Abdominal obesity: prevalence, sociodemographic- and lifestyle-associated factors in adolescents

Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of abdominal obesity and its associated factors among adolescents, independent of confounders. Methods: A sample of 14–17-year-old individuals (n=1.231), who were students from Londrina/PR-Brazil public schools, was studied. A questionnaire about physical activity, sedentary behaviour and socioeconomic conditions was applied. Anthropometry was composed of body weight (kg), height (m), body mass index (BMI=kg/m²) and waist circumference (cm). The association of abdominal obesity and independent variables was assessed using the chi-square test and the magnitude of associations was verified using Binary Logistic Regression in an unadjusted model and adjusted for confounders (gender, age, socioeconomic status, physical activity and sedentary behaviour). The confidence interval and statistical significance were set at 95% and 5%, respectively, using SPSS v15.0. Results: The abdominal obesity prevalence was 17.5% (CI = 15.4%–19.6%), and was higher in boys than in girls. Adolescents with abdominal obesity had higher values of body weight, height, body mass index and sedentary behaviour compared to eutrophic individuals. Being male increased the risk of abdominal obesity by 36% in adolescents. This risk was two times higher in those with high levels of sedentary behaviour. Conclusion: Abdominal obesity was significantly associated with gender and high levels of sedentary behaviour, regardless of confounding factors. Lifestyle habits are important modifiable risk factors that can effectively contribute to the reduction of obesity from an early age

Relationship between Retinal Microvasculature, Cardiovascular Risk and Silent Brain Infarction in Hypertensive Patients

Risc cardiovascular; Hipertensió; Microvasculatura retinianaRiesgo cardiovascular; Hipertensión; Microvasculatura retinianaCardiovascular risk; Hypertension; Retinal microvasculatureObjective: The aims of this study are to analyze the role of artery-vein ratio AVR assessment using VesselMap 2 software (Imedos Systems) and cardiovascular risk evaluation by means of REGICOR in the prediction of silent brain infarction (SBI) in middle-age hypertensive patients from the ISSYS study. Material and Methods: A cross-sectional study with 695 patients with hypertension aged 50 to 70 years who participated in the project Investigating Silent Strokes in HYpertensives: a Magnetic Resonance Imaging Study (ISSYS), was conducted in two Primary Care Centres of Barcelona. Participants agreed to a retinography and an MRI to detect silent brain infarction (SBI). The IMEDOS software was used for the semiautomatic caliber measurement of retinal arteries and veins, and the AVR was considered abnormal when <0.66. The REGICOR score was calculated for all patients. Results: Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate the impact of AVR and REGICOR scores on SBI. The OR (odds ratio) for a high REGICOR score and an abnormal AVR were 3.16 and 4.45, respectively. When analysing the interaction of both factors, the OR of an abnormal AVR and moderate REGICOR score was 3.27, whereas with a high REGICOR score it reached 13.07. Conclusions: The measurement of AVR in patients with hypertension and with a high REGICOR score can contribute to the detection of silent brain infarction.This project was co-funded by the Basque Government and the European Regional Development Fund

Temporal changes in inhibin subunit mRNAs during atresia of preovulatory follicles in the rat

This study aimed to investigate the time course of disappearance of the mRNAs of the various subunits of inhibin in follicles which become atretic. An animal model was used in which atresia of preovulatory follicles could be studied in a chronological order. Injection of gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (GnRH) antagonist (20 microg) at the morning of pro-oestrus (P) blocked ovulation and the 10-12 preovulatory follicles became gradually atretic. A second injection was given the next day to prevent delayed ovulation. The rate of atresia could be delayed by simultaneous administration of a subovulatory dose of human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG) (0.5 IU) and could be advanced by administration of a fivefold larger amount of GnRH antagonist. Functional activity of follicles becoming atretic was studied by measuring oestradiol production after incubation of individual follicles for 4 h. Follicles isolated 24 h after the first injection of GnRH antagonist (P+24) already secreted significantly less oestradiol in vitro than follicles isolated at pro-oestrus, although they were morphologically not different from pro-oestrous follicles. Follicles isolated at P+24 from hCG-treated rats secreted more oestradiol compared with follicles from rats not treated with hCG. In contrast, follicles isolated at P+24 from rats that were given a fivefold larger amount of GnRH antagonist secreted less oestradiol. Once this model was validated, temporal changes in inhibin subunit mRNAs in follicles undergoing atresia were measured by in situ hybridization and RNase protection assay. In situ hybridization showed abundant alpha- and betaA-subunit mRNA in the whole granulosa layer of preovulatory follicles at P and P+24, while betaB-subunit mRNA was restricted to the antral layer and cumulus. At P+48 the amount of alpha- and betaA-subunit mRNA had declined and was restricted to the cumulus, whereas betaB-subunit mRNA was absent. In the atretic follicles present at P+72 and P+96, mRNAs of all three inhibin subunits were absent. Administration of 0.5 IU hCG delayed the decline in the amount of alpha, betaA and betaB mRNA in preovulatory follicles at P+48. RNase protection assay of inhibin subunits in isolated follicles revealed no changes between P and P+24. However, at P+48, the mRNAs of alpha- an

