Examining the Role of Aguas Frescas in Assessment of Sugary-Drink Intake among Mexican and Mexican American Adults.

BACKGROUND: Aguas frescas are Mexican drinks that are typically made with water, sugar, and fruit. Aguas frescas may be a significant component of sugary-drink intake among Mexican and Mexican-American (MA) adults. However, it is unclear whether survey respondents report aguas frescas consumption when it is not specifically queried in standardized beverage frequency instruments. OBJECTIVES: This study examined the prevalence of aguas frescas consumption, the sociodemographic correlates of aguas frescas intake, and how specifically querying aguas frescas intake affects sugary-drink estimates among Mexican and MA adults. METHODS: Cross-sectional, online surveys were conducted in 2021 with 5377 Mexican and 3073 MA adults as part of the International Food Policy Study. Past 7-d consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs), sugary drinks, and aguas frescas were assessed along with relevant covariates. Weighted analyses included logistic and linear regression, including models with correlation structure. RESULTS: An estimated 61.7% of Mexican and 28.7% of MA adults consumed aguas frescas. In Mexico, consumption was associated with females, low education, perceiving oneself as having about the right weight, being good to excellent health, and consuming an unhealthy amount of sugary drinks. For MAs, intake was associated with being younger, speaking Spanish, and perceiving oneself as being underweight or about the right weight. Among Mexican adults who consumed aguas frescas but did not report them unless specifically queried, the volume of SSB intake was 67.9% higher for females and 64.3% higher for males when aguas frescas were included. Among MAs, SSB intake was 56.9% higher for females and 44.1% higher for males. Most participants (79.9%-85.2%) remained in the same sugary-drink tertiles when including compared with excluding aguas frescas. CONCLUSIONS: Aguas frescas should be queried during beverage intake assessments, as they contribute a nontrivial amount of added sugars to the diets of many Mexican and MA adults.

Prevalencia de obesidad y factores de riesgo asociados en adultos mexicanos: resultados de la Ensanut 2022.

OBJETIVO: Describir la prevalencia de obesidad en adultos, medida a través del índice de masa corporal (IMC) y la circunferencia de cintura (CC), estratificando por factores de riesgo y comorbilidades. Material y métodos. Se analizó la información de 8 563 participantes en la Encuesta Nacional de Salud y Nutrición 2022 (Ensanut 2022). Se clasificó la obesidad por IMC y por CC. Se calcularon razones de momios (RM) para asociar la obesidad con factores de riesgo y diagnóstico de comorbilidades. RESULTADOS: La prevalencia de sobrepeso fue 38.3%, obesidad 36.9% y obesidad abdominal (OA) 81.0%. Las mujeres tuvieron una mayor RM (1.4) de tener obesidad y OA (2.5). Los adultos con obesidad tenían una mayor posibilidad de tener diagnóstico de diabetes (RM 1.7), hipertensión (3.6) y dislipidemia (RM 2.3) que los adultos con IMC normal. CONCLUSIONES: La prevalencia de obesidad en adultos mexicanos es una de las más altas a nivel mundial y está asociada con los factores de riesgo y enfermedades crónicas más frecuentes. Se requieren políticas públicas multisectoriales para prevenir y controlar la obesidad.

Prevalencia, tratamiento y control de la hipertensión arterial en adultos mexicanos: resultados de la Ensanut 2022.

OBJETIVO: Describir la prevalencia de hipertensión arterial (HTA), las características del tratamiento y la proporción de adultos mexicanos que tiene tensión arterial (TA) controlada. Material y métodos. Se midió la TA a 8 647 adultos en la Encuesta Nacional de Salud y Nutrición 2022 (Ensanut 2022). Se consideró que un participante tenía HTA o TA controlada cuando cumplía los criterios de la American College of Cardiology y la American Heart Association (ACC/AHA) o la Eighth Joint National Committee (JNC-8). RESULTADOS: La prevalencia de HTA en adultos fue 47.8% (según criterio del ACC/AHA). De éstos, 65.5% desconocía su diagnóstico. En adultos con diagnóstico previo de HTA, 33.7% tuvo TA controlada. Según la clasificación JNC-8, 29.4% de los adultos tenía HTA y 43.9% ignoraba su diagnóstico. Conclusión. En la Ensanut 2022 la mitad de los adultos tenía HTA y de ellos, tres de cada cinco no habían sido diagnosticados. El sistema de salud debe mejorar sus mecanismos de detección de HTA porque el subdiagnóstico y el mal control de la TA ocasiona discapacidad, mala calidad de vida y mortalidad prematura.

