Diagnóstico de la contaminación ambiental en la ciudad de Mendoza

Como resultado de la investigación, en el área de estudio se establecieron zonas con problemas comunes, sobre la base de la consideración de los siguientes aspectos. Características físicas, que inciden, sobre todo, en razón del modelado, en la existencia de sectores frecuentemente inundados. Características meteorológicas, ligadas a inversiones térmicas, que configuran en conjunto un sitio desfavorable desde el punto de vista de la contaminación. Un espacio urbanizado -en cuya evolución se señalan cuatro etapas-, que destaca la renovación de la construcción a partir especialmente del sismo de 1985, la subutilización de superficies, y el incremento de terrenos baldíos y villas miserias. Los espacios verdes son insuficientes. La degradación ambiental se manifiesta elocuentemente en la contaminación del aire, pero también es significativa la del agua y la proliferación, prácticamente incontrolada, del ruido. En síntesis, las condiciones naturales son desfavorables, pero los principales ataques que sufre el medio se deben a la falta de conciencia de los habitantes y funcionarios.Diagnostic de la pollution de l'environnement dans la ville de Mendoza. Les résultats de la recherche montrent que, dans l'aire d'étude choisie, on peut distinguer des zones ayant des problèmes communs, en tenant compte des aspects suivants. Caractéristiques physiques, qui, en raison du modelage, agissent en particulier sur les secteurs fréquemment inondés. Caractéristiques météorologiques, liées aux inversions thermiques, qui configurent dans l'ensemble un site défavorable du point de vue de la pollution. Un espace urbanisé -dans l'évolution duquel se distinguent quatre étapes- qui marque le renouvellement de la construction á partir notamment du séisme de 1985, le sous-emploi des superficies, et l'accroissement de terrains vagues et de bidonvilles. Les espaces verts sont insuffisants.Diagnosis of environmental pollution in the city of Mendoza. As the outcome of this research in the field, different zones with shared problems were established, taking into account the following aspects. Physical aspects that mainly affect the topography, with the presence of frenquently flooded areas. Meteorological aspects that go hand with thermal inverses, that make up a unit, an unfavourable site from the point of view of pollution. An urbanizad space, in the evolution of which four stages are detected, the building renewal as from the 1985 earthquake, the subutilization of urban spaces, the Increase of vacant lots and of shanty towns. The insufficiency of green areas. Degradation of the environment is clearly detected not only in the air pollution but also into a fairly high degree of water pollution and in the unrestricted increase of noise. Summing up, the natural conditions are infavourable, but the main issue concerning environment lies in the lack of awareness of government officials and citizens.Fil: Mannino, María Elena. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnica

Preliminary investigation of biogenic amines in type I sourdoughs produced at home and bakery level

10openInternationalItalian coauthor/editorDuring a survey for isolating sourdough lactic acid bacteria (LAB), 20 dough samples produced at the bakery level (BL) or home-made (HM) were collected. An enzyme-based colorimetric method revealed a total biogenic amines (BAs) concentration in the range 41.4–251.8 ppm for six (three BL and three HM) sourdoughs characterised by unpleasant odours. Eight BAs generally investigated in foods were identified and quantified from these six samples by ultra-high performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC–MS/MS). Only one HM sample contained almost all analysed BAs. Tryptamine was exclusively detected in HM sourdoughs (0.71–24.1 ppm). Putrescine, tryptamine, spermidine, and spermine were the only BAs detected in BL sourdoughs. MiSeq Illumina analysis was applied to study the total bacterial community of sourdoughs. LAB accounted from 67.89 to 92.17% of total bacterial diversity, and Levilactobacillus brevis was identified in all six sourdoughs. Leuconostoc, Pediococcus, and Weissella were also dominant. Plate counts detected neither the presence of Pseudomonas nor members of the Enterobacteriaceae family, and LAB levels were, on average, barely 5.89 Log CFU/g for BL, and 7.33 Log CFU/g for HM sourdoughs. Data suggested that the microorganisms mainly imputable of BAs formation in sourdough are members of the LAB communityopenMannino, Giuseppe; Cirlincione, Fortunato; Gaglio, Raimondo; Franciosi, Elena; Francesca, Nicola; Moschetti, Giancarlo; Asteggiano, Alberto; Medana, Claudio; Gentile, Carla; Settanni, LucaMannino, G.; Cirlincione, F.; Gaglio, R.; Franciosi, E.; Francesca, N.; Moschetti, G.; Asteggiano, A.; Medana, C.; Gentile, C.; Settanni, L

Are circulating Mg2+ levels associated with glucose tolerance profiles and incident type 2 diabetes?

