[The Metabolic syndrome and metabolic characteristics in blood donors] / El Síndrome metabólico y características metabólicas en donantes de sangre.

Introduction: Metabolic syndrome (MS) is associated with increased cardiovascular risk. Blood donors are an apparently healthy population in which certain cardiometabolic characteristics are not evaluated in their selection, and there is limited information on their presence. Aim: To determine the frequency of metabolic syndrome and its metabolic characteristics in blood donors. Materials and methods: Cross-sectional study was carried in a population of 244 blood donors between 18 and 55 years of age who attended the Hemotherapy and Blood Bank Service of the Cayetano Heredia Hospital in Lima, Perú during the month of May 2023. The diagnosis of MS was made according to the Adult Treatment Panel III (ATP III) criteria. A bivariate analysis was performed between MS and metabolic characteristics with sex and a significance level of 5% was considered. Results: 63.9% of blood donors were male. 43.6% of the population had MS. The most frequent characteristics found were hypertriglyceridemia (54.5%), abdominal obesity (51.2%) and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) low (48.8%). The age range of 40 to 49 years presented the highest frequency of MS (14.3%). Hypertriglyceridemia and high blood pressure were associated with male sex (p=0.003 and p=0.019 respectively), while low HDL was associated with female sex (p<0.001). Conclusions: Blood donors present an elevated frequency of MS. The detection of MS in apparently healthy populations as part of primary care could allow the formulation of strategies for early detection of cardiovascular risk factors.

INTRODUCCIÓN: El síndrome metabólico (SM) está asociado a un incremento del riesgo cardiovascular. Los donantes de sangre son una población aparentemente sana en donde ciertas características cardiometabolicas no son evaluadas en su selección, existiendo limitada información sobre su presencia. OBJETIVO: Determinar la frecuencia de síndrome metabólico y sus características metabólicas en donantes de sangre. Materiales y métodos: Estudio transversal realizado en 244 donantes de sangre entre 18 y 55 años que acudieron al Servicio de Hemoterapia y Banco de sangre del Hospital Cayetano Heredia en Lima- Perú, durante el mes de mayo del 2023. Se realizó el diagnóstico de SM según los criterios del Adult Treatment Panel III (ATP III). Se realizó un análisis bivariado entre el SM y características metabólicas con el sexo y se consideró un nivel de significancia del 5%. RESULTADOS: El 63.9% de los donantes de sangre fueron del sexo masculino. El 43.6 % de la población presentó SM. Las características más frecuentes fueron la hipertrigliceridemia (54.5%), obesidad abdominal (51.2%) y lipoproteina de alta densidad (HDL) bajo (48.8%). El rango de edad de 40 a 49 años presentó la mayor frecuencia de SM (14.3%). La hipertrigliceridemia y presión arterial elevada estuvieron asociadas al sexo masculino (p=0.003 y p=0.019 respectivamente), mientras que el HDL bajo al sexo femenino (p <0.001). CONCLUSIONES: Los donantes de sangre presentan una frecuencia elevada de SM. La detección de SM en poblaciones aparentemente sanas como parte de la atención primaria podría permitir formular estrategias de detección temprana de factores de riesgo cardiovascular.

Mathematical model for the plastic flow and ductile fracture of polycrystalline solids.

It is mathematically shown that ductile fracture after finite plastic strain is a necessary consequence of the polycrystalline nature of the materials. A closed-form equation for the plastic strain to fracture of a fine-grained polycrystal with no voids is derived. The mathematical model for the plastic deformation is grounded on the physical hypothesis that adjacent grains slide with a relative velocity proportional to the local shear stress resolved in the plane of the shared grain boundary, when exceeds a finite threshold. Hence plastic flow is governed predominantly by the in-plane shear forces making grain boundaries to slide, and the induced local forces responsible for the continuous grain reshaping are much weaker. The process is shown to produce a monotonic hydrostatic pressure variation with strain that precludes a stationary flow. The hydrostatic pressure dependence on strain has two solutions. One of them leads to superplasticity, the other one is shown to diverge logarithmically at a finite fracture strain and then represents ductile behaviour. Emphasis is done in the mathematical aspects of the deformation of the polycrystal up to the initiation of fracture. Although theoretical predictions agree well with mechanical tests of commercial alloys, technical issues like the effects of the presence and evolution of porosity and other imperfections, or how fracture evolves after initiation are left for a more specific communication.

