Literature Review and Meta-Analysis on Micronutrient Fortified Condiments and Noodles: Reduction of Anemia in Children and Adults

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Gender differences in the associations of plasma pyridoxal 5’‐ phosphate with plasma polyunsaturated fatty acids among us young and middle‐aged adults: Nhanes 2003−2004

Vitamin B6‐restricted diets and low plasma pyridoxal 5’‐phosphate (PLP) status altered plasma polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) compositions. Evidence suggests the role of gender in the metabolism of vitamin B6 and PUFA. However, no epidemiologic study examined the impact of gender on the relationship between vitamin B6 and PUFA status in adults. Thus, we investigated whether there were gender differences in the association of vitamin B6 intake and plasma PLP concentration with plasma PUFA concentrations and ratios (eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), arachidonic acid (AA), EPA + DHA, EPA/AA, (EPA + DHA)/AA) in US young/middle‐aged adults. In total, 864 participants (20−59 years; 484 men, 380 women) from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2003−2004 were used for this cross‐sectional study. Nutrient intakes were estimated from two 24 h recalls and supplement questionnaires; plasma PLP and PUFA were measured. Multivariate linear regression was utilized to obtain unstandardized (b) and standardized (β) coefficients. Covariates included demographic, socioeconomic, dietary variables, physical activity level, cigarette smoking status, alcohol consumption, prescription medication use, and BMI. There were significant interactions between gender and PLP on EPA (P‐interaction = 0.004), DHA (P‐interaction = 0.020), EPA + DHA (P‐interaction = 0.010), EPA/AA (P‐interaction = 0.002), (EPA + DHA)/AA (P‐interaction = 0.004), whereas no interaction between gender and B6 intake existed. In gender‐stratified analyses, in men, PLP was positively associated with EPA (β = 0.138, b = 0.104, p = 0.0004), DHA (β = 0.101, b = 0.058, p = 0.036), EPA + DHA (β = 0.125, b = 0.073, p = 0.005), EPA/AA (β = 0.144, b = 0.099, p = 0.0002), (EPA + DHA)/AA (β = 0.123, b = 0.068, p = 0.005). However, no associations between PLP and PUFA existed in women. In conclusion, gender differences were found in the relationships between plasma PLP and plasma EPA, DHA, EPA + DHA, EPA/AA, and (EPA + DHA)/AA, with significant direct associations in men only among US young/middle‐aged adults

A cross-sectional study of Jamaican adolescents’ risk for type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular diseases

Objectives To compare obese versus non-obese Jamaican adolescents’ risk for type 2 diabetes (T2D) and cardiovascular diseases (CVDs); and to explore a suitable and economical method of screening for these risk factors in the school settings. Design A descriptive cross-sectional study of adolescents’ risk for T2D and CVD. All the participants were examined at their respective schools. Setting Jamaica, West Indies. Population 276 Jamaican adolescents aged 14–19 years, randomly selected from grades 9 to 12 from 10 high schools on the island and included both boys and girls. All ethnicities on the island were represented. Main outcome measures High fasting blood glucose, total cholesterol, glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c), blood pressure, body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, waist-to-hip ratio, family history of obesity, T2D and CVDs, low physical activity, and presence of Acanthosis Nigricans. All blood measures were analysed using the finger prick procedure. Results Waist circumference, waist-to-hip ratio, Acanthosis Nigricans, total cholesterol, family history of T2D and blood pressure were the strongest predictors of BMI (p=0.001). Over one-third of the participants were overweight. Jamaican adolescent females had a significantly higher number of risk factors and were less physically active than males (p\u3c0.05). Over 80% of participants reported ≥3 risk factors for T2D and CVD. Participants with BMI ≥25 reported five or more risk factors. One-third of the overweight participants were classified with metabolic syndrome. Conclusions Jamaican adolescents are at risk of T2D and CVD. Family history of disease and anthropometric measures identified more participants at risk than did the blood measures. Jamaican adolescent females reported more risk factors for T2D and CVD as compared to males. Collection of this type of data was feasible within the school settings. All data were collected in 1 day per school. Intervention measures are needed to educate Jamaican adolescents to reduce overweight and subsequently the risk factors

Maternal and Cord Blood Levels of Serum Amyloid A, C-Reactive Protein, Tumor Necrosis Factor-α, Interleukin-1β, and Interleukin-8 During and After Delivery

