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The problem of phosphorus and nitrogen deficiency in agricultural soils has been solved by adding chemical fertilizers. However, their excessive use and their accumulation have only contributed to environmental contamination. Given the high content of nutrients in biosolids collected from a food industry waste treatment plant, their use as fertilizers was investigated in Zea mays plants grown in sandy loam soil collected from a semi-desert area. These biosolids contained insoluble phosphorus sources; therefore, given the ability of Azotobacter nigricans to solubilize phosphates, this strain was incorporated into the study. In vitro, the suitable conditions for the growth of Z. mays plants were determined by using biosolids as a fertilizer and A. nigricans as a plant-growth-promoting microorganism; in vitro, the ability of A. nigricans to solubilize phosphates, fix nitrogen, and produce indole acetic acid, a phytohormone that promotes root formation, was also evaluated. At the greenhouse stage, the Z. mays plants fertilized with biosolids at concentrations of 15 and 20% (v/w) and inoculated with A. nigricans favored the development of bending strength plants, which was observed on the increased stem diameter (>13.5% compared with the negative control and >7.4% compared with the positive control), as well as a better absorption of phosphorus and nitrogen, the concentration of which increased up to 62.8% when compared with that in the control treatments. The interactions between plants and A. nigricans were observed via scanning electron microscopy. The application of biosolids and A. nigricans in Z. mays plants grown in greenhouses presented better development than when Z. mays plants were treated with a chemical fertilizer. The enhanced plant growth was attributed to the increase in root surface area.

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Introducción: el síndrome de Aicardi (SA; OMIM #304050) es un trastorno genético raro, cuya incidencia es de aproximadamente 1/100.000. Fue descrito en 1965 como una triada consistente en agenesia del cuerpo calloso, lagunas coriorretinianas y espasmos infantiles. Asocia discapacidad intelectual severa y epilepsia de difícil control. Aunque su espectro clínico es variable, tiene por lo general un pronóstico infausto debido a la elevada morbimortalidad asociada. Se considera un trastorno esporádico causado por variantes patogénicas en heterocigosis de un gen ligado al cromosoma X, que causa mortalidad embrionaria en varones hemicigotos. Objetivo: este trabajo pretende llevar a cabo una revisión bibliográfica acerca de la literatura científica disponible del síndrome de Aicardi. De esta manera se hará una actualización sobre esta entidad en cuanto a definiciones, prevalencia e incidencia, etiología, espectro clínico y pronóstico de los pacientes afectos. Materiales y métodos: se lleva a cabo una búsqueda bibliográfica retrospectiva en las principales bases de datos científicas. Para ello, se utilizan las palabras clave "Aicardi", "agenesia del cuerpo calloso", "espasmos infantiles" y "encefalopatía epiléptica". Conclusiones: desde su descripción se ha ido ampliando el espectro de manifestaciones clínicas del síndrome. Actualmente no se conoce la existencia de un biomarcador que posibilite el diagnóstico, por lo que éste continúa siendo eminentemente clínico. Se debe tener un alto nivel de sospecha en espasmos infantiles de debut precoz en mujeres con alteraciones en neuroimagen.

Introduction: Aicardi syndrome (AS; OMIM #304050) is a rare genetic disorder, with an incidence of approximately 1/100,000. It was described in 1965 as a triad consisting of agenesis of the corpus callosum, chorioretinal lacunae, and infantile spasms. It is associated with severe intellectual disability and difficult-to-control epilepsy. Although its clinical spectrum is variable, it generally has a poor prognosis due to the associated morbidity and mortality. It is considered a sporadic disorder caused by heterozygous pathogenic variants of a gene linked to the X chromosome, which causes embryonic mortality in hemizygous males. Objective: this article performs a bibliographic review of the available scientific literature on Aicardi syndrome. In doing so, we hope to update the disorder's definitions, prevalence and incidence, etiology, clinical spectrum and prognosis of affected patients. Materials and methods: we performed a retrospective bibliographic search in the main scientific databases. For this, we searched for the keywords "Aicardi", "agenesia of the corpus callosum", "infantile spasms" and "epileptic encephalopathy". Conclusions: since it was first described, the spectrum of clinical manifestations of the syndrome has been expanding. Currently, there is no known biomarker that makes diagnosis possible, so it continues to be eminently clinical diagnosis. A high level of suspicion should be present in cases of early-onset infantile spasms in women with neuroimaging abnormalities.

