Activities contributing to energy expenditure among Guatemalan adults

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Guatemala has experienced a substantial increase in overweight and obesity in recent years, yet physical activity patterns and consequent energy expenditure are largely unexplored in this population.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>To describe overall physical activity levels (PAL) and activities contributing to daily energy expenditure, we analyzed time spent in daily activities as reported by 985 women and 819 men, living in rural and urban areas of Guatemala in 2002–04.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Physical activity levels recommended to prevent obesity (PAL ≥ 1.70) differed by residence/occupation among men (agricultural-rural: 77%; nonagricultural-rural: 36%; urban: 24%; P < 0.01), but not women (rural: 2%; urban: 3%; P = 0.5). Median energy expenditure was higher among agricultural-rural men (44 MET*h/d; MET = metabolic equivalent) compared to nonagricultural-rural (37 MET*h/d) and urban men (35 MET*h/d; P < 0.01); energy expenditure was slightly lower among rural compared to urban women (34 MET*h/d vs. 35 MET*h/d; P < 0.01). Occupation was the largest contributor to energy expenditure (19–24 MET*h/d); among women and nonagricultural-rural and urban men this was primarily of a light intensity. Energy expenditure in sedentary activities ranged from 2 MET*h/d among rural women to 6 MET*h/d among agricultural-rural men. Any sports/exercise time was reported by 35% and 5% of men and women, respectively. Nevertheless, the majority of participants believed they were significantly active to stay healthy.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Overall, energy expenditure was low in the population not dedicated to agricultural occupations; an increased focus on active leisure-time behaviors may be needed to counterbalance reductions in energy expenditure consequent to sedentarization of primary occupations.</p

Compression of the Left Innominated Vein between the Brachiocephalic Trunk and Left Carotid Artery

AbstractWe present a case of a 25-year-old male who looked for medical attention for symptoms like dysesthesias in his left arm. Physical examination revealed severe dilations of the superficial veins in his left forearm and arm.An ultrasound showed no signs of thrombosis. Dynamic phlebography ruled out the presence of extrinsic compression of the left innominated vein. The angioMRI confirmed that the innominated vein was compressed between the braquiocephalic trunk and left carotid.Therefore, we describe a previously unreported congenital anomaly of the left brachiocephalic vein where the fundamental symptom is the compression of the left innominated trunk

Numerical investigation of iso-spectral cavities built from triangles

We present computational approaches as alternatives to the recent microwave cavity experiment by S. Sridhar and A. Kudrolli (Phys. Rev. Lett. {\bf 72}, 2175 (1994)) on iso-spectral cavities built from triangles. A straightforward proof of iso-spectrality is given based on the mode matching method. Our results show that the experiment is accurate to 0.3% for the first 25 states. The level statistics resemble those of GOE when the integrable part of the spectrum is removed.Comment: 15 pages, revtex, 5 postscript figure

Conserved Mechanisms of Tumorigenesis in the Drosophila Adult Midgut

<div><p>Whereas the series of genetic events leading to colorectal cancer (CRC) have been well established, the precise functions that these alterations play in tumor progression and how they disrupt intestinal homeostasis remain poorly characterized. Activation of the Wnt/Wg signaling pathway by a mutation in the gene APC is the most common trigger for CRC, inducing benign lesions that progress to carcinomas due to the accumulation of other genetic alterations. Among those, Ras mutations drive tumour progression in CRC, as well as in most epithelial cancers. As mammalian and <i>Drosophila</i>'s intestines share many similarities, we decided to explore the alterations induced in the <i>Drosophila</i> midgut by the combined activation of the Wnt signaling pathway with gain of function of Ras signaling in the intestinal stem cells. Here we show that compound Apc-Ras clones, but not clones bearing the individual mutations, expand as aggressive intestinal tumor-like outgrowths. These lesions reproduce many of the human CRC hallmarks such as increased proliferation, blockade of cell differentiation and cell polarity and disrupted organ architecture. This process is followed by expression of tumoral markers present in human lesions. Finally, a metabolic behavioral assay shows that these flies suffer a progressive deterioration in intestinal homeostasis, providing a simple readout that could be used in screens for tumor modifiers or therapeutic compounds. Taken together, our results illustrate the conservation of the mechanisms of CRC tumorigenesis in <i>Drosophila</i>, providing an excellent model system to unravel the events that, upon mutation in Apc and Ras, lead to CRC initiation and progression.</p></div

