Stability and bioaccessibility of iron in pumpkin discs vacuum impregnated with ferrous gluconate, β-cyclodextrin and ascorbic acid

Present work evaluates the content and bioaccessibility of iron in vacuum-cooked pumpkin discs (VCPD) impregnated with ferrous gluconate (FeGlu) solutions added with β-cyclodextrin (BCD) and/or ascorbic acid (AA). The stability of Fe2+, AA and color of the VCPD after refrigerated storage were also studied. Pumpkin discs treated with any of the FeGlu studied solutions reached a total iron content between 17 and 20 mg Fe2+/100 g. Addition of BCD or AA to FeGlu solution improved Fe2+ of VCPD compared to control fortified only with FeGlu. After in vitro digestion, soluble Fe2+ was also significantly higher in pumpkins impregnated with BCD and AA solutions. Both BCD and AA probably exert their positive effect favoring the solubility of iron and/or the stability of the ferrous iron form, being the bioaccessibility of Fe2+ approximately 17 and 20% w/w respectively, and 10% for the FeGlu-impregnated discs. Although BCD did not have the impact observed for AA, a synergistic effect was observed in BCD-FeGlu-AA systems, where the proportion of Fe2+ was approximately 50% higher than in FeGlu after 21 days of refrigerated storage. The use of BCD and AA also allowed to better maintain the color of the fortified pumpkin discs after cooking and refrigerated storage.Fil: Lencina, María Sabrina. Universidad Nacional de Entre Ríos. Facultad de Bromatología; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: dos Santos Ferreira, Cristina. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales; ArgentinaFil: Archaina, Diego Alberto. Universidad Nacional de Entre Ríos. Facultad de Bromatología; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Cientificas y Tecnicas. Centro Cientifico Tecnologico Conicet - Santa Fe. Instituto de Ciencia y Tecnologia de Los Alimentos de Entre Rios. - Universidad Nacional de Entre Rios. Instituto de Ciencia y Tecnologia de Los Alimentos de Entre Rios.; ArgentinaFil: Gomez, Maria Beatriz. Universidad Nacional de Entre Ríos. Facultad de Bromatología; ArgentinaFil: Mazzobre, Maria Florencia. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Departamento de Industrias. Instituto de Tecnología de Alimentos y Procesos Químicos. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Ciudad Universitaria. Instituto de Tecnología de Alimentos y Procesos Químicos; Argentin

Risk of breast cancer and residential proximity to industrial installations: New findings from a multicase-control study (MCC-Spain)

