Neoadjuvant Gastric Cancer Treatment and Associated Nutritional Critical Domains for the Optimization of Care Pathways: A Systematic Review.

(1) Background: Gastric cancer patients are known to be at a high risk of malnutrition, sarcopenia, and cachexia, and the latter impairs the patient's nutritional status during their clinical course and also treatment response. A clearer identification of nutrition-related critical points during neoadjuvant treatment for gastric cancer is relevant to managing patient care and predicting clinical outcomes. The aim of this systematic review was to identify and describe nutrition-related critical domains associated with clinical outcomes. (2) Methods: We performed a systematic review (PROSPERO ID:CRD42021266760); (3) Results: This review included 14 studies compiled into three critical domains: patient-related, clinical-related (disease and treatment), and healthcare-related. Body composition changes during neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) accounted for the early termination of chemotherapy and reduced overall survival. Sarcopenia was confirmed to have an independent prognostic value. The role of nutritional interventions during NAC has not been fully explored. (4) Conclusions: Understanding critical domain exposures affecting nutritional status will enable better clinical approaches to optimize care plans. It may also provide an opportunity for the mitigation of poor nutritional status and sarcopenia and their deleterious clinical consequences.

Astrocytic circadian clock control of energy expenditure by transcriptional stress responses in the ventromedial hypothalamus.

Hypothalamic circuits compute systemic information to control metabolism. Astrocytes residing within the hypothalamus directly sense nutrients and hormones, integrating metabolic information, and modulating neuronal responses. Nevertheless, the role of the astrocytic circadian clock on the control of energy balance remains unclear. We used mice with a targeted ablation of the core-clock gene Bmal1 within Gfap-expressing astrocytes to gain insight on the role played by this transcription factor in astrocytes. While this mutation does not substantially affect the phenotype in mice fed normo-caloric diet, under high-fat diet we unmasked a thermogenic phenotype consisting of increased energy expenditure, and catabolism in brown adipose and overall metabolic improvement consisting of better glycemia control, and body composition. Transcriptomic analysis in the ventromedial hypothalamus revealed an enhanced response to moderate cellular stress, including ER-stress response, unfolded protein response and autophagy. We identified Xbp1 and Atf1 as two key transcription factors enhancing cellular stress responses. Therefore, we unveiled a previously unknown role of the astrocytic circadian clock modulating energy balance through the regulation of cellular stress responses within the VMH.

Fatty acid-sensing mechanisms in the hypothalamus of European sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax): The potential role of monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids.

This study aimed to evaluate the hypothalamus fatty acid (FA)-sensing mechanisms response to different FA in European sea bass. For that purpose, fish (body weight of 90 g) were intraperitoneally (IP) injected (time 0 h) with five long-chain unsaturated fatty acids, namely, docosahexaenoic acid (DHA; C22:5n3); eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA; C20:4n3); α-linolenic (ALA; C18:3n3); linoleic acid (LA; C18:2n6) and oleic acid (OA; C18:1n9) at a dose of 300 µg kg-1, or with 0.9% saline solution (control). Feed intake (FI) was recorded at 3, 6, and 24 h after the IP injection. One week later, fish were IP injected with the same FA, and the hypothalamus was collected 3 h after the IP injection for measurement of molecules related to FI regulation and FA-sensing mechanisms. Cumulative FI (g/kg/day) was not affected by treatments. However, compared to the control, FI increased with the OA treatment at 6 h after the IP injection. FI decreased with mealtime in the DHA and LA groups. Gene expression of orexigenic (npy/agrp) and anorexigenic (cart2/pomc1) neurons was not affected by the FA treatments. Attending the enzymes involved in the FA-sensing mechanisms activation, compared to the control carnitine palmitoyltransferase I (CPT1) and ATP citrate lyase (ACLY) activity were not affected by FA treatments. Contrarily the key enzymes of lipid metabolisms, malic enzyme and hydroxyacylCoA dehydrogenase was higher in fish that received the EPA and OA treatment, than fish treated to the control. Overall, the results of the present study indicate that gene expression of orexigenic and anorexigenic neurons was not affected at 3 h after IP injection with different FA. However, the activity of key enzymes of lipid metabolism was differently affected by circulating FA, indicating that FA-sensing mechanisms respond to different FA. Further studies are required involving different sampling times to further characterize the response of FA-sensing mechanisms to FA. These findings may be of relevance to the aquaculture industry in an era where alternative lipid sources are being increasingly used.

