Systematic training in master swimmer athletes increases serum insulin growth factor-1 and decreases myostatin and irisin levels.

During ageing, anabolic status is essential to prevent the decrease in quantity and quality of skeletal muscle mass (SMM). Exercise modulates endocrine markers of muscle status. We studied the differences of endocrine markers for muscle status in 62 non-sarcopenic Mexican swimmer adults aged 30-70 y/o, allocated into two groups: the systematic training (ST) group including master athletes with a physical activity level (PAL) >1.6, and the non-systematic training group (NST) composed by subjects with a PAL <1.5. Body composition, diet, biochemical and endocrine markers were analyzed. The ST group showed lower myostatin (MSTN) and irisin (IRI) levels, two strong regulators of SMM. The insulin growth factor-1 (IGF-1) was higher in the ST. This is consistent with most of the evidence in young athletes and resistance training programs, where IGF-1 and IRI seem to play a crucial role in maintaining anabolic status in master athletes.

Prognostic Value of Inflammatory Biomarkers in 5-Year Survival After Endovascular Repair of Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms in a Predominantly Male Cohort: Implications for Practice.

BACKGROUND: Prognostic factors of long-term survival can guide selection of patients for endovascular repair of abdominal aortic aneurysms (EVAR). The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), the platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), the lymphocyte-to-monocyte ratio (LMR) and the systemic immune-inflammation index (SIII) with survival after EVAR and to assess whether the addition of these biomarkers improved the prediction of survival after surgery. METHODS: Retrospective analysis of 284 consecutive patients who underwent an EVAR at a single institution. The association between biomarkers and survival was explored using generalized additive models with penalized smoothing splines and multivariate Cox models. C-statistics and continuous net reclassification indexes (c-NRI) were used to assess the improvement in prediction. RESULTS: Survival rates at 2 and 5 years were 83.9% and 66.2%, respectively. The predictive score of survival included hemoglobin (HR = 0.849, p = 0.004), statin intake (HR = 0.538, p = 0.004), atrial fibrillation (HR = 2.515, p < 0.001), heart failure (HR = 2.542, p = 0.017) and the non-revascularized coronary artery disease (HR = 2.163, p = 0.004). Spline analyses showed a linear relationship between survival and NLR, PLR, LMR and SII. After adjusting for the predictive score, there was an independent relationship between survival and NLR (HR = 1.072, p = 0.006), PLR (HR = 1.002, p = 0.014) and SII (HR = 1.000, p = 0.043). However, only the addition of NLR improved moderately the c-NRI. A NLR ≥ 3 was independently associated with lower survival rates at 2-years (HR 1.98; 95% CI 1.07-3.66) and 5-years (HR 1.84, 95% CI 1.22-2.78) of follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Most inflammatory biomarkers are linear and independently associated with survival after EVAR, but only the NLR improved moderately the prediction of a survival score. Therefore, a NLR ≥ 3 may be used to identify patients with a low survival rate and help in decision-making.

Genetic diversity and patterns of population structure in Creole goats from the Americas.

Biodiversity studies are more efficient when large numbers of breeds belonging to several countries are involved, as they allow for an in-depth analysis of the within- and between-breed components of genetic diversity. A set of 21 microsatellites was used to investigate the genetic composition of 24 Creole goat breeds (910 animals) from 10 countries to estimate levels of genetic variability, infer population structure and understand genetic relationships among populations across the American continent. Three commercial transboundary breeds were included in the analyses to investigate admixture with Creole goats. Overall, the genetic diversity of Creole populations (mean number of alleles = 5.82 ± 1.14, observed heterozygosity = 0.585 ± 0.074) was moderate and slightly lower than what was detected in other studies with breeds from other regions. The Bayesian clustering analysis without prior information on source populations identified 22 breed clusters. Three groups comprised more than one population, namely from Brazil (Azul and Graúna; Moxotó and Repartida) and Argentina (Long and shorthair Chilluda, Pampeana Colorada and Angora-type goat). Substructure was found in Criolla Paraguaya. When prior information on sample origin was considered, 92% of the individuals were assigned to the source population (threshold q ≥ 0.700). Creole breeds are well-differentiated entities (mean coefficient of genetic differentiation = 0.111 ± 0.048, with the exception of isolated island populations). Dilution from admixture with commercial transboundary breeds appears to be negligible. Significant levels of inbreeding were detected (inbreeding coefficient > 0 in most Creole goat populations, P < 0.05). Our results provide a broad perspective on the extant genetic diversity of Creole goats, however further studies are needed to understand whether the observed geographical patterns of population structure may reflect the mode of goat colonization in the Americas.

