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Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), which makes up about 70% of the cholesterol in the blood, is critical in the formation of arteriosclerotic plaques, increasing the risk of heart disease. LDL-C levels are estimated using Friedewald, Martin and Sampson equations, though they have limitations with high triglycerides. Our aim is to compare the effectiveness of these equations versus the ultracentrifugation technique in individuals with and without dyslipidemia and identify precision. There were 113 participants, 59 healthy controls and 54 dyslipidemic patients. Samples were collected after fasting. LDL-C was estimated using the Friedewald, Martin and Sampson equations. The purified LDL-C, ultracentrifugated and dialysized control group without dyslipidemia vs. patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) showed differences in age, HDL-C, triglycerides and glucose non-HDL-C (p = 0.001 in all). There were correlations in CGWD between ultracentrifugation and Sampson R-squared (R2) = 0.791. In the dyslipidemia control group, ultracentrifugation and Friedewald R2 = 0.911. In patients with CAD, correlation between ultracentrifugation and Sampson R2 = 0.892; Bland–Altman confirmed agreement in controls without dyslipidemia. The Martin and Sampson equations are interchangeable with ultracentrifugation. Conclusion: The role of LDL analysis using precise techniques is necessary to obtain better control of disease outcomes after the use of precise therapies and suggests verifying its importance through clinical trials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Type II pneumocytes are the target of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, which alters their redox homeostasis to increase reactive oxygen species (ROS). Melatonin (MT) has antioxidant proprieties and protects mitochondrial function. In this study, we evaluated whether treatment with MT compensated for the redox homeostasis alteration in serum from COVID-19 patients. We determined oxidative stress (OS) markers such as carbonyls, glutathione (GSH), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), thiols, nitrites (NO2−), lipid peroxidation (LPO), and thiol groups in serum. We also studied the enzymatic activities of glutathione peroxidase (GPx), glutathione-S-transferase (GST), reductase (GR), thioredoxin reductase (TrxR), extracellular superoxide dismutase (ecSOD) and peroxidases. There were significant increases in LPO and carbonyl quantities (p ≤ 0.03) and decreases in TAC and the quantities of NO2−, thiols, and GSH (p < 0.001) in COVID-19 patients. The activities of the antioxidant enzymes such as ecSOD, TrxR, GPx, GST, GR, and peroxidases were decreased (p ≤ 0.04) after the MT treatment. The treatment with MT favored the activity of the antioxidant enzymes that contributed to an increase in TAC and restored the lost redox homeostasis. MT also modulated glucose homeostasis, functioning as a glycolytic agent, and inhibited the Warburg effect. Thus, MT restores the redox homeostasis that is altered in COVID-19 patients and can be used as adjuvant therapy in SARS-CoV-2 infection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plant pathogenic fungi pose a significant and ongoing threat to agriculture and food security, causing economic losses and significantly reducing crop yields. Effectively managing these fungal diseases is crucial for sustaining agricultural productivity, and in this context, mycoviruses have emerged as a promising biocontrol option. These viruses alter the physiology of their fungal hosts and their interactions with the host plants. This review encompasses the extensive diversity of reported mycoviruses, including their taxonomic classification and range of fungal hosts. We highlight representative examples of mycoviruses that affect economically significant plant-pathogenic fungi and their distinctive characteristics, with a particular emphasis on mycoviruses impacting Sclerotinia sclerotiorum. These mycoviruses exhibit significant potential for biocontrol, supported by their specificity, efficacy, and environmental safety. This positions mycoviruses as valuable tools in crop protection against diseases caused by this pathogen, maintaining their study and application as promising research areas in agricultural biotechnology. The remarkable diversity of mycoviruses, coupled with their ability to infect a broad range of plant-pathogenic fungi, inspires optimism, and suggests that these viruses have the potential to serve as an effective management strategy against major fungi-causing plant diseases worldwide. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recently, various state-space implementations of surplus production models (SPMs) have been developed for data-limited stocks. Often, catches and fishing effort are underestimated and discards are ignored. This results in biased estimates of stock status and reference points. Therefore, we conduct a sensitivity analysis for different under-reporting scenarios (due to non-declared landings, by-catch, and discards) on model estimates and thus advice for the black hake species in northwest Africa. Two modelling frameworks were used, namely a stochastic SPM in continuous time (SPiCT) and Just Another Bayesian Biomass Assessment (JABBA). A common set of diagnostics was developed to allow comparison across modelling frameworks. Scenarios correspond to hypotheses about misreporting and assumptions and priors that were kept consistent. The ratio of current fishing mortality over the fishing pressure that gives the maximum sustainable yield, F/FMSY , is most affected by under-reporting. Results are sensitive to the prior assumed for the initial depletion level, B0/K , and research is needed. If the misreporting is changing over time, relative quantities (e.g. F/FMSY) and trends are biased, while if misreporting (or at least a part of misreporting) is constant, relative quantities are unbiased. Therefore, the nature of any trend in misreporting should be investigated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work presents a methodological proposal for the analysis of social controversies related to scientific literature. This methodology consists of three clearly differentiated parts. First, we identify the cognitive structure of a set of scientific works. To do this, a historiogram is created through the analysis of references cited by seminal works. This allows us to expand the set of works to work with, subsequently conducting a co-word analysis to identify the cognitive structure of the scientific field to be explored. Secondly, we obtain social mentions of this scientific literature using so-called altmetrics. This allows us to extract mentions made to each scientific document from non-academic environments. Finally, we apply sentiment analysis techniques to these mentions to identify focal points of negative sentiment. We test this methodology on the case study of NeuroGenderings, a movement in the field of neuroscience that denounces the lack of scientific evidence in works that claim the existence of brain differences driven by the biological sex of the subjects. Our results confirm the viability of these types of approaches that enable the identification of research areas with greater controversy. Although our study is limited to the analysis of controversies in news, blogs, Facebook, Wikipedia, and Reddit, the methodology can be applied to other domains and social platforms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Faunal remains from archeological sites worldwide, especially feces and regurgitated pellets, are usually subjected to paleoparasitological examination, allowing the identification of past animal parasites. In this study, we analyzed 10 samples of South American camelid dung, which played an important role for the ancient human groups in the South‐Central Andes, dated between 341 and 1635 calCE, from the Iluga Túmulos site (Pampa del Tamarugal, Tarapacá region, Atacama Desert, Chile). Microscopy examination revealed parasite remains in seven samples, in which oocysts of Eimeria macusaniensis and eggs of Lamanema chavezi/Nematodirus lamae, Trichuris sp., Moniezia sp., capillariids, strongylids, and unidentified nematodes were found. Although some of these species pose a potential health risk to camelids, most are not considered to be of major zoonotic importance, which could explain the absence of these parasites on human coprolites from this site analyzed previously. This first paleoparasitological study on camelid fecal remains