Internal space structure generalization of the quintom cosmological scenario

We introduce the Lagrangian for a multi-scalar field configuration in a $N$-dimensional internal space endowed with a constant metric $Q_{ik}$ and generalize the quintom cosmological scenario. We find the energy momentum tensor of the model and show that the set of dual transformations, that preserve the form of the Einstein equations in the Friedmann-Robertson-Walker (FRW) cosmology, is enlarged. We show that the stability of the power law solutions leads to an exponential potential which is invariant under linear transformations in the internal space. Moreover, we obtain the general exact solution of the Einstein-Klein-Gordon equations for that potential. There exist solutions that cross the phantom divide and solutions that blow up at a finite time, exhibiting a superaccelerated behavior and ending in a big rip. We show that the quintom model with a separable potential can be identified with a mixture of several fluids. This framework includes the $\Lambda$CDM model, a bouncing model, and a setting sourced by a cosmic string network plus a cosmological constant. The we concentrate on the case where the dimension of the internal quintessence sector $N_{q}$ exceeds the dimension of the internal phantom sector $N_{ph}$. For $(N_q,N_{ph})=(2,1)$ the dark energy density derived from the 3-scalar field crosses the phantom divide and its negative component plays the role of the negative part of a classical Dirac Field.Comment: 10 pages, 2 figure

Aquaporin-2 Promoter Is Synergistically Regulated by Nitric Oxide and Nuclear Factor of Activated T Cells

www.karger.com/nne This is an Open Access article licensed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 License (www.karger.com/OA-license), applicable to the online version of the article only. Distribution for non-commercial purposes only

Current and emerging diagnosis tools and therapeutics for giant cell arteritis

Introduction: Giant cell arteritis (GCA) is the most common large-vessel vasculitis in individuals older than 50 years from Western countries. The goal of the treatment is to achieve improvement of symptoms and clinical remission as well as decrease the risk of severe vascular complications. Areas covered: The review summarizes the main epidemiological and clinical features of GCA and discusses in depth both the classic and the new therapies used in the management of GCA. Expert commentary: Prednisone/prednisolone of 40-60 mg/day is the mainstay in GCA therapy. It yields improvement of clinical features and reduces the risk of permanent visual loss in patients with GCA. Other drugs are used in patients who experience relapses (flares of the disease) or side effects related to glucocorticoids. Methotrexate is the most common conventional immunosuppressive drug used as a glucocorticoid sparing agent. Among the new biologic agents, the most frequently used is the recombinant humanized anti-IL-6 receptor antibody, which is effective to improve clinical symptoms, decrease the cumulative prednisone dose and reduce the frequency of relapses in these patients. Anti-tumor necrosis factor-α therapy is not useful in GCA. Experience with other biologic agents, such as abatacept or ustekinumab, looks promising but it is still scarce

Improvement of cardiometabolic markers after fish oil intervention in young Mexican adults and the role of PPARα L162V and PPARγ2 P12A

Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) contained in fish oil (FO) are ligands for peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPAR) that may induce changes in cardiometabolic markers. Variation in PPAR genes may influence the beneficial responses linked to FO supplementation in young adults. The study aimed to analyze the effect of FO supplementation on glucose metabolism, circulating lipids and inflammation according to PPARα L162V and PPARγ2 P12A genotypes in young Mexican adults. 191 young, non-smoking subjects between 18 and 40 years were included in a one-arm study. Participants were supplemented with 2.7 g/day of EPA+DHA, during six weeks. Dietary analysis, body composition measurements and indicators for glucose metabolism, circulating lipids, and markers for inflammation were analyzed before and after intervention. An overall decrease in triglycerides (TG) and an increase in HS-ω3 index were observed in all subjects [-4.1 mg/dL, (SD:±51.7), P=.02 and 2.6%, (SD:±1.2), P\u3c.001 respectively]. Mean fasting insulin and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c%) were significantly decreased in all subjects [-0.547mlU/L, (SD:±10.29), P=.034 and-0.07%, (SD:±0.3), P\u3c.001 respectively], whereas there was no change in body composition, fasting glucose, adiponectin and inflammatory markers. Subjects carrying the minor alleles of PPARα L162V and PPARγ2 P12A had higher responses in reduction of TG and fasting insulin respectively. Interestingly, doses below 2.7 g/day (1.8 g/day) were sufficient to induce a significant reduction in fasting insulin and HbA1c% from baseline (P=.019 and P\u3c.001). The observed responses in triglycerides and fasting insulin in the Mexican population give further evidence of the importance of FO supplementation in young people as an early step towards the prevention of cardiometabolic disease. Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02296385

The effect of a community-based group intervention on chronic disease self-management in a vulnerable population

