Restoring ecological complexity in a changing environment.

As land use leaves massive tracts of land vacant for recovery, restoration must undergo a substantial shift to incorporate a complexity perspective beyond the traditional community, biodiversity or functional views. With an interaction-function perspective, we may be able to achieve ecosystems with better chances to adapt to current environmental changes and, especially, to climate change. We explore combined approaches that include still unused and underexplored techniques that will soon go mainstream and produce massive amounts of information to address the complexity gap. As we understand how complexity reassembles after the end of agriculture, we will be able to design actions to restore or enhance it at unprecedented spatial scales while increasing its adaptability to environmental changes.

Effects of Regular Exercise on the Biochemical, Oxidative, and Inflammatory Profiles and Quality of Life in Older Spaniards with Metabolic Syndrome.

Metabolic syndrome increases the risk of developing diabetes and cardiovascular disease. The regular practice of physical activity is a crucial factor for healthy aging and for controlling and preventing chronic diseases. To assess the effects of regular physical activity on the biochemical and inflammatory profiles, as well as the quality of life of older adults diagnosed with metabolic syndrome. Participants (aged 55-70 years; living in the Balearic Islands, Spain) were divided into two groups (n = 50 each) according to the degree of physical activity measured by metabolic equivalents of task (METs). Anthropometric parameters, blood pressure, biochemical and hematological parameters, and inflammatory biomarkers were measured. Beck Depression Inventory and adherence to the Mediterranean diet questionnaires, as well as the Dietary Inflammatory Index, chair test, health-related quality of life (HRQoL), and Rapid Assessment of Physical Activity, were also determined. The characterization of the patients was similar in both groups, showing a homogeneous sample. The group with the highest METs experienced a decrease in depression and an increase in the intensity of physical activity. Adherence to the Mediterranean diet and HRQoL physical dimensions increased in participants with the highest METs, also showing a decrease in glycemia and glycosylated hemoglobin values. Inflammatory biomarkers, including tumor necrosis factor alpha, interleukin-6, interleukin-1ß, and osteoprotegerin, decreased in patients practicing more physical activity. High levels of physical activity are related to a healthier lifestyle, characterized by high adherence to the Mediterranean diet, decreased depressive behavior, oxidative stress, and inflammatory status in older people with metabolic syndrome.

Carbon Dioxide (CO2) Dietary Emissions Are Related to Oxidative and Inflammatory Status in Adult Population.

BACKGROUND: Carbon dioxide (CO2) is a primary greenhouse gas (GHG) causing global temperature to rise. Unsustainable diets induce an increment in the risk of obesity and noncommunicable diseases but also contribute to the global GSG burden. OBJECTIVE: To assess whether CO2 dietary emissions influence the inflammatory and oxidative status of subjects with metabolic syndrome (MetS). METHODS: As part of the PREDIMED-Plus study, 100 adults (55-75 years old) from the Balearic Islands, Spain, were recruited and classified according to their dietary CO2 emissions. Anthropometric parameters were determined, fasting blood samples were collected and plasma, neutrophils, and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were obtained. Dietary inflammatory index (DII), adherence to a Mediterranean diet (ADM), fatty liver index (FLI), and estimated glomerular filtration (eGFR) were calculated. Clinical biochemical parameters, blood count, and oxidative stress and inflammatory biomarker levels were also determined. RESULTS: DII was higher in participants with high dietary CO2 emissions. Adherence to the MedDiet was inversely associated with CO2 emissions. Malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were higher in urine and plasma samples from subjects with high dietary CO2 emissions. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) production by PBMCs was greater in participants with high CO2 emissions. Interleukin-15, resistin, and leptin plasma levels were increased in participants with high dietary CO2 emissions. CONCLUSION: Dietary CO2 emissions influence oxidative status and inflammation in relation to the increased prooxidative and proinflammatory status in PBMCs and plasma. These biomarkers were useful for monitoring diet sustainability and health.

Aridity Gradients Shape Intraspecific Variability of Morphological Traits in Native Ceratonia siliqua L. of Morocco.

