Efectos de la infección del Trypanosoma cruzi en ratones de las cepas Balb/c y NIH / Effects of Trypanosoma cruzi infection in Balb/c and NIH mouse strains

La enfermedad de Chagas es una infección causada por el parásito Trypanosoma cruzi y transmitida por el vector Triatoma dimidiata, conocido en El Salvador como «chinche picuda¼. Esta enfermedad siempre ha sido de interés científico en modelos animales. Objetivo. Identificar el efecto de la infección por Trypanosoma cruzi en ratones de diferentes cepas (BALB/c y NIH) y sexo. Metodología. Se establecieron ocho grupos: cuatro infectados con Trypanosoma cruzi y cuatro grupos no infectados, distribuidos por cepa y sexo, con cinco ratones por grupo. Durante seis semanas se registró el peso corporal de los ratones. Además, se prepararon muestras de sangre de los grupos infectados en láminas para realizar los conteos de parasitemia. Al final del estudio, se extrajeron el bazo y el corazón de ambos grupos para los análisis estadísticos. Resultados. Los grupos infectados mostraron un incremento de peso en comparación a sus grupos controles. En la cepa NIH, las hembras presentaron una mayor parasitemia, mientras que en la cepa BALB/c fueron los machos los de mayor parasitemia. Los órganos de los grupos infectados fueron significativamente más grandes comparados a los de los grupos de control, excepto en el corazón de la cepa BALB/c. Respecto al peso de los órganos, se observaron diferencias significativas únicamente en el corazón de los machos de la cepa BALB/c, mientras que en el bazo ocurrió lo contrario. Conclusión. Los machos de la cepa BALB/c son más susceptibles al Trypanosoma cruzi, presentando niveles de parasitemia más altos entre los grupos estudiados

Chagas disease is an infection caused by the parasite Trypanosoma cruzi and transmitted by the vector Triatoma dimidiata, known in El Salvador as "chinche picuda". This disease has always been of scientific interest in animal models. Objective. Identify the effect of Trypanozoma cruzi infection in mice of different strains (BALB/c and NIH) and sex. Methodology. Eight groups were established: four infected with Trypanosoma cruzi and four uninfected groups, distributed by strain and sex, with five mice per group. The body weight of the mice was recorded for six weeks. In addition, blood samples from the infected groups were prepared on slides for parasitemia counts. At the end of the study, the spleen and heart were extracted from both groups for statistical analyses. Results. The infected groups showed an increase in weight compared to their control groups. In the NIH strain, females had higher parasitemia, whereas in the BALB/c strain, males had higher parasitemia. The organs of the infected groups were significantly larger compared to those of the control groups, except in the heart of the BALB/c strain. Regarding organ weight, significant differences were observed only in the heart of the male BALB/c strain, while the opposite was true for the spleen. Conclusion. Males of the BALB/c strain are more susceptible to Trypanosoma cruzi, presenting higher levels of parasitemia among the groups studied.

Bilateral abducens and facial nerve palsies following fourth ventriculoperitoneal shunt with laparoscopic-assisted abdominal catheter placement.

Introduction: Hydrocephalus, altering cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) dynamics, affects 175 per 100,000 adults worldwide. Ventriculoperitoneal shunts (VPS) manage symptomatic hydrocephalus, with 125,000 cases annually. Despite efficacy, VPS face complications, necessitating interventions. Research question: "What are the mechanisms and risk factors for bilateral VIth and VIIth lower motor neuron palsies in hydrocephalus patients with a fourth ventriculoperitoneal shunt?" Material and methods: This study details a 36-year-old female with a neonatal meningitis history, multiple shunt replacements, admitted for abdominal pain secondary to pelvic inflammatory disease. An abdominal shunt catheter removal and external ventricular drain placement occurred after consultation with a general surgeon. A cardiac atrial approach and subsequent laparoscopic abdominal approach were performed without complications. Results: After one month, the patient showed neurological complications, including decreased facial expression, gait instability, and bilateral VIth and VIIth lower motor neuron palsies, specifically upgazed and convergence restriction. Discussion: The complication's pathophysiology is discussed, attributing it to potential brainstem herniation from over-drainage of CSF. Literature suggests flexible endoscopic treatments like aqueductoplasty/transaqueductal approaches into the fourth ventricle. Conclusions: This study underscores the need for increased awareness in monitoring neurological outcomes after the fourth ventriculoperitoneal shunt, particularly in cases with laparoscopic-assisted abdominal catheter placement. The rarity of bilateral abducens and facial nerve palsies emphasizes the importance of ongoing research to understand pathophysiology and develop preventive and therapeutic strategies for this unique complication.

Chemical composition and antioxidant, enzyme inhibition and cytoprotective activity of two Antarctic lichens of the genus Psoroma (Pannariaceae).

