Stabilization of betalains by encapsulation-a review.

Betalains are pigments that have properties that benefit health, such as antioxidant, anticancer, and antimicrobial activity, and they also possess a high ability to provide color. However, these pigments, although used as colorants in certain foods, have not been able to be potentialized to diverse areas such as pharmacology, due to their instability to physicochemical factors such as high temperature, pH changes and high water activity. For this reason, different stabilization methods have been reported. The method that has presented best results for diversifying the use of betalains has been encapsulation. Encapsulation is a method of entrapment where the objective is to protect a compound utilizing more stable matrices from encapsulation technologies. This method has been employed to provide greater stability to betalains, using different matrices and encapsulation technologies. However, a review does not exist, to our knowledge, which analyzes the effect of matrices and encapsulation technologies on betalains stabilization. Therefore, the objective of this review article was to evaluate the different matrices and encapsulation techniques that have been employed to stabilize betalains, in order to arrive at specific conclusions concerning the effect of encapsulation on their stabilization and to propose new techniques and matrices that could promote their stabilization.

Effects of high-energy ultrasound on the functional properties of proteins.

In recent years, high-energy ultrasound has been used as an alternative to improve the functional properties of various proteins, such as from milk, eggs, soy and poultry. The benefits of implementing this technology depend on the inherent characteristics of the protein source and the intensity and amplitude of the ultrasound, as well as on the pH, temperature, ionic strength, time, and all of the variables that have an effect on the physicochemical properties of proteins. Therefore, it is necessary to establish the optimal conditions for each type of food. The use of ultrasound is a promising technique in food technology with a low impact on the environment, and it has thus become known as a green technology. Therefore, this review focuses on the application of high-energy ultrasound to food; its effects on the functional properties of proteins; and how different conditions such as the frequency, time, amplitude, temperature, and protein concentration affect the functional properties.

The Role of Serotonin (5-HT) in Behavioral Control: Findings from Animal Research and Clinical Implications.

The neurotransmitters serotonin and dopamine both have a critical role in the underlying neurobiology of different behaviors. With focus on the interplay between dopamine and serotonin, it has been proposed that dopamine biases behavior towards habitual responding, and with serotonin offsetting this phenomenon and directing the balance toward more flexible, goal-directed responding. The present focus paper stands in close relationship to the publication by Worbe et al. (2015), which deals with the effects of acute tryptophan depletion, a neurodietary physiological method to decrease central nervous serotonin synthesis in humans for a short period of time, on the balance between hypothetical goal-directed and habitual systems. In that research, acute tryptophan depletion challenge administration and a following short-term reduction in central nervous serotonin synthesis were associated with a shift of behavioral performance towards habitual responding, providing further evidence that central nervous serotonin function modulates the balance between goal-directed and stimulus-response habitual systems of behavioral control. In the present focus paper, we discuss the findings by Worbe and colleagues in light of animal experiments as well as clinical implications and discuss potential future avenues for related research.

Effects of serotonin depletion on punishment processing in the orbitofrontal and anterior cingulate cortices of healthy women.

Diminished synthesis of the neurotransmitter serotonin (5-HT) has been linked to disrupted impulse control in aversive contexts. However, the neural correlates underlying a serotonergic modulation of female impulsivity remain unclear. The present study investigated punishment-induced inhibition in healthy young women. Eighteen healthy female subjects (aged 20-31) participated in a double-blinded, counterbalanced, placebo-controlled, within subjects, repeated measures study. They were assessed on two randomly assigned occasions that were controlled for menstrual cycle phase. In a randomized order, one day, acute tryptophan depletion (ATD) was used to reduce 5-HT synthesis in the brain. On the other day, participants received a tryptophan-balanced amino acid load (BAL) as a control condition. Three hours after administration of ATD/BAL, neural activity was recorded during a modified Go/No-Go task implementing reward or punishment processes using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). Neural activation during No-Go trials in punishment conditions after BAL versus ATD administration correlated positively with the magnitude of central 5-HT depletion in the ventral and subgenual anterior cingulate cortices (ACC). Furthermore, neural activation in the medial orbitofrontal cortex (mOFC) and the dorsal ACC correlated positively with trait impulsivity. The results indicate reduced neural sensitivity to punishment after short-term depletion of 5-HT in brain areas related to emotion regulation (subgenual ACC) increasing with depletion magnitude and in brain areas related to appraisal and expression of emotions (mOFC and dorsal ACC), increasing with trait impulsivity. This suggests a serotonergic modulation of neural circuits related to emotion regulation, impulsive behavior, and punishment processing in females.

