Exploring the dietary practices and perceptions of African immigrants in Illinois- a qualitative study of immigrants from Nigeria and Congo.

OBJECTIVE: Previous studies suggest an increased prevalence of diet-related chronic diseases among African immigrants with increased length of stay in the U.S. The objective of the current study is to understand the dietary practices and perceptions of recent African immigrant families. DESIGN: Focus group sessions were conducted with Nigerian and Congolese immigrant parents residing in Illinois. Participants were recruited using convenience sampling methods and focus group sessions were conducted via videoconference. Participants discussed dietary practices, meal preparation, and family mealtimes for their families. They also discussed experiences with eating different kinds of foods since arrival in the U.S. Verbatim transcription of focus group sessions were completed and deductive thematic analysis of transcribed data was conducted using NVivo (QSR International Pty Ltd. [2020] NVivo [version 12]). RESULTS: Twenty African immigrant parents (Mean age: 42 years, Female: 95%) residing in Northern and Central Illinois participated in a total of five focus group sessions. Seven themes were derived from the analysis. Participants had a positive attitude toward healthy diet and had a high level of interest in receiving educational resources to make healthier food choices. Participants preferred and mostly consumed foods they were familiar with before migration. A majority of the participants perceived 'American foods' as unhealthy, characterizing them as containing a high amount of sugar and salt. Parents reported that their school-aged children often preferred a western diet over traditional African meals. CONCLUSION: This study helps to understand unique diet-related practices and perceptions of recent Nigerian and Congolese African immigrants in Illinois. Findings could help to inform cultural adaptation of evidence-based nutrition education programs for these groups of African immigrants.

Visceral adiposity index is a better predictor to discriminate metabolic syndrome than other classical adiposity indices among young adults.

BACKGROUND: Visceral adiposity index (VAI) has been identified as a cardiometabolic risk marker in children and adolescents which reflects abdominal fat distribution. The aim of the present study was to evaluated the predictive capacity of VAI, a body shape index (ABSI), atherogenic index of plasma (AIP), and triglycerides and glucose index (TyG index) compared with classical anthropometric measurements to discriminate metabolic syndrome (MetS). METHODS: This retrospective study included 1372 individuals. Anthropometric, clinical, and biochemical measurements were used to screen the prevalence of MetS components and to calculate VAI, ABSI, TyG index, and AIP. RESULTS: The discriminatory capacity among the variables was assessed by the area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve (AUC). VAI was the variable with the highest AUC with 0.932 CI 95% (0.917-0.948), followed by AIP with 0.914 CI 95% (0.897-0.931), and TyG index with 0.889 CI 95% (0.871-0.908). CONCLUSION: VAI is a promising tool to identify MetS in the late adolescence setting. Among the novel adiposity indexes VAI, AIP, TyG index are able to determine MetS presence, while ABSI is not capable.

Efficacy of diet on fatigue, quality of life and disability status in multiple sclerosis patients: rapid review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

BACKGROUND: Multiple sclerosis is an inflammatory and neurodegenerative disease. People with multiple sclerosis (pwMS) experience chronic fatigue which is difficult to deal with therapeutically and greatly affects health-related quality of life (QOL). PwMS are aware of the lack of generalized dietary advice related to their disease, leading to self-experimentation with diet. It is necessary to provide objective information about dietary interventions for pwMS. We aim to provide an objective synthesis of the evidence for efficacy and safety of specific diets in pwMS through a rapid review and meta-analyses of randomized controlled trials (RCTs), examining symptomatic fatigue (MFIS), QOL, Expanded-Disability-Status-Scale (EDSS), and severe adverse events. METHODS: We have carried out a rapid review (MEDLINE and EMBASE) up to December 2021, with PRISMA methodology, and meta-analyses, of (RCTs). All statistical analyses were performed using the comprehensive meta-analysis (CMA) -RStudio 4.1.3. The analysis used weighted mean differences (WMD) and a 95% confidence interval (CI) using a random-effects model to compare the effects of the dietary intervention with the control. RESULTS: Eight studies met the inclusion criteria. Of these eight studies, five analyzed EDSS, three MFIS, and three QOL. A total of 515 patients were analyzed. These meta-analyses cumulative evidence support that dietary intervention is associated with a trend of reduction in fatigue (308 patients studied) -the difference between means (SMD) of the control group and intervention group was -2,033, 95%-IC (-3,195, -0,152), a p-value of 0.0341)-, an increase in QOL (77 patients studied), no significant effect on EDSS (337 patients studied), and no severe adverse events. CONCLUSIONS: It is difficult to reach a high level of evidence in dietary studies. Our findings show that dietary intervention is associated with a trend of reduction in fatigue in MS. Taking into account the potential of dietary interventions and the benefit/risk ratio in their favor, neurologists must be aware of the great importance of making interventions on diet in MS if necessary. There are dietary interventions with some evidence of benefit for patients with MS, which could be chosen based on adherence, patient preferences, and individual outcomes. Large prospective clinical trials are needed to shed further light on this topic.