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Aquaculture is an increasingly important supplier of food worldwide. However, due to its high dependence on agricultural and fishing resources, its growth is constantly constrained by environmental impacts beyond aquaculture production systems. Within the European Union, Spain accounts for approximately 25 % of total aquaculture production, which implies that environmental impacts in rivers and marine ecosystems must be monitored to understand the role of aquaculture systems. While studies on the environmental performance of mussels or turbot production have been reported in the literature, Spanish rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) has not received much attention despite its relative importance. In this sense, a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) study of rainbow trout produced in a medium-sized plant in Galicia (NW Spain) was carried out in the present study. The study considered the production of round weight trout, as well as some commonly produced processed products, including filleting. The life cycle modelling included a high level of primary data in the foreground system. In addition to the widely considered environmental impact categories for this activity (e.g., global warming potential, terrestrial acidification and freshwater eutrophication), the recent proposed antibiotic resistance (ABR) enrichment impact category was included to explore the potential impact of antibiotic release in freshwater microbiota. The results highlighted the high contribution of aquafeed to most impact categories, due to upstream agricultural and fishing processes, whereas farm operation was responsible for the larger part of the impact in freshwater eutrophication, mainly due to direct emissions of nutrients from fish feeding. Amoxicillin release to recipient water bodies was the main driver to the ABR enrichment category. In contrast, the processing phase (i.e., gutting, freezing and packaging) showed low environmental burdens. In order to improve the environmental performance of the rainbow trout production system, decreasing the feed conversion ratio (FCR), shifting to renewable energy, using low environmental burden ingredients in aquafeed, and alternatives to control diseases without antibiotics could be considered.

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Resumen La valoración visual del paisaje ayuda a comprender las preferencias del mismo como un bien frágil y escaso, y a evaluar la percepción, aceptación y rechazo de los paisajes naturales, manejados y alterados. La valoración del paisaje, mediante el uso de indicadores eco-estéticos, permite evaluarlos desde su estructura y es una manera de afrontar las problemáticas de subjetividad observada en otros métodos. Si bien, los indicadores eco-estéticos han sido utilizados en la valoración de distintos paisajes, no han sido ampliamente aplicados en la evaluación de paisajes costeros. Este estudio tuvo como objetivo realizar la evaluación visual de la naturalidad y la complejidad del paisaje costero de la isla de Cozumel, México, a través de 2 indicadores ecoestéticos: el índice de etapa sucesional y el índice de diversidad de Shannon. Para evaluar la percepción del observador, se fotografiaron paisajes costeros de 4 etapas sucesionales, y distintos valores de diversidad. Las fotografías fueron proyectadas a 152 individuos, quienes puntuaron los paisajes de acuerdo con su preferencia. Las respuestas fueron analizadas por medio de pruebas no paramétricas. Los resultados evidenciaron una relación directa, positiva y estadísticamente significativa (P < 0.05) entre la preferencia y la naturalidad, pero no entre la preferencia y la diversidad. Se concluye que la naturalidad, medida a través del indicador de etapa sucesional, influye directamente sobre las preferencias del paisaje costero y puede ser usado para evaluar el efecto de las alteraciones al paisaje sobre las preferencias del observador.

Abstract The visual assessment of the landscape helps to understand the preferences of the landscape as a fragile and scarce asset, and to evaluate the perception, acceptance, and rejection of natural, managed and altered landscapes. The valuation of the landscape using eco-aesthetic indicators allows us to evaluate them from their structure, and it is a way of facing the problems of subjectivity observed in other methods. Although these eco-aesthetic indicators have been used in the assessment of different landscapes, they have not been widely applied in the assessment of coastal landscapes. The objective of this study was to carry out a visual evaluation of the naturalness and complexity of the coastal landscape of the Cozumel island, Mexico through 2 eco-aesthetic indicators: The successional stage index, and the Shannon diversity index. To evaluate the perception of the observer, coastal landscapes of 4 successional stages, and different levels of diversity, were photographed, and the photographs were projected to 152 individuals who scored the landscapes according to their preference. The responses were analyzed by means of non-parametric tests. The results show a direct, positive, and statistically significant (P < 0.05) relationship between preference and the naturalness, but not between preference and diversity. It is concluded that naturalness, measured through the ecological succession indicator, directly influences coastal landscape preferences, and can be used to evaluate the effect of landscape alterations on observer preferences.

