Characterizing Factors Associated with Excess Body Weight: A Descriptive Study Using Principal Component Analysis in a Population with Overweight and Obesity

Obesity is a worldwide epidemic, making it crucial to understand how it can be effectively prevented/treated. Considering that obesity is a multifactorial condition, this article carried out a baseline cross-sectional study of the variables involved in the disorder. Eighty-four subjects with overweight/obesity were recruited. Dietary baseline information was obtained by analysing three 24 h recalls. Resting metabolic rate was measured using indirect calorimetry, physical activity was measured through accelerometry, cardiometabolic parameters were determined in blood samples and body composition via anthropometry and bioimpedance. A univariant and multivariate exploratory approach was carried out using principal component analysis (PCA). Large inter-individual variability was observed in dietetic, biochemical, and physical activity measurements (coefficient of variation ≥ 30%), but body composition was more uniform. Volunteers had an unbalanced diet and low levels of physical activity. PCA reduced the 26 analysed variables to 4 factors, accounting for 65.4% of the total data variance. The main factor was the "dietetic factor", responsible for 24.0% of the total variance and mainly related to energy intake, lipids, and saturated fatty acids. The second was the "cardiometabolic factor" (explaining 16.8% of the variability), the third was the "adiposity factor" (15.2%), and the last was the "serum cholesterol factor" (9.4%).

Unveiling the Mainland vs. Insular Variability of the Eumerus barbarus Species Group (Diptera: Syrphidae) in the Western Mediterranean Basin

Comprising nearly 300 described species, Eumerus Meigen, 1822, is one of the most speciose syrphid genera worldwide, and its taxonomic diversity is remarkable in the Mediterranean basin. The Eumerus barbarus (Coquebert, 1804) group consists of four species in the western Mediterranean. Although the phenotypic variability of this species group has been commented on in previous studies, it has never been contrasted with molecular data. In the present work, the morphological variation found in 300+ specimens of this species group from the western Mediterranean is explored and tested against the COI mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA). The highest phenotypic disparity was found in E. barbarus and Eumerus sulcitibius Rondani 1868. The integrative approach has not revealed cryptic diversity within the species E. barbarus but in E. sulcitibius. As a result, a new species close to E. sulcitibius was discovered, Eumerus sardus Aguado-Aranda, Ricarte & Hauser sp. n., from Sardinia, Italy. The new insular species is here described, illustrated, and discussed. A total of twenty-three haplotypes of COI mtDNA were identified amongst the analyzed Mediterranean specimens of E. barbarus, whereas two and five haplotypes were distinguished in the Iberian specimens of E. sulcitibius and Eumerus gibbosus van Steenis, Hauser & van Zuijen, 2017, respectively. Moreover, the first known barcodes of E. gibbosus and Eumerus schmideggeri van Steenis, Hauser & van Zuijen, 2017 were obtained, and the distribution ranges of all species are mapped. An updated dichotomous key to the males of the E. barbarus group from the western Mediterranean is provided.

Antibiotic Resistance Genes, Virulence Factors, and Biofilm Formation in Coagulase-Negative Staphylococcus spp. Isolates from European Hakes (Merluccius merluccius, L.) Caught in the Northeast Atlantic Ocean

The indiscriminate use of antibiotics has contributed to the dissemination of multiresistant bacteria, which represents a public health concern. The aim of this work was to characterize 27 coagulase-negative staphylococci (CoNS) isolated from eight wild Northeast Atlantic hakes (Merluccius merluccius, L.) and taxonomically identified as Staphylococcus epidermidis (n = 16), Staphylococcus saprophyticus (n = 4), Staphylococcus hominis (n = 3), Staphylococcus pasteuri (n = 2), Staphylococcus edaphicus (n = 1), and Staphylococcus capitis (n = 1). Biofilm formation was evaluated with a microtiter assay, antibiotic susceptibility testing was performed using the disk diffusion method, and antibiotic resistance and virulence determinants were detected by PCR. Our results showed that all staphylococci produced biofilms and that 92.6% of the isolates were resistant to at least one antibiotic, mainly penicillin (88.8%), fusidic acid (40.7%), and erythromycin (37%). The penicillin resistance gene (blaZ) was detected in 66.6% (18) of the isolates, of which 10 also carried resistance genes to macrolides and lincosamides (mphC, msr(A/B), lnuA, or vgaA), 4 to fusidic acid (fusB), and 3 to trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (dfrA). At least one virulence gene (scn, hla, SCCmecIII, and/or SCCmecV) was detected in 48% of the isolates. This study suggests that wild European hake destined for human consumption could act as a vector of CoNS carrying antibiotic resistance genes and/or virulence factors.

