Physiological responses and microbiota shifts after spermidine administration as a postbiotic on rodents fed a high-fat high-fructose diet.

The consumption of a high-fat high-fructose diet partly resemble the western dietary patterns, which is closely associated with excessive body adiposity and metabolic disorders, such as obesity and type 2 diabetes. Moreover, this unhealthy regime produces unfavourable changes on the faecal microbiota, potentially interfering with microorganisms postbiotic function, such as spermidine, a natural polyamine that has been involved in the control of weight gain. The study aimed to analyse the repercussions of spermidine supplementation on somatic measurements, metabolic markers, and the faecal microbiota profile of rats fed a diet rich in fat and fructose. Indeed, Wistar males with oral administration of spermidine (20 mg/kg/day) for 6 weeks were evaluated for food and energy intake, biochemical markers, and faecal microbiota signatures. The daily use of spermidine decreased weight gain ( P < 0.01), reduced feed efficiency ( P < 0.01), and attenuated visceral fat deposition ( P < 0.01), although no effect on energy intake, hepatic weight, triglyceride and glucose index and atherogenic indexes. Similarly, the consumption of spermidine partially restored the presence of microbial species, notably Akkermansia muciniphila. Elevated concentrations of this species were linked to a decrease in triglycerides ( P = 0.04), indicating that the supplementation of spermidine might contribute to managing energy fuel homeostasis in association with an obesogenic diet.

Good clinical practice recommendations for the diagnosis and treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease. An expert review from the Asociación Mexicana de Gastroenterología.

INTRODUCTION: Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is very prevalent in the general population, with a broad spectrum of clinical manifestations, requiring accurate diagnosis and treatment. AIM: The aim of this expert review is to establish good clinical practice recommendations for the diagnosis and personalized treatment of GERD. METHODS: The good clinical practice recommendations were produced by a group of experts in GERD, members of the Asociación Mexicana de Gastroenterología (AMG), after carrying out an extensive review of the published literature and discussing each recommendation at a face-to-face meeting. This document does not aim to be a clinical practice guideline with the methodology such a document requires. RESULTS: Fifteen experts on GERD formulated 27 good clinical practice recommendations for recognizing the symptoms and complications of GERD, the rational use of diagnostic tests and medical treatment, the identification and management of refractory GERD, the overlap with functional disorders, endoscopic and surgical treatment, and GERD in the pregnant woman, older adult, and the obese patient. CONCLUSIONS: An accurate diagnosis of GERD is currently possible, enabling the prescription of a personalized treatment in patients with this condition. The goal of the good clinical practice recommendations by the group of experts from the AMG presented in this document is to aid both the general practitioner and specialist in the process of accurate diagnosis and treatment, in the patient with GERD.

Comparison of Four Predictive Scores for Cardiovascular Risk in Mexican People with HIV.

Persons with HIV (PWH) face an increased risk of cardiovascular events due to immune activation, comorbidities, and certain antiretrovirals (ARVs). However, the current cardiovascular risk (CVR) scores are not specifically directed toward PWH. This study aimed to assess the agreement between different predictive CVR scores and explore their relationship with clinical and demographic data in Mexican PWH. A descriptive cross-sectional analysis was conducted in 200 PWH with a mean age of 42 years who were treated at a Mexican urban center from 2017 to 2018. The majority (83%) was on ARV treatment and 79.5% had undetectable viral loads (VLs). Moderate- to high-risk scores were infrequent, with Framingham Risk Score for Hard Coronary Heart Disease scores showing higher values, with very low concordance among all scores. Logistic regression analysis revealed significant associations between the CVR scores and the initial recorded VL, CD4 cell count, and elevated triglyceride levels. However, no associations were found with measures such as body mass index or abdominal circumference. Treatment with integrase strand transfer inhibitors (INSTIs), particularly first-generation inhibitors, showed strong associations with all predictive scores, notably ASCVD (odds ratio = 7.03, 95% confidence interval 1.67-29.64). The poor concordance among the CVR scores in PWH highlights the need for a specific score that considers comorbidities and ARV drugs. Despite the relatively young age of the participants, significant correlations were observed between INSTI use, initial VL, CD4 cell count, and triglyceride levels, which are factors not considered in the existing risk scores. Regardless of the actual value of the scores, screening for CVR in PWH is recommended.

