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Remotely Piloted Aircrafts (RPAs) are commonly used as a platform for collecting images which can be processed with Structure from Motion-Multi View Stereo (SfM-MVS) to generate 3D models. However, mobile applications for mapping planning are not designed for image acquisition of vertical surfaces, such as quarry walls or large cliffs, leaving the user to a manual flight operation, which does not ensure optimal overlap between images. Here we describe a workflow, based on the Litchi App, for automated RPA missions designed to acquire images of vertical surfaces or structures.•An easy-to-follow 8 steps method to survey vertical surfaces using a Remotely Piloted Aircraft.•It can be applied to outcrops, quarry walls, high cliffs and virtually any other type of vertical surface.•The workflow is flexible and can be adapted to a variety of target configurations and user-defined parameters.

As maiores inovações são aquelas que se sutilmente permitem que tecnologias importantes possam ser desenvolvidas. Essas inovações estão tão intrínsecas à vida das pessoas, que é impossível imaginar a sociedade atual sem elas. Para tanto, a Carta de Smith é uma solução elegante utilizada até hoje para realizar o devido casamento de impedâncias. Esta tem um cerne em auxiliar no desenvolvimento tecnológico, uma vez que, pelo seu fácil manuseio, permite que todas as pessoas interessadas possam realizar projetos. Para isso, neste trabalho será apresentada a construção da Carta de Smith no Autocad, expandindo a utilização desta ferramenta. &nbsp

Difficulties in managing the construction design process are strongly related to its nature, as a large number of interdependent decisions are involved, which need to be made by many different stakeholders, in an environment that has a high degree of uncertainty. Moreover, there is a growing use of digital tools to support design. Traditional communication approaches used in design management only partially comply with the requirements of digital contexts, and new methods and tools are necessary to address these challenges. Visual Management (VM) has the potential to increase process transparency in the design stage, in order to support collaboration and communication and facilitate the transfer of information. However, the literature on the implementation of VM to support design management is still scarce. Moreover, there is limited understanding of the connection between VM and information and communication technologies (ICT). This investigation aims to propose a set of requirements to support VM applications for design planning and control within digital contexts, which can potentially contribute to improving the effectiveness of VM. This set of requirements were initially identified within the literature, considering different fields of knowledge, and then refined in an empirical study that was developed in collaboration with an infrastructure design and consultancy company in the UK. The Design Science Research approach was the methodological approach adopted in this investigation, which involved incremental learning cycles for devising the artefact, carried out in three different projects. The main findings include (i) the definition of a set of VM requirements that are applicable to the context investigated in this research study; (ii) an assessment of the relevance of the requirements for different types of visual practices, hierarchical planning levels, and stakeholders that are involved; (iii) the identification of some current limitations and challenges of implementing digital VM in construction design. From a practical perspective, this set of requirements may guide practitioners and academics in devising and assessing digital VM practices.

Despite the enormous efforts made to achieve effective tools that fight against Staphylococcus aureus, the results have not been successful. This failure may be due to the absence of truly representative experimental models. To overcome this deficiency, the present work describes and immunologically characterizes the infection for 28 days, in an experimental low-dose (300 colony-forming units) intradermal model of infection in rabbits, which reproduces the characteristic staphylococcal abscess. Surprisingly, when mutant strains in the genes involved in virulence (JΔagr, JΔcoaΔvwb, JΔhla, and JΔpsmα) were inoculated, no strong effect on the severity of lesions was observed, unlike other models that use high doses of bacteria. The inoculation of a human rabbitized (FdltBr) strain demonstrated its capacity to generate a similar inflammatory response to a wild-type rabbit strain and, therefore, validated this model for conducting these experimental studies with human strains. To conclude, this model proved reproducible and may be an option of choice to check both wild-type and mutant strains of different origins.

O consumo de insetos ou produtos derivados é definido por entomofagia. Os insetos comestíveis são alimentos alternativos que possuem grandes potenciais nutritivos, econômicos e ambientais. Assim, destaca-se a importância de avaliar o conhecimento da população sobre entomofagia, bem como investigar a intenção de consumo de um possível produto alimentar utilizando insetos em sua composição. Este trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar diferentes percepções de brasileiros em relação ao consumo de alimentos à base de insetos, por meio de uma pesquisa exploratória quantitativa composta pela opinião de 950 pessoas de todas as regiões do Brasil a partir de um questionário semiestruturado. Os entrevistados apresentaram-se dispostos a provarem novos tipos de alimentos, mas com restrição àqueles com insetos em sua composição. A farinha de inseto como ingrediente em produtos já comuns na dieta como produtos de panificação (58,6%), chips e salgadinhos (45,1%), além de produtos cárneos (44,2%) foi a melhor forma de inserção de insetos na ingesta. De forma geral, os entrevistados apresentaram parâmetros positivos quanto à percepção e ao consumo de insetos comestíveis ou a produtos que os contenham em sua formulação. O perfil de entrevistados mostra que majoritariamente os homens, pessoas com faixa etária de 18 a 33 anos, com escolaridade em nível de graduação e renda média entre 1 e 3 salários-mínimos estão mais dispostos a consumir alimentos à base de insetos. No entanto, ainda se observa certa relutância ao consumo por parte de alguns dos entrevistados o que mostra que a entomofagia ainda caminha a passos lentos no Brasil.

