Impact of Vigorous exercise on serum levels of L-Carnitine in prisoners in Colombia

ABSTRACT Objective To assess the effect of a program of vigorous physical exercises on the serum concentration of free and total L-carnitine, in male inmates at a prison in Boyacá, Colombia.Methods Pre-post intervention population-based study. 44 male prisoners with overweight and/or obesity, from a jail in Boyacá, Colombia were randomly assigned into two groups: an intervention group and a control group. The intervention consisted in participating in a vigorous exercise program over twelve weeks. Anthropometric measures and levels of free and total L-carnitine were every four weeks.Results There were significant increases in serum levels of free and total L-carnitine in the intervention group compared to the control group. Concurrently, in this group there was a reduction in body mass index (BMI), while in the control group there were no changes.Conclusion In overweight and/or obese patients, the routine practice of vigorous exercise plus caloric restriction offers significant benefits in reducing body fat volumes through the mechanisms of energetic consumption of long chain fatty acids

Species Distribution During Solid Electrolyte Interphase Formation on Lithium Using MD/DFT-Parameterized Kinetic Monte Carlo Simulations

Lithium metal batteries are one of the promising technologies for future energy storage. One open challenge is the generation of a stable and well performing Solid Electrolyte Interphase (SEI) between lithium metal and electrolyte. Understanding the complex interaction of reactions at the lithium surface and the resulting SEI is crucial for knowledge-driven improvement of the SEI. This study reveals the internal species distribution and geometrical aspects of the native SEI during formation by model-based analysis. To achieve this, a combination of molecular dynamics, density functional theory, and stand-alone 3D-kinetic Monte Carlo simulations is used. The kinetic Monte Carlo model determines the SEI growth features over a long time and length scale so that the SEI can be analyzed quantitatively. The simulation confirms the frequently postulated layered SEI structure arising from the decomposition of an ethylene carbonate/lithium hexafluorophosphate (2 M) electrolyte with lithium metal. These layers are not clearly separated, which is contrary to what is often reported. The gradient distribution of the species within the SEI therefore corresponds to a partly mosaic structured SEI at the borders of the layers. At the lithium surface, an inorganic layer of lithium fluoride and then lithium carbonate is observed, followed by an organic, more porous SEI layer consisting of lithium ethylene dicarbonate. Simulations further reveal the strong prevalence of corrosion processes of the metal, which provide more than 99% of the lithium for the SEI reaction processes. The salt contributes less than 1% to the SEI formation. Additionally, SEI formation below and above the initial interface was observable. The here presented novel modeling approach allows an unprecedented in-depth analysis of processes during native SEI formation that can be used to improve design for high battery performance and durability

Colombian consensus recommendations for diagnosis, management and treatment of the infection by SARS-COV-2/ COVID-19 in health care facilities - Recommendations from expert´s group based and informed on evidence

La Asociación Colombiana de Infectología (ACIN) y el Instituto de Evaluación de Nuevas Tecnologías de la Salud (IETS) conformó un grupo de trabajo para desarrollar recomendaciones informadas y basadas en evidencia, por consenso de expertos para la atención, diagnóstico y manejo de casos de Covid 19. Estas guías son dirigidas al personal de salud y buscar dar recomendaciones en los ámbitos de la atención en salud de los casos de Covid-19, en el contexto nacional de Colombia

Factores genéticos y no-genéticos asociados a CADASIL: estudio de cohorte retrospectivo

ABSTRACT: Objective: To examine the relationships between genetic variables (genotype–phenotype) and cardiovascular risk factors in the natural history of CADASIL. Methods: This was a retrospective cohort study of 331 individuals, 90 were carriers of four mutations in the NOTCH3 gene. Cox proportional hazards models were fitted to estimate the effect of genetic and cardiovascular factors on the onset of migraine, first stroke, and dementia. Competing risk regression models considered death as risk. Results: Noncarriers and NOTCH3 mutation carriers had similar frequencies for all cardiovascular risk factors. Diabetes (SHR 3.5, 95% CI 1.75–7.15) was associated with a younger age at onset of strokes among carriers. Additionally, a genotype–phenotype relationship was observed among C455R mutation carriers, with higher frequency of migraines (100%), younger age at onset of migraine (median age 7 years, IQR 8) and cerebrovascular events (median age 30.5 years, IQR 26). Moreover, fewer carriers of the R141C mutation exhibited migraines (20%), and it was even lower than the frequency observed in the noncarrier group (44.8%). Conclusions: This study characterizes extended family groups, allowing us a comparison in the genotype–phenotype. The results suggest a complex interplay of genetic and cardiovascular risk factors that may help explain the variability in the clinical presentation and severity of CADASILRESUMEN: Objetivo: Examinar las relaciones entre variables genéticas (genotipo-fenotipo) y factores de riesgo cardiovascular en la historia natural de CADASIL. Métodos: Este fue un estudio de cohorte retrospectivo de 331 individuos, 90 eran portadores de cuatro mutaciones en el gen NOTCH3. Se ajustaron modelos de riesgos proporcionales de Cox para estimar el efecto de factores genéticos y cardiovasculares sobre la aparición de migraña, primer accidente cerebrovascular y demencia. Los modelos de regresión de riesgo en competencia consideraron la muerte como riesgo. Resultados: Los no portadores y los portadores de la mutación NOTCH3 tuvieron frecuencias similares para todos los factores de riesgo cardiovascular. La diabetes (SHR 3,5; IC del 95%: 1,75 a 7,15) se asoció con una edad más temprana al inicio de los accidentes cerebrovasculares entre los portadores. Además, se observó una relación genotipo-fenotipo entre los portadores de la mutación C455R, con mayor frecuencia de migrañas (100%), menor edad al inicio de la migraña (mediana de edad de 7 años, IQR 8) y eventos cerebrovasculares (mediana de edad de 30,5 años, IQR 26 ). Además, menos portadores de la mutación R141C presentaron migrañas (20%), y fue incluso menor que la frecuencia observada en el grupo no portador (44,8%). Conclusiones: Este estudio caracteriza a los grupos familiares extensos, lo que nos permite una comparación en el genotipo-fenotipo. Los resultados sugieren una interacción compleja de factores de riesgo genéticos y cardiovasculares que pueden ayudar a explicar la variabilidad en la presentación clínica y la gravedad de CADASIL

