RESUMO
OBJECTIVE: To determine whether dietary supplementation with alpha linolenic acid (ALA) can modify established and emerging cardiovascular risk markers. DESIGN: Systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials identified by a search of Medline, Embase, Cochrane Controlled Trials Register (CENTRAL), and the metaRegister of Controlled Trials (mRCT). PATIENTS: All human studies were reviewed. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Changes in concentrations of total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, very low density lipoprotein (VLDL) cholesterol, triglyceride, fibrinogen, and fasting plasma glucose, and changes in body mass index, weight, and systolic and diastolic blood pressure. RESULTS: 14 studies with minimum treatment duration of four weeks were reviewed. ALA had a significant effect on three of the 32 outcomes examined in these studies. Concentrations of fibrinogen (0.17 micromol/l, 95% confidence interval (CI) -0.30 to -0.04, p = 0.01) and fasting plasma glucose (0.20 mmol/l, 95% CI -0.30 to -0.10, p < 0.01) were reduced. There was a small but clinically unimportant decrease in HDL (0.01 mmol/l, 95% CI -0.02 to 0.00, p < 0.01). Treatment with ALA did not significantly modify total cholesterol, triglycerides, weight, body mass index, LDL, diastolic blood pressure, systolic blood pressure, VLDL, and apolipoprotein B. CONCLUSIONS: Although ALA supplementation may cause small decreases in fibrinogen concentrations and fasting plasma glucose, most cardiovascular risk markers do not appear to be affected. Further trials are needed, but dietary supplementation with ALA to reduce cardiovascular disease cannot be recommended.
Assuntos
Doenças Cardiovasculares/sangue , Ácido alfa-Linolênico/administração & dosagem , Glicemia/metabolismo , Pressão Sanguínea/fisiologia , Peso Corporal/fisiologia , Doenças Cardiovasculares/dietoterapia , Doenças Cardiovasculares/fisiopatologia , Colesterol/sangue , Suplementos Nutricionais , Fibrinogênio/análise , Humanos , Fatores de Risco , Triglicerídeos/sangueRESUMO
In the past few decades, a wealth of genomic data has been produced in a wide variety of species using a diverse array of functional and molecular marker approaches. In order to unlock the full potential of the information contained in these independent experiments, researchers need efficient and intuitive means to identify common genomic regions and genes involved in the expression of target phenotypic traits across diverse conditions. To address this need, we have developed a Comparative Map and Trait Viewer (CMTV) tool that can be used to construct dynamic aggregations of a variety of types of genomic datasets. By algorithmically determining correspondences between sets of objects on multiple genomic maps, the CMTV can display syntenic regions across taxa, combine maps from separate experiments into a consensus map, or project data from different maps into a common coordinate framework using dynamic coordinate translations between source and target maps. We present a case study that illustrates the utility of the tool for managing large and varied datasets by integrating data collected by CIMMYT in maize drought tolerance research with data from public sources. This example will focus on one of the visualization features for Quantitative Trait Locus (QTL) data, using likelihood ratio (LR) files produced by generic QTL analysis software and displaying the data in a unique visual manner across different combinations of traits, environments and crosses. Once a genomic region of interest has been identified, the CMTV can search and display additional QTLs meeting a particular threshold for that region, or other functional data such as sets of differentially expressed genes located in the region; it thus provides an easily used means for organizing and manipulating data sets that have been dynamically integrated under the focus of the researcher's specific hypothesis.
