Activated Carbon Electrodes for Supercapacitors from Purple Corncob (Zea maysL.).

Activated carbon-based supercapacitor electrodes synthesized from biomass or waste-derived biomass have recently attracted considerable attention because of their low cost, natural abundance, and power delivery performance. In this work, purple-corncob-based active carbons are prepared by KOH activation and subsequently evaluated as a composite electrode for supercapacitors using either an acidic or an alkali solution as the electrolyte. The synthesis of the material involves mixing the purple corncob powder with different concentrations of KOH (in the range of 5% to 30%) and a thermal treatment at 700 °C under an inert atmosphere. Physicochemical characterizations were performed using scanning electron microscopy, Raman spectroscopy, N2 physisorption analysis, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, while the electrochemical characteristics were determined using cyclic voltammetry, a galvanostatic charge/discharge curve, and electrochemical impedance techniques measured in a three- and two-electrode system. Composite electrodes activated with 10% KOH had a specific surface area of 728 m2 g-1, and high capacitances of 195 F g-1 at 0.5 A g-1 in 1 mol L-1 H2SO4 and 116 F g-1 at 0.5 A g-1 in 1 mol L-1 KOH were obtained. It also presented a 76% capacitance retention after 50 000 cycles. These properties depend significantly on the microporous area and micropore volume characteristics of the activated carbon. Overall, our results indicate that purple corncob has an interesting prospect as a carbon precursor material for supercapacitor electrodes.

Standard rodent diets differentially impact alcohol consumption and preference and gut microbiome diversity.

Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) is a complex and widespread disease with limited pharmacotherapies. Preclinical animal models of AUD use a variety of voluntary alcohol consumption procedures to recapitulate different phases of AUD including binge alcohol consumption and dependence. However, voluntary alcohol consumption in mice is widely variable rendering it difficult to reproduce results across labs. Accumulating evidence indicates that different brands of commercially available rodent chow can profoundly influence alcohol intake. In this study, we investigated the effects of three commercially available and widely used rodent diet formulations on alcohol consumption and preference in C57BL/6J mice using the 24h intermittent access procedure. The three brands of chow tested were LabDiet 5001 (LD 5001), LabDiet 5053 (LD 5053), and Teklad 2019S (TL2019S) from two companies (Research Diets and Envigo respectively). Mice fed LD5001 displayed the highest levels of alcohol consumption and preference followed by LD5053 and TL2019S. We also found that alcohol consumption and preference could be rapidly switched by changing the diet 48h prior to alcohol administration. Sucrose, saccharin, and quinine preference were not altered suggesting that the diets did not alter taste perception. We also found that mice fed LD5001 displayed increased quinine-resistant alcohol intake compared to mice fed TL2019S, suggesting that diets could influence the development of "compulsive" like alcohol consumption. We profiled the gut microbiome of water and alcohol drinking mice that were maintained on different diets and found significant differences in bacterial alpha and beta diversity, which could impact gut-brain axis signaling and alcohol consumption.

Klebsiella pneumoniae DedA family proteins have redundant roles in divalent cation homeostasis and resistance to phagocytosis.

The DedA superfamily is a highly conserved family of membrane proteins. Deletion of Escherichia coli yqjA and yghB, encoding related DedA family proteins, results in sensitivity to elevated temperature, antibiotics, and alkaline pH. The human pathogen Klebsiella pneumoniae possesses genes encoding DedA family proteins with >90% amino acid identity to E. coli YqjA and YghB. We hypothesized that the deletion of K. pneumoniae yqjA and yghB will impact its physiology and may reduce its virulence. The K. pneumoniae ΔyqjA ΔyghB mutant (strain VT101) displayed a growth defect at 42°C and alkaline pH sensitivity, not unlike its E. coli counterpart. However, VT101 retained mostly wild-type resistance to antibiotics. We found VT101 was sensitive to the chelating agent EDTA, the anionic detergent SDS, and agents capable of alkalizing the bacterial cytoplasm such as bicarbonate or chloroquine. We could restore growth at alkaline pH and at elevated temperature by addition of 0.5-2 mM Ca2+ or Mg2+ to the culture media. VT101 displayed a slower uptake of calcium, which was dependent upon calcium channel activity. VT201, with similar deletions as VT101 but derived from a virulent K. pneumoniae strain, was highly susceptible to phagocytosis by alveolar macrophages and displayed a defect in the production of capsule. These findings suggest divalent cation homeostasis and virulence are interlinked by common functions of the DedA family.IMPORTANCEKlebsiella pneumoniae is a dangerous human pathogen. The DedA protein family is found in all bacteria and is a membrane transporter often required for virulence and antibiotic resistance. K. pneumoniae possesses homologs of E. coli YqjA and YghB, with 60% amino acid identity and redundant functions, which we have previously shown to be required for tolerance to biocides and alkaline pH. A K. pneumoniae strain lacking yqjA and yghB was found to be sensitive to alkaline pH, elevated temperature, and EDTA/SDS and displayed a defect in calcium uptake. Sensitivity to these conditions was reversed by addition of calcium or magnesium to the growth medium. Introduction of ΔyqjA and ΔyghB mutations into virulent K. pneumoniae resulted in the loss of capsule, increased phagocytosis by macrophages, and a partial loss of virulence. These results show that targeting the Klebsiella DedA family results in impaired divalent cation transport and, in turn, loss of virulence.

