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Background: Arsenic, cadmium, and lead are toxic elements that widely contaminate our environment. These toxicants are associated with acute and chronic health problems, and evidence suggests that minority communities, including Hispanic/Latino Americans, are disproportionately exposed. Few studies have assessed culturally specific predictors of exposure to understand the potential drivers of racial/ethnic exposure disparities. Objective: We sought to evaluate acculturation measures as predictors of metal/metalloid (hereafter “metal”) concentrations among Mexican American adults to illuminate potential exposure sources that may be targeted for interventions. Methods: As part of a longitudinal cohort, 510 adults, aged 35 to 69 years, underwent baseline interview, physical examination, and urine sample collection. Self-reported acculturation was assessed across various domains using the Short Acculturation Scale for Hispanics (SASH). Multivariable linear regression was used to assess associations between acculturation and urinary concentrations of arsenic, cadmium, and lead. Ordinal logistic regression was utilized to assess associations between acