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Mercury, a toxic metal released by various human activities, exerts environmental stress through its bioaccumulation and biomagnification, particularly in marine habitats. South American fur seals (Arctocephalus australis) and sea lions (Otaria flavescens) reproduce on the Atlantic coast of Uruguay. As top predators, they can accumulate toxic levels of mercury and are often used as sentinel species for monitoring ecosystem health. Fur seals prey on pelagic species, such as fish and squid, while sea lions consume coastal-benthic prey. We analyzed the total mercury concentration (THg) in hair and the trophic habits (δ13C and δ15N) of females from both species. The average THg concentration in adult female sea lions (30.5 ± 9.3 µg/g dry weight) was significantly higher than in fur seals (6.3 ± 2.5 µg/g dry weight). Additionally, the mean δ15N and δ13C values were significantly higher in sea lion (δ15N: 19.2 ± 0.6‰, δ13C: -13.8 ± 0.2‰) compared to fur seals (δ15N: 16.5 ± 0.5‰, δ13C: -15.5 ± 0.6‰). Our results suggest that different trophic levels and feedings areas affect the THg concentration in Uruguayan Otariids. Notably, at the intraspecific level, the THg concentration in sea lions increased with δ13C values, suggesting a link to coastal feeding habits. This indicates that coastal feeding behaviors, compared to feeding in pelagic environments, enhance mercury bioaccumulation in Otariids along the Uruguayan coast, with the discharge of freshwater from the Río de la Plata (one of the largest estuaries in South America) basin identified as a potential mercury source. THg concentrations found in female sea lion hair are the highest reported in Otariids globally. Mercury levels exceeded toxic thresholds observed in other mammals and could pose significant health risks. Our findings may explain why sea lions were particularly affected by the avian influenza outbreak in Uruguay compared to fur seals. Monitoring the declining sea lion population is crucial, making our results significant for integrated conservation and management strategies.

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Menopause is a critical stage in a woman's life in which cardiometabolic alterations appear, such as insulin resistance or a predisposition to visceral fat deposits, leading to an increased risk of cardiometabolic diseases (R-CMBs). New strategies to reduce the R-CMBs in postmenopausal women using natural compounds without adverse effects are desirable. In this sense, plant-based diets rich in fruits and vegetables could play a fundamental role due to the high content of bioactive compounds found in these diets, such as (poly)phenols, known for their antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and vasodilator properties. The aim of this research was to carry out a dietary trial to evaluate the effect of the daily intake of different (poly)phenol-rich foods (PP-rich foods) for 2 months on the modulation of the main cardiometabolic risk biomarkers of postmenopausal women. The results showed a slight improvement in blood pressure (BP), lipid profile and oxidative stress, endothelial function and inflammatory biomarkers. These findings suggest that daily consumption of PP-rich foods alleviated the R-CMBs of postmenopausal women by reducing the oxidative stress and, thus, the risk of cardiovascular events; however, the magnitude of the cardioprotective effect of (poly)phenols depends on inter-individual variability.

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In this work, core and core-shell microparticles formed by Ni-Mn-Co oxides with controlled composition were fabricated by an oxalate-assisted co-precipitation route, and their properties were analysed by diverse microscopy and spectroscopy techniques. The microparticles exhibit dimensions within the 2-6 µm range and mainly consist of NiO and NiMn2O4, the latter being promoted as the temperature of the treatment increases, especially in the shell region of the microparticles. Aspects such as the shell dimensions, the vibrational modes of the spinel compounds primarily observed in the shell region, the oxidation states of the cations at the surface of the microparticles, and the achievement of a Ni-rich 811 core and a Mn-rich 631 shell were thoroughly evaluated and discussed in this work.

