Ironing out the details: Untangling dietary iron and genetic background in diabetes

The search for genetic risk factors in type-II diabetes has been hindered by a failure to consider dietary variables. Dietary nutrients impact metabolic disease risk and severity and are essential to maintaining metabolic health. Genetic variation between individuals confers differences in metabolism, which directly impacts response to diet. Most studies attempting to identify genetic risk factors in disease fail to incorporate dietary components, and thus are ill-equipped to capture the breadth of the genome’s impact on metabolism. Understanding how genetic background interacts with nutrients holds the key to predicting and preventing metabolic diseases through the implementation of personalized nutrition. Dysregulation of iron homeostasis is associated with type-II diabetes, but the link between dietary iron and metabolic dysfunction is poorly defined. High iron burden in adipose tissue induces insulin resistance, but the mechanisms underlying adipose iron accumulation remain unknown. Hepcidin controls dietary iron absorption and distribution in metabolic tissues, but it is unknown whether genetic variation influencing hepcidin expression modifies susceptibility to dietary iron-induced insulin resistance. This review highlights discoveries concerning the axis of iron homeostasis and adipose function and suggests that genetic variation underlying dietary iron metabolism is an understudied component of metabolic disease

Integrated transcriptomics contrasts fatty acid metabolism with hypoxia response in β-cell subpopulations associated with glycemic control

BACKGROUND: Understanding how heterogeneous β-cell function impacts diabetes is imperative for therapy development. Standard single-cell RNA sequencing analysis illuminates some factors driving heterogeneity, but new strategies are required to enhance information capture. RESULTS: We integrate pancreatic islet single-cell and bulk RNA sequencing data to identify β-cell subpopulations based on gene expression and characterize genetic networks associated with β-cell function in obese SM/J mice. We identify β-cell subpopulations associated with basal insulin secretion, hypoxia response, cell polarity, and stress response. Network analysis associates fatty acid metabolism and basal insulin secretion with hyperglycemic-obesity, while expression of Pdyn and hypoxia response is associated with normoglycemic-obesity. CONCLUSIONS: By integrating single-cell and bulk islet transcriptomes, our study explores β-cell heterogeneity and identifies novel subpopulations and genetic pathways associated with β-cell function in obesity

Ample consumption period available until use-by dates: a potential, marketing position for store brands

Traditionally store brands in Australia are viewed with suspicion in regard to their quality and are usually purchased because of the "value for money" that they offer. Australian supermarket majors are considering introducing a new suite of store brands in the higher price brackets. The danger of moving upscale however is that these store brands are relinquishing their value for money appeal and will come head to head with the manufactured brands. Store brands will now require some quality dimension to compete. This paper after studying the attitudes and behavioural response of grocery shoppers to use by dates, is proposing that that the promise of "generous" use-by dates as a surrogate for quality, could be considered as a positioning plank to promote store brands as alternatives to manufactured brands. Logit analysis is employed to explain shoppers' perception and response to use-by dates, of products that they regularly buy, and of alternative products which they have never bought before if the use-by dates of their regular items are perceived to be too shor

Impact of UV radiation on DOM transformation on molecular level using FT-ICR-MS and PARAFAC

Dissolved organic matter (DOM) is an omnipresent constituent of natural water bodies. Reuse and transformation of DOM compounds in the water column is driven by physicochemical and biological processes leading to the production of refractory DOM. Typically, breakdown of DOM chemical compounds into smaller or more condensed fragments is triggered by ultraviolet (UV) radiation. Here, we present a study on the photodegradation of DOM produced during an incubation experiment with a natural microbial community. At the end of the first incubation without UV irradiation, the samples from 3 mesocosms were filtered to remove microbes and particles and continuously exposed to UV radiation (280–365 nm). We investigated DOM in depth via monitoring of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) concentrations, DOM molecular characterization by Fourier-Transform Ion Cyclotron Resonance Mass Spectrometry (FT-ICR-MS) and excitation emission matrix spectroscopy (EEMS). Analysis of variance indicated no significant differences in the DOC concentration between treatments. Main peaks in the fluorescent DOM (FDOM) were photo-bleached by UV radiation, and an increase in the fluorescent intensity of selected peaks was observed on irradiated samples toward the end of the experiment. Parallel factor analysis (PARAFAC) indicated the presence of three main components in all treatments: C1 (Marine humic M), C2 (Bacterial produced humic C), C3 (Tyrosine), and an additional component in the dark incubation of mesocosm 3, C4 (Tryptophan). Despite an intensive filtration protocol through 0.7, 0.2 and 0.1 μm filters, low bacterial abundances were determined (<2.5 × 10−3 cells mL−1). We observed a direct correlation between structural indices and the intensity of PARAFAC components. Average double bond equivalent and aromaticity were strongly positively correlated with PARAFAC components C1 and C2 for one or more mesocosm. Moreover, FT-ICR-MS showed that under the tested conditions, the refractory character of the DOM assessed as the similarity to a deep ocean DOM reference did not increase on molecular level. Thus, mechanisms other than photochemical transformations of relatively recent DOM are likely necessary to facilitate long-term stability of DOM in the oceans

