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Overweight and obesity continues to be a burden to the health and well-being of Caribbean residents. The rise of childhood obesity and non-communicable diseases within the Caribbean is a major public health challenge for policymakers, educators and health professionals. These alarming rates of obesity also pose a threat to the sustainability of existing health systems particularly in small island developing states like the Caribbean. Therefore, it is crucial to evaluate existing policies and create policy solutions to address these problems and reduce the potential impact later on. This systematic review explored existing policies among countries within the Anglophone Caribbean to identify trends within the region. The literature search focused on the following themes: (i) national policies (ii) school nutrition policies and programs (iii) physical activity among youth, and (iv) food import bill and food security. An analysis was conducted on literature from national, regional and international institutions including but not limited to the World Health Organization, Ministries of Health and the Healthy Caribbean Coalition. Countries throughout the region has acknowledged the challenges with overweight and obesity in the region. Collectively decisions have been made to address food insecurity and promote healthy lifestyle behaviours through policy changes. There's still a need for Caribbean countries to work together to create effective policy solutions in collaboration with community service organizations and other stakeholders. As small island developing states grappling with the same issues, pooling resources to create effective regional policies can help to address this public health crisis.
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Pollination is a vitally important function in nature and becomes an ecosystem service because it influences the food and nutritional security for people. However, the contribution of different functional traits of insects for pollen transport of plants is still poorly known. We explore the relationship between pollinator insect functional traits and the transport of pollen of sweet granadilla (Passiflora ligularis Juss) in eight crops. We sampled flower-visiting insects of this crop and recorded 10 functional traits (five by direct measurements and five from the literature) that were related to the amount of pollen carried by each insect. Bees (Apidae) were not only the most abundant insects but also the ones that loaded the highest amounts of pollen. Within these, the most abundant species was the exotic common honeybee (Apis mellifera (Linnaeus)) making up almost half of the specimens collected; however, this bee carried less pollen grains than other native bees. Bombus hortulanus (Smith) was one of the large-bodied native bees that carried more sweet granadilla pollen, despite not being an abundant species in the community. Body size was the most important trait determining the transport of sweet granadilla pollen, while the traits related to body hairs were not significant for the body's pollen load. None of the functional traits evaluated was influenced by taxonomy at species-level. Our results suggest that large body sizes in bees are the most important traits in granadilla pollen transport, regardless of other changes in composition and structure of pollinating insect assemblages in the crop.
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Passiflora , Polinização , Abelhas , Animais , Ecossistema , Insetos , Produtos Agrícolas , Flores , CabeloRESUMO
Closed-loop acoustic stimulation (CLAS) during sleep has shown to boost slow wave (SW) amplitude and spindle power. Moreover, sleep SW have been classified based on different processes of neuronal synchronization. Thus, different types of SW events may have distinct functional roles and be differentially affected by external stimuli. However, the SW synchronization processes affected by CLAS are not well understood. Here, we studied the effect of CLAS on the dissociation of SW events based on two features of neuronal synchronization in the electroencephalogram (topological spread and wave slope). We evaluated and classified individual SW events of 14 healthy subjects during a CLAS stimulated (STM) and a control night (CNT). Three main categories of SW events were found denoting (C1) steep slope SW with global spread, (C2) flat-slope waves with localized spread and homeostatic decline, and (C3) multipeaked flat-slope events with global spread. Comparing between conditions, we found a consistent increase of event proportion and trough amplitudes for C1 events during the time of stimulation. Furthermore, we found similar increases in post-stimulus spectral power in θ, ß, and σ frequencies for CNT vs STIM condition independently of sleep stage or SW categories. However, topological analysis showed differentiated spatial dynamics in N2 and N3 for SW categories and the co-occurrence with spindle events. Our findings support the existence of multiple types of SW with differential response to external stimuli and possible distinct neuronal mechanisms.