Medium-chain fatty acids for the prevention or treatment of Alzheimer's disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

CONTEXT: In preclinical Alzheimer's disease (AD), the brain gradually becomes insulin resistant. As a result, brain glucose utilization is compromised, causing a cellular energy deficit that leads to the accumulation of free radicals, which increases inflammation and damages neurons. When glucose utilization is impaired, ketone bodies offer an alternative energy source. Ketone bodies are synthesized from fats, obtained from either the diet or adipose tissue. Dietary medium-chain fatty acids (MCFAs), which are preferentially metabolized into ketone bodies, have the potential to supply the insulin-resistant brain with energy. OBJECTIVE: This systematic review and meta-analysis aims to review the effect of MCFA supplements on circulating ketone bodies and cognition in individuals with subjective cognitive decline, mild cognitive impairment, and AD. DATA SOURCES: A comprehensive search of electronic databases was performed on August 12, 2019, to retrieve all publications meeting the inclusion criteria. Alerts were then set to identify any publications after the search date up until January 31, 2021. DATA EXTRACTION: Data were extracted by 2 authors and assessed by a third. In total, 410 publications were identified, of which 16 (n = 17 studies) met the inclusion criteria. DATA ANALYSIS: All studies assessing change in levels of blood ketone bodies due to MCFA supplementation (n = 12) reported a significant increase. Cognition outcomes (measured in 13 studies), however, varied, ranging from no improvement (n = 4 studies) to improvement (n = 8 studies) or improvement only in apolipoprotein E allele 4 (APOE ε4) noncarriers (n = 2 studies). One study reported an increase in regional cerebral blood flow in APOE ε4 noncarriers and another reported an increase in energy metabolism in the brain. CONCLUSION: MCFA supplementation increases circulating ketone body levels, resulting in increased brain energy metabolism. Further research is required to determine whether this MCFA-mediated increase in brain energy metabolism improves cognition. SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION: PROSPERO registration number CRD42019146967.

Development of solid-state fermentation process of spent coffee grounds for the differentiated obtaining of chlorogenic, quinic, and caffeic acids.

BACKGROUND: Spent coffee grounds (SCGs) are a good source of chlorogenic acid (CGA), which can be hydrolyzed to quinic acid (QA) and caffeic acid (CA). These molecules have antioxidant and neuroprotective capacities, benefiting human health. The hydrolysis of CGA can be done by biotechnological processes, such as solid-state fermentation (SSF). This work evaluated the use of SSF with Aspergillus sp. for the joint release of the three molecules from SCGs. RESULTS: Hydroalcoholic extraction of the total phenolic compounds (TPCs) from SCGs was optimized, obtaining 28.9 ± 1.97 g gallic acid equivalent (GAE) kg-1 SCGs using 0.67 L ethanol per 1 L, a 1:9 solid/liquid ratio, and a 63 min extraction time. Subsequently, SSF was performed for 30 days, achieving the maximum yields for CGA, QA, and TPCs on the 16th day: 7.12 ± 0.01 g kg-1 , 4.68 ± 0.11 g kg-1 , and 54.96 ± 0.49 g GAE kg-1 respectively. CA reached its maximum value on the 23rd day, at 4.94 ± 0.04 g kg-1 . The maximum antioxidant capacity was 635.7 mmol Trolox equivalents kg-1 on the 14th day. Compared with unfermented SCGs extracts, TPCs and CGA increase their maximum values 2.3-fold, 18.6-fold for CA, 14.2 for QA, and 6.4-fold for antioxidant capacity. Additionally, different extracts' profiles were obtained throughout the SSF process, allowing us to adjust the type of enriched extract to be produced based on the SSF time. CONCLUSION: SSF represents an alternative to produce extracts with different compositions and, consequently, different antioxidant capacities, which is a potentially attractive fermentation process for different applications. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry.

