Association between the expression of TLR4, TLR2, and MyD88 with low-grade chronic inflammation in individuals with metabolically healthy obesity.

BACKGROUND: Among the Toll-like receptors (TLR) that are dependent of myeloid response protein (MyD88), the TLR4 and TLR2 are directly associated with low-grade chronic inflammation; however, they are not been investigated in subjects with metabolically healthy obesity (MHO). Thus, the objective of this study was to determine the association between the expression of TLR4, TLR2, and MyD88 with low-grade chronic inflammation in individuals with MHO. METHODS AND RESULTS: Men and women with obesity aged 20 to 55 years were enrolled in a cross-sectional study. Individuals with MHO were allocated into the groups with and without low-grade chronic inflammation. Pregnancy, smoking, alcohol consumption, intense physical activity or sexual intercourse in the previous 72 h, diabetes, high blood pressure, cancer, thyroid disease, acute or chronic infections, renal impairment, and hepatic diseases, were exclusion criteria. The MHO phenotype was defined by a body mass index (BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2) plus one or none of the following cardiovascular risk factors: hyperglycemia, elevated blood pressure, hypertriglyceridemia, and low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol. A total of 64 individuals with MHO were enrolled and allocated into the groups with (n = 37) and without (n = 27) inflammation. The multiple logistic regression analysis indicated that TLR2 expression is significantly associated with inflammation in individuals with MHO. In the subsequent analysis adjusted by BMI, TLR2 expression remained associated with inflammation in individuals with MHO. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that overexpression of TLR2, but not TLR4 and MyD88, is associated with low-grade chronic inflammation in subjects with MHO.

Association of the triglycerides and glucose index and the homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance with lipoprotein(a), apolipoprotein AI, and apolipoprotein B concentrations in children with normal-weight.

The aim of this study was to compare the association of the triglycerides and glucose (TyG) index and homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) with lipoprotein(a) (lp[a]), apolipoprotein AI (apoAI), and apoliprotein B (apoB) concentrations in children with normal-weight. Children with normal weight aged 6-10 years and Tanner 1 stage were included in a cross-sectional study. Underweight, overweight, obesity, smoking, alcohol intake, pregnancy, acute or chronic illnesses, and any kind of pharmacological treatment were exclusion criteria. According to the lp(a) levels, children were allocated into the groups with elevated concentrations and normal values. A total of 181 children with normal weight and an average age of 8.4 ± 1.4 years were enrolled in the study. The TyG index showed a positive correlation with lp(a) and apoB in the overall population (r = 0.161 and r = 0.351, respectively) and boys (r = 0.320 and r = 0.401, respectively), but only with apoB in the girls (r = 0.294); while the HOMA-IR had a positive correlation with lp(a) levels in the overall population (r = 0.213) and boys (r = 0.328). The linear regression analysis showed that the TyG index is associated with lp(a) and apoB in the overall population (B = 20.72; 95%CI 2.03-39.41 and B = 27.25; 95%CI 16.51-37.98, respectively) and boys (B = 40.19; 95%CI 14.50-65.7 and B = 29.60; 95%CI 15.03-44.17, respectively), but only with apoB in the girls (B = 24.22; 95%CI 7.90-40.53). The HOMA-IR is associated with lp(a) in the overall population (B = 5.37; 95%CI 1.74-9.00) and boys (B = 9.63; 95%CI 3.65-15.61).   Conclusion: The TyG index is associated with both lp(a) and apoB in children with normal-weight. What is Known: • The triglycerides and glucose index has been positively associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease in adults. What is New: • The triglycerides and glucose index is strongly associated with lipoprotein(a) and apolipoprotein B in children with normal-weight. • The triglycerides and glucose index may be a useful tool to identify cardiovascular risk in children with normal-weight.

The Triglycerides and Glucose Index is Negatively Associated with Insulin Secretion in Young Adults with Normal Weight.

