Lemna minor: Unlocking the Value of This Duckweed for the Food and Feed Industry.

Duckweed (Lemna minor L.) is a small floating aquatic plant that has an important economic impact in several industrial areas. With its high biomass production, reasonable protein content, and resilience to several climates, it has been attracting increasing interest for potential use in animal and human food systems. Historically consumed in southwest Asia, this duckweed is now gaining attention as a potential novel food in Europe. This manuscript explores the contributions of duckweed to various food and feed industries, including aquaculture and livestock, while also pointing out the incipient research carried out for human consumption. Most importantly, it highlights the potential of Lemna minor as a vegetable for future human consumption whether eaten whole or through extraction of its nutrients.

Developmental Trajectory of the Frequency-Following Response During the First 6 Months of Life.

PURPOSE: The aim of the present study is to characterize the maturational changes during the first 6 months of life in the neural encoding of two speech sound features relevant for early language acquisition: the stimulus fundamental frequency (fo), related to stimulus pitch, and the vowel formant composition, particularly F1. The frequency-following response (FFR) was used as a snapshot into the neural encoding of these two stimulus attributes. METHOD: FFRs to a consonant-vowel stimulus /da/ were retrieved from electroencephalographic recordings in a sample of 80 healthy infants (45 at birth and 35 at the age of 1 month). Thirty-two infants (16 recorded at birth and 16 recorded at 1 month) returned for a second recording at 6 months of age. RESULTS: Stimulus fo and F1 encoding showed improvements from birth to 6 months of age. Most remarkably, a significant improvement in the F1 neural encoding was observed during the first month of life. CONCLUSION: Our results highlight the rapid and sustained maturation of the basic neural machinery necessary for the phoneme discrimination ability during the first 6 months of age.

Concordance of the risk of neonatal respiratory morbidity assessed by quantitative ultrasound lung texture analysis in fetuses of twin pregnancies.

To evaluate the concordance of the risk of neonatal respiratory morbidity (NRM) assessed by quantitative ultrasound lung texture analysis (QuantusFLM) between twin fetuses of the same pregnancy. Prospective study conducted in twin pregnancies. Fetal ultrasound lung images were obtained at 26.0-38.6 weeks of gestation. Categorical (high or low) and continuous results of the risk of NRM were compared between twins. Fetal ultrasound lung images from 131 pairs (262 images) of twins were included. The images were classified into three gestational age ranges: Group 1 (26.0-29.6 weeks, 78 images, 39 pairs [29.8%]); Group 2 (30.0-33.6 weeks, 98 images, 49 pairs [37.4%]) and Group 3 (34.0-38.6 weeks, 86 images, 43 pairs [32.8%]). Concordance was good in Groups 1 and 3 and moderate in Group 2. In Groups 2 and 3 at least one fetus presented high-risk results in 26.5% and 11.6% of twin pairs, respectively. Only gestational age < 32 weeks, gestational diabetes mellitus, and spontaneous conception were associated with a high risk of NRM in Group 2. There was good concordance of the risk of NRM between twins < 30.0 weeks and > 34.0 weeks. From 30.0 to 33.6 weeks 26.5% of the twin pairs had discordant results, with moderate concordance of the risk of NRM.

Deficient neural encoding of speech sounds in term neonates born after fetal growth restriction.

Infants born after fetal growth restriction (FGR)-an obstetric condition defined as the failure to achieve the genetic growth potential-are prone to neurodevelopmental delays, with language being one of the major affected areas. Yet, while verbal comprehension and expressive language impairments have been observed in FGR infants, children and even adults, specific related impairments at birth, such as in the ability to encode the sounds of speech, necessary for language acquisition, remain to be disclosed. Here, we used the frequency-following response (FFR), a brain potential correlate of the neural phase locking to complex auditory stimuli, to explore the encoding of speech sounds in FGR neonates. Fifty-three neonates born with FGR and 48 controls born with weight adequate-for-gestational age (AGA) were recruited. The FFR was recorded to the consonant-vowel stimulus (/da/) during sleep and quantified as the spectral amplitude to the fundamental frequency of the syllable and its signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). The outcome was available in 45 AGA and 51 FGR neonates, yielding no differences for spectral amplitudes. However, SNR was strongly attenuated in the FGR group compared to the AGA group at the vowel region of the stimulus. These findings suggest that FGR population present a deficit in the neural pitch tracking of speech sounds already present at birth. Our results pave the way for future research on the potential clinical use of the FFR in this population, so that if confirmed, a disrupted FFR recorded at birth may help deriving FGR neonates at risk for postnatal follow-ups.

