Low miR-222 expression in human visceral adipose tissue is associated with insulin resistance and PTEN and p53 mRNA levels

Introduction: The aim of this is study was to analyse the expression of miR-193b, miR-378, miR-Let7-d, and miR-222 in human visceral adipose tissue (VAT), as well as their association with obesity, insulin resistance (IR), and their role in the regulation of genes controlling adipose tissue homeostasis, including adipocytokines, the phosphatase and tension homologue (PTEN), and tumour protein 53 (p53). Material and methods: VAT was obtained from normal-weight (NW), overweight, and obese (OW/OB) subjects with and without IR. Stem-loop RT-qPCR was used to evaluate miRNA expression levels. miRTarBase 4.0, miRWalk, and DIANA-TarBase v8 were used for prediction of validated target gene of the miRNA analysed. A qPCR was used to evaluate PTEN, p53, leptin (LEP), and adiponectin (ADIPOQ) mRNA. Results: miR-222 was lower in IR subjects, and miR-222 and miR-378 negatively correlated with HOMA-IR. PTEN and p53 are miR-222 direct targets according to databases. mRNA expression of PTEN and p53 was lower in OW/OB subjects with and without IR, compared to NW group and its levels positively associated with miR-222. Additionally, p53 and PTEN are positively associated with serum leptin levels. On the other hand, miR-193b and miR-378 negatively correlated with serum leptin but not with mRNA levels. Moreover, miR-Let-7d negatively correlated with serum adiponectin but not with adiponectin mRNA levels. Conclusions: Lower miR-222 levels are associated with IR, and PTEN and p53 expression; the implication of these genes in adipose tissue homeostasis needs more research

Corrigendum to “Viewpoint: Rigorous monitoring is necessary to guide food system transformation in the countdown to the 2030 global goals” [Food Policy 104 (2021) 100784]

We regret that the original Fig. 3 was based on a spreadsheet later discovered to have an aggregation error, overestimating the number of food system workers. A corrected Fig. 3 has replaced the erroneous figure. We are deeply grateful to Natalia Piedrahita of FAO for her careful attention and discovery of the error

Viewpoint: Rigorous monitoring is necessary to guide food system transformation in the countdown to the 2030 global goals

Food systems that support healthy diets in sustainable, resilient, just, and equitable ways can engender progress in eradicating poverty and malnutrition; protecting human rights; and restoring natural resources. Food system activities have contributed to great gains for humanity but have also led to significant challenges, including hunger, poor diet quality, inequity, and threats to nature. While it is recognized that food systems are central to multiple global commitments and goals, including the Sustainable Development Goals, current trajectories are not aligned to meet these objectives. As mounting crises further stress food systems, the consequences of inaction are clear. The goal of food system transformation is to generate a future where all people have access to healthy diets, which are produced in sustainable and resilient ways that restore nature and deliver just, equitable livelihoods

Rigorous monitoring is necessary to guide food system transformation in the countdown to the 2030 global goals

Food systems that support healthy diets in sustainable, resilient, just, and equitable ways can engender progress in eradicating poverty and malnutrition; protecting human rights; and restoring natural resources. Food system activities have contributed to great gains for humanity but have also led to significant challenges, including hunger, poor diet quality, inequity, and threats to nature. While it is recognized that food systems are central to multiple global commitments and goals, including the Sustainable Development Goals, current trajectories are not aligned to meet these objectives. As mounting crises further stress food systems, the consequences of inaction are clear. The goal of food system transformation is to generate a future where all people have access to healthy diets, which are produced in sustainable and resilient ways that restore nature and deliver just, equitable livelihoods. A rigorous, science-based monitoring framework can support evidence-based policymaking and the work of those who hold key actors accountable in this transformation process. Monitoring can illustrate current performance, facilitate comparisons across geographies and over time, and track progress. We propose a framework centered around five thematic areas related to (1) diets, nutrition, and health; (2) environment and climate; and (3) livelihoods, poverty, and equity; (4) governance; and (5) resilience and sustainability. We hope to call attention to the need to monitor food systems globally to inform decisions and support accountability for better governance of food systems as part of the transformation process. Transformation is possible in the next decade, but rigorous evidence is needed in the countdown to the 2030 SDG global goals

The state of food systems worldwide in the countdown to 2030

This Analysis presents a recently developed food system indicator framework and holistic monitoring architecture to track food system transformation towards global development, health and sustainability goals. Five themes are considered: (1) diets, nutrition and health; (2) environment, natural resources and production; (3) livelihoods, poverty and equity; (4) governance; and (5) resilience. Each theme is divided into three to five indicator domains, and indicators were selected to reflect each domain through a consultative process. In total, 50 indicators were selected, with at least one indicator available for every domain. Harmonized data of these 50 indicators provide a baseline assessment of the world’s food systems. We show that every country can claim positive outcomes in some parts of food systems, but none are among the highest ranked across all domains. Furthermore, some indicators are independent of national income, and each highlights a specific aspiration for healthy, sustainable and just food systems. The Food Systems Countdown Initiative will track food systems annually to U. Rashid Sumaila, Maximo Torero Cullen, Francesco N. Tubiello, Jose-Luis Vivero-Pol, Patrick Webb & Keith Wieb

