Antimicrobial activity, mechanical and thermal properties of cassava starch films incorporated with beeswax and propolis.

Edible films can be formed from different polymeric compounds. The use of starch has gained extra value; because it can be used in combination with plasticizers and lipids, helping to improve mechanical properties. Besides, with the addition of an antimicrobial, the function of these films can be extended. The objective of this research was to evaluate the effect of native cassava starch, beeswax and ethanolic propolis extract (EPE) on the mechanical, thermal and inhibitory properties against the Aspergillus niger fungus. An experimental Box-Behnken design with three factors: cassava starch concentration (2-4%w/v), beeswax (0.5-0.9%w/w) and EPE (1-4%v/w) was used. The films obtained were opaque and with low mechanical properties. EPE concentration affected tensile strength, elongation at break (EB) and Young's modulus (YM), and cassava starch content only affected EB and YM. In thermal properties, the weight loss was affected by the cassava starch-beeswax interaction, where the most loss occurred at high levels of these factors in the temperature range of 200-360 °C. The films reduced the growth of the Aspergillus niger by 51%, where the beeswax-EPE interaction had a significant positive effect. The characteristics of the developed films suggest that they would be more acceptable as fruit and vegetable coatings.

Improving Health Equity Through Health Literacy Education.

Health literacy is the ability to understand and use health information. More than one-third of adults living in the United States have limited health literacy, which is associated with adverse health outcomes. Physicians need education about how to communicate effectively across the range of health literacy levels, but residency programs often fail to provide it. We aimed to develop and evaluate a curriculum to establish evidence-based recommendations for training family medicine resident physicians to communicate effectively across the range of health literacy levels. We developed and implemented a 6-month curriculum about health literacy and best practices for communication and collected three pre-/post-measures: patient surveys, videos of residents' patient encounters, and resident self-surveys of knowledge, attitudes, and use of communication techniques. Training of 39 residents included conferences, videotape reviews, written feedback, targeted supervision, and environmental cues. All knowledge/attitude questions on the resident survey improved significantly, as did the use of 4 of 6 communication techniques. Video observation also showed significant improvement in the residents' use of three techniques and a decrease in jargon use and an increase in "plain language" explanations of terms. Multimodal interventions improved residents' knowledge and attitudes about health literacy and use of health literacy precautions. [HLRP: Health Literacy Research and Practice. 2023;7(2):e99-e104.].

Philadelphia-like acute lymphoblastic leukemia: Characterization in a pediatric cohort in a referral center in Colombia.

BACKGROUND: Philadelphia-like (Ph-like) acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is a subtype of pediatric leukemia with high risk factors and poor outcome. There are few reports of its prevalence in Latin America. AIM: This study evaluated the frequency and clinical and biological characteristics of Ph-like ALL in a pediatric cancer center in Colombia. METHODS: The Ph-like genetic profile was analyzed by a low-density array (LDA). Samples from patients with Ph-like ALL were analyzed by fluorescent in situ hybridization for cytokine receptor like factor 2 (CRLF2) and ABL proto-oncogene 1, non-receptor tyrosine kinase (ABL1) rearrangements. Copy number variations were assessed by multiplex ligation probe amplification. RESULTS: Data from 121 patients were analyzed. Fifteen patients (12.4%) had Ph-like ALL, and these patients had significantly higher leukocyte counts at diagnosis and higher levels of minimal residual disease on days 15 and 33 of induction than patients without the Ph-like subtype. There were no significant differences in sex, age, or response to prednisone at day 8 between the two groups. CRLF2 rearrangements were identified in eight patients, and ABL1 rearrangements were identified in two patients. Other genetic alterations alone or in combination were identified in 77% of patients, including deletions in cyclin dependent kinase inhibitor 2 A/B (46.2%), IKAROS family zinc finger 1 (38.3%), and paired box 5 (30.8%). CONCLUSIONS: Ph-like ALL had a 12.4% prevalence in our cohort of patients with pediatric ALL. The identification of this group of patients has importance for risk stratification and future targeted therapy.

Development and Characterization of Rice Husk and Recycled Polypropylene Composite Filaments for 3D Printing.

