Cytokine Profile in Quadriceps Muscles of Patients with Severe Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

BACKGROUND: Systemic proinflammatory cytokines and oxidative stress have been described in association with peripheral muscle wasting and weakness of patients with severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), but their expression in skeletal muscle is unknown. Objectives of the present study were to determine muscle protein levels of selected cytokines in patients with COPD and to study their relationships with protein carbonylation as a marker of oxidative stress, quadriceps function, and exercise capacity. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional study in which 36 cytokines were detected using a human antibody array in quadriceps specimens obtained from 19 patients with severe COPD and 7 healthy controls. Subsequently, selected cytokines [tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, TNF-alpha receptors I and II, interleukin (IL)-6, interferon-gamma, transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta, and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)], as well as protein carbonylation (oxidative stress index) were determined using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in all muscles. RESULTS: As compared to controls, vastus lateralis of COPD patients showed significantly lower protein ELISA levels of TNF-alpha, which positively correlated with their quadriceps function, TNF-alpha receptor II, and VEGF. Protein ELISA levels of IL-6, interferon-gamma, and TGF-beta did not differ between patients and controls. Quadriceps protein carbonylation was greater in the patients and inversely correlated with quadriceps strength amongst them. CONCLUSIONS: These findings do not support the presence of a pro-inflammatory environment within the quadriceps muscles of clinically and weight stable patients with severe COPD, despite evidence for increased oxidative stress and the presence of muscle weakness

Identifying facile and accurate methods to measure the thickness of the active layers of thin-film composite membranes - A comparison of seven characterization techniques

Despite the important role played by active layer thickness in the performance of thin-film composite (TFC) membranes, and in the understanding of the intrinsic transport properties (i.e., permeability, and water and solute partition and diffusion coefficients) of active layers, there is no study in the peer-reviewed literature evaluating whether existing measurement techniques provide consistent results among each other. Thus, we compared active layer thickness results obtained for each of six commercial TFC membranes with seven measurement techniques, including four techniques commonly used in the literature (scanning electron microscopy - SEM, transmission electron microscopy - TEM, atomic force microscopy - AFM, Rutherford backscattering spectrometry - RBS) and three non-commonly used techniques (quartz crystal microbalance - QCM, profilometry and ellipsometry). The six membranes tested covered performance levels ranging from nanofiltration to seawater reverse osmosis. Our results showed that AFM, RBS, QCM, profilometry and ellipsometry produced consistent results among each other, and thus likely provide the most accurate thickness results. SEM and TEM produced thickness results that were greater than those obtained with the five non-electron microscopy techniques, thus suggesting that SEM and TEM should only be used for rough estimates of active layer thickness. On the basis of nine different factors used to evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of the measurement techniques, ellipsometry was found to be the most advantageous technique for measuring active layer thickness. Results for active layer thickness and mass were used to obtain experimental estimates of the density of polyamide active layers, which for uncoated polyamide layers was found to be 1.26±0.21gcm-3

Transverse. Art projection space a public that is trained in art maybe a less violent public

Este articulo recopila algunos testimonios de varios integrantes que consolidan en palabras sus apreciaciones más significativas de estos cuatro años de estar presentes en el proyecto Espacio Transverso, del grupo de investigación TEI (Teatro espacio & interactividad) y su semillero llamado de la misma forma TEI. Compartiendo con los lectores fragmentos de reflexiones del proceso vivencial y su importancia en la proyección artística de la ciudad, Facultad de Bellas Artes en la Universidad del Atlántico, premisas a partir de la búsqueda por los integrantes y su principal impacto en la académica y en el arte; como proyecto de proyección y extensión hacia la comunidad del caribe colombiano para generar público y espacialmente mirarlo desde la práctica de circulación hecho que para los artistas es fundamental en el ámbito académico entre estudiantes, docentes y egresados para el transcurso del proyecto entre teoría y práctica artística para un público menos violento .This article collet some testimonials from several members that consolidate in words their appreciations most significant from these four years of being present in Espacio Transverso project, from investigation group TEI (Theater, Space & Interactivity) and its seedbed called equally TEI.Sharing with the readers fragments of reflections of the vivencial project and its importance in the artistic projection of the city, Facultad de Bellas Artes in Universidad del Atlántico, premises from the search by the integrants and their main impact in the academy and in art; as projection project and extension towards community of the Colombian caribbean to generate audience and especially view it since the practice of circulation, a fact that for artists is fundamental in the academic field among students, teachers and graduates for the course of the project between theory and artistic practice for a less violent audience

