IL-12 drives the differentiation of human T follicular regulatory cells.

T follicular regulatory (T) cells can counteract the B cell helper activity of T follicular helper (T) cells and hinder the production of antibodies against self-antigens or allergens. A mechanistic understanding of the cytokines initiating the differentiation of human regulatory T (T) cells into T cells is still missing. Herein, we report that low doses of the pro-T cytokine interleukin-12 (IL-12) drive the induction of a T cell program on activated human T cells while also preserving their regulatory function.

Cold exposure modulates potential brown adipokines in humans, but only FGF21 is associated with brown adipose tissue volume.

Objective: The study objective was to investigate the effect of cold exposure on the plasma levels of five potential human brown adipokines (chemokine ligand 14 [CXCL14], growth differentiation factor 15 [GDF15], fibroblast growth factor 21 [FGF21], interleukin 6 [IL6], and bone morphogenic protein 8b [BMP8b]) and to study whether such cold-induced effects are related to brown adipose tissue (BAT) volume, activity, or radiodensity in young humans.

Methods: Plasma levels of brown adipokines were measured before and 1 h and 2 h after starting an individualized cold exposure in 30 young adults (60% women, 21.9 ± 2.

Serum levels of the novel adipokine isthmin-1 are associated with obesity in pubertal boys.

Objectives: To evaluate whether there is an association between the serum levels of the novel insulin-like adipokine isthmin-1 (ISM1) and obesity-related phenotypes in a population of Spanish children and to investigate the plausible molecular alterations behind the alteration of the serum levels of this protein in children with obesity.

Methods: The study population is a sub-cohort of the PUBMEP research project, consisting of a cross-sectional population of 119 pubertal children with overweight (17 boys, 19 girls), obesity (20 boys, 25 girls), and normal weight (17 boys, 21 girls). All subjects were classified into experimental groups according to their sex, obesity, and insulin resistance (IR) status.

Long non-coding RNA H19 as a biomarker for hepatocellular carcinoma.

Background And Aims: Liver cancer stem cells (CSCs) could be involved in the carcinogenesis, recurrence, metastasis and chemoresistance of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The aim of this study was to explore the role of lncRNA-H19 as a biomarker for liver cancer.

Methods: LncRNA-H19 expression levels and the functional assays were conducted in EpCAM CD133 CSCs and C57BL/6J mice fed with a high-fat high-cholesterol carbohydrate (HFHCC) or standard diet for 52 weeks.

Development and Validation of a Clinical-Genetic Risk Score to Predict Hepatic Encephalopathy in Patients With Liver Cirrhosis.

Introduction: We aimed to define the impact of the genetic background on overt hepatic encephalopathy (HE) in patients with liver cirrhosis by developing a combined clinical-genetic risk score.

Methods: Patients suffering from liver cirrhosis from the outpatient clinics of 4 hospitals (n = 600) were included and followed up for at least 5 years until HE bouts, liver transplant, or death. Patients were genotyped for 60 candidate single nucleotide polymorphisms together with the microsatellite in the promoter region of the gene GLS.

Hepatitis C Virus Clearance by Direct-Acting Antivirals Agents Improves Endothelial Dysfunction and Subclinical Atherosclerosis: HEPCAR Study.

Introduction: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection has been related to increased cardiovascular (CV) risk. The aim of this study was to analyze the impact of sustained virological response (SVR) on endothelial dysfunction and subclinical atherosclerosis in patients with hepatitis C virus treated with direct-acting antiviral agents.

Methods: A total of 114 patients were prospectively recruited and underwent CV risk assessment including (i) endothelial dysfunction determined through laser Doppler flowmetry and (ii) subclinical atherosclerosis, elucidated by the ankle-brachial index (ABI).

Negative predictive value of the repeated absence of gluten immunogenic peptides in the urine of treated celiac patients in predicting mucosal healing: new proposals for follow-up in celiac disease.

Background: The treatment of celiac disease (CD) is a lifelong gluten-free diet (GFD). The current methods for monitoring GFD conformance, such as a dietary questionnaire or serology tests, may be inaccurate in detecting dietary transgressions, and duodenal biopsies are invasive, expensive, and not a routine monitoring technique.

Objectives: Our aim was to determine the clinical usefulness of urine gluten immunogenic peptides (GIP) as a biomarker monitoring GFD adherence in celiac patients and to evaluate the concordance of the results with the degree of mucosal damage.

Oral glutamine challenge is a marker of altered ammonia metabolism and predicts the risk of hepatic encephalopathy.

Background: The current therapies for hepatic encephalopathy (HE) are not completely effective in all patients, probably due to the physiopathological heterogeneity and the different conditions underlying the bout of HE. We hypothesized that oral glutamine challenge (OGC) is able to predict the risk of HE through the identification of various features and types of HE.

