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    El triple brote en Ecuador: entre la sindemia y la infodemia
    (2025)
    SIMANCAS RACINES, DANIEL ALEJANDRO
    ;
    REYTOR GONZÁLEZ, CLAUDIA MARÍA
    ;
    CAGUA ORDONEZ, JAEN CARLOS
    Brotes simultáneos de tosferina, fiebre amarilla y leptospirosis en zonas rurales y amazónicas del Ecuador evidenciaron una combinación crítica de factores estructurales y sanitarios. La baja cobertura de vacunación, la escasez de servicios básicos, la pobreza, la desnutrición infantil y la limitada capacidad de vigilancia epidemiológica contribuyeron a una mayor carga de enfermedad. Estos eventos, potenciados por una infodemia marcada por desinformación y alarma social, configuraron una sindemia con consecuencias desproporcionadas en poblaciones vulnerables. Ante este escenario, resultan prioritarias acciones integradas que fortalezcan el primer nivel de atención, promuevan la comunicación en salud adaptada al contexto y garanticen condiciones dignas de vida como ejes fundamentales de una respuesta sindémica integral, equitativa y resiliente.
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    The Molecular Mechanisms Underlying Dercum’s Disease: Exploring the Intersection of Obesity, Pain, and Inflammation
    (MDPI AG, 2025-11-18)
    REYTOR GONZÁLEZ, CLAUDIA MARÍA
    ;
    Emilia Jiménez Flores
    ;
    Melannie Toral-Noristz
    ;
    Campuzano Donoso Martín
    ;
    ROMAN GALEANO, NATHALY MERCEDES
    Obesity is increasingly recognized not only as a metabolic disorder, but also as a state of chronic low-grade inflammation that predisposes to systemic complications. Within this context, Dercum’s disease (DD), or adiposis dolorosa, emerges as a rare yet debilitating disorder characterized by painful subcutaneous lipomas, most commonly affecting middle-aged women. Despite its clinical impact, DD remains underdiagnosed and is often misclassified as lipedema, fibromyalgia, or lipomatosis, complicating prevalence estimates and hindering the development of targeted interventions. Current evidence suggests that DD represents a distinctive model of inflammatory obesity, where adipose tissue actively contributes to pain generation rather than serving as a passive fat reservoir. Histological and molecular findings point to adipose tissue dysfunction, immune cell infiltration, and elevated secretion of pro-inflammatory adipokines, signals which appear to fuel systemic low-grade inflammation, perineural immune interactions, and nociceptor sensitization. Peripheral mechanisms further shape the clinical phenotype. While familial clustering suggests possible genetic contributions, no definitive markers have been identified, and the role of obesity-induced epigenetic modifications remains unexplored. Therapeutic strategies remain largely symptomatic, including analgesics, antidepressants, physical rehabilitation, and surgical excision of lipomas, whereas molecularly targeted and diet-based interventions are still experimental. This article discusses the pathophysiology of DD, current treatments, and future perspectives, emphasizing that advancing patient registries, omics-based analyses, and interdisciplinary clinical trials will be crucial to elucidate disease mechanisms and guide novel therapies. Improved understanding of DD may not only enhance patient care, but also provide broader insights into the interplay between obesity, inflammation, and chronic pain.
    Scopus© Citations 2
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    Actual macronutrient composition of the Mediterranean diet and its association with adiposity and inflammation: a cross-sectional real-life study
    (Springer Science and Business Media LLC, 2025-11-11)
    Claudia Vetrani
    ;
    Evelyn Frias-Toral
    ;
    Annamaria Di Martino
    ;
    Federica Cantelli
    ;
    Chiara Graziadio
    Background and objectives The Mediterranean diet (MD) relies on a specific food consumption pattern that has been given pleiotropic effects on human health. However, even foods typically considered beneficial within the MD framework may vary in macronutrient composition, potentially leading to imbalanced or unhealthy dietary profiles despite overall adherence. To date, no study has evaluated the total energy intake and percentage macronutrient composition in a cohort of adult individuals stratified by their adherence to MD. We aimed to investigate the total energy intake and macronutrient composition among individuals stratified by adherence to MD, and its association with indices of adiposity and inflammation. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted in 1342 volunteers. Participants underwent clinical examination (anthropometry, body composition, and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein assessment), and nutritional data collection, including adherence to MD (PREDIMED questionnaire) and habitual diet composition (7-day food records). The associations between PREDIMED score, macronutrient composition, and clinical outcomes were explored by Pearson’s correlation. Linear regression analysis was used to assess the macronutrient that best predicted adherence to MD. Results Participants with high adherence to MD (H-MD) presented lower intake of carbohydrate, while higher protein and fat amounts than individuals with medium (M-HD) or low (L-MD) adherence to MD. The H-MD group showed lower adiposity (body mass index, waist circumference, and fat mass) and C-reactive protein concentrations than individuals in the M-MD and L-MD groups p < 0.001 for all comparisons). Linear regression analysis showed low carbohydrate intake as the best predictor of high PREDIMED score (β: -0.875; p < 0.001). Conclusion H-MD is characterised by lower carbohydrate, higher protein and fat intakes than those usually reported in nutritional recommendations. This profile was significantly associated with lower adiposity and inflammation. A low carbohydrate amount was the best predictor of H-MD, suggesting that dietary carbohydrate should be on the lower side of the recommended range.