Nowadays the use of natural fiber composites has gained significant interest due to their low density, high availability, and low cost. The present study explores the development of sustainable 3D printing filaments based on rice husk (RH), an agricultural residue, and recycled polypropylene (rPP) and the influence of fiber weight ratio on physical, thermal, mechanical, and morphological properties of 3D printing parts. Thermogravimetric analysis revealed that the composite's degradation process started earlier than for the neat rPP due to the lignocellulosic fiber components. Mechanical tests showed that tensile strength increased when using a raster angle of 0° than specimens printed at 90°, due to the weaker inter-layer bonding compared to in-layer. Furthermore, inter layer bonding tensile strength was similar for all tested materials. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) images revealed the limited interaction between the untreated fiber and matrix, which led to reduced tensile properties. However, during the printing process, composites presented lower warping than printed neat rPP. Thus, 3D printable ecofriendly natural fiber composite filaments with low density and low cost can be developed and used for 3D printing applications, contributing to reduce the impact of plastic and agricultural waste.

Layer-by-layer anionic diffusion in two-dimensional halide perovskite vertical heterostructures.

Anionic diffusion in a soft crystal lattice of hybrid halide perovskites affects their stability, optoelectronic properties and the resulting device performance. The use of two-dimensional (2D) halide perovskites improves the chemical stability of perovskites and suppresses the intrinsic anionic diffusion in solid-state devices. Based on this strategy, devices with an enhanced stability and reduced hysteresis have been achieved. However, a fundamental understanding of the role of organic cations in inhibiting anionic diffusion across the perovskite-ligand interface is missing. Here we demonstrate the first quantitative investigation of the anionic interdiffusion across atomically flat 2D vertical heterojunctions. Interestingly, the halide diffusion does not follow the classical diffusion process. Instead, a 'quantized' layer-by-layer diffusion model is proposed to describe the behaviour of the anionic migration in 2D halide perovskites. Our results provide important insights into the mechanism of anionic diffusion in 2D perovskites and provide a new materials platform with an enhanced stability for heterostructure integration.

Hipertermia maligna / Malignant huperthermia

Carriers of malignant hyperthermia (MH), a subclinical metabolic myopathy, respond differently to the general population in response to triggering agents, such as volatile anesthetics and succinylcholine. Its incidence ranges from 1:10,000 to 1:250,000 anesthesias. Using etiological treatment, the current mortality rate is around 5%. The biochemical, metabolic, and physiological deterioration generally associated with MH is a direct result of a sudden and progressive increase in intracellular calcium in striated muscle cells. This generates a hypermetabolic state, with a rapid increase in body temperature that can lead to a fatal outcome if not diagnosed and treated in time. The genetic factors that determine susceptibility to MH are complex, with the participation of more than one gene. Its clinical symptoms are highly variable, from mild or moderate to fulminant attacks with severe muscle hypermetabolism and rhabdomyolysis. Capnography and pulse oximetry have great clinical diagnostic value. Other early symptoms of an MH attack may include sinus tachycardia, supraventricular or ventricular arrhythmia, and isolated masterean spasm or generalized muscle stiffness. The rise in temperature is a late sign. After an attack, or in possibly susceptible patients, the laboratory diagnosis is made with the in vitro contracture test, in which the contraction of muscle fibers, obtained through a skeletal muscle biopsy, is studied in the presence of halothane or caffeine. In patients known to be susceptible to MH, neuraxial and regional techniques should be preferred if surgery allows it; otherwise, trigger-free anesthetic methods (TIVA) should be available. Management of the MH crisis is based on three main actions: 1) stopping the administration of halogenates; 2) hyperventilation with 100% oxygen, and 3) administration of intravenous dantrolene.