Lichens contain different types of chemical compounds with multiple biological activities that demonstrate their potential pharmacological use. This research aims to report the metabolomic identification of the ethanolic extracts of P. antarcticum and P. hypnorum, their antioxidant, enzyme inhibitory, and their cytoprotection activity. Sixteen metabolites were identified in P. antarcticum and twelve in P. hypnorum; the extracts reported variable antioxidant activity with IC50 >350 µg/mL in DPPH·, values >18 µmol Trolox/g in ORAC and >40 µmol Trolox/g in FRAP and a phenolic compound content >10 mg GAE/g, as well as significant results in cholinesterases, α-glucosidase, pancreatic lipase, α-amylase, and tyrosinase enzyme inhibition activities with IC50 ranging from 18 to 510 µg/mL, and which were complemented by molecular docking experiments. Both extracts showed improved cytoprotection at the concentrations of 0.5 to 1.0 µg/mL. This study contributes to the knowledge of the chemical diversity of Antarctic lichen extracts and their effectiveness in the evaluation of biological activities related to neurodegenerative diseases and metabolic syndrome.

Antioxidant and antidiabetic activity and phytoconstituents of lichen extracts with temperate and polar distribution.

The objective of this research was to characterize the chemical composition of ethanolic extracts of the lichen species Placopsis contortuplicata, Ochrolechia frigida, and Umbilicaria antarctica, their antioxidant activity, and enzymatic inhibition through in vitro and molecular docking analysis. In total phenol content, FRAP, ORAC, and DPPH assays, the extracts showed significant antioxidant activity, and in in vitro assays for the inhibition of pancreatic lipase, α-glucosidase, and α-amylase enzymes, together with in silico studies for the prediction of pharmacokinetic properties, toxicity risks, and intermolecular interactions of compounds, the extracts evidenced inhibitory potential. A total of 13 compounds were identified by UHPLC-ESI-QTOF-MS in P. contortuplicata, 18 compounds in O. frigida, and 12 compounds in U. antarctica. This study contributes to the knowledge of the pool of bioactive compounds present in lichens of temperate and polar distribution and biological characteristics that increase interest in the discovery of natural products that offer alternatives for treatment studies of diseases related to oxidative stress and metabolic syndrome.

Assessment of probiotic properties of lactic acid bacteria isolated from an artisanal Colombian cheese.

Lactic Acid Bacteria play an important role in the milk fermentation processes of traditional cheeses and have become an important target for the development of novel cheese cultures because of their ability to confer health benefits. This study aimed to evaluate the probiotic potential of 12 Lactic Acid Bacteria (LAB) strains previously isolated and molecularly identified from an artisanal Colombian Double-Cream Cheese. Probiotic properties, including safety (hemolysis and sensibility to antibiotics), pH and bile salt tolerance, auto-aggregation, cell surface hydrophobicity, antibacterial activity, and exopolysaccharide production, were examined. None of the strains were hemolytic, and Pediococcus (16, 18) and Lactobacillus (28, 29) were found to be sensitive to all antibiotics. Moreover, all the strains tolerated pH (3.0, 6.5 and 8.0) and bile salt conditions (0.3, 0.6 and 1.0 % w/v). Pediococcus pentosaceus (16), Leuconostoc citreum (17), Pediococcus acidilactici (18), Enterococcus faecium (21,22), Enterococcus faecalis (24) and Limosilactobacillus fermentum (29) exhibited medium autoaggregation and affinity to chloroform. Six of the strains exhibited a ropy exopolysaccharide phenotype. Antibacterial activity against foodborne pathogens, Salmonella Typhimurium ATCC 14028, Listeria monocytogenes ATCC 19111, Escherichia coli ATCC 25922 and Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923, was found to be strain dependent, with the strains 16, 18, 21, 26, 28 and 29 presenting a higher inhibition (>4 mm) against all of them. According to Principal Component Analysis, P. pentosaceus (16), Leu. mesenteroides (26), L. casei (28), L. fermentum (29), and E. faecium (21) showed strong probiotic properties. Our findings suggest that five strains out of the 12 sampled strains are potential probiotics that could be used in the processing of traditional dairy products on an industrial scale to improve their quality.

Factor de conversión proteica y capacidad antioxidante de isoflavonas en Glycine max / Protein conversion factor and antioxidant capacityof isoflavones in Glycine max

The conversion factor of nitrogen to proteins and isoflavones present in Glycine max was determined. For the determination of the conversion factor, we worked with solubilizing the proteins at alkaline pH and then extracting them with acidic pH. The proteins were identified by the Kjeldahl method. The antioxidant capacity was determined after extracting the isoflavones and their glycosides through the Soxhlet method, and then using the Brand Williams method (DPPH). The results indicate that the protein conversion factor was 5.85, the maximum concentration of total isoflavones was 33.33%, the antiradical efficiency of total isoflavones was 0.004 mL/ug min, the antiradical efficiency of gallic acid was 0.005 mL/ug min. and the antiradical efficiency of tannic acid was 0.0004 mL/ugmin. These results justify the consumption of Glycine max (Soya) as a food that has a high nutritional quality and provides an excellent source of antioxidants, which will prevent hormonal and carcinogenic diseases.