Structural mechanical simulation to optimize the sensor arm geometry to be implemented on cranial remodeling orthosis

For the treatment of moderate and severe cases of deformational plagiocephaly, an asymmetrical deformation of the skull, a cranial remodeling orthosis (CRO) is used. For the development of a new CRO concept, a pressure sensor grid is placed inside the orthosis that will allow the monitoring of excessive pressures and incorrect CRO positioning throughout the treatment. To implement the sensor grid in the CRO, high mobility of the sensor arms structure that joins the several sensors of this grid is required, however, it is intended that this procedure does not damage the printed copper tracks on the sensor structure. In this study, computer simulations were performed to optimize the sensor arm structure geometry, minimizing undesirable mechanical behavior in the sensor structure when subjected to tensile forces and displacements applied during its placement in the CRO. It was observed that the different sensor arm structures geometries have different effects on the mechanical behavior of the sensor structure when subjected to tensile forces and tensile displacement. The zigzag curve geometry presents the best performance based on high mobility without intense strain on the structure that could damage the printed copper tracks.511F-603F-4B30 | Francisco MirandaN/

Alkaline pretreatment of Mexican pine residues for bioethanol production

The locally sourced residue samples of Pinus arizonica, Pinus cooperi, and Pinus durangensis from the state of Durango in Mexico were analyzed for optimal yield of ethanol production. The samples were mixed at an equal proportion using a particle size of 0.59 mm. Each individual mixture was pretreated with either NaOH or Ca (OH)2 (at 0.5, 1.0 and 1.5% w/v) for periods of 30, 60, and 90 min at 60, 90, and 120°C. The pretreated blending was subjected to enzymatic hydrolysis for 130 h at 80 rpm and 50°C with an enzymatic load of 25 filter paper units (FPU) and 50 IU β-glucosidase per gramme of cellulose to obtain a maximum yield of reducing sugars (RS) with NaOH subject at 120°C for 90 min. The results show that the hydrolysis yield depends on temperature and alkali concentration particularly (NaOH), which increased from 2.0 to 3.5% w/v. The best yield of glucose (41.33% w/w) was obtained using a pretreatment of 2.5% NaOH for 90 min, 120°C, and a hydrolysis residence time of 130 h. The removal of lignin and hemicellulose acetylation was observed to have influence on the enzymatic digestibility of cellulose. This process could theoretically produce a maximum yield of 90.19% of ethanol / substrate (glucose) and about 80 L of bioethanol per dry ton of woody biomass from pine residues.Keywords: Lignocellulosic biomass, alkaline pretreatment, enzymatic hydrolysis, fermentable sugars, fermentationAfrican Journal of Biotechnology Vol. 12(31), pp. 4956-496

Visualización de software orientada a comprensión de programas

La Comprensión de Programas es una disciplina de la Ingeniería de Software cuyo principal objetivo es proveer modelos, métodos, técnicas y herramientas para facilitar el entendimiento de los sistemas. Un aspecto importante en la Comprensión de Programas es la Visualización de Software (VS). La VS es una disciplina de la Ingeniería del Software que provee una o varias representaciones visuales (también conocidas como vistas) de la información de los sistemas permitiendo una mejor compresión de los mismos. Dichas representaciones no son fáciles de construir porque se deben tener en cuenta muchos factores cognitivos y de implementación. Los primeros son importantes porque sirven como puente cognitivo entre los conocimientos que posee el programador y los conceptos usados en el sistema que se pretende comprender. Los segundos adquieren importancia porque la implementación de los puentes cognitivos es compleja y requiere de herramientas adecuadas para su concretización en una herramienta de comprensión. Este artículo presenta una línea de investigación que aborda la Visualización de Software, una componente fundamental para la Comprensión de Programas. Dicha línea estudia: técnicas y estrategias de visualización, herramientas de visualización y creación de vistas. Las temáticas mencionadas previamente son basales en Comprensión de Programas y son brevemente descriptas a lo largo de este artículo.Eje: Ingeniería de softwareRed de Universidades con Carreras en Informática (RedUNCI