Updated COVID-19 clearance time among patients with cancer in the Delta and Omicron waves.

BACKGROUND: COVID-19 infection delays therapy and in-person evaluation for oncology patients, but clinic clearance criteria are not clearly defined. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective review of oncology patients with COVID-19 at a tertiary care center during the Delta and Omicron waves and compared clearance strategies. RESULTS: Median clearance by two consecutive negative tests was 32.0 days (Interquartile Range [IQR] 22.0-42.5, n = 153) and was prolonged in hematologic malignancy versus solid tumors (35.0 days for hematologic malignancy, 27.5 days for solid tumors, p = 0.01) and in patients receiving B-cell depletion versus other therapies. Median clearance by single negative test was reduced to 23.0 days (IQR 16.0-33.0), with recurrent positive rate 25.4% in hematologic malignancy versus 10.6% in solid tumors (p = 0.02). Clearance by a predefined waiting period required 41 days until an 80% negative rate. CONCLUSIONS: COVID-19 clearance remains prolonged in oncology patients. Single-negative test clearance can balance delays in care with risk of infection in patients with solid tumors.

Relación del equivalente de hemoglobina reticulocitaria (Ret-He) con diferentes categorías según la concentración de hemoglobina en candidatos a donar sangre

Objetivo: determinar la relación entre el Ret-He con diferentes categorías según la concentración de hemoglobina en candidatos a donar sangre. Materiales y Métodos: Se realizó un estudio transversal a partir de la revisión de 227 historias clínicas de candidatos a donar sangre durante el mes de diciembre del 2021 en el Servicio de Banco de Sangre y Hemoterapia del Hospital Cayetano Heredia. Se categorizó en 3 grupos según los niveles de hemoglobina: Grupo 1: ≥12,5 g/dl (mujeres) - ≥13,5 g/dl (varones). Grupo 2: 12 g/dl ≥ mujeres <12.5 g/dl y 13 g/dl ≥ varones<13.5 g/dl. Grupo 3: <12 g/dl (mujeres) - <13 g/dl (varones). Se tomaron datos de hematocrito, hemoglobina, VCM, HCM, CHCM y Ret-He. Para el análisis bivariado se utilizó el análisis de varianza (ANOVA) y se consideró un nivel de significancia del 5 %. Resultados: La mediana de Ret-He fue mayor en el grupo 1 que en el grupo 2 (33.5 frente a 32.5; p=0.002) y en el grupo 3 (33.5 frente a 27.8; p<0.001). Se encontró relación estadísticamente significativa entre los grupos estudiados y Ret-He (p<0.001), además de una correlación positiva moderada fuerte entre Ret-He y los índices eritrocitarios. Conclusiones: Se encontró una asociación significativa entre los grupos basados en categorías de hemoglobina y la Ret-He en candidatos a donar sangre.

Objective: to determine the relationship between Ret-He with different categories according to hemoglobin concentration in candidates for blood donation. Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out based on the review of 227 medical records of candidates to donate blood during the month of December 2021 in the Blood Bank and Hemotherapy Service of the Cayetano Heredia Hospital. They were categorized into 3 groups according to hemoglobin levels: Group 1: ≥12.5 g/dl (females) - ≥13.5 g/dl (males). Group 2: 12 g/dl ≥ females <12.5 g/dl and 13 g/dl ≥ males<13.5 g/dl. Group 3: <12 g/dl (females) - <13 g/dl (males). Hematocrit, hemoglobin, VCM, HCM, CHCM and Ret-He data were collected. For the bivariate analysis, analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used and a significance level of 5% was considered. Results: The median Ret-He was higher in group 1 than in group 2 (33.5 vs. 32.5; p=0.002) and in group 3 (33.5 vs. 27.8; p<0.001). A statistically significant relationship was found between the groups studied and Ret-He (p<0.001), in addition to a moderate-strong positive correlation between Ret-He and erythrocyte indices. Conclusions: An association was found between groups based on hemoglobin categories and Ret-He in blood donation candidates.

Preservation of the Innate Immune Response to Clostridioides difficile Infection in Hospitalized Immunocompromised Patients.