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Fases do Sono , Sono , Humanos , Estimulação Acústica , Sono/fisiologia , Fases do Sono/fisiologia , Eletroencefalografia , Voluntários SaudáveisRESUMO
A challenge when targeting T-cell lymphoma with chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy is that target antigens are often shared between T cells and tumor cells, resulting in fratricide between CAR T cells and on-target cytotoxicity on normal T cells. CC chemokine receptor 4 (CCR4) is highly expressed in many mature T-cell malignancies, such as adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma (ATLL) and cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL), and has a unique expression profile in normal T cells. CCR4 is predominantly expressed by type-2 and type-17 helper T cells (Th2 and Th17) and regulatory T cells (Treg), but it is rarely expressed by other T helper (Th) subsets and CD8+ cells. Although fratricide in CAR T cells is generally thought to be detrimental to anticancer functions, in this study, we demonstrated that anti-CCR4 CAR T cells specifically depleted Th2 and Tregs, while sparing CD8+ and Th1 T cells. Moreover, fratricide increased the percentage of CAR+ T cells in the final product. CCR4-CAR T cells were characterized by high transduction efficiency, robust T-cell expansion, and rapid fratricidal depletion of CCR4-positive T cells during CAR transduction and expansion. Furthermore, mogamulizumab-based CCR4-CAR T cells induced superior antitumor efficacy and long-term remission in mice engrafted with human T-cell lymphoma cells. In summary, CCR4-depleted anti-CCR4 CAR T cells are enriched in Th1 and CD8+ T cells and exhibit high antitumor efficacy against CCR4-expressing T-cell malignancies.
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Linfoma Cutâneo de Células T , Linfoma de Células T Periférico , Linfoma de Células T , Neoplasias Cutâneas , Adulto , Humanos , Animais , Camundongos , Receptores CCR4/metabolismo , Linfócitos T ReguladoresRESUMO
A method called functional connectivity mapping helps model some of the complex interactions between multiple ecosystem services.
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Conservação dos Recursos Naturais , EcossistemaRESUMO
The pursuit of better therapies for disorders creating deficiencies in skeletal muscle regeneration is in progress, and several biotoxins are used in skeletal muscle research. Since recombinant proteins derived from Lonomia obliqua bristles, recombinant Lonomia obliqua Stuart-factor activator (rLosac) and recombinant Lonomia obliqua prothrombin activator protease (rLopap) act as cytoprotective agents and promote cell survival, we hypothesize that both rLosac and rLopap favour the skeletal muscle regeneration process. In the present work, we investigate the ability of these recombinant proteins rLosac and rLopap to modulate the production of key mediators of the myogenic process. The expression of myogenic regulatory factors (MRFs), cell proliferation, the production of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and the protein expression of cyclooxygenases COX-1 and COX-2 were evaluated in C2C12 mouse myoblasts pre-treated with rLosac and rLopap. We found an increased proliferation of myoblasts, stimulated by both recombinant proteins. Moreover, these proteins modulated PGE2 release and MRFs activities. We also found an increased expression of the EP4 receptor in the proliferative phase of C2C12 cells, suggesting the involvement of this receptor in the effects of PGE2 in these cells. Moreover, the recombinant proteins inhibited the release of IL-6 and PGE2, which is induced by an inflammatory stimulus by IL-1β. This work reveals rLopap and rLosac as promising proteins to modulate processes involving tissue regeneration as occurs during skeletal muscle injury.
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As a tribute to Butantan Institute in its 120th anniversary, this review describes some of the scientific research efforts carried out in the study of Lonomia envenoming in Brazil, a country where accidents with caterpillars reach over 42,000 individuals per year (especially in South and Southeast Brazil). Thus, the promising data regarding the studies with Lonomia’s toxins contributed to the creation of new research centers specialized in toxinology based at Butantan Institute, as well as to the production of the antilonomic serum (ALS), actions which are in line with the Butantan Institute mission “to research, develop, manufacture, and provide products and services for the health of the population”. In addition, the study of the components of the Lonomia obliqua bristle extract led to the discovery of new molecules with peculiar properties, opening a field of knowledge that could lead to the development and innovation of new drugs aimed at cell regeneration and inflammatory diseases.
