Acute Responses to Different Velocity Loss Thresholds during Squat Exercise with Blood-Flow Restriction in Strength-Trained Men.

(1) Background: The aim of this paper is to analyze the acute effects of different velocity loss (VL) thresholds during a full squat (SQ) with blood-flow restriction (BFR) on strength performance, neuromuscular activity, metabolic response, and muscle contractile properties. (2) Methods: Twenty strength-trained men performed four protocols that differed in the VL achieved within the set (BFR0: 0% VL; BFR10: 10% VL; BFR20: 20% VL; and BFR40: 40% VL). The relative intensity (60% 1RM), recovery between sets (2 min), number of sets (3), and level of BFR (50% of arterial occlusion pressure) were matched between protocols. Tensiomyography (TMG), blood lactate, countermovement jump (CMJ), maximal voluntary isometric SQ contraction (MVIC), and performance with the absolute load required to achieve 1 m·s-1 at baseline measurements in SQ were assessed before and after the protocols. (3) Results: BFR40 resulted in higher EMG alterations during and after exercise than the other protocols (p < 0.05). BFR40 also induced greater impairments in TMG-derived variables and BFR10 decreased contraction time. Higher blood lactate concentrations were found as the VL within the set increased. BFR0 and BFR10 showed significantly increased median frequencies in post-exercise MVIC. (4) Conclusions: High VL thresholds (BFR40) accentuated metabolic and neuromuscular stress, and produced increased alterations in muscles' mechanical properties. Low VL could potentiate post-exercise neuromuscular activity and muscle contractile properties.

plantMASST - Community-driven chemotaxonomic digitization of plants.

Understanding the distribution of hundreds of thousands of plant metabolites across the plant kingdom presents a challenge. To address this, we curated publicly available LC-MS/MS data from 19,075 plant extracts and developed the plantMASST reference database encompassing 246 botanical families, 1,469 genera, and 2,793 species. This taxonomically focused database facilitates the exploration of plant-derived molecules using tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) spectra. This tool will aid in drug discovery, biosynthesis, (chemo)taxonomy, and the evolutionary ecology of herbivore interactions.

Diagnosis and treatment of myocarditis and inflammatory cardiomyopathy. Consensus document of the SEC-Working Group on Myocarditis.

Myocarditis is defined as myocardial inflammation and its etiology is highly diverse, including infectious agents, drugs, and autoimmune diseases. The clinical presentation also varies widely, extending beyond the classic clinical picture of acute chest pain, and includes cases of cardiomyopathy of unknown cause whose etiology may be inflammatory. Because certain patients may benefit from targeted treatments, the search for the etiology should begin when myocarditis is first suspected. There remain several areas of uncertainty in the diagnosis and treatment of this disease. Consequently, this consensus document aims to provide clear recommendations for its diagnosis and treatment. Hence, a diagnostic algorithm is proposed, specifying when non-invasive diagnosis with cardiac MR is appropriate vs a noninvasive approach with endomyocardial biopsy. In addition, more novel aspects are discussed, such as when to suspect an underlying genetic etiology. The recommendations cover the management of myocarditis and inflammatory cardiomyopathy, both for general complications and specific clinical entities.

Acute Responses to Traditional and Cluster-Set Squat Training With and Without Blood Flow Restriction.