Estudos apontam que nos próximos anos o número de habitantes na terra chegue no mínimo a 9,8 bilhões, ocorrendo assim um aumento na demanda por alimentos devido ao crescimento da população. Em virtude dessa perspectiva, pesquisadores estão em busca de novas alternativas alimentares. O presente trabalho teve como objetivo tratar do levantamento bibliográfico a respeito do conhecimento da entomofagia, vantagens nutricionais, ambientais e dificuldades de sua inserção na cultura global. A entomofagia ou antropoentomofagia é definida como o consumo de insetos ou produtos que os contenham em sua formulação, essa prática é atualmente tanto bem aceita como rejeitada, dependendo da região do planeta e ela vem crescendo devido à disseminação do conhecimento de que os insetos comestíveis são ricos em nutrientes, como proteínas, gorduras, vitaminas e minerais, além de possuírem uma produção sustentável e de baixo impacto ambiental. Através desse estudo pode-se observar que os insetos possuem características de grande relevância para área de alimentos, uma vez que contém um alto valor nutricional presentes em quantidades satisfatórias. Outro ponto positivo observado, é o seu baixo custo de produção quando comparado a outros animas e sua alta taxa de conversão alimentar o que os tornam aliados do meio ambiente. Entretanto, o consumo desses insetos enfrenta alguns obstáculos que precisam ser melhor estudados, como a resistência do consumo da população por questões culturais e também a escassez de legislações vigentes.

The paramount importance of a healthy diet in the prevention of type 2 diabetes is now well recognized. Blueberries (BBs) have been described as attractive functional fruits for this purpose. This study aimed to elucidate the cellular and molecular mechanisms pertaining to the protective impact of blueberry juice (BJ) on prediabetes. Using a hypercaloric diet-induced prediabetic rat model, we evaluated the effects of BJ on glucose, insulin, and lipid profiles; gut microbiota composition; intestinal barrier integrity; and metabolic endotoxemia, as well as on hepatic metabolic surrogates, including several related to mitochondria bioenergetics. BJ supplementation for 14 weeks counteracted diet-evoked metabolic deregulation, improving glucose tolerance, insulin sensitivity, and hypertriglyceridemia, along with systemic and hepatic antioxidant properties, without a significant impact on the gut microbiota composition and related mechanisms. In addition, BJ treatment effectively alleviated hepatic steatosis and mitochondrial dysfunction observed in the prediabetic animals, as suggested by the amelioration of bioenergetics parameters and key targets of inflammation, insulin signaling, ketogenesis, and fatty acids oxidation. In conclusion, the beneficial metabolic impact of BJ in prediabetes may be mainly explained by the rescue of hepatic mitochondrial bioenergetics. These findings pave the way to support the use of BJ in prediabetes to prevent diabetes and its complications.

Background Purified diets combine refined ingredients that convey a precise nutritional load. At a preclinical level, these formulas are used to dissect the impact of each nutrient on a given phenotype, from excess [e.g. High Fat (HF) diet] to deficiency [e.g. Low Fat (LF) diet; a nutrient-matched control]. Yet, processing strategies deteriorate the health potential of cereal-based diets as reported in a panoply of diseased conditions. Herein, we aim to disclose the impact of refined ingredients in the kidney. Methods Twenty-four male Wistar rats were divided in three groups (n = 8) for 24 weeks: Control group (8.57 Kcal/fat), HF group (45% Kcal/fat) and the LF group (13% Kcal/fat). In vivo glycemic/insulinemic/lipidic profiles were assessed. Renal parameters evaluated were serum/urinary measures of uric acid/albumin/creatinine/glucose. Periodic Acid-Shiff and Gomori’s green trichrome staining were used to gauge kidney histology. Renal KIM-1/NLRP3 relative gene expression (RT-PCR) was also evaluated. Values are means ± S.E.M (ANOVA/post-hoc tests). This work was approved by the ORBEA of iCBR-FMUC (9/2018). Results HF-fed animals displayed a phenotype aligned with a prediabetic condition: glucose intolerance, postprandial hyperinsulinemia, hepatic/renal lipidosis, mild renal dysfunction and initial histological lesions. Surprisingly, LF-fed animals also displayed glucose intolerance and postprandial hyperinsulinemia paralleling an exacerbated renal injury phenotype: LF-fed animals displayed a decrease in creatinine clearance along with glycosuria (P < 0.05). Histological/gene expression markers collectively indicate kidney damage. Conclusions Our findings allude for prominent renal impairments arising from LF feeding. These results claim for a cautious selection of ‘control’ diets when kidney diseases are foreseen.