Calidad del desayuno, actividad física y estado nutricional en escolares riosenses, Ecuador / Breakfast quality, physical activity and nutritional status in schoolchildrenfrom riosenses, Ecuador

Introducción: El desayuno escolar aporta energía parainiciar su labor académica, su ingesta es fundamental paragarantizar un estado nutricional óptimo y la actividad físicacontribuye en el bienestar físico.Objetivos: Determinar la relación entre la calidad del de-sayuno, actividad física con el estado nutricional. Métodos: Estudio transversal, basado en una muestra bie-tápica estratificada por conglomerados. La muestra fue de699 estudiantes (341 mujeres y 358 varones) del centro edu-cativo de Educación Básica Miguel de Cervantes en el periodode noviembre del 2022 a enero del 2023. Para los análisis es-tadísticos se empleó el software SPSS versión 27. Se utilizó laprueba Chi cuadrado. Resultados: El estado nutricional de los niños fue 58,23%normal, 18,3% sobrepeso, 11,16% obesidad, 9,59% desnu-trición leve y el 3% desnutrición severa. El 48,93% consu-mieron desayuno incompleto, el 39,91% desayuno de pobrecalidad, 5,87% desayuno completo y el 5,29% sin desayunar.Se evidenció una relación entre la calidad del desayuno y laactividad física fue significativo (p<0,000), también existeuna relación entre la calidad del desayuno con el estado nu-tricional de peso /talla (p<0,000) y talla/edad (p<0,000).Conclusiones: Existe relación entre la calidad del desa-yuno con la actividad física y el estado nutricional de los es-colares. Se deben implementar programas educativos sobrealimentación y nutrición para mejorar la calidad de la dieta (AU)

Introduction: School breakfast provides energy to starttheir academic work, its intake is essential to ensure optimalnutritional status and physical activity contributes to physicalwell-being.Objectives: To determine the relationship between break-fast quality, physical activity and nutritional status.Methods: Cross-sectional study, based on a two-stagesample stratified by clusters. The sample consisted of 699students (341 females and 358 males) of the Miguel deCervantes Basic Education School from November 2022 to January 2023. SPSS software version 27 was used for statis-tical analysis. The Chi-square test was used.Results: The nutritional status of the children was58.23% normal, 18.3% overweight, 11.16% obese, 9.59%slightly undernourished and 3% severely undernourished.Incomplete breakfast was consumed by 48.93%, poor qual-ity breakfast by 39.91%, complete breakfast by 5.87% andno breakfast by 5.29%. A relationship between breakfastquality and physical activity was significant (p<0.000), thereis also a relationship between breakfast quality with nutri-tional status of weight/height (p<0.000) and height/age(p<0.000).Conclusions: There is a relationship between breakfastquality with physical activity and nutritional status of schoolchildren. Educational programs on food and nutrition shouldbe implemented to improve the quality of the diet (AU)

In Silico and In Vivo Evaluation of the Maqui Berry (Aristotelia chilensis (Mol.) Stuntz) on Biochemical Parameters and Oxidative Stress Markers in a Metabolic Syndrome Model.

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a complex disease that includes metabolic and physiological alterations in various organs such as the heart, pancreas, liver, and brain. Reports indicate that blackberry consumption, such as maqui berry, has a beneficial effect on chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease, obesity, and diabetes. In the present study, in vivo and in silico studies have been performed to evaluate the molecular mechanisms implied to improve the metabolic parameters of MetS. Fourteen-day administration of maqui berry reduces weight gain, blood fasting glucose, total blood cholesterol, triacylglycerides, insulin resistance, and blood pressure impairment in the diet-induced MetS model in male and female rats. In addition, in the serum of male and female rats, the administration of maqui berry (MB) improved the concentration of MDA, the activity of SOD, and the formation of carbonyls in the group subjected to the diet-induced MetS model. In silico studies revealed that delphinidin and its glycosylated derivatives could be ligands of some metabolic targets such as α-glucosidase, PPAR-α, and PPAR-γ, which are related to MetS parameters. The experimental results obtained in the study suggest that even at low systemic concentrations, anthocyanin glycosides and aglycones could simultaneously act on different targets related to MetS. Therefore, these molecules could be used as coadjuvants in pharmacological interventions or as templates for designing new multitarget molecules to manage patients with MetS.

The mitochondrial Ca2+ channel MCU is critical for tumor growth by supporting cell cycle progression and proliferation.

