Risk factors for high blood pressure in adolescents

Model of the study:Transversal study. Objective: The purpose of this study was to verify risk factors for high blood pressure in teenagers. Methods:The sample was consisted of adolescents of both sexes with age between 14 and 18 years. The risk factors were assessed by demographics, consumption of snack at school, physical activity, tobacco use and alcohol consumption. The nutritional assessment was held by height and weight and waist circumference, in addition to checking blood pressure. It was found that 21.5% (n=26) of adolescents were overweight and it was not related to the values of high blood pressure. Results: About the waist circumference 89.3% (n=108) were within the parameters considered normal. It was found that 26.4% (n=32) had borderline values and 19% (n=23) were classified as hypertensive. The adolescents with greater waist circumference had higher blood pressure (P=0.034). Conclusion: This study showed that the circumference of waist may be a good parameter to determine risk of developing hypertension, concomitant with the nutritional condition. The prevention of obesity throught an appropriated dietary pattern and practice of regular physical activity is a priority for positive impact on the improvement of hypertension, reducing the risk for cardiovascular disease and thereby, increasing life expectancy.Modelo do estudo: Estudo transversal. Objetivo:O objetivo deste trabalho foi verificar fatores de risco para elevação da pressão arterial em adolescentes. Métodos: A amostra foi constituída por adolescentes de ambos os sexos com a idade entre 14 e 18 anos. Os fatores de risco foram avaliados pelos dados demográficos, consumo de lanche na escola, prática de atividade física, uso de tabaco e consumo de álcool. Realizou-se avaliação nutricional através do peso e altura e circunferência da cintura, além da verificação da pressão arterial. Resultados: Observou-se que 21.5% (n=26) dos adolescentes estavam acima do peso, 89.3% (n=108) estavam dentro dos parâmetros considerados normais para a circunferência da cintura. Resultados: Observou-se que 21.5% (n=26) dos adolescentes estavam acima do peso, 89.3% (n=108) estavam dentro dos parâmetros considerados normais para a circunferência da cintura. Observou-se que 26.4% (n=32) apresentavam valores limítrofes e 19% (n=23) estavam com a pressão arterial elevada. Os adolescentes com maior circunferência da cintura tiveram maiores valores de pressão arterial (P=0.034). Conclusão: Este estudo demonstrou que alta prevalência de pressão arterial elevada e a circunferência de cintura pode ser um bom parâmetro para se determinar risco de desenvolver hipertensão arterial, concomitantemente com o estado nutricional

Modelos experimentais para o estudo do diabetes tipo 1

The animal models of diabetes have been used extensively in obtaining the information on this disease.The objective of this study was a literature review on the main experimental models for the study ofdiabetes mellitus. Among the experimental models for the study of diabetes, the models are chemicallyinduced by aloxan and streptozotocin, and the dose used depends on the species of the animal and itsweight. Also, there are two excellent models of spontaneous diabetes: the BB rats (Biobreading) andNOD mice (Non Obese Diabetic). The NOD mice are the most studied model of spontaneous selfimmunedisease-specific body in the world. The reasons for the preference genome of this modelinclude a well-defined, greater quantity of monoclonal reagents for the analysis of components of theimmune system and a reasonably low cost, compared with the use of rats. These mice exhibit spontaneousautoimmunity with destruction of pancreatic islets, in a manner similar to that seen in humans. Theauto-immune destruction is characterized by insulite in pancreatic islets. This infiltration is composedpredominantly of dendritic cells, macrophages, CD4 T cells, CD8 cells and B. The environmental factorstogether with the genetics, clearly alter the incidence of type 1 diabetes in experimental models spontaneous.The susceptibility of these mice is genetics and environment, emphasizing adequate housing,health, diet and gender. The incidence of diabetes in NOD mice is about four times higher in femalesthan in males. Information obtained through this excellent animal model may be relevant to the understandingof the process of the disease in humans.Os modelos animais de diabetes têm sido usados extensivamente na obtenção do esclarecimentosobre esta doença. O objetivo deste estudo foi realizar uma revisão bibliográfica sobre os principaismodelos experimentais para o estudo do diabetes mellitus. Dentre os modelos experimentais para oestudo do diabetes, existem os modelos induzidos quimicamente por aloxana e streptozotocina, sendoque a dose utilizada depende da espécie do animal e do seu peso. Além disso, existem dois excelentesmodelos de diabetes espontâneo: os ratos BB (Biobreading) e os camundongos NOD (Non ObeseDiabetic). Os camundongos NOD são o modelo mais estudado de doença espontânea auto-imuneórgão-específico em todo o mundo. As razões para a preferência deste modelo incluem um genomabem definido, maior quantidade de reagentes monoclonais para a análise de componentes do sistemaimune e um custo razoavelmente baixo, comparado com a utilização de ratos. Estes camundongosexibem autoimunidade espontânea com destruição das ilhotas pancreáticas, de forma semelhante àobservada em humanos. A destruição auto-imune é caracterizada por insulite e infiltrado leucocitárionas ilhotas pancreáticas. Esta infiltração é composta predominantemente por células dendríticas, macrófagos,por células TCD4, TCD8 e células B. Os fatores ambientais em conjunto com a genética,claramente modificam a incidência do diabetes tipo 1 nos modelos experimentais espontâneos. Asuscetibilidade destes camundongos é poligênica e ambiental, enfatizando condições de habitação,sanitárias, dietéticas e de gênero. A incidência de diabetes em camundongos NOD é aproximadamentequatro vezes maior em fêmeas do que em machos. As informações obtidas através deste excelentemodelo animal podem ser relevantes para O entendimento do processo da doença nos humanos