Background Prediabetic Nephropathy (PreDN) therapeutic arsenal remains scarce. Blueberries (BB) display insulin sensitizing, lipid-lowering, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. Therefore, we aimed to assess the putative benefits arising from BB supplementation in experimental PreDN. Methods BB polyphenol (PP) content was assessed by HPLC/PDA/ESI-MSn. Twenty-four male Wistar rats were divided in three groups (n = 8) for 24 weeks: Control group (Standard chow, Sd), 45% High-Fat (HF) diet-induced PreDN group and BJ-treated group (HF+BJ) [25 g/kg BW per day from week 16 onwards]. Glycemic/insulinemic/lipidic profiles were examined. Renal function was assessed by serum/urinary measures of creatinine, albumin, uric acid and glucose. Kidney histological characterization was performed by Periodic Acid-Shiff and Gomori’s green trichrome staining. Relative gene expression (RT-PCR) was also evaluated (KIM-1, NLRP3). Values are means ± S.E.M (ANOVA/post-hoc tests). This work was approved by the ORBEA of iCBR-FMUC (9/2018). Results HPLC/PDA/ESI-MSn analysis revealed that the main PP’s present in BB are malvidin derivatives, quercetin-O-hexoside and caffeic acid. HF animals displayed increased BW, glucose intolerance, postprandial hyperinsulinemia, elevated circulating LDL-c, hepatic/renal lipidosis, mild impairments in renal function and histological lesions resembling the stages I/II of PreDN. Apart from ameliorating prediabetic glucose intolerance, BJ supplementation elicited hepatic lipid accumulation and increased gene expression of renal inflammasome and KIM-1 without major improvements on renal function and/or histopathology. Conclusions Even though BB was able to ameliorate prediabetic glucose intolerance, the BB dosage employed herein (25 g/kg BW) elicited deleterious effects in the kidney only perceived at a sub-clinical level.

Background and Aims The conventionally used biomarkers for chronic kidney disease (CKD) diagnosis are not very sensitive for early diagnosis. Their values become clinically significant only when kidney damage is advanced, and a substantial filtration capacity has been lost. The reliance on these biomarkers may result in a long-time lapse in diagnosis, compromising the earlier use of successful therapeutic interventions to prevent CKD progression and reduce the risk of other common comorbidities. The study of earlier and more sensitive biomarkers for CKD diagnosis is an important medical need. Potentially new biomarkers reflecting different pathophysiological processes underlying CKD, such as changes in renal function, tubulointerstitial injury, inflammation and fibrosis, have been proposed. The use of a panel of biomarkers is likely to be synergetic in detecting CKD, since there are several different mechanisms by which CKD can initiate. Our aim was to identify markers of renal damage/dysfunction and evaluate their sensitivity for CKD detection, in patients at the earlier stages of the disease, stages 1 and 2. Method This study included 32 healthy controls and 29 CKD patients at stages 1 and 2, categorized according to the KDIGO guidelines, using the CKD-EPI equation based on serum creatinine to estimate the glomerular filtration rate (GFR). Causes of CKD in the studied patients were diabetes mellitus (n = 19), polycystic kidney disease (n = 1) and of unknown cause (n = 7) or other (n = 2). Circulating levels of creatinine and β-trace protein (BTP), as markers of renal function; interleukin 6 (IL-6), as a marker of inflammation; tissue inhibitor metalloproteinase 1 (TIMP 1), as a marker of tubulointerstitial injury; pro B-type natriuretic peptide (proBNP), as a marker of cardio-renal dysfunction; and cell-free DNA (cfDNA), as a marker of cellular damage, were evaluated. Results Compared to controls, we found significantly higher values of all studied markers in CKD patients (stage 1 and stage 2): BTP, TIMP-1, IL-6, pro-BNP, and cfDNA. In CKD patients, GFR was negatively correlated with circulating levels of pro-BNP (r = -0.610, P = 0.004, n = 20) and cfDNA (r = -0.408, P = 0.028, n = 29); and, microalbuminuria was positively correlated with circulating levels of BTP (r = 0.465, P = 0.013, n = 28). The biomarker cfDNA was positively correlated with TIMP-1 (r = 0.445, P = 0.16, n = 29) , a marker of tubulointerstitial injury, and with IL-6 (r = 0.670, P < 0.001, n = 29), a marker of inflammation. All patients presented at least two of the studied biomarkers with higher values than the median value presented by controls. Of all studied biomarkers, BTP was the one that was most altered in patients (86.2% presented higher values than the highest value presented by controls). Conclusion Our results suggest that the studied biomarkers are sensitive to the primary response to renal injury, being significantly elevated in the earlier stages of CKD, particularly BTP. Pro-BNP and cfDNA correlate well with disease severity assessed by GFR. The use of a panel comprising several biomarkers, related with different pathophysiological mechanisms underlying CKD initiation and progression, may increase the potential to detect patients at risk, when compared with the evaluation of each biomarker alone. Further validation for the use of these new potential biomarkers requires larger studies with standardized analytical methodologies. Acknowledgments: This work was supported by Applied Molecular Biosciences Unit (UCIBIO) and financed by FEDER COMPETE2020 funds UIDB/04378/2020 and UIDP/04539/2020 (CIBB); by POCI-01-0145-FEDER-007440; by FCT doctoral grant SFRH/BD/145939/2019; by funds from Portugal Regional Coordination and Development Commissions (Norte-01-0145-FEDER-000024).