ABSTRACT: Cornejo-Daza, PJ, Sánchez-Valdepeñas, J, Páez-Maldonado, J, Rodiles-Guerrero, L, Boullosa, D, León-Prados, JA, Wernbom, M, and Pareja-Blanco, F. Acute responses to traditional and cluster-set squat training with and without blood flow restriction. J Strength Cond Res 38(8): 1401-1412, 2024-To compare the acute responses to different set configurations (cluster [CLU] vs. traditional [TRA]) under distinct blood flow conditions (free vs. restricted) in full-squat (SQ). Twenty resistance-trained males performed 4 protocols that differed in the set configuration (TRA: continuous repetitions; vs. CLU: 30 seconds of rest every 2 repetitions) and in the blood flow condition (FF: free-flow; vs. blood flow restriction [BFR]: 50% of arterial occlusion pressure). The relative intensity (60% 1RM), volume (3 sets of 8 repetitions), and resting time (2 minutes) were equated. Mean propulsive force (MPF), velocity (MPV) and power (MPP), and electromyography (EMG) parameters were recorded during each repetition. Tensiomyography (TMG), blood lactate, countermovement jump (CMJ) height, maximal voluntary isometric contraction, in SQ, and movement velocity against the load that elicited a 1 m·s -1 velocity at baseline (V1-load) in SQ were assessed at pre- and post-exercise. The CLU protocols allowed a better maintenance of MPF, MPV, MPP, and EMG median frequency during the exercise compared to TRA (clu-time interaction, p < 0.05). The TRA protocols experienced greater impairments post-exercise in TMG- and EMG-derived variables (clu-time interaction, p < 0.05) and SQ and CMJ performance (clu-time interaction, p = 0.08 and p < 0.05, respectively), as well as higher blood lactate concentrations (clu-time interaction, p < 0.001) than CLU. Moreover, BFR displayed decreases in TMG variables (bfr-time interaction, p < 0.01), but BFR-CLU resulted in the greatest reduction in twitch contraction time ( p < 0.001). Cluster sets reduced fatigue during and after the training session and BFR exacerbated impairments in muscle mechanical properties; however, the combination of both could improve contraction speed after exercise.

Challenges faced by migrant seasonal agricultural farmworkers for food accessibility in Spain: A qualitative study.

ABSTRACTMigrants who work seasonally in agriculture face living and working conditions that significantly impact their health. Some of these conditions are related to inadequate food access or food preservation and preparation hygiene. This study aimed to explore how migrant and seasonal agricultural farmworkers access food in Spain from the perspective of professionals supporting this population. We conducted a qualitative study in 2021 based on semistructured interviews with 92 social and health service professionals involved in the care of seasonal migrant workers in 4 Spanish provinces. We identified three themes through reflective thematic analysis: (1) Access to food depends on NGOs and institutions, especially after the COVID-19 pandemic; (2) Relevant cultural differences in diet depending on North African or sub-Saharan origin; (3) Seasonal migrant workers frequently suffer from nutritional and other health problems related to food security. The professionals interviewed described the diet of seasonal migrant workers as based on food with little variety, insufficient protein content, and obesogenic products. They also reported a generalized lack of hygiene in food storage and preparation. This study calls for encouraging dietary support strategies to reduce challenges in food accessibility, which would prevent health problems in this population and bring them social justice.

A Sample-Centric and Knowledge-Driven Computational Framework for Natural Products Drug Discovery.

The ENPKG framework organizes large heterogeneous metabolomics data sets as a knowledge graph, offering exciting opportunities for drug discovery and chemodiversity characterization.

Comprehensive mass spectrometric metabolomic profiling of a chemically diverse collection of plants of the Celastraceae family.

Natural products exhibit interesting structural features and significant biological activities. The discovery of new bioactive molecules is a complex process that requires high-quality metabolite profiling data to properly target the isolation of compounds of interest and enable their complete structural characterization. The same metabolite profiling data can also be used to better understand chemotaxonomic links between species. This Data Descriptor details a dataset resulting from the untargeted liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry metabolite profiling of 76 natural extracts of the Celastraceae family. The spectral annotation results and related chemical and taxonomic metadata are shared, along with proposed examples of data reuse. This data can be further studied by researchers exploring the chemical diversity of natural products. This can serve as a reference sample set for deep metabolome investigation of this chemically rich plant family.

Synthesis of Pyrodextrins and Enzymatically Resistant Maltodextrins from Makal (Xanthosoma yucatenensis) Starch.

