A Narrative Review about Autism Spectrum Disorders and Exclusion of Gluten and Casein from the Diet

Objective: Autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) appear in the early stages of neurodevelopment, and they remain constant throughout life. Currently, due to limitations in ASDs treatment, alternative approaches, such as nutritional interventions, have frequently been implemented. The aim of this narrative review is to gather the most relevant and updated studies about dietary interventions related to ASDs etiopathogenesis. Results: Our literature search focused on the gluten- and casein-free (GFCF) diet. The literature found shows the inexistence of enough scientific evidence to support a general recommendation of dietary intervention in children with ASD. Protocols and procedures for assessing risk and safety are also needed. Future lines: Prospective and controlled research studies with larger sample sizes and longer follow-up times are scarce and needed. In addition, studies considering an assessment of intestinal permeability, bacterial population, enzymatic, and inflammatory gastrointestinal activity are interesting to identify possible responders. Besides brain imaging techniques, genetic tests can also contribute as markers to evaluate the comorbidity of gastrointestinal symptoms.     

Obtaining and Characterization of Highly Crystalline Recycled Graphites from Different Types of Spent Batteries

Spent batteries recycling is an important way to obtain low-cost graphite. Nevertheless, the obtaining of crystalline graphite with a rather low density of defects is required for many applications. In the present work, high-quality graphites have been obtained from different kinds of spent batteries. Black masses from spent alkaline batteries (batteries black masses, BBM), and lithium-ion batteries from smartphones (smartphone black masses, SBM) and electric and/or hybrid vehicles (lithium-ion black masses, LBM) were used as starting materials. A hydrometallurgical process was then used to obtain recycled graphites by acidic leaching. Different leaching conditions were used depending on the type of the initial black mass. The final solids were characterized by a wide set of complementary techniques. The performance as Li ion batteries anode of the sample with better structural quality was assessed.     

Role of Chrononutrition in the Antihypertensive Effects of Natural Bioactive Compounds

Hypertension (HTN) is one of the main cardiovascular risk factors and is considered a major public health problem. Numerous approaches have been developed to lower blood pressure (BP) in hypertensive patients, most of them involving pharmacological treatments. Within this context, natural bioactive compounds have emerged as a promising alternative to drugs in HTN prevention. This work reviews not only the mechanisms of BP regulation by these antihypertensive compounds, but also their efficacy depending on consumption time. Although a plethora of studies has investigated food-derived compounds, such as phenolic compounds or peptides and their impact on BP, only a few addressed the relevance of time consumption. However, it is known that BP and its main regulatory mechanisms show a 24-h oscillation. Moreover, evidence shows that phenolic compounds can interact with clock genes, which regulate the biological rhythm followed by many physiological processes. Therefore, further research might be carried out to completely elucidate the interactions along the time–nutrition–hypertension axis within the framework of chrononutrition.     

The Effect of Enteral Immunonutrition in the Intensive Care Unit: Does It Impact on Outcomes?

Background: The present research aimed to evaluate the effect on outcomes of immunonutrition (IMN) enteral formulas during the intensive care unit (ICU) stay. Methods: A multicenter prospective observational study was performed. Patient characteristics, disease severity, nutritional status, type of nutritional therapy and outcomes, and laboratory parameters were collected in a database. Statistical differences were analyzed according to the administration of IMN or other types of enteral formulas. Results: In total, 406 patients were included in the analysis, of whom 15.02% (61) received IMN. Univariate analysis showed that patients treated with IMN formulas received higher mean caloric and protein intake, and better 28-day survival (85.2% vs. 73.3%; p = 0.014. Unadjusted Hazard Ratio (HR): 0.15; 95% CI (Confidence Interval): 0.06–0.36; p < 0.001). Once adjusted for confounding factors, multivariate analysis showed a lower need for vasopressor support (OR: 0.49; 95% CI: 0.26–0.91; p = 0.023) and continuous renal replacement therapies (OR: 0.13; 95% CI: 0.01–0.65; p = 0.049) in those patients who received IMN formulas, independently of the severity of the disease. IMN use was also associated with higher protein intake during the administration of nutritional therapy (OR: 6.23; 95% CI: 2.59–15.54; p < 0.001), regardless of the type of patient. No differences were found in the laboratory parameters, except for a trend toward lower triglyceride levels (HR: 0.97; 95% CI: 0.95–0.99; p = 0.045). Conclusion: The use of IMN formulas may be associated with better outcomes (i.e., lower need for vasopressors and continuous renal replacement), together with a trend toward higher protein enteral delivery during the ICU stay. These findings may ultimately be related to their modulating effect on the inflammatory response in the critically ill. NCT Registry: 03634943.     