Trend of Ultraprocessed Product Intake Is Associated with the Double Burden of Malnutrition in Mexican Children and Adolescents.

BACKGROUND: Ultraprocessed products (UPPs) have been associated with unfavorable health outcomes; however, until now, they have not been associated with the coexistence of undernutrition and overnutrition, known as the double burden of malnutrition (DBM) at the individual level. METHODS: Cross-sectional analyses were performed on data collected from children and adolescents participating in the 2006 and 2016 Mexican National Health and Nutrition Surveys. The food and beverages reported in the food frequency questionnaire (SFFQ) were classified as UPPs as defined by the NOVA classification system. Associations of UPPs with anemia, excess weight, and the DBM were estimated with logistic regression models. A pseudo-panel was generated using the cohorts of children born from 1997 to 2001 to estimate the effect of the UPPs on anemia, excess weight, and the DBM. RESULTS: The consumption of UPPs (% energy) was higher in 2016 (children 30.1% and adolescents 28.3%) than in 2006 (children 27.3% and adolescents 23.0%) in both age-groups. The higher contribution of UPPs was positively associated with excess weight and the DBM in children's lower tertile of socioeconomic status (SES) and the DBM in higher tertile of SES in adolescents. The pseudo-panel analysis shows the positive association between UPPs and DBM in lower SES. CONCLUSIONS: These results provide evidence of the association between the consumption of UPPs and the DBM and excess weight in children and adolescents.

Association of sociodemographic and lifestyle factors with dietary patterns among men and women living in Mexico City: A cross-sectional study.

Background: Diet is one of the leading risk factors for non-communicable diseases and is related to sociodemographic and lifestyle factors, including sex. These associations vary across populations. We aimed to investigate which factors are associated with dietary patterns among adults living in Mexico City by sex. Methods: We used data from the Mexico City Diabetes Representative Study, a cross-sectional, multistage, stratified, and cluster-sampled survey in Mexico City (n = 1,142; 413 men and 729 women). Dietary information was collected using a semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire. Foods and beverages were categorized into 23 food groups to identify dietary patterns by cluster analysis. Sociodemographic and lifestyle variables included were self-reported through standardized questionnaires. We assessed the association of sociodemographic and lifestyle factors with dietary patterns through a multinomial logistic model stratified by sex. Results: We identified three dietary patterns: basic, prudent, and fast food. Among men and women, higher school attainment was associated with a lower relative probability of having a basic rather than prudent dietary pattern (women: RRR = 0.8, 95% CI: 0.8, 0.9; men: RRR = 0.8, 95% CI: 0.7, 0.9). Divorced or separated men (RRR = 3.8, 95% CI: 1.3, 11.2) and those living with a partner (RRR = 2.6, 95% CI: 1.1, 6.1) had a higher relative probability of consuming a fast food dietary pattern than the prudent one, compared to single men. Men living with a partner (RRR = 3.0, 95% CI: 1.1, 8.6) or working long shifts (RRR = 3.8, 95% CI: 1.3, 11.1) had a higher probability of consuming a basic pattern rather than a prudent one compared to peers. Among women, those with high SES had a lower probability of consuming the "basic" pattern rather than the "prudent" pattern compared to those with low SES. No lifestyle factors were associated to dietary patterns. Conclusions: Men living in Mexico City with lower education, age, non-single, and working long hours (i.e., more than the established by the law), and women with lower age, education, and socioeconomic level are prone to adhere to unhealthy diets. These associations are likely to be driven by gender roles.

Evaluation of Er Doped CeO2-δ as Oxygen Transport Membrane.

