Search

The increasing prevalence of childhood obesity worldwide is a significant concern due to its link to severe health issues in adulthood, such as non-communicable diseases (NCDs). To address this issue, this review evaluates the effectiveness of various preventive measures for childhood obesity, focusing on maternal nutrition and breastfeeding. The study underscores the criticality of the periconceptional period, where the diets of both parents can influence epigenetic modifications that impact the child’s metabolic pathways and obesity risks. Breastfeeding is a potent protective mechanism against early-onset obesity, significantly enhancing the infant’s metabolic and immune health by modifying DNA methylation and gene expression. Furthermore, the perspective underscores the significance of the Mediterranean diet during the periconceptional period and lactation. This diet can effectively prevent gestational complications and improve breast milk quality, fostering optimal infant development. Recognizing that obesity results from genetic, epigenetic, environmental, and social factors, the paper advocates for a comprehensive, multidisciplinary approach from the earliest stages of life. This approach champions a balanced maternal diet, exclusive breastfeeding, and timely introduction to complementary foods. In conclusion, addressing pediatric obesity requires a multifaceted strategy emphasizing improving prenatal and postnatal nutrition. Further research is necessary to understand the epigenetic mechanisms influenced by nutrition and their long-term effects on children’s health. This will help refine interventions that curb the obesity epidemic among future generations.

Environment and lifestyle can affect the epigenome passed down from generation to generation. A mother’s nutrition can impact the methylation levels of her offspring’s epigenome, but it’s unclear which genes may be affected by malnutrition during gestation or early development. In this study, we examined the levels of methylated GC in the promoter region of HLA-C in mothers and infants from the Kichwa community in Ecuador. To do this, we analyzed saliva samples using bisulfite DNA sequencing. While we did not observe any significant differences in the mean methylation percentages in exon 1 of HLA-C between mothers and their infants after the first two years of lactation and life, respectively, we did find that infants tended to increase their methylation level during the first two years of life, while mothers tended to decrease it after the first two years of breastfeeding. When we compared methylation levels between mothers and infants using an ANOVA/posthoc Tukey test, we found that the average methylation for the entire population was less than 3% at T1 and T2. Although there was a tendency for infants to have higher methylation levels during their first two years of life and for mothers to have lower methylation levels after the first two years of breastfeeding, the mean values were not significantly different. However, we found a significant difference when we contrasted the data using a Kruskal-Wallis test at 0.05 for T1 AND T2 (p-value: 0.0148). Specifically, mothers had an average of X̅ = 2.06% and sons had X̅ = 1.57% at T2 (p-value: 0.7227), while the average for mothers was X̅ = 1.83% and for sons X̅ =1.77%. Finally, we identified three CpG motif nucleotide positions (32–33, 43–44, and 96–97) along the 122 bp analysis of HLA-C exon one, which was found to retain methylation patterns over time and is inherited from mother to offspring. Finally, our small pilot study did not reveal significant correlations between maternal and offspring nutritional status and DNA methylation levels of HLA-C exon one.

PurposeTraditional fermented beverages are a valuable cultural, economic, and social heritage of Latin American societies that deserve to be preserved and strengthened with sustainable development and respect for diversity. Therefore, this article will demonstrate, through scientific literature, the importance for indigenous societies and the nutritional contributions of the most traditional beverages of North and South America.MethodsThis systematic review followed the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis) verification protocol. The study focused on exploring the nutritional information of South and Central American fermented beverages. The search was conducted in the Biomed, PubMed, ScienceDirect, Scopus, Scielo, and Google Scholar databases to identify publications published within the past 15 years.ResultsHowever, the presence of toxic compounds such as biogenic amines and phenols that affect the quality of the product and human health has been detected. In addition, it was found that macro-and micronutrients, vitamins, and microorganisms differ according to the type of raw material used. It was concluded that corn is the most widely used raw material to produce fermented beverages in Latin America. At the same time, Mexico has conducted more research on this product, and most analyses are being carried out on the use of corn in the production of fermented beverages. In addition, several studies have shown that using validated and standardized methodologies to detect biogenic weapons is crucial to ensure accurate identification, effective response, and compliance with legal and security requirements in this critical area.