Several studies have supported the usefulness of the triglycerides and glucose (TyG) index as a surrogate measure of insulin resistance; however, it has not been evaluated in insulin secretion. The aim of this study was to assess the association between the TyG index and insulin secretion in young adults with normal weight. Apparently healthy non-pregnant women and men, aged 18 to 23 years, were enrolled in a cross-sectional study. Overweight, obesity, pregnancy, smoking, alcohol consumption, diabetes, liver disease, renal disease, cardiovascular disease, and neoplasia were the exclusion criteria. Normal weight was defined by a body mass index (BMI)≥18.5<25.0 kg/m2 and the TyG index was calculated as the Ln [fasting triglycerides (mg/dl) x fasting glucose (mg/dl)]/2. A total of 1676 young adults with normal-weight, 1141 (68%) women, and 535 (32%) men were enrolled. Of them, 269 (16%) individuals exhibited insulin resistance; 213 (12.7%) women and 56 (3.3%) men. The linear regression analysis adjusted by gender, BMI, and waist circumference showed a significant association between the TyG index and HOMA-B (B=-35.90; 95% CI:-68.25 to-3.54, p=0.03) in the overall population. An additional analysis adjusted by BMI and waist circumference revealed that the TyG index is significantly associated with HOMA-B in subjects with and without insulin resistance (B=-104.73; 95% CI:-204.28 to-5.18, p=0.03 and B=-74.72; 95% CI:-108.04 to-41.40, p<0.001). The results of this study showed that the TyG index is negatively associated with insulin secretion in young adults with normal weight.

The relevance of magnesium homeostasis in COVID-19.

PURPOSE: In less than one and a half year, the COVID-19 pandemic has nearly brought to a collapse our health care and economic systems. The scientific research community has concentrated all possible efforts to understand the pathogenesis of this complex disease, and several groups have recently emphasized recommendations for nutritional support in COVID-19 patients. In this scoping review, we aim at encouraging a deeper appreciation of magnesium in clinical nutrition, in view of the vital role of magnesium and the numerous links between the pathophysiology of SARS-CoV-2 infection and magnesium-dependent functions. METHODS: By searching PubMed and Google Scholar from 1990 to date, we review existing evidence from experimental and clinical studies on the role of magnesium in chronic non-communicable diseases and infectious diseases, and we focus on recent reports of alterations of magnesium homeostasis in COVID-19 patients and their association with disease outcomes. Importantly, we conduct a census on ongoing clinical trials specifically dedicated to disclosing the role of magnesium in COVID-19. RESULTS: Despite many methodological limitations, existing data seem to corroborate an association between deranged magnesium homeostasis and COVID-19, and call for further and better studies to explore the prophylactic or therapeutic potential of magnesium supplementation. CONCLUSION: We propose to reconsider the relevance of magnesium, frequently overlooked in clinical practice. Therefore, magnesemia should be monitored and, in case of imbalanced magnesium homeostasis, an appropriate nutritional regimen or supplementation might contribute to protect against SARS-CoV-2 infection, reduce severity of COVID-19 symptoms and facilitate the recovery after the acute phase.

Recommendation on an updated standardization of serum magnesium reference ranges.

PURPOSE: Serum magnesium is the most frequently used laboratory test for evaluating clinical magnesium status. Hypomagnesemia (low magnesium status), which is associated with many chronic diseases, is diagnosed using the serum magnesium reference range. Currently, no international consensus for a magnesemia normal range exists. Two independent groups designated 0.85 mmol/L (2.07 mg/dL; 1.7 mEq/L) as the low cut-off point defining hypomagnesemia. MaGNet discussions revealed differences in serum magnesium reference ranges used by members' hospitals and laboratories, presenting an urgent need for standardization. METHODS: We gathered and compared serum magnesium reference range values from our institutions, hospitals, and colleagues worldwide. RESULTS: Serum magnesium levels designating "hypomagnesemia" differ widely. Of 43 collected values, only 2 met 0.85 mmol/L as the low cut-off point to define hypomagnesemia. The remainder had lower cut-off values, which may underestimate hypomagnesemia diagnosis in hospital, clinical, and research assessments. Current serum magnesium reference ranges stem from "normal" populations, which unknowingly include persons with chronic latent magnesium deficit (CLMD). Serum magnesium levels of patients with CLMD fall within widely used "normal" ranges, but their magnesium status is too low for long-term health. The lower serum magnesium reference (0.85 mmol/L) proposed specifically prevents the inclusion of patients with CLMD. CONCLUSIONS: Widely varying serum magnesium reference ranges render our use of this important medical tool imprecise, minimizing impacts of low magnesium status or hypomagnesemia as a marker of disease risk. To appropriately diagnose, increase awareness of, and manage magnesium status, it is critical to standardize lower reference values for serum magnesium at 0.85 mmol/L (2.07 mg/dL; 1.7 mEq/L).