Cuprizone (CPZ) is a copper chelator used to produce a reversible oligodendrocytopathy in animals, which has some similarities to the pathology found in human multiple sclerosis (MS). This model is attractive to study remyelination.To demonstrate that a two-week period after cessation of CPZ exposure is sufficient to establish changes compatible with remyelination, without accompanying behavior or brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) disturbances.Two groups of male C57BL/6 mice were fed an oral solution of CPZ (0.2%) for 5 weeks (W5); half of the animals were kept under the vehicle for another 2 weeks (W7). After 5 and 7 weeks, animals were subjected to a battery of behavioural tests and 18 animals to brain MRI. Animals' cerebellar samples were studied for gene expression and/or protein levels of GFAP, myelin proteolipid protein (PLP), TNF-α and IL-1β.No differences were observed between CPZ-exposed and control animals, regarding behavior and MRI, both at W5 and W7. However, myelin PLP levels decreased in CPZ (W5) treated animals, and these changes reverted at W7. GFAP levels varied in the opposite direction.Observed changes validate the use of W5 and W7 temporal moments for the study of demyelination and early remyelination in this model.

3,4-Methylenedioxypyrovalerone (MDPV), a widely available synthetic cathinone, is a popular substitute for classical controlled drugs of abuse, such as methamphetamine (METH). Although MDPV poses public health risks, its neuropharmacological profile remains poorly explored. This study aimed to provide evidence on that direction. Accordingly, C57BL/6J mice were exposed to a binge MDPV or METH regimen (four intraperitoneal injections every 2 h, 10 mg/kg). Locomotor, exploratory, and emotional behavior, in addition to striatal neurotoxicity and glial signature, were assessed within 18–24 h, a known time-window encompassing classical amphetamine dopaminergic neurotoxicity. MDPV resulted in unchanged locomotor activity (open field test) and emotional behavior (elevated plus maze, splash test, tail suspension test). Additionally, striatal TH (METH neurotoxicity hallmark), Iba-1 (microglia), GFAP (astrocyte), RAGE, and TLR2/4/7 (immune modulators) protein densities remained unchanged after MDPV-exposure. Expectedly, and in sheer contrast with MDPV, METH resulted in decrease general locomotor activity paralleled by a significant striatal TH depletion, astrogliosis, and microglia arborization alterations (Sholl analysis). This comparative study newly highlights that binge MDPV-exposure comes without evident behavioral, neurochemical, and glial changes at a time-point where METH-induced striatal neurotoxicity is clearly evident. Nevertheless, neuropharmacological MDPV signature needs further profiling at different time-points, regimens, and brain regions.

Prediabetes, a subclinical impairment between euglycemia and hyperglycemia, is a risk factor for the development of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and associated micro-and macrovascular complications. Lifestyle therapy, the first-line treatment of prediabetes, includes physical exercise and dietary regimens enriched in phytochemicals with health-related properties. Blueberries (Vaccinium spp.), given their pleasant taste and great abundance in beneficial phytochemicals, have gained public interest all over the world. Along with a high antioxidant activity, this functional fruit is also well-recognized due to its hypoglycemic and insulin-sensitizing effects and has been recommended for overt T2DM management. Yet blueberries target several other pathophysiological traits, namely gut microbiota dysbiosis and hepatic dysmetabolism, that ensue when prediabetes begins and for which pharmacological interventions tend to be delayed. In this work, we revisited preclinical data from in vitro assays, animal models and human studies, aiming to disclose the potential mechanisms by which blueberries may be a fruitful source of phytochemicals able to prevent (pre)diabetes progression. Collectively, future efforts should focus on longer-term studies with standardized interventions and readouts, particularly in humans, that will hopefully bring more robust evidence and concrete guidance for blueberries’ effective use in prediabetes. © 2021 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.

Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a pandemic infection caused by a novel coronavirus named severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Patients present a complex clinical picture that, in severe cases, evolves to respiratory, hepatic, gastrointestinal, and neurological complications, and eventually death. The underlying pathophysiological mechanisms are complex and multifactorial and have been summarized as a hyperresponse of the immune system that originates an inflammatory/cytokine storm. In elderly patients, particularly in those with pre-existing cardiovascular, metabolic, renal, and pulmonary disorders, the disease is particularly severe, causing prolonged hospitalization at intensive care units (ICU) and an increased mortality rate. Curiously, the same populations have been described as more prone to a gut microbiota (GM) dysbiosis profile. Intestinal microflora plays a major role in many metabolic and immune functions of the host, including to educate and strengthen the immune system to fight infections, namely of viral origin. Notably, recent studies suggest the existence of GM dysbiosis in COVID-19 patients. This review article highlights the interplay between the triad GM dysbiosis–immune hyperresponse–inflammation in the individual resilience/fragility to SARS-CoV-2 infection and presents the putative impact of pharmacological and nutraceutical approaches on the triumvirate, with focus on GM.

