Association of major depressive disorder (MDD) with zinc levels and handgrip muscle strength in a sample of Colombian adults / Asociación del trastorno depresivo mayor con los niveles séricos de zinc y la fuerza muscular

Introduction: Depression is related with poor musclestrength, and deficiencies of microelements such as Zinc (Zn).Otherwise, Zn is related with muscle strength, but there is noevidence of the relations between muscle strength and Znlevels in depression. Objective: To determine the association between serum Zn levels, handgrip muscle strength, and depression. Methods: An observational, analytical case-control study. 102 depressive patients hospitalized at the San Juan de DiosClinic in Manizales, and 36 controls with no personal historyof mental illness were evaluated for depression severity,serum Zn levels, and handgrip muscle strength. The groupswere matched by sex, age, educational level, and socioeco-nomic stratum. The severity of depression was assessed us-ing the Montgomery–Asberg Rating Scale (MADRS). Serum Znlevels were determined, and handgrip muscle strength wasassessed using dynamometer. Descriptive analysis, logistic reression and linear models were performed with depressionand severity of depression as dependent variables. Results: Lower Zn levels and reduced handgrip musclestrength were related to the presence of depression with thelogistic model. Lower handgrip muscle strength and severityof depression were associated with the linear model. Conclusion: An association was found between depressionand low Zn levels, and an inverse association between severityof depression and handgrip muscle strength. Future studiesshould investigate causality, and to evaluate the relationshipbetween depression, muscle strength and nutritional status.(AU)

Introducción: La depresión se encuentra relacionada con una disminución de la fuerza muscular y deficiencia de microelementos como el Zinc (Zn). De otra parte, el Zn está relacionado con la fuerza muscular, sin embargo, no hay evidencia si existe una asociación entre fuerza muscular y Zn en depresión. Objetivo: Determinar la asociación entre niveles séricos de Zn, fuerza muscular y depresión. Metodología: Se realizó un estudio observacional, analítico de casos y controles. Participaron 102 pacientes hospitalizados en la Clínica San Juan de Dios de Manizales y 36 controles sin historia personal de enfermedad mental. Fueron evaluados la severidad de la depresión, los niveles séricos de Zn y la fuerza de agarre manual. Los grupos fueron pareados por edad, sexo, escolaridad y estrato socioeconómico. La severidad de la depresión se evaluó con la escala de depresión Montgomery-Asberg (MADRS), se determinaron niveles séricos de Zn y la fuerza muscular fue evaluada con por dinamometría. Se realizo un análisis descriptivo, y modelos de regresión logística y regresión lineal con depresión y severidad de la depresión como variables dependientes.Resultados: El modelo de regresión logística encontró una asociación entre los niveles bajos de Zn y la fuerza muscular con la presencia de depresión. El modelo de regresión lineal encontró una relación entre menor fuerza de agarre y severidad de la depresión.Conclusión: Existe una asociación entre depresión y niveles bajos de Zn, y una relación inversamente proporcional entre severidad de la depresión y menor fuerza muscular. Estudios en el futuro deben investigar relaciones de causalidad y evaluar la relación entre depresión, fuerza muscular y estado nutricional.(AU)

The muscle regeneration marker FOXP3 is associated with muscle injury in Duchenne muscular dystrophy.

BACKGROUND: In Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), the immune system cells (ISC) synthesize molecules to regulate inflammation, a process needed to regenerate muscle. The relationship between those molecules and the muscle injury is unknown. Monocytes belonging to ISC are regulated by omega-3 fatty acids (ω-3 LCPUFAs) in DMD, but whether those fatty acids influence other ISC like T-cells is unknown. OBJECTIVE: We analyzed the expression of the muscle regeneration markers (FOXP3 and AREG) in circulating leukocytes of DMD patients with different lower limb muscle functions and whether ω-3 LCPUFAs regulate the expression of those markers, and the populations of circulating T-cells, their intracellular cytokines, and disease progression (CD69 and CD49d) markers. METHODS: This placebo-controlled, double-blind, randomized study was conducted in DMD boys supplemented with ω-3 LCPUFAs (n = 18) or placebo (sunflower oil, n = 13) for six months. FOXP3 and AREG mRNA expression in leukocytes, immunophenotyping of T-cell populations, CD49d and CD69 markers, and intracellular cytokines in blood samples were analyzed at baseline and months 1, 2, 3, and 6 of supplementation. RESULTS: Patients with assisted ambulation expressed higher (P = 0.015) FOXP3 mRNA levels than ambulatory patients. The FOXP3 mRNA expression correlated (Rho = -0.526, P = 0.03) with the Vignos scale score at month six of supplementation with ω-3 LCPUFAs. CD49d + CD8 + T-cells population was lower (P = 0.037) in the ω -3 LCPUFAs group than placebo at month six of supplementation. CONCLUSION: FOXP3 is highly expressed in circulating leukocytes of DMD patients with the worst muscle function. Omega-3 LCPUFAs might modulate the synthesis of the adhesion marker CD49d + CD8 + T-cells, but their plausible impact on FOXP3 needs more research.