Background: Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI) immune response is influenced by the innate and adaptive (humoral) immune systems. Our prior research found attenuated humoral responses to C difficile in immunocompromised hosts (ICHs) with CDI. We sought to evaluate whether the innate immune response to CDI was influenced by ICH status. Methods: We conducted a prospective study of hospitalized adults with CDI (acute diarrhea, positive C difficile stool nucleic acid amplification testing [NAAT], and decision to treat), with and without immunosuppression and measured a panel of cytokines (granulocyte colony-stimulating factor [G-CSF], interleukin [IL]-10, IL-15, IL-1ß, IL-4, IL-6, IL-8, and tumor necrosis factor-α) in blood and stool at CDI diagnosis. Results were compared with measurements from a cohort of asymptomatic carrier patients (ASCs) (NAAT positive, without diarrhea) with and without immunocompromise. Results: One hundred twenty-three subjects (42 ICHs, 50 non-ICHs, 31 ASCs) were included. Median values for blood and stool cytokines were similar in ICH versus non-ICH CDI subjects. In blood, G-CSF, IL-10, IL-15, IL-6, and IL-8 were higher in both groups of CDI subjects versus the ASC cohort (P < .05). In stool, IL-1ß and IL-8 were higher in both groups of CDI subjects versus the ASC cohort (P < .05). Median stool concentrations of IL-1ß demonstrated significant differences between the groups (ICHs, 10.97 pg/mL; non-ICHs, 9.71 pg/mL; and ASCs, 0.56 pg/mL) (P < .0001). Conclusions: In this small exploratory analysis, ICH status did not significantly impact blood and fecal patterns of cytokines in humans at the diagnosis of CDI, suggesting that the innate immune response to C difficile may be conserved in immunocompromised patients.

Correlación entre la glucosa salival con la glucosa de ayuno, la Hemoglobina glicada y el Péptido-C en personas con diabetes mellitus tipo 2

Objetivo : Determinar la correlación entre la glucosa salival con la glucosa en ayunas, HbA1c y el péptido C en personas con Diabetes Mellitus tipo 2 (DM2). Materiales y métodos : Estudio transversal llevado a cabo en el Centro de Investigación en Diabetes, Obesidad y Nutrición (CIDON) en Lima, Perú durante el año 2021. Se categorizó en buen control metabólico (HbA1c<7 %) y mal control metabólico (HbA1c≥7 %). Se midió la glucosa basal, HbA1c y el péptido C en sangre. La glucosa salival se midió con el método glucosa oxidasa. La correlación de Spearman fue usada para determinar la asociación entre la glucosa salival con la glucosa en ayunas, HbA1c y el péptido- C. Resultados : Participaron un total de 142 personas con DM2. La concentración de glucosa salival fue significativamente más elevada en DM2 con mal control metabólico (p<0.01). Se observó una correlación positiva débil significativa entre la glucosa salival y la glucosa basal (r=0.23, p=0.04) y HbA1c (r=0.26, p=0.02) en DM2 con mal control metabólico y una correlación negativa insignificante (r=-0.08; p=0.47) con el péptido C. Conclusiones : La glucosa salival presenta una asociación significativa y positiva con la glucosa en sangre y la HbA1c, pero no con el péptido C en personas con DM2 con mal control metabólico. Sin embargo, hay muchos factores que deben ser considerados y analizados más a fondo para determinar su posible uso.

Objetivo : To determine the correlation between salivary glucose levels with fasting blood glucose, HbA1c, and C-peptide in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Materials and methods : This is a cross-sectional study performed at the Centro de Investigación en Diabetes, Obesidad y Nutrición (CIDON) in Lima, Peru, during 2021. Patients were categorized as those with good metabolic control (HbA1c<7 %), and poor metabolic control (HbA1c≥7 %). Baseline fasting blood glucose, as well as blood HbA1c and C-peptide values were measured. Salivary glucose was measured using the glucose oxidase method. Spearman's correlation was used for determining an association between salivary glucose levels and fasting blood glucose, HbA1c, and C-peptide. Results : One-hundred and forty-two subjects with T2DM participated in the study. Salivary glucose was significantly higher in T2DM subjects with poor metabolic control (p<0.01). A weak positive correlation between salivary glucose and fasting blood glucose (r= 0.23, p= 0.04) and HbA1c (r= 0.26, p= 0.02) was observed in subjects with T2DM and poor metabolic control, and also a non-significant negative correlation (r=-0.08; p= 0.47) with C-peptide. Conclusions : Salivary glucose levels show significant and positive association with fasting blood glucose and HbA1c, but not with C-peptide in persons with T2DM and poor metabolic control. However, there are many factors that should be considered and analyzed in detail aiming to determine its potential use.

Fourier Transform Spectrometry with Fourier Analysis of the Interferogram as Just an Optional Tool.

