Biocompatible metal-organic frameworks as promising platforms to eradicate HIV reservoirs ex vivo in people living with HIV.

The HIV attacks the immune system provoking an infection that is considered a global health challenge. Despite antiretroviral treatments being effective in reducing the plasma viral load in the blood to undetectable levels in people living with HIV (PLWH), the disease is not cured and has become chronic. This happens because of the existence of anatomical and cellular viral reservoirs, mainly located in the lymph nodes and gastrointestinal tract, which are composed of infected CD4+ T cells with a resting memory phenotype and inaccessible to antiretroviral therapy. Herein, a new therapeutic strategy based on nanotechnology is presented. Different combinations of antiretroviral drugs (bictegravir/tenofovir/emtricitabine and nevirapine/tenofovir/emtricitabine) and toll-like receptor agonists were encapsulated into metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) PCN-224 and ZIF-8. The encapsulation efficiencies of all the drugs, as well as their release rate from the carriers, were measured. In vitro studies about the cell viability, the hemocompatibility, and the platelet aggregation of the MOFs were carried out. Epifluorescence microscopy assays confirmed the ability of ZIF-8 to target a carboxyfluorescein probe inside HeLa cell lines and PBMCs. These results pave the way for the use of these structures to eliminate latent HIV reservoirs from anatomical compartments through the activation of innate immune cells, and a higher efficacy of the triplet combinations of antiretroviral drugs.

Relationship of endogenous plasma concentrations of ß-hydroxy ß-methyl butyrate (HMB) with frailty in community dwelling older adults with type-2 diabetes mellitus.

BACKGROUND: Supplementation with ß-hydroxy ß-methyl butyrate (HMB) appears to be effective in preserving muscle in older adults. However, the association between endogenously produced HMB with frailty has not been studied in people with chronic disease. OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study is to explore whether an association exists between endogenous HMB levels and frailty status in older adults with type-2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). METHODS: Data were taken from the Toledo Study of Healthy Ageing, a community-dwelling aged (65 years+) cohort. Frailty was assessed at baseline and at 2.99 median years according to the Frailty Phenotype (FP) standardized to our population and the Frailty Trait Scale 12 (FTS12). The associations between HMB levels and frailty were assessed using three nested multivariate logistic regressions and segmented by sex. Glucose, HMB and glucose interaction, age and body composition were used as covariables. RESULTS: 255 participants (mean age 75.3 years, 52.94% men) were included. HMB levels showed an inverse cross-sectional association with frailty, which was modified when the interaction term HMB*glucose was included, remaining significant only for FTS12 [OR (95% CI): 0.436 (0.253, 0.751), p-value 0.003]. The association between HMB endogenous levels and FTS12 appears to be independent of sex, in which the association was maintained after adjusting for the covariates. However, there appears to be threshold points for glucose levels, above which the protective effect of HMB is lost: 145.4 mg/dl adjusted by gender for the whole sample and 149.6 mg/dl and 138.9 mg/dl for men and women, respectively. Endogenous HMB levels were not found to be associated with incident frailty. CONCLUSIONS: Cross-sectional analysis revealed that endogenous HMB levels were inversely associated with frailty as assessed by the FTS12 in older people with T2DM. This association was found to be dependent on circulating fasted glucose levels.

The Vicious Cycle of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus and Skeletal Muscle Atrophy: Clinical, Biochemical, and Nutritional Bases.

Today, type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and skeletal muscle atrophy (SMA) have become increasingly common occurrences. Whether the onset of T2DM increases the risk of SMA or vice versa has long been under investigation. Both conditions are associated with negative changes in skeletal muscle health, which can, in turn, lead to impaired physical function, a lowered quality of life, and an increased risk of mortality. Poor nutrition can exacerbate both T2DM and SMA. T2DM and SMA are linked by a vicious cycle of events that reinforce and worsen each other. Muscle insulin resistance appears to be the pathophysiological link between T2DM and SMA. To explore this association, our review (i) compiles evidence on the clinical association between T2DM and SMA, (ii) reviews mechanisms underlying biochemical changes in the muscles of people with or at risk of T2DM and SMA, and (iii) examines how nutritional therapy and increased physical activity as muscle-targeted treatments benefit this population. Based on the evidence, we conclude that effective treatment of patients with T2DM-SMA depends on the restoration and maintenance of muscle mass. We thus propose that regular intake of key functional nutrients, along with guidance for physical activity, can help maintain euglycemia and improve muscle status in all patients with T2DM and SMA.

Arginine and Lysine Supplementation Potentiates the Beneficial ß-Hydroxy ß-Methyl Butyrate (HMB) Effects on Skeletal Muscle in a Rat Model of Diabetes.

