Time-restricted eating and supervised exercise for improving hepatic steatosis and cardiometabolic health in adults with obesity: protocol for the TEMPUS randomised controlled trial.

INTRODUCTION: Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease is a major public health problem considering its high prevalence and its strong association with extrahepatic diseases. Implementing strategies based on an intermittent fasting approach and supervised exercise may mitigate the risks. This study aims to investigate the effects of a 12-week time-restricted eating (TRE) intervention combined with a supervised exercise intervention, compared with TRE or supervised exercise alone and with a usual-care control group, on hepatic fat (primary outcome) and cardiometabolic health (secondary outcomes) in adults with obesity. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: An anticipated 184 adults with obesity (50% women) will be recruited from Granada (south of Spain) for this parallel-group, randomised controlled trial (TEMPUS). Participants will be randomly designated to usual care, TRE alone, supervised exercise alone or TRE combined with supervised exercise, using a parallel design with a 1:1:1:1 allocation ratio. The TRE and TRE combined with supervised exercise groups will select an 8-hour eating window before the intervention and will maintain it over the intervention. The exercise alone and TRE combined with exercise groups will perform 24 sessions (2 sessions per week+walking intervention) of supervised exercise combining resistance and aerobic high-intensity interval training. All participants will receive nutritional counselling throughout the intervention. The primary outcome is change from baseline to 12 weeks in hepatic fat; secondary outcomes include measures of cardiometabolic health. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: This study was approved by Granada Provincial Research Ethics Committee (CEI Granada-0365-N-23). All participants will be asked to provide written informed consent. The findings will be disseminated in scientific journals and at international scientific conferences. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT05897073.

Effect of moringa leaf powder and agave inulin on performance, intestinal morphology, and meat yield of broiler chickens.

The addition prebiotics in broiler diets can benefit digestion and nutrient abortion. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the effects of moringa leaf powder and agave inulin on growth performance, intestinal morphology, and slaughter traits of broiler chickens over 40 d of grow-out. A total of 280 broilers (Ross 308) aged 1 d were randomly allocated to 4 treatments, with 7 replicates each and 10 chicks per replicate: T1 = control diet, T2 = control diet with 15 g/kg of moringa leaf powder, T3 = control diet with 15 g/kg of agave inulin, and T4 = control diet with 15 g/kg of moringa leaf powder and 15 g/kg of agave inulin. The results showed that analysis of treatments at time were not different (P > 0.05) for broiler weights, feed and water intake, and weight gain. Treatment was significant (P < 0.05) for feed efficiency at 22 to 40 d; the T4 group presented higher (P < 0.05) values, and the T1 group presented lower (P < 0.05) values. However, the villus lengths of intestinal sections were different (P < 0.05) among treatments. In the duodenum, jejunum, and ileum, villus lengths were highest (P < 0.05) in the T2 group and lowest (P < 0.05) in the T3 and T4 groups. Villus widths in the duodenum and ileum were highest (P < 0.05) in the T2 group, but the T1 group showed highest (P < 0.05) values in the jejunum sections. The T3 and T4 groups showed lowest (P < 0.05) values in villus width in the duodenum, jejunum, and ileum. Thigh yield was highest (P < 0.05) in the T2 group and lowest (P < 0.05) in the T4 group. The T1 group exhibited the highest (P < 0.05) piece yields for leg, wing, and hip-back. The T4 group showed lowest (P < 0.05) leg and wing yields. Moringa leaf powder and agave inulin at a concentration of 15 g/kg in diets did not affect broiler performance, whereas moringa leaf powder improved intestinal morphology and thigh yield, and agave inulin improved leg yield. The results demonstrated benefits of these 2 feed additives to improve intestine health and meat yield in broilers over a 40-day grow-out.

Mexican oregano essential oils as alternatives to butylated hydroxytoluene to improve the shelf life of ground beef.

Oregano essential oils from Lippia berlandieri Schauer (Lb) and Poliomintha longiflora Gray (Pl) were tested against the antioxidant butylated hydroxytoluene (Bht) to evaluate effects on the shelf life of ground beef (GB) over 7 days of storage at 4°C. The treatments were GB1 = GB control, GB2 = GB +100 mg/kg of Bht, GB3 = GB +100 mg/kg of Lb, and GB4 = GB +100 mg/kg of Pl. Lightness, redness, hardness, and springiness showed differences (p < .05) between treatments and days interaction, which serve as indicators of ground beef preserved quality and consumer acceptance. Mesophilic, psychrophilic, and lactic acid bacteria numbers and antioxidant activity showed differences (p < .05) for treatments and days. Sensory attributes showed no differences between treatments. The oregano oils may provide extended shelf life for packaged meat products treated with these natural additives and hence may be used for ground beef preservation.

Quantitative modeling of the interplay between synthetic gene circuits and host physiology: experiments, results, and prospects.