Effect of Biodegradable Coatings on the Growth of Aspergillus flavus In Vitro, on Maize Grains, and on the Quality of Tortillas during Storage.

The fungus Aspergillus flavus causes serious damage to maize grains and its by-products, such as tortilla. Currently, animal and plant derivatives, such as chitosan and propolis, and plant extract residues, respectively, are employed as alternatives of synthetic fungicides. The objective of this research was to evaluate the efficacy of several formulations based on propolis-chitosan-pine resin extract on the in vitro growth of A. flavus, the growth of maize grain plantlets and the quality of stored tortillas at 4 and 28 °C. The most outstanding formulation was that based on 59.7% chitosan + 20% propolis nanoparticles + 20% pine resin extract nanoparticles; since the in vitro conidia germination of A. flavus did not occur, disease incidence on grains was 25-30% and in tortillas, 0% infection was recorded, along with low aflatoxin production (1.0 ppb). The grain germination and seedling growth were markedly reduced by the nanocoating application. The percentage weight loss and color of tortillas were more affected by this coating compared to the control, and the rollability fell within the scale of non-ruptured at 4 °C and partially ruptured at 28 °C. The next step is to evaluate the toxicity of this formulation.

Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms in CD36 Are Associated with Macular Pigment among Children.

BACKGROUND: High macular pigment optical density (MPOD) has been associated with improved eye health and better cognitive functions. Genetic variations have been associated with MPOD in adults. However, these associations between genetic variations and MPOD have not been studied in children. OBJECTIVES: This was a secondary analysis of the FK2 (Fitness Improves Thinking in Kids 2) trial (n = 134, 41% male). The aim was to determine differences in MPOD among children (aged 7-9 y) based on genetic variants that either are biologically relevant to lutein (L) and zeaxanthin (Z) accumulation or have been associated with MPOD in adults. METHODS: MPOD was measured using customized heterochromatic flicker photometry via a macular densitometer. DXA was used to assess whole-body and visceral adiposity. DNA was extracted from saliva samples and was genotyped for 26 hypothesis-driven single nucleotide polymorphisms and 75 ancestry-informative markers (AIMs). Habitual diet history was obtained via 3-d food logs completed by parents (n = 88). General linear models were used to compare MPOD between different genotypes. Principal component analysis was performed for the AIMs to account for ethnic heterogeneity. RESULTS: Children carrying ≥1 minor allele on ß-carotene-15,15'-monooxygenase (BCO1)-rs7501331 (T allele) (P = 0.045), cluster of differentiation 36(CD36)-rs1527483 (T allele) (P = 0.038), or CD36-rs3173798 (C allele) (P = 0.001) had significantly lower MPOD (range: 14.1%-26.4%) than those who were homozygotes for the major alleles. MPOD differences based on CD36-rs3173798 genotypes persisted after adjustment for dietary L and Z intake. CONCLUSIONS: The findings indicate that genetic variations of CD36 and BCO1 contribute to MPOD in children. The influence of genetic variation in CD36-rs3173798 persisted after adjusting for variation in dietary intake.This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT01619826.

Science dialogue mapping of knowledge and knowledge gaps related to the effects of dairy intake on human cardiovascular health and disease.