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Carotenoids are isoprenoids widely distributed in foods that have been always part of the diet of humans. Unlike the other so-called food bioactives, some carotenoids can be converted into retinoids exhibiting vitamin A activity, which is essential for humans. Furthermore, they are much more versatile as they are relevant in foods not only as sources of vitamin A, but also as natural pigments, antioxidants, and health-promoting compounds. Lately, they are also attracting interest in the context of nutricosmetics, as they have been shown to provide cosmetic benefits when ingested in appropriate amounts. In this work, resulting from the collaborative work of participants of the COST Action European network to advance carotenoid research and applications in agro-food and health (EUROCAROTEN, www.eurocaroten.eu, https://www.cost.eu/actions/CA15136/#tabs|Name:overview) research on carotenoids in foods and feeds is thoroughly reviewed covering aspects such as analysis, carotenoid food sources, carotenoid databases, effect of processing and storage conditions, new trends in carotenoid extraction, daily intakes, use as human, and feed additives are addressed. Furthermore, classical and recent patents regarding the obtaining and formulation of carotenoids for several purposes are pinpointed and briefly discussed. Lastly, emerging research lines as well as research needs are highlighted.

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Menopause is characterized by endocrine and physiological changes and is often accompanied by increased body weight and cholesterol, glucose intolerance, and/or hypertension. These alterations are associated with increased risk for cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) and Type II diabetes mellitus (T2DM) that may be moderate by dietary plant phenolic compounds. In this review, we examine the current evidence of the impact of a variety of plant products (foods, extracts, beverages) rich in a mixture of phenolics and polyphenols on: (i) glucose and insulin levels; (ii) lipid profile; (iii) blood pressure; and (iv) biomarkers of inflammation and oxidative stress in postmenopausal women. We critically evaluate both the results of a range of intervention studies conducted in this specific subpopulation and the level of evidence supporting the benefits of consuming those products after the menopause. Overall, the current available evidence does not allow for specific dietary recommendations of these plant products rich in phenolics and polyphenols in this high-risk subpopulation. Our data show rather variable and small effects of the different products examined on the cardiometabolic biomarkers and further support the need to: (1) improve the quality of the study designs and data reporting; and (2) understand the variability in the response of the different biomarkers and establish clear differences between healthy and cardiometabolic disease levels.

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We present a resource for instructors that contains results and data sets from the Ames test. Our aim is to share the results we have collected in previous semesters with other instructors, so they will be able to "conduct" the Ames test without the need to set foot in a laboratory classroom. Instructors will be able to use our online resource to perform the test remotely, as a supplement to their laboratory classroom, or even under hybrid circumstances. The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic brought many changes, including the way we, as instructors, were able to carry out our educational curricula, since access to laboratory classrooms was not always possible. While COVID-19 restrictions are still in place, and thus access to laboratory classrooms is limited or null, instructors can use our online resource, without the need to set foot in a laboratory classroom. When COVID-19 restrictions are lifted and access to laboratory classrooms is permitted, instructors can follow the procedures we describe and compare their results with ours, which appear in Results and Discussion, or use our data sets as take-home assignments for their students. In addition to its use in detecting the potential mutagenicity of different samples, we have found the Ames test to be extremely useful for developing problem-solving skills by means of exercises like the ones included in this resource. Furthermore, the potential of this test as a starting point for problem-based learning is remarkable. Some suggestions for its use in active learning settings are provided.

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Introducción: durante la menopausia hay una mayor tendencia a la obesidad y el depósito de grasa visceral, aumentando el riesgo cardiometabólico. Objetivos: evaluar mediante un estudio de intervención el efecto del consumo de carotenoides sobre los biomarcadores relacionados con el riesgo cardiometabólico en mujeres peri y posmenopáusicas. Métodos: se seleccionaron 12 mujeres peri y posmenopáusicas, sin antecedentes de enfermedad cardiovascular pero con algún factor de riesgo cardiometabólico. Durante 4 semanas se suplementó su dieta con zumo de naranja-zanahoria, zumo de tomate y espinacas cocidas, proporcionando una ingesta de 415 mg de carotenoides totales a la semana (carotenos, criptoxantina, licopeno y luteína + zeaxantina). En el momento inicial (TI) y en el final (TF) se midieron los parámetros antropométricos y se analizaron los parámetros bioquímicos, los carotenoides plasmáticos y los biomarcadores de estrés oxidativo, de inflamación y de función endotelial. Resultados: en el TF se observaron cambios significativos, disminuyendo el colesterol unido a LDL y el índice aterogénico, y aumentando el colesterol-HDL. Los carotenoides plasmáticos se incrementaron significativamente (p < 0,05) de 0,56 µg/ml en el TI hasta 1,22 µg/ml en el TF. Paralelamente se observaron cambios significativos (p < 0,05) en los biomarcadores de estrés oxidativo e inflamación, disminuyendo la proteína C-reactiva y el malonaldehído, y aumentando la adiponectina. Por el contrario, los biomarcadores de daño endotelial (sVCAM y sICAM) y la capacidad antioxidante (ORAC) no mostraron cambios tras la intervención. Conclusiones: el consumo de carotenoides aumenta los niveles plasmáticos de carotenoides y disminuye la dislipemia aterogénica, y mejora los biomarcadores de inflamación y el estrés oxidativo, lo que está relacionado con una disminución del riesgo cardiometabólico. (AU)