Introduction: The mitochondrial uniporter (MCU) Ca2+ ion channel represents the primary means for Ca2+ uptake by mitochondria. Mitochondrial matrix Ca2+ plays critical roles in mitochondrial bioenergetics by impinging upon respiration, energy production and flux of biochemical intermediates through the TCA cycle. Inhibition of MCU in oncogenic cell lines results in an energetic crisis and reduced cell proliferation unless media is supplemented with nucleosides, pyruvate or α-KG. Nevertheless, the roles of MCU-mediated Ca2+ influx in cancer cells remain unclear, in part because of a lack of genetic models. Methods: MCU was genetically deleted in transformed murine fibroblasts for study in vitro and in vivo. Tumor formation and growth were studied in murine xenograft models. Proliferation, cell invasion, spheroid formation and cell cycle progression were measured in vitro. The effects of MCU deletion on survival and cell-death were determined by probing for live/death markers. Mitochondrial bioenergetics were studied by measuring mitochondrial matrix Ca2+ concentration, membrane potential, global dehydrogenase activity, respiration, ROS production and inactivating-phosphorylation of pyruvate dehydrogenase. The effects of MCU rescue on metabolism were examined by tracing of glucose and glutamine utilization for fueling of mitochondrial respiration. Results: Transformation of primary fibroblasts in vitro was associated with increased MCU expression, enhanced MCU-mediated Ca2+ uptake, altered mitochondrial matrix Ca2+ concentration responses to agonist stimulation, suppression of inactivating-phosphorylation of pyruvate dehydrogenase and a modest increase of mitochondrial respiration. Genetic MCU deletion inhibited growth of HEK293T cells and transformed fibroblasts in mouse xenograft models, associated with reduced proliferation and delayed cell-cycle progression. MCU deletion inhibited cancer stem cell-like spheroid formation and cell invasion in vitro, both predictors of metastatic potential. Surprisingly, mitochondrial matrix [Ca2+], membrane potential, global dehydrogenase activity, respiration and ROS production were unaffected. In contrast, MCU deletion elevated glycolysis and glutaminolysis, strongly sensitized cell proliferation to glucose and glutamine limitation, and altered agonist-induced cytoplasmic Ca2+ signals. Conclusion: Our results reveal a dependence of tumorigenesis on MCU, mediated by a reliance on MCU for cell metabolism and Ca2+ dynamics necessary for cell-cycle progression and cell proliferation.

The mitochondrial Ca 2+ channel MCU is critical for tumor growth by supporting cell cycle progression and proliferation.

The mitochondrial uniporter (MCU) Ca 2+ ion channel represents the primary means for Ca 2+ uptake into mitochondria. Here we employed in vitro and in vivo models with MCU genetically eliminated to understand how MCU contributes to tumor formation and progression. Transformation of primary fibroblasts in vitro was associated with increased MCU expression, enhanced mitochondrial Ca 2+ uptake, suppression of inactivating-phosphorylation of pyruvate dehydrogenase, a modest increase of basal mitochondrial respiration and a significant increase of acute Ca 2+ -dependent stimulation of mitochondrial respiration. Inhibition of mitochondrial Ca 2+ uptake by genetic deletion of MCU markedly inhibited growth of HEK293T cells and of transformed fibroblasts in mouse xenograft models. Reduced tumor growth was primarily a result of substantially reduced proliferation and fewer mitotic cells in vivo , and slower cell proliferation in vitro associated with delayed progression through S-phase of the cell cycle. MCU deletion inhibited cancer stem cell-like spheroid formation and cell invasion in vitro , both predictors of metastatic potential. Surprisingly, mitochondrial matrix Ca 2+ concentration, membrane potential, global dehydrogenase activity, respiration and ROS production were unchanged by genetic deletion of MCU in transformed cells. In contrast, MCU deletion elevated glycolysis and glutaminolysis, strongly sensitized cell proliferation to glucose and glutamine limitation, and altered agonist-induced cytoplasmic Ca 2+ signals. Our results reveal a dependence of tumorigenesis on MCU, mediated by a reliance on mitochondrial Ca 2+ uptake for cell metabolism and Ca 2+ dynamics necessary for cell-cycle progression and cell proliferation.

Low testosterone levels as an independent risk factor for mortality in male patients with COVID-19: Report of a Single-Center Cohort Study in Mexico / Niveles bajos de testosterona como factor de riesgo independiente de mortalidad en pacientes masculinos con COVID-19: Informe de un estudio de cohorte de un solo centro en México

