The association between breakfast frequency and diabetes incidence in middle-aged women: Results from the MTC study.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Breakfast consumption could have a synchronizer role in chronobiological functions. Across observational studies, the assessment of breakfast frequency consumption is heterogeneous, therefore consensus on the relation between of weekly frequency of breakfast consumption and the risk of diabetes is unclear. We examined the relation between weekly breakfast frequency consumption and the incidence of diabetes in middle-age women. METHODS AND RESULTS: Since baseline (2006-2008) we prospectively followed 71,373 women from the Mexican Teachers' Cohort. Participants were classified according to breakfast consumption frequency of 0, 1-3, 4-6, or 7 days/week. Diabetes was identified by self-report and clinical-administrative databases. We used Cox proportional hazards multivariable models to estimate hazard ratios (HR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for breakfast frequency and diabetes adjusting for covariates. Stratified analyses were performed for age, birth weight, ethnicity, and physical activity. We identified 3613 new diabetes cases between baseline and 2014. The prevalence of daily breakfast consumers was 25%. The median follow-up was 2.2 years, interquartile range 1.8-3.8 years. Relative to women who skipped breakfast, those who consumed breakfast every day had a 12% lower risk of diabetes (multivariable HR = 0.88; 95% CI 0.78, 0.99; p-trend = 0.0018). One additional day per week of breakfast was associated with a lower risk of diabetes (HR = 0.98; 95% CI 0.97, 0.99). In stratified analysis, the observed inverse relation appeared to be stronger in women aged ≥40 years and in indigenous women. CONCLUSIONS: Breakfast frequency was inversely associated with the incidence of diabetes independently of lifestyle factors. Regular breakfast consumption may be a potential component of diabetes prevention.

Clima organizacional y gestión de la calidad en la Universidad Mayor de San Andrés Caso: División de títulos y diplomas / Organizational climate and quality management at the Major University of San Andrés Case: Division of degrees and diplomas / Gestão do clima organizacional e da qualidade na principal Universidade de San Andrés Caso: Divisão de graus e diplomas

El propósito del trabajo fue determinar la relación existente entre el clima organizacional y la gestión de la calidad en la División de Títulos y Diplomas (DTD), unidad administrativa de la Universidad Mayor de San Andrés (UMSA), institución pública y autónoma, responsable de la formación académica profesional, investigativa y social en la ciudad de La Paz. Para ello se empleó una metodología cuantitativa y un diseño correlacional transaccional; se elaboraron tres escalas que fueron validadas y confiabilizadas para luego ser aplicadas a funcionarios y usuarios de la DTD (seleccionados a través de muestras probabilísticas simples y censal); se contó también con una guía de entrevistas. Los resultados arrojan que en la DTD se cuenta con un clima organizacional participativo en el que resaltan el liderazgo, el trabajo en equipo y una visión positiva sobre sueldos y prestaciones recibidas; como debilidades resaltan el ambiente físico de trabajo, el diseño de puestos de trabajo y el desarrollo de carrera. La certificación en gestión de calidad es la mayor fortaleza a lo que se suma la orientación al cliente; la debilidad en gestión de calidad está centrada en la planificación. Finalmente se determinó que, si bien ambas variables están conectadas, el comportamiento de una no obedece exclusivamente al comportamiento de la otra, por lo que se infiere que existen otras variables que inciden en ellas, entre estas el compromiso, la normativa general institucional y el trato mismo que dispensa el usuario al funcionario.

The purpose of the work was to determine the relationship between the organizational climate and quality management in the Degrees and Diplomas Division (DTD), an administrative unit of the Universidad Mayor de San Andrés (UMSA), a public and autonomous institution, responsible for professional, investigative and social academic training in the city of La Paz. For this, a quantitative methodology and a transactional correlational design were used; Three scales were developed that were validated and made reliable and then applied to officials and users of the DTD (selected through simple probabilistic samples and census); There was also an interview guide. The results show that the DTD has a participatory organizational climate in which leadership, teamwork and a positive vision of salaries and benefits received stand out; as weaknesses they highlight the physical work environment, job design and career development. Certification in quality management is the greatest strength to which customer orientation is added; the weakness in quality management is focused on planning. Finally, it will be concluded that, although both variables are connected, the behavior of one does not obey exclusively to the behavior of the other, so it is inferred that there are other variables that affect them, among them the commitment, the general institutional regulations and the same treatment that dispenses the user to the officer.

