A Posteriori Dietary Patterns, Years Living in the US, and Type 2 Diabetes by Cultural Heritage: Unpacking Heterogeneity among Hispanics/Latinos

Dietary heterogeneity in Hispanics/Latinos has been inadequately evaluated by cultural heritage. Additionally, generalizability of previous diet findings related to years living in the US is largely limited to Mexican and Puerto Rican heritage groups. Lastly, associations between diet and insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes (T2D), both of which disproportionally affect US Hispanics/Latinos, have been understudied. Two, 24-hr recalls from adult Hispanics/Latinos in the Hispanic Community Health Survey/Study of Latinos (n=14,099) and the 2012 Encuesta Nacional de Salud y Nutrición (n=300) were used for polychoric (Aims 1 and 3) and tetrachoric (Aim 2) principal factor analyses performed, separately, in each heritage group (Cuban, Dominican, Mexican, Puerto Rican, Central American, South American; Aims 1 and 3) and Mexican-origin Hispanics/Latinos in the US and Mexico (Aim 2). DPs were identified and their associations with the Alternative Healthy Eating Index 2010 (a diet quality index), years living in the US, change in fasting insulin levels, and T2D risk were tested using multivariate regression models. In general, 5 overarching DPs (Western, Traditional, Fish, Egg & Cheese, and Alcohol) were identified. While most Western DPs were significantly and inversely associated with AHEI-2010, most Fish DPs were significantly and positively associated with this index (Aims 1 and 3). Additionally, fewer years living in the US was associated with higher scores for Traditional DPs in Cubans and Mexicans and lower scores on Western DPs in Cubans, Mexicans, and Puerto Ricans. In Aim 2, derived DPs between Mexican-origin Hispanics/Latinos showed variation in dietary composition between Mexican-origin groups in the US and Mexico. In Aim 3, the Western and Traditional DPs were found associated with unfavorable change in insulin levels among Cuban, Dominican, and Mexican (Western only) and incident T2D in Puerto Ricans (Western only) and Central Americans (Traditional only). Substantial variation in DPs and DP adherence by years living in the US across Hispanics/Latinos heritage were found. A Western DP and Traditional DP were also found adversely associated with change in fasting insulin levels and incident T2D. The findings could help inform dietary interventions targeting this heterogenous US population.Doctor of Public Healt

Pasado, presente y futuro del búfalo en Argentina

El búfalo comenzó a ser introducido al país a comienzo el siglo XX, mediante la importación razas Mediterránea, Murrah y Jafarabadi. En la actualidad la población bubalina alcanzó las de 87.711 cabezas y se encuentran distribuidas en 20 de las 23 provincias que componen el territorio nacional. El 80 % de la población de búfalos se encuentran en el nordeste argentino. Siendo las provincias de Formosa y Corrientes las que cuentan con la mayores poblaciones bubalinas. Existen en el país 8 millones de hectáreas aptas para soportar una carga de 4 millones de búfalos.The buffalo began to be introduced to the country in the early twentieth century, by importing Mediterranean, Murrah and Jafarabadi breeds. Today buffalo population reached 87.711 heads, which are distributed in 20 out of the 23 provinces that conforms the country. The 80% of the population of buffaloes is found in northeastern region, being the provinces of Formosa and Corrientes those with the largest buffalo population. The country has 8 million hectares suitable to withstand a load of 4 million buffaloes.Fil: Crudeli, G. A.. Universidad Nacional del Nordeste. Facultad de Cs.veterinarias; ArgentinaFil: Patiño, E. M.. Universidad Nacional del Nordeste. Facultad de Cs.veterinarias; ArgentinaFil: Maldonado Vargas, P.. Universidad Nacional del Nordeste. Facultad de Cs.veterinarias; ArgentinaFil: Konrad, José Luis. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Universidad Nacional del Nordeste. Facultad de Cs.veterinarias; Argentin