The initial phase of the COVID-19 vaccination in Ecuador occurred between April and November 2021. Initially, it focused on priority populations, including health professionals and other front-line workers. During this period, there was limited knowledge about the vaccine's adverse effects. A non-probability, observational study was conducted among university staff in Guayaquil, Ecuador, who received the AstraZeneca vaccine (n = 423) between April and November 2021. This study aimed to compare the acute adverse reactions by doses and to report the incidence of long-term adverse reactions within the AstraZeneca group. As a result, comparing acute adverse reactions between doses, the odds ratio for local pain, headache, muscle pain, fever, and chills are statistically higher after the first dose than the second dose. Survival curves indicated these symptoms appeared mainly within the first 6 h post-vaccination. This is the first pharmacovigilance study from Ecuador that analyzes survival probabilities for the AstraZeneca vaccine's adverse effects.

PurposeEssential oils from various plants have diverse therapeutic properties and are researched extensively. They have applications in medicine, aromatherapy, microbiology, agriculture, livestock, and the food industry, benefiting the population.MethodsThis systematic review followed the PRISMA verification protocol. The study focused on the anti-inflammatory effects, nutraceutical properties, antioxidant and antibacterial activity of essential oils in lemon, orange, cumin, cinnamon, coriander, rosemary, thyme, and parsley. We also looked at their presence in the diet, their effect, their mechanism of action on health, and the most important active compounds. The search was conducted in the PubMed database for the last 12 years of publications, including in vitro, in vivo, and online cell model tests.ResultsEssential oils have been shown to have multiple health benefits, primarily due to their antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory effects. The mechanism of action of cinnamon oil alters bacterial membranes, modifies lipid profiles, and inhibits cell division, giving a potential benefit in protection against colitis. On the other hand, a significant improvement was observed in the diastolic pressure of patients with metabolic syndrome when supplementing them with cumin essential oil. The antimicrobial properties of coriander essential oil, especially its application in seafood like tilapia, demonstrate efficacy in improving health and resistance to bacterial infections. Cumin essential oil treats inflammation. Parsley essential oil is an antioxidant. Orange peel oil is antibacterial, antifungal, antiparasitic, and pro-oxidative. Lemon essential oil affects mouse intestinal microbiota. Thyme essential oil protects the colon against damage and DNA methylation. Carnosic acid in rosemary oil can reduce prostate cancer cell viability by modifying the endoplasmic reticulum function.Conclusion and discussionEssential oils have many therapeutic and antiparasitic properties. They are beneficial to human health in many ways. However, to understand their potential benefits, more research is needed regarding essential oils such as coriander, parsley, rosemary, cumin, and thyme. These research gaps are relevant since they restrict understanding of the possible benefits of these crucial oils for health-related contexts.

Metabolic syndrome is a cluster of conditions that results from the interplay of genetic and environmental factors, which increase the comorbidity risk of obesity, hyperglycemia, dyslipidemia, arterial hypertension, stroke, and cardiovascular disease. In this article, we review various high-impact studies which link epigenetics with metabolic syndrome by comparing each study population, methylation effects, and strengths and weaknesses of each research. We also discuss world statistical data on metabolic syndrome incidence in developing countries where the metabolic syndrome is common condition that has significant public health implications.