Background: peri- and post-menopausal women exhibit a high tendency towards obesity and visceral fat deposition, which increases cardiometabolic risk. Objective: to evaluate through a prospective nutritional study the effect of carotenoid consumption on cardiometabolic risk biomarkers in peri- and post-menopausal women. Material and methods: twelve peri- and post-menopausal women without previous symptoms of cardiovascular disease, but with some cardiometabolic risk factor, were recruited. Their diet was supplemented during 4 weeks with orange-carrot juice, tomato juice, and boiled spinach, providing 415 mg of total carotenoids/week (carotenes, cryptoxanthin, lycopene, and lutein + zeaxanthin). At the beginning (TI) and at the end (TF) of the intervention period blood samples were drawn to measure biochemical parameters, oxidative stress, inflammation and endothelial function biomarkers, and plasma carotenoid levels. Results: at TF a significant decrease (p < 0.05) in LDL-cholesterol and atherogenic index, and an increase in HDL-cholesterol were observed. Plasma carotenoids increased significantly (p < 0.05) from 0.56 µg/mL at TI to 1.22 µg/mL at TF. Concurrently, a shift in oxidative stress and inflammation biomarkers was detected, with a decrease in plasma C-reactive protein and malonaldehyde levels, and an increase in adiponectin. However, endothelial dysfunction biomarkers (sVCAM and sICAM) and total antioxidant capacity remained unchanged. Conclusions: dietary supplementation with carotenoids leads to an increase in plasma carotenoids, a decrease in atherogenic dyslipidemia, and an improvement in oxidative stress and inflammation biomarkers, which indicates a reduction in cardiometabolic risk. (AU)

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INTRODUCTION: Background: peri- and post-menopausal women exhibit a high tendency towards obesity and visceral fat deposition, which increases cardiometabolic risk. Objective: to evaluate through a prospective nutritional study the effect of carotenoid consumption on cardiometabolic risk biomarkers in peri- and post-menopausal women. Material and methods: twelve peri- and post-menopausal women without previous symptoms of cardiovascular disease, but with some cardiometabolic risk factor, were recruited. Their diet was supplemented during 4 weeks with orange-carrot juice, tomato juice, and boiled spinach, providing 415 mg of total carotenoids/week (carotenes, cryptoxanthin, lycopene, and lutein + zeaxanthin). At the beginning (TI) and at the end (TF) of the intervention period blood samples were drawn to measure biochemical parameters, oxidative stress, inflammation and endothelial function biomarkers, and plasma carotenoid levels. Results: at TF a significant decrease (p < 0.05) in LDL-cholesterol and atherogenic index, and an increase in HDL-cholesterol were observed. Plasma carotenoids increased significantly (p < 0.05) from 0.56 µg/mL at TI to 1.22 µg/mL at TF. Concurrently, a shift in oxidative stress and inflammation biomarkers was detected, with a decrease in plasma C-reactive protein and malonaldehyde levels, and an increase in adiponectin. However, endothelial dysfunction biomarkers (sVCAM and sICAM) and total antioxidant capacity remained unchanged. Conclusions: dietary supplementation with carotenoids leads to an increase in plasma carotenoids, a decrease in atherogenic dyslipidemia, and an improvement in oxidative stress and inflammation biomarkers, which indicates a reduction in cardiometabolic risk.

