Time-Restricted Feeding during Puberty Ameliorates Adiposity and Prevents Hepatic Steatosis in a Mouse Model of Childhood Obesity

: Background: Time restricted feeding (TRF) refers to dietary interventions in which food access is limited during a specific timeframe of the day. TRFs have proven useful in improving metabolic health in adult subjects with obesity. Their beneficial effects are mediated, in part, through modulating the circadian rhythm. Nevertheless, the translation of these dietary interventions onto obese/overweight children and adolescents remains uncharacterized. The objective of this study is to explore the feasibility of temporal dietary interventions for improving metabolic health in the context of childhood obesity. Methods: We have previously developed a mouse model of early adiposity (i.e., childhood obesity) through litter size reduction. Mice raised in small litters (SL) became obese as early as by two weeks of age, and as adults, they developed several obesity-related co-morbidities, including insulin resistance, glucose intolerance and hepatic steatosis. Here, we explored whether two independent short-term chrono-nutritional interventions might improve metabolic health in 1-month-old pre-pubertal SL mice. Both TRFs comprised 8 h feeding/14 h fasting. In the first one (TRF1) Control and SL mice had access to the diet for 8 h during the dark phase. In the second intervention (TRF2) food was available during the light:dark transitions. Results: TRF1 did not alter food intake nor ameliorate adiposity in SL-TRF1. In contrast, SL-TRF2 mice showed unintentional reduction of caloric intake, which was accompanied by reduced total body weight and adiposity. Strikingly, hepatic triglyceride content was completely normalized in SL-TRF1 and SL-TRF2 mice, when compared to the ad lib-fed SL mice. These effects were partially mediated by (i) clock-dependent signals, which might modulate the expression of Pparg or Cpt1a, and (ii) clockindependent signals, such as fasting itself, which could influence Fasn expression. Conclusions: Time-restricted feeding is an effective and feasible nutritional intervention to improve metabolic health, namely hepatic steatosis, in a model of childhood obesity. These data open new avenues for future safe and efficient chrono-nutritional interventions aimed to improve metabolic health in children with overweight/obesity

Volúmenes molares aparentes de los anestésicos procaína-hcl y lidocaína-hcl en agua a temperaturas entre 278,15 y 313,15 k.

La lidocaína-HCl y procaína-HCl son anestésicos locales ampliamente usados en procedimientos quirúrgicos menores, sin embargo la información fisicoquí- mica acerca de su comportamiento volumétrico, así como de otras propiedades fisicoquímicas, aún es incompleta en la actualidad. Por esta razón, en este artículo se presentan los valores de densidad de algunas soluciones acuosas de estos dos fármacos en función de la concentración (desde 0,0500 hasta 0,5000) mol kg –1 a diferentes temperaturas (278,15, 283,15, 288,15, 293,15, 298,15, 303,15, 308,15 y 313,15 K). Así mismo se presentan los volúmenes molares aparentes y volúmenes molares parciales a dilución infinita de los fármacos como electrolitos, y de otro lado, los volúmenes molares parciales a dilución infinita de los fármacos moleculares y las expansibilidades molares, los cuales fueron calculados a partir de los valores de densidad y composición de las mezclas. Los resultados obtenidos se interpretan en términos de interacciones soluto-solvente.La lidocaína-HCl y procaína-HCl son anestésicos locales ampliamente usados en procedimientos quirúrgicos menores, sin embargo la información fisicoquí- mica acerca de su comportamiento volumétrico, así como de otras propiedades fisicoquímicas, aún es incompleta en la actualidad. Por esta razón, en este artículo se presentan los valores de densidad de algunas soluciones acuosas de estos dos fármacos en función de la concentración (desde 0,0500 hasta 0,5000) mol kg –1 a diferentes temperaturas (278,15, 283,15, 288,15, 293,15, 298,15, 303,15, 308,15 y 313,15 K). Así mismo se presentan los volúmenes molares aparentes y volúmenes molares parciales a dilución infinita de los fármacos como electrolitos, y de otro lado, los volúmenes molares parciales a dilución infinita de los fármacos moleculares y las expansibilidades molares, los cuales fueron calculados a partir de los valores de densidad y composición de las mezclas. Los resultados obtenidos se interpretan en términos de interacciones soluto-solvente