Equilibration of Concentrated Hard Sphere Fluids

We report a systematic molecular dynamics study of the isochoric equilibration of hard-sphere fluids in their metastable regime close to the glass transition. The thermalization process starts with the system prepared in a non-equilibrium state with the desired final volume fraction {\phi} but with a prescribed non-equilibrium static structure factor S_0(k; {\phi}). The evolution of the {\alpha}- relaxation time {\tau}{\alpha} (k) and long-time self-diffusion coefficient DL as a function of the evolution time tw is then monitored for an array of volume fractions. For a given waiting time the plot of {\tau}{\alpha} (k; {\phi}, tw) as a function of {\phi} exhibits two regimes corresponding to samples that have fully equilibrated within this waiting time ({\phi} \leq {\phi}(c) (tw)), and to samples for which equilibration is not yet complete ({\phi} \geq {\phi}(c) (tw)). The crossover volume fraction {\phi}(c) (tw) increases with tw but seems to saturate to a value {\phi}(a) \equiv {\phi}(c) (tw \rightarrow \infty) \approx 0.582. We also find that the waiting time t^(eq)_w({\phi}) required to equilibrate a system grows faster than the corresponding equilibrium relaxation time, t^(eq)({\phi}) \approx 0.27 \times [{\tau}{\alpha} (k; {\phi})]^1.43, and that both characteristic times increase strongly as {\phi} approaches {\phi}^(a), thus suggesting that the measurement of equilibrium properties at and above {\phi}(a) is experimentally impossible

Timing Is of the Essence: Improvement in Perception During Active Sensing

Active sensing refers to the concept of animals perceiving their environment while involving self-initiated motor acts. As a consequence of these motor acts, this activity produces direct and timely changes in the sensory surface. Is the brain able to take advantage of the precise time-locking that occurs during active sensing? Is the intrinsic predictability present during active sensing, impacting the sensory processes? We conjecture that if stimuli presentation is evoked by a self-initiated motor act, sensory discrimination and timing accuracy would improve. We studied this phenomenon when rats had to locate the position of a brief light stimulus, either when it was elicited by a warning light [passive condition (PC)] or when it was generated by a lever press [active condition (AC)]. We found that during the PC, rats had 66% of correct responses, vs. a significantly higher 77% of correct responses in AC. Furthermore, reaction times reduced from 1,181 ms during AC to 816 ms during PC For the latter condition, the probability of detecting the side of the light stimulus was negatively correlated with the time lag between the motor act and the evoked light and with a 38% reduction on performance per second of delay. These experiment shows that the mechanism that underlies sensory improvement during active behaviors have a constrained time dynamic, where the peak performances occur during the motor act, decreasing proportionally to the lag between the motor act and the stimulus presentation. This result is consistent with the evidence already found in humans, of a precise time dynamic of the improvement of sensory acuity after a motor act and reveals an equivalent process in rodents. Our results support the idea that perception and action are precisely coordinated in the brain

Tasa de infección en el sitio operatorio en cirugía de revascularización miocárdica en la Fundación Santa Fe de Bogotá

