Cytotoxicity Screening of Sterculia striata A.St.-Hil. & Naudin (Chichá) and Arachis hypogaea L. (Peanut) and Comparative Chemical Profiles Before and After in Vitro Digestion.

This study traced the cytotoxicity, antioxidant activity, and phytochemical profile before and after in vitro digestion of nuts from Sterculia striata A. St.-Hil. & Naudin (Malvaceae) (chichá or monkey's peanut), a native plant from Brazil, in comparison with Arachis hypogaea L. (peanut). The antioxidant activity in the 2,2'-Azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS), 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), and Ferric Reducing Antioxidant Power Assay (FRAP) assays was lower in chichá when compared with peanuts, corroborating the lower concentration of polyphenols. None of the samples studied showed significant cytotoxicity in 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromideDAD: diode-array detection (MTT) assays. In vitro digestion altered the phytochemical profile in both plants, increasing the concentration of rutin in fresh and roasted chichá but only in raw peanuts. In roasted peanuts, rutin was converted into quercetin. Chichá nuts have been used by the local population for centuries, and the identification of their bioactive components can be useful to promote their benefits as a functional food.

Lifetime prevalence of psychiatric comorbidities in patients with bipolar disorder: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Bipolar disorder (BD) is a severe psychiatric disease and part of its burden is related to the high rates of lifetime psychiatric comorbidity (PC), with diagnostic, therapeutic, and prognostic implications. METHODS: Registered in PROSPERO (CRD42021282356). Meta-analyses were performed, searching for relevant papers published from 1993 to 2022 in Medline/PubMed (including E-Pub Ahead of Print), Embase, Cochrane Library (Central), PsycINFO, Scopus, Web of Science and via hand-searching, without language restrictions. 12.698 studies were initially identified, 114 of which were ultimately chosen based on the eligibility criteria. We performed two meta-analyses (prevalence and risk ratio) of mental health conditions among subjects with BD and then conducted a comprehensive examination of moderator effects using multivariable meta-regression models for moderators identified as significant in the univariable analysis. FINDINGS: Overall PC prevalence of at least one disorder was 38.91 % (95 % CI 35.24-42.70) and the most frequent disorders were: anxiety (40.4 % [34.97-46.06]), SUD (30.7 % [23.73-38.73]), ADHD (18.6 % [10.66-30.33]) and Disruptive, impulse-control and conduct disorder (15 % [6.21-31.84). The moderators with higher association with individual prevalences were UN's Human Development Index (HDI), female gender, age, suicide attempt, and age at onset (AAO). INTERPRETATION: It becomes evident that the prevalence of PC among individuals with BD is notably high, surpassing rates observed in the general population. This heightened prevalence persists despite significant heterogeneity across studies. Consequently, it is imperative to redirect clinical focus towards comprehensive mental health assessments, emphasizing personalized and routine screening. Additionally, there is a pressing need for the enhancement of public policies to create a supportive environment for individuals with BD, ensuring better therapeutic conditions and sustained assistance. By addressing these aspects, we can collectively strive towards fostering improved mental health outcomes for individuals with BD.

From the most to the least flexible nutritional profile: Classification of foods marketed in Brazil according to the Brazilian and Mexican models.

