Influence of comorbidities not associated with fibromyalgia on neuropathic pain in patients with psoriatic arthritis: relationship with clinical parameters.

Objective: Neuropathic pain (NP) may influence disease activity assessment in patients with psoriatic arthritis, this relationship being traditionally based on the presence of concomitant fibromyalgia. We analyzed the influence of other comorbidities on NP and the relationship between pain and various clinical parameters. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in patients diagnosed with psoriatic arthritis, excluding patients with a previous diagnosis of fibromyalgia, depression, anxiety, diabetes and/or dyslipidemia under treatment. NP was identified using the painDETECT questionnaire (score > 18). Obesity and related clinical parameters, anxious and depressive symptoms, sleep quality and fatigue were assessed as comorbidities. Disease activity was measured using the clinical Disease Activity Index for Psoriatic Arthritis (cDAPSA) in peripheral involvement, the ASDAS-PCR in axial involvement, functioning and disease impact were measured using the Health Assessment Questionnaire-Disability Index and 12-item Psoriatic Arthritis Impact of Disease questionnaire, respectively. Results: Overall, 246 patients were included (136 men; 55%). The mean age was 53.4 ± 11.0 years. Forty-two patients had NP (17.1%). Patients with NP had higher leptin levels (OR: 1.03, 95% CI: 1.007-1.056; p < 0.01) and poor sleep quality (OR: 1.20, 95% CI: 1.09-1.297; p < 0.001). Patients with NP also had greater fatigue NRS (6.2 ± 2.2 vs. 2.4 ± 0.19, p < 0.001). Patients with NP had higher cDAPSA score (17.3 ± 5.4 vs. 8.9 ± 6.5, p < 0.001), poorer functioning (1.1 ± 0.5 vs. 0.4 ± 0.5, p < 0.001) and greater disease impact (6.1 ± 1.7 vs. 2.6 ± 1.9, p < 0.001). Conclusion: NP was correlated with sleep quality and serum leptin and may be associated with worse disease activity, functioning and disease impact.

Like mother like son: Transgenerational memory and cross-tolerance from drought to heat stress are identified in chloroplast proteome and seed provisioning in Pinus radiata.

How different stressors impact plant health and memory when they are imposed in different generations in wild ecosystems is still scarce. Here, we address how different environments shape heritable memory for the next generation in seeds and seedlings of Pinus radiata, a long-lived species with economic interest. The performance of the seedlings belonging to two wild clonal subpopulations (optimal fertirrigation vs. slightly stressful conditions) was tested under heat stress through physiological profiling and comparative time-series chloroplast proteomics. In addition, we explored the seeds conducting a physiological characterization and targeted transcriptomic profiling in both subpopulations. Our results showed differential responses between them, evidencing a cross-stress transgenerational memory. Seedlings belonging to the stressed subpopulation retained key proteins related to Photosystem II, chloroplast-to-nucleus signalling and osmoprotection which helped to overcome the applied heat stress. The seeds also showed a differential gene expression profile for targeted genes and microRNAs, as well as an increased content of starch and secondary metabolites, molecules which showed potential interest as biomarkers for early selection of primed plants. Thus, these finds not only delve into transgenerational cross-stress memory in trees, but also provide a new biotechnological tool for forest design.

Physical exercise improves memory in sedentary middle-aged adults: Are these exercise-induced benefits associated with S-Klotho and 1,25-dihydroxivitamin D? The FIT-AGEING randomized controlled trial.