Mothers of children with Down syndrome: a clinical and epidemiological study.

Down syndrome is the main genetic cause of intellectual disability. Many studies describe the clinical characteristics of DS patients; however, few have investigated the clinical profile of mothers who have children with DS. Advanced maternal age (≥ 35 years old) is a risk factor for DS. Although there is an overall increase in pregnancies among women with advanced maternal age, there is still a lack of awareness of the increased risk of aneuploidy. Here, we reported the clinical and epidemiological profile of DS children and their mothers in a public reference hospital in the State of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. For data collection, we performed a face-to-face interview guided by a structured questionnaire with closed-ended questions. A total of 344 individuals, 172 mothers and their DS children, were included in this study. Our results show that 56% of the mothers sampled were ≥ 35 years of age at childbirth. Although 98% of them received prenatal care, only 4% obtained a prenatal diagnosis of DS. Most mothers reported not drinking alcohol or smoking cigarettes during pregnancy. Furthermore, 91% of women took prenatal vitamins and supplements; however, 47% were not aware of their benefits for a healthy pregnancy. Given the strict correlation between advanced maternal age and DS, prenatal care should include genetic counseling for women over 35 years of age. This study highlights the importance of prenatal care and the urgent need for better DS screening allowing for immediate postnatal care, positively impacting the life expectancy of these patients.

Hypermagnesemia in preterm neonates exposed to antenatal magnesium sulfate.

BACKGROUND: One of the possible adverse outcomes of magnesium sulfate (MgSO4) administration for preterm fetal neuroprotection is hypermagnesemia in the newborn. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the association between antenatal MgSO4 administration for neuroprotection and neonatal serum magnesium levels in the first days of life. METHODS: A single-center retrospective case-control study was conducted on preterm neonates born in our institution between January 2017 and December 2019. Prenatal, perinatal, and postnatal parameters were recorded, and demographic information was collected. Comparative analysis between the group of neonates exposed to antenatal MgSO4 and the control group was performed. RESULTS: A total of 98 patients were enrolled in the study, 49 of them were exposed to antenatal MgSO4 for neuroprotection. The serum magnesium levels in the 5 first days of life were higher in the case group, and higher than the normal range of serum magnesium levels (>2.4 mg/dL), with a statistical significance. The number of days needed to normalize serum magnesium levels was higher in the case group compared to the control group (median of 7 days [1-8] versus 2 days [1-5]). CONCLUSIONS: Our findings show that antenatal administration of MgSO4 is associated with high serum magnesium levels in neonates. This group of patients needs close electrolyte monitoring during the first days of life. Parenteral nutrition supplemented with magnesium should only be considered after evaluation of serum magnesium levels.

Solid-state fermented brewer's spent grain enzymatic extract increases in vitro and in vivo feed digestibility in European seabass.