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Although crotoxin B (CB) is a well-established catalytically active secretory phospholipase A2 group IIA (sPLA2-IIA) myotoxin, we investigated its potential stimulatory effect on myogenesis with the involvement of prostaglandins (PGs) produced by cyclooxygenase (COX)-1 and -2 pathways. Myoblast C2C12 were cultured in proliferation or commitment protocols and incubated with CB followed by lumiracoxib (selective COX-2 inhibitor) or valeryl salicylate (selective COX-1 inhibitor) and subjected to analysis of PG release, cell proliferation and activation of myogenic regulatory factors (MRFs). Our data showed that CB in non-cytotoxic concentrations induces an increase of COX-2 protein expression and stimulates the activity of both COX isoforms to produce PGE2, PGD2 and 15d-PGJ2. CB induced an increase in the proliferation of C2C12 myoblast cells dependent on PGs from both COX-1 and COX-2 pathways. In addition, CB stimulated the activity of Pax7, MyoD, Myf5 and myogenin in proliferated cells. Otherwise, CB increased myogenin activity but not MyoD in committed cells. Our findings evidence the role of COX-1- and COX-2-derived PGs in modulating CB-induced activation of MRFs. This study contributes to the knowledge that CB promote early myogenic events via regulatory mechanisms on PG-dependent COX pathways, showing new concepts about the effect of sPLA2-IIA in skeletal muscle repair.
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In this study, we investigated the effects and mechanisms of the pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-1β and TNF-α on the proliferation and commitment phases of myoblast differentiation. C2C12 mouse myoblast cells were cultured to reach a proliferated or committed status and were incubated with these cytokines for the evaluation of cell proliferation, cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2) expression, release of prostaglandins (PGs) and myokines, and activation of myogenic regulatory factors (MRFs). We found that inhibition of the IL-6 receptor reduced IL-1β- and TNF-α-induced cell proliferation, and that the IL-1β effect also involved COX-2-derived PGs. Both cytokines modulated the release of the myokines myostatin, irisin, osteonectin, and IL-15. TNF-α and IL-6 reduced the activity of Pax7 in proliferated cells and reduced MyoD and myogenin activity at both proliferative and commitment stages. Otherwise, IL-1β increased myogenin activity only in committed cells. Our data reveal a key role of IL-6 and COX-2-derived PGs in IL-1β and TNF-α-induced myoblast proliferation and support the link between TNF-α and IL-6 and the activation of MRFs. We concluded that IL-1β and TNF-α induce similar effects at the initial stages of muscle regeneration but found critical differences between their effects with the progression of the process, bringing new insights into inflammatory signalling in skeletal muscle regeneration
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Problem Oxidative stress and inflammation are key events leading to pre-eclampsia, involved in several maternal deaths. Low doses of acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) are used in the prevention and treatment of pre-eclampsia. The synthesis of aspirin-triggered lipoxin (ATL) by cyclooxygenase-2 acetylation is an alternative mechanism of ASA, which could explain the effectiveness of ASA treatments. The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of ASA, salicylates, and ATL in the modulation of the oxidative and inflammatory responses induced by plasma from women with pre-eclampsia. Method of study Plasma from 14 women with pre-eclampsia and 17 normotensive pregnant women was probed for inducing oxidative and inflammatory responses on endothelial cells and U937 promonocytes. The role of ATL, ASA, and salicylic acid (SA) on these events was evaluated. Results Plasma from women with pre-eclampsia induced TBARS and nitrotyrosine production on endothelial and U937 cells. Pre-treatment with both ATL and ASA decreased the TBARS production, while ATL decreased the nitrotyrosine. Pre-eclamptic plasma augmented the translocation of NF-kB on U937 cells, which decreased by a high dose of ASA and SA. Finally, the pre-eclamptic plasma increased the adhesion of leukocytes—PMN and monocytes—to endothelium, and we were able to determine a state of resolution of inflammation, since ATL decreased the PMN adhesion, and conversely, it increased the monocytes adhesion to endothelium. Conclusion Together, these results suggest that ATL could explain the beneficial actions of ASA and support further research on mechanisms, real efficacy, and rational use of ASA in pre-eclampsia.
