphoma transplantation. Lipid peroxidation from mice fed dietary lipids was measured in the presence of both phospholipase and cyclooxygenase inhibitors. In general, the data contained in this paper point to a detrimental effect caused by dietary lipids in mice transplanted with a lymphoma.

Potential intervention of Campylobacter jejuni in the modulation of murine immune response.

Campylobacter jejuni has been reported to produce different toxins that may modulate the immune response in both animals and humans. The effect of C. jejuni enterotoxin on the immune response was investigated in two groups of Balb/c mice. One of them was inoculated intraperitoneally with 1010 colony forming units (CFU) of an enterotoxigenic strain (CCUG 7580), and the second one with a non-enterotoxigenic strain (CCUG 7440). The number of polymorphonuclear (PMN) cells from spleen increased in both enterotoxigenic and non-enterotoxigenic strains as a consequence of C. jejuni infection. Notwithstanding, lymphocyte proliferation stimulated by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) was increased by both enterotoxigenic and non-enterotoxigenic strains. Interleukin-2 (IL-2) production from splenic cells was increased significantly by infection with the enterotoxigenic strain. Both enterotoxigenic and non-enterotoxigenic strains reduced the splenic response to sheep erythrocytes; the response was significantly suppressed for immunoglobulin M (Ig M) and for immunoglobulin G (Ig G) synthesis. These results suggest that C. jejuni is able to modify some components of the immune response in mice, and also that the enterotoxigenic strain has more immunomodulating activity than the non-enterotoxigenic strain.

Immune cell functions, lipids and host natural resistance.

Nutritional status may exert a profound effect on immune system functions. Hence, several parameters of immune system are modified by dietary lipid administration, as lymphocyte proliferation, cytokine production, natural killer activity, antigen presentation, etc. Thus, numerous studies have indicated the key role of lipids as immune response modulators. These properties have been applied in the treatment of autoimmune and inflammatory diseases. As a result, the reduction or suppression of immune status due to lipid incorporation promotes an impairment in the ability of host natural response to eliminate infectious microorganisms as bacteria or parasites. In the present review, we analyze the current status about the relationship among dietary lipids, reduction of immune parameters and reduction of host natural response against infectious diseases. Many discrepancies are discussed, although several studies indicate a close association between dietary lipid manipulation and impairment in the elimination of bacteria, viruses or parasites. On the other hand, other studies point out a beneficial effect of dietary lipid manipulation on the host natural response. Future investigations will determine the events involved in the regulation of immune response by fatty acids and their role in the elimination of pathogenic agents.

Determination of natural resistance of mice fed dietary lipids to experimental infection induced by Listeria monocytogenes.

Current understanding based on the effect of dietary lipid manipulation upon immune system function indicates that fatty acids are involved in the modulation of the immune response through different and complex pathways. Reduction of several immune parameters by fatty acid action may be applied in the treatment of diseases characterised by an overactivation of the immune system. As a consequence, a reduction of host resistance against infectious agents has been reported in animals fed dietary lipids. The present study confirms the action of dietary lipids on the survival of mice infected with the pathogenic bacterium Listeria monocytogenes. A significant increase in peritoneal cells from mice fed a hydrogenated coconut oil diet was found, while a significant reduction of bacterial recovery from spleens of these mice was observed in this group. In addition, both eicosanoid and phospholipase inhibitors did not promote any modification of lymphocyte proliferation from mice fed olive oil or fish oil.

Adjunctive alprazolam for schizophrenia with panic anxiety: clinical observation and pathogenetic implications.

Seven patients with schizophrenia and panic attacks all showed marked improvement of positive and negative schizophrenic symptoms when alprazolam was openly added to antipsychotic medication. Panic attacks may identify alprazolam-responsive schizophrenic patients and may define a distinct pathophysiologic subgroup.