The kinetic mechanism of glutathione peroxidase from human platelets.

Human platelet glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) exhibits a ping-pong type kinetic mechanism. Peroxide changes the redox state of the enzyme and renders it highly stable against attack by alkylating agents. Peroxide seems also to act as a positive homotropic modulator modifying the allosteric kinetics of the enzyme. The combination of these two mechanisms accelerates response against peroxides. This finding reassesses importance of GSH-Px for the platelet protection.

Application of mathematical tools to improve the design and operation of activated sludge plants. Case study: the new WWTP of Galindo-Bilbao. Part I: Optimum design.

This paper presents a mathematical formulation for the optimum design of a new activated sludge WWTP. The WWTP optimum design problem has been formulated as a Mathematical Programming problem, which is solved through a nonlinear optimisation method. The plant model has been based on the ASM1. The minimum volume of the biological reactors and the minimum total cost (including construction and exploitation costs) have been considered as optimisation criteria. Some practical results are also included, using as a case study the design of the second stage of the Galindo-Bilbao WWTP.

Application of mathematical tools to improve the design and operation of activated sludge plants. Case study: the new WWTP of Galindo-Bilbao. Part II: Operational strategies and automatic controllers.

This paper presents a new sensitivity analysis methodology for Activated Sludge WWTPs. It is based on both (a) the calculation of the range of "manipulated input variables" that satisfy the restrictions imposed on the "output variables" and (b) on the computation of isolines of the output variables inside the feasible operating space. This analysis allows a more precise description of the operating constraints, facilitates the understanding of the steady-state behaviour of the process and detects possible areas where the process is very sensitive to small disturbances. The feasible operating space for two Activated Sludge WWTP processes for CN removal (RDN, DRDN), using SRT and DO level as "input variables" as well as effluent quality and exploitation costs as the main "output variables" is studied. The proposed methodology facilitates the selection of the appropriate operational strategy and the design of automatic controllers. Some examples of the application of this methodology for the design of automatic controllers in a real WWTP are briefly presented.

Evaluation of Bacillus subtilis and coliphage MS2 as indicators of advanced water treatment efficiency.

The assessment of water treatment facilities for their efficiency using alternate indicators is of paramount importance. Current methods for assessing efficiency are limited by the specific characteristics of the microorganisms, such as their different sensitivities to disinfectants. A pilot study was carried out to compare different treatment scenarios for the future upgrade of the Sergio Cuevas Water Treatment plant (the largest in the Caribbean) in San Juan, Puerto Rico. The treatment units under investigation included a coagulation-flocculation-sedimentation unit, dual-media filters, micro-filtration units, intermediate ozone injection and contact columns as well as a biological filtration unit. The plant was challenged at different stages of treatment with Bacillus subtilis spores and MS2 coliphages in an attempt to test them as possible alternate indicators of treatment plant performance. These organisms were chosen because of their resistance to disinfection and desiccation, their low analysis costs and ease of detection. The removal of spores and coliphages by each treatment unit tested was calculated by seeding a known concentration (5-7 log10) of spores and coliphages and following the removal or disinfection rates. The seeded indicators were detected using traditional culture techniques. Ballasted clarification was shown to be highly efficient at removing 99.1% (approximately 3 log10) of the spores and 85.1% (approximately 0.86 log10) of MS2. Ozone treatment inactivated 80.37% (approximately 1.4 log10) spores and 99.95% (approximately 3.07 log10) coliphages. The coliphage inactivation rate obtained confirmed data obtained by previous studies indicating that MS2 was less resistant to ozonation than B subtilis spores. The membrane technology had the best efficiency in terms of physical removal of spores achieving over 99.9% (> 3 log10) removal. Coliphage removal mechanisms remain to be determined and will be a future focus of the study. Preliminary results indicate that aerobic spores and coliphages may be useful as indicators to determine the efficiency of different drinking water treatment technologies.

Nutritional status among hospitalized children with mixed diagnoses at a referral teaching hospital in Manizales, Colombia.