Temperature effects on the calculation of the functional derivative of Tc with respect to α2F(ω).

The functional derivative of the superconducting transition temperature Tc with respect to the electron-phonon coupling function [Formula: see text] permits identifying the frequency regions where phonons are most effective in raising Tc. This work presents an analysis of temperature effects on the calculation of the δTc/δα2F(ω) and µ* parameters. The results may permit establishing that the variation of the temperature in the δTc/δα2F(ω) and µ* parameter allows establishing patterns and conditions that are possibly related to the physical conditions in the superconducting state, with implications on the theoretical estimation of the Tc.

Mortality prediction of the nutrient profile of the Chilean front-of-pack warning labels: Results from the Seguimiento Universidad de Navarra prospective cohort study.

Background and aims: Front-of-Pack (FoP) nutrition labelling has been established as a policy, empowering consumers to choose healthy food options for preventing diet-related non-communicable diseases. This study aimed to evaluate the association between the nutrient profile underlying the Chilean warning label score and all-cause mortality and to conduct a calibration with the Nutri-Score in a large cohort of Spanish university graduates. Materials and methods: This prospective cohort study analysed 20,666 participants (8,068 men and 12,598 women) with a mean (standard deviation) age of 38 years (±12.4) from the SUN cohort. Dietary food intake was assessed by a validated semi-quantitative food-frequency questionnaire at baseline and after 10 years of follow-up. The warning label score was calculated by considering the threshold of nutrients (sugar, saturated fat, and sodium) and energy density per 100 g/ml of product, as established by Chilean Legislation. Participants were classified according to quartiles of consumption of daily label score: Q1 (≤5.0), Q2 (>5.0-7.1), Q3 (>7.1-9.8), and Q4 (>9.8). Time-dependent, multivariable-adjusted Cox models were applied. To compare the performance of the warning label score and Nutri-Score to predict mortality, we used the Akaike information criterion (AIC) and Bayesian information criterion (BIC) methods. Results: During a median of 12.2 years of follow-up, 467 deaths were identified. A higher score in the warning label values (lower nutritional quality) was associated with an increased risk of all-cause mortality [HR (95% CI) Q4 vs. Q1: 1.51 (1.07-2.13); p-trend = 0.010] and cancer mortality [HR (95% CI) Q4 vs. Q1: 1.91 (1.18-3.10); p-trend = 0.006]. However, no statistically significant association was found for cardiovascular mortality. Furthermore, the warning label score and Nutri-Score exhibited comparable AIC and BIC values, showing similar power of prediction for mortality. Conclusion: A diet with a higher warning label score (>9.8 per day) was a good predictor of all cases and cancer mortality in a large Spanish cohort of university graduates. Also, the warning label score was capable to predict mortality as well as the Nutri-Score. Our findings support the validity of the warning label score as a FoP nutrition labelling policy since it can highlight less healthy food products.

Estimation of milk yield based on udder measures of Pelibuey sheep using artificial neural networks.

