Supplementation with a New Standardized Extract of Green and Black Tea Exerts Antiadipogenic Effects and Prevents Insulin Resistance in Mice with Metabolic Syndrome.

Insulin resistance is one of the main characteristics of metabolic syndrome (MetS) and the main cause of the development of type II diabetes. The high prevalence of this syndrome in recent decades has made it necessary to search for preventive and therapeutic agents, ideally of natural origin, with fewer side effects than conventional pharmacological treatments. Tea is widely known for its medicinal properties, including beneficial effects on weight management and insulin resistance.

Immunomodulatory and Antioxidant Properties of a Novel Potential Probiotic CSI08.

Spore-forming bacteria of the genus have demonstrated potential as probiotics for human use. have been recognized as efficacious and safe agents for preventing and treating diarrhea in children and adults, with pronounced immunomodulatory properties during several in vitro and clinical studies. Herein, we characterize the novel strain of CSI08 (Munispore) for probiotic attributes including resistance to gastric acid and bile salts, the ability to suppress the growth of human pathogens, the capacity to assimilate wide range of carbohydrates and to produce potentially beneficial enzymes.

Effect-Directed, Chemical and Taxonomic Profiling of Peppermint Proprietary Varieties and Corresponding Leaf Extracts.

During the development of novel, standardized peppermint extracts targeting functional applications, it is critical to adequately characterize raw material plant sources to assure quality and consistency of the end-product. This study aimed to characterize existing and proprietary, newly bred varieties of peppermint and their corresponding aqueous extract products. Taxonomy was confirmed through genetic authenticity assessment.

Insights into the molecular mechanisms of pesticide tolerance in the Aporrectodea caliginosa earthworm.

Diffuse pollution of the environment by pesticides has become a major soil threat to non-target organisms, such as earthworms for which declines have been reported. However some endogeic species are still abundant and persist in intensively cultivated fields, suggesting they become tolerant to long-term anthropogenic pressure. We thus considered the working hypothesis that populations of Aporrectodea caliginosa earthworms from conventionally managed fields developed a tolerance to pesticides compared with those from organically managed fields.

Short-term effects of macrophyte removal on aquatic biodiversity in rivers and lakes.

Mass development of macrophytes is an increasing problem in many aquatic systems worldwide. Dense mats of macrophytes can negatively affect activities like boating, fishing or hydropower production and one of the management measures often applied is mechanical removal. In this study, we analyzed the effect of mechanical macrophyte removal on phytoplankton, zooplankton, and macroinvertebrate (pelagic and benthic samples) assemblages.

Small flexible automated system for monitoring Caenorhabditis elegans lifespan based on active vision and image processing techniques.

Traditionally Caenorhabditis elegans lifespan assays are performed by manually inspecting nematodes with a dissection microscope, which involves daily counting of live/dead worms cultured in Petri plates for 21-25 days. This manual inspection requires the screening of hundreds of worms to ensure statistical robustness, and is therefore a time-consuming approach. In recent years, various automated artificial vision systems have been reported to increase the throughput, however they usually provide less accurate results than manual assays.

Heat-Treated CECT-7347: A Whole-Cell Postbiotic with Antioxidant, Anti-Inflammatory, and Gut-Barrier Protection Properties.

Non-viable preparations of probiotics, as whole-cell postbiotics, attract increasing interest because of their intrinsic technological stability, and their functional properties, such as immune system modulation, gut barrier maintenance, and protection against pathogens. However, reports on -derived postbiotics remain scarce. This study aims to demonstrate the functional properties of a heat-treated (HT), non-viable, strain, CECT-7347, a strain previously selected for its anti-inflammatory phenotype and ability to improve biomarkers of intestinal integrity in clinical trials.

Quantitative Proteomic Profiling Identifies a Potential Novel Chaperone Marker in Resistant Breast Cancer.

Development of aromatase inhibitor resistant breast cancer among postmenopausal women continues to be a major clinical obstacle. Previously, our group demonstrated that as breast cancer cells transition from hormone-dependent to hormone-independent, they are associated with increased growth factor signaling, enhanced cellular motility, and the epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT). Given the complexity of cancer stem cells (CSC) and their implications on endocrine resistance and EMT, we sought to understand their contribution towards the development of aromatase inhibitor resistant breast cancer.

Lipoteichoic acid from Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis BPL1: a novel postbiotic that reduces fat deposition via IGF-1 pathway.

Obesity and its related metabolic disorders, such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease, are major risk factors for morbidity and mortality in the world population. In this context, supplementation with the probiotic strain Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis BPL1 (CECT8145) has been shown to ameliorate obesity biomarkers.

Architectural Stabilization of a Gold(III) Catalyst in Metal-Organic Frameworks.

Unimolecular decomposition pathways are challenging to address in transition-metal catalysis and have previously not been suppressed incorporation into a solid support. Two robust metal-organic frameworks (IRMOF-10 and bio-MOF-100) are used for the architectural stabilization of a structurally well-defined gold(III) catalyst. The inherent rigidity of these materials is utilized to preclude a unimolecular decomposition pathway - reductive elimination.

Evaluation of Carotenoids Protection Against Oxidative Stress in the Animal Model Caenorhabditis elegans.

The nematode Caenorhabditis elegans is a versatile and powerful model organism for animal experimental research and, despite being an invertebrate, displays remarkably similar molecular bases and conserved cellular pathways to those of humans. Oxidative stress is an etiological factor that influences numerous diseases, degenerative processes and aging. C.

Chiral hybrid materials based on pyrrolidine building units to perform asymmetric Michael additions with high stereocontrol.