Nutrient profiling is the science of classifying or ranking foods according to their nutritional composition, for reasons related to disease prevention and health promotion. To be effective, policies such as front-of-pack nutrition labeling (FoPNL) must have an adequate nutritional profile model, since it will determine which products will be eligible to receive a FoPNL. This study aimed to determine the percentage of packaged food and drink products available in Brazil that would be subject to FoPNL under two different legislations: Brazilian and Mexican. This is a cross-sectional study in which we collected information on food products (photos of the ingredients list, the front label, the barcode, and the nutrition facts table) from one of the largest stores of a supermarket chain in the city of Belo Horizonte-MG, Brazil, from March to May 2021 (~6 months after the publication of the Brazilian legislation about FoPNL and a year and a half before the legislation came into force). The products were classified in relation to the BNPM (added sugars, saturated fats, and sodium) and the MNPM (energy, free sugars, saturated fats, trans fats, sodium, non-sugar sweeteners, and caffeine). A total of 3384 products were collected and, after applying the exclusion criteria, 3,335 products were evaluated. Of these, 2,901 would be eligible to receive FoPNL in Brazil and 2,914 would be eligible to receive FoPNL in Mexico. According to the BNPM, 56.7% (95% CI 54.9; 58.5%) of the products were "high in" critical nutrients, 27.1% (95% CI 25.5; 28.7%) of the products in added sugars, 26.7% (95% CI 25.2; 28.4%) of the products in saturated fats, and 21.4% (95% CI 19.9; 22.9%) of the products in sodium. As for the MNPM, 96.8% (95% CI 96.1; 97.4%) of them were "high in" up to five critical nutrients and up to two warning rectangles (caffeine and non-sugar sweeteners), 45.8% (95% CI 44.0; 47.6%) of them in free sugars, 43.7% (95% CI 41.9; 45.5%) of them in saturated fats, and 47.9% (95% CI 46.1; 49.7%) of them in sodium. We concluded that the eligibility to receive FoPNL by BNPM and MNPM was relatively similar between products; however, almost all products would have at least one FoPNL and/or warning rectangles according to Mexican legislation, and nearly half of them would have at least one FoPNL, considering BNPM. The MNPM is much more restrictive than the BNPM. The Nutrient Profile Model (NPM) that regulates FoPNL, and other health policies, must be carefully defined to ensure that foods are properly classified according to their healthiness.

Influence of nutrition claims on different models of front-of-package nutritional labeling in supposedly healthy foods: Impact on the understanding of nutritional information, healthfulness perception, and purchase intention of Brazilian consumers.

Nutrition claims are positive information about foods, which are widely used as a marketing strategy on labels. On the contrary, front-of-package nutritional labeling (FoPNL) aims to make it easier for consumers to understand the nutritional composition of foods and favor healthy food choices. However, the concomitant presence of nutrition claims and FoPNL may hinder the understanding, judgment, and choices of consumers at the moment of purchase. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate the influence of nutrition claims on the efficacy of FoPNL models in the understanding of nutritional information, healthfulness perception, and purchase intention of Brazilian consumers. It was an experimental cross-sectional study carried out using an online questionnaire, with a total of 720 participants randomly divided into four FoPNL conditions: control, octagon, triangle, and magnifying glass. Each participant looked at 12 food packages, which were produced following the factorial design: (i) food category (cereal bar, whole grain cookies, and snacks); (ii) product type (containing one critical nutrient × containing two critical nutrients); and (iii) nutrition claims (present × absent). The comprehension of nutritional information was evaluated through the identification of excessive nutrients, and the healthfulness perception and purchase intention were evaluated using a seven-point scale. The results indicated that the presence of FoPNL increased the understanding of the information and reduced healthfulness perception and purchase intention. The presence of nutrition claims influenced the three outcomes, decreasing the probability of understanding information about food composition by 32% (OR 0.68, 95% confidence interval 0.58-0.78, p < 0.01) and significantly increasing (p < 0.05) average health scores (1.95-2.02) and purchase intention (2.00-2.05). Nonetheless, the interaction "FoPNL × claims" was not significant, which indicated that claims act independently. All FoPNL models were more effective than the control. For the least healthful type of product (two nutrients in excess), the octagon and triangle models were superior to the magnifying glass, regarding the outcome of healthfulness perception. The results prove the efficacy of FoPNL in consumer understanding and judgment. Despite the positive effects of FoPNL, it did not cancel the positivity bias generated by the claims.

Proliferative Effect of Food Plant Species from Brazil's Cerrado on Cultured Fibroblasts.

Brazilian Cerrado is the second largest biome in South America and contains many unstudied valuable plant species rich in bioactive substances. In this study we investigated the phenolic content and proliferative effects on cultured fibroblasts of 32 extracts of different polarities prepared from 11 plants found in Cerrado regions. Eight extracts from six species increased cell proliferation and significantly induced ATP production by the cells. Four of these extracts were obtained from plants used as food, specifically from its fruits or seeds. A high phenolic content for these eight extracts, which directly correlated with the induction of cell proliferation, was corroborated by mass spectrometry analysis. We suggest that the bioactive substance content of these species shows an interesting potential use in cosmetic and food industry, which can contribute to the conservation and sustainable development of this region.