Evaluación de un modelo estadístico para estimar la radiación solar en Magdalena, Colombia

The global solar radiation is an important meteorological parameter for understanding the biochemical processes in the environment. Their measurement is complex and requires a high cost of installation, operation and maintenance, but this can be estimated by empirical equations based primarily on their geolocation. However, the accuracy of the results obtained is not suitable for understanding the processes evaluated. The aim of this study was to establish a statistical correlation model for estimating global solar radiation from alternative meteorological parameter. The meteorological information was provided by the Institute of Hydrology, Meteorology and Environmental Studies of Colombia, which provided the measurement of solar radiation, temperature, relative humidity and sunshine of the day for a year. Simple regressions between variables and solar radiation were raised; and multiple regressions between the possible combinations of each variables and solar radiation. The results show a good statistical correlation between variables solar radiation, temperature and relative humidity and little relation to the hours of sunshine, where relative humidity has the higher correlation and therefore is the parameter that more influence has on the model. The multivariate models (R2 average 11.91%) have better fit than simple models (R2 average 5.66%). The best model is multivariate regression in which all variables were included (R2 of 13.75%) although not the simplest model estimation.La radiación solar global se establece como una variable meteorológica necesaria para en el entendimiento de los procesos bioquímicos del ambiente; su medición es compleja y requiere un alto costo de instalación, operación y mantenimiento. Su estimación se puede realizar mediante fórmulas empíricas basadas fundamentalmente en su geo-posicionamiento, no obstante la precisión de los resultados obtenidos no es adecuada para el entendimiento de los procesos evaluados. El objetivo del presente trabajo fue establecer un modelo estadístico de correlación para estimar la radiación solar global a partir de los datos meteorológicos alternos. La información meteorológica fue suministrada por el Instituto de Hidrología, Meteorología y Estudios Ambientales de Colombia, que proporcionó la medición de radiación solar, temperatura, humedad relativa y horas de sol. Se plantearon regresiones simples entre las variables y la radiación solar; y regresiones múltiples entre las posibles combinaciones de las variables y la radiación solar. Se evidenció una buena correlación estadística entre las variables radiación solar, temperatura y humedad relativa, y poca relación con las horas de sol; siendo la humedad relativa la que guarda una mayor correlación y por tanto influencia en el modelo. Los modelos multivariados (R2 promedio 11,91%) presentaron mejor ajuste comparado con los modelos simples (R2 promedio 5,66%). El mejor modelo lo establece la regresión múltiple en la que se incluyen todas las variables (R2 de 13,75%), no siendo este el modelo más simple para su estimación

Use of a Cybex NORM dynamometer to assess muscle function in patients with thoracic cancer

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The cachexia-anorexia syndrome impacts on patients' physical independence and quality of life. New treatments are required and need to be evaluated using acceptable and reliable outcome measures, e.g. the assessment of muscle function. The aims of this study were to: (i) examine the acceptability and reliability of the Cybex NORM dynamometer to assess muscle function in people with non-small cell lung cancer or mesothelioma; (ii) compare muscle function in this group with healthy volunteers and; (iii) explore changes in muscle function over one month.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>The test consisted of 25 repetitions of isokinetic knee flexion and extension at maximal effort while seated on a Cybex NORM dynamometer. Strength and endurance for the quadriceps and hamstrings were assessed as peak torque and total work and an endurance ratio respectively. Thirteen patients and 26 volunteers completed the test on three separate visits. Acceptability was assessed by questionnaire, reliability by intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) and tests of difference compared outcomes between and within groups.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>All subjects found the test acceptable. Peak torque and work done were reliable measures (ICC >0.80), but the endurance ratio was not. Muscle function did not differ significantly between the patient and a matched volunteer group or in either group when repeated after one month.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>For patients with non-small cell lung cancer or mesothelioma, the Cybex NORM dynamometer provides an acceptable and reliable method of assessing muscle strength and work done. Muscle function appears to be relatively well preserved in this group and it appears feasible to explore interventions which aim to maintain or even improve this.</p