The Multifactorial Etiopathogenesis of Alzheimer's Disease: Neuroinflammation as the Major Contributor.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common form of dementia in the elderly. AD is a multifactorial disease, affected by several factors including amyloid-ß42 oligomers, self-assembled tau, microbiota molecules, etc. However, inflammatory components are critical to trigger AD. Neuroinflammatory pathology links glial activation by "damage signals" with tau hyperphosphorylation, as explained by the Neuroimmunomodulation Theory, discovered by the ICC laboratory. This theory elucidates the onset and progression of several degenerative diseases and concept of "multitarget" therapy. These studies led to the rationale to identify inflammatory targets for the action of bioactive molecules or drugs against AD.

Interventions based on environmental determinants for nutritional and physical activity behaviours in Colombia: a scoping review.

OBJECTIVE: To identify, systematically, the interventions based on environmental determinants to improve the nutritional and physical activity (PA) habits available in Colombia. DESIGN: A scoping review was performed according to the guidelines of the Joanna Briggs Institute. STUDY SELECTION: All studies about intervention programmes for PA and nutritional behaviours in Colombia were included. METHODS: Searches in Medline/PubMed, Embase, Cochrane, Scielo and Lilacs, using MeSH, Decs and Emtree terms, were performed up to August 2020. Additionally, a manual search was made in specialised national journals. An internet documentary search of the official websites on policies and programmes by departmental, district and municipal secretariats was also performed.Two reviewers independently screened titles and abstracts. Then, the full texts were reviewed to select documents to be included.Data management relevant information from selected documents and articles was extracted. A descriptive analysis was considered. RESULTS: Sixty-seven documents and 70 published articles were found. The programmes were identified in 13 initiatives, 7 in the area of PA and 6 with a nutrition focus. They were on physical and social environmental modifications such as the 'muévete' ('get moving') programmes in Bogota, Quindio and Cartagena; a modification of 'ciclovía'; or bicycle path programmes as well as nutrition programmes in schools, universities and companies. CONCLUSION: This scoping review identified national programmes and policies in Colombia in the area of nutrition and PA from the environmental perspective in different scenarios: from schools to workplaces and communities. The need to implement such programmes from public and private institutions is also noted, promoting the practice of PA and healthy eating in every scenario in the national territory. New research to determine the impact of these programmes is essential to get a glimpse of the effects of these programmes and the implications for public health.

Diferencias socioeconómicas presentes en la niñez con repercusiones en la salud en la edad adulta / Socioeconomic differences in children with health impact on adulthood

Objetivo: surge la necesidad de identificar las relaciones existentes entre la inequidad socioeconómica en la primera infancia y las repercusiones en salud en la vida adulta. América Latina es la región con mayor inequidad socioeconómica, lo cual influye en la salud en la primera infancia y genera repercusiones que se manifiestan a lo largo de la vida. Materiales y métodos: se realizó una búsqueda bibliográfica en ClinicalKey, PubMed, SciELO, Google Scholar y Springer. Los criterios de búsqueda y selección fueron realizados a partir del modelo PICOT. Se seleccionaron 27 artículos y documentos oficiales. Resultados: la inequidad socioeconómica que caracteriza a América Latina influye de forma negativa e inevitablemente a las poblaciones más vulnerables como la primera infancia. Asimismo, etapas cruciales como el crecimiento y el neurodesarrollo se ven afectadas cuando no hay condiciones que permitan la estimulación a través del entorno. Además, la primera infancia comprende una etapa crítica en donde el entorno determinará significativamente en el estado de salud en la vida adulta, mediante la presencia de factores de riesgo y la adopción de estilos de vida. Conclusiones: las regiones deben comprender la situación de inequidad socioeconómica de su población y el compromiso que genera en la salud de la primera infancia, con el fin de instaurar reformas sociales que permitan un mejoramiento en las condiciones de vida,vivienda, alimentación, educación, acceso a servicios públicos y asistencia sanitaria..AU

