The Effects of Different Types of Exercise on Circulating Irisin Levels in Healthy Individuals and in People With Overweight, Metabolic Syndrome and Type 2 Diabetes.

Irisin is a myokine secreted during exercise. It has drawn the attention of researchers as it regulates several effects of exercise that are considered beneficial. It has also been proposed as a therapeutic tool to treat metabolic disorders. In recent years, the effect of different types of training on circulating irisin has been studied in large populations. An overall beneficial result has been shown, however, the outcome of the investigations has raised some controversy. Herein we evaluated the existing literature on the effects of different types of training on the circulating irisin levels in healthy subjects and in those displaying different metabolic condition. We conducted queries in the PubMed and Web of Science databases for literature published between January 2010 and January 2021. Thirty-seven original articles were retrieved and they were included in this review. Any letter to the editor, meta-analyses, reviews, and systematic review articles were excluded. From these 37 articles, 19 of them reported increased levels of circulating irisin. The interventions encompassed aerobic, resistance, combined, circuit, and interval training types. Such increase of circulating irisin was reported for healthy subjects and for those displaying different metabolic condition. A training that is steadily kept with a moderate to high intensity, including that characterized by brief highly intense intervals, were distinguishable from the rest. Nevertheless, the training effectiveness as evaluated by the increased circulating irisin levels depends on the subject's metabolic condition and age.

Characterization of nutritional and functional properties of "Blanco Sinaloa" chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) variety, and study of the rheological behavior of hummus pastes.

In this work the preparation of a hummus pastes from a Mexican variety of chickpea (Blanco Sinaloa, BS) was investigated. With this purpose, the nutritional and functional properties of the raw chickpea were evaluated, which revealed a content of protein, fiber and lipids of 19, 1.6 and 10.3%, respectively. Meanwhile the values of hydration capacity, water absorption index, water solubility index, emulsifying activity and foam capability were 0.65 g/seed, 2.26 g/g, 22.3%, 40.7% and 29.2%, respectively. Based on these results this variety of chickpea was considered suitable for the target application. The preparation of the paste was done by further sterilization of the paste promoted a decreased on the activity of lipoxygenase (68%) and starch content (40%). The rheological characterization of the hummus paste showed that the sterilization induced the formation of a tridimensional structure, due to the gelatinization of the starch and protein denaturation. Moreover, the linear viscoelastic zone shifted to higher values of strain (%γ), whereas the storage modulus (G') increased in about two orders of magnitude. The results of frequency sweeps showed that the paste exhibits a solid-like behavior (weak gel). Measurements of shear rate of the paste (unsterilized and sterilized) revealed that the shear viscosity exhibited a shear thickening behavior and a thixotropic behavior.

Pancreatic Cancer Incidence, Mortality, and Survival in Puerto Rico, 2001-2015.

OBJECTIVE: To perform an epidemiologic profile of pancreatic cancer (PC) in Puerto Rico (PR) with data gathered from 2001 to 2015. METHODS: Using data from the PR Central Cancer Registry we estimated incidence and mortality rates and trends of PC in PR, and performed survival analyses. We also compared the age-standardized incidence and mortality rates of PC in people in PR with those of Hispanics, non-Hispanic whites, and non Hispanic blacks in the United States (US). RESULTS: From 2011 to 2015, 7.8 per 100,000 persons were diagnosed with PC in PR; higher rates were observed in men than in women (9.2 vs. 6.7 per 100,000, respectively) and in persons 65 years old and older (42.7 per 100,000 persons). For the same period, 6.7 per 100,000 persons died from PC; men and persons 65 years and older had higher mortality rates. Incidence and mortality trends of PC in PR increased from 2001-2015 (annual percent change [APC] = 3.8% and 1.9%, respectively (p<0.05). Lower risk of being diagnosed with and dying from PC was seen in PR than in members of several racial/ethnic groups in the US. The median survival time for PC cases diagnosed in PR during the period of 2008 to 2012 was 5.3 months. CONCLUSION: We observed increasing mortality rates and low survival in PC patients in PR. Research on access and response to treatment is needed to elucidate the reasons for the observed results and have a positive impact on PC burden and survival.

