Body Composition Profiling in the UK Biobank Imaging Study

Objective To investigate the value of imaging-based multivariable body composition profiling by describing its association with coronary heart disease (CHD), type 2 diabetes (T2D), and metabolic health on individual and population levels. Methods The first 6,021 participants scanned by UK Biobank were included. Body composition profiles (BCPs) were calculated including abdominal subcutaneous adipose tissue, visceral adipose tissue (VAT), thigh muscle volume, liver fat, and muscle fat infiltration (MFI), determined using magnetic resonance imaging. Associations between BCP and metabolic status were investigated using matching procedures and multivariable statistical modelling. Results Matched control analysis showed higher VAT and MFI was associated with CHD and T2D (p<0.001). Higher liver fat was associated with T2D (p<0.001) and lower liver fat with CHD (p<0.05), matching on VAT. Multivariable modelling showed lower VAT and MFI was associated with metabolic health (p<0.001), liver fat was non-significant. Associations remained significant adjusting for sex, age, BMI, alcohol, smoking, and physical activity. Conclusions Body composition profiling enabled an intuitive visualization of body composition and showed the complexity of associations between fat distribution and metabolic status, stressing the importance of a multivariable approach. Different diseases were linked to different BCPs, which could not be described by a single fat compartment alone

In vivo and in vitro biocompatible alginate film crosslinked with Ca2+ and Co2+ manifests antiviral, antibacterial and anticancer activity

Alginate crosslinked with calcium cations is a promising hydrogel for biomedical applications as it is non-toxic, has suitable mechanical properties and is insoluble in water. Cobalt has been shown to possess antibacterial capacity against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, and has an angiogenesis effect. In this study, alginate films were crosslinked with Ca2+ and Co2+ ions to explore their biological properties in terms of antiviral capacity, antibacterial properties, anticancer activity and their toxicity. The results show that the hydrogel with a very small amount of cobalt was biocompatible in vivo using the Caenorhabditis elegans model and in vitro on human keratinocyte cells and it also exhibited antibacterial activity against the life-threatening methicillinresistant Staphylococcus aureus. Furthermore, this hydrogel showed antiviral activity against a surrogate of SARSCoV-2 and anticancer properties against melanoma and colon cancer cells, which render it a promising material for biomedical applications such as wound healing and tissue engineering. Water sorption experiments, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, electron microscopy with Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectrometry and degradation analysis in acid aqueous medium were performed to complete the characterization of these new materials.The authors would like to express their gratitude to the Fundacion ´ Universidad Catolica ´ de Valencia San Vicente Martir ´ and to the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation for their financial support through Grant 2020-231-006UCV and PID2020-119333RB-I00 / AEI / 10.13039/501100011033, respectively.TheCIBER-BBNinitiativeis funded by the VI National R&D&I Plan 2008 − 2011, Iniciativa Ingenio 2010, Consolider Program.CIBER actions are financed by the Instituto de Salud CarlosIII with assistance from the European Regional Development.Funding support also from Researchers Supporting Project number (RSP-2023R782), King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi ArabiaBiotecnologí

The bright galaxy population of five medium redshift clusters. II. Quantitative Galaxy Morphology

Aims: Following the study already presented in our previous paper, based on the Nordic Optical Telescope (NOT) sample, which consists of five clusters of galaxies within the redshift range 0.18 $\leq$ z $\leq$ 0.25, imaged in the central 0.5-2 Mpc in very good seeing conditions, we have studied the quantitative morphology of their bright galaxy population Methods: We have analyzed the surface brightness profiles of the galaxy population in those clusters. Previously, we have performed simulations in order to check the reliability of the fits. We have also derived a quantitative morphological classification. Results: The structural parameters derived from these analysis have been analyzed. We have obtained that the structural parameters of E/S0 galaxies are similar to those showed by galaxies in low redshift clusters. However, the disc scales are different. In particular, the scales of the discs of galaxies at medium redshift clusters are statistically different than those located in similar galaxies in the Coma cluster. But, the scales of the discs of galaxies in medium redshift clusters are similar to nearby field galaxies. Conclusions: The results suggest that the evolution of the disc component of galaxies in clusters is faster than in field ones. Mechanisms like galaxy harassment showing timescales of $\sim 1$Gyr could be the responsible of this disc scale evolution. This indicates that spiral galaxies in clusters have suffered a strong evolution in the last 2.5 Gyr or that Coma is in some way anomalous.Comment: 13 pages, 10 figures, Accepted for publication in A&

Recursos locales, influencias extranjeras, creación de valor, tradición y modernidad. El caso de un Sistema Agroalimentario Local en Jämtland, Suecia

During the 1980’s collective action was initiated with the purpose of saving the remnants of traditional livestock farming in Jämtland. This led to the articulation of a local agro-food system (LAFS) that managed to commercialize important elements of traditional agriculture by adding elements of modernity. Farm diversification was an important strategy that led to the forward integration of farms that includes the start of small scale farm dairies, farm cafes, direct sales, at the farm, through markets and other local channels, B&Bs and outdoor tourism operations. In the mentioned process, foreign knowledge and experience led to the opening of a new market for traditional products. This case shows that the localization and appropriation of foreign elements can be a fruitful strategy to promote territorial development in regions like Jämtland. This article highlights how a LAFS was articulated within the frame of the birth of a new industry, composed by small, semi-artisan dairy firms and which institutional side effects that this experience has led to.Durante la década de los 80, un proceso de acción colectiva se inició con el propósito de salvar los restos de la ganadería tradicional en Jämtland. Esto resultó en la creación de un sistema agroalimentario local que logró comercializar elementos importantes de la agricultura tradicional, añadiendo elementos de modernidad. La diversificación de las fincas fue la estrategia más importante, dentro de la cual se promovió la creación de un sector de pequeñas industrias lácteas en las fincas, cafés rurales y asimismo la venta directa a los consumidores en dichas fincas, en mercados y otros canales de comercialización, servicios de alojamiento y desayuno y operaciones turísticas al aire libre. En este proceso, conocimiento y experiencias extranjeras jugaron un papel clave en la apertura de un nuevo mercado para los productos lácteos tradicionales. Este caso demuestra que la localización y la apropiación de elementos extranjeros puede ser una estrategia fructífera para promover el desarrollo territorial en regiones como Jämtland. Este artículo pone de relieve cómo un sistema agroalimentario local se articula en el marco del nacimiento de una nueva industria compuesta por pequeñas empresas lácteas, de carácter semi-artesanal. También se discuten los efectos institucionales secundarios que fueron originados por esta experiencia