Skeletal muscle is the key tissue for maintaining protein and glucose homeostasis, having a profound impact on the development of diabetes. Diabetes causes deleterious changes in terms of loss of muscle mass, which will contribute to reduced glucose uptake and therefore progression of the disease. Nutritional approaches in diabetes have been directed to increase muscle glucose uptake, and improving protein turnover has been at least partially an oversight. In muscle, ß-hydroxy ß-methyl butyrate (HMB) promotes net protein synthesis, while arginine and lysine increase glucose uptake, albeit their effects on promoting protein synthesis are limited. This study evaluates if the combination of HMB, lysine, and arginine could prevent the loss of muscle mass and function, reducing the progression of diabetes. Therefore, the combination of these ingredients was tested in vitro and in vivo. In muscle cell cultures, the supplementation enhances glucose uptake and net protein synthesis due to an increase in the amount of GLUT4 transporter and stimulation of the insulin-dependent signaling pathway involving IRS-1 and Akt. In vivo, using a rat model of diabetes, the supplementation increases lean body mass and insulin sensitivity and decreases blood glucose and serum glycosylated hemoglobin. In treated animals, an increase in GLUT4, creatine kinase, and Akt phosphorylation was detected, demonstrating the synergic effects of the three ingredients. Our findings showed that nutritional formulations based on the combination of HMB, lysine, and arginine are effective, not only to control blood glucose levels but also to prevent skeletal muscle atrophy associated with the progression of diabetes.

Bringing the Pediatric Endocrine Spanish Speaking Community Together: First Virtual Pediatric Endocrine Meeting in Low- and Middle-Income Countries in Central and South America.

BACKGROUND: Pediatric endocrinology is a specialty that is struggling worldwide to maintain adequately trained professionals. Pediatric endocrine care in Central America and Caribbean countries is often performed by pediatricians or adult endocrinologists due to the limited number of pediatric endocrinologists. These health care providers are seldom members of endocrine societies and frequently lack formal training in the field. OBJECTIVE: In this study, we describe the scope of a virtual conference in pediatric endocrinology and diabetes targeted to low- and middle-income countries to provide equal opportunities for access to medical education for health care professionals. METHODS: The virtual conference was sponsored by the Pediatric Endocrine Society (North America), Asociación Costarricense de Endocrinología (previously, Asociación Nacional Pro Estudio de la Diabetes, Endocrinología y Metabolismo), and Asociacion Centroamericana y del Caribe de Endocrinologia Pediátrica. The conference was free to participants and comprised 23 sessions that were either synchronous with ability for real-time interactive sessions or asynchronous sessions, where content was available online to access at their convenience. Topics included idiopathic short stature, polycystic ovarian syndrome, diabetes mellitus, telemedicine, Turner syndrome, congenital adrenal hyperplasia, obesity, central precocious puberty, and subclinical hypothyroidism. The participants were asked to evaluate the conference after its completion with a questionnaire. RESULTS: A total of 8 speakers from Spain, Canada, Costa Rica, and the United States delivered the virtual event to 668 health care professionals from Guatemala, Venezuela, Dominican Republic, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Peru, Uruguay, Mexico, Honduras, Argentina, the United States, Bolivia, Chile, Panama, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Paraguay, Belize, Spain, and Colombia. Name, profession, and country were fully disclosed by 410 (61.4%) of the 668 health care professionals. The profession or level of training of participants were as follows: pediatric endocrinologists (n=129, 19.3%), pediatricians (n=116, 17.4%), general practitioners (n=77, 11.5%), adult endocrinologists (n=34, 5.1%), medical students (n=23, 3.4%), residents in various specialties (n=14, 2.1%), and others (n=17, 2.6%). A total of 23 sessions were offered, most of which were bilingual (Spanish and English). Feedback from the evaluation questionnaire indicated that the content of the conference was very relevant to the participants' professional practice. Additionally, the participants reported that they were very satisfied with the organization, the web-based platform, and the sessions of the conference. CONCLUSIONS: Lack of accessibility to the latest and cutting-edge medical education in pediatric endocrinology and diabetes for medical professionals from low- and middle-income countries can be overcome with a virtual conference. Online availability, low cost, and easy-to-use technology were well received from the participants, who were overall very satisfied by the quality and the relevance of the sessions to their professional practice.

Selective Determination of Glutathione Using a Highly Emissive Fluorescent Probe Based on a Pyrrolidine-Fused Chlorin.