Introduction and objectives: Throughout the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, a greater severity and lethality of the disease has been highlighted in male patients, so we set out to evaluate the prognostic role of serum testosterone levels in the clinical results of this population. Methods: In this single-center and cross-sectional design, we included male patients admitted to our hospital with COVID-19 confirmed diagnosis. The biochemical analysis included lymphocytes, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), total testosterone (TT), dehydroepiandrosterone, follicle-stimulating hormone, and luteinizing hormone. Receiver operating characteristic curves, univariate and bivariate analysis, and binary logistic regression for multivariate analysis were performed. A p value<0.05 was consider significant. Results: From 86 men included, 48.8% died. TT levels were lower in non-survivor patients than in survivor patients (4.01nmol/L [0.29–14.93] vs 5.41 (0.55–25.08) nmol/L, p=0.021). The independent risk factors that increased the relative risk (RR) of dying from COVID-19 were: age>59 years (RR 3.5 [95% IC 1.0–11.6], p=0.045), TT levels<4.89nmol/L (RR 4.0 [95% IC 1.2–13.5], p=0.027) and LDH levels>597IU/L (RR 3.9 [95% IC 1.2–13.1], p=0.024). Patients who required mechanical ventilation (p=0.025), had lymphopenia (p=0.013) and LDH levels>597IU/L (p=0.034), had significantly lower TT levels compared to those who did not present these conditions. There were no differences in TT levels between patients who had or did not have comorbidities. Conclusions: A TT level<4.89nmol/L increase four times the RR of death from COVID-19 in men, regardless of age or presence of comorbidities. (AU)

Introducción y objetivos: A lo largo de la pandemia de la enfermedad por coronavirus de 2019 (COVID-19), se ha destacado una mayor gravedad y letalidad de la enfermedad en pacientes del sexo masculino, por lo que nos propusimos evaluar el papel pronóstico de los niveles séricos de testosterona en los resultados clínicos de esta población. Métodos: En este diseño transversal de un único centro, incluimos a pacientes masculinos ingresados en nuestro hospital con diagnóstico confirmado de COVID-19. El análisis bioquímico incluyó linfocitos, lactato deshidrogenasa (LDH), testosterona total (TT), dehidroepiandrosterona, hormona estimulante del folículo y hormona luteinizante. Se elaboraron curvas «característica operativa del receptor», análisis univariado y bivariado y regresión logística binaria para análisis multivariado. Se consideró significativo un valor de p<0,05. Resultados: De los 86 hombres incluidos, el 48,8% falleció. El nivel de TT fue más bajo en los pacientes no supervivientes que en los supervivientes (4,01 [0,29-14,93] nmol/L vs. 5,41 [0,55-25,08] nmol/L; p=0,021). Los factores de riesgo independientes que aumentaron el riesgo relativo (RR) de muerte por COVID-19 fueron: edad>59 años (RR 3,5: IC 95% 1,0-11,6; p=0,045), cifra de TT<4,89 nmol/L (RR 4,0; IC 95%: 1,2-13,5; p=0,027) y de LDH>597 UI/L (RR 3,9; IC 95%: 1,2-13,1; p=0,024). Los pacientes que requirieron ventilación mecánica (p=0,025), tenían linfopenia (p=0,013), un nivel de LDH>597 UI/L (p=0,034) y de TT significativamente más bajos que aquellos que no presentaban estas condiciones. No hubo diferencias en los niveles de TT entre los pacientes que tenían o no comorbilidades. Conclusiones: Un nivel de TT<4,89 nmol/L aumenta 4 veces el RR de muerte por COVID-19 en hombres, independientemente de la edad o la presencia de comorbilidades. (AU)

Low testosterone levels as an independent risk factor for mortality in male patients with COVID-19: Report of a Single-Center Cohort Study in Mexico.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: Throughout the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, a greater severity and lethality of the disease has been highlighted in male patients, so we set out to evaluate the prognostic role of serum testosterone levels in the clinical results of this population. METHODS: In this single-center and cross-sectional design, we included male patients admitted to our hospital with COVID-19 confirmed diagnosis. The biochemical analysis included lymphocytes, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), total testosterone (TT), dehydroepiandrosterone, follicle-stimulating hormone, and luteinizing hormone. Receiver operating characteristic curves, univariate and bivariate analysis, and binary logistic regression for multivariate analysis were performed. A p value<0.05 was consider significant. RESULTS: From 86 men included, 48.8% died. TT levels were lower in non-survivor patients than in survivor patients (4.01nmol/L [0.29-14.93] vs 5.41 (0.55-25.08) nmol/L, p=0.021). The independent risk factors that increased the relative risk (RR) of dying from COVID-19 were: age>59 years (RR 3.5 [95% IC 1.0-11.6], p=0.045), TT levels<4.89nmol/L (RR 4.0 [95% IC 1.2-13.5], p=0.027) and LDH levels>597IU/L (RR 3.9 [95% IC 1.2-13.1], p=0.024). Patients who required mechanical ventilation (p=0.025), had lymphopenia (p=0.013) and LDH levels>597IU/L (p=0.034), had significantly lower TT levels compared to those who did not present these conditions. There were no differences in TT levels between patients who had or did not have comorbidities. CONCLUSIONS: A TT level<4.89nmol/L increase four times the RR of death from COVID-19 in men, regardless of age or presence of comorbidities.

Cetacean responses to violation of expectation paradigm in a free-swim context.