La hipertermia maligna (HM) es una miopatía metabólica subclínica, cuyos portadores tienen una respuesta diferente a la población general ante la presencia de un agente desencadenante: anestésicos volátiles y succinilcolina. Su incidencia tiene rangos entre 1:10.000 a 1:250.000 anestesias. Su mortalidad actual usando tratamiento etiológico es de 5%. El deterioro bioquímico, metabólico y fisiológico asociado clásicamente al cuadro de HM es el resultado directo de un aumento súbito y progresivo del calcio intracelular de las células musculares estriadas, que genera un estado hipermetabólico, calor y un rápido aumento de la temperatura corporal, que puede llevar a un desenlace fatal si no se diagnostica y se trata a tiempo. Su herencia es complicada: se trata de una transmisión multigénica, en que la susceptibilidad a la HM depende de más de un gen. Los síntomas clínicos son muy variables, desde leves o moderados hasta crisis fulminantes con hipermetabolismo muscular severo y rabdomiólisis. La capnografía y la oximetría tiene un gran valor diagnóstico clínico. Otros síntomas tempranos de una crisis de HM pueden incluir taquicardia sinusal, arritmia supraventricular o ventricular y espasmo de maséteros aislado o rigidez muscular generalizada; el aumento de la temperatura es un signo tardío. Después de la crisis o en los pacientes posiblemente susceptibles, el diagnóstico de laboratorio se hace con el test de contractura , basado en la contracción de fibras musculares tomadas a partir de una biopsia de músculo estriado en presencia de halotano o cafeína. En los pacientes conocidamente susceptibles a HM se debe preferir las técnicas neuroaxiales y regionales si la cirugía lo permite; en caso contrario, debe disponerse de métodos anestésicos libres de agentes desencadenantes (TIVA). El manejo de la crisis de HM está basado en tres medidas principales: 1) la detención de la administración de halogenados; 2) la hiperventilación con oxígeno al 100% y 3) la administración de dantrolene endovenoso.

Percepción sobre alimentación saludable en cuatro instituciones escolares / Perception of a healthy diet in four schools

Resumen Introducción: La obesidad infantil ha venido en aumento en los últimos años y Colombia no es ajena a esta problemática. Uno de los lugares para conocer la percepción sobre comida saludable son las instituciones educativas, en las cuales los escolares son quienes escogen sus alimentos. Objetivo: Caracterizar los hábitos alimentarios de una población pediátrica de cuatro instituciones educativas colombianas, con el fin de conocer las prioridades infantiles en cuanto a la escogencia de los alimentos, y por ende generar recomendaciones. Metodología: Estudio descriptivo multicéntrico que presenta los resultados de encuestas dirigidas a escolares entre 8 y 18 años, usuarios de tiendas escolares. Se realizó un análisis descriptivo de acuerdo con las preferencias de alimentación por institución, género, edad, entre otros. Resultados: Se incluyeron en total 512 escolares. La distribución por género y edad fue similar en las cuatro instituciones educativas. Entre los alimentos de preferencia predominaron los empaquetados, la pizza, los helados y, en menor proporción, las frutas. En cuanto a las bebidas sobresalieron la gaseosa y el té en botella. En las razones para escoger los alimentos predominó "el sabor" seguido de la "facilidad y rapidez", en tanto que entre las razones para no escoger se encontró el precio como el motivo principal. Conclusión: Es necesario hacer intervención desde temprana edad para generar hábitos de alimentación saludable y equilibrada. Así mismo, es prioritario diseñar un programa para la detección de hábitos alimentarios inadecuados en las instituciones escolares con el fin de combatirlos.

Abstract Introduction: Childhood obesity has been increasing in the last few years and Colombia is not excluded from this problem. One of the places to determine the perception of healthy food is in schools, where the schoolchildren are the ones who select their food. Objective: To provide a profile of the dietary habits of a childhood population in four Colombian schools, with the aim of determining their priorities as regards the choice of foods, and in order to provide recommendations. Methodology: A descriptive multicentre study that presents the results of questionnaires completed by schoolchildren between 8 and 18 years, users of school shops. A descriptive analysis was performed in accordance with the dietary preferences that included the school, gender, and age. Results: A total of 512 schoolchildren were included. The distribution by gender and age was similar in the four schools. Among the foods of preference there was a predominance of pre-packed food, pizza and ice-cream with a lower percentage of fruit. As regards drinks, there was an excess of fizzy ones and bottled tea. Among the reasons that predominated for choosing the foods was "the taste" followed by "ease and speed", whilst among the reasons for not choosing, the price was the main reason. Conclusion: Interventions are needed from an early age in order to develop healthy and balanced eating habits. Likewise, it should be a priority to design a program for the detection of inadequate eating habits in schools with the aim of combatting them.