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Despite the wide literature describing the features of Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) in different populations worldwide, Colombian data are very scarce. We aim to characterize patients with GBS in a general hospital setting in Colombia. We conducted a retrospective chart review of GBS cases managed at the Hospital Universitario Fundación Santa Fe de Bogotá, from 2011 to 2016. Twenty-three patients were included. The most commonly reported symptoms were paresthesias (65%), pain (61%), proximal (22%) and distal (74%) limb weakness, and facial palsy (30%). 9% of patients had Fisher syndrome and 21% had other variants: Bickerstaff, pharyngeal-cervical-brachial pattern, and facial diplegia. There was a predominance of the demyelinating form (70%), with only 22% of patients presenting with the axonal variants. Our results are concordant with previous studies in Colombia.
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Síndrome de Guillain-Barré/diagnóstico , Debilidade Muscular/etiologia , Condução Nervosa/fisiologia , Dor/etiologia , Parestesia/etiologia , Adulto , Idoso , Colômbia , Eletromiografia , Feminino , Síndrome de Guillain-Barré/complicações , Síndrome de Guillain-Barré/fisiopatologia , Humanos , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Síndrome de Miller Fisher/complicações , Síndrome de Miller Fisher/diagnóstico , Síndrome de Miller Fisher/fisiopatologia , Debilidade Muscular/fisiopatologia , Músculo Esquelético/fisiopatologia , Dor/fisiopatologia , Parestesia/fisiopatologia , Estudos Retrospectivos , Avaliação de SintomasRESUMO
Species traits provide a strong link between an organism's fitness and processes at community and ecosystem levels. However, such data remain scarce for amphibians in the Neotropics. Colombia is the country with the highest number of threatened amphibians and the second greatest number of amphibian species worldwide. We present a data set containing eight morphological traits for 4,623 museum specimens of the seven largest collections in the country corresponding to 293 species of 14 families. The number of measured specimens per species ranged from 1 to 118 individuals with a median of 8 individuals per species. Overall, this database gathered morphological information for 37.6% of Colombian anuran diversity. Species measured were mainly distributed in the high Andean forest, the páramo, and wetland ecosystems, and was part of a national initiative led by the Instituto Alexander von Humboldt. The morphological traits were selected on the basis of their role in species' responses to environmental variability and their contributions to ecosystem processes. These traits were related to habitat use, (forearm length, tibia length, femur length, foot length, and foot webbing), predation and food chains (head width and mouth width), and nutrient recycling (snout-vent length). We expect this data set will be used in studies on functional diversity in amphibians and the development of conservation planning for these taxa. No copyright or proprietary restrictions are associated with the use of this data set other than citation of this Data Paper.
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OBJECTIVES: To estimate the associations of nationality, university program, donation history and gender, with blood donation barriers experienced by non-donating students on the day of a campus blood drive. This project focused particularly on nationality and the effect of the different blood donation cultures in the students' countries of origin. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study of 398 North American and Caribbean university students was conducted at St. George's University, Grenada, in 2010. Data were collected from non-donating students on campus while a blood drive was taking place. Log-binomial regression was used to estimate associations between the exposures of interest and donation barriers experienced by the students. RESULTS: North American (voluntary blood donation culture) students were more likely than Caribbean (replacement blood donation culture) students to experience "Lack of Time" (relative risk (RR)â¯=â¯1.57; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.19-2.07) and "Lack of Eligibility" (RRâ¯=â¯1.55; 95% CI: 1.08-2.22) as barriers to donation. Conversely, Caribbean students were a third as likely to state "Lack of Incentive" (RRâ¯=â¯0.32; 95% CI: 0.20-0.50), "Fear of Infection" (RRâ¯=â¯0.35; 95% CI: 0.21-0.58), and "Fear of Needles" (RRâ¯=â¯0.32; 95% CI: 0.21-0.48) were barriers than North American students. CONCLUSIONS: University students from voluntary blood donation cultures are likely to experience different barriers to donation than those from replacement cultures. Knowledge of barriers that students from contrasting blood donation systems face provides valuable information for blood drive promotion in university student populations that contain multiple nationalities.
