Maternal Supplementation with Polyphenols and Omega-3 Fatty Acids during Pregnancy: Prenatal Effects on Fetal Fatty Acid Composition in the Iberian Pig.

Intrauterine Growth Restriction (IUGR) is a major problem in pig production and different strategies, mainly maternal supplementation with different agents, are currently being studied. The combination of hydroxytyrosol and n3-PUFA seems to be a promising treatment to counteract IUGR, since the combination may help improve n3-PUFA composition and lower the inflammatory status of IUGR piglets. The aim of the present study is to determine the effects of a maternal supplementation, from day 35 to day 100 of pregnancy, with linseed oil and hydroxytyrosol on the fetal FA composition. The results showed higher n3 levels, including eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic FA in the offspring from treated gilts, which showed lower n6-PUFA/n3-PUFA (n6/n3) ratios. Saturated and monounsaturated fatty acids were also affected by treatment, especially in the muscle and brain. Thus, a maternal supplementation with linseed oil and hydroxytyrosol affected the fetal FA tissue composition, which could have implications in pig production due to the improvement of the piglets' health status.

Hypothalamic transcriptome analysis reveals male-specific differences in molecular pathways related to oxidative phosphorylation between Iberian pig genotypes.

The hypothalamus is implicated in controlling feeding and adiposity, besides many other physiological functions, and thus can be of great importance in explaining productive differences between lean and fatty pig breeds. The present study aimed to evaluate the hypothalamic transcriptome of pure Iberian (IBxIB) and Large White x Iberian crossbreds (IBxLW) at 60 days-old, produced in a single maternal environment. Results showed the implication of gender and genotype in the hypothalamic transcriptome, with 51 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between genotypes and 10 DEGs between genders. Fourteen genotype by sex interactions were found, due to a higher genotype effect on transcriptome found in males. In fact, just 31 DEGs were identified when using only females but 158 using only males. A higher expression of genes related to mitochondrial activity in IBxIB male animals (ND3, ND4, ND5, UQCRC2 and ATP6) was found, which was related to a higher oxidative phosphorylation and greater reactive oxygen species and nitric oxide production. IBxLW male animals showed higher expression of SIRT3 regulator, also related to mitochondrial function. When females were analysed, such differences were not found, since only some differences in genes related to the tricarboxylic acid cycle. Thus, the results indicate a significant effect and interaction of the breed and the sex on the hypothalamic transcriptome at this early age.

Maternal Supplementation with Polyphenols and Omega-3 Fatty Acids during Pregnancy: Prenatal Effects on Growth and Metabolism.

Maternal supplementation with antioxidants and n-3 PUFAs may be a promising strategy to reduce the risk of intrauterine growth restriction and preterm delivery, which may diminish the appearance of low-birth-neonates. A previous studies showed beneficial outcomes of the combination of hydroxytyrosol and linoleic acid, but there is no data of its prenatal effects. The present study aimed to determine the possible prenatal implications of such maternal supplementation at prenatal stages in swine, a model of IUGR pregnancies. Results showed effects on litter size, with treated sows having larger litters and, therefore, smaller fetuses. However, the brain/head weight ratio showed a positive effect of the treatment in development, as well as in some other major organs like lungs, spleen, or kidneys. On the other hand, treated piglets showed better glycemic and lipidemic profiles, which could explain postnatal effects. However, further research on the implications of the treatment on litter size and prenatal and postnatal development must be done before practical recommendation can be given.

Adding Branched-Chain Amino Acids to an Enhanced Standard-of-Care Treatment Improves Muscle Mass of Cirrhotic Patients With Sarcopenia: A Placebo-Controlled Trial.

