The influence of the shape of Au nanoparticles on the catalytic current of fructose dehydrogenase

Graphite electrodes were modified with triangular (AuNTrs) or spherical (AuNPs) nanoparticles and further modified with fructose dehydrogenase (FDH). The present study reports the effect of the shape of these nanoparticles (NPs) on the catalytic current of immobilized FDH pointing out the different contributions on the mass transfer–limited and kinetically limited currents. The influence of the shape of the NPs on the mass transfer–limited and the kinetically limited current has been proved by using two different methods: a rotating disk electrode (RDE) and an electrode mounted in a wall jet flow-through electrochemical cell attached to a flow system. The advantages of using the wall jet flow system compared with the RDE system for kinetic investigations are as follows: no need to account for substrate consumption, especially in the case of desorption of enzyme, and studies of product-inhibited enzymes. The comparison reveals that virtually identical results can be obtained using either of the two techniques. The heterogeneous electron transfer (ET) rate constants (kS) were found to be 3.8 ± 0.3 s−1 and 0.9 ± 0.1 s−1, for triangular and spherical NPs, respectively. The improvement observed for the electrode modified with AuNTrs suggests a more effective enzyme-NP interaction, which can allocate a higher number of enzyme molecules on the electrode surface

Caracterização estrutural de vesículas modificadas com quitosana

Vesículas a base de L-α-fosfatidilcolina (PC) y mezclas de PC/fosfogliceroles fueron caracterizadas por medio de dispersión de luz dinámica (DLS), microscopía electrónica de barrido-criogénico (Cryo-SEM) y calorimetría de titulación isotérmica (ITC). La incorporación de fosfogliceroles en la formulación de vesículas a base PC disminuyó el tamaño y la polidispersidad de las partículas, debido a un mayor empaquetamiento de las cadenas alifáticas por medio de interacciones de van der Waals. Además, resultó en una disminución significativa de la carga superficial de -75 mV comparada con el potencial Z (ξ) de las vesículas a base de PC. Ambos sistemas fueron modificados usando un polielectrolito catiónico (quitosano) de un peso molecular de 865 kDa y con un grado de desacetilación de 77 %. La naturaleza aniónica de la vesícula fosfolipídica resultó en una efectiva interacción con el polielectrolito catiónico mediante fuerzas del tipo electrostática, la cual fue determinada por medio de ITC. Los resultados fueron complementados mediante la determinación de potencial Z de los sistemas modificados, lo cual demostró que no es necesaria una inversión completa de la carga inicial de la superficie de la vesícula para asegurar el recubrimiento de esta. La adición de concentraciones de quitosano mayores a 0,1 mg/mL condujo a la agregación de las vesículas, lo cual fue demostrado mediante Cryo-SEM y DLS. Este efecto fue más significativo para el sistema basado en dimiristoilfosfoglicerol sal de sodio y quitosano, debido a la fuerte atracción electrostática.L-α-phosphatidylcholine (PC) and PC/phosphoglycerol based-vesicles were characterized by Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS), Cryo-Scanning Electron Microscopy (Cryo-SEM), and Isotermal Titration Calorimetry (ITC). The incorporation of phosphoglycerol into the PC vesicles decreased the size and the polydispersity of the particles, due to an increase of the packing of the aliphatic chains in the layer. This phenomenon has been interpreted in terms of strong van der Waals interactions. The addition of phosphoglycerols resulted in a reduction in zeta potential (ξ) to values of -75 mV, compared to PC based-vesicles. Both systems were modified by using a high molecular weight chitosan (865 kDa) with a degree of deacetylation of 77%. Strong electrostatic interactions between the cationic polyelectrolyte and the vesicles were determined by ITC experiments. The results were reinforced by means of Z potential analysis. It has been demonstrated that a complete inverse of the vesicle surface charge is not required to perform a complete coating of the phospholipid particles. The addition of concentration of chitosan above 0,1 mg/mL induced vesicles aggregation. Aggregated vesicle-polymer structures were visualized by Cryo-SEM and measured by DLS. This behavior was more significant for the PC/DMPG-Na-/chitosan system.Vesículas a base de L-α-fosfatidilcolina (PC) e mesclas de PC/fosfogliceróis foram caracterizadas por meio de dispersão de luz dinâmica (DLS), microscopia eletrônica de varredura-criogênico (Cryo-SEM) e calorimetria de titulação isotérmica (ITC). A incorporação de fosfogliceróis na formulação de vesículas a base de PC diminuiu o tamanho e a polidispersão das partículas, devido a um maior empacotamento das cadeias alifáticas por meio de interações de van der Waals. Além disso, resultou em uma diminuição significativa da carga superficial de -75 mV comparada com o potencial Z (ξ) das vesículas a base de PC. Ambos os sistemas foram modificados usando um polieletrólito catiônico (quitosana) de um peso molecular de 865 kDa e com um grau de desacetilação de 77 %. A natureza aniônica da vesícula fosfolipídica resultou em uma interação efetiva com o polieletrólito catiônico através de forças do tipo eletrostática, que foi determinada por meio de ITC. Os resultados foram complementados por meio da determinação de potencial Z dos sistemas modificados, o qual demostrou não ser necessária uma inversão completa da carga inicial da superfície da vesícula para assegurar o recobrimento desta. A adição de concentrações de quitosana maiores a 0,1 mg/mL conduziu à agregação das vesículas, o qual foi demostrado mediante Cryo-SEM e DLS. Este efeito foi mais significativo para o sistema baseado em dimiristoil fosfoglicerol sal de sódio e quitosana, devido à forte atração eletrostática.Ministerio de Ciencia y Tecnología/[Materiales inteligentes 023930]/MICIT/Costa RicaConsejo Nacional para Investigaciones Científicas y Tecnológicas/[Materiales inteligentes 023930]/CONICIT/Costa RicaUCR::Vicerrectoría de Docencia::Ciencias Básicas::Facultad de Ciencias::Escuela de Químic