We report the use of a carboxylated pyrrolidine-fused chlorin (TCPC) as a fluorescent probe for the determination of glutathione (GSH) in 7.4 pH phosphate buffer. TCPC is a very stable, highly emissive molecule that has been easily obtained from meso-tetrakis(4-methoxycarbonylphenyl) porphyrin (TCPP) through a 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition approach. First, we describe the coordination of TCPC with Hg(II) ions and the corresponding spectral changes, mainly characterized by a strong quenching of the chlorin emission band. Then, the TCPC-Hg2+ complex exhibits a significant fluorescence turn-on in the presence of low concentrations of the target analyte GSH. The efficacy of the sensing molecule was tested by using different TCPC:Hg2+ concentration ratios (1:2, 1:5 and 1:10) that gave rise to sigmoidal response curves in all cases with modulating detection limits, being the lowest 40 nM. The experiments were carried out under physiological conditions and the selectivity of the system was demonstrated against a number of potential interferents, including cysteine. Furthermore, the TCPC macrocycle did not showed a significant fluorescent quenching in the presence of other metal ions.

Prevenção e controle da covid-19: estudo multicêntrico sobre a percepção e práticas no cotidiano das orientações médico-científicas pela população dos territórios de abrangência da Atenção Primária à Saúde / Prevention and control of covid-19: multicenter study on the perception and daily practices of medical-scientific guidelines by the population of territories covered by Primary Health Care

Quando pensamos no Estudo Multicêntrico, pensamos no científico e no popular (de povo, de tradição, de memória e experiência), em diálogo nos territórios da Atenção Básica em Saúde do país. Como prevenir e promover saúde em meio a uma doença que ocupou quase todos os espaços da vida social? A covid-19 estava nas conversas sérias da ciência, no jornal das televisões, nas mensagens de Whatsapp™, nas orientações dos profissionais da saúde, nas trocas de receitas caseiras, no debate político. Assim, iniciamos com a pergunta: como a população está "traduzindo" as orientações médico-científicas, como estão se prevenindo e, ao mesmo tempo, estão se informando sobre a pandemia? Foram convidados a fazer parte do estudo os alunos, docentes e coordenadores do Mestrado Profissional em Saúde da Família ­ PROFSAÚDE, sendo um projeto estruturante do Programa, que deu origem ao grupo de pesquisa do CNPq "Territórios, Modelagens e Práticas em Saúde da Família". O estudo envolveu 21 instituições da Rede, de todas as regiões do país, com a aplicação em 128 Unidades Básicas de Saúde, nos 88 municípios de atuação dos mestrandos no país. Assim, participaram mais de 200 alunos e, pelo menos, 100 docentes e orientadores, tendo sido entrevistadas 7.085 famílias. Foi um verdadeiro mutirão nacional, enriquecido com as nuances locais e regionais. Os resultados da pesquisa mostram que a dinâmica territorial que aproxima as ações de saúde à vida das pessoas foi fundamental no enfrentamento e na mitigação de impactos de emergências sanitárias como a pandemia da covid-19. O estudo multicêntrico desenvolvido pelo Programa reitera a grande capilaridade da Rede PROFSÁUDE no território nacional, na produção de conhecimento técnico e científico para o aprimoramento da Estratégia de Saúde da Família e confirma seu compromisso com a formação de profissionais de saúde e com o fortalecimento do Sistema Único de Saúde.

Intake of slow-digesting carbohydrates is related to changes in the microbiome and its functional pathways in growing rats with obesity induced by diet.

Introduction: The main cause of insulin resistance in childhood is obesity, which contributes to future comorbidities as in adults. Although high-calorie diets and lack of exercise contribute to metabolic disease development, food quality rather than the quantity of macronutrients is more important than food density. The purpose of the present study was to examine the effects of changing the quality of carbohydrates from rapidly to slowly digestible carbohydrates on the composition of the gut microbiota and the profiles of the functional pathways in growing rats with obesity due to a high-fat diet (HFD). Methods: During the course of 4 weeks, rats growing on an HFD-containing carbohydrates with different digestive rates were fed either HFD-containing carbohydrates with a rapid digestion rate (OBE group) or HFD-containing carbohydrates with a slow digestion rate (OBE-ISR group). A non-obese group (NOB) was included as a reference, and rats were fed on a rodent standard diet (AIN93G). An analysis of gut microbiota was conducted using 16S rRNA-based metagenomics; a linear mixed-effects model (LMM) was used to determine changes in abundance between baseline and 4 weeks of treatment, and functional pathways were identified. Gut microbiota composition at bacterial diversity and relative abundance, at phylum and genus levels, and functional profiles were analyzed by integrating the Integrated Microbial Genomes (IMG) database. Results: The groups showed comparable gut microbiota at baseline. At the end of the treatment, animals from the ISR group exhibited differences at the phylum levels by decreasing the diversity of Fisher's index and Firmicutes (newly named as Bacillota), and increasing the Pielou's evenness and Bacteroidetes (newly named as Bacteroidota); at the genus level by increasing Alistipes, Bifidobacterium, Bacteroides, Butyricimonas, Lachnoclostridium, Flavonifractor, Ruminiclostridium 5, and Faecalibaculum and decreasing Muribaculum, Blautia, and Ruminiclostridium 9. Remarkably, relative abundances of genera Tyzzerella and Angelakisella were higher in the OBE group compared to NOB and OBE-ISR groups. In addition, some microbiota carbohydrate metabolism pathways such as glycolysis, glucuronic acid degradation, pentose phosphate pathway, methanogenesis, and fatty acid biosynthesis exhibited increased activity in the OBE-ISR group after the treatment. Higher levels of acetate and propionate were found in the feces of the ISR group compared with the NOB and OBE groups. Conclusion: The results of this study demonstrate that replacing rapidly digestible carbohydrates with slowly digestible carbohydrates within an HFD improve the composition of the gut microbiota. Consequently, metabolic disturbances associated with obesity may be prevented.