from northern Chile sheds light on the occurrence of gastrointestinal parasites and its relationship with Andean ancient human populations and the environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The renal system is engaged in metabolic syndrome (MS) and metabolites of arachidonic acid (AA) participate in renal homeostasis and disruption of functionality. Hibiscus sabdariffa L (HSL) is used as a diuretic and could improve renal function. The aim of this study was to assess if treatment with HSL at 2% improves renal function in MS through the metabolites of AA. A total of 24 male Wistar rats were divided into four groups: Group 1, control (C); Group 2, MS with 30% sucrose in drinking water, Group 3, MS plus HSL infusion at 2% (MS+HSL); and Group 4, C+HSL. We evaluated the perfusion pressure changes (∆-PP), the activities of cyclooxygenases (COXs), the percentage of AA, the expressions of PLA2, COX2, COX1, 5-LOX, TAXS and CYP450, and the concentrations of prostaglandins in the kidney from rats with MS. There was a decrease in the ∆-PP, in the activities of COXs, and the expressions of COX2 and CYP450 (p ≤ 0.03, respectively)as well asPGE2, TxB2, and LKB4 (p ≤ 0.01, respectively). However, the percentage of AA and expressions of PLA2 and PGE1 (p = 0.01, respectively) were increased in C and MS+HSL. The HSL treatment improved the function and anatomical structure of the kidneys in the MS rats, through antioxidant molecules, and inhibited the pathways that metabolize the AA including that of PLA2, COX2, 5-LOX, TAXS, and CYP450 while favoring the COX1 pathway. This improves the vascular resistance of renal arterioles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Marfan syndrome (MFS) is an autosomal dominant disorder caused by a heterozygous mutation of the FBN1 gene. MFS patients present oxidative stress that disturbs redox homeostasis. Redox homeostasis depends in part on the enzymatic antioxidant system, which includes thioredoxin reductase (TrxR) and glutathione peroxidases (GPx), both of which require an adequate concentration of selenium (Se). Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine if Se levels are decreased in the TAA of patients with MFS since this could contribute to the formation of an aneurysm in these patients. The results show that interleukins IL-1β, IL-6 TGF-β1, and TNF-α (p ≤ 0.03), and carbonylation (p ≤ 0.03) were increased in the TAA of patients with MFS in comparison with control subjects, while Se, thiols (p = 0.02), TrxR, and GPx (p ≤ 0.001) were decreased. TLR4 and NOX1 (p ≤ 0.03), MMP9 and MMP2 (p = 0.04) and NOS2 (p < 0.001) were also increased. Therefore, Se concentrations are decreased in the TAA of MFS, which can contribute to a decrease in the activities of TrxR and GPx, and thiol groups. A decrease in the activities of these enzymes can lead to the loss of redox homeostasis, which can, in turn, lead to an increase in the pro-inflammatory interleukins associated with the overexpression of MMP9 and MMP2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we study natural hazards and their potential impacts on productive activities in the Comau Fjord in Chilean Northern Patagonia. We carried out hazard mapping to identify areas with evidence of geomorphological activity on slopes in terms of landslides, river/tsunami flooding, and glacial retreat. The assessment of different geomorphic processes was carried out by both detailed fieldwork and analysis of satellite remote sensing and aerial photography information. We identified terrain units that are subject to multi-hazards overlapping different spatially distributed hazard maps. This information was overlaid with spatial data of economic activities in the area in order to establish the impacts of the natural hazards on the local salmon and mussel farming infrastructure (risk). The results suggest significant exposure levels for these productive activities and potential damage due to the occurrence of natural hazards. The extension of a major highway (CH-7 Austral Highway) on the east coast of the Comau Fjord will be a new incentive for economic development in the area. However, the highway construction sites show a high level of exposure to natural hazards, especially floodings and landslides. Our study highlights that the geohazard potential might have a high negative impact on future productive activity in the fjord as well as on the new highway infrastructure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Sant Genís Formation is located in the NE of the Iberian Peninsula (Catalonia, Spain) and is dated to the Priabonian (upper Eocene), being part of the evaporitic formations of the margin of the Ebro Basin. It is formed by a succession of sandy lutites, occasional limestone layers, marls, and local stratified gypsum and cherts, including the Sant Martí de Tous chert. The Sant Martí de Tous chert type is confirmed by its abundance at specific locations within the territory (NE Iberian Peninsula). This is an important raw material procurement area, as evidenced by the presence of this chert in the main prehistoric sites of the region (e.g., Abric Romaní) and the constant discovery of new sites in the area around the Sant Genís Formation, especially from the Neolithic period onwards (e.g., Cal Sitjo, La Guinardera Nord workshop). All these features, together with the great heterogeneity of the Cenozoic evaporitic cherts, prompted us to carry out a multi-proxy characterization for obtaining a valid criterion by which to identify this chert in the archaeological record. This very heterogeneity hampers the macroscopic characterization of archaeological cherts (e.g., at Abric Romaní), but through petrographic analysis we have been able to identify their origins and, albeit to a lesser extent, their lithostratigraphic unit of provenance within the formation. The complementary mineralogical and geochemical techniques applied in this study show that, although it is difficult to establish an exact origin, through intensive sampling and criteria such as the differential presence of Fe and Ca, some differences among the siliceous varieties within a formation can be detected. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

SARS-CoV-2 infects type II pneumocytes and disrupts redox homeostasis by overproducing reactive oxygen species (ROS). N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) is a precursor of the synthesis of glutathione (GSH) and it restores the loss of redox homeostasis associated to viral infections. The aim of the study is to evaluate the effect of the treatment with NAC on the enzymatic antioxidant system in serum from patients infected by SARS-CoV-2. We evaluated the enzymatic activities of thioredoxin reductase (TrxR), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), -S-transferase (GST), and reductase (GR) by spectrophotometry and the concentrations of the glutathione (GSH), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), thiols, nitrites (NO2–), and lipid peroxidation (LPO) in serum. The activity of the extracellular super oxide dismutase (ecSOD) was determined by native polyacrylamide gels, and 3-nitrotyrosine (3-NT) was measured by ELISA. A decrease in the activities of the ecSOD, TrxR, GPx, GST GR, (p = 0 ≤ 0.1), and the GSH, TAC, thiols, and NO2– (p ≤ 0.001) concentrations and an increase in LPO and 3-NT (p = 0.001) concentrations were found in COVID-19 patients vs. healthy subjects. The treatment with NAC as an adjuvant therapy may contribute to a reduction in the OS associated to the infection by SARS-CoV-2 through the generation of GSH. GSH promotes the metabolic pathways that depend on it, thus contributing to an increase in TAC and to restore redox homeostasis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Frailty is a global health problem that impacts clinical practice. It is complex, having a physical and a cognitive component, and it is the result of many contributing factors. Frail patients have oxidative stress and elevated proinflammatory cytokines. Frailty impairs many systems and results in a reduced physiological reserve and increased vulnerability to stress. It is related to aging and to cardiovascular diseases (CVD). There are few studies on the genetic factors of frailty, but epigenetic clocks determine age and frailty. In contrast, there is genetic overlap of frailty with cardiovascular disease and its risk factors. Frailty is not yet considered a risk factor for CVD. It is accompanied by a loss and/or poor functioning of muscle mass, which depends on fiber protein content, resulting from the balance between protein breakdown