Mortalidad Neonatal en Perú al 2030: Proyecciones departamentales con enfoque de equidad

Introduction: The decline in neonatal mortality is progressive in Peru and around the world, but it is unequal between rich and poor or between urban and rural populations. Objective: To project the national and departmental neonatal mortality rate (NMR) to 2030 and measure the inequality gaps of the indicators within departments. Materials and methods: An ecological observational study was conducted to calculate the national and departmental NMR to 2030 by applying the "algorithm for obtaining SDG3 targets" based on the NMR for the period 2012 to 2021 estimated with death certificates. Results: It was found that by 2030, Peru's average NMR could be reduced by 12%, from 8.81 in 2021 to 7.78 neonatal deaths per 1000 live births. Within the country, Huancavelica, Puno, Cusco, Amazonas and Ayacucho would have the highest weighted NMR, going from 14.62 to 12.20, and in the departments of Tacna, Moquegua, Lima, Callao and Ica, with the lowest weighted U5MR, the NMR would go from 6.13 to 5.78. Absolute inequality in the NMR would be reduced by 24%, from 8.49 to 6.42, while relative inequality would remain at 2. Conclusions: A slow reduction in neonatal mortality is projected for 2030, with wide inequality gaps between departments and a significant reduction in NMR only in some departments. Prioritizing preventive interventions will be required to reduce early and late neonatal mortality, avoidable neonatal mortality and prematurity.Introducción: El descenso de la mortalidad neonatal es progresivo en el Perú y en el mundo, pero es desigual entre ricos y pobres o entre poblaciones urbanas y rurales. Objetivo: proyectar la tasa de mortalidad neonatal (TMN) nacional y departamental al 2030 y medir las brechas de desigualdad del indicador al interior de los departamentos. Materiales y métodos: Se realizó un estudio observacional ecológico para calcular la TMN nacional y departamental al 2030 aplicando el “algoritmo de obtención de metas del ODS3” a partir de la TMN del periodo 2012 al 2021 estimada con los certificados de defunción. Resultados: Se encontró que al 2030 la TMN promedio del Perú podría reducirse en un 12%, pasando de 8,81 en 2021 a 7,78 muertes neonatales por cada 1000 nacidos vivos. Al interior del país, Huancavelica, Puno, Cusco, Amazonas y Ayacucho tendrían la mayor TMN ponderada pasando de 14,62 a 12,20 y en los departamentos Tacna, Moquegua, Lima, Callao e Ica, de menor TMN ponderada, la TMN pasaría de 6,13 a 5,78. La desigualdad absoluta de la TMN se reduciría en 24% pasando de 8,49 a 6,42 mientras que la desigualdad relativa se mantendría en 2.  Conclusiones: se proyecta una lenta reducción de la mortalidad neonatal hacia el 2030, con brechas amplias de desigualdad entre los departamentos y disminución significativa de la TMN solo en algunos departamentos. Es necesario priorizar intervenciones preventivas para reducir la mortalidad neonatal precoz y tardía, mortalidad neonatal evitable y prematuridad

Técnicas, estrategias y herramientas de comprensión de programas para facilitar el entendimiento de sistemas multiparadigmas

Dentro del contexto del ciclo de vida del producto de software, una de las tareas que más tiempo y dedicación consume es la de Mantenimiento y Evolución de Software (MES). A partir de la necesidad de asistir al arduo proceso de comprensión requerido en la etapa mencionada anteriormente, surge una disciplina de la Ingeniería de Software denominada Comprensión de Programas (CP). La CP se presenta como un área de investigación interesante para impulsar el trabajo de MES a través de técnicas y herramientas que asistan al ingeniero de software en la difícil tarea de comprender sistemas. Por otra parte, los desafíos recientes en la industria de software requieren cada vez más de lenguajes y frameworks de programación con características multiparadigmas, los cuales a su vez presentan desafíos a las estrategias de comprensión. En esta línea de investigación se propone estudiar conceptos, definir estrategias e implementar herramientas de Comprensión de Programas para analizar sistemas desarrollados con lenguajes con soporte multiparadigma.Eje: Ingeniería de Software.Red de Universidades con Carreras en Informátic