Udder measures have been used to assess milk yield of sheep through classical methods of estimation. Artificial neural networks (ANN) can deal with complex non-linear relationships between input and output variables. In the current study, ANN were applied to udder measures from Pelibuey ewes to estimate their milk yield and this was compared with linear regression. A total of 357 milk yield records with its corresponding udder measures were used. A supervised learning was used to train and teach the network using a two-layer ANN with seven hidden structures. The globally convergent algorithm based on the resilient backpropagation was used to calculate ANN. Goodness of fit was evaluated using the mean square prediction error (MSPE), root MSPE (RMSPE), correlation coefficient (r), Bayesian's Information Criterion (BIC), Akaike's Information Criterion (AIC) and accuracy. The 15-15 ANN architecture showed that the best predictive milk yield performance achieved an accuracy of 97.9% and the highest values of r2 (0.93), and the lowest values of MSPE (0.0023), RMSPE (0.04), AIC (- 2088.81) and BIC (- 2069.56). The study revealed that ANN is a powerful tool to estimate milk yield when udder measures are used as input variables and showed better goodness of fit in comparison with classical regression methods.

Facial Paralysis, Modification to Labbé Technique.

Background: Facial paralysis is one of the conditions that affect functionally, emotionally and aesthetically to patients greatly. Multiple techniques have been described for its treatment, and we consider that Labbé's technique is the one that most surprises with its results. Materials and Methods: In the Specialty Hospital "Dr. Bernardo Sepúlveda" National Medical Center Century XXI (CMN SXXI), Mexican Institute of Social Security (IMSS), three cases are presented: patients with facial paralysis due to trauma, surgical damage on the VII cranial nerve and conditions due to otological and idiopathic infections. Four modifications to the original Labbé technique are proposed to execute it more easily: trans-zygomatic oblique osteotomy, to reach directly the coronoid process; osteotomy of the descending coronoid; radiated suture fixation at 180° for temporary muscle replacement with positional replacement of the sutures trans-operatively; and the next day of the intervention with the patient awake, fixation of the orbicularis muscle of the lips, to the temporal tendon previously referenced. The modifications and results obtained are shown. Results: The modifications offer a better surgical technique and very favorable results. Conclusions: The modification to Labbé technique gives excellent results in the treatment of permanent facial paralysis, improving facial symmetry, salivary incontinence, facial tone, improving speech, giving the patient movement on the affected side and the ability to smile again.

Cooper-pair distribution function [Formula: see text] for superconducting [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text].

Cooper-pair distribution function, [Formula: see text], is a recent theoretical proposal that reveals information about the superconductor state through the determination of the spectral regions where Cooper pairs are formed. This is built from the well-established Eliashberg spectral function and phonon density of states, calculated by first-principles. From this function is possible to obtain the [Formula: see text] parameter, which is proportional to the total number of Cooper pairs formed at a critical temperature [Formula: see text]. Herein, we reported [Formula: see text] function of the compressed [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] high-[Formula: see text] conventional superconductors, including the effect of stable sulfur isotopes in [Formula: see text]. [Formula: see text] suggests that the vibration energy range of 10-70 meV is where the Cooper pairs are possible for these superconductors, pointing out the possible importance of the low-energy region on the electron-phonon superconductivity. This has been confirmed by the fact that a simple variation in the low-frequency region induced for the substitution of S atoms in [Formula: see text] by its stable isotopes can lead to important changes in [Formula: see text]. The results also show proportionality between [Formula: see text] parameter and experimental or theoretical [Formula: see text] values.

Cooper Pairs Distribution function for bcc Niobium under pressure from first-principles.

In this paper, we report Cooper Pairs Distribution function [Formula: see text] for bcc Niobium under pressure. This function reveals information about the superconductor state through the determination of the spectral regions for Cooper-pairs formation. [Formula: see text] is built from the well-established Eliashberg spectral function and phonon density of states, calculated by first-principles. [Formula: see text] for Nb suggests that the low-frequency vibration region [Formula: see text] is where Cooper-pairs are possible. From [Formula: see text], it is possible to obtain the [Formula: see text] parameter, which is proportional to the total number of Cooper-Pairs formed at a temperature [Formula: see text]. The [Formula: see text] parameter allows an approach to the understanding of the Nb [Formula: see text] anomalies, measured around 5 and 50 GPa.

The higher superconducting transition temperatureTcand the functional derivative ofTcwithα2F(ω) for electron-phonon superconductors.

