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This study aimed to examine the impact of a pilgrimage on the Way of St. James on psychological distress and subjective well-being, and to compare these outcomes with a control group on non-pilgrimage vacations. Additionally, the study explored psychological process variables that may mediate the pilgrimage's beneficial effects. A nonrandomized pretest-posttest design was used, involving 444 pilgrims and 124 controls. Participants completed baseline and post-experience self-reported measures of psychological distress, subjective well-being, and psychological processes (i.e., mindfulness, nonattachment, engaged living). A 3-month follow-up was conducted only in the pilgrim group. Mediation analyses examined psychological processes as potential mediators of pre-post change in the pilgrim group (vs. control). Within-group analyses revealed that the pilgrim group experienced improvements in psychological distress, subjective well-being, and psychological processes immediately post-experience, with most measures sustaining improvement at the 3-month follow-up. Compared to the control group, pilgrims showed significantly greater increases in positive affect, life satisfaction, and valued living, alongside greater reductions in anxiety, depression, and perceived stress. Valued living partially mediated the relationship between pilgrimage and positive affect, and fully mediated the effects on perceived stress, negative affect, life satisfaction, and subjective happiness. Pilgrimage on the Way of St. James effectively reduced psychological distress and enhanced subjective well-being, with greater benefits observed compared to a non-pilgrimage vacation control group. Consistent with the concept of pilgrimage as a transformative experience, significant improvements in valued living were noted, which mediated some of the positive outcomes post-pilgrimage. The Way of St. James may serve as a valuable complementary approach for alleviating distress and promoting well-being. Further studies exploring the effects of this pilgrimage on specific populations and using more robust study designs are warranted. Trial Registration ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier NCT04141813. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We study the arrangements of the roots in the complex plane for the lacunary harmonic polynomials called harmonic trinomials. We provide necessary and sufficient conditions so that two general harmonic trinomials have the same set of roots up to a rotation around the origin in the complex plane, a reflection over the real axis, or a composition of the previous both transformations. This extends the results of Jenő Egerváry given in [19] for the setting of trinomials to the setting of harmonic trinomials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Since the discovery of carbon nanotubes, they have been intensely studied as filler materials into different matrices, including polymers to obtaining composites with enhancing properties. Carbon spheres are other type of nanostructures that have not been enough studied as reinforcement material. Polymeric composites with enhanced properties have gradually replaced many of the conventional materials in several areas. In this research, a comparative study of composites based in MWCNTs and CSs incorporated in poly(methyl methacrylate) matrices by mixing solution method was carried out. Composites with 2 wt%, 3 wt%, and 4 wt% of MWCNTs and CSs were obtained through solution mixing and were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Raman spectroscopy, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Carbon sphere composites were observed with better dispersion than carbon nanotube composites through SEM. D, G, and G' characteristic bands of carbon nanostructures and typical bands of PMMA were observed by Raman spectroscopy in all composites. C–H, C=O, and CH2 vibrations were depicted in composites spectra by FTIR. Vickers microhardness and electrical conductivity of composites were measured. A significant increasing in electrical conductivity was obtained in MWCNTs/PMMA composites, reaching values up to 8.45 × 10–5 S/cm. Nevertheless, the highest electrical conductivity values were observed in CSs composites (7.98 × 10–4 S/cm). Vickers microhardness also was enhanced in all composites; however, CSs/PMMA composites showed the highest values in contrast with MWCNTs/PMMA composites. The major Vickers and electrical conductivity properties of CSs/PMMA composites are attributed to better carbon spheres dispersion into polymer matrix. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

If γ is a knot in S 3 ≅ H C 2 ⊂ P C 2 , then the set Λ (γ) ⊂ P C 2 is defined as the union of all the complex lines tangent to ∂ H C 2 at points in the image of γ . The following result is obtained: the number of components of Ω (γ) = P C 2 \ Λ (γ) is greater or equal to the number of distinct integers in the set { ℓ (γ , C) : C is a positively oriented chain disjoint to γ } , where ℓ (γ , C) denotes the linking number between γ and C. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Carbon spheres used as filler materials are ideal and promising nanostructures to obtain composites with enhanced electrical and mechanical properties. Solid carbon spheres synthesized previously in this research by chemical vapor deposition were incorporated in poly(methyl methacrylate) through solution mixing at different loads (5 wt.%, 7 wt.% and 9 wt.%). Scanning electron microscopy showed a uniform carbon sphere dispersion into the polymer matrices. The characteristic peaks of carbon spheres, D-band at 1321 cm−1 and G-band at 1593 cm−1, were observed in Raman spectroscopy. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy determined the main functional groups of composites corresponding to C–H, C–O, C=O, CH2 and CH3 stretching. The composites were evaluated by the Vickers Microhardness (HV), the Van der Pauw and the two-point methods. The hardness and electrical conductivity were enhanced according to the carbon sphere loading increase. The maximum carbon sphere load (9 wt.%) in composites showed an important microhardness improvement (147%). Electrical conductivity values significantly increased until 1.66 × 10−3 S/cm (10 orders of magnitude of improvement) at 9 wt.% of carbon sphere composites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Several electronic applications have been developed through the use of carbon nanotubes and polymer composites. Multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs), functionalized and pristine, were incorporated in polycaprolactam matrix; hydrochloric acid (19 and 38%) and formic acid (88%) were used as polymer solvents. Mechanical stirring method was employed to dissolve the polymer and achieve the dispersion of MWCNTs in polymer matrix. The obtained composites were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, confirming the presence of MWCNTs in polymer. Raman and Fourier transformed infrared spectra were used to identify the interaction between MWCNTs and polycaprolactam. Hardness improvements were proved through microhardness test, reaching values over 100 Hv units. The electrical conductivity in composites with the highest MWCNTs content (4 wt%) was confirmed. The results described in this manuscript confirm the possibility to develop a new material using MWCNTs dispersion in polycaprolactam matrix and possible applications in electronical and mechanical fields. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The synthesis by co-precipitation and characterization by X-ray diffraction, Raman and Mössbauer spectroscopies of Mg-Fe-hydrotalcite compounds, and their sorption capacities for Cr(VI) in aqueous media were carried out. The average sorption capacity of Cr(VI) for the non-thermal treated samples was of 6.2 mg/g. The ferrihydrite was omnipresent in all prepared hydrotalcite samples. A brief discussion is made on the role of both the hydrotalcite and ferrihydrite for removing such amount of Cr(VI). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective:FSP27 KO mice showed enhanced expression of mitochondrial genes, increased mitochondrial activity and smaller lipid droplets. Here, we aimed to investigate lipid droplet protein (CIDEC/FSP27 and perilipinA (PLIN1)) gene expression in human adipose tissue in association with obesity, insulin resistance and mitochondrial gene expression.Design and subjects:In cohort 1, CIDEC/FSP27, PLIN1, adipogenic (FASN, ACACA, PPARG, GLUT4) and mitochondrial (PPARGC1A, PPARGC1B, TFAM, MT-CO3) gene expression were analyzed in 171 adipose tissue samples (88 visceral adipose tissue (VAT) and 83 subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) depots) and in a time course experiment in human subcutaneous and visceral preadipocytes using real-time PCR. In cohort 2, the effects of bariatric surgery-induced weight loss were also evaluated in six caucasian morbidly obese women. Additionally, in cohort 2 FSP27 and PLIN1 protein levels were measured using western blotting.Results:CIDEC/FSP27 (1.03±0.52 vs 0.49±0.23 relative gene expression unit (R.U.), P<0.0001) and PLIN1 (1.32±0.82 vs 0.63±0.42 R.U., P<0.0001) gene were significantly more expressed in SAT than in VAT. In VAT, CIDEC/FSP27 and PLIN1 gene expression decreased with body mass index, percent fat mass, fasting glucose, fasting insulin, HOMA and were positively associated with adipogenic (PPARG, GLUT4, FASN and ACACA) and mitochondrial biogenesis (PPARGC1A, PPARGC1B, TFAM and MT-CO3)-related genes. Mitochondrial gene expression increased during adipocyte differentiation in parallel to FSP27 and PLIN1 and other adipogenic genes. After bariatric surgery-induced weight loss, PLIN1 and CIDEC/FSP27 gene and protein expression in SAT increased significantly in parallel to adipogenic and mitochondrial genes.Conclusion:These findings suggest a positive functional interaction between CIDEC/FSP27, PLIN1 and mitochondrial biogenesis-related genes in human adipose tissue. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective:The purpose of this study was to investigate the expression of human adipose tissue protein 53 (p53) in subjects who varied widely in terms of obesity and insulin resistance. We also analyzed different in vivo and in vitro models to try to comprehend the associations found in humans.Methods:p53 was analyzed in human adipose and isolated adipocytes, in high fat-fed and GLP-1R KO mice, during in vitro adipogenesis, and in adipocytes after high glucose, rosiglitazone and inflammatory conditions. The effects of surgery-induced weight loss and ex vivo metformin were also evaluated.Results:Omental (OM) p53 gene expression (+27%, P=0.001) and protein (+11%, P=0.04) were increased in obese subjects and high fat diet-induced obese mice (+86%, P=0.018). Although the obesity-associated inflammatory milieu was associated with increased OM p53, this was negatively related to insulin resistance and glycated hemoglobin, and positively with biomarkers for insulin sensitivity. Multiple linear regression analyses revealed that glycated hemoglobin (P<0.0001) and body mass index (P=0.048) contributed independently to explain 13.7% (P<0.0001) of the OM p53 variance. Accordingly, the improvement of insulin sensitivity with surgery-induced weight loss (+51%, P=0.01) and metformin (+42%, P=0.02) led to increased adipose p53. While the glucose-intolerant GLP-1R KO mice showed decreased mesenteric p53 (−45.4%, P=0.017), high glucose led to decreased p53 in pre-adipocytes (−27%, P<0.0001). Inflammatory treatments led to increased p53 (+35%, P<0.0001), while Rs downregulated this expression (−40%, P=0.005) in mature adipocytes.Conclusion:Inflammation and insulin resistance exert dual effects on adipose p53, which seems to be the final result of these opposing forces. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pappus' theorem is used to produce and study discrete subgroups of PSL(3, ℂ) with very rich dynamics. We get an example of a subgroup of PSL(3, ℂ) which is not conjugate to any subgroup of PU(2, 1) nor to any subgroup of Aff(ℂ), its Kulkarni region of discontinuity is non-empty and its complement, the Kulkarni limit set, contains infinitely many complex projective lines in general position. This construction is based on a representation of the group SL(2, ℤ) in the projective group PSL(3, ℂ). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During a time period little longer than 60 years, it has been created a radioactive pollution background over the natural one, which started in 1945 and it has been growing up since then, due to several nuclear tests, minor nuclear reactors failure and four major accidents: Wind Scale, Three Mile Island, Chernobyl and Fukushima. This radioactive polluting background can be easily detected through Cs fission product, which by the effect of wind, river currents and rain has been accumulated in marine sediments, mainly because sea represents about 80 % of earth's surface. Since energy demand has been growing up with no interruption during last two centuries, and nuclear energy seems to be the largest available source, it is very likely a great expansion of nuclear energy during twenty-first century. So, this paper presents results obtained in strategic points of the two large littorals in Mexico: Gulf and Pacific Ocean, as an attempt to establish there some figure to evaluate the present radioactive pollution. An adequate figure to do it, seems to be the quotient of activity per gram of Cs in marine sediments (BqCs/g), divided by activity per gram of K natural radioactivity (BqK/g). When this result is multiplied by 100 the percentage of polluting radioactivity (Cs) related to natural radioactivity (K) is obtained. This percentage seems to be useful to evaluate the importance of radioactive pollution from 4 points of view: a) calculate the extent of already radioactive pollution present in the seas of world; b) avoid the panic in case of nuclear accidents, c) what will be the growing up rate in the future; d) if it is possible to keep one decreasing rate at same decaying rate of Cs (t = 30.07 years), since from 1945, starting time of radioactive pollution, it has decayed only about 2.2 half lives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background:Surfactant protein-D (SFTPD) is a component of the lung innate immunity that enhances clearance of pathogens and modulates inflammatory responses. An inverse association of putative, lung-derived circulating SFTPD with obesity has been reported but no information is available concerning possible SFTPD gene expression in human adipose tissue.Methods:SFTPD gene expression was analyzed in human omental (OM; n=156) and subcutaneous (SC; n=106) adipose tissue, and in isolated fat cells (n=12) in association with measures of obesity and glucose tolerance.Results:SFTPD gene was expressed in human adipose tissue and adipocytes. This expression was decreased in OM and SC adipose tissue from obese subjects with (−47%, P<0.0001; and −37%, P=0.048) and without (−34%, P=0.001; and −22%, P=0.08; respectively) type 2 diabetes when compared with the control group. Indeed, OM SFTPD was inversely associated with body mass index (r=−0.33, P<0.0001), percent fat mass (r=−0.36, P<0.0001), waist perimeter (r=−0.26, P=0.002), diastolic blood pressure (r=−0.21, P=0.018) and fasting glucose (r=−0.21, P=0.012); and positively linked to the expression of insulin receptor substrate 1 (IRS1; r=0.25, P=0.004), perilipin A (PLIN; r=0.38, P=0.007) and fatty acid synthase (FASN; r=0.36, P<0.0001). Accordingly, increased SFTPD (4.5-fold, P=0.02) was detected in isolated adipocytes when compared with the stromal-vascular cell fraction, in parallel to IRS1, FASN and PLIN.Conclusions:Both OM and SC adipose tissue (mainly mature adipocytes) express SFTPD. This expression decreases with obesity and impaired glucose tolerance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective:Recent studies linked circulating pigment epithelium-derived factor (PEDF) to obesity-associated insulin resistance, but the main source of circulating PEDF is unknown. We aimed to investigate liver and adipose tissue PEDF gene expression in association with obesity and insulin resistance.Design, subjects and methods:Three (two cross-sectional and one longitudinal) independent cohorts have been studied, for adipose tissue (n=80 and n=30) and liver gene expression (n=32 and n=14). Effects of high glucose and cytokines on HepG2 cell line were also investigated. PEDF gene expression and circulating PEDF were analyzed using real-time PCR and ELISA, respectively.Results:In a first cohort of subjects, PEDF relative gene expression was higher in subcutaneous (SC) than in omental (OM) adipose tissue (P<0.0001) being also higher in mature adipocytes compared with stromo-vascular cells (P<0.0001). However, OM PEDF relative gene expression was decreased in morbidly obese subjects (P=0.01). Both OM PEDF and OM PEDF receptor (PEDFR) correlated positively with lipogenic and lipolytic genes, and with genes implicated in the lipid vacuole formation. Circulating PEDF levels were not associated with fat PEDF gene expression. In the second cohort, SC PEDF was decreased in subjects with type 2 diabetes and did not change significantly after weight loss. We next explored circulating PEDF in association with markers of liver-related insulin resistance injury (alanine aminotransferase, r=0.59, P=0.001). Interestingly, liver PEDF gene expression increased with obesity and insulin resistance in men, being significantly associated with fasting glucose and glycated hemoglobin in two independent cohorts. In fact, high glucose led to increased PEDF in HepG2 cells, while inflammatory stimuli present in the adipose tissue environment downregulated PEDF.Conclusion:Liver, but not adipose tissue, might be the source of increased circulating PEDF linked to insulin resistance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective:Lipopolysaccharide-binding protein (LBP) is a 65-kDa acute-phase protein present in blood at high concentrations, known to be derived from the liver. We aimed to gain insights into the association of circulating LBP with insulin resistance in humans and mice.Methods, design and measurements:We studied the cross-sectional (n=222) and weight loss-induced (n=34) associations of LBP (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) with inflammatory and metabolic parameters (including minimal model-measured insulin sensitivity), and the effects of high-fat diet (HFD), metformin and genetic insulin sensitization (glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor knockout model) in mice.Results:Circulating LBP concentration was significantly increased in subjects with type 2 diabetes and dramatically increased in subjects with morbid obesity. LBP was significantly associated with insulin sensitivity and different inflammatory markers and decreased after weight loss (22.2±5.8 vs 16.2±9.3 μg ml−1, P<0.0001) in association with changes in body mass index and insulin sensitivity. Circulating LBP concentration was increased in HFD mice, whereas decreased in glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor knockout mice (significantly more insulin sensitive than wild-type mice) and after metformin administration.Conclusion:LBP is an inflammatory marker associated with obesity-related insulin resistance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Differentiation and metabolism of adipose tissue are modulated by thyroid hormones (THs), but relatively little is known about the metabolism of THs in this tissue. Expression of the genes for type I iodothyronine 5′-deiodinase (D1), leptin (LEP) and stearoyl-CoA desaturase 1 (SCD-1) was evaluated in omental (OM) and subcutaneous (SC) fat using a cohort of 70 humans. Activities of iodothyronine deiodinases (D1, D2 and D3) were assessed in a randomly selected subpopulation of 19 subjects. D1 expression was upregulated in both OM (P=0.011) and SC (P=0.003) fat of obese subjects. Concomitantly, OM (P=0.002) and SC (P=0.028) LEP expression were increased in obesity, associated with both D1 mRNA (r=0.315, P=0.014) and activity (r=0.647, P=0.023) and inversely related to SCD-1 (r=−0.266, P=0.034) expression in SC fat. Also D1 (but not D2 and D3) activity was increased in OM (∼fourfold, P=0.010) and SC (∼eightfold, P=0.004) fat of obese when compared with non-obese subjects and correlated in both OM (r=0.528, P=0.036) and SC (r=0.749, P=0.005) fat with body mass index. Our results document increased D1 gene expression and activity in adipose tissue of obese humans and suggest a role of 3,5,3′-triiodo-L-thyronine formed by D1 in response to leptin in the modulation of adipose tissue metabolism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Obesity and increased fat mass are associated with increased adipocyte proliferation. Telomere length can serve as a biomarker of a cell's biological (vs chronological) age. To gain insight in the physiology of adipose tissue, we aimed to investigate telomere length in subcutaneous adipose tissue in relation to age and obesity. Telomere length was measured in 72 subcutaneous adipose tissue samples from 21 nonobese and 51 obese subjects. Telomere length of subcutaneous adipose tissue cells was negatively associated with body mass index (BMI), systolic blood pressure and fasting triglycerides. After controlling for age, fasting glucose, triglycerides and smoking status, BMI (P=0.009) contributed independently to 16% of telomere length variance. Interestingly, formerly obese patients (n=10) had shorter telomere length than never-obese subjects (n=12) of similar age, sex and BMI (7.1±1.3 vs 9.08±1.8 kb, P=0.01). In summary, adipose tissue cells from obese subjects show a shorter telomere length. The shorter telomere length of formerly obese subjects suggests that this is an established, irreversible feature of obesity that could contribute to its comorbidities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context:Very limited information is available regarding the function of human thyroid hormone responsive Spot 14 (human S14, hS14) in adipogenesis and human adiposity.Objective:To evaluate hS14 levels during differentiation of human pre-adipocytes, in human fat depots and isolated fat cells.Design:This was a cross-sectional study.Subjects:A total of 161 omental (OM) and 87 subcutaneous (SC) adipose tissue samples obtained during elective surgical procedures from a population who varied widely in terms of obesity.Measurements:hS14 gene expression and protein levels during