Antiproliferative and cytotoxic effects of polyphenols from pomegranate peel and coffee pulp on cancer cells.

Pomegranate peel (PP) and coffee pulp (CP) are by-products of the food industry that can cause environmental pollution if not handled adequately. These by-products contain a significant amount of polyphenolic compounds which have antioxidant and possibly anticancer properties. We investigated the antiproliferative and cytotoxic activities of polyphenols from PP, CP and a 50-50% mixture of both against HeLa, A549, MDA-MB and Hek-293 cells. The total phenolic content of the PP and CP extracts was determined by high performance liquid chromatography/electrospray ionisation/mass spectrometry, and the antiproliferative and cytotoxic potentials were evaluated by MTT (3- (4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl-2H-tetrazolium bromide) and Lactate Dehydogenase assays, respectively. Results showed antiproliferative and cytotoxic effects of polyphenols from PP and CP when administered at different concentrations or mixtures on HeLa, A549 and MDA-MB cells. No significant antiproliferative effects were observed on Hek-293 cells treated under similar conditions. These results suggest the potential of PP and CP polyphenols, individually or in combination, to modulate biological mechanisms involved in cervical, breast and lung cancer.

Nanostructured Copper Selenide Coatings for Antifouling Applications.

The accumulation of microorganisms, plants, algae, or small animals on wet surfaces that have a mechanical function causes biofouling, which can result in structural or other functional deficiencies. The maritime shipping industry must constantly manage biofouling to optimize operational performance, which is a common and long-lasting problem. It can occur on any metal structure in contact with or submerged in ocean water, which represents additional costs in terms of repairs and maintenance. This study is focused on the production of antifouling coatings, made with nanoparticles of copper selenide (CuSe NPs) modified with gum arabic, within a water-base acrylic polymeric matrix. During the curing of the acrylic resin, the CuSe NPs remain embedded in the resin, but this does not prevent the release of ions. The coatings released copper and selenium ions for up to 80 days, and selenium was the element that was released the most. The adhesion of film coatings to metallic substrates showed good adhesion, scale 5B (ASTM D3359 standard). Antimicrobial activity tests show that the coatings have an inhibitory effect on Escherichia coli and Candida albicans. The effect is more noticeable when the coating is detached from the substrate and placed on a growing medium, compared to the coating on a substrate. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) observations show that nanostructured CuSe coatings are made up of rod-shaped and spherical particles with an average particle size of 101.6 nm and 50 nm, respectively. The energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) studies showed that the ratio of selenium nanoparticles is greater than that of copper and that their distribution is homogeneous.

Sprouts as probiotic carriers: A new trend to improve consumer nutrition.

Over the past few decades, efforts to eradicate hunger in the world have led to the generation of sustainable development goals to reduce poverty and inequality. It is estimated that the current coronavirus pandemic could add between 83 and 132 million to the total number of undernourished people in the world by 2021. Food insecurity is a contributing factor to the increase in malnutrition, overweight and obesity due to the quality of diets to which people have access. It is therefore necessary to develop functional foods that meet the needs of the population, such as the incorporation of sprouts in their formulation to enhance nutritional quality. Germination of grains and seeds can be used as a low-cost bioprocessing technique that provides higher nutritional value and better bioavailability of nutrients. Consequently, the manuscript describes relevant information about the germination process in different seeds, the changes caused in their nutritional value and the use of techniques within the imbibition phase to modify the metabolic profiles within the sprouts such as inoculation with lactic acid bacteria and yeasts, to generate a functional symbiotic food.

Anticancer Effect of Pomegranate Peel Polyphenols against Cervical Cancer.

Polyphenols are a broad group of bioactive phytochemicals with powerful antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, and antiviral activities. Numerous studies have demonstrated that polyphenol extracts obtained from natural sources can be used for the prevention and treatment of cancer. Pomegranate peel extract is an excellent source of polyphenols, such as punicalagin, punicalin, ellagic acid, and caffeic acid, among others. These phenolic compounds have antineoplastic activity in in vitro models of cervical cancer through the regulation of cellular redox balance, induction of apoptosis, cell cycle arrest, and modulation of different signaling pathways. The current review summarizes recent data from scientific reports that address the anticancer activity of the predominant polyphenol compounds present in PPE and their different mechanisms of action in cervical cancer models.

