Higher daytime systolic BP, prepregnancy BMI and an elevated sFlt-1/PlGF ratio predict the development of hypertension in normotensive pregnant women

Background: The risk of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP) varies in women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), depending on the degree of insulin resistance and is also influenced by obesity. The aim of this study was to evaluate clinical features, blood pressure (BP) profiles and inflammatory markers, to identify patients with an elevated risk of developing HDP. Methods: A total of 146 normotensive pregnant women were studied. We analysed the relationships of BP profiles detected by ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) with serum biomarkers and angiogenic factors and their association with the development of HDP. Results: Fourteen (9.6%) women developed HDP, of which 11 had GDM and 8 had obesity. Women with HDP had higher values of 24-h and daytime systolic/diastolic BP (113/69 vs. 104/64; 115/72 vs. 106/66 mmHg, respectively; p < 0.05). Higher levels of leptin (10.97 ± 0.82 vs. 10.2 ± 1.11; p = 0.018) andmonocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) (5.24 ± 0.60 vs. 4.9 ± 0.55; p = 0.044) and a higher soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase-1/placental growth factor (sFlt-1/PlGF) ratio (4.37 ± 2.2 vs. 2.2 ± 1.43; p = 0.003) were also observed in the HDP patients. Multivariate analysis showed that a higher sFlt-1/PlGF ratio was associated with an increased risk of developing HDP [OR = 2.02; IC 95%: 1.35–3.05]. Furthermore, higher daytime systolic BP [OR = 1.27; IC 95% 1.00–1.26] and prepregnancy body mass index (BMI) [OR = 1.14; IC 95%: 1.01–1.30] significantly increased the risk of developing HDP. Conclusions: Higher daytime systolic BP values, prepregnancy BMI and the sFlt-1/PlGF ratio are useful for identifying normotensive pregnant women with an increased risk of developing HDP.12 página

Significance of cell adhesion molecules profile during pregnancy in gestational diabetes mellitus. A systematic review and meta-analysis

Endothelial dysfunction has been considered as a key etiological factor contributed to the development of vascular disease in diabetes mellitus. Serum level of endothelial cell adhesion molecules (AMs) were reported to be increased in GDM and pregnant women with normal glucose tolerance when compared with nonpregnant women. The literature provides limited evidence of endothelial dysfunction in GDM with heterogeneous and contradictory results respect to their possible involvement in maternal, perinatal and future complications. Our objective is to evaluate current evidence on the role of AMs in maternal and perinatal complications in women with GDM. PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and Scopus databases were searched. We evaluated the studies’ quality using the Newcastle-Ottawa scale. Meta-analyses were conducted, and heterogeneity and publication bias were examined. Nineteen relevant studies were finally included, recruiting 765 GDM and 2368 control pregnant women. AMs levels were generally higher in GDM participants showing statistical significance maternal ICAM-1 levels (SMD = 0.58, 95% CI = 0.25 to 0.91; p = 0.001). Our meta-analysis did not detect significant differences in subgroups or in meta-regression analyses. Future studies are needed to establish the potential role of these biomarkers in GDM and its complications

Effect of Different Insulin Therapies on Obstetric-Fetal Outcomes

To evaluate the effectiveness of the different insulin therapies on obstetrics-fetal outcomes in women with pregestational diabetes mellitus. We enrolled 147 pregnant women with pre-existing type 1 or 2 diabetes mellitus. Clinical and biochemical parameters were analysed in relation to obstetric and fetal outcomes. 14.2% received treatment with Neutral Protamine Hagedorn insulin and short-acting insulin analogues; 19% with premixed human insulin; 40.1% with insulin glargine and lispro, 6.2% with detemir and aspart and 20% with continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion. All 5 types of treatment achieved a reduction of the mean HbA1c during pregnancy (p = 0.01). Pre-pregnancy care was carried out for 48% of patients. We found no statistically significant differences between the different insulin therapies and the obstetric-fetal outcomes. In conclusión, the different insulin therapies used in patients with pregestational diabetes mellitus does not seem to affect obstetric-fetal outcomes

Circulating miR-330-3p in Late Pregnancy is Associated with Pregnancy Outcomes Among Lean Women with GDM

Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM) is characterised by insulin resistance accompanied by reduced beta-cell compensation to increased insulin demand, typically observed in the second and third trimester and associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes. There is a need for a biomarker that can accurately monitor status and predict outcome in GDM, reducing foetal-maternal morbidity and mortality risks. To this end, circulating microRNAs (miRNAs) present themselves as promising candidates, stably expressed in serum and known to play crucial roles in regulation of glucose metabolism. We analysed circulating miRNA profiles in a cohort of GDM patients (n=31) and nondiabetic controls (n=29) during the third trimester for miRNA associated with insulin-secretory defects and glucose homeostasis. We identified miR-330-3p as being significantly upregulated in lean women with GDM compared to nondiabetic controls. Furthermore, increased levels of miR-330-3p were associated with better response to treatment (diet vs. insulin), with lower levels associated with exogenous insulin requirement. We observed miR-330-3p to be significantly related to the percentage of caesarean deliveries, with miR-330-3p expression significantly higher in spontaneously delivered GDM patients. We report this strong novel association of circulating miR-330-3p with risk of primary caesarean delivery as a pregnancy outcome linked with poor maternal glycaemic control, strengthening the growing body of evidence for roles of diabetes-associated miRNAs in glucose homeostasis and adaptation to the complex changes related to pregnancy

Anti-Inflammatory (M2) Response Is Induced by a sp(2)-Iminosugar Glycolipid Sulfoxide in Diabetic Retinopathy

Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is one of the most common complications of Diabetes Mellitus (DM) and is directly associated with inflammatory processes. Currently, neuro-inflammation is considered an early event in DR and proceeds via microglia polarization. A hallmark of DR is the presence of retinal reactive gliosis. Here we report the beneficial effect of (S (S),1R)-1-docecylsulfiny-5N,6O-oxomethylidenenojirimycin ((Ss)-DS-ONJ), a member of the sp(2)-iminosugar glycolipid (sp(2)-IGL) family, by decreasing iNOS and inflammasome activation in Bv.2 microglial cells exposed to pro-inflammatory stimuli. Moreover, pretreatment with (Ss)-DS-ONJ increased Heme-oxygenase (HO)-1 as well as interleukin 10 (IL10) expression in LPS-stimulated microglial cells, thereby promoting M2 (anti-inflammatory) response by the induction of Arginase-1. The results strongly suggest that this is the likely molecular mechanism involved in the anti-inflammatory effects of (S (S))-DS-ONJ in microglia. (S (S))-DS-ONJ further reduced gliosis in retinal explants from type 1 diabetic BB rats, which is consistent with the enhanced M2 response. In conclusion, targeting microglia polarization dynamics in M2 status by compounds with anti-inflammatory activities offers promising therapeutic interventions at early stages of DR

Solvothermal synthesis and characterization of ytterbium/iron mixed oxide nanoparticles with potential functionalities for applications as multiplatform contrast agent in medical image techniques

A solvothermal route to prepare Glutathione capped hybrid ytterbium/iron oxide nanoparticles with potential applications as multiplatform contrast agent in medical image techniques has been developed. The influence of ytterbium/iron molar ratio used as precursor, as well as the degree of the autoclave filling on the structural and morphological characteristics of the obtained nanoparticles has been extensively studied. Although all nanoparticles present similar composition, with YbFeO3 being the majority phase, size and morphology of the as synthetized nanoparticles are highly influenced by the critical temperature and by the over -saturation reached during the solvothermal process. We have demonstrated that glutathione properly functionalizes the hybrid nanoparticles, increasing their colloidal stability and decreasing their cytotoxicity. Additionally, they show good imaging in magnetic resonance and X-ray computerized tomography, thereby indicating promising potential as a dual contrast agent. This work presents, for the first time, glutathione functionalized ytterbium/iron oxide nanoparticles with potential applications in Biomedicine.12 página

Impact of COVID-19 on cardiovascular testing in the United States versus the rest of the world

Objectives: This study sought to quantify and compare the decline in volumes of cardiovascular procedures between the United States and non-US institutions during the early phase of the coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted the care of many non-COVID-19 illnesses. Reductions in diagnostic cardiovascular testing around the world have led to concerns over the implications of reduced testing for cardiovascular disease (CVD) morbidity and mortality. Methods: Data were submitted to the INCAPS-COVID (International Atomic Energy Agency Non-Invasive Cardiology Protocols Study of COVID-19), a multinational registry comprising 909 institutions in 108 countries (including 155 facilities in 40 U.S. states), assessing the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on volumes of diagnostic cardiovascular procedures. Data were obtained for April 2020 and compared with volumes of baseline procedures from March 2019. We compared laboratory characteristics, practices, and procedure volumes between U.S. and non-U.S. facilities and between U.S. geographic regions and identified factors associated with volume reduction in the United States. Results: Reductions in the volumes of procedures in the United States were similar to those in non-U.S. facilities (68% vs. 63%, respectively; p = 0.237), although U.S. facilities reported greater reductions in invasive coronary angiography (69% vs. 53%, respectively; p < 0.001). Significantly more U.S. facilities reported increased use of telehealth and patient screening measures than non-U.S. facilities, such as temperature checks, symptom screenings, and COVID-19 testing. Reductions in volumes of procedures differed between U.S. regions, with larger declines observed in the Northeast (76%) and Midwest (74%) than in the South (62%) and West (44%). Prevalence of COVID-19, staff redeployments, outpatient centers, and urban centers were associated with greater reductions in volume in U.S. facilities in a multivariable analysis. Conclusions: We observed marked reductions in U.S. cardiovascular testing in the early phase of the pandemic and significant variability between U.S. regions. The association between reductions of volumes and COVID-19 prevalence in the United States highlighted the need for proactive efforts to maintain access to cardiovascular testing in areas most affected by outbreaks of COVID-19 infection

Ciencia Odontológica 2.0

Libro que muestra avances de la Investigación Odontológica en MéxicoEs para los integrantes de la Red de Investigación en Estomatología (RIE) una enorme alegría presentar el segundo de una serie de 6 libros sobre casos clínicos, revisiones de la literatura e investigaciones. La RIE está integrada por cuerpos académicos de la UAEH, UAEM, UAC y UdeG

La vulneración de la dignidad humana en el sector rural colombiano, a partir de la suscripción y vigencia del tratado de libre comercio colombo- americano (TIC)

Este artículo analiza desde un enfoque teórico el desarrollo histórico, conceptual y filosófico de tres categorías de investigación: (i) Dignidad Humana, (ii) Estado Social de Derecho colombiano y, por último, (iii) el Tratado de Libre Comercio suscrito entre Estados Unidos y Colombia; este último como resultado de la globalización y la aplicación de la doctrina neoliberal que afecta el sector rural en Colombia

Effects of clearing on the organic matter turnover in Vertisols from Northern Botswana Savannas

Trabajo presentado en la 11th international Soil Conservation Organization Conference, celebrada en Buenos Aires del 22 al 27 de octubre de 2000.The mechanisms controlling soil organic matter accumulation in savanna soils have not been studied extensively, although such formations cover wide tropical and subtropical Earth's zones.Peer Reviewe