We aimed to investigate the effect of three types of exercise interventions on memory (i.e., immediate memory (IM), long-term memory (LTM), and recognition). We also investigated whether exercise-induced changes in circulating S-Klotho and 1,25-dihydroxivitamin D (1,25(OH)2 D) levels were related to those observed in memory in healthy middle-aged sedentary adults. A 12-week randomized controlled trial was performed with a parallel-group design. Seventy-four participants (45-65 years old: 53% women) were randomly assigned to (1) no exercise (control) group, (2) concurrent training based on the international physical activity recommendations (PAR) group, (3) high-intensity interval training (HIIT) group, or (4) HIIT plus whole-body electromyostimulation (HIIT-EMS) group. Memory outcomes were assessed using the Wechsler Memory Scale-third edition. S-Klotho plasma levels were determined according to a solid-phase sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kit while 1,25(OH)2 D plasma levels were measured using a DiaSorin-Liaison immunochemiluminometric analyzer. IM-Verbal Paired Associates (IM-VPA) and IM-Logical Memory (IM-LM) were improved in both the HIIT and HIIT-EMS groups compared with the control group (all p ≤ 0.045). Exercise-induced changes in S-Klotho plasma levels were positively associated with those observed in IM, LTM, and recognition (all p ≤ 0.007), whereas exercise-induced changes in 1,25(OH)2 D plasma levels were directly related to changes in IM and LTM (all p ≤ 0.048). In conclusion, a 12-week HIIT intervention with or without WB-EMS seems to be the most effective exercise program to improve IM. The significant and positive associations between exercise-induced changes in S-Klotho and 1,25(OH)2 D levels with those observed in memory outcomes suggest that these factors may be potentially related to exercise-induced improvements of memory in middle-aged adults.

Bioavailability of flumequine and diclofenac in mice exposed to a metal-drug chemical cocktail. Evaluation of the protective role of selenium.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Organisms, including humans, are subjected to the simultaneous action of a wide variety of pollutants, the effects of which should not be considered in isolation, as many synergies and antagonisms have been found between many of them. Therefore, this work proposes an in vivo study to evaluate the effect of certain metal contaminants on the bioavailability and metabolism of pharmacologically active compounds. Because the most frequent entry vector is through ingestion, the influence of the gut microbiota and the possible protective effects of selenium has been additionally evaluated. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH: A controlled exposure experiment in mammals (Mus musculus) to a "chemical cocktail" consisting of metals and pharmaceuticals (diclofenac and flumequine). The presence of selenium has also been evaluated as an antagonist. Mouse plasma samples were measured by UPLC-QTOF. A targeted search of 48 metabolites was also performed. KEY RESULTS: Metals significantly affected the FMQ plasma levels when the gut microbiota was depleted. Hydroxy FMQ decreased if metals were present. Selenium minimized this decrease. The 3-hydroxy DCF metabolite was not found in any case. Changes in some metabolic pathways are discussed. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: The presence of metals in the mouse diet as well as the prior treatment of mice with an antibiotic mixture (Abxs), which deplete the gut microbiota, has a decisive effect on the bioavailability and metabolism of the tested pharmaceuticals and dietary selenium minimize some of their effects.

SLEEP quality in patients with psoriatic arthritis and its relationship with disease activity and comorbidities: a cross-sectional study.

The assessment of psoriatic arthritis is complex and multidimensional. It is increasingly common to include the patient perspective using patient-reported outcomes. Although some research has explored sleep quality in patients with psoriatic arthritis, most studies have had small sample sizes, failed to assess sleep quality considering the inflammatory process together with the psychological well-being of patients, and have not described any use of sleep medication. Further, research to date has not provided data on the relationship of sleep quality with axial forms. In this context, the objective of this study was to assess sleep quality in patients with psoriatic arthritis and its relationship with clinical characteristics, disease activity, functioning, disease impact, fatigue and psychological status. A cross-sectional study was conducted including 247 consecutive patients with PsA recruited during 2021. Sleep quality was measured using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index. We assessed correlations of Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index score with peripheral disease activity (Disease Activity Index for PSoriatic Arthritis), axial disease activity (Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Score-C-reactive protein and Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index), functioning (Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Functional Index and Health Assessment Questionnaire), impact (Psoriatic Arthritis Impact of Disease questionnaire), anxiety, depression (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale) and fatigue (Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy-Fatigue) scores. A multiple linear regression model was constructed with PSQI as the dependent variable and as independent variables those that could influence sleep quality. Nearly two-thirds (63.15%) of patients had poor sleep quality. Poorer sleep quality was associated with being female, higher joint counts, greater peripheral and axial disease activity, fatigue, anxiety and depression, functioning and disease impact (p < 0.001). Multiple linear regression analysis found that pain (ß: 0.3; p < 0.007) and fatigue ß: - 0.1; p < 0.001 contributed 40% to the sleep quality model. Poor sleep quality was common among patients with psoriatic arthritis. Emotional factors (fatigue, anxiety) seemed more important than inflammatory factors in sleep quality.

