Increased ultra-processed food consumption is associated with worsening of cardiometabolic risk factors in adults with metabolic syndrome: Longitudinal analysis from a randomized trial.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: The association between changes in ultra-processed food (UPF) consumption and cardiometabolic risk (CMR) factors remains understudied. We evaluated the association between changes in UPF consumption over 12 months of follow-up and changes in CMR factors in adults diagnosed with metabolic syndrome. METHODS: We analysed data from 5373 adults (aged 55-75 years) participating in the PREDIMED-Plus trial. Diet was evaluated at baseline, 6- and 12-month visits using a validated food frequency questionnaire, and UPF consumption (in grams/day and percentage of total daily dietary intake in grams) was categorized based on NOVA classification. We used mixed-effects linear models with repeated measurements at baseline, 6 and 12 months of follow-up to assess the associations between changes in UPF consumption and changes in CMR factors adjusting for sociodemographic and lifestyles variables. RESULTS: In multivariable-adjusted models, when comparing the highest versus the lowest quartile of UPF consumption, positive associations were found for several CMR factors: weight (kg, ß = 1.09; 95% confidence interval 0.91 to 1.26); BMI (kg/m2, ß = 0.39; 0.33 to 0.46); waist circumference (cm, ß = 1.03; 0.81 to 1.26); diastolic blood pressure (mm Hg, ß = 0.67; 0.29 to 1.06); fasting blood glucose (mg/dl, ß = 1.66; 0.61 to 2.70); HbA1c (%, ß = 0.04; 0.01 to 0.07); triglycerides (mg/dl, ß = 6.79; 3.66 to 9.91) and triglycerides and glucose index (ß = 0.06; 0.04 to 0.08). CONCLUSIONS: Higher UPF consumption was associated with adverse evolution in objectively measured CMR factors after 12 months of follow-up in adults with metabolic syndrome. Further research is needed to explore whether these changes persist for longer periods.

Dietary diversity and depression: cross-sectional and longitudinal analyses in Spanish adult population with metabolic syndrome. Findings from PREDIMED-Plus trial.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the cross-sectional and longitudinal (2-year follow-up) associations between dietary diversity (DD) and depressive symptoms. DESIGN: An energy-adjusted dietary diversity score (DDS) was assessed using a validated FFQ and was categorised into quartiles (Q). The variety in each food group was classified into four categories of diversity (C). Depressive symptoms were assessed with Beck Depression Inventory-II (Beck II) questionnaire and depression cases defined as physician-diagnosed or Beck II >= 18. Linear and logistic regression models were used. SETTING: Spanish older adults with metabolic syndrome (MetS). PARTICIPANTS: A total of 6625 adults aged 55-75 years from the PREDIMED-Plus study with overweight or obesity and MetS. RESULTS: Total DDS was inversely and statistically significantly associated with depression in the cross-sectional analysis conducted; OR Q4 v. Q1 = 0·76 (95 % CI (0·64, 0·90)). This was driven by high diversity compared to low diversity (C3 v. C1) of vegetables (OR = 0·75, 95 % CI (0·57, 0·93)), cereals (OR = 0·72 (95 % CI (0·56, 0·94)) and proteins (OR = 0·27, 95 % CI (0·11, 0·62)). In the longitudinal analysis, there was no significant association between the baseline DDS and changes in depressive symptoms after 2 years of follow-up, except for DD in vegetables C4 v. C1 = (ß = 0·70, 95 % CI (0·05, 1·35)). CONCLUSIONS: According to our results, DD is inversely associated with depressive symptoms, but eating more diverse does not seem to reduce the risk of future depression. Additional longitudinal studies (with longer follow-up) are needed to confirm these findings.

Evaluation of aflatoxin and fumonisin co-exposure in urine samples from healthy volunteers in northern Mexico.