Polimorfismos genéticos predictores de sarcopenia en adultos mayores: una revisión integrativa / Genetic polymorphism as predictors of sarcopenia in the elderly: an integrative review

Objetivo: Evaluar la evidencia científica de polimorfismos genéticos que predicen la sarcopenia en adultos mayores. Metodología:La revisión se realizó con estudios de los últimos 20 años, mediante la búsqueda sistemática en la base de datos de PubMed, Scopus, CONRYCYT y Web of Science. Los descriptores de búsqueda fueron con los términos “elderly”, “aged”, “sarcopenia”, “polymorphism”, “genetic”. Se incluyeron artículos a texto completo en inglés, con diseño correlacional predictivo o ajustes de modelo, con resultados que indicaran predicción de sarcopenia en adultos mayores. Se utilizó la plataforma FLC 3.0 para evaluar la calidad del estudio. Resultado: Cinco artículos cumplieron con los criterios de inclusión, hallándose una prevalencia media de sarcopenia del 26,44%; los polimorfismos encontrados que predicen dicha condición son el VDR/FokI alelo FF, ACTN3 alelo XX, CAV1/G14713A y ACE I/D alelo II. Conclusiones: La susceptibilidad genética es un factor que predice la presencia de sarcopenia, cuya alteración ocasiona un impacto en la musculatura y capacidad funcional del adulto mayor (AU)

Objective: Evaluate the scientific evidence of genetic polymorphisms that predict sarcopenia in elderly. Methods: The review was carried out through a systematic research of a 20 year span studies in PubMed, Scopus, CONRICYT and Web of Science databases. The descriptor search included the terms elderly, aged, sarcopenia, polymorphism, genetic. The articles included full english texts, designed from a predictive, correlational approach or adjustments in the model including results that could indicate prediction of sarcopenia in the elderly. FLC 3.0 platform was used to assess the quality of this research study. Results: After the review, 5 articles meet the inclusion criteria by finding the sarcopenia median prevalence of 26.44% and the polymorphisms VDR/FokI alelo FF, ACTN3 alelo XX, CAV1/ G14713A y ACE I/D alelo II, as the predictors related to this condition. Conclusion: The genetic susceptibility is a factor that predicts the presence of Sarcopenia, which causes a main impact in the skeletal muscle and functional decline in adults (AU)

Phytochemical Characterization of Phoradendron bollanum and Viscum album subs. austriacum as Mexican Mistletoe Plants with Antimicrobial Activity.

In Mexico, mistletoes have several applications in traditional medicine due to the great variety of compounds with biological activities that have not been characterized to date. The goals of the present study are to analyze the composition of minerals and phytochemical compounds in Mexican mistletoes Phoradendron bollanum and Viscum album subs. austriacum qualitatively and quantitatively, identify the compounds using HPLC-MS, and assess the antimicrobial potential in phytopathogenic microorganism control. Mineral content was evaluated with X-ray fluorescence. Three types of extracts were prepared: ethanol, water, and aqueous 150 mM sodium chloride solution. Characterization was carried out using qualitative tests for phytochemical compound groups, analytical methods for proteins, reducing sugars, total phenol, flavonoids quantification, and HPLC-MS for compound identification. The antimicrobial activity of mistletoe's liquid extracts was evaluated by microplate assay. K and Ca minerals were observed in both mistletoes. A qualitative test demonstrated alkaloids, carbohydrates, saponins, flavonoids, tannins, and quinones. Ethanolic extract showed flavonoids, 3845 ± 69 and 3067 ± 17.2 mg QE/g for Phoradendron bollanum and Viscum album subs. austriacum, respectively, while aqueous extracts showed a total phenol content of 65 ± 6.9 and 90 ± 1.19 mg GAE/g Phoradendron bollanum and Viscum album subs. austriacum, respectively. HPLC-MS identified largely hydroxycinnamic acids and methoxycinnamic acids. Clavibacter michiganenses was successfully inhibited by aqueous extract of both mistletoes.

Depressive Symptoms are Associated with low Serotonin Levels in Plasma but are not 5-HTTLPR Genotype Dependent in Older Adults.