Design of a decision support system for multiobjective activity planning and programming using global bacteria optimization

The success of any project lies in a great manner on keeping costs in the estimated values, as well as meeting customer required due date. Therefore, there is a current need of developing an information system that facilitates the creation and managing of projects and their processes, including costing schemes, as well as monitoring an optimizing project’s makespan. In order to address this situation a user-friendly information system (IS) was developed. This IS includes an optimization module that reduces the project’s execution time, thus, minimizing costs and ultimately providing the manager with the right tools for the correct development of the project. Therefore, a better planning of activities in a reduced time is accomplished. In this way, the project manager is equipped with a decision support system (DSS) that allows a better decision making and, thanks to this performance optimization, a cost-effective solution can be delivered to the company. The optimization module is the main innovative component in this IS, considering that addresses the problem as a multiobjective one, considering at the same time makespan and cost. This module is based on global bacteria optimization (GBO). This becomes the most relevant improvement when compared to other ISs in the market

Chemotherapy-induced ileal crypt apoptosis and the ileal microbiome shape immunosurveillance and prognosis of proximal colon cancer

The prognosis of colon cancer (CC) is dictated by tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes, including follicular helper T (TFH) cells and the efficacy of chemotherapy-induced immune responses. It remains unclear whether gut microbes contribute to the elicitation of TFH cell-driven responses. Here, we show that the ileal microbiota dictates tolerogenic versus immunogenic cell death of ileal intestinal epithelial cells (IECs) and the accumulation of TFH cells in patients with CC and mice. Suppression of IEC apoptosis led to compromised chemotherapy-induced immunosurveillance against CC in mice. Protective immune responses against CC were associated with residence of Bacteroides fragilis and Erysipelotrichaceae in the ileum. In the presence of these commensals, apoptotic ileal IECs elicited PD-1+ TFH cells in an interleukin-1R1- and interleukin-12-dependent manner. The ileal microbiome governed the efficacy of chemotherapy and PD-1 blockade in CC independently of microsatellite instability. These findings demonstrate that immunogenic ileal apoptosis contributes to the prognosis of chemotherapy-treated CC

Epidemiology of Invasive Meningococcal Disease in Colombia: A Retrospective Surveillance Database Analysis

Abstract Introduction Invasive meningococcal disease (IMD), caused by Neisseria meningitidis, is associated with high morbidity and mortality. The aim of the current study was to describe the historical and recent epidemiology of IMD in Colombia. Methods This retrospective surveillance database analysis examined all available data on IMD in Colombia. Data were extracted from publicly available disease event reports and laboratory surveillance reports or obtained directly from hospitals in Cartagena. Results During 2015–2021, the overall incidence of IMD was 0.04–0.18 per 100,000 based on laboratory surveillance reports. IMD incidence was highest among infants aged < 1 year (0.52–1.47 per 100,000), as was IMD mortality (0.00–0.65 per 100,000). Serogroup B was the dominant serogroup responsible for IMD in Colombia during 1988–2014, but, since 2015, serogroup C has been dominant in all age groups, followed by serogroups B and Y. During 2010–2021 combined, the majority of IMD cases were reported in Bogotá (31.9%) and Antioquia (21.7%). Of 42 IMD cases in the city of Cartagena, 54.8% occurred in people who lived in the poorest neighborhoods, and these patients had the highest IMD lethality (52.2%) and the shortest median hospitalization duration (3 days). Conclusion The overall incidence of IMD in Colombia was low but was highest among infants aged < 1 year. IMD cases tended to be concentrated in the more densely populated areas and in poorer neighborhoods. As the majority of IMD cases in Colombia since 2015 have been serogroup C, followed by B or Y, vaccination to protect against these serogroups could potentially be beneficial and help to achieve the World Health Organization’s and Pan American Health Organization’s roadmaps to defeat meningitis by 2030. Graphical Abstrac