Objective: there is a need to find the relationships between socioeconomic inequality in early childhood and the health impacts on adult life. Latin America is the region with the greatest socioeconomic inequality, which influences health in early childhood and have repercussions that are manifested throughout life. Materials and methods: a bibliographic search was conducted in ClinicalKey, PubMed, SciELO, Google Scholar and Springer. The search and selection criteria were made from the PICOT model. Twenty-five articles and official documents were selected. Results: the socioeconomic inequality that characterizes Latin America injure the most vulnerable populations such as early childhood. Likewise, crucial stages such as growth and neurodevelopment are affected when there are no conditions that allow stimulation through the environment. In addition, early childhood includes a critical stage where the environment will determine significantly in the state of health in adulthood, through the presence of risk factors and the adoption of lifestyles. Conclusions: the regions must understand the situation of socioeconomic inequality of their population and the responsibility that generates in early childhood health, in order to establish social reforms that allow an improvement in living conditions, housing, food, education, access to public services and health care..Au

Ejercicios de articulación fonética del aparato estomatognático en una paciente con fisura velo-palatina / Phonetic articulation exercises of the stomatognathic system in a patient with cleft palate

El labio y paladar fisurado son malformaciones congénitas que afectan a la producción de fonemas del español, inglés, francés, o cualquier otro idioma hablado. El caso clínico que se presenta correspondió a un paciente de género femenino de 53 años, y tuvo como objetivo mejorar la función del habla del aparato estomatognático de la paciente atendida. Se realizó un examen odontológico extraoral e intraoral para valorar la condición del aparato estomatognático diagnosticándole fisura palato-uvular. El nivel de articulación fonética del lenguaje fue evaluado por medio de las técnicas de observación y test con sus intrumentos la historia clínica y los cuestionarios Evaluación del Lenguaje Oral y El Algoritmo del Habla. Una vez hecho el diagnóstico odontológico-médico y lingüístico se determinó los procedimientos de intervención, la mujer fue rehabilitada odontológicamente, quirúrgicamente se le realizó una palatoplastia y consecutivamente participó de 24 sesiones ordinarias y 10 de sesiones de refuerzo de ejercicios de articulación de varios fonemas enfatizando en /k/ /g/ /j/ /x/ /c/ ch/ /ñ/ /ll/ /y/. Se concluyó que después de las sesiones de intervención, la paciente evidenció una mejora en la producción de estos fonemas del habla, pasando de un rango muy bajo de 45/110 y 4/15 a un rango alto de 95/110 y 13/15 respectivamente, según los instrumentos de evaluación del lenguaje aplicados.

The cleft lip and palate are congenital malformations that affect the production of phonemes in Spanish, English, French, or any other spoken language. The clinical case presented corresponds to a 53-year-old female patient and aimed to improve the speech function of the patient's stomatognathic system. An extraoral and intraoral dental examination was performed to assess the condition of the patient's stomatognathic system, the diagnostic was palatal-uvular fissure. The level of phonetic articulation of the language was evaluated by means of observation techniques and test including the clinical history forms, the Oral Language Evaluation, and The Speech Algorithm questionnaires as instruments. Once the dental-medical and linguistic diagnosis was made, the intervention procedures were determined, the woman was dental rehabilitated, she underwent a palatoplasty, and consecutively participated in 24 ordinary sessions of phonetic articulation exercises and 10 extraordinary ones of reinforcement, emphasizing / k / / g / / j / / x / / c / ch / / ñ / / ll / / y /. It was concluded that after the intervention sessions, the patient showed an improvement in the production of these speech phonemes, going from a very low range of 45/110 and 4/15 to a high range of 95/110 and 13/15 respectively, according to the language assessment instruments applied.

Pathophysiological and Genetic Aspects of Vascular Calcification.