    Scopus© Citations 2
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    Enhancement of mechanical properties in ethylene propylene diene monomer/natural rubber nanocomposites through Ti3C2TX reinforcement and EPDM-g-MAH compatibilization
    (Elsevier BV, 2025-08)
    Ali Mohammad Amani
    ;
    Lobat Tayebi
    ;
    Katayoon Rezaeeparto
    ;
    Somayeh Parham
    ;
    Mohammad Javad Azizli
    This research explores elastomeric nanocomposites consisting of ethylene propylene diene monomer rubber/natural rubber (NR/EPDM) in various ratios (100:0, 80:20, 60:40, 40:60, 20:80, and 0:100 phr). The study incorporates EPDM grafted maleic anhydride (EPDM-g-MAH) as a compatibilizer, along with different quantities of Ti3C2TX reinforcement (1, 3, 5, 7, and 10 phr). To assess the dispersion and morphology of Ti₃C₂TX reinforcement in the NR/EPDM matrix, this study employed transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). These analyses revealed that, in the presence of EPDM-g-MAH, higher Ti3C2TX concentrations led to rougher fracture surfaces in the samples, indicating the excellent dispersion of Ti3C2TX in the NR/EPDM matrix. The investigation of mechanical and rheological properties demonstrated significant enhancements with increasing Ti3C2TX concentration in conjunction with EPDM-g-MAH. The study further explored the relationships between the nanocomposites' morphology and their theoretical and experimental mechanical properties through Mori-Tanaka analysis and dynamic mechanical thermal analysis (DMTA), respectively. These analyses revealed a strong correlation between theory and experimentation. The mechanical behavior of the composites exhibited notable improvements in tensile strength, hardness, modulus, elongation at break, and fatigue strength with the addition of Ti3C2TX, particularly in the presence of EPDM-g-MAH. Ultimately, our findings highlight the compatibility between theoretical analyses and experimental outcomes, validating the efficacy of Ti3C2TX incorporation in enhancing the properties of nanocomposites.
    Scopus© Citations 7
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    Next-Generation sequencing in a Native American patient with sea-blue histiocytosis: A case report and genomic analysis
    This study presents a case of a 25-year-old Native American woman from Otavalo, Ecuador, diagnosed with sea-blue histiocytosis and myelodysplastic syndrome. Bone marrow aspiration revealed sea-blue histiocytes, and next-generation sequencing identified a likely pathogenic stop-gain mutation in the gene, associated with myelodysplastic syndrome. Additionally, variants of uncertain significance were found in the and genes. Ancestral analysis showed a predominantly Native American composition, suggesting a potential genetic predisposition specific to Andean communities. The report underscores the importance of understanding genetic and ancestral backgrounds in diagnosing and managing hematological disorders.