Free triiodothyronine levels and age influences the metabolic profile and COVID-19 severity parameters in euthyroid and levothyroxine-treated patients.

Metabolic reprogramming is required to fight infections and thyroid hormones are key regulators of metabolism. We have analyzed in hospitalized COVID-19 patients: 40 euthyroid and 39 levothyroxine (LT4)-treated patients in the ward and 29 euthyroid and 9 LT4-treated patients in the intensive care unit (ICU), the baseline characteristics, laboratory data, thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), free thyroxine (FT4), free triiodothyronine (FT3), the FT3/FT4 ratio, 11 antiviral cytokines and 74 metabolomic parameters. No evidence for significant differences between euthyroid and LT4-treated patients were found in the biochemical, metabolomic and cytokines parameters analyzed. Only TSH (p=0.009) and ferritin (p=0.031) showed significant differences between euthyroid and LT4-treated patients in the ward, and TSH (p=0.044) and FT4 (p=0.012) in the ICU. Accordingly, severity and mortality were similar in euthyroid and LT4-treated patients. On the other hand, FT3 was negatively related to age (p=0.012), independently of sex and body mass index in hospitalized COVID-19 patients. Patients with low FT3 and older age showed a worse prognosis and higher levels of the COVID-19 severity markers IL-6 and IL-10 than patients with high FT3. IL-6 negatively correlated with FT3 (p=0.023) independently of age, body mass index and sex, whereas IL-10 positively associated with age (p=0.035) independently of FT3, body mass index and sex. A metabolomic cluster of 6 parameters defined low FT3 ward patients. Two parameters, esterified cholesterol (p=4.1x10-4) and small HDL particles (p=6.0x10-5) correlated with FT3 independently of age, body mass index and sex, whereas 3-hydroxybutyrate (p=0.010), acetone (p=0.076), creatinine (p=0.017) and high-density-lipoprotein (HDL) diameter (p=8.3x10-3) were associated to FT3 and also to age, with p-values of 0.030, 0.026, 0.017 and 8.3x10-3, respectively. In conclusion, no significant differences in FT3, cytokines, and metabolomic profile, or in severity and outcome of COVID-19, were found during hospitalization between euthyroid patients and hypothyroid patients treated with LT4. In addition, FT3 and age negatively correlate in COVID-19 patients and parameters that predict poor prognosis were associated with low FT3, and/or with age. A metabolomic cluster indicative of a high ketogenic profile defines non-critical hospitalized patients with low FT3 levels.

Saúde de lésbicas: experiências do cuidado das enfermeiras da atenção básica / Lesbian health: care experiences of primary care nurses

Resumo As lésbicas se deparam com inúmeras barreiras nos serviços de saúde e vivenciam experiências de preconceito, estigmatização e invisibilização de suas demandas de saúde. Neste artigo, buscou-se compreender os sentidos atribuídos por enfermeiras da atenção básica às práticas de cuidado em saúde com lésbicas. Trata-se de uma pesquisa qualitativa realizada com 15 enfermeiras que atuavam na atenção básica de Teresina, Piauí. A análise foi pautada no referencial teórico de habitus, campo e violência simbólica de Pierre Bourdieu. Observou-se que as práticas das enfermeiras no campo da atenção básica seguem protocolos heteronormativos. Portanto, é essencial que essas enfermeiras possam desenvolver outros habitus, a fim de garantir diferentes formas de identidades dentro dos serviços de saúde.