Brewer's spent grain (BSG) is the largest by-product originated from the brewery industry with a high potential for producing carbohydrases by solid-state fermentation. This work aimed to test the efficacy of a carbohydrases-rich extract produced from solid-state fermentation of BSG, to enhance the digestibility of a plant-based diet for European seabass (Dicentrarchus labrax). First, BSG was fermented with A. ibericus to obtain an aqueous lyophilized extract (SSF-BSG extract) and incorporated in a plant-based diet at increasing levels (0-control; 0.1%, 0.2%, and 0.4%). Another diet incorporating a commercial carbohydrases-complex (0.04%; Natugrain; BASF) was formulated. Then, all diets were tested in in vitro and in vivo digestibility assays. In vitro assays, simulating stomach and intestine digestion in European seabass, assessed dietary phosphorus, phytate phosphorus, carbohydrates, and protein hydrolysis, as well as interactive effects between fish enzymes and dietary SSF-BSG extract. After, an in vivo assay was carried out with European seabass juveniles fed selected diets (0-control; 0.1%, and 0.4%). In vitro digestibility assays showed that pentoses release increased 45% with 0.4% SSF-BSG extract and 25% with Natugrain supplemented diets, while amino acids release was not affected. A negative interaction between endogenous fish enzymes and SSF-BSG extract was observed in both diets. The in vivo digestibility assay corroborated in vitro data. Accordingly, the dietary supplementation with 0.4% SSF-BSG increased the digestibility of dry matter, starch, cellulose, glucans, and energy and did not affect protein digestibility. The present work showed the high potential of BSG to produce an added-value functional supplement with high carbohydrases activity and its potential contribution to the circular economy by improving the nutritional value of low-cost and sustainable ingredients that can be included in aquafeeds.

Taurine modulates hepatic oxidative status and gut inflammatory markers of European seabass (Dicentrarchus labrax) fed plant feedstuffs-based diets.

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of taurine (tau) supplementation to low fishmeal (FM) diets on growth performance, oxidative status, and immune response of European seabass juveniles. Four isoproteic (46% crude protein) and isolipidic (19% crude lipid) diets were formulated to contain either 25 or 12.5% FM and a mixture of plant feedstuffs, supplemented or not with 1% tau. Twelve groups of 20 fish (IBW = 9.4 g) were fed each diet for 9 weeks. Reduction of dietary FM from 25 to 12.5% impaired growth performance, feed efficiency, and protein efficiency ratio but had no effect on nitrogen retention (% N intake). Independently of FM level, dietary tau supplementation improved growth performance and nitrogen retention without affecting feed efficiency. Dietary FM level reduction increased liver G6PDH activity, but did not affect lipid peroxidation or activities of redox key enzymes. Contrarily, dietary tau supplementation decreased hepatic G6PDH and GPX activities and lipid peroxidation. Gene expression COX-2 was not affected either by FM or tau levels but TNF-α increased with the reduction of FM level but not with the tau level. Dietary tau supplementation decreased Casp3 and Casp9 expression regardless of dietary FM level. Overall, this study evidenced that dietary tau supplementation improved growth performance and antioxidant response and reduced intestine inflammatory and apoptosis processes.

Vegetable oil and carbohydrate-rich diets marginally affected intestine histomorphology, digestive enzymes activities, and gut microbiota of gilthead sea bream juveniles.

For an increased incorporation of plant ingredients in aquafeeds at the expense of fish meal (FM) and fish oil (FO), more knowledge is needed on the effects at the intestine level of dietary vegetable oils (VO) and carbohydrates (CH), and of possible interactions. For that purpose, in this study, the activities of digestive pancreatic enzymes (amylase, lipase, total alkaline proteases), gut microbiota, and histomorphology were assessed in gilthead sea bream (IBW 71.0 ± 1.5 g) fed four diets differing in lipid source (FO or a blend of VO) and carbohydrate content (0% or 20% gelatinized starch) for 81 days. No major changes in digestive enzyme activities were noticed in fish fed the experimental diets. Dietary VO, but not CH content, modified intestinal microbial profile, by increasing the similarity of bacterial communities. Especially when combined with CH, dietary VO promoted abnormal enterocyte architecture. Liver histology was also accessed, and an increased cytoplasmic vacuolization of hepatocytes was related with dietary CH inclusion, being only significantly different in fish fed FO-based diets. Overall, nutritional interactions between dietary lipid source and carbohydrate content were not observed on digestive enzyme activities and microbial profile. However, the intestine histological modifications observed in fish fed the VOCH+ diet suggest a negative interaction between dietary VO and CH. This requires a more in depth assessment in future studies as it can have negative consequences at a functional level.

