In Situ Accumulation of CaOx Crystals in C. quitensis Leaves and Its Relationship with Anatomy and Gas Exchange.

The accumulation of crystal calcium oxalate (CaOx) in plants is linked to a type of stress-induced photosynthesis termed 'alarm photosynthesis', serving as a carbon reservoir when carbon dioxide (CO2) exchange is constrained. Colobanthus quitensis is an extremophyte found from southern Mexico to Antarctica, which thrives in high-altitude Andean regions. Growing under common garden conditions, C. quitensis from different latitudinal provenances display significant variations in CaOx crystal accumulation. This raises the following questions: are these differences maintained under natural conditions? And is the CaOx accumulation related to mesophyll conductance (gm) and net photosynthesis (AN) performed in situ? It is hypothesized that in provenances with lower gm, C. quitensis will exhibit an increase in the use of CaOx crystals, resulting in reduced crystal leaf abundance. Plants from Central Chile (33°), Patagonia (51°), and Antarctica (62°) were measured in situ and sampled to determine gas exchange and CaOx crystal accumulation, respectively. Both AN and gm decrease towards higher latitudes, correlating with increases in leaf mass area and leaf density. The crystal accumulation decreases at higher latitudes, correlating positively with AN and gm. Thus, in provenances where environmental conditions induce more xeric traits, the CO2 availability for photosynthesis decreases, making the activation of alarm photosynthesis feasible as an internal source of CO2.

Respiratory and Photosynthetic Responses of Antarctic Vascular Plants Are Differentially Affected by CO2 Enrichment and Nocturnal Warming.

Projected rises in atmospheric CO2 concentration and minimum night-time temperatures may have important effects on plant carbon metabolism altering the carbon balance of the only two vascular plant species in the Antarctic Peninsula. We assessed the effect of nocturnal warming (8/5 °C vs. 8/8 °C day/night) and CO2 concentrations (400 ppm and 750 ppm) on gas exchange, non-structural carbohydrates, two respiratory-related enzymes, and mitochondrial size and number in two species of vascular plants. In Colobanthus quitensis, light-saturated photosynthesis measured at 400 ppm was reduced when plants were grown in the elevated CO2 or in the nocturnal warming treatments. Growth in elevated CO2 reduced stomatal conductance but nocturnal warming did not. The short-term sensitivity of respiration, relative protein abundance, and mitochondrial traits were not responsive to either treatment in this species. Moreover, some acclimation to nocturnal warming at ambient CO2 was observed. Altogether, these responses in C. quitensis led to an increase in the respiration-assimilation ratio in plants grown in elevated CO2. The response of Deschampsia antarctica to the experimental treatments was quite distinct. Photosynthesis was not affected by either treatment; however, respiration acclimated to temperature in the elevated CO2 treatment. The observed short-term changes in thermal sensitivity indicate type I acclimation of respiration. Growth in elevated CO2 and nocturnal warming resulted in a reduction in mitochondrial numbers and an increase in mitochondrial size in D. antarctica. Overall, our results suggest that with climate change D. antarctica could be more successful than C. quitensis, due to its ability to make metabolic adjustments to maintain its carbon balance.

Anatomical and biochemical evolutionary ancient traits of Araucaria araucana (Molina) K. Koch and their effects on carbon assimilation.

The study of ancient species provides valuable information concerning the evolution of specific adaptations to past and current environmental conditions. Araucaria araucana (Molina) K. Koch belongs to one of the oldest families of conifers in the world, but despite this, there are few studies focused on its physiology and responses to changes in environmental conditions. We used an integrated approach aimed at comprehensively characterizing the ecophysiology of this poorly known species, focusing in its stomatal, mesophyll and biochemical traits, hypothesizing that these traits govern the carbon assimilation of A. araucana under past and present levels of atmospheric CO2. Results indicated that A. araucana presents the typical traits of an ancient species, such as large stomata and low stomatal density, which trigger low stomatal conductance and slow stomatal responsiveness to changing environmental conditions. Interestingly, the quantitative analysis showed that photosynthetic rates were equally limited by both diffusive and biochemical components. The Rubisco catalytic properties proved to have a low Rubisco affinity for CO2 and O2, similar to other ancient species. This affinity for CO2, together with the low carboxylation turnover rate, are responsible for the low Rubisco catalytic efficiency of carboxylation. These traits could be the result of the diverse environmental selective pressures that A. araucana was exposed during its diversification. The increase in measured temperatures induced an increase in stomatal and biochemical limitations, which together with a lower Rubisco affinity for CO2 could explain the low photosynthetic capacity of A. araucana in warmer conditions.