Ceria based materials are robust candidates for a range of applications involving redox reactions and high oxygen activity. The substitution of erbium in the ceria lattice introduces extrinsic oxygen vacancies. Further addition of Co introduces electronic carriers. We have studied the structural and redox behavior of Ce1-xErxO2-δ (x = 0.1 and 0.2) and the influence of adding 2 mol% of Co in the electrochemical properties. A limitation in the solubility of Er cation is found. Diffusion and surface exchange coefficients have been obtained by electrical conductivity relaxation and the DC-conductivity and O2 permeation measurements show the importance of the electronic component in the transport properties, obtaining an oxygen permeation flux of 0.07 mL·min-1·cm-2 at 1000 °C, for a 769 µm thick membrane.

A Semi-quantitative Food Frequency Questionnaire Has Relative Validity to Identify Groups of NOVA Food Classification System Among Mexican Adults.

BACKGROUND: Ultra-processed foods are recognized as indicators of an unhealthy diet in epidemiological studies. In addition to ultra-processed foods, the NOVA food classification system identifies three other groups with less processing. Unprocessed foods that, together with minimally processed foods (MPF), make NOVA group 1, NOVA group 2 is processed culinary ingredients, and NOVA group 3 is processed foods. OBJECTIVE: To assess the relative validity of the semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire (SFFQ) to estimate the energy intake for each group NOVA classification system by comparing it with two 24 h-dietary-recall (24DRs) Mexican adults. METHODS: We analyzed dietary information from 226 adults included <60 and ≥60 years with complete SFFQ and two 24DRs from the National Health and Nutrition Survey 2012. We reported mean differences, Spearman correlation coefficients, intra-class correlations coefficients, Bland-Altman plots, and weighted kappa between measures. RESULTS: The percentage energy intake from unprocessed and minimally processed foods group, Spearman correlation coefficients was 0.54 in adults <60 years and 0.42 in adults ≥60 years, while ultra-processed foods group was 0.67 and 0.48, respectively. The intra-class correlation coefficients in the unprocessed and minimally processed foods group was 0.51 in adults <60 years and 0.46 in adults ≥60 years, and for the ultra-processed foods group were 0.71 and 0.50, respectively. Bland-Altman plots indicated reasonably consistent agreement for unprocessed and minimally processed foods group and ultra-processed foods group in adults <60 years and adults in the ≥60 age group. Weighted kappa was 0.45 in the ultra-processed foods group to adults <60 years and was 0.36-≥60 years. CONCLUSION: The SFFQ had acceptable validity to rank the percentage of energy intake from unprocessed and minimally processed foods group and ultra-processed foods group in Mexican adults, both in adults under 60 years and who were 60 years old or older.

Relative Validity of a Semi-Quantitative Food Frequency Questionnaire to Estimate Dietary Intake According to the NOVA Classification in Mexican Children and Adolescents.

BACKGROUND: Ultra-processed foods (UPFs) are associated with poor diet quality and chronic diseases. UPFs fall into 1 of the following 4 groups classified according to the extent and purpose of processing: group 1 is unprocessed or minimally processed foods (MPFs); group 2 is processed culinary ingredients; group 3 is processed foods; and group 4 is UPFs. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the relative validity of a semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire (SFFQ) compared with two 24-hour dietary recalls (24DRs) `to estimate dietary intake per NOVA food group in Mexican children and adolescents. DESIGN: This study is a secondary analysis of dietary data from a subsample of children and adolescents who participated in the 2012 Mexican National Health and Nutrition Survey. PARTICIPANTS/SETTING: The study participants were 217 children (aged 5 through 11 years) and 165 adolescents (aged 12 through 19 years) with complete information for the SFFQ and two 24DRs. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Daily averages of energy intake and percent of energy intake for each NOVA category were calculated using the SFFQ and two 24DRs. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: To assess relative validity, the SFFQ was compared with two 24DRs to estimate dietary intake per NOVA food group. Mean differences, Spearman correlations, intraclass correlations coefficients (ICCs), and Bland-Altman plots for continuous variables and weighted κ for ordinal variables were calculated. RESULTS: For percentage of energy intake, ICCs in children and adolescents were moderate for MPFs (ICC = 0.47 and ICC = 0.56, respectively) and UPFs (ICC = 0.53 and ICC = 0.57, respectively). Bland-Altman plots indicated reasonably consistent agreement for UPFs and MPFs groups in children and adolescents. Classification by quintiles was acceptable in all groups. CONCLUSIONS: Data from this study indicated reasonable relative validity of the SFFQ to rank the percentage of energy intake from MPFs and UPFs in Mexican children and adolescents.