Aflatoxins (AF) and fumonisins (FB) are common contaminants of maize and have been associated with cancer, immune suppression, and growth stunting. In this work, AFM1 and FB1 were measured in urine samples of healthy volunteers from the metropolitan area of Monterrey, Mexico, while AF and FB were detected in foods collected near the sampling zone. Urine samples from 106 adults were analyzed using ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry and toxins in foods were measured by fluorometry. The mean value of AFM1 and FB1 was 4.3 pg/mg creatinine from 76 samples (72 %), and 50 pg/mg creatinine from 75 samples (71 %), respectively. More than half of the samples (n = 56, 53 %) had detectable levels of both AFM1 and FB1. No differences in toxin levels were found between males and females or between age groups, but AFM1 and FB1 levels were higher (p < 0.01) when detected as a single exposure compared to co-exposed. Some significant results were found when comparing AFM1 and FB1 levels among groups of people assigned to levels of food consumption. Food samples had average concentrations of 5.3 µg/kg for AF and 800 µg/kg for FB. The results showed that co-exposure to AF and FB is common in the metropolitan area of Monterrey.

Benefits of Cardamom (Elettaria cardamomum (L.) Maton) and Turmeric (Curcuma longa L.) Extracts for Their Applications as Natural Anti-Inflammatory Adjuvants.

The genus Zingiberaceae has been widely used for phytotherapeutic purposes in traditional medicine throughout the world for its anti-inflammatory activity. Experimental studies have established that inflammation caused by chronic infections represents a risk factor for different forms of cancer. The objective of this study was focused on determining the anti-inflammatory capacity and cytotoxic activity of aqueous extracts of Elettaria cardamomum (cardamom) and Curcuma Longa (turmeric). The extracts were obtained by maceration and, through GC-MS/MS, a total of 11 different chemical components were determined in the aqueous extract of cardamom and 7 in the extract of turmeric. The main compounds found in cardamom and turmeric were α-terpinyl acetate (54.46%) and ß-turmerone (33.45%), respectively. RT-qPCR results showed significantly lower gene expression levels of innate inflammatory cytokines (IL-6 and TNF-α) compared to the control (LPS). Also, it was observed that the extracts do not possess cytotoxic activity against different cell lines, where E. cardamomum showed EC50 (µg/mL) of 473.84 (HeLa cells), 237.36 (J774A.1 cells), 257.51 (Vero E6 cells), and 431.16 (Balb/C peritoneal cells) and C. longa showed EC50 (µg/mL) of 351.17 (HeLa cells), 430.96 (J774A.1 cells), 396.24 (Vero E6 cells), and 362.86 (Balb/C peritoneal cells). The results of this research suggest that natural extracts of E. cardamomum and C. longa possess anti-inflammatory effects and no cytotoxic activity against HeLa, J774A.1, Vero E6, and Balb/C peritoneal cell lines. Finally, it was observed that the extracts also decreased nitric oxide (NO) production in peritoneal macrophages.

Temporal Viability of Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus Eggs Using Two Hygroscopic Substances as Preservatives under a Sterile Insect Technique (SIT) Program in Southern Mexico.

Dengue and other Aedes-borne diseases have dramatically increased over the last decades. The Sterile Insect Technique (SIT) has been successfully used as part of integrated pest strategies to control populations of insect-plant and livestock pests and is currently being tested as a potential method to reduce mosquito populations in an environmentally friendly approach. However, during the mass rearing steps needed to produce millions of mosquitoes, egg storage and preservation are essential for a certain amount of time. Eggs of Aedes aegypti have a chorionic pad that functions as a sticky substance to glue them onto the inner walls of larval breeding sites. The chorionic pad is chemically made of hyaluronic acid, a hygroscopic compound, responsible to protect them from desiccation over time. Two commercial products with hygroscopic properties, hydrolyzed collagen, and Hyalurosmooth®, both were tested to assess their ability to prolong egg life storage for A. aegypti and A. albopictus. Results showed that 85-95% of Ae. aegypti eggs were able to hatch up to week 8 after being treated with both hydrophilic compounds, compared with the control 66.3%. These two substances showed promising effects for keeping Ae. aegypti eggs viable during prolonged storage in mass rearing insect production focused on vector control SIT programs.

Pediculosis Affects Mexican Children from Different Socioeconomic Status Equally: A Cross-Sectional Study.