Análise da adequação do termo detox nos rótulos de bebidas industrializadas à base de frutas e vegetais / Analysis of the adequacy of the term detox on the labels of industrialized drinks based on fruits and vegetables

Dietas populares, como as detox, surgem a todo o momento. Todavia, poucos dados científicos comprovam a eficácia e segurança destas dietas. Este trabalho avaliou rótulos de bebidas à base de frutas e vegetais e identificou as que se autodenominam detox. Tratou-se de estudo transversal descritivo, realizado de setembro a outubro/2016. O tamanho da porção na informação nutricional e as alegações encontradas nos rótulos foram analisados em relação às legislações vigentes. Composição nutricional, quantidade total de ingredientes e presença de aditivos alimentares e/ou outros ingredientes não usuais em preparações culinárias foram comparados entre as bebidas detox e as comuns. De 83 produtos analisados, 9,6% (n=8) se autodenominaram detox. A composição nutricional e o número médio de ingredientes não diferiram entre as bebidas detox e as comuns. Alegações nutricionais e de saúde estavam presentes em 77,1% (n=64) dos produtos e 53,0% (n=44) apresentaram alegações não previstas na RDC nº 54/2012. As informações mais frequentes foram quanto aos teores de micronutrientes, açúcares, sódio e fibras. O termo detox, apesar de não permitido, é encontrado neste tipo de produto no mercado brasileiro. Os resultados sugerem que o termo detox seja utilizado mais como estratégia de marketing do que como real alegação de propriedade nutricional. (AU)

Popular diets, such as detox, appear all the time. However, few scientific data prove the efficacy and safety of these diets. This work evaluated labels of drinks based on fruits and vegetables and identified those that call detox. This was a descriptive cross-sectional study, carried out from September to October/2016. The portion size in the nutrition information and the claims found on the labels were analyzed in relation to the current legislation. Nutritional composition, total amount of ingredients and presence of food additives and other unusual ingredients in culinary preparations were compared between detox and ordinary drinks. Of 83 products analyzed, 9.6% (n=8) called detox. The nutritional composition and the average number of ingredients did not differ between detox drinks and ordinary drinks. Nutritional and health claims were present in 77.1% (n=64) of the products and 53.0% (n=44) presented claims not provided for in RDC nº 54/2012. The most frequent information was about the levels of micronutrients, sugars, sodium and fibers. The term detox, although not allowed, is found in this type of product in the Brazilian market. The results suggest that the term detox is used more as a marketing strategy than as a real claim of nutritional property. (AU)

Characterization of protein degradation in serum-based lubricants during simulation wear testing of metal-on-metal hip prostheses.

A size exclusion high performance liquid chromatography (SEC-HPLC) method has been developed which is capable of separation and quantitation of bovine serum albumin (BSA) and bovine serum globulin (BSG) components of serum-based lubricant (SBL) solutions. This allowed characterization of the stability profiles of these proteins when acting as lubricants during hip wear simulation, and identification of wear-specific mechanisms of degradation. Using cobalt-chromium metal-on-metal (MOM) hip joints, it was observed that BSA remained stable for up to 3 days (215K cycles) of wear testing after which the protein degraded in a fairly linear fashion. BSG on the other hand, began to degrade immediately and in a linear fashion with a rate constant of 5% per day. Loss of both proteins occurred via the formation of high molecular weight aggregates which precipitated out of solution. No fragmentation of the polypeptide backbone of either protein was observed. Data obtained suggest that protein degradation was not due to microbial contamination, denaturation at the air-water interface, or frictional heating of articulating joint surfaces in these studies. We conclude that the primary source of protein degradation during MOM simulation testing occurs via high shear rates experienced by SBL solutions at articulating surfaces, possibly coupled with metal-protein interactions occurring as new and reactive metal surfaces are generated during wear testing. The development of this analytical methodology will allow new studies to clarify the role of SBL solutions in wear simulation studies and the interactions and lubricating properties of serum proteins with prosthetic surfaces other than MOM.