Se determinó el factor de conversión de nitrógeno a proteínas e isoflavonas presentes en Glycine max. Para la determinación del factor de conversión se trabajó con solubilizando las proteínas a pH alcalinos y luego extrayéndolas con pH ácidos. Las proteínas fueron identificadas por el método Kjeldahl. La capacidad antioxidante se determinó previa extracción de las isoflavonas y sus glicósidos a través del método de Soxhlet, y luego empleando el método de Brand Williams (DPPH).Los resultados indican que el factor de conversión proteica fue 5,85, la concentración máxima de isoflavonas totales fue 33,33 %, la eficiencia antirradicalaria de las isoflavonas totales fue 0,004 mL/ug min, la eficiencia antirradicalaria de ácido gálico fue 0,005 mL/ug min y la eficiencia antirradicalaria de ácido tánico fue 0,0004 mL/ug min. Estos resultados justifican el consumo de Glycine max (Soya) como un alimento que posee una alta calidad nutricional y proporciona una óptima fuente de antioxidantes, que permitirá prevenir enfermedades hormonales y cancerígenas.

Phytochemical Characterization and In Vitro and In Silico Biological Studies from Ferns of Genus Blechnum (Blechnaceae, Polypodiales).

The genus Blechnum represents one of the most ecologically and therapeutically important groups of ferns that grow in tropical, subtropical and temperate regions. In this work, the chemical fingerprint of lyophilized extracts of Blechnum chilense, B. hastatum, B. magellanicum and B. penna-marina species, the determination of their antioxidant activity through ORAC, FRAP and DPPH assays and inhibition of cholinesterase enzymes (AChE and BChE), and an in silico analysis of selected majority compounds on cholinesterase enzymes were identified. Nineteen compounds were recorded for B. chilense, nine in B. hastatum, seventeen in B. magellanicum and seventeen in B. penna-marina by liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole-time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UHPLC-ESI-QTOF-MS). The content of phenolic compounds, flavonoids, antioxidant activity and enzyme inhibition were variable among species, with best results for B. penna-marina. Molecular docking evidenced low toxicities, significant pharmacokinetic properties, and significant binding affinities of the tested compounds for the AChE and BChE enzymes. These fern species show high diversity of bioactive compounds and represent a promising resource in phytotherapy, especially for their optimal levels of phenolic compounds that support their antioxidant activity.

Experiencia en 24 pacientes con técnica de traqueostomía con incisión vertical por una limitación de la visibilidad secundaria a equipo de protección ocular en el área de cuidados intensivos respiratorios COVID / Experience in 24 patients with vertical incision tracheostomy technique for a lowing visibility for protection security equipment in COVID intensive care respiratory / Experiência em 24 pacientes com tecnica de traqueostomia por incisão vertical devido à visibilidade limitada secundária a equipamentos de proteção ocular na área de terapia intensiva respiratória COVID

Resumen: El uso de equipo de protección personal, en especial protección ocular, limita la visión al momento de llevar a cabo procedimientos quirúrgicos en área COVID. Estas limitaciones nos obligan a hacer modificaciones en procedimientos habituales, en esta ocasión se realizó una modificación a la incisión habitual del procedimiento de traqueostomía abierta. Se hizo una modificación descrita en bibliografías previas en la orientación de la incisión, cambiando la orientación habitual de la incisión horizontal a una incisión vertical, conservando el resto de la técnica y disección de planos habituales así como colocación de cánula. La modificación de la técnica tiene como objetivo disminuir el riesgo de complicaciones ocasionadas por la poca visión por parte del equipo de protección personal. Dentro de estas complicaciones se incluyen disminuir el riesgo de lesión a grandes vasos que por anatomía se encuentran en sitio anatómico a procedimiento, mejorar las condiciones de visión al ser un único plano de disección muscular y aponeurótico, disminuir sangrado transoperatorio al incidir en línea media, con ello reducir el riesgo de complicaciones y mejorar las condiciones de visión del operador.

Abstract: The use of personal protective equipment, especially eye protection, limits vision when performing surgical procedures in the COVID area, these limitations force us to make modifications to usual procedures, on this occasion a modification is made to the usual incision of the procedure open tracheostomy. A modification described in previous bibliographies was made, modifying the orientation of the incision, changing the usual orientation of the horizontal incision to a vertical incision, preserving the rest of the technique and dissection of the usual planes as well as placement of the cannula. The modification of the technique aims to reduce the risk of complications caused by poor vision due to personal protective equipment, within these complications to reduce the risk of injury to large vessels that by anatomy are in the anatomical site of the procedure, improve the vision conditions as it is a single muscle and aponeurotic dissection plane, reduce transoperative bleeding by incising in the midline, thereby reducing the risk of complications, improving the operator's vision conditions and reducing the risk of infection of personal health.