Nano-Derived Therapeutic Formulations with Curcumin in Inflammation-Related Diseases

Due to its vast therapeutic potential, the plant-derived polyphenol curcumin is utilized in an ever-growing number of health-related applications. Here, we report the extraction methodologies, therapeutic properties, advantages and disadvantages linked to curcumin employment, and the new strategies addressed to improve its effectiveness by employing advanced nanocarriers. The emerging nanotechnology applications used to enhance CUR bioavailability and its targeted delivery in specific pathological conditions are collected and discussed. In particular, new aspects concerning the main strategic nanocarriers employed for treating inflammation and oxidative stress-related diseases are reported and discussed, with specific emphasis on those topically employed in conditions such as wounds, arthritis, or psoriasis and others used in pathologies such as bowel (colitis), neurodegenerative (Alzheimer's or dementia), cardiovascular (atherosclerosis), and lung (asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) diseases. A brief overview of the relevant clinical trials is also included. We believe the review can provide the readers with an overview of the nanostrategies currently employed to improve CUR therapeutic applications in the highlighted pathological conditions.N.C.-M. acknowledges the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology under the Horizon 2020 Program (PTDC/PSI-GER/28076/2017). This work was supported by the CONICYT PIA/APOYO CCTE AFB170007, Seed #2001050151 and Collaborative #2101050160—University of Sharjah and Fondo di Ateneo per la Ricerca 2020, University of Sassari

Genome-Wide Methylation Profiling in the Thalamus of Scrapie Sheep

Scrapie is a neurodegenerative disorder belonging to the group of transmissible spongiform encephalopathy (TSE). Scrapie occurs in sheep and goats, which are considered good natural animal models of these TSE. Changes in DNA methylation occur in the central nervous system (CNS) of patients suffering from prion-like neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer''s disease. Nevertheless, potential DNA methylation alterations have not yet been investigated in the CNS of any prion disease model or naturally infected cases, neither in humans nor in animals. Genome-wide DNA methylation patterns were studied in the thalamus obtained from sheep naturally infected with scrapie at a clinical stage (n = 4) and from controls (n = 4) by performing a whole-genome bisulfite sequencing (WGBS) analysis. Ewes carried the scrapie-susceptible ARQ/ARQ PRNP genotype and were sacrificed at a similar age (4–6 years). Although the average genomic methylation levels were similar between the control and the scrapie animals, we identified 8, 907 significant differentially methylated regions (DMRs) and 39 promoters (DMPs). Gene Ontology analysis revealed that hypomethylated DMRs were enriched in genes involved in transmembrane transport and cell adhesion, whereas hypermethylated DMRs were related to intracellular signal transduction genes. Moreover, genes highly expressed in specific types of CNS cells and those previously described to be differentially expressed in scrapie brains contained DMRs. Finally, a quantitative PCR (qPCR) validation indicated differences in the expression of five genes (PCDH19, SNCG, WDR45B, PEX1, and CABIN1) that matched the methylation changes observed in the genomic study. Altogether, these results suggest a potential regulatory role of DNA methylation in prion neuropathology. Copyright © 2022 Hernaiz, Sanz, Sentre, Ranera, Lopez-Pérez, Zaragoza, Badiola, Filali, Bolea, Toivonen and Martín-Burriel