INTRODUCTION: The effect of branched-chain amino acid (BCAA) supplementation on muscle mass in patients with cirrhosis and sarcopenia is unknown. METHODS: This is a pilot, prospective, randomized, and double-blind study of a cohort of 32 patients with cirrhosis and sarcopenia diagnosed by computed tomography scan who underwent a nutritional and physical activity intervention for 12 weeks. They were divided into 2 groups (placebo: 17 patients; BCAA: 15 patients). The study protocol was registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT04073693). RESULTS: Baseline characteristics were similar in both groups. After treatment, only the BCAA group presented a significant improvement in muscle mass (43.7 vs 46 cm2/m2; P = 0.023). Seventeen patients (63%) presented improvement in muscle mass overall, which was more frequent in the BCAA group (83.3 vs 46.7%; P = 0.056). Regarding frailty, there was a significant improvement in the Liver Frailty Index in the global cohort (n = 32) after the 12 weeks (4.2 vs 3.9; P < 0.001). This difference was significant in both groups: in the placebo group (4.2 vs 3.8; P < 0.001) and in the BCAA group (4.2 vs 3.9; P < 0.001). After treatment, the BCAA group had a higher increase in zinc levels than the placebo group (Δzinc: 12.3 vs 5.5; P = 0.026). In addition, there was a trend for greater improvement of albumin levels in the BCAA group (Δalbumin: 0.19 vs 0.04; P = 0.091). DISCUSSION: BCAA supplementation improves muscle mass in cirrhotic patients with sarcopenia.

Effects of L-Glutamine Supplementation during the Gestation of Gilts and Sows on the Offspring Development in a Traditional Swine Breed.

The use of amino acids during pregnancy, such as glutamine (Gln), seems to be a promising strategy in selected swine breeds to improve the offspring prenatal development. The main goal of the current study was to assess the development of the offspring from parity 1-3 sows of a traditional breed, which were supplemented with 1% glutamine after Day 35 of gestation, under farm conditions. A total of 486 (288 treated) piglets from 78 (46 treated) Iberian sows were used. At birth and slaughterhouse, fatty acid composition, metabolism, and mTOR pathway gene expression were analyzed. At birth, treated newborns showed greater amounts of specific amino acids in plasma, such as glutamine, asparagine, or alanine, and Σn-3 fatty acids in cellular membranes than control newborns. The expression of genes belonging to mTOR Complex 1 was also higher in treated piglets with normal birth-weight. However, these findings did not improve productive traits at birth or following periods in litters from supplemented gilts (parity 1) or sows (parities 2-3). Thus, further research is needed to properly understand the effects of prenatal glutamine supplementation, particularly in traditional swine breeds.

Maternal Supplementation with Polyphenols and Omega-3 Fatty Acids during Pregnancy: Effects on Growth, Metabolism, and Body Composition of the Offspring.

Maternal supplementation with antioxidants and n3 PUFAs may be a promising strategy to reduce the risk of intrauterine growth restriction and preterm delivery, which may diminish the appearance of low-birth-weight neonates. The present study aimed to determine benefits and risks of a dietary supplementation combining hydroxytyrosol, a polyphenol from olive leaves and fruits, and n3 PUFAs, from linseed oil, on developmental patterns and metabolic traits of offspring in swine, a model of IUGR pregnancies. The results obtained indicate that maternal supplementation with hydroxytyrosol and n-3 fatty acids during pregnancy has no deleterious effects on the reproductive traits of the sows (prolificacy, homogeneity of the litter, and percentage of stillborns and low-birth-weight, LBW, piglets) and the postnatal features of the piglets (growth patterns, adiposity, and metabolic traits). Conversely, in spite of a lower mean weight and corpulence at birth, piglets from the supplemented sows showed higher average daily weight gain and fractional growth rate. Thus, at juvenile stages afterwards, the offspring from the treated group reached higher weight and corpulence, with increased muscle development and better lipidemic and fatty acid profiles, in spite of similar adiposity, than offspring in the control group. However, much caution and more research are still needed before practical recommendation and use in human pregnancies.