Depressive symptoms are diagnosed by physicians using scales but their pathophysiology is unclear. Low serotonin (5-HT) levels play an important role in depression, and the 5-HT transporter (5-HTT) is an important regulator of plasma serotonin levels and reuptake. Additionally, the 5-HTT gene-linked polymorphic region (5-HTTLPR) is associated with depression. The aim was to clarify the roles of plasma serotonin levels in plasma and the 5HTTPLR polymorphism in depressive symptoms in older adults. A total of 84 older adult participants were evaluated. Depressive symptoms were measured using the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale of 20 items (CESD-20). The plasma serotonin levels were determined by ELISA, and the 5-HTTLPR genotype was analyzed by PCR. Depressive symptoms were present in 39.3% (N = 33) of the participants. The median plasma serotonin level was 204.34 ng/mL (SD = 93.88). A significant correlation was found between the CESD-20 scale and plasma serotonin levels (r = -.256; p = .019). Low serotonin levels were associated with the presence of depressive symptoms (p = .001). The 5-HTTLPR analysis showed that of the 84 older adults, 35.7% had the SS genotype, 10.7% had the LL genotype, and 53.6% were heterozygous. The 5-HTTLPR polymorphism was not associated with depressive symptoms (p = .587) and plasma serotonin levels (p = 0.391). Depressive symptoms correlate with low serotonin levels in plasma, but not with the 5-HTTLPR polymorphism in older Mexican adults.

Polimorfismos asociados con la susceptibilidad para pie diabético: una revisión integrafiva / Polymorphism associated with diabetic foot susceptibility: a integrative review

INTRODUCCIÓN: La presencia del pie diabético es una complicación frecuente en la persona que vive con diabetes. En su etiopatogenia confluyen factores conductuales, ambientales y el control de la enfermedad; no obstante, se reconoce la influencia de factores genéticos en su desarrollo y evolución. OBJETIVO: Sistematizar la asociación de los polimorfismos genéticos como riesgo para el desarrollo de pie diabético a través de la producción científica indexada. METODOLOGÍA: Revisión bibliográfica de los años 2010 a 2018; se realizó mediante la búsqueda sistemática en las bases de datos PubMed, Scopus, CONRICYT y WOS. Los descriptores fueron tres: "polymorphism" AND "diabetic foot" OR "foot ulcer diabetic". Se incluyeron artículos a texto completo en inglés con metodología de casos y controles, y que midieran estadísticamente factores de riesgo mediante la odds ratio y los riesgos relativos. Se utilizó la plataforma FLC 2.0 para evaluar la calidad del estudio. RESULTADOS: 13 artículos cumplieron con los criterios de inclusión; se identificaron 9 polimorfismos como factores para la aparición de pie diabético: HIF-1α, MCP-1-2518A/G, TLR9-1237 T/C, MAPK14 rs80028505, LOX G473A, gen FokI del receptor VDR, MMPs-1562C>T, TCF7L2, HIF-1α p582s y 4 como factores protectores: VEGF rs699947, VEGF-634G/C, eNOS Glu298Asp y VEGF 2578 C/A. CONCLUSIÓN: La susceptibilidad, gravedad y aparición del pie diabético está asociado con factores genéticos implicados en distintos mecanismos fisiopatológicos

INTRODUCTION: Diabetic foot is a frequent complication in patients with diabetes. The risk factors associated with its development and evolution are related to the behavioral, environmental and disease control characteristics, however, the influence of genetic factors in the development of this complication has been recognized. OBJECTIVE: To analyze the available evidence on the association of genetic polymorphisms in the risk of presenting diabetic foot. METHODOLOGY: Articles were reviewed in English, not older than 10 years, with a methodology of cases and controls that statistically measure risk factors through odds ratio and relative risk. Therefore the search was performed in databases such as PubMed, Scopus, CONRICYT and WOS with maximum date until January 31, 2018. Controlled descriptors "polymorphism" AND "diabetic foot" OR "foot ulcer diabetic" were applied. The FLC 2.0 platform was used to evaluate the quality of the study. RESULTS: Thirteen articles were selected, there being 9 polymorphisms with risk factors such as HIF-1α, MCP-1-2518A/G, TLR9-1237 T/C, MAPK14 rs80028505, LOX G473A, FokI gene of the VDR receptor, MMPs-1562C>T, TCF7L2, HIF-1α p582s and 4 protective factors such as VEGF rs699947, VEGF-634G/C, eNOS Glu298Asp and VEGF 2578 C/A. CONCLUSION: The susceptibility, severity and appearance of diabetic foot they are associated with genetic factors that are involved in different physiopathological mechanisms

Assessment of biochemical parameters and characterization of TNFα -308G/A and PTPN22 +1858C/T gene polymorphisms in the risk of obesity in adolescents.

