Analysis of data from a free-listing study of menus by different income-level populations

Free listing can help understand how a domain is perceived across a group of people by examining the average psychological saliency of items, in this case, menus elicited by a population. The objectives of the present work were: (a) compare different indexes used to analyze the saliency of items listed by individuals in a free-listing exercise, (b) test if time distance can be an improvement over rank distance in associating items mentioned by subjects, and (c) apply the above indexes and associations to gain insight in the menus listed by different income-level populations in Argentina. In the present study we surveyed a total of 200 women from low and medium/high-income levels who were asked to list all the menus they knew registering the mention order and time to mention. Smith's saliency index and cognitive salience index (CSI), previously not applied in the food science literature, proved useful in selecting the core menus listed by a population. The hypothesis that time distance would be a more adequate measure of the association of items in a list than order of mention was not sustained in the present study. Cluster analysis was also found useful in analyzing how menus were grouped by different income levels using a free-listing procedure. ANOVA on the CSI values showed a significant menu × income-level interaction, thus indicating that saliency was not the same for listed menus across income levels.Fil: Libertino, Luciano Martin. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Provincia de Buenos Aires. Dirección General de Cultura y Educación. Instituto Superior Experimental de Tecnología Alimentaria; ArgentinaFil: Ferraris, Daniela Cristina. Provincia de Buenos Aires. Dirección General de Cultura y Educación. Instituto Superior Experimental de Tecnología Alimentaria; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Lopez Osornio, M. M.. Provincia de Buenos Aires. Gobernación. Comisión de Investigaciones Científicas; Argentina. Provincia de Buenos Aires. Dirección General de Cultura y Educación. Instituto Superior Experimental de Tecnología Alimentaria; ArgentinaFil: Hough, Guillermo. Provincia de Buenos Aires. Gobernación. Comisión de Investigaciones Científicas; Argentina. Provincia de Buenos Aires. Dirección General de Cultura y Educación. Instituto Superior Experimental de Tecnología Alimentaria; Argentin

Adiponectin Upregulates SHBG Production: Molecular Mechanisms and Potential Implications

Epidemiological studies have shown that plasma SHBG levels correlate with plasma adiponectin levels, both in men and women. There are no reports describing any molecular mechanism by which adiponectin regulates hepatic SHBG production. The aim of the present study is to explore whether adiponectin regulates SHBG production by increasing HNF-4α levels through reducing hepatic lipid content. For this purpose, in vitro studies using human HepG2 cells, as well as human liver biopsies, were performed. Our results show that adiponectin treatment increased SHBG production via AMPK activation in HepG2 cells. Adiponectin treatment decreased the mRNA and protein levels of enzymes related to hepatic lipogenesis (ACC) and increased those related to fatty acid oxidation (ACOX and CPTI). These adiponectin-induced changes in hepatic enzymes resulted in a reduction of total TG and FFA and an increase of HNF-4α. When HNF-4α expression was silenced by using siRNA, adiponectin-induced SHBG overexpression was blocked. Furthermore, adiponectin-induced upregulation of SHBG production via HNF-4α overexpression was abrogated by the inhibition of fatty acid oxidation or by the induction of lipogenesis with a 30mM glucose treatment in HepG2 cells. Finally, adiponectin levels correlated positively and significantly with both HNF-4α and SHBG mRNA levels in human liver biopsies. Our results suggest for the first time that adiponectin increases SHBG production by activating AMPK, which reduces hepatic lipid content and increases HNF-4α levels

Factores de riesgo relacionados con la salud sexual en los jóvenes europeos

En Europa, seguimos asistiendo a un aumento de la transmisión sexual del virus de la inmunodeficiencia humana (VIH) y otras infecciones de transmisión sexual (ITS). Para priorizar estrategias de salud sexual, resulta importante identificar los factores sexuales de riesgo presentes en los jóvenes europeos. Se realizó una revisión sistemática de artículos científicos y estudios de instituciones oficiales europeas. En total, fueron identificados 21 artículos y 10 estudios. Los datos sugieren un aumento de la iniciación sexual juvenil y del número de parejas sexuales. El 15-20% de los jóvenes usan de forma inconstante el preservativo. Entre los conocimientos y actitudes de riesgo detectadas encontramos: desconocer otras ITS distintas al VIH, tener una actitud favorable a las relaciones sexuales casuales, creer erróneamente que algunas medidas son eficaces para prevenir el VIH, desconocer los riesgos de tener múltiples parejas sexuales y desconocer la transmisión sexual del VIH. Los datos subrayan la necesidad de mejorar los mensajes transmitidos a los jóvenes

Ichthyofauna of two streams in the high basin of the Samborombón River, Buenos Aires province, Argentina