Abstract Lesbians face many barriers in health services, and experience prejudice, stigmatization and the invisibility of their health demands. This article aimed at understanding the meanings attributed by primary care nurses to health care practices directed at lesbians. This is a qualitative research carried out with 15 nurses who worked in primary care in Teresina, Piauí. The analysis was based on Pierre Bourdieu's theoretical framework of habitus, field and symbolic violence. It was observed that the practices of nurses in the field of primary care follow heteronormative protocols. Therefore, it is essential that these nurses develop other habitus, aiming to guarantee different types of identities within the health services.

Lesbian health: care experiences of primary care nurses. / Saúde de lésbicas: experiências do cuidado das enfermeiras da atenção básica.

Lesbians face many barriers in health services, and experience prejudice, stigmatization and the invisibility of their health demands. This article aimed at understanding the meanings attributed by primary care nurses to health care practices directed at lesbians. This is a qualitative research carried out with 15 nurses who worked in primary care in Teresina, Piauí. The analysis was based on Pierre Bourdieu's theoretical framework of habitus, field and symbolic violence. It was observed that the practices of nurses in the field of primary care follow heteronormative protocols. Therefore, it is essential that these nurses develop other habitus, aiming to guarantee different types of identities within the health services.

As lésbicas se deparam com inúmeras barreiras nos serviços de saúde e vivenciam experiências de preconceito, estigmatização e invisibilização de suas demandas de saúde. Neste artigo, buscou-se compreender os sentidos atribuídos por enfermeiras da atenção básica às práticas de cuidado em saúde com lésbicas. Trata-se de uma pesquisa qualitativa realizada com 15 enfermeiras que atuavam na atenção básica de Teresina, Piauí. A análise foi pautada no referencial teórico de habitus, campo e violência simbólica de Pierre Bourdieu. Observou-se que as práticas das enfermeiras no campo da atenção básica seguem protocolos heteronormativos. Portanto, é essencial que essas enfermeiras possam desenvolver outros habitus, a fim de garantir diferentes formas de identidades dentro dos serviços de saúde.

Analyzing the Organoleptic Quality of Commercial Extra Virgin Olive Oils: IOC Recognized Panel Tests vs. Electronic Nose.

Virgin olive oil (VOO) classification into quality categories determines its labeling and market price. This procedure involves performing a series of chemical-physical analyses and, ultimately, a sensory analysis through the panel test. This work explores the analysis of VOOs quality with an electronic olfactory system (EOS) and examines its abilities using the panel test as a reference. To do this, six commercial olive oils labelled as extra virgin were analyzed with an EOS and classified by three panels recognized by the International Olive Council. The organoleptic analysis of the oils by the panels indicated that most of the oils in the study were in fact not extra virgin. Besides this, the classifications showed inconsistencies between panels, needing statistical treatment to be used as a reference for the EOS training. The analysis of the same oils by the EOS and their subsequent statistical analysis by PCA revealed a good correlation between the first principal component and the olive oil quality from the panels using average scores. It also showed a more consistent classification than the panels. Overall, the EOS proved to be a cheaper, faster, and highly reliable method as a complement to the panel test for the olive oil classification.

Quality More Than Quantity: The Use of Carbohydrates in High-Fat Diets to Tackle Obesity in Growing Rats.

Childhood obesity prevention is important to avoid obesity and its comorbidities into adulthood. Although the energy density of food has been considered a main obesogenic factor, a focus on food quality rather that the quantity of the different macronutrients is needed. Therefore, this study investigates the effects of changing the quality of carbohydrates from rapidly to slowly digestible carbohydrates on metabolic abnormalities and its impact on obesity in growing rats fed a high-fat diet (HFD). Growing rats were fed on HFD containing carbohydrates with different digestion rates: a HFD containing rapid-digesting carbohydrates (OBE group) or slow-digesting carbohydrates (ISR group), for 4 weeks and the effect on the metabolism and signaling pathways were analyzed in different tissues. Animals from OBE group presented an overweight/obese phenotype with a higher body weight gain and greater accumulation of fat in adipose tissue and liver. This state was associated with an increase of HOMA index, serum diacylglycerols and triacylglycerides, insulin, leptin, and pro-inflammatory cytokines. In contrast, the change of carbohydrate profile in the diet to one based on slow digestible prevented the obesity-related adverse effects. In adipose tissue, GLUT4 was increased and UCPs and PPARγ were decreased in ISR group respect to OBE group. In liver, GLUT2, FAS, and SRBP1 were lower in ISR group than OBE group. In muscle, an increase of glycogen, GLUT4, AMPK, and Akt were observed in comparison to OBE group. In conclusion, this study demonstrates that the replacement of rapidly digestible carbohydrates for slowly digestible carbohydrates within a high-fat diet promoted a protective effect against the development of obesity and its associated comorbidities.