Resistencia química del hormigón. XI.- Contribución al estudio del sistema: cemento P-450-Y hidratado-agua desionizada

Not availableEn el presente trabajo se estudia el comportamiento de un cemento portland industrial resistente al yeso (P-450-Y) con un contenido calculado (Bogue) nulo de C3A, del 10,8 % de C4AF y del 81,7 % de C3S + C2S, cuando se somete a la acción del agua desionizada (y de otras disoluciones agresivas; éstas serán objeto de otras publicaciones) que atraviesa un lecho granulado fabricado con dicho cemento una vez hidratado y curado a edades distintas, determinando: a) La evolución del contenido de los iones Ca (II) y SO4 (II) de las diversas fracciones recogidas del agua desionizada que ha atravesado el lecho de cemento, así como la del pH y de la conductividad. b) La variación del contenido de los iones mencionados, que se encuentran formando compuestos, en el cemento del lecho antes y después de ser sometido a la acción del agua desionizada. c) Las modificaciones estructurales experimentadas por los compuestos cristalinos del cemento hidratado del lecho, sometidos a la acción del agua desionizada

Comportamiento de un cemento portland resistente a los sulfatos frente al agua desionizada y a disoluciones de sulfato de sodio y de sulfato de magnesio

Not available[es] En este trabajo se estudia el comportamiento de un cemento portland industrial resistente a los sulfatos cuando los lechos granulados —fabricados con dicho cemento, una vez hidratado y conservado durante 7 y 28 días en una cámara húmeda a 21 ± 2 °C y con una humedad relativa superior al 90%— se someten a la acción del agua desionizada, de una disolución de sulfato de sodio y de otra disolución de sulfato de magnesio habiendo determinado: a. la evolución de los contenidos de los iones Ca (II) y SO4 (II) en los dos primeros casos, y además Mg (II), en el tercero, en las disoluciones que han atravesado los lechos de cemento, así como la del pH y de la conductividad, b. la variación del contenido de los iones mencionados en los compuestos correspondientes del cemento de los lechos, una vez sometidos a la acción de las disoluciones agresivas, así como las modificaciones estructurales experimentadas, y c. las características estructurales de la nueva fase sólida formada en las fracciones recogidas de la disolución de sulfato de magnesio, que han atravesado los lechos de cemento. En estos trabajos se ha puesto de manifiesto que la cantidad de Ca(OH)2 disuelta (extraída) tanto por el agua desionizada, como por la disolución de sulfato de sodio, disminuye exponencialmente a medida que aumenta el volumen de estas disoluciones, que han atravesado los lechos de cemento, alcanzando un valor asintótico; este fenómeno influye en el avance de las reacciones de hidratación y en la degradación de los compuestos del cemento. En el caso de la disolución de sulfato de magnesio, se produce un intercambio entre los iones Ca (II) del Ca(OH)2 del cemento hidratado y el Mg (II) de la disolución, el cual precipita como brucita en el lecho —llegando a colmatarlo en determinados casos— y en las fracciones de la disolución que han atravesado los lechos. La disolución del Ca(OH)2 se ve influenciada por la presencia de Mg (II). [fr] Comportement d'un ciment portland résistant aux sulfates face a l'eau deionisée et les solutions de sulfate de sodium et de sulfate de magnésium Dans ce travail on étudie le comportement d'un ciment portland industriel résistant aux sulfates lorsque les lits granulés, fabriqués avec ce ciment une fois hydraté et conservé en armoire humide a 21 ± 2 °C et à une hygrométrie supérieure à 90% pendant 7 et 28 jours, sont soumis à l'action de l'eau deionisée, d'une solution de sulfate de sodium et d'une solution de sulfate de magnésium, ayant déterminé: a. l´evolution de la teneur des ions Ca (II) et SO4 (II) dans les deux premiers solutions et, en plus, Mg (II) dans le troisième, qui ont traversé les lits de ciment, ainsi que celle de pH et de la conductivité, b. la variation de la teneur des ions mentionées des composés correspondants du ciment hydraté des lits, ainsi que les modifications structurelles expérimentées, et c. les característiques structurelles de la nouvelle phase solide qui est formée dans les fractions diverses recueillies de la solution de sulfate de magnésium, qui ont traversé les lits. Dans ces travaux, on a mis en relief que la quantité de Ca(OH)2 dissoute (extraite) aussi bien par l'eau deionisée que par la solution de sulfate de sodium diminue exponentiellement a mesure que le volume de ces solutions, qui ont traversé les lits augment, atteignant une valeur assymtotique; ce fait a une influence à l'avance des réactions d'hydratation et à la dégradation des composes du ciment. Dans le cas de la solution de sulfate de magnésium, un échange ionique se produit entre les ions Ca (II) du Ca(OH)2 du ciment hydraté et Mg (II) de la solution, le quel précipite comme brucite dans les lits —arrivant à le combler dans des cas déterminés— et dans les fractions de la solution qui ont traversé les lits. La solubilité du Ca(OH)2 est influencée par la presence de Mg (II) à la solution