Prevention and clinical management of pre-eclampsia and eclampsia: Evidence-based clinical practice guidelines from the national reference institute in maternal health of Peru

Introducción. En Perú, los trastornos hipertensivos del embarazo son la segunda causa de mortalidad materna. Objetivo. La presente guía de práctica clínica basada en evidencias (GPC-BE) brinda recomendaciones para la prevención y tratamiento de la pre-eclampsia y eclampsia. Métodos. Se elaboró una GPC-BE adaptada mediante un proceso sistemático, riguroso y transparente con un grupo elaborador conformado por metodólogos y profesionales de la salud expertos en el manejo de la enfermedad. La guía cuenta con dieciséis preguntas clínicas y dieciséis recomendaciones. Se realizó la búsqueda y preselección de GPC, las mismas que fueron evaluadas mediante el instrumento “Appraisal of Guidelines for Research and Evaluation II” (AGREEII), para su adaptación. La búsqueda sistemática de evidencias para responder las preguntas clínicas se realizó en múltiples bases de datos: MEDLINE/PubMed, EMBASE/Ovid, Cochrane Library, LILACS y SciELO. Las evidencias fueron seleccionadas y analizadas críticamente por pares clínicos y metodológicos; las recomendaciones fueron elaboradas mediante la metodología Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE). Resultados. Con la participación de un panel de expertos clínicos del Instituto Nacional Materno Perinatal, redes de salud y otras instituciones de referencia, se elaboraron 16 recomendaciones dirigidas a la prevención y tratamiento de mujeres gestantes en riesgo de pre-eclampsia, gestantes con pre-eclampsia, eclampsia o enfermedad hipertensiva. Conclusiones. Este artículo resume la guía de práctica clínica basada en evidencias para la prevención y tratamiento de pre-eclampsia y eclampsia en gestantes en el instituto de referencia nacional en salud materna y neonatal del Perú.Introduction. In Peru, hypertensive disorders of pregnancy are the second cause of maternal mortality. Objective. This evidence-based clinical practice guideline (EB-CPG) provides recommendations for the prevention and treatment of pre-eclampsia and eclampsia. Methods. An adapted EB-CPG was elaborated through a systematic, rigorous and transparent process with a group consisting of methodologists and health professionals who are experts in the management of the disease. The guide has sixteen clinical questions and sixteen recommendations. The search and pre-selection of EB-CPGs were performed, which were evaluated through the “Appraisal of Guidelines for Research and Evaluation II” tool (AGREE-II), for its adaptation. The systematic search for evidence to answer the 16 clinical questions were made in multiple databases: MEDLINE / PubMed, EMBASE / Ovid, Cochrane Library, LILACS and SciELO. Evidences were selected and analyzed critically by clinicians and methodologists in pairs, recommendations were elaborated through the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation methodology (GRADE). Results. With the participation of a panel of clinical experts from the National Perinatal Maternal Institute, representatives from health care networks and other reference institutions, 16 recommendations were established for the prevention and treatment of pregnant women at risk of pre-eclampsia, for pregnant women with pre-eclampsia, eclampsia or hypertensive disease. Conclusions. This article summarizes the evidence-based clinical practice guidelines for the prevention and treatment of preeclampsia and eclampsia in peruvian pregnant women for the national reference institute for maternal and neonatal health of Peru