Hyperuricemia is Associated with the Presence of Metabolically Obese Normal-Weight and Metabolically Healthy Obese Phenotypes.

BACKGROUND: It is well-recognized that hyperuricemia is a common abnormality among individuals with metabolic syndrome. AIMS: The objective of this study was to determine whether hyperuricemia is associated with the metabolically obese normal-weight (MONW) and metabolically healthy obese (MHO) phenotypes. METHODS: Men and women equal or greater than 18 years of age were enrolled in a cross-sectional study. Normal-weight subjects were allocated into the MONW or healthy normal-weight (HNW) groups; while obese individuals were divided into the MHO and metabolically unhealthy obese (MUO) subgroups. MONW phenotype was defined by body mass index (BMI) <25.0 kg/m2 accompanied by at least one cardiovascular risk factor (hyperglycemia, elevated blood pressure, hypertriglyceridemia, and low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol), and MHO phenotype was considered in obese subjects (BMI ≥30 kg/m2) without metabolic abnormalities. RESULTS: A total of 567 individuals were enrolled; of them, normal-weight subjects were allocated into the MONW (n = 101) and control (n = 72) groups, whereas obese individuals into the MHO (n = 61) and MUO (n = 333) groups. The multiple logistic regression analysis adjusted by age, gender, and body mass index revealed that hyperuricemia is significantly associated with MONW (OR = 5.14; 95% CI: 1.37-19.29) and MHO (OR = 0.34; 95% CI: 0.14-0.82) phenotypes. CONCLUSION: Results of our study showed that hyperuricemia is associated with both MONW and MHO phenotypes.

The Triglycerides and Glucose Index Is Associated with Mild Cognitive Impairment in Older Adults.

BACKGROUND: It has been reported that insulin resistance is related to cognitive decline. The triglycerides and glucose (TyG) index, is a reliable and inexpensive surrogate test for detecting insulin resistance. AIMS: The goal of this study was to evaluate the association between the TyG index and the mild cognitive impairment (MCI) in older adults. METHODS: A total of 135 individuals, men and women aged 60 to 90 years, were enrolled in a case and control study. Individuals with a diagnosis of MCI (n = 65) were allocated into the case group and compared with individuals without MCI (n = 70) in the control group. Alcohol intake, diabetes duration ≥5 years, diagnoses of cerebrovascular disease, brain injury, folic acid deficiency, dementia, moderate or severe CI, major depressive disorders, and thyroid disease were exclusion criteria. RESULTS: Individuals in the case group exhibited higher waist circumference (97.9 ± 13.9 versus 93.5 ± 13.0, p = .001) and TyG index (5.0 ± 0.3 versus 4.1 ± 0.2, p = .001) than individuals in the control group. The TyG index ≥4.68 (OR 6.91; 95% CI 2.05-11.68) and waist circumference (OR 1.03; 95% CI 1.01-1.06) were positively associated with MCI, while education level (OR 0.44; 95% CI 0.30-0.61), occupation (OR 0.75; 95% CI 0.59-0.61), and exercise (OR 0.34; 95% CI 0.22-0.52) were inversely associated with MCI. After controlling for sex, age, waist circumference, education level, occupation, and exercise, a TyG index ≥4.68 remained significantly associated with MCI (OR 2.97; 95% CI 1.12-14.71). CONCLUSION: The TyG index is independently associated with the presence of MCI in older people.

The Fat-to-Lean Mass Ratio Is Associated with Hyperinsulinemia in Healthy Mexican Adolescents.