Resumo: O uso de equipamentos de proteção individual, principalmente proteção ocular, limita a visão ao realizar procedimentos cirúrgicos na área COVID. Essas limitações nos obrigam a fazer modificações nos procedimentos usuais, nesta ocasião foi feita uma modificação na incisão usual do procedimento de traqueostomia aberta. Realizou-se uma modificação descrita em bibliografias anteriores modificando a orientação da incisão, mudando a orientação usual da incisão horizontal para uma incisão vertical, mantendo o resto da técnica e dissecção dos planos habituais, bem como a colocação da cânula. A modificação da técnica visa diminuir o risco de complicações causadas pela má visão por equipamentos de proteção individual, dentro dessas complicações diminuir o risco de lesão de grandes vasos que pela anatomia estão no local anatômico do procedimento, melhorar as condições de visão ao ser um único plano de dissecção muscular e aponeurótica, reduzindo o sangramento intraoperatório por incisão na linha média, diminuindo assim o risco de complicações, melhorando as condições de visão do operador.

Materiales bioactivos para restauraciones directas en dientes posteriores / Bioactive materials for direct restorations in posterior teeth

Se trata de paciente femenino de 22 años de edad, en quien se realizó una restauración en un molar siguiendo la filosofía de mínima intervención desde el diagnóstico hasta la obturación con un material bioactivo. Los objetivos del tratamiento fueron devolver la funcionalidad y estética de dicho molar, pero sobre todo brindar una protección a largo plazo mediante la liberación y recarga de iones de calcio, fosfato y flúor proporcionado por el material bioactivo (AU)

t is about a female patient of twenty-two years, in which a restoration was made in a molar following the philosophy of minimal intervention from diagnosis to filling with a bioactive material. The objectives of the treatment were to restore the functionality and aesthetics, but mainly to provide long-term protection through the release and recharge of calcium, phosphate and fluoride ions provided by the bioactive material used (AU)

Metabolomic Profiling, Antioxidant and Enzyme Inhibition Properties and Molecular Docking Analysis of Antarctic Lichens.

The lichen species Lecania brialmontii, Pseudephebe pubescens, and Sphaerophorus globosus are part of the prominent lichenoflora of the Antarctic territory. In this work, we report the metabolomic identification of ethanolic extracts of these species, their antioxidant and cholinesterase enzyme inhibitory activity, and conduct a molecular docking analysis with typical compounds. Eighteen compounds were identified by UHPLC-ESI-QTOF-MS in L. brialmontii, 18 compounds in P. pubescens, and 14 compounds in S. globosus. The content of phenolic compounds was variable among the species, ranging from 0.279 to 2.821 mg AG/g, and all three species showed high inhibition potential on the cholinesterase enzymes. Molecular docking showed important interactions between AChE and BChE with the selected compounds. This study evidences the chemical fingerprint of three species of the order Lecanorales that support the continuation of the study of other biological activities and their potential for medical research.

Active Compounds in Zingiber officinale as Possible Redox Inhibitors of 5-Lipoxygenase Using an In Silico Approach.

5-Lipoxygenase (5-LOX) converts arachidonic acid to lipidic inflammatory mediators such as leukotrienes (LTs). In diseases such as asthma, LTs contribute to a physiopathology that could be reverted by blocking 5-LOX. Natural products with anti-inflammatory potential such as ginger have been used as nutraceuticals since ancient times. 6-Gingerol and 6-shogaol are the most abundant compounds in the ginger rhizome; they possess anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and chemopreventive properties. In the present study, 6-gingerol and 6-shogaol structures were analyzed and compared with two commercial 5-LOX inhibitors (zileuton and atreleuton) and with other inhibitor candidates (3f, NDGA, CP 209, caffeic acid, and caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE)). The pharmacokinetics and toxicological properties of 6-gingerol, 6-shogaol, and the other compounds were evaluated. Targeted molecular coupling was performed to identify the optimal catalytic pocket for 5-LOX inhibition. The results showed that 6-gingerol and 6-shogaol follow all of the recommended pharmacokinetic parameters. These compounds could be inhibitors of 5-LOX because they present specific interactions with the residues involved in molecular inhibition. The current study demonstrated the potential of 6-gingerol and 6-shogaol as anti-inflammatory agents that inhibit 5-LOX, as they present a high level of performance in the toxicological analysis and could be catabolized by the cytochrome p450 enzymatic complex; however, 6-gingerol was superior in safety compared to 6-shogaol.