A primary goal of synthetic biology is to develop gene circuits that perform their intended functions despite variations in the growth conditions. However, this has turned out to be more complicated than it originally seemed because there is a complex interplay between the operation of synthetic gene circuits and the global physiology of host cells. Mathematical models provide an avenue to disentangle the intricacies of this phenomenon and guide the design of synthetic circuits that robustly perform in a variety of conditions. In this work, we review quantitative modeling approaches that have been used to rationalize and predict experimental observations resulting from circuit-to-circuit and circuit-host interactions in bacteria.

Mexican oregano essential oils given in drinking water on performance, carcass traits, and meat quality of broilers.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of 2 Mexican oregano essential oils (MOO), from Poliomintha longiflora Gray (PLG) and Lippia berlandieri Schauer (LBS), in drinking water (DWt) on the performance, slaughter variables, and meat quality of broilers over a 40 D period of growth. A total of 180 non-sexed Ross-308 broilers (1-day-old) were randomly assigned to 3 treatments with 6 replications each (10 birds per replicate): CON = DWt control (without MOO); PLG = DWt + 400 mg/L of PLG; and LBS = DWt + 400 mg/L of LBS. The CON, PLG, and LBS broilers body weights were similar (P > 0.05) at all times. Feed intake (FI) was different by treatment (P < 0.05) at 7 and 28 D, and water intake (WI) was different (P < 0.05) at day 28. The CON treatment was highest (P < 0.05) at 28 D for FI and WI, whereas LBS was lowest (P < 0.05). Weight gain (WG) for CON, PLG, and LBS broilers was similar (P > 0.05), although WG for CON was slightly higher. In CON broilers, slaughter weight was highest (P < 0.05), but thigh yield was lowest (P < 0.05). The CON and PLG treatments were lower (P < 0.05) in thigh and leg cooking losses. The PLG treatment presented the highest values (P < 0.05) for breast-meat redness, saturation index, shear force, odor, taste, and overall sensory acceptability. The LBS was higher (P < 0.05) for breast-meat shear force, cohesiveness and resilience, but lower (P < 0.05) for sensory attributes. Mexican oregano essential oils at 400 mg/L can serve as natural alternative additives in DWt to improve broiler production and meat quality.

Oregano powder substitution and shelf life in pork chorizo using Mexican oregano essential oil.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of oregano essential oil (MOO) from Mexican oregano, Lippia berlandieri Schauer, as substitute for Mexican oregano powder (MOP) on pork chorizo physicochemical characteristics, texture, antioxidant capacity, aerobic bacteria colony counts, and sensory evaluation under storage conditions over 7 d. The treatments were T1 = chorizo + 0.1% MOP and T2 = chorizo + 0.1% MOO. The pH, redness (a*), yellowness (b*), Chroma, and browning index (BI) were affected by treatments and storage time. T2 presented lower pH (5.27) at d 1 than at d 7 (5.34), as well as a* (23.13 vs. 25.27), b* (14.85 vs. 17.45), Chroma (28.60 vs. 30.79), and BI (103.42 vs. 109.82) were higher at d 7. At d 1, hardness (1392.75 vs. 872.29 g), springiness (0.3675 vs. 0.3351 mm), gumminess (491.45 vs. 284.38 g), and chewiness (180.25 vs. 95.43 g mm) were higher in T1 than T2. Aerobic bacteria counts (T1-4.19 vs. 4.73 log CFU/g and T2-4.37 vs. 4.50 log CFU/g, respectively) increased within each treatment at d 7. Antioxidant capacity was not affected (26.48 and 27.42%). Oregano odor was different at 7 d with T2 having a stronger odor (5.70) than T1 with oregano powder (4.63). Mexican oregano essential oil in the pork chorizo formulation improved pH, color parameters, textural profile, and sensory characteristics.

Modeling Asymmetric Cell Division in Caulobacter crescentus Using a Boolean Logic Approach.

Caulobacter crescentus is a model organism for the study of asymmetric division and cell type differentiation, as its cell division cycle generates a pair of daughter cells that differ from one another in their morphology and behavior. One of these cells (called stalked) develops a structure that allows it to attach to solid surfaces and is the only one capable of dividing, while the other (called swarmer) develops a flagellum that allows it to move in liquid media and divides only after differentiating into a stalked cell type. Although many genes, proteins, and other molecules involved in the asymmetric division exhibited by C. crescentus have been discovered and characterized for several decades, it remains as a challenging task to understand how cell properties arise from the high number of interactions between these molecular components. This chapter describes a modeling approach based on the Boolean logic framework that provides a means for the integration of knowledge and study of the emergence of asymmetric division. The text illustrates how the simulation of simple logic models gives valuable insight into the dynamic behavior of the regulatory and signaling networks driving the emergence of the phenotypes exhibited by C. crescentus. These models provide useful tools for the characterization and analysis of other complex biological networks.

Encephalitozoon cuniculi: Grading the Histological Lesions in Brain, Kidney, and Liver during Primoinfection Outbreak in Rabbits.