Dairy has been described as everything from a superfood to a poison; yet, arguments, assumptions, and data justifying these labels are not always clear. We used an issue-based information system, "dialogue mapping™," to summarize scientific points of a live panel discussion on the putative effects of dairy on cardiovascular diseases (CVD) from a day-long session among experts in nutrition and CVD. Dialogue mapping captures relations among ideas to explicitly, logically, and visually connect issues/questions, ideas, pro/con arguments, and agreements, even if discussed at different times. Experts discussed two propositions: for CVD risk, consumption of full-fat dairy products 1) should be minimized, in part because of their saturated fat content, or 2) need not be minimized, despite their saturated fat content. The panel discussed the dairy-CVD relation through blood lipids, diabetes, obesity, energy balance, blood pressure, dairy bioactives, biobehavioral components, and other putative causal pathways. Associations and effects reported in the literature have varied by fat content of dairy elements considered, study design, intake methods, and biomarker versus disease outcomes. Two conceptual topics emerged from the discussion: 1) individual variability: whether recommendations should be targeted only to those at high CVD risk; 2) quality of evidence: whether data on dairy-CVD relations are strong enough for reliable conclusions-positive, negative, or null. Future procedural improvements for science dialog mapping include using singular rather than competing propositions for discussion.

Mealtime resistance: Hispanic mothers' perspectives on making healthy eating changes within the family.

Several perceived barriers to healthy eating within the family (e.g., cost, lack of time, energy, accessibility) are documented. However, few studies have assessed Hispanic mothers' perceived barriers and strategies in implementing healthy eating changes in the family's meals. The primary goal of this qualitative study was to investigate Mexican and Puerto Rican mothers' barriers and strategies to creating healthy eating changes within the family at home. A sample of 46 Mexican-American and Puerto Rican mothers in California, Illinois, and Texas participated in this study. An average of 5 mothers participated in a focus group session in Spanish and completed a demographic survey. Focus group thematic analysis revealed that major barriers to implementing healthy eating changes within the family include child and spouse resistance as well as meal preparation time. The resistance mothers reported encountering magnify their meal preparation workload. Mothers shared that they sometimes prepared multiple meals in a single mealtime to please family members. Several strategies to promote healthy eating at home, including serving as role models, providing easy access to healthy food items at home, and not purchasing, or hiding, unhealthy food at home, were also discussed. The current study expands the existing literature by emphasizing the need to empower parents to make healthy changes within their family and the importance of taking fathers and children into account in programming so that the whole family is involved in making healthy changes.

ß-Carotene Oxygenase 1 Activity Modulates Circulating Cholesterol Concentrations in Mice and Humans.

BACKGROUND: Plasma cholesterol is one of the strongest risk factors associated with the development of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) and myocardial infarction. Human studies suggest that elevated plasma ß-carotene is associated with reductions in circulating cholesterol and the risk of myocardial infarction. The molecular mechanisms underlying these observations are unknown. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to determine the impact of dietary ß-carotene and the activity of ß-carotene oxygenase 1 (BCO1), which is the enzyme responsible for the conversion of ß-carotene to vitamin A, on circulating cholesterol concentration. METHODS: In our preclinical study, we compared the effects of a 10-d intervention with a diet containing 50 mg/kg of ß-carotene on plasma cholesterol in 5-wk-old male and female C57 Black 6 wild-type and congenic BCO1-deficient mice. In our clinical study, we aimed to determine whether 5 common small nucleotide polymorphisms located in the BCO1 locus affected serum cholesterol concentrations in a population of young Mexican adults from the Universities of San Luis Potosí and Illinois: A Multidisciplinary Investigation on Genetics, Obesity, and Social-Environment (UP AMIGOS) cohort. RESULTS: Upon ß-carotene feeding, Bco1-/- mice accumulated >20-fold greater plasma ß-carotene and had ∼30 mg/dL increased circulating total cholesterol (P < 0.01) and non-HDL cholesterol (P < 0.01) than wild-type congenic mice. Our results in the UP AMIGOS cohort show that the rs6564851 allele of BCO1, which has been linked to BCO1 enzymatic activity, was associated with a reduction in 10 mg/dL total cholesterol concentrations (P = 0.009) when adjusted for vitamin A and carotenoid intakes. Non-HDL-cholesterol concentration was also reduced by 10 mg/dL when the data were adjusted for vitamin A and total carotenoid intakes (P = 0.002), or vitamin A and ß-carotene intakes (P = 0.002). CONCLUSIONS: Overall, our results in mice and young adults show that BCO1 activity impacts circulating cholesterol concentration, linking vitamin A formation with the risk of developing ASCVD.

Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms Related to Lipoprotein Metabolism Are Associated with Blood Lipid Changes following Regular Avocado Intake in a Randomized Control Trial among Adults with Overweight and Obesity.

BACKGROUND: Avocados are rich in unsaturated fat and fiber; clinical trials have investigated their effects on metabolic disease. There is high variability in individual changes following avocado consumption, which may be in part due to individual genetic differences. OBJECTIVE: Secondary analyses of the Persea americana for Total Health (PATH) Study were used to examine how single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) impact blood lipid changes following a daily meal containing avocado compared with control. METHODS: Adults (n = 115, 37% male) aged 25-45 y with overweight and obesity were randomly assigned to receive a daily isocaloric meal with (intervention) or without (control) a standardized amount (males: 175 g; females: 140 g) of avocado for 12 wk. Control meals were higher in saturated fat (17% of energy compared with 7%) and lower in fiber (4 g compared with 16 g) than intervention meals. Whole venous blood was taken at baseline and 12 wk to determine total cholesterol (TC), high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, and triglyceride (TG) concentrations. Seventeen SNPs in 10 genes related to lipoprotein metabolism were genotyped. Effects of SNP, diet, and SNP-diet interactions were determined using general linear models. RESULTS: No group-by-time effects were detected for changes in TC (P = 0.96), HDL cholesterol (P = 0.28), or TG (P = 0.06) over 12 wk. Three SNP-diet interactions were associated with final TC concentrations: ANGPTL3-rs10889337 (P = 0.01), ANGPTL4-rs2278236 (P = 0.02), and CD36-rs10499859 (P = 0.01). SNPs in GCKR and LPL were associated with TC changes (P = 0.01). The interaction between GCKR-rs1260326 and diet was such that C-homozygotes receiving avocado (n = 23) had final TC concentrations that were significantly lower than the C-homozygotes in the control group (n = 20) (P = 0.02). CONCLUSIONS: Results from these exploratory analyses indicate that avocado consumption may help manage dyslipidemia in adults with overweight and obesity; however, effectiveness may differ by genetic profile. Understanding the role of genetic variation in variability following dietary intervention can potentially inform personalized nutrition recommendations.

Mitigation of greenhouse gases (CO2) generated in the anaerobic digestion of physicochemical sludges using airlift photobioreactors operated with Chlorella spp.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the mitigation of greenhouse gasses generated in the anaerobic digestion process of physicochemical sludges by evaluating the effect of CO2 supply and light intensity requirements on the growth of microalga Chlorella spp. and measuring the consumption of CO2. The best conditions at a laboratory scale were performed in an airlift photobioreactor (PBR) at pilot-scale plant (26 L) during 60 days with a CO2 supply of 2% v v-1 from an electric generator coupled to an anaerobic digestion of physicochemical sludge process. The maximum %CO2 consumed was 91.92% which was reached in the seventh supply cycle and biomass production was 2.18 g L-1. The results obtained showed that airlift-type PBRs are a suitable complement for anaerobic digestion of physicochemical sludge technologies in order to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases produced during the combustion of biogas.

Neck Circumference and Its Association with Cardiometabolic Risk Factors in Pediatric Population.

Background and objectives: To identify the relationship between neck circumference (NC) and cardiometabolic risk factors in children. Materials and Methods: Children and adolescents 6-18 years old (n = 548) from five counties of San Luis Potosí, México were included. Data was collected for biological markers (glucose and lipid profile) and anthropometric and clinical measurements-weight, height, NC, waist circumference (WC), and blood pressure (BP). Body mass index (BMI) was calculated using Quetelet formula (kg/m2). Descriptive analysis, correlation tests, and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis were performed. Results: NC was highly correlated with BMI and WC in both genders (p <0.0001). The most frequent risk factor was high BMI (38.7%). Sensitivity and specificity analysis of NC and high BMI showed an area under the ROC curve of 0.887. Conclusions: According to our findings, NC is a simple, low-cost, and non-invasive measurement, which has a high association with high BMI and increased WC.