adipogenesis were assessed by RT–PCR, western blot, and using an automated confocal imaging approach.Results:hS14 gene expression levels were decreased in OM adipose tissue from overweight (−42.0%) and obese subjects (−56.5%) compared with lean subjects (P<0.05 and P<0.0001, respectively). hS14 mRNA (but not hS14-related) was inversely associated with obesity measures such as body mass index (P=0.001), percent fat mass (P=0.001), waist-to-hip ratio (P=0.020), and systolic blood pressure (P=0.031). hS14 gene expression and protein levels were up-regulated at the early stages of differentiation of human pre-adipocytes as well as for 3T3-L1 cells. That observation was most prominent in those individual cells exhibiting the more marked differentiation features. hS14 gene expression levels increased by ∼45 000-fold in mature adipocytes. Increased hS14 levels were also found in stromal-vascular cells/pre-adipocytes (3.8-fold, P<0.05) and in adipose tissue samples (1.9-fold, P<0.0001) from SC compared with OM fat depots.Conclusions:These results suggest that hS14 is involved in human adipogenesis, but inversely related to obesity and OM fat accumulation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective:Lipocalin-2 (neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin, NGAL) is an innate immune system protein that has been linked to insulin resistance and obesity, but the mechanisms behind these associations are poorly known. We hypothesized that endotoxin (lipopolysaccharide, LPS) and fat intake were in the background of these associations.Design:We studied four cohorts: (1) a cross-sectional study in 194 subjects; (2) the changes in NGAL concentration induced by diet and weight loss in 36 obese women (with circadian rhythm in 8 of them); (3) the effects of acute fat intake on circulating NGAL concentration in 42 morbidly obese subjects; and (4) LPS-induced NGAL secretion ex vivo (whole blood and adipose tissue explants).Results:Serum NGAL concentration was significantly associated with fasting triglycerides and LPS-binding protein in patients with type 2 diabetes. In obese subjects, the intake of saturated fatty acids was the factor that best explained the variance of NGAL changes after weight loss (contributing independently to 14% of NGAL variance). In fact, weight loss significantly changed the circadian rhythm of NGAL. The acute increase in circulating NGAL after fat overload was significantly associated with fasting insulin (r=0.52, P<0.001), homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) (r=0.36, P=0.02) and post-load triglyceride concentrations (r=0.38, P=0.018). LPS-induced NGAL secretion from adipose tissue explants did not change significantly, but LPS led to a significant increase in NGAL concentration in the whole blood obtained from patients with type 2 diabetes.Conclusion:Metabolic endotoxemia and saturated fat might contribute to circulating NGAL concentration in patients with insulin resistance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background:LIGHT (lymphotoxin-like inducible protein that competes with glycoprotein D for herpesvirus entry on T cells) is a member of the tumor necrosis factor (TNF) family, primarily expressed in lymphocytes, which was associated with the induction of pro-inflammatory cytokines and alterations of lipid homeostasis in animal models. We aimed to analyze whether LIGHT has a role in the human obesity-associated inflammatory status.Methods:The association between circulating LIGHT concentrations and clinical variables was studied in 190 subjects with different degrees of obesity and glucose tolerance. The expression and release of 21 different cytokines, and the expression of genes involved in lipid metabolism were also evaluated after stimulation with LIGHT in cultured human differentiated adipocytes.Results:Serum LIGHT concentrations positively associated with body mass index (BMI), fat mass, glycated hemoglobin and fasting triglycerides, and negatively with high-density lipoprotein cholesterol. Circulating LIGHT concentrations were significantly increased in morbidly obese subjects and in patients with type 2 diabetes. LIGHT induced the secretion of several cytokines and upregulated the expression and secretion of interleukin-6 (IL-6), IL-8, Growth Regulated Oncogene (GRO) and monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1). These observations were concomitant with the activation of nuclear factor (NF)-κB signalling in human differentiated adipocytes. LIGHT also upregulated the expression and synthesis of its own receptor (herpesvirus entry mediator (HVEM)) and decreased the expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ (PPAR-γ) and fatty acid synthase.Conclusion:These data suggest that LIGHT may have a role in mediating chronic inflammation and alterations of lipid metabolism in obese subjects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective:Lactoferrin is a pleiotropic glycoprotein of the innate immune system with known effects on immunomodulation and cell differentiation. To gain an insight into the interaction among obesity, inflammation and insulin action, we aimed to examine the effects of lactoferrin on adipogenesis and the response to insulin in human hepatocarcinoma (HepG2) and 3T3-L1 cell lines.Design:The cells were cultured with increasing lactoferrin concentration under non-inflammatory, inflammatory and standard conditions. The response to insulin was evaluated through 473SerAKT phosphorylation. The effects of lactoferrin on adipogenesis were studied through the expression of different lipogenic markers, AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) activation, retinoblastoma (Rb) activity and Oil Red O staining in 3T3-L1 cells.Results:Lactoferrin increased dose-dependent insulin-induced 473SerAKT phosphorylation in both cell lines. Inflammation-induced decreased 473SerAKT phosphorylation was also rescued by lactoferrin. In addition, lactoferrin led to increased p172ThrAMPK during 3T3-L1 differentiation and to decreased adipogenesis (as shown by decreased expression of fatty acid synthase, acetyl-coenzyme A carboxylase-α and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ in parallel with decreased formation of lipid droplets). Lactoferrin also increased dose-dependent Rb activity (expression and hypophosphorylation) during 3T3-L1 differentiation.Conclusion:Lactoferrin administration increased insulin-induced 473SerAKT phosphorylation, even in those conditions wherein the response to insulin was downregulated, and led to blunted adipogenesis in the context of increased p172ThrAMPK and Rb activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background:Circulating soluble transferrin receptor (sTfR) has been recently found to be associated negatively with insulin sensitivity.Objective:To evaluate circulating sTfR concentration after changing insulin sensitivity in obese individuals.Design:Circulating sTfR concentration was evaluated after diet-induced weight loss in obese women (diet (D) group, n=8); after diet-induced weight loss plus resistance training (D+RT group, n=11); and after follow-up without weight loss (control (C) group, n=7).Results:After 16 weeks, insulin sensitivity (HOMA (Homeostasis Model Assessment) value) significantly improved in parallel to weight loss (−7.3%) and reduced total fat mass (evaluated using magnetic resonance imaging) in the D group. Thigh muscle mass decreased significantly (P=0.03). Serum sTfR concentration did not change significantly. In the D+RT group, weight loss (−8.7%) and improvement of insulin sensitivity were of similar magnitude. Thigh muscle mass was preserved (P=0.8). Serum sTfR concentration decreased significantly (P=0.001). Interestingly, higher the thigh muscle volume after weight loss, higher the decrease in circulating sTfR concentration. We also found that higher the increases in leg force at week 16, higher the decrease in circulating sTfR concentration in all individuals as a whole. No significant changes were observed in insulin sensitivity, sTfR concentration or thigh muscle mass in the C group.Conclusion:These findings suggest a long-term regulation of serum sTfR concentration by exercise-induced improvement of insulin sensitivity in obese individuals.International Journal of Obesity (2009) 33, 768–774; doi:10.1038/ijo.2009.99; published online 2 June 2009 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Erosion caused by external factors such as wind, rain, sunlight and temperature changes is considerable in raw materials used to build pre-hispanic monuments. However, there does exist an internal destruction factor even stronger: the humidity coming from the soil, which goes up by capillarity, depositing soluble salts on the walls surface. Therefore, one way to find some figure related to the specific capillarity or porosity shown by each raw material, is to obtain small prism-shaped pieces cut out from the large debris fallen down spontaneously from ancient walls due to internal humidity. Once these small samples are placed in contact with a 22Na labeled solution during a given time, at the same geometrical conditions, dried overnight, conditioned either in test tubes or wrapped into polyethylene and detected in a well type 3″×3″ scintillation detector, the counts accumulated per time and weight units are a measure of the relative porosity shown by each material. In order to pull down this porosity, the samples are impregnated with a gelatin solution (50 g/l) at 60–80 °C plus food preservatives such as potassium sorbate (2.5%) and sodium benzoate (2.5%). When gelatin begins to be formed 3 hours later and the samples look humid and brilliant, they are impregnated with formaldehyde solution (38%), and their absorption rate is dramatically reduced overnight (75–100%), which can be proven when samples are tested by making use of the 22Na labeled solution. This technique has been applied at real scale in some pre-hispanic monuments. Ancient raw materials seems to be much more compact and well preserved during one limited period of time (10 to 13 months). Treatment is unnoticeable and reversible, and it may be applied periodically. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Among humic substances formed by organic matter decomposition process, fulvic acids have been extensively studied because their solubility and soil fertilizer properties. This paper describes how some mineral nutrient elements are absorbed by the root as well as the foliage of bean plants and how they move in both directions depending on their association to fulvic acids. In this study, radiotracers of phosphate and iron have been used (H232PO4-, 59Fe2+). The results obtained are quantitative by instrumental detection and qualitative by autoradiography of the radiotracers. A very clear effect has been found about motion and fixation of phosphate and iron ions in bean plants brought about by fulvic acids commercially produced in Mexico by organic synthesis. This effect seems to be the more homogeneous distribution in the vegetable tissues of the mineral ions absorbed from the soil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Zirconium (IV)- n-butoxide and tungstophosphoric acid (WP) were co-gelled at pH 3, 5 and 7 with HCl acid, C2H4O2 acid and NH4OH, respectively. Pyridine adsorption bands at 1610 and 1442 cm−1 corresponding to Lewis acidic sites were observed by FTIR spectroscopy. Acidity determined by ammonia thermodesorption shows values around 1100 μmol of NH3/g, which correspond to solids showing super acidity. It was found that the incorporation of WP to gelling zirconia delay the formation of tetragonal zirconia. Raman spectroscopy shows the stabilization of the Keggin structure on zirconia thermally treated at 400°C. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Traditionally, magnesium oxide has been considered a typical basic catalyst, catalyst carrier and/or adsorbent. In this study MgO was prepared using Mg-ethoxide dissolved in ethanol and hydrolyzed with various aqueous inorganic acids and bases. We have found that it is possible to induce Brønsted and Lewis acid sites depending on the method of preparation and, more specifically, on the type of inorganic acids used in the hydrolysis stage. In the FTIR spectra of adsorbed pyridine on MgO obtained using aqueous HCl (pH = 3), the bands corresponding to Lewis (1603, 1496 and 1444 cm−1) and Brønsted (1550 cm−1) acid sites are observed. The fact that upon vacuum and high temperature treatment, i.e., at 773 K, the above mentioned bands are clearly distinguishable indicated that the acid sites are very strong. On the other hand, the MgO materials obtained using aqueous acetic acid as a hydrolysis catalyst (pH = 5), and that without any catalyst (pH = 7) showed only Lewis acid sites which decreased markedly upon higher temperature treatment. When aqueous NH4OH (pH = 9) was used as the hydrolysis catalyst, the MgO obtained showed only Lewis acid sites. In all cases the number of Lewis acid sites was greater than that of Brønsted sites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mg−Si binary oxides were prepared by the sol-gel method, using magnesium diethoxide and tetraethoxysilane as starting materials. Mg−Si mixed oxides were prepared at pH3 and 9 at nominal concentrations of 1.3, 4.0, and 6.7 mole% MgO. Density and strength of the acid sites were determined by pyridine thermal programmed desorption. Comparable Lewis acidity was found in pH3 and 9 preparations. However, when the samples were sulfated with sulfuric acid, strong Bronsted acidity was developed, reaching a maximum at 6.7 mole% MgO. The strong acidity of sulfated samples was corroborated using the isopropanol decomposition reaction as catalytic test. Similar conversions are obtained at 100°C on sulfated samples, whereas 260°C are required for non-sulfated ones. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is very well known from ancient times that fulvic acids present in nature as a component of dead leaves and vegetables, are the active principle which promotes better crops, acting on mineral ions in soils by picking up them into plants tissues at higher concentrations. Tested in mice, by using radioactive labeled ions such as PO, Ca, Fe and I, fulvic acids have demonstrated to stimulate the filtration of these ions from digestive tract to blood and then to urine by a factor larger than two. The following step on this research has been to find the effect caused by the presence in blood of electrolytes at higher concentrations, particularly viral infections resistance as a consequence of antibodies promotion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

After the Chernobyl accident in 1986, Mexico imported from an European country 28,000 tons of contaminated powder milk with the fission product 137Cs. When the contamination was detected, the alarm among the authorities and population spread out very quickly and of course the product was retired at once from the foodstuff market. Nevertheless, the public panic grew up in such a manner, that even the way to manage and to dispose safely this material, considered highly dangerous, was largely discussed. Now, about two decades ago from this event, a study has been performed to compare the level of radioactivity due to both radioisotopes present in one saved sample: the artificial contaminant 137Cs, beside the natural, all around present 40K, in order to evaluate in a more realistic way how risky was the management, possible consumption, and final disposition of this nourishment. This paper considers results obtained within an uncertainty degree equal to ±5%, and set up conclusions by comparing artificial and natural radioactivity present in that contaminated powder milk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Neutron activation analysis of cobalt, selenium and iodine requires pre-concentration of traces when the best possible conditions of sensitivity and accuracy are required at short irradiation times. The reason is 60mCo, 77mSe and 128I present half-lives of 10.5 m, 17.5 s and 25 m, respectively, which do not allow neither to dissolve the sample nor to perform any radiochemical separation after irradiation. On the other hand, their emissions are located in the beginning of the spectrum (59, 161 and 441 keV, respectively) where the Compton continuum makes difficult the identification and measurement of the peaks. This paper describes how foodstuff samples are dissolved in pure HNO3 by using conventional pressure pumps at 120–140 °C during 3–4 hours. Once cooled down the acid solution, distilled water is added and pH fixed at 1–1.5 with ammonia. 