Nutrients

Recent evidence suggests that a high glycemic load (GL) diet is a risk factor for dementia, especially among apolipoprotein E ε4 allele (APOE4) carriers, while its association with cognitive decline is poorly known. Here, we investigated the association of high-GL meals with cognitive decline in older adults during a 12-year follow-up, according to their APOE4 carrier status. We used random-effect models and data from 2539 elderly participants from the Three-City study who completed a food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) to longitudinally assess the association of GL with changes in different cognitive domains (verbal fluency, visual memory, attention, visual motor processing speed, episodic memory). In APOE4 carriers, afternoon snack with high GL was significantly associated with cognitive decline in visual memory, episodic memory, and global cognition compared with APOE4 non-carriers. This study suggests a detrimental association between a high-GL diet and cognitive decline. The promotion of a low GL diet as a target to prevent cognitive decline in high-risk populations deserves more research

Understanding the Role of Hyponitrite in Nitric Oxide Reduction

Herein, we review the preparation and coordination chemistry of cis and trans isomers of hyponitrite, [N2O2](2-). Hyponitrite is known to bind to metals via a variety of bonding modes. In fact, at least eight different bonding modes have been observed, which is remarkable for such a simple ligand. More importantly, it is apparent that the cis isomer of hyponitrite is more reactive than the trans isomer because the barrier of N2O elimination from cis-hyponitrite is lower than that of trans-hyponitrite. This observation may have important mechanistic implications for both heterogeneous NOx reduction catalysts and NO reductase. However, our understanding of the hyponitrite ligand has been limited by the lack of a general route to this fragment, and most instances of its formation have been serendipitous

Venenos y serpientes venenosas y ofidismo en Guatemala

El accidente ofídico en Guatemala es causado principalmente por especies de la familia Viperidae. Los venenos de las serpientes pertenecientes a esta familia se caracterizan por provocar un pronunciado efecto letal constituido por dolor, edema, equimosis, flictenas hemorrágicas y necrosis tisular, lo cual con frecuencia provoca secuelas como pérdida de tejido o amputación de la extremidad afectada. La patogenia se ha atribuido al efecto miotóxico, acción hemorrágica, isquemia local resultante de la comprensión y actividad proteolítica. Al igual en otras regiones del mundo, el accidente ofídico está prácticamente restringido a los trabajadores agrícolas y eventualmente cazadores y manipuladores de ofidios. La incidencia de mordeduras a través del año es variable y está relacionada con el tipo de actividad agrícola de cada región, siendo por lo general mayor durante la preparación de terrenos, recolección de cosechas y en la época lluviosa. La investigación consistió en las etapas siguientes. 1.1 Caracterización toxicológica de los venenos de las especies Bothrops asper (barba amarilla), Bothrops nummifer (mano de piedra) y Crotalus durissus (cascabel). 1.2 Epidemiología de los accidentes ofídicos: Se realizó un estudio retrospectivo de 851 pacientes, en el periodo de 1988 a 1993 en seis departamentos de la república, encontrándose que el 32.66% son causados por B. asper, el 3.52% por Crotalus durissus durissus, 4.7% por B. godmanii (cantil) y en el 58% no se identifico el agente causal. 1.3 Determinación del grado de conocimiento sobre el accidente ofídico por el personal médico. Se determino que sólo 24.8 por ciento posee un nivel aceptable (Promedio de 14 sobre 30 puntos). Se elaboran guías para identificación de especie causal y tratamiento de la mordedura de ofidi

Alzheimers Dement

Introduction In animal models, refined carbohydrates (RF) worsen Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, the long‐term effects of high RF intake on the risk of dementia and AD are poorly described in epidemiological studies. Moreover, the interaction between RF and the apolipoprotein E ε4 allele (APOE‐ε4) is unknown. Our study investigated whether RF‐rich diets are associated with the risk of dementia and AD. Methods The glycemic load (GL) was quantified in 2777 elderly participants from the French Three‐City Study to estimate RF intake. Then, the associations between GL and risk of dementia and AD, and the interaction with APOE‐ε4 over a 12‐year period were assessed using proportional hazards models. Results After adjustment for potential confounders, high afternoon‐snack GL was associated with increased dementia and AD risk in APOE‐ε4 carriers (hazard ratio = 1.27 [1.03–1.56]). Discussion This study highlights that RF‐rich diets are a risk factor for dementia and AD in APOE‐ε4 carriers

Enhancing the social and cognitive benefits of digital tools and media

While new media have greatly magnified people's opportunities for access to and sharing of knowledge and ideas and for forming social networks they have not performed so well as media for the collaborative production of new knowledge. In this symposium, researchers with experience in efforts to advance knowledge building apply insights they have gained to the question of how to enhance the socio-cognitive benefits of new media. We suggest development of a technological, social, cognitive and epistemic infrastructure for creative knowledge work. Toward this end we propose engaging teachers in design research along with researchers and subject-matter experts, enhancing students' ways of contributing to the pursuit of causal explanations, and introducing technological advances that provide greater support for high-level knowledge processes. We argue that teachers and students must be major players in the design and working of an infrastructure for creative knowledge work.link_to_subscribed_fulltex