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    Timing matters: lipid intake and its influence on menopausal-related symptoms
    (Springer Science and Business Media LLC, 2025-08-18)
    Ludovica Verde
    ;
    Luigi Barrea
    ;
    Evelyn Frias-Toral
    ;
    Raynier Zambrano-Villacres
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    SIMANCAS RACINES, DANIEL ALEJANDRO
    Background Menopause contributes to central obesity and increases cardiovascular risk in women. Diet influences both menopausal symptoms and cardiovascular health, but the impact of chrononutrition, namely food timing, is not well understood. This cross-sectional study investigated whether the timing of food intake affected menopausal symptoms in 100 postmenopausal women with overweight or obesity. Methods Anthropometric and clinical parameters, and lifestyle habits were assessed. Menopausal symptoms were evaluated using the Menopause Rating Scale (MRS). Nutritional assessment utilized 7-day food records. Food intake was divided into morning intake (meals from breakfast to lunch) and evening intake (meals from afternoon snacks to dinner). Results The mean MRS score was 22.7 ± 7.8, showing a high prevalence of symptoms in the study population. Postmenopausal women under the median of morning energy intake showed a significantly a higher score for heart discomfort (p = 0.045), while those under the median of morning intake of lipids showed significantly higher scores for heart discomfort and lower scores for bladder problems (p = 0.013 and p = 0.040, respectively). Postmenopausal women above the median evening intake of lipids showed a significantly higher score for heart discomfort (p = 0.007). The heart discomfort score correlated negatively and positively with the morning (r = -0.210, p = 0.034) and evening (r = 0.210, p = 0.034) intakes of lipids, respectively, even after correction for confounding factors (r = -0.219 and r = 0.219, p = 0.028 for both). Conclusion Consuming most of the energy and lipids later in the day was linked to higher prevalence of menopausal symptoms in postmenopausal women with overweight or obesity. This eating pattern may potentially have adverse effects on the cardiovascular health of these women. Therefore, adopting chrononutrition behaviors, particularly favoring an earlier intake of energy and lipids, could prove beneficial as an additional measure in the nutritional therapy for postmenopausal women dealing with overweight or obesity.
    Scopus© Citations 3
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    Expert Consensus on the Nutrition Care Process in Guatemalan Hospitals: Findings from a Delphi Study of nutritionDay 2022 Participants
    (MDPI AG, 2025-09-30)
    Karen Girón
    ;
    Isabel Chinchilla
    ;
    Christa Gómez
    ;
    Marietta Lau
    ;
    María René Oroxon
    Background: Disease-related malnutrition (DRM) remains an underdiagnosed condition in Latin American hospitals, with substantial clinical and economic consequences. The global nutritionDay initiative, promoted by ESPEN, provides a standardized audit to evaluate and improve hospital nutritional care. This study aimed to develop expert consensus recommendations to optimize the nutritional care process in Guatemalan hospitals, based on the findings from nutritionDay 2022. Methods: A modified Delphi study was conducted, including three meetings held before and after each round to discuss the results. Sixteen clinical nutrition professionals from eleven hospitals participated. A total of 89 items were assessed, with a predefined consensus threshold of 70%. Data were analyzed using R software (version 4.5.0) and Kendall’s W coefficient was applied to evaluate inter-round agreement. Results: Consensus was achieved for 51 key recommendations covering nutritional screening, clinical assessment, anthropometry, body composition, functional assessment, biochemical monitoring, dietary intervention, and post-discharge follow-up. The proposed actions are aligned with international guidelines (ESPEN, ASPEN, GLIM) and adapted to the Guatemalan healthcare context. Conclusions: This consensus provides a comprehensive and context-specific framework for standardizing and improving hospital nutritional care in Guatemala and similar settings. Its implementation could help reduce DRM prevalence and foster the development of quality indicators and digital tools for clinical nutrition management.
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    Differential impact of coffee quantity and sweetening on body composition parameters and inflammation
    (Frontiers Media SA, 2025-09-17)
    Giuseppe Annunziata
    ;
    Evelyn Frias-Toral
    ;
    Francesco Campa
    ;
    Maria Antonieta Touriz Bonifaz
    ;
    Ludovica Verde
    Background: Coffee is the most consumed and popular beverage worldwide. The health benefits of its regular, moderate consumption are well known, and include antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, as well as metabolic effects, reducing the risk of obesity and related diseases. The available literature, however, provides no information about the effect of coffee consumption on body composition (BC) and inflammation. The present cross-sectional observational study aims to investigate the effect of coffee consumption on BC and inflammation-related parameters, as well as the possible impact of adding sugar and the frequency of consumption. Coffee consumption habits, preference for adding sugar and frequency of daily consumption were assessed in 2,556 adults (1,080 men and 1,476 women). BC was assessed using Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis (BIA), whilst high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) levels were monitored for inflammatory status. Results: A total of 1,855 subjects (680 men and 1,175 women) were included in the statistical analysis. Compared to non-consumers, coffee consumers showed lower body mass index (BMI), waist girth (WG), and hs-CRP levels, and higher skeletal muscle mass (SMM), appendicular SMM (ASMM), phase angle (PhA), and standardised PhA (SPA) (p< 0.001 for all). The same trend was observed for unsweetened coffee consumers compared to subjects consuming sweetened coffee. With increasing coffee consumption, BMI, WG, and hs-CRP generally decreased, whilst SMM and ASMM showed a bell-shaped trend with peak values in those consuming 2–3 cups per day. Similarly, PhA and SPA values were highest among moderate coffee consumers. Conclusion: These findings suggest that moderate coffee consumption, particularly unsweetened coffee, is associated with more favourable body composition and inflammatory profiles. Given the observational design, causality cannot be established. Nevertheless, the results may inform dietary guidance aimed at supporting muscle maintenance and mitigating obesity-related metabolic risk.