HLA-C, a gene located within the major histocompatibility complex, has emerged as a prominent target in biomedical research due to its involvement in various diseases, including cancer and autoimmune disorders; even though its recent addition to the MHC, the interaction between HLA-C and KIR is crucial for immune responses, particularly in viral infections. This review provides an overview of the structure, origin, function, and pathological implications of HLA-C in the major histocompatibility complex. In the last decade, we systematically reviewed original publications from Pubmed, ScienceDirect, Scopus, and Google Scholar. Our findings reveal that genetic variations in HLA-C can determine susceptibility or resistance to certain diseases. However, the first four exons of HLA-C are particularly susceptible to epigenetic modifications, which can lead to gene silencing and alterations in immune function. These alterations can manifest in diseases such as alopecia areata and psoriasis and can also impact susceptibility to cancer and the effectiveness of cancer treatments. By comprehending the intricate interplay between genetic and epigenetic factors that regulate HLA-C expression, researchers may develop novel strategies for preventing and treating diseases associated with HLA-C dysregulation.

Introduction: The first COVID-19 wave in Ecuador started in March 2020 and extended until November. Several types of drugs have been proposed as a potential treatment during this period, and some affected people have self-medicated.Method: A retrospective study was conducted with 10,175 individuals who underwent RT-PCR tests for SARS-CoV-2 from July to November 2020. We compared the number of positive and negative cases in Ecuador with symptoms and drug consumption. The Chi-square test of independence compared clinical and demographic data and PCR test results. Odds ratios analyzed drug consumption dynamics.Results: Of 10,175 cases, 570 were positive for COVID-19, while 9,605 were negative. In positive cases, there was no association between the RT-PCR result and sex, age, or comorbidities. When considering demographic data, Cotopaxi and Napo had the highest rates of positive cases (25.7% and 18.8%, respectively). Manabí, Santa Elena, and Guayas regions had fewer than 10% positive cases. The Drug consumption dynamic analysis showed that negative COVID-19 cases presented higher drug consumption than positive cases. In both groups, the most consumed medication was acetaminophen. Acetaminophen and Antihistamines had higher odds of consumption in positive PCR cases than in negative. Symptoms like fever and cough were more related to positive RT-PCR results.Conclusion: The first COVID-19 wave in Ecuador has affected the provinces differently. At a national level, the consumption of drugs has been highly associated with self-medication.

Human milk (HM) is a complex biofluid rich in nutrients and bioactive compounds essential for infant health. Recent advances in omics technologies—such as proteomics, metabolomics, and transcriptomics—have shed light on the influence of HM on bone development and health. This review discusses the impact of various HM components, including proteins, lipids, carbohydrates, and hormones, on bone metabolism and skeletal growth. Proteins like casein and whey promote calcium absorption and osteoblast differentiation, supporting bone mineralization. Long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids like docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) contribute to bone health by modulating inflammatory pathways and regulating osteoclast activity. Additionally, human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs) act as prebiotics, improving gut health and calcium bioavailability while influencing bone mineralization. Hormones present in HM, such as insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1), leptin, and adiponectin, have been linked to infant growth, body composition, and bone density. Research has shown that higher IGF-1 levels in breast milk are associated with increased weight gain, while leptin and adiponectin influence fat mass and bone metabolism. Emerging studies have also highlighted the role of microRNAs (miRNAs) in regulating key processes like adipogenesis and bone homeostasis. Furthermore, microbiome-focused techniques reveal HM's role in establishing a balanced infant gut microbiota, indirectly influencing bone development by enhancing nutrient absorption. Although current findings are promising, comprehensive longitudinal studies integrating omics approaches are needed to fully understand the intricate relationships among maternal diet, HM composition, and infant bone health. Bridging these gaps could offer novel dietary strategies to optimize skeletal health during infancy, advancing early-life nutrition science. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A novel functional drink with nutraceutical properties was formulated from the aqueous extracts of Ilex guayusa, and Vernonanthura patens leaves, and cocoa husks. This juice contains various bioactive compounds, such as phenolic compounds and methylxanthines, with antioxidant and stimulant properties of pharmacological interest. However, it is known whether herbal extracts' interaction may have adverse toxic effects on human health. To evaluate this functional drink's innocuity, we estimated the acute oral toxicity (AOT) in experimental mice. This paper presents the AOT evaluation of two formulations of a functional drink (pre-formulation and microencapsulation) at a single dose of 2000 mg/kg of body weight (b.w.). No signs of adverse toxicity and mortality were observed after a single oral dose of 2000 mg/kg b.w. Likewise, no significant body and organ weight changes, food and water consumption behavior, and no histopathological changes were observed in the main organs evaluated. In conclusion, this functional drink can be categorized as low toxicity '' according to the Globally Harmonized Classification System (GHS), making it a potential beverage with high nutritional and pharmacological value.