Descripción de las características sociodemográficas y clínicas de pacientes con litiasis renal

Contexto: los cálculos renales son cúmulos o depósitos de minerales que se forman en los cálices, la pelvis renal o el tracto urinario. Objetivo: describir las características sociodemográficas y clínicas de una muestra de pacientes con litiasis renal, mayores de 18 años. Metodología: estudio observacional descriptivo de pacientes atendidos en una consulta ambulatoria de Nefrología en Manizales en el periodo 2010-2020, donde se contaba con estudios en sangre, orina de 24 horas y estudio fisicoquímico del cálculo, además de datos sociodemográficos y clínicos relacionados. Se fragmentaron en grupos, de acuerdo con los hallazgos encontrados en los cálculos disponibles, dividiéndose en oxalato de calcio en su totalidad, calcio mixto con otro compuesto y el último grupo de cálculo no calcio. Resultados: se identificaron 54 pacientes con nefrolitiasis, de los cuales 14 de ellos fueron excluidos. Finalmente, 40 pacientes cumplieron con los criterios de inclusión. La mediana de edad fue 52,5 años, predominio del sexo masculino (55 %), donde se encontró en 20,5 % hiperuricemia, hipercalcemia en 17,6 %, hiperfosfatemia en 5 % e hipercaliemia en 7,5 %. En orina se encontró: hipocitraturia en el 71,1 %, seguido de hipercalciuria (12,5 %), hiperuricosuria (10 %) e hiperoxaluria (5 %). En 17 de los pacientes (42,5 %) se logró el estudio de la composición fisicoquímica del cálculo, en ellos la variedad de calcio mixto fue la más frecuente (55,5 %). Conclusiones: este estudio describe las características de pacientes con cálculos renales, mostrando que la mayoría tiene alteraciones metabólicas asociadas a nefrolitiasis, siendo la hipocitraturia el hallazgo más frecuente y que la mayoría de los cálculos tiene calcio en su composición.

Background: Kidney stones are accumulations or mineral deposits that form in the calyces, renal pelvis, or urinary tract. Purpose: To describe the sociodemographic and clinical characteristics of a sample of patients with kidney stones over 18 years of age. Methodology: Descriptive observational study. Patients treated in an outpatient nephrology and urology consultation in Manizales during the years 2010 to 2020, in which there were studies in blood, 24-hour urine, and a physicochemical study of the stone, as well as related sociodemographic and clinical data. They were divided into groups, according to the findings found in the available stones, dividing into calcium oxalate in its entirety, calcium mixed with another compound and the last group of non-calcium stone. Results: 54 patients with nephrolithiasis were identified, 14 of them were excluded. Finally, 40 patients met the inclusion criteria. Median age was 52.5 years, male predominance (55%), hyperuricemia was found in 20.5%, hypercalcemia in 17.6%, hyperphosphatemia in 5% and hyperkalemia in 7.5%. In urine, hypocitraturia was found in 71.1%, followed by hypercalciuria (12.5%), hyperuricosuria (10%), and hyperoxaluria (5%). In 17 patients (42.5%) there was a result of the physicochemical composition of the stone, in them the mixed calcium variety was the most frequent (55.5%). Conclusions: This study describes the characteristics of patients with kidney stones, showing that the majority have metabolic alterations associated with nephrolithiasis, hypocitraturia being the most frequent finding, and that most stones have calcium in their composition.

UHPLC-MS Chemical Fingerprinting and Antioxidant, Enzyme Inhibition, Anti-Inflammatory In Silico and Cytoprotective Activities of Cladonia chlorophaea and C. gracilis (Cladoniaceae) from Antarctica.

The lichen species Cladonia chlorophaea and C. gracilis (Cladoniaceae) are widely distributed in the island archipelago of maritime Antarctica and represent a natural resource of scientific interest. In this work, the metabolomic characterization of the ethanolic extracts of these species and the determination of the antioxidant activity, enzymatic inhibition and anti-inflammatory potential of selected compounds on the 5-lipoxygenase enzyme by molecular docking and cytoprotective activity in the SH-SY5Y cell line were carried out. Nineteen compounds were identified by liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole-time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UHPLC-ESI-QTOF-MS) in each of the species. The contents of phenolic compounds, antioxidant activity, the inhibition of cholinesterases (acetylcholinesterase and butyrylcholinesterase) and digestive enzymes (α-glucosidase and pancreatic lipase) were variable among species, with better results in C. chlorophaea. Molecular docking evidenced significant binding affinities of some compounds for the 5-lipoxygenase enzyme, together with outstanding pharmacokinetic properties. Both extracts were shown to promote cell viability and a reduction in reactive oxygen species production in an H2O2-induced oxidative stress model. This study contributes to the chemical knowledge of the Cladonia species and demonstrates the biological potential for the prevention and promising treatment of central nervous system pathologies, inflammatory disorders and metabolic alterations.

