Prevalence and factors associated with food insecurity in eight high-altitude cities in Peru during the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic: a retrospective, cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Food insecurity has increased during the COVID-19 pandemic, affecting an estimated 260 million people. However, little evidence is available on how pandemic-related characteristics influence food security in a high-altitude population. The objective of this study was to assess factors associated with food insecurity in high-altitude Peruvian cities during the second epidemic wave of COVID-19. METHODS: A retrospective, cross-sectional study was conducted in eight Peruvian cities over 1,500 m above sea level. An online survey measuring food security, presence of anxiety & depressive symptoms, sleep quality, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), resilience, and sociodemographic characteristics was disseminated through social networks between December 2020 and February 2021. Generalized linear models were used to identify an association between the study variables. RESULTS: Of 700 participants, the median age was 23 years, and more than half were female (56.7%). The prevalence of food insecurity was 37.1%. Anxiety symptoms, depressive symptoms, and PTSD were present in 72.7%, 64.1%, and 15% of respondents, respectively. The prevalence of food insecurity was higher in people with fair (PR: 1.60, 95% CI: 1.23-2.07) and very bad perception of their health (PR: 4.06, 95% CI: 2.63-6.26), individuals seeking mental health support (PR: 1.42, 95% CI: 1.25-1.62), and in those who lost their job due to the pandemic (PR: 1.82, 95% CI: 1.62-2.04). Having moderate (PR: 1.52, 95% CI: 1.26-1.83) and moderate to severe depressive symptoms (PR: 1.58, 95% CI: 1.11-2.27) also increased the prevalence of food insecurity. CONCLUSION: During the pandemic, the prevalence of food insecurity has increased in the Peruvian high-altitude population, revealing the need for preventive strategies. Identification of pandemic-related characteristics that influence food insecurity can guide interventions in at-risk individuals and reduce the long-term impact of this problem on overall health and quality of life.

Expression of an expanded CGG-repeat RNA in a single pair of primary sensory neurons impairs olfactory adaptation in Caenorhabditis elegans.

Fragile X-associated tremor/ataxia syndrome (FXTAS) is a severe neurodegenerative disorder that affects carriers of premutation CGG-repeat expansion alleles of the fragile X mental retardation 1 (FMR1) gene; current evidence supports a causal role of the expanded CGG repeat within the FMR1 mRNA in the pathogenesis of FXTAS. Though the mRNA has been observed to induce cellular toxicity in FXTAS, the mechanisms are unclear. One common neurophysiological characteristic of FXTAS patients is their inability to properly attenuate their response to an auditory stimulus upon receipt of a small pre-stimulus. Therefore, to gain genetic and cell biological insight into FXTAS, we examined the effect of expanded CGG repeats on the plasticity of the olfactory response of the genetically tractable nematode, Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans). While C. elegans is innately attracted to odors, this response can be downregulated if the odor is paired with starvation. We found that expressing expanded CGG repeats in olfactory neurons interfered with this plasticity without affecting either the innate odor-seeking response or the olfactory neuronal morphology. Interrogation of three RNA regulatory pathways indicated that the expanded CGG repeats act via the C. elegans microRNA (miRNA)-specific Argonaute ALG-2 to diminish olfactory plasticity. This observation suggests that the miRNA-Argonaute pathway may play a pathogenic role in subverting neuronal function in FXTAS.

Nonlinear fitness consequences of variation in expression level of a eukaryotic gene.

Levels of gene expression show considerable variation in eukaryotes, but no fine-scale maps have been made of the fitness consequences of such variation in controlled genetic backgrounds and environments. To address this, we assayed fitness at many levels of up- and down-regulated expression of a single essential gene, LCB2, involved in sphingolipid synthesis in budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Reduced LCB2 expression rapidly decreases cellular fitness, yet increased expression has little effect. The wild-type expression level is therefore perched on the edge of a nonlinear fitness cliff. LCB2 is upregulated when cells are exposed to osmotic stress; consistent with this, the entire fitness curve is shifted upward to higher expression under osmotic stress, illustrating the selective force behind gene regulation. Expression levels of LCB2 are lower in wild yeast strains than in the experimental lab strain, suggesting that higher levels in the lab strain may be idiosyncratic. Reports indicate that the effect sizes of alleles contributing to variation in complex phenotypes differ among environments and genetic backgrounds; our results suggest that such differences may be explained as simple shifts in the position of nonlinear fitness curves.

Proton-driven sodium secretion in a saline water animal.