Monitoring workload and performance response to taekwondo training

This study compared the association between Foster’s and Banister’s TRIMP methods for quantifying internal training load and training stimuli responses. Methods: A group of twenty-two Taekwondo competitors were divided by gender and level of expertise. The athletes practiced three different types of exercises to develop the following skills: a) speed, b) power, and c) aerobic power. Results: A significant correlation was obtained between the Foster’s and Banister’s TRIMP methods for developing aerobic capacity (r = 0.60, p = 0.004) and power (r = 0.52, p = 0.014). No significant correlation was suggested between training methods and speed training (r = 0.20, p = 0.377). Conclusion: Lactate and heart rate responses to different types of exercises suggested the need for aerobic and anaerobic-based training sessions. The use of rating of perceived exertion scale-based measurements to monitor workload is recommended for Taekwondo competitors

Apoyo social del profesorado factor protector contra el estrés en estudiantes durante el servicio social

Objective. To evaluate the social support of the faculty perceived by nursing students during their professional social service. Method. Observational, cross-sectional, descriptive, correlational, analytical study. Sample made up of 100% of the study population, 63 students. Instrument: questionnaire on the content of Karasek's work. For the descriptive analysis, the mean and standard deviation of the numerical variables social support, work control, psychological demands and work stress were calculated; bivariate correlation was carried out using the Pearson technique; the analysis of the structural equation model was performed using the maximum likelihood method. Results. On average, high levels of social support, high levels of job control, moderate levels of psychological demands and moderate levels of job stress were recorded. The bivariate correlation shows that the higher the social support of the teaching staff, the lower the job stress of nursing students during their social service. In the structural equations model, the relationship between social support and job control was analyzed, the model fit indices were acceptable. conclusions. The study hypothesis established by the conceptual model was accepted: the social support of the teaching staff is an antecedent factor to the job control of nursing students who perform social service, a variable with positive valence of the Robert Karasek work content questionnaire.Objetivo. Evaluar el apoyo social del profesorado percibido por estudiantes de enfermería durante su servicio social profesional. Método. Estudio observacional, trasversal, descriptivo, correlacional, analítico. Muestra constituida por el 100% de la población en estudio, 63 estudiantes. Instrumento: cuestionario sobre el contenido del trabajo de Karasek. Para el análisis descriptivo se calculó la media y la desviación estándar de las variables numéricas apoyo social, control laboral, demandas psicológicas y estrés laboral; la correlación bivariada se llevó a cabo mediante la técnica de Pearson; el análisis del modelo de ecuaciones estructurales se realizó mediante el método de máxima verosimilitud. Resultados. En promedio se registraron niveles altos de apoyo social, niveles altos de control laboral, niveles moderados de demandas psicológicas y niveles moderados de estrés laboral. La correlación bivariada demuestra que a mayor apoyo social del profesorado menor es el estrés laboral de los estudiantes de enfermería durante su servicio social. En el modelo de ecuaciones estructurales se analizó la relación entre el apoyo social y el control laboral, los índices de ajuste del modelo fueron aceptables. Conclusiones. Se aceptó la hipótesis de estudio establecida mediante el modelo conceptual: el apoyo social del profesorado es un factor antecedente al control laboral de los estudiantes de enfermería que realizan servicio social, variable con valencia positiva del cuestionario de contenido del trabajo de Robert Karasek

Identificación y comportamiento de la fauna entomológica asociada a la vegetación existente en dos fincas suburbanas en Santiago de Cuba, Cuba

