Associations between Dietary Acid Load and Biomarkers of Inflammation and Hyperglycemia in Breast Cancer Survivors.

Metabolic acidosis can lead to inflammation, tissue damage, and cancer metastasis. Dietary acid load contributes to metabolic acidosis if endogenous acid-base balance is not properly regulated. Breast cancer survivors have reduced capacities to adjust their acid-base balance; yet, the associations between dietary acid load and inflammation and hyperglycemia have not been examined among them. We analyzed data collected from 3042 breast cancer survivors enrolled in the Women's Healthy Eating and Living (WHEL) Study who had provided detailed dietary intakes and measurements of plasma C-reactive protein (CRP) and hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c). Using a cross-sectional design, we found positive associations between dietary acid load and plasma CRP and HbA1c. In the multivariable-adjusted models, compared to women with the lowest quartile, the intakes of dietary acid load among women with the highest quartile showed 30-33% increases of CRP and 6-9% increases of HbA1c. Our study is the first to demonstrate positive associations between dietary acid load and CRP and HbA1c in breast cancer survivors. Our study identifies a novel dietary factor that may lead to inflammation and hyperglycemia, both of which are strong risk factors for breast cancer recurrence and comorbidities

Correlates of measured prehypertension and hypertension in Latina women living along the US-Mexico border, 2007-2009.

IntroductionAlthough Latinos have lower hypertension rates than non-Latino whites and African Americans, they have a higher prevalence of undiagnosed and uncontrolled hypertension. Research on predictors of hypertension has mostly focused on intrapersonal factors with no studies assessing the combined influence of intrapersonal, interpersonal, and environmental factors. The purpose of this study was to assess a broad range of correlates including intrapersonal, interpersonal, and environmental factors on measured blood pressure category (nonhypertensive, prehypertensive, and hypertensive) in a sample of Latina women residing in San Diego, California.MethodsThis cross-sectional study used baseline data from the San Diego Prevention Research Center's Familias Sanas y Activas program, a promotora-led physical activity intervention. The sample was 331 Latinas who self-selected into this program. Backward conditional logistic regression analysis was conducted to determine the strongest correlates of measured blood pressure category.ResultsLogistic regression analysis suggested that the strongest correlates of prehypertension were soda consumption (odds ratio [OR] = 1.34, [1.00-1.80], P ≤ .05) and age (OR = 1.03, [1.00-1.05], P ≤ .05). The strongest correlates of hypertension were soda consumption (OR = 1.92, [1.20-3.07], P ≤ .01), age (OR = 1.09, [1.05-1.13], P ≤ .001), and measured body mass index (OR = 1.13, [1.05-1.22], P ≤ .001). All analyses controlled for age and education. No interpersonal or environmental correlates were significantly associated with blood pressure category.ConclusionFuture research should aim to further understand the role of soda consumption on risk for hypertension in this population. Furthermore, interventions aimed at preventing hypertension may want to focus on intrapersonal level factors

Escolarização durante a pandemia na Argentina: tecnologias digitais e desigualdades no cotidiano