Hepatocellular carcinoma prediction beyond year 5 of oral therapy in a large cohort of Caucasian patients with chronic hepatitis B.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) may develop in patients with chronic hepatitis (CHB) even after 5 years of oral therapy and cannot be easily predicted. We assessed predictors of HCC development and the need for HCC surveillance in this setting. METHODS: Of 1,951 adult Caucasians with CHB included in the PAGE-B cohort, 1,427 (73%) had completed >5 years of follow-up under therapy without developing HCC by year 5. Median follow-up was 8.4 years from treatment onset. Points-based risk scores were developed to predict HCC risk after year 5. RESULTS: In years 5-12, HCC was diagnosed in 33/1,427 (2.3%) patients with cumulative incidences of 2.4%, 3.2% and 3.8% at 8, 10 and 12 years, respectively. Older age or age >50 years, baseline cirrhosis and liver stiffness (LSM) ≥12 kPa at year 5 were independently associated with increased HCC risk. The HCC incidence was lower in non-cirrhotics than cirrhotics at baseline with year-5 LSM <12; among cirrhotics at baseline, it was lower in those with year-5 LSM <12 than ≥12 kPa. CAGE-B score was based on age at year 5 and baseline cirrhosis in relation to LSM at year 5 and SAGE-B score was based only on age and LSM at year 5 (c-index = 0.809-0.814, 0.805-0.806 after bootstrap validation). Both scores offered 100% negative predictive values for HCC development in their low risk groups. CONCLUSIONS: In Caucasians with CHB, the HCC risk after the first 5 years of antiviral therapy depends on age, baseline cirrhosis status and LSM at year 5. CAGE-B and particularly SAGE-B represent simple and reliable risk scores for HCC prediction and surveillance beyond year 5 of therapy. LAY SUMMARY: In Caucasians with chronic hepatitis B, the risk of hepatocellular carcinoma after the first 5 years of entecavir or tenofovir therapy depends on age, baseline cirrhosis status and liver stiffness at year 5, which can provide simple and reliable risk scores for hepatocellular carcinoma prediction and surveillance beyond year 5. In patients with cirrhosis at baseline, liver stiffness <12 kPa at year 5 is associated with lower HCC risk, but surveillance may be still required.

Polyphenols and IUGR Pregnancies: Effects of Maternal Hydroxytyrosol Supplementation on Hepatic Fat Accretion and Energy and Fatty Acids Profile of Fetal Tissues.

Maternal supplementation with hydroxytyrosol, a polyphenol present in olive leaves and fruits, is a highly promising strategy to improve the oxidative and metabolic status of fetuses at risk of intrauterine growth restriction, which may diminish the appearance of low-birth-weight neonates. The present study aimed to determine whether hydroxytyrosol, by preventing lipid peroxidation, may influence the fat accretion and energy homeostasis in the liver, as well as the fatty acid composition in the liver and muscle. The results indicate that hydroxytyrosol treatment significantly decreased the energy content of the fetal liver, without affecting fat accretion, and caused significant changes in the availability of fatty acids. There were significant increases in the amount of total polyunsaturated fatty acids, omega-3 and omega-6, which are highly important for adequate fetal tissue development. However, there were increases in the omega-6/omega-3 ratio and the desaturation index, which make further studies necessary to determine possible effects on the pro/anti-inflammatory status of the fetuses.

Polyphenols and IUGR pregnancies: Maternal hydroxytyrosol supplementation improves prenatal and early-postnatal growth and metabolism of the offspring.

Hydroxytyrosol is a polyphenol with antioxidant, metabolism-regulatory, anti-inflammatory and immuno-modulatory properties. The present study aimed to determine whether supplementing the maternal diet with hydroxytyrosol during pregnancy can improve pre- and early post-natal developmental patterns and metabolic traits of the offspring. Experiment was performed in Iberian sows fed a restricted diet in order to increase the risk of IUGR. Ten sows were treated daily with 1.5 mg of hydroxytyrosol per kg of feed between Day 35 of pregnancy (30% of total gestational period) until delivery whilst 10 animals were left untreated as controls. Number and weight of offspring were assessed at birth, on post-natal Day 15 and at weaning (25 days-old). At weaning, body composition and plasma indexes of glucose and lipids were measured. Treatment with hydroxytyrosol was associated with higher mean birth weight, lower incidence of piglets with low birth weight. Afterwards, during the lactation period, piglets in the treated group showed a higher body-weight than control piglets; such effects were even stronger in the most prolific litters. These results suggest that maternal supplementation with hydroxytyrosol may improve pre- and early post-natal development of offspring in pregnancies at risk of IUGR.

Effect of nutritional supplementation upon pregnancy rates of goats under semiarid rangelands and exposed to the male effect.