Beneficial Effects of Bovine Milk Exosomes in Metabolic Interorgan Cross-Talk.

Extracellular vesicles are membrane-enclosed secreted vesicles involved in cell-to-cell communication processes, identified in virtually all body fluids. Among extracellular vesicles, exosomes have gained increasing attention in recent years as they have unique biological origins and deliver different cargos, such as nucleic acids, proteins, and lipids, which might mediate various health processes. In particular, milk-derived exosomes are proposed as bioactive compounds of breast milk, which have been reported to resist gastric digestion and reach systemic circulation, thus being bioavailable after oral intake. In the present manuscript, we critically discuss the available evidence on the health benefits attributed to milk exosomes, and we provide an outlook for the potential future uses of these compounds. The use of milk exosomes as bioactive ingredients represents a novel avenue to explore in the context of human nutrition, and they might exert important beneficial effects at multiple levels, including but not limited to intestinal health, bone and muscle metabolism, immunity, modulation of the microbiota, growth, and development.

Dietary Complex and Slow Digestive Carbohydrates Promote Bone Mass and Improve Bone Microarchitecture during Catch-Up Growth in Rats.

Catch-up growth is a process that promotes weight and height gains to recover normal growth patterns after a transient period of growth inhibition. Accelerated infant growth is associated with reduced bone mass and quality characterized by poor bone mineral density (BMD), content (BMC), and impaired microarchitecture. The present study evaluated the effects of a diet containing slow (SDC) or rapid (RDC) digestible carbohydrates on bone quality parameters during the catch-up growth period in a model of diet-induced stunted rats. The food restriction period negatively impacted BMD, BMC, and microarchitecture of appendicular and axial bones. The SDC diet was shown to improve BMD and BMC of appendicular and axial bones after a four-week refeeding period in comparison with the RDC diet. In the same line, the micro-CT analysis revealed that the trabecular microarchitecture of tibiae and vertebrae was positively impacted by the dietary intervention with SDC compared to RDC. Furthermore, features of the cortical microstructure of vertebra bones were also improved in the SDC group animals. Similarly, animals allocated to the SDC diet displayed modest improvements in growth plate thickness, surface, and volume compared to the RDC group. Diets containing the described SDC blend might contribute to an adequate bone formation during catch-up growth thus increasing peak bone mass, which could be linked to reduced fracture risk later in life in individuals undergoing transient undernutrition during early life.

Differences in muscle energy metabolism and metabolic flexibility between sarcopenic and nonsarcopenic older adults.

BACKGROUND: Metabolic flexibility is the ability of skeletal muscle to adapt fuel utilization to the demand for fuel sources [carbohydrates (CHO) and fats (FAT)]. The purpose of this study was to explore muscle energy metabolism and metabolic flexibility under various conditions in sarcopenic (S) versus nonsarcopenic (NS) older adults. METHODS: Twenty-two older adults aged 65 years or older were categorized as NS [n = 11; mean ± standard deviation (SD); age = 73.5 ± 6.0 years (males, n = 5; females, n = 6)] or S [n = 11; 81.2 ± 10.5 years (males, n = 6; females, n = 5) based on handgrip strength, body composition and physical performance. Indirect calorimetry was recorded before and after consumption of a high-CHO meal and during aerobic and anaerobic exercise. Respiratory quotient (RQ), CHO and FAT oxidation were assessed. Venous blood samples were collected for glucose and insulin concentrations. RESULTS: At rest, compared with NS, S exhibited a 5-8% higher RQ at 0 (0.72 vs. 0.76) and 120 (0.77 vs. 0.82), 150 (0.76 vs. 0.80), and 180 min (0.74 vs. 0.80) (P = 0.002-0.025); 59-195% higher CHO oxidation at 0, 120, and 180 min (0.0004-0.002 vs. 0.001-0.002 g·min-1 ·kg-1) (P = 0.010-0.047); and 20-31% lower FAT oxidation at 0, 15, and 90-180 min (0.0009-0.0022 vs. 0.0011-0.002 g·min-1 ·kg-1 ) (P = 0.004-0.038). Glucose levels were significantly elevated in S versus NS at 0, 60 and 75 min (144.64-202.78 vs. 107.70-134.20 mg·dL-1 ) but not insulin. During aerobic exercise, RQ was 5% greater (0.90 vs. 0.86) (P = 0.039), and FAT oxidation was 35% lower at 6-8 min (0.003 vs. 0.005 g·min-1 ·kg-1 ) (P = 0.033) in S versus NS. During anaerobic exercise, CHO oxidation was 31% greater in NS versus S at 60-80% time to exhaustion (0.011 vs. 0.007 g·min-1 ·kg-1 ) (P = 0.015). Per cent contribution to energy expenditure was greater in S for CHO but lower for FAT at 0 (CHO: 22% vs. 10%; FAT: 78% vs. 91%) and 120-180 min (CHO: 35-42% vs. 17-25%; FAT: 58-65% vs. 75%-84%) (P = 0.003-0.046) at rest and 6-8 min during aerobic exercise (CHO: 70% vs. 57%; FAT: 30% vs. 45%) (P = 0.046). CONCLUSIONS: The data show differences in skeletal muscle energy metabolism and substrate utilization between S and NS at rest, transitioning from fasted to fed state, and during exercise. Compared with NS, S displayed a diminished ability to adapt fuel utilization in response to feeding and exercise, reflecting metabolic inflexibility. Impaired metabolic flexibility could be a mechanism underlying the losses of strength and physical function accompanying sarcopenia.