Anthropometric parameters, lower limb functionality and quality of life after high-intensity interval training in healthy young people versus older adults / Parámetros antropométricos, funcionalidad de miembros inferiores y calidad de vida posterior al entrenamiento interválico de alta intensidad en jóvenes versus personas mayores

SUMMARY: The aim of this study was to determine the effects of High-intensity interval training (HIIT) on the quality of life in healthy young people (YNG) and older adults (OLD)and its correlation with physical health status (anthropometric parameters and lower limb functionality) YNG (21 ? 2 years, BMI 26.37 ? 2.69 n = 12) and OLD (67 ? 5 years, BMI 27.16 ? 3.04 n = 12) groups underwent 12weeks of HIIT. Before and after the HIIT, anthropometric assessments, lower limb functionality tests, and SF-36 quality-of-life questionnaire were performed. There were no significant changes in the SF-36 dimensions (P>0.05). After HIIT, there were improvement percentage changes in Mental Component Summary (MCS) (YNG, +8.51 ? 25.80 % vs. OLD, +2.30 ? 9.05 %) and in Physical Component Summary (PCS) (YNG, +2.66 ? 20.54 % vs. OLD, +4.34 ? 22.71 %). Negative correlations were observed between body mass index (BMI) with PCS (R=-0.570, P=0.009) and with MCS (R=-0.649, P=0.002) in OLD as well as between MCS and waist circumference (R=-0.557, P?0.001) in both groups. Also, correlations were observed between PCS and the sit-to-stand test (R=-0.424, P=0.006) in both groups and gait speed (R=0.458, P=0.042) only in YNG. HIIT promotes positive percentage changes in quality of life, with YNG showing better results in PCS and OLD in MCS. Quality of life and physical health status were correlated in both groups.

RESUMEN: Determinar los efectos del entrenamiento interválico de alta intensidad (HIIT) sobre la calidad de vida en jóvenes sanos (YNG) y personas mayores (OLD) y su correlación con el estado de salud física (parámetros antropométricos y funcionalidad de miembros inferiores). Ambos grupos, YNG (21 ? 2 años, IMC 26,37 ? 2,69 n = 12) y OLD (67 ? 5 años, IMC 27,16 ? 3,04 n = 12) realizaron 12 semanas de HIIT. Antes y después del HIIT, se realizaron evaluaciones antropométricas, pruebas de funcionalidad de miembros inferiores y cuestionario de calidad de vida SF-36. No hubo cambios significativos en las dimensiones del SF-36 (P >0,05). Después del HIIT, hubo cambios porcentuales de mejora en el componente sumario mental (MCS) (YNG, +8.51 ? 25.80 % vs. OLD, +2.30 ? 9.05 %) y el componente sumario física (PCS) (YNG, +2,66 ? 20,54 % vs. OLD, +2,30 ? 9,05 %), correspondientes a la calidad de vida. Se observaron correlaciones negativas entre el índice de masa corporal (IMC) con PCS (R=-0,570; P=0,009) y con MCS (R=0,649; P=0,002) en OLD, así como entre MCS y circunferencia de cintura (R = - 0,557, P?0,001) en ambos grupos. Además, se observaron correlaciones entre PCS y la prueba de sentarse y levantarse (R = -0,424; P = 0,006) en ambos grupos y la velocidad de la marcha (R = 0,458; P = 0,042) solo en YNG. HIIT promueve cambios porcentuales positivos en la calidad de vida, con YNG mostrando mejores resultados en PCS y OLD en MCS. La calidad de vida y el estado de salud física se correlacionaron en ambos grupos.

Effect of CO2 Flow Rate on the Extraction of Astaxanthin and Fatty Acids from Haematococcus pluvialis Using Supercritical Fluid Technology.

Haematococcus pluvialis is the largest producer of natural astaxanthin in the world. Astaxanthin is a bioactive compound used in food, feed, nutraceutics, and cosmetics. In this study, astaxanthin extraction from H. pluvialis by supercritical fluid extraction was evaluated. The effects of temperature (40 and 50 °C), pressure (40 and 50 MPa), and CO2 flow rate (2 and 4 L/min) were investigated. The results showed that the highest astaxanthin recovery was obtained at 50 °C/50 MPa and the CO2 flow rates evaluated had no significant effect. It was possible to achieve astaxanthin recoveries of 95% after 175 min for a CO2 flow rate of 2 L/min, and 95 min for CO2 flow rate of 4 L/min. The ω-6/ω-3 ratios obtained were similar in all conditions, reaching 0.87, demonstrating that the extracts from H. pluvialis by SFE are rich in unsaturated fatty acids (UFA) which increases their positive effects when used as a functional ingredient in food.

Impacto en la calidad de vida de los adolescentes con diabetes mellitus tipo 1 / Impact on the quality of life of adolescents with diabetes mellitus type 1

INTRODUCCIÓN: La diabetes mellitus tipo 1 (DM1) es una enfermedad que se perfila para toda la vida. OBJETIVO: Identificar evidencia científica sobre el impacto de la DM1 en la calidad de vida de los adolescentes portadores de esta enfermedad. MÉTODO: Revisión sistemática en las bases bibliografías MEDLINE, LILACS, CINAHL y ScIELO, utilizando los descriptores "Adolescent*", "Teen*", "Diabe tes Mellitus, Type1", "Diabetes, type 1", "Type 1 diabetes", "Quality of life", "Health related quality of life", "Life quality", "Health impact assessment", "Health impact", "Impact assessment, health", "Diabetes Impact Measurement Scales", "PedsQL", "Glycated Hemoglobin A1c", "Glycosylated He moglobin A1c", y "HbA1c". De los 679 artículos localizados, 25 fueron incluidos en el análisis. Al gunos estudios fueron multicéntricos nacionales e internacionales. Los instrumentos más utilizados, relativos a las mediciones de la calidad de vida, fueron el Cuestionario de Calidad de Vida Pediátrica (PedsQL) en su versión genérica y módulo diabetes. RESULTADOS: La calidad de vida evaluada por el adolescente que padece DM1 mediante Escalas de calidad de vida, está significativamente e inversa mente asociada a los valores de HbA1c. Esta vinculación se extiende a una correlación significativa entre los puntajes genéricos totales de calidad de vida y HbA1c, pero no tiene la misma repercusión en los puntajes específicos. CONCLUSIONES: El control metabólico se establece como la piedra angular que incide en el impacto en la relación DM1 y calidad de vida; vinculación que se vislumbra como bidireccional, aunque no se evidencia un consenso absoluto sobre los tipos de factores y los grados que influirían en el control metabólico.

INTRODUCTION: Type 1 diabetes mellitus (DM1) is a chronic disease. OBJECTIVE: To identify scientific evidence on the impact of DM1 on the quality of life of adolescents with this disease. METHOD: Sys tematic review in the bibliographic databases MEDLINE, LILACS, CINAHL, and ScIELO, using the following descriptors: "Adolescent *", "Teen *", "Diabetes Mellitus, Type1", "Diabetes, type 1", "Type 1 diabetes", "Quality of life", "Health related quality of life", "Life quality", "Health impact assessment", "Health impact", "Impact assessment, health", "Diabetes Impact Measurement Scales", "PedsQL", "Glycated Hemoglobin A1c", "Glycosylated Hemoglobin A1c", and "HbA1c". Out of 679 articles identified, 25 were included in the analysis. Some studies were national and international multicenter. The most widely used instruments related to quality of life measurements were the Pediatric Quality of Life Questionnaire (PedsQL) in its generic version and the diabetes module. RESULTS: The quality of life assessed by the adolescent with DM1 using Quality of Life Scales is significantly and inversely associated with HbA1c values. This association includes a significant correlation between the total generic quality of life scores and HbA1c but does not have the same impact on specific sco res. CONCLUSIONS: Metabolic control appears to be the cornerstone that influences the impact on the bidirectional relationship between DM1 and quality of life, however, there is no absolute consensus on the types of factors and degrees that would influence metabolic control.

High-intensity interval training on body composition, functional capacity and biochemical markers in healthy young versus older people.

BACKGROUND: The aim of the following study was to identify the effects of a 12-week high-intensity interval training (HIIT) program on the modification of parameters of body composition, functional capacity as well as lipid and glucose homeostasis markers in healthy young people versus older adults. DESIGN: Experimental trial. METHODS: Healthy young (YNG, 21 ± 1 years, BMI 26.01 ± 2.64 kg·m-2, n = 10) and older (OLD, 66 ± 5 years, BMI 27.43 ± 3.11 kg·m-2, n = 10) males were subjected to 12 weeks of HIIT. Prior to and immediately after the HIIT program, dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, dominant leg strength one-repetition maximum (1-RM), maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max) and physical performance tests were performed. Blood samples were also taken. RESULTS: Flexibility (P = 0.000), static balance (P = 0.004), timed up and go test (TUG) (P = 0.015), short physical performance battery (SPPB) (P = 0.005), dominant leg strength 1-RM (P = 0.012), and VO2max (P = 0.000) were better in YNG versus OLD. HIIT improved the % whole-body fat mass (P = 0.031), leg lean mass (P = 0.047), dominant leg strength 1-RM (P = 0.025), VO2max (P = 0.000), fasting cholesterol (P = 0.017) and fasting glucose (P = 0.006). TUG was improved by the training only in the OLD group (P = 0.016), but insulin (P = 0.002) and the homeostasis model assessment - insulin sensitivity (HOMA-IS) (P = 0.000) decreased only in the YNG group. HOMA-IS was correlated positive with BMI (R = 0.474, P = 0.035) and with whole-body fat mass (R = 0.517, P = 0.019). CONCLUSIONS: HIIT for 12 weeks improves parameters of body composition, functional capacity and fasting serum lipid and glucose homeostasis markers in healthy young and older participants. Young people are shown as benefiting more.

