Metabolic syndrome before puberty: Myth or reality?

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is defined as a cluster of alterations related with insulin resistance (obesity, dyslipidemia, hypertension, and impaired glucose metabolism), which are associated with a higher risk of cardiovascular disease in adults. Several definitions have been proposed for older children and adolescents. However, no definitions have been made in accordance with pubertal status, and those in prepubertal state have not received attention enough, despite there are data suggesting the early presence of risk factors. The new insights concerning healthy and unhealthy metabolic status or the addition of novel metabolic risk biomarkers, may contribute to the knowledge about the development of MetS in children. This manuscript reviews the available evidence on MetS during childhood, focusing on the prepubertal period

In-situ laboratory X-ray diffraction applied to assess cement hydration

In-situ X-ray diffraction (XRD) is a powerful tool to assess the hydration of cementitious materials, providing time-resolved quantitative analysis with reasonable accuracy without disturbing sample. However, the lack of guidelines and well-established procedures for data collection and analysis is the limiting factor for spreading this technique. This paper discussed using in-situ laboratory XRD to assess cement hydration. The first part was dedicated to a literature review on the topic. Then, experimental strategies were discussed, and recommendations related to the data analysis routine were drawn; the advantages and limitations of this technique were also discussed. We can conclude that the critical factors for a successful analysis are the choice of an adequate experimental setup with good statistics and low measurement time, the proper consideration of different amorphous contributions in the XRD pattern, and a good data analysis routine. Independent techniques are highly recommended to support the in-situ XRD data.PID2020-114650RB-I0

Charged lepton Flavor Violation in Supersymmetry with Bilinear R-Parity Violation

The simplest unified extension of the Minimal Supersymmetric Standard Model with bi-linear R-parity violation naturally predicts a hierarchical neutrino mass spectrum, suitable to explain atmospheric and solar neutrino fluxes. We study whether the individual violation of the lepton numbers L_{e,mu,tau} in the charged sector can lead to measurable rates for BR(mu->e gamma)and $BR(tau-> mu gamma). We find that some of the R-parity violating terms that are compatible with the observed atmospheric neutrino oscillations could lead to rates for mu->e gamma measurable in projected experiments. However, the Delta m^2_{12} obtained for those parameters is too high to be compatible with the solar neutrino data, excluding therefore the possibility of having measurable rates for mu->e gamma in the model.Comment: 29 pages, 8 figures. Constraint from solar neutrino data included, conclusions changed respect v

Neutrino Masses and Mixings from Supersymmetry with Bilinear R--Parity Violation: A Theory for Solar and Atmospheric Neutrino Oscillations

The simplest unified extension of the MSSM with bi-linear R--Parity violation naturally predicts a hierarchical neutrino mass spectrum, in which one neutrino acquires mass by mixing with neutralinos, while the other two get mass radiatively. We have performed a full one-loop calculation of the neutralino-neutrino mass matrix in the bi-linear \rp MSSM, taking special care to achieve a manifestly gauge invariant calculation. Moreover we have performed the renormalization of the heaviest neutrino, needed in order to get meaningful results. The atmospheric mass scale and maximal mixing angle arise from tree-level physics, while solar neutrino scale and oscillations follow from calculable one-loop corrections. If universal supergravity assumptions are made on the soft-supersymmetry breaking terms then the atmospheric scale is calculable as a function of a single \rp violating parameter by the renormalization group evolution due to the non-zero bottom quark Yukawa coupling. The solar neutrino problem must be accounted for by the small mixing angle (SMA) MSW solution. If these assumptions are relaxed then one can implement large mixing angle solutions, either MSW or just-so. The theory predicts the lightest supersymmetic particle (LSP) decay to be observable at high-energy colliders, despite the smallness of neutrino masses indicated by experiment. This provides an independent way to test this solution of the atmospheric and solar neutrino anomalies.Comment: 46 pages, references added + several misprints correcte