20 mg of APDC are added while stirring during 2 minutes and the solution is passed through 50 mg of activated carbon, where the Se traces are trapped. Then the filtered solution is adjusted to pH 4–6 with ammonia and passed through a fresh identical activated carbon filter where the iodine traces are caught. Finally, to the filtered solution is added 20 mg of cupferron at same pH, stirring for 2 minutes and passed through a third identical carbon filter, where the cobalt traces remain. In this way, we have the cobalt, selenium and iodine traces in three different, extremely pure carbon matrices, with a small, known mass of cobalt, selenium and iodine as background. Each filter is ready to be irradiated during a suitable time, to calculate separately at maximum sensitivity and accuracy the concentration of these three trace elements so important to human nutrition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Measurement of 40K was used for determination of potassium concentrations in leaves of agave and maguey cactus leaves, and coffee beans of various origins. The procedure was also used to study potassium transfer to tequila (alcoholic drink made of agave cactus), and the cactus and coffee infusions using 40K as a natural radioactive tracer. Counting of 40K in Marinelli containers with the aid of a low background NaI(Tl) scintillation detection system for 12–24 hours was employed. The method appeared to be simple and suitable for determination of potassium concentrations in large samples, which eliminates homogeneity problems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

After the Chernobyl accident in April 1986, Mexico imported from one European country a shipment of 28,000 tons of milk powder contaminated with the fission product 137Cs. Since then, the local authorities of Public Health have established as a compulsory condition to obtain through gamma-spectroscopy a certificate of no radioactive contamination either to imported or exported foodstuffs. But at the same time, the absence of long-lived, gamma-emitters fission products is certified, it is also possible to find the concentration of the important trace element K in foodstuffs, by the peak of 1461 keV from 40K, invariably present in the gamma-spectra. Taking advantage of the fact that it does not require any previous manipulation of the sample, this paper describes the general procedure in milk powder or any other foodstuff. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Autoradiography of green leaves and flowers are presented, after absorption with three kinds of mineral ions: the very common one in nature Na+, the toxic CrO42-and the nutritional I-, labeled with22Na,51Cr and131I respectively, in order to test directly how these ions are distributed in a different way throughout the vegetable tissues, depending whether they are associated or not to synthetic fulvic acids commercially produced as fertilizers in Mexico. Two kinds of Polaroid films have been used and the necessary exposition time for the activity used is one week as a minimum, since these tracers are gamma- and X-rays emitters and, therefore, their action on the film is much weaker than that obtained with beta particles. It has been verified the effect brought about by synthetic fulvic acids, as fertilizers which distribute more evenly mineral ions into vegetable tissues, when they form a complex [I-], but they act as discriminators in the case of toxic ions [CrO42-] or when they do not form a complex [Na+]. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The favorable effects of fulvic acids as fertilizers are very well known and they have been used long time ago in their natural state in dead leaves. Their extraction from natural sources is rather expensive, but the production of very similar carbon amino saccharides by sugar oxidation has been industrially applied in Mexico. Good properties of this commercial product as fertilizer have been proved empirically in different crops as well as at laboratory level, by the efficient absorption of radioactive labeled mineral ions in vegetables when they are carried by this synthetic organic matter in aqueous solution. Now, its effect has been tested by filtration of radioactively labeled 45Ca2+ and 32PO43− ions from drinking water to blood serum through mice liver and kidneys. The results indicate that the filtration and diffusion of these mineral ions also improved, the same that in vegetables, in the presence of the synthetic carbon amino saccharides highly soluble in water. These results suggest the appropriateness of further research to evaluate their possible use either as a dietary complement or as auxiliaries in the treatment of liver and kidney diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Resulting from impaired collagen turnover, fibrosis is a hallmark of adipose tissue (AT) dysfunction and obesity-associated insulin resistance (IR). Prolidase, also known as peptidase D (PEPD), plays a vital role in collagen turnover by degrading proline-containing dipeptides but its specific functional relevance in AT is unknown. Here we show that in human and mouse obesity, PEPD expression and activity decrease in AT, and PEPD is released into the systemic circulation, which promotes fibrosis and AT IR. Loss of the enzymatic function of PEPD by genetic ablation or pharmacological inhibition causes AT fibrosis in mice. In addition to its intracellular enzymatic role, secreted extracellular PEPD protein enhances macrophage and adipocyte fibro-inflammatory responses via EGFR signalling, thereby promoting AT fibrosis and IR. We further show that decreased prolidase activity is coupled with increased systemic levels of PEPD that act as a pathogenic trigger of AT fibrosis and IR. Thus, PEPD produced by macrophages might serve as a biomarker of AT fibro-inflammation and could represent a therapeutic target for AT fibrosis and obesity-associated IR and type 2 diabetes., (© 2022. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature Limited.)