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Peru has become one of the world's main agricultural hubs for a wide range of fruits and vegetables. Two of these products, avocado and green asparagus, have raised attention in recent years in the international scene from an environmental perspective due to the high amounts of water they require, as well as the long air and marine freighting distances to export these products to Europe, Asia or the US. Consequently, the aim of the current study was to perform an environmental assessment of these two products using two life-cycle methods: carbon and water footprint. For the latter, water scarcity, acidification, eco-toxicity and eutrophication impact categories have been selected for assessment. Inventory data were gathered from six different companies located in different regions of the hyper-arid Peruvian coast. The results report that the products are not carbon intensive and are in line with other similar plant-based products. Conversely, the hyper-arid conditions of the cultivation sites require a large volume of groundwater to fulfill the needs of the crops. Interestingly, even though this may lead to overexploitation of groundwater resources in the absence of appropriate management policies, the low mobility of pollutants, namely pesticides, constitutes a natural barrier to protect the degradation of natural water bodies. Similarly, highly technified irrigation systems have allowed minimizing the amounts of water used per hectare. In conclusion, results from this study may be useful in more concise environmental assessment studies on food products and diets, considering the consumption of these Peruvian products in many countries in the world. Furthermore, results are also important at regional level since they depict the carbon and water performance of these products and can also be accompanied by cross-cutting certification schemes, including Product Environmental Footprint Category Rules Guidance.

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Variations in levels of some adipokines, myokines, osteokines, hepatokines and inflammatory cytokines contribute to abnormal glucose and lipid metabolism. The aim of this study was to determine the pattern of adiponectin, osteocalcin (OCN), irisin, FGF-21, and MCP-1 according to the body size phenotype of middle-aged women, and their associations with BMI, visceral adipose tissue (VAT), and HOMA-IR. A cross-sectional study in 265 women aged from 40 to 65 years was performed. The biochemical characteristics were evaluated in metabolically healthy normal weight, metabolically unhealthy normal weight, metabolically healthy obese, and metabolically unhealthy obese women. There was an association of OCN with BMI (r = -0.107; p = 0.047); adiponectin with BMI (r = -0.217; p = 0.001), insulin (r = -0.415; p = 0.0001), HOMA-IR (r = -0.429; p = 0.0001), and VAT (r = -0.134; p = 0.025); irisin with BMI (r = 0.604; p = 0.001), insulin (r = 0.446; p = 0.0001), HOMA-IR (r = 0.452; p = 0.0001), and VAT (r = 0.645; p = 0.0001); FGF-21 with insulin (r = -0.337; p= 0.030) and HOMA-IR (r = -0.341; p = 0.03); and MCP-1 with BMI (r = 0.481; p = 0.0001), VAT (r = 0.497; p = 0.001), insulin (r = 0.298; p= 0.001), and HOMA-IR (r = 0.255; p = 0.004). A multivariate analysis showed that an elevation of OCN (OR 1.4 (95%CI 1.06-1.81)) and a reduction of adiponectin (OR 0.9 (0.84-0.96)) were associated factors for a metabolic unhealthy phenotype in normal weight participants. Likewise, higher irisin (OR 1.007 (1.003-1.011)) and MCP-1 (1.044 (1.008-1.083)) were risk factors for a metabolic unhealthy phenotype in woman with obesity. OCN, adiponectin, irisin, FGF-21, and MCP-1 are associated with some metabolic parameters such as BMI, HOMA-IR, and VAT, and could be possible biomarkers of an unhealthy metabolic phenotype in middle-aged women.

