Fatty Acid Transport and Signaling: Mechanisms and Physiological Implications.

Long-chain fatty acids (FAs) are components of plasma membranes and an efficient fuel source and also serve as metabolic regulators through FA signaling mediated by membrane FA receptors. Impaired tissue FA uptake has been linked to major complications of obesity, including insulin resistance, cardiovascular disease, and type 2 diabetes. Fatty acid interactions with a membrane receptor and the initiation of signaling can modify pathways related to nutrient uptake and processing, cell proliferation or differentiation, and secretion of bioactive factors. Here, we review the major membrane receptors involved in FA uptake and FA signaling. We focus on two types of membrane receptors for long-chain FAs: CD36 and the G protein-coupled FA receptors FFAR1 and FFAR4. We describe key signaling pathways and metabolic outcomes for CD36, FFAR1, and FFAR4 and highlight the parallels that provide insight into FA regulation of cell function.

Periodontitis exacerbation during pregnancy in mice: Role of macrophage migration inhibitory factor as a key inductor.

OBJECTIVE: The present study was designed to investigate the role of macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) in the exacerbation of pregestational periodontal disease (PGPD). BACKGROUND: Periodontitis (PT) is a severe stage of periodontal disease characterized by inflammation of the supporting tissues of the teeth, which usually worsens during pregnancy. MIF is a proinflammatory cytokine that is significantly elevated in periodontitis, both at the beginning and at the end of pregnancy. Although periodontitis usually presents with greater severity during pregnancy, the participation of MIF in the evolution of periodontitis has not been established. METHODS: To analyze the relevance of MIF in the exacerbation of PGPD, we employed a model of PGPD in WT and Mif-/- mice, both with a BALB/c genetic background. PT was induced with nylon suture ligatures placed supramarginally around the second upper right molar. For PGPD, PT was induced 2 weeks before mating. We evaluated histological changes and performed histometric analysis of the clinical attachment loss, relative expression of MMP-2 and MMP-13 by immunofluorescence, and relative expression of the cytokines mif, tnf-α, ifn-γ, and il-17 by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). RESULTS: Our data revealed that periodontal tissue from PGPD WT mice produced a twofold increase in MIF compared with PT WT mice. Moreover, the evolution of periodontitis in Mif-/- mice was less severe than in PGDP WT mice. Periodontal tissue from Mif-/- mice with PGPD produced 80% less TNF-α and no IFN-γ, as well as 50% lower expression of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 and 25% less MMP-13 compared to WT PGDP mice. CONCLUSIONS: Our study suggests that MIF plays an important role in the exacerbation of periodontitis during pregnancy and that MIF is partially responsible for the inflammation associated with the severity of periodontitis during pregnancy.

A simulation study to improve calcium intake through wheat flour fortification.

OBJECTIVE: To simulate the impact on calcium intake - effectiveness and safety - of fortifying wheat flour with 200, 400 and 500 mg of calcium per 100 g of flour. DESIGN: Secondary analysis of cross-sectional data collected through repeated 24 h dietary recalls using the Iowa State University Intake Modelling, Assessment and Planning Program. SETTING: Urban cities in the National Health and Nutrition Survey of Argentina (ENNyS 2018-2019). PARTICIPANTS: 21 358 participants, including children, adolescents and adults. RESULTS: Most individuals in all age groups reported consuming wheat flour. The prevalence of low calcium intake was above 80 % in individuals older than 9 years. Simulating the fortification of 500 mg of calcium per 100 g of wheat flour showed that the prevalence of low calcium intake could be reduced by more than 40 percentage points in girls and women aged 19 to less than 51 years and boys and men aged 4 to less than 71 years, while it remained above 65 % in older ages. The percentages above the upper intake level remained below 1·5 % in all age groups. CONCLUSIONS: Calcium flour fortification could be further explored to improve calcium intake. Subnational simulations could be performed to identify groups that might not be reached by this strategy that could be explored in Argentina. This analysis could be used to advocate for a strategy to fortify wheat flour.

Mexican Colorectal Cancer Research Consortium (MEX-CCRC): Etiology, Diagnosis/Prognosis, and Innovative Therapies.