Aquatic animals residing in saline habitats either allow extracellular sodium concentration to conform to environmental values or regulate sodium to lower levels. The latter strategy requires an energy-driven process to move sodium against a large concentration gradient to eliminate excess sodium that diffuses into the animal. Previous studies of invertebrate and vertebrate species indicate a sodium pump, Na+/K+ ATPase, powers sodium secretion. We provide the first functional evidence of a saline-water animal, Aedes taeniorhynchus mosquito larva, utilizing a proton pump to power this process. Vacuolar-type H+ ATPase (VHA) protein is highly expressed on the apical membrane of the posterior rectal cells, and in situ sodium flux across this epithelium increases significantly in larvae held in higher salinity and is sensitive to Bafilomycin A1, an inhibitor of VHA. We also report the first evidence of splice variants of the sodium/proton exchanger, NHE3, with both high and low molecular weight variants highly expressed on the apical membrane of the posterior rectal cells. Evidence of NHE3 function was indicated with in situ sodium transport significantly inhibited by a NHE3 antagonist, S3226. We propose that the outward proton pumping by VHA establishes a favourable electromotive gradient to drive sodium secretion via NHE3 thus producing a hyperosmotic, sodium-rich urine. This H+- driven Na+ secretion process is the primary mechanism of ion regulation in salt-tolerant culicine mosquito species and was first investigated over 80 years ago.

Prevalence and factors associated with fear of COVID-19 in military personnel during the second epidemic wave in Peru.

Introduction: During the COVID-19 pandemic, the mounting workload and heightened stress may contribute to exacerbated mental health challenges, including an increased fear of COVID-19, among military personnel. Despite the potential influence of these factors, there remains a scarcity of studies addressing mental health issues, particularly the fear of COVID-19, within this specific population. We aimed to determine the prevalence and factors associated with fear of COVID-19 among military members. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted between November 2 and 9, 2021, during the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in the Lambayeque region, Peru. The outcome variable was fear of COVID-19, assessed using the Fear of COVID-19 Scale. The association with resilience (Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale, abbreviated as CD-RISC), food insecurity (Household Food Insecurity Access Scale, abbreviated as HFIAS), physical activity (International Physical Activity Questionnaire-Short Form, abbreviated as IPAQ-S), eating disorder (Eating Attitudes Test-26, abbreviated as EAT-26), and other socio- demographic variables was assessed. Results: Among the 525 participants, the median age was 22, 95.8% were male, and 19.2% experienced fear of COVID-19. A higher prevalence of fear of COVID-19 was associated with age (PR=1.03; 95% CI: 1.01-1.06), religion (PR=2.05; 95% CI: 1.04-4.05), eating disorder (PR=2.95; 95% CI: 1.99-4.36), and having a relative with mental disorder (PR=2.13; 95% CI: 1.09-4.17). Overweight (PR=0.58; 95% CI: 0.37-0.90) and a high level of resilience (PR=0.63; 95% CI: 0.43-0.93) were associated with a lower prevalence of fear of COVID-19. Discussion: Two out of ten military personnel were afraid of COVID-19. Our results highlight the need for targeted interventions addressing the factors contributing to fear of COVID-19 among military personnel, emphasizing the significance of mental health support and preventive measures within this specific population.

Factors Associated with Knowledge of Evacuation Routes and Having an Emergency Backpack in Individuals Affected by a Major Earthquake in Piura, Peru.

Information on the prevention of earthquakes in Peru, a high-risk country, is still emerging. We determined the frequency and factors associated with knowledge of evacuation routes and the use of emergency backpacks in people affected by a major earthquake. A cross-sectional study using secondary data was conducted from August-December 2021 on people that experienced the 6.1 magnitude earthquake that occurred in Piura, Peru on 30 July 2021. The outcome was self-reported knowledge of evacuation routes and the use of emergency backpacks. The association with self-reported earthquake preparation training, use of sources of information on earthquakes, and sociodemographic variables was investigated. A total of 69.5% of participants knew evacuation routes, and 46.3% had an emergency backpack. A higher frequency of knowledge of evacuation routes was associated with previous training (PR: 1.47; 95% CI: 1.15-1.87), use of the media (PR: 1.35; 95% CI: 1.06-1.72), having received information from the COEN (PR: 1.19; 95% CI: 1.02-1.40), and with a greater number of household members (PR: 1.03; 95% CI: 1.01-1.06). There is a high frequency of knowledge of evacuation routes among participants. However, basic notions of prevention culture are still needed. This research contributes to policy development on earthquake preparation at the community level.