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Resumen Antecedentes: La menopausia se relaciona con cambios en la composición corporal que el uso de terapia hormonal (TH) puede revertir. Objetivo: Determinar el efecto de la TH parenteral y oral sobre la composición corporal en la menopausia. Material y métodos: Se realizó un estudio retrolectivo que incluyó a 86 mujeres de 45 a 55 años, con FSH > 20 Ul/ml, antecedente de histerectomía y sintomatología vasomotora, a las cuales se les administró TH por vía oral (44 pacientes) o parenteral (42 pacientes) durante seis meses. Se les realizó impedancia bioeléctrica antes y después del tratamiento. Resultados: La TH por vía oral se asoció con una disminución de diferentes parámetros de la composición corporal entre los que destaca la disminución de la grasa visceral (p < 0.05). La TH parenteral no mostró modificación en la composición corporal. Conclusión: La TH por vía oral modifica de manera positiva la composición corporal, lo cual puede contribuir a regular el estado metabólico.

Abstract Background: Menopause is associated with changes in body composition that the use of hormone therapy (HT) can reverse. Objective: To determine the effect of parenteral and oral HT on body composition in menopause. Material and methods: A retrolective study was carried out in 86 women aged 45 to 55 years old, with FSH > 20 Ul/ml, a history of hysterectomy and vasomotor symptoms. The participants received oral HT (44 patients) or parenteral (42 patients) for six months. Bioelectrical impedance was performed before and after treatment. Results: Oral HT was associated with a decrease in different parameters of body composition, among which the decrease in visceral fat stands out (p < 0.05). Parenteral HT did not show changes in body composition. Conclusion: Oral HT positively modifies body composition, which can help regulate the metabolic state.

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INTRODUCCIÓN: Los tumores de células de Sertoli-Leydig son neoplasias de ovario infrecuentes, lo que dificulta su diagnóstico y tratamiento. OBJETIVO: Revisar y sintetizar el manejo actual de los tumores de células de Sertoli-Leydig. MÉTODO: Se realizó una revisión de la literatura reciente sobre tumores de células de Sertoli-Leydig, a propósito de un caso en nuestro centro. RESULTADOS: Los tumores de las células de Sertoli-Leydig son infrecuentes, con mayor incidencia en edades tempranas. Ante una paciente joven con una lesión anexial unilateral y signos de virilización deberán considerarse estos tumores dentro del diagnóstico diferencial. En los estadios iniciales y en pacientes jóvenes podrá plantearse un tratamiento quirúrgico que preserve la fertilidad, y la asociación de tratamiento adyuvante dependerá de la diferenciación y del estadiaje del tumor.

INTRODUCTION: Sertoli-Leydig cell tumors are infrequent ovarian neoplasms, which difficults their diagnosis and treatment. Objective: To review and synthesize the current management of the Sertoli-Leydig cell tumor. METHOD: A review of the recent literature regarding the Sertoli-Leydig cell tumor was carried out, regarding a case in our center. RESULTS: Sertoli-Leydig cell tumors are an infrequent entity, with a higher incidence in early ages. In a young patient with a unilateral adnexal lesion and signs of virilization, these tumors should be considered within the differential diagnosis. In early stages and young patients, a surgical treatment that preserves fertility may be considered, and the association of adjuvant treatment will depend on the differentiation and staging of the tumor.

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A new biomimetic sensor selective to folic acid based on a carbon paste modified with graphene oxide and Fe3O4 nanoparticles coated with molecularly imprinted polymer in the core@shell format (Fe3O4@MIPs) was obtained using the polyol method. The sensing phase was synthesized in a simple way and characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) surface area. In the binding experiments the selective material showed a high adsorption capacity (Q) of 30.4 mg g-1 for MMIP, while the Q value for MNIP (magnetic non-imprinted polymer) was 15.3 mg g-1 both of them following the Langmuir model to the adsorption procedure. After their efficiency was proven, these materials were used as modifiers in the electrochemical sensor (Fe3O4@MIP-GO/CPE). Under optimized conditions using the square-wave adsorptive voltammetry, the proposed sensor exhibited excellent response with a concentration linear range between 2.5 and 48 µmol L-1 and limit of detection of 0.65 µmol L-1 (S/σ = 3). The advantages obtained with the proposed method were high robustness, selectivity, and low cost being these characteristics due to the MIP; highly sensibility due to the high superficial area being the contribution of the magnetite in the core of material; and experimentally versatile since was possible carry out numerous reproductible analysis only make the renovation of the paste electrode surface by simple polishing. The sensor was applied successfully in pharmaceutical formulation and river water samples with recoveries percentages near 100%.