Breast cancer is the most frequent tumor in women worldwide, although well-established risk factors account for 53%-55% of cases. Therefore, other risk factors, including environmental exposures, may explain the remaining variation. Our objective was to assess the relationship between risk of breast cancer and residential proximity to industries, according to categories of industrial groups and specific pollutants released, in the context of a population-based multicase-control study of incident cancer carried out in Spain (MCC-Spain). Using the current residence of cases and controls, this study was restricted to small administrative divisions, including both breast cancer cases (452) and controls (1511) in the 10 geographical areas recruiting breast cancer cases. Distances were calculated from the respective woman's residences to the 116 industries located in the study area. We used logistic regression to estimate odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (95%CIs) for categories of distance (between 1 km and 3 km) to industrial plants, adjusting for matching variables and other confounders. Excess risk (OR; 95%CI) of breast cancer was found near industries overall (1.30; 1.00-1.69 at 3 km), particularly organic chemical industry (2.12; 1.20-3.76 at 2.5 km), food/beverage sector (1.87; 1.26-2.78 at 3 km), ceramic (4.71; 1.62-13.66 at 1.5 km), surface treatment with organic solvents (2.00; 1.23-3.24 at 3 km), and surface treatment of plastic and metals (1.51; 1.06-2.14 at 3 km). By pollutants, the excess risk (OR; 95%CI) was detected near industries releasing pesticides (2.09; 1.14-3.82 at 2 km), and dichloromethane (2.09; 1.28-3.40 at 3 km). Our results suggest a possible increased risk of breast cancer in women living near specific industrial plants and support the need for more detailed exposure assessment of certain agents released by these plants.The authors thank all those who took part in this study providing questionnaire data. The study was partially funded by the “Acción Transversal del Cáncer", approved on the Spanish Ministry Council on the 11th October 2007, by the Scientific Foundation of the Spanish Association Against Cancer (Fundación Científica de la Asociación Española Contra el Cáncer (AECC) – EVP-1178/14), by the Spain's Health Research Fund (Fondo de Investigación Sanitaria - FIS 12/01416), by the Instituto de Salud Carlos III-FEDER (PI08/1770, PI08/0533, PI08/1359 PS09/01286-León, PS09/00773-Cantabria, PS09/02078-Huelva, PS09/01903-Valencia, PS09/01662-Granada, PI11/01403, PI11/01889-FEDER, PI11/00226, PI11/01810, PI11/02213, PI12/00488, PI12/00265, PI12/01270, PI12/00715, PI12/00150, PI14/01219, PI14/00613, PI15/00069, PI15/00914, PI15/01032), by the ICGC International Cancer Genome Consortium CLL (The ICGC CLL-Genome Project is funded by Spanish Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad (MINECO) through the Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII) and Red Temática de Investigación del Cáncer (RTICC) del ISCIII (RD12/0036/0036)), by the Fundación Marqués de Valdecilla (API 10/09), by the Consejería de Salud of the Junta de Andalucía (PI-0571-2009, PI-0306-2011, salud201200057018tra), by the Junta de Castilla y León (LE22A10-2), by the Conselleria de Sanitat of the Generalitat Valenciana (AP_061/10), by the Regional Government of the Basque Country, by the Recercaixa (2010ACUP 00310), by the European Commission grants FOOD-CT-2006-036224-HIWATE, by the Spanish Association Against Cancer (AECC) Scientific Foundation, by the Catalan Government DURSI grant 2017SGR723, by the University of Oviedo, and by the Fundación Caja de Ahorros de Asturias. ISGlobal is a member of the CERCA Program, Generalitat de Catalunya.S

Atividade física como fator protetor para o extremo baixo peso em idosos assistidos por uma operadora de saúde

Objetivo: Investigar a influência de fatores relacionados aos aspectos multidimensionais do envelhecimento em um grupo de idosos com baixo peso assistidos pelo setor privado de saúde. Métodos: Estudo transversal conduzido com 243 idosos com índice de massa corpórea <23 kg/m², todos assistidos por uma operadora de planos de saúde, no município de São Paulo, SP, Brasil, alocados em dois grupos: baixo peso e extremo baixo peso. Para a coleta dos dados empregou-se inquérito contendo informações relacionadas aos aspectos multidimensionais do envelhecimento. Os dados obtidos foram submetidos a análise descritiva das variáveis, com posterior análise comparativa através dos testes t Student e Qui-Quadrado ou exato de Fisher, quando necessário. Para variáveis com significância estatística, aplicou-se regressão logística e calculou-se as Odds Ratio, com intervalo de confiança de 95%. Resultados: Observou-se que, a idade avançada (p=0,044), dificuldade de mobilidade (p=0,011) e baixos níveis de atividade física (p=0.021) influenciam significativamente os idosos em estado nutricional de extremo baixo peso. Por meio do modelo de regressão logística, verificou-se que para cada uma hora de atividade física praticada pelos idosos deste grupo, os riscos de evolução para extremo baixo peso diminuem em até 14%. Conclusão: A pratica regular e orientada de atividade física praticada por idosos com algum grau de déficit nutricional é capaz de prevenir e/ou retardar desfechos indesejados em grupos susceptíveis.Objective: Investigate the influence of factors related to multidimensional aspects of aging in a group of elderly assisted by the private health sector. Methods: Cross-sectional study conducted with 243 elders with a body mass index <23 kg/m² assisted by a health plan in the city of São Paulo, SP, Brazil, with them being allocated into two groups: low weight and extreme low weight. For data collection, a survey developed by the researchers themselves containing information related to multidimensional aspects of aging was employed. The obtained data were submitted to a descriptive analysis of the variables and a subsequent comparative analysis through Student’s t-distribution, Chi-squared or Fisher’s exact tests, when necessary. For variables with statistical significance, logistic regression was applied and the odds ratio, with a 95% confidence interval, was calculated. Results: It was observed that advanced age (p=0.044), mobility difficulty (p=0.011) and low levels of physical activity (p=0.021) significantly influence the elderly in extremely low weight nutritional status. Moreover, through the logistic regression model, it was found that, for this group, every hour of physical activity practiced by underweight elders, the risks of evolution to an extreme low weight status decrease by up to 14%. Conclusion: The regular and oriented practice of physical activity by the elderly with some degree of nutritional deficit is able to prevent and/or delay unwanted outcomes in susceptible groups