Effect of seasonal climate fluctuations on the evolution of glycoconjugates during the ripening period of grapevine cv. Muscat à petits grains blancs berries.

BACKGROUND: Temperature changes and rainfall fluctuations affect the winemaking industry by altering vine phenology, crop yield, must composition and wine quality. Here, the evolution of the varietal aroma potential during ripening over three consecutive seasons has been analyzed considering climate conditions. The effect of season, ripening date and climatic conditions on aroma precursor accumulation in grapes was studied by multivariate analysis and discussed in regard to the potential aromatic quality of the wine. RESULTS: In contrast to musts obtained from grapes harvested in warm and dry seasons (2014 and 2015), musts obtained from grapes harvested in the coolest and most humid year (2013) showed a lower pH, higher total acidity, higher varietal aroma potential index (IPAv), and higher aromatic potential of linalool, geraniol and nerol (typical of the Muscat flavor). CONCLUSION: Considering the three seasons, grapes synthesized and accumulated more precursors when milder temperatures and late rains throughout veraison were recorded. However, we observed a high fluctuation of aroma precursors during the ripening period, so choosing the correct harvesting date (according to grape aroma potential) may overcome some of the negative effects linked to climate conditions. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry.

Clinical Outcomes of Dietary Replacement of Saturated Fatty Acids with Unsaturated Fat Sources in Adults with Overweight and Obesity: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Control Trials.

BACKGROUND: Obesity and dyslipidemia are frequently treated with dietary interventions before pharmacotherapy is given. Diets high in unsaturated fat have proven advantageous to disease treatment. AIMS: The purpose of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to assess the evidence of the effect of saturated fatty acids (SFA) replacement with unsaturated fatty acids (UFA) in metabolically healthy adults with overweight and obesity on markers of dyslipidemia and body composition. METHODS: Keyword search was performed in PubMed, CINAHL, and Cochrane Library for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) evaluating the effects of fatty acid substitution in adults with overweight and obesity. Meta-analysis was performed on interventions assessing lipoprotein levels and body composition. Publication bias was assessed by funnel plot inspection, Begg's, and Egger's test. RESULTS: Eight RCTs enrolling 663 participants were included in the review, with intervention durations between 4 and 28 weeks. Although nonsignificant (p = 0.06), meta-analysis found UFA replacement to reduce total cholesterol concentrations by 10.68 mg/dL (95%CI -21.90 to 0.53). Reductions in low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and triglycerides were statistically nonsignificant. CONCLUSIONS: Due to null results and a small number of studies included, there is no strong evidence that replacement of SFA with UFA may benefit lipid profiles in this population.

Promotoras and the Semantic Gap Between Latino Community Health Researchers and Latino Communities.

Promotoras are identified as a unique group of community health workers adept at reducing health disparities. This qualitative study was conducted to better understand perceptions of the term promotora, broadly used in research but not well documented in everyday Latina vocabulary. Six focus groups to better understand perceptions of the term promotora were conducted with 36 Latina women living in three nonmetropolitan areas in Illinois. Results suggest that Latina participants in the study do not understand the meaning of "promotora" in the same way as it is used in the literature. Latina participants understood "promotoras" as referring to people who sell or deliver information, or organize events in the community that are not necessarily related to health events or community health work. Furthermore, they usually understood the term to refer to paid work rather than volunteering. Results underscore the importance of being sensitive to Latinas' perceptions of community health terminology by assessing their context, needs, and expectations. These findings call researchers' attention to the need to educate certain Latino communities about the concept of promotoras, with implications for the implementation and dissemination of promotora-led community health programs, as the semantic discrepancy could affect the recruitment of promotoras as well as community participation in the programs they deliver.

Phase II study of preoperative bevacizumab, capecitabine and radiotherapy for resectable locally-advanced rectal cancer.