Effects of a laboratory-based aerobic exercise intervention on brain volume and cardiovascular health markers: protocol for a randomised clinical trial.

INTRODUCTION: Physical activity (PA) has beneficial effects on brain health and cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk. Yet, we know little about whether PA-induced changes to physiological mediators of CVD risk influence brain health and whether benefits to brain health may also explain PA-induced improvements to CVD risk. This study combines neurobiological and peripheral physiological methods in the context of a randomised clinical trial to better understand the links between exercise, brain health and CVD risk. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: In this 12-month trial, 130 healthy individuals between the ages of 26 and 58 will be randomly assigned to either: (1) moderate-intensity aerobic PA for 150 min/week or (2) a health information control group. Cardiovascular, neuroimaging and PA measurements will occur for both groups before and after the intervention. Primary outcomes include changes in (1) brain structural areas (ie, hippocampal volume); (2) systolic blood pressure (SBP) responses to functional MRI cognitive stressor tasks and (3) heart rate variability. The main secondary outcomes include changes in (1) brain activity, resting state connectivity, cortical thickness and cortical volume; (2) daily life SBP stress reactivity; (3) negative and positive affect; (4) baroreflex sensitivity; (5) pulse wave velocity; (6) endothelial function and (7) daily life positive and negative affect. Our results are expected to have both mechanistic and public health implications regarding brain-body interactions in the context of cardiovascular health. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: Ethical approval has been obtained from the University of Pittsburgh Institutional Review Board (IRB ID: 19020218). This study will comply with the NIH Data Sharing Policy and Policy on the Dissemination of NIH-Funded Clinical Trial Information and the Clinical Trials Registration and Results Information Submission rule. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT03841669.

Physical Performance and Amyloid-ß in Humans: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Observational Studies.

BACKGROUND: Accumulation of amyloid-ß (Aß) plaques is one of the main features of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Physical performance has been related to dementia risk and Aß, and it has been hypothesized as one of the mechanisms leading to greater accumulation of Aß. Yet, no evidence synthesis has been performed in humans. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the association of physical performance with Aß in humans, including Aß accumulation on brain, and Aß abnormalities measured in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and blood. METHODS: A systematic review with multilevel meta-analysis was performed from inception to June 16th, 2022. Studies were eligible if they examined the association of physical performance with Aß levels, including the measure of physical performance as a predictor and the measure of Aß as an outcome in humans. RESULTS: 7 articles including 2,619 participants were included in the meta-analysis. The results showed that physical performance was not associated with accumulation of Aß in the brain (ES = 0.01; 95% CI -0.21 to 0.24; I2 = 69.9%), in the CSF (ES = -0.28; 95% CI -0.98 to 0.41; I2 = 91.0%) or in the blood (ES = -0.19; 95% CI -0.61 to 0.24; I2 = 99.75%). Significant heterogeneity was found across the results , which posed challenges in arriving at consistent conclusions; and the limited number of studies hindered the opportunity to conduct a moderation analysis. CONCLUSIONS: The association between physical performance and Aß is inconclusive. This uncertainly arises from the limited number of studies, study design limitations, and heterogeneity of measurement approaches. More studies are needed to determine whether physical performance is related to Aß levels in humans.