The prevalence of pediculosis in Mexican children was studied in San Nicolas and Tapachula, Mexico. A cross-sectional study included 888 students between six and 12 years old from two urban communities with an unequal socioeconomic status between September 2015 and March 2016. A Pearson χ2 and multivariate logistic analysis were carried out to associate risk factors to pediculosis. The overall prevalence of pediculosis from both localities was 23.9%. The female gender; long and medium hair; living with someone infested; previously infested by head lice and curling hair were variables linked to a significantly higher prevalence of pediculosis (p < 0.01). Nevertheless, no significant differences were observed in the age groups, localities and socioeconomic status for human lice infection. Socioeconomic variables such as numbers of inhabitants, floors of house, beds and rooms; and parents' qualification did not show a significative association for pediculosis. Health education in schools is needed for pediculosis prevention and remove the stigmatization of this disease related to poverty.

Molecular Detection of Leptospira interrogans and Borrelia burgdorferi in Wild Rodents from Mexico.

Leptospirosis and Lyme borreliosis are zoonotic emerging diseases of global importance and wide distribution. The aim of this study was to detect by molecular testing to Leptospira interrogans and Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato in wild rodents from Nuevo Leon, Quintana Roo, and Campeche, Mexico. This study is the first in report to Chaetodipus nelsoni, Dipodomys merriami, and Peromyscus eremicus infected with L. interrogans in Mexico. Besides, Chaetodipus hispidus, Heteromys gaumeri, Heteromys irroratus, Neotoma micropus, Peromyscus leucopus, Peromyscus maniculatus, and Sigmodon hispidus infected with B. burgdorferi s.l. in Mexico. Also, is the first report in identify coinfection of L. interrogans and B. burgdorferi s.l. in wild rodents such as H. irroratus and S. hispidus in Nuevo Leon, and H. gaumeri in Quintana Roo, Mexico. These wild rodent species infected represent a risk factor for the exposed population in these sylvatic and rural areas of Mexico.

Outbreak of Zika Virus Infection, Chiapas State, Mexico, 2015, and First Confirmed Transmission by Aedes aegypti Mosquitoes in the Americas.

BACKGROUND: After decades of obscurity, Zika virus (ZIKV) has spread through the Americas since 2015 accompanied by congenital microcephaly and Guillain-Barré syndrome. Although these epidemics presumably involve transmission by Aedes aegypti, no direct evidence of vector involvement has been reported, prompting speculation that other mosquitoes such as Culex quinquefasciatus could be involved. METHODS: We detected an outbreak of ZIKV infection in southern Mexico in late 2015. Sera from suspected ZIKV-infected patients were analyzed for viral RNA and antibodies. Mosquitoes were collected in and around patient homes and tested for ZIKV. RESULTS: Of 119 suspected ZIKV-infected patients, 25 (21%) were confirmed by RT-PCR of serum collected 1-8 days after the onset of signs and symptoms including rash, arthralgia, headache, pruritus, myalgia, and fever. Of 796 mosquitoes collected, A. aegypti yielded ZIKV detection by RT-PCR in 15 of 55 pools (27.3%). No ZIKV was detected in C. quinquefasciatus ZIKV sequences derived from sera and mosquitoes showed a monophyletic relationship suggestive of a point source introduction from Guatemala. CONCLUSIONS: These results demonstrate the continued, rapid northward progression of ZIKV into North America with typically mild disease manifestations, and implicate A. aegypti for the first time as a principal vector in North America.

First Report of Aedes aegypti Transmission of Chikungunya Virus in the Americas.

During a chikungunya fever outbreak in late 2014 in Chiapas, Mexico, entomovirological surveillance was performed to incriminate the vector(s). In neighborhoods, 75 households with suspected cases were sampled for mosquitoes, of which 80% (60) harbored Aedes aegypti and 2.7% (2) Aedes albopictus. A total of 1,170 Ae. aegypti and three Ae. albopictus was collected and 81 pools were generated. Although none of the Ae. albopictus pools were chikungunya virus (CHIKV)-positive, 18 Ae. aegypti pools (22.8%) contained CHIKV, yielding an infection rate of 32.3/1,000 mosquitoes. A lack of herd immunity in conjunction with high mosquito populations, poor vector control services in this region, and targeted collections in locations of human cases may explain the high infection rate in this vector. Consistent with predictions from experimental studies, Ae. aegypti appears to be the principal vector of CHIKV in southern Mexico, while the role of Ae. albopictus remains unknown.