O objetivo do trabalho foi determinar a relação entre o clima organizacional e a gestão da qualidade na Divisão de Graus e Diplomas (DTD), unidade administrativa da Universidade Mayor de San Andrés (UMSA), instituição pública e autônoma, responsável pela gestão profissional, formação acadêmica investigativa e social na cidade de La Paz. Para tanto, utilizou-se uma metodologia quantitativa e um desenho correlacional transacional; foram desenvolvidas três escalas que foram validadas e tornadas confiáveis ​​e depois aplicadas a funcionários e usuários da DTD (selecionados através de amostras probabilísticas simples e censo); havia também um guia de entrevista. Os resultados mostram que o DTD possui um clima organizacional participativo em que se destacam a liderança, o trabalho em equipe e uma visão positiva dos salários e benefícios recebidos; os pontos fracos incluem o ambiente físico de trabalho, a concepção do trabalho e o desenvolvimento da carreira. A certificação em gestão da qualidade é o maior ponto forte ao qual se soma a orientação para o cliente; A fraqueza na gestão da qualidade está focada no planejamento. Por fim, determinou-se que, embora ambos ases variáveis estejam conectadas, o comportamento de uma não obedece exclusivamente ao comportamento da outra, pelo que se infere que existem outras variáveis que as afetam, incluindo o comprometimento, as regulamentações institucionais gerais e o mesmo tratamento que o usuário dá ao funcionário.

Histological and Memory Alterations in an Innovative Alzheimer's Disease Animal Model by Vanadium Pentoxide Inhalation.

Background: Previous work from our group has shown that chronic exposure to Vanadium pentoxide (V2O5) causes cytoskeletal alterations suggesting that V2O5 can interact with cytoskeletal proteins through polymerization and tyrosine phosphatases inhibition, causing Alzheimer's disease (AD)-like hippocampal cell death. Objective: This work aims to characterize an innovative AD experimental model through chronic V2O5 inhalation, analyzing the spatial memory alterations and the presence of neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs), amyloid-ß (Aß) senile plaques, cerebral amyloid angiopathy, and dendritic spine loss in AD-related brain structures. Methods: 20 male Wistar rats were divided into control (deionized water) and experimental (0.02 M V2O5 1 h, 3/week for 6 months) groups (n = 10). The T-maze test was used to assess spatial memory once a month. After 6 months, histological alterations of the frontal and entorhinal cortices, CA1, subiculum, and amygdala were analyzed by performing Congo red, Bielschowsky, and Golgi impregnation. Results: Cognitive results in the T-maze showed memory impairment from the third month of V2O5 inhalation. We also noted NFTs, Aß plaque accumulation in the vascular endothelium and pyramidal neurons, dendritic spine, and neuronal loss in all the analyzed structures, CA1 being the most affected. Conclusions: This model characterizes neurodegenerative changes specific to AD. Our model is compatible with Braak AD stage IV, which represents a moment where it is feasible to propose therapies that have a positive impact on stopping neuronal damage.

Hydrogel-Containing Biogenic Silver Nanoparticles: Antibacterial Action, Evaluation of Wound Healing, and Bioaccumulation in Wistar Rats.

Wound infections are feared complications due to their potential to increase healthcare costs and cause mortality since multidrug-resistant bacteria reduce treatment options. This study reports the development of a carbomer hydrogel containing biogenic silver nanoparticles (bioAgNPs) and its effectiveness in wound treatment. This hydrogel showed in vitro bactericidal activity after 2 h, according to the time-kill assay. It also reduced bacterial contamination in rat wounds without impairing their healing since the hydrogel hydrophilic groups provided hydration for the injured skin. The high number of inflammatory cells in the first days of the skin lesion and the greater degree of neovascularization one week after wound onset showed that the healing process occurred normally. Furthermore, the hydrogel-containing bioAgNPs did not cause toxic silver accumulation in the organs and blood of the rats. This study developed a bioAgNP hydrogel for the treatment of wounds; it has a potent antimicrobial action without interfering with cicatrization or causing silver bioaccumulation. This formulation is effective against bacteria that commonly cause wound infections, such as Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus, and for which new antimicrobials are urgently needed, according to the World Health Organization's warning.