Cocoa Shell Extract Reduces Blood Pressure in Aged Hypertensive Rats via the Cardiovascular Upregulation of Endothelial Nitric Oxide Synthase and Nuclear Factor (Erythroid-Derived 2)-like 2 Protein Expression

Cocoa shell is a by-product of cocoa manufacturing. We obtained an aqueous extract (CSE) rich in polyphenols and methylxanthines with antioxidant and vasodilatory properties. We aimed to evaluate the effects of CSE supplementation in aged hypertensive rats on blood pressure and the mechanism implicated. Eighteen-month-old male and female rats exposed to undernutrition during the fetal period who developed hypertension, with a milder form in females, were used (MUN rats). Systolic blood pressure (SBP; tail-cuff plethysmography) and a blood sample were obtained before (basal) and after CSE supplementation (250 mg/kg; 2 weeks, 5 days/week). Plasma SOD, catalase activity, GSH, carbonyls, and lipid peroxidation were assessed (spectrophotometry). In hearts and aortas from supplemented and non-supplemented age-matched rats, we evaluated the protein expression of SOD-2, catalase, HO-1, UCP-2, total and phosphorylated Nrf2 and e-NOS (Western blot), and aorta media thickness (confocal microscopy). MUN males had higher SBP compared with females, which was reduced via CSE supplementation with a significant difference for group, sex, and interaction effect. After supplementation with plasma, GSH, but not catalase or SOD, was elevated in males and females. Compared with non-supplemented rats, CSE-supplemented males and females exhibited increased aorta e-NOS and Nrf2 protein expression and cardiac phosphorylated-Nrf2, without changes in SOD-2, catalase, HO-1, or UCP-2 in cardiovascular tissues or aorta remodeling. In conclusion, CSE supplementation induces antihypertensive actions related to the upregulation of e-NOS and Nrf2 expression and GSH elevation and a possible direct antioxidant effect of CSE bioactive components. Two weeks of supplementation may be insufficient to increase antioxidant enzyme expression.

Construction and Analysis of the Complete Genome Sequence of Leprosy Agent Mycobacterium lepromatosis

Leprosy is caused by Mycobacterium leprae and Mycobacterium lepromatosis. We report construction and analyses of the complete genome sequence of M. lepromatosis FJ924. The genome contained 3,271,694 nucleotides to encode 1,789 functional genes and 1,564 pseudogenes. It shared 1,420 genes and 885 pseudogenes (71.4%) with M. leprae but differed in 1,281 genes and pseudogenes (28.6%). In phylogeny, the leprosy bacilli started from a most recent common ancestor (MRCA) that diverged ~30 million years ago (Mya) from environmental organism Mycobacterium haemophilum. The MRCA then underwent reductive evolution with pseudogenization, gene loss, and chromosomal rearrangements. Analysis of the shared pseudogenes estimated the pseudogenization event ~14 Mya, shortly before species bifurcation. Afterwards, genomic changes occurred to lesser extent in each species. Like M. leprae, four major types of highly repetitive sequences were detected in M. lepromatosis, contributing to chromosomal rearrangements within and after MRCA. Variations in genes and copy numbers were noted, such as three copies of the gene encoding bifunctional diguanylate cyclase/phosphodiesterase in M. lepromatosis, but single copy in M. leprae; 6 genes encoding the TetR family transcriptional regulators in M. lepromatosis, but 11 such genes in M. leprae; presence of hemW gene in M. lepromatosis, but absence in M. leprae; and others. These variations likely aid unique pathogenesis, such as diffuse lepromatous leprosy associated with M. lepromatosis, while the shared genomic features should explain the common pathogenesis of dermatitis and neuritis in leprosy. Together, these findings and the genomic data of M. lepromatosis may facilitate future research and care for leprosy. IMPORTANCE Leprosy is a dreaded infection that still affects millions of people worldwide. Mycobacterium lepromatosis is a recently recognized cause in addition to the well-known Mycobacterium leprae. M. lepromatosis is likely specific for diffuse lepromatous leprosy, a severe form of the infection and endemic in Mexico. This study constructed and annotated the complete genome sequence of M. lepromatosis FJ924 and performed comparative genomic analyses with related mycobacteria. The results afford new and refined insights into the genome size, gene repertoire, pseudogenes, phylogenomic relationship, genome organization and plasticity, process and timing of reductive evolution, and genetic and proteomic basis for pathogenesis. The availability of the complete M. lepromatosis genome may prove to be useful for future research and care for the infection.

Effect of Impurity Adsorption on the Electronic and Transport Properties of Graphene Nanogaps

Graphene stands out as a versatile material with several uses in fields that range from electronics to biology. In particular, graphene has been proposed as an electrode in molecular electronics devices that are expected to be more stable and reproducible than typical ones based on metallic electrodes. In this work, we study by means of first principles, simulations and a tight-binding model the electronic and transport properties of graphene nanogaps with straight edges and different passivating atoms: Hydrogen or elements of the second row of the periodic table (boron, carbon, nitrogen, oxygen, and fluoride). We use the tight-binding model to reproduce the main ab-initio results and elucidate the physics behind the transport properties. We observe clear patterns that emerge in the conductance and the current as one moves from boron to fluoride. In particular, we find that the conductance decreases and the tunneling decaying factor increases from the former to the latter. We explain these trends in terms of the size of the atom and its onsite energy. We also find a similar pattern for the current, which is ohmic and smooth in general. However, when the size of the simulation cell is the smallest one along the direction perpendicular to the transport direction, we obtain highly non-linear behavior with negative differential resistance. This interesting and surprising behavior can be explained by taking into account the presence of Fano resonances and other interference effects, which emerge due to couplings to side atoms at the edges and other couplings across the gap. Such features enter the bias window as the bias increases and strongly affect the current, giving rise to the non-linear evolution. As a whole, these results can be used as a template to understand the transport properties of straight graphene nanogaps and similar systems and distinguish the presence of different elements in the junction.