INTRODUCCIÓN: Introducción: durante la menopausia hay una mayor tendencia a la obesidad y el depósito de grasa visceral, aumentando el riesgo cardiometabólico. Objetivos: evaluar mediante un estudio de intervención el efecto del consumo de carotenoides sobre los biomarcadores relacionados con el riesgo cardiometabólico en mujeres peri y posmenopáusicas. Métodos: se seleccionaron 12 mujeres peri y posmenopáusicas, sin antecedentes de enfermedad cardiovascular pero con algún factor de riesgo cardiometabólico. Durante 4 semanas se suplementó su dieta con zumo de naranja-zanahoria, zumo de tomate y espinacas cocidas, proporcionando una ingesta de 415 mg de carotenoides totales a la semana (carotenos, criptoxantina, licopeno y luteína + zeaxantina). En el momento inicial (TI) y en el final (TF) se midieron los parámetros antropométricos y se analizaron los parámetros bioquímicos, los carotenoides plasmáticos y los biomarcadores de estrés oxidativo, de inflamación y de función endotelial. Resultados: en el TF se observaron cambios significativos, disminuyendo el colesterol unido a LDL y el índice aterogénico, y aumentando el colesterol-HDL. Los carotenoides plasmáticos se incrementaron significativamente (p < 0,05) de 0,56 µg/ml en el TI hasta 1,22 µg/ml en el TF. Paralelamente se observaron cambios significativos (p < 0,05) en los biomarcadores de estrés oxidativo e inflamación, disminuyendo la proteína C-reactiva y el malonaldehído, y aumentando la adiponectina. Por el contrario, los biomarcadores de daño endotelial (sVCAM y sICAM) y la capacidad antioxidante (ORAC) no mostraron cambios tras la intervención. Conclusiones: el consumo de carotenoides aumenta los niveles plasmáticos de carotenoides y disminuye la dislipemia aterogénica, y mejora los biomarcadores de inflamación y el estrés oxidativo, lo que está relacionado con una disminución del riesgo cardiometabólico.

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Marine mammals and the ecological functions they provide to coastal and pelagic ecosystems are increasingly threatened by the intensification of anthropogenic impacts. The Uruguayan coastline throughout the 20th century, like other coastal environments worldwide, has been the sink of a variety of trace metals derived from the rapid urbanization and industrialization of related land areas. This coastline is inhabited by two species of pinnipeds trophically and spatially segregated. Otaria byronia feeds in coastal environments while Arctocephalus australis preys mainly offshore. The present study aimed to analyze historic changes in concentrations of trace elements in teeth of both species from 1941 to the present day. We analyzed the dentin of 94 canine teeth using stable isotope analysis (δ13C) and ICP-MS to determine their feeding areas and the concentration of 10 trace elements (Al, As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, and Zn) respectively. The concentration of Cr was significantly higher during '70-'80s, in both species coinciding with tannery industry development. Both species of pinnipeds have been differentially exposed to trace elements depending on their feeding area. A pelagic diet, possibly based on squid, increased the concentration of Cd in A. australis, while O. byronia has been more exposed to anthropogenic Pb and Cu associated to a costal and more benthic diet. Our results highlight dentin as a reliable matrix for historic studies on the exposure to trace elements. In light of our results, the O. byronia's declining population could be the result of the synergistic effects of trace elements together with other ecological pressures faced in their environment.

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Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is currently a serious and growing clinical problem in developed and developing countries and is considered one of the most frequent chronic liver diseases in the world. The aim of this study was to evaluate the functionality of dietary carotenoids provided by tomato and spinach in the dietary treatment of steatosis. Twenty-two Sprague-Dawley rats with induced steatosis were grouped into three groups and fed standard diet (CD group) and two experimental diets supplemented with 12.75% (LC12.75 group) and 25.5% (HC25.5 group) of a mixture of spinach and tomato powder. Rats fed carotenoid-rich feeds showed an improvement in the plasma biomarkers of steatosis, with lower levels of glucose, total cholesterol, VLDL, TG, proteins, ALT and AST. Likewise, a decrease in oxidative stress was observed, with a significant reduction of malondialdehyde (MDA) in plasma (up to 54%), liver (up to 51.42%) and urine (up to 78.89%) (p < 0.05) and an increase in plasma antioxidant capacity (ORAC) (up to 73.41%) (p < 0.05). Furthermore, carotenoid-rich diets led to an accumulation of carotenoids in the liver and were inversely correlated with the content of total cholesterol and hepatic triglycerides, increasing the concentrations of MUFA and PUFA (up to 32.6% and 48%, respectively) (p < 0.05). The accumulation of carotenoids in the liver caused the modulation of genes involved in lipid metabolism, and we particularly observed an overexpression of ACOX1, APOA1 and NRIH2 (LXR) and the synthesis of the proteins. This study suggests that dietary carotenoids from spinach and tomato aid in the dietary management of steatosis by reversing steatosis biomarkers.