This work presents an analysis of the functional derivative of the superconducting transition temperatureTcwith respect to the electron-phonon coupling functionα2F(ω) [δTc/δα2F(ω)] andα2F(ω) spectrum of H3S (Im3̄m), in the pressure range where the high-Tcwas measured (155-225 GPa). The calculations are done in the framework of the Migdal-Eliashberg theory. We find for this electron-phonon superconductor, a correlation between the maximums ofδTc/δα2F(ω) andα2F(ω) with its higherTc. We corroborate this behavior in other electron-phonon superconductors by analyzing data available in the literature, which suggests its validity in this type of superconductors. The correlation observed could be considered as a theoretical tool that in an electron-phonon superconductor, allows describing qualitatively the proximity to its highestTc, and determining the optimal physical conditions (pressure, alloying or doping concentration) that lead to the superconductor reaching its highestTcpossible.

Development of an Ultra-Low Carbon MgO Refractory Doped with α-Al2O3 Nanoparticles for the Steelmaking Industry: A Microstructural and Thermo-Mechanical Study.

The effect of α-Al2O3 nanoparticles (up to 5 wt.%) on the physical, mechanical, and thermal properties, as well as on the microstructural evolution of a dense magnesia refractory is studied. Sintering temperatures at 1300, 1500, and 1600 °C are used. The physical properties of interest were bulk density and apparent porosity, which were evaluated by the Archimedes method. Thermal properties were examined by differential scanning calorimetry. The mechanical behavior was studied by cold crushing strength and microhardness tests. Finally, the microstructure and mineralogical qualitative characteristics were studied by scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction, respectively. Increasing the sintering temperature resulted in improved density and reduced apparent porosity. However, as the α-Al2O3 nanoparticle content increased, the density and microhardness decreased. Microstructural observations showed that the presence of α-Al2O3 nanoparticles in the magnesia matrix induced the magnesium-aluminate spinel formation (MgAl2O4), which improved the mechanical resistance most significantly at 1500 °C.

Predictors of multidrug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa in neutropenic patients with bloodstream infection.

OBJECTIVES: To assess risk factors for multidrug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa (MDR-PA) infection in neutropenic patients. METHODS: Single-centre retrospective analysis of consecutive bloodstream infection (BSI) episodes (2004-2017, Barcelona). Two multivariate regression models were used at BSI diagnosis and P. aeruginosa detection. Significant predictors were used to establish rules for stratifying patients according to MDR-PA BSI risk. RESULTS: Of 661 Gram-negative BSI episodes, 190 (28.7%) were caused by P. aeruginosa (70 MDR-PA). Independent factors associated with MDR-PA among Gram-negative organisms were haematological malignancy (OR 3.30; 95% CI 1.15-9.50), pulmonary source of infection (OR 7.85; 95% CI 3.32-18.56), nosocomial-acquired BSI (OR 3.52; 95% CI 1.74-7.09), previous antipseudomonal cephalosporin (OR 13.66; 95% CI 6.64-28.10) and piperacillin/tazobactam (OR 2.42; 95% CI 1.04-5.63), and BSI occurring during ceftriaxone (OR 4.27; 95% CI 1.15-15.83). Once P. aeruginosa was identified as the BSI aetiological pathogen, nosocomial acquisition (OR 7.13; 95% CI 2.87-17.67), haematological malignancy (OR 3.44; 95% CI 1.07-10.98), previous antipseudomonal cephalosporin (OR 3.82; 95% CI 1.42-10.22) and quinolones (OR 3.97; 95% CI 1.37-11.48), corticosteroids (OR 2.92; 95% CI 1.15-7.40), and BSI occurring during quinolone (OR 4.88; 95% CI 1.58-15.05) and ß-lactam other than ertapenem (OR 4.51; 95% CI 1.45-14.04) were independently associated with MDR-PA. Per regression coefficients, 1 point was assigned to each parameter, except for nosocomial-acquired BSI (3 points). In the second analysis, a score >3 points identified 60 (86.3%) out of 70 individuals with MDR-PA BSI and discarded 100 (84.2%) out of 120 with non-MDR-PA BSI. CONCLUSIONS: A simple score based on demographic and clinical factors allows stratification of individuals with bacteraemia according to their risk of MDR-PA BSI, and may help facilitate the use of rapid MDR-detection tools and improve early antibiotic appropriateness.