Plasma Levels of Free Fatty Acids in Women with Gestational Diabetes and Its Intrinsic and Extrinsic Determinants: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

BACKGROUND: Free fatty acids, also known as nonesterified fatty acids, are proinflammatory molecules that induce insulin resistance in nonpregnant individuals. Nevertheless, the concentration of these molecules has not been systematically addressed in pregnant women. OBJECTIVE: This meta-analysis is aimed at evaluating the difference in free fatty acid plasma levels between women with gestational diabetes and healthy pregnant controls and their intrinsic and extrinsic determinants. METHODS: We performed a systematic search to find relevant studies published in English and Spanish using PubMed, SCOPUS, and ISI Web of Knowledge. We included observational studies measuring the mean plasma levels of free fatty acids among gestational diabetes and healthy pregnant women, with at least ten subjects being analyzed in each group. The standardized mean difference (SMD) by random effects modeling was used. Heterogeneity was assessed using Cochran's Q, H, and I 2 statistics. RESULTS: Among the 290 identified studies, twelve were selected for analysis. A total of 2426 women were included, from which 21% were diagnosed as having gestational diabetes. There were significantly higher levels of free fatty acids among women with gestational diabetes (SMD: 0.86; 0.54-1.18; p < 0.001) when compared to healthy pregnant controls and between-study heterogeneity (I 2 = 91%). The metaregression analysis showed that the gestational age at inclusion was the only cofactor influencing the mean levels of free fatty acids, indicating a trend towards lower plasma levels of free fatty acids later in gestation (estimate: -0.074; -0.143 to -0.004; p = 0.036). No significant publication bias was found nor a trend towards greater results in small studies. CONCLUSIONS: Women with gestational diabetes have higher levels of free fatty acids when compared to healthy pregnant controls. More investigation is needed to assess the potential role of free fatty acids in the prediction of gestational diabetes earlier in pregnancy.

Osteocalcin Serum Levels in Gestational Diabetes Mellitus and Their Intrinsic and Extrinsic Determinants: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

BACKGROUND: Undercarboxylated osteocalcin (ucOC) increases insulin release and insulin resistance in mice. In humans, evidence is scarce but a correlation of ucOC and total osteocalcin (tOC) with glycemic status markers has been demonstrated. The relationship of ucOC and tOC with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) has been even less characterized. OBJECTIVE: To assess the mean difference of tOC and ucOC serum concentrations among nondiabetic pregnant women and women diagnosed as GDM in the second trimester of pregnancy and to determine the possible intrinsic and extrinsic contributors to this difference. METHODS: A systematic search was performed to identify relevant studies published in English and Spanish using PubMed, SCOPUS, ISI Web of Knowledge, and PROSPERO database for meta-analysis. Observational studies measuring mean serum levels of osteocalcin among GDM, with at least 10 subjects analyzed in each group were selected. Mean difference (MD) by random effects model was used. Heterogeneity between studies was assessed using Cochran's Q, H, and I 2 statistics. RESULTS: From 38 selected studies, 5 were retained for analysis for a total of 1119 pregnant women. Serum concentrations of tOC were not significantly different among women with GDM and nondiabetic pregnant controls (MD: 1.56; 95% CI: -0.70 to 3.82; p = 0.175). Meanwhile, ucOC serum levels were significantly higher among women with GDM (MD: 1.17; 95% CI: 0.24 to 2.11; p = 0.013). The only factor influencing tOC was the UV index, showing a reduction in mean difference between GDM and controls when exposed to higher concentrations of UV rays. CONCLUSIONS: This meta-analysis provides evidence to support the use of ucOC as a potential marker for GDM rather than tOC, yielding very little variability among studies and no difference among methods or brands used for its analysis.