Obesity is currently considered an inflammatory condition associated with autoimmune diseases, suggesting a common origin. Among other factors, candidate genes may explain the development of this disease. Polymorphisms in the tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα) and lymphoid protein tyrosine phosphatase (PTPN22) genes lead to an increased risk to development of immune and inflammatory diseases. The aim of the present study was to analyze the biochemical parameters and the effect of the TNFα -308G/A and PTPN22 +1858C/T polymorphisms in the susceptibility of adolescents to obesity. A group of 253 adolescent subjects were recruited and classified as obese, overweight or normal weight according to their nutritional status. Anthropometric measurements, clinical and biochemical data were analyzed. DNA was extracted from peripheral blood samples by the phenol-chloroform method, and TNFα -308G/A and PTPN22 1858C/T polymorphisms were determined by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism assays. Clinical, genetic and biochemical parameters were analyzed to determine the existence of a possible association with the development of obesity. Statistically significant differences in body mass index, insulin, triglyceride levels and homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) index were observed among the three groups analyzed (P≤0.05). The studied polymorphisms did not confer a risk for developing obesity in the analyzed population (P>0.05); however, significantly low levels of insulin and decreased rates of HOMA-IR were observed in the 1858 CT genotype carriers of the PTPN22 gene. In conclusion, no association between the TNFα -308G/A and PTPN22 +1858C/T polymorphisms and the risk to development of obesity in the adolescent population analyzed was observed. However, the 1858 CT genotype of the PTPN22 gene was associated with variations of certain biochemical parameters analyzed.

High prevalence of diabetic retinopathy and lack of association with integrin α2 gene polymorphisms in patients with type 2 diabetes from Northeastern Mexico.

Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is one of the primary causes of blindness in the working age population and is characterized by angiogenesis in the retina. Platelets have been suggested to be involved in the pathogenesis of diabetic microvascular complications. The integrin receptor for collagen/laminin, α2ß1, mediates platelet primary adhesion to subendothelial tissues, which is an essential first step in thrombus formation. The gene encoding the α2 subunit of α2ß1 integrin has ≥8 polymorphisms, including a BglII/NdeI restriction fragment length polymorphism. To explore the prevalence of DR in a population from Northeastern Mexico, unrelated, hospitalized patients who had received a diagnosis of type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM2) at least 10 years previously were recruited (n=177). DR was diagnosed in a masked manner by independent ophthalmologists using fundus images captured using a non-mydriatic retinal camera. A total of 121 patients with DM2 (68%) had some degree of DR development (DR patients), and 56 patients with DM2 (32%) did not exhibit any sign of DR (No-DR patients). The results showed that after 15 years of DM2 progression, there is an increased risk of DR (P=0.0497; odds ratio, 1.993). In addition, insulin therapy and family history of DM2 were significantly associated with DR. In order to detect a possible association between DR and BglII/NdeI α2 gene polymorphisms, a comparative cross-sectional study between DR and No-DR patients was conducted. The α2 gene was genotyped by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism assay. Statistical analysis revealed no association between BglII/NdeI genotypes and the development of DR in this group of patients. In conclusion, the present data indicate a high prevalence of DR in the Mexican population and suggest that the damage in DR is due to other factors, such as the duration of the DM2, and is not linked to BglII/NdeI α2 gene polymorphisms.

Murine interferon-gamma inducible protein-10 (IP-10) secreted by Lactococcus lactis chemo-attracts human CD3+ lymphocytes.

Chemokines are members of the super family of cytokines necessary for leukocyte recruitment in tissues and lymphoid organs. The interferon-gamma inducible protein-10 (IP-10) chemo-attracts CXCR3-expressing cells, such as activated T lymphocytes and monocytes. We have genetically engineered a strain of Lactococcus lactis to secrete a biologically active murine IP-10 that interacts with human CXCR3, its homolog receptor, and chemo-attracts human CD3+ T lymphocytes.