Objective: To evaluate whether the Fat-to-Lean Mass (FyM) ratio is associated to hyperinsulinemia in healthy adolescents.Methods: Apparently healthy adolescents aged 10 to 15 years that according to sex, age, and percentiles of body fat percent, were included and allocated into the groups with elevated (body fat percent ≥85 percentile) and normal total body fat (body fat percent <85 percentile). The FyM ratio was calculated as total lean mass (kg)/total body fat (kg) and hyperinsulinemia was defined by fasting insulin levels ≥20 µUI/mL.Results: A total of 1,299 adolescents, 665 (51.9%) girls and 634 (48.1%) boys, were enrolled and allocated into the groups with high (n = 439) and normal (n = 860) body fat. The FyM index remained significantly associated with hyperinsulinemia (OR 5.58; 95%CI: 1.54-28.10) after logistic regression analysis adjusted by sex, age, body-weight, body mass index, and waist circumference.Conclusion: The FyM index is highly associated to the presence of hyperinsulinemia in adolescents, emerging as a useful tool from anthropometric measurements for identify insulin abnormalities.

The triglycerides and glucose index is strongly associated with hepatic steatosis in children with overweight or obesity.

Given the worldwide increase prevalence of overweight, obesity, and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), the objective of this study was to evaluate whether the triglycerides and glucose (TyG) index is associated with hepatic steatosis in children with overweight or obesity. Apparently healthy children aged 5­17 years were included and allocated into the groups with and without hepatic steatosis. The TyG index was calculated as Ln [fasting triglycerides (mg/dL) × fasting glucose (mg/dL)]/2. Hepatic steatosis was diagnosed by ultrasonography. A total of 177 children, 66 (37.3%) girls and 111 (62.7%) boys, were included in the study. According to the hepatic ultrasonography, they were allocated into the groups with (n = 100) and without (n = 77) hepatic steatosis. The adjusted analysis by gender, body mass index, and waist circumference revealed that HDL-C (OR 0.96; 95% CI: 0.93-0.99), triglycerides (OR 1.005; 95% CI: 1.001-1.009), AST (OR 1.03; 95% CI: 1.008-1.07), ALT (OR 1.03; 95% CI: 1.01-1.05), and TyG index (OR 4.07; 95% CI: 1.26-13.15) remained associated with hepatic steatosis.Conclusion: Compared to other biochemical markers, the TyG index is highly associated with the presence of fatty liver in children with overweight and obesity. What is known: • The triglycerides and glucose (TyG) index is effective in predicting high risk for incident nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in adults. What is new: • Compared to other biochemical markers, the TyG index is highly associated with the presence of fatty liver in children with overweight or obesity. • The triglycerides and glucose index may be a useful tool to detect children at high risk of fatty liver.

Effects of physical exercise on baroreflex sensitivity and renal sympathetic nerve activity in chronic nicotine-treated rats.

Chronic nicotine exposure may increase cardiovascular risk by impairing the cardiac autonomic function. Besides, physical exercise (PE) has shown to improve cardiovascular health. Thus, we aimed to investigate the effects of PE on baroreflex sensitivity (BRS), heart rate variability (HRV), and sympathetic nerve activity (SNA) in chronically nicotine-exposed rats. Male Wistar rats were assigned to four independent groups: Control (treated with saline solution), Control+Ex (treated with saline and submitted to treadmill training), Nicotine (treated with Nicotine), and Nicotine+Ex (treated with nicotine and submitted to treadmill training). Nicotine (1 mg·kg-1) was administered daily for 28 consecutive days. PE consisted of running exercise (60%-70% of maximal aerobic capacity) for 45 min, 5 days per week, for 4 weeks. At the end of the protocol, cardiac BRS, HRV, renal SNA (rSNA), and renal BRS were assessed. Nicotine treatment decreased absolute values of HRV indexes, increased low frequency/high frequency ratio of HRV, reduced the bradycardic and sympatho-inhibitory baroreceptor reflex responses, and reduced the rSNA. PE effectively restored time-domain HRV indexes, the bradycardic and sympatho-inhibitory reflex responses, and the rSNA in chronic nicotine-treated rats. PE was effective in preventing the deterioration of time-domain parameters of HRV, arterial baroreceptor dysfunction, and the rSNA after nicotine treatment.

Beneficial Effects of Plant-Derived Natural Products on Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease.