Seroprevalence of canine Leishmania infantum infection in the Mediterranean region and identification of risk factors : The example of North-Eastern and Pyrenean areas of Spain

This project received funding from the European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under Marie Sklodowska-Curie grant agreement nº 642609 and by Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación, Spain (CG12010-22368-CO2-01).Altres ajuts: RICET/RD12/0018/0010The Mediterranean basin is an endemic region for canine leishmaniosis (CanL), where it represents a major veterinary problem and raises human health concerns. However, the distribution of the disease is heterogeneous and not all countries and locations have been equally studied and characterized. This work describes the situation of CanL in Girona province (Catalonia, Spain), for which no data has been previously reported, and presents a relevant study to exemplify other areas with similar characteristics across the region. Four cross-sectional seroprevalence surveys were performed from 2012 to 2016 throughout the province, including 36 sampling stations in 26 localities and a total of 593 dogs. For each animal, individual and location variables were also collected. Additionally, each dog owner answered a questionnaire about their knowledge of CanL and preventive methods used. Blood samples were analysed by an in-house ELISA and a mixed logistic regression model was used to assess the relationship between pre-determined variables and dog seropositivity. A Spearman's correlation was used to assess the association between dog owners' perceived risk of CanL and Leishmania infantum seropositivity in dogs at a given location. The overall true seroprevalence estimated for Girona province was 19.5% (95%CI: 15.5-23.5), of which only 6.8% (10/146) were considered symptomatic. Age of the dog [OR = 1.21 (95%CI: 1.11-1.31); p < 0.001] and altitude [OR = 0.02 (95%CI: 0.001-0.19); p = 0.001] were identified as risk factors for the infection. The results obtained in this study are expected to aid in the implementation of directed control programmes in CanL endemic areas throughout Europe, as well as to provide suitable data for the design of better risk assessment maps of the disease

The Leishmania donovani species complex: A new insight into taxonomy.