Microencapsulation of Lactobacillus rhamnosus ATCC 7469 by spray drying using maltodextrin, whey protein concentrate and trehalose.

This study aimed to microencapsulate Lactobacillus rhamnosus (L. rhamnosus) ATCC 7469 with whey protein concentrate (WPC), maltodextrin and trehalose by spray drying and to assess the impact of microencapsulation on cell viability and the properties of the dried powders. Spray-drying conditions, including inlet air temperature, air flow rate and feed pump, were fixed as independent variables, while probiotic survival, moisture content, water activity and effective yield were established as dependent variables. The survival of encapsulated L. rhamnosus by spray drying was optimized with response surface methodology, and the stability of the powder was assessed. The optimum spray-drying conditions were an inlet air temperature, air flow rate and feed pump rate of 169 °C, 33 m3/h and 16 mL/h, respectively, survival of 70%, air aspiration of 84% and outlet air temperature of 52 °C, achieving an overall desirability of 0.96. The physicochemical and structural characteristics of the produced powder were acceptable for application with regard to residual water content, hygroscopicity, water activity, and particle size. The results indicated that a protein-trehalose-maltodextrin mixture is a good wall material to encapsulate L. rhamnosus, showing important thermal protection during the drying process and increasing survival. However, a decrease in this capacity is observed at an air outlet temperature of approximately 101 °C. The possible effects of the wall materials and the drying conditions on survival are also discussed.

Optimal waist circumference cutoff values to predict cardiometabolic alterations in a Venezuela national representative sample. The EVESCAM study / Valores óptimos de punto de corte de circunferencia abdominal para predecir alteraciones cardiometabólicas en una muestra representativa nacional de Venezuela. El estudio EVESCAM

Abstract Objective: Waist circumference (WC) value reflects abdominal adiposity, but the amount abdominal fat that is associated to cardiometabolic risk factors varies among ethnicities. Determination of metabolic abnormalities has not undergone a WC adaptation process in Venezuela. The aim of the study was (1) to determine the optimal WC cutoff value associated with ≥2 cardiometabolic alterations and (2) incorporating this new WC cutoff, to determine the prevalence of abdominal obesity and cardiometabolic risk factors related in Venezuela. Methods: The study was national population-based, cross-sectional, and randomized sample, from 2014 to 2017. To assess performance of WC for identifying cardiometabolic alterations, receiver operating characteristics curves, area under the curve (AUC), sensitivity, specificity, and positive likelihood ratios were calculated. Results: Three thousand three hundred eighty-seven adults were evaluated with mean age of 41.2 ± 15.8 years. Using the best tradeoff between sensitivity and specificity, WC cutoffs of 90 cm in men (sensitivity = 72.4% and specificity = 66.1%) and 86 cm in women (sensitivity = 76.2% and specificity = 61.4%) were optimal for aggregation of ≥2 cardiometabolic alterations. AUC was 0.75 in men and 0.73 in women using these new cutoffs. Prevalence of abdominal obesity and metabolic syndrome was 59.6% (95 CI; 57.5-61.7) and 47.6% (95 CI; 45.2-50.0), respectively. Cardiometabolic risk factors were associated with being men, higher age, adiposity, and living in northern or western regions. Conclusion: The optimal WC values associated with cardiometabolic alterations were 90 cm in men and 86 cm in women. More than half of the Venezuelan population had abdominal obesity incorporating this new WC cutoff.

Resumen Objetivo: El valor de la circunferencia abdominal (CA) refleja la adiposidad abdominal, pero la cantidad de grasa abdominal asociada a factores de riesgo cardiometabólicos varía según la etnia. La determinación de anomalías metabólicas no se ha adaptado a la CA en Venezuela. 1) Detrerminar el valor de corte óptimo de CA asociados a ≥ 2 alteraciones cardiometabólicas. 2) Incorporando este nuevo límite de CA, determinar la prevalencia de obesidad abdominal y factores de riesgo cardiometabólicos relacionados en Venezuela. Métodos: Fue un estudio poblacional, transversal, de muestreo aleatorio de 2014 a 2017. Para evaluar el valor de CA para identificar alteraciones cardiometabólicas, se realizaron curvas características operativa del receptor y se calculó área bajo la curva (ABC), sensibilidad, especificidad y razón de similitud. Resultados: se evaluaron 3387 adultos con una edad promedio de 41.2 ± 15.8 años. Utilizando la mejor relación entre sensibilidad y especificidad, se determinó que los valores de corte de 90 cm en hombres (sensibilidad = 72.4% y especificidad = 66.1%) y 86 cm en mujeres (sensibilidad = 76.2% y especificidad = 61.4%) fueron óptimos para la agregación de ≥ 2 alteraciones cardiometabólicas. El ABC fue de 0,75 en hombres y de 0,73 en mujeres usando estos nuevos puntos de corte. La prevalencia de obesidad abdominal y síndrome metabólico fue 59.6% (95IC; 57.5 - 61.7) y 47.6% (95CI; 45.2 - 50.0), respectivamente. La presencia de factores de riesgo cardiometabólicos se asoció con ser hombre, mayor edad, adiposidad y vivir en regiones del norte o del oeste. Conclusión: Los valores óptimos de CA asociados con alteraciones cardiometabólicas fueron 90 cm en hombres y 86 cm en mujeres. Más de la mitad de la población venezolana tenía obesidad abdominal al incorporar este nuevo corte de CA.