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Nutritional condition impacts academic performance and cognitive development. In Peru, the prevalence of chronic undernutrition in children is 6.9%, increasing the risk of mortality and morbidity. This study aimed to develop an educational intervention to achieve an improvement in the healthy habits of children in a primary education school in Lima who live in vulnerable socioeconomic conditions. We conducted a prospective quasi-experimental pre-test and post-test study of an educational intervention. The information was collected through the adaptation of the WHO questionnaire "Global School-based Student Health Survey" (GSHS), with anthropometric variables, socioeconomic level, hygiene and eating habits. One hundred eight students from 5 to 13 years old from Arenitas del Mar School in Lima (Peru) participated. The educational intervention improved eating habits. Fruit and vegetable consumption 3 or more times/day (50.9%) increased after the educational intervention (49% vs. 62.9%,) p < 0.0001. There was an improvement in hygiene habits, such as the frequency of handwashing with soap (32.4% vs. 63.9%) and the frequency of weekly bathing 4-6 times/week (25% vs. 47.5%) p < 0.0001. The educational intervention promoted better healthy living behaviors, eating habits and hygiene. This kind of initiative is a crucial tool to establish healthy living habits.

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El síndrome de la escaldadura estafilocócica es una entidad dermatológica poco frecuente que, en fases iniciales, puede ser confundida con una reagudización de un brote de dermatitis atópica. Se presenta el caso de un niño de 8 años, con antecedentes de dermatitis atópica y alergia al huevo, que acudió al Servicio de Urgencias por lesiones eritematoampollosas en la piel. La sintomatología comenzó como un eritema en áreas de flexuras, que asociaba conjuntivitis y eritema palpebral bilateral. A las 24 horas, apareció un eritema generalizado con ampollas flácidas de predominio en áreas flexurales, acompañado de hiperqueratosis y xerosis perioral. Ante la sospecha clínica de síndrome de escaldadura estafilocócica, se inició el tratamiento empírico con cloxacilina, con respuesta favorable. Con este caso, se destaca la importancia de realizar un correcto diagnóstico diferencial de las lesiones cutáneas de los pacientes con dermatitis atópica, con el objetivo de aplicar el tratamiento más adecuado.

The staphylococcal scalded skin syndrome is a rare dermatological entity that in early stages may be confused with a flare-up of a rush of atopic dermatitis. We present the case of an 8-year-old boy with a history of atopic dermatitis and egg allergy that went to the Emergency Department for erythematous-bullous lesions on the skin. Symptoms began as an erythema in areas of flexures, which associated conjunctivitis and bilateral eyelid erythema. After 24 hours, a generalized erythema appeared with flaccid blisters predominating in flexural areas, accompanied by hyperkeratosis and perioral xerosis. Due to the clinical suspicion of staphylococcal scalded skin syndrome, empirical treatment with cloxacillin with favorable response was initiated. This case highlights the importance of making a correct differential diagnosis of skin lesions of patients with atopic dermatitis in order to apply the most appropriate treatment.

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The staphylococcal scalded skin syndrome is a rare dermatological entity that in early stages may be confused with a flare-up of a rush of atopic dermatitis. We present the case of an 8-year-old boy with a history of atopic dermatitis and egg allergy that went to the Emergency Department for erythematous-bullous lesions on the skin. Symptoms began as an erythema in areas of flexures, which associated conjunctivitis and bilateral eyelid erythema. After 24 hours, a generalized erythema appeared with flaccid blisters predominating in flexural areas, accompanied by hyperkeratosis and perioral xerosis. Due to the clinical suspicion of staphylococcal scalded skin syndrome, empirical treatment with cloxacillin with favorable response was initiated. This case highlights the importance of making a correct differential diagnosis of skin lesions of patients with atopic dermatitis in order to apply the most appropriate treatment.