The carob tree (Ceratonia siliqua L.) is a significant fruit tree in the Mediterranean region with cultural, biological, and ecological importance. Despite its importance, intraspecific trait variability (ITV) in carob trees has been largely overlooked in previous studies. Understanding ITV and its relationship with environmental conditions is crucial for conservation and breeding programs. In this study, we investigated the variability of carob pod and seed-related traits across different ecological scales in 25 studied populations in Morocco. Significant differences in morphological traits were observed between carob populations at various ecological levels, and pod-related traits exhibited greater variability than seed traits. Correlation analysis revealed strong associations between carob morphological traits and environmental conditions, with altitude and aridity index playing an influential role. The aridity gradient was strongly related to changes in pod size, seed number, and size, as well as seed yield. Our findings highlight an important ITV reaching 45% at the intra-population level, 36.5% at the inter-geographic level, and 30% at the inter-population level. Overall, this study contributes valuable insights into the ecology and adaptation of carob trees, emphasizing the importance of considering intraspecific variability when studying this remarkable species. This knowledge is critical for addressing the challenges posed by climate change and human activities on the long-term survival and ecological functioning of carob populations.

Opportunities and challenges for microbiomics in ecosystem restoration.

Microbiomics is the science of characterizing microbial community structure, function, and dynamics. It has great potential to advance our understanding of plant-soil-microbe processes and interaction networks which can be applied to improve ecosystem restoration. However, microbiomics may be perceived as complex and the technology is not accessible to all. The opportunities of microbiomics in restoration ecology are considerable, but so are the practical challenges. Applying microbiomics in restoration must move beyond compositional assessments to incorporate tools to study the complexity of ecosystem recovery. Advances in metaomic tools provide unprecedented possibilities to aid restoration interventions. Moreover, complementary non-omic applications, such as microbial inoculants and biopriming, have the potential to improve restoration objectives by enhancing the establishment and health of vegetation communities.

Oxidative Stress and Inflammatory Biomarkers Are Related to High Intake of Ultra-Processed Food in Old Adults with Metabolic Syndrome.

In the last few decades the consumption of ultra-processed foods (UPFs) worldwide has substantially augmented. Increasing evidence suggests that high UPF consumption is associated with an increase in non-communicable diseases, being overweight, and obesity. The aim of this study was to assess how UPF consumption affects oxidative and inflammatory status in the plasma, neutrophils, and urine of old adults with metabolic syndrome. Participants (n = 92) were classified into two groups according to UPF consumption. Dietary intakes were measured by a validated semi-quantitative 143-item food frequency questionnaire and UPF consumption was determined according to the NOVA classification system. Low UPF consumers showed higher adherence to the Mediterranean diet than high UPF consumers. A high intake of fiber and a high concentration of polyphenols in urine were also observed in subjects with low UPF consumption. Despite the absence of differences in biochemical profile, oxidative and inflammatory biomarkers showed some significant changes. Catalase and superoxide dismutase activities were lower in high UPF consumers, whereas myeloperoxidase activity was higher. ROS production in neutrophils stimulated with zymosan was higher in high UPF consumers than in low UPF consumers. Biomarkers such as xanthine oxidase, tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα), interleukin (IL)-6, IL-15, and leptin levels were higher in participants with high intake of UPF. No differences were found in malondialdehyde and other inflammatory cytokines. The current study evidenced that MetS participants with high UPF consumption have a more pro-oxidant and inflammatory profile than those with low UPF consumption, despite showing similar blood biochemical profiles.

Mediterranean Diet Improves Plasma Biomarkers Related to Oxidative Stress and Inflammatory Process in Patients with Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease.