Activities of Daily Living and Categorization Skills of Elderly with Cognitive Deficit: A Preliminary Study

Cognitive dysfunction affects the performance of Activities of Daily Living (ADL) and the quality of life of people with these deficits and their caregivers. To the knowledge of the authors, to date, there are few studies that focus on knowing the relationship between personal autonomy and deductive reasoning and/or categorization skills, which are necessary for the performance of the ADL. The aim of this study was to explore the relationships between ADL and categorization skills in older people. The study included 51 participants: 31 patients with cognitive impairment and 20 without cognitive impairment. Two tests were administered to assess cognitive functions: (1) the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA); and (2) the digital version of Riska Object Classification test (ROC-d). In addition, the Routine Tasks Inventory-2 (RTI-2) was applied to determine the level of independence in activities of daily living. People with cognitive impairment performed poorly in categorization tasks with unstructured information (p = 0.006). Also, the results found a high correlation between cognitive functioning and the performance of ADLs (Physical ADL: r = 0.798; p < 0.001; Instrumental ADL: r = 0.740; p < 0.001), a moderate correlation between Physical ADLs and categorization skills (unstructured ROC-d: r = 0.547; p < 0.001; structured ROC-d: r = 0.586; p < 0.001) and Instrumental ADLs and categorization skills in older people (unstructured ROC-d: r = 0.510; p < 0.001; structured ROC-d: r = 0.463; p < 0.001). The ROC-d allows the assessment of categorization skills to be quick and easy, facilitating the assessment process by OT, as well as the accuracy of the data obtained.

Nitric Oxide Overproduction by cue1 Mutants Differs on Developmental Stages and Growth Conditions

The cue1 nitric oxide (NO) overproducer mutants are impaired in a plastid phosphoenolpyruvate/phosphate translocator, mainly expressed in Arabidopsis thaliana roots. cue1 mutants present an increased content of arginine, a precursor of NO in oxidative synthesis processes. However, the pathways of plant NO biosynthesis and signaling have not yet been fully characterized, and the role of CUE1 in these processes is not clear. Here, in an attempt to advance our knowledge regarding NO homeostasis, we performed a deep characterization of the NO production of four different cue1 alleles (cue1-1, cue1-5, cue1-6 and nox1) during seed germination, primary root elongation, and salt stress resistance. Furthermore, we analyzed the production of NO in different carbon sources to improve our understanding of the interplay between carbon metabolism and NO homeostasis. After in vivo NO imaging and spectrofluorometric quantification of the endogenous NO levels of cue1 mutants, we demonstrate that CUE1 does not directly contribute to the rapid NO synthesis during seed imbibition. Although cue1 mutants do not overproduce NO during germination and early plant development, they are able to accumulate NO after the seedling is completely established. Thus, CUE1 regulates NO homeostasis during post-germinative growth to modulate root development in response to carbon metabolism, as different sugars modify root elongation and meristem organization in cue1 mutants. Therefore, cue1 mutants are a useful tool to study the physiological effects of NO in post-germinative growth.

The Role of Autophagy in White Adipose Tissue Function: Implications for Metabolic Health

White adipose tissue (WAT) is a highly adaptive endocrine organ that continuously remodels in response to nutritional cues. WAT expands to store excess energy by increasing adipocyte number and/or size. Failure in WAT expansion has serious consequences on metabolic health resulting in altered lipid, glucose, and inflammatory profiles. Besides an impaired adipogenesis, fibrosis and low-grade inflammation also characterize dysfunctional WAT. Nevertheless, the precise mechanisms leading to impaired WAT expansibility are yet unresolved. Autophagy is a conserved and essential process for cellular homeostasis, which constitutively allows the recycling of damaged or long-lived proteins and organelles, but is also highly induced under stress conditions to provide nutrients and remove pathogens. By modulating protein and organelle content, autophagy is also essential for cell remodeling, maintenance, and survival. In this line, autophagy has been involved in many processes affected during WAT maladaptation, including adipogenesis, adipocyte, and macrophage function, inflammatory response, and fibrosis. WAT autophagy dysregulation is related to obesity and diabetes. However, it remains unclear whether WAT autophagy alteration in obese and diabetic patients are the cause or the consequence of WAT malfunction. In this review, current data regarding these issues are discussed, focusing on evidence from human studies.