The Role of Diet and Physical Activity in Shaping COVID-19 Severity: Design, Validation, and Application of a Retrospective Questionnaire.

After the global challenges posed by COVID-19, researchers strived to identify risk factors for severe cases, which lead to various complications-including death. Lifestyle modifications, such as implementing a healthy diet and recommended physical activity, have been shown to be protective against severe COVID-19 cases. Despite an association of a plant-based diet with reduced COVID-19 severity, specific dietary characteristics have not been identified.

Sleep, Glial Function, and the Endocannabinoid System: Implications for Neuroinflammation and Sleep Disorders.

The relationship between sleep, glial cells, and the endocannabinoid system represents a multifaceted regulatory network with profound implications for neuroinflammation and cognitive function. The molecular underpinnings of sleep modulation by the endocannabinoid system and its influence on glial cell activity are discussed, shedding light on the reciprocal relationships that govern these processes. Emphasis is placed on understanding the role of glial cells in mediating neuroinflammatory responses and their modulation by sleep patterns.

Interplay between the Glymphatic System and the Endocannabinoid System: Implications for Brain Health and Disease.

The intricate mechanisms governing brain health and function have long been subjects of extensive investigation. Recent research has shed light on two pivotal systems, the glymphatic system and the endocannabinoid system, and their profound role within the central nervous system. The glymphatic system is a recently discovered waste clearance system within the brain that facilitates the efficient removal of toxic waste products and metabolites from the central nervous system.

Fruit Juices of Etcho (Pachycereus pecten-aboriginum) and Giant Cardon (Pachycereus pringlei) are Sources of Health-Promoting Ingredients with Potential Anticancer Properties.

Mexico is one of the main diversification centers of cacti in the world, with more than 500 endemic species, most of which remain nutritionally and functionally uncharacterized. The columnar cacti of the genus Pachycereus comprise five underutilized endemic Mexican species, whose nutraceutical properties have only been studied in the P. weberi species.

Dipeptidyl Peptidase IV Inhibitory Peptides from Chickpea Proteins ( L.): Pharmacokinetics, Molecular Interactions, and Multi-Bioactivities.

Chickpea ( L.) peptides can inhibit dipeptidyl peptidase IV (DPP-IV), an important type 2 diabetes mellitus therapeutic target. The molecular interactions between the inhibitory peptides and the active site of DPP-IV have not been thoroughly examined, nor have their pharmacokinetic properties.

A Food Matrix Triggers a Similar Allergic Immune Response in BALB/c Mice Sensitized with Native, Denatured, and Digested Ovalbumin.

The search for an animal model to evaluate the allergenic potential of processed food products is still ongoing. Both the sensitization to ovalbumin (OVA) in different structural states and the allergic response triggered after intragastric or food challenges were assessed. BALB/c mice were sensitized intraperitoneally to OVA (50 µg) in different structural states (native OVA, N-OVA; denatured OVA, D-OVA; formaldehyde- and lysine-treated OVA, FK-OVA; denatured OVA-FK, OVA-DFK; peptides from pepsin digestion, Pep-OVA).

Prevalence of Parent-Reported Food Allergy in a Mexican Pre-School Population.

The magnitude and relevance of food allergies in the preschool population remain unknown in most regions of Mexico and Latin America. Thus, our aim was to estimate the parent-reported prevalence of food allergies in a Mexican preschool population and to characterize their clinical diagnosis and presentation. A cross-sectional survey was conducted in Culiacán City.

Cactaceae plants as sources of active bioavailable phytochemicals.

Arid-land plants from the Cactaceae family are endemic to the Americas and cultivated worldwide. Cactaceous plants and their fruits contain phenolic compounds, betalains, vitamins, carotenoids, minerals, and soluble fiber. Edible cactaceous matrices can be considered functional foods since their consumption may confer health benefits.

Prediction of ACE-I Inhibitory Peptides Derived from Chickpea ( L.): In Silico Assessments Using Simulated Enzymatic Hydrolysis, Molecular Docking and ADMET Evaluation.

Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) peptides have shown in vitro potential to inhibit the angiotensin I-converting enzyme (ACE-I). However, the potential molecular interactions between chickpea peptides (CP) and ACE-I as well as their ADMET (absorption/distribution/metabolism/excretion/toxicity) characteristics remain unknown.

Assessment of the Route of Exposure to Ovalbumin and Cow's Milk Proteins on the Induction of IgE Responses in BALB/c Mice.

BALB/c mice can be orally sensitized to food proteins under acid suppressive medication, mimicking human exposure and triggering a human-like allergic immune response. However, the reproducibility of such an oral food allergy model remains questionable. Our aim was to evaluate the IgE responses triggered against ovalbumin (OVA) and cow’s milk proteins (CMP) after intragastric (IG), either under gastric-acid suppression or not, or intraperitoneal (IP) sensitization in BALB/c mice.

Non-Celiac Gluten Sensitivity: An Update.