Exploring reasons for state-level variation in incidence of dialysis-requiring acute kidney injury (AKI-D) in the United States

Background: There is considerable state-level variation in the incidence of dialysis-requiring acute kidney injury (AKI-D). However, little is known about reasons for this geographic variation. Methods: National cross-sectional state-level ecological study based on State Inpatient Databases (SID) and the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) in 2011. We analyzed 18 states and six chronic health conditions (diabetes mellitus [diabetes], hypertension, chronic kidney disease [CKD], arteriosclerotic heart disease [ASHD], cancer (excluding skin cancer), and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease [COPD]). Associations between each of the chronic health conditions and AKI-D incidence was assessed using Pearson correlation and multiple regression adjusting for mean age, the proportion of males, and the proportion of non-Hispanic whites in each state. Results: The state-level AKI-D incidence ranged from 190 to 1139 per million population. State-level differences in rates of hospitalization with chronic health conditions (mostly \u3c 3-fold difference in range) were larger than the state-level differences in prevalence for each chronic health condition (mostly \u3c 2.5-fold difference in range). A significant correlation was shown between AKI-D incidence and prevalence of diabetes, ASHD, and COPD, as well as between AKI-D incidence and rate of hospitalization with hypertension. In regression models, after adjusting for age, sex, and race, AKI-D incidence was associated with prevalence of and rates of hospitalization with five chronic health conditions - diabetes, hypertension, CKD, ASHD and COPD - and rates of hospitalization with cancer. Conclusions: Results from this ecological analysis suggest that state-level variation in AKI-D incidence may be influenced by state-level variations in prevalence of and rates of hospitalization with several chronic health conditions. For most of the explored chronic conditions, AKI-D correlated stronger with rates of hospitalizations with the health conditions rather than with their prevalences, suggesting that better disease management strategies that prevent hospitalizations may translate into lower incidence of AKI-D

Pain-causing stinging nettle toxins target TMEM233 to modulate NaV1.7 function

Voltage-gated sodium (NaV) channels are critical regulators of neuronal excitability and are targeted by many toxins that directly interact with the pore-forming α subunit, typically via extracellular loops of the voltage-sensing domains, or residues forming part of the pore domain. Excelsatoxin A (ExTxA), a pain-causing knottin peptide from the Australian stinging tree Dendrocnide excelsa, is the first reported plant-derived NaV channel modulating peptide toxin. Here we show that TMEM233, a member of the dispanin family of transmembrane proteins expressed in sensory neurons, is essential for pharmacological activity of ExTxA at NaV channels, and that co-expression of TMEM233 modulates the gating properties of NaV1.7. These findings identify TMEM233 as a previously unknown NaV1.7-interacting protein, position TMEM233 and the dispanins as accessory proteins that are indispensable for toxin-mediated effects on NaV channel gating, and provide important insights into the function of NaV channels in sensory neurons