Changes in stress pathways as a possible mechanism of aerobic exercise training on brain health: a scoping review of existing studies.

Physical activity (PA) in the form of aerobic exercise (AE) preserves and improves neurocognitive function across the lifespan. However, a mechanistic understanding of the pathways by which aerobic exercise impacts brain health is still lacking, particularly with respect to stress-related pathways. One mechanistic hypothesis is that AE improves neurocognitive health in part by modifying circulating levels of stress-related hormones and signaling factors associated with the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and autonomic nervous system (ANS), as commonly measured by the biomarkers cortisol (CORT) and salivary α-amylase (sAA). Thus, this hypothesis predicts that changes in stress biomarkers, such as CORT and sAA, are possible explanatory pathways mediating the positive effects of AE on neurocognitive health. In the present review article, we provide a summary of available studies examining the possibility that exercise-induced changes to stress biomarkers could partly account for exercise-related improvements in neurocognitive health. Our review indicates that despite the intuitive appeal of this hypothesis, there is insufficient evidence available to conclude that chronic and habitual AE affects neurocognitive health by altering stress biomarker pathways. The cross-sectional nature of the majority of reviewed studies highlights the need for well-controlled studies to adequately test this hypothesis.

Physical activity and amyloid beta in middle-aged and older adults: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: One of the pathological hallmarks distinguishing Alzheimer's disease from other dementias is the accumulation of amyloid beta (Aß). Higher physical activity is associated with decreased dementia risk, and one potential path could be through Aß levels modulation. We aimed to explore the relationship between physical activity and Aß in middle-aged and older adults. METHODS: A systematic search of PubMed, Web of Science, PsycINFO, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and SPORTDiscus was performed from inception to the 28th of April 2022. Studies were eligible if they included physical activity and Aß data in adults aged 45 years or older. Multi-level meta-analyses of intervention and observational studies were performed to examine the role of physical activity in modulating Aß levels. RESULTS: In total, 37 articles were included (8 randomized controlled trials, 3 non-randomized controlled trials, 4 prospective longitudinal studies, and 22 cross-sectional studies). The overall effect size of physical activity interventions on changes in blood Aß was medium (pooled standardized mean difference = -0.69, 95% confidence interval (95%CI): -1.41 to 0.03; I2 = 74.6%). However, these results were not statistically significant, and there were not enough studies to explore the effects of physical activity on cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and brain Aß. Data from observational studies were examined based on measurements of Aß in the brain using positron emission tomography scans, CSF, and blood. Higher physical activity was positively associated with Aß only in the CSF (Estimate r = 0.12; 95%CI: 0.05-0.18; I2 = 38%). CONCLUSION: Physical activity might moderately reduce blood Aß in middle-aged and older adults. However, results were only near statistical significance and might be interpreted with caution given the methodological limitations observed in some of the included studies. In observational studies, higher levels of physical activity were positively associated with Aß only in CSF. Therefore, further research is needed to understand the modulating role of physical activity in the brain, CSF, and blood Aß, as well as its implication for cognitive health.

Active Gains in brain Using Exercise During Aging (AGUEDA): protocol for a randomized controlled trial.

Alzheimer's disease is currently the leading cause of dementia and one of the most expensive, lethal and severe diseases worldwide. Age-related decline in executive function is widespread and plays a key role in subsequent dementia risk. Physical exercise has been proposed as one of the leading non-pharmaceutical approaches to improve executive function and ameliorate cognitive decline. This single-site, two-arm, single-blinded, randomized controlled trial (RCT) will include 90 cognitively normal older adults, aged 65-80 years old. Participants will be randomized to a 24-week resistance exercise program (3 sessions/week, 60 min/session, n = 45), or a wait-list control group (n = 45) which will be asked to maintain their usual lifestyle. All study outcomes will be assessed at baseline and at 24-weeks after the exercise program, with a subset of selected outcomes assessed at 12-weeks. The primary outcome will be indicated by the change in an executive function composite score assessed with a comprehensive neuropsychological battery and the National Institutes of Health Toolbox Cognition Battery. Secondary outcomes will include changes in brain structure and function and amyloid deposition, other cognitive outcomes, and changes in molecular biomarkers assessed in blood, saliva, and fecal samples, physical function, muscular strength, body composition, mental health, and psychosocial parameters. We expect that the resistance exercise program will have positive effects on executive function and related brain structure and function, and will help to understand the molecular, structural, functional, and psychosocial mechanisms involved.