Resumen. La fauna entomológica es un componente importante en los sistemas agrícolas. Sin embargo no siempre se le ha dado el valor que merece. El trabajo tuvo como objetivo identificar y evaluar el comportamiento de la fauna entomológica asociada a la vegetación existente en dos fincas de la agricultura suburbana en Santiago de Cuba, Cuba. Se realizaron muestreos directos, los insectos recolectados fueron conservados en etanol al 70% y luego se procedió a su identificación. Se contabilizaron aquellas especies que pertenecieron a una misma categoría taxonómica evaluándose la composición insectil. Se calculó la Riqueza de Margalef (DMg), Dominancia de Simpson (DSp), Índice de Berger-Parker (d) y Diversidad general (Shannon H´) como indicadores de diversidad alfa. Como medida de similitud (diversidad beta) se utilizaron los índices de Jaccard (Ij), Morisita-Horn (I) y Subordinación Ecológica (SE). Fueron recolectados 1.592 individuos, pertenecientes a cinco órdenes, 20 familias, 30 géneros y 31 especies. Los órdenes más representados fueron Coleoptera, Hemiptera e Hymenoptera, y los gremios tróficos con mayor presencia en ambos períodos fueron los fitófagos y los controladores biológicos (depredadores y parasitoides). La diversidad alfa disminuyó del período poco lluvioso al lluvioso, con valores de diversidad general dentro del rango establecido solo en la temporada poco lluviosa de la finca La Caballería. Existe una baja similitud entre las fincas que se compararon, evidenciando la presencia de pocas especies comunes, siendo la mayoría exclusivas de cada finca ya que se encuentran adaptadas a las condiciones ambientales del lugar. M-

Neonatal overfeeding during lactation rapidly and permanently misaligns the hepatic circadian rhythm and programmes adult NAFLD

Childhood obesity is a strong risk factor for adult obesity, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. The mechanisms that link early adiposity with late-onset chronic diseases are poorly characterised. We developed a mouse model of early adiposity through litter size reduction. Mice reared in small litters (SLs) developed obesity, insulin resistance, and hepatic steatosis during adulthood. The liver played a major role in the development of the disease. Objective: To gain insight into the molecular mechanisms that link early development and childhood obesity with adult hepatic steatosis and insulin resistance. Methods: We analysed the hepatic transcriptome (Affymetrix) of control and SL mice to uncover potential pathways involved in the long-term programming of disease in our model. Results: The circadian rhythm was the most significantly deregulated Gene Ontology term in the liver of adult SL mice. Several core clock genes, such as period 1e3 and cryptochrome 1e2, were altered in two-week-old SL mice and remained altered throughout their life course until they reached 4e6 months of age. Defective circadian rhythm was restricted to the periphery since the expression of clock genes in the hypothalamus, the central pacemaker, was normal. The period-cryptochrome genes were primarily entrained by dietary signals. Hence, restricting food availability during the light cycle only uncoupled the central rhythm from the peripheral and completely normalised hepatic triglyceride content in adult SL mice. This effect was accompanied by better re-alignment of the hepatic period genes, suggesting that they might have played a causal role in mediating hepatic steatosis in the adult SL mice. Functional downregulation of Per2 in hepatocytes in vitro confirmed that the period genes regulated lipid-related genes in part through peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha (Ppara). Conclusions: The hepatic circadian rhythm matures during early development, from birth to postnatal day 30. Hence, nutritional challenges during early life may misalign the hepatic circadian rhythm and secondarily lead to metabolic derangements. Specific time-restricted feeding interventions improve metabolic health in the context of childhood obesity by partially re-aligning the peripheral circadian rhythm

The neurobiology of splitbrain crayfish

Background: They crayfish brain is segmented into two symmetrical hemiganglia. Normally both hemiganglia are in direct communication through a series of well-defined neural bridges that cross de midline to form reciprocal cross connections.Methods: An original study was carried out in the Department of Physiology of the Faculty of Medicine, UNAM during the period from August 2019 to August 2020. 13 Crayfish Procambarus clarkii weighing between 1g to 30g were used. Each eyestalk of the animals was tied to a displacement transducer coupled with a polygraph so that optomotor or electrical activity was bilaterally recorded. The separation of the right from the left hemiganglia from the cerebral or supraesophageal ganglion was performed with a sagittal section, splitbrain (SB).Results: The normal photo motor reflex in crayfish eye is measured as a gradual decrease in the ERG amplitude. During tactile stimulation, the visual activation of both eyestalks in normal crayfish leads to a highly regular bilateral activity. The regular activity can only be altered by disturbing the mechanoreceptors located in the shell surrounding the eyestalks.Conclusions: The procedure presented in this article provides unique characteristics for the study of the nervous system such as a detailed response of the bilateral optomotor reflex