Antimicrobial resistance among migrants in Europe: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND: Rates of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) are rising globally and there is concern that increased migration is contributing to the burden of antibiotic resistance in Europe. However, the effect of migration on the burden of AMR in Europe has not yet been comprehensively examined. Therefore, we did a systematic review and meta-analysis to identify and synthesise data for AMR carriage or infection in migrants to Europe to examine differences in patterns of AMR across migrant groups and in different settings. METHODS: For this systematic review and meta-analysis, we searched MEDLINE, Embase, PubMed, and Scopus with no language restrictions from Jan 1, 2000, to Jan 18, 2017, for primary data from observational studies reporting antibacterial resistance in common bacterial pathogens among migrants to 21 European Union-15 and European Economic Area countries. To be eligible for inclusion, studies had to report data on carriage or infection with laboratory-confirmed antibiotic-resistant organisms in migrant populations. We extracted data from eligible studies and assessed quality using piloted, standardised forms. We did not examine drug resistance in tuberculosis and excluded articles solely reporting on this parameter. We also excluded articles in which migrant status was determined by ethnicity, country of birth of participants' parents, or was not defined, and articles in which data were not disaggregated by migrant status. Outcomes were carriage of or infection with antibiotic-resistant organisms. We used random-effects models to calculate the pooled prevalence of each outcome. The study protocol is registered with PROSPERO, number CRD42016043681. FINDINGS: We identified 2274 articles, of which 23 observational studies reporting on antibiotic resistance in 2319 migrants were included. The pooled prevalence of any AMR carriage or AMR infection in migrants was 25·4% (95% CI 19·1-31·8; I2 =98%), including meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (7·8%, 4·8-10·7; I2 =92%) and antibiotic-resistant Gram-negative bacteria (27·2%, 17·6-36·8; I2 =94%). The pooled prevalence of any AMR carriage or infection was higher in refugees and asylum seekers (33·0%, 18·3-47·6; I2 =98%) than in other migrant groups (6·6%, 1·8-11·3; I2 =92%). The pooled prevalence of antibiotic-resistant organisms was slightly higher in high-migrant community settings (33·1%, 11·1-55·1; I2 =96%) than in migrants in hospitals (24·3%, 16·1-32·6; I2 =98%). We did not find evidence of high rates of transmission of AMR from migrant to host populations. INTERPRETATION: Migrants are exposed to conditions favouring the emergence of drug resistance during transit and in host countries in Europe. Increased antibiotic resistance among refugees and asylum seekers and in high-migrant community settings (such as refugee camps and detention facilities) highlights the need for improved living conditions, access to health care, and initiatives to facilitate detection of and appropriate high-quality treatment for antibiotic-resistant infections during transit and in host countries. Protocols for the prevention and control of infection and for antibiotic surveillance need to be integrated in all aspects of health care, which should be accessible for all migrant groups, and should target determinants of AMR before, during, and after migration. FUNDING: UK National Institute for Health Research Imperial Biomedical Research Centre, Imperial College Healthcare Charity, the Wellcome Trust, and UK National Institute for Health Research Health Protection Research Unit in Healthcare-associated Infections and Antimictobial Resistance at Imperial College London

