Variants of transcription factor 7-like 2 (TCF7L2) gene and incident glucose intolerance in Japanese-Brazilians

Common variants of the transcription factor 7-like 2 (TCF7L2) gene have been found to be associated with type 2 diabetes in different ethnic groups. The Japanese-Brazilian population has one of the highest prevalence rates of diabetes. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to assess whether two single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of TCF7L2, rs7903146 and rs12255372, could predict the development of glucose intolerance in Japanese-Brazilians. In a population-based 7-year prospective study, we genotyped 222 individuals (72 males and 150 females, aged 56.2 ± 10.5 years) with normal glucose tolerance at baseline. In the study population, we found that the minor allele frequency was 0.05 for SNP rs7903146 and 0.03 for SNP rs12255372. No significant allele or genotype association with glucose intolerance incidence was found for either SNP. Haplotypes were constructed with these two SNPs and three haplotypes were defined: CG (frequency: 0.94), TT (frequency = 0.027) and TG (frequency = 0.026). None of the haplotypes provided evidence for association with the incidence of glucose intolerance. Despite no associations between incidence of glucose intolerance and SNPs of the TCF7L2 gene in Japanese-Brazilians, we found that carriers of the CT genotype for rs7903146 had significantly lower insulin levels 2 h after a 75-g glucose load than carriers of the CC genotype. In conclusion, in Japanese-Brazilians, a population with a high prevalence of type 2 diabetes, common TCF7L2 variants did not make major contributions to the incidence of glucose tolerance abnormalities

The contribution of exproprioceptive visual information and seat height to the control of the stand-to-sit movement in young and older individuals

The purpose of the present study was to analyze the contribution of both exproprioceptive visual information and seat height in the control of stand-to-sit movement in young and older adults. Twelve older and 11 young individuals were invited to sit down on a chair under two seat heights (100% and 80% of the knee-ground distance) and under two visual conditions (with and without the availability of exproprioceptive visual information). Participants wore special goggles that reduced the size of the lower visual field. Participants performed the stand-to-sit movement with their feet positioned on a forceplate. The results allowed for the conclusion that the exproprioceptive visual information availability affected differently the way young and older adults control the stand-to-sit movement. On the other hand, seat height manipulation resulted in similar strategies by young and older individuals. Yet, older individuals exhibited a more conservative behavior than young adults while performing the stand-to-sit movement

Concurrent and predictive validity of glim criteria to identify undernutrition in hospitalized patients

info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Late Cretaceous post-rift magma emplacement offshore the West Iberian Margin [Abstract]

ABSTRACT: The West Iberian Margin is a prime example of a magma-poor hyperextended continental margin. However, the margin is punctuated by three discrete Mesozoic magmatic events, from which the last, occurring 20-40 M.a. after complete lithospheric breakup of the Iberia-Newfoundland conjugate margin, is related to the late Cretaceous Atlantic Alkaline Province. It is characterised onshore by multiple outcropping intrusive (Sintra, Sines and Monchique) and extrusive (e.g., the Lisbon Volcanic Complex) alkaline suites of magmatism, and offshore by conspicuous and enigmatic magnetic anomalies, suggesting additional magmatic features.N/

Assessing the impact of climate change on the worldwide distribution of Dalbulus maidis (DeLong) using MaxEnt

For the first time, a model was applied at the global scale in order to investigate the effects of climate change on Dalbulus maidis. D. maidis is the main vector of three plant pathogens of maize crops and has been reported as one of the most important maize pests in Latin America. We modeled the effects of climate change on this pest using three Global Climate Models under two Representative Concentration Pathways (RCPs) using the MaxEnt software. Overall, climate change will lead to a decrease in the suitable areas for D. maidis. In South America, climate change will decrease the areas that are suitable for the pest, especially in Brazil. However, Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Venezuela will have small areas that are highly suitable for the corn leafhopper. Outside of the pest’s range, Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, Burundi, and South Africa also should be concerned about the risk of corn leafhopper invasions in the future since they are projected to have highly suitable conditions for this insect in some areas. This study will allow the relevant countries to increase their quarantine measures and guide researchers to develop new Z. mays varieties that are resistant or tolerant to D. maidis. In addition, the maize‐stunting pathogens for the areas are highlighted in this modeling

Potential for macro and micronutrients extraction from tomato plants with different soil water stresses

Different tomato cultivars may present differentiated water needs, making it indispensable to study water demand. Thus, the objective of this work was to evaluate the influence of six water stresses in the soil on the extraction potential of macro and micronutrients in the aerial part of tomato in vegetative stage, cultivar ‘Dominador’ F1, under protected cultivation and drip. The experiment was installed in a greenhouse with a randomized block design with four replications. The treatments consisted of six soil water stresses as indicative of the time of irrigation. The preset stresses were 20, 45, 70, 95, 120 and 145 kPa at 20 cm depth. At 140 days after transplanting, the variables evaluated were: the macro and micronutrient content of shoots. The results showed that to obtain higher levels of macro (P and S) and micronutrients (B and Cu) of the total aerial part of the ‘Dominador’ tomato plant F1, it was obtained at a voltage of 20 kPa, and its value was reduced linearly with the increase of the water tension in the soil