Epidemiología de la hipertensión arterial en adultos mexicanos: diagnóstico, control y tendencias. Ensanut 2020 / Epidemiology of hypertension in Mexican adults: diagnosis, control and trends. Ensanut 2020

Resumen: Objetivo: Describir la prevalencia de hipertensión arterial (HTA) en adultos mexicanos, la proporción que tiene tensión arterial (TA) controlada y la tendencia en el periodo 2018-2020. Material y métodos: Se midió la TA a 9 844 adultos en la Encuesta Nacional de Salud y Nutrición (Ensanut) 2020. Se consideró que tenían HTA o TA controlada cuando cumplían los criterios del Seventh Joint National Committee (JNC-7) o American Heart Association (AHA). Resultados: La prevalencia de HTA fue 49.4% (según AHA), de los cuales 70% desconocía su diagnóstico. Según la clasificación JNC-7 30.2% de los adultos tenía HTA y 51.0% ignoraba su diagnóstico. Entre adultos con diagnóstico previo de HTA, 54.9% tuvo TA controlada. Entre el periodo 2018-2020 no se observaron cambios en las prevalencias. Conclusiones: Al menos un tercio de los adultos mexicanos tiene HTA y de ellos al menos la mitad no habían sido diagnosticados. Debe evaluarse la pertinencia de los actuales programas de diagnóstico de HTA porque el subdiagnóstico y mal control pueden ocasionar complicaciones y la muerte.

Abstract: Objective: To describe the prevalence of hypertension in Mexican adults, the proportion with controlled blood pressure (BP), and the trend in the 2018-2020 period. Materials and methods: BP was measured in 9 844 adults who participated in the National Health and Nutrition Survey (Ensanut, in Spanish) 2020. They were considered to have hypertension or BP controlled when adults met the Seventh Joint National Committee (JNC-7) or American Heart Association (AHA) criteria. Results: The prevalence of hypertension was 49.4% (according to AHA), of which 70.0% were unaware of their diagnosis. When using JNC-7 criteria, 30.2% of the adults had hypertension and 51.0% were unaware of your diagnosis. Among adults with a previous diagnosis of hypertension, 54.9% had controlled BP. Between the 2018-2020 period, no changes in prevalences were observed. Conclusions: At least a third of Mexican adults have hypertension and of them, at least half have not been diagnosed. The relevance of current hypertension diagnostic programs should be evaluated because underdiagnosis and poor control can lead to complications and death.

Epidemiología de la hipertensión arterial en adultos mexicanos: diagnóstico, control y tendencias. Ensanut 2020.

Objetivo. Describir la prevalencia de hipertensión arterial (HTA) en adultos mexicanos, la proporción que tiene tensión arterial (TA) controlada y la tendencia en el periodo 2018-2020. Material y métodos. Se midió la TA a 9 844 adultos en la Encuesta Nacional de Salud y Nutrición (Ensanut) 2020. Se consideró que tenían HTA o TA controlada cuando cumplían los criterios del Seventh Joint National Committee (JNC-7) o American Heart Association (AHA). Resultados. La prevalencia de HTA fue 49.4% (según AHA), de los cuales 70% desconocía su diagnóstico. Según la clasificación JNC-7, 30.2% de los adultos tenía HTA y 51.0% ignoraba su diagnóstico. Entre adultos con diagnóstico previo de HTA, 54.9% tuvo TA controlada. Entre el periodo 2018-2020 no se observaron cambios en las prevalencias. Conclusiones. Al menos un tercio de los adultos mexicanos tiene HTA y de ellos al menos la mitad no habían sido diagnosticados. Debe evaluarse la pertinencia de los actuales programas de diagnóstico de HTA porque el subdiagnóstico y mal control pueden ocasionar complicaciones y la muerte.