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Broccoli is a source of bioactive compounds that provide an important nutritional value. The content of these compounds can vary depending on agronomic and environmental conditions, as well as on elicitation. In this study, three crop trials were carried out to evaluate the effects of the cultivation season, the application of different dosages of methyl-jasmonate (MeJA) on the overall quality and on the total content of bioactive compounds of 'Parthenon' broccoli cultivated under the field conditions of southeastern Spain. Color parameters, chlorophyll content, total phenolic compounds, total flavonoids and antioxidant activity were measured to evaluate the overall quality. Moreover, individual carotenoids, phenolic compounds and glucosinolates were evaluated by high performance liquid chromatography with diode array detection (HPLC-DAD) and high performance liquid chromatography equipped with diode array detector coupled to mass spectrometer using electro spray ionization (HPLC-DAD-ESI/MSn). The content of total carotenoids, phenolic compounds and glucosinolates were higher in autumn compared with spring, showing increases of 2.8-fold, 2-fold and 1.2-fold, respectively. Moreover, a double application of MeJA increased the contents of total carotenoids, phenolic compounds and glucosinolates by 22%, 32% and 39%, respectively, relative to the untreated samples. Considering our results, the controlled and timely application of 250 µM MeJA to the aerial parts of the plants four days before harvest, on two consecutive days, seems to be a valid agronomic strategy to improve the health-promoting capacity of Parthenon broccoli, without compromising its overall quality.

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INTRODUCCIÓN: la esplenomegalia y/o las lesiones ocupantes de espacio (LOE) esplénicas, han tenido limitaciones en su estudio histopatológico por el riesgo que suponen las punciones esplénicas. Las biopsias percutáneas con aguja fina, son difíciles en especial por interposición de gases, ascitis, obesidad o por antecedentes de cirugía abdominal. En cambio, el ultrasonido endoscópico (USE) aprovecha la proximidad de la pared gástrica con el bazo, para puncionar con visualización de la aguja y de sus movimientos en tiempo real. OBJETIVO: describir la experiencia inicial y resultados obtenidos con USE-PAAF en pacientes con esplenomegalia o LOE esplénica. MATERIALES Y MÉTODOS: estudio observacional descriptivo. Se realizó USE-PAAF del bazo, con técnica de slow-pull, evitando fanning, con 3 pases de aguja en promedio. Las biopsias se enviaron en solución Cytorich RedTM para análisis mediante citología y bloque celular. RESULTADOS: se realizaron punciones en 15 pacientes (9 mujeres), con mediana de 67 años (rango 44-86) en pacientes estudiados por esplenomegalia o LOE esplénica, en contexto de fiebre de origen desconocido, adenopatías, perdida anormal de peso. Se logró un diagnóstico concluyente mediante USE-PAAF en 10 pacientes (66,7 %), de los cuales 4 fueron linfomas no Hodgkin tipo B de célula grande y un linfoma de Hodgkin. No se presentaron complicaciones inmediatas, ni diferidas relacionadas al procedimiento. CONCLUSIONES: las punciones esplénicas USE-guiadas parecen ser seguras, eficaces y podrían ser necesarias en algunos escenarios clínicos para completar la filiación etiológica de esplenomegalia de origen incierto o LOE esplénica y descartar malignidad

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The consumption of carotenoids has beneficial effects on health, reducing the risk of certain forms of cancer, cardiovascular diseases, and macular degeneration, among others. The mechanism of action of carotenoids has not been clearly identified; however, it has been associated with the antioxidant capacity of carotenoids, which acts against reactive oxygen species and inactivating free radicals, although it has also been shown that carotenoids modulate gene expression. Dietary carotenoids are absorbed and accumulated in the liver and other organs, where they exert their beneficial effects. In recent years, it has been described that the intake of carotenoids can significantly reduce the risk of suffering from liver diseases, such as non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). This disease is characterized by an imbalance in lipid metabolism producing the accumulation of fat in the hepatocyte, leading to lipoperoxidation, followed by oxidative stress and inflammation. In the first phases, the main treatment of NAFLD is to change the lifestyle, including dietary habits. In this sense, carotenoids have been shown to have a hepatoprotective effect due to their ability to reduce oxidative stress and regulate the lipid metabolism of hepatocytes by modulating certain genes. The objective of this review was to provide a description of the effects of dietary carotenoids from fruits and vegetables on liver health.