Fourier transform spectrometers replace the traditional dispersive frequency analyzer by a Michelson interferometer. The spectrum is the Fourier transform of the interferogram constituting the raw output. The method is a primary tool for chemical analysis because it has decisive advantages over the dispersive one for analyzing infrared electromagnetic radiation (Fourier transform infrared, FTIR). A new procedure for dealing with the raw interferometric output of the instrument, not needing Fourier transformation and having additional advantages, is put forward here. It rests on recent advances in the theory of the interaction of matter with electromagnetic radiation yielding first principles analytic expressions for the Fourier transform of the spectral lineshapes, which can be fitted directly to the experimentally measured interferogram. The relevant physical information, as the integrated intensities of the electronic transitions and their net energy release, not affected by Stokes shifts, is readily obtained in the fitting procedure. Ulterior analysis of the spectra, introducing phenomenological standard interpolation functions to deconvolute and integrate peaks, becomes unnecessary. Both methods, standard FTIR and the one outlined here, demand little computer time and can be used simultaneously with synergistic effects.

Shape of the absorption and fluorescence spectra of condensed phases and transition energies.

General integral expressions for the temperature-dependent profile of the spectral lines of photon absorption and emission by atomic or molecular species in a condensed environment are derived with no other hypothesis than: (a) The acoustic vibrational modes of the condensed host medium constitute the thermodynamic energy reservoir at a given constant temperature, and local electronic transitions modifying the equilibrium configuration of the surroundings are multiphonon events, regardless of the magnitude of the transition energy. (b) Electron-phonon coupling is linear in the variations of the bond length. The purpose is to develop a theoretical tool for the analysis of the spectra, allowing us to grasp highly accurate information from fitting the theoretical line shape function to experiment, including those spectra displaying wide features. The method is illustrated by applying it to two dyes, Lucifer Yellow CH and Coumarin 1, which display fluorescence maxima of 0.41 and 0.51 eV fwhm. Fitting the theoretical curves to the spectra indicates that the neat excitation energies are 2.58 eV ± 2.5% and 3.00 eV ± 2.0%, respectively.

Redetermination of 2,4,6-tricyclo-hexyl-1,3,5-trioxane.

The title compound, C(21)H(36)O(3), was obtained by treatment of cyclo-hexa-necarbaldehyde with catalytic toluene-4-sulfonic acid monohydrate. This redetermination results in a crystal structure with significantly higher precision than the original determination [Diana & Ganis (1963 ▶). Atti Accad. Naz. Lincei, 35, 80-88]. The asymmetric unit contains one sixth of the mol-ecule, the formula unit being generated by crystallographic 3m symmetry. In the mol-ecule, the trioxane and cyclo-hexane rings are in chair conformations. In the crystal structure, mol-ecules are linked by weak C-H⋯O hydrogen bonds along the [001] direction.

Seroprevalence and risk factors for Trypanosoma cruzi infection in the Amazon region of Ecuador.

Trypanosoma cruzi infection in the Ecuadorian Amazon region has recently been reported. A seroepidemiologic survey conducted in four provinces in this region indicates a seroprevalence rate of 2.4% among the 6,866 samples collected in 162 communities. Among children < OR = 10 years of age, 1.2% were seropositive. Risk factors for T. cruzi seropositivity were having been born and remaining in the Ecuadorian Amazon provinces, age, living in a house with a thatch roof and open or mixed wall construction, recognizing the vector insects, and reporting being bitten by a triatomine bug. These data suggest active transmission of Chagas' disease in the Ecuadorian Amazon region is associated with poor housing conditions, and highlight the need for further studies aimed at understanding the biology of the insect vectors, reservoir species, and the clinical impact of T. cruzi infection as the basis for future educational and control programs in this region.

A Kinetic Study of the Thermal Decarboxylation of alpha,alpha-Difluoro beta-Lactones.

The rates of thermolysis of alpha,alpha-difluoro beta-lactones 1, leading to CO(2) and 1,1-difluoro olefins, have been obtained in the gas phase and in solution, and the activation parameters are reported. Ab initio calculations on the fluoro and nonfluorinated beta-lactone systems are also reported. The gas-phase kinetic and theoretical results are discussed in terms of a probable concerted, asynchronous, nonpolar mechanism, whereas the solution kinetics, which include extensive solvent effect studies, are discussed in terms of a polar mechanism which probably involves formation of a zwitterionic intermediate.