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Doadores de Sangue/psicologia , Estudantes/psicologia , Adolescente , Adulto , Feminino , Granada , Humanos , Masculino , UniversidadesRESUMO
Introducción: La glicosilación es una modificación postraduccional que tiene un papel protagónico en los procesos de comunicación célula-célula, célula-matrix extracelular, por lo tanto modula la interacción con antígenos y el sistema inmune. La inmunoglobulina G (IgG) tiene un sitio de N-glicosilación en la posición 297. Los sacáridos terminales de este glicano impactan la función efectora de la proteína, dirigiendo la respuesta hacia un efecto proinflamatorio o antiinflamatorio. Maverakis. et al (2015), propusieron que cada enfermedad autoinmune tiene una única marca de glicanos, especialmente en las diferentes clases de inmunoglobulinas (teoría de la alteración de los glicanos en la autoinmunidad).
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Síndrome Antifosfolipídica , Autoimunidade , Glicosilação , Imunoglobulina GRESUMO
Type two innate immune system is anti-inflammatory and may play an important role as the means whereby "browning" is induced in subcutaneous adipocytes. It was shown that IL-4 may influence the fate of adipose cell precursors by promoting differentiation towards more thermogenic adipocytes in mice. Here, we investigated the influence of IL-4 and IL-4 receptor, a type two immune cytokine pathway, on the metabolic activity and thermogenic potential of human adipocytes differentiated from adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (ADMSCs) obtained from subcutaneous samples of healthy women undergoing abdominoplasty. Western blot analysis, qPCR, and biochemical analyses were performed 10 days after ADMSC differentiation into mature adipocytes was induced. IL-4 receptor was expressed in both precursor and differentiated adipocytes, and IL-4 treatment increased phosphorylation Y641 of signal transducer and activator of transcription 6 (STAT6) in both cell types. IL-4 treatment also increased expression of thermogenic proteins PGC-1α, UCP-1, and CITED1. In addition, IL-4 increased the secretion of adiponectin, leptin, and FGF21 and promoted lipolysis in differentiated adipocytes. In conclusion, IL-4 may directly modulate differentiation of human adipocytes towards a beige phenotype acting through IL-4 receptors on both adipose precursors and differentiated human adipocytes, metabolic effect that must be considered in some antiallergic drugs.
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Resumen Objetivos: Explorar la relación entre las variables sociodemográficas presentes en la madre y en la familia con el bajo peso al nacer en los recién nacidos atendidos en una clínica universitaria en Chía (Cundinamarca, Colombia). Métodos: Estudio de corte transversal. Se incluyó a 301 recién nacidos de la Clínica Universidad de La Sabana entre el 1° de julio y 31 de diciembre de 2015. Se midieron variables sociodemográficos y factores de la madre y del recién nacido. Se realizó un análisis bivariado para determinar la relación entre las variables de exposición y bajo peso; para este se aplicó la prueba de chi2 o de Fisher. Posteriormente se realizó un modelo de regresión logística para explorar la asociación entre las variables de exposición y el bajo peso al nacer. Resultados: La frecuencia de bajo peso al nacer fue del 18.27 %. Se halló asociación entre el bajo peso al nacer y el nivel educativo bajo de la madre (OR 2.65; IC 95 %: 1.17 - 5.97). Como factor protector para el bajo peso al nacer se encontró el asistir a 4 o más controles prenatales (OR 0.34; IC 95 %: 0.14 - .084). Conclusiones: La frecuencia de bajo peso al nacer en la población estudiada está por encima del promedio nacional y regional. Se encontró como factor de riesgo el nivel educativo bajo, y como factor protector, el número de controles prenatales. Es importante continuar con el adecuado control social en las madres y familias de estratos bajos como factor preventivo primario del bajo peso al nacer.
Abstract Objectives: To explore the relationship between sociodemographic variables present in the mother and in the family with low birth weight infants attended at a university clinic in Chia, Colombia. Methods: Cross-sectional study. 301 newborns from the Clinica Universidad de La Sabana were included between July 1 and December 31, 2015. Socio-demographic variables and maternal and newborn factors were analyzed. A bivariate analysis was performed to determine the relationship between the variables and low-birth weight, the chi2 or Fisher test was applied. A logistic regression model was performed to explore the association between exposure variables and low birth weight. Results: The frequency of low birth weight was 18.27 %. We found an association between low birth weight and low maternal education (OR 2.65,95 % CI: 1.17 - 5.97). As a protective factor for birth weight was found to attend four or more prenatal controls (OR 0.34, 95 % CI: 0.14 - .084). Conclusions: The frequency of low birth weight is above the national and regional average. The low educational level was found as a risk factor and as a protective factor the number of prenatal controls. It is important to continue with adequate social control in low-income mothers and families as a primary preventive factor of low birth weight.