Recent evidence suggests that vascular calcification is an independent cardiovascular risk factor (CRF) of morbidity and mortality. New studies point out the existence of a complex physiopathological mechanism that involves inflammation, oxidation, the release of chemical mediators, and genetic factors that promote the osteochondrogenic differentiation of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC). This review will evaluate the main mechanisms involved in the pathophysiology and genetics modulation of the process of vascular calcification. Objective. A systematic review of the pathophysiology factors involved in vascular calcification and its genetic influence was performed. Methods. A systematic review was conducted in the Medline and PubMed databases and were searched for studies concerning vascular calcification using the keywords and studies published until 2020/01 in English. Inclusion Criteria. Studies in vitro, animal models, and humans. These include cohort (both retrospective and prospective cohort studies), case-control, cross-sectional, and systematic reviews. Exclusion Criteria. Studies before 2003 of the existing literature.

Hospital Outcomes of Adult Diabetic Patients by Glycated Hemoglobin Level in Nonsurgical Pathology in a High-Complexity Institution.

Recent evidence supports the relationship between in-hospital hyperglycemia and inpatient complications. Besides, glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) can predict the clinical course of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM2) during hospital stays. This study aimed to assess the relationship between HbA1c levels and inpatient outcomes. Type 2 diabetes mellitus patients with age greater than 18 years, hospital length of stay greater than 24 hours, and one HbA1c report during their in-hospital management were included. All the electronic care records of patients admitted at the Clinical Versalles, a high-volume institution, in Manizales-Colombia were revised. The following variables were considered: hospital length of stay, diagnoses at the arrival, complications, capillary glucose levels, and treatment at discharge. Variables were categorized by HbA1c levels: group 1 = ⩽ 7%, group 2 = 7.01% to 8.5%, group 3 = 8.51% to ⩽10% and group 4 = >10%. There were a total of 232 patients. Average age was 69.7 years, mean HbA1c was 7.19 ± 2.03, average body mass index (BMI) was 28.8 ± 5.6. About HbA1c, 146 (62.9%) had ⩽7.5%. The most frequent admission diagnosis was by cardiovascular diseases. Average hospitalization was 7.5 ± 5.7 days. There was no relationship between the levels of HbA1c with hospital stays, inpatient complications, or readmissions. Infections and respiratory diseases were more common conditions related to higher HbA1c levels, especially when these were 8.5%. In diabetic patients with nonsurgical diseases and high HbA1c levels, there was no association with clinical complications, length of stay, readmissions, or in-hospital mortality, but changes in treatment at discharge were observed.

Postprandial lipid profile in young colombian people. A comparison of two breakfasts / Perfil lipídico posprandial en jóvenes colombianos. Una comparación de dos desayunos

El objetivo fue comparar el perfil lipídico posprandial de estudiantes universitarios que ingirieron un desayuno característico de la región andina colombiana, alto en grasas saturadas y bajo en carbohidratos complejos, en comparación con un desayuno experimental con bajo contenido de grasa y alto en carbohidratos complejos; y su relación con medidas antropométricas. 75 estudiantes universitarios consumieron uno de los dos desayunos después de un ayuno de 12 horas. Se realizó un perfil completo de lípidos en ayunas, tres y seis horas después de la ingestión del desayuno. De los 75 pacientes, 11 fueron excluidos, 28 personas consumieron el desayuno experimental y 36 el habitual. No hubo diferencias significativas entre los dos grupos; sin embargo, hubo una tendencia a disminuir los niveles de todos los componentes del perfil lipídico en el desayuno experimental, excepto las lipoproteínas de alta densidad (HDL). El área bajo la curva (AUC) no difirió entre los desayunos. El índice de masa corporal (IMC) y la relación cintura / cadera (WHR) obtuvo una relación inversa con el HDL y una relación directa con las lipoproteínas de baja densidad (LDL). En conclusión, no hubo diferencias en el efecto agudo de ambos desayunos, posiblemente debido a factores como: el tabaquismo, el ejercicio, el estilo de vida sedentario, el tipo de alimento utilizado en la dieta; variables que no fueron discriminadas en este estudio. La principal contribución de este estudio es la descripción del comportamiento a lo largo del tiempo de las variables del perfil lipídico y su relación con las variables antropométricas. Es posible que el efecto de estas dietas sea significativo a largo plazo