Consenso para la apertura y cierre de laparotomía media supra-infraumbilical utilizando metodología Delphi / Midline laparotomy technique consensus using the Delphi method

INTRODUCCIÓN: Una de las vías de acceso a la cavidad abdominal es la laparotomía media, siendo uno de los riesgos más temidos las complicaciones postoperatorias, las cuales pueden disminuirse con difusión de una adecuada técnica quirúrgica. OBJETIVO: Generar un consenso de expertos con pasos clave para realizar una laparotomía media supra-infraumbilical, a través de la metodología Delphi. MATERIALES Y MÉTODO: Por medio de una revisión de la literatura se extrajo el detalle de 37 pasos considerados en el procedimiento, organizado en secciones de preparación, apertura y cierre, siendo evaluados por un grupo de cirujanos de 7 hospitales docentes de Chile, mediante una encuesta online. RESULTADOS: El consenso se alcanzó en dos rondas, con 28 de los 37 pasos extraídos de la literatura, considerados importantes o muy importantes para la enseñanza de la técnica. Discusión: De los 28 pasos identificados como importantes, existe un alto grado de acuerdo para la preparación y apertura de una laparotomía, a diferencia del cierre en el cual no se observa una preferencia clara entre el cierre en una o varias capas entre el peritoneo y la fascia, debiendo analizarse en cada caso específico. CONCLUSIÓN: La identificación de 28 pasos estandarizados constituye un aporte en los programas de formación de residentes y en el desarrollo de modelos de simulación adecuados para la replicación del procedimiento. El aprendizaje correcto de la técnica basado en evidencia es fundamental para disminuir el riesgo de complicaciones asociadas, especialmente en el postoperatorio.

INTRODUCTION: Traditionally, the main surgical technique to access the abdominal cavity has been midline incision laparotomy, being postoperative complications a main concern. Proper teaching-learning methods could help improving the success of this procedure. AIM: Establish an expert's consensus throughout the Delphi Methodology regarding the main steps that need to be considered in a midline laparotomy. MATERIALS AND METHOD: Literature review was conducted, 37 steps were identified and grouped in 3 sections; preparation of the skin, opening incision, and closure. These steps were evaluated online by surgeons of 7 teaching hospitals in Chile. RESULTS: Consensus was reached in two rounds, 28 of the 37 steps were identified as important or very important for the procedure. DISCUSSION: There is a high level of agreement in steps related to preparation of the skin and opening incision. However, there is not a consensus regarding closure of the peritoneum and fascia in one or more layers, being a case to case decision. CONCLUSIONS: Establishment of 28 standardized steps constitutes a contribution to resident teaching programs and the development of simulation materials as an active learning strategy. Satisfactory learning outcomes have a direct impact in the success of the procedure and a lower rate of complications.

Tumors of the oral cavity: CO2 laser management.

BACKGROUND: Cancer of the oral cavity combined with oropharyngeal cancer is the sixth leading cause of death for cancer worldwide. Surgery remains the standard treatment for this disease in early clinical and locally advanced stages. Numerous studies have shown that laser management is useful for premalignant lesions in the oral cavity; however, there is no conclusive evidence that its use is appropriate in cancer of the oral cavity and that results are comparable with traditional surgery. The objective of this study is to determine cancer control after wide local resection with CO2 laser for oral malignant neoplasms. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Retrospective study in patients with tumors of the oral cavity who were considered for surgical resection with CO2 laser from January 2006-December 2015. Demographic data, treatment modalities, histopathological diagnosis and clinical stage variables were obtained. All resections were done with the use of the microspot. Patients with cancer of the tongue were not included because a specific protocol for these patients does exist in our institution. RESULTS: There were twenty patients, 10 male and 10 female with a average age of 58 years (range: 20-92 years). Mean age was 53.5 years for females and 63 years for males. Twelve (60%) patients are alive and disease free and four (20%) were lost free of disease. CONCLUSIONS: CO2 laser is an acceptable surgical method for the management of small lesions in the oral cavity. We cannot rule out that small lesions of the oral cavity with positive neck could be managed in this manner, adding treatment to the neck, producing an adequate local regional control. However, this hypothesis requires additional studies.