Corrigendum: Biogeography of southern ocean active prokaryotic communities over a large spatial scale.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.862812.].

Cadmium effects on the freshwater teleost Prochilodus lineatus: Accumulation and biochemical, genotoxic, and behavioural biomarkers.

In order to evaluate the effects of Cd, juveniles of the Neotropical fish Prochilodus lineatus were exposed to 1 and 10 µg L-1 Cd, for 24 and 96 h. Fish exposed to Cd showed metal accumulation in the gills, kidney, and liver, an increase in DNA damage in erythrocytes, and an increase in lipid peroxidation (LPO) in the kidney. Cd exposure also caused a reduction in catalase activity, metallothionein induction, and LPO in the liver. Cd stimulated the swimming activity of exposed fish, resulting in longer swimming times and distances travelled, especially for the shortest exposure time. Changes in acetylcholinesterase activity (AChE) in the muscle and brain are probably related to these behavioural responses. These results show that Cd affects the functioning of several organs in P. lineatus, which is indicated by the genotoxic damage and changes in the AChE and swimming pattern of the exposed fish.

Delivering acute stroke care in a middle-income country. The Mexican model: "ResISSSTE Cerebro".

Introduction: Founded in 2019, the "ResISSSTE Cerebro" program is the first and only stroke network within the Mexican public health system. One advanced stroke center (ASC) and seven essential stroke centers (ESC) provide acute stroke (AS) care through a modified hub-and-spoke model. This study describes the workflow, metrics, and outcomes in AS obtained during the program's third year of operation. Materials and methods: Participants were adult beneficiaries of the ISSSTE health system in Mexico City with acute focal neurological deficit within 24 h of symptom onset. Initial evaluation could occur at any facility, but the stroke team at the ASC took all decisions regarding treatment and transfers of patients. Registered variables included demographics, stroke risk factors, AS treatment workflow time points, and clinical outcome measures. Results: We analyzed data from 236 patients, 104 (44.3%) men with a median age of 71 years. Sixty percent of the patients were initially evaluated at the ESC, and 122 (85.9%) were transferred to the ASC. The median transfer time was 123 min. The most common risk factor was hypertension (73.6%). Stroke subtypes were ischemic (86.0%) and hemorrhagic (14.0%). Median times for onset-to-door, door-to-imaging, door-to-needle, and door-to-groin were: 135.5, 37.0, 76.0, and 151.5 min, respectively. The rate of intravenous thrombolysis was 35%. Large vessel occlusion was present in 63 patients, from whom 44% received endovascular therapy; 71.4% achieved early clinical improvement (median NIHSS reduction of 11 points). Treatment-associated morbimortality was 3.4%. Conclusion: With the implementation of a modified hub-and-spoke model, this study shows that delivery of AS care in low- and middle-income countries is feasible and achieves good clinical outcomes.

Adipokines as predictive factor of cardiac function in pediatric patients with chronic kidney disease.