El síndrome de la escaldadura estafilocócica es una entidad dermatológica poco frecuente que, en fases iniciales, puede ser confundida con una reagudización de un brote de dermatitis atópica. Se presenta el caso de un niño de 8 años, con antecedentes de dermatitis atópica y alergia al huevo, que acudió al Servicio de Urgencias por lesiones eritematoampollosas en la piel. La sintomatología comenzó como un eritema en áreas de flexuras, que asociaba conjuntivitis y eritema palpebral bilateral. A las 24 horas, apareció un eritema generalizado con ampollas flácidas de predominio en áreas flexurales, acompañado de hiperqueratosis y xerosis perioral. Ante la sospecha clínica de síndrome de escaldadura estafilocócica, se inició el tratamiento empírico con cloxacilina, con respuesta favorable. Con este caso, se destaca la importancia de realizar un correcto diagnóstico diferencial de las lesiones cutáneas de los pacientes con dermatitis atópica, con el objetivo de aplicar el tratamiento más adecuado.

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BACKGROUND: In the development of breast cancer (BC), estrogen exposure and the increase in breast density (BD) are two determinant factors for BC risk. OBJECTIVE: To identify the relationship between the XbaI and PvuII polymorphisms in the estrogen receptor (ER-alpha) with BD. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Cross-sectional study which included 225 women, aged 40-65 years, without evident cancer data, who underwent routine mammography for early BC diagnosis in a radiology department. Two groups were formed: women with increased and with normal BD. Participants were genotyped for the XbaI and PvuII polymorphisms. RESULTS: 19.1% had normal weight, 37.7% overweight, and 43.2% were obese women. In relation to high-risk patterns, 105 women had increased BD and 120 had normal BD (53.3%). The frequency of women with increased BD was also lower in postmenopausal women. Regarding the type of BD, there was no statistically significant difference between frequencies of PvuII and XbaI genotypes. Logistic regression showed that only age and body mass index (BMI) were associated with BD. CONCLUSION: PvuII and XbaI ER-alpha genotypes were similar among women with dense and non-dense breasts; differently, other factors were associated with BD (age, BMI and menopausal status). Therefore, emphasis should be placed on clinical practice in the relationship between BMI and BD.

INTRODUCCIÓN: En el desarrollo de cáncer de mama (CaMa), la exposición estrogénica y el aumento de la densidad mamaria (DM) son dos factores determinantes de riesgo. OBJETIVO: Identificar la asociación entre los polimorfismos XbaI y PvuII del receptor de estrógenos (ER-alfa) con la DM. MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: Estudio transversal que incluyó 225 pacientes de 40-65 años, sin datos evidentes de cáncer, que se realizaron mastografía de rutina en un departamento de radiología para diagnóstico precoz de CaMa. Se clasificaron en dos grupos: con presencia o ausencia de DM aumentada. Se les tomó muestra sanguínea para extraer DNA y determinar los polimorfismos XbaI y PvuII del gen ER-alfa. RESULTADOS: 19.1% tuvo peso normal, 37.7% sobrepeso y el 43.2% obesidad. En relación con la DM, 105 tuvieron mama densa (46.7%) y 120 mama no densa (53.3%). La frecuencia de mujeres con mama densa fue inferior en las mujeres posmenopáusicas. En cuanto al tipo de DM, no hubo diferencia significativa entre las frecuencias en los genotipos de PvuII y XbaI. La regresión logística mostró que solo la edad y el índice de masa corporal (IMC) fueron factores determinantes de la DM. CONCLUSIONES: Los genotipos PvuII y XbaI del ER-alfa fueron similares entre las mujeres con mama densa y no densa; en contraste, otros factores se relacionaron con la DM (edad, IMC y estado menopáusico). Por ende, en la práctica clínica se debe enfatizar la relación del IMC con la DM, pues esta representa un factor de riesgo de CaMa.