Factors influencing citrus fruit scarring caused by Pezothrips kellyanus

[EN] Kelly s citrus thrips (KCT) Pezothrips kellyanus (Bagnall) (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) is a recently recorded cosmopolitan citrus pest, causing fruit scarring that results in downgrading of fruit. Due to the detrimental effects caused on fruits by KCT, we wanted to study some of the factors influencing fruit scarring. Specifically, the objectives were: (1) to determine the fruit development stage when citrus fruits are damaged by KCT and the population structure of KCT during this period, (2) to study the influence of temperature on intensity of damage, and finally, (3) to identify alternative host plants. KCT populations on flowers and fruitlets and alternate plant hosts were sampled in four citrus orchards from 2008 to 2010. The percentage of damaged fruits was also recorded. The exotic vine Araujia sericifera (Apocynaceae) was recorded as a new host for KCT. Thrips scarring started to increase at 350 650 degree-days (DD) above 10.2 C, coinciding with a peak abundance of the second instar larval stages over all 3 years of the study. The maximum percentage of larval stages of KCT was observed in the 3 years at about 500 DD, a period which corresponds to the end of May or early June. Variation in the severity of fruit scarring appeared to be related to air temperature. Temperature likely affects the synchronisation between the peak in abundance of KCT larvae, and the period when fruitlets are susceptible to thrips damage. Temperature can also influence the survival and development of KCT populations in citrus and other host plants in the citrus agro-ecosystem.The authors thank Alejandro Tena for his valuable suggestions and two anonymous referees for their careful review and helpful comments. We also extend our thanks to the owners of the commercial orchards for giving us permission to use their citrus orchards. The first author was awarded an FPI fellowship from the Polytechnic University of Valencia to obtain her PhD degree.Navarro Campos, C.; Pekas, A.; Aguilar Martí, MA.; Garcia Marí, F. (2013). Factors influencing citrus fruit scarring caused by Pezothrips kellyanus. Journal of Pest Science. (86):459-467. doi:10.1007/s10340-013-0489-7S45946786Baker GJ (2006) Kelly citrus thrips management. Fact sheet. Government of South Australia, primary industries and resources SA. http://www.sardi.sa.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0010/44875/kctfact_sheet.pdf . Accessed 16 July 2012Baker GJ, Jackman DJ, Keller M, MacGregor A, Purvis S (2002) Development of an integrated pest management system for thrips in Citrus. HAL Final Report CT97007. http://www.sardi.sa.gov.au/pestsdiseases/horticulture/horticultural_pests/kelly_citrus_thrips/research_report_1997-2000 . Accessed 16 July 2012Bedford ECG (1998) Thrips, wind and other blemishes. Citrus pests in the Republic of South Africa. In: Bedford ECG, van den Berg MA, de Villiers EA (eds) ARC-Institute for tropical and subtropical crops, Nelspruit, South Africa, pp 170–183Blank RH, Gill GSC (1997) Thrips (Thysanoptera: Terebrantia) on flowers and fruit of citrus in New Zealand. N Z J Crop Hortic Sci 25:319–332Chellemi D, Funderburk F, Hall D (1994) Seasonal abundance of flower-inhabiting Frankliniella species (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) on wild plant species. Environ Entomol 23:337–342Conti F, Tuminelli R, Amico C, Fisicaro R, Frittitta C, Perrotta G, Marullo R (2001) Monitoring Pezothrips kellyanus on citrus in eastern Sicily, Thrips and tospoviruses. In: Proceedings of the 7th international symposium on Thysanoptera, Reggio Calabria, 1–8 July 2001, Italy, pp 207–210Costa L, Mateus C, zurStrassen R, Franco JC (2006) Thrips (Thysanoptera) associated to lemon orchards in the Oeste region of Portugal. IOBC/WPRS Bull 29:285–291European Plant Protection Organisation Reporting Service [EPPO] (2006) Pezothrips kellyanus. http://www.eppo.org/QUARANTINE/Pest_Risk_Analysis/PRAdocs_insects/06-12760%20DS%20PEZTKE.doc. Accessed 18 June 2012European Plant ProtectionOrganisation Reporting Service [EPPO] (2005) Scirtothrips aurantii, Scirtothrips citri, Scirtothrips dorsalis. EPPO Bull 35:353–356Franco JC, Garcia-Marí F, Ramos AP, Besri M (2006) Survey on the situation of citrus pest management in Mediterranean countries. IOBC/WPRS Bull 29:335–346Froud KJ, Stevens PS, Steven D (2001) Survey of alternative host plants for Kelly’s citrus thrips (Pezothrips kellyanus) in citrus growing regions. N Z Plant Prot 54:15–20Gomez-Clemente F (1952) Un tisanóptero causante de daños en las naranjas de algunas zonas de Levante. Boletín de Patología Vegetal y Entomología Agrícola 19:135–146Grout TG, Morse JG, O’Connell NV, Flaherty DL, Goodell PB, Freeman MW, Coviello RL (1986) Citrus thrips (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) phenology and sampling in the San Joaquin Valley. J Econ Entomol 79:1516–1523Horton J (1918) The citrus thrips. US Dep Agric Bull 616:1–42Kirk WDJ (1987) A key to the larvae of some common Australian flower thrips (Insecta: Thysanoptera), with a host-plant survey. Aust J Zool 35:173–185Lacasa A, Llorens JM, Sánchez JA (1996) Un Scirtothrips (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) causa daños en los cítricos en España. Bol San Veg Plagas 22:79–95Lewis HC (1935) Factors influencing citrus thrips damage. J Econ Entomol 28:1011–1015Lewis T (1997) Distribution, abundance and population dynamics. In: Lewis T (ed) Thrips as crop pests. CAB International, Wallingford, pp 217–258Lovatt C, Streeter S, Minter T, O’connell N, Flaherty D, Freeman M, Goodell P (1984) Phenology of flowering in Citrus sinensis (L.) Osbeck, cv. Washington navel orange. Proc Int Soc Citric 1:186–190Marullo R (1998) Pezothrips kellyanus, un nuovo tripide parassita delle colture meridionali. Informatore Fitopatologico 48:72–75Milne JR, Milne M, Walter GH (1997) A key to larval thrips (Thysanoptera) from Granite Belt stonefruit trees and a first description of Pseudanaphothrips achaetus (Bagnall) larvae. Aust J Entomol 36:319–326Mound LA, Jackman DJ (1998) Thrips in the economy and ecology of Australia, In: Zalucki MP, RAI Drew RAI, White GG (eds) Pest Management: future challenges, Proceedings of the sixth Australian applied entomological research conference, University of Queensland, St. Lucia, pp 472–478Mound LA, Marullo R (1996) The thrips of Central and South America (Insecta: Thysanoptera): an introduction. Mem Entomol Int 6:1–487Mound LA, Walker AK (1982) Terebrantia (Insecta: Thysanoptera). 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Amphotericin B plasma monitoring for one burn child using high-performance liquid chromatography