Early treatment of SIV+ macaques with an α4ß7 mAb alters virus distribution and preserves CD4+ T cells in later stages of infection.

Integrin α4ß7 mediates the trafficking of leukocytes, including CD4+ T cells, to lymphoid tissues in the gut. Virus mediated damage to the gut is implicated in HIV and SIV mediated chronic immune activation and leads to irreversible damage to the immune system. We employed an immuno-PET/CT imaging technique to evaluate the impact of an anti-integrin α4ß7 mAb alone or in combination with ART, on the distribution of both SIV infected cells and CD4+ cells in rhesus macaques infected with SIV. We determined that α4ß7 mAb reduced viral antigen in an array of tissues of the lung, spleen, axillary, and inguinal lymph nodes. These sites are not directly linked to α4ß7 mediated homing; however, the most pronounced reduction in viral load was observed in the colon. Despite this reduction, α4ß7 mAb treatment did not prevent an apparent depletion of CD4+ T cells in gut in the acute phase of infection that is characteristic of HIV/SIV infection. However, α4ß7 mAb appeared to facilitate the preservation or restoration of CD4+ T cells in gut tissues at later stages of infection. Since damage to the gut is believed to play a central role in HIV pathogenesis, these results support further evaluation of α4ß7 antagonists in the study and treatment of HIV disease.

Evaluation of acrylamide-removing properties of two Lactobacillus strains under simulated gastrointestinal conditions using a dynamic system.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the capability of Lactobacillus reuteri NRRL 14171 and Lactobacillus casei Shirota to remove dietary acrylamide (AA) under simulated gastrointestinal conditions using a dynamic system. The effects of different AA levels or bacteria concentration on toxin removal by Lactobacillus strains were assessed. Thereafter, AA-removing capability of bacteria strains under either fasting or postprandial simulated gastrointestinal conditions was evaluated. Commercial potato chips were analyzed for their AA content, and then used as a food model. Average AA content (34,162µg/kg) in potato chips exceeded by ca. 34-fold the indicative values recommended by the EU. Toxin removal ability was dependent on AA content and bacterial cell concentration. A reduction on bacterial viability was observed in the food model and at the end of both digestive processes evaluated. However, bacteria survived in enough concentrations to remove part of the toxin (32-73%). Both bacterial strains were able to remove AA under different simulated gastrointestinal conditions, being L. casei Shirota the most effective (ca. 70% removal). These findings confirmed the risk of potato chips as dietary AA exposure for consumers, and that strains of the genus Lactobacillus could be employed to reduce the bioavailability of dietary AA.

Comparative study between two different staging systems (AJCC TNM VS BALLANTYNE'S) for mucosal melanomas of the Head & Neck.

BACKGROUND: Mucosal melanoma (MM) of head and neck (H&N) is a rare entity with a quite poor prognosis. Ballantyne's staging system has been commonly used since 1970. In the 7th edition of the AJCC Staging Manual a new chapter for the staging of TNM Classification system for mucosal melanoma (MM) of the head and neck (H&N) has been introduced to reflect the particularly aggressive biological behavior of this neoplasm. The aim of this study was to analyze and compare among Ballantyne's staging system vs TNM H&N in terms of overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) in a consecutive population of patients with MM in a cancer centre. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Descriptive analysis of demographic, clinical and pathological variables of MM of the Head & Neck were performed. We compared the survival curves for both systems according to the Kaplan-Meier method using the Log-rank test. RESULTS: An up-staging migration effect from Ballantyne's localized disease to moderate-ly and very advanced disease according to AJCC staging system. The 5-year DFS and OS for Ballantyne's Localized Disease and AJCC Stage III were 31% and 36% vs. 47% and 50%, respectively. For locoregional disease the 5-year DFS / OS were 5% / 10% for Ballantyne's system vs. 13.8% / 17.8% and 0 / 0% for AJCC Stages IVA and IVB, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: In this series, the TNM staging system for MM of the H&N predicted the prognosis of the disease when comparing with Ballantyne's system.