Improving classification based on physical surface tension-neural net for the prediction of psychosocial-risk level in public school teachers.

BACKGROUND: Psychosocial risks, also present in educational processes, are stress factors particularly critical in state-schools, affecting the efficacy, stress, and job satisfaction of the teachers. This study proposes an intelligent algorithm to improve the prediction of psychosocial risk, as a tool for the generation of health and risk prevention assistance programs. METHODS: The proposed approach, Physical Surface Tension-Neural Net (PST-NN), applied the theory of superficial tension in liquids to an artificial neural network (ANN), in order to model four risk levels (low, medium, high and very high psychosocial risk). The model was trained and tested using the results of tests for measurement of the psychosocial risk levels of 5,443 teachers. Psychosocial, and also physiological and musculoskeletal symptoms, factors were included as inputs of the model. The classification efficiency of the PST-NN approach was evaluated by using the sensitivity, specificity, accuracy and ROC curve metrics, and compared against other techniques as the Decision Tree model, Naïve Bayes, ANN, Support Vector Machines, Robust Linear Regression and the Logistic Regression Model. RESULTS: The modification of the ANN model, by the adaptation of a layer that includes concepts related to the theory of physical surface tension, improved the separation of the subjects according to the risk level group, as a function of the mass and perimeter outputs. Indeed, the PST-NN model showed better performance to classify psychosocial risk level on state-school teachers than the linear, probabilistic and logistic models included in this study, obtaining an average accuracy value of 97.31%. CONCLUSIONS: The introduction of physical models, such as the physical surface tension, can improve the classification performance of ANN. Particularly, the PST-NN model can be used to predict and classify psychosocial risk levels among state-school teachers at work. This model could help to early identification of psychosocial risk and to the development of programs to prevent it.

Osmolyte Signatures for the Protection of Aspergillus sydowii Cells under Halophilic Conditions and Osmotic Shock.

Aspergillus sydowii is a moderate halophile fungus extensively studied for its biotechnological potential and halophile responses, which has also been reported as a coral reef pathogen. In a recent publication, the transcriptomic analysis of this fungus, when growing on wheat straw, showed that genes related to cell wall modification and cation transporters were upregulated under hypersaline conditions but not under 0.5 M NaCl, the optimal salinity for growth in this strain. This led us to study osmolyte accumulation as a mechanism to withstand moderate salinity. In this work, we show that A. sydowii accumulates trehalose, arabitol, mannitol, and glycerol with different temporal dynamics, which depend on whether the fungus is exposed to hypo- or hyperosmotic stress. The transcripts coding for enzymes responsible for polyalcohol synthesis were regulated in a stress-dependent manner. Interestingly, A. sydowii contains three homologs (Hog1, Hog2 and MpkC) of the Hog1 MAPK, the master regulator of hyperosmotic stress response in S. cerevisiae and other fungi. We show a differential regulation of these MAPKs under different salinity conditions, including sustained basal Hog1/Hog2 phosphorylation levels in the absence of NaCl or in the presence of 2.0 M NaCl, in contrast to what is observed in S. cerevisiae. These findings indicate that halophilic fungi such as A. sydowii utilize different osmoadaptation mechanisms to hypersaline conditions.

Physical and compositional characteristics of cheese and yogurt made from partially demineralized milk protein concentrate / Características físicas y composicionales del queso y yogurt elaborados a partir de un concentrado de proteínas de leche parcialmente desmineralizado

ABSTRACT The milk protein concentrate (MPC) has been extensively studied; however, the MPC partial demineralization through the diafiltration (DF) and its effect on MPC ability to produce milk coagulate products has not been fully explored; therefore, it was considered studying the MPC demineralization process with DF and evaluate the effect of this treatment on the compositional and textural characteristics of enzymatically and acid-coagulated products. The MPC of ultrafiltration was diafiltered by two cycles, later this MPC was used to make a fresh cheese, a set yogurt and stirred yogurt. The application of a single DF cycle removed 22.2% of the ashes and 8.12% of the MPC calcium, but no statistically significant differences were present (P> 0.05) between the application of two DF cycles. The cheeses with MPC undergone to one cycle and two cycles of DF were less hard and presented less resistance to chewing, and the set yogurt showed lower springiness values due a total solids and calcium content, that was affected by DF. These phenomena increased the coagulation time and the formation of weaker gels. The DF achieved the maximum milk demineralization in a single cycle.