In 2013, recognizing that Colorectal Cancer (CRC) is the second leading cause of death by cancer worldwide and that it was a neglected disease increasing rapidly in Mexico, the community of researchers at the Biomedicine Research Unit of the Facultad de Estudios Superiores Iztacala from the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM) established an intramural consortium that involves a multidisciplinary group of researchers, technicians, and postgraduate students to contribute to the understanding of this pathology in Mexico. This article is about the work developed by the Mexican Colorectal Cancer Research Consortium (MEX-CCRC): how the Consortium was created, its members, and its short- and long-term goals. Moreover, it is a narrative of the accomplishments of this project. Finally, we reflect on possible strategies against CRC in Mexico and contrast all the data presented with another international strategy to prevent and treat CRC. We believe that the Consortium's characteristics must be maintained to initiate a national strategy, and the reported data could be useful to establish future collaborations with other countries in Latin America and the world.

Effects of gamma irradiation on the sensory and metabolic profiles of two peach cultivars.

BACKGROUND: The suitability of commercial peaches for minimal processing (MP) is limited, mainly due to shortened shelf-life. Gamma irradiation has emerged in MP fruits as a promising technology. This study aimed to investigate the effects of gamma irradiation on the sensory and metabolic profiles of MP peaches from two cultivars - 'Forastero' (FT) and 'Ruby Prince' (RP) - and evaluate the relationship between both profiles. MP peaches were packaged and divided into two groups: one without additional treatment (K) and the other subjected to gamma irradiation (1.0 kGy, I- irradiation treatment), making a total of four samples (FTK, FTI, RPK and RPI). The sensory profile was carried out by an assessor panel. Metabolite analysis was accomplished by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. RESULTS: Irradiation significantly affected color, homogeneity, peach aroma, total flavor intensity, peach flavor, sweetness and juiciness in FT, increasing their intensities. In the RP cultivar, irradiation increased brightness, total aroma intensity, peach aroma, and flavor and texture descriptors. Regarding metabolites, only malic acid and sucrose increased their concentrations in the irradiated samples. Partial least squares showed that sucrose was mainly correlated with sweet, total aroma intensity and peach flavors, and linked with FTI sample. Bitter along with peach aroma and total intensity flavor were associated with RPI sample. CONCLUSION: The applied dose accelerated the ripening process of the peach. The study highlights the importance of complementing sensory analysis with metabolomics tools to optimize fruit quality in minimally processed peaches. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.

Dual activation profile of monocytes is associated with protection in Mexican patients during SARS-CoV-2 disease.

The COVID-19 pandemic, caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), has been one of the most catastrophic diseases observed in recent years. It has reported nearly 550 million cases worldwide, with more than 6.35 million deaths. In Mexico, an increased incidence and mortality of this disease were observed, where the immune response has been involved in the magnitude and severity. A critical version of the disease is accompanied by hyperinflammatory responses, with cytokine and defective cellular responses. A detailed understanding of the role of molecules and cells in the immune response during COVID-19 disease may help to generate effective protection mechanisms, improving those we already have. Here we analyzed blood samples obtained from patients at the Hospital Regional de Alta Especialidad de Ixtapaluca (HRAEI), Mexico, which were classified according to living guidance for clinical management of COVID-19 by the World Health Organization: asymptomatic, mild, severe, and critical disease. We observed increased interleukin (IL)-6 levels and a T-CD8+ and T-CD4+ cell reduction correlated with the critical disease version. Importantly, here, we described a significant reduction of CD11b+CD45highCD14low monocytes during severe disease, which displayed a non-classical profile, expressing IL-10, transforming growth factor (TGF)-ß, and indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO)1 molecule. Moreover, CD11b+CD45highCD14low monocytes obtained from infected one-dose vaccinated patients (Pfizer® vaccine) who suffered minimal symptoms showed simultaneously a dual classical and no-classical profile expressing pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines. These results suggest that blood monocytes expressing a dual pro- and anti-inflammatory profile might be a predictive marker for protection in the Mexican population during COVID-19 disease. KEY POINTS : • Exacerbated immune response is associated with COVID-19 severe disease. • Dual monocyte activation profile is crucial for predicting protection during COVID-19. • Vaccination is crucial to induce the dual activation profile in monocytes.

Influence of Gestational Hormones on the Bacteria-Induced Cytokine Response in Periodontitis.