Prospective, multicenter study on the economic and clinical impact of gene-expression assays in early-stage breast cancer from a single region: the PREGECAM registry experience.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study is to evaluate the cost-effectiveness and impact of gene-expression assays (GEAs) on treatment decisions in a real-world setting of early-stage breast cancer (ESBC) patients. METHODS: This is a regional, prospective study promoted by the Council Health Authorities in Madrid. Enrolment was offered to women with estrogen receptor-positive, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-negative, node-negative or micrometastatic, stage I or II breast cancer from 21 hospitals in Madrid. Treatment recommendations were recorded before and after knowledge of tests results. An economic model compared the cost-effectiveness of treatment, guided by GEAs or by common prognostic factors. RESULTS: 907 tests (440 Oncotype DX® and 467 MammaPrint®) were performed between February 2012 and November 2014. Treatment recommendation changed in 42.6% of patients. The shift was predominantly from chemohormonal (CHT) to hormonal therapy (HT) alone, in 30.5% of patients. GEAs increased patients' confidence in treatment decision making. Tumor grade, progesterone receptor positivity and Ki67 expression were associated with the likelihood of change from CHT to HT (P < 0.001) and from HT to CHT (P < 0.001). Compared with current clinical practice genomic testing increased quality-adjusted life years by 0.00787 per patient and was cost-saving from a national health care system (by 13.867€ per patient) and from a societal perspective (by 32.678€ per patient). CONCLUSION: Using GEAs to guide adjuvant therapy in ESBC is cost-effective in Spain and has a significant impact on treatment decisions.

Fatty acids, epigenetic mechanisms and chronic diseases: a systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Chronic illnesses like obesity, type 2 diabetes (T2D) and cardiovascular diseases, are worldwide major causes of morbidity and mortality. These pathological conditions involve interactions between environmental, genetic, and epigenetic factors. Recent advances in nutriepigenomics are contributing to clarify the role of some nutritional factors, including dietary fatty acids in gene expression regulation. This systematic review assesses currently available information concerning the role of the different fatty acids on epigenetic mechanisms that affect the development of chronic diseases or induce protective effects on metabolic alterations. METHODS: A targeted search was conducted in the PubMed/Medline databases using the keywords "fatty acids and epigenetic". The data were analyzed according to the PRISMA-P guidelines. RESULTS: Consumption fatty acids like n-3 PUFA: EPA and DHA, and MUFA: oleic and palmitoleic acid was associated with an improvement of metabolic alterations. On the other hand, fatty acids that have been associated with the presence or development of obesity, T2D, pro-inflammatory profile, atherosclerosis and IR were n-6 PUFA, saturated fatty acids (stearic and palmitic), and trans fatty acids (elaidic), have been also linked with epigenetic changes. CONCLUSIONS: Fatty acids can regulate gene expression by modifying epigenetic mechanisms and consequently result in positive or negative impacts on metabolic outcomes.

Technical position on milk and its derivatives in adult health and disease from the Asociación Mexicana de Gastroenterología and the Asociación Mexicana de Gerontología y Geriatría. / Posición técnica sobre la leche y derivados lácteos en la salud y en la enfermedad del adulto de la Asociación Mexicana de Gastroenterología y la Asociación Mexicana de Gerontología y Geriatría.