C-reactive protein (CRP) and serum amyloid A (SAA) are acute-phase proteins mainly synthesized by the liver in response to some cytokines. They are potentially useful to diagnosing infection and monitoring different clinical conditions. The aim of this study was to measure SAA and CRP in maternal and cord blood during and after delivery and try to correlate these proteins with tumor necrosis factor-α , interleukin-1β, and interleukin-8. Acute-phase proteins and cytokines were measured by ELISA in 24 healthy pregnant women undergoing vaginal delivery or Cesarean section. Cord blood samples in addition to maternal blood were collected. SAA and CRP reached the maximum maternal serum levels 24 hours after delivery, while cytokines remained constant over time. SAA and CRP were significantly higher in maternal serum than in newborn's (P < .001) at the moment of delivery. SAA and CRP, regardless of the type of delivery, reproduce the common pattern observed in most inflammatory conditions. Proinflammatory cytokine serum levels do not mirror the increase in SAA and CRP levels

Aluminum Nitride piezo-MEMS on polyimide flexible substrates

In this work the micro-fabrication of flexible MicroElectroMechanical transducers based on the piezoelectric effect is reported. We developed the technological protocol to realize a piezoelectric transducer composed by a Molybdenum (Mo) top electrode, the Aluminum Nitride active layer and a Mo bottom electrode on a polymeric tape. The process starts from the DC sputtering deposition of the Molybdenum layer at room temperature on Kapton HN. The Molybdenum is chosen not only for its electrical properties but also because it enhances the crystal orientation of AlN. The next step is the deposition of AlN that occurs at high temperature, around 250^oC. Temperature and physical sputtering enhanced by applying a DC bias on the substrates are two important parameters to improve the crystal orientation of the film. These extreme growth conditions guarantee a very good crystal structure without damaging the Kapton substrate. Then a final Mo layer is sputtered at room temperature. SU8-25 thick photo resist is used to define the top electrode and the AlN layer, and in a second mask step the Mo bottom electrode. The developer, the PG remover and SU8 negative resist itself have shown a chemical compatibility with Kapton HN. We measured the piezoelectric response on a capacitor test structure: through the Dynamic Mechanical Analyzer we applied controlled forces, and at the same time, by an LCR meter we performed measurements of the capacitance

Markers of neurodevelopmental impairments in early-onset psychosis

Background: The aim of this study was to assess the association between the clinical and neurobiological markers of neurodevelopmental impairments and early-onset schizophrenia spectrum psychosis. Methods: A sample of 36 patients with early-onset schizophrenia spectrum psychosis was compared to a control sample of 36 patients with migraine. We assessed early childhood neurodevelopmental milestones using a modified version of the General Developmental Scale, general intellectual ability using the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children–Revised or Leiter International Performance Scale–Revised for patients with speech and language abnormalities, and neurological soft signs with specific regard to subtle motor impairment. Results: Subjects with early-onset psychosis had a higher rate of impaired social development (P=0.001), learning difficulties (P=0.04), enuresis (P=0.0008), a lower intelligence quotient (P,0.001), and subtle motor impairments (P=0.005) than control subjects. Conclusion: We suggest that neurodevelopment in early-onset psychosis is characterized by a global impairment of functional and adaptive skills that manifests from early childhood, rather than a delay or limitation in language and motor development. The current evidence is based on a small sample and should be investigated in larger samples in future research. Keywords: early-onset psychosis, early-onset schizophrenia, neurodevelopment, social cognition, intellectual disabilitie

Effect of GSTM1-Polymorphism on Disease Progression and Oxidative Stress in HIV Infection: Modulation by HIV/HCV Co- Infection and Alcohol Consumption