Ancient Plasmodium genomes shed light on the history of human malaria

Malaria-causing protozoa of the genus Plasmodium have exerted one of the strongest selective pressures on the human genome, and resistance alleles provide biomolecular footprints that outline the historical reach of these species1. Nevertheless, debate persists over when and how malaria parasites emerged as human pathogens and spread around the globe1,2. To address these questions, we generated high-coverage ancient mitochondrial and nuclear genome-wide data from P. falciparum, P. vivax and P. malariae from 16 countries spanning around 5,500 years of human history. We identified P. vivax and P. falciparum across geographically disparate regions of Eurasia from as early as the fourth and first millennia bce, respectively; for P. vivax, this evidence pre-dates textual references by several millennia3. Genomic analysis supports distinct disease histories for P. falciparum and P. vivax in the Americas: similarities between now-eliminated European and peri-contact South American strains indicate that European colonizers were the source of American P. vivax, whereas the trans-Atlantic slave trade probably introduced P. falciparum into the Americas. Our data underscore the role of cross-cultural contacts in the dissemination of malaria, laying the biomolecular foundation for future palaeo-epidemiological research into the impact of Plasmodium parasites on human history. Finally, our unexpected discovery of P. falciparum in the high-altitude Himalayas provides a rare case study in which individual mobility can be inferred from infection status, adding to our knowledge of cross-cultural connectivity in the region nearly three millennia ago.This project was funded by the National Science Foundation, grants BCS-2141896 and BCS-1528698; the European Research Council (ERC) under the European Union’s Horizon 2020 programme, grants 851511-MICROSCOPE (to S. Schiffels), 771234-PALEoRIDER (to W.H.) and starting grant 805268-CoDisEASe (to K.I.B.); and the ERC starting grant Waves ERC758967 (supporting K. Nägele and S.C.). We thank the Max Planck-Harvard Research Center for the Archaeoscience of the Ancient Mediterranean for supporting M. Michel, E. Skourtanioti, A.M., R.A.B., L.C.B., G.U.N., N.S., V.V.-M., M. McCormick, P.W.S., C.W. and J.K.; the Kone Foundation for supporting E.K.G. and A.S.; and the Faculty of Medicine and the Faculty of Biological and Environmental Sciences at the University of Helsinki for grants to E.K.G. A.S. thanks the Magnus Ehrnrooth Foundation, the Sigrid Jusélius Foundation, the Finnish Cultural Foundation, the Academy of Finland, the Life and Health Medical Foundation and the Finnish Society of Sciences and Letters. M.C.B. acknowledges funding from: research project PID2020-116196GB-I00 funded by MCIN/AEI/10.13039/501100011033; the Spanish Ministry of Culture; the Chiang Ching Kuo Foundation; Fundación Palarq; the EU FP7 Marie Curie Zukunftskolleg Incoming Fellowship Programme, University of Konstanz (grant 291784); STAR2-Santander Universidades and Ministry of Education, Culture and Sports; and CEI 2015 project Cantabria Campus Internacional. M.E. received support from the Czech Academy of Sciences award Praemium Academiae and project RVO 67985912 of the Institute of Archaeology of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague. This work has been funded within project PID2020-115956GB-I00 ‘Origen y conformación del Bronce Valenciano’, granted by the Ministry of Science and Innovation of the Government of Spain, and grants from the Canadian Institutes for Health Research (MZI187236), Research Nova Scotia (RNS 2023-2565) and The Center for Health Research in Developing Countries. D.K. is the Canada research chair in translational vaccinology and inflammation. R.L.K. acknowledges support from a 2019 University of Otago research grant (Human health and adaptation along Silk Roads, a bioarchaeological investigation of a medieval Uzbek cemetery). P.O. thanks the Jane and Aatos Erkko Foundation, the Finnish Cultural Foundation and the Academy of Finland. S. Peltola received support from the Emil Aaltonen Foundation and the Ella and Georg Ehrnrooth Foundation. D.C.S.-G. thanks the Generalitat Valenciana (CIDEGENT/2019/061). E.W.K. acknowledges support from the DEEPDEAD project, HERA-UP, CRP (15.055) and the Horizon 2020 programme (grant 649307). M. Spyrou thanks the Elite program for postdocs of the Baden-Württemberg Stiftung. Open access funding provided by Max Planck Society

A communal catalogue reveals Earth's multiscale microbial diversity

Our growing awareness of the microbial world's importance and diversity contrasts starkly with our limited understanding of its fundamental structure. Despite recent advances in DNA sequencing, a lack of standardized protocols and common analytical frameworks impedes comparisons among studies, hindering the development of global inferences about microbial life on Earth. Here we present a meta-analysis of microbial community samples collected by hundreds of researchers for the Earth Microbiome Project. Coordinated protocols and new analytical methods, particularly the use of exact sequences instead of clustered operational taxonomic units, enable bacterial and archaeal ribosomal RNA gene sequences to be followed across multiple studies and allow us to explore patterns of diversity at an unprecedented scale. The result is both a reference database giving global context to DNA sequence data and a framework for incorporating data from future studies, fostering increasingly complete characterization of Earth's microbial diversity.Peer reviewe

A communal catalogue reveals Earth’s multiscale microbial diversity

Our growing awareness of the microbial world’s importance and diversity contrasts starkly with our limited understanding of its fundamental structure. Despite recent advances in DNA sequencing, a lack of standardized protocols and common analytical frameworks impedes comparisons among studies, hindering the development of global inferences about microbial life on Earth. Here we present a meta-analysis of microbial community samples collected by hundreds of researchers for the Earth Microbiome Project. Coordinated protocols and new analytical methods, particularly the use of exact sequences instead of clustered operational taxonomic units, enable bacterial and archaeal ribosomal RNA gene sequences to be followed across multiple studies and allow us to explore patterns of diversity at an unprecedented scale. The result is both a reference database giving global context to DNA sequence data and a framework for incorporating data from future studies, fostering increasingly complete characterization of Earth’s microbial diversity