New Pharmacological Strategies for the Treatment of Non-Infectious Uveitis. A Minireview.

Non-infectious uveitis (NIU) is a group of disorders characterized by intraocular inflammation at different levels of the eye. NIU is a leading cause of irreversible blindness in working-age population in the developed world. The goal of uveitis treatment is to control inflammation, prevent recurrences, and preserve vision, as well as minimize the adverse effects of medications. Currently, the standard of care for NIU includes the administration of corticosteroids (CS) as first-line agents, but in some cases a more aggressive therapy is required. This includes synthetic immunosuppressants, such as antimetabolites (methotrexate, mycophenolate mofetil, and azathioprine), calcineurinic inhibitors (cyclosporine, tacrolimus), and alkylating agents (cyclophosphamide, chlorambucil). In those patients who become intolerant or refractory to CS and conventional immunosuppressive treatment, biologic agents have arisen as an effective therapy. Among the most evaluated treatments, TNF-α inhibitors, IL blockers, and anti-CD20 therapy have emerged. In this regard, anti-TNF agents (infliximab and adalimumab) have shown the strongest results in terms of favorable outcomes. In this review, we discuss latest evidence concerning to the effectiveness of biologic therapy, and present new therapeutic approaches directed against immune components as potential novel therapies for NIU.

Isotonic Beverage Pigmented with Water-Dispersible Emulsion from Astaxanthin Oleoresin.

Astaxanthin is a powerful antioxidant, because it neutralizes free radicals and plays a vital role in the prevention of human diseases. The objective of this work was to develop an isotonic beverage (IB) of orange-red color, using an astaxanthin oleoresin emulsion (AOE) that is dispersible in water. This was carried out in order to simulate the color of commercial isotonic beverages (CIB) prepared from artificial pigments. The size of the AOE micelles ranged from 0.15 to 7.60 µm2. The color difference (ΔE) was similar for the samples exposed to dark as well as light conditions. The samples subjected to light stress showed pigment degradation after seven days, followed by a decrease in the concentration of astaxanthin; whereas, the samples exposed to dark conditions remained stable for seven days and then showed a decrease in the concentration of astaxanthin (this decrease ranged from 65% to 76% when compared to the initial content) after a period of 91 days. For the astaxanthin oleoresin (AO) and AOE, the oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) values reached 5224 and 1968 µmol of trolox equivalents (TE)/100 g, respectively. When exposed to light conditions, the addition of AOE in the IB led to its rapid degradation, while it remained stable in the samples exposed to the dark conditions.

[Impact on the quality of life of adolescents with diabetes mellitus type 1]. / Impacto en la calidad de vida de los adolescentes con diabetes mellitus tipo 1.

INTRODUCTION: Type 1 diabetes mellitus (DM1) is a chronic disease. OBJECTIVE: To identify scientific evidence on the impact of DM1 on the quality of life of adolescents with this disease. METHOD: Sys tematic review in the bibliographic databases MEDLINE, LILACS, CINAHL, and ScIELO, using the following descriptors: "Adolescent *", "Teen *", "Diabetes Mellitus, Type1", "Diabetes, type 1", "Type 1 diabetes", "Quality of life", "Health related quality of life", "Life quality", "Health impact assessment", "Health impact", "Impact assessment, health", "Diabetes Impact Measurement Scales", "PedsQL", "Glycated Hemoglobin A1c", "Glycosylated Hemoglobin A1c", and "HbA1c". Out of 679 articles identified, 25 were included in the analysis. Some studies were national and international multicenter. The most widely used instruments related to quality of life measurements were the Pediatric Quality of Life Questionnaire (PedsQL) in its generic version and the diabetes module. RESULTS: The quality of life assessed by the adolescent with DM1 using Quality of Life Scales is significantly and inversely associated with HbA1c values. This association includes a significant correlation between the total generic quality of life scores and HbA1c but does not have the same impact on specific sco res. CONCLUSIONS: Metabolic control appears to be the cornerstone that influences the impact on the bidirectional relationship between DM1 and quality of life, however, there is no absolute consensus on the types of factors and degrees that would influence metabolic control.