The investigation of individual responses to unexpected stimuli or outcomes provides insights into basic cognitive processes, such as mental representations, emotional states of surprise, and detections of anomalies. Three experiments using a violation of expectation paradigm were conducted with 12 belugas and 17 bottlenose dolphins in managed care to test two classes of stimuli (humans and objects) in manipulated sequences of familiar and unfamiliar humans (Study 1, trainers and strangers), familiar and unfamiliar objects (Study 2, typical enrichment devices and new objects), and finally objects and humans (Study 3). Gaze durations were assessed for each condition in a given study during free-swim contexts. The results supported previous findings that visual stimuli, regardless of class, were stimulating and intriguing for both belugas and bottlenose dolphins. Belugas were more likely to gaze longer at human and object stimuli and tended to gaze longer at unexpected experiences than control or expected experiences. Bottlenose dolphins showed similar trends except when objects were involved. Individual variability was present for both species with some individuals showing stronger patterns of responses for expected experiences than others. After 2 years of intermittent experiments, belugas and bottlenose dolphins in managed care maintained their curiosity about visual stimuli, for which they received no primary reinforcement. Investigating responses to unexpected stimuli with animals in managed care may provide insight into how these animals respond to biologically relevant conditions, such as boat presence, predators, and unfamiliar conspecifics.

Incidencia de diabetes mellitus en el personal de salud y antecedentes patológicos familiares / Incidence of diabetes mellitus in healthcare personnel and familypathological history

Introducción: En la diabetes mellitus hay interacción defactores genéticos y metabólicos y se incrementa cuando seconjugan otros antecedentes.Objetivo: Determinar la correlación entre los anteceden-tes patológicos familiares e incidencia de diabetes. Métodos: Estudio epidemiológico transversal de 191 tra-bajadores, se excluyó los que presentaron diagnóstico de dia-betes mellitus. Se adaptó el cuestionario Tuomilehto yLindström y se realizó correlación Rho de Spearman con elprograma IBM-SPSS vs 27. Resultados: El riesgo de desarrollar diabetes con antece-dentes patológicos familiares fue 0.615 (p<0.001); personaladministrativo 0.684 (p<0.001) y asistenciales 0.604(p<0.001), con actividad física 0.583 (p<0.001) y los que no0.661 (p<0.001); según el IMC, con sobrepeso, 0.657(p<0.001) y obesidad, 0.411 (p<0.001). En varones asisten-ciales con actividad física es 0.701 (p<0.001) y aumenta a0.709 (p=0.001) con sobrepeso, en las mujeres administrati-vas 0.674 (p<0.001), se incrementa a 0.816 (p=0.001) consobrepeso. Conclusión: Existe correlación entre los antecedentes pa-tológicos familiares e incidencia a diabetes, siendo mayor enel personal con sobrepeso.(AU)

Background: In diabetes mellitus there is an interactionbetween genetic and metabolic factors, and it increases whenother antecedents are combined. Objective: To determine the correlation between familypathological history and incidence of diabetes.Methods: Cross-sectional epidemiological study of 191workers, those with a diagnosis of diabetes mellitus wereexcluded. The Tuomilehto and Lindström questionnaire wasadapted and Spearman’s Rho correlation was performed withthe IBM-SPSS vs 27 program. Results: The risk of developing diabetes with familypathological history was 0.615 (p<0.001); administrative per-sonnel 0.684 (p<0.001) and assistants 0.604 (p<0.001), with physical activity 0.583 (p<0.001) and those who did not 0.661(p<0.001); according to BMI, with overweight, 0.657 (p<0.001)and obesity, 0.411 (p<0.001). In male assistants with physicalactivity 0.701 (p<0.001), and increase to 0.709 (p=0.001) ifoverweight, in administrative women 0.674 (p<0.001), thisvalue increases to 0.816 (p=0.001) when overweight. Conclusions: There is a correlation between familypathological history and incidence of diabetes, with a greaterinfluence on overweight health personnel.(AU)

Prostate Cancer Cells Are Sensitive to Lysosomotropic Agent Siramesine through Generation Reactive Oxygen Species and in Combination with Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors.

BACKGROUND: Prostate cancer is the most common cancer affecting men often resulting in aggressive tumors with poor prognosis. Even with new treatment strategies, drug resistance often occurs in advanced prostate cancers. The use of lysosomotropic agents offers a new treatment possibility since they disrupt lysosomal membranes and can trigger a series of events leading to cell death. In addition, combining lysosomotropic agents with targeted inhibitors can induce increased cell death in different cancer types, but prostate cancer cells have not been investigated. METHODS: We treated prostate cancer cells with lysosomotropic agents and determine their cytotoxicity, lysosome membrane permeabilization (LMP), reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, and mitochondrial dysfunction. In addition, we treated cells with lysosomotropic agent in combination with tyrosine kinase inhibitor, lapatinib, and determined cell death, and the role of ROS in this cell death. RESULTS: Herein, we found that siramesine was the most effective lysosomotropic agent at inducing LMP, increasing ROS, and inducing cell death in three different prostate cancer cell lines. Siramesine was also effective at increasing cell death in combination with the tyrosine kinase inhibitor, lapatinib. This increase in cell death was mediated by lysosome membrane permeabilization, an increased in ROS levels, loss of mitochondrial membrane potential and increase in mitochondrial ROS levels. The combination of siramesine and lapatinib induced apoptosis, cleavage of PARP and decreased expression of Bcl-2 family member Mcl-1. Furthermore, lipid peroxidation occurred with siramesine treatment alone or in combination with lapatinib. Treating cells with the lipid peroxidation inhibitor alpha-tocopherol resulted in reduced siramesine induced cell death alone or in combination with lapatinib. The combination of siramesine and lapatinib failed to increase cell death responses in normal prostate epithelial cells. CONCLUSIONS: This suggests that lysomotropic agents such as siramesine in combination with tyrosine kinase inhibitors induces cell death mediated by ROS and could be an effective treatment strategy in advanced prostate cancer.