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RESUMEN El presente estudio tuvo como objetivo analizar la activación de información estereotípica en contextos de selección de personal. Las hipótesis fueron contrastadas mediante un diseño experimental 2 (sexo del aplicante) x 2 (atractivo del aplicante) x 2 (sexo de la persona reclutadora) en un grupo de reclutadores profesionales. Los resultados indicaron un efecto significativo tanto del sexo como del atractivo de los estímulos. Estos efectos fueron moderados por el sexo de las personas reclutadoras y parcialmente mediados por las atribuciones de calidez y habilidad. Los resultados se discuten considerando el impacto del estereotipo de "lo bello es bueno" y los estereotipos sobre los roles tradicionales asignados a cada sexo.
ABSTRACT This study aimed to analyze the activation of stereotypical information in personnel selection contexts. Hypotheses were tested via a 2 (applicant's sex) x 2 (applicant's appeal) x 2 (sex of the recruiter) experimental design among professional recruiters. Results show a significant effect of both, sex and attractiveness of the stimuli. These effects were moderated by the sex of the recruiter and partially mediated by attributions of warmth and ability. Results are discussed in the light of the impact of the "beautiful is good" effect and the stereotypes of traditional sex roles.
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Seleção de Pessoal/ética , Atrativos SexuaisRESUMO
RESUMEN Con el fin de evaluar la calidad metodológica de las guías de práctica clínica (GPC) desarrolladas por el Ministerio de Salud (MINSA) de Perú, se evaluaron 17 GPC del MINSA publicadas entre 2009-2014, por tres expertos metodológicos, de forma independiente, usando el instrumento AGREE II. La puntuación de los dominios del AGREE II fue baja y muy baja en todas las GPC: alcance y propósito (mediana, 44%), claridad de la presentación (mediana, 47%), participación de decisores (mediana, 8%), rigor metodológico (mediana 5%), aplicabilidad (mediana, 5%), e independencia editorial (mediana, 8%). Se concluye que la calidad metodológica de las GPC del MINSA es baja. Como consecuencia, no es posible recomendar su uso. Urge la incorporación de metodología estandarizada para el desarrollo de GPC de calidad en el Perú.
ABSTRACT To evaluate the methodological quality of clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) put into practice by the Peruvian Ministry of Health (MINSA), 17 CPGs from the ministry, published between 2009 and 2014, were independently evaluated by three methodologic experts using the AGREE II instrument. The score of AGREE II domains was low and very low in all CPGs: scope and purpose (medium, 44%), clarity of presentation (medium, 47%), participation of decision-makers (medium, 8%), methodological rigor (medium, 5%), applicability (medium, 5%), and editorial independence (medium, 8%). In conclusion, the methodological quality of CPGs implemented by the MINSA is low. Consequently, its use could not be recommended. The implementation of the methodology for the development of CPGs described in the recentlypublished CPG methodological preparation manual in Peru is a pressing need.
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Humanos , Guias de Prática Clínica como Assunto , Peru , Controle de QualidadeRESUMO
To evaluate the methodological quality of clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) put into practice by the Peruvian Ministry of Health (MINSA), 17 CPGs from the ministry, published between 2009 and 2014, were independently evaluated by three methodologic experts using the AGREE II instrument. The score of AGREE II domains was low and very low in all CPGs: scope and purpose (medium, 44%), clarity of presentation (medium, 47%), participation of decision-makers (medium, 8%), methodological rigor (medium, 5%), applicability (medium, 5%), and editorial independence (medium, 8%). In conclusion, the methodological quality of CPGs implemented by the MINSA is low. Consequently, its use could not be recommended. The implementation of the methodology for the development of CPGs described in the recentlypublished CPG methodological preparation manual in Peru is a pressing need.