[Sociodemographic profile of the homeopathy user in Spain]. / Perfil sociodemográfico del usuario de la homeopatía en España.

OBJECTIVE: To identify the sociodemographic profile of the homeopathy user in Spain. DESIGN: Quantitative study. LOCATION: Spain. CORPUS: The Centre for Sociological Research database (Study 3205, February 2018), with a total of 2,486 interviews, and the sub-sample that includes all patients who have claimed to use homeopathy in Spain in the last 12 months (n=124). MAIN MEASUREMENTS: The percentages, means and/or standard deviation of the factors were calculated, as well as the significance of the changes in the different variables analysed in the general population, and the specific users of homeopathy in Spain. This was determined by the variance analysis or Pearson's χ2 test, depending on the nature of the variable in the study. RESULTS: The homeopathy user-type profile in Spain is a woman, of middle/high social status, with higher university studies, and with a progressive political ideology. CONCLUSIONS: The Spanish profile is similar to that in other international studies.

Nutritional history does not modulate hepatic oxidative status of European sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax) submitted to handling stress.

The aim of the present study was to assess the impact of an acute handling stress on hepatic oxidative status of European sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax) juveniles fed diets differing in lipid so urce and carbohydrate content. For that purpose, four diets were formulated with fish oil (FO) and vegetable oils (VO) as lipid source and with 20 or 0% gelatinized starch as carbohydrate source. Triplicate groups of fish with 74 g were fed each diet during 13 weeks and then subjected to an acute handling stress. Stress exposure decreased hematocrit (Ht) and hemoglobin (Hb) levels. Independent of dietary treatment, stress exposure increased hepatic lipid peroxidation (LPO). Stressed fish exhibited lower glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD), catalase (CAT), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities, independent of previous nutritional history. In the VO groups, stress exposure increased glutathione peroxidase (GPX) activity. Diet composition had no effect on Ht and Hb levels. In contrast, dietary carbohydrate decreased hepatic LPO and CAT activity and increased glutathione reductase (GR) and G6PD activities. Dietary lipids had no effect on LPO. Fish fed the VO diets exhibited higher G6PD activity than fish fed the FO diets. In conclusion, dietary carbohydrates contributed to the reduction of oxidative stress in fish. However, under the imposed handling stress conditions, liver enzymatic antioxidant mechanisms were not enhanced, which may explain the overall increased oxidative stress.

Dietary Lipid and Carbohydrate Interactions: Implications on Lipid and Glucose Absorption, Transport in Gilthead Sea Bream (Sparus aurata) Juveniles.

A digestibility trial was performed with gilthead sea bream juveniles (IBW = 72 g) fed four diets differing in lipid source (fish oil, FO; or a blend of vegetable oil, VO) and starch content (0 %, CH-; or 20 %, CH+) to evaluate the potential interactive effects between carbohydrates and VO on the processes involved in digestion, absorption and transport of lipids and glucose. In fish fed VO diets a decrease in lipid digestibility and in cholesterol (C), High Density Lipoprotein(HDL)-C and Low Density Lipoprotein (LDL)-C (only in CH+ group) were recorded. Contrarily, dietary starch induced postprandial hyperglycemia and time related alterations on serum triacylglycerol (TAG), phospholipid (PL) and C concentrations. Fish fed a CH+ diet presented lower serum TAG than CH- group at 6 h post-feeding, and the reverse was observed at 12 h post-feeding for TAG and PL. Lower serum C and PL at 6 h post-feeding were recorded only in VOCH+ group. No differences between groups were observed in hepatic and intestinal transcript levels of proteins involved in lipid transport and hydrolysis (FABP, DGAT, GPAT, MTP, LPL, LCAT). Lower transcript levels of proteins related to lipid transport (ApoB, ApoA1, FABP2) were observed in the intestine of fish fed the CH+ diet, but remained unchanged in the liver. Overall, transcriptional mechanisms involved in lipid transport and absorption were not linked to changes in lipid serum and digestibility. Dietary starch affected lipid absorption and transport, probably due to a delay in lipid absorption. This study suggests that a combination of dietary VO and starch may negatively affect cholesterol absorption and transport.

