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Cactus berry (Myrtillocactus geometrizans) is a scarcely studied Mexican wild fruit. These fruits could contribute to reduce the risk of degenerative chronic diseases due to their bioactive profile. The aim of this work was to study the betalains and phenolic profile in cactus berry, their in vitro biological activities and gastrointestinal digestive stability and bioaccessibility. 43 metabolites were identified by HPLC-DAD-ESI-QTOF (8 betaxanthins, 8 betacyanins, 13 flavonoids, 6 phenolic acids). Phyllocactin and Isorhamnetin rhamnosyl-rutinoside (IG2) were the most abundant metabolites (5876 and 396 µg/g dw) which were also bioaccessible (16 and 21%, respectively). Pulps showed higher (p ≤ 0.05) antioxidant activity by the Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity (27 mM Trolox equivalents). The anti-hyperglycemic activity was highest (p ≤ 0.05) in peel and pulp tissues (85% α-glucosidase and 8% α-amylase inhibition). An 83% inhibition of hyaluronidase showed high anti-inflammatory activity. Cactus berry fruit should be considered a promising fruit candidate for a sustainable healthy diet.Headspace solid-phase microextraction coupled with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (HS-SPME-GC-MS) was used to analyze the volatile compounds of minced pork meat during storage. The origin of aromatic hydrocarbons in pork was verified by migration test. Principal component analysis (PCA) and orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA) were applied to characterize the profile of volatile compounds in pork meat and identify the potential volatile markers associated with the spoilage of pork. A total of 41 compounds were identified. Migration test showed that the aromatic hydrocarbons in raw pork are from packaging. Three compounds ethanol, 2,3-butanediol and 2-ethyl-1-hexanol were selected based on the loading plot and their variables importance in the projection (VIP) values, since they contribute mainly to the discrimination of pork with different storage times. These compounds can be used as additional indicators for quality control of pork.Shrimp trawling is an important socio-economic activity; however, the bycatch can be problematic to the environment. Thus, the present study investigated potential uses of the bycatch to generate value-added products. #link# The biological activity of the protein hydrolysates obtained from the two most abundant fish species (Micropogonias furnieri and Paralonchurus brasiliensis) was evaluated. Muscle and skin samples of both species were hydrolyzed using two enzymes, Alcalase 2.4 L® or Protamex®. The in vitro antioxidant capacity against peroxyl radicals, DPPH, and sulfhydryl groups were analyzed. Cell viability, Western Blotting, Zymogram, and Real-time PCR analyses were performed. link2 The results showed that the hydrolysates have antioxidant activity and no effect on cell viability at doses lower than 16 mg/mL. In addition, they can modulate extracellular remodelling and intracellular pathways related to cell adhesion. Thus, the hydrolysis of the fish bycatch allows the release of bioactive peptides with potential use in the food industry.A survey of highly toxic arsenic compounds, together with some other elements was carried out on 40 polished rice samples (white, basmati and parboiled) and 10 brown rice samples from the Slovenian market. The average total As concentration was 157 ± 60 μg kg-1; highest levels were found in parboiled and brown rice and lowest in basmati. The average inorganic As concentration was 90 ± 35 μg kg-1. Dimethylarsinic acid and monomethylarsonic acid, which also exhibit high toxicity levels in some cases constitute >50% of total arsenic and might deserve more attention. Contrary to other foods, the total arsenic concentration in rice may even be a better health hazard indicator than the inorganic arsenic concentration. Elemental analysis of rice revealed large differences between polished and brown rice, especially for Mg, Mn, P, Fe and K, which were 2-4 times higher in brown rice than in polished rice.

Clinical trial data have indicated an association between wholegrain consumption and a reduction in surrogate markers of cardiovascular disease. Phenolics present in wholegrain bound to arabinoxylan fibre may contribute these effects, particularly when released enzymatically from the fiber prior to ingestion. The aim of the present study was therefore to determine whether the intake of high fibre bread containing higher free ferulic acid (FA) levels (enzymatically released during processing) enhances human endothelium-dependent vascular function.

A randomized, single masked, controlled, crossover, human intervention study was conducted on 19 healthy men. Individuals consumed either a high fibre flatbread with enzymatically released free FA (14.22mg), an equivalent standard high fibre bread (2.34mg), or a white bread control (0.48mg) and markers of vascular function and plasma phenolic acid concentrations were measured at baseline, 2, 5 and 7h post consumption.

Significantly increased brachial arterial dilation was observed following consumption of the high free FA (‘enzyme-treated’) high fibre bread verses both a white bread (2h p<0.05; 5h p<0.01) and a standard high fibre bread (5h p<0.05). Concurrently, significant increases in plasma FA levels were observed, at 2h (p<0.01) after consumption of the enzyme-treated bread, relative to control treatments. Blood pressure, heart rate, DVP-SI and DVP-RI were not significantly altered following intake of any of the breads (p>0.05).

Dietary intake of bread, processed enzymatically to release FA from arabinoxylan fiber during production increases the bioavailability of FA, and induces acute endothelium-dependent vasodilation.

NO NCT03946293. WEBSITE http://www.clinicaltrials.gov.