Importance of Insulin Resistance in the COVID-19 Era: A Retrospective Analysis of a Single Center in Mexico.

Introduction and objectives Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) has been one of the main risk factors associated with mortality from the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Insulin resistance (IR) is a preceding and underlying condition of T2DM, which has been thought that it could increase mortality from COVID-19 since it favors the entry of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus type 2 in the host cell. This article reports a biochemical study that estimated the prevalence of IR in COVID-19 patients and non-diabetic patients without COVID-19 history. It also assesses the prognostic role of IR in the evolution of patients with COVID-19. Materials and methods In this single-center, retrospective and cross-sectional design, we included patients with severe and critical COVID-19 and non-diabetic patients without COVID-19 history. We calculated the Homeostatic Model Assessment Insulin Resistance (HOMA-IR) and defined IR with a HOMA-IR >2.6. We estimated the prevalence of IR in both groups and used x 2 to assess the association between IR and mortality from severe and critical COVID-19. Results One hundred and twenty-three COVID-19 patients were included with a mean age of 53±15 years: 77 (62.6%) were men and 46 (37.4%) were women. Eighty (65%) patients were critical while the rest were severe. Forty-three (35%) patients died. Seventy-one (57.7%) patients had IR; there was no evidence of an association between IR and mortality from severe or critical COVID-19. Fifty-five non-diabetic patients without COVID-19 history were included with a median age of 40 (26-60) years; 35 (63.6%) were men and 20 (36.4%) were women. Nineteen (34.5%) people had IR. Conclusion IR was more prevalent in patients with severe and critical COVID-19 than in non-diabetic patients without COVID-19 history. Our results showed no evidence of the association between IR and mortality from severe and critical COVID-19.

Evaluación de parámetros antropométricos y dietéticos de niños internados en un hospital público / Evaluation of athropometric and dietary parameters of children admitted in a public hospital

Introducción: La correcta alimentación durante la niñezsigue siendo un reto importante dentro del equipo sanitario, puesto que una ingesta insuficiente de alimentos puede provocar desequilibrios nutricionales irreversibles en la salud y prolongarse a edades adultas. Objetivo: Evaluar los parámetros antropométricos y dietéticos de niños internados en un Hospital Público. Materiales y Métodos: Se realizó un estudio descriptivo, transversal. Incluyó a 262 niños y niñas entre las edadescomprendidas de 1 a 14 años, del área de pediatría del Hospital Abel Gilbert Pontón de la ciudad de Guayaquil Ecuador durante los años 2018 – 2019. Para la recolección dela información se utilizó el cuestionario de frecuencia de consumo de alimentos y recordatorio de 24 horas. Finalmente setomó medidas antropométricas del peso y talla. Resultados: La muestra de investigación estuvo constituida por 151 varones y 111 mujeres que representaron el57,6% y 42,4% respectivamente. La edad media fue de 6,3años, con valores mínimos y máximo de 1,0 y 14,4 respectivamente. El mayor porcentaje de investigados presentaron un estado nutricional normal de acuerdo a los índices peso/edad (81,7%), talla/edad (87,8%) e IMC/edad (76,7%). Con respecto a la ingesta de alimentos se observó un déficit en elconsumo de calorías, macronutrientes y micronutrientes durante la estancia hospitalaria. Los hábitos alimentarios de losinvestigados reflejaron un consumo insuficiente de carnes yderivados (63,7%). En relación con los lácteos (42,4%), verduras (50%) y frutas (58,4%) se encontraron normales. Porúltimo, los cereales (87,8%), comidas rápidas (45,4%), snack(88,2%) y bebidas gaseosas (85,5%) se ingieren en excesodentro de la dieta habitual cuando los niños/as se encuentranen casa.(AU)