Antecedentesse ha reportado mediastinitis hasta en 4% de los pacientes que se someten a revascularización miocárdica, con una mortalidad cercana al 25%. Es una complicación potencialmente letal, de etiología multifactorial, que influye en la calidad de vida y en el pronóstico del paciente, y que, asimismo, genera un elevado costo derivado de su atención. Hasta en 25% de los pacientes se ha informado infección de la safenectomía, con una morbilidad asociada elevada.Objetivosdeterminar el porcentaje de tasas de infección del sitio operatorio superficial y profundo después de cirugía de revascularización miocárdica en pacientes operados en la Fundación Santa Fe de Bogotá que recibieron profilaxis con gentamicina y vancomicina según protocolo institucional.Métodosestudio de corte trasversal retrospectivo, realizado en 228 pacientes sometidos a cirugía de revascularización miocárdica en la Fundación Santa Fe de Bogotá durante un periodo de cuatro años (enero 2006 a diciembre 2009).Resultadosde los 228 pacientes, seis presentaron infecciones del sitio operatorio superficial de la safenectomía (2,63%), uno dehiscencia de la esternotomía sin mediastinitis (0,43%) y uno infección del sitio operatorio superficial de esternotomía (0,43%). No hubo infecciones profundas del sitio operatorio (esternotomía ni safenectomía).Conclusionesla profilaxis usada para cirugía cardiovascular en la Fundación Santa Fe de Bogotá ha demostrado menor incidencia de infección del sitio operatorio tanto superficial como profundo, en comparación con la que recomiendan en las guías de la ACC/AHA, sin aumentar la incidencia de resistencia a los antibióticos usados.Backgroundmediastinitis has been reported in up to 4% of patients undergoing CABG with a mortality approaching 25%. It is a potentially lethal complication of multifactorial etiology that influences patient's life quality and prognosis and generates besides a high cost. Safenectomy infection with associated high morbidity has been reported in up to 25% patients.Objectivesto determine the rate of infection of the superficial and deep surgical site after myocardial revascularization in patients operated in the Fundación Santa Fe de Bogotá that received gentamicin and vancomycin prophylaxis in accordance with the institutional protocol.Methodsretrospective cross sectional study conducted in 228 patients undergoing CABG surgery at the Fundación Santa Fe de Bogotá during a period of four years (January 2006 to December 2009).Resultsof the 228 patients, six had infection of the superficial surgical safenectomy site (2,63%), one had sternotomy dehiscence without mediastinits (0,43%) and one had surgical site superficial infection of the sternotomy (0,43%). No deep surgical site infections occurred (sternotomy or safenectomy).Conclusionsthe antibiotic prophylaxis used in the Fundación Santa Fe de Bogotá for cardiovascular surgery has demonstrated lower surgical site infection incidence, both superficial and deep, compared to the recommended in the ACC/AHA guidelines, without increment in the incidence of resistance to the antibiotics used

Características morfológicas e histológicas de los ovarios de dos grupos genéticos de cuyes (Cavia porcellus) de América del Sur

This study aimed to describe morphological and histological characteristics of ovaries of two genetic groups of guinea pigs from Latin America. Ovaries from 20 improved and 20 native guinea pigs were collected after slaughtering. One ovary from each animal was weighed, measured, counted for visible follicles on the ovarian surface, and used for subsequent oocyte collection by the slicing method. Contralateral ovaries were used to prepare histological sections and quantify follicles. Body and ovary weight and ovary length were significantly greater in improved than in native guinea pigs (p<0.01). Ovarian weight was greater in diestrus than in proestrus (p=0.0632) only in improved animals. The number of primordial, primary, secondary, and total follicles did not differ between genetic groups. The number of antral follicles was significantly greater in improved than in native guinea pigs. The thickness of zona pellucida and oocyte diameter did not differ between groups. The thickness of the zona pellucida was significantly greater in oocytes of category A than B and C in both groups of guinea pigs. In conclusion, ovaries from improved guinea pigs were heavier and longer than those from native animals. The number of antral follicles was greater in improved than native guinea pigs. Zona pellucida thickness and oocyte diameter were similar in both groups of guinea pigs.El estudio tuvo como objetivo describir las características morfológicas e histológicas de los ovarios de dos grupos genéticos de cuyes de América Latina. Se recolectaron ovarios de 20 cuyes mejorados y 20 nativos después del sacrificio. Se pesó y midió un ovario de cada animal, se contaron los folículos visibles en la superficie ovárica y se colectaron los ovocitos mediante cortes seriados de la corteza ovárica. Los ovarios contralaterales se utilizaron para preparar cortes histológicos y cuantificar los folículos. El peso corporal y la longitud y peso de los ovarios fueron significativamente mayores en los cuyes mejorados que en los nativos (p<0.01). El peso de los ovarios fue mayor en diestro que en proestro (p=0.0632) en los animales mejorados. El número de folículos primordiales, primarios, secundarios y totales no difirió entre los grupos genéticos. El número de folículos antrales fue significativamente mayor en los cuyes mejorados que en los nativos. El grosor de la zona pelúcida y el diámetro de los ovocitos no difirieron entre los grupos. El grosor de la zona pelúcida fue significativamente mayor en los ovocitos de la categoría A que en los de la B y C en ambos grupos de cuyes. En conclusión, los ovarios de los cuyes mejorados fueron más pesados y largos que los de los animales nativos. El número de folículos antrales fue mayor en los cutes mejorados que en los nativos. El grosor de la zona pelúcida y el diámetro de los ovocitos fueron similares en ambos grupos de cuyes