Research background: Enzymatically resistant maltodextrins (ERM) are a resistant starch type 4, synthesized from native starch. They are obtained by the sequential application of two processes: pyrodextrinization, which produces pyrodextrins, and enzymatic hydrolysis, which produces ERM. In these processes atypical bonds are formed that confer pyrodextrins and ERM similar properties to dietary fiber, such as resistance to digestion. The aim of this work is to determine and evaluate some physicochemical properties of pyrodextrins and ERM obtained from native starch isolated from makal (Xanthosoma yucatanense) tubers. Experimental approach: Pyrodextrinization and complementary hydrolysis were conducted using factorial designs. For pyrodextrinization, factors and their levels were (m(starch):V(HCl))=80:1 and 160:1 (c(HCl)=2.2 M), temperature 90 and 110 °C and reaction time 1 and 3 h, and for CH, α-amylase per pyrodextrin volume fractions 0.5 and 1 µL/mL and reaction time 10 and 30 min. The physicochemical profile included determination of resistant starch content, estimation of color change (ΔE), microscopy and determination of dextrose equivalents (DE). Results and conclusions: According to the factorial design, the best treatment conditions for pyrodextrinization were: (m(starch):V(HCl))=160:1, 90 °C and 3 h, since they resulted in the highest resistant starch content (84.73 %) and the lowest ΔE (3.742). Due to the low DE (13.89 %), increased amount of resistant starch (90.73 %) and low ΔE (4.24) in the resulting ERM, complementary hydrolysis with α-amylase per pyrodextrin volume fraction 0.5 µL/mL and hydrolysis time 10 min was selected as the best treatment. Novelty and scientific contribution: The results show that the pyrodextrins and ERM obtained from makal can be used as ingredients for the development of functional foods, due to their high content of indigestible material and low degree of browning.

Fatty Acids and Starch Identification within Minute Archaeological Fragments: Qualitative Investigation for Assessing Feasibility.

Within the realm of archaeology, the analysis of biomolecules assumes significant importance in elucidating historical dietary patterns and their implications for contemporary contexts. To achieve this, knowledge and tools of both chemistry and archaeology are essential to yield objective outcomes and conduct analyses of archaeological materials for the detection of biomolecules. Usually, only minuscule remnants of ceramic fragments are retrieved from excavations, which limits the feasibility of comprehensive laboratory analysis. This study aimed to establish a protocol for analyzing fatty acids and starch from archaeological food utensils with minimal sample quantities. Various experiments were conducted to replicate preparations that might have occurred in archaeological vessels, aiming to establish the optimal protocol. The analyses were performed using clay griddles, subjecting vegetable oil to varying temperatures for fatty acid assessment. For starch analysis, a series of experiments encompassed diverse forms of potato preparations (pulp, chuño, tortilla, carbonization, and freeze-drying) and maize (flour, tortilla, and carbonization). The verification of the experiments was confirmed by conducting identical analyses, as developed in the current study, on authentic archaeological fragments. The principal outcomes of this investigation include the successful extraction of both types of biomolecules using only 0.25 g of the sample, obtained through direct scraping from the vessel. Soxhlet extraction was identified as the most efficient strategy to recover fatty acids. Additionally, a comprehensive protocol for the identification of starch extraction was developed. This study has, for the first time, elucidated two detailed methodologies for the extraction of fatty acids and starch in scenarios in which researchers can obtain limited quantities of archaeological food utensil fragments.

Integration of Wnt-inhibitory activity and structural novelty scoring results to uncover novel bioactive natural products: new Bicyclo[3.3.1]non-3-ene-2,9-diones from the leaves of Hymenocardia punctata.

In natural products (NPs) research, methods for the efficient prioritization of natural extracts (NEs) are key for discovering novel bioactive NPs. In this study a biodiverse collection of 1,600 NEs, previously analyzed by UHPLC-HRMS2 metabolite profiling was screened for Wnt pathway regulation. The results of the biological screening drove the selection of a subset of 30 non-toxic NEs with an inhibitory IC50 ≤ 5 µg/mL. To increase the chance of finding structurally novel bioactive NPs, Inventa, a computational tool for automated scoring of NEs based on structural novelty was used to mine the HRMS2 analysis and dereplication results. After this, four out of the 30 bioactive NEs were shortlisted by this approach. The most promising sample was the ethyl acetate extract of the leaves of Hymenocardia punctata (Phyllanthaceae). Further phytochemical investigations of this species resulted in the isolation of three known prenylated flavones (3, 5, 7) and ten novel bicyclo[3.3.1]non-3-ene-2,9-diones (1, 2, 4, 6, 8-13), named Hymenotamayonins. Assessment of the Wnt inhibitory activity of these compounds revealed that two prenylated flavones and three novel bicyclic compounds showed interesting activity without apparent cytotoxicity. This study highlights the potential of combining Inventa's structural novelty scores with biological screening results to effectively discover novel bioactive NPs in large NE collections.