Epidemiology of Pancreatic Cancer in Puerto Rico (1987-2010): Incidence, Mortality and Survival.

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVE: Pancreatic cancer is an uncommon type of cancer worldwide. Nonetheless, even with early diagnosis, mortality rates are high. This study aims to perform an epidemiologic profile of pancreatic cancer in Puerto Rico (PR) from 1987-2010. METHODS: Using data from the Puerto Rico Central Cancer Registry, age-standardized incidence and mortality rates of pancreatic cancer in PR were compared with Hispanics, non-Hispanic Whites, and non-Hispanic Blacks in the United States of America (USA). Incidence and mortality trends of pancreatic cancer were estimated, and survival analyses were also performed. RESULTS: In 2005-2010, 5.8 per 100,000 persons were diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in PR and mortality rates were similar. Pancreatic cancer was more frequent in men (6.5 per 100,000 men) than women (5.2 per 100,000 women), and in persons older than 65 years (32.0 per 100,000 persons). Moreover, the median survival for the people diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in PR during 2006-2007 was 4 months and at the end of the third year after diagnosis, only 13% of the patients survived. Incidence trends of pancreatic cancer showed an increase for men (APC=13.0%, p<0.05) from 2006 to 2010, but not for women (APC=-0.4, p>0.05). However, mortality trends showed a slight decrease for men (APC=-1.0%, p<0.05), but not for women (APC=1.4, p>0.05) in the period of 1987 to 2010. Meanwhile, Puerto Ricans in comparison to other racial/ethnic groups living in the USA showed a lower risk for being diagnosed and of dying from pancreatic cancer. CONCLUSION: Our results highlight the need for additional research in pancreatic cancer, in order to have an impact in disease survival in PR.

Switching prostaglandin analogues and 24-hour IOP fluctuations.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the fluctuations in 24h mean intraocular pressure (IOP) when switching prostaglandin analogues in patients with glaucoma. METHODS: Fourteen patients with primary open angle glaucoma were evaluated with monthly 24-hour IOP curves, using a monthly switching pattern of prostaglandin analogues and brinzolamide during 3 years of follow-up. RESULTS: Average IOP and average fluctuation (peak to through difference) were significantly higher with brinzolamide than with any of the analogues. There was no significant difference in either parameter with the different prostaglandin analogues, regardless of the order in which they were evaluated, or even if a month on brinzolamide was intercalated between the analogues. CONCLUSIONS: Brinzolamide was less effective than prostaglandin analogues in reducing 24-hour mean IOP and its fluctuations. Switching analogues had no significant effect on mean IOP or mean IOP fluctuations.

Rotación de análogos de prostaglandinas y fluctuaciones diurnas de la presión intraocular / Switching prostaglandin analogues and 24-hour iop fluctuations

Objetivos: Evaluar la eficacia de la rotación de análogos de prostaglandinas sobre las fluctuaciones de la presión intraocular (PIO) en 24h. Métodos: Se evaluó a 14 pacientes con glaucoma primario de ángulo abierto mediante curvas mensuales de presión intraocular de 24h, realizando un patrón de cambios mensuales del tratamiento hipotensor entre brinzolamida y análogos de prostaglandinas durante un período de tres años. Resultados: Tanto el promedio de PIO como el promedio de variación (diferencia entre el pico y el valle) durante las curvas fueron significativamente mayores con la brinzolamida que con cualquiera de los tres análogos. Tanto el promedio de PIO como el promedio de fluctuaciones fueron similares entre los tres análogos, independiente del orden en que se usaron o de si se intercaló un mes de brinzolamida entre uno y otro análogo. Conclusiones: La brinzolamida fue menos efectiva para reducir la PIO promedio y sus fluctuaciones durante 24h. No hubo un cambio significativo al rotar los análogos(AU)