A bioanalytical micromethod was described for the quantification of amphotericin B in plasma by HPLC. The method showed high absolute recovery, good linearity (0.1-10.0 μg/mL, r2 = 0.999), sensitivity (limits of quantification: 0.1 μg/mL), and acceptable stability. Inter/intraday precisions were 6.8 %/2.3 % and mean accuracy was 94.3 %. The method was applied to plasma monitoring of one burn child, 3 years old, 25 kg, thermal injury (18 % total burn surface area - TBSA). Amphotericin B (1 mg/kg) was prescribed from 24th to 35th day of the accident and plasma monitoring and pharmacokinetics was performed by serial blood collections on 27th and 35th days post burn. Plasma concentrations obtained were respectively 0.7 μg/mL and 1.2 μg/mL. Pharmacokinetics at both periods (27th vs 35th day) also was compared: 13.8 vs 14.3 h (t1/2β ); 0.5 vs 0.3 mL/min.kg (CLT) and 0.65 vs 0.38 L/kg (Vdss ). In conclusion, drug plasma monitoring by HPLC was quite useful to guarantee low risk and drug efficacy in a paediatric burn patient.Colegio de Farmacéuticos de la Provincia de Buenos Aire

Search for the decay Bs0→D*∓π±

A search for the decay Bs0→D*∓π± is presented using a data sample corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 1.0  fb-1 of pp collisions collected by LHCb. This decay is expected to be mediated by a W-exchange diagram, with little contribution from rescattering processes, and therefore a measurement of the branching fraction will help us to understand the mechanism behind related decays such as Bs0→π+π- and Bs0→DD- . Systematic uncertainties are minimized by using B0→D*∓π± as a normalization channel. We find no evidence for a signal, and set an upper limit on the branching fraction of B(Bs0→D*∓π±)<6.1(7.8)×10-6 at 90% (95%) confidence level

Search for CP violation in D+→ϕπ+ and D+s→K0Sπ+ decays

A search for CP violation in D + → ϕπ + decays is performed using data collected in 2011 by the LHCb experiment corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 1.0 fb−1 at a centre of mass energy of 7 TeV. The CP -violating asymmetry is measured to be (−0.04 ± 0.14 ± 0.14)% for candidates with K − K + mass within 20 MeV/c 2 of the ϕ meson mass. A search for a CP -violating asymmetry that varies across the ϕ mass region of the D + → K − K + π + Dalitz plot is also performed, and no evidence for CP violation is found. In addition, the CP asymmetry in the D+s→K0Sπ+ decay is measured to be (0.61 ± 0.83 ± 0.14)%

Clinical relevance of postzygotic mosaicism in Cornelia de Lange syndrome and purifying selection of NIPBL variants in blood

Postzygotic mosaicism (PZM) in NIPBL is a strong source of causality for Cornelia de Lange syndrome (CdLS) that can have major clinical implications. Here, we further delineate the role of somatic mosaicism in CdLS by describing a series of 11 unreported patients with mosaic disease-causing variants in NIPBL and performing a retrospective cohort study from a Spanish CdLS diagnostic center. By reviewing the literature and combining our findings with previously published data, we demonstrate a negative selection against somatic deleterious NIPBL variants in blood. Furthermore, the analysis of all reported cases indicates an unusual high prevalence of mosaicism in CdLS, occurring in 13.1% of patients with a positive molecular diagnosis. It is worth noting that most of the affected individuals with mosaicism have a clinical phenotype at least as severe as those with constitutive pathogenic variants. However, the type of genetic change does not vary between germline and somatic events and, even in the presence of mosaicism, missense substitutions are located preferentially within the HEAT repeat domain of NIPBL. In conclusion, the high prevalence of mosaicism in CdLS as well as the disparity in tissue distribution provide a novel orientation for the clinical management and genetic counselling of families