6.6-hour inhalation of ozone concentrations from 60 to 87 parts per billion in healthy humans.

RATIONALE: Identification of the minimal ozone (O(3)) concentration and/or dose that induces measurable lung function decrements in humans is considered in the risk assessment leading to establishing an appropriate National Ambient Air Quality Standard for O(3) that protects public health. OBJECTIVES: To identify and/or predict the minimal mean O(3) concentration that produces a decrement in FEV(1) and symptoms in healthy individuals completing 6.6-hour exposure protocols. METHODS: Pulmonary function and subjective symptoms were measured in 31 healthy adults (18-25 yr, male and female, nonsmokers) who completed five 6.6-hour chamber exposures: filtered air and four variable hourly patterns with mean O(3) concentrations of 60, 70, 80, and 87 parts per billion (ppb). MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Compared with filtered air, statistically significant decrements in FEV(1) and increases in total subjective symptoms scores (P < 0.05) were measured after exposure to mean concentrations of 70, 80, and 87 ppb O(3). The mean percent change in FEV(1) (+/-standard error) at the end of each protocol was 0.80 +/- 0.90, -2.72 +/- 1.48, -5.34 +/- 1.42, -7.02 +/- 1.60, and -11.42 +/- 2.20% for exposure to filtered air and 60, 70, 80, and 87 ppb O(3), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Inhalation of 70 ppb O(3) for 6.6 hours, a concentration below the current 8-hour National Ambient Air Quality Standard of 75 ppb, is sufficient to induce statistically significant decrements in FEV(1) in healthy young adults.

Factores asociados a la mortalidad en pacientes cirróticos / Factors associated with mortality in cirrhotic patients

Introducción: La cirrosis hepática representa en Perú el 9,1 por ciento de las causas de mortalidad. Existe poca evidencia sobre la influencia de variables epidemiológicas y clínicas en la mortalidad de pacientes con cirrosis hepática en Latinoamérica, en especial en países en vías de desarrollo, como Perú. Objetivo: Identificar los factores asociados a la mortalidad en pacientes cirróticos. Métodos: Estudio trasversal en pacientes cirróticos atendidos en el Hospital Cayetano Heredia, de Piura, Perú, en el año 2017. La variable dependiente fue la mortalidad hospitalaria y las variables independientes fueron las características epidemiológicas, clínicas y de laboratorio. Se utilizó la prueba exacta de Fisher y la prueba de t para estimar los factores asociados a la mortalidad. Resultados: De 52 pacientes, la frecuencia de mortalidad debido a cirrosis fue de 35,4 por ciento. Tener ascitis moderada (p = 0,004), grado de encefalopatía (p = 0,001), leucocitosis (p = 0,004), enfermedad descompensada según índice de Child Pugh (p = 0,023), índice de Meld entre 30-39 puntos (p < 0,001) y niveles de creatinina (p = 0,009) resultaron asociados a una mayor frecuencia de mortalidad. Conclusión: La presencia de ascitis moderada, grado de encefalopatía, leucocitosis, enfermedad descompensada según índice de Child Pugh, índice de Meld entre 30-39 y los niveles de creatinina, están asociados a la mortalidad en pacientes cirróticos(AU)

Introduction: Liver cirrhosis represents 9,1 percent of causes of mortality in Peru. There is little evidence on the influence of epidemiological and clinical variables on the mortality of patients with liver cirrhosis in Latin America, especially in developing countries such as Peru. Objective: To identify the factors associated with mortality in cirrhotic patients. Methods: Cross-sectional study in cirrhotic patients treated at the Cayetano Heredia Hospital in Piura, Peru, year 2017. The dependent variable was hospital mortality and the independent variables were epidemiological, clinical and laboratory characteristics. Fisher's exact test and the T test were used to estimate the factors associated with mortality. Results: Of 52 patients, the frequency of mortality due to cirrhosis was 35,4 percent. Have moderate ascites (p = 0,004), degree of encephalopathy (p = 0,001), leukocytosis (p = 0,004), decompensated disease according to the Child Pugh index (p = 0,023), Meld index between 30-39 points (p < 0,001) and creatinine levels (p = 0,009) were associated with a higher frequency of mortality. Conclusion: The presence of moderate ascites, degree of encephalopathy, leukocytosis, decompensated disease according to the Child Pugh index, Meld index between 30-39, creatinine levels are associated with mortality in cirrhotic patients(AU)

Evolution of the Antisense Overlap between Genes for Thyroid Hormone Receptor and Rev-erbα and Characterization of an Exonic G-Rich Element That Regulates Splicing of TRα2 mRNA.