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease is becoming in one of the most prevalent liver diseases that leads to liver transplantation. This health problem is a multisystem disease with a complex pathogenesis that involves liver, adipose tissue, gut, and muscle. Although several pharmacological agents have been investigated to prevent or treat non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, currently there is no effective treatment for the management of this chronic liver disease. Nonetheless, the use of natural products has emerged as a alternative therapeutic for the treatment of hepatic diseases, including non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, due to its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antidiabetic, insulin-sensitizing, antiobesity, hypolipidemic, and hepatoprotective properties. In the present review, we have discussed the evidence from experimental and clinical studies regarding the potential beneficial effects of plant-derived natural products (quercetin, resveratrol, berberine, pomegranate, curcumin, cinnamon, green tea, coffee, garlic, ginger, ginseng, and gingko biloba) for the treatment or prevention of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.

Lipoprotein(a) and Hyperinsulinemia in Healthy Normal-weight, Prepubertal Mexican Children.

Background. Given the numerous gaps in our knowledge about the biological interactions of lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)], we determined whether Lp(a) was associated with hyperinsulinemia in healthy normal-weight, prepubertal children.Methods. A total of 131 healthy normal-weight Mexican children aged 6 to 9 years at Tanner stage 1 who were born appropriate for gestational age were enrolled in a case-control study. Children with hyperinsulinemia were allocated into the case group (n = 32), and children with normal insulin levels were allocated into the control group (n = 99). Birth weight, age, and body mass index were matching criteria. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to compute the odds ratio (OR) between Lp(a) and both hyperinsulinemia and insulin resistance. Furthermore, a multivariate linear regression analysis was performed to evaluate the association between Lp(a) and both insulin levels and HOMA-IR. Both models were adjusted by sex, age, birth weight, and body mass index.Results. The median (25-75 percentile) serum levels of Lp(a) [20.0 (13.7-29.6) versus 14.6 (10.6-26.7) mg/dL, p = .003] and insulin [24.5 (6.0-30) versus 7.9 (4.3-9.0) µU/L, p < .0005] were higher in the case group than in the control group. The logistic regression analysis showed that Lp(a) was associated with hyperinsulinemia (OR 5.86; 95%CI 2.5-13.6, p < .0005) and insulin resistance (OR 2.01; 95%CI 1.1-9.9, p = .004). In addition, the linear regression analysis showed a significant association between serum Lp(a) and insulin levels (ß 11.1; 95%CI 1.8-10.9, p < .0001) and the HOMA-IR index (ß 2.606; 95%CI 2.3-2.9, p < .0005).Conclusion. Lp(a) was associated with hyperinsulinemia and insulin resistance in healthy normal-weight, prepubertal children.

Zinc deficiency is an independent risk factor for prehypertension in healthy subjects.

Objective: To assess whether zinc deficiency is associated with prehypertension (preHTN) in apparently healthy subjects. Design: Apparently healthy women and men, aged 20 to 60 years were enrolled into a case-control study. Individuals with and without preHTN were allocated into the case and control groups, respectively. Hypertension, liver disease, renal disease, smoking, pregnancy, diabetes, malignancy, hypernatremia, hypomagnesemia, medical treatment, and use of supplements containing zinc were exclusion criteria. PreHTN was defined by systolic blood pressure (SBP) and/or diastolic blood pressure (DBP) of 120-139 mmHg and/or of 80-89 mmHg, respectively, and the zinc deficiency by serum zinc levels < 74 µg/dL in men and < 70 µg/dL in women. Results: In total, 142 subjects (90 women and 52 men) were enrolled and allocated in the case (n = 71) and control (n = 71) groups. In the overall population, the frequency of zinc deficiency was 11.1%; individuals in the case group showed significant higher frequency of zinc deficiency as compared with the control group (16.9% vs 5.5%, p = 0.04). The logistic regression analysis showed a significant association between zinc deficiency and preHTN (OR = 4.61; 95% CI: 1.24-17.12, p = 0.02). Conclusion: Our results suggest that zinc deficiency is associated with the presence of preHTN in apparently healthy subjects.

Medical research at the Mexican Institute of Social Security: Seven decades of work, achievements, and challenges.