Este artículo estudia las experiencias de escolaridad durante la pandemia en Argentina e identifica la relación entre tecnologías digitales y desigualdades. Para ello, presentamos resultados cuantitativos y cualitativos de dos proyectos de investigación que indagaron la vida cotidiana de las familias, analizando el acceso a dispositivos tecnológicos, las formas de acompañamiento pedagógico y el desarrollo –o no–de las habilidades necesarias. Encontramos que el nivel socioeconómico, las trayectorias sociales, culturales y educativas de los/as adultos/as a cargo fueron factores cruciales para evaluar cómo se atravesó el período sin clases presenciales. Además, las condiciones de acceso a las tecnologías digitales, las dinámicas de educación virtual propuestas por las instituciones y las destrezas digitales que poseían, o pudieron desarrollar, madres y padres tuvieron como resultado experiencias diferentes y desiguales de escolaridad durante la pandemia.This article studies the experiences of schooling during the pandemic in Argentina and identifies the relationship between digital technologies and inequalities. We present quantitative and qualitative results of two research projects that inquired about the daily life of families in Argentina based on the analysis of access to technological devices and the forms of pedagogical accompaniment and the development - or not - of the necessary skills. Among the most relevant results we find that the socioeconomic level and the social, cultural and educational trajectories of the adults in charge were crucial factors when evaluating the ways in which the period without face-to-face classes was traversed. Added to this, the conditions of access to digital technologies, the virtual education dynamics proposed by the institutions, and the digital skills that mothers and fathers possessed, or were able to develop, resulted in different and unequal schooling experiences during the pandemic.Este artigo estuda as experiências de escolarização durante a pandemia na Argentina e identifica a relação entre tecnologias digitais e desigualdades. Para isso, apresentamos resultados quantitativos e qualitativos de dois projetos de pesquisa que indagaram sobre o cotidiano das famílias na Argentina a partir da análise do acesso aos dispositivos tecnológicos e das formas de acompanhamento pedagógico e do desenvolvimento - ou não - das habilidades necessárias. Entre os resultados mais relevantes, encontramos que o nível socioeconômico e as trajetórias sociais, culturais e educacionais dos os responsáveis foram determinantes na avaliação das formas como foi percorrido o período sem aulas presenciais. Somado a isso, as condições de acesso ao tecnologias digitais, as dinâmicas virtuais de ensino propostas pelas instituições e as habilidades digitais que mães e pais possuíam, ou puderam desenvolver, resultaram em experiências escolares diferenciadas e desiguais durante a pandemia.Fil: Lemus, Magdalena. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata. Instituto de Investigaciones en Humanidades y Ciencias Sociales. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Humanidades y Ciencias de la Educación. Instituto de Investigaciones en Humanidades y Ciencias Sociales; ArgentinaFil: Benitez Larghi, Hector Sebastian. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata. Instituto de Investigaciones en Humanidades y Ciencias Sociales. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Humanidades y Ciencias de la Educación. Instituto de Investigaciones en Humanidades y Ciencias Sociales; ArgentinaFil: Duek, Sara Carolina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Sociales. Instituto de Investigaciones "Gino Germani"; Argentin

La inclusión masiva de tecnologías digitales en el ámbito escolar. Un estudio comparativo de la apropiación de TIC por estudiantes de clases populares y clases medias en el marco del Programa Conectar Igualdad en el Gran La Plata

El trabajo expone a partir de un abordaje comparativo los modos diferenciales de apropiación de la computadora e Internet por parte de jóvenes estudiantes de escuela secundaria de clases populares y de clases medias, en el contexto de la implementación del Programa Conectar Igualdad (PCI) en Argentina. En particular, se indaga en las modalidades de acceso a las Tecnologías de la Información y la Comunicación (TIC) con las que se encuentra el PCI y cómo su implementación interviene en el trazado de trayectorias de apropiación de tecnologías digitales y en el vínculo docente - alumno; en el modo en que los estudiantes perciben la influencia del PCI sobre sus propias habilidades y competencias tecnológicas; y en la manera en que el conocimiento y las disposiciones asociados a los nuevos medios digitales se articulan con los modos del saber promovidos por el formato y la institucionalidad escolar. Los principales hallazgos indican una significativa reducción de la brecha digital de acceso a las TIC a partir de la implementación del PCI, así como un mayor peso de la escuela como lugar de aprendizaje de habilidades para el uso de las tecnologías digitales, y una valoración positiva por parte de los alumnos hacia los docentes que incorporan las netbooks en las clases.The paper presents a comparative approach of the differential computer and Internet appropriation methods by adolescents in secondary school, coming from popular and middle classes in the context of the implementation of Connecting Equality Programme [Programa Conectar Igualdad] in Argentina. The article focuses in several research questions: what existing access methods does PCI encounter? And how does its implementation participate in the design of trajectories of ICTs appropriation? How do the students themselves perceive the influence of PCI on their own technological abilities and competence? How do knowledge and aptitudes associated to new digital media articulate with the knowledge manners promoted by the school format and institutionalism? How does the massive introduction of netbooks affect the interaction among different school actors (students-teachers)? The main findings are related to a decrease in the first-level digital gap as well to a increase of the school as an important place to learn technological skills. Moreover, students value positively those teachers who use the netbooks to teach during classes.Fil: Benitez Larghi, Hector Sebastian. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata. Instituto de Investigaciones en Humanidades y Ciencias Sociales. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Humanidades y Ciencias de la Educación. Instituto de Investigaciones en Humanidades y Ciencias Sociales; ArgentinaFil: Lemus, Magdalena. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata. Instituto de Investigaciones en Humanidades y Ciencias Sociales. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Humanidades y Ciencias de la Educación. Instituto de Investigaciones en Humanidades y Ciencias Sociales; ArgentinaFil: Welschinger Lascano, Nicolás Sebastían. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata. Instituto de Investigaciones en Humanidades y Ciencias Sociales. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Humanidades y Ciencias de la Educación. Instituto de Investigaciones en Humanidades y Ciencias Sociales; Argentin