INTRODUCTION: Despite advances in the treatment of malnutrition in pediatric hospitals, this remains a problem that must be recognized and to call the attention of academia and health authorities to be handled in time. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the nutritional status of hospitalized children at a referral teaching hospital and to describe the current prevalence of malnutrition. METHODS: The study was conducted during the months of February, March and April 2010 at the University Hospital Rafael Henao Toro Colombian Red Cross in Manizales, Colombia, South America. We evaluated all patients admitted to a day of each month by calculating the Z score of the, weight for age, height or length for age, body mass index, mid-arm circumference, triceps and subscapular folds for children under 5 years and height for age and body mass index for school children and adolescents. RESULTS: A total of 174 children (age 1-216 mo) were evaluated during the 3-days survey. There were 52.8% children less than 60 months old, 17.2% between 61 and 120 months and 29.9% over 121 months. There were 44.3% females and 55.7% males. Children from the urban residence were 83.3% and 16.6% were rural. The overall prevalence of underweight was 27%, stunting 22.4%, wasting 16.6% and overweight and obesity 6.3%. Males less than five years old were more affected than older children. Rural children were more affected than urban children. The prevalence of overweight children was greater in children 61-120 months than other ages. CONCLUSION: Given the observed levels of malnutrition, it takes up a system for early identification of children hospitalized with nutritional risk in order to provide adequate and timely support and prevent hospital-acquired malnutrition. This requires the use of previously validated pediatric protocols.

[Studies on the release of dopamine-beta-hydroxylase by nicotine (author's transl)]. / Estudios sobre la liberación de dopamina-beta-hidroxilasa por nicotina.

Comparative studies were made on the release of DBH by adrenal medullary slices after colinomimetic stimulation with acetylcholine, DMPP or nicotine. The in vivo effects of nicotine on the circulating plasma dopamine-beta-hydroxylase were tested in habitual and non habitual smokers after five cigarettes (12.5 mg of nicotine). The rise of plasma enzyme activity may reflect the increased catecholamine release from adrenal and peripheral adrenergic nerves.

[Possible multienzymatic aggregate with glycolytic activity in the digestive gland of the mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis, Lamarck]. / Posible agregado multienzimático con actividad glucolítica en glándula digestiva de mejillón, Mytilus galloprovincialis, Lamarck.

The possible presence of a glycolytic multienzyme complex in the digestive gland from the mussel, Mytilus galloprovincialis, Lamarck, has been investigated. The digestive gland homogenate was concentrated an applied to a Sepharose-2B column. The elution profile demonstrates that two species of glycolytic enzymes were eluted from the column. Most of the enzyme activity appeared in the low-molecular-weight region, the enzymes being eluted as individual entities in order of their molecular weights. However, a proportion of each enzyme activity was found in the high-molecular-weight region of eluate, with those activities showing a high degree of co-chromatography. By using a column calibrated with a series of marker proteins of known molecular weight, the activity peak for the high-molecular-weight species corresponded to a molecular weight of 3 X 10(6) +/- 10(5) d. Finally, it has been found that a sample of the high-molecular-weight species was able to catalyse the production of piruvate when it was incubated with different glycolytic substrates and the appropriate cofactors.

[Effect of treatment of idiopathic hypogonadotropic hypogonadism with an LHRH infusion pump]. / Efecto del tratamiento del hipogonadismo hipogonadotropo idiopático con bomba de infusión de LHRH.

Treatment of idiopathic hypogonadotropic hypogonadism with an intermittent LHRH infusion pump is more physiologic than the repeated injections of gonadotropin previously used. The results of treating 7 patients, 5 males and 2 females, with this new method are presented. A better FSH and LH response to the LHRH is achieved during treatment which results in a increase in testosterone production but not so of estradiol. The size of the testicles as well as the amount of pubic hair increased in all cases, although fertility was only achieved in one patient, who also showed the best testicular response. We may conclude that treatment with intermittent infusion of LHRH is an important innovation although only partially successful since there are resistant cases and the final outcome is not better than with other methods.

Clasificación de la herida quirúrgica infectada / Classification of the infected surgical wound

En la infeccion quirurgica intervienen aspectos relacionados con el agente, el huesped y el ambiente. El clasificar la herida quirurgica infectada permite a la institucion de salud conocer la magnitud del problema infeccioso, e involucrar todos los aspectos de prevencion y control con el proposito de disminuir el riesgo de adquirir una infeccion.