RESUMEN El uso de concentrados de proteína de leche (MPC) ha sido estudiado ampliamente; sin embargo, su desmineralización parcial por medio de la diafiltración (DF) y el efecto de este tratamiento sobre su aptitud en la elaboración de productos coagulados no está completamente explorada. Se planteó, entonces, estudiar el proceso de desmineralización de un MPC por medio de varios ciclos de DF y evaluar el efecto de este tratamiento sobre las características composicionales y texturales de productos coagulados enzimáticamente y por acidez. El MPC, obtenido por ultrafiltración, fue diafiltrado en dos ciclos; luego, el MPC fue usado para elaborar un queso fresco, un yogurt batido y uno cuchareable. La aplicación de un ciclo de DF removió el 22,2% de las cenizas y 8,12% del calcio, pero no hubo diferencias significativas (P>0,05) con respecto a la aplicación de dos ciclos de DF. El queso elaborado con el MPC, con uno y dos ciclos de DF, fue menos duro y presentó menor resistencia a la masticación que el elaborado con MPC sin DF y el yogurt cuchareable presentó menor elasticidad, debido al menor contenido de sólidos totales y calcio, los cuales, fueron afectados por la DF. La desmineralización parcial aumentó el tiempo de coagulación y favoreció la formación de geles más débiles. La DF alcanzó el máximo de desmineralización de la leche en un solo ciclo.

Concentration and size effects on the size-selective particle purification method using the critical Casimir force.

Critical Casimir force (CCF) is a solvent fluctuation introduced interaction between particles dispersed in a binary solvent. Recently, it has been demonstrated that the CCF induced attraction between particles can trigger particle size-sensitive aggregation, and has thus been used as an efficient way to purify nanoparticles by size. Here, combining small angle neutron scattering and dynamic light scattering, we investigate the effects of size and concentration on this particle size separation method. Increasing the particle concentration does not significantly affect the purification method, but the solvent composition needs to be adjusted for an optimized efficiency. This purification method is further demonstrated to work also very efficiently for systems with particle size ranging from 15 nm to about 50 nm with a very large size polydispersity. These results indicate that for both short-ranged and long-ranged attraction relative to the particle diameter, the CCF introduced particle aggregation is always size sensitive. This implies that particle aggregation is strongly affected by size polydispersity for many colloidal systems. We further propose a method to use light scattering to help identify the temperature range within which this particle purification method can work efficiently instead of using neutron scattering.

Optimal waist circumference cutoff values to predict cardiometabolic alterations in a Venezuela national representative sample. The EVESCAM study. / Valores óptimos de punto de corte de circunferencia abdominal para predecir alteraciones cardiometabólicas en una muestra representativa nacional de Venezuela. El estudio EVESCAM

BACKGROUND: Waist circumference (WC) value reflects abdominal adiposity, but the amount abdominal fat that is associated to cardiometabolic risk factors varies among ethnicities. Determination of metabolic abnormalities has not undergone a WC adaptation process in Venezuela. AIMS: The aim of the study was (1) to determine the optimal WC cutoff value associated with ≥2 cardiometabolic alterations and (2) incorporating this new WC cutoff, to determine the prevalence of abdominal obesity and cardiometabolic risk factors related in Venezuela. METHODS: The study was national population-based, cross-sectional, and randomized sample, from 2014 to 2017. To assess performance of WC for identifying cardiometabolic alterations, receiver operating characteristics curves, area under the curve (AUC), sensitivity, specificity, and positive likelihood ratios were calculated. RESULTS: Three thousand three hundred eighty-seven adults were evaluated with mean age of 41.2 ± 15.8 years. Using the best tradeoff between sensitivity and specificity, WC cutoffs of 90 cm in men (sensitivity = 72.4% and specificity = 66.1%) and 86 cm in women (sensitivity = 76.2% and specificity = 61.4%) were optimal for aggregation of ≥2 cardiometabolic alterations. AUC was 0.75 in men and 0.73 in women using these new cutoffs. Prevalence of abdominal obesity and metabolic syndrome was 59.6% (95 CI; 57.5-61.7) and 47.6% (95 CI; 45.2-50.0), respectively. Cardiometabolic risk factors were associated with being men, higher age, adiposity, and living in northern or western regions. CONCLUSION: The optimal WC values associated with cardiometabolic alterations were 90 cm in men and 86 cm in women. More than half of the Venezuelan population had abdominal obesity incorporating this new WC cutoff.