Pharmacometabolomics reveals that serotonin is implicated in aspirin response variability.

While aspirin is generally effective for prevention of cardiovascular disease, considerable variation in drug response exists, resulting in some individuals displaying high on-treatment platelet reactivity. We used pharmacometabolomics to define pathways implicated in variation of response to treatment. We profiled serum samples from healthy subjects pre- and postaspirin (14 days, 81 mg/day) using mass spectrometry. We established a strong signature of aspirin exposure independent of response (15/34 metabolites changed). In our discovery (N = 80) and replication (N = 125) cohorts, higher serotonin levels pre- and postaspirin correlated with high, postaspirin, collagen-induced platelet aggregation. In a third cohort, platelets from subjects with the highest levels of serotonin preaspirin retained higher reactivity after incubation with aspirin than platelets from subjects with the lowest serotonin levels preaspirin (72 ± 8 vs. 61 ± 11%, P = 0.02, N = 20). Finally, ex vivo, serotonin strongly increased platelet reactivity after platelet incubation with aspirin (+20%, P = 4.9 × 10(-4), N = 12). These results suggest that serotonin is implicated in aspirin response variability.

Acute tryptophan depletion in accordance with body weight: influx of amino acids across the blood-brain barrier.

Acute tryptophan depletion (ATD) is a method of reducing central nervous serotonin (5-HT) synthesis in humans by administering an amino acid (AA) beverage lacking in tryptophan (TRP), the physiological precursor of 5-HT. However, to date, the use of conventional ATD protocols in children and adolescents was limited due to frequently observed side effects (e.g., vomiting and nausea). This study investigated the effects of diminished central nervous system 5-HT synthesis on plasma concentrations of relevant AAs and TRP influx into the brain in 24 healthy young adults using the ATD procedure Moja-De, a test protocol that has been used in preliminary research in youths. Twenty-four healthy participants received ATD and a TRP-balanced amino acid load (BAL) using a randomized double-blind within-subject crossover design. Plasma concentrations of the relevant AAs that compete with TRP on the same transport system were assessed at baseline and 90, 180, and 240 min after ATD/BAL intake. TRP influx across the blood-brain barrier was calculated using Michaelis-Menten kinetics with a correction for multiple substrate competition, indicating a significant decrease in TRP influx into the central nervous system under Moja-De. ATD Moja-De decreased TRP influx into the brain and central nervous system 5-HT synthesis safely and effectively and was well tolerated, allowing it to be used in children and adolescents. Future research into other secondary, compensatory effects induced by ATD in patients with neuropsychiatric disorders and healthy populations is needed. ATD Moja-De allows this type of research with a focus on a developmental viewpoint.

Análisis nutricional en el aporte del mineral calcio en mujeres con lactancia / Calcium intake nutritional status in breastfeeding women

El objeto del presente estudio fue analizar las dietas de 39 mujeres (edad media = 34.3 años; IMC medio = 26.2 kg/m²) sanas y con lactancia exclusiva, mediante Encuesta Dietética de Recordatorio de 24 horas y utilizando el software Dial®, centrándonos en el aporte diario de calcio y vitamina D. La población a estudio se agrupó en función de si su ingesta en calcio era mayor (no restrictivas) o menor (restrictivas) a la Ingesta de Referencia para la Población según la Unión Europea. Los resultados obtenidos revelaron inicialmente que en un 64 por ciento de dicha población (restrictivas) el aporte energético seguía una tendencia deficitaria, siendo de 2042.7 ± 458.3 kcal. Además su ingesta de calcio (812.4 ± 211.2 mg/día) fue inferior (p<0.01) a la recomendada, así como la ingesta en vitamina D, en donde su aporte diario también fue deficitario (1.71 ± 1.59 µg/día) respecto al resto de la población (no restrictivas). Tras estos resultados, se puede concluir que un alto porcentaje de estas madres se encuentra por debajo de las recomendaciones nutricionales durante su etapa de lactancia, siendo aconsejable que fueran informadas por los profesionales sanitarios sobre los hábitos alimentarios requeridos en este periodo.