La apropiación en cuestión. Experiencias juveniles con TIC en perspectiva comparada

Las estadísticas muestran que el acceso a las TIC ha crecido sustancialmente en Latinoamérica durante la última década. Frente a este dinámico contexto, nuevas categorías y métodos de indagación se tornan necesarias. Sin desconocer los aportes de las perspectivas centradas en el estudio de las brechas digitales, en esta ponencia nos enfocaremos en los procesos de apropiación de las TIC. Esto implica trascender la medición cuantitativa de accesos y habilidades y contribuir a la comprensión de los sentidos que la tecnología adquiere en la vida cotidiana. Con este objetivo, aquí presentamos las conclusiones de una investigación de corte cualitativo llevada adelante entre los años 2012 y 2013 acerca de las experiencias de apropiación de las TIC por parte de jóvenes de clases populares y clases medias – altas urbanas del Gran La Plata en el marco de implementación del Programa Conectar Igualdad (PCI). Así se comparan condiciones y trayectorias de accesos, usos de la computadora e Internet, elecciones y reglas de uso de las redes sociales.Fil: Benitez Larghi, Hector Sebastian. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Humanidades y Ciencias de la Educación; ArgentinaFil: Lemus, Magdalena. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Moguillansky, Marina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de San Martín; ArgentinaFil: Ponce de León, Jimena. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentin

Testing the Goodness of Supplementary Feeding to Enhance Population Viability in an Endangered Vulture

[Background]: Human-predator conflicts are directly or indirectly threatening many species with extinction. Thus, biologists are urged to find simple solutions to complex situations while avoiding unforeseen conservation outcomes. The provision of supplementary food at artificial feeding sites (AFS) is frequently used in the conservation of scavenger bird populations currently suffering from indirect poisoning, although no scientific studies on its effectiveness have been conducted.[Methodology/Principal Findings]: We used a long-term data set of 95 individually marked birds from the largest European core of the endangered bearded vulture (Gypaetus barbatus) to test the long-term effects of specific AFS for bearded vultures on their survival rates (by CMR models) and population dynamics (by Monte Carlo simulations) in an area where fatalities derived from illegal poisoning and the use of other toxics like veterinary drugs have increased over the last several years. Our data support the positive relationship between the use of AFS and survival. However, contrary to theoretical predictions (e.g. high and more stable adult survival among long-lived species), the use of AFS increased only survival of pre-adults. Moreover, AFS buffered the effects of illegal poisoning on this age-class, while adult survival decreased over years. Our simulations predicted a maximum value of extinction probability over a time horizon of 50 years. Population projections run with survival rates expected in scenarios without poisoning predicted the situation of least conservation concern, while including only AFS can maintain a large floater surplus that may delay population decline but fails to reduce poisoning risk among adults.[Conclusions/Significance]: Although AFS are not effective to save bearded vultures from an expected population decline, they delay population extinction and can be a useful tool for prolonging population viability while combating illegal and indirect poisoning. The eradication of different sources of poisoning is of top priority to ensure the long-term viability of this and many other species.Financial support for AM was obtained from the Departament of Medi Ambient i Habitatge of Generalitat de Catalunya and Ministry of Environment. MC was supported by an Excellence post-doctoral contract (Junta de Andalucía).Peer reviewe