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RESUMEN Introducción: El perímetro de cuello en la actualidad es una medida útil asociada de manera significativa a la resistencia a la insulina y al riesgo cardiometabólico. Objetivo: Determinar la relación entre el perímetro de cuello y los factores de riesgo cardiometabólico en mujeres de 45 a 60 años de edad. Métodos: Se realizó un estudio en 270 mujeres aparentemente sanas, de 45 a 60 años de edad. Se tomaron medidas antropométricas como peso corporal, índice de masa corporal, perímetro de cintura, perímetro de cuello y el tejido adiposo visceral por bioimpedancia. Se determinaron niveles séricos de glucosa, perfil lipídico (colesterol, triglicéridos, HDL-colesterol, LDL-colesterol), HbA1c, insulina y proteína C reactiva. Resultados: El índice de masa corporal de las participantes fue de 28,2 ± 4,2. Se encontró que 38,1 por ciento de las mujeres presentaban síndrome metabólico y mayor perímetro de cuello, en comparación con las participantes sin síndrome (36,8 + 2,1 vs 35,1 + 1,6 cm, respectivamente, p< 0,0001). El perímetro de cuello se asoció positivamente con índice de masa corporal (r= 0,690, p= 0,0001), tejido adiposo visceral (r= 0,548, p= 0,0001), circunferencia de Cintura (r= 0,640, p< 0,0001), glucosa (r= 0,251, p= 0,0001), triglicéridos (r= 0,143, p= 0,019), HbA1c (r= 0,160, p= 0,010) y proteína C reactiva (r= 0,342, p= 0,001). Conclusiones: Las mujeres con incremento en el perímetro de cuello presentan un perfil de riesgo cardiometabólico aumentado. La medición del perímetro de cuello representa un método útil y práctico en la predicción del riesgo cardiometabólico(AU)

ABSTRACT Introduction: Neck´s perimeter is nowadays a useful measure significantly associated to insulin resistance and to cardiometabolic risk. Objective: To determine the relation between the neck´s perimeter and the cardiometabolic risk factors in women from 45 to 60 years old. Methods: A study was performed in 270 apparently healthy women, aging 45 to 60 years old. Anthropometric measurements were taken such as weight, body mass index, waist circumference, neck´s perimeter and visceral adipose tissue by bioelectrical impedance analysis. There were identified serum levels of glucose, lipid profile (cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL-cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol), HbA1c, insulin and C-reactive protein. Results: The body mass index of the participants was 28.2 ± 4.2. It was found that 38.1 percent of the women had a metabolic syndrome and a higher perimeter of neck, in comparison with participants without the syndrome (36.8 + 2.1 vs 35.1 + 1.6 cm, respectively, p< 0.0001). The neck´s perimeter was positively associated with body mass index (r = 0.690, p= 0.0001), visceral adipose tissue (r = 0.548, p= 0.0001), waist circumference (r = 0.640, p< 0.0001), glucose (r = 0.251, p= 0.0001), triglycerides (r = 0.143, p = 0.019), HbA1c (r = 0.160, p = 0.010) and C-reactive protein (r = 0.342, p = 0.001). Conclusions: Women with an increase in the neck´s perimeter have a profile of increased cardiometabolic risk. The measurement of neck´s perimeter represents a useful and practical method for the prediction of cardiometabolic risk(AU)

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BACKGROUND: Endothelial dysfunction and subsequent inflammation contribute to the development of vascular cognitive impairment (VCI). Soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (sICAM-1) is upregulated in endothelial dysfunction and promotes an inflammatory response; however, the relationship between sICAM-1 and VCI remains equivocal. OBJECTIVE: To determine whether sICAM-1 contributes to the prediction of VCI. METHODS: Community-dwelling older adults (n = 172) from the "Cohort of Obesity, Sarcopenia and Frailty of Older Mexican Adults" (COSFOMA) study were identified as VCI or controls using standard neuropsychological evaluations and neuroimaging. sICAM-1 was quantified using ELISA, and multivariate logistic regression determined the association between sICAM-1 and VCI. RESULTS: A total of 31 VCI cases were identified. sICAM-1 was higher in VCI (VCI: 450.7 [241.6] ng/mL vs. controls: 296.9 [140.9] ng/mL). sICAM-1 concentrations above the 90th percentile (464.1 ng/mL) were associated with VCI group membership in all models (OR: 6.9, 95% CI: 1.1-42.2). The final saturated model explained 64% of the variance in VCI group membership. CONCLUSION: High concentrations of sICAM-1 are independently associated with VCI group membership. Efforts to further characterize the relationship between indices of endothelial dysfunction and pathological changes to the aging brain should be further pursued.