Se estudió la ictiofauna de los arroyos Manantiales (35°02 34 S; 58°19 37 W) y El Portugués (35°04 16 S; 58°26 09 W), pertenecientes a la alta cuenca del río Samborombón, provincia de Buenos Aires, Argentina. Se brindó especial énfasis en la abundancia, riqueza específica, diversidad y distribución temporal a lo largo de un ciclo anual. Se capturaron 8.595 ejemplares, pertenecientes a 20 especies, 11 familias y 5 órdenes. El orden Characiformes fue el más representado con un total de 9 especies y una abundancia relativa de 72,5 %, seguido de los Siluriformes con 6 especies y una abundancia relativa de 16,9%. La riqueza específica en Manantiales fue de 20 especies, el índice de diversidad anual, 1,42 y el índice de uniformidad, 0,58. La riqueza específica en El Portugués fue de 17 especies, el índice de diversidad anual, 1,51 y el índice de uniformidad, 0,64. Se observaron diferencias en la composición específica de las especies dominantes. Los valores de diversidad son semejantes a los registrados en arroyos de la Pampasia y del sur de BrasilThe ichthyofauna of the Manantiales (35°0234S; 58°1937W) and El Portugués (35°0416S; 58°2609W) streams, both of them pertaining to the high basin of the Samborombón River, in the Province of Buenos Aires, Argentina, was studied. Abundance, specific richness, diversity and temporary distribution were considered throughout an annual cycle. The specific diversity between both streams was compared and the physical and chemical parameters of the environment analizad. In total 8595 specimens were captured, pertaining to 20 species, 11 families and 5 orders. The order Characiformes was the most widely represented with 10 species and a relative abundance of 50%, followed by the order Siluriformes with 6 species and a relative abundance of 30%. The specific richness in the Manantiales was of 20 species, the annual diversity index was 1.42 and the uniformity index was 0.58. The specific richness in El Portugués was of 17 species, the annual diversity index was 1.51 and the uniformity index was 0.64. Differences in the composition of dominant species were observed. The diversity values are similar to that recorded in Pampasia and southern Brazil streams.Fil: Fernández, Eduardo M.. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Parque Centenario. Museo Argentino de Ciencias Naturales "Bernardino Rivadavia"; ArgentinaFil: Ferriz, Ricardo Alberto. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Parque Centenario. Museo Argentino de Ciencias Naturales "Bernardino Rivadavia"; ArgentinaFil: Bentos, Cristina Amelia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Parque Centenario. Museo Argentino de Ciencias Naturales "Bernardino Rivadavia"; ArgentinaFil: Lopez, Guillermo Roberto. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Parque Centenario. Museo Argentino de Ciencias Naturales "Bernardino Rivadavia"; Argentina. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias; Argentin

Pancreatic Necrosectomy Through a Novel Double-flange Lumen-apposing Covered Metal Stent (Video)

AbstractPancreatic fluid collections (PFCs) represent a complication of acute pancreatitis. Endoscopic management of PFCs is an alternative to surgery [1]. Classic strategies include access to the collection under endoscopic ultrasound (EUS)-guidance and placement of several double-pigtail stents. PFCs containing organized necrosis are classified as walled-off necrosis (WON). In those cases necrosis is hardly evacuated and will require necrosectomy in most cases. Every necrosectomy session needs prior removal of the stents, dilatation of the tract, debridement and placement of new stents adding up a considerable overall cost to the intervention. A novel double-flanged lumen-apposing fully-covered self-expandable metal stent (FC-SEMS) with a 15mm diameter accelerates exit of the necrosis and facilitates multiple necrosectomy sessions.We present a 60 year old patient admitted to the intensive care unit for severe acute pancreatitis that developed WON with superinfection. The intensivists and surgeons indicated endoscopic cystgastrostomy to evacuate the collection. Using the echoendoscope we found a large collection adherent to the gastric wall. The collection was accessed under EUS-guidance using the Hot AXIOS™ catheter that features a cautery tip, then a 15mm AXIOS™ stent was deployed through the cystgastrostomy orifice to keep it patent. The patient required two necrosectomy sessions to clean the cavity. The WON resolved in 6 weeks and the stent was removed unevently. The patient was discharged.A double flange lumen apposing FC-SEMS used as a port for necrosectomy significantly improves management of walled-off pancreatic necrosis. Placement of this stents should be considered when multiple necrosectomy sessions are anticipated. Procedure time can be significantly decreased using a catheter that combines a cautery tip and stent delivery system

Use of Viscera Extract from Surubim (Pseudoplatystoma corruscans) for the production of Casein Hydrolysate