The aim of this study was to evaluate possible effects of improved protein and energy diet upon reproductive outcomes of adult goats under marginal rangeland grazing conditions and exposed to the male effect during the anoestrous-dry season. Adult goats (Nubian × Criollo, nonpregnant, nonlactating, n = 160, 22° 50' N, 100° 59' W, 1,653 m) were randomly divided in two experimental groups: Control (CG; n = 80) and Supplemented (SG; n = 80). Both CG and SG goats were kept together during the day for ranging a semiarid rangeland while separated accordingly at night. SG goats were individually supplemented [400 g kg(-1) day(-1); 14% CP and 2.92 Mcal DE kg(-1)] during a 30-day period. Thereafter, both the CG [35.5 ± 0.94 kg LW, 1.95 ± 0.06 U, body condition score (BCS)] and the SG [39.5 ± 0.94 kg LW, 2.29 ± 0.06 BCS] were exposed to adult males (Nubian, n = 4, two per group) of proven libido and fertility and kept together at night (1700-0900) during a 42-day experimental breeding period. At the beginning of the breeding period, both LW (P < 0.001) and BCS (P < 0.001) were higher in the SG, which was also reflected in higher pregnancy rate (92.5 vs. 76.3%, P < 0.01). Nonetheless, both CG and SG depicted an increased abortion rate (52.5 vs. 41.9% P > 0.05), respectively. Results suggest that nutritional supplementation and the male effect were able to successfully invoke neurophysiological pathways to increase ovarian activity and to promote a uterine milieu prone to the establishment of pregnancy during the anoestrus season. However, the increased abortion rates observed in the study occurred irrespective of the nutritional regime offered during the premating stage. Therefore, there is a need to align the last third of gestation to the onset of the grazing season in order to increase reproductive and economic efficiency in those rangeland-based marginal goat production systems.

Safety and tolerance of the human milk probiotic strain Lactobacillus salivarius CECT5713 in 6-month-old children.

OBJECTIVE: Intestinal microbiota plays an important role in the prevention of certain diseases during the pediatric years. Thus, there is an increasing interest in the addition of probiotics to infant formulas. The aim of this study was to evaluate the safety of a follow-on formula with Lactobacillus salivarius CECT5713 in 6-mo-old children. METHODS: The antibiotic susceptibility of L. salivarius CECT5713 was analyzed by a dilution method. A double-blinded, randomized, placebo controlled study was performed. Children (n = 80) were distributed in two groups and consumed the formula supplemented or not with probiotics (2 × 10(6) colony-forming units [cfu]/g) during 6 mo. Fecal samples were collected at enrollment, at 3 mo, and at the end of trial. Clinical and anthropometric evaluations were performed. Depending on the variable, one-way or two-way repeated measures analysis of variance were used for the statistical analysis. RESULTS: The antibiotic susceptibility profile of the strain resulted as safe. No adverse effects associated with the consumption of the probiotic formula were reported. In addition, clinical parameters did not differ between groups. Consumption of the probiotic supplemented formula led to an increase in the fecal lactobacilli content (7.6 ± 0.2 versus 7.9 ± 0.1 log cfu/g, P < 0.05). Lactobacillus salivarius CECT5713 was detected in the feces of volunteers from the probiotic group. Probiotic consumption induced a significant increase in the fecal concentration of butyric acid at 6 mo. CONCLUSION: Thus, a follow-on formula with L. salivarius CECT5713 is safe and well tolerated in 6-mo-old infants.

Effect of calcium-enriched high-fat diet on calcium, magnesium and zinc retention in mice.

The aim of this work was to assess the effects of a high-fat diet enriched in Ca, which accompanies lower body fat deposition, on mineral depots, as well as to assess the potential role of adaptive thermogenesis in mice. Male mice were fed ad libitum a high-fat (43 %) diet with a Ca content of 4 g/kg from calcium carbonate (control group) or 12 g/kg (42 % from milk powder and the rest from calcium carbonate) (Ca group) for 56 d. Body weight, food intake and urine were periodically collected. Tissue samples were collected when the mice were killed and the composition was determined. Expression of uncoupling proteins was determined by Western blotting. Mineral content was measured by flame atomic absorption spectrometry. Lower body weight gain and fat accretion was found in the Ca group. This could not be attributable to lower gross energy intake or to activation of adaptive thermogenesis. Although significant urine mineral loss was found in the Ca group, preservation of mineral depots in bone was observed. Our data support the fact that adding more Ca to the diet, using a combination of calcium carbonate plus milk powder containing among other things higher Zn and Mg, contributes to counteracting obesity and improving lipid metabolism.