Milk is a liquid food that possesses an important quantity of highly bioavailable macronutrients. In addition, it is readily accessible, as well as relatively inexpensive. Given that the knowledge of physicians about nutrition and food composition is deficient, in general, many of the dietary interventions recommended in diverse clinical settings lack a scientific basis. The aim of the present review was to produce a technical opinion that serves as a frame of reference to best sustain recommendations for consuming milk and dairy products as daily nutrition in the adult and older adult. The effects of milk and dairy products during the pediatric stage are not addressed in the present work. The Asociación Mexicana de Gastroenterología and the Asociación Mexicana de Gerontología y Geriatría jointly discussed and analyzed topics dealing with the legal designation of milk, the classification and nutritional profile of cow's milk, its nutritional characteristics, its consumption in the adult, intolerance to cow's milk, and associations of milk consumption with digestive tract alterations and other conditions. Finally, certain aspects of milk consumption in the older adult and its relation to overall health are briefly discussed.

Regulatory roles of miR-155 and let-7b on the expression of inflammation-related genes in THP-1 cells: effects of fatty acids.

The main aim of this investigation was to study the regulatory roles of let-7b and miR-155-3p on the expression of inflammation-associated genes in monocytes, macrophages, and lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-activated macrophages (AcM). A second goal was to analyze the potential modulatory roles of different fatty acids, including oleic, palmitic, eicosapentaenoic (EPA), and docosahexaenoic (DHA), on the expression of these miRNAs in the three cell types. This hypothesis was tested in human acute monocytic leukemia cells (THP-1), which were differentiated into macrophages with 2-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA) and further activated with LPS for 24 h. Monocytes, macrophages, and AcM were transfected with a negative control, or mimics for miR-155-3p and miR-let-7b-5p. The expression of both miRNAs and some proinflammatory genes was analyzed by qRT-PCR. Interestingly, let-7b mimic reduced the expression of IL6 and TNF in monocytes, and SERPINE1 expression in LPS-activated macrophages. However, IL6, TNF, and SERPINE1 were upregulated in macrophages by let-7b mimic. IL6 expression was higher in the three types of cells after transfecting with miR-155-3p mimic. Similarly, expression of SERPINE1 was increased by miR-155-3p mimic in monocytes and macrophages. However, TLR4 was downregulated by miR-155-3p in monocytes and macrophages. Regarding the effects of the different fatty acids, oleic acid increased the expression of let-7b in macrophages and AcM and also increased the expression of miR-155 in monocytes when compared with DHA but not when compared with non-treated cells. Overall, these results suggest anti- and proinflammatory roles of let-7b and miR-155-3p in THP-1 cells, respectively, although these outcomes are strongly dependent on the cell type. Noteworthy, oleic acid might exert beneficial anti-inflammatory effects in immune cells (i.e., non-activated and LPS-activated macrophages) by upregulating the expression of let-7b.

Putrescine: Essential factor for in vitro proliferation of Babesia bovis.

This study reports the effect of putrescine addition, either alone or in combination with insulin, transferrin and selenite (ITS), to serum-free Advanced DMEM/F12 (A-DMEM/F12) medium, on the in vitro culture of Babesia bovis and using a perfusion bioreactor to improve efficiency of the process. A B. bovis strain previously adapted to proliferate in serum-free medium (Bbovis-SF) was evaluated using eight increasing concentrations of putrescine. The percentage of parasitized erythrocytes (PPE) obtained from cultures supplemented with 0.101 mg/L was 6.23% compared with 2.3% for control cultures with M199 with Earle's salts (M199) and 40% serum. The combination of putrescine (0.101 mg/L) and a mixture of ITS (2000, 1100, and 1.34 mg/L, respectively) (Pu-ITS), in A-DMEM/F12 culture medium without serum yielded a maximum PPE of 17.26% compared to 2.58% in the control medium. This new formulation of culture medium, together with the use of a hollow-fiber perfusion bioreactor system (HFPBS), caused a substantial increase in the proliferation of B. bovis, yielding a maximum cumulative PPE of 118.8% after five days, compared to 58.6% in cultures treated with control medium M199 and 40% serum. We concluded that the addition of the ITS mixture and putrescine to the culture medium stimulated the proliferation of B. bovis in vitro. This new medium formulation, used in a HFPBS culture system, can be an effective, automated-prone system that can induce massive proliferation of B. bovis for use as a source of parasite antigens and immunogens.