Objectives: To evaluate the fluctuations in 24h mean intraocular pressure (IOP) when switching prostaglandin analogues in patients with glaucoma. Methods: Fourteen patients with primary open angle glaucoma were evaluated with monthly 24-hour IOP curves, using a monthly switching pattern of prostaglandin analogues and brinzolamide during 3 years of follow-up. Results: Average IOP and average fluctuation (peak to through difference) were significantly higher with brinzolamide than with any of the analogues. There was no significant difference in either parameter with the different prostaglandin analogues, regardless of the order in which they were evaluated, or even if a month on brinzolamide was intercalated between the analogues. Conclusions: Brinzolamide was less effective than prostaglandin analogues in reducing 24-hour mean IOP and its fluctuations. Switching analogues had no significant effect on mean IOP or mean IOP fluctuations(AU)

Assessment LOPU-IVF in Japanese sika deer (Cervus nippon nippon) and application to Vietnamese sika deer (Cervus nippon pseudaxis) a related subspecies threatened with extinction.

In mammals, recovery of oocytes by laparoscopic ovum pick-up (LOPU) coupled with in vitro production (IVP) of embryos represents a promising strategy for both amplification and genetic management of sparse animals from captive endangered wild species. As integrated technique developed mainly for domestic livestock, LOPU-IVP requires several studies to set up protocols for follicular stimulation or optimization of IVP before envisaging successful transposition to wild species. In deer, many endangered subspecies would be potentially concerned by applying such an approach using common subspecies for protocols optimization. The aim of the present study was to assess efficiency of follicle stimulation using ovine FSH (oFSH) for recovery of oocytes by LOPU in common sika deer (Cervus nippon nippon) before transposition of an optimized methodology for IVP of embryos from endangered Vietnamese sika deer hinds (Cervus nippon pseudaxis). In common sika deer, two doses of oFSH (0.25 and 0.5 U) and two frequencies of administration (12 and 24 h) were compared by monitoring of subsequent ovarian response, quality of oocytes recovered by LOPU, and in vitro developmental competence. In a first experiment, the dose of oFSH administered did not significantly affect the total number of follicles aspirated per hind per session (8.6 ± 1.0 vs. 8.2 ± 1.6 with 0.5 vs. 0.25 U oFSH, respectively; not significant). In a second experiment, frequency of 0.25 U oFSH administration did not affect ovarian response. Efficiency of IVP determined on blastocysts rates after in vitro maturation, fertilization, and development in oviduct epithelial cells coculture was increased when FSH was administered at 12-h intervals. Immune response after several follicular stimulations was detected against exogenous oFSH in plasma from the majority of sika deer hinds but was not associated with decreased ovarian response. When 0.25 U oFSH was administered at 12-h intervals to Vietnamese sika deer (N = 4), good quality cumulus oocyte complexes with complete and compact cumulus investments were recovered allowing a high cleavage rate after in vitro maturation and fertilization. Development to the blastocyst stage occurred in a high proportion (30% of oocytes) after coculture with ovine epithelial cells allowing cryobanking of transferable embryos from Vietnamese sika deer. These results confirm that LOPU-IVF after ovarian stimulation with oFSH may be a successful tool for cryobanking transferable embryos from endangered sika deer subspecies.

African ancestry, early life exposures, and respiratory morbidity in early childhood.