Diagnóstico ambiental del sistema lagunar Mandinga mediante el modelo conceptual Presión-Estado-Respuesta

"La contribución de este trabajo se basa en el diagnóstico integral de la situación ambiental del sistema lagunar mandinga, y la propuesta de intervención tecnológica contribuirá eventualmente a mejorar la calidad de los servicios ecosistémicos, ya que el agua que se ha elegido para el estudio es utilizada por la población para fines económicos, de alimentación, recreativos, de riego, entre otros; además, al eliminar o disminuir la contaminación se contribuye a la restauración y conservación del hábitat de las diversas especies presentes en el sistema lagunar de Mandinga. Finalmente, en el ámbito social, la generación de información técnico-científico sobre la presencia, efectos y degradación de estos contaminantes puede contribuir positivamente en la percepción pública de la importancia y el impacto de estos en la naturaleza.

Quantitative Analysis of Sulfur in Diesel by Enzymatic Oxidation, Steady-State Fluorescence, and Linear Regression Analysis

International environmental regulations have created the need for sensitive, accurate, and reproducible analytical tools to measure ultralow sulfur concentrations in fuels, such as diesel and gasoline. In this work, a sensitive, accurate, and reproducible analytical methodology to measure ultralow sulfur concentrations in desulfurized diesels (<0.01 ppb) is presented. The spectroscopic technique used here overcomes the lack of selectivity or signal overlapping that is present in other techniques used nowadays. The methodology consists first of an enzymatic partial oxidation of sulfur compounds of diesel, followed by the selective determination of the sulfur content from the emission spectra of the oxidized diesel using simple regression analysis. As a result of the enzymatic oxidation, we report here that the oxidized diesel exhibits different spectroscopic behaviors, where the oxidized organic sulfur compounds present a characteristic emission band at higher wavelengths. This fact is taken in this study for a selective quantification of sulfur from diesel. Our study is focused on 4,6-dimethyldibenzothiophene (DMDBT) as a model and standard compound for predicting the sulfur content in desulfurized diesel. The correlation coefficient (<i>R</i>²) between predicted and real sulfur contents was 0.95

Uso de Internet e impulsividad en estudiantes mexicanos de secundaria y bachillerato

Introduction: most adolescents use the Internet without any impact on their health, however some people in this population group may present a loss of control over the use of it, which can lead to a problematic use and even an addiction to the Internet. Objective: to identify the types of Internet use in high school students, the possible causes and its relationship with impulsivity. Method: an observational, transversal, analytical and ex post facto study was performed in a stratified sample of 123 middle school students and 125 high school students aged 12 to 18 enrolled in two schools in Xalapa, Veracruz, Mexico, using the Internet Addiction Test by Young, in Spanish. Results: 83% of the students present control over the use of the Internet, 17% presented a problematic use and no Internet addiction was found. The problematic use was higher among middle school students (23%) than among high school students (10%). Impulsivity was not statistically significant related with a problematic use of Internet, but using it more than six hours and using it exclusively for social networks were positive indicators. Discussion and conclusions: there was no significant relationship between impulsivity and problematic use of the Internet; however, the associated risk factors may cause a decrease of students’ family and social interaction. The findings of this work can be a guide for future lines of research that deepen the knowledge of this problem.----------------------- Introducción: la mayoría de los adolescentes usa Internet sin que esto repercuta en su salud; sin embargo, algunos pueden presentar pérdida de control sobre la manera en la que utilizan este medio, lo que conlleva a un uso problemático que puede derivar en adicción. Objetivo: identificar los tipos de uso de Internet en estudiantes de secundaria y bachillerato, sus posibles causas y su relación con la impulsividad. Método: se realizó un estudio observacional, transversal, analítico y ex post facto en una muestra estratificada de 123 estudiantes de secundaria y 125 de bachillerato, de entre 12 y 18 años de edad, inscritos en dos escuelas de Xalapa, Veracruz, México; se utilizó la prueba de Adicción a Internet de Young en español. Resultados: 83% de los estudiantes presentó control sobre el uso de Internet, 17% mostró un uso problemático y no se encontró adicción a la red. El uso problemático fue mayor entre los estudiantes de secundaria (23%), que entre los de bachillerato (10%). La impulsividad no fue estadísticamente significativa para presentar un uso problemático, pero sí lo fueron indicadores como estar conectado más de seis horas y el empleo exclusivo de Internet para consultar y relacionarse en las redes sociales. Discusión y conclusiones: no se encontró una relación significativa entre impulsividad y uso problemático de Internet; sin embargo, los factores de exposición pueden explicar que el individuo disminuya el contacto con su entorno familiar y social. Los hallazgos de este trabajo pueden constituir una guía para futuras líneas de investigación que profundicen en el conocimiento de este problema