Aedes aegypti is a mosquito that carries dengue virus, yellow fever and other diseases transmitted to humans. Organophosphorus larvicides are used to control the proliferation of this mosquito, which has generated a high degree of resistance; hence, new alternatives such as bio-larvicides formulated with plant extracts are of great interest. The aims of this study were to evaluate the ethanolic extract of Azadirachta indica leaves as a larvicide against Aedes aegypti and to determine the main compounds present in it by GC-MS. In the assay, three concentrations of ethanolic extract were used (10 mg L-1, 20 mg L-1, and 50 mg L-1). This was performed thrice against a positive control (commercial larvicide: spores and endotoxic crystals of Bacillus thuringiensis var. israelensis Serotype H-14) and negative control (water). After 72 h of incubation, it was observed higher larval mortality (93%) in the ethanolic extract at a concentration of 50 mg L-1; the extracts at 10 mg L-1 and 20 mg L-1 shown larval mortality of 47% and 70%, respectively. The majority compound determined by the GC-MS analysis was phytol (14.4% area). The results obtained in this study demonstrated the larvicidal potential of the ethanolic extract of A. indica against larvae of A. aegypti.

Purpose: Traditional fermented beverages are a valuable cultural, economic, and social heritage of Latin American societies that deserve to be preserved and strengthened with sustainable development and respect for diversity. Therefore, this article will demonstrate, through scientific literature, the importance for indigenous societies and the nutritional contributions of the most traditional beverages of North and South America. Methods: This systematic review followed the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis) verification protocol. The study focused on exploring the nutritional information of South and Central American fermented beverages. The search was conducted in the Biomed, PubMed, ScienceDirect, Scopus, Scielo, and Google Scholar databases to identify publications published within the past 15 years. Results: However, the presence of toxic compounds such as biogenic amines and phenols that affect the quality of the product and human health has been detected. In addition, it was found that macro-and micronutrients, vitamins, and microorganisms differ according to the type of raw material used. It was concluded that corn is the most widely used raw material to produce fermented beverages in Latin America. At the same time, Mexico has conducted more research on this product, and most analyses are being carried out on the use of corn in the production of fermented beverages. In addition, several studies have shown that using validated and standardized methodologies to detect biogenic weapons is crucial to ensure accurate identification, effective response, and compliance with legal and security requirements in this critical area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ylang-ylang (Cananga odorata) essential oil is valued for its medicinal and cosmetic benefits. This study compared the volatile compounds and antioxidant capacity of six essential oils from C. odorata flowers obtained industrially by steam distillation. The volatiles were identified by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC/MS). The ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity, and total phenolic content (TPC) were measured by ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis) spectrophotometry. The main components included benzyl acetate (21.78–27.82%), benzyl benzoate (12.30–18.07%), linalool (9.45–14.39%), and germacrene D (9.17–14.46%). The highest antioxidant values were shown by the sample S6 (206.50 ± 7.45 mmol TE/L, 52.03 ± 0.88 mg GAE/g), followed by S5. The multivariate analysis separated S6 and S5 from the remaining essential oils, suggesting that extraction was more influenced by the steam flow rate. Notably, the antioxidant capacity of S6 revealed a positive correlation between volatiles and TPC values. These findings denote the importance of improving empirical industrial procedures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Drug abuse is a public health problem around the globe. Its implications in human health are harmful, compromising nutritional status. It has been shown that malnutrition is moderately prevalent in drug addicts, and a nutritional prescription is significantly beneficial for these patients. Available literature suggests altered blood serum biochemical data in drug addicts. Our study focused on blood serum nutritional biomarkers in drug addicts who did not have a nutritional assessment or treatment. This study aimed to analyze nutritional blood serum biomarkers in subjects diagnosed with drug addiction from January 2010 to June 2020. Methods: The research was a retrospective cohort, analytical, observational, and was based on a convenience sample. Data about blood serum AST, ALT, fasting glucose, urea, creatinine, total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, triglycerides, and hemoglobin were analyzed from a database of 103 subjects diagnosed with mental and behavioral disorders due to the use of drugs and other psychoactive substances (ICD-10: F10-F19) in the Institute of Neurosciences (INC). Consumed drugs were alcohol, cocaine, amphetamines, MDNA, opioids, marijuana, and psychotropic drugs. Results: The medians of hemoglobin, total cholesterol, HDL, and creatinine statistically differed between genders and age groups. There were more cases of low blood hemoglobin and hyperglycemia levels in men, (20.4, and 8.7%, respectively) than women (4.9%, and 0%, respectively). There were low levels of fasting glucose in 8.8% of our sample. Serum creatinine levels were significantly increased in subjects aged 30 or more. Conclusions:In our sample, there were statistically different medians of hemoglobin, total cholesterol, HDL, and creatinine among groups of gender and age in drug addicts. All medians were within the normal range.