Protein hydrolysates are mixtures of polypeptides, oligopeptides and amino acids that are manufactured from protein sources using partial hydrolysis. The method of preference is enzymatic hydrolysis since is easily controllable, quick, specific and it´s an affordable technology to produce high value-added products. This method is widely applied, not only to upgrade the functional and nutritional properties of proteins in the food industry, but also is used in other areas of biotechnology such as by providing specialized media for microorganisms grown in the laboratory. Today, the preparation of hydrolysates derived from milk proteins and casein has received much attention due to the diversity and unique functional properties. Proteases used to obtain a more selective hydrolysis of milk proteins are from different sources, between them fish viscera generated during the commercial processing. The Northeast of Argentina has native fish species cultivated, and of total aquaculture annual production, above 3300 tons, approximately 74 tons corresponds to surubím (Pseudoplatystoma coruscans). This freshwater fish is carnivorous so the viscera, that constitute the majority waste of processing, is a rich source of proteases. The objective of this work was to study the proteolytic activity of surubim viscera extract on casein. The extract was prepared from tissue that coats the stomach area near duodenum. Previous to proteolytic assays, the thermal stability of enzymatic extract by 2h (0, 8, 25, 37, 45, 50, 55, 60, 75 and 100 °C) and proteases inhibitors (soybean trypsin inhibitor -TBSI-, phenylmethylsulfonyl fluoride -PMSF- and disodium ethylenediaminetetraacetate -EDTA-Na2-) were assayed over Nα-Benzoyl-dl-arginine-p-nitroanilide (BApNA) as substrate. The proteolytic capacity of the extract was evaluated at 0, 1, 5, 15, 30 and 60 min, on casein. The cleavage of casein was analyzed by SDS-PAGE (14%, Coomassie Blue stain). The thermal stability profile of the viscera extract revealed that these fish enzymes were highly stables at temperatures below 55°C and they retained the 50% of their initial activity when they were incubated at 60 °C. In addition, the activity on BApNA was strongly inhibited by TBSI, whereas PMSF and EDTA-Na2 did not exhibit an effect on activity. The 60% of proteolytic activity on casein developed in one hour was achieved during the first 5 min. Simultaneously, the extract showed similar behavior by SDS-PAGE analysis. The typical bands of casein (αs1, β and κ) showed rapid degradation in a short incubation time. The results suggest that trypsin-like enzymes present on surubim viscera extract have high thermal stability. The studies on milk protein demonstrated the ability of the fish viscera extract to produce a casein hydrolysate. In this way, the findings presented in the current work demonstrate that the surubim viscera extract could be considered as a potentially strong candidate for future industrial applications, such as the obtaining of milk peptones for the cultivation of microorganisms.Fil: Van de Velde, Andrea Carolina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Nordeste. Instituto de Química Básica y Aplicada del Nordeste Argentino. Universidad Nacional del Nordeste. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas Naturales y Agrimensura. Instituto de Química Básica y Aplicada del Nordeste Argentino; ArgentinaFil: Lopez, Juan M.. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Nordeste. Instituto de Química Básica y Aplicada del Nordeste Argentino. Universidad Nacional del Nordeste. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas Naturales y Agrimensura. Instituto de Química Básica y Aplicada del Nordeste Argentino; ArgentinaFil: Sánchez, Sebastián. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Nordeste. Instituto de Química Básica y Aplicada del Nordeste Argentino. Universidad Nacional del Nordeste. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas Naturales y Agrimensura. Instituto de Química Básica y Aplicada del Nordeste Argentino; ArgentinaFil: Leiva, Laura Cristina Ana. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Nordeste. Instituto de Química Básica y Aplicada del Nordeste Argentino. Universidad Nacional del Nordeste. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas Naturales y Agrimensura. Instituto de Química Básica y Aplicada del Nordeste Argentino; ArgentinaXX Annual Meeting of the Argentinean Biology Society and VII Meeting of the Uruguayan Society of BiosciencesBuenos AiresArgentinaSociedad Argentina de BiologíaSociedad Uruguaya de Biociencia

Forest Height Inversion by Combining Single-Baseline TanDEM-X InSAR Data with External DTM Data