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ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Mexico ranks second in the world for obesity prevalence. In Mexico, obese and overweight subjects commonly seek alternative treatments for weight-loss, including the use of herbal products. AIM OF THE STUDY: The main objective of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of self-medication with herbal products for weight-loss among overweight and obese subjects residing in four states (Guanajuato, San Luis Potosi, State of Mexico, and Mexico City) from central Mexico. In addition, the factors related to self-medication among patients were studied. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 1404 overweight and obese subjects were interviewed. A chi-square test examined associations between socio-demographic and socio-economic information, and self-medication with herbal products for weight-loss. RESULTS: The prevalence of self-medication was 42.9% among the participants who used herbal products for weight-loss. The female gender was the strongest factor (OR: 2.20 (1.75-2.77) associated with self-medication for weight-loss, followed by a low educational level (elementary and middle school) [OR: 1.80 (1.31-2.44)], and a middle-socioeconomic status [OR: 1.75 (1.21-2.52)]. The main herbal products used for weight-loss were based on: i) green tea, Camellia sinensis (12.7% of frequency), ii) aceitilla, Bidens odorata (6.6%), and iii) soybean, Glycine max (5.3%). In addition, 65% of the respondents considered herbal products ineffective for weight-loss after 6 months of use. CONCLUSION: Due to the high incidence of overweight and obesity in Mexico, there is a high prevalence (42.9%) of self-medication using natural products for weight-loss, particularly in women from Central Mexico. This study indicates the important need to educate patients about the harmful effects of consuming these products.

Assuntos

RESUMO

Pine (Pinus oocarpa) wood has great economic importance in Brazil. Pine stands represent the second largest reforested area in the country due to their industrial interest. Combining the relevance of industrial pine stands in the country and corresponding environmental concerns, this current study aims to identify and quantify the environmental impacts derived from industrial pine roundwood production in Brazil. The environmental study was developed considering the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) methodology according to ISO14040 framework. The study convers the life cycle of pine roundwood production from cradle-to-forest gate perspective and considers the current practices in the country. The production system was divided in five main stages: Soil preparation, seedlings plantation, forest management, forest harvesting and infrastructure establishment. The environmental profile was estimated considering characterization factors from the ReCiPe method, in terms of twelve impact categories. According to the results, forest harvesting stage was identified as the environmental hotspot being the main responsible of contributions to nine impact categories under assessment with contributing ratios ranging from 21% (e.g., freshwater eutrophication) to 76% (e.g., photochemical oxidants formation). The high amount of fossil fuel required by heavy machinery used in the activities involved in this stage is behind this result. Soil preparation stage reported also an outstanding contribution in categories such as freshwater eutrophication (37%) and toxicity related categories (≈35%). The rationale behind these contributions is associated with the use of chemical fertilizers, mostly superphosphate. The identification of the environmental hotspots in forest biomass production can assist the Brazilian forest practitioners to improve the environmental profile by means of the optimization of forest practices.

Assuntos

RESUMO

Portosystemic shunts are rare vascularization disorders, and an uncommon cause of confusional states. We report an 87-year-old male with a previously normal cognitive status who was repeatedly admitted for sudden symptoms of disorientation and functional limitation. The patient had high ammonium levels which lead to the suspicion of the presence a portosystemic shunt, even in the absence of pre-existing liver disease. A contrast enhanced computed tomography of the abdomen confirmed the presence an abnormal communication of the right portal vein with the suprahepatic veins. The communication was embolized and the confusional states of the patient subsided.

Assuntos

RESUMO

Portosystemic shunts are rare vascularization disorders, and an uncommon cause of confusional states. We report an 87-year-old male with a previously normal cognitive status who was repeatedly admitted for sudden symptoms of disorientation and functional limitation. The patient had high ammonium levels which lead to the suspicion of the presence a portosystemic shunt, even in the absence of pre-existing liver disease. A contrast enhanced computed tomography of the abdomen confirmed the presence an abnormal communication of the right portal vein with the suprahepatic veins. The communication was embolized and the confusional states of the patient subsided.

Assuntos