microbeMASST: a taxonomically informed mass spectrometry search tool for microbial metabolomics data.

microbeMASST, a taxonomically informed mass spectrometry (MS) search tool, tackles limited microbial metabolite annotation in untargeted metabolomics experiments. Leveraging a curated database of >60,000 microbial monocultures, users can search known and unknown MS/MS spectra and link them to their respective microbial producers via MS/MS fragmentation patterns. Identification of microbe-derived metabolites and relative producers without a priori knowledge will vastly enhance the understanding of microorganisms' role in ecology and human health.

Zinc Protoporphyrin-Rich Pork Liver Homogenates as Coloring Ingredients in Nitrite-Free Liver Pâtés.

This study aimed to investigate the coloring ingredient potential of liver homogenates that form Zn protoporphyrin (ZnPP), a natural red pigment, after anaerobic incubation. Liver homogenates were used to develop nitrite-free sterile pork liver pâtés. These homogenates were applied in the formulation of pâtés directly or after centrifugation to obtain a pellet that was highly concentrated in ZnPP. Both the whole homogenate and its insoluble fraction were adjusted to pH 7.5 before their use in the formulation of pâtés with and without antioxidant (0.5% ascorbate plus 0.1% tocopherol) addition. Pâtés formulated with the whole homogenate showed color and texture characteristics that were similar to those of the positive control with nitrite. However, high levels of the insoluble fraction also led to pâtés with improved color characteristics but with a two-fold softened texture. Therefore, the form and amount of ZnPP added played roles in the final appearance of the product. The ZnPP pigment was more stable than heme in the sterilization treatment, and antioxidant addition proved to be unnecessary. The ZnPP-rich ingredients allowed for the preparation of nitrite-free cooked liver pâtés with a stable red color and could thus be potentially applied in other uncured cooked meat products.

Water insecurity among seasonal agriculture workers: perspectives from Spanish professionals.

BACKGROUND: Migrant seasonal agricultural workers face conditions of material vulnerability such as inadequate housing difficulties prevent access to running water supplies. The purpose of this study is to explore the perceptions of professionals involved in the care and support of seasonal migrant agricultural workers, as it relates to water access and water consumption and their impact on these workers' health, in a context of COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: A qualitative exploratory and descriptive study was conducted in 2021 as part of a larger research project, based on 63 personal semi-structured interviews with professionals who provided support to seasonal migrant agricultural workers in three Spanish autonomous regions. COREQ checklist was used for reporting. The interviews were recorded, transcribed, and imported into ATLAS.ti-9 for an inductive thematic analysis. RESULTS: The results have been structured into two main themes: (1) Accessing and obtaining water; and (2) Health problems related to water consumption. Seasonal migrant agricultural workers experience barriers to obtaining safe water for hygiene, cleaning, food preparation and drinking. The implementation of regulations to reduce COVID-19 transmission resulted in improved hygiene levels in the migrants' quarters, including access to safe drinking water. CONCLUSION: This study suggests that water insecurity experienced by migrant seasonal agricultural workers in Spain results from their poor living conditions and causes health problems related to a lack of hygiene and the use of unsafe water. Sustainable solutions are needed beyond the pandemic in order to provide migrant workers with adequate living conditions and ensure their water needs are fulfilled.

Sensory evaluation of Protected Designation of origin Wines: Development of olfactive descriptive profile and references.

Wines covered by PDO or PGI quality labels have specific sensory characteristics. According to EU regulations, product characteristics (including the sensory description) must be defined in the PDO technical specification and should be verified for their compliance. There exist internationally harmonized quantitative descriptive sensory methods applied to products such as virgin olive oil, with well-defined attributes described in the method itself. Currently, in the case of wine, there is no harmonized international sensory descriptive method that allows comparison of results between different PDOs or laboratories. In this work, a qualitative and quantitative olfactory profile for a broad variety of wines (11 PDO and 37 wine types) and their corresponding reference standards are proposed. The sensory profile obtained can be used both to verify compliance with the technical specifications of the product and to categorize wines by type or region, thus becoming a powerful tool for the wine sector.