BACKGROUND: To evaluate whether the addition of bevacizumab (BVZ) to capecitabine-based chemoradiotherapy in the preoperative treatment of locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC) improves efficacy measured by the pathological complete response (pCR) rate. METHODS: A phase II two-step design was performed. Patients received four cycles of therapy consisting of: BVZ 10 mg/kg in first infusion on day 1 and 5 mg/kg on days 15, 29, 43, capecitabine 1800 mg/m(2)/day 5 days per week during radiotherapy, which consisted of external-beam irradiation (45 Gy in 1.8 Gy dose per session over 5 sessions/week for 5 weeks). Six to eight weeks after completion of all therapies surgery was undergone. To profile the biological behaviour during BVZ treatment we measured molecular biomarkers before treatment, during BVZ monotherapy, and during and after combination therapy. Microvessel density (MVD) was measured after surgery. RESULTS: Forty-three patients were assessed and 41 were included in the study. Three patients achieved a pathological complete response (3/40: 7.5%) and 27 (67.5%) had a pathological partial response, (overall pathological response rate of 75%). A further 8 patients (20%) had stable disease, giving a disease control rate of 95%. Downstaging occurred in 31 (31/40: 77.5%) of the patients evaluated. This treatment resulted in an actuarial 4-year disease-free and overall survival of 85.4 and 92.7% respectively. BVZ with chemoradiotherapy showed acceptable toxicity. No correlations were observed between biomarker results and efficacy variables. CONCLUSION: BVZ with capecitabine and radiotherapy seem safe and active and produce promising survival results in LARC. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier NCT00847119 . Trial registration date: February 18, 2009.

Phase I study of carboplatin in combination with PM00104 (Zalypsis®) in patients with advanced solid tumors.

This phase I trial determined the recommended dose for phase II trials (RD) of carboplatin 1-h intravenous (i.v.) infusion followed by PM00104 1-h i.v. infusion on Day 1 every 3 weeks (q3wk) in adult patients with advanced solid tumors. A toxicity-guided, dose-escalation design was used. Patients were stratified and divided into heavily (n = 6) or mildly pretreated (n = 14) groups. Transient grade 4 thrombocytopenia (in one heavily and three mildly pretreated patients) was the only dose-limiting toxicity (DLT) observed. Carboplatin AUC3-PM00104 2.0 mg/m(2) was the RD in both groups. At this RD, the carboplatin AUC was equal to ~60 % the target AUC used in other combinations, and the PM00104 dose intensity was 56-67 % of the value achieved at the RD for single-agent PM00104 given as 1-h infusion q3wk. Most treatment-related adverse events were grade 1/2. They mainly consisted of gastrointestinal and general symptoms, such as fatigue, anorexia, mucosal inflammation or nausea. Transient neutropenia (50 % of patients) and thrombocytopenia (33-38 %) were the most common severe hematological abnormalities; their incidence was higher than with single-agent PM00104. No pharmacokinetic drug-drug alterations occurred. Partial response was found in one patient with triple negative breast cancer pretreated with paclitaxel/bevacizumab. Three patients with colorectal cancer, head and neck cancer, and tumor of unknown origin had disease stabilization for ≥3 months. In conclusion, no optimal dose was reached due to overlapping myelosuppression despite stratification according to prior treatment. Therefore, this carboplatin plus PM00104 combination was not selected for further clinical research.

Individual genetic variations related to satiety and appetite control increase risk of obesity in preschool-age children in the STRONG kids program.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The burden of the childhood obesity epidemic is well recognized; nevertheless, the genetic markers and gene-environment interactions associated with the development of common obesity are still unknown. In this study, candidate genes associated to satiety and appetite control pathways with obesity-related traits were tested in Caucasian preschoolers from the STRONG Kids project. METHODS: Eight genetic variants in genes related to obesity (BDNF, LEPR, FTO, PCSK1, POMC, TUB, LEP, and MC4R) were genotyped in 128 children from the STRONG Kids project (mean age 39.7 months). Data were analyzed for individual associations and to test for genetic predisposition scores (GPSs) with body mass index (BMI) and anthropometric traits (Z-scores, e.g. height-for-age Z-score, HAZ). Covariates included age, sex, and breastfeeding (BF) duration. RESULTS: Obesity and overweight prevalence was 6.3 and 19.5%, respectively, according to age- and sex-specific BMI percentiles. Individual genetic associations of MC4R and LEPR markers with HAZ were strengthened when BF duration was included as a covariate. Our GPSs show that, as the number of risk alleles increased, the risk of higher BMI and HAZ also increased. Overall, the GPSs assembled were able to explain 2-3% of the variability in BMI and HAZ phenotypes. CONCLUSION: Genetic associations with common obesity-related phenotypes were found in the STRONG Kids project. GPSs assembled for specific candidate genes were associated with BMI and HAZ phenotypes.