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) shows liver fat depots without alcohol consumption. NAFLD does not have specific drug therapies, with a healthy lifestyle and weight loss being the main approaches to prevent and treat NAFLD. The aim was to assess the antioxidant and pro-inflammatory state in patients with NAFLD after 12-month-lifestyle intervention depending on the change in adherence to a Mediterranean diet (AMD). Antioxidant and inflammatory biomarkers were measured in 67 adults (aged 40-60 years old) diagnosed with NAFLD. Anthropometric parameters and dietary intake were measured by a validated semi-quantitative 143-item food frequency questionnaire. The nutritional intervention improved anthropometric and biochemical parameters after a 12-month follow-up. However, decreases in alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and C reactive protein (CRP) were higher in participants with high AMD, which also showed higher improvement in physical fitness (Chester step test) and intrahepatic fat contents. The intervention reduced plasma levels of malondialdehyde, myeloperoxidase, zonulin, and omentin, and increased resolvin D1 (RvD1), whereas the decrease in leptin, ectodysplasin-A (EDA), cytokeratin-18 (CK-18), interleukin-1ra (IL-1ra) and endotoxin was only significant in participants with higher AMD. The current study showed that a one-year nutritional intervention improved main NAFLD features such as body mass index, IFC, liver enzymes, and prooxidant and proinflammatory status. There was also a decrease in the concentration of plasmatic endotoxin, suggesting an improvement in intestinal permeability. These health benefits were more evident in participants that improved AMD to a greater extent. The trial was registered at ClinicalTrials.gov with registry number NCT04442620.

Graphene-based versus alumina supports on CO2 methanation using lanthanum-promoted nickel catalysts.

The valorization of CO2 as a biofuel, transforming it through methanation as part of the power-to-gas (P2G) process, will allow the reduction of the net emissions of this gas to the atmosphere. Catalysts with 13 wt.% of nickel (Ni) loading incorporated into alumina and graphene derivatives were used, and the effect of the support on the activity was examined at temperatures between 498 and 773 K and 10 bar of pressure. Among the graphene-based catalysts (13Ni/AGO, 13Ni/BGO, 13Ni/rGO, 13Ni-Ol/GO, 13Ni/Ol-GO, and 13Ni/Ol-GO Met), the highest methane yield was found for 13Ni/rGO (78% at 810 K), being the only system comparable to the catalyst supported on alumina 13Ni/Al2O3 (89.5% at 745 K). The incorporation of 14 wt.% of lanthanum (La) into the most promising supports, rGO and alumina, led to nickel-support interactions that enhanced the catalytic activity of 13Ni/Al2O3 (89.5% at lower temperature, 727 K) but was not effective for 13Ni/rGO. The resistance against deactivation by H2S poisoning was also studied for these catalysts, and a fast deactivation was observed. In addition, activity recovery was impossible despite the regeneration treatment carried out over catalysts. The resistance against deactivation by H2S poisoning was also studied for these catalysts, observing that both suffered a rapid/immediate deactivation and which in addition/unfortunately was impossible to solve despite the regeneration treatment carried out over catalysts.

Polyunsaturated and Saturated Oxylipin Plasma Levels Allow Monitoring the Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease Progression to Severe Stages.

Hepatic fat accumulation is the hallmark of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Our aim was to determine the plasma levels of oxylipins, free polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) and markers of lipid peroxidation in patients with NAFLD in progressive stages of the pathology. Ninety 40-60-year-old adults diagnosed with metabolic syndrome were distributed in without, mild, moderate or severe NAFLD stages. The free PUFA and oxylipin plasma levels were determined by the UHPLC-MS/MS system. The plasma levels of oxylipins produced by cyclooxygenases, lipoxygenases and cytochrome P450, such as prostaglandin 2α (PGF2α), lipoxinB4 and maresin-1, were higher in severe NAFLD patients, pointing to the coexistence of both inflammation and resolution processes. The plasma levels of the saturated oxylipins 16-hydroxyl-palmitate and 3-hydroxyl-myristate were also higher in the severe NAFLD patients, suggesting a dysregulation of oxidation of fatty acids. The plasma 12-hydroxyl-estearate (12HEST) levels in severe NAFLD were higher than in the other stages, indicating that the hydroxylation of saturated fatty acid produced by reactive oxygen species is more present in this severe stage of NAFLD. The plasma levels of 12HEST and PGF2α are potential candidate biomarkers for diagnosing NAFLD vs. non-NAFLD. In conclusion, the NAFLD progression can be monitored by measuring the plasma levels of free PUFA and oxylipins characterizing the different NAFLD stages or the absence of this disease in metabolic syndrome patients.

Carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions and adherence to Mediterranean diet in an adult population: the Mediterranean diet index as a pollution level index.

BACKGROUND: Research related to sustainable diets is is highly relevant to provide better understanding of the impact of dietary intake on the health and the environment. AIM: To assess the association between the adherence to an energy-restricted Mediterranean diet and the amount of CO2 emitted in an older adult population. DESIGN AND POPULATION: Using a cross-sectional design, the association between the adherence to an energy-reduced Mediterranean Diet (erMedDiet) score and dietary CO2 emissions in 6646 participants was assessed. METHODS: Food intake and adherence to the erMedDiet was assessed using validated food frequency questionnaire and 17-item Mediterranean questionnaire. Sociodemographic characteristics were documented. Environmental impact was calculated through greenhouse gas emissions estimations, specifically CO2 emissions of each participant diet per day, using a European database. Participants were distributed in quartiles according to their estimated CO2 emissions expressed in kg/day: Q1 (≤2.01 kg CO2), Q2 (2.02-2.34 kg CO2), Q3 (2.35-2.79 kg CO2) and Q4 (≥2.80 kg CO2). RESULTS: More men than women induced higher dietary levels of CO2 emissions. Participants reporting higher consumption of vegetables, fruits, legumes, nuts, whole cereals, preferring white meat, and having less consumption of red meat were mostly emitting less kg of CO2 through diet. Participants with higher adherence to the Mediterranean Diet showed lower odds for dietary CO2 emissions: Q2 (OR 0.87; 95%CI: 0.76-1.00), Q3 (OR 0.69; 95%CI: 0.69-0.79) and Q4 (OR 0.48; 95%CI: 0.42-0.55) vs Q1 (reference). CONCLUSIONS: The Mediterranean diet can be environmentally protective since the higher the adherence to the Mediterranean diet, the lower total dietary CO2 emissions. Mediterranean Diet index may be used as a pollution level index.

Desired weight loss and its association with health, health behaviors and perceptions in an adult population with weight excess: One-year follow-up.

Background: Metabolic syndrome (MetS) worsens quality of life and increases mortality. Dissatisfaction with weight in patients with MetS may modify the effect of lifestyle interventions to achieve changes in health-related behaviors. Objective: To assess 1-year changes in cardiovascular risk scores, self-perceived general health and health-related behaviors according to observed changes in desired weight loss during the first year of intervention in a large cardiovascular prevention trial. Design: Prospective analysis of the PREDIMED-PLUS trial, including 5,499 adults (55-75 years old) with overweight or obesity at baseline. Methods: The desired weight loss was the difference between ideal and measured weight. Tertiles of change in desired weight loss (1 year vs. baseline) were defined by the following cut-off points: ≥0.0 kg (T1, n = 1,638); 0.0 to -4.0 kg (T2, n = 1,903); ≤-4.0 kg (T3, n = 1,958). A food frequency questionnaire assessed diet and the Minnesota-REGICOR questionnaire assessed physical activity. The Framingham equation assessed cardiovascular risks. The changes in the severity of MetS were also assessed. The Beck Depression Inventory assessed depressive symptoms and the SF-36 assessed health-related quality of life. Data were analyzed using general linear models. Results: BMI decreased at T2 and T3 (T1: 0.3, T2: -0.7, T3: -1.9). The most significant improvement in diet quality was observed at T3. Cardiovascular risk decreased at T2 and T3. Mean reductions in MetS severity score were: -0.02 at T1, -0.39 at T2 and -0.78 at T3. The perception of physical health increases in successive tertiles. Conclusions: In older adults with MetS, more ambitious desired weight loss goals were associated with improvements in diet, cardiovascular health and perceived physical health during the first year of a healthy lifestyle intervention programme. Weight dissatisfaction needs to be considered by health professionals. Clinical trial registration: http://www.isrctn.com/ISRCTN89898870, identifier 89898870.

Effects of 2-Year Nutritional and Lifestyle Intervention on Oxidative and Inflammatory Statuses in Individuals of 55 Years of Age and over at High Cardiovascular Risk.