Anti-neuroinflammatory effect of Iresine celosia on lipopolysaccharide-stimulated microglial cells and mouse.

Abnormal inflammatory response in the central nervous system plays a critical role in various neurological disorders such as Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease and Huntington's disease. Therefore, modulation of abnormal neuroinflammation is thought to be a promising therapeutic strategy for these diseases. Based on this idea, we focused on finding a potential candidate material that would regulate excessive neuroinflammation. Iresine celosia has long been used as a traditional Mexican medicine to treat fever and oral disorders. In the present study, we evaluated the anti-neuroinflammatory effects of Iresine celosia extract (ICE) in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated BV2 microglia cells and mice models. In BV2 microglia cells, ICE markedly inhibited production of nitric oxide and proinflammatory cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-1ß, and interleukin-6 without causing cytotoxicity. ICE also ameliorated translocation of nuclear factor-κB from cytosol to nucleus by LPS. Moreover, ICE attenuated behavioral disturbances by inhibiting activation of microglia and astrocytes in LPS-treated mice. Collectively, these data indicate that ICE is a potential therapeutic agent for treating inflammation-related diseases.

The ichthyology collection at the Natural History Museum of El Salvador (MUHNES): Species checklist and new country records.

The ichthyology collection at the Natural History Museum of El Salvador (MUHNES) was established in 1970. Herein, we provide the first quantitative and qualitative description of the collection; and the first public record of the specimens and taxa therein represented. The MUHNES fish collection is the largest and most important of El Salvador, hosting 3791 specimens in 1005 lots representing 26 orders, 75 families, 159 genera and 248 species from both marine and freshwater environments, including larval, juvenile and mainly adult specimens. MUHNES specimens include 39% of the 587 species reported in the official national checklist of fishes of El Salvador, and support the inclusion of 47 additional species for a new total of 634. Furthermore, MUHNES specimens support (1) the occurrence of Cathorops fuerthii along the coast of El Salvador, extending its distribution from northern Costa Rica; (2) the occurrence of Atherinella starksi in El Salvador, reducing a gap for records between Nicaragua and México and (3) the extension in the distribution range of Profundulus kreiseri to Morazán, El Salvador. This study represents an advance on the understanding of diversity and distribution of the national ichthyofauna.

Prevalencia de obesidad según relación cintura/talla en cuatro municipios del caribe colombiano / Prevalence of obesity according to waist / height ratio in four municipalities of the colombian caribbean

Objetivo: determinar la prevalencia de obesidad según relación cintura/talla en cuatro municipios del caribe colombiano. Materiales y métodos: estudio descriptivo,transversal. Se analizó la información de fuente secundaria, de 1161 personas de 20 a 64 años, provenientes de 4 municipios del departamento del Atlántico, en quienes se llevaron a cabo mediciones antropométricas (peso, talla, perímetro de cintura) de manera estandarizada. Se analizan las prevalencias de obesidad según estándares internacionales para Índice de masa corporal, perímetro de cintura y relación cintura talla, y se comparan las prevalencias según variables sociodemográficas. También se evalúa la concordancia entre las tres mediciones, según prueba de Kappa. Resultados: 72% de los participantes fueron mujeres. 36% de los encuestados eran menores de 40 años. Prevalencia de obesidad por relación cintura/talla: 81,3%, por perímetro de cintura: 77,2%, y por Índice de Masa Corporal: 27,7%. Fue significativamente mayor en: personas de mayor edad, dedicados a labores del hogar, en aquellos que no viven en pareja, en quienes tienen nivel educativo más bajo, y en los pertenecientes a régimen contributivo. La concordancia total entre relación cintura/talla y perímetro de cintura, fue de 0,766. Conclusiones: la relación cintura/talla es un indicador sensible de obesidad. Es necesario emplearlo con otros indicadores y evaluar su relación con factores de riesgo cardiovascular..(AU)