Simple Summary The presence of bacteria resistant to antibiotics, such as Staphylococcus aureus resistant to methicillin (MRSA), is becoming an increasing everyday concern for their implications for human and animal health. This is even more alarming when such bacteria are isolated in wild animals which, in principle, should not come into contact with antibiotics. This work studied 353 rabbits and 10 hares hunted in rabbit high-density areas. Of these, 41.3% carried S. aureus in some sampled locations, of which 63.3% were MRSA. These are surprising results given the unexpected high presence of MRSA in the studied animals. This finding is very worrying because these animals tend to enter the food chain with no veterinary control, which implies a risk for human health. Thus it is necessary to extend this study to other, less-populated areas with other animal species (ruminants, rabbit predators, hunting dogs, etc.) or even water sources to obtain further knowledge about the origin of bacterial resistances in nature. Abstract The appearance of methicillin-resistant strains of Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in several animal species (including rabbits) has set off alarms for their capacity to act as reservoirs for this bacterium. This is especially important in wild animals given its epidemiological implications. The objectives of this study were to identify and characterize S. aureus, specifically MRSA, strains in wild lagomorph high-density areas. Ten hares and 353 wild rabbits from 14 towns with a high rabbit density in the Valencian region (eastern Spanish coast) were sampled. Swabs from the nasal cavity, ears, perineum and lesions (when present) were taken for microbiological studies. The detection of different genes and antibiotic susceptibility studies were also carried out. Of all the animals, 41.3% were positive for S. aureus, of which 63.3% were MRSA. Ears were the anatomical location with more S. aureus and MRSA strains. The more frequently identified MLST type was ST1945 (97.1%, 136/140). The mecA gene was found only in one sample. The rest (n = 139) carried the mecC gene and were included in CC130, except one. Penicillin resistance was detected in 28 mec-negative isolates and, in one case, bacitracin resistance. mecA isolate presented resistance to enrofloxacin and tetracycline, and 10 mecC isolates also showed bacitracin resistance. No MRSA isolate was positive for genes chp, sea, tst and PVL. Two ST1945 isolates contained IEC type E (comprising genes scn and sak). mecA-isolate was positive for blaZ. Of the 28 MSSA strains showing resistance to penicillin, 22 carried the blaZ gene. These surprising results highlight the marked presence of MRSA strains in wild rabbits in high-density areas.

Background and Aims Blueberries (BB), due to their enriched content in polyphenolics and in other compounds with potential cytoprotective properties, have been associated with beneficial effects in distinct cardiometabolic conditions. The goal of this study was to evaluate the metabolic and renal effects of long-term blueberry juice (BJ) treatment in a rat model of prediabetes induced by a hypercaloric diet. Method Prediabetes was developed in adult male Wistar rats through the ingestion of high-sucrose (35% HSu) and high-fat (60% HF) diets during 23 wks (HSuHF animals, n=16). After 9 weeks, half of the former rats received BJ orally (25g/kg BW, HSuHF+BJ group). Control animals (n=8) received standard diet during the entire protocol. Glycemic, lipidic and insulinemic profiles were evaluated throughout the protocol, as well as gut microbiota composition, gut barrier permeability, endotoxemia (LPS) and inflammation (hs-CRP). Renal function was assessed by using serum and urinary measures of creatinine, uric acid and blood urea nitrogen and calculating the glomerular filtration rate (GFR). Histological characterization of the kidney was performed by H&E and lipid deposition by Oil Red O staining and quantification of triglycerides. Serum and renal tissue inflammatory markers were evaluated by Elisa (hs-CRP) and by RT-qPCR and/or WB (IL-6, TNF-α, iNOS, MMP2, TLR-4 and RAGE). The study was approved by the local animal welfare body (Ref: 9-2018). Values are presented as means ± S.E.M. and possible differences evaluated by ANOVA/post-hoc tests. Results While no major changes between groups were found for gut microbiota, gut barrier and endotoxemia/inflammation, BJ treatment was able to ameliorate hypercaloric diet-induced glucose intolerance, insulin insensitivity and plasma hypertriglyceridemia. In addition, in the HSuHF+BJ rats there was a trend to alleviate the reduction of GFR found in the HSuHF animals, as well as some early glomerular lesions, including mesangial expansion and basal membrane thickening. However, this nutraceutical intervention was unable to halt or slow down glomerular crescent-like lesions, renal lipidosis and the overexpression of renal IL-6 found in the HSuHF-treated animals. Conclusion Despite the metabolic improvement viewed by the amelioration of glucose intolerance, insulin insensitivity and hypertriglyceridemia, in this rat model of prediabetes a nutraceutical intervention with BJ presented very modest renoprotective effects. Acknowledgements: FEDER, COMPETE and FCT (CENTRO-01-0145-FEDER-000012-HealthyAging2020, UID/NEU/04539/2013, UID/NEU/04539/2019, POCI-01-0145-FEDER-007440, POCI-01-0145-FEDER-031712, PTDC/SAU-NUT/31712/2017 and SFRH/BD/109017/2015), as well as COAPE and MIRTILUSA.