Among the 20 or so Leishmania spp. described as pathogenic for humans, those of the Leishmania donovani complex are the exclusive causative agents of systemic and fatal visceral leishmaniasis. Although well studied, the complex is taxonomically controversial, which hampers clinical and epidemiological research. In this work, we analysed 56 Leishmania strains previously identified as L. donovani, Leishmania archibaldi or Leishmania infantum, isolated from humans, dogs and sandfly vectors throughout their distribution area. The strains were submitted to biochemical and genetic analyses and the resulting data were compared for congruence. Our results show: i) a partial concordance between biochemical and genetic-based data, ii) very limited genetic variability within the L. donovani complex, iii) footprints of frequent genetic exchange along an east-west gradient, marked by a widespread diffusion of alleles across the geographical range, and iv) a large-scale geographical spreading of a few genotypes. From a taxonomic point of view, considering the absence of relevant terminology in existing classes, the L. donovani complex could be treated as a single entit

Annexin A6 Is Critical to Maintain Glucose Homeostasis and Survival During Liver Regeneration in Mice

Background and Aims: Liver regeneration requires the organized and sequential activation of events that lead to restoration of hepatic mass. During this process, other vital liver functions need to be preserved, such as maintenance of blood glucose homeostasis, balancing the degradation of hepatic glycogen stores, and gluconeogenesis (GNG). Under metabolic stress, alanine is the main hepatic gluconeogenic substrate, and its availability is the rate‐limiting step in this pathway. Na+‐coupled neutral amino acid transporters (SNATs) 2 and 4 are believed to facilitate hepatic alanine uptake. In previous studies, we demonstrated that a member of the Ca2+‐dependent phospholipid binding annexins, Annexin A6 (AnxA6), regulates membrane trafficking along endo‐ and exocytic pathways. Yet, although AnxA6 is abundantly expressed in the liver, its function in hepatic physiology remains unknown. In this study, we investigated the potential contribution of AnxA6 in liver regeneration. Approach and Results: Utilizing AnxA6 knockout mice (AnxA6−/−), we challenged liver function after partial hepatectomy (PHx), inducing acute proliferative and metabolic stress. Biochemical and immunofluorescent approaches were used to dissect AnxA6−/− mice liver proliferation and energetic metabolism. Most strikingly, AnxA6−/− mice exhibited low survival after PHx. This was associated with an irreversible and progressive drop of blood glucose levels. Whereas exogenous glucose administration or restoration of hepatic AnxA6 expression rescued AnxA6−/− mice survival after PHx, the sustained hypoglycemia in partially hepatectomized AnxA6−/− mice was the consequence of an impaired alanine‐dependent GNG in AnxA6−/− hepatocytes. Mechanistically, cytoplasmic SNAT4 failed to recycle to the sinusoidal plasma membrane of AnxA6−/− hepatocytes 48 hours after PHx, impairing alanine uptake and, consequently, glucose production. Conclusions: We conclude that the lack of AnxA6 compromises alanine‐dependent GNG and liver regeneration in mice

Biological Activity of Extracts from Aromatic Plants as Control Agents against Spoilage Molds Isolated from Sheep Cheese

[EN] The aim of this work was to assess the antifungal and antioxidant activity of essential oils and ethanolic extracts from distilled solid by-products from aromatic plants (Artemisia dracunculus, Hyssopus officinalis, Lavandula stoechas, Origanum vulgare and Satureja montana) against 14 fungi strains isolated from sheep cheese and identified at species level using DNA barcoding based on β-tubulin sequence analysis. In addition, capacity of fungi to produce ochratoxin A, patulin, cyclopiazonic acid and sterigmatocystin was analyzed. Of the isolates, 85.7% belonged to Penicillium (P. commune/biforme, P. crustosum) and 14.3% to Aspergillus (A. puulaauensis and A. jensenii), the first time that these Aspergillus species have been found in sheep’s cheese. All P. commune isolates were producers of cyclopiazonic acid, and the two Aspergillus strains produced sterigmatocystin, but the others did not produce any tested mycotoxin. Among the essential oils tested, oregano, savory and tarragon had a significant antifungal activity against all the isolated strains, but no ethanolic extract showed antifungal activity. By contrast, ethanolic extracts showed great potential as antioxidants. The identification of new molds in cheese will help the dairy industry to know more about those molds affecting the sector, and the use of aromatic plants in the control of fungal spoilage could be a suitable alternative to chemical preservatives used in the agri-food industrySIThis research was financially supported by the Spanish National Institute for Agricultural Research and Experimentation (INIA, http://inia.es) by the project RTA2015-00018-C03-0