A new chiral mesoporous hybrid material was synthesized based on pyrrolidine units included in a siliceous framework, HybPyr, and integrated into the organic-inorganic structure, from a specific bis-silylated precursor. A fluoride sol-gel methodology under soft synthesis conditions and in the absence of sophisticated structural directing agents allowed the generation of a mesoporous architecture with a homogeneous distribution of active chiral moieties along the network. The hybrid material was studied by means of different characterization techniques (TGA, NMR and IR spectroscopy, chemical and elemental analyses, TEM, and textural measurements), verifying the stability and integrity of the asymmetric active sites in the solid.

β-Cryptoxanthin Reduces Body Fat and Increases Oxidative Stress Response in Model.

β-Cryptoxanthin (BCX) is a major dietary pro-vitamin A carotenoid, found mainly in fruits and vegetables. Several studies showed the beneficial effects of BCX on different aspects of human health. In spite of the evidence, the molecular mechanisms of action of BCX need to be further investigated.

Metformin Inhibits Migration and Invasion by Suppressing ROS Production and COX2 Expression in MDA-MB-231 Breast Cancer Cells.

Background: Several mechanisms of action have been proposed to explain the apparent antineoplastic functions of metformin, many of which are observed at high concentrations that may not be reflective of achievable tissue concentrations. We propose that metformin at low concentrations functions to inhibit ROS production and inflammatory signaling in breast cancer, thereby reducing metastasis.

Methods: Using the highly invasive MDA-MB-231 breast carcinoma model, we ascertained the impact of metformin on cell viability by DNA content analysis and fluorescent dye exclusion.

Toxicological assessment of mesoporous silica particles in the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans.

Here we report the toxicological evaluation of mesoporous silica particles (MSPs) in the nematode C. elegans. Specifically, we have investigated the effect of bare micro- (M0) and nano-sized (N0) MSPs, and their corresponding functionalized particles with a starch derivative (Glu-N) (M1 and N1, respectively) on C.

A nutritional supplement containing lactoferrin stimulates the immune system, extends lifespan, and reduces amyloid peptide toxicity in .

Lactoferrin is a highly multifunctional glycoprotein involved in many physiological functions, including regulation of iron absorption and immune responses. Moreover, there is increasing evidence for neuroprotective effects of lactoferrin. We used as a model to test the protective effects, both on phenotype and transcriptome, of a nutraceutical product based on lactoferrin liposomes.

Stapleless laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy. Preliminary report.

Background: Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (SG) as a single-stage procedure for the treatment of morbid obesity is becoming increasingly popular. In undeveloped countries, the linear staples required to create the sleeve are not always available because of their high cost. As an alternative to the staples, the bipolar vessel sealer device could be used in bariatric surgery to divide and temporarily seal the stomach.

Probiotic Strain Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis CECT 8145 Reduces Fat Content and Modulates Lipid Metabolism and Antioxidant Response in Caenorhabditis elegans.

Recently, microbial changes in the human gut have been proposed as a possible cause of obesity. Therefore, modulation of microbiota through probiotic supplements is of great interest to support obesity therapeutics. The present study examines the functional effect and metabolic targets of a bacterial strain, Bifidobacterium animalis subsp.

Glyceollin I Reverses Epithelial to Mesenchymal Transition in Letrozole Resistant Breast Cancer through ZEB1.

Although aromatase inhibitors are standard endocrine therapy for postmenopausal women with early-stage metastatic estrogen-dependent breast cancer, they are limited by the development of drug resistance. A better understanding of this process is critical towards designing novel strategies for disease management. Previously, we demonstrated a global proteomic signature of letrozole-resistance associated with hormone-independence, enhanced cell motility and implications of epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT).

Probiotic yeast Kluyveromyces marxianus CIDCA 8154 shows anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative stress properties in in vivo models.

Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs) are complex affections with increasing incidence worldwide. Multiple factors are involved in the development and maintenance of the symptoms including enhanced oxidative stress in intestinal mucosa. The conventional therapeutic approaches for IBDs are based on the use anti-inflammatory drugs with important collateral effects and partial efficacy.

Comparative genomic analysis reveals a critical role of de novo nucleotide biosynthesis for Saccharomyces cerevisiae virulence.

In recent years, the number of human infection cases produced by the food related species Saccharomyces cerevisiae has increased. Whereas many strains of this species are considered safe, other 'opportunistic' strains show a high degree of potential virulence attributes and can cause infections in immunocompromised patients. Here we studied the genetic characteristics of selected opportunistic strains isolated from dietary supplements and also from patients by array comparative genomic hybridization.

Sperm-depleted males influence the reproductive behaviour of conspecifics.

In many insect species, sperm-depleted males (SDMs, i.e. males that have exhausted their sperm after a given number of matings) remain sexually active and continue to mate females.

Immunoproteomic profiling of Saccharomyces cerevisiae systemic infection in a murine model.

Unlabelled: Saccharomyces cerevisiae is considered a safe microorganism widely used as a dietary supplement. However, in the latest decades several cases of S. cerevisiae infections have been reported.

Laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass versus laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy for the treatment of morbid obesity. a prospective study with 5 years of follow-up.

Background: Laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (LRYGB) is one of the most widely used bariatric procedures today, and laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) is becoming increasingly popular. The aim of this study was to compare mid-term results of both procedures.

Methods: From January 2008 to December 2008, 117 obese patients were assigned by patient choice after informed consent to either a LRYGB procedure (n=75) or a LSG procedure (n=42).

Pathogenic potential of Saccharomyces strains isolated from dietary supplements.

Saccharomyces cerevisiae plays a beneficial role in health because of its intrinsic nutritional value and bio-functional properties, which is why it is also used as a dietary supplement. However, the perception that S. cerevisiae is harmless has changed due to an increasing number of infections caused by this yeast.