Contrasting thermal acclimation of leaf dark respiration and photosynthesis of Antarctic vascular plant species exposed to nocturnal warming.

Leaf respiration and photosynthesis will respond differently to an increase in temperature during night, which can be more relevant in sensitive ecosystems such as Antarctica. We postulate that the plant species able to colonize the Antarctic Peninsula - Colobanthus quitensis (Kunth) Bartl. and Deschampsia antarctica Desv. - are able to acclimate their foliar respiration and to maintain photosynthesis under nocturnal warming to sustain a positive foliar carbon balance. We conducted a laboratory experiment to evaluate the effect of time of day (day and night) and nocturnal warming on dark respiration. Short (E0 and Q10 ) and long-term acclimation of respiration, leaf carbohydrates, photosynthesis (Asat ) and foliar carbon balance (R/A) were evaluated. The results suggest that the two species have differential thermal acclimation respiration, where D. antarctica showed more thermosensitivity to short-term changes in temperature than C. quitensis. Experimental nocturnal warming affected respiration at daytime differentially between the two species, with a significant increase of R10 and Asat in D. antarctica, while no changes on respiration were observed in C. quitensis. Long thermal treatments of the plants indicated that nocturnal but not diurnal respiration could acclimate in both species, and to a greater extent in C. quitensis. Non-structural carbohydrates were related with respiration in C. quitensis but not in D. antarctica, suggesting that respiration in the former species is likely controlled by total soluble sugars and starch during day and night, respectively. Finally, foliar carbon balance was differentially improved under warming conditions in Antarctic plants by different mechanisms, with C. quitensis deploying respiratory acclimation, while D. antarctica increased its Asat.

Malformación adenomatoidea quística pulmonar de presentación tardía: revisión del tema y presentación de un caso / Review and case report: late-onset congenital cystic adenomatoid malformation of the lung

The congenital cystic adenomatoid malformation (CCAM) of the lungs is a rare congenital abnormality that it is usually discovered during childhood. Late-onset CCAM is extremely uncommon, usually detected as a radiographic finding in adult patients. Timely diagnosis of this condition is important mainly because of the risk of recurrent infections and mainly forits neoplastic potential. The case ofan adult patient is presented.

La malformación adenomatoídea quística pulmonar es una extraña anomalía congénita que frecuentemente se detecta durante la infancia. La presentación tardía es poco frecuente y más comúnmente se detecta como un hallazgo radiológico en adultos. El diagnóstico de esta patología es importante, principalmente por el riesgo de infecciones recurrentes y transformación neoplásica.

Genetic diagnosis by comparative genomic hybridization in adult de novo acute myelocytic leukemia.

A total of 127 adult de novo acute myelocytic leukemia (AML) patients were analyzed by comparative genomic hybridization (CGH) at diagnosis. Conventional cytogenetic analysis (CCA) showed a normal karyotype in 45 cases and an abnormal karyotype in 56 cases; in the remaining cases, CCA either failed to yield sufficient metaphase cells (19/26) or was not done (7/26). Abnormal CGH profiles were identified in 39 patients (30.7%). DNA copy number losses (61%) were high compared to gains (39%), whereas partial chromosome changes (76%) were more common than whole chromosomes changes (24%). Recurrent losses were detected on chromosomes 7, 5q (comprising bands 5q15 to 5q33), 7q (7q32 approximately q36), 16q (16q13 approximately q21), and 17p, and gains were detected on chromosomes 8, 22, and 3q (comprising bands 3q26.1 approximately q27). Furthermore, distinct amplifications were identified in chromosome regions 21q, 13q12 approximately q13, and 13q21.1. No cryptic recurrent chromosomal imbalances were identified by CGH in cases with normal karyotypes. The concordance between CGH results and CCA was 72.5%. In the remaining cases, CGH gave additional information compared to CCA (20%) and partially failed to identify the alterations previously detected by CCA (7.5%). The majority of discrepancies arose from the limitations of the CGH technique, such as insensitivity to detect unbalanced chromosomal changes when occurring in a low proportion of cells. CGH increased the detection of unbalanced chromosomal alterations and allowed precise defining of partial or uncharacterized cytogenetical abnormalities. Application of the CGH technique is thus a useful complementary diagnostic tool for CCA in de novo AML cases with abnormal karyotypes or with unsuccessful cytogenetics.