Search

Background/Objectives: The diet quality of younger individuals is decreasing globally, with alarming trends also in the Mediterranean region. The aim of this study was to assess diet quality and adequacy in relation to country-specific dietary recommendations for children and adolescents living in the Mediterranean area. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted of 2011 parents of the target population participating in the DELICIOUS EU-PRIMA project. Dietary data and cross-references with food-based recommendations and the application of the youth healthy eating index (YHEI) was assessed through 24 h recalls and food frequency questionnaires. Results: Adherence to recommendations on plant-based foods was low (less than ∼20%), including fruit and vegetables adequacy in all countries, legume adequacy in all countries except for Italy, and cereal adequacy in all countries except for Portugal. For animal products and dietary fats, the adequacy in relation to the national food-based dietary recommendations was slightly better (∼40% on average) in most countries, although the Eastern countries reported worse rates. Higher scores on the YHEI predicted adequacy in relation to vegetables (except Egypt), fruit (except Lebanon), cereals (except Spain), and legumes (except Spain) in most countries. Younger children (p < 0.005) reporting having 8–10 h adequate sleep duration (p < 0.001), <2 h/day screen time (p < 0.001), and a medium/high physical activity level (p < 0.001) displayed a better diet quality. Moreover, older respondents (p < 0.001) with a medium/high educational level (p = 0.001) and living with a partner (p = 0.003) reported that their children had a better diet quality. Conclusions: Plant-based food groups, including fruit, vegetables, legumes, and even (whole-grain) cereals are underrepresented in the diets of Mediterranean children and adolescents. Moreover, the adequate consumption of other important dietary components, such as milk and dairy products, is rather disregarded, leading to substantially suboptimal diets and poor adequacy in relation to dietary guidelines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: A growing body of literature classifies autism spectrum disorder (ASD) as a heterogeneous, complex neurodevelopmental disorder that often is identified prior to three years of age. We aim to provide a narrative review of key structural and functional properties that differentiate the neuroimaging profile of autistic youth from their typically developing (TD) peers across different neuroimaging modalities. Methods: Relevant studies were identified by searching for key terms in PubMed, with the most recent search conducted on September 1, 2023. Original research papers were included if they applied at least one of seven neuroimaging modalities (structural MRI, functional MRI, DTI, MRS, fNIRS, MEG, EEG) to compare autistic children or those with a family history of ASD to TD youth or those without ASD family history; included only participants <18 years; and were published from 2013 to 2023. Results: In total, 172 papers were considered for qualitative synthesis. When comparing ASD to TD groups, structural MRI-based papers (n = 26) indicated larger subcortical gray matter volume in ASD groups. DTI-based papers (n = 14) reported higher mean and radial diffusivity in ASD participants. Functional MRIbased papers (n = 41) reported a substantial number of between-network functional connectivity findings in both directions. MRS-based papers (n = 19) demonstrated higher metabolite markers of excitatory neurotransmission and lower inhibitory markers in ASD groups. fNIRS-based papers (n = 20) reported lower oxygenated hemoglobin signals in ASD. Converging findings in MEG- (n = 20) and EEG-based (n = 32) papers indicated lower event-related potential and field amplitudes in ASD groups. Findings in the anterior cingulate cortex, insula, prefrontal cortex, amygdala, thalamus, cerebellum, corpus callosum, and default mode network appeared numerous times across modalities and provided opportunities for multimodal qualitative analysis. Conclusions: Comparing across neuroimaging modalities, we found significant differences between the ASD and TD neuroimaging profile in addition to substantial heterogeneity. Inconsistent results are frequently seen within imaging modalities, comparable study populations and research designs. Still, converging patterns across imaging modalities support various existing theories on ASD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a neurodegenerative disease that presents with both motor and non-motor symptoms, with anxiety and depression being prominent and potentially exacerbated by negative thoughts. Therefore, the experiential avoidance (EA) exhibited by patients post diagnosis is particularly relevant. This study aimed to measure the degree of EA in patients with MS and determine its relationship with emotional disturbances. A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted using a sample of 64 patients diagnosed with MS. In October 2018, these patients underwent evaluations of functional and cognitive variables, such as anxiety, depression, and avoidant behaviors towards the disease, using the Expanded Disability Status Scale, Acceptance and Action Questionnaire-II, Self-Compassion Scale Short Form, Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire-15, prefrontal symptoms inventory, Beck Depression Inventory II, and State-Trait Anxiety Inventory to assess coping mechanisms in handling the disease. Higher levels of state anxiety (β = 0.79; p < 0.001), trait anxiety (β = 0.82; p < 0.001), and depression (β = 0.62; p < 0.001) were observed in patients with MS as their EA and psychological inflexibility increased. Participants with high self-compassion/self-acceptance tended