A new species of the genus Linoderus Sharp, 1885 (Coleoptera, Staphylinidae, Philonthina) from the Colombian Andes.

The monotypic genus Linoderus Sharp, 1885 was described based on a species from Panama and since the original description nearly nothing has been added to its taxonomical knowledge. The aim of the present paper is to describe a new species of the genus from Colombia and to report the genus for the first time from South America, adding some biological notes of the species.

Antibiotic use and outcome in patients with negative blood cultures, a new target population for antimicrobial stewardship interventions: A prospective multicentre cohort (NO-BACT).

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the appropriateness of antimicrobial treatment and the risk factors for mortality in patients with negative blood cultures (BC), in order to evaluate whether this population would be a suitable target for antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) interventions. METHODS: A multicentre prospective cohort study of patients with negative BC in three Spanish hospitals between October 2018 and July 2019 was performed. The main endpoints were the appropriateness of antimicrobial treatment (evaluated by two investigators according to local guidelines) and 30-day mortality. Cox-regression was performed to estimate the association between variables and 30-day mortality. RESULTS: Of 1011 patients in whom BC was obtained, these were negative in 803 (79%) and were included; 30-day mortality was 9% (70 patients); antibiotic treatment was considered inappropriate in 299 (40%) of 747 patients evaluated at day 2, and in 266 (46%) of 573 at day 5-7. The variables independently associated with increased risk of 30-day mortality were higher age (HR 1.05; 95% CI 1.03-1.07), neoplasia (HR 2.73; 95% CI 1.64-4.56), antibiotic treatment in the 48 h prior to BC extraction (HR 2.06; 95% CI 1.23-3.43) and insufficient antibiotic coverage at day 2 after BC obtainment (HR 2.35; 95% CI 1.39-4.00). Urinary, catheter and biliary sources of infection were associated with lower risk (HR 0.40; 95% CI 0.20-0.81). CONCLUSIONS: Antimicrobial treatment is frequently inappropriate among patients with negative BC; insufficient antibiotic coverage at day 2 was associated with mortality. These results suggest that patients with negative BC are a suitable population for AS interventions. SUMMARY: Antimicrobial treatment in patients with negative blood culture was frequently inappropriate, and inappropriate coverage at day 2 was associated with increased risk of death. These data support the consideration of this population as a potential target for antimicrobial stewardship interventions.

The Response of Naturally Based Coatings and Citrus Fungicides to the Development of Four Postharvest Fungi.

The tomato (Licopersicon esculentum Mill.) is considered to be one of the products with the highest demand due to its nutritional value; however, it is susceptible to infection by fungi during its pre- and postharvest stages. In this research, three commercial products (1% Citrocover, 1% Citro 80, and 0.002% Microdyn) and two coatings based on 1.0% chitosan/0.1% lime or 0.1% orange essential oils were evaluated in vitro and on Saladette tomatoes that were previously inoculated with four postharvest fungi. The application of the commercial citrus-based product Citrocover was highly effective in reducing the in vitro development of Aspergillus flavus, Fusarium oxysporum, and Colletotrichum gloeosporioides, but not Rhizopus stolonifer. The sanitizer Microdyn promoted infections with most fungi. Citrus-based products were effective in reducing infections with A. flavus in the tomatoes during storage. Overall, mycotoxin production was very low for all treatments. The use of commercial citrus-based products and coatings did not alter the weight loss, firmness, or total soluble solid contents of the treated tomatoes. The changes observed were, rather, associated with the normal ripening process of Saladette tomatoes. The commercial citrus-based products satisfactorily controlled the in vitro growth of the fungi Aspergillus flavus, Fusarium oxysporum, and Colletotrichum gloeosporioides.