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The purpose of this work was to evaluate the effect of dietary carotenoids from spinach on the inflammation and oxidative stress biomarkers, liver lipid profile, and liver transcriptomic and metabolomics profiles in Sprague-Dawley rats with steatosis induced by a high-fat diet. Two concentrations of spinach powder (2.5 and 5%) were used in two types of diet: high-fat (H) and standard (N). Although rats fed diet H showed an accumulation of fat in hepatocytes, they did not show differences in the values of adiponectin, tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), and oxygen radical absorption (ORAC) in plasma or of isoprostanes in urine compared with animals fed diet N. The consumption of spinach and the accumulation of α and ß carotenes and lutein in the liver was inversely correlated with serum total cholesterol and glucose and the content of hepatic cholesterol, increasing monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA), polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) and reducing cholesterol in the livers of rats fed diet H and spinach. In addition, changes in the expression of genes related to the fatty liver condition occurred, and the expression of genes involved in the metabolism of fatty acids and cholesterol increased, mainly through the overexpression of peroxisome proliferator activated receptors (PPARs). Related to liver metabolites, animals fed with diet H showed hypoaminoacidemia, mainly for the glucogenic aminoacids. Although no changes were observed in inflammation and oxidative stress biomarkers, the consumption of spinach modulated the lipid metabolism in liver, which must be taken into consideration during the dietary treatment of steatosis.

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The objective of this work was to identify the effect of tomato juice on the expression of genes and levels of metabolites related to steatosis in rats. Male Sprague Dawley rats (8 weeks-old) were grouped (6 rats/group) in four experimental groups: NA (normal diet and water), NL (normal diet and tomato juice), HA (high-fat diet and water), and HL (high-fat diet and tomato juice). After an intervention period of 5 weeks, rats were sacrificed and biochemical parameters, biomarkers of oxidative stress, liver metabolites, and gene expression were determined. Although the H diet provoked dislipemia related to steatosis, no changes in isoprostanes or liver malondialdehyde (MDA) were observed. Changes in the gene expression of the HA group were produced by the high consumption of fat, whereas the consumption of tomato juice had different effects, depending on the diet. In the NL group, the genes involved in ß-oxidation were upregulated, and in groups NL and HL upregulation of CD36 and downregulation of APOB and LPL were observed. In addition, in the HL group the accumulation of lycopene upregulated the genes FXR and HNF4A, which have been suggested as preventive factors in relation to steatosis. Regarding the metabolomics study, intake of tomato juice stimulated the biosynthesis of glutathione and amino acids of the transulfurization pathway, increasing the levels of metabolites related to the antioxidant response.

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Polychaetes that inhabit the sediments of estuaries are important prey to many species all around the world. Laeonereis acuta is a deposit feeder living in estuaries along the Atlantic coast of South America. Ragworms accumulate metals from the sediment, and represent a means of entry of sediment contaminants into the trophic network. The concentrations of Zn, Pb, Cu, Cr and Cd were determined in polychaetes and sediments (total and extractable) from six estuarine beaches of Río de la Plata. The associations between total and extractable concentrations in sediment and accumulated concentrations in L. acuta were analyzed. Sediments extracted by weak acid digestion appear to be a good proxy model of bioavailable metal fractions in the sediment. The association between metals in sediment and polychaetes denotes the role of L. acuta as an important link in metal trophic transfer from sediments to potential fish and bird predators of the worm.