to have fewer negative thoughts and exhibited better coping with the disease, which may, in turn, affect patterns of psychological rigidity or inflexibility. Dimensions such as kindness and humility could act as positive factors in coping with the disease, whereas self-judgment and isolation are negative elements often associated with avoidant behaviors that hinder effective coping with the illness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We have previously observed that mice exposed to social defeat stress are more sensitive to cocaine in the conditioned place preference (CPP) paradigm. In this context, it has been suggested that the nitric oxide (NO) pathway plays a role in the effects of stress. The present study evaluates the role of a neuronal NO synthase (nNOS) inhibitor (7-nitroindazole, 7-NI) in the short- and long-term behavioural effects of intermittent social defeat (ISD). Four groups of mice were employed for the study: a control group and three stressed groups, one treated with vehicle and two treated with 7-NI (7.25 or 12.5 mg/kg). After the last episode of defeat, mice were tested in the elevated plus maze (EPM), social interaction, object recognition and tail suspension tests. Three weeks later, mice were conditioned with cocaine (1 mg/kg). Stressed mice, irrespective of the treatment received, showed anxiety in the EPM, presented a deficit of social interaction and spent less time immobile in the tail suspension test. However, only stressed mice treated with vehicle developed CPP. Thus, although 7-NI did not modify the short-term behavioural effects of ISD, it prevented ISD-induced potentiation of the rewarding properties of cocaine in adulthood. These results support a specific role of nNOS in the effects of social stress on drug reward. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Certain genetic changes, called driver mutations, can affect how uveal melanoma progresses and spreads. We reviewed and combined data from 13 studies to better understand these effects. A mutation in the BAP1 gene significantly increases the risk of metastatic disease. Other mutations in GNAQ, GNA11, or SF3B1 did not show a similar risk. The prognosis of uveal melanoma is significantly influenced by the risk of metastasis, which varies according to clinical and genetic features. Driver mutations can predict the likelihood of disease progression and survival, although the data in the literature are inconsistent. This meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the prognostic significance of driver mutations, including GNAQ, GNA11, BAP1, and SF3B1, in the advancement of uveal melanoma. A comprehensive search of databases yielded relevant studies, and data from 13 studies (848 eyes) were synthesized to assess the impact of these mutations on metastasis-free survival. The BAP1 mutation and negative immunohistochemistry were associated with a higher risk of metastasis (logHR = 1.44, 95% CI 1.05–1.83). GNAQ, GNA11, and SF3B1 mutations did not show a significant increase in risk. In summary, BAP1 has proven to reliably predict the likelihood of disease progression in uveal melanoma, while further studies are needed to establish the significance of other driver mutations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Exosomes are cell-derived extracellular vesicles (EVs) with diameters between 30 and 120 nm. In recent years, several studies have evaluated the therapeutic potential of exosomes derived from different fluids due to their low immunogenicity and high biocompatibility. However, producing exosomes on a large scale is still challenging. One of the fluids from which they could be isolated in large quantities is milk. Moreover, regeneration is a well-known property of milk. The present work seeks to optimize a method for isolating exosomes from bovine and human milk, comparing different storage conditions and different extraction protocols. We found differences in the yield extraction associated with pre-storage milk conditions and observed some differences according to the processing agent. When we removed milk fat globules and added rennet before freezing, we obtained a cleaner final fraction. In summary, we attempted to optimize a rennet-based new milk–exosome isolation method and concluded that pre-treatment, followed by freezing of samples, yielded the best exosome population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

No previous study has evaluated the effectiveness of routine physical therapy with and without neural mobilization for patients with chronic musculoskeletal neck disorders and cervical radiculopathy. The objective is to evaluate the effectiveness of routine physical therapy with and without neural mobilization on pain and mobility in patients with chronic musculoskeletal neck disorders and cervical radiculopathy. A systematic review with meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials involving the use of neural mobilization techniques for the treatment of chronic musculoskeletal neck disorders and cervical radiculopathy was conducted. Methodological quality was assessed by the Cochrane Risk of Bias Tool and PEDro scale. Data were pooled and a meta-analysis was performed using a random effects model with Review Manager 5 software. Seven articles were included in our review. Significant differences were found in mobility but not in pain in favor of using routine physical therapy with neural mobilization for the treatment of chronic musculoskeletal neck disorders and cervical radiculopathy. Our results show that routine physical therapy accompanied by neural mobilization is superior for improving mobility in comparison with routine physical therapy alone in patients with musculoskeletal neck disorders and cervical radiculopathy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]