Introduction: The first COVID-19 wave in Ecuador started in March 2020 and extended until November. Several types of drugs have been proposed as a potential treatment during this period, and some affected people have self-medicated. Method: A retrospective study was conducted with 10,175 individuals who underwent RT-PCR tests for SARS-CoV-2 from July to November 2020. We compared the number of positive and negative cases in Ecuador with symptoms and drug consumption. The Chi-square test of independence compared clinical and demographic data and PCR test results. Odds ratios analyzed drug consumption dynamics. Results: Of 10,175 cases, 570 were positive for COVID-19, while 9,605 were negative. In positive cases, there was no association between the RT-PCR result and sex, age, or comorbidities. When considering demographic data, Cotopaxi and Napo had the highest rates of positive cases (25.7% and 18.8%, respectively). Manabí, Santa Elena, and Guayas regions had fewer than 10% positive cases. The Drug consumption dynamic analysis showed that negative COVID-19 cases presented higher drug consumption than positive cases. In both groups, the most consumed medication was acetaminophen. Acetaminophen and Antihistamines had higher odds of consumption in positive PCR cases than in negative. Symptoms like fever and cough were more related to positive RT-PCR results. Conclusion: The first COVID-19 wave in Ecuador has affected the provinces differently. At a national level, the consumption of drugs has been highly associated with self-medication. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Helicobacter pylori infects half of the world's population and causes gastric cancer in a subset of infected adults. Previous blood microarray findings showed that apparently healthy children, persistently infected with H. pylori have differential gene expression compared to age-matched, non-infected children. SLC5A8, a cancer suppressor gene with decreased expression among infected children, was chosen for further study based on bioinformatics analysis. Methods: A pilot study was conducted using specific qRT-PCR amplification of SLC5A8 in blood samples from H. pylori infected and non-infected children, followed by a larger, blinded, case-control study. We then analyzed gastric tissue from H. pylori infected and non-infected children undergoing endoscopy for clinical purposes. Results: Demographics, clinical findings and family history were similar between groups. SLC5A8 expression was decreased in infected versus non-infected children in blood, 0.12 (IQR: 0 – 0.89) versus 1.86 (IQR: 0 – 8.94, P=0.002), and in gastric tissue, 0.08 (IQR: 0.04 – 0.15) versus 1.88 (IQR: 0.55 – 2.56; P=0.001). Children who were both stool positive and seropositive for H. pylori had the lowest SLC5A8 expression levels.Conclusions: H. pylori infection is associated with suppression of SCL5A8, a cancer suppressor gene, in both blood and tissue samples from young children.