Introduction: Proper nutrition during childhood continuesto be an important challenge within the health team, since insufficient food intake can cause irreversible nutritional imbalances in health and continue into adulthood. Objective: To evaluate the anthropometric and dietary parameters of children hospitalized in a Public Hospital. Materials and methods: A descriptive and cross studywas carried out. It included 262 boys and girls between theages of 1 to 14 years, from the pediatric area of the AbelGilbert Pontón Hospital in the city of Guayaquil-Ecuador during the years 2018 - 2019. For the collection of information,the food consumption frequency questionnaire and 24 hourrecall were used. Finally, anthropometric measurements ofweight and height were taken. Results: The research sample consisted of 151 men and111 women who represented 57.6% and 42.4% respectively.The mean age was 6.3 years, with minimum and maximumvalues of 1 and 14.4, respectively. The highest percentage ofthose investigated presented a normal nutritional status according to the indexes weight/age (81.7%), height/age (87.8)and BMI/age (76.7%). Regarding food intake, a deficit in theconsumption of calories, macronutrients and micronutrientswas observed during the hospital stay. The eating habits ofthose investigated reflected an insufficient consumption ofmeat and derivatives (63.7%). In relation to dairy products(42.4%), vegetables (50%) and fruits (58.4%) were normal. Lastly, cereals (87.8%), fast foods (45.4%), snacks (88.2%)and soft drinks (85.5%) are eaten in excess within the usualdiet when children find at home. Conclusions: The anthropometric and dietary evaluationis essential at the time of hospital admission,since it allowsidentifying patients who are at nutritional risk and thus beingable to implement a treatment that adapts to their nutritionalneeds.(AU)

Evaluación antropométrica, alimentaria y rendimiento físico en escolares / Anthropometric, nutritional and physical performance assessment in school children

Introducción: La etapa de la niñez se caracteriza por un crecimiento lento, constante y progresivo con un incremento de la madurez psicosocial; generalmente los niños participan en distintas actividades de la escuela, donde su rendimiento se encuentra ligado directamente con sus hábitos alimentarios y actividad física. Objetivo: Evaluar los parámetros antropométricos, alimentarios y el rendimiento físico en escolares. Materiales y Métodos: Se realizó un estudio descriptivo, transversal. Incluyó a 369 niños y niñas entre las edades comprendidas de 6,8 a 12,0 años de la Escuela Particular Clara Prado Olvera del Cantón Palestina-Provincia del Guayas en Ecuador durante el año 2019. Para la recolección de la información se utilizó el cuestionario de frecuencia de consumo de alimentos, se tomó medidas antropométricas como el peso y talla, para medir el rendimiento físico se aplicaron 4 test: lanzamiento de balón, flexión de tronco, corrida en metros y burpee. Resultados: La muestra de investigación estuvo constituida por 170 varones y 199 mujeres que representaron el 46,1% y 53,9% respectivamente. La alimentación se caracterizó por un bajo consumo de lácteos, vegetales, frutas, cereales y carnes. Las comidas rápidas y snack se encontraron dentro de los parámetros normales, ingiriéndose lo menos posible. El mayor porcentaje de investigados presentaron un estado nutricional normal de acuerdo a los índices peso/edad, talla/edad/ e IMC/edad. De las 4 pruebas físicas aplicadas se observó que en 3 necesitan mejorar y se evidenció diferencias estadísticamente significativas (p<0,05) al compararlo con el sexo. Conclusiones: La alimentación balanceada y la actividad física en el escolar, mejora la función cognitiva, estado nutricional y además le permite obtener puntajes más altos en las pruebas de rendimiento físico estandarizadas.(AU)

Introduction: The stage of childhood is characterized byslow, constant and progressive growth with an increase inpsychosocial maturity; generally, children participate in differ-ent school activities, where their performance is directlylinked to their eating habits and physical activity. Objective: Assess anthropometric, food and physical per-formance parameters in schoolchildren. Materials and methods: A descriptive, cross-sectionalstudy was carried out. It included 369 boys and girls betweenthe ages of 6 and 12 years from the Clara Prado Olvera Private School of the Palestine Canton-Guayas Province in Ecuadorduring the year 2019. For the collection of information, thefood consumption frequency questionnaire was used, anthro-pometric measurements such as weight and height weretaken, to measure physical performance, 3 tests were applied:ball throw, trunk flexion and running in meters. Results: The research sample consisted of 170 men and199 women. The diet was characterized by a low consump-tion of dairy products, vegetables, fruits, cereals and meats. Fast foods and snacks were within normal parameters, eatingas little as possible. The highest percentage of those investi-gated presented a normal nutritional status according to theindexes weight/age, height/age/ and BMI/age. Of the 3 phys-ical tests applied, it was observed that 2 need improvement. Conclusions: Balanced nutrition and physical activity atschool improves cognitive function, nutritional status and alsoallows you to obtain higher scores on standardized physicalperformance tests.(AU)

A survivor woman after three years of a cardiac tamponade.

Primary pericardial mesothelioma is an extremely rare tumor, of unclear etiology, nonspecific presentation, with a delay in diagnosis, and a poor prognosis. We present the case of a woman with pericardial mesothelioma, whose main manifestation was cardiac tamponade, currently alive three years after diagnosis and undergoing chemotherapy treatment. .

Identification and evaluation of boronic compounds ameliorating cognitive deficit in orchiectomized rats.