Introduction:Chronic non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are predominantly related to modifiable health behaviors and account for 74% of global deaths at present. Behavior modification through self-management is a strategy to prevent NCDs. Chronic Disease Self-Management Programs (CDSMPs) have demonstrated improvements in health behaviors, health status, and use of healthcare. Objective:We evaluated the effects of a 6-week CDSMP on self-efficacy, health behaviors, mental health, health-related quality of life (HR-QoL), and health responsibilities among vulnerable populations with chronic disease in Europe. Methods: A prospective cohort study with a 6-month pre-post single-group design was conducted in five European countries. The intervention targeted adults with chronic conditions and low socioeconomic status, as well as their caregivers. The intervention was a 6-week community-based CDSMP in a group setting. Outcomes were measured per self-report questionnaire at baseline and 6-month follow-up: self-efficacy, health behaviors, mental health, HR-QoL, and health responsibilities. Results: Of 1,844 participants, 1,248 (67.7%) completed follow-up and attended ≥4 sessions. For the chronic condition group, the following outcome measures at follow-up significantly improved compared with baseline (all P &lt; 0.002): self-efficacy (SEMCD-6 6.7 vs. 6.4), mental health (PHQ-8 6.3 vs. 7.0), HR-QoL (SF-12 PCS 42.3 vs. 40.2, SF-12 MCS 42.8 vs. 41.4), health utility (EQ-5D-5L 0.88 vs. 0.86), self-rated health (EQ-5D-5L 67.2 vs. 63.9), communication with healthcare providers (2.28 vs. 2.11), understanding information (3.10 vs. 3.02), number of doctor visits (3.61 vs. 4.97), accident and emergency department visits (0.25 vs. 0.48), total nights in a hospital (0.65 vs. 1.13), and perceived medical errors (19.6 vs. 28.7%). No significant changes were detected in dietary habits, physical activity, substance use, and sleep and fatigue. For caregivers without a chronic condition, only doctor visits significantly decreased (1.54 vs. 2.25, P &lt; 0.001). Discussion: This CDSMP was associated with improvement in self-efficacy, depression, HR-QoL, and health responsibilities over 6 months in a diverse European population with a chronic condition. However, additional interventions targeting lifestyle risk factors are needed to improve health outcomes.</p

El flúor... va a tu escuela : Educación para la salud bucal y acciones preventivas en zonas vulnerables

El objetivo de este trabajo es presentar un programa destinado a niños entre 6 y 8 años, maestros y padres de zonas vulnerables de La Plata y Gran La Plata que revierta la problemática de las patologías más prevalentes de la sociedad actual utilizando métodos educativos y preventivos con la finalidad de cambiar el perfil de la patología dominante. El componente educativo consiste en charlas de educación para la salud y el preventivo en la supervisión del cepillado más aplicación de fluoruros en los escolares. Entedemos a la salud bucal como un valor que no debe ser considerado como un privilegio, sino como un derecho de todas las personas, reforzando el trabajo multidisciplinario, de manera de que la salud recuperada, se mantenga a lo largo del tiempo.Facultad de Odontologí

Humedal Torca-Guaymaral : iniciativas para su conservación

Diferentes iniciativas del Estado, empresas privadas y distritales, junto con la participación ciudadana se han desarrollado para la conservación de Humedales del Distrito capital. Esta coyuntura de intereses, en pro de la conservación de estos ecosistemas estratégicos, impulsa la idea de realizar desde la academia la publicación del libro Humedal Torca-Guaymaral: iniciativas para su conservación, desarrollado en el marco de la Red de Universidades Sostenibles –RAUS- por la Universidad Sergio Arboleda. El objetivo de esta publicación es divulgar a la comunidad en general, el estado de conservación del Humedal Torca-Guaymaral y las iniciativas de desarrolladas para su preservación. Este libro incluye capítulos relacionados con el diagnóstico ambiental del humedal a través de la recopilación bibliográfica de informes técnicos; literatura científica y académica publicada; la iniciativa de recuperación de las quebradas de la cuenca Torca elaborado por Conservación Internacional en el sector de Torca; el proceso de conservación de la conectividad biológica a través de la construcción participativa desarrollado por la Fundación Torca Guaymaral en el sector de Guaymaral; la caracterización ecológica del componente acuático resultado del proyecto de aula e investigación del Semillero Humedales Urbanos de la Universidad Sergio Arboleda y la estrategia pedagógica para la Gobernanza del agua en el Humedal Torca-Guaymaral, propuesta por el Semillero Agua del Bosque de la Universidad El Bosque