Leiomiosarcoma de vena cava / Vena cava leiomyosarcoma

Caso clínico: se presenta el caso de un varón de 64 años con sospecha de leiomiosarcoma de vena cava inferior (VCI) tratado con radioterapia neoadyuvante previa a resección quirúrgica en bloque tumoral y de VCI con reconstrucción mediante injerto de PTFE anillado, seguido de quimioterapia. Discusión: el leiomiosarcoma de VCI es una patología maligna muy infrecuente, de mal pronóstico y que requiere un manejo multidisciplinar. Representan la localización más frecuente de los leiomiosarcomas venosos, tienen predilección por el sexo femenino y una edad media de presentación entre 50 y 60 años. El síntoma más frecuente es el dolor abdominal, aunque muchos son asintomáticos. La prueba diagnóstica de elección es la RM y el tratamiento se basa en la resección quirúrgica, no estando aún claramente definido el papel de la radio y quimioterapia.(AU)

Case report: we present the case of a 64-year-old man with suspected inferior vena cava leiomyosarcoma (IVC) treated with neoadjuvant radiotherapy, tumor and IVC overall surgical resection with a ringshaped PTFE graft reconstruction, followed by chemotherapy. Discussion: IVC leiomyosarcoma is a very infrequent malignant disease, its prognosis is dark and requires multidisciplinary management. They represent the most frequent location of venous leiomyosarcomas, have a predilection for the female sex and a mean age of presentation between 50 and 60 years. The most frequent symptom is abdominal pain, although many are asymptomatic. The diagnostic test of choice is MRI and treatment is based on surgical resection, the role of radio and chemotherapy is not clearly defined yet.(AU)

Impact of slow versus rapid digesting carbohydrates on substrate oxidation in pre-pubertal children: A randomized crossover trial.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Consumption of rapid digesting sugars by children are under increased scrutiny because of their contribution to unhealthy weight gain. Previous studies in adults and children have suggested that altering the blend of carbohydrates (CHOs) consumed may cause shifts in substrate utilization. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of consuming a slow digesting carbohydrate (SDC) and rapid digesting carbohydrate (RDC) on CHO and fat oxidation, glucose, and insulin responses at rest, during exercise, and post-exercise rest in pre-pubescent children. METHODS: A randomized, double-blind, crossover design was used. Nineteen pre-pubescent children (n = 10 boys, n = 9 girls, mean ± standard error, age = 9.84 ± 0.37-yrs) participated. Visits to the laboratory began with a 30-min measurement of resting metabolism followed by consumption of either an RDC or SDC drink. Postprandial resting metabolism was recorded for 60-min, immediately followed by 60-min of submaximal cycling exercise while metabolism was recorded, which was immediately followed by another 60-min recording of post-exercise metabolism. Total CHO and fat oxidation, endogenous and exogenous CHO oxidation, blood glucose, and insulin were assessed. RESULTS: Total CHO oxidation rate (g∙min-1) was greater after the RDC drink at 60 min (p = 0.032). Endogenous CHO oxidation rate (g∙min-1) was greater after the SDC drink at 15 min (p ≤ 0.010). Cumulative endogenous CHO oxidation (g) was greater after the SDC drink at 45 min (p = 0.009). Endogenous CHO oxidation accounted for a greater proportion of substrate oxidation after the first 60-min rest period (p = 0.028), while exogenous CHO oxidation accounted for a greater proportion of substrate oxidation for the RDC at all time points (p ≤ 0.019). CONCLUSIONS: The present study provides novel data suggesting that an SDC promotes greater endogenous substrate utilization in pre-pubertal children, which may have beneficial health impacts on energy intake and carbohydrate regulation/metabolism during growth and development. CLINICAL TRIALS REGISTRY NUMBER: NCT03185884, clinicaltrials.gov.