Towards Upscaling of La5.5WO11.25-δ Manufacture for Plasma Spraying-Thin Film Coated Hydrogen Permeable Membranes.

Lanthanum tungstate (La6WO12) is a promising material for the development of hydrogen separation membranes, proton ceramic electrolyzer cells and protonic ceramic fuel cells due to its interesting transport properties and stability under different operation conditions. In order to improve the hydrogen transport through the La6WO12 membranes, thin membranes should be manufactured. This work is based on the industrial production of La5.5WO11.25-δ (LWO) powder by spray drying and the manufacturing of thin membranes by low-pressure plasma spraying (LPPS-TF) technique. LPPS-TF allows the production of dense thin films of high quality in an industrial scale. The powders produced by spray drying were morphological and electrochemically characterized. Hydrogen permeation fluxes of a membrane manufactured with these powders were evaluated and fluxes are similar to those reported previously for LWO powder produced in the lab scale. Finally, the transport properties of LWO thin films deposited on Al2O3 indicate that LPPS-TF produces high-quality LWO films with potential for integration in different applications.

In Situ Raman Characterization of SOFC Materials in Operational Conditions: A Doped Ceria Study.

The particular operational conditions of electrochemical cells make the simultaneous characterization of both structural and transport properties challenging. The rapidity and flexibility of the acquisition of Raman spectra places this technique as a good candidate to measure operating properties and changes. Raman spectroscopy has been applied to well-known lanthanide ceria materials and the structural dependence on the dopant has been extracted. The evolution of Pr-doped ceria with temperature has been recorded by means of a commercial cell showing a clear increment in oxygen vacancies concentration. To elucidate the changes undergone by the electrolyte or membrane material in cell operation, the detailed construction of a homemade Raman cell is reported. The cell can be electrified, sealed and different gases can be fed into the cell chambers, so that the material behavior in the reaction surface and species evolved can be tracked. The results show that the Raman technique is a feasible and rather simple experimental option for operating characterization of solid-state electrochemical cell materials, although the treatment of the extracted data is not straightforward.

Strawberry Intake Ameliorates Oxidative Stress and Decreases GABA Levels Induced by High-Fat Diet in Frontal Cortex of Rats.

It has been proposed that there is a correlation between high-fat diet (HFD), oxidative stress and decreased γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) levels, but this has not been thoroughly demonstrated. In the present study, we determined the effects of strawberry extract intake on the oxidative stress and GABA levels in the frontal cortex (FC) of obese rats. We observed that an HFD increased lipid and protein oxidation, and decreased GABA levels. Moreover, UV-irradiated strawberry extract (UViSE) decreased lipid peroxidation but not protein oxidation, whereas non-irradiated strawberry extract (NSE) reduced protein oxidation but not lipid peroxidation. Interestingly, NSE increased GABA concentration, whereas UViSE was not as effective. In conclusion, our results suggest that an HFD increases oxidative damage in the FC, whereas strawberry extract intake may ameliorate the disturbances associated with HFD-induced oxidative damage.

Mixed Ionic-Electronic Conduction in NiFe2 O4 -Ce0.8 Gd0.2 O2-δ Nanocomposite Thin Films for Oxygen Separation.

NiFe2 O4 -Ce0.8 Gd0.2 O2-δ (NFO/CGO) nanocomposite thin films were prepared by simultaneously radio-frequency (RF) magnetron sputtering of both NFO and CGO targets. The aim is the growth of a CO2 -stable composite layer that combines the electronic and ionic conduction of the separate NFO and the CGO phases for oxygen separation. The effect of the deposition temperature on the microstructure of the film was studied to obtain high-quality composite thin films. The ratio of both phases was changed by applying different power to each ceramic target. The amount of each deposited phase as well as the different oxidation states of the nanocomposite constituents were analyzed by means of X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The transport properties were studied by conductivity measurements as a function of temperature and pO2 . These analyses enabled (1) selection of the best deposition temperature (400 °C), (2) correlation of the p-type electronic behavior of the NFO phase with the hole hopping between Ni3+ -Ni2+ , and (3) following the conductivity behavior of the grown composite layer (prevailing ionic or electronic character) attained by varying the amount of each phase. The sputtered layer exhibited high ambipolar conduction and surfaceexchange activity. A 150 nm-thick nanograined thin film was deposited on a 20 µm-thick Ba0.5 Sr0.5 Co0.8 Fe0.2 O3-δ asymmetric membrane, resulting in up to 3.8 mL min-1 cm-2 O2 permeation at 1000 °C under CO2 atmosphere.