Methods: We included 238 cirrhotic patients (198 without and 40 with a previous HE episode) that underwent OGC, obtaining baseline and 60 minutes post-load ammonia levels.

Sedentarism, Physical Activity, Steps, and Neurotrophic Factors in Obese Children.

Purpose: This study aimed to examine the associations of sedentary time, physical activity (PA) and step-related behaviors with neurotrophic growth factors.

Methods: A total of 97 children with overweight/obesity age 8 to 11 yr participated in this study. Sedentary time, PA, and steps were measured by GT3X+ accelerometers in hip and nondominant wrist.

Minimal hepatic encephalopathy identifies patients at risk of faster cirrhosis progression.

Background And Aim: Minimal hepatic encephalopathy (MHE) predicts poor prognosis and could reflect an advanced liver disease. We aimed to assess whether MHE could be a surrogate marker of a further liver disease.

Methods: Prospective multicenter study including 320 cirrhotic patients, followed for up to 5 years, which were classified at baseline in compensated cirrhosis without (stage 1) and with varices (stage 2), one decompensating event (stage 3), and any second decompensating event (stage 4).

Imaging biomarkers for steatohepatitis and fibrosis detection in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.

There is a need, in NAFLD management, to develop non-invasive methods to detect steatohepatitis (NASH) and to predict advanced fibrosis stages. We evaluated a tool based on optical analysis of liver magnetic resonance images (MRI) as biomarkers for NASH and fibrosis detection by investigating patients with biopsy-proven NAFLD who underwent magnetic resonance (MR) protocols using 1.5T General Electric (GE) or Philips devices.

Oxidized low-density lipoprotein antibodies/high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio is linked to advanced non-alcoholic fatty liver disease lean patients.

Background And Aim: A small but significant proportion of patients with normal body mass index show non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Oxidized low-density lipoprotein (LDL) is a powerful immunogenic molecule, which causes oxidative stress and produces antibodies (oxLDL-ab). We aimed to analyze the role of oxLDL-ab on histological features in lean-NAFLD patients.

Normal or High Polyphenol Concentration in Orange Juice Affects Antioxidant Activity, Blood Pressure, and Body Weight in Obese or Overweight Adults.

Background: The consumption of orange juice may lead to reduced oxidative stress and may enhance the antioxidant defense system.

Objective: The aim was to evaluate the effects of the intake of orange juice containing either normal (NPJ) or high (HPJ) concentrations of polyphenols (299 and 745 mg/d, respectively) on the antioxidant defense system, oxidative stress biomarkers, and clinical signs of metabolic syndrome in 100 nonsmoking subjects who were either overweight or obese.

Methods: A randomized, double-blind crossover study was conducted over two 12-wk periods with a 7-wk washout period.

Associations among Inflammatory Biomarkers in the Circulating, Plasmatic, Salivary and Intraluminal Anatomical Compartments in Apparently Healthy Preschool Children from the Western Highlands of Guatemala.

Background: Undernutrition and inflammation are related in many ways; for instance, non-hygienic environments are associated with both poor growth and immunostimulation in children.

Objective: To describe any existing interaction among different inflammation biomarkers measured in the distinct anatomical compartments of whole blood, feces, plasma and saliva.

Methods: In this descriptive, cross-sectional study, samples of whole blood, feces, plasma and saliva were collected on the 8th and last week of observation among 87 attendees (42 girls and 45 boys) of 3 daycare centers offering a common 40-day rotating menu in Guatemala's Western Highlands.

Glycemic responses, appetite ratings and gastrointestinal hormone responses of most common breads consumed in Spain. A randomized control trial in healthy humans.

The present study was carried out to determine the glycemic index (GI), glycemic load (GL), insulinemic index (InI), appetite ratings and postprandial plasma concentrations of gastrointestinal hormones related to the control of food intake after the ingestion of the five most common breads consumed in Spain with different compositions and manufacturing processes. Twenty-two healthy adults participated in a randomized crossover study. The breads tested were Ordinary, Precooked-Frozen, Candeal-flour, Alfacar whites and Wholemeal.

An enriched, cereal-based bread affects appetite ratings and glycemic, insulinemic, and gastrointestinal hormone responses in healthy adults in a randomized, controlled trial.

Background: Bread can contribute to the regulation of appetite.

Objective: The objective of this study was to investigate the appetite ratings and postprandial glucose, insulin, and gastrointestinal hormone responses related to hunger and satiety after the intake of a cereal-based bread.

Methods: A randomized, controlled crossover trial was conducted in 30 healthy adults (17 men and 13 women) aged 19-32 y with body mass index of 19.