Since its foundation, more than 75 years ago, the Mexican Institute of Social Security (IMSS) has carried out multidisciplinary research -biomedical, clinical and epidemiological- focused on understanding and solving the medical problems that afflict its beneficiaries (more than 50% of the Mexican population). Initially, research was the result of individual and isolated efforts. In the 1960s, a small number of researchers formed the first research groups. Currently, 240 full-time scientists work at five centers and 40 research units located in different states of Mexico. In addition, approximately 270 doctors carry out clinical research at different primary, secondary and tertiary care units. During these seven decades, IMSS scientists have made relevant contributions to medicine, which have not only helped increase knowledge on the etiopathogenesis of numerous diseases, but also their diagnosis, prognosis and treatment. This article presents an overview of medical research carried out at IMSS, based on a historical approach and a review of some of the most relevant contributions in different fields of research.

Desde su fundación, hace más de 75 años, el Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social (IMSS) realiza investigación multidisciplinaria ­biomédica, clínica y epidemiológica­ enfocada a entender y resolver los problemas médicos que aquejan a sus derechohabientes (más de 50 % de la población mexicana). En un inicio, la investigación fue resultado de esfuerzos individuales y aislados. En la década de 1960, un número reducido de investigadores conformó los primeros grupos de investigación. Actualmente, 240 científicos de tiempo completo trabajan en cinco centros y 40 unidades de investigación ubicados en distintos estados de México. Además, aproximadamente 270 médicos efectúan investigación clínica en las distintas unidades de primer, segundo y tercer nivel de atención. Durante estas siete décadas, los científicos del IMSS han realizado aportaciones relevante para la medicina, las cuales no solo han ayudado a incrementar el conocimiento acerca de la etiopatogenia de numerosas enfermedades, sino también al diagnóstico, pronóstico y tratamiento de ellas. En este artículo se presenta un panorama general sobre la investigación médica que se desarrolla en el IMSS, a partir de un enfoque histórico y de la revisión de algunas de las contribuciones más relevantes en los distintos campos de la investigación.

The triglyceride and glucose index is a useful biomarker to recognize glucose disorders in apparently healthy children and adolescents.

It has been suggested that the triglyceride and glucose (TyG) index is an early indicator for type 2 diabetes (T2D) in adults. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate whether the TyG index is useful in the screening of glucose disorders (GD) in apparently healthy children and adolescents. Eligible participants were apparently healthy children and adolescents. Individuals with new diagnosis of GD were allocated into the study groups with impaired fasting glucose (IFG), impaired glucose tolerance (IGT), and T2D. Participants with normal glucose tolerance (NGT) were the control group. In total, 1872 children and adolescents were enrolled and allocated into the study groups. Diagnosis of NGT, IFG, IGT, and T2D was established in 1541 (82.3%), 256 (13.7%), 66 (3.5%), and 9 (0.4%) children, respectively. In girls, the best cutoff points of the TyG index for identifying IFG, IGT, and T2D were 4.51 (sensitivity 59.8%, specificity 59.8%), 4.55 (sensitivity 63.0%, specificity 64.3%), and 4.63 (sensitivity 75.0%, specificity 74.6%), respectively; and in boys were 4.52 (sensitivity 62.8%, specificity 64.2%), 4.54 (sensitivity 71.8%, specificity 65.1%), and 4.82 (sensitivity 91.0%, specificity 990.6%), respectively.Conclusion: Our results suggest that the TyG index may be a useful tool for screening GD in healthy children and adolescents.What is Known:• Prevalence of prediabetes and type 2 diabetes is increasing worldwide among young adults and adolescents.• Elevated fasting glucose and triglyceride concentrations have been recognized as independent risk factors for type 2 diabetes.What is New:• The TyG index exhibited highest sensitivity and specificity to detect impaired fasting glucose, impaired glucose tolerance, and type 2 diabetes.• The TyG index may be a useful tool for the screening of glucose disorders in apparently healthy children and adolescents.

Composition and biological effects of goldenberry byproducts: an overview.