Background: Adipokines are associated with cardiovascular disease; in chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients adipokines could be useful prognostic factors. Objectives: To explore whether leptin and adiponectin in kidney replacement therapy (KRT) children could have a role on their cardiac function, in the long-term. Design: Prospective cohort study was performed with pediatric KRT patients, aged 8 to 17 years who were undergoing hemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis. At enrollment, lipid profile, adipokines (leptin, leptin receptor, free leptin, and adiponectin), anthropometric measurements and cardiological evaluation were determined. At two-year follow-up, a new cardiological evaluation was performed. Statistical analysis: Quantitative data are presented as median and interquartile range (IQR). Mann-Whitney U test and Chi-squared were used for the between-group comparison. Multivariate analyzes were performed to determine the association of adipokines levels with ventricular ejection fraction (LEVF). Results: We included 56 patients, with a median age of 12.5 years. In the first cardiological evaluation, median LVEF was 70.0% (IQR 61%, 76%), 20 patients (35.7%) had some cardiovascular condition, and 10 (17.8%) altered LVEF. At 24-month follow-up, the median LVEF was 70.5% (IQR 65.1%, 77%), while the delta-LVEF values was 3% (IQR -6.5%, 7%). Delta-LVEF were correlated with baseline adipokines serum levels, and the only positive correlation found was with free leptin (r=0.303, p=0.025). In multivariate analysis, levels of free leptin (Coef. 0.12, p<0.036) and leptin (coef. 1.72, p=0.049), as well as baseline LVEF (Coef. -0.65, p<0.001) were associated with delta-LVEF. Conclusions: Free leptin, leptin and LVEF at the beginning of follow-up were associated with the LVEF decrease at the 24-month follow-up in KRT children.

Mecanismos fisiopatológicos de asociación entre síndrome metabólico e hipertensión arterial: una actualización

El síndrome metabólico es una asociación de varias entidades nosológicas que se agrupan bajo dicho nombre siendo las más frecuentes: hipertensión arterial, diabetes mellitus, dislipidemia y la obesidad. Se propuso como objetivo argumentar los mecanismos fisiopatológicos de asociación entre el síndrome metabólico y la hipertensión arterial. Para ello se consultaron un total de 29 fuentes bibliográficas, entre ellas artículos de revistas científicas, 3 libros y otras accedidas a través de los principales gestores de la red informática. La hipertensión arterial y la dislipidemia a menudo aparecen juntas y también acompañan a la resistencia a la captación de glucosa estimulada por insulina; factores que suelen acompañar a la obesidad. Son criterios que ayudan al diagnóstico de síndrome metabólico. Los trastornos metabólicos asociados a la hipertensión arterial desempeñan un papel clave en su aparición y mantenimiento, y modifican el pronóstico a largo plazo en hipertensos y alteran la estrategia terapéutica.

Metabolic syndrome is an association of several disease entities that are grouped under this name, the most frequent being: arterial hypertension, diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemia, and obesity. The objective was to argue the pathophysiological mechanisms of association between the metabolic syndrome and arterial hypertension. For this, a total of 29 bibliographic sources were consulted, including articles from scientific journals, 3 books and others accessed through the main managers of the computer network. Hypertension and dyslipidemia often occur together and also accompany resistance to insulin-stimulated glucose uptake; factors that often accompany obesity. These are criteria that help diagnose metabolic syndrome. The metabolic disorders associated with arterial hypertension play a key role in its appearance and maintenance, and modify the long-term prognosis in hypertensive patients and alter the therapeutic strategy.

Antibacterial Activity of Biodegradable Films Incorporated with Biologically-Synthesized Silver Nanoparticles and the Evaluation of Their Migration to Chicken Meat.

The food industry has been exploring the association of polymers with nanoparticles in packaging production, and active products are essential to increase the shelf life of food and avoid contamination. Our study developed starch-poly (adipate co-terephthalate butyl) films with silver nanoparticles produced with Fusarium oxysporum components (bio-AgNPs), intending to control foodborne pathogens. The bio-AgNPs showed activity against different Salmonella serotypes, including multidrug-resistant Salmonella Saint Paul and Salmonella Enteritidis, with minimum bactericidal concentrations ranging from 4.24 to 16.98 µg/mL. Biodegradable films with bio-AgNPs inhibited the growth of up to 106Salmonella isolates. Silver migration from the films to chicken was analyzed using electrothermal atomic absorption spectrophotometry, and the results showed migration values (12.94 mg/kg and 3.79 mg/kg) above the limits allowed by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) (0.05 mg/kg). Thus, it is necessary to improve the technique to avoid the migration of silver to chicken meat, since these concentrations can be harmful.

