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It is hypothesized that novel neuropeptides such as phoenixin (PNX), spexin (SPX), and kisspeptin (KISS) are involved in the pathogenesis of eating disorders. The study presented here analyzed neuropeptide concentrations during the course of anorexia nervosa (AN) and aimed to correlate those values with anthropometric and psychometric measurements. A longitudinal study was carried outin 30 AN adolescent patients and 15 age-matched healthy female controls. Selected neuroprotein serum levels were analyzed in malnourished patients (accAN) and following partial weight recovery (norAN), and these values were compared with the control group. In accAN patients, decreased serum PNX levels were detected while SPX serum concentrations were lower in the accAN and norAN patients. No differences were observed in KISS concentrations in all studied groups. In malnourished adolescent inpatients with AN, serum PNX and SPX level were decreased. The partial weight recovery normalized PNX concentrations but failed to normalize SPX levels. Therefore these two neuropeptides might be crucial for the etiology and course of the AN. The KISS levels did not change in the course of AN. The PNX levels were associated with some symptoms of eating disorders which may indicate its potential contribution in the regulation of emotions and behaviors in AN. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Obesity in children is becoming a global epidemic. Health and emotional consequences can threaten life and health both during childhood and adulthood. In this study, we aimed to assess the coexistence of overweight and obesity, binge eating disorder and detrimental attitudes toward nutrition among school-age children. We also aimed to determine the usefulness of the Children's Binge Eating Disorder Scale (C-BEDS) as a screening tool. We examined a group of over 550 healthy children aged 6–12. In all, 15% were overweight, and 6% were obese. A total of 12% of the children presented an increased risk of eating disorders. The examined group of children significantly differed in the number of positive C-BEDS responses compared with the authors of the test. Test reliability as measured by the Cronbach's alpha coefficient was.008. Preliminary results indicate that the problem of excessive body weight affects every fifth child, consistent with previous reports. The C-BEDS used in this study did not permit the identification of children, neither with the risk of Binge Eating Disorder (BED) nor subthreshold BED. This may be due to the relatively low internal consistency of the questions contained in the scale. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Eating disorders (ED) constitute the third most common group of chronic diseases among people aged 14-19 years after asthma and obesity, and one of their forms is binge eating disorder (BED). The purpose of the present review was to summarize new research findings on BED and overview the epidemiology, characteristics, criteria, etiopathogenesis, and treatment. Etiopathogenesis of BED is still poorly understood, and the current state of knowledge leads to the conclusion that the pathomechanism of the development and persistence of the symptoms of that disorder is very complicated - factors influencing these symptoms have a genetic, neurobiological, biochemical, cognitive, and emotional background. Treatment targeted at selected pathogenetic mechanisms - i.a., disturbance in the corticostriatal circuit, neurohormonal dysregulation or incorrect regulation of emotions - may be of help for people with binge eating disorder. Often comorbid mental, e.g., mood, anxiety and personality disorders, psychoactive substance abuse, suicidal ideation and suicide attempts, and somatic problems are particularly crucial in the context of primary care physicians and psychiatrists work and should encourage the expanding knowledge about BED and the creation of interdisciplinary therapeutic teams. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Opiorphin is a salivary peptide with analgesic and antidepressant properties. Its relationship with the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal, autonomic nervous and immune systems may provide understanding of chronic stress, especially in anorexia nervosa (AN). This study investigated a possible correlation between opiorphin and stress/immune biomarkers, cortisol, salivary alpha-amylase (sAA) and secretory immunoglobulin A (sIgA), in saliva of patients with restrictive-type AN. Methods: A case–control clinical trial was conducted in 92 AN patients (+75 healthy controls). Unstimulated salivary samples were taken during the acute stage of AN, measurements of cortisol, sAA, sIgA and opiorphin were performed with a quantitative assay (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, P < 0.05). Results: AN patients displayed an increase in cortisol (P < 0.001) and sIgA (P < 0.001) but not in sAA (P = 0.279) levels. Distinct correlation between these two parameters and body-weight indexes were observed. Opiorphin levels were neither correlated to stress and immune biomarkers, nor to salivary flow rate. Conclusions: The effect of stress responses can be reliably assessed in saliva in AN patients. The difference between sIgA and cortisol indicate that they can both be used for mental stress assessment in saliva. Modulation of opiorphin by chronic stress was not confirmed. Unchanged sAA indicates a partial adaptation of human organism to severe condition during malnutrition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Opiorphin is a physiological inhibitor of peptidases inactivating endogenous opioids displaying strong analgesic properties without undesirable side effects, antidepressant properties or hormonal dependency. It might therefore play an important role in patients with painful diseases related to neuro-hormonal dysregulation of the nervous system, affecting saliva secretion and composition such as anorexia nervosa (AN). The main objective aim of this study was to compare the level of opiorphin in saliva of patients with AN to matched subjects free of eating disorders. Methods: A case–control clinical trial was conducted in 68 AN patients and 43 healthy matched control subjects. Depression symptoms were assessed with the self-scored questionnaire Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and salivary samples were taken during the acute stage of AN (BMI <15 kg/m2) for measuring opiorphin. Opiorphin levels were measured with a quantitative assay using a commercial immunoenzymatic Elisa kit (cat no. EH1927, Wuchan, Hubei, China). Results: No statistically significant difference was found in salivary opiorphin levels between the AN and control groups, (P = 0.499, Mann–Whitney U-test). Positive correlations to duration of the disease, BDI and bodyweight in AN patients were evidenced. Conclusions: Measurement of salivary opiorphin levels cannot be used as a marker of AN but may allow new perspectives in monitoring AN in its early stages. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper attempts a systematic presentation of the problem of a the psychosocial phenomenon of conversations known as fat talk, i.e. statements, in which a person devalues their own appearance. The popularity of this phenomenon among the population of Western civilization is closely connected with the preoccupation with physicality and physical appearance, characteristic for the contemporary mass culture. The article presents main theories defining fat talk and analysing the mechanisms of its occurrence and persistence. They are rooted mainly in the assumptions of the self-perception theory, the objectification theory, and pluralistic ignorance phenomenon, in order to explain the tendency for engaging in fat talk. Also, based on the findings of current studies regarding the subject, factors predisposing to more frequent self-abasement of one's physical appearance have been listed. According to the studies, these include being female, adolescent and dissatisfied with one's appearance despite normal weight or even being underweight. Also the family system and its use of conversations focused on appearance, body weight, etc. plays an important role. The analysis of the literature indicates the existence of short-term positive results of fat talk in terms of relieving unpleasant emotional states in people involved in this type of conversation. However, long-term, severe adverse effects are also observed, including the greater risk for the development of eating, depressive or body dysmorphic disorders, not only among those actively involved in fat talk, but also others participating in such conversations, even passively. Therefore, the problem of fat talk is an important element of clinical practice and psychoprophylaxis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Currently, fresh, unprocessed food has become a relevant element of the chain of transmission of enteropathogenic infections. To survive on a plant surface and further spread the infections, pathogens like Salmonella have to attach stably to the leaf surface. Adhesion, driven by various virulence factors, including the most abundant fim operon encoding type 1 fimbriae, is usually an initial step of infection, preventing physical removal of the pathogen. Adhesion properties of Salmonella's type 1 fimbriae and its FimH adhesin were investigated intensively in the past. However, there is a lack of knowledge regarding its role in interaction with plant cells. Understanding the mechanisms and structures involved in such interaction may facilitate efforts to decrease the risk of contamination and increase fresh food safety. Here, we applied Salmonella genome site-directed mutagenesis, adhesion assays, protein-protein interactions, and biophysics methods based on surface plasmon resonance to unravel the role of FimH adhesin in interaction with spinach leaves. We show that FimH is at least partially responsible for Salmonella binding to spinach leaves, and this interaction occurs in a mannose-independent manner. Importantly, we identified a potential FimH receptor as endo-1,3-β- d -Glucanase and found that this interaction is strong and specific, with a dissociation constant in the nanomolar range. This research advances our comprehension of Salmonella's interactions with plant surfaces, offering insights that can aid in minimizing contamination risks and improving the safety of fresh, unprocessed foods. [Display omitted] • Type 1 Fimbriae play a role in Salmonella attachment to spinach leaves. • FimH adhesin-dependent binding to spinach leaves is mannose insensitive. • FimH adhesin from Salmonella Typhimurium binds endo-1,3-β- d -Glucanase in the nanomolar range. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The aim of the study was to evaluate the correlation between the nutritional status of patients with anorexia nervosa (AN) and levels of vaspin (VASP), neuropeptide B (NPB), neuropeptide W (NPW) and total antioxidant status (TAS)., Material and Methods: Ninety serum samples collected from 30 teenage female patients during the acute stage of AN and 30 healthy persons (CONTR) were subjected to biochemical analysis; patients with AN were examined at the beginning of the study (AN-I) and after hospitalization (AN-II), as a result of which partial stabilization of anthropometric measurements was achieved (an increase of body mass index (BMI) by 3.5 kg/m 2 )., Results: Vaspin levels dropped at the end of the hospitalization (compared to AN-I, p < 0.05), achieving values comparable to the CONTR; moreover there was a positive correlation between VASP level and the achieved body weight in AN-II ( p < 0.05). Positive correlations were also noted with regard to VASP vs. NPB in AN-I ( p < 0.02) (and AN-II, p < 0.013), as well as in the case of VASP vs. NPW in the same groups ( p < 0.02 and p < 0.015, respectively). NPB concentration was higher in AN-I ( p < 0.05) and AN-II ( p < 0.018) than in CONTR, whereas there were no differences ( p > 0.05) with regard to levels of VASP, NPW, or TAS., Conclusions: The high level of NPB despite treatment and normalization of VASP level may suggest that there are chronic neuroendocrine disorders at play in anorexia nervosa., Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflict of interest., (Copyright: © 2018 Termedia & Banach.)