This is the first confirmed report of Encephalitozoon cuniculi (E. cuniculi) in farm meat rabbits located in Northern Mexico. Eighty young rabbits exhibited clinical signs of this zoonotic emerging disease, like torticollis, ataxia, paresis, circling, and rolling. Samples of brain, kidney, and liver were examined for histology lesions. For the first time the lesions caused by E. cuniculi were graded according to their severity (I, II, and III) and the size of the granulomas (Types A, B, and C). The main cerebral injuries were Grade III, coinciding with the presence of Type C granulomas. The cerebral lesions were located in the cortex, brain stem, and medulla. The renal lesions were also Grade III distributed throughout cortex and renal medulla, with no granuloma formation. The involvement of hypersensitivity Types III and IV is suggested. All of the rabbits were seropositive to E. cuniculi by CIA testing, suggesting that this zoonotic and emerging pathogen is widely distributed among animals intended for human consumption. We believe this work could be used as a guide when examining E. cuniculi and will provide direction to confirm the diagnosis of this pathogen.

Interrupción del proceso carioso a través de la técnica con sellantes de fosas y fisuras en piezas permanentes con caries incipientes y de primer grado a realizarse en los niños de 8 a 11 años de edad de las escuelas El Progreso y España No. 1 a desarrollarse en la Facultad de Odontología de la Universidad de El Salvador en el periodo de agosto a diciembre de 1998 / Interruption of the carious process through the technique with sealants of pits and fissures in permanent teeth with incipient and first degree caries to be performed in children between 8 and 11 years of age from the El Progreso and Spain No. 1 schools to be developed in the Faculty of Dentistry of the University of El Salvador in the period from August to December 1998

En El Salvador existen diferentes enfermedades que se desarrollan en el sistema estomatognático involucrado involucrando tejidos duros y blandos, entre ellos están principalmente: caries dental, enfermedades periodontales, y malformaciones, dichas afecciones se encuentran en un mayor porcentaje presentes en los pacientes que asisten a las clínicas de la Facultad de Odontología de la Universidad de El Salvador. La presente investigación pretende demostrar la efectividad que tienen los sellantes de fosas y fisuras en la interrupción del proceso carioso incipiente y de primer grado en piezas permanentes posteriores. El presente estudio, se divide en cinco capítulos, En el primer capítulo se detalla el planteamiento del problema el cual incluye la situación problemática enmarcándose de acuerdo al sistema socio-económico-político del país, por qué y para que de la investigación, objetivos, y alcances entre otros. El marco teórico que corresponde al segundo capítulo donde se hace una reseña histórica de la caries dental y de los tratamientos empleados en lesiones cariosas incipientes y de primer grado según la realidad Salvadoreña. Además se fundamenta teóricamente el problema en estudio. En el tercer capítulo se desarrolla la formulación y operacionalización de hipótesis, en la cual se plantea la hipótesis general, especifica, estadísticas, a la vez se determina y define la variable independiente, dependientes e intervinientes y posteriormente se da una definición real de términos básicos. En la metodología contemplada en el cuarto capítulo, se describe el tipo de investigación a utilizar, la población que abarca el estudio como también diferentes métodos, técnicas e instrumentos empleados en la realización de la investigación como en el experimento. Finalizando el estudio en el quinto capítulo, se plantea el análisis de los datos en él se desarrolla la descripción de los resultados estadísticos reflejándose en cuadros y gráficos. Además se plantean también conclusiones y recomendaciones obtenidas en base a la comprobación hipotética como empírica que se obtuvo en la investigación. La bibliografía y anexos que se presentan brindan una mejor interpretación al trabajo realizado.

In El Salvador there are different diseases that develop in the involved stomatognathic system involving hard and soft tissues, among them are mainly: dental caries, periodontal diseases, and malformations, these conditions are found in a greater percentage present in patients who attend the clinics of the Faculty of Dentistry of the University of El Salvador. The present research aims to demonstrate the effectiveness of pit and fissure sealants in interrupting the incipient and first-degree carious process in subsequent permanent pieces. The present study is divided into five chapters. In the first chapter, the problem statement is detailed, which includes the problematic situation framed according to the country's socio-economic-political system, why and for what the research, objectives, and scopes among others. The theoretical framework that corresponds to the second chapter where a historical review of dental caries and the treatments used in incipient and first degree carious lesions according to the Salvadoran reality is made. In addition, the problem under study is theoretically based. In the third chapter, the formulation and operationalization of hypotheses is developed, in which the general, specific, statistical hypothesis is raised, at the same time the independent, dependent and intervening variable is determined and defined and later a real definition of basic terms is given. . In the methodology contemplated in the fourth chapter, the type of research to be used, the population covered by the study as well as different methods, techniques and instruments used in conducting the research as in the experiment are described. At the end of the study in the fifth chapter, the analysis of the data is proposed, in which the description of the statistical results is developed, reflected in tables and graphs. In addition, conclusions and recommendations obtained based on the hypothetical and empirical verification obtained in the research are also raised. The bibliography and annexes that are presented provide a better interpretation of the work carried out.