The aim of this study was to analyze the diets of 39 healthy, lactating women (average age = 34.3 years; average BMI = 26.2 kg/m²) by a 24-hour dietary recall. This investigation was focused on calcium and vitamin D intake. Nutrients were estimated using the software Dial®. These participants were divided into calcium restrictors, defined as calcium intake <1200 mg/day, and non-restrictors (>1200 mg/day). The results showed that 64 percent of the study population (restrictors) reported a mean energy intake (2042.7 ± 458.3 kcal), calcium intake (812.4 ± 211.2 mg/day) and vitamin D intake (1.71 ± 1.59 µg/day) below the adequate intake level (AI) and lower than non-restrictors estimated intakes (p<0.01). The conclusion of this study is that a high percentage of the lactating women consume a diet below nutritional recommendations during this stage. It is recommended that health professionals should inform these mothers about the correct dietary habits during this period.

[Calcium intake nutritional status in breastfeeding women]. / Análisis nutricional en el aporte del mineral calcio en mujeres con lactancia.

The aim of this study was to analyze the diets of 39 healthy, lactating women (average age = 34.3 years; average BMI = 26.2 kg/ m2) by a 24-hour dietary recall. This investigation was focused on calcium and vitamin D intake. Nutrients were estimated using the software Dial. These participants were divided into calcium restrictors, defined as calcium intake < 1200 mg/day, and non-restrictors (> 1200 mg/day). The results showed that 64% of the study population (restrictors) reported a mean energy intake (2042.7 +/- 458.3 kcal), calcium intake (812.4 +/- 211.2 mg/day) and vitamin D intake (1.71 +/- 1.59 microg/day) below the adequate intake level (AI) and lower than non-restrictors estimated intakes (p < 0.01). The conclusion of this study is that a high percentage of the lactating women consume a diet below nutritional recommendations during this stage. It is recommended that health professionals should inform these mothers about the correct dietary habits during this period.

Survival after massive (>2000) Africanized honeybee stings.

We report the clinical case of a man who survived a massive attack of Africanized bees (>2000 bee stings). The man experienced anaphylactic shock and multisystem organ failure (neurologic, hepatic, renal, and hematologic failure). He was treated with administration of dopamine hydrochloride, antihistaminic agents, corticosteroids, fluid and electrolyte replenishment, peritoneal dialysis, and plasmapheresis. No sequelae have been observed during follow-up.

[Gastric neuroendocrine tumor]. / Tumor neuroendocrino gástrico.

Gastric carcinoid tumors arise from enterochromaffin-like (ECL) cells, these tumors represent 2-41% of all neuroendocrine tumors and 0.3% of malignant gastric neoplasias, being more common in men than in women, and commonly affecting people over 60 years old. These tumors arise from accelerated proliferation of the ECL cells as a consequence of the hypersecretion of gastrin, situation that can be present in atrophic gastritis and the Zollinger-Ellison syndrome. We report the case of a 51 year old hispanic female who presented with a 3 month history of abdominal pain, meteorism and constipation; she was treated with ranitidine and metoclopramide without clinical improvement, thus she underwent upper gastrointestinal endoscopy which showed an atrophic gastritis and gastric polyps. Histopathologic examination revealed a neuroendocrine gastric tumor which was positive to serotonine and gastrin stainings. Hormonal screening showed normal serum levels of LH, FSH, estradiol, ACTH, progesterone, calcitonin and cortisol. The serum level of gastrin was elevated with 500 pg/mL. Gammagraphic scanning with octreotide was negative for metastasis.