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The aims of the present study were to ascertain, indirectly, the prebiotic role of tomato juice, by analyzing its effect on the content of short chain fatty acids (SCFA) in feces of rats, and to determine the plausible mechanisms related to the hypocholesterolemic effects of tomato juice and lycopene, evaluating the activity of hepatic HMGCR and the formation of propionic acid. Two commercially available tomato juices with differing contents of lycopene (low and high lycopene contents: Llyc and Hlyc tomato juices) were used. Sprague-Dawley male rats were randomly divided into three experimental groups (n = 8): control group, normal diet and water; group 1, normal diet and Llyc tomato juice; and group 2, normal diet and Hlyc tomato juice, which were fed ad libitum for three weeks. Feces were collected at the beginning and the end of the study to determine SCFA, and blood and liver were obtained (after sacrificing the animals) to analyze the lipid plasmatic parameters and the HMGCR activity and total cholesterol, respectively. No significant differences were observed in the plasmatic parameters, except that HDL-cholesterol increased significantly after consumption of both tomato juices. Lycopene was accumulated in the liver in proportion to the amount ingested, and was observed to have an inhibitory effect on the HMGCR enzyme, according to the amount of lycopene in the liver. In relation to the SCFA in feces, no differences were observed in acetate and propionate after the consumption of tomato juice, but a significant increase in butyrate was observed in group 2 after the intake of Hlyc tomato juice. The content of this carboxylic acid together with excreted lycopene in feces could have a beneficial effect on colonic cells.

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Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most common liver disorder in Western countries, with a high prevalence, and has been shown to increase the risk of type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease (CVD), etc. Tomato products contain several natural antioxidants, including lycopene-which has displayed a preventive effect on the development of steatosis and CVD. Accordingly, the aim of the present work was to evaluate the effect of tomato juice consumption on the urinary peptide profile in rats with NAFLD induced by an atherogenic diet and to identify potential peptide biomarkers for diagnosis. Urine samples, collected weekly for four weeks, were analyzed by capillary electrophoresis (CE) coupled to a mass spectrometer (MS). A partial least squares-discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) was carried out to explore the association between differential peptides and treatments. Among the 888 peptides initially identified, a total of 55 were obtained as potential biomarkers. Rats with steatosis after tomato juice intake showed a profile intermediate between that of healthy rats and that of rats with induced hepatic steatosis. Accordingly, tomato products could be considered as a dietary strategy for the impairment of NAFLD, although further research should be carried out to develop a specific biomarkers panel for NAFLD.

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Compared with other phylogenetic groups, self-fertilization (selfing) is exceedingly rare in vertebrates and is known to occur only in one small clade of fishes. Here we report observing one F1-hybrid individual that developed into a functional hermaphrodite after crossing two closely-related sexually reproducing species of cichlids. Microsatellite alleles segregated consistent with selfing and Mendelian inheritance and we could rule out different modes of parthenogenesis including automixis. We discuss why selfing is not more commonly observed in vertebrates in nature, and the role of hybridization in the evolution of novel traits.

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PURPOSE: Tomato products are a dietary source of natural antioxidants, especially lycopene, which accumulates in the liver, where it exerts biological effects. Taking into consideration this fact, the aim of the present study was to ascertain the effect of tomato consumption on biomarkers and gene expression related to lipid metabolism in rats with induced steatosis. METHODS: Adult male Sprague-Dawley rats (8 weeks old) were randomly grouped (n = 6 rats/group) in four experimental groups: NA (normal diet and water), NL (normal diet and tomato juice), HA (high fat diet and water) and HL (high fat diet and tomato juice). After 7 weeks, rats were euthanized, and plasma, urine, feces and liver were sampled to analyze the biomarkers related to lipid metabolism, inflammation and oxidative stress. RESULTS: The H diet induced steatosis (grade II) in the HA and HL groups, which was confirmed by the levels of alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase, histological examination and the presence of dyslipidemia. The intake of tomato juice led to an accumulation of all-E and Z-lycopene and its metabolites in the livers of these animals; levels were higher in HL than in NL, apparently due to higher absorption (63.07 vs. 44.45%). A significant improvement in the plasma level of high-density lipoprotein was observed in the HL group compared with HA animals, as was an alleviation of oxidative stress through reduction of isoprostanes in the urine. In relation to fatty acid gene expression, an overexpression of several genes related to fatty acid transport, lipid hydrolysis and mitochondrial and peroxisomal ß-fatty acid oxidation was observed in the HL group. CONCLUSIONS: The consumption of tomato juice and tomato products reduced hallmarks of steatosis, plasmatic triglycerides and very low-density lipoproteins, and increased lipid metabolism by inducing an overexpression of genes involved in more efficient fatty acid oxidation.

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