Magnesium (Mg2+) is an enzyme co-factor that plays a key role in many biochemical reactions, as well as in glucose metabolism. Clinical evidences have demonstrated that depletion of serum Mg2+ increases exponentially with the duration of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Diabetes is associated with low Mg2+, and hypomagnesemia is associated with insulin resistance, inflammation, and increased risk for cardiovascular disease. In subjects at high risk of inflammation and insulin resistance, supplementation of Mg2+ alone ameliorates both phenotypes, slowing the development and progression of hepatic steatosis. We analyze the relationship between serum Mg2+ levels and the onset of T2DM in a large cohort of well-characterized adult white individuals participating in the CATAMERI study, who were reexamined after a mean follow-up of 5.6 ± 0.9 years. In our analysis we acquired a significant negative correlation between Mg2+ levels, fasting glucose, and 2h-post load glucose in subjects who underwent an OGTT. Moreover, Mg2+ levels correlated negatively with fasting insulin levels, and positively with the lipid profile. As for the detrimental effect of lower circulating Mg2+ levels, our data revealed a significant reduction of T2DM risk of about 20% for each 1 mg/dL increase of circulating Mg2+. The present results are consistent with the theory that Mg2+ supplementation could ameliorate insulin sensitivity reducing the risk to develop T2DM

Endothelial dysfunction is associated with reduced myocardial mechano-energetic efficiency in drug-naïve hypertensive individuals

Impaired myocardial mechano-energetics efficiency (MEE) was shown to predict incident heart failure, but pathophysiological mechanisms linking impaired MEE with heart failure have not been elucidated. Endothelial dysfunction is a plausible candidate because it has been associated with heart failure. This study aims to investigate the association between MEE and endothelium-dependent vasodilation, among drug-naive hypertensive individuals. 198 Drug-naive hypertensive individuals participating in the CATAnzaro MEtabolic RIsk factors (CATAMERI) study were included. All participants underwent to an oral glucose tolerance test and to an echocardiogram for myocardial LVM-normalized mechano-energetic efficiency (MEEi) measurement. Endothelial-dependent and endothelial-independent vasodilatation were measured by strain-gauge plethysmography during intra-arterial infusion of acetylcholine and sodium nitroprusside, respectively. A multivariate linear regression analysis was conducted to investigate the independent association between maximal endothelial-dependent vasodilation and MEEi. Maximal ACh-stimulated forearm blood flow (FBF) was associated to decreased myocardial MEEi (& beta; = 0.205, p = 0.002) independently of well-established cardiovascular risk factors including age, sex, BMI, waist circumference, smoking status, total and HDL cholesterol, triglycerides, hsCRP, glucose tolerance status, and HOMA-IR index of insulin resistance. Conversely, no association was observed between SNP-stimulated vasodilation and MEEi. Endothelium-mediated vasodilation may contribute to reduce myocardial MEEi independently of several potential confounders. Because diminished myocardial MEE has been previously associated with incident heart failure, a non-invasive assessment of myocardial MEEi may improve the identification of individuals at higher cardiovascular risk who may benefit from the initiation of pharmacological treatments ameliorating the endothelial dysfunction

One-hour post-load glucose levels are associated with hepatic steatosis assessed by transient elastography

