The balance between pro- and antioxidant molecules has been established as an important driving force in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular disease. Chronic heart failure is associated with oxidative stress in the myocardium and globally. Redox balance in the heart and brain is controlled, in part, by antioxidant proteins regulated by the transcription factor Nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), which is reduced in the heart failure state. Nrf2 can, in turn, be regulated by a variety of mechanisms including circulating microRNAs (miRNAs) encapsulated in extracellular vesicles (EVs) derived from multiple cell types in the heart. Here, we review the role of the Nrf2 and antioxidant enzyme signaling pathway in mediating redox balance in the myocardium and the brain in the heart failure state. This review focuses on Nrf2 and antioxidant protein regulation in the heart and brain by miRNA-enriched EVs in the setting of heart failure. We discuss EV-mediated intra- and inter-organ communications especially, communication between the heart and brain via an EV pathway that mediates cardiac function and sympatho-excitation in heart failure. Importantly, we speculate how engineered EVs with specific miRNAs or antagomirs may be used in a therapeutic manner in heart failure.Eating disorders are serious mental illnesses associated with high mortality rates and health complications. Prior research has found increased rates of eating pathology in sexual minority (SM; e.g., lesbian, gay, bisexual) individuals compared to sexual majority (i.e., heterosexual) individuals. Two prominent models have potential to explain these differences the tripartite influence model and minority stress theory. While both models separately have promise for explaining the pathway of eating disordered behavior in SM individuals, research has indicated that both models have unexplained variance. Therefore, a comprehensive, integrative model could further explain unique variance. 479 men and 483 women between 18 and 30 years old were recruited through Qualtrics; all participants endorsed attraction to same-gender partners. Two models were estimated by gender using structural equation modeling. For men and women, community involvement accelerated the positive association of heterosexist discrimination with internalized homophobia. Minority stressors were associated with dissatisfaction and muscularity behavior, indicating the importance of incorporating minority stress. For women, community involvement accelerated both the association of pressures with muscularity internalization and the association of muscularity-based dissatisfaction with muscle building behaviors. If confirmed by prospective studies, this model could help refine prevention and intervention efforts with this vulnerable population.Meal pre-planning is considered a cost-effective behavioral strategy that can improve eating habits, reduce food waste and benefit food operators. This work aimed to offer new insights on the use of meal pre-ordering systems, in particular with regard to younger generations' booking habits and their evolution over time. Our data included observations from 946 students who visited a university canteen over the course of three years. We tried to address questions that were not previously explored in a real setting, namely we analyzed how widespread the use of pre-ordering can be, how much in advance and for how many days users plan their meals, whether there exists a compensation effect for those who order in advance and if increased familiarity with this booking system influences its adoption over time. We found that the adoption of pre-ordering was highest among graduate female students (odds ratio 1.67, p less then 0.001), who also planned their lunches further in advance and for more consecutive days compared to their peers. Our data also suggested that pre-ordering may increase the amount of uncollected orders, a potential source of collateral waste previously not identified in the literature. Although the generalizability of our findings is limited by the unique characteristics of the setting, the results obtained provide novel cues upon which future literature may build.Measurements of total 25-hydroxyvitamin D (t25(OH)D) are currently primarily used to assess the vitamin D status. The lipophilic cell membrane can only be passed by the un-bound form of 25-hydroxyvitamin D free 25-hydroxyvitamin D (f25(OH)D). It is thought that f25(OH)D does reflect its biological actions better than t25(OH)D. However, as of today, there are no established guidelines for the clinical use of f25(OH)D. We analysed 5060 patients with simultaneous measurements of free and total 25(OH). Linear regression was used to study the relationship between free 25(OH)D and total 25(OH)D. MG-101 in vitro We reviewed and used the established t25(OH)D reference values and determined the slope of the relationship between them to calculate reference values for f25(OH)D. F25(OH)D and t25(OH)D showed a strong positive linear (r = 0.8395, p less then 0.0001) correlation. The slope of the relationship was 0.2833 ± 0.00257. The recommended threshold level of f25(OH)D is 8.499 pg/mL, corresponding to a target concentration for t25(OH)D of at least 30 ng/mL considered as sufficient in most of the international vitamin D guidelines. The upper limit for vitamin D is less clear in the guidelines. Most experts favour an upper limit for t25(OH)D of 100 ng/mL. This is equivalent to 28.330 pg/mL f25OHD. We established based on international guidelines for t25(OH)D reference values for f25(OH)D that are urgently needed for clinical use of f25(OH)D. However, clinical studies with f25(OH)D to confirm our suggestions are needed but will take time. Higher endogenous testosterone levels are associated with reduced chronic disease risk and mortality. Since the mid-20th century, there have been significant changes in dietary patterns, and men's testosterone levels have declined in western countries. Cross-sectional studies show inconsistent associations between fat intake and testosterone in men. Studies eligible for inclusion were intervention studies, with minimal confounding variables, comparing the effect of low-fat vs high-fat diets on men's sex hormones. 9 databases were searched from their inception to October 2020, yielding 6 eligible studies, with a total of 206 participants. Random effects meta-analyses were performed using Cochrane's Review Manager software. Cochrane's risk of bias tool was used for quality assessment. There were significant decreases in sex hormones on low-fat vs high-fat diets. Standardised mean differences with 95 % confidence intervals (CI) for outcomes were total testosterone [-0.38 (95 % CI -0.75 to -0.01) P = 0.04]; free testosterone [-0.