Escucha México, Estrategias Gráficas y Cultura Auditiva. Otoño 2022

Este reporte del PAP Escucha México, perteneciente al trabajo realizado durante el periodo de Otoño 2022, cuenta con información detallada sobre los resultados alcanzados en cada uno de los proyectos que integran esta organización en el período anteriormente establecido. Para este proceso en específico, se buscó enfocar la mayor cantidad de esfuerzos posibles a que el 4to Encuentro Internacional de Cultura Auditiva se desarrollara de la mejor forma posible, sin descuidar el trabajo que se siguió realizando en el resto de proyectos. Como resumen general, todos presentaron resultados positivos, pues se tuvo presencia importante en redes sociales, mejor que en periodos anteriores, además de que se combinaron esfuerzos para que el 4to Encuentro tuviera una difusión adecuada y alcanzara a la mayor cantidad de personas posibles, lo que a su vez resultó en eventos llenos de gente interesada en aprender sobre Cultura Auditiva y Discapacidad, ejes temáticos centrales de este PAP.ITESO, A.C

Genome-wide association analysis of dementia and its clinical endophenotypes reveal novel loci associated with Alzheimer's disease and three causality networks : The GR@ACE project

Introduction: Large variability among Alzheimer's disease (AD) cases might impact genetic discoveries and complicate dissection of underlying biological pathways. Methods: Genome Research at Fundacio ACE (GR@ACE) is a genome-wide study of dementia and its clinical endophenotypes, defined based on AD's clinical certainty and vascular burden. We assessed the impact of known AD loci across endophenotypes to generate loci categories. We incorporated gene coexpression data and conducted pathway analysis per category. Finally, to evaluate the effect of heterogeneity in genetic studies, GR@ACE series were meta-analyzed with additional genome-wide association study data sets. Results: We classified known AD loci into three categories, which might reflect the disease clinical heterogeneity. Vascular processes were only detected as a causal mechanism in probable AD. The meta-analysis strategy revealed the ANKRD31-rs4704171 and NDUFAF6-rs10098778 and confirmed SCIMP-rs7225151 and CD33-rs3865444. Discussion: The regulation of vasculature is a prominent causal component of probable AD. GR@ACE meta-analysis revealed novel AD genetic signals, strongly driven by the presence of clinical heterogeneity in the AD series

Clonal chromosomal mosaicism and loss of chromosome Y in elderly men increase vulnerability for SARS-CoV-2

The pandemic caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2, COVID-19) had an estimated overall case fatality ratio of 1.38% (pre-vaccination), being 53% higher in males and increasing exponentially with age. Among 9578 individuals diagnosed with COVID-19 in the SCOURGE study, we found 133 cases (1.42%) with detectable clonal mosaicism for chromosome alterations (mCA) and 226 males (5.08%) with acquired loss of chromosome Y (LOY). Individuals with clonal mosaic events (mCA and/or LOY) showed a 54% increase in the risk of COVID-19 lethality. LOY is associated with transcriptomic biomarkers of immune dysfunction, pro-coagulation activity and cardiovascular risk. Interferon-induced genes involved in the initial immune response to SARS-CoV-2 are also down-regulated in LOY. Thus, mCA and LOY underlie at least part of the sex-biased severity and mortality of COVID-19 in aging patients. Given its potential therapeutic and prognostic relevance, evaluation of clonal mosaicism should be implemented as biomarker of COVID-19 severity in elderly people. Among 9578 individuals diagnosed with COVID-19 in the SCOURGE study, individuals with clonal mosaic events (clonal mosaicism for chromosome alterations and/or loss of chromosome Y) showed an increased risk of COVID-19 lethality

Contributions of mean and shape of blood pressure distribution to worldwide trends and variations in raised blood pressure: A pooled analysis of 1018 population-based measurement studies with 88.6 million participants