Parametric localized modes in quadratic nonlinear photonic structures

We analyze two-color spatially localized modes formed by parametrically coupled fundamental and second-harmonic fields excited at quadratic (or chi-2) nonlinear interfaces embedded into a linear layered structure --- a quasi-one-dimensional quadratic nonlinear photonic crystal. For a periodic lattice of nonlinear interfaces, we derive an effective discrete model for the amplitudes of the fundamental and second-harmonic waves at the interfaces (the so-called discrete chi-2 equations), and find, numerically and analytically, the spatially localized solutions --- discrete gap solitons. For a single nonlinear interface in a linear superlattice, we study the properties of two-color localized modes, and describe both similarities and differences with quadratic solitons in homogeneous media.Comment: 9 pages, 8 figure

Tracking Therapy Response in Glioblastoma Using 1D Convolutional Neural Networks

Background: Glioblastoma (GB) is a malignant brain tumour that is challenging to treat, often relapsing even after aggressive therapy. Evaluating therapy response relies on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) following the Response Assessment in Neuro-Oncology (RANO) criteria. However, early assessment is hindered by phenomena such as pseudoprogression and pseudoresponse. Magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS/MRSI) provides metabolomics information but is underutilised due to a lack of familiarity and standardisation. Methods: This study explores the potential of spectroscopic imaging (MRSI) in combination with several machine learning approaches, including one-dimensional convolutional neural networks (1D-CNNs), to improve therapy response assessment. Preclinical GB (GL261-bearing mice) were studied for method optimisation and validation. Results: The proposed 1D-CNN models successfully identify different regions of tumours sampled by MRSI, i.e., normal brain (N), control/unresponsive tumour (T), and tumour responding to treatment (R). Class activation maps using Grad-CAM enabled the study of the key areas relevant to the models, providing model explainability. The generated colour-coded maps showing the N, T and R regions were highly accurate (according to Dice scores) when compared against ground truth and outperformed our previous method. Conclusions: The proposed methodology may provide new and better opportunities for therapy response assessment, potentially providing earlier hints of tumour relapsing stages

Proteomics: in pursuit of effective traumatic brain injury therapeutics

Effective traumatic brain injury (TBI) therapeutics remain stubbornly elusive. Efforts in the field have been challenged by the heterogeneity of clinical TBI, with greater complexity among underlying molecular phenotypes than initially conceived. Future research must confront the multitude of factors comprising this heterogeneity, representing a big data challenge befitting the coming informatics age. Proteomics is poised to serve a central role in prescriptive therapeutic development, as it offers an efficient endpoint within which to assess post-TBI biochemistry. We examine rationale for multifactor TBI proteomic studies and the particular importance of temporal profiling in defining biochemical sequences and guiding therapeutic development. Lastly, we offer perspective on repurposing biofluid proteomics to develop theragnostic assays with which to prescribe, monitor and assess pharmaceutics for improved translation and outcome for TBI patients

The high-precision, charge-dependent Bonn nucleon-nucleon potential (CD-Bonn)

We present a charge-dependent nucleon-nucleon (NN) potential that fits the world proton-proton data below 350 MeV available in the year of 2000 with a chi^2 per datum of 1.01 for 2932 data and the corresponding neutron-proton data with chi^2/datum = 1.02 for 3058 data. This reproduction of the NN data is more accurate than by any phase-shift analysis and any other NN potential. The charge-dependence of the present potential (that has been dubbed `CD-Bonn') is based upon the predictions by the Bonn Full Model for charge-symmetry and charge-independence breaking in all partial waves with J <= 4. The potential is represented in terms of the covariant Feynman amplitudes for one-boson exchange which are nonlocal. Therefore, the off-shell behavior of the CD-Bonn potential differs in a characteristic and well-founded way from commonly used local potentials and leads to larger binding energies in nuclear few- and many-body systems, where underbinding is a persistent problem.Comment: 69 pages (RevTex) including 20 tables and 9 figures (ps files