Aim: To examine the association between 1-hour plasma glucose (PG) concentration and markers of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) assessed by transient elastography (TE).Methods: We performed TE in 107 metabolically well-characterized non-diabetic White individuals. Controlled attenuation parameter (CAP) was used to quantify liver steatosis, while liver stiffness marker (LS) was used to evaluate fibrosis.Results: Controlled attenuation parameter correlated significantly with 1-hour PG (r = 0.301, P < 0.01), fasting insulin (r = 0.285, P < 0.01), 2-hour insulin (r = 0.257, P < 0.02), homeostasis model assessment index of insulin resistance (r = 0.252, P < 0.01), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (r = -0.252, P < 0.02), body mass index (BMI; r = 0.248, P < 0.02) and age (r = 0.212, P < 0.03), after correction for age, sex and BMI. In a multivariable linear regression analysis, 1-hour PG (beta = 0.274, P = 0.008) and fasting insulin levels (beta = 0.225, P = 0.029) were found to be independent predictors of CAP. After excluding subjects with prediabetes, 1-hour PG was the sole predictor of CAP variation (beta = 0.442, P < 0.001). In a logistic regression model, we observed that the group with 1-hour PG >= 8.6 mmol/L (155 mg/dL) had a significantly higher risk of steatosis (odds ratio 3.98, 95% confidence interval 1.43-11.13; P = 0.008) than individuals with 1-hour PG < 8.6 mmol/L, after correction for potential confounders. No association was observed between 1-hour PG and LS.Conclusion: Our data confirm that 1-hour PG >= 8.6 mmol/L is associated with higher signs of NAFLD, even among individuals with normal glucose tolerance, categorized as low risk by canonical diagnostic standards. TE is a safe low-impact approach that could be employed for stratifying the risk profile in these patients, with a high level of accuracy

Serum proprotein convertase subtilisin/Kexin type 9 and vascular disease in type 2 diabetic patients

BackgroundProprotein Convertase Subtilisin/Kexin type 9 (PCSK9) levels have been suggested as novel atherosclerotic biomarker. PCSK9 plays important roles in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis by regulating the degradation of low-density lipoprotein receptor as well as different inflammatory pathways. Considering the important prognostic role of arterial stiffness in cardiovascular disease (CVD), the aim of the study is to investigate the correlation between PCSK9 levels and arterial stiffness in a cohort of diabetic patients, without previous CV events. MethodsThis cross-sectional analysis enrolled 401 Caucasian patients with type II diabetes mellitus (T2DM). PCSK9 levels were measured by ELISA test, arterial stiffness was estimated by measuring carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (PWV). ResultsPatients were divided in three tertiles according to increasing value of PCSK9. From the I to the III tertiles, there was a significant increase in high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), fibrinogen and white blood cells (WBC) and a reduction in estimated glomerular filtration rate (e-GFR). Patients with higher levels of PCSK9 presented increased systolic, diastolic blood pressure, pulse pressure and PWV. PWV was significantly and directly correlated with PCSK9, fibrinogen, age, BMI and PP, and indirectly correlated with diet, lifestyle and e-GFR. Serum PCSK9 was the major predictor of PWV, justifying a 16.9% of its variation. ConclusionOur study demonstrates a close association between circulating PCSK9 levels and PWV in T2DM subjects without previous CV events even after adjusting for well-known CV risk factor and pharmacological medications. Serum PCSK9 could be a useful biomarker for CV risk stratification in diabetic subjects

A Functional Variant of the Dimethylarginine Dimethylaminohydrolase-2 Gene Is Associated with Insulin Sensitivity

Background: Asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) is an endogenous inhibitor of endothelial nitric oxide synthase, which was associated with insulin resistance. Dimethylarginine dimethylaminohydrolase (DDAH) is the major determinant of plasma ADMA. Examining data from the DIAGRAM+ (Diabetes Genetics Replication And Meta-analysis), we identified a variant (rs9267551) in the DDAH2 gene nominally associated with type 2 diabetes (P =3610 25). Methodology/Principal Findings: initially, we assessed the functional impact of rs9267551 in human endothelial cells (HUVECs), observing that the G allele had a lower transcriptional activity resulting in reduced expression of DDAH2 and decreased NO production in primary HUVECs naturally carrying it. We then proceeded to investigate whether this variant is associated with insulin sensitivity in vivo. To this end, two cohorts of nondiabetic subjects of European ancestry were studied. In sample 1 (n = 958) insulin sensitivity was determined by the insulin sensitivity index (ISI), while in sample 2 (n = 527) it was measured with a euglycemic-hyperinsulinemic clamp. In sample 1, carriers of the GG genotype had lower ISI than carriers of the C allele (67633 vs.79644; P = 0.003 after adjusting for age, gender, and BMI). ADMA levels were higher in subjects carrying the GG genotype than in carriers of the C allele (0.6860.14 vs. 0.5760.14 mmol/l; P = 0.04). In sample 2, glucose disposal was lower in GG carriers as compared with C carriers (9.364.1 vs. 11.064.2 mg6Kg 21 free fat mass6min 21; P = 0.009)