© The Author(s) 2018. Background: Change in the prevalence of raised blood pressure could be due to both shifts in the entire distribution of blood pressure (representing the combined effects of public health interventions and secular trends) and changes in its high-blood-pressure tail (representing successful clinical interventions to control blood pressure in the hypertensive population). Our aim was to quantify the contributions of these two phenomena to the worldwide trends in the prevalence of raised blood pressure. Methods: We pooled 1018 population-based studies with blood pressure measurements on 88.6 million participants from 1985 to 2016. We first calculated mean systolic blood pressure (SBP), mean diastolic blood pressure (DBP) and prevalence of raised blood pressure by sex and 10-year age group from 20-29 years to 70-79 years in each study, taking into account complex survey design and survey sample weights, where relevant. We used a linear mixed effect model to quantify the association between (probittransformed) prevalence of raised blood pressure and age-group- and sex-specific mean blood pressure. We calculated the contributions of change in mean SBP and DBP, and of change in the prevalence-mean association, to the change in prevalence of raised blood pressure. Results: In 2005-16, at the same level of population mean SBP and DBP, men and women in South Asia and in Central Asia, the Middle East and North Africa would have the highest prevalence of raised blood pressure, and men and women in the highincome Asia Pacific and high-income Western regions would have the lowest. In most region-sex-age groups where the prevalence of raised blood pressure declined, one half or more of the decline was due to the decline in mean blood pressure. Where prevalence of raised blood pressure has increased, the change was entirely driven by increasing mean blood pressure, offset partly by the change in the prevalence-mean association. Conclusions: Change in mean blood pressure is the main driver of the worldwide change in the prevalence of raised blood pressure, but change in the high-blood-pressure tail of the distribution has also contributed to the change in prevalence, especially in older age groups

Height and body-mass index trajectories of school-aged children and adolescents from 1985 to 2019 in 200 countries and territories: a pooled analysis of 2181 population-based studies with 65 million participants

Summary Background Comparable global data on health and nutrition of school-aged children and adolescents are scarce. We aimed to estimate age trajectories and time trends in mean height and mean body-mass index (BMI), which measures weight gain beyond what is expected from height gain, for school-aged children and adolescents. Methods For this pooled analysis, we used a database of cardiometabolic risk factors collated by the Non-Communicable Disease Risk Factor Collaboration. We applied a Bayesian hierarchical model to estimate trends from 1985 to 2019 in mean height and mean BMI in 1-year age groups for ages 5–19 years. The model allowed for non-linear changes over time in mean height and mean BMI and for non-linear changes with age of children and adolescents, including periods of rapid growth during adolescence. Findings We pooled data from 2181 population-based studies, with measurements of height and weight in 65 million participants in 200 countries and territories. In 2019, we estimated a difference of 20 cm or higher in mean height of 19-year-old adolescents between countries with the tallest populations (the Netherlands, Montenegro, Estonia, and Bosnia and Herzegovina for boys; and the Netherlands, Montenegro, Denmark, and Iceland for girls) and those with the shortest populations (Timor-Leste, Laos, Solomon Islands, and Papua New Guinea for boys; and Guatemala, Bangladesh, Nepal, and Timor-Leste for girls). In the same year, the difference between the highest mean BMI (in Pacific island countries, Kuwait, Bahrain, The Bahamas, Chile, the USA, and New Zealand for both boys and girls and in South Africa for girls) and lowest mean BMI (in India, Bangladesh, Timor-Leste, Ethiopia, and Chad for boys and girls; and in Japan and Romania for girls) was approximately 9–10 kg/m2. In some countries, children aged 5 years started with healthier height or BMI than the global median and, in some cases, as healthy as the best performing countries, but they became progressively less healthy compared with their comparators as they grew older by not growing as tall (eg, boys in Austria and Barbados, and girls in Belgium and Puerto Rico) or gaining too much weight for their height (eg, girls and boys in Kuwait, Bahrain, Fiji, Jamaica, and Mexico; and girls in South Africa and New Zealand). In other countries, growing children overtook the height of their comparators (eg, Latvia, Czech Republic, Morocco, and Iran) or curbed their weight gain (eg, Italy, France, and Croatia) in late childhood and adolescence. When changes in both height and BMI were considered, girls in South Korea, Vietnam, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and some central Asian countries (eg, Armenia and Azerbaijan), and boys in central and western Europe (eg, Portugal, Denmark, Poland, and Montenegro) had the healthiest changes in anthropometric status over the past 3·5 decades because, compared with children and adolescents in other countries, they had a much larger gain in height than they did in BMI. The unhealthiest changes—gaining too little height, too much weight for their height compared with children in other countries, or both—occurred in many countries in sub-Saharan Africa, New Zealand, and the USA for boys and girls; in Malaysia and some Pacific island nations for boys; and in Mexico for girls. Interpretation The height and BMI trajectories over age and time of school-aged children and adolescents are highly variable across countries, which indicates heterogeneous nutritional quality and lifelong health advantages and risks