NO NCT03946293. WEBSITE http://www.clinicaltrials.gov.

To evaluate the nutritional risk and therapy in severe and critical patients with COVID-19.

A total of 523 patients enrolled from four hospitals in Wuhan, China. The inclusion time was from January 2, 2020 to February 15. Clinical characteristics and laboratory values were obtained from electronic medical records, nursing records, and related examinations.

Of these patients, 211 (40.3%) were admitted to the ICU and 115 deaths (22.0%). Patients admitted to the ICU had lower BMI and plasma protein levels. The median Nutrition risk in critically ill (NUTRIC) score of 211 patients in the ICU was 5 (4, 6) and Nutritional Risk Screening (NRS) score was 5 (3, 6). The ratio of parenteral nutrition (PN) therapy in non-survivors was greater than that in survivors, and the time to start nutrition therapy was later than that in survivors. The NUTRIC score can independently predict the risk of death in the hospital (OR=1.197, 95%CI 1.091-1.445, p=0.006) and high NRS score patients have a higher risk of poor outcome in the ICU (OR=1.880, 95%CI 1.151-3.070, p=0.012). After adjusted age and sex, for each standard deviation increase in BMI, the risk of in-hospital death was reduced by 13% (HR=0.871, 95%CI 0.795-0.955, p=0.003), and the risk of ICU transfer was reduced by 7% (HR=0.932, 95%CI0.885-0.981, p=0.007). The in-hospital survival time of patients with albumin level ≤35g/L was significantly decreased (15.9d, 95% CI 13.7-16.3, vs 24.2d, 95% CI 22.3-29.7, p<0.001).

Severe and critical patients with COVID-19 have a high risk of malnutrition. Low BMI and protein levels were significantly associated with adverse events. Early nutritional risk screening and therapy for patients with COVID-19 are necessary.

Severe and critical patients with COVID-19 have a high risk of malnutrition. Low BMI and protein levels were significantly associated with adverse events. Early nutritional risk screening and therapy for patients with COVID-19 are necessary.

Hemorrhage occurs in 7-10% of patients treated with vitamin K antagonist (VKA), with major bleeding in 1-3%. Impact of nutritional status on the bleeding risk of patients on anticoagulants is still poorly documented. Our study aimed to analyze the link between the nutritional status of patients on VKA and the occurrence of hemorrhagic events. We also analyzed micronutrients status.

A case-control, monocentric, and prospective study was conducted from August 2012 to October 2015. The case patients were those presenting with major bleeding and control patients those without any bleeding under VKA treatment.

Overall, 294 patients under VKA treatment were paired according to age, gender, and index normalized ratio (INR). Out of QNZ price , 98 (33.3%) had major bleeding and 196 (66.7%) did not have any bleeding. Additionally, more than two-thirds of patients displayed undernutrition, which was more prevalent in bleeding than non-bleeding patients (OR=1.85, CI95% 1.07-3.21). There was a higher bleeding risk for those with severe undernutrition (OR=2.66, CI95% 1.58-4.46), with no difference found concerning moderate undernutrition. Bleeding patients had lower plasma-zinc concentrations than non-bleeding patients (9.4±3.6 vs. 10.5±3.7μmol/L, p=0.003); among them, there was a higher rate of patients with plasma zinc under 5μmol/L (9% vs. 2%, p<0.001).

Patients with undernutrition on VKA exhibit a significantly higher bleeding risk, which increases three-fold in case of severe undernutrition. link3 The evaluation of nutritional status provides additional, valuable prognosis information prior to initiating VKA therapy. CLINICALTRIALS.

NCT01742871.

NCT01742871.

Plasma citrulline, a non-protein amino acid, is a biochemical marker of small intestine enterocyte mass in humans. Indeed, citrulline is highly correlated with residual bowel length in patients with short bowel syndrome. It is known to be synthesised in epithelial cells of the small intestine from other amino acids (precursors). Citrulline is then released into systemic circulation and interconverted into arginine in kidneys. If plasma citrulline concentration depends on abundance of intestinal amino acid transporters is not known. The aim of the present study was to explore whether plasma citrulline concentration correlates with the expression of intestinal amino acid transporters. Furthermore, we assessed if arginine in urine correlates with plasma citrulline.

Duodenal samples, blood plasma and urine were collected from 43 subjects undergoing routine gastroduodenoscopy. mRNA expression of seven basolateral membrane amino acid transporters/transporter subunits were assessed by real-time PCR. Plasma and ucitrulline efflux from enterocytes. Furthermore, urine arginine correlated with plasma citrulline, indicating arginine in the urine as possible additional marker for small intestine enterocyte mass. Finally, basolateral LAT4 expression along the human small intestine was shown for the first time.

In this study, we showed for the first time that small intestinal basolateral LAT4 expression correlates with plasma citrulline concentration. This finding indicates that LAT4 has an important function in mediating citrulline efflux from enterocytes. Furthermore, urine arginine correlated with plasma citrulline, indicating arginine in the urine as possible additional marker for small intestine enterocyte mass. Finally, basolateral LAT4 expression along the human small intestine was shown for the first time.