Assuntos
Cromossomos de Plantas/genética , Biologia Computacional/métodos , Plantas/genética , Locos de Características Quantitativas/genética , Software , Adaptação Fisiológica/efeitos dos fármacos , Adaptação Fisiológica/genética , Algoritmos , Mapeamento Cromossômico , Genoma de Planta , Genômica/métodos , Internet , Água/farmacologia , Zea mays/efeitos dos fármacos , Zea mays/genéticaRESUMO
PIP: This paper characterizes the Mexican abortion laws using the case of a girl aged 14 years, Paulina Ramirez Jacinta, who was raped, became pregnant, and chose to terminate the unwanted pregnancy, yet was denied an abortion. This case clearly showed that Mexican abortion law, despite its legality, is highly restrictive in nature and, in a way, violated the human rights of Paulina. Even though it permits first-trimester abortion procedures for rape victims or women whose lives are endangered by the pregnancy, many pregnant women still resort to illegal abortion. To further aggravate the restrictive nature of the law, Baja California state Rep. Martin Dominguez Rocha made a proposal to eliminate the rape exception in the state's penal code. The case of Paulina will be handled by the lawyers at the Center for Reproductive Law and Policy in order to arrive at a settlement favorable to Paulina.^ieng
Assuntos
Aborto Legal , Adolescente , Direitos Humanos , Legislação como Assunto , Gravidez na Adolescência , Estupro , Mulheres , Aborto Induzido , Fatores Etários , América , Crime , Demografia , Países em Desenvolvimento , Serviços de Planejamento Familiar , Fertilidade , América Latina , México , América do Norte , População , Características da População , Dinâmica Populacional , Pesquisa , Comportamento Sexual , Problemas SociaisRESUMO
PIP: This paper provides an overview on the research report entitled "An Unfulfilled Human Right: Family Planning in Guatemala," by Bonnie Scott Jones, Staff Attorney of Center for Reproductive Law and Policy. The research examines Guatemala's reproductive health care networks. It also presents the factors influencing the high rates of maternal mortality, unwanted pregnancy and extreme poverty. The information gathered from indigenous women, traditional birth attendants, nongovernmental organizations and government officials revealed an appalling lack of support from the Guatemalan government for promoting and protecting its citizens' right to family planning information and services. In addition, the research indicated the role of the Catholic Church in the country's family planning programs.^ieng
Assuntos
Planejamento em Saúde , Acessibilidade aos Serviços de Saúde , Medicina Reprodutiva , Pesquisa , América , América Central , Países em Desenvolvimento , Serviços de Planejamento Familiar , Guatemala , Saúde , América Latina , América do Norte , Organização e Administração , Avaliação de Programas e Projetos de SaúdeRESUMO
PIP: Three Chilean women's rights organizations and CRLP presented a Shadow Report to the UN Committee on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW). The 25-page Shadow Report indicates in summary the disappointment of the Chilean women in their government. Although Chile has emerged from its history of military dictatorship and is taking its first steps toward returning to a democratic-style of government, the military and the Catholic Church still exert a very strong influence, especially when it comes to policy making. Chilean people especially women, continue to be tyrannized by repressive attitudes, laws, and policies. This tyrannization is exemplified by the rampant discrimination against women in the prisons and the punishment of those undergoing illegal abortions. In short, women have no rights in Chile, and the government has not done enough to eliminate discrimination against them.^ieng
Assuntos
Direitos Humanos , Preconceito , Nações Unidas , Violência , Direitos da Mulher , Mulheres , América , Comportamento , Chile , Países em Desenvolvimento , Economia , Agências Internacionais , América Latina , Organizações , Política , Opinião Pública , Problemas Sociais , Fatores Socioeconômicos , América do SulRESUMO
PIP: The Center for Reproductive Law and Policy reports on the recent amendment of the Constitution to recognize life from the moment of conception. Researcher Soledad Varela discovered that the Catholic Church in El Salvador had been actively engaged in manipulative tactics to sway an already conservative legislature into passing the extreme laws. Although some legislators were in favor of this amendment, some believe that the reform was wrong and that therapeutic abortions and terminations of pregnancies resulting from rape should not be penalized. Restrictive abortion laws did not stop abortions from occurring; in fact, the UN estimated that 35% of all pregnancies in Chile end in illegal abortions. With the new restrictions, mothers are abandoning unwanted newborns. Illegal practitioners have become harder to trace. Nevertheless, others seem to be successful at evading the law. The wealthy have the right to choose and still avail themselves of legal, more liberal abortion laws from other countries.^ieng