Antibacterial and Biodegradable Polysaccharide-Based Films for Food Packaging Applications: Comparative Study

One of the major objectives of food industry is to develop low-cost biodegradable food packaging films with optimal physicochemical properties, allowing for their large-scale production and providing a variety of applications. To meet the expectations of food industry, we have fabricated a series of solution-cast films based on common biodegradable polysaccharides (starch, chitosan and alginate) to be used in food packaging applications. Selected biopolymers were modified by the addition of glycerol and oxidized sucrose (starch), glycerol (chitosan), and glycerol and calcium chloride (alginate), as well as being used to form blends (starch/chitosan and starch/alginate, respectively). A chestnut extract was used to provide antibacterial properties to the preformed materials. The results of our studies showed that each modification reduced the hydrophilic nature of the polymers, making them more suitable for food packaging applications. In addition, all films exhibited much higher barrier properties to oxygen and carbon dioxide than commercially available films, such as polylactic acid, as well as exhibiting antimicrobial properties against model Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria (Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus epidermidis, respectively), as well as yeast (Candida albicans).     

Alterations in Bacterial Metabolism Contribute to the Lifespan Extension Exerted by Guarana in Caenorhabditis elegans

Guarana (Paullinia cupana) is a widely consumed nutraceutical with various health benefits supported by scientific evidence. However, its indirect health impacts through the gut microbiota have not been studied. Caenorhabditis elegans is a useful model to study both the direct and indirect effects of nutraceuticals, as the intimate association of the worm with the metabolites produced by Escherichia coli is a prototypic simplified model of our gut microbiota. We prepared an ethanoic extract of guarana seeds and assessed its antioxidant capacity in vitro, with a 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay, and in vivo, utilizing C. elegans. Additionally, we studied the impact of this extract on C. elegans lifespan, utilizing both viable and non-viable E. coli, and assessed the impact of guarana on E. coli folate production. The extract showed high antioxidant capacity, and it extended worm lifespan. However, the antioxidant and life-extending effects did not correlate in terms of the extract concentration. The extract-induced life extension was also less significant when utilizing dead E. coli, which may indicate that the effects of guarana on the worms work partly through modifications on E. coli metabolism. Following this observation, guarana was found to decrease E. coli folate production, revealing one possible route for its beneficial effects.     

浅析中医“见微知著”的深层含义

目的:通过古文献的分析来揭示中医"见微知著"的深层含义;方法:从渊源追溯、医案举例、临床应用等方面来阐述"见微知著"有异于通常的解释;结果:"见微知著"的确切含义并不能被"以小见大"所涵盖;结论:除"以小见大"的含义外,"见微知著"还蕴含着对未来疾病动态的预测。     

Ginger (zingiber officinale) might improve female fertility: A rat model

Background

Ginger (Zingiber officinale) is a well known and extensively used antioxidant in traditional remedies. In this study, we aimed to investigate the effects of ginger powder on ovarian folliculogenesis and implantation in rats.

Mast cells in testicular biopsies of infertile men with 'mixed atrophy' of seminiferous tubules

Mast cells in the bilateral testicular biopsies of 30 patients with a 'mixed atrophy' of seminiferous tubules were analysed. Seven biopsies from vasectomized patients served as controls. With regard to their characteristic location within testicular tissue, two groups of mast cells could be distinguished, in both control and infertile patients: 'interstitial' mast cells (located between Leydig and other interstitial cells as well as in the vicinity of blood vessels) and 'peritubular' mast cells (located in the close proximity of the tubular lamina propria or incorporated in the lamina propria itself). Morphometric data indicated a significant increase in the number and volume of mast cells in infertile patients when compared with controls. In the biopsies of infertile patients that were analysed both 'interstitial' and 'peritubular' mast cells showed a significant increase in their number and volume, although it appeared that 'peritubular' mast cells increased at a higher rate than 'interstitial' mast cells. A significant negative correlation was found between the following variables: volume and number of mast cells, testis volume and the status of spermatogenesis evaluated by Johnsen's scoring. It was concluded that the increased presence of mast cells is closely associated with an impairment of spermatogenesis.     

右半结肠癌淋巴结转移规律及其临床意义

目的 研究右半结肠癌淋巴转移规律,指导手术根治范围。方法 收集1997年1月至2000年12月根治性切除76例右半结肠癌患的病理资料,按日本结直肠癌临床病理约定（JGR）进行淋巴结分组、分站,分析右半结肠癌的淋巴转移规律。结果 76例患有淋巴结转移49例,转移率64．5％;转移淋巴结184个,转移度17．1％。N1组淋巴结转移率、转移度、阳性淋巴结分布率分别为63．2％、21．5％、53．3％,N2组为39．5％、16．5％、34．2％,N3组为15．8％、9．0％、10．9％,N4组为3．9％、1．5％、1．6％。N1站98个阳性淋巴结沿肠管纵轴分布距肿瘤5cm以内、5－10cm、10－15cm、15－20cm各占68．4％、29．6％、1．0％、1．0％,20cm以上无阳性淋巴结;10cm内外有明显的差异。淋巴转移和结肠癌的组织学类型、浸润深度、肿瘤大小有明显的相关关系。本组发生淋巴结跳跃式转移10例,主要见于组织学分化较差、肿瘤较大、浸润较深,尤其是肿瘤浸润深度达pT3。跳跃式转移的形式以N1（＋）－N2（－）－N3（＋）为主。结论 右半结肠癌淋巴转移主要向中枢方向转移;对低分化癌、肿瘤浸润超过pT3主张把D3式淋巴结廓清作为标准术式;切除结肠肠管的长度以距肿瘤20cm以上为宜。