Non-celiac gluten sensitivity (NCGS) is a clinical entity characterized by the absence of celiac disease and wheat allergy in patients that trigger reproducible symptomatic responses to gluten-containing foods consumption. Due to the lack of sensitive and reproducible biomarkers for NCGS diagnosis, placebo-controlled gluten challenges must be carried out for its diagnosis. The gluten challenges can be either double- or single-blind, for research or clinical practice purposes, respectively.

Prevalence of Food-Hypersensitivity and Food-Dependent Anaphylaxis in Colombian Schoolchildren by Parent-Report.

: The epidemiology of food allergy (FA) and food-dependent anaphylaxis remains unknown in Colombia. Our aim was to estimate by parent-report the prevalence of FA and food-dependent anaphylaxis in a Colombian population of schoolchildren. A printed questionnaire was sent to parents of schoolchildren aged 5-12 years old from Medellín, Colombia in order to collect FA-related data.

Prevalence of Wheat/Gluten-Related Disorders and Gluten-Free Diet in Paraguay: An Online Survey-Based Study.

Gluten-related disorders (GRDs) are increasing around the world, but their magnitude and relevance remain unknown in most Latin American countries. Thus, an online survey was conducted to estimate the prevalence of GRDs as well as adherence to a gluten-free diet (GFD) in Paraguayan adult population. There were 1058 individuals surveyed using a validated questionnaire (response rate of 93.

Design, Assessment, and Validation of a Questionnaire to Estimate Food-Dependent Exercise-Induced Anaphylaxis Prevalence in Latin American Population.

There are no epidemiological data about food-dependent exercise-induced anaphylaxis (FDEIA) in Latin America. Our aim was to design, assess, and validate a questionnaire to identify potential FDEIA cases and/or estimate its prevalence by self-report. Questions were included in the instrument to address the main symptoms of FDEIA, type/intensity of physical activity, and anaphylaxis.

Characteristics of Allergen Labelling and Precautionary Allergen Labelling in Packaged Food Products Available in Latin America.

The characteristics of food allergen labelling are relevant for avoiding accidental exposure to the allergens of interest but no Latin American country has evaluated these characteristics. Our aim was to evaluate the characteristics of food allergen labelling and precautionary allergen labelling (PAL) in six Latin American countries. All data were collected directly from the supermarkets surveyed.

Translation, Cultural Adaptation, and Evaluation of a Brazilian Portuguese Questionnaire to Estimate the Self-Reported Prevalence of Gluten-Related Disorders and Adherence to Gluten-Free Diet.

Background: A Spanish version of a questionnaire intended to estimate, at the population level, the prevalence rates of self-reported gluten-related disorders and adherence to gluten-free diets has been applied in four Latin American countries. However, idiom issues have hampered the questionnaire application in the Brazilian population. Thus, the aim of the present study was to carry out a translation, cultural adaptation, and evaluation of a Brazilian Portuguese questionnaire to estimate the self-reported prevalence of gluten-related disorders and adherence to gluten-free diets in a Brazilian population.

Pasta Enrichment with an Amaranth Hydrolysate Affects the Overall Acceptability while Maintaining Antihypertensive Properties.

Background: Alcalase-treated amaranth proteins generate angiotensin-1-converting enzyme (ACE-1) inhibitory peptides, which could be useful for functional foods development. Our aim was to evaluate the technological, sensory, and antihypertensive properties of pasta enriched with an amaranth hydrolysate.

Methods: Pasta with 11% (A; control), 15% (B), and 20% (C) of protein content were formulated.

Assessing the Sensitizing and Allergenic Potential of the Albumin and Globulin Fractions from Amaranth () Grains before and after an Extrusion Process.

The first cases of food allergy to amaranth grain have recently been published. This pseudocereal is considered hypoallergenic, and there is scarce information about the allergenic potential of amaranth proteins, either before or after food processing. To evaluate, in a mouse model of food allergy, the sensitizing and allergenic potential of extruded and non-extruded albumin and globulin fractions from amaranth grains.

Effectiveness of hydrothermal-calcium chloride treatment and chitosan on quality retention and microbial growth during storage of fresh-cut papaya.

Rapid degradation of fresh-cut papaya limits its marketability. Hydrothermal treatments in combination with a calcium dip, applied to whole fruit before slicing, and also the application of chitosan as a coating film, have been found to have very good results in maintaining the quality of fresh-cut fruits. Based on these considerations, the aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of hydrothermal treatment (HT; 49 °C, 25 min) containing calcium chloride (Ca; 1%, w/v) followed by dipping in chitosan (Chit; 1%, w/v, 3 min) on the physical, chemical, and microbial qualities of papaya slices stored at 5 °C for 10 d.

Bioconversion into ethanol of decorticated red sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L. Moench) supplemented with its phenolic extract or spent bran.

The effect of extracted phenolics or spent bran added to decorticated red sorghum kernels during fuel ethanol production was studied and compared to maize and whole red and white sorghums. After liquefaction, free amino nitrogen ranged from 65 to 101 mg/l and at the end of saccharification all mashes had approx. 80 g glucose and 2-5 g maltose/100 g meal (dry basis).