Background and Aims The identification of early kidney injury biomarkers is of utmost importance, since most widely used markers of kidney function vary only after several biological changes. Biomarkers allowing an earlier diagnosis of chronic kidney disease (CKD) would avoid delays in the treatment of patients. It is unlikely that a single marker is sufficient to detect the onset of CKD considering the multiple pathophysiological changes underlying primary renal response to renal injury. Several markers of inflammation, endothelial (dys)function, glomerular and tubulointerstitial injuries have been proposed and could be used combined as a panel of markers with different specificities, allowing an early detection of renal injury. Our aim was to study a panel of biomarkers proposed as early markers of renal injury, with different specificities, to evaluate and compare their sensitivities at different CKD stages. Method In this preliminary study, we enrolled 22 healthy individuals and 27 CKD patients separated into 3 groups, according to the CKD stage: 9 in stages 1 and 2; 9 in stage 3, and 9 in stages 4 and 5. None of the patients presented inflammatory, infectious or neoplastic diseases. Diagnosis and CKD stage assignment were performed according to KDIGO guidelines. We evaluated circulating levels of cystatin C (CystC), creatinine (Cr), beta trace protein (BTP) as markers of renal function; tissue inhibitor metalloproteinase 1 (TIMP-1), neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) and transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) as markers of interstitial tubulointerstitial injury; asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) and tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA), as markers of endothelial (dys)function; pentraxin 3 (PTX3), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), as markers of inflammation; and, pro B-type natriuretic peptides (proBNP), as a marker of cardiac (dys)function. Results In early stages of CKD (1 and 2), we found significant changes in markers of renal function (BTP, but not Cr and CystC), of tubular interstitial injury (TIMP-1 and TGF-β), of inflammation (TNF-α), of endothelial (ADMA) and cardiac (proBNP) dysfunction (vs. controls). In stage 3, we found significant changes (vs. stages 1-2) in markers of renal function (Cr and CystC), inflammation (TNF-α, IL-6), endothelial dysfunction (t-PA) and tubulointerstitial injury (TIMP-1); in stages 4-5 (vs. stage 3), we found significant changes only in the classic marker, Cr, and a trend towards increased CystC. Moreover, we found that at stages 1-2 all patients showed higher levels of BTP and proBNP when compared to the median value in the control group; TIMP-1 and ADMA were increased in 7/9 patients; TNF-α was increased in 7/9 patients; and 7/9 patients had lower values of TGF-β compared to the median value of controls. For the classical markers, Cr and CystC, we found that 5/9 and 4/9 patients, respectively, had lower values than the median value of controls; however, only 2/9 patients showed abnormal creatinine values (vs. reference values). Conclusion Our data suggest that a panel including classic (Cr and CystC) and more sensitive blood markers of the primary response to renal injury (BTP, TIMP-1 or TGF-β, ADMA, TNF-α and proBNP) would allow an earlier diagnosis of CKD, avoiding a delay in diagnosis and management of CKD patients.

Background and Aims Dyslipidemia is common in chronic kidney disease (CKD) and cardiovascular disease (CVD)-related events are the main causes of death in end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients on dialysis. Concerning lipid management, clinical practice emphasized treatment escalation to achieve specific low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDLc) targets, which implies repeated LDLc evaluations, and enhancement of statin doses or combination of lipid-lowering therapies. However, the LDLc target is not consensual, with some entities suggesting 100 mg/dl and others a more conservative level. It has been hypothesized that lipoprotein’s quality (size, composition and functionality) may be more important than their total circulating levels, as CVD risk factor. Our aim was to evaluate and compare, in ESRD patients on dialysis and under statins treatment, the levels of lipoprotein fractions and subfractions and inflammatory markers, between patients who achieved LDLc levels < 100 mg/dl and those who did not achieve that target. Method We studied 110 ESRD patients on dialysis (high-flux hemodialysis or hemodiafiltration) and under statin therapy; 87 presented a LDLc < 100 mg/dl (group 1) and 23 a value > 100 mg/dl (group 2); levels of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP), interleukin(IL)-6, lipid profile including lipoprotein fractions/subfractions, and oxidized LDL (oxLDL) were evaluated. Results Group 1, as compared to group 2, presented lower values of total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides, oxLDL, TC/high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDLc) and LDLc/HDLc ratios. Concerning lipoprotein fractions/subfractions, group 1 presented significantly higher larger and intermediate LDL, and a trend towards lower small LDL (P=0.063), higher large HDL (P=0.069) and lower small HDL (P=0.080); no significant alterations were found for very-low-density lipoprotein and intermediate-density lipoprotein. Regarding inflammatory markers, no significant differences were observed between the 2 groups. Conclusion Patients who achieved the LDLc < 100 mg/dl target presented a better non-conventional lipid profile, including lower oxLDL levels and an increase in larger (less atherogenic) LDL subfractions. According to our data, a lower LDLc level associates with a better lipid profile; the benefits of this improvement on HDL fractions and CVD-related events in ESRD patients on dialysis needs to be better clarified.

