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Background/Objectives: Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Fatty Liver Disease (MAFLD) increases the risk of Type-2 Diabetes (T2DM). The Mediterranean diet (MD) has shown advantages in the management of MAFLD and preventing co-morbidities; however, its relationship with T2DM development in MAFLD has been less investigated. We aimed to evaluate the association of MD adherence with the risk of incident T2DM in the Spanish adult population with MAFLD and according to their weight gain at 7.5 years follow-up. Methods: A cohort of 714 participants (without weight increment: 377; with weight increment: 337) from the Di@bet.es cohort study with MAFLD and without T2DM at baseline were investigated. Anthropometric, sociodemographic, clinical data, and a survey on habits were recorded. OGTT and fasting blood biochemistry determinations were made. Baseline adherence to MD was estimated by the adapted 14-point MEDAS questionnaire and categorized as high and low adherence. Results: In total, 98 people developed T2DM at follow-up. The high adherence to MD was inversely associated with the development of T2DM in both the overall population (0.52 [0.31–0.87]) and subjects without weight gain at follow-up (0.35 [0.16–0.78]). Conclusions: Our results suggest the protective effect of high adherence to MD regarding the risk of T2DM in subjects with MAFLD, with this health benefit being more evident in men with the absence of weight gain. These results support the recommendations for MD use in these patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article from Nutrition Hospitalaria in 2024 focuses on the relationship between the quality of macronutrients and the risk of disease. A study conducted in the SUN cohort in Navarra highlights the importance of macronutrient quality in the diet to prevent obesity and overweight. The "Macronutrient Quality Index" (MQI) is used to evaluate the quality of carbohydrates, fats, and proteins in the diet, showing associations with cardiovascular risk factors and events. Dietary patterns are essential for understanding metabolic diseases in populations. [Extracted from the article]

Objective: This study aimed to analyze the potential association of different microRNA (miRNA) molecules with both type 2 diabetes (T2D) and obesity and determine their target genes.Methods: Quantitative PCR was used to analyze the miR-20b, miR-296, and Let-7f levels in human visceral and subcutaneous adipose tissues (ATs) in relation to obesity and T2D, miRTarBase 4.0 was used for validation of target genes, and the Protein Analysis Through Evolutionary Relationships (PANTHER) Classification System and the Database for Annotation, Visualization and Integrated Discovery (DAVID) were used to annotate the biological processes of the predicted targets.Results: In AT, miR-20b, miR-296, and Let-7f levels were significantly different between normoglycemic subjects and those with T2D. In visceral adipose tissue, miRNA levels were higher in normoglycemic/obesity samples than in T2D/obesity samples. miR-20b-miR-296 and Let-7f target genes that showed significant differences in both ATs in relation to obesity and T2D were CDKN1A, CX3CL1, HIF1A, PPP2R1B, STAT3, and VEGFA. These genes are known to be principally involved in the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and WNT pathways.Conclusions: This study provides experimental evidence of the possible correlation between AT miR-20b-miR-296-Let-7f with obesity and T2D, which might involve vascular endothelial growth factor and WNT-dependent pathways that are regulated by six different genes, suggesting a novel signaling pathway that could be important for understanding the mechanisms underlying the AT dysfunction associated with obesity and T2D. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Background: systemic inflammation and oxidative stress are important factors in the pathogenesis of bronchiectasis. Pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) is recommended for bronchiectasis, but there is no data about its effect on the inflammatory and REDOX status of these patients. Aims: to investigate the effect of PR in non-cystic-fibrosis bronchiectasis (NCFB) patients, and to compare it with the effect of PR plus a hyperproteic oral nutritional supplement (PRS) enriched with beta-hydroxy-beta-methylbutyrate (HMB) on serum inflammatory and oxidative biomarkers. Materials and methods: this was an open randomized, controlled trial. Thirty individuals (65 years old or younger with a body mass index over 18.5, older than 65 years with a body mass index over 20) were recruited from September 2013 to September 2014, and randomly assigned to receive PR or PRS. Total neutrophils, and inflammatory and oxidative biomarker levels were measured at baseline, and then at 3 and 6 months. Results: in the PRS group neutrophil levels were decreased from baseline at 6 months. A significantly different fold change was found between the PR and PRS groups. In the PR group, IL-6 and adiponectin were increased by the end of the study while TNFα levels were decreased from baseline at 6 months. REDOX biomarkers remained stable throughout the study except for 8-isoprostane levels, which were increased from baseline at 6 months in both groups of patients. Conclusions: a PR program induced a pro-oxidative effect accompanied by changes in circulating inflammatory cytokine levels in NCFB patients. Our results would also suggest a possible beneficial effect of the HMB enriched supplement on neutrophil level regulation in these patients. The information provided in this study could be useful for choosing the right therapeutic approach in the management of bronchiectasis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bioinformatics is of great importance in current medicine, as it allows scientists to develop computer tools and computational methodologies to handle and analyze large amounts of biological data. During the COVID-19 pandemic, bioinformatics tools were fundamental in understanding the biological processes and molecular mechanisms of the disease, accelerating the search for vaccines and treatments. Additionally, bioinformatics has been key in the study of human genetics and the development of more effective and personalized treatments for each patient. Currently, bioinformatics is essential for integrating and interpreting data generated by different "omics" disciplines in the field of medicine. Bioinformatics has been fundamental in medical research by deciphering the function of proteins, generating structural models, and interaction networks between proteins. This has allowed for the understanding of the molecular mechanisms of various diseases and facilitated the diagnosis and development of new treatments. Furthermore, the use of algorithms and mathematical models based on artificial intelligence and machine learning has allowed for the extraction of knowledge from biomedical data and its application to problem-solving. Bioinformatics is indispensable in medical research and practice, and trained professionals in this field are required to harness its translational potential. [Extracted from the article]

Discordances exist in epidemiological studies regarding the association between the intake of nutrients and death and disease. We evaluated the social and health profile of persons who consumed olive oil in a prospective population cohort investigation (Pizarra study) with a 6-year follow-up. A food frequency questionnaire and a 7 d quantitative questionnaire were administered to 538 persons. The type of oil used in food preparation was determined by direct measurement of the fatty acids in samples obtained from the kitchens of the participants at baseline and after follow-up for 6 years. The fatty acid composition of the serum phospholipids was used as an endogenous marker of the type of oil consumed. Total fat intake accounted for a mean 40 % of the energy (at baseline and after follow-up). The concordance in intake of MUFA over the study period was high. The fatty acid composition of the serum phospholipids was significantly associated with the type of oil consumed and with fish intake. The concentration of polar compounds and polymers, indicative of degradation, was greater in oils from the kitchens where sunflower oil or refined olive oil was used, in oils used for deep frying and in oils that had been reused for frying five times or more. Consumption of olive oil was directly associated with educational level. Part of the discordance found in epidemiological studies between diet and health may be due to the handling of oils during food preparation. The intake of olive oil is associated with other healthy habits.