Obesity and overweight are disorders with high impact on the morbidity and mortality of chronic diseases, such as type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and cardiovascular diseases (CVD). We aim to assess the effects of 2-year nutritional and lifestyle intervention on oxidative and inflammatory status in individuals of 55 years of age and over at high CVD risk. Participants (n = 100 individuals of 55 years of age and over living in the Balearic Islands, Spain) were randomized into control and intervention group. Anthropometric and haematological parameters, blood pressure and physical activity were measured before and after the intervention. Oxidative and inflammatory biomarkers in plasma, urine, peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and neutrophils were determined. A higher reduction in abdominal obesity, blood pressure and triglycerides levels was observed after a 2-year intervention. An improvement of oxidative stress and proinflammatory status was demonstrated with a significant reduction in myeloperoxidase, xanthine oxidase, malondialdehyde and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP1) levels, and an increase in polyphenols in plasma was observed. A decrease in reactive oxygen species production in PBMCs and neutrophils levels after zymosan and lipopolysaccharide activation was found in the intervention group with respect to the control group. The intervention with hypocaloric Mediterranean Diet and customized physical activity improves oxidative stress and proinflammatory status and could contribute to decreasing the CVD risk.

Impact of Physical Activity Differences Due to COVID-19 Pandemic Lockdown on Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Parameters in Adults with Metabolic Syndrome.

BACKGROUND: A Mediterranean lifestyle with a Mediterranean diet and regular physical activity (PA) improves metabolic syndrome (MetS) characteristics and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). The COVID-19 pandemic stopped healthy habits and increased NAFLD progression. OBJECTIVES: To assess how PA differences due to COVID-19 lockdown affected NAFLD parameters in adults with MetS. DESIGN: Longitudinal 2-year analysis of data obtained between COVID-19 pre- and post-lockdown in a parallel-group randomized trial (n = 57, aged 40-60 years old, with MetS and NAFLD). METHODS: NAFLD status and related parameters were assessed by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), blood collection analysis and related indexes. PA and fitness status were assessed by an Alpha-Fit test battery, accelerometers, validated Minnesota questionnaire and functional fitness score. During lockdown, study personnel telephoned patients to motivate them. Participants were grouped according to PA levels. RESULTS: The low PA group improved its fitness score tests (0.2) after lockdown more than the medium PA group, and it decreased its sedentary activity (-48.7 min/day), increased light (20.9 min/day) and moderate (32.3 min/day) PA intensities and improved sleep efficiency (0.6%) in comparison with the medium and high PA groups. The high PA group increased its steps per day more than the other groups. The low PA group was the only group that decreased its gamma glutamyl transferase (GGT) levels (-17.0 U/L). All groups increased their fatty liver index (FLI) after lockdown, but the medium PA group increased its FLI more than the low PA group. Participants in the high PA group decreased their HDL-cholesterol levels more than participants in the medium PA group (-0.4 mg/dL). CONCLUSIONS: Stopping regular PA together with an unhealthy lifestyle leads to a worsening of MetS and NAFLD. COVID-19 lockdown induced a decrease in PA in more active people, but inactive people increased their PA levels. Motivation seemed to be very important during lockdown.

Inflammatory and Oxidative Stress Markers Related to Adherence to the Mediterranean Diet in Patients with Metabolic Syndrome.

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is characterized by increased pro-oxidative stress and a pro-inflammatory state. Several studies emphasized the protective effect of the Mediterranean dietary pattern (MDP). To assess the oxidative and inflammatory state according to the adherence to MDP using biomarkers in patients with MetS. Antioxidant and pro-inflammatory biomarkers were determined in plasma, peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), and neutrophils of adults (aged 55-75 years old; 60% women) with MetS living in Mallorca (Spain). Anthropometrics, dietary intake by a validated semi-quantitative 143-item food frequency questionnaire, and a Dietary Inflammatory Index were measured. Patients with low adherence to MDP showed higher levels of glycated haemoglobin A1c and triglycerides, and lower levels of HDL cholesterol. Plasma levels of interleukin-1ß, IL-6, IL-15, tumour necrosis factor α, xanthine oxidase, and ghrelin, and activities of superoxide dismutase, and myeloperoxidase were higher in subjects with low adherence to the MDP. Reactive oxygen species production in PBMCs and neutrophils stimulated with lipopolysaccharide was higher in participants with low adherence to the MDP. Patients with MetS and higher adherence to the MDP showed less altered anthropometric parameters, blood biochemical profile, and better oxidative and inflammatory status.