Strawberry polyphenols decrease oxidative stress in chronic diseases / Los polifenoles de la fresa disminuyen el estrés oxidativo en enfermedades crónicas.

Consumption of hypercaloric diets leads to increase of free fatty acids (FFA), pro-inflammatory cytokines and production of oxygen and nitrogen reactive species. These alterations induce oxidative and nitrosative stress causing dysfunction of tissues and consequently the development of chronic diseases. Therefore, it is important to decrease oxidative stress and thus preventing the development of these diseases. Strawberry has a lot of Vitamin C and polyphenols, compounds with excellent antioxidant properties, which may be an option for reducing oxidative stress and therefore to prevent the development of some diseases. Studies conducted in vitro in animal models and clinical studies support that this fruit can be a good alternative to reduce oxidative stress and thus reducing and/or preventing the development of diseases in humans.

El consumo de dietas hipercalóricas conlleva al aumento de ácidos grasos libres (AGL), citocinas proinflamatorias y producción de especies reactivas de oxígeno y de nitrógeno. Estas alteraciones inducen estrés oxidativo y nitrosativo que daña a los tejidos causando disfunción de los mismos y en consecuencia se pueden desarrollar enfermedades crónicas. Por lo tanto, es importante disminuir el estrés oxidativo y con ello prevenir el desarrollo de estas enfermedades. La fresa es un fruto rico en vitamina C y polifenoles, compuestos con excelentes propiedades antioxidantes, por lo que puede ser una opción para la disminución del estrés oxidativo y por lo tanto, para prevenir el desarrollo de algunas enfermedades. Los estudios realizados in vitro, en modelos animales y estudios clínicos sustentan que la fresa puede ser una buena alternativa para disminuir el estrés oxidativo y así atenuar y/o prevenir el desarrollo de enfermedades en el humano.

Ultraviolet light-C increases antioxidant capacity of the strawberry (Fragaria x ananassa) in vitro and in high-fat diet-induced obese rats.

Flavonoids and polyphenols from the strawberry and other fruits have been proposed to reduce the oxidative stress produced by the obesity and her complications. Moreover, it has been proposed that irradiation with UV-C to strawberry may increase the antioxidant capacity of this fruit. The aim of the present study was to explore the effects of the UV-C on antioxidant capacity of strawberry in vitro and in vivo. Strawberry slices were irradiated with ultraviolet light-C (UV-C) at 1.2 W/m2/16.5 min; then, the power antioxidant was isolated from the nonirradiated and irradiated strawberry slices into an organic phase, which was lyophilized to finally producing a nonirradiated strawberry extract (NSE) and UV-irradiated strawberry extract (UViSE) powder. After the antioxidant capacity of both extracts were determined in vitro using the Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC) assay and in vivo using high-fat diet-induced obese rats. Our results demonstrated that irradiation with UV-C to strawberry slices increased the antioxidants content, which was corroborated in vitro, where the antioxidant capacity of UViSE was higher than the NSE. However, in obese rats, the reduction in the oxidative damage by the UViSE and NSE were similar in peripheral tissues. Interestingly, the UViSE was better than the NSE to reduce the oxidative damage in brain. In conclusion, UV-irradiation increases the antioxidants content of strawberry that is correlated with an increased antioxidant capacity in vitro, but in rats, this antioxidant capacity may be more effective in brain than in peripheral tissues.

Desipramine decreases expression of human and murine indoleamine-2,3-dioxygenases.

