From Structure to Function: How Prebiotic Diversity Shapes Gut Integrity and Immune Balance.

The microbiota stability, diversity, and composition are pillars for an efficient and beneficial symbiotic relationship between its host and itself. Microbial dysbiosis, a condition where a homeostatic bacterial community is disturbed by acute or chronic events, is a predisposition for many diseases, including local and systemic inflammation that leads to metabolic syndrome, diabetes, and some types of cancers. Classical dysbiosis occurs in the large intestine.

Duration of Breastfeeding and Risk Reduction of Breast Cancer among Mothers Who Have Ever Breastfed: A Case-Control Study Conducted in Bahir Dar, Ethiopia.

Introduction: Breast cancer is currently the most frequently detected cancer in women and the primary cause of cancer-related deaths globally. The incidence of breast cancer has significantly increased in countries across sub-Saharan Africa, counting Ethiopia. There are multiple determinants of breast cancer, a few of these can be changeable whereas others are not.

Polysaccharides from Medicinal Plants: Bridging Ancestral Knowledge with Contemporary Science.

Plants are a core part of cultural identity, as part of a diet, decorations, ceremonies, or as medicinal agents. Empirical knowledge regarding plants and their healing potential has existed worldwide for centuries. With the advance of science and technology, not only is the refinement of such sources or isolation of specific compounds possible, but these compounds can also be characterized based on their natural occurrence.

Folic acid and autism: updated evidences.

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a complex neurodevelopmental condition that impairs communication, socialization, and behavior. The association of ASD with folic acid has been investigated due to the importance of this vitamin for neurological health. This study is an update of the publication 'Folic acid and autism: What do we know?' and aims to systematically review studies examining the relationship between folic acid and ASD.

The connection between gut microbiota and its metabolites with neurodegenerative diseases in humans.

The aging of populations is a global phenomenon that follows a possible increase in the incidence of neurodegenerative diseases. Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, Multiple Sclerosis, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, and Huntington's diseases are some neurodegenerative disorders that aging could initiate or aggravate. Recent research has indicated that intestinal microbiota dysbiosis can trigger metabolism and brain functioning, contributing to the etiopathogenesis of those neurodegenerative diseases.

Comparative analysis of pectin and prebiotics on human microbiota modulation in early life stages and adults.

The gut microbiota is essential in human health, influencing various physiological processes ranging from digestion and metabolism to immune function and mental health. Dietary fiber pectins and prebiotics have emerged as key modulators of gut microbiota composition and function, offering potential therapeutic implications for promoting gut health and preventing intestinal inflammatory diseases. In this review, we explore the modulation of gut microbiota by dietary fiber pectins and prebiotics in infants and adults.

Association between isolated or combined malnutrition and sarcopenia and quality of life in heart failure outpatients: A cross-sectional study.

Background: Heart failure (HF) is a chronic condition with symptoms linked to worse quality of life. Malnutrition and sarcopenia are conditions frequently found in patients with HF. This study aims to evaluate the association between isolated or combined malnutrition and sarcopenia and quality of life in outpatients with HF.

Ripe papaya pectins inhibit the proliferation of colon cancer spheroids and the formation of chemically induced aberrant crypts in rats colons.

Pectins are a class of soluble polysaccharides that can have anticancer properties through several mechanisms. This study aimed to characterize the molecular structure of water-soluble fractions (WSF) derived from ripe and unripe papayas and assess their biological effects in two models: the 3D colon cancer spheroids to measure cell viability and cytotoxicity, and the in vivo model to investigate the inhibition of preneoplastic lesions in rats. WSF yield was slightly higher in ripe papaya, and both samples mainly consisted of pectin.

Effect of chemical, thermal, and enzymatic processing of wheat bran on the solubilization, technological and biological properties of non-starch polysaccharides.

Wheat bran is a low-cost by-product with significant nutritional value, but it is primarily utilized in animal feed applications. This study sought to investigate chemical methodologies for modifying the wheat bran's structure, enhancing non-starch polysaccharides solubility in water, and assessing alterations in functional and biological attributes. Chemical modifications were conducted under aqueous, alkaline, acid, and oxidizing conditions.

Plant-derived polyphenolic compounds: nanodelivery through polysaccharide-based systems to improve the biological properties.

Plant-derived polyphenols are naturally occurring compounds widely distributed in plants. They have received greater attention in the food and pharmaceutical industries due to their potential health benefits, reducing the risk of some chronic diseases due to their antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, cardioprotective, and neuro-action properties. Polyphenolic compounds orally administered can be used as adjuvants in several treatments but with restricted uses due to chemical instability.