Objective—To examine the effects of GSTM1 null-allele polymorphism on oxidative stress and disease progression in HIV infected and HIV/hepatitis C (HCV) co-infected adults. Methods—HIV-infected and HIV/HCV co-infected participants aged 40–60 years old with CD4 cell count \u3e350 cells/ μl, were recruited. GSTM1 genotype was determined by quantitative PCR. Oxidative stress (mitochondrial 8-oxo-2’-deoxyguanosine [8-oxo-dG], malondialdehyde [MDA], oxidized glutathione and Complexes I and IV), apoptosis and HIV disease (CD4 count and viral load) markers were measured. Gene copies were not quantified, thus the Hardy-Weinberg formula was not applicable. Results—Of the 129 HIV-infected participants, 58 were HIV/HCV co-infected. GSTM1 occurred in 66% (62/94) in those of African descent, and 33% (11/33) of the Caucasians. Those with GSTM1 coding for the functional antioxidant enzyme Glutathione S-transferase (GST), had higher CD4 cell count (β=3.48, p=0.034), lower HIV viral load (β=−0.536, p=0.018), and lower mitochondrial 8-oxo-dG (β=−0.28, p=0.03). ART reduced oxidative stress in the participants with the GSTM1 coding for the functional antioxidant enzyme. HIV/HCV co-infected participants with the GSTM1 coding for the functional antioxidant enzyme also had lower HIV viral load, lower 8- oxo-dG and lower rate of apoptosis, but also higher oxidized glutathione. Alcohol consumption was associated with lower HIV viral load but higher oxidized glutathione in those with the GSTM1 genotype coding for the functional antioxidant enzyme. Conclusion—The GSTM1 genotype coding for the functional antioxidant enzyme is associated with lower HIV disease severity, and with lower oxidative stress, compared to GSTM1 null-allele polymorphism. HCV co-infection and alcohol use may be associated with increased oxidative stress even in the presence of the GSTM1 coding for the functional antioxidant enzyme. The nullgene, on the contrary, appears to have a detrimental effect on immune function, viral load control, and antioxidant status, suggesting a potential benefit from antioxidants in HIV infected patients with the defective gene

Use of Gene Editing in USDA Research

The Science Advisory Council was established in FY2016 as a subcommittee of the National Agricultural Research, Extension, Education, and Economics (NAREEE) Advisory Board by the Chief Scientist as a result of recommendations from the 2012 report on Agricultural Preparedness by the President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology. The Council\u27s charge is to provide advice and guidance, on a scientific basis, on the overall strength, practicality, and direction of agricultural research, including emerging technology and scientific issues and report any findings publicly to the NAREEE Advisory Board. The USDA Chief Scientist first asked the Council to examine rigor and reproducibility in USDA science. The second was to review the technology of Gene Editing in view of its possible use by USDA to address challenges. The term gene editing or genome editing is a generally considered a type of genetic engineering in which DNA is inserted, deleted or replaced in the genome of a living organism using engineered nucleases, sometimes referred to using a common description of molecular scissors. The nucleases used in this function create breaks in the target locations in the genome. These breaks are repaired leading to specific edits. There are currently a series of engineered nucleases being used to affect these edits. One of the most commonly known is the CRISPR-Cas system. In traditional breeding, a desired phenotype is observed and then if the approach is available, the expense warrants it and the tools are available; the genetic basis for the phenotype is studied and elucidated. In the use of a gene editing approach, a reverse of traditional breeding is done in that a sequence of DNA is modified and a phenotypic response is monitored. In this sense of study, gene editing holds great promise to understand better the role of single genes and their possible effect on a product and to modify them for improved human value. Gene editing is a tool to be used by molecular researchers, hopefully in consultations with breeders, to enhance the search for improved products and solutions. It joins many other tools used by USDA scientists such as selective breeding, cross breeding, marker assisted selection / genomic selection, etc. to improve agricultural production, sustainability and health

Fraccionamiento Atoctli. Un lugar fértil para vivir

Licenciatura en Arquitectura.El presente documento se enfoca en la creación de un espacio para dar hogar a familias, para lograr este propósito, se realizó un análisis del contexto físico, social y cultural, tomando en cuenta aspectos como la topografía, el clima, la historia y la cultura local. A partir de ello, se desarrolló un concepto arquitectónico que responde a las necesidades específicas del lugar y a las expectativas de los usuarios finales. A lo largo de este informe, se presentarán los diferentes procesos de investigación, diseño y desarrollo que se llevaron a cabo para materializar este proyecto. Cada etapa está abordada de manera detallada, desde el análisis inicial de sitio, hasta la presentación de los diseños resultantes plasmados en planos. La prioridad de este proyecto es que los espacios cumplan con los requerimientos necesarios y básicos para que el usuario pueda vivir en este fraccionamiento de una manera adecuada, segura y cómoda; a su vez, buscamos que los materiales fueran amigables con el medio ambiente, aprovechando los recursos que el mismo sitio nos brinda. El gran cuerpo de agua, que es la laguna de La Piedad, es una de nuestras prioridades a la hora de diseñar, ya que todas las viviendas, sin excepción, tendrán vista hacía ella, para que exista una conexión más allá, formando parte de la naturaleza que lo rodea. Dentro de nuestro plan maestro, el principal objetivo de este proyecto es la recuperación de agua y amortiguamiento climático de Cuautitlán Izcalli, donde se planea un Parque urbano con el objetivo que existan beneficios, beneficiarios e ingresos para esta comunidad