Participação de Crianças com Desenvolvimento Típico e Com Transtornos do Espectro Autista em Situações de Brincadeiras na Educação Infantil, / Participation of Children with Typical Development and with Autistic Spectrum Disorders in Play Situations in Early Childhood Education

RESUMO: O brincar infantil é reconhecido como ocupação que favorece o desenvolvimento e a autonomia das crianças. Estudos realizados com crianças com Transtorno do Espectro Autista (TEA) evidenciaram comprometimentos na participação no brincar. Este estudo objetivou descrever a participação de crianças com desenvolvimento típico e com TEA em situações de brincadeiras no contexto da Educação Infantil. Tratou-se de um estudo de abordagem qualitativa do tipo exploratória e descritiva que empregou a observação do comportamento do brincar na escola como instrumento de coleta de dados. Participaram da pesquisa seis crianças entre 4 e 5 anos, sendo três com desenvolvimento típico e três diagnosticadas com TEA. Embora o estudo não tenha tido a intenção de estabelecer comparações, os principais resultados apontaram diferenças entre os dois grupos. Crianças com TEA evidenciaram desenvolvimento do comportamento lúdico não condizente com a idade e um brincar concreto e com interação social ausente ou rudimentar. Esses resultados apontam para reflexões no contexto da Terapia Ocupacional para o desenvolvimento de estratégias que visem a participação das crianças na Educação Infantil, indicando a necessidade de promoção de oportunidades mediadas e/ou com brinquedos adaptados de acordo com os interesses das crianças com TEA.

ABSTRACT: Children's play is recognized as an occupation that favors children's development and autonomy. Studies carried out with children with Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD) showed impairments in participation in playing. This study aimed to describe the participation of children with typical development and with ASD in play situations in the context of Early Childhood Education. It was an exploratory and descriptive qualitative study that used the observation of playing behavior in school as an instrument of data collection. Six children between 4 and 5 years old participated in the research, three with typical development and three diagnosed with ASD. Although the study was not intended to make comparisons, the main results showed differences between the two groups. Children with ASD showed development of playful behavior not consistent with age and concrete play with absent or rudimentary social interaction. These results point to reflections in the context of Occupational Therapy for the development of strategies aimed at the participation of children in Early Childhood Education, indicating the need to promote mediated opportunities and/or with toys adapted according to the interests of children with ASD.

Leptin receptor and prolactin in pubertal disorders and chronic kidney disease.

BACKGROUND: Knowledge of chronic kidney disease (CKD) with pubertal disorders (PD) in adolescent boys is limited as few studies have explored this disorder. This study aimed to identify the usefulness of assessing hormonal parameters in male adolescents with CKD and their correlation with PD in a 12-month follow-up period. METHODS: A prospective cohort study was conducted among male adolescents with CKD (stages IV and V). Data regarding the age at puberty onset were collected from the patients' clinical records and through interview. The patients were followed up for 12 months during their pubertal development. At the beginning, routine hormonal profile tests were performed to examine the patients' thyroid profile, prolactin levels, luteinizing hormone, follicle-stimulating hormone, testosterone, leptin, and receptor leptin. The hormonal profiles of patients with and without PD were compared. Comparisons between the groups were performed using the Student t-test and Fisher's exact tests. Logistic regression analysis was also performed. RESULTS: Data of 64 patients (26/64 with PD) were analyzed. The median age was 15 years and the median time for CKD evolution was 11 months. No differences between groups were noted in the general or biochemical characteristics of the patients. The hormonal parameters, prolactin levels were higher and the free leptin and free thyroxine levels were lower in patients with PD. Leptin receptor levels of >0.90 ng/mL (risk ratio [RR], 8.6; P = 0.004) and hyperprolactinemia (RR, 21.3; P = 0.049) were the risk factors for PD. CONCLUSIONS: Leptin receptor levels of >0.90 ng/mL and hyperprolactinemia are associated with the development of PD in male adolescents with CKD.

Dp71 Point Mutations Induce Protein Aggregation, Loss of Nuclear Lamina Integrity and Impaired Braf35 and Ibraf Function in Neuronal Cells.