In vitro culture of Babesia bovis in a bovine serum-free culture medium supplemented with insulin, transferrin, and selenite.

Bovine serum is an important factor for the optimal growth of Babesia bovis in vitro. This protozoan can be cultured in M-199 with Earle's salts medium (M-199) supplemented with 40% bovine serum (BS). In the present study, four media were assessed along with the control medium M-199. The effect on the proliferation of B. bovis in vitro was tested when these media were combined with insulin (Ins), transferrin (Trans) and selenite (Sel) in the absence of bovine serum. Treatment with Advanced DMEM/F12 medium (A-DMEM/F12) achieved the highest percentage of parasitized erythrocytes (PPE), reaching a maximum value of 9.59%. A-DMEM/F12 medium supplemented with a mixture of Ins (2000 mg/L), Trans (1100 mg/L), and Sel (1.34 mg/L) allowed for the adaptation and proliferation of B. bovis without bovine serum, showed a constant increase in PPE, and reached a maximum value of 9.7% during seven cycles of in vitro culture. It was concluded that continuous proliferation of B. bovis in vitro could be achieved using A-DMEM/F12 medium supplemented with Ins-Trans-Sel, without bovine serum. After adaptation for proliferation in serum-free medium, the B. bovis strain of parasites could have future use in the study of this economically important protozoan species that affects cattle.

Physical properties of inulin and inulin-orange juice: physical characterization and technological application.

In this work two systems based on a carbohydrate polymer were studied: inulin as model system and inulin-orange juice as complex system. Both system were stored at different water activity conditions and subsequently characterized. Water adsorption isotherms type II were fitted by the GAB model and the water monolayer content was determined for each system. From thermal analyzes it was found that at low water activities (aw) systems were fully amorphous. As aw increased, crystallinity was developed. This behavior was corroborated by X-ray diffraction. In the inulin-orange juice system, crystallization appears at lower water activity caused by the intensification of the chemical interaction of the low molecular weight species contained in orange juice. Glass transition temperature (Tg), determined by modulated differential scanning calorimeter, decreased with aw. As water is adsorbed, the physical appearance of samples changed which could be observed by optical microscopy and effectively related with the microstructure found by scanning electron microscopy.

Higher baseline irisin concentrations are associated with greater reductions in glycemia and insulinemia after weight loss in obese subjects.

Irisin is assumed to be a relevant link between muscle and weight maintenance as well as to mediate exercise benefits on health. The aim of this study was to assess the possible associations between irisin levels and glucose homeostasis in obese subjects with metabolic syndrome (MetS) following an energy-restricted treatment. Ninety-six adults with excessive body weight and MetS features underwent a hypocaloric dietary pattern for 8 weeks, within the RESMENA randomized controlled trial (www.clinicaltrials.gov; NCT01087086). After the intervention, dietary restriction significantly reduced body weight and evidenced a dietary-induced decrease in circulating levels of irisin in parallel with improvements on glucose homeostasis markers. Interestingly, participants with higher irisin values at baseline (above the median) showed a greater reduction on glucose (P=0.022) and insulin (P=0.021) concentrations as well as on the homeostasis model assessment index (P=0.008) and triglycerides (P=0.006) after the dietary intervention, compared with those presenting low-irisin baseline values (below the median). Interestingly, a positive correlation between irisin and carbohydrate intake was found at the end of the experimental period. In conclusion, irisin appears to be involved in glucose metabolism regulation after a dietary-induced weight loss.