and synthesis. Bone fragility is also implied, and there is a crosstalk between adipocytes, myocytes, and bone. The identification and assessment of frailty is difficult, without there being a standard instrument to identify or treat it. Measures to prevent its progression include exercises, as well as supplementing the diet with vitamin D and K, calcium, and testosterone. In conclusion, more research is needed to better understand frailty and to avoid complications in CVD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In patients with severe pneumonia due to COVID-19, the deregulation of oxidative stress is present. Nuclear erythroid factor 2 (NRF2) is regulated by KEAP1, and NRF2 regulates the expression of genes such as NFE2L2-KEAP1, which are involved in cellular defense against oxidative stress. In this study, we analyzed the participation of the polymorphisms of NFE2L2 and KEAP1 genes in the mechanisms of damage in lung disease patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection. Patients with COVID-19 and a control group were included. Organ dysfunction was evaluated using SOFA. SARS-CoV-2 infection was confirmed and classified as moderate or severe by ventilatory status and by the Berlin criteria for acute respiratory distress syndrome. SNPs in the gene locus for NFE2L2, rs2364723C>G, and KEAP1, rs9676881A>G, and rs34197572C>T were determined by qPCR. We analyzed 110 individuals with SARS-CoV-2 infection: 51 with severe evolution and 59 with moderate evolution. We also analyzed 111 controls. Significant differences were found for rs2364723 allele G in severe cases vs. controls (p = 0.02); for the rs9676881 allele G in moderate cases vs. controls (p = 0.04); for the rs34197572 allele T in severe cases vs. controls (p = 0.001); and in severe vs. moderate cases (p = 0.004). Our results showed that NFE2L2 rs2364723C>G allele G had a protective effect against severe COVID-19, while KEAP1 rs9676881A>G allele G and rs34197572C>T minor allele T were associated with more aggressive stages of COVID-19. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The general objective was to evaluate the zootechnical parameters of red tilapia fingerlings Oreochromis sp, in the rearing stage, supplemented with buttercup Tithonia diversifolia. The trial was carried out in the laboratory of the Centro Experimental Piscícola in San Jerónimo, Antioquia (Colombia). The 135 fingerlings were collected and placed in nine aquariums of 63 L of water. T1 - 15% supplementation, T2 - 20% supplementation and a Control - without supplementation, were evaluated for six weeks. The number of fingerlings, the initial and final weights and sizes and the physicochemical parameters of the water were recorded and statistically evaluated. The results showed a significant difference (p<0.05) for T2 compared to T1 and Control. Greater final weight and height (1.0±0.4g and 3.9±0.4cm), K>1, TEC=2.1%/day and survival (100%). The physicochemical parameters of the water maintained the optimal average values of temperature (1=25.0±0.3 °C), oxygen level (1=7.0±1.3 mg/L) and pH (1=7.8±0.3). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vascular grafts (VGs) are medical devices intended to replace the function of a blood vessel. Available VGs in the market present low patency rates for small diameter applications setting the VG failure. This event arises from the inadequate response of the cells interacting with the biomaterial in the context of operative conditions generating chronic inflammation and a lack of regenerative signals where stenosis or aneurysms can occur. Tissue Engineered Vascular grafts (TEVGs) aim to induce the regeneration of the native vessel to overcome these limitations. Besides the biochemical stimuli, the biomaterial and the particular micro and macrostructure of the graft will determine the specific behavior under pulsatile pressure. The TEVG must support blood flow withstanding the exerted pressure, allowing the proper compliance required for the biomechanical stimulation needed for regeneration. Although the international standards outline the specific requirements to evaluate vascular grafts, the challenge remains in choosing the proper biomaterial and manufacturing TEVGs with good quality features to perform satisfactorily. In this review, we aim to recognize the best strategies to reach suitable mechanical properties in cell-free TEVGs according to the reported success of different approaches in clinical trials and pre-clinical trials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) is the second rate-limiting enzyme of the pentose phosphate pathway. This enzyme is present in the cytoplasm of all mammalian cells, and its activity is essential for an adequate functioning of the antioxidant system and for the response of innate immunity. It is responsible for the production of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH), the first redox equivalent, in the pentose phosphate pathway. Viral infections such as SARS-CoV-2 may induce the Warburg effect with an increase in anaerobic glycolysis and production of lactate. This condition ensures the success of viral replication and production of the virion. Therefore, the activity of G6PD may be increased in COVID-19 patients raising the level of the NADPH, which is needed for the enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidant systems that counteract the oxidative stress caused by the cytokine storm. G6PD deficiency affects approximately 350–400 million people worldwide; therefore, it is one of the most prevalent diseases related to enzymatic deficiency worldwide. In G6PD-deficient patients exposed to SARS-CoV-2, the amount of NADPH is reduced, increasing the susceptibility for viral infection. There is loss of the redox homeostasis in them, resulting in severe pneumonia and fatal outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: We explore physical activity in early farming societies of Central Chile during the Early Ceramic and Late Intermediate Periods (200–1450 CE), a time of technological changes and intensification of food production. The existence of differences in entheseal changes (EC) between females and males is evaluated in two periods with different subsistence strategies. Material and methods: EC were recorded with method in the upper and lower limbs of 56 male and female adult individuals from the Early Ceramic Period (ECP) and Late Intermediate Period (LIP). Hierarchical multiple factor analysis and hierarchical clustering on principal components were performed using an exploratory approach. Results: In all the analyzed limbs, the EC scores are higher in males than females, which may be explained by sexual dimorphism. A constant overlap in the variability of the EC among males and females is observed. However, the EC scores show a different pattern of variability when comparing ECP females with LIP females. The results show that the scores increase in the latter. In contrast, when comparing ECP males with LIP males scores decrease in the later period. Discussion: Physical activity in the societies of Central Chile with incipient agriculture did not vary by sex or during the timeframe studied. Nevertheless, the interaction between sex‐period and the variability pattern of the EC from one period to another suggests different ways of doing similar physical activities or different emphases for similar biomechanical actions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cachexia may be caused by congestive heart failure, and it is then called cardiac cachexia, which leads to increased morbidity and mortality. Cardiac cachexia also worsens skeletal muscle degradation. Cardiac cachexia is the loss of edema-free muscle mass with or without affecting fat tissue. It is mainly caused by a loss of balance between protein synthesis and degradation, or it may result from intestinal malabsorption. The loss of balance in protein synthesis and degradation may be the consequence of altered endocrine mediators such as insulin, insulin-like growth factor 1, leptin, ghrelin, melanocortin, growth hormone and neuropeptide Y. In contrast to many other health problems, fat accumulation in the heart is protective in this condition. Fat in the heart can be divided into epicardial, myocardial and cardiac steatosis. In this review, we describe and discuss these topics, pointing out the interconnection between heart failure and cardiac cachexia and the protective role of cardiac obesity. We also set the basis for possible screening methods that may allow for a timely diagnosis of cardiac cachexia, since there is still no