Donor lymphocyte infusion for relapsed chronic myelogenous leukemia: prognostic relevance of the initial cell dose.

Donor lymphocyte infusion (DLI) can produce durable remissions in patients with chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) who have a relapse after an allogeneic stem cell transplantation. However, the best modality to administer DLI is still unclear. The effect of the initial cell dose (ICD; ie, mononuclear cells x 10(8)/kg received in the first instance) on outcome was retrospectively analyzed in 298 of 344 patients treated with DLI at 51 centers. Patients were classified into 3 groups according to the ICD: 98 in group A ( 2.0). Additional infusions were given to 62%, 20%, and 5% of patients in groups A, B, and C, respectively. A lower ICD was associated with less graft-versus-host disease (GVHD; A, 26%; B, 53%; C, 62%; P <.001), less myelosuppression (A, 10%; B, 23%; C, 24%; P =.01), and similar response rate (A, 78%; B, 73%; C, 70%; P =.48). Nonadjusted estimates of 3-year survival, failure-free survival, and DLI-related mortality were 84%, 66%, and 5% respectively, in group A; 63%, 57%, and 20% in group B; and 58%, 45%, and 22% in group C. Outcome analysis was adjusted for patient age, donor type, sex of donor, sex mismatch, disease phase at transplantation, T-cell depletion, interval from transplantation to DLI, GVHD prior to relapse, relapse type, and date of DLI. After adjustment, lower ICD was associated with less GVHD, less myelosuppression, same response rate, better survival, better failure-free survival, and less DLI-related mortality. Our results suggest that the first DLI dose should not exceed 0.2 x 10(8) mononuclear cells/kg.

Longitudinal study of energy and nutrient intakes for infants from low-income, urban families.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the energy and nutrient intakes of healthy infants from low-income families and to compare intakes with current recommendations. DESIGN: We interviewed mother-infant pairs longitudinally when the infants were 3, 6, 9, 12, 18 and 24 months old. Food intake data were obtained by 24-hour dietary recalls. Selected nutrient intakes were calculated and compared with the Recommended Dietary Allowances (RDAs). SUBJECTS/SETTING: Infants were the offspring of low-income, pregnant women recruited at the Albany County Department of Health, New York for the Albany Pregnancy and Infancy Lead Study, a prospective investigation of factors related to blood lead levels, including nutrition. Interviews were conducted during paediatric clinic visits. STATISTICAL ANALYSES PERFORMED: Means and standard deviations were used to describe energy and micronutrient intakes for age groups. The probability approach was utilised to examine the prevalence of inadequate intakes. RESULTS: Mean energy and nutrient intakes generally met or exceeded the RDA. The exceptions were vitamin D and zinc for which observed means were below the RDA at several data points. Protein consumption was exceptionally high in this sample. The highest estimated prevalences of inadequate intakes were observed for iron, zinc and vitamin D at the older ages. CONCLUSIONS: This study identified several potential concerns about the diets of infants during the transition from infant food and formula to table foods. Low intakes of vitamin D, zinc and iron, especially at 12 and 18 months, were observed. High protein intakes were noted at all ages.

Aplicación de un programa de entrenamiento para el automanejo del asma bronquial / Implementation of a bronchial asthma self-management training program

Resumen: Se realiza un estudio descriptivo de intervención y corte transversal en el universo de los asmáticos mayores de 20 años atendidos en el consultorio médico de la familia No. 18, perteneciente al área de salud del Policlínico Docente ®Héroes de Girón¼, con el objetivo de evaluar los posibles beneficios de la aplicación de un programa para el automanejo del paciente asmático adulto en la comunidad. Con la aplicación del programa se obtuvo un incremento significativo del conocimiento de la enfermedad en la totalidad de los pacientes participantes. La evolución clínica del 100 porciento de los pacientes que siguieron todo el programa mejoró o no empeoró, a diferencia de aquéllos que no lo siguieron. El grupo que cumplió el programa íntegramente logró una disminución significativa del nivel de ansiedad, lo que se interpreta como consecuencia de su mejor preparación para comprender y manejar la enfermedad(AU)