Introduction Benefits arising from blueberry (BB) consumption are well-described in type 2 diabetes evolution and inherent complications. Lending further support to this thesis, previous work from our group unequivocally demonstrates BB supplementation efficacy to manage prediabetic hepatic liver steatosis. Whether a similar effect also holds truth in early renal impairment is an unsolved issue. Objectives To address blueberry juice (BJ) ability to exert renoprotective effects in experimental prediabetes. Methodology Diet-induced prediabetes [high-sucrose (35% Hsu) and high-fat (60% HF)] was developed in adult male Wistar rats through the ingestion of HSu for 9 weeks supplemented by HF for another 14 weeks (HSuHF, n = 16). On W9, half of the former animals orally received BJ (25g/kg BW, HSuHF+BJ). Control animals (n = 8) received standard diet during the entire protocol. Functional [serum and urinary creatinine, uric acid, glucose; glomerular filtration rate (GFR)], structural [H&E and Oil Red O staining] and molecular [triglycerides content and inflammation (RT-qPCR, WB)] markers of renal injury were assessed along with metabolic profile. Results Even though diet-induced glucose intolerance, insulin insensitivity and plasmatic hypertriglyceridemia were significantly ameliorated upon BJ treatment, this nutraceutical intervention was unable to halt or slow down renal lipidosis and glomerular crescent-like lesions apart from a slight amelioration of both GFR and IL-6 levels in HSuHF-treated rats. Conclusion Unlike previous results clearly demonstrating the ability of BJ nutraceutical intervention to afford protection against metabolic impairment and hepatic steatosis evolution in experimentally diet-induced prediabetes, only a modest renoprotective effect was observed in functional and morphological renal endpoints. Future studies are warranted to dissect the divergent effects of BJ on early liver and kidney impairment.

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) events are the main causes of death in end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients on dialysis. The number and severity of CVD events remain inappropriate and difficult to explain by considering only the classic CVD risk factors. Our aim was to clarify the changes and the relationship of lipoprotein subfractions with other CVD risk factors, namely, body mass index (BMI) and adipokines, inflammation and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) oxidation, and the burden of the most prevalent comorbidities, diabetes mellitus (DM) and hypertension (HT). We studied 194 ESRD patients on dialysis and 22 controls; lipid profile, including lipoprotein subpopulations and oxidized LDL (oxLDL), C-reactive protein (CRP), adiponectin, leptin, and paraoxonase 1 activity were evaluated. Compared to controls, patients presented significantly lower levels of cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDLc), LDLc, oxLDL, and intermediate and small HDL and higher triglycerides, CRP, adiponectin, large HDL, very-low-density lipoprotein (VLDL), and intermediate-density lipoprotein- (IDL) B. Adiponectin levels correlated positively with large HDL and negatively with intermediate and small HDL, oxLDL/LDLc, and BMI; patients with DM (n=17) and with DM+HT (n=70), as compared to patients without DM or HT (n=69) or only with HT (n=38), presented significantly higher oxLDL, oxLDL/LDLc, and leptin and lower adiponectin. Obese patients (n=45), as compared to normoponderal patients (n=81), showed lower HDLc, adiponectin, and large HDL and significantly higher leptin, VLDL, and intermediate and small HDL. In ESRD, the higher adiponectin seems to favor atheroprotective HDL modifications and protect LDL particles from oxidative atherogenic changes. However, in diabetic and obese patients, adiponectin presents the lowest values, oxLDL/LDLc present the highest ones, and the HDL profile is the more atherogenic. Our data suggest that the coexistence of DM and adiposity in ESRD patients on dialysis contributes to a higher CVD risk, as showed by their lipid and adipokine profiles.

Objectives Weight loss achieved by laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (LAGB) induces an increase in high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDLc) but a small effect on low-density lipoprotein (LDL), although changes in their quality (size and composition) are uncertain. Our aim was to study the impact of weight loss, achieved 13-months after LAGB, on inflammation and dyslipidemia , focusing on HDL and LDL subfractions, and oxidized LDL (oxLDL). Design & methods We evaluated standard lipid profile , HDL and LDL subfractions, oxLDL, interleukin (IL)-6 and C-reactive protein (CRP), in twenty obese patients, before (T0) and 13-months after LAGB (T1), and in seventeen healthy controls. Results At T1, patients showed lower body weight (12% median weight loss) and anthropometric indices ; reduction in TG, atherogenic indices, oxLDL, oxLDL/LDL ratio, CRP and IL-6, and enhancement in HDLc; an increase in large HDL and intermediate HDL subfractions, and a decrease in small HDL subfraction; LDL subfractions were not modified. Percentual change (%Δ) of oxLDL, from T0 to T1, correlated significantly and positively with %Δ of small HDL subfraction and with %Δ of body mass index . Conclusions Weight loss induced atheroprotective changes on inflammation, and lipid profile, enhancing larger HDL, the more atheroprotective subfraction, reducing the less protective subclass, small HDL, and reducing oxLDL and oxLDL/LDL ratio. Quality of lipoproteins appears useful cardiovascular risk biomarkers, deserving further studies.