Chronic venous insufficiency: a review

Chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) comprises a complete spectrum of morphological and functional abnormalities of the venous system1 including any long-term functional and morphological alteration. CVI accounts for several abnormalities of the venous system. It is a highly prevalent disease that causes serious economic consequences, a decrease in the quality of life and can lead to serious complications. An exhaustive review was performed with the available literature, using the PubMed, ScienceDirect, Scopus and Cochrane databases from 2004 to 2021. The search criteria were formulated to identify reports related to chronic venous insufficiency. The pathophysiology of chronic venous insufficiency begins with chronic venous hypertension and the dilation of the vessel, this leads to a series of pathological changes in the venous wall and surrounding tissues, in advanced stages of CVI, skin lesions are associated with an increased proliferation of skin capillaries and microcirculatory abnormalities that may be the result of an altered level of factors responsible for the angiogenic response, such as vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF2) and angiostatin. In this review, updates on pathophysiology, clinic, diagnosis, classification and treatment of this disease are analyzed, with special emphasis on therapeutic options. Chronic venous insufficiency is a disease that affects the patient at several levels, mainly diminishing his/her quality of life. Currently there are various treatments ranging from habit modifications, pharmacological, to endovenous and surgical treatment.

Advances in Xmipp for cryo-electron microscopy: from Xmipp to Scipion

Xmipp is an open-source software package consisting of multiple programs for processing data originating from electron microscopy and electron tomography, designed and managed by the Biocomputing Unit of the Spanish National Center for Biotechnology, although with contributions from many other developers over the world. During its 25 years of existence, Xmipp underwent multiple changes and updates. While there were many publications related to new programs and functionality added to Xmipp, there is no single publication on the Xmipp as a package since 2013. In this article, we give an overview of the changes and new work since 2013, describe technologies and techniques used during the development, and take a peek at the future of the package

DVINO: A RISC-V vector processor implemented in 65nm technology

This paper describes the design, verification, implementation and fabrication of the Drac Vector IN-Order (DVINO) processor, a RISC-V vector processor capable of booting Linux jointly developed by BSC, CIC-IPN, IMB-CNM (CSIC), and UPC. The DVINO processor includes an internally developed two-lane vector processor unit as well as a Phase Locked Loop (PLL) and an Analog-to-Digital Converter (ADC). The paper summarizes the design from architectural as well as logic synthesis and physical design in CMOS 65nm technology.The DRAC project is co-financed by the European Union Regional Development Fund within the framework of the ERDF Operational Program of Catalonia 2014-2020 with a grant of 50% of total eligible cost. The authors are part of RedRISCV which promotes activities around open hardware. The Lagarto Project is supported by the Research and Graduate Secretary (SIP) of the Instituto Politecnico Nacional (IPN) from Mexico, and by the CONACyT scholarship for Center for Research in Computing (CIC-IPN).Peer ReviewedArticle signat per 43 autors/es: Guillem Cabo∗, Gerard Candón∗, Xavier Carril∗, Max Doblas∗, Marc Domínguez∗, Alberto González∗, Cesar Hernández†, Víctor Jiménez∗, Vatistas Kostalampros∗, Rubén Langarita∗, Neiel Leyva†, Guillem López-Paradís∗, Jonnatan Mendoza∗, Francesco Minervini∗, Julian Pavón∗, Cristobal Ramírez∗, Narcís Rodas∗, Enrico Reggiani∗, Mario Rodríguez∗, Carlos Rojas∗, Abraham Ruiz∗, Víctor Soria∗, Alejandro Suanes‡, Iván Vargas∗, Roger Figueras∗, Pau Fontova∗, Joan Marimon∗, Víctor Montabes∗, Adrián Cristal∗, Carles Hernández∗, Ricardo Martínez‡, Miquel Moretó∗§, Francesc Moll∗§, Oscar Palomar∗§, Marco A. Ramírez†, Antonio Rubio§, Jordi Sacristán‡, Francesc Serra-Graells‡, Nehir Sonmez∗, Lluís Terés‡, Osman Unsal∗, Mateo Valero∗§, Luís Villa† // ∗Barcelona Supercomputing Center (BSC), Barcelona, Spain. Email: [email protected]; †Centro de Investigación en Computación, Instituto Politécnico Nacional (CIC-IPN), Mexico City, Mexico; ‡ Institut de Microelectronica de Barcelona, IMB-CNM (CSIC), Spain. Email: [email protected]; §Universitat Politecnica de Catalunya (UPC), Barcelona, Spain. Email: [email protected] (author's final draft