ORION software tool for the geometrical calibration of all-sky cameras.

This paper presents the software application ORION (All-sky camera geOmetry calibRation from star positIONs). This software has been developed with the aim of providing geometrical calibration to all-sky cameras, i.e. assess which sky coordinates (zenith and azimuth angles) correspond to each camera pixel. It is useful to locate bodies over the celestial vault, like stars and planets, in the camera images. The user needs to feed ORION with a set of cloud-free sky images captured at night-time for obtaining the calibration matrices. ORION searches the position of various stars in the sky images. This search can be automatic or manual. The sky coordinates of the stars and the corresponding pixel positions in the camera images are used together to determine the calibration matrices. The calibration is based on three parameters: the pixel position of the sky zenith in the image; the shift angle of the azimuth viewed by the camera with respect to the real North; and the relationship between the sky zenith angle and the pixel radial distance regards to the sky zenith in the image. In addition, ORION includes other features to facilitate its use, such as the check of the accuracy of the calibration. An example of ORION application is shown, obtaining the calibration matrices for a set of images and studying the accuracy of the calibration to predict a star position. Accuracy is about 9.0 arcmin for the analyzed example using a camera with average resolution of 5.4 arcmin/pixel (about 1.7 pixels).

Paediatric teams in front of childhood obesity: A qualitative study within the STOP project.

INTRODUCTION: Understanding the underlying factors that influence the approach to overweight and obesity in children is basic to best support families searching a solution to this important public health problem. OBJECTIVE: To assess attitudes and feelings of paediatric staff in addressing overweight and childhood obesity to parents, exploring perceived barriers and facilitators, for an effective care. PARTICIPANTS AND METHOD: Qualitative study by means of individual semi-structured questionnaires of paediatric staff (paediatricians and paediatrician nurses; n = 57; 68% female) of primary health care centres and hospitals in Mallorca. Thematic analysis was done. RESULTS: Three themes emerged from the data: "Parents' attitude in childhood obesity" (sub-themes "The conscience of parents", "The parents ask for help"), "Paediatric staff and childhood obesity" (sub-themes "Approaching to the problem: The interview with parents", "Looking together for the solution"), and "System barriers" (sub-themes "Improving teamwork and health policy", "Family participation in addressing childhood obesity"). CONCLUSIONS: Paediatric staffs know how to treat childhood obesity, but demand training on motivation. Effectivity on therapy of childhood obesity will be obtained after parents/carers recognize the problem and establish a trustful relationship with paediatric staff. The health system is still a barrier to the activity of paediatric personnel.

Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells Oxidative Stress and Plasma Inflammatory Biomarkers in Adults with Normal Weight, Overweight and Obesity.

Background: Obesity is an important pathology in public health worldwide. Obese patients are characterized by higher cardiovascular risk and a pro-inflammatory profile. Objective: To assess the oxidative stress in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and inflammatory biomarkers in plasma in adults with normal weight, overweight and obesity. Methods: One hundred and fifty adults (55-80-years-old; 60% women) from the Balearic Islands, Spain, were recruited and classified according to body mass index (BMI). Anthropometric measurements were carried out, fasting blood samples were collected and plasma and PBMCs were obtained. Biochemical parameters, hemogram, antioxidant enzyme activities and protein levels, reactive oxygen species production (ROS), malondialdehyde (MDA), and cytokine (tumour necrosis factor, TNFα, and interleukin 6, IL-6) levels were measured. Results: Glycaemia, triglyceridemia, abdominal obesity, and waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) were higher, and HDL-cholesterol was lower in obese patients. MDA and TNFα plasma levels were higher in the obese compared to normal-weight group, while the levels of IL-6 were higher in both obese and overweight subjects with respect to normal-weight peers. The activities of all antioxidant enzymes in PBMCs as well as the production ROS progressively increased with BMI. The protein levels of catalase in PBMCs were higher in obese and glutathione reductase in obese and overweight subjects compared to normal-weight peers. No other differences were observed. Conclusion: The current results show that overweight and obesity are related to an increase in pro-oxidant and proinflammatory status in plasma and PBMCs. The studied biomarkers may be useful for monitoring the progression/reversal of obesity.