The α-thyroid hormone receptor gene (TRα) codes for two functionally distinct proteins: TRα1, the α-thyroid hormone receptor; and TRα2, a non-hormone-binding variant. The final exon of TRα2 mRNA overlaps the 3' end of Rev-erbα mRNA, which encodes another nuclear receptor on the opposite strand of DNA. To understand the evolution of this antisense overlap, we sequenced these genes and mRNAs in the platypus Orthorhynchus anatinus. Despite its strong homology with other mammals, the platypus TRα/Rev-erbα locus lacks elements essential for expression of TRα2. Comparative analysis suggests that alternative splicing of TRα2 mRNA expression evolved in a stepwise fashion before the divergence of eutherian and marsupial mammals. A short G-rich element (G30) located downstream of the alternative 3'splice site of TRα2 mRNA and antisense to the 3'UTR of Rev-erbα plays an important role in regulating TRα2 splicing. G30 is tightly conserved in eutherian mammals, but is absent in marsupials and monotremes. Systematic deletions and substitutions within G30 have dramatically different effects on TRα2 splicing, leading to either its inhibition or its enhancement. Mutations that disrupt one or more clusters of G residues enhance splicing two- to three-fold. These results suggest the G30 sequence can adopt a highly structured conformation, possibly a G-quadruplex, and that it is part of a complex splicing regulatory element which exerts both positive and negative effects on TRα2 expression. Since mutations that strongly enhance splicing in vivo have no effect on splicing in vitro, it is likely that the regulatory role of G30 is mediated through linkage of transcription and splicing.

Coevolution trumps pleiotropy: carbon assimilation traits are independent of metabolic network structure in budding yeast.

Phenotypic traits may be gained and lost together because of pleiotropy, the involvement of common genes and networks, or because of simultaneous selection for multiple traits across environments (multiple-trait coevolution). However, the extent to which network pleiotropy versus environmental coevolution shapes shared responses has not been addressed. To test these alternatives, we took advantage of the fact that the genus Saccharomyces has variation in habitat usage and diversity in the carbon sources that a given strain can metabolize. We examined patterns of gain and loss in carbon utilization traits across 488 strains of Saccharomyces to investigate whether the structure of metabolic pathways or selection pressure from common environments may have caused carbon utilization traits to be gained and lost together. While most carbon sources were gained and lost independently of each other, we found four clusters that exhibit non-random patterns of gain and loss across strains. Contrary to the network pleiotropy hypothesis, we did not find that these patterns are explained by the structure of metabolic pathways or shared enzymes. Consistent with the hypothesis that common environments shape suites of phenotypes, we found that the environment a strain was isolated from partially predicts the carbon sources it can assimilate.

Evaluation of color change using CIE LAB coordinates on tooth structure subjected to different concentrations of peroxide carbamide

ABSTRACT: Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate the optical behavior of tooth color using CIE L*A*B* space; the teeth were subjected to novel bleaching gels containing peroxide carbamide with potassium oxalate. Materials and Method: Three different carbamide peroxide gels were experimentally fabricated. They consisted of 10% (G10), 16% (G16) and 37% (G37) concentrations. Sixty recently extracted premolars were subjected to different bleaching protocols. Color change (ΔE) was assessed using the CIE L*a*b* system after the application of each gel. The data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA with Tukey's post hoc test (α=5%) and a t-test. Results: The G10 and G16 gels exhibited an increase in ΔE*ab parameters from T0 to T1 (T0: application day of the gels. T1: 14th day measurement); a small decrease from T1 to T2 was also noted (T2: control measurement, 28th day). However, no statistically significant differences were found (p=0,22 for G10 and p=0,10 for G16). The G37 gel also exhibited an increase in ΔE*ab parameters, with similar results after the first application of 45 min, the second application of 45 min, and the third application of 45 min (T1, T2 and T3, respectively. T4: control measurement, 14th day). No statistically significant differences were observed between the three times of application (p>0,69), and an appreciable difference was noted between times T3 and T4 (p=0,000). Conclusions: The presented formulations of peroxide carbamide at 10%, 16%, and 37% are clearly effective. The G10 and G16 gels exhibited better effectiveness than the G37 gel.