BACKGROUND: Racial disparities persist in early childhood wheezing and cannot be completely explained by known risk factors. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the associations of genetic ancestry and self-identified race with early childhood recurrent wheezing, accounting for socio-economic status (SES) and early life exposures. METHODS: We studied 1034 children in an urban, multi-racial, prospective birth cohort. Multivariate logistic regression was used to evaluate the association of genetic ancestry as opposed to self-identified race with recurrent wheezing (>3 episodes). Sequential models accounted for demographic, socio-economic factors and early life risk factors. Genetic ancestry, estimated using 150 ancestry informative markers, was expressed in deciles. RESULTS: Approximately 6.1% of subjects (mean age 3.1 years) experienced recurrent wheezing. After accounting for SES and demographic factors, African ancestry (OR: 1.16, 95% CI: 1.02-1.31) was significantly associated with recurrent wheezing. By self-reported race, hispanic subjects had a borderline decrease in risk of wheeze compared with African Americans (OR: 0.44, 95% CI: 0.19-1.00), whereas white subjects (OR: 0.46, 95% CI: 0.14-1.57) did not have. After further adjustment for known confounders and early life exposures, both African (OR: 1.19, 95% CI: 1.05-1.34) and European ancestry (OR: 0.84, 95% CI: 0.74-0.94) retained a significant association with recurrent wheezing, as compared with self-identified race (OR(whites) : 0.31, 95% CI: 0.09-1.14; OR(hispanic) : 0.47, 95% CI: 0.20-1.08). There were no significant interactions between ancestry and early life factors on recurrent wheezing. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: In contrast to self-identified race, African ancestry remained a significant, independent predictor of early childhood wheezing after accounting for early life and other known risk factors associated with lung function changes and asthma. Genetic ancestry may be a powerful way to evaluate wheezing disparities and a proxy for differentially distributed genetic and early life risk factors associated with childhood recurrent wheezing.

Prognostic factors in patients with minor salivary gland carcinoma of the oral cavity and oropharynx.

BACKGROUND: This study was performed to define prognostic factors and management of minor salivary gland carcinoma of the oral cavity and oropharynx . METHODS: Retrospective analyses of patients with salivary gland carcinoma of the oral cavity or oropharynx, treated in 1989 to 2006. Statistics included univariate analyses to identify prognostic factors associated with disease-free survival (DFS) and disease-specific survival. A multivariate analysis model was constructed by the Cox method. RESULTS: Seventy-seven patients constituted our cohort. Significant prognostic factors regarding DFS and disease-specific survival in univariate analyses comprised tumor size, surgical margins, grade, lymph node status, and Karnofsky status and T classification. A multivariate model identified tumor size, grade, surgical margins, and lymph node status significant regarding DFS. CONCLUSIONS: Tumor size, grade, surgical margins, and lymph node status could be used for a rational design of treatment strategies in these rare tumors.

Gene-vitamin D interactions on food sensitization: a prospective birth cohort study.

BACKGROUND: It has been hypothesized that vitamin D deficiency (VDD) contributes to the development of food sensitization (FS) and then food allergy. However, the epidemiological evidence is conflicting. We aim to examine whether cord blood VDD is associated with FS and whether such association can be modified by genetic variants in a prospective birth cohort. METHODS: This study included 649 children who were enrolled at birth and followed from birth onward at the Boston Medical Center. We defined VDD as cord blood 25(OH)D < 11 ng/ml, and FS as specific IgE ≥ 0.35 kUA/l to any of eight common food allergens in early childhood. We genotyped potentially functional single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in 11 genes known to be involved in regulating IgE and 25(OH)D concentrations. Logistic regressions were used to test the effects of VDD on FS individually and jointly with SNPs. RESULTS: Among the 649 children, 44% had VDD and 37% had FS. When examined alone, VDD was not associated with FS. When examined jointly with SNPs, a significant interaction between IL4 gene polymorphism (rs2243250) and VDD (p(interaction) = 0.003, p(FDR) = 0.10) was found: VDD increased the risk of FS among children carrying CC/CT genotypes (OR = 1.79, 95%CI: 1.15-2.77). Similar but weaker interactions were observed for SNPs in MS4A2 (rs512555), FCER1G (rs2070901), and CYP24A1 (rs2762934). When all four SNPs were simultaneously considered, a strong gene-VDD interaction was evident (p(interaction) = 9 × 10(-6) ). CONCLUSIONS: Our data demonstrate that VDD may increase the risk of FS among individuals with certain genotypes, providing evidence of gene-vitamin D interaction on FS.