Unveiling Plant-Based Pectins: Exploring the Interplay of Direct Effects, Fermentation, and Technological Applications in Clinical Research with a Focus on the Chemical Structure.

Pectin, a plant-derived polysaccharide, possesses immense technological and biological application value. Several variables influence pectin's physicochemical aspects, resulting in different fermentations, interactions with receptors, and other functional properties. Some of those variables are molecular weight, degree of methylation and blockiness, and monosaccharide composition.

Variations in phase angle and handgrip strength in patients undergoing cardiac surgery: Prospective cohort study.

Background: Bioimpedance phase angle (PA) is a measure of cell membrane integrity, whereas handgrip strength (HGS) is an evaluation of functional capacity. Although both are related to the prognosis of patients undergoing cardiac surgery, their changes over time are less known. This study followed variations in PA and HGS for 1 year in these patients, determining associations with clinical outcomes.

Valorization of polyphenolic compounds from food industry by-products for application in polysaccharide-based nanoparticles.

In the last decades, evidence has indicated the beneficial properties of dietary polyphenols. and studies support that the regular intake of these compounds may be a strategy to reduce the risks of some chronic non-communicable diseases. Despite their beneficial properties, they are poorly bioavailable compounds.

Association of phase angle values and sarcopenia in older patients with heart failure.

Background: Sarcopenia presents an accelerated and accentuated muscle loss in patients with heart failure (HF), leading to a worse prognosis for these patients. This study sought to assess the association of phase angle (PA) values with sarcopenia and its components, as well as to establish a PA cutoff point to predict outcomes such as hospitalization and mortality in older adult patients with HF.

Methods: Sarcopenia diagnosis followed the European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People criteria.

Dietary fiber as a wide pillar of colorectal cancer prevention and adjuvant therapy.

Colorectal cancer is the third most incident and second most lethal type of cancer worldwide. Lifestyle and dietary patterns are the key factors for higher disease development risk. The dietary fiber intake from fruits and vegetables, mainly formed by food hydrocolloids, can help to lower the incidence of this type of neoplasia.

Pectin-based nanoencapsulation strategy to improve the bioavailability of bioactive compounds.

Pectin is one of the polysaccharides to be used as a coating nanomaterial. The characteristics of pectin are suitable to form nanostructures for protection, increased absorption, and bioavailability of different active compounds. This review aims to point out the structural features of pectins and their use as nanocarriers.

Effects of pectins on colorectal cancer: targeting hallmarks as a support for future clinical trials.

The intake of dietary fibers has been associated with a reduction in the risk of colorectal cancer. Pectins - a class of dietary fibers - are polysaccharides that have a complex structure with a wide range of direct and indirect biological beneficial effects on humans. Direct effects include dilution of carcinogens, reduction in cholesterol levels, and interaction with immune cells.

What is Known About Dietary Interventions and Body Weight Management After Kidney Transplantation? A Scoping Review.

Objective: Several studies report weight gain after kidney transplantation, which is commonly related to poor outcomes. However, recommendations for dietary interventions aiming to manage these patients' weight are still scarce in the literature. Thus, this review seeks to describe the state of literature on the effect of dietary interventions on weight after kidney transplantation.

Nanoencapsulated anthocyanin as a functional ingredient: Technological application and future perspectives.

Anthocyanins are an important group of phenolic compounds responsible for pigmentation in several plants, and regular consumption is associated with a reduced risk of several diseases. However, the application of anthocyanins in foods represents a challenge due to molecular instability. The encapsulation of anthocyanins in nanostructures is a viable way to protect from the factors responsible for degradation and enable the industrial application of these compounds.

Use of physical processes to maximize goat milk cream hydrolysis: Impact on structure and enzymatic hydrolysis.

This study evaluated the use of ultrasound (US), high-shear dispersion (HSD), stirring (ST), and low or high pressure homogenization (LPH or HPH) technologies to modify the goat milk cream (GMC) structure, focusing on improving the enzymatic hydrolysis of its lipids. The GMC structure was evaluated, as well as its creaming and emulsion stability index (ESI). The processed GMC was hydrolyzed by lipase at 50 °C for 300 min, and the fatty acids concentration (FAC) was evaluated over the reaction.

Nanotechnology as a Tool to Mitigate the Effects of Intestinal Microbiota on Metabolization of Anthocyanins.

Anthocyanins are an important group of phenolic compounds responsible for pigmentation in several plants. For humans, a regular intake is associated with a reduced risk of several diseases. However, molecular instability reduces the absorption and bioavailability of these compounds.