Background: Obesity is characterized by a low-intensity chronic inflammatory process in which immune system cells interact in a complex network, which affects systemic metabolic processes. This raises interest in analyzing possible changes in the proportions of immune system cells in individuals with obesity with and without metabolic syndrome (MS), in relation to their body composition. Methods: Circulating cells were analyzed with flow cytometry in young adults: monocytes, granulocytes, lymphocytes (T, B, and natural killer [NK]), TCD4⁺CD62⁻, TCD8⁺CD28⁻, and naive and memory cells of TCD3⁺ and TCD4⁺. Body composition was obtained by bioelectrical impedance analysis and dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, and metabolic parameters. Results: A total of 169 persons were evaluated: 20% presented normal body mass index (BMI); 49% was overweight, and 31% had obesity; 28% had MS. It was observed that with an increase in BMI and visceral adipose tissue increase (VATI), body composition and biochemical variables were negatively altered. With regard to cell subpopulations, total lymphocytes increased and granulocytes and NK lymphocytes decreased in patients with MS and VATI. Memory cells increased with BMI and VATI. In individuals with MS, monocytes, and NK lymphocytes comprised a negative association with VAT, fat mass, and skeletal muscle mass (SMM). In individuals with MS and VATI, a negative correlation was observed between monocytes and SMM. Conclusions: Significant changes were detected in the subpopulations of lymphocytes, suggesting that weight gain, SMM, and VAT accumulation gave rise to immunological changes at the peripheral level, and the presence of increased memory cells could be related to low-intensity chronic inflammation.

The development of obesity entails a chronic low-grade inflammatory state with increased pro-inflammatory cells, mainly in visceral adipose tissue (VAT). Additionally, dietary patterns have an influence on the regulation of chronic inflammation. Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) include foods with an anti-inflammatory profile and that have positive impacts on body composition (BC), suggesting improvements in inflammatory processes. Objective: To analyze the impact of the DASH diet on cellular immunity, anthropometric, biochemical and BC parameters in patients with overweight and obesity, who could present metabolic syndrome. Methodology: Lymphocyte subpopulations, biochemical parameters, anthropometric parameters, and BC before and 8 weeks after intervention with the DASH diet in persons with overweight and obesity were measured. Results: Fifty-nine young adults participated in the study. After the intervention, no significant changes in biochemical parameters were observed, although a significant decrease in nearly all of the anthropometric and BC variables was found: waist circumference (p < 0.001), percentage and kilograms of fat (p < 0.001 and p < 0.025, respectively), VAT (p < 0.020), and weight (p < 0.001), as well as total lymphocytes and double-positive TCD4+ cells. A relation between changes in leukocyte subpopulations (monocytes, natural killer, helper and cytotoxic lymphocytes, and naive TCD4+ cells) and metabolic improvements (glucose, triglycerides, total cholesterol and LDL-c) was also found. Conclusions: The DASH diet promotes positive changes in lymphocyte subpopulations, anthropometric parameters and BC in persons with overweight and obesity. Future studies should elucidate the cellular and molecular mechanisms through which the DASH diet produces inmunometabolic improvement.

Childhood obesity has increased in recent years, due mainly to the intake of a hypercaloric diet and decreased physical activity. Obese children are more likely to have metabolic syndrome (MS). The objective of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of MS in obese (Ob), overweight (OW) and at risk of overweight (ROW) children, as well as its association with eating habits and physical activity (PA). Anthropometric measurements were made in schoolchildren in Mexico City to detect these conditions. Biochemical tests were made for the diagnosis of MS. A 24-hour dietary anamnesis on food consumption and a physical activity questionnaire were applied. We analyzed the results from 70 children, average age of 11.11 years (± 9 months); 54% were boys and 46% girls. Forty nine percent were at ROW, 43% OW and 8%Ob. Of this sample, 69% had a waist circumference above the 85th percentile. The highest prevalence of altered biochemical parameters were triglycerides and HDL-cholesterol. MS was present in 33% of schoolchildren and risk of MS in 27%. More than half of the children (57%) reported performing PA, of this group only 15% performed PA according to the WHO and presented a lower prevalence of MS, but was not statistically significant. No association was found between reported food consumption and MS. A considerable number of school children (mainly males) presented metabolic alterations, which was also related to a low level of PA. Therefore, it is important to apply preventive health measures from an early age.

La Revista de Estudios Internacionales Mediterráneos (REIM) es una publicación digital de acceso abierto dedicada a dar difusión a las últimas investigaciones sobre el mundo arabo-islámico con un enfoque multidisciplinar encuadrado dentro de las Ciencias Sociales

El confinamiento como medida de contención del SARS-Cov-2 ha tenido diversos efectos en el bienestar de las personas en el mundo. A partir de un estudio observacional, exploratorio y comparativo, la presente investigación analizó los cambios reportados en los hábitos alimenticios antes y durante el confinamiento entre estudiantes universitarios de la Ciudad de México. El objetivo fue dilucidar los posibles efectos que las modificaciones alimenticias por confinamiento tendrían en la susceptibilidad de contagio y complicaciones de la enfermedad en los sujetos de estudio. Mientras que el estudio no encontró modificaciones significativas en términos de calidad nutricional, sí se identificó, tanto antes como durante el confinamiento y en general, una alimentación con perfil proinflamatorio que se ha asociado con una mayor probabilidad de contraer el virus y desarrollar complicaciones.

This study examines the international online seminars for training Turkish-Spanish literary translators, organized by the Ispedcev research group at Istanbul University in collaboration with the Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (UAM). Grounded in the PETRA-E framework, these seminars aim to develop translational competence and prepare volunteer students for the professional realities of the publishing industry. The initiative utilizes the Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL) model to foster interaction between students from different geographical and economic backgrounds. Despite disparities in language proficiency, participants worked in asymmetric pairs to translate public domain texts, such as Orhan Veli’s verse versions of Nasreddin Hodja tales. Digitalization played a crucial role in this process, employing tools like Zoom for synchronous discussion, Google Docs for collaborative writing, and Padlet for peer feedback. The positive outcomes obtained in the seminars laid the groundwork for the renewal of collaboration between Istanbul University and the Autonomous University of Madrid, leading to a successful application to the “innovation in teaching and learning” project titled Letters in Transit, with the aim of organizing a similar activity in the second semester of the 2025-2026 academic year. Contemporary digital tools offer numerous possibilities in the field of literary translation; however, as demonstrated in this project, when the objective extends beyond the use of online dictionaries toward participatory international collaboration, such tools become indispensable. The process carried out with students from Istanbul University and the Autonomous University of Madrid has proven to be a good practice example. In this context, the present study aims to present in detail the design of the COIL-based model, the ecosystem of tools employed, and the evaluation findings.