Prebiotics effect on immune and hepatic oxidative status and gut morphology of white sea bream (Diplodus sargus).

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of short-chain fructooligosaccharides (scFOS), xylooligosaccharides (XOS) and galactooligosaccharides (GOS) on immune and hepatic oxidative status, and gut morphology of white sea bream juveniles. Four diets were formulated: a control diet with fish meal (FM) and plant feedstuffs (PF) (30FM:70PF) and three test diets similar to the control but supplemented with 1% of scFOS, XOS or GOS. Dietary prebiotic incorporation did not affect total blood cell counts, hematocrit, hemoglobin, red blood indices or differential white blood cell counts. Fish fed GOS had lower ACH50 and nitric oxide than fish fed control diet. XOS enhanced immune status through the increase in alternative complement pathway (ACH50), lysozyme and total immunoglobulin. The higher activity of glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase in fish fed FOS compared to the other dietary groups was the only related antioxidant enzyme affected by prebiotics in the liver. GOS ameliorated the precocious adverse effects of PF based diet on gut histomorphology, as denoted by the lower incidence of histological alterations in fish fed GOS for 15 days. In conclusion, XOS and GOS at 1% might have potential to be used as prebiotics in white sea bream juveniles.

Effects of fish oil replacement by vegetable oil blend on digestive enzymes and tissue histomorphology of European sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax) juveniles.

The impact of replacing circa 70% fish oil (FO) by a vegetable oil (VO) blend (rapeseed, linseed, palm oils; 20:50:30) in diets for European sea bass juveniles (IBW 96 ± 0.8 g) was evaluated in terms of activities of digestive enzymes (amylase, lipase, alkaline phosphatase, trypsin and total alkaline proteases) in the anterior (AI) and posterior (PI) intestine and tissue morphology (pyloric caeca-PC, AI, PI, distal intestine-DI and liver). For that purpose, fish were fed the experimental diets for 36 days and then liver and intestine were sampled at 2, 6 and 24 h after the last meal. Alkaline protease characterization was also done in AI and PI at 6 h post-feeding. Dietary VO promoted higher alkaline phosphatase activity at 2 h post-feeding in the AI and at all sampling points in the PI. Total alkaline protease activity was higher at 6 h post-feeding in the PI of fish fed the FO diet. Identical number of bands was observed in zymograms of alkaline proteases of fish fed both diets. No alterations in the histomorphology of PC, AI, PI or DI were noticed in fish fed the VO diets, while in the liver a tendency towards increased hepatocyte vacuolization due to lipid accumulation was observed. Overall, and with the exception of a higher intestine alkaline phosphatase activity, 70% FO replacement by a VO blend in diets for European sea bass resulted in no distinctive alterations on the postprandial pattern of digestive enzyme activities and intestine histomorphology.

Dietary carbohydrate and lipid sources affect differently the oxidative status of European sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax) juveniles.