Objective: to determine the prevalence of obesity according to waist/height ratio in four municipalities of the Colombian Caribbean. Materials and methods: descriptive, cross-sectional study. Secondary source information was analyzed from 1161 people aged 20 to 64 from 4 municipalities in the department of Atlántico, where anthropometric measurements (weight, height, waist circumference) were carried out in a standardized way. The prevalence of obesity according to international standards for body mass index, waist circumference and waist size ratio was analyzed, and prevalence are compared according to sociodemographic variables. The concordance between the three measurements is also evaluated, according to the Kappa test. Results: 72% of participants were women. 36% of respondents was under 40 years of age. Prevalence of obesity by RCT: 81.3%, by waist circumference: 77.2%, and by BMI: 27.7%. It was significantly higher in: older people, engaged in housework, in those who do not live in pairs, in those with lower educational levels, and in those belonging to a contributory regime. The total agreement between RCT and PC, was 0.766. Conclusions: the waist-to-size relationship is a sensitive indicator of obesity. It is necessary to use it with other indicators and to evaluate its relationship with cardiovascular risk factors..(AU)

Use of traditional herbal medicine as an alternative in dental treatment in Mexican dentistry: a review.

CONTEXT: Herbal therapies are used worldwide to treat health conditions. In Mexico, generations have used them to treat gingivitis, periodontitis, mouth infections, and discoloured teeth. However, few studies have collected scientific evidence on their effects. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed at searching and compiling scientific evidence of alternative oral and dental treatments using medicinal herbs from Mexico. METHODS: We collected various Mexican medicinal plants used in the dental treatment from the database of the Institute of Biology at the National Autonomous University of Mexico. To correlate with existing scientific evidence, we used the PubMed database with the key term '(scientific name) and (oral or dental)'. RESULTS: Mexico has various medical herbs with antibacterial and antimicrobial properties, according to ancestral medicinal books and healers. Despite a paucity of experimental research demonstrating the antibacterial, antimicrobial, and antiplaque effects of these Mexican plants, they could still be useful as an alternative treatment of several periodontal diseases or as anticariogenic agents. However, the number of studies supporting their uses and effects remains insufficient. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: It is important for the health of consumers to scientifically demonstrate the real effects of natural medicine, as well as clarify and establish their possible therapeutic applications. Through this bibliographical revision, we found papers that testify or refute their ancestral uses, and conclude that the use of plants to treat oral conditions or to add to the dental pharmacological arsenal should be based on experimental studies verifying their suitability for dental treatments.

Caveolin-1 deletion exacerbates cardiac interstitial fibrosis by promoting M2 macrophage activation in mice after myocardial infarction.

Adverse remodeling following myocardial infarction (MI) leading to heart failure is driven by an imbalanced resolution of inflammation. The macrophage cell is an important control of post-MI inflammation, as macrophage subtypes secrete mediators to either promote inflammation and extend injury (M1 phenotype) or suppress inflammation and promote scar formation (M2 phenotype). We have previously shown that the absence of caveolin-1 (Cav1), a membrane scaffolding protein, is associated with adverse cardiac remodeling in mice, but the mechanisms responsible remain to be elucidated. We explore here the role of Cav1 in the activation of macrophages using wild type C57BL6/J (WT) and Cav1(tm1Mls/J) (Cav1(-/-)) mice. By echocardiography, cardiac function was comparable between WT and Cav1(-/-) mice at 3days post-MI. In the absence of Cav1, there were a surprisingly higher percentage of M2 macrophages (arginase-1 positive) detected in the infarcted zone. Conversely, restoring Cav1 function after MI in WT mice by adding back the Cav1 scaffolding domain reduced the M2 activation profile. Further, adoptive transfer of Cav1 null macrophages into WT mice on d3 post-MI exacerbated adverse cardiac remodeling at d14 post-MI. In vitro studies revealed that Cav1 null macrophages had a more pronounced M2 profile activation in response to IL-4 stimulation. In conclusion, Cav1 deletion promotes an array of maladaptive repair processes after MI, including increased TGF-ß signaling, increased M2 macrophage infiltration and dysregulation of the M1/M2 balance. Our data also suggest that cardiac remodeling can be improved by therapeutic intervention regulating Cav1 function during the inflammatory response phase.