Vastus Lateralis Muscle Size Is Differently Associated With the Different Regions of the Squat Force-Velocity and Load-Velocity Relationships, Rate of Force Development, and Physical Performance Young Men.

ABSTRACT: Cornejo-Daza, PJ, Sánchez-Valdepeñas, J, Rodiles-Guerrero, L, Páez-Maldonado, JA, Ara, I, León-Prados, JA, Alegre, LM, Pareja-Blanco, F, and Alcazar, J. Vastus lateralis muscle size is differently associated with the different regions of the squat force-velocity and load-velocity relationships, rate of force development, and physical performance young men. J Strength Cond Res 38(3): 450-458, 2024-The influence that regional muscle size and muscle volume may have on different portions of the force-velocity (F-V) and load-velocity (L-V) relationships, explosive force, and muscle function of the lower limbs is poorly understood. This study assessed the association of muscle size with the F-V and L-V relationships, rate of force development (RFD) and maximal isometric force in the squat exercise, and vertical jump performance via countermovement jump (CMJ) height. Forty-nine resistance-trained young men (22.7 ± 3.3 years old) participated in the study. Anatomical cross-sectional area (ACSA) of the vastus lateralis (VLA) muscle was measured using the extended field of view mode in an ultrasound device at 3 different femur lengths (40% [distal], 57.5% [medial], and 75% [proximal]), and muscle volume was estimated considering the VLA muscle insertion points previously published and validated in this study. There were significant associations between all muscle size measures (except distal ACSA) and (a) forces and loads yielded at velocities ranging from 0 to 1.5 m·s -1 ( r = 0.36-0.74, p < 0.05), (b) velocities exerted at forces and loads ranging between 750-2,000 N and 75-200 kg, respectively ( r = 0.31-0.69, p < 0.05), and (c) RFD at 200 and 400 milliseconds ( r = 0.35-0.64, p < 0.05). Proximal and distal ACSA and muscle volume were significantly associated with CMJ height ( r = 0.32-0.51, p < 0.05). Vastus lateralis muscle size exhibited a greater influence on performance at higher forces or loads and lower velocities and late phases of explosive muscle actions. Additionally, proximal ACSA and muscle volume showed the highest correlation with the muscle function measures.

Development of Low Glycemic Index Pancakes Formulated with Canary Seed (Phalaris Canariensis) Flour.

Consumers prefer food products that, in addition to nutritional properties, also have effects beneficial to health. Non-conventional food plants such as canary seed (Phalaris canariensis) constitute an alternative in the food industry due to nutritional properties, chemical, and bioactive potential. The aim of this research was to develop pancake formulations with the inclusion of canary seed flour to evaluate their proximate composition, overall score, taste and texture sensory acceptability, and glycemic index. Pancakes based on whole-wheat flour mixed with canary seed flour were developed at four substitution levels (control 0, 10, 30, and 50%). The formulations exhibited attractive nutritional properties, mainly due to the levels of protein (~ 8.7%), minerals (~ 5.1%), and total dietary fiber (4.7-5.9%). The overall score and taste showed a statistical difference (p < 0.05) between the formulations. The flours with 10 and 30% showed high sensory acceptability with scores of 6.22 and 6.67 respect to 7-point hedonic scale, between the categories "I like it" and "I like it a lot". All formulations presented a low glycemic index (34-39%) that was significantly influenced (p < 0.05) as the level of substitution increased. The findings represent a new approach to the use of canary seed in the development of healthy food products.

Films properties of QPM corn starch with Delonix regia seed galactomannan as an edible coating material.

Plant-based polysaccharides are considered a good alternative for obtaining edible films and coatings. In this research the objective was to determine the physicochemical characteristics of corn starch obtained from QPM Sac-Beh (SBCS) and Delonix regia galactomannan (DRG) and use them to produce films. Films were elaborated from 1 %(w/v) film-forming solutions (FFS) with SBCS:DRG 1:0, 1:1, and 0:1 ratio. Some films were prepared with glycerol 0.4 %(w/v) and vanillin 0.1 %(w/v). SBCS and DRG were characterized by infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy and differential scanning calorimetry. SBCS presented low crystallinity which agrees with a low gelatinization ΔH observed. The SBCS:DRG 1:0 FFS without glycerol did not form films; however, DRG addition allows film formation. It was also found that glycerol addition reduced tensile strength to 10.3 MPa, from 41.3 MPa. The lowest water vapor permeability was found in films with 1:1 SBCS:DRG and 0.1 %(w/v) vanillin. This formulation was used to coat D'Anjou pears. This coating conserved the pears' color for 24 days while the control ones started to get a brown color on day 6. Based on the results obtained, FFS elaborated with 1:1 SBCS:DRG and 0.1 %(w/v) vanillin had potential use as edible film material for coating on climacteric fruits preservation.