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of dietary lipid source and carbohydrate content on the oxidative status of European sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax) juveniles. For that purpose, four diets were formulated with fish oil (FO) and vegetable oils (VO) as the lipid source and with 20 or 0 % gelatinised starch as the carbohydrate source, in a 2×2 factorial design. Liver and intestine antioxidant enzyme activities (catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPX), glutathione reductase (GR), glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD)), hepatic and intestinal lipid peroxidation (LPO), as well as hepatic oxidative stress index (OSI), were measured in fish fed the experimental diets for 73 d (n 9 fish/diet). Carbohydrate-rich diets promoted a decrease in hepatic LPO and OSI, whereas the lipid source induced no changes. Inversely, dietary lipid source, but not dietary carbohydrate concentration, affected LPO in the intestine. Lower intestinal LPO was observed in VO groups. Enzymes responsive to dietary treatments were GR, G6PD and CAT in the liver and GR and GPX in the intestine. Dietary carbohydrate induced GR and G6PD activities and depressed CAT activity in the liver. GPX and GR activities were increased in the intestine of fish fed VO diets. Overall, effects of diet composition on oxidative status were tissue-related: the liver and intestine were strongly responsive to dietary carbohydrates and lipid sources, respectively. Furthermore, different metabolic routes were more active to deal with the oxidative stress in the two organs studied.

Dietary carbohydrate and lipid source affect cholesterol metabolism of European sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax) juveniles.

Plant feedstuffs (PF) are rich in carbohydrates, which may interact with lipid metabolism. Thus, when considering dietary replacement of fishery by-products with PF, knowledge is needed on how dietary lipid source (LS) and carbohydrates affect lipid metabolism and other metabolic pathways. For that purpose, a 73-d growth trial was performed with European sea bass juveniles (IBW 74 g) fed four diets differing in LS (fish oil (FO) or a blend of vegetable oils (VO)) and carbohydrate content (0 % (CH-) or 20 % (CH+) gelatinised starch). At the end of the trial no differences among diets were observed on growth and feed utilisation. Protein efficiency ratio was, however, higher in the CH+ groups. Muscle and liver fatty acid profiles reflected the dietary LS. Dietary carbohydrate promoted higher plasma cholesterol and phospholipids (PL), whole-body and hepatic (mainly 16 : 0) lipids and increased muscular and hepatic glycogen. Except for PL, which were higher in the FO groups, no major alterations between FO and VO groups were observed on plasma metabolites (glucose, TAG, cholesterol, PL), liver and muscle glycogen, and lipid and cholesterol contents. Activities of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase and malic enzyme - lipogenesis-related enzymes - increased with carbohydrate intake. Hepatic expression of genes involved in cholesterol metabolism was up-regulated with carbohydrate (HMGCR and CYP3A27) and VO (HMGCR and CYP51A1) intake. No dietary regulation of long-chain PUFA biosynthesis at the transcriptional level was observed. Overall, very few interactions between dietary carbohydrates and LS were observed. However, important insights on the direct relation between dietary carbohydrate and the cholesterol biosynthetic pathway in European sea bass were demonstrated.

Gastroprotective potential of frutalin, a D-galactose binding lectin, against ethanol-induced gastric lesions.

The present study was designed to verify whether frutalin (FTL) affords gastroprotection against the ethanol-induced gastric damage and to examine the underlying mechanism(s). Gastric damage was induced by intragastric administration of 0.2 ml of ethanol (96%). Mice in groups were pretreated with FTL (0.25, 0.5 and 1 mg/kg; i.p.), cimetidine (100 mg/kg; p.o.), or vehicle (0.9% of NaCl, 10 mL/kg; p.o.), 30 min before ethanol administration. They were sacrificed 30 min later, the stomachs excised, and the mucosal lesion area (mm²) measured by planimetry. Gastroprotection was assessed in relation to inhibition of gastric lesion area. To study the gastroprotective mechanism(s), its relations to capsaicin-sensitive fibers, endogenous prostaglandins, nitric oxide, sulphydryls, ATP-sensitive potassium channels, adrenoceptors, opioid receptors and calcium channels were analyzed. Treatments effects on ethanol-associated oxidative stress markers GSH and MDA were measured in gastric tissue. FTL afforded a dose-unrelated gastroprotection against the ethanol damage. However, it failed to prevent the ethanol-induced changes in the levels of GSH and MDA. It was observed that the gastroprotection by FTL was greatly reduced in animals pretreated with capsazepine, indomethacin, L-NAME or glibenclamide. Considering the results, it is suggested that the FTL could probably be a good therapeutic agent for the development of new medicine for the treatment of gastric ulcer.