Surgical Management of Retrocrural Disease in Germ Cell Tumors: Outcomes and Evolution of Practice.

INTRODUCTION: Residual retrocrural disease in testis cancer following chemotherapy is a surgical challenge. We sought to assess the outcomes and evolution with surgical management of residual retrocrural disease. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We identified 2,788 testicular cancer patients from 1990 to 2010 who underwent retroperitoneal surgery for metastatic testicular cancer at our institution. Patients who also underwent postchemotherapy staged or concurrent retrocrural dissections were stratified for analysis. Surgical approach, clinical characteristics, additional procedures, complications and outcomes were evaluated. RESULTS: Retrocrural dissection was performed in 211 patients. Histology of retrocrural disease demonstrated teratoma in 72%, necrosis in 15.2%, active germ cell cancer in 8.1% and malignant transformation in 2.4%. Our preferred surgical approach to the retrocrural space has evolved over time. Earlier approaches from 1990 to 1995 favored a single thoracoabdominal incision (17, 25%), midline transabdominal incision (22, 32.4%), or with a concurrent or staged thoracotomy (29, 42.6%). A transabdominal/transdiaphragmatic approach at the time of midline retroperitoneal lymph node dissection has been used more frequently in 55% of contemporary cases, decreasing the need for thoracotomies. Patients undergoing a transabdominal/transdiaphragmatic approach had fewer complications (p=0.006) and required fewer associated procedures (p=0.001) and a shorter length of stay (5 vs 6 days, p=0.184). CONCLUSIONS: Metastatic testis cancer to the retrocrural space is surgically challenging however complete resection is needed to maintain an expected excellent oncologic outcome. Coordination between urological and thoracic surgeons for an individualized approach is important. We have found that a transabdominal/transdiaphragmatic approach where appropriate has resulted in fewer complications.

A Política Nacional de Educação Popular em Saúde em debate: (re) conhecendo saberes e lutas para a produção da Saúde Coletiva / La Política Nacional de Educación Popular en Salud en debate: (re) conociendo saberes y luchas para la producción de la Salud Colectiva / The National Policy of Popular Education in Health in debate: (re) knowing knowledge and struggles for the production of Collective Health

Este texto se constitui em reflexões sobre Educação Popular em Saúde (EPS) como campo de conhecimento, ação de sujeitos e política pública no Sistema Único de Saúde (SUS) no Brasil. Com base no processo de institucionalização da EPS no Ministério da Saúde são apontadas condições de viabilidade da Política Nacional de Educação Popular em Saúde (PNEP-SUS), formulada em interlocução com movimentos populares, a partir de duas questões: Quais os reflexos desse processo na construção de políticas de saúde? Qual a viabilidade da PNEP-SUS no contexto atual? O debate emerge no diálogo desse processo com a participação social, concepção pedagógica da EPS, diálogos de saberes e produção de conhecimentos que permeiam a relação entre movimentos sociais, gestão do SUS e a PNEPS-SUS. (AU)

Este artículo propone reflexiones sobre Educación Popular y Salud (EPS) como campo de conocimiento, acción de sujetos y política pública en el Sistema Brasileño de Salud (SUS) en Brasil. Con base en el proceso de institucionalización de la EPS en el Ministerio de la Salud se señalan condiciones de viabilidad de la Política Nacional de Educación Popular en Salud (PNEP-SUS), formulada en interlocución con movimientos populares a partir de dos preguntas: ¿Cuáles son los reflejos de ese proceso en la construcción de políticas de salud? ¿Cuál es la viabilidad de la PNEP-SUS en el contexto actual? El debate surge en el diálogo de ese proceso con la participación social, concepción pedagógica de la EPS, diálogos de saberes y producción de conocimientos que atraviesan la relación entre movimientos sociales, gestión del SUS y la PNEPS-SUS. (AU)

Reflections on Popular Education and Health (EPS) as a field of knowledge, subject action and public policy in the Brazilian National Health System (SUS) in Brazil. Based on the process of institutionalization of EPS in the Ministry of Health, viability conditions of the National Policy for Popular Education in Health (PNEP-SUS) are pointed out, formulated in dialogue with popular movements, based on two questions: What are the consequences of this process in the construction of health policies? What is the viability of PNEP-SUS in the current context? The debate emerges in the dialogue of this process with social participation, pedagogical conception of EPS, dialogues of knowledge and production of knowledge that permeate the relationship between social movements, SUS management and PNEPS-SUS. (AU)