Triazole-Functionalized Mesoporous Materials Based on Poly(styrene- block -lactic acid): A Morphology Study of Thin Films

We report the synthesis of poly(styrene- block -lactic acid) (PS- b -PLA) copolymers with triazole rings as a junction between blocks. These materials were prepared via a ‘click’ strategy which involved the reaction between azide-terminated poly(styrene) (PS-N 3 ) and acetylene-terminated poly(D,L-lactic acid) (PLA-Ac), accomplished by copper-catalyzed azide-alkyne cycloaddition reaction. This synthetic approach has demonstrated to be effective to obtain specific copolymer structures with targeted self-assembly properties. We observed the self-assembly behavior of the PS- b -PLA thin films as induced by solvent vapor annealing (SVA), thermal annealing (TA), and hydrolysis of the as-spun substrates and monitored their morphological changes by means of different microscopic techniques. Self-assembly via SVA and TA proved to be strongly dependent on the pretreatment of the substrates. Microphase segregation of the untreated films yielded a pore size of 125 nm after a 45-min SVA. After selectively removing the PLA microdomains, the as-spun substrates exhibited the formation of pores on the surface, which can be a good alternative to form an ordered pattern of triazole functionalized porous PS at the mesoscale. Finally, as revealed by scanning electron microscopy–energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, the obtained triazole-functionalized PS-porous film exhibited some affinity to copper (Cu) in solution. These materials are suitable candidates to further study its metal-caption properties

Evaluation of the safety, tolerance and efficacy of 1-year consumption of infant formula supplemented with Lactobacillus fermentum CECT5716 Lc40 or Bifidobacterium breve CECT7263: a randomized controlled trial

Background: The microorganism present in breast milk, added to other factors, determine the colonization of infants. The objective of the present study is to evaluate the safety, tolerance and effects of the consumption of a milk formula during the first year of life that is supplemented with L. fermentum CECT5716 or Bifidobacterium breve CECT7263, two strains originally isolated from breast milk. Results: One hundred and eighty-nine infants completed the eleven months of intervention (61 in control group, 65 in Lf group and 63 in Bb group). The growth of infants in the three groups was consistent with standards. No significant differences were observed in the main outcome, weight-gain (Control group: 5.77 Kg ± 0.95, Lf group: 5.77 Kg ± 1.31, Bb group: 5.58 Kg ± 1.10; p = 0.527). The three milk formulae were well tolerated, and no adverse effects were related to the consumption of any of the formula. Infants receiving B. breve CECT7263 had a 1.7 times lower risk of crying than the control group (OR = 0.569, CI 95% 0.568–0.571; p = 0.001). On the other hand, the incidence of diarrhoea in infants receiving the formula supplemented with L. fermentum CECT5716 was a 44% lower than in infants receiving the control formula (p = 0.014). The consumption of this Lactobacillus strain also reduced the duration of diarrhoea by 2.5 days versus control group (p = 0.044). Conclusions: The addition of L. fermentum CECT5716 Lc40 or B. breve CECT7263, two probiotic strains naturally found in breast milk, to infant formulae is safe and induces beneficial effects on the health of infants.This work was funded by Biosearch Life supported by a grant from the Agency of Innovation and Development of Andalusia (IDEA-Spain), Cofinanced by European Regional Development Fund (EC). Project Tittle: “New applications of probiotic strains and derived compounds with biological activity (POSTBIO)” and partially funded by Lactalis-Puleva (Granada, Spain)