Dystrophin Dp71 is the most abundant product of the Duchenne muscular dystrophy gene in the nervous system, and mutations impairing its function have been associated with the neurodevelopmental symptoms present in a third of DMD patients. Dp71 is required for the clustering of neurotransmitter receptors and the neuronal differentiation of cultured cells; nonetheless, its precise role in neuronal cells remains to be poorly understood. In this study, we analyzed the effect of two pathogenic DMD gene point mutations on the Dp71 function in neurons. We engineered C272Y and E299del mutations to express GFP-tagged Dp71 protein variants in N1E-115 and SH-SY5Y neuronal cells. Unexpectedly, the ectopic expression of Dp71 mutants resulted in protein aggregation, which may be mechanistically caused by the effect of the mutations on Dp71 structure, as predicted by protein modeling and molecular dynamics simulations. Interestingly, Dp71 mutant variants acquired a dominant negative function that, in turn, dramatically impaired the distribution of different Dp71 protein partners, including ß-dystroglycan, nuclear lamins A/C and B1, the high-mobility group (HMG)-containing protein (BRAF35) and the BRAF35-family-member inhibitor of BRAF35 (iBRAF). Further analysis of Dp71 mutants provided evidence showing a role for Dp71 in modulating both heterochromatin marker H3K9me2 organization and the neuronal genes' expression, via its interaction with iBRAF and BRAF5.

What happens to Hoplias malabaricus fed on live prey (Astyanax altiparanae) previously exposed to copper? A multiple biomarker approach.

Copper waterborne toxicity is well understood in aquatic organisms. However, the dietary copper effects are much less known, especially in tropical fish. The toxicity of copper via the trophic route could be influenced by the composition of the food, and diets naturally impregnated with copper seem to have greater toxicity at lower concentrations than artificially impregnated ones. Thus, our objective was to investigate the effects of copper on juveniles of the Neotropical fish Hoplias malabaricus fed on live prey (Astyanax altiparanae) previously exposed to the metal (20 µg L - 1) for 96 h. The prey fish were given to H. malabaricus every 96 h, totaling 10 doses at the end of the experiment. Thus, after 40 days fish were killed and tissues were sampled. Blood showed to be the only tissue in which copper accumulated. Anemia was found and there was damage to the DNA of erythrocytes. Furthermore, ionic imbalances were observed in plasma. There was an increase in the concentration of Na+ and Cl- and a decrease in Ca2+, which were associated with increased copper uptake in the gastrointestinal tract of fish fed on copper exposed prey. All the antioxidant enzymes evaluated in the gills showed decreased activity compared to the control group. Copper seems to have interfered in the energy metabolism of H. malabaricus, since a lower condition factor and feed conversion efficiency rate were observed in fish fed with copper diet. The present study confirms the trophic route as an important copper toxicity pathway for H. malabaricus and reinforces the idea that metal toxicity can be increased when it is naturally impregnated in the prey tissues, even if the prey has been exposed to the metal only for a short period of time.

Biogenic metallic nanoparticles (Ag, TiO2, Fe) as potential fungicides for agriculture: are they safe for the freshwater mussel Anodontites trapesialis?

Silver (Ag), titanium dioxide (TiO2), and iron (Fe) nanoparticles (NPs) synthesized using the fungus Trichoderma harzianum are effective against the agriculture pathogen Sclerotinia sclerotiorum. However, their effects should be evaluated in aquatic organisms, as agriculture practices can contaminate the aquatic environment. Thus, this work evaluated sublethal effects of acute exposure (24 h) to AgNP, TiO2NP and FeNP, synthesized with T. harzianum, on the Neotropical freshwater bivalve Anodontites trapesialis, considering the hypothesis that suspension-feeding bivalves are susceptible to NPs toxicity. Individuals of A. trapesialis were divided into four groups (n = 8/group): a control group, kept in water only; a group exposed to AgNP; a group exposed to TiO2NP; and a group exposed to FeNP. The bioaccumulation of Ag, Ti, and Fe was evaluated in the gills, hemolymph, mantle, digestive gland, and muscle (foot). Lipoperoxidation, activities of the glutathione S-transferase, catalase, and superoxide dismutase, and glycogen concentration were quantified in the gills, mantle, and digestive gland. Ions (Na+, K+, Cl-, Ca2+, and Mg+2) and glucose concentrations were quantified in the hemolymph. Na+/K+-ATPase, H+-ATPase, Ca2+-ATPase, and carbonic anhydrase activities were assessed in the gills and mantle. Acetylcholinesterase activity was determined in the foot and adductor muscle. The mussels exposed to AgNP accumulated Ag in the gills, hemolymph, and foot, and showed a decrease in hemolymph concentrations of Na+ and Cl-, which was associated with the action of Ag ion (Ag+). The exposures to TiO2NP and FeNP led to the accumulation of Ti and Fe in the hemolymph, respectively, but did not promote additional effects. Accordingly, A. trapesialis showed bioaccumulation potential and susceptibility to AgNP, but was not susceptible to TiO2NP and FeNP. Thus, the preferential agricultural use of TiO2NP and FeNP over AgNP is highlighted.