Summary Objectives The purpose of this study was to investigate the redox status in professional football players during a championship period consisting of two games interspersed with low-intensity training. Methods The collection of blood and saliva began at the start of a championship tournament that followed a week without any strenuous activity after a full season of games. Six collections were performed: (1) basal; (2) post-game one (day 2); (3) 48 h post-game-one (day 4); (4) post-game two (day 6); (5) 24 h post-game two (day 7); and (6) 48 h post-game two (day 8). Results Damage to liver was suggested by increased levels of γ-glutamyl transferase (∼47%; P Conclusion The results show a significant increase in oxidative stress during a week of professional activity spanning 2 games in professional football players suggesting that the conventional recovery period between games is not sufficient to prevent muscle and liver cells damage.

[EN] Households present a significant contribution in the national energy consumption, and photovoltaics (PV) has become an economically feasible technology that can play an important role to lower this consumption and the associated emissions. Nevertheless, there is still a gap between too in-depth technical models for detailed studies and what urban energy planners need, which are simpler, yet reliable techno-economical tools to select which roofs of city buildings are the best candidates for PV production. In order to face this gap, a multiple linear regression (MLR) model has been developed to determine the economic payback using dimensionless parameters. The methodology has been adopted in the city of Valencia (Spain) for a large sample of multi-storey buildings, which are the most common typology. The approach has a high replicability since it can be applied for different countries. The MLR model provides a payback root mean squared error (RMSE) of 0.48 years in comparison with a complex techno-economic model which was previously developed and validated with the software System Advisor Model (SAM). The variables which have a bigger weight in the payback are the shadow losses and the power unit cost due to the economy of scale. With the current Spanish regulation, PV installations on multi-storey buildings can reach paybacks of around 7-15 years and the best option is to have large economies of scales together with a low energy surplus., This study was developed owing to the support provided by the Chair of Urban Energy Transition of the Universitat Politecnica de Valencia and the foundation Las Naves. Additionally, this work was supported by The Energy Office of Valencia and the Statistics Office of the Valencia City Council, who collaborated by providing the data of the PV facility for the validation and their recommendations on the statistical analysis.

Diet is a critical element determining human health and diseases, and unbalanced food habits are major risk factors for the development of obesity and related metabolic disorders. Despite technological and pharmacological advances, as well as intensification of awareness campaigns, the prevalence of metabolic disorders worldwide is still increasing. Thus, novel therapeutic approaches with increased efficacy are urgently required, which often depends on cellular and molecular investigations using robust animal models. In the absence of perfect rodent models, those induced by excessive consumption of fat and sugars better replicate the key aspects that are the root causes of human metabolic diseases. However, the results obtained using these models cannot be directly compared, particularly because of the use of different dietary protocols, and animal species and strains, among other confounding factors. This review article revisits diet-induced models of obesity and related metabolic disorders, namely, metabolic syndrome, prediabetes, diabetes and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. A critical analysis focused on the main pathophysiological features of rodent models, as opposed to the criteria defined for humans, is provided as a practical guide with a translational perspective for the establishment of animal models of obesity-related metabolic diseases.

Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is a major microvascular complication of diabetes. Obesity and hyperlipidemia, fueled by unhealthy food habits, are risk factors to glomerular filtration rate (GFR) decline and DN progression. Several studies recommend that diabetic patients should be screened early (in prediabetes) for kidney disease, in order to prevent advanced stages, for whom the current interventions are clearly inefficient. This ambition greatly depends on the existence of accurate early biomarkers and novel molecular targets, which only may arise with a more thorough knowledge of disease pathophysiology. We used a rat model of prediabetes induced by 23 weeks of high-sugar/high-fat (HSuHF) diet to characterize the phenotype of early renal dysfunction and injury. When compared with the control animals, HSuHF-treated rats displayed a metabolic phenotype compatible with obese prediabetes, displaying impaired glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity, along with hypertriglyceridemia, and lipid peroxidation. Despite unchanged creatinine levels, the prediabetic animals presented glomerular crescent-like lesions, accompanied by increased kidney Oil-Red-O staining, triglycerides content and mRNA expression of IL-6 and iNOS. This model of HSuHF-induced prediabetes can be a useful tool to study early features of DN, namely crescent-like lesions, an early signature that deserves in-depth elucidation. This work was supported by the European Regional Development Fund (FEDER), through Programa Operacional Factores de Competitividade COMPETE2020 (CENTRO-01-0145-FEDER-000012-HealthyAging2020) and by National funds via Portuguese Science and Technology Foundation (FCT): Strategic Projects UID/NEU/04539/2013, UID/NEU/04539/2019, UIDB/04539/2020 and UIDP/04539/2020 (CIBB), SFRH/BD/109017/2015 (PhD Fellowship) and PTDC/SAU-NUT/31712/2017, as well as by COMPETE-FEDER funds (POCI-01-0145-FEDER-007440 and POCI-01-0145-FEDER-031712).