Jorge clinical study: 10-year outcomes of risk-adapted radiotherapy defined by multiparametric MRI for prostate cancer.

PURPOSE: To analyze the 10-year biochemical relapse-free survival (BRFS), locoregional relapse-free survival (LRFS), metastasis-free survival (MFS), and overall survival (OS) in patients diagnosed with localized prostate adenocarcinoma treated with radiotherapy (RT) ± androgen deprivation therapy (ADT), according to the risk groups based on multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (mpMRI) instead of digital rectal exam (DRE). METHODS: We retrospectively evaluated 140 consecutive patients diagnosed with localized prostate adenocarcinoma, stratified into different risk groups-low (LR), intermediate (IR), and high (HR) by mpMRI results. RESULTS: After a median follow-up of 104 months, in LR group (n = 15), 10-year BRFS was 86.7%, 10-year LRFS was 86.7%, 10-year MFS was 93.3%, and 10-year OS was 100%. In IR group (n = 80), 10-year BRFS was 80.5%, 10-year LRFS was 86.1%, 10-year MFS was 92.6%, and 10-year OS was 76%. In HR group (n = 45), 10-year BRFS was 72.8%, 10-year LRFS was 78.7%, 10-year MFS was 82.1%, and 10-year OS was 77% (2 deaths from prostate cancer). According to mpMRI results, 36 (25.7%) patients change the risk group and 125 (89.28%) patients change the TNM stage. There was a trend for higher metastatic relapse in patients who switched from IR to HR (due to mpMRI) versus the patients who remained in the IR (20%, vs. 1.81% p = 0.059). Multivariate analysis showed that locoregional relapse was strongly associated with distant relapse (OR = 9.28; 95%CI: 2.60-33.31). There were no cases of acute grade 3 toxicity. Late grade 3 genitourinary, gastrointestinal, and sexual toxicity were 2.8%, 0.7%, and 1.2%, respectively. CONCLUSION: This is the first study with a 10-year median follow-up of patients diagnosed with localized prostate cancer treated with radiotherapy according to the risk groups established by mpMRI. Our findings show that mpMRI is a key tool to diagnose and establish risk groups in these patients, to optimize their treatment.

Raman Spectroscopic and Sensory Evaluation of Cocoa Liquor Prepared with Ecuadorian Cocoa Beans Treated with Gamma Irradiation or Induced Electromagnetic Field Fermentation.

Cocoa liquor is the primary precursor of the worldwide highly appreciated commodity chocolate. Its quality depends on several factors, such as the type of cocoa, the fermentation process, and the control of the contaminants in the fermented beans. This study aims to evaluate whether the induced magnetic field treatment during the fermentation process or the pathogen reduction with gamma irradiation after the fermentation affect the characteristics of the cocoa liquor obtained from Ecuadorian cocoa beans. For this purpose, liquor samples from controls (standard process), from beans treated with an induced magnetic field up to 80 mT, and from beans irradiated with nominal doses up to 3 kGy were characterized through Raman spectroscopic analysis and sensorial evaluation. The most relevant bands of the cocoa liquor were assigned according to reports from the literature, spectroscopic data, and chemometrics. The spectra corresponding to different treatments and doses were visually very similar, but they could be discriminated using OPLS-DA models, where the most intense Raman signals were attributed to the lipid components. The sensorial evaluation rated the presence of floral, fruity, almondy, acid, and bitter flavors, along with astringency and intense aroma, and these attributes exhibited variable behavior depending on the dose of the irradiation or magnetic treatment. Therefore, both treatments may exert an influence on cocoa beans and, therefore, on the cocoa liquor quality.