cure for this condition. Several therapeutic procedures are discussed including exercise, nutritional proposals, myostatin antibodies, ghrelin, anabolic steroids, anti-inflammatory substances, beta-adrenergic agonists, medroxyprogesterone acetate, megestrol acetate, cannabinoids, statins, thalidomide, proteasome inhibitors and pentoxifylline. However, to this date, there is no cure for cachexia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The infection with SARS-CoV-2 impairs the glucose–insulin axis and this contributes to oxidative (OS) and nitrosative (NSS) stress. Here, we evaluated changes in glucose metabolism that could promote the loss of redox homeostasis in COVID-19 patients. This was comparative cohort and analytical study that compared COVID-19 patients and healthy subjects. The study population consisted of 61 COVID-19 patients with and without comorbidities and 25 healthy subjects (HS). In all subjects the plasma glucose, insulin, 8-isoprostane, Vitamin D, H2S and 3-nitrotyrosine were determined by ELISA. The nitrites (NO2−), lipid-peroxidation (LPO), total-antioxidant-capacity (TAC), thiols, glutathione (GSH) and selenium (Se) were determined by spectrophotometry. The glucose, insulin and HOMA-IR (p < 0.001), 8-isoprostanes, 3-nitrotyrosine (p < 0.001) and LPO were increased (p = 0.02) while Vitamin D (p = 0.01), H2S, thiols, TAC, GSH and Se (p < 0.001) decreased in COVID-19 patients in comparison to HS. The SARS-CoV-2 infection resulted in alterations in the glucose–insulin axis that led to hyperglycemia, hyperinsulinemia and IR in patients with and without comorbidities. These alterations increase OS and NSS reflected in increases or decreases in some oxidative markers in plasma with major impact or fatal consequences in patients that course with metabolic syndrome. Moreover, subjects without comorbidities could have long-term alterations in the redox homeostasis after infection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Central nervous system (CNS) infections are important causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide. In Bolivia, aetiologies, case fatality, and determinants of outcome are poorly characterised. We attempted to investigate such parameters to guide diagnosis, treatment, prevention, and health policy. From Nov-2017 to Oct-2018, we prospectively enrolled 257 inpatients (20.2% HIV-positive patients) of all ages from healthcare centers of Cochabamba and Santa Cruz, Bolivia with a suspected CNS infection and a lumbar puncture performed. Biological diagnosis included classical microbiology, molecular, serological and immunohistochemical tests. An infectious aetiology was confirmed in 128/257 (49.8%) inpatients, including, notably among confirmed single and co-infections, Cryptococcus spp. (41.7%) and Mycobacterium tuberculosis (27.8%) in HIV-positive patients, and Mycobacterium tuberculosis (26.1%) and Streptococcus pneumoniae (18.5%) in HIV-negative patients. The total mortality rate was high (94/223, 42.1%), including six rabies cases. In multivariate logistic regression analysis, mortality was associated with thrombocytopenia (Odds ratio (OR) 5.40, 95%-CI 2.40–11.83) and hydrocephalus (OR 4.07, 95%-CI 1.35–12.23). The proportion of untreated HIV patients, late presentations of neurotuberculosis, the rate of pneumococcal cases, and rabies patients who did not benefit from a post-exposure prophylaxis, suggest that decreasing the burden of CNS infections requires reinforcing health policy regarding tuberculosis, rabies, S. pneumoniae vaccination, and HIV-infections. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Alcalase hydrolyzates were prepared from the albumin (AH) and globulin (GH) fractions of eight chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) genotypes from Mexico and 10 from other countries. Protein content, antioxidant activity (AA) (ABTS, DPPH), and degree of hydrolysis were evaluated and the best genotype was selected by principal component analysis. The hydrolyzates of the chosen genotype were analyzed for its antidiabetic potential measured as inhibition of α‐amylase, α‐glucosidase, and dipeptidyl peptidase‐4 (DPP4). Peptide profiles were obtained by liquid chromatography‐mass spectrometry (UPLC‐DAD‐MS), and the most active peptides were analyzed by molecular docking. The average antioxidant activity of albumin hydrolyzates was higher than that of globulin hydrolyzates. ICC3761 was the selected genotype and peptides purified from the albumin hydrolyzate showed the best antioxidant activity and antidiabetic potential (FEI, FEL, FIE, FKN, FGKG, and MEE). FEI, FEL, and FIE were in the same chromatographic peak and this mixture showed the best ABTS scavenging (78.25%) and DPP4 inhibition (IC50 = 4.20 µg/ml). MEE showed the best DPPH scavenging (47%). FGKG showed the best inhibition of α‐amylase (54%) and α‐glucosidase (56%) and may be a competitive inhibitor based on in silico‐predicted interactions with catalytic amino acids in the active site of both enzymes. These peptides could be used as nutraceutical supplements against diseases related to oxidative stress and diabetes. Practical Application: This study showed that chickpea protein hydrolyzates are good sources of peptides with antidiabetic potential, showing high antioxidant activity and inhibition of enzymes related to carbohydrate metabolism and type 2 diabetes. These hydrolyzates could be formulated in functional foods for diabetes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Food autonomy is the collective human right to independently control their food process according to its traditions, practices, customs, needs, and strategic perspectives in harmony with other human groups, the environment, and future generations. Today, it is seriously under threat by the unbridled development model. Objective. Describe the practices of food autonomy in the indigenous cosmovision of the Nasa people in Colombia. Method. Qualitative research with a descriptive focus. In total, 26 members of the Indigenous Reservation of Rionegro-Huila aged over 14 years voluntarily participated in the research in discussion groups and in-depth interviews. Results and conclusions. Food autonomy practices in the cosmovision of the Nasa people are related to fundamental aspects: spiritual harmony derived from harmonious relationships between people, the earth, the environment, and deities; the characteristics of seeds, cycles, planting methods, and the Tul; and communal work methods such as Minga and barter, which come together as acts of resistance against the capitalist model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Family businesses are considered of great importance thanks to the potential they offer in aspects of profitability and productivity at a global level; however, they present problems in their management, culture, leadership, among others. It is fundamental to analyze the leadership styles (autocratic, democratic, consultative, and participatory) in relation to the types of culture (clan, adhocratic, market, and hierarchical) in order to identify how these are related, and to ensure that family businesses continue to contribute to the economy, being profitable, favoring their permanence and demonstrating how fundamental they are. Method: A quantitative, transversal study was carried out through a questionnaire with 26 questions focused on the organizational culture based on Cameron and Quinn, as well as diverse leadership styles exposed by Hofstede; this was applied to 156 informants, whose information analysis was carried out through a multinomial logistic regression analysis in software SPSS version 25. Results: It was found that in family businesses any other type of leadership over the autocratic is more likely to exist; likewise, when relating the type of culture with leadership, it is evident that in a clan-type culture it is more likely that democratic leadership is exercised than autocratic leadership. When a market-type culture prevails, it is more likely that participatory leadership exists than autocratic leadership; in contrast, in a company with a hierarchical culture, autocratic leadership is more likely than any of the others. Discussion or Conclusion: Both leadership and organizational culture are related to each other, and are proof that companies, whether they are family-owned or not, can continue to subsist with a promising future if they seek to focus their efforts on improving the relationship between these two aspects; furthermore, it should be noted that this is one of the few research carried out in family-owned companies with the utilized method in the present one. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years the importance of the study of the characteristics inherent to the stages that lead to alcoholism has been pointed out. The scarcity of these studies is a controversial factor since the development of models that encompass the relevance of these stages could be extremely important in the search for the "critical point" in which the moment in which an individual in advanced stages of the process can be identified addiction can develop alcoholism, or in which a social drinker becomes a risky drinker, merely based on the particularity of the behavioral changes that he presents. The present work has as objective to evaluate the behavioral affectations related to the neuronal state in a model of social drinker in Wistar rats which were distributed in 2 Control groups (Water) and Ethanol group that was administered by the cash-home method "ad libitum"At different concentrations (5%, 10%, 15% and 20%.) 2 times a week for seven weeks. The Morris Water Labyrinth, the Elevated Cross Labyrinth and the Irwin Test were applied. The model developed mimics the behavior of social drinkers in humans in terms of ethanol consumption. It was concluded that there were affectations related to the state of anxiety in the Elevated Labyrinth in Cruz in addition to an incipient affectation of the dopaminergic transmission by means of the Irwin test and the consumption of ethanol, there being no affectation of the memory measured in the Aquatic labyrinth of Morris. These results indicate the incipient neuronal imbalance that characterizes the social drinker. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A soursop leather was prepared, and its physicochemical and sensory properties were assessed. The preparation of the leather was carried out based on an experimental mix design. The combination of soursop pulp (79-100%), sugar (0-20%), and citric acid (0-1%) produced five treatments. The optimum mixture, viz., TII (80:20:0), and the midpoint mixture, viz., TV (89.5:10:0.5), were finally selected, using an acceptability test (taste and color) with an untrained panel. These two treatments were evaluated, recording the variation of total soluble solids (TSS), pH, titratable acidity, ascorbic acid, total polyphenols, and color (chroma, hue angle, browning index and total color difference) every 15 days for a 45-day period. It was determined that it can be prepared from the soursop pulp, a leather with high acceptability (taste; color): TIV (8.68; 7.90) and TII (8.51; 7.72) on a 12-point scale. Significant changes in TSS, pH, titratable acidity, total polyphenols, and color (chroma, browning index, and total color difference) were observed during the 45 days of storage at room temperature. Both ascorbic acid and total polyphenol content make the soursop leather a product with potentially healthy characteristics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

RESUMEN Introducción: Las empresas familiares han contribuido a la economía por muchos años. Tienen una gran importancia en el mercado laboral. Su aparición ha ido aumentando a través de los años y se caracterizan por ser de las primeras formas de organización en todo el mundo. Objetivo: Analizar la evolución del concepto de empresa familiar a través de una revisión de literatura de diversos modelos y elementos para generar una propuesta de homologación de una definición de este tipo de empresas. Métodos: Se realizó una revisión teórica de diversas investigaciones referentes a los elementos o modelos que conforman las empresas familiares para el análisis de la conceptualización de la misma, en libros y diferentes bases de datos como Ebsco, Proquest y Google académico, tanto en inglés como en español, resultando un total de 56 artículos, para después agrupar la información en un cuadro comparativo, para su visualización y análisis. Resultados: Los principales resultados con base en los autores analizados fueron la creación de un modelo descriptivo de los elementos de las empresas familiares, así como el establecimiento de una conceptualización propia a este tipo de empresas. Conclusiones: El modelo propuesto ayuda tener un concepto más amplio de la conformación de las empresas familiares a través del tiempo y sus elementos, así como la importancia que genera este tipo de empresas a la economía mundial. Introduction: The family business have been the base of the economy for a lot of years, from there, it's great importance in the labor market, so it's appearance has been increasing over the years and characterizing by being the first form of organization in all around the world. Objective: To analyze the evolution of family business through a literature review of various models and elements to establish a unique conceptualization of this type of companies. Methods: A theoretical review of diverse researches carried out, referring to the elements or models that conform the family business to the analysis of the conceptualization of them, searching in books and different databases, procuring the english and spanish languages and trying to search from the oldest to the most recent, and grouping the information in a comparative table and have a better visualization and analysis. Results: The main results based on the authors analyzed were, the creation of a new model of elements of the family business as well as the establishment of a conceptualization of this type of business. Conclusions: The proposed model helps to have a broader concept of the conformation of family businesses over time, as well as the importance that type of business generates in the global economy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) breeding programs in Northwestern Mexico have focused in developing extra-largeseeded Kabuli cultivars, but additional efforts are required to generate genotypes with better grain quality traits. Information about molecular genetic diversity of Mexican chickpea germplasm and other genotypes from international collections may be valuable sources to improve nutritional properties. The aim of this study was to determine the genetic diversity based on microsatellite markers and the variation in grain quality traits of 14 Kabuli genotypes from Mexico and nine Desi genotypes from other countries. The hypothesis was that the genetic variation detected allows the differentiation of the genotypes according to their origin. DNA was extracted and analyzed with 31 markers distributed across the chickpea genome. A total of 164 alleles were obtained (average of 5.3 alleles per locus) and a total gene diversity of 0.72, which demonstrated a broad genetic base of the chickpeas analyzed. The UPGMA-cluster analysis, modelbased population structure and principal component analysis revealed two major groups, one formed by Desi chickpeas and the other by Kabuli genotypes. The chickpeas also showed a wide variability in seed coat color, seed weight, seed coat proportion, and starch, protein and phenolics content, which was significantly associated with 12 microsatellite markers. These genetic materials represent a broad source of variation for improving chickpea grain quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction. Mental disorders represent one of the main causes of disease burden in the adult population. Negative public attitudes and behaviors toward people with mental disorders negatively affect the treatment, recovery, and social inclusion of those affected. Chile laks surveys on workers that address this issue. Objective. To describe the perceptions of devaluation and discrimination towards people with mental disorders in a sample of Chilean workers. Method. A cross-sectional study was carried out with 1 516 workers in the formal sector of four regions of Chile (Metropolitan Region [RM], Bío Bio [VIII], Valparaíso [V] and Coquimbo [IV]). The perception of discrimination and devaluation was explored through a modified version of the The perceived Devaluation-Discrimination Scale (PDD) comprising 15 questions. The relationship of each question with sociodemographic variables (age, sex, years of study, and region) and type of economic activity was assessed. Results. The study found a high percentage of perceptions of devaluation and discrimination in most aspects considered, particularly those related to hiring a person who has been hospitalized due to a mental illness (85%), feeling sorry for people with severe mental illnesses (80%), and the unwillingness to marry a person with a mental illness (78%). Significant differences were observed in the opinions by sociodemographic variables and region of residence. Discussion and conclusion. The perception of Chilean workers has high levels of stigma towards people living with mental disorders. It is necessary and urgent to develop effective anti-stigma public policies to promote a more inclusive, tolerant society. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ancient dental calculus research currently relies on destructive techniques whereby archeological specimens are broken down to determine their contents. Two strategies that could partly remediate a permanent loss of the original sample and enhance future analysis and reproducibility include (1) structural surface characterization through spectroscopy along with crystallographic and spectroscopic analysis of its molecular structure, and (2) surface decontamination protocols in which the efficacy of cleaning dental calculus prior to extraction is demonstrated. Dental calculus provides ancient starch research a niche where granules may be adsorbed to minerals, coated, overgrown, entrapped, and/or protected from chemical degradation. While encapsulation offers protection from degradation, it does not shield the sample's surface from contamination. The most common approach to retrieving microbotanical particles from archeological calculus has been the direct decalcification of the sample, after a cleaning stage variously consisting of immersion in water, acids, and mechanical dislodgment via gas, sonication, and/or toothbrushes. Little is known about the efficiency of these methods for a complete removal of sediment/soil and unrelated microbotanical matter. In this paper, controlled laboratory experimentation leads to chemical structural characterization and a decontamination protocol to eradicate starch granules. Several concentrations of acids, bases, and enzymes were tested at intervals to understand their potential to gelatinize and fully destroy starch granules; arriving at a procedure that effectively eradicates modern starch prior to dissolution without damaging the matrix or entrapped starch microremains. This is the first attempt at creating synthetic calculus to understand and systematically test effective decontamination protocols for ancient starch research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/aim: As reported in the literature by several authors, there is a great variation between countries in terms of etiology and patterns of mandibular fractures. The aim of this study was to determine the incidence of mandibular fractures at the Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Unit, "Dr. Domingo Luciani" Hospital, Venezuela, during the period January 2010 to March 2013.Materials and Methods: A retrospective study was conducted to assess the etiology of trauma, age group, gender, anatomic distribution of injury, and combination patterns by reviewing patients records.Results: There were 334 patients with 522 mandibular fractures averaging 1.56 fractures per patient. Eighty-five percent of the patients were males with an overall male: female ratio of 6.15:1. The highest occurrence of trauma was in the 20-29 years (43.4%) age group. The etiology most frequently observed was motorcycle traffic accidents in 94 patients (28.1%), and the parasymphysis region was the most common location with 144 (27.6%) fractures. Almost half (48.8%) of the injuries were combined mandibular fractures with 29 different combinations, and the most common was a mandibular body fracture + parasymphysis fracture (22.1%).Conclusion: Mandibular fracture is a common facial injury with variable incidence and etiology across gender and age range. The findings of this study are similar to other studies and provide important clinical information that will assist in the treatment planning of these types of injuries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Takayasu's arteritis (TA) represents a rare autoimmune disease (AD) characterized by systemic vasculitis that primarily affects large arteries, especially the aorta and the aortic arch and its main branches. Genetic components in TA are largely unknown. PTPN22 is a susceptibility loci for different ADs; however, the role of different PTPN22 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the susceptibility to TA is not clear. Methods: We evaluated the PTPN22 R620W (C1858T), R263Q (G788A), and − 123G/C SNPs in a group of patients with TA and in healthy individuals from Mexico. Our study included 111 patients with TA and 314 healthy individuals. Genotyping was performed with the 5′ exonuclease (TaqMan®) assay.Results: Our data showed that the PTPN22 R620W polymorphism is a risk factor for TA (CC vs. CT: OR 4.3, p = 0.002, and C vs. T: OR 4.1, p = 0.003); however, the PTPN22 R263Q and − 1123G/C polymorphisms are not associated with this AD. In addition, the PTPN22 CGT haplotype, which carries the minor allele of the PTPN22 C1858T variant, was also associated with TA susceptibility.Conclusion: This is the first report documenting an association between PTPN22 R620W and TA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Raw material provenance and procurement studies are an essential research line to infer landscape exploitation, mobility dynamics and territorial management among prehistoric hunter-gatherer groups. This paper proposes an original and intuitive method, the chert abundance ratio, aimed at quantifying lithic resource occurrence in the landscape while considering the geological natural factors of an area (chert-bearing formation extent, thickness, occurrence index, size and chert content). The resource availability can be statistically compared to any archaeological assemblage distribution to define the procurement strategies, whether generalist or selective, and the mobility patterns. The study area, the north-east of the Iberian Peninsula, focused in the Prades Mountains, represents a regional scenario with high chert disposal shared by several Late Upper Palaeolithic occupations. The discrimination of the procurement areas is used as a parameter for outlining the foraging radius and the territorial range, contributing to an understanding of several aspects of the settlement, such as site functions, occupation length or intensity and group size. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This presents article shows a study on the inter-relations between the primary school, situated in the countryside, and the community around. The main goal of this descriptive research is to analyze the relationships that the school (directors and teachers) establish with the rural community where it operates, as well as their own students. Finally, based on the discussion about the group formed by the teachers from the rural primary school, it is possible to conclude that, regardless of hardship that may exist during the teaching-learning activities in rural breast, also since the community have little participation in making decisions of school, school-community relations, teacher - student, student-student are still narrow. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The objective of this study was to compare the efficacy of Ketofol sedoanalgesia with respect to that obtained with Propofol-fentanyl combination in patients undergoing endoscopic procedures at Hopsital Coromoto from Maracaibo, Zulia state. Materials and methods: A experimental, interventional, comparative study was carried out with a probabilistic sample in 60 patients undergoing digestive endoscopic procedure, which were randomly assigned to be treated with Ketofol (group A: n=30) or Propofol-Fentanyl (group B: n=30). The evaluation of the general characteristics, hemodynamic modifications, Ramsay Scale, Consciousness Recovery Time and Visual Analogous Scale was performed. Results: There were no differences according to the pharmacological group evaluated. Ketofol showed a lower transoperative variability in mean arterial pressure values (Ketofol: 77.3±12.4 vs Propofol Fentanyl: 66.8±8.9; p<0.01) and O2 Saturation (Ketofol: 96, 0±2.2 vs Propofol Fentanyl: 92.7±3.5; p<0.01), with similar Ramsay and VAS score between both groups. Conclusions: this study demonstrates the efficacy and safety of ketofol in the sedoanalgesia of patients undergoing endoscopic study when compared with the propofol-fentanyl combination, representing a novel anesthetic strategy to be specifically explored on a large scale. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mind-body therapies are a heterogeneous group of interventions that seek to improve multiple aspects of somatic health by focusing on interactions between mental factors and physiological functions. There is a growing interest in modern Western culture in these forms of alternative medicine. Most of these therapies exert their effects via stress control. Induction of the relaxation response via neurohormonal, endocrine and immunological pathways may have beneficial effects in a variety of conditions, including oncological, neuropsychiatric and cardiovascular pathologies. Several randomized controlled trials have produced promising results, supporting a complementary role of mind-body therapies for both the prevention and treatment of the most prevalent cardiovascular problems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Bacteriophages have been proposed as an alternative to control pathogenic bacteria resistant to antibiotics. However, they are not extensively used due to different factors such as vulnerability under environmental conditions and the lack of efficient administration methods. A potential solution is the encapsulation of bacteriophages in hydrogel polymers to increase their viability and as a controlled release method. This work describes the use of alginate-Ca+2 matrixes as mechanisms for protection and dosification of the phage f3αSE which has been successfully used to prevent infections produced by Salmonella Enteritidis. Results: The viability of the pure phage is reduced in near 100% after 1-h incubation at pH 2 or 3. However, the encapsulated phage remains active in 80, 6% at pH 3, while no differences were observed at pH 2, 4 or 7. Exposition of f3αSE to different T° showed that the viability of this phage decreased with increased T° to near 15% at 60°C, while the encapsulated phage remains with 50% viability at same temperature. Finally, the encapsulation of phages showed to extend their presence for 100 h in the medium compared to non-encapsulated phages in a water flow system, which simulate automatic birdbath used in poultry industry, maintaining the phage concentration between 10² and 104 PFU/mL during 250 h. Conclusions: Encapsulation in alginate-Ca+2 spheres can be a good alternative to extend viability of phages and can be used as a phage method dosification method in water flow systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current article presents a research-and-action proposal from the perspective of the Applied Social Anthropology about the Social Sciences development in scientifichumanist high school. Based on a school qualification research, a complementation of the curricular characteristics is proposed - starting from the Social Sciences Didactics - in order to deliver knowledge and methods on a pre-university level to those students who are interested in exploring this scientific area, through an extracurricular workshop. The project includes a learning validation process with pedagogical methodologies of classroom experimentation and the self-determination of objectives, so that students integrate their school identity with a possible working identity associated to this area of knowledge. The early exploration of specific Didactics would make a better development of the students' working identity possible. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Musculoskeletal disorders (MSD) are important health problems in working populations. The study aimed to determine the prevalence of MSD among school teachers from urban and rural areas in Chuquisaca, Bolivia.Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in 60 randomly selected schools. In total, 1062 teachers were invited to participate (response 58%). The Spanish version of the Standardized Nordic questionnaire was used assessing the 12-months and 7-days prevalence of MSD as well as the 12-months prevalence of work limiting pain. Prevalence were calculated for the different parts of the body; as summary measures, MSD in any part of the body and in ≥3 parts of the body were assessed. Crude and adjusted odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals were calculated using logistic regression models adjusting for age, sex, teaching level and school type.Results: Prevalence of MSD in any part of the body was 86% during the last 12 months, 63% during the last 7 days and 15% for work limiting pain. MSD was most common in the neck (12-months prevalence 47%) and least common in the wrist/hands (26%). In the adjusted model, teachers working in rural areas presented significantly higher odds than teachers from urban schools for work-limiting pain during the last 12-months considering any part of the body (aOR 2.2; 95% CI 1.1-4.1), and for ≥3 parts of the body (aOR 3.7; 95% CI 1.3-10.6).Conclusion: The prevalence of MSD is high in School teachers, even more in teachers working in rural areas. It is needed to identify risk factors for MSD in teachers in order to propose appropriate strategies to control and reduce it. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The adsorption of phenolic compounds from wine vinasses onto non ionic resins was investigated with the goal of recovering antioxidant components from the effluent. Batch studies showed that the kinetic data fit to a pseudo-second order kinetic model. Dynamic adsorption studies with macroporous resins packed columns were also conducted to analyze the effect of initial phenolic concentration, the elution speed and the length of the packed bed on breakthrough curves. The experimental data showed that with increased column bed depth from 10 to 20 cm, breakpoint time ( t b ) increased from 19.6 to 25.6 min. The breakthrough curve was simulated well by Bohart-Adams, Yoon-Nelson and Thomas models. Bohart-Adams model was the only effective to fit the initial part (1–t 1/2 ). The maximum removal capacity ( q Th ) calculated by Thomas model reached 98.3 mg/g at a flow rate of 5 mL/min. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

INTRODUCTION: Level of satisfaction of internal users about the service by central sterile services department (CSSD), show the efficiency and quality of the overall service; It is necessary to know this degree of satisfaction to implement improvement actions. Objective: Analyze the level of satisfaction attained for nurses, about the overall service received by central sterile services department (CSSD), related with sociodemographic data and, the difference according to sex and department (hospitalization and operating room) MATERIAL AND METHODS: It is an analytic, prospective and transversal study, non probability sample (n=116), including nursing staff from hospitalization, intensive care units and operating room. Data collected in a 17-items instrument distributed over 7 dimensions (treatment, wait time, quality of attention, information, administrative procedures, tangible character and reliability); Likert response items from notihing=1 to always=5, numeric 1 to 10; cutting point from 1 to 20%= completely dissatisfied to 80 to 100% totally satisfied. Data was analyzing with descriptive statistics, testing association and comparison, according to this distribution. RESULTS: 93.9% is partially or totally satisfied. The perception of dissatisfied is linked to change without notice in 12.1%; clean and safe condition of the site in a 9.5%, time of package and sterilization has 8.6%; referred good and excellent treatment 87.1%; The satisfaction is correlated more with the category of employment but not with the age, education and years old in the labor. CONCLUTIONS: The nursing staffs are satisfied with the service delivered in CSSD, however, the attention should be integral and the perception are the key to implement improvements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Twenty-one Holstein bull calves (368 ± 5.2 kg) were used in order to evaluate the effects of combining recombinant bovine growth hormone (bST) and anabolic implants on growth performance and dietary energetics. Steers were assigned (7 repetitions/treatment) to individual pens (16 m2) equipped with automatic waterers and 1.2 m fence-line feed bunks. The experiment lasted 56 days. Treatments were: 1) no bST, no implant; 2) implant; and 3) bST + implant. Compared to implanted cattle, the combination of exogenous bovine somatotropin and anabolic implants did not enhance growth performance or observed dietary energy. Compared to nonimplanted cattle, anabolic implants increased dry matter intake (DMI, 8.3%), average daily gain (ADG, 18.5%), gain efficiency (ADG:DMI; 7.9%), dietary net energy (6%), and apparent energy retention per unit of DMI (7%). Implantation reduced the estimated maintenance coefficients of intact Holstein calves by around 17%. The combinations of exogenous bovine somatotropin and anabolic implants did not enhance the growth performance or dietary energy of intact Holstein cattle fed a high-energy finishing diet. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Marfan syndrome (MFS) is associated with progressive aortic dilatation, endothelial dysfunction, and oxidative stress that contribute to the early acute dissection of the vessel and can end up in rupture of the aorta and sudden death. Many studies have described that the organic acids from Hibiscus sabdariffa Linne (HSL) calyces increase cellular antioxidant capacity and decrease oxidative stress. Here we evaluate if the antioxidant properties of HSL infusion improve oxidative stress in MFS patients. Activities of extra cellular super oxide dismutase (ECSOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), glutathione-S-transferase (GST), glutathione reductase (GSSG-R), glutathione (GSH), lipid peroxidation (LPO) index, total antioxidant capacity (TAC), and ascorbic acid were determined in plasma from MFS patients. Values before and after 3 months of the treatment with 2% HSL infusion were compared in control and MFS subjects. After treatment, there was a significant decrease in ECSOD (p=0.03), EGPx (p=0.04), GST (p=0.03), GSH (p=0.01), and TAC and ascorbic acid (p=0.02) but GSSG-R activity (p=0.04) and LPO (p=0.02) were increased in MFS patients in comparison to patients receiving the HSL treatment and C subjects. Therefore, the infusion of HSL calyces has antioxidant properties that allow an increase in antioxidant capacity of both the enzymatic and nonenzymatic systems, in the plasma of the MSF patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Since the university education of psychologists began in Spain in 1954, the history of psychology course has been included in the curriculum. In the first few years, only half of the curricula offered the course. From 1973 to 2007, the universities' organization and regulation underwent successive reforms that involved changes in the curricula, decreeing specific national guidelines for each degree and establishing a minimum set of common required courses, called core courses, including the history of psychology. In 2007, the European Higher Education Area was set up, transforming the 5-year bachelor's degrees into 4-year degrees and eliminating the required guidelines, with each university being able to define the content of their curricula. The Dean's Conference for Psychology agreed on some recommendations related to core courses, which continued to include the history of psychology and were adopted by the majority of the universities. In 2015, the government established a new national regulation that makes it possible for each university to voluntarily reduce the length of the bachelor's degree to 3 years. Some psychology historians believe that this hypothetical reduction in the length of the degree, along with the already existing general tendency to prioritize applied or practical courses over basic or fundamental ones, could produce an appropriate scenario for the disappearance of the history of psychology course in some universities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Marfan syndrome (MFS) is associated with progressive aortic dilatation and endothelial dysfunction that lead to early acute dissection and rupture of the aorta and sudden death. Alteration in fatty acid (FA) metabolism can stimulate nitric oxide (NO) overproduction which increases the activity of the inducible form of NO synthase (iNOS) that is involved in endothelial dysfunction. We evaluated the participation of FA in the formation of thoracic aneurysms in MFS and its relation to the iNOS. Oleic acid (OA), iNOS, citrulline, nitrates and nitrites, TGF-β1, TNF-α, monounsaturated FA and NO synthase activity were significantly increased (p < 0.05) in tissue from the aortas of MFS. Saturated FA, eNOS and HDL were significantly decreased (p < 0.05). Arachidonic acid, delta-9 desaturase tended to increase and histological examination showed an increase in cystic necrosis, elastic fibers and collagen in MFS. The increase in OA contributes to the altered pathway of iNOS, which favors endothelial dysfunction and formation of the aortic aneurysms in MFS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Despite widespread vaccination, pertussis has re-emerged as a serious public health concern worldwide. Since 2017, Peru has experienced an increase in pertussis cases exhibiting a higher risk of severity and death in young infants. Thus, a dose of the tetanus, diphtheria, and acellular pertussis (Tdap) vaccine is recommended for pregnant women in the third trimester. Although evidence suggests the maternal Tdap vaccine is safe and effective, its association with a reduced risk of pertussis in developing countries remains poorly investigated. Methods We conducted a case-control study to evaluate the association between Tdap vaccination during pregnancy and reduction in the risk of pertussis among infants aged <2 months in Peru. Pertussis cases and controls treated in healthcare facilities nationwide between 2019 and 2021 and confirmed by real-time polymerase chain reaction were included. The controls were randomly selected from test-negative patients. Odds ratios (ORs) and vaccine effectiveness (VE) were calculated using a multiple logistic regression model and 1 − (OR) × 100%, respectively. Results Fifty cases and 150 controls were included in the analysis. The mothers of 4% of cases and 16.7% of controls received Tdap vaccination during pregnancy, resulting in an OR of 0.19 (95% confidence interval [CI],.04–.86) and VE of 81% (95% CI, 14%–96%) for preventing pertussis in infants. Conclusions Peruvian infants <2 months old whose mothers received the Tdap vaccine in the third trimester of pregnancy had a significantly lower risk of pertussis. The Tdap vaccination is thus an effective intervention to reduce the burden of pertussis in at-risk populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cien años de soledad (1967) was constructed as an allegory of the tale of biblical creation, the discovery of America and the history of the 20th century of Colombia. Thus, in the mythical universe of Macondo, transgression works as a touchstone or a fundamental axis in each of the moments recalled: incest, as a transgression on which western Judo-Christian culture lies; violation in which European civilization imposes itself on the New World; massacre as the foundation of recent Colombian history. Therefore, we aim to show how said elements combine in the construction of this allegory. Moreover, we are also interested in presenting how Cien años de soledad is located on a line of continuity with chronicle texts of the 16th century. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Down's syndrome (DS) is a genetic anomaly, which undergoes increased morbidity and mortality when associated with congenital heart disease (CHD). The aims of the study were to determine the prevalence of CHD and pulmonary hypertension (PH) in DS. METHODS: One hundred twenty-seven patients with DS living in Mexico City were evaluated by physical exam, electrocardiogram and echocardiogram. RESULTS: CHD was found in 40%. In 80% (n = 102) PH was present [systolic pulmonary artery pressure (SPAP) of 47 ± 19 mm Hg and mean pulmonary artery pressure (MPAP) of 32 ± 11 mm Hg}. Patients with CHD and PH were classified as having 1) no shunt (n = 18) with SPAP of 37 ± 9 mm Hg and MPAP of 25 ± 6 mm Hg and 2) with shunt (n = 26) with PASP of 57 ± 29 mm Hg and MPAP of 38 ± 19 mm Hg (p ≤ 0.001). In those without CHD or with CHD without shunt (n = 76), SPAP was 37 ± 19 mm Hg and the MPAP 25 + 6 mm Hg. The prevalence of PH in DS was 5.9% at one year and 15% at 10 years. The odds ratio of PH in DS with CHD was 7.3 vs. 3 without CHD. CONCLUSION: DS has a high prevalence of CHD and PH. PH prevalence increases when it is associated with CHD. The pathophysiology of PH in DS without CHD should be studied in the near future. Echocardiography is an indispensible tool for evaluation of DS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ancestors and contemporary are women who are excluded from the legitimacy of knowledge is documented for centuries were segregated scientific research even though there were experts in astronomy with explanations of the full moon and the effects of the moon in current maritime; Pythagorean mathematics and especially women philosophers who contributed their research on the changes of nature, the dynamics of emotions and political strategy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]