Ozone Pollution, Oxidative Stress, Regulatory T Cells and Antioxidants.

Ozone pollution, is a serious health problem worldwide. Repeated exposure to low ozone doses causes a loss of regulation of the oxidation-reduction systems, and also induces a chronic state of oxidative stress. This fact is of special importance for the regulation of different systems including the immune system and the inflammatory response. In addition, the oxidation-reduction balance modulates the homeostasis of these and other complex systems such as metabolism, survival capacity, cell renewal, and brain repair, etc. Likewise, it has been widely demonstrated that in chronic degenerative diseases, an alteration in the oxide-reduction balance is present, and this alteration causes a chronic loss in the regulation of the immune response and the inflammatory process. This is because reactive oxygen species disrupt different signaling pathways. Such pathways are related to the role of regulatory T cells (Treg) in inflammation. This causes an increase in chronic deterioration in the degenerative disease over time. The objective of this review was to study the relationship between environmental ozone pollution, the chronic state of oxidative stress and its effect on Treg cells, which causes the loss of regulation in the inflammatory response as well as the role played by antioxidant systems in various pathologies.

Metagenomics Bioinformatic Pipeline.

Microbial communities' taxonomic and functional diversity has been broadly studied since sequencing technologies enabled faster and cheaper data obtainment. Nevertheless, the programming skills needed and the amount of software available may be overwhelming to someone trying to analyze these data. Here, we present a comprehensive and straightforward pipeline that takes shotgun metagenomics data through the needed steps to obtain valuable results. The raw data goes through a quality control process, metagenomic assembly, binning (the obtention of single genomes from a metagenome), taxonomic assignment, and taxonomic diversity analysis and visualization.

Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Symbiosis Leads to Differential Regulation of Genes and miRNAs Associated with the Cell Wall in Tomato Leaves.

Arbuscular mycorrhizal symbiosis is an association that provides nutritional benefits to plants. Importantly, it induces a physiological state allowing plants to respond to a subsequent pathogen attack in a more rapid and intense manner. Consequently, mycorrhiza-colonized plants become less susceptible to root and shoot pathogens. This study aimed to identify some of the molecular players and potential mechanisms related to the onset of defense priming by mycorrhiza colonization, as well as miRNAs that may act as regulators of priming genes. The upregulation of cellulose synthases, pectinesterase inhibitors, and xyloglucan endotransglucosylase/hydrolase, as well as the downregulation of a pectinesterase, suggest that the modification and reinforcement of the cell wall may prime the leaves of mycorrhizal plants to react faster and stronger to subsequent pathogen attack. This was confirmed by the findings of miR164a-3p, miR164a-5p, miR171e-5p, and miR397, which target genes and are also related to the biosynthesis or modification of cell wall components. Our findings support the hypothesis that the reinforcement or remodeling of the cell wall and cuticle could participate in the priming mechanism triggered by mycorrhiza colonization, by strengthening the first physical barriers upstream of the pathogen encounter.