Goldenberry is a wild fruit that has been widely used for centuries, mainly in folk medicine. Most studies of goldenberry have focused on the fruit, but new research has studied its byproducts, which were considered to be waste until recently. The main objective of our study was to systematize the published information regarding the composition of goldenberry byproducts (calyces, leaves, seeds, and pomace) and their effects on biological systems. Goldenberry byproducts contain minerals, amino acids, withanolides, flavonoids, and essential fatty acids, thus representing good sources of these compounds. Some of their major biological effects include anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antidiabetic, and antiproliferative effects. Information regarding their toxicity is also presented here. To determine the optimal dosage, further safety studies would be recommended to ensure the best health benefits of these compounds. The available evidence has demonstrated the nutritional value of different byproducts of goldenberry, suggesting them to be potential candidates for use in the cosmetic industry, in the preparation of functional foods, and in phytomedicine for the prevention and adjuvant treatment of some diseases. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry.

Prevalence of overweight and obesity in school-age children.

INTRODUCTION: Childhood obesity is a public health challenge. Between 1999 and 2012, the prevalence in Mexico of overweight and obesity in schoolchildren went from 25.5 to 32 %. OBJECTIVE: To report current prevalence of overweight and obesity in schoolchildren from the municipality of Durango, Mexico. METHOD: Cross-sectional survey conducted between January 2017 and December 2018. A total of 24,600 children aged between six and 11 years from 138 schools of the municipality of Durango were included. The body mass index reference values established by the World Health Organization were used to determine the presence of overweight and obesity. RESULTS: The prevalence of overweight was 19.7 %, of obesity, 16 %, and of overweight and obesity combined, 35.7 %. In the six-year-old group, a prevalence of overweight-obesity of 25.4 % was found, and in the 11-year-old group, 41.1 %. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of overweight-obesity in children aged from 6 to 11 years in the municipality of Durango is higher than those reported in the national survey by states in 2012 and in the 2016 national survey; a trend towards an increase with age was observed.

INTRODUCCIÓN: La obesidad infantil es un reto de salud pública. Entre 1999 y 2012, en México la prevalencia de sobrepeso y obesidad (SO) en niños escolares pasó de 25.5 a 32 %. OBJETIVO: Reportar la prevalencia actual de SO en niños escolares del municipio de Durango, México. MÉTODO: Encuesta transversal realizada entre enero de 2017 y diciembre de 2018. Se incluyeron 24 600 niños de seis a 11 años, de 138 escuelas del municipio de Durango. Se utilizaron los valores de referencia del índice de masa corporal establecidos por la Organización Mundial de la Salud para determinar la presencia de SO. RESULTADOS: La prevalencia de sobrepeso fue de 19.7 %, la de obesidad de 16 % y la de SO de 35.7 %. En el grupo de seis años se encontró una prevalencia de SO de 25.4 % y en el de 11 años, de 41.1 %. CONCLUSIONES: La prevalencia de SO en niños de seis a 11 años del municipio de Durango es más elevada que la reportada en la encuesta nacional por entidad federativa en 2012 y la nacional en 2016; se observó tendencia al incremento en la prevalencia conforme aumenta la edad.

Mechanisms of plant protection against two oxalate-producing fungal pathogens by oxalotrophic strains of Stenotrophomonas spp.

KEY MESSAGE: Oxalotrophic Stenotrophomonas isolated from tomato rhizosphere are able to protect plants against oxalate-producing pathogens by a combination of actions including induction of plant defence signalling callose deposition and the strengthening of plant cell walls and probably the degradation of oxalic acid. Oxalic acid plays a pivotal role in the virulence of the necrotrophic fungi Botrytis cinerea and Sclerotinia sclerotiorum. In this work, we isolated two oxalotrophic strains (OxA and OxB) belonging to the bacterial genus Stenotrophomonas from the rhizosphere of tomato plants. Both strains were capable to colonise endophytically Arabidopsis plants and protect them from the damage caused by high doses of oxalic acid. Furthermore, OxA and OxB protected Arabidopsis from S. sclerotiorum and B. cinerea infections. Bacterial inoculation induced the production of phenolic compounds and the expression of PR-1. Besides, both isolates exerted a protective effect against fungal pathogens in Arabidopsis mutants affected in the synthesis pathway of salicylic acid (sid2-2) and jasmonate perception (coi1). Callose deposition induced by OxA and OxB was required for protection against phytopathogens. Moreover, B. cinerea and S. sclerotiorum mycelial growth was reduced in culture media containing cell wall polysaccharides from leaves inoculated with each bacterial strain. These findings suggest that cell walls from Arabidopsis leaves colonised by these bacteria would be less susceptible to pathogen attack. Our results indicate that these oxalotrophic bacteria can protect plants against oxalate-producing pathogens by a combination of actions and show their potential for use as biological control agents against fungal diseases.