BACKGROUND: Boron is a trace element with increasing importance in drug design. In this sense, boronic acids are emerging as therapeutic agents for several diseases. METHODS: Herein, 3- and 4- acetamidophenylboronic acids and 4-acetamidophenylboronic acid pinacol ester were identified as potential inhibitors of acetylcholinesterase through docking assays on eel, rat, and human acetylcholinesterases indicating binding on the gorge region of the target enzymes. Then, these compounds were evaluated in vitro and in vivo. RESULTS: It was found these compounds showed ability to inhibit acetylcholinesterase as competitive and non-competitive inhibitors. But also, these compounds were non-toxic to PC12 cells at micromolar concentration, and they have the ability to protect those cells against damage by amyloid-beta. CONCLUSIONS: Noticeably, intraperitoneal administration of these boronic compounds to rats with the cognitive deficit induced by orchiectomy provided ameliorative effects on disrupted behavior and neuronal damage induced by hormonal deprivation. Additional approaches are required to evaluate the possibility of multiple mechanisms of action for the observed effects in the central nervous system.

First characterization of vocalizations and passive acoustic monitoring of the vulnerable African manatee (Trichechus senegalensis).

Even among the understudied sirenians, African manatees (Trichechus senegalensis) are a poorly understood, elusive, and vulnerable species that is difficult to detect. We used passive acoustic monitoring in the first effort to acoustically detect African manatees and provide the first characterization of their vocalizations. Within two 3-day periods at Lake Ossa, Cameroon, at least 3367 individual African manatee vocalizations were detected such that most vocalizations were detected in the middle of the night and at dusk. Call characteristics such as fundamental frequency, duration, harmonics, subharmonics, and emphasized band were characterized for 289 high-quality tonal vocalizations with a minimum signal-to-noise ratio of 4.5 dB. African manatee vocalizations have a fundamental frequency of 4.65 ± 0.700 kHz (mean ± SD), duration of 0.181 ± 0.069 s, 97% contained harmonics, 21% contained subharmonics, and 27% had an emphasized band other than the fundamental frequency. Altogether, the structure of African manatee vocalizations is similar to other manatee species. We suggest utilizing passive acoustic monitoring to fill in the gaps in understanding the distribution and biology of African manatees.

Chronic high-fat diet affects food-motivated behavior and hedonic systems in the nucleus accumbens of male rats.

Environmental variations can influence eating and motivated behaviors, as well as the brain's feeding circuits to predisposing overweight and obesity. The identification of mechanisms through which a long-term consumption of caloric-dense palatable foods and its association with early life stress can cause neuroadaptations and possible modify motivational behaviors are relevant to elucidate the mechanisms associated with obesity. Here, we investigated the long-term effects of a chronic high-fat diet (HFD), and its interaction with early social isolation on hedonic feeding responses in adult rats. Rats were subjected, or not, to social isolation between postnatal days 21-28 and were fed a control diet or HFD, for 10 weeks post weaning. Hedonic feeding behavior was evaluated during adulthood and parameters related to the dopaminergic, cannabinoid, and opioid systems were measured in the nucleus accumbens. Animals with chronic HFD intake were less motivated to obtain sweet palatable foods. This reduced motivation did not appear to be associated with less pleasure upon tasting sweet food, as no alteration in reactivity to sweet taste was observed. Interestingly, the animals receiving HFD presented decreased immunocontents of the D1 and CB1 receptors, while the stressed group displayed a reduction in dopamine turnover. In summary, chronic HFD causes a significant motivational impairment for sweet palatable foods; these changes may be associated with a decreased dopaminergic and cannabinoid neurotransmission in the nucleus accumbens. In contrast, a brief social isolation during the prepubertal period was unable to alter the behavioral parameters studied but caused a decreased dopaminergic turnover in the nucleus accumbens of adult rats. These findings highlight the importance of long-term HFD exposure on the modulation of hedonic feeding behavior and related neurochemical systems.

Consumption of a palatable diet rich in simple sugars during development impairs memory of different degrees of emotionality and changes hippocampal plasticity according to the age of the rats.

We investigated the effect of a chronic palatable diet rich in simple sugars on memory of different degrees of emotionality in male adult rats, and on hippocampal plasticity markers in different stages of development. On postnatal day (PND) 21, 45 male Wistar rats were divided in two groups, according to their diet: (1-Control) receiving standard lab chow or (2-Palatable Diet) receiving both standard chow plus palatable diet ad libitum. At PND 60, behavioral tests were performed to investigate memory in distinct tasks. Hippocampal plasticity markers were investigated at PND 28 in half of the animals, and after the behavioral tests. Palatable diet consumption induced an impairment in memory, aversive or not, and increased Na+ , K+ -ATPase activity, both at PND 28, and in the adulthood. Synaptophysin, brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), and protein kinase B (AKT), and phosphorylated AKT were reduced in the hippocampus at PND 28. However, at PND 75, this diet consumption led to increased hippocampal levels of synaptophysin, spinophilin/neurabin-II, and decreased BDNF and neuronal nitric oxide synthase. These results showed a strongly association of simple sugars-rich diet consumption during the development with memory impairments. Plasticity markers are changed, with results that depend on the stage of development evaluated.