A structure and activity relationship for single-walled carbon nanotube growth confirmed by in situ observations and modeling

The structure and phase transformation of a cobalt (Co) catalyst, during single walled carbon nanotube (SWCNT) growth, is elucidated for inactive, active and deactivated nanoparticles by in situ imaging using an environmental transmission electron microscope. During nanotube growth, the structure was analyzed using Miller indices to determine the types of planes that favor anchoring or liftoff of nanotubes from the Co catalyst. Density functional theory was further applied to model the catalyst interactions to compare the work of adhesion of the catalyst's faceted planes to understand the interactions of different Miller planes with the graphene structure. Through in-depth studies of multiple distinct Co nanoparticles, we established a dominant nanoparticle phase for SWCNT growth. In addition, we identified the preferred lattice planes and a threshold for work of adhesion to allow the anchoring and liftoff of SWCNTs.Peer reviewe

XII. Cuencas pericontinentales de Colombia, Ecuador, Perú y Venezuela: Tipología;,Biodiversidad;, Servicios ecosistemicos y sostenibilidad de los ríos, quebradas y arroyos costeros

Bogotá, ColombiaInstituto de Investigación de Recursos Biológicos Alexander von Humbold

Volumen II. Tomo II. Catálogo de biodiversidad de las regiones andina, pacífica y piedemonte amazónico. Nivel Local. Volumen 2 Tomo 2. Serie Planeación ambiental para la conservación de la biodiversidad en áreas operativas de Ecopetrol

Bogotá, D. C.Instituto de Investigación de Recursos Biológicos Alexander von Humbold

Divulgación Científica No.4

En las instituciones encargadas de adelantar proyectos de investigación, como es el caso de la universidad, debemos reflexionar sobre lo que hacemos y sus implicaciones, de tal forma que encontremos claves para propiciar, desde nuestros saberes, agentes dinamizadores que animen la discusión, el debate y la comparación. Lo anterior con el enfoque de proponer caminos y soluciones para problemas actuales que nos aquejan como individuos. Las distintas búsquedas que hacemos apuntan a contribuir a la construcción de mejores sociedades, y la investigación es una valiosa herramienta con a que contamos para lograrlo. Es necesario entender la investigación como un agente que permite y propicia cambios.In the institutions in charge of carrying out research projects, such as the university, we must reflect on what we do and its implications, in such a way that we find keys to promote, from our knowledge, dynamic agents that encourage discussion, debate and the comparison. The above with the focus of proposing paths and solutions for current problems that afflict us as individuals. The different searches that we do aim to contribute to the construction of better societies, and research is a valuable tool that we have to achieve it. It is necessary to understand research as an agent that allows and promotes changes

Divulgación Científica No.4

En las instituciones encargadas de adelantar proyectos de investigación, como es el caso de la universidad, debemos reflexionar sobre lo que hacemos y sus implicaciones, de tal forma que encontremos claves para propiciar, desde nuestros saberes, agentes dinamizadores que animen la discusión, el debate y la comparación. Lo anterior con el enfoque de proponer caminos y soluciones para problemas actuales que nos aquejan como individuos. Las distintas búsquedas que hacemos apuntan a contribuir a la construcción de mejores sociedades, y la investigación es una valiosa herramienta con a que contamos para lograrlo. Es necesario entender la investigación como un agente que permite y propicia cambios.In the institutions in charge of carrying out research projects, such as the university, we must reflect on what we do and its implications, in such a way that we find keys to promote, from our knowledge, dynamic agents that encourage discussion, debate and the comparison. The above with the focus of proposing paths and solutions for current problems that afflict us as individuals. The different searches that we do aim to contribute to the construction of better societies, and research is a valuable tool that we have to achieve it. It is necessary to understand research as an agent that allows and promotes changes