Biomarker metabolite mating of viable frozen-thawed in vitro-produced bovine embryos with pregnancy-competent recipients leads to improved birth rates.

Selection of competent recipients before embryo transfer (ET) is indispensable for improving pregnancy and birth rates in cattle. However, pregnancy prediction can fail when the competence of the embryo is ignored. We hypothesized that the pregnancy potential of biomarkers could improve with information on embryonic competence. In vitro-produced embryos cultured singly for 24 h (from d 6 to 7) were transferred to d 7 synchronized recipients as fresh or after freezing and thawing. Recipient blood was collected on d 0 (estrus; n = 108) and d 7 (4-6 h before ET; n = 107) and plasma was analyzed by nuclear magnetic resonance (1H+NMR). Spent embryo culture medium (CM) was collected and analyzed by ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry in a subset of n = 70 samples. Concentrations of metabolites quantified in plasma (n = 35) were statistically analyzed as a function of pregnancy diagnosed on d 40, d 62 and birth. Univariate analysis with plasma metabolites consisted of a block study with controllable fixed factors (i.e., embryo cryopreservation, recipient breed, and day of blood collection; Wilcoxon test and t-test). Metabolite concentrations in recipients and embryos were independently analyzed by iterations that reclassified embryos or recipients using the support vector machine. Iterations identified some competent embryos, but mostly competent recipients that had a pregnancy incompetent partner embryo. Misclassified recipients that could be classified as competent were reanalyzed in a new iteration to improve the predictive model. After subsequent iterations, the predictive potential of recipient biomarkers was recalculated. On d 0, creatine, acetone and l-phenylalanine were the most relevant biomarkers at d 40, d 62, and birth, and on d 7, l-glutamine, l-lysine, and ornithine. Creatine was the most representative biomarker within blocks (n = 20), with a uniform distribution over pregnancy endpoints and type of embryos. Biomarkers showed higher abundance on d 7 than d 0, were more predictive for d 40 and d 62 than at birth, and the pregnancy predictive ability was lower with frozen-thawed (F-T) embryos. Six metabolic pathways differed between d 40 pregnant recipients for fresh and F-T embryos. Within F-T embryos, more recipients were misclassified, probably due to pregnancy losses, but were accurately identified when combined with embryonic metabolite signals. After recalculation, 12 biomarkers increased receiver operator characteristic-area under the curve (>0.65) at birth, highlighting creatine (receiver operator characteristic-area under the curve = 0.851), and 5 new biomarkers were identified. Combining metabolic information of recipient and embryos improves the confidence and accuracy of single biomarkers.

Differentiating the influence of sedentary behavior and physical activity on brain health in late adulthood.

Public health messaging calls for individuals to be more physically active and less sedentary, yet these lifestyle behaviors have been historically studied independently. Both physical activity (PA) and sedentary behavior (SB) are linked through time-use in a 24-hour day and are related to health outcomes, such as neurocognition. While the benefits of PA on brain health in late adulthood have been well-documented, the influence of SB remains to be understood. The purpose of this paper was to critically review the evolving work on SB and brain health in late adulthood and emphasize key areas of consideration to inform potential research. Overall, the existing literature studying the impact of SB on the components and mechanisms of brain health are mixed and inconclusive, provided largely by cross-sectional and observational work employing a variety of measurement techniques of SB and brain health outcomes. Further, many studies did not conceptually or statistically account for the role of PA in the proposed relationships. Therefore, our understanding of the way in which SB may influence neurocognition in late adulthood is limited. Future efforts should include more prospective longitudinal and randomized clinical trials with intentional methodological approaches to better understand the relationships between SB and the brain in late adulthood, and how these potential links are differentiated from PA.