Mechanical and acid root treatment on periodontally affected human teeth: a scanning electronic microscopy

Aim: To evaluate the root topography of human teeth affected by periodontitis, after different root surface treatments. Methods: Forty-two periodontally affected single-rooted human teeth were selected and randomly divided into 7 groups (n=6): Cont- control group, which received no treatment; Sca- root surface scaling and root planning with curettes; ScaPh- Sca followed by 37%phosphoric acid gel etching for 15 s; ScaEdta- Sca followed by 24% EDTA gel pH 7 for 1 min; ScaCi- Sca followed by 30% citric acid pH 1.6 for 5 min; ScaTe- Sca followed by - mixture obtained by 500 mg tetracycline capsule dissolved in saline solution for 3 min; ScaTeg- Sca followed by 0.2 g/mL tetracycline gel pH 1.8 for 1 min. The specimens were analyzed by scanning electronic microscopy to verify the presence of calculus, demineralization level and residues of the product. Results: Calculus deposits were found in all control specimens. ScaEdta, ScaCi and ScaTeg removed completely calculus deposits and resulted in adequate demineralization without smear layer and smear plug on root surface. ScaTe produced great tetracycline residues with several demineralization areas on root dentin surface. Conclusions: ScaEdta, ScaCi and ScaTeg produced clean root surfaces associated with regular dentin demineralization.

Efeito de diferentes tratamentos do substrato dental na resistência adesiva e fixação de restaurações indiretas associada a adesivo auto-condicionante / Effect of different treatments of the dental substrate on the ultimate bond strength of indirect restorations associated to a self-etching adhesive

Este trabalho avaliou a resistência adesiva (µTBS) na fixação de restaurações indiretas por meio de cimento resinoso e adesivo auto-condicionante sob influência de diferentes tratamentos prévios de esmalte e dentina. Trinta incisivos bovinos foram extraídos e tiveram suas raízes cortadas na junção cemento-esmalte. A superfície vestibular dos dentes foi lixada até exposição de dentina superficial, padronizando a formação de smear layer. As amostras foram divididas aleatoriamente em três grupos (n=10): G1: aplicação do adesivo auto-condicionante One up Bond F (OB), seguindo as instruções do fabricante; G2:condicionamento com ácido fosfórico à 37% em esmalte e dentina seguindo aplicação de (OB); G3: jateamento com óxido de alumínio 50µm em esmalte e dentina previamente à aplicação de (OB). Restaurações indiretas com resina composta foram fixadas usando cimento resinoso dual e as amostras foram cortadas com área adesiva de aproximadamente 1,0 mm² em três regiões: esmalte (E), dentina periférica (DP) e dentina central (DC). Foram submetidas a ensaio de microtração em máquina de ensaio mecânico em velocidade de 0,5mm/min. Após fratura, as amostras foram analisadas em Microscopia Eletrônica de Varredura (MEV) para avaliação do padrão de fratura. Os valores de (µTBS) foram expressos em MPa e os dados foram analisados em ANOVA seguido por teste Tukey (p<0,05). Os resultados foram: E/G2: 30,4±11,9a; E/G3: 16,0±8,9b; E/G1: 15,8±5,8b; DP/G1: 24,2±12,1a; DP/G3: 15,2±7,1b; DP/G2: 15,0±9,8b; DC/G1: 17,3±10,4a; DC/G3: 11,6±3,5b; DC/G2: 11,4±5,2b. O jateamento não aumentos os valores de (µTBS). O prévio condicionamento ácido aumentou a resistência adesiva em esmalte e diminuiu em dentina.