Current situation of endemic mycosis in the Americas and the Caribbean: Proceedings of the first international meeting on endemic mycoses of the Americas (IMEMA)

Background: The Americas are home to biologically and clinically diverse endemic fungi, including Blastomyces, Coccidioides, Emergomyces, Histoplasma, Paracoccidioides and Sporothrix. In endemic areas with high risk of infection, these fungal pathogens represent an important public health problem. Objectives: This report aims to summarise the main findings of the regional analysis carried out on the status of the endemic mycoses of the Americas, done at the first International Meeting on Endemic Mycoses of the Americas (IMEMA). Methods: A regional analysis for the Americas was done, the 27 territories were grouped into nine regions. A SWOT analysis was done. Results: All territories reported availability of microscopy. Seventy percent of territories reported antibody testing, 67% of territories reported availability of Histoplasma antigen testing. None of the territories reported the use of (1–3)-β-d-glucan. Fifty two percent of territories reported the availability of PCR testing in reference centres (mostly for histoplasmosis). Most of the territories reported access to medications such as trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, itraconazole, voriconazole and amphotericin B (AMB) deoxycholate. Many countries had limited access to liposomal formulation of AMB and newer azoles, such as posaconazole and isavuconazole. Surveillance of these fungal diseases was minimal. Conclusions: A consensus emerged among meeting participants, this group concluded that endemic mycoses are neglected diseases, and due to their severity and lack of resources, the improvement of diagnosis, treatment and surveillance is needed.Fil: Caceres, Diego H.. Universidad Colegio Mayor de Nuestra Señora del Rosario; Colombia. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; Estados UnidosFil: Echeverri Tirado, Laura C.. Universidad de Antioquia; ColombiaFil: Bonifaz, Alexandro. Hospital General de Mexico; MéxicoFil: Adenis, Antoine. Inserm; FranciaFil: Gomez, Beatriz L.. Universidad Colegio Mayor de Nuestra Señora del Rosario; ColombiaFil: Bnada Flores, Claudia Lizett. Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia; PerúFil: Canteros, Cristina Elena. Instituto Nacional de Enfermedades Infecciosas; ArgentinaFil: Santos, Daniel Wagner. Universidade Federal do Maranhao; BrasilFil: Arathoon, Eduardo. Asociación de Salud Integral; GuatemalaFil: Ramirez Soto, Elia. Centro Nacional de Enfermedades Tropicales; BoliviaFil: Queiroz-Telles, Flavio. Universidade Federal do Paraná; BrasilFil: Schwartz, Ilan S.. University of Alberta; CanadáFil: Zurita, Jeannete. Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador; EcuadorFil: Serra Damasceno, Lisandra. Universidade Estadual do Ceará; BrasilFil: Garcia, Nataly. Sociedad Venezolana de Microbiología; VenezuelaFil: Fernandez, Norma B.. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Hospital de Clínicas General San Martín; ArgentinaFil: Chincha, Omayra. Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia; PerúFil: Araujo, Patricia. Ministerio de Salud Pública y Bienestar Social; ParaguayFil: Rabagliati, Ricardo. No especifíca;Fil: Chiller, Tom. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; Estados UnidosFil: Giusiano, Gustavo Emilio. Universidad Nacional del Nordeste. Instituto de Medicina Regional; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Nordeste; Argentin