Periodontitis is an inflammatory disease that affects the supporting structures of teeth. The presence of a bacterial biofilm initiates a destructive inflammatory process orchestrated by various inflammatory mediators, most notably proinflammatory cytokines, which are upregulated in the gingival crevicular fluid, leading to the formation of periodontal pockets. This represents a well-characterized microbial change during the transition from periodontal health to periodontitis; interestingly, the gestational condition increases the risk and severity of periodontal disease. Although the influence of periodontitis on pregnancy has been extensively reviewed, the relationship between pregnancy and the development/evolution of periodontitis has been little studied compared to the effect of periodontitis on adverse pregnancy outcomes. This review is aimed at summarizing the findings on the pregnancy-proinflammatory cytokine relationship and discussing its possible involvement in the development of periodontitis. We address (1) an overview of periodontal disease, (2) the immune response and possible involvement of proinflammatory cytokines in the development of periodontitis, (3) how bone tissue remodelling takes place with an emphasis on the involvement of the inflammatory response and metalloproteinases during periodontitis, and (4) the influence of hormonal profile during pregnancy on the development of periodontitis. Finally, we believe this review may be helpful for designing immunotherapies based on the stage of pregnancy to control the severity and pathology of periodontal disease.

Is it possible to obtain food consumption information through children's drawings? Comparison with the Free Listing.

The aims of this research were 1) to study the children's drawings to obtain scientific information about food consumption; 2) to compare this method with an existing one (Free Listing); and 3) to compare fruits- and vegetables-consumed by children of different cultural groups within a same country. Children (n = 105) from two Argentinian cities (Salta in the northwest and 9 de Julio in the Pampean region), reported the fruits and vegetables they consumed, with the Free Listing and the new Free Drawing methods. Contingency tables were built and cognitive saliency indexes (CSI) were calculated. Children evoked 57 fruits and 54 vegetables by both methods, which were then grouped into 31 fruit and 27 vegetable categories. The advantages and limitations of the methods are discussed. Throughout Free Drawing, each food was defined by its name, shape and colour, which allowed better discrimination between varieties. Children from Salta reported consuming more fruits (63.7%) and vegetables (68.6%) than those from 9 de Julio (p < 0.05). Differences between cultural groups were found in 10 fruits and 7 vegetables, mentioned more frequently in Salta, where regional crops arose principally by Free Listing. The CSI did not depend on the method used but, for vegetables, they were affected by the cultural group. The fruits with the greatest CSI were banana and apples followed by orange (CSI≥0.19). Tomatoes, carrot and pumpkins showed the highest CSI in 9 de Julio; while carrot, tomatoes, varieties of lettuce and potatoes had the highest CSI in Salta (0.17 ≤ CSI≤0.33). Free Drawing is a qualitative alternative to study food consumption in children populations through a fun activity without the need for assistants.

Recruitment of M1 Macrophages May Not Be Critical for Protection against Colitis-Associated Tumorigenesis.

A close connection between inflammation and the risk of developing colon cancer has been suggested in the last few years. It has been estimated that patients diagnosed with some types of inflammatory bowel disease, such as ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease, have up to a 30% increased risk of developing colon cancer. However, there is also evidence showing that the activation of anti-inflammatory pathways, such as the IL-4 receptor-mediated pathway, may favor the development of colon tumors. Using an experimental model of colitis-associated colon cancer (CAC), we found that the decrease in tumor development in global IL4Rα knockout mice (IL4RαKO) was apparently associated with an inflammatory response mediated by the infiltration of M1 macrophages (F480+TLR2+STAT1+) and iNOS expression in colon tissue. However, when we developed mice with a specific deletion of IL4Rα in macrophages (LysMcreIL4Rα-/lox mice) and subjected them to CAC, it was found that despite presenting a large infiltration of M1 macrophages into the colon, these mice were as susceptible to colon-tumorigenesis as WT mice. These data suggest that in the tumor microenvironment the absence of IL4Rα expression on macrophages, as well as the recruitment of M1 macrophages, may not be directly associated with resistance to developing colon tumors. Therefore, it is possible that IL4Rα expression in other cell types, such as colonic epithelial cells, could have an important role in promoting the development of colitis-associated colon tumorigenesis.

Immune modulation by the macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) family: D-dopachrome tautomerase (DDT) is not (always) a backup system.

Human macrophage migration inhibition factor (MIF) is a protein with cytokine and chemokine properties that regulates a diverse range of physiological functions related to innate immunity and inflammation. Most research has focused on the role of MIF in different inflammatory diseases. D-dopachrome tautomerase (DDT), a different molecule with structural similarities to MIF, which shares receptors and biological functions, has recently been reported, but little is known about its roles and mechanisms. In this review, we sought to understand the similarities and differences between these molecules by summarizing what is known about their different structures, receptors and mechanisms regulating their expression and biological activities with an emphasis on immunological aspects.