Green Method for the Selective Electromembrane Extraction of Parabens and Fluoroquinolones in the Presence of NSAIDs by Using Biopolymeric Chitosan Films.

A chitosan biopolymeric membrane was successfully used as a support in a green electromembrane extraction procedure for the simultaneous and selective extraction of seven parabens and three fluoroquinolones in the presence of three non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. The optimal experimental conditions (10 mL donor phase and 50 µL acceptor phase, pH 10 in both phases; 80 V of applied voltage during 15 min of extraction time) were determined, providing high enrichment factors for six of the studied parabens (EF ≥ 90) and the three fluoroquinolones (EF ≥ 50). Wide linear concentration ranges (0.5-500 µg L-1), good linearity (>97%), low limits of detection (0.2-1.1 µg L-1), and good repeatability (relative standard deviation values 4-10%) were achieved. The proposed method was successfully applied for the extraction of the target analytes from different kinds of water samples (river, lake, and swimming pool). The usage of a chitosan membrane in the extraction process presents many advantages, as it is a biodegradable and versatile support, offering a good alternative to commercial plastic materials commonly used in this methodology and these procedures.

Food portion sizes and their relationship with energy, and nutrient intakes in adolescents: The HELENA study.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to investigate the associations between portion sizes (PSs) from different food groups and energy, as well as nutrient intakes in European adolescents. METHODS: A sample of 1631 adolescents (54.2 % girls) were included from the Healthy Lifestyle in Europe by Nutrition in Adolescence Cross-Sectional (HELENA) study. Mean food PS was calculated by dividing the total intake of the items by the number of eating occasions of these consumed items. To determine the key items for analysis, foods were ranked by frequency of consumption. A one-way between-groups analysis of covariance was used to test for significant differences in means across tertiles. A multivariable linear regression analysis was carried out, adjusting for age, sex, maternal education, body mass index, and using country as a level. RESULTS: Energy intake increased with elevated intakes of energy-dense foods. Large portions of rice and other grains, starch roots and potatoes, and meat substitutes, nuts, and pulses were associated with increased carbohydrate and fiber intake. Larger portions of cheese and butter and animal fat were significantly associated with a higher fat intake. Lower intakes of some vitamins and micronutrients were noticed with consumption of larger portions of high energy-dense foods, such as desserts and pudding, margarine and vegetable oil, and butter and animal fat. CONCLUSIONS: Large food PSs may be associated with positive energy, as well as macro- and micronutrient intake. Moreover, the findings from this study may help the future development of dietary guidance in general and specific to PSs, and support targeted strategies to address intakes of certain nutrients in European adolescents.

Multiomic Data Integration in the Analysis of Drought-Responsive Mechanisms in Quercus ilex Seedlings.

The integrated analysis of different omic layers can provide new knowledge not provided by their individual analysis. This approach is also necessary to validate data and reveal post-transcriptional and post-translational mechanisms of gene expression regulation. In this work, we validated the possibility of applying this approach to non-model species such as Quercus ilex. Transcriptomics, proteomics, and metabolomics from Q. ilex seedlings subjected to drought-like conditions under the typical summer conditions in southern Spain were integrated using a non-targeted approach. Two integrative approaches, PCA and DIABLO, were used and compared. Both approaches seek to reduce dimensionality, preserving the maximum information. DIABLO also allows one to infer interconnections between the different omic layers. For easy visualization and analysis, these interconnections were analyzed using functional and statistical networks. We were able to validate results obtained by analyzing the omic layers separately. We identified the importance of protein homeostasis with numerous protease and chaperones in the networks. We also discovered new key processes, such as transcriptional control, and identified the key function of transcription factors, such as DREB2A, WRKY65, and CONSTANS, in the early response to drought.