    Scopus© Citations 2
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    Healthcare attitudes toward depression in Latin America: a latent class analysis from Argentina, Chile, Ecuador, Peru, and Venezuela using the Spanish-validated revised depression attitude questionnaire (SR-DAQ)
    (Springer Science and Business Media LLC, 2025-10-01)
    Marco Faytong-Haro
    ;
    Genesis Camacho-Leon
    ;
    Robert Araujo-Contreras
    ;
    Stephanie Gallegos
    ;
    Hans Mautong
    Background: Depression significantly impacts health systems worldwide, particularly in Latin America, where cultural stigmatization and misconceptions about mental health deter individuals from seeking help. Healthcare professionals’ attitudes toward depression may affect its prevention, diagnosis and treatment. Objective: To categorize Latin American healthcare professionals’ attitudes towards diagnosis and management of depression in subgroups using the Spanish-validated Revised Depression Attitude Questionnaire (SR-DAQ). Methods: A cross-sectional study surveyed 2,409 professionals using SR-DAQ from 2019 to 2022. Latent class analysis and multinomial logistic regression were used to identify attitude classes and explore demographic influences. Results: Among our sample, four attitude classes were identified: Depression Skeptics (21%), Depression Cautious (33%), Depression Neutrals (18%), and Depression Advocates (28%). Gender and medical subspecialty significantly influenced class membership, with females and mental health specialists more likely to be part of the Advocates. Conclusion: The study reveals varied attitudes towards depression among Latin American healthcare professionals, suggesting the need for tailored public health strategies to enhance effective depression care and management.
    Scopus© Citations 2
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    Effects of Preoperative Exercise Interventions in Patients Undergoing Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
    (MDPI AG, 2025-09-01)
    SIMANCAS RACINES, DANIEL ALEJANDRO
    ;
    PARISE VASCO, JUAN MARCOS
    ;
    ANGAMARCA IGUAGO, JAIME WLADIMIR
    ;
    Ashley Carolina Cuzco Macias
    ;
    Carlos Soria
    Background: Obesity affects over one billion people globally. Bariatric surgery is the most effective long-term intervention for severe obesity. However, postoperative outcomes can vary considerably, with such factors as baseline fitness and cardiorespiratory reserve influencing surgical outcomes. This systematic review aimed to evaluate the effects of preoperative exercise or physical activity, compared to standard care or no intervention, on preoperative fitness parameters and perioperative surgical outcomes in adults with obesity undergoing metabolic and bariatric surgery. Methods: A systematic review was conducted in accordance with the recommendations of the Cochrane Handbook and the PRISMA guidelines. Randomized controlled trials, non-randomized controlled trials, and cohort studies with control groups evaluating preoperative exercise interventions were included. Two independent reviewers conducted study selection, data extraction, and risk of bias assessment using Cochrane tools. Meta-analyses were performed using random effects models, with standardized mean differences calculated for continuous outcomes. Evidence certainty was assessed using the GRADE approach. Results: A total of 15 studies, including 1378 participants, were identified for qualitative synthesis, with 12 contributing data for quantitative meta-analysis. Preoperative exercise interventions significantly improved six-minute walk test distance (SMD 2.01; 95% CI: 0.51 to 3.50; p = 0.009) and VO2 peak (SMD 1.02; 95% CI: 0.52 to 1.51; p &lt; 0.0001). BMI reduction was significant (SMD −0.96; 95% CI: −1.75 to −0.16; p = 0.02), while weight change was not statistically significant (SMD −0.81; 95% CI: −1.72 to 0.09; p = 0.08). One study reported a reduction in hospital length of stay of 0.64 days (95% CI: −0.86 to −0.42; p &lt; 0.00001). Evidence certainty was rated as very low to low across all outcomes. Conclusions: Preoperative exercise interventions have been shown to significantly improve cardiorespiratory fitness in bariatric surgery candidates, with large effect sizes for functional capacity measures. Despite the low certainty of the evidence, these findings suggest that supervised exercise programs should be incorporated into the preoperative care of bariatric surgery patients.
    Scopus© Citations 1