Aplicación de un programa de entrenamiento para el automanejo del asma bronquial / Implementation of a bronchial asthma self-management training program

Resumen: Se realiza un estudio descriptivo de intervención y corte transversal en el universo de los asmáticos mayores de 20 años atendidos en el consultorio médico de la familia No. 18, perteneciente al área de salud del Policlínico Docente ®Héroes de Girón¼, con el objetivo de evaluar los posibles beneficios de la aplicación de un programa para el automanejo del paciente asmático adulto en la comunidad. Con la aplicación del programa se obtuvo un incremento significativo del conocimiento de la enfermedad en la totalidad de los pacientes participantes. La evolución clínica del 100 porciento de los pacientes que siguieron todo el programa mejoró o no empeoró, a diferencia de aquéllos que no lo siguieron. El grupo que cumplió el programa íntegramente logró una disminución significativa del nivel de ansiedad, lo que se interpreta como consecuencia de su mejor preparación para comprender y manejar la enfermedad

Modelo para la extrusión de mezclas maiz: soja (70:30) / A model for the extrusion of corn: soybean blend (70:30)

La mayoria de las propiedades fisicoquímicas y sensoriales de los extruidos depende de la extensión de la degradación del lmidón. Un extruido de cereal tiene propiedades fisicoquímicas similares a una mezcla de almidón crudo, gelatinizado y dextrinizado. En base a esto postulado, se elaboraron modelos de mezclas cereal: oleaginosa, y se aplicaron diferentes técnicas analíticas para su caracterización. Los resultados revelaron que la muestra extruida de maíz: soja (70:30) en estudio, se asemejaba a una mezcla maíz: soja moderadamente dextrinizada obtenida en el laboratorio. Por consiguiente, podría ser usada en la preparación de papillas o alimentos precocidos

Descascarado de sorgo por vía seca: métodos continuo y discontinuo / Peeling of sorghum by dry way: continuous and discontinuous methods

Se realizó un estudio en el que dos métodos de descascarado del grano de sorgo por vía seca, uno continuo y otro discontinuo, se compararon cuantitativamente en un equipo descascarador abrasivo de laboratorio. Los valores de reflexión fueron evaluados, expresándose éstos como porcentaje de descascarado, porcentaje eliminado y rotura de granos. Las gráficas de porcentaje descascarado y eliminado versus tiempo de contacto para cada método demostraron que la operación más eficiente es la continua. El análisis de los granos rotos señaló un comportamiento similar en ambos métodos. Con el método continuo se determinó la variación de los macrocomponentes y taninos con el avance del descascarado, así como las medidas de reflexión. Se constató que para un grado de extracción de 85%, la mayor proporción de taninos, fibras y cenizas ya han sido eliminados. Así, resulta antieconómico desgastar el grano por encima de 65% de extracción, dado que se produce una pérdida excesiva de nutrientes, sin observarse una reducción importante de pigmentos polifenólicos y de aquellos que imparten color a los productos de la molienda

Desarrollo de un alimento de humedad intermedia a partir de extruidos de maíz y soja / Development of a food of intermediate humidity from extracts of corn and soybena

Las mezclas de cereales precocidos y productos oleaginosos tienen uso potencial como suplementos alimenticios de humedad intermedia. A partir de ello, se prepararon y evaluaron varias formulaciones consistentes en extruidos de maíz y soja, azúcar, aceite y leche descremada en polvo. El objetivo principal de nuestro trabajo fue, pues, desarrollar un alimento prototipo con humedad intermedia, estable a temperatura ambiente, de bajo costo y de requerimientos mínimos en el envasado. En este proceso, las materias primas-maíz y soja- fueron modificadas térmica y enzimáticamente. El producto final puede ser suspendido en agua y consumido como una bebida de alto contenido energético-proteínico, ya que fue formulado de modo que su composición proximal fuese similar a la de la leche condensada azucarada