Multiomics Molecular Research into the Recalcitrant and Orphan Quercus ilex Tree Species: Why, What for, and How.

The holm oak (Quercus ilex L.) is the dominant tree species of the Mediterranean forest and the Spanish agrosilvopastoral ecosystem, "dehesa." It has been, since the prehistoric period, an important part of the Iberian population from a social, cultural, and religious point of view, providing an ample variety of goods and services, and forming the basis of the economy in rural areas. Currently, there is renewed interest in its use for dietary diversification and sustainable food production. It is part of cultural richness, both economically (tangible) and environmentally (intangible), and must be preserved for future generations. However, a worrisome degradation of the species and associated ecosystems is occurring, observed in an increase in tree decline and mortality, which requires urgent action. Breeding programs based on the selection of elite genotypes by molecular markers is the only plausible biotechnological approach. To this end, the authors' group started, in 2004, a research line aimed at characterizing the molecular biology of Q. ilex. It has been a challenging task due to its biological characteristics (long life cycle, allogamous, high phenotypic variability) and recalcitrant nature. The biology of this species has been characterized following the central dogma of molecular biology using the omics cascade. Molecular responses to biotic and abiotic stresses, as well as seed maturation and germination, are the two main objectives of our research. The contributions of the group to the knowledge of the species at the level of DNA-based markers, genomics, epigenomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, and metabolomics are discussed here. Moreover, data are compared with those reported for Quercus spp. All omics data generated, and the genome of Q. ilex available, will be integrated with morphological and physiological data in the systems biology direction. Thus, we will propose possible molecular markers related to resilient and productive genotypes to be used in reforestation programs. In addition, possible markers related to the nutritional value of acorn and derivate products, as well as bioactive compounds (peptides and phenolics) and allergens, will be suggested. Subsequently, the selected molecular markers will be validated by both genome-wide association and functional genomic analyses.

Efficiency of Artificial Insemination at Natural Estrus in Organic Churra Ewes.

Hormonal treatments used in the artificial insemination (AI) of sheep can cause several physiological problems that can affect negatively fertility and animal health; however, AI protocols based on the detection of natural estrus offer a more sustainable option and can achieve high fertility. In this study, an AI protocol at natural estrus in organic Churra sheep was performed. In the first phase (AI protocol development), 125 ewes were exocervically inseminated, and their fertility was assessed based on the following factors: number of AI, physiological state, body condition, estrus detection-AI interval, and vaginal fluids in cervix. That protocol was repeated for six consecutive years. In all individuals, fertilities based on the timing of insemination after estrus detection were very high. Lactating ewes produced better results than did dry ewes, which was probably because of the better feeding of the former. In addition, double insemination increased the fertility of ewes whose estrus was detected within 16 h of onset. Body condition and amount of vaginal fluid were correlated with fertility. Exocervical inseminations at natural estrus can produce acceptable fertility and prolificity in Churra ewes.

Non-Invasive Identification of Sex in Cultured Bovine Embryos by UHPLC-MS/MS Metabolomics.