The influence of heart disease on characteristics, quality of life, use of health resources, and costs of COPD in primary care settings

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>To evaluate the influence of heart disease on clinical characteristics, quality of life, use of health resources, and costs of patients with COPD followed at primary care settings under common clinical practice conditions.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Epidemiologic, observational, and descriptive study (EPIDEPOC study). Patients ≥ 40 years of age with stable COPD attending primary care settings were included. Demographic, clinical characteristics, quality of life (SF-12), seriousness of the disease, and treatment data were collected. Results were compared between patients with or without associated heart disease.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>A total of 9,390 patients with COPD were examined of whom 1,770 (18.8%) had heart disease and 78% were males. When comparing both patient groups, significant differences were found in the socio-demographic characteristics, health profile, comorbidities, and severity of the airway obstruction, which was greater in patients with heart disease. Differences were also found in both components of quality of life, physical and mental, with lower scores among those patients with heart disease. Higher frequency of primary care and pneumologist visits, emergency-room visits and number of hospital admissions were observed among patients with heart diseases. The annual total cost per patient was significantly higher in patients with heart disease; 2,937 ± 2,957 vs. 1,749 ± 2,120, p < 0.05. Variables that were showed to be independently associated to COPD in subjects with hearth conditions were age, being inactive, ex-smokers, moderate physical exercise, body mass index, concomitant blood hypertension, diabetes, anxiety, the SF-12 physical and mental components and per patient per year total cost.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Patients with COPD plus heart disease had greater disease severity and worse quality of life, used more healthcare resources and were associated with greater costs compared to COPD patients without known hearth disease.</p

The risk of stroke recurrence in patients with atrial fibrillation and reduced ejection fraction

Abstract Background: Atrial fibrillation (AF) and congestive heart failure often coexist due to their shared risk factors leading to potential worse outcome, particularly cerebrovascular events. The aims of this study were to calculate the rates of ischemic and severe bleeding events in ischemic stroke patients having both AF and reduced ejection fraction (rEF) (⩽40%), compared to ischemic stroke patients with AF but without rEF. Methods: We performed a retrospective analysis that drew data from prospective studies. The primary outcome was the composite of either ischemic (stroke or systemic embolism), or hemorrhagic events (symptomatic intracranial bleeding and severe extracranial bleeding). Results: The cohort for this analysis comprised 3477 patients with ischemic stroke and AF, of which, 643 (18.3%) had also rEF. After a mean follow-up of 7.5 ± 9.1 months, 375 (10.8%) patients had 382 recorded outcome events, for an annual rate of 18.0%. While the number of primary outcome events in patients with rEF was 86 (13.4%), compared to 289 (10.2%) for the patients without rEF; on multivariable analysis rEF was not associated with the primary outcome (OR 1.25; 95% CI 0.84–1.88). At the end of follow-up, 321 (49.9%) patients with rEF were deceased or disabled (mRS ⩾3), compared with 1145 (40.4%) of those without rEF; on multivariable analysis, rEF was correlated with mortality or disability (OR 1.35; 95% CI 1.03–1.77). Conclusions: In patients with ischemic stroke and AF, the presence of rEF was not associated with the composite outcome of ischemic or hemorrhagic events over short-term follow-up but was associated with increased mortality or disability

Ten millennia of hepatitis B virus evolution

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) has been infecting humans for millennia and remains a global health problem, but its past diversity and dispersal routes are largely unknown. We generated HBV genomic data from 137 Eurasians and Native Americans dated between ~10,500 and ~400 years ago. We date the most recent common ancestor of all HBV lineages to between ~20,000 and 12,000 years ago, with the virus present in European and South American hunter-gatherers during the early Holocene. After the European Neolithic transition, Mesolithic HBV strains were replaced by a lineage likely disseminated by early farmers that prevailed throughout western Eurasia for ~4000 years, declining around the end of the 2nd millennium BCE. The only remnant of this prehistoric HBV diversity is the rare genotype G, which appears to have reemerged during the HIV pandemic