The aim was to compare the postprandial lipid profile of university students who ate a regular breakfast of the Colombian Andean region, high in saturated fats and low in complex carbohydrates, compared with an experimental breakfast with low fat content and high in complex carbohydrates and its relation with anthropometric measurements. 75 university students consumed one of the two breakfasts after a 12-hour fast. A complete lipid profile was performed in a fasted state, three and six hours after breakfast ingestion. Of the 75 patients, 11 were withdrawn, 28 people consumed the experimental breakfast and 36 the usual one. There was no significant difference between the two groups; however there was a tendency to decrease the levels of all the components of the lipid profile in the experimental breakfast, except for High density lipoprotein (HDL). The Area under the Curve (AUC) did not show differences between breakfasts. The body mass index (BMI) and the waist / hip ratio (WHR) showed an inverse relationship with HDL and a direct relationship with Low density lipoproteins (LDL). In conclusion, there were not differences in the acute effect of both breakfasts, possibly due to factors such as smoking, exercise, sedentary lifestyle, type of food used in the diet, variables that were not discriminated in this study. The main contribution of this study is the description of the behavior over time of the lipid profile variables and their relationship with the anthropometric variables. It is possible that the effect of these diets is likely to be significant in the long terms

PCR en tiempo real: una metodología útil para la detección y cuantificación de granulovirus / Real Time PCR: a useful methodology for detection and quantitation of granulovirus

El uso de baculovirus como agentes de control biológico de insectos plaga, se ha convertido en una estrategia efectiva que se ha implementado gradualmente en diferentes sistemas productivos a nivel mundial. Para el desarrollo de un bioplaguicida a base de baculovirus, es necesario contar con una metodología para determinar el título viral en el producto en proceso y terminado. Para tal fin, en este trabajo se diseñó y optimizó una técnica de cuantificación viral (Betabaculovirus) mediante PCR cuantitativo (q-PCR). Se utilizó una sonda TaqMan diseñada sobre el gen de granulina, altamente conservado. Para la técnica de q-PCR se determinó la especificidad, sensibilidad y reproducibilidad, encontrando que puede detectar y cuantificar aislamientos del género Betabaculovirus provenientes de cinco especies diferentes de insectos (granulovirus de Tecia solanivora, Phthorimaea operculella,Erinnyis ello, Tuta absoluta y Spodoptera frugiperda) incluso de diferente origen geográfico, pero no detecta aislamientos del género Alphabaculovirus (nucleopoliedrovirus de Spodoptera ornithogalli, Diatraea saccharalis o S. frugiperda). El límite mínimo de detección de la técnica fue de 6,4 x 10-4 ng de ADN, lo que equivale a 1,25 x 10(5) copias del gen. Así mismo, la variación intra e inter ensayos fue mínima, demostrando la reproducibilidad de la misma. La aplicabilidad de la técnica fue evaluada para la detección de granulovirus en muestras de larva, suelo, y para determinar la concentración viral en un bioplaguicida formulado como concentrado emulsionable. En conclusión, la técnica de q-PCR desarrollada fue reproducible, sensible y específica, con aplicabilidad en estudios de persistencia viral en campo, control de infecciones en crías de insectos y control de calidad de bioplaguicidas a base de betabaculovirus.

The use of baculovirus as a biocontrol agent is an effective strategy, which has been gradually implemented in different production systems worldwide. For the development of a biopesticide based on baculovirus, it is necessary to have a methodology to determine the viral concentration in the process and in the finished product. In this study, a technique for viral quantification by quantitative PCR (q-PCR) was designed and optimized; therefore we used a TaqMan probe designed on granulin gene which is highly conserved. The specificity, sensitivity and reproducibility of the technique were determined. The q-PCR was able to detect and quantify isolates from the genus Betabaculovirus from five different insects species (granulovirus from Tecia solanivora, Phthorimaea operculella, Erinnys ello, Tuta absoluta and Spodoptera frugiperda) even from different geographic origins, while other isolates of baculovirus as from the genus Alphabaculovirus (nucleopolyhedrovirus from Spodoptera ornithogalli, Diatraea saccharallis or S. frugiperda) were not detected. The minimum detection limit of the technique was 6.4 x 10-4 ng /µl of DNA, equivalent to 1.25 x 10³ gene copies. Additionally, intra- and inter-assays variation was minimal, demonstrating the reproducibility of technique. The applicability of the technique was evaluated for detecting granulovirus from samples of larva and soil, and to determine the virus concentration in the biopesticide formulated as emulsifiable concentrate. In conclusion, quantitative PCR was a technique reproducible, sensitive and specific to allow viral persistence studies in field, viral infection control in rearing and quality control of a biopesticide based on betabaculovirus.