Hyperoxemia and excess oxygen use in early acute respiratory distress syndrome : Insights from the LUNG SAFE study

Publisher Copyright: © 2020 The Author(s). Copyright: Copyright 2020 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.Background: Concerns exist regarding the prevalence and impact of unnecessary oxygen use in patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). We examined this issue in patients with ARDS enrolled in the Large observational study to UNderstand the Global impact of Severe Acute respiratory FailurE (LUNG SAFE) study. Methods: In this secondary analysis of the LUNG SAFE study, we wished to determine the prevalence and the outcomes associated with hyperoxemia on day 1, sustained hyperoxemia, and excessive oxygen use in patients with early ARDS. Patients who fulfilled criteria of ARDS on day 1 and day 2 of acute hypoxemic respiratory failure were categorized based on the presence of hyperoxemia (PaO2 > 100 mmHg) on day 1, sustained (i.e., present on day 1 and day 2) hyperoxemia, or excessive oxygen use (FIO2 ≥ 0.60 during hyperoxemia). Results: Of 2005 patients that met the inclusion criteria, 131 (6.5%) were hypoxemic (PaO2 < 55 mmHg), 607 (30%) had hyperoxemia on day 1, and 250 (12%) had sustained hyperoxemia. Excess FIO2 use occurred in 400 (66%) out of 607 patients with hyperoxemia. Excess FIO2 use decreased from day 1 to day 2 of ARDS, with most hyperoxemic patients on day 2 receiving relatively low FIO2. Multivariate analyses found no independent relationship between day 1 hyperoxemia, sustained hyperoxemia, or excess FIO2 use and adverse clinical outcomes. Mortality was 42% in patients with excess FIO2 use, compared to 39% in a propensity-matched sample of normoxemic (PaO2 55-100 mmHg) patients (P = 0.47). Conclusions: Hyperoxemia and excess oxygen use are both prevalent in early ARDS but are most often non-sustained. No relationship was found between hyperoxemia or excessive oxygen use and patient outcome in this cohort. Trial registration: LUNG-SAFE is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT02010073publishersversionPeer reviewe

Serum Phosphorus, Serum Bicarbonate, and Renal Function in Relation to Liver CYP1A2 Activity

The liver plays an important role in normal metabolism and physiological functions such as acid-base balance; however, limited epidemiologic studies have investigated how the liver contributes toward acid-base balance using non-invasive biomarkers. We determined associations between serum biomarkers related to acid-base balance and renal function with liver CYP1A2 activity. We used data from 1381 participants of the 2009–2010 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) with measurements of serum phosphorus, serum bicarbonate, caffeine intake, caffeine metabolites, and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR). Liver CYP1A2 activity was estimated using urine caffeine metabolite indices, which were calculated as the ratio of one of the urine caffeine metabolites (i.e., paraxanthine and 1-methyluric acid) to caffeine intake. We analyzed associations in the whole data set and in different strata of hepatic steatosis index (HSI) based on different cut-points. We found that serum bicarbonate was positively associated with CYP1A2 activity in the whole data set when comparing persons with bicarbonate at Q4 to Q1 (β = 0.18, p = 0.10 for paraxanthine; β = 0.20, p = 0.02 for 1-methyluric acid). Furthermore, serum phosphorus was positively associated with CYP1A2 activity only in the stratum of 30 ≤ HSI 90, β estimates ranged from −0.41 to −1.38, p-values ranged from 0.0018 to 0.004. We observed an opposite trend in the highest stratum (HSI ≥ 42). Non-invasive measurements of serum bicarbonate, serum phosphorus, and eGFR have dynamic associations with CYP1A2 activity. These associations depend on the extent of liver damage and the caffeine metabolite used to assess CYP1A2 activity