Hypothalamic AMPK-ER Stress-JNK1 Axis Mediates the Central Actions of Thyroid Hormones on Energy Balance

Thyroid hormones (THs) act in the brain to modulate energy balance. We show that central triiodothyronine (T3) regulates de novo lipogenesis in liver and lipid oxidation in brown adipose tissue (BAT) through the parasympathetic (PSNS) and sympathetic nervous system (SNS), respectively. Central T3 promotes hepatic lipogenesis with parallel stimulation of the thermogenic program in BAT. The action of T3 depends on AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK)-induced regulation of two signaling pathways in the ventromedial nucleus of the hypothalamus (VMH): decreased ceramide-induced endoplasmic reticulum(ER) stress, which promotes BAT thermogenesis, and increased c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) activation, which controls hepatic lipid metabolism. Of note, ablation of AMPK alpha 1 in steroidogenic factor 1 (SF1) neurons of the VMH fully recapitulated the effect of central T3, pointing to this population in mediating the effect of central THs on metabolism. Overall, these findings uncover the underlying pathways through which central T3 modulates peripheral metabolism.Peer reviewe

Early Tracheostomy for Managing ICU Capacity During the COVID-19 Outbreak: A Propensity-Matched Cohort Study

10 p.Background: During the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, shortages of ventilators and ICU beds overwhelmed health care systems. Whether early tracheostomy reduces the duration of mechanical ventilation and ICU stay is controversial. Research question: Can failure-free day outcomes focused on ICU resources help to decide the optimal timing of tracheostomy in overburdened health care systems during viral epidemics? Study design and methods: This retrospective cohort study included consecutive patients with COVID-19 pneumonia who had undergone tracheostomy in 15 Spanish ICUs during the surge, when ICU occupancy modified clinician criteria to perform tracheostomy in Patients with COVID-19. We compared ventilator-free days at 28 and 60 days and ICU- and hospital bed-free days at 28 and 60 days in propensity score-matched cohorts who underwent tracheostomy at different timings (≤ 7 days, 8-10 days, and 11-14 days after intubation). Results: Of 1,939 patients admitted with COVID-19 pneumonia, 682 (35.2%) underwent tracheostomy, 382 (56%) within 14 days. Earlier tracheostomy was associated with more ventilator-free days at 28 days (≤ 7 days vs > 7 days [116 patients included in the analysis]: median, 9 days [interquartile range (IQR), 0-15 days] vs 3 days [IQR, 0-7 days]; difference between groups, 4.5 days; 95% CI, 2.3-6.7 days; 8-10 days vs > 10 days [222 patients analyzed]: 6 days [IQR, 0-10 days] vs 0 days [IQR, 0-6 days]; difference, 3.1 days; 95% CI, 1.7-4.5 days; 11-14 days vs > 14 days [318 patients analyzed]: 4 days [IQR, 0-9 days] vs 0 days [IQR, 0-2 days]; difference, 3 days; 95% CI, 2.1-3.9 days). Except hospital bed-free days at 28 days, all other end points were better with early tracheostomy. Interpretation: Optimal timing of tracheostomy may improve patient outcomes and may alleviate ICU capacity strain during the COVID-19 pandemic without increasing mortality. Tracheostomy within the first work on a ventilator in particular may improve ICU availability

Magnesium accumulation upon cyclin M4 silencing activates microsomal triglyceride transfer protein improving NASH

Background & Aims: Perturbations of intracellular magnesium (Mg) homeostasis have implications for cell physiology. The cyclin M family, CNNM, perform key functions in the transport of Mg across cell membranes. Herein, we aimed to elucidate the role of CNNM4 in the development of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). Methods: Serum Mg levels and hepatic CNNM4 expression were characterised in clinical samples. Primary hepatocytes were cultured under methionine and choline deprivation. A 0.1% methionine and choline-deficient diet, or a choline-deficient high-fat diet were used to induce NASH in our in vivo rodent models. Cnnm4 was silenced using siRNA, in vitro with DharmaFECT and in vivo with Invivofectamine® or conjugated to N-acetylgalactosamine. Results: Patients with NASH showed hepatic CNNM4 overexpression and dysregulated Mg levels in the serum. Cnnm4 silencing ameliorated hepatic lipid accumulation, inflammation and fibrosis in the rodent NASH models. Mechanistically, CNNM4 knockdown in hepatocytes induced cellular Mg accumulation, reduced endoplasmic reticulum stress, and increased microsomal triglyceride transfer activity, which promoted hepatic lipid clearance by increasing the secretion of VLDLs. Conclusions: CNNM4 is overexpressed in patients with NASH and is responsible for dysregulated Mg transport. Hepatic CNNM4 is a promising therapeutic target for the treatment of NASH. Lay summary: Cyclin M4 (CNNM4) is overexpressed in non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and promotes the export of magnesium from the liver. The liver-specific silencing of Cnnm4 ameliorates NASH by reducing endoplasmic reticulum stress and promoting the activity of microsomal triglyceride transfer protein.Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación, Programa Retos-Colaboración RTC2019-007125-1 (for JS and MLM-C); Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Proyectos de Investigación en Salud DTS20/00138 (for JS and MLM-C); Departamento de Industria del Gobierno Vasco (for MLM-C); Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades MICINN: SAF2017-87301-R and RTI2018-096759-A-100 integrado en el Plan Estatal de Investigación Cientifica y Técnica y Innovación, cofinanciado con Fondos FEDER (for MLM-C and TCD, respectively); BIOEF (Basque Foundation for Innovation and Health Research); EITB Maratoia BIO15/CA/014; Asociación Española contra el Cáncer (MLM-C, TCD); Fundación Científica de la Asociación Española Contra el Cancer (AECC Scientific Foundation) Rare Tumor Calls 2017 (for MLM); La Caixa Foundation Program (for MLM); Fundacion BBVA UMBRELLA project (for MLM); BFU2015-70067-REDC, BFU2016-77408-R, and BES-2017- 080435 (MINECO / FEDER, UE) and the FIGHT-CNNM2 project from the EJP RD Joint Transnational Call (JTC2019) (Ref. AC19/ 00073) (for LAM-C); RTI2018-095134-B-100 and Grupos de Investigación del Sistema Universitario Vasco (IT971-16) (for PA); National Institutes of Health under grant CA217817 (for DB); AGL2014-54585-R, AGL-2017-86927-R and EQC2018-004897-P from MINECO; PC0148-2016-0149 and PAI-BIO311 from Junta de Andalucía (for FM). Ciberehd_ISCIII_MINECO is funded by the Instituto de Salud Carlos III. We thank Silence Therapeutics plc. for the financial support provided. We thank MINECO for the Severo Ochoa Excellence Accreditation to CIC bioGUNE (SEV- 2016-0644)

Global, regional, and national comparative risk assessment of 79 behavioural, environmental and occupational, and metabolic risks or clusters of risks, 1990-2015: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2015

SummaryBackground The Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study 2015 provides an up-to-date synthesis of the evidence for risk factor exposure and the attributable burden of disease. By providing national and subnational assessments spanning the past 25 years, this study can inform debates on the importance of addressing risks in context. Methods We used the comparative risk assessment framework developed for previous iterations of the Global Burden of Disease Study to estimate attributable deaths, disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs), and trends in exposure by age group, sex, year, and geography for 79 behavioural, environmental and occupational, and metabolic risks or clusters of risks from 1990 to 2015. This study included 388 risk-outcome pairs that met World Cancer Research Fund-defined criteria for convincing or probable evidence. We extracted relative risk and exposure estimates from randomised controlled trials, cohorts, pooled cohorts, household surveys, census data, satellite data, and other sources. We used statistical models to pool data, adjust for bias, and incorporate covariates. We developed a metric that allows comparisons of exposure across risk factors—the summary exposure value. Using the counterfactual scenario of theoretical minimum risk level, we estimated the portion of deaths and DALYs that could be attributed to a given risk. We decomposed trends in attributable burden into contributions from population growth, population age structure, risk exposure, and risk-deleted cause-specific DALY rates. We characterised risk exposure in relation to a Socio-demographic Index (SDI). Findings Between 1990 and 2015, global exposure to unsafe sanitation, household air pollution, childhood underweight, childhood stunting, and smoking each decreased by more than 25%. Global exposure for several occupational risks, high body-mass index (BMI), and drug use increased by more than 25% over the same period. All risks jointly evaluated in 2015 accounted for 57·8% (95% CI 56·6–58·8) of global deaths and 41·2% (39·8–42·8) of DALYs. In 2015, the ten largest contributors to global DALYs among Level 3 risks were high systolic blood pressure (211·8 million [192·7 million to 231·1 million] global DALYs), smoking (148·6 million [134·2 million to 163·1 million]), high fasting plasma glucose (143·1 million [125·1 million to 163·5 million]), high BMI (120·1 million [83·8 million to 158·4 million]), childhood undernutrition (113·3 million [103·9 million to 123·4 million]), ambient particulate matter (103·1 million [90·8 million to 115·1 million]), high total cholesterol (88·7 million [74·6 million to 105·7 million]), household air pollution (85·6 million [66·7 million to 106·1 million]), alcohol use (85·0 million [77·2 million to 93·0 million]), and diets high in sodium (83·0 million [49·3 million to 127·5 million]). From 1990 to 2015, attributable DALYs declined for micronutrient deficiencies, childhood undernutrition, unsafe sanitation and water, and household air pollution; reductions in risk-deleted DALY rates rather than reductions in exposure drove these declines. Rising exposure contributed to notable increases in attributable DALYs from high BMI, high fasting plasma glucose, occupational carcinogens, and drug use. Environmental risks and childhood undernutrition declined steadily with SDI; low physical activity, high BMI, and high fasting plasma glucose increased with SDI. In 119 countries, metabolic risks, such as high BMI and fasting plasma glucose, contributed the most attributable DALYs in 2015. Regionally, smoking still ranked among the leading five risk factors for attributable DALYs in 109 countries; childhood underweight and unsafe sex remained primary drivers of early death and disability in much of sub-Saharan Africa. Interpretation Declines in some key environmental risks have contributed to declines in critical infectious diseases. Some risks appear to be invariant to SDI. Increasing risks, including high BMI, high fasting plasma glucose, drug use, and some occupational exposures, contribute to rising burden from some conditions, but also provide opportunities for intervention. Some highly preventable risks, such as smoking, remain major causes of attributable DALYs, even as exposure is declining. Public policy makers need to pay attention to the risks that are increasingly major contributors to global burden. Funding Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation

Energy Estimation of Cosmic Rays with the Engineering Radio Array of the Pierre Auger Observatory

The Auger Engineering Radio Array (AERA) is part of the Pierre Auger Observatory and is used to detect the radio emission of cosmic-ray air showers. These observations are compared to the data of the surface detector stations of the Observatory, which provide well-calibrated information on the cosmic-ray energies and arrival directions. The response of the radio stations in the 30 to 80 MHz regime has been thoroughly calibrated to enable the reconstruction of the incoming electric field. For the latter, the energy deposit per area is determined from the radio pulses at each observer position and is interpolated using a two-dimensional function that takes into account signal asymmetries due to interference between the geomagnetic and charge-excess emission components. The spatial integral over the signal distribution gives a direct measurement of the energy transferred from the primary cosmic ray into radio emission in the AERA frequency range. We measure 15.8 MeV of radiation energy for a 1 EeV air shower arriving perpendicularly to the geomagnetic field. This radiation energy -- corrected for geometrical effects -- is used as a cosmic-ray energy estimator. Performing an absolute energy calibration against the surface-detector information, we observe that this radio-energy estimator scales quadratically with the cosmic-ray energy as expected for coherent emission. We find an energy resolution of the radio reconstruction of 22% for the data set and 17% for a high-quality subset containing only events with at least five radio stations with signal.Comment: Replaced with published version. Added journal reference and DO