Forest canopy height estimation is essential for forest management and biomass estimation. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the capacity of TanDEM-X interferometric synthetic aperture radar (InSAR) data to estimate canopy height with the assistance of an external digital terrain model (DTM). A ground-to-volume ratio estimation model was proposed so that the canopy height could be precisely estimated from the random-volume-over-ground (RVoG) model. We also refined the RVoG inversion process with the relationship between the estimated penetration depth (PD) and the phase center height (PCH). The proposed method was tested by TanDEM-X InSAR data acquired over relatively homogenous coniferous forests (Teruel test site) and coniferous as well as broadleaved forests (La Rioja test site) in Spain. Comparing the TanDEM-X-derived height with the LiDAR-derived height at plots of size 50 m × 50 m, the root-mean-square error (RMSE) was 1.71 m (R2 = 0.88) in coniferous forests of Teruel and 1.97 m (R2 = 0.90) in La Rioja. To demonstrate the advantage of the proposed method, existing methods based on ignoring ground scattering contribution, fixing extinction, and assisting with simulated spaceborne LiDAR data were compared. The impacts of penetration and terrain slope on the RVoG inversion were also evaluated. The results show that when a DTM is available, the proposed method has the optimal performance on forest height estimation.This work was supported in part by the National Natural Science Foundation of China under Grant 41820104005, Grant 42030112, and Grant 41904004, Hunan Natural Science Foundation under Grant 2021JJ30808, and in part by the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation, Agencia Estatal de Investigacion, under Projects PID2020-117303GB-C22/AEI/10.13039/501100011033 and PROWARM (PID2020-118444GA-I00/AEI/10.13039/501100011033)

Hot topics, urgent priorities, and ensuring success for racial/ethnic minority young investigators in academic pediatrics.

BackgroundThe number of racial/ethnic minority children will exceed the number of white children in the USA by 2018. Although 38% of Americans are minorities, only 12% of pediatricians, 5% of medical-school faculty, and 3% of medical-school professors are minorities. Furthermore, only 5% of all R01 applications for National Institutes of Health grants are from African-American, Latino, and American Indian investigators. Prompted by the persistent lack of diversity in the pediatric and biomedical research workforces, the Academic Pediatric Association Research in Academic Pediatrics Initiative on Diversity (RAPID) was initiated in 2012. RAPID targets applicants who are members of an underrepresented minority group (URM), disabled, or from a socially, culturally, economically, or educationally disadvantaged background. The program, which consists of both a research project and career and leadership development activities, includes an annual career-development and leadership conference which is open to any resident, fellow, or junior faculty member from an URM, disabled, or disadvantaged background who is interested in a career in academic general pediatrics.MethodsAs part of the annual RAPID conference, a Hot Topic Session is held in which the young investigators spend several hours developing a list of hot topics on the most useful faculty and career-development issues. These hot topics are then posed in the form of six "burning questions" to the RAPID National Advisory Committee (comprised of accomplished, nationally recognized senior investigators who are seasoned mentors), the RAPID Director and Co-Director, and the keynote speaker.Results/conclusionsThe six compelling questions posed by the 10 young investigators-along with the responses of the senior conference leadership-provide a unique resource and "survival guide" for ensuring the academic success and optimal career development of young investigators in academic pediatrics from diverse backgrounds. A rich conversation ensued on the topics addressed, consisting of negotiating for protected research time, career trajectories as academic institutions move away from an emphasis on tenure-track positions, how "non-academic" products fit into career development, racism and discrimination in academic medicine and how to address them, coping with isolation as a minority faculty member, and how best to mentor the next generation of academic physicians

Forest height inversion by combining single-baseline TanDEM-X InSAR data with external DTM data

Producción CientíficaForest canopy height estimation is essential for forest management and biomass estimation. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the capacity of TanDEM-X interferometric synthetic aperture radar (InSAR) data to estimate canopy height with the assistance of an external digital terrain model (DTM). A ground-to-volume ratio estimation model was proposed so that the canopy height could be precisely estimated from the random-volume-over-ground (RVoG) model. We also refined the RVoG inversion process with the relationship between the estimated penetration depth (PD) and the phase center height (PCH). The proposed method was tested by TanDEM-X InSAR data acquired over relatively homogenous coniferous forests (Teruel test site) and coniferous as well as broadleaved forests (La Rioja test site) in Spain. Comparing the TanDEM-X-derived height with the LiDAR-derived height at plots of size 50 m × 50 m, the root-mean-square error (RMSE) was 1.71 m (R2 = 0.88) in coniferous forests of Teruel and 1.97 m (R2 = 0.90) in La Rioja. To demonstrate the advantage of the proposed method, existing methods based on ignoring ground scattering contribution, fixing extinction, and assisting with simulated spaceborne LiDAR data were compared. The impacts of penetration and terrain slope on the RVoG inversion were also evaluated. The results show that when a DTM is available, the proposed method has the optimal performance on forest height estimation.Fundación Nacional de Ciencias Naturales de China - (grants 41820104005, 42030112 y 41904004)Fundación de Ciencias Naturales de Hunan - (Grant 2021JJ30808)Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación/Agencia Estatal de Investigación (AEI)/10.13039/501100011033 - ( Projects PID2020-117303GB-C22 y PROWARM PID2020-118444GA-I00