INTRODUCTION: Different gene expression between male and female bovine embryos leads to metabolic differences. OBJECTIVE: We used UHPLC-MS/MS to identify sex metabolite biomarkers in embryo culture medium (CM). METHODS: Embryos were produced in vitro under highly variable conditions, i.e., fertilized with 7 bulls, two breeds, and cultured with BSA or BSA + serum until Day-6. On Day-6, embryos were cultured individually for 24 h. CM of Day-7 embryos (86 female and 81 male) was collected, and Day-6 and Day-7 embryonic stages recorded. RESULTS: A study by sample subsets with fixed factors (culture, bull breed, and Day-6 and Day-7 stages) tentatively identified 31 differentially accumulated metabolites through 182 subsets. Day-6 and Day-7 stage together affected 13 and 11 metabolites respectively, while 19 metabolites were affected by one or another stage and/or day. Culture supplements and individual bull changed 19 and 15 metabolites, respectively. Single bull exerted the highest influence (20 metabolites with the significantly highest p values). Lipid (93 subsets; 11 metabolites) and amino acid (55 subsets; 13 metabolites) were the most relevant classes for sex identification. CONCLUSIONS: Single biomarker led to inefficient sex diagnosis, while metabolite combinations accurately identified sex. Our study is a first in non-invasive sex identification in cattle by overcoming factors that induce metabolic variation.

Eating Behavior Associated with Food Intake in European Adolescents Participating in the HELENA Study.

Adolescence is recognized as a time of rapid physiological and behavioral change. In this transition, eating behavior is still being formed and remains an integral part of a person's lifestyle throughout his or her life. This study aims to assess eating behavior and associations with food intake in European adolescents. We included 2194 adolescents (45.9% boys), aged 12.5 to 17.5 years, from the cross-sectional HELENA study, with two completed 24 h recalls and complete questionnaire data on their eating behavior (Eating Behavior and Weight Problems Inventory for Children- EWI-C). Three subscales of the EWI were evaluated; they measured Strength and motivation to eat (EWI 1), Importance and impact of eating (EWI 2), and Eating as a means of coping with emotional stress (EWI 3). Since these subscales were specially focused on eating behavior, participants were classified as either Low (≤P75) or High (>P75) on each of the subscales. Our results showed a higher consumption of different types of food, in the EWI 1 scales, linked to the hunger and interest in eating, and we observed a relationship with the consumption of energy-dense products. This result was repeated in EWI 3, the subscale linked to emotional eating, where we also found higher consumption of energy-dense products. This study suggests that special features of eating behavior are associated with food intake in adolescents.

Acute Effect of a Dietary Multi-Ingredient Nootropic as a Cognitive Enhancer in Young Healthy Adults: A Randomized, Triple-Blinded, Placebo-Controlled, Crossover Trial.

Aim: To study the acute effect of a dietary multi-ingredient nootropic on cognitive performance in young healthy adults. We also analyzed the influence of the dietary multi-ingredient nootropic on emotional state, heart rate (HR), and heart rate variability (HRV). Methods: This is a randomized, triple-blinded, placebo-controlled, crossover trial. In total, 26 young healthy adults (50% women; 24.9 ± 3.3 years old) ingested 10 g of a dietary multi-ingredient nootropic [Evo-Gamers®; Harrison Sport Nutrition (HSN), Granada, Spain] or placebo (maltodextrin) in a randomized order (clinicaltrials.gov No. NCT04790188). After 30 min of the ingestion, participants performed a battery of cognitive performance tests to measure the processing speed, inhibitory control, working memory, cognitive flexibility, creativity, and verbal fluency. The emotional status was assessed through questionnaires, and HR and HRV were measured using a heart rate monitor. Results: In comparison with placebo, the acute ingestion of the nootropic showed a significantly better response time in several cognitive tests (i.e., processing speed, inhibitory control, spatial working memory, and cognitive flexibility, all P < 0.05 and effect size range of 0.4-0.6). It also displayed a higher accuracy in the processing speed, the inhibitory control, and cognitive flexibility tests (all P < 0.05; effect size ranged from 0.4 to 0.6). Furthermore, the nootropic showed a higher creativity and positive emotions and lower sadness-depression emotions, whereas HR and HRV remained similar between placebo vs. nootropic conditions. However, there were no differences between the nootropic and placebo in verbal fluency, motivation, or anxiety (all P > 0.05). Conclusion: An acute ingestion of a dietary multi-ingredient nootropic enhances cognitive performance in comparison with placebo without negatively influencing HR or HRV in young healthy adults.