Characteristics of a treatment-seeking population in outpatient addiction treatment centers in Mexico.

BACKGROUND: Baseline patients' characteristics are critical for treatment planning, as these can be moderators of treatment effects. In Mexico, information on treatment seekers with substance use disorders is scarce and limited to demographic characteristics. OBJECTIVE: This paper presents and analyses demographic characteristics, substance use related problems, clinical features, and addiction severity in a sample of treatment seekers from the first multi-site randomized clinical trial implemented in the Mexican Clinical Trials Network on Addiction and Mental Health. METHODS: A total of 120 participants were assessed prior randomization. Chi square or F-tests were used to compare sites across variables. Spearman correlation was used to associate negative consequences of substance use and motivation to change. RESULTS: The majority of participants were men, and the most prevalent substances reported were alcohol, marijuana, and cocaine. Participants were predominantly on the contemplation or action stage of change, and this was correlated with the perception of the negative consequences associated with substance use. Participants reported a high prevalence of substance use related problems. CONCLUSIONS: Substance use related problems, clinical features, and addiction severity reported by treatment seekers are important characteristics to take into account when planning treatment as they facilitate tailoring treatment to meet patients' needs.

Consideraciones metodológicas y éticas para la conducción de ensayos clínicos controlados aleatorizados (ECCA) sobre intervenciones para las adicciones / Methodological and ethical aspects in conducting randomized controlled clinical trials (RCT) for addictive disorder's interventions

According to epidemiologic reports, the harmful use of alcohol and illicit drugs has increased among the Mexican population. This use is associated to several risks and issues that affect public health and the public well-being of the country. In this article it is acknowledged the need for development of treatment models and interventions whose therapeutic value is demonstrated by scientific evidence, that respond to the attention needs of the population affected by substance use in our country and that can be generalized in community clinical practice. In clinical research, randomized controlled clinical trials (RCT's) are the "gold standard" to demonstrate the effect of a therapeutic intervention. A randomized controlled clinical trial is a prospective study in which the effect, value and safety of one or various experimental interventions are tested against a "control" intervention in human subjects. Acknowledging that in Mexico there is a lack of research on addiction treatment that is compliant with all the requirements to be considered as an RCT, this article presents some methodological and ethical considerations that are neccesary for their design and conduction. These considerations include from the establishment of a relevant research question and objectives, adequate study design, development of strategies for data management, statistical analysis, monitoring of interventions, safety monitoring and research quality assurance and protection of human subjects.

Según reportes epidemiológicos, el consumo nocivo de alcohol y drogas ilegales dentro de la población mexicana ha ido en aumento, lo que se asocia a varios riesgos o problemáticas que afectan la salud y bienestar públicos del país. Se reconoce la necesidad de desarrollar modelos de tratamiento e intervenciones cuyo valor terapéutico esté respaldado por la evidencia científica, que respondan a las necesidades de atención de la población afectada por el consumo de sustancias en nuestro país y que puedan generalizarse en la práctica clínica comunitaria. Dentro de la investigación clínica, el "estándar de oro" para demostrar el efecto de una intervención terapéutica son los ensayos clínicos controlados aleatorizados (ECCA). Un ECCA es un estudio prospectivo en el cual se prueba el efecto, valor y seguridad de una o varias intervenciones experimentales contra una intervención "control" en sujetos humanos. Reconociendo que en México hay una falta de investigaciones sobre tratamientos para las adicciones que cumplan con todos los requisitos para ser considerados ECCA, en este artículo se presentan distintas consideraciones metodológicas y éticas que deben tomarse en cuenta para su diseño y conducción en la materia; abarcando aspectos que parten desde el establecimiento de una pregunta y objetivos relevantes hasta el diseño adecuado del estudio y el desarrollo de estrategias para la administración de datos, análisis estadístico, monitoreo de las intervenciones, monitoreo de seguridad y aseguramiento de la calidad de la investigación y protección de los sujetos humanos que participan.