The ratio potassium-to-magnesium intake and high blood pressure.

BACKGROUND: To analyse whether the weight ratio of potassium-to-magnesium intake is associated with incident high blood pressure, in otherwise healthy individuals. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 529 healthy individuals were enrolled in a cross-sectional study and allocated into following groups: group 1) potassium and magnesium intake within Recommended Dietary Allowance; group 2) magnesium intake as recommended and potassium intake below of recommended dietary allowance; group 3) potassium intake as recommended and magnesium intake below of recommended dietary allowance; and group 4) magnesium and potassium intake below recommended dietary allowance. Groups in study were matched by sodium and calcium intake. A "24 hours recall" questionnaire was used to register all intakes of food and drinks for two consecutive days. Multiple logistic regression analysis adjusted by sex, waist circumference, and triglycerides levels was used to compute the odds ratio between intakes of magnesium and potassium with the high blood pressure. RESULTS: High blood pressure was identified in 155 (29.3%) individuals. There were no statistical significant differences by obesity and overweight between the groups. As compared with individuals in the group 1, the potassium-to-magnesium ratio (odds ratio 0.88; 95%CI 0.85-0.93) but not the isolated magnesium and potassium intake per se, was inversely associated to high blood pressure in the subjects of group 4; individuals in the groups 2 and 3 showed no association. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that, in healthy individuals with magnesium and potassium intake below recommended dietary allowance, the high potassium-to-magnesium ratio is inversely associated with incident high blood pressure.

Biomarkers and clinical scores to identify patient populations at risk of delayed antibiotic administration or intensive care admission.

BACKGROUND: The performance of blood biomarkers (mid-regional proadrenomedullin (MR-proADM), procalcitonin (PCT), C-reactive protein (CRP), and lactate) and clinical scores (Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA), National Early Warning Score (NEWS), and quick SOFA) was compared to identify patient populations at risk of delayed treatment initiation and disease progression after presenting to the emergency department (ED) with a suspected infection. METHODS: A prospective observational study across three EDs. Biomarker and clinical score values were calculated upon presentation and 72 h, and logistic and Cox regression used to assess the strength of association. Primary outcomes comprised of 28-day mortality prediction and delayed antibiotic administration or intensive care (ICU) admission, whilst secondary outcomes identified subsequent disease progression. RESULTS: Six hundred eighty-four patients were enrolled with hospitalisation, ICU admission, and infection-related 28-day mortality rates of 72.8%, 3.4%, and 4.4%, respectively. MR-proADM and NEWS had the strongest association with hospitalisation and the requirement for antibiotic administration, whereas MR-proADM alone had the strongest association with ICU admission (OR [95% CI]: 5.8 [3.1 - 10.8]) and mortality (HR [95% CI]: 3.8 [2.2 - 6.5]). Patient subgroups with high MR-proADM concentrations (≥ 1.77 nmol/L) and low NEWS (< 5 points) values had significantly higher rates of ICU admission (8.1% vs 1.6%; p < 0.001), hospital readmission (18.9% vs. 5.9%; p < 0.001), infection-related mortality (13.5% vs. 0.2%; p < 0.001), and disease progression (29.7% vs. 4.9%; p < 0.001) than corresponding patients with low MR-proADM concentrations. ICU admission was delayed by 1.5 [0.25 - 5.0] days in patients with high MR-proADM and low NEWS values compared to corresponding patients with high NEWS values, despite similar 28-day mortality rates (13.5% vs. 16.5%). Antibiotics were withheld in 17.4% of patients with high MR-proADM and low NEWS values, with higher subsequent rates of ICU admission (27.3% vs. 4.8%) and infection-related hospital readmission (54.5% vs. 14.3%) compared to those administered antibiotics during ED treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with low severity signs of infection but high MR-proADM concentrations had an increased likelihood of subsequent disease progression, delayed antibiotic administration or ICU admission. Appropriate triage decisions and the rapid use of antibiotics in patients with high MR-proADM concentrations may constitute initial steps in escalating or intensifying early treatment strategies.