Association between coffee consumption and total dietary caffeine intake with cognitive functioning: cross-sectional assessment in an elderly Mediterranean population.

PURPOSE: Coffee is rich in compounds such as polyphenols, caffeine, diterpenes, melanoidins and trigonelline, which can stimulate brain activity. Therefore, the possible association of coffee consumption with cognition is of considerable research interest. In this paper, we assess the association of coffee consumption and total dietary caffeine intake with the risk of poor cognitive functioning in a population of elderly overweight/obese adults with metabolic syndrome (MetS). METHODS: PREDIMED-plus study participants who completed the Mini-Mental State Examination test (MMSE) (n = 6427; mean age = 65 ± 5 years) or a battery of neuropsychological tests were included in this cross-sectional analysis. Coffee consumption and total dietary caffeine intake were assessed at baseline using a food frequency questionnaire. Logistic regression models were fitted to evaluate the association between total, caffeinated and decaffeinated coffee consumption or total dietary caffeine intake and cognitive impairment. RESULTS: Total coffee consumers and caffeinated coffee consumers had better cognitive functioning than non-consumers when measured by the MMSE and after adjusting for potential confounders (OR 0.63; 95% CI 0.44-0.90 and OR 0.56; 95% CI 0.38-0.83, respectively). Results were similar when cognitive performance was measured using the Clock Drawing Test (CDT) and Trail Making Test B (TMT-B). These associations were not observed for decaffeinated coffee consumption. Participants in the highest tertile of total dietary caffeine intake had lower odds of poor cognitive functioning than those in the reference tertile when screened by the MMSE (OR 0.64; 95% CI 0.47-0.87) or other neurophysiological tests evaluating a variety of cognitive domains (i.e., CDT and TMT-A). CONCLUSIONS: Coffee consumption and total dietary caffeine intake were associated with better cognitive functioning as measured by various neuropsychological tests in a Mediterranean cohort of elderly individuals with MetS. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ISRCTN89898870. Registration date: July 24, 2014.

Dietary Quality Changes According to the Preceding Maximum Weight: A Longitudinal Analysis in the PREDIMED-Plus Randomized Trial.

One-year dietary quality change according to the preceding maximum weight in a lifestyle intervention program (PREDIMED-Plus trial, 55-75-year-old overweight or obese adults; n = 5695) was assessed. A validated food frequency questionnaire was used to assess dietary intake. A total of 3 groups were made according to the difference between baseline measured weight and lifetime maximum reported weight: (a) participants entering the study at their maximum weight, (b) moderate weight loss maintainers (WLM), and (c) large WLM. Data were analyzed by General Linear Model. All participants improved average lifestyle. Participants entering the study at their maximum weight were the most susceptible to improve significantly their dietary quality, assessed by adherence to Mediterranean diet, DII and both healthful and unhealthful provegetarian patterns. People at maximum weight are the most benefitted in the short term by a weight management program. Long term weight loss efforts may also reduce the effect of a weight management program.

Holographic Complex Conformal Field Theories.

The loss of criticality in the form of weak first-order transitions or the end of the conformal window in gauge theories can be described as the merging of two fixed points that move to complex values of the couplings. When the complex fixed points are close to the real axis, the system typically exhibits walking behavior with Miransky (or Berezinsky-Kosterlitz-Thouless) scaling. We present a novel realization of these phenomena at strong coupling by means of the gauge/gravity duality, and give evidence for the conjectured existence of complex conformal field theories at the fixed points.