Abundant evidence connects depression symptomology with immune system activation, stress and subsequently elevated levels of kynurenine. Anti-depressants, such as the tricyclic norepinephrine/serotonin reuptake inhibitor desipramine (Desip), were developed under the premise that increasing extracellular neurotransmitter level was the sole mechanism by which they alleviate depressive symptomologies. However, evidence suggests that anti-depressants have additional actions that contribute to their therapeutic potential. The Kynurenine Pathway produces tryptophan metabolites that modulate neurotransmitter activity. This recognition identified another putative pathway for anti-depressant targeting. Considering a recognized role of the Kynurenine Pathway in depression, we investigated the potential for Desip to alter expression of rate-limiting enzymes of this pathway: indoleamine-2,3-dioxygenases (Ido1 and Ido2). Mice were administered lipopolysaccharide (LPS) or synthetic glucocorticoid dexamethasone (Dex) with Desip to determine if Desip alters indoleamine-dioxygenase (DO) expression in vivo following a modeled immune and stress response. This work was followed by treating murine and human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) with interferon-gamma (IFNγ) and Desip. In vivo: Desip blocked LPS-induced Ido1 expression in hippocampi, astrocytes, microglia and PBMCs and Ido2 expression by PBMCs. Ex vivo: Desip decreased IFNγ-induced Ido1 and Ido2 expression in murine PBMCs. This effect was directly translatable to the human system as Desip decreased IDO1 and IDO2 expression by human PBMCs. These data demonstrate for the first time that an anti-depressant alters expression of Ido1 and Ido2, identifying a possible new mechanism behind anti-depressant activity. Furthermore, we propose the assessment of PBMCs for anti-depressant responsiveness using IDO expression as a biomarker.

A high-fat diet decreases GABA concentration in the frontal cortex and hippocampus of rats.

BACKGROUND: It has been proposed that the γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) plays a key role in the regulation of food intake and body weight by controlling the excitability, plasticity and the synchronization of neuronal activity in the frontal cortex (FC). It has been also proposed that the high-fat diet (HFD) could disturb the metabolism of glutamate and consequently the GABA levels, but the mechanism is not yet clearly understood. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the effect of a HFD on the GABA levels in the FC and hippocampus of rats. RESULTS: The HFD significantly increased weight gain and blood glucose levels, whereas decreased the GABA levels in the FC and hippocampus compared with standard diet-fed rats. CONCLUSIONS: HFD decreases GABA levels in the FC and hippocampus of rat, which likely disrupts the GABAergic inhibitory processes, underlying feeding behavior.

A high-fat diet decreases GABA concentration in the frontal cortex and hippocampus of rats

BACKGROUND: It has been proposed that the γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) plays a key role in the regulation of food intake and body weight by controlling the excitability, plasticity and the synchronization of neuronal activity in the frontal cortex (FC). It has been also proposed that the high-fat diet (HFD) could disturb the metabolism of glutamate and consequently the GABA levels, but the mechanism is not yet clearly understood. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the effect of a HFD on the GABA levels in the FC and hippocampus of rats. RESULTS: The HFD significantly increased weight gain and blood glucose levels, whereas decreased the GABA levels in the FC and hippocampus compared with standard diet-fed rats. CONCLUSIONS: HFD decreases GABA levels in the FC and hippocampus of rat, which likely disrupts the GABAergic inhibitory processes, underlying feeding behavior.

Engineering microstructure and redox properties in the mixed conductor Ce(0.9)Pr(0.1)O(2-δ) + Co 2 mol%.

10% Praseodymium doped ceria exhibits a combination of mixed ionic and electronic conductivity, redox catalytic properties and chemical compatibility with water and carbon dioxide at high temperatures. Minor additions of cobalt oxide have been demonstrated to act as a sintering aid as well as an effective promoter of the electronic conduction. However, an excess of sintering temperature causes cobalt aggregation into the grain boundaries as inferred from FE-SEM/EDX and TEM analysis. The redox behaviour of the materials was studied by means of temperature programmed desorption (TPD) and reduction (TPR). This work shows the systematic study of sintering conditions in order to understand the evolution of the material microstructure, grain boundaries and the role of cobalt in this complex system. The final purpose of the work is to improve both electronic and oxygen ion transport properties for their potential application as oxygen-transport membranes and solid oxide fuel cell components. The sample sintered at 1000 °C exhibited the highest total conductivity at high temperatures, which is principally related to the improvement in the electronic conductivity through the grain boundary network.