Asociación de la hiperreactividad cardiovascular y la obesidad entre individuos sedentarios y activos / Association of Cardiovascular Hyperreactivity and Obesity between Sedentary and Active Individuals

RESUMEN Fundamento existen diversos estudios que muestran una relación de la hiperreactividad cardiovascular con algunos factores de riesgo cardiovascular, pero se hace necesario continuar evidenciando dicha relación. Objetivo: determinar la asociación de la hiperreactividad cardiovascular y la obesidad entre individuos sedentarios y activos en Cienfuegos. Métodos: se realizó un estudio descriptivo, transversal y correlacional en un universo de 80 individuos entre 18 y 30 años del municipio Cienfuegos, durante el año 2020. Las variables analizadas fueron: edad, sexo, color de la piel, nivel de sedentarismo, presión arterial basal con la prueba del peso sostenido, índice de masa corporal y cintura abdominal. Se utilizó Chi Cuadrado de Pearson para describir la asociación de las variables de estudio entre sujetos sedentarios y activos, así como la prueba T para la comparación de las medias. Nivel de significación p˂0,05. Los resultados se expresaron en tablas. Resultados: predominaron las edades de 18-24 años y el color de la piel blanca. El 76,3 % posee la condición de sedentarismo sobre los activos. El 65,6 % de los sedentarios correspondieron al sexo femenino. En las pruebas antropométricas más del 30 % eran sobrepeso-obeso y el 20 % presentaba cintura abdominal alterada, para ambas coexistió la condición de ser sedentarios. Los sedentarios presentaron valores de la media de las variables hemodinámicas superiores a los activos. El 73,8 % de los sedentarios fueron hiperreactivos cardiovasculares al contrario del estado de normorreactivo cardiovascular que estuvo presente en el 94,7 % de los activos. Conclusiones la condición de sedentarismo incrementa los valores de las variables hemodinámicas y antropométricas estudiadas.

ABSTRACT Background: there are several studies that show a relationship between cardiovascular hyperreactivity and some cardiovascular risk factors, but it is necessary to continue showing this relationship. Objective: to determine the association of cardiovascular hyperreactivity and obesity between sedentary and active individuals in Cienfuegos. Methods: a descriptive, cross-sectional and correlational study was carried out in a universe of 80 individuals between 18 and 30 years of age in the Cienfuegos municipality, during 2020. The variables analyzed were: age, sex, skin color, level of sedentary lifestyle, pressure baseline blood pressure with the sustained weight test, body mass index and abdominal waist. Pearson's Chi Square was used to describe the association of the study variables between sedentary and active individuals, as well as the T test for the comparison of means. Significance level p˂0.05. The results were expressed in charts. Results: ages 18-24 years old and white skin color predominated. 76.3 % have a sedentary lifestyle over assets. 65.6 % of the sedentary were female. In the anthropometric tests, more than 30 % were overweight-obese and 20 % had altered abdominal waist, for both the condition of being sedentary coexisted. The sedentary subjects presented mean values ​​of the hemodynamic variables higher than the active subjects. 73.8 % of the sedentary subjects were cardiovascular hyperreactive, as opposed to the normoreactive cardiovascular state that was present in 94.7 % of the active subjects. Conclusions: the condition of sedentary lifestyle increases the values ​​of the hemodynamic and anthropometric variables studied.

Biogeography of Southern Ocean Active Prokaryotic Communities Over a Large Spatial Scale.

The activity of marine microorganisms depends on community composition, yet, in some oceans, less is known about the environmental and ecological processes that structure their distribution. The objective of this study was to test the effect of geographical distance and environmental parameters on prokaryotic community structure in the Southern Ocean (SO). We described the total (16S rRNA gene) and the active fraction (16S rRNA-based) of surface microbial communities over a ~6,500 km longitudinal transect in the SO. We found that the community composition of the total fraction was different from the active fraction across the zones investigated. In addition, higher α-diversity and stronger species turnover were displayed in the active community compared to the total community. Oceanospirillales, Alteromonadales, Rhodobacterales, and Flavobacteriales dominated the composition of the bacterioplankton communities; however, there were marked differences at the order level. Temperature, salinity, silicic acid, particulate organic nitrogen, and particulate organic carbon correlated with the composition of bacterioplankton communities. A strong distance-decay pattern between closer and distant communities was observed. We hypothesize that it was related to the different oceanic fronts present in the Antarctic Circumpolar Current. Our findings contribute to a better understanding of the complex arrangement that shapes the structure of bacterioplankton communities in the SO.