Paricalcitol reduces oxidative stress and inflammation in hemodialysis patients

Background: Treatment with selective vitamin D receptor activators such as paricalcitol have been shown to exert an anti-inflammatory effect in patients on hemodialysis, in addition to their action on mineral metabolism and independently of parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels. The objective of this study was to evaluate the additional antioxidant capacity of paricalcitol in a clinical setting. Methods: The study included 19 patients with renal disease on hemodialysis, of whom peripheral blood was obtained for analysis at baseline and three months after starting intravenous paricalcitol treatment. The following oxidizing and inflammatory markers were quantified: malondialdehyde (MDA), nitrites and carbonyl groups, indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO), tumor necrosis factor alfa (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-18 (IL-18) and C-reactive protein (CRP). Of the antioxidants and anti-inflammatory markers, superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase, reduced glutathione (GSH), thioredoxin, and interleukin-10 (IL-10) levels were obtained. Results: Baseline levels of oxidation markers MDA, nitric oxide and protein carbonyl groups significantly decreased after three months on paricalcitol treatment, while levels of GSH, thioredoxin, catalase and SOD activity significantly increased. After paricalcitol treatment, levels of the inflammatory markers CRP, TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-18 were significantly reduced in serum and the level of anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 was increased. Conclusions: In renal patients undergoing hemodialysis, paricalcitol treatment significantly reduces oxidative stress and inflammation, two well known factors leading to cardiovascular damageBackground: Treatment with selective vitamin D receptor activators such as paricalcitol have been shown to exert an anti-inflammatory effect in patients on hemodialysis, in addition to their action on mineral metabolism and independently of parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels. The objective of this study was to evaluate the additional antioxidant capacity of paricalcitol in a clinical setting. Methods: The study included 19 patients with renal disease on hemodialysis, of whom peripheral blood was obtained for analysis at baseline and three months after starting intravenous paricalcitol treatment. The following oxidizing and inflammatory markers were quantified: malondialdehyde (MDA), nitrites and carbonyl groups, indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO), tumor necrosis factor alfa (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-18 (IL-18) and C-reactive protein (CRP). Of the antioxidants and anti-inflammatory markers, superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase, reduced glutathione (GSH), thioredoxin, and interleukin-10 (IL-10) levels were obtained. Results: Baseline levels of oxidation markers MDA, nitric oxide and protein carbonyl groups significantly decreased after three months on paricalcitol treatment, while levels of GSH, thioredoxin, catalase and SOD activity significantly increased. After paricalcitol treatment, levels of the inflammatory markers CRP, TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-18 were significantly reduced in serum and the level of anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 was increased. Conclusions: In renal patients undergoing hemodialysis, paricalcitol treatment significantly reduces oxidative stress and inflammation, two well known factors leading to cardiovascular damage

Reactivity of neonicotinoid insecticides with carbonate radicals

“NOTICE: this is the author’s version of a work that was accepted for publication in Water Research. Changes resulting from the publishing process, such as peer review, editing, corrections, structural formatting, and other quality control mechanisms may not be reflected in this document. Changes may have been made to this work since it was submitted for publication. A definitive version was subsequently published in WATER RESEARCH, [VOL46, ISSUE11, jul 2012] DOI10.1016/j.watres.2012.03.051¨ ©IWA Publishing 2012. The definitive peer-reviewed and edited version of this article is published in Water Research 46 11 3476-3489 2012 10.1016/j.watres.2012.03.051 and is available at www.iwapublishing.comThe reaction of three chloronicotinoid insecticides, namely Imidacloprid (IMD), Thiacloprid (THIA) and Acetamiprid (ACT), with carbonate radicals (CO3 center dot-) was investigated. The second order rate constants (4 +/- 1) x 10(6), (2.8 +/- 0.5) x 10(5), and (1.5 +/- 1) x 10(5) M-1 s(-1) were determined for IMD, THIA and ACT, respectively. The absorption spectra of the organic intermediates formed after CO3 center dot- is approximately equal to attack to IMD is in line with those reported for alpha-aminoalkyl radicals. A reaction mechanism involving an initial charge transfer from the amidine nitrogen of the insecticides to CO3 center dot- is proposed and further supported by the identified reaction products. The pyridine moiety of the insecticides remains unaffected until nicotinic acid is formed. CO3 center dot- radical reactivity towards IMD, ACT, and THIA is low compared to that of HO center dot radicals, excited triplet states, and O-1(2), and is therefore little effective in depleting neonicotinoid insecticides. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.This research was financially supported by Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Cientificas y Tecnicas (CONICET), Agencia Nacional de Promocion Cientifica y Tecnologica (Argentina, project PICT 2007 number 00308), and Agencia Espanola de Cooperacion Internacional (project A/8199/07). M.L.D. thanks CONICET for a graduate studentship. M.C.G. is a research member of CONICET. D.O.M. is a research member of Comision de Investigaciones Cientificas de la Provincia de Buenos Aires (CIC), Argentina. L.S.J. acknowledges Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovacion for his Juan de la Cierva scholarship.Dell'arciprete, ML.; Soler Escoda, JM.; Santos-Juanes Jordá, L.; Arques Sanz, A.; Martire, DO.; Furlong, JP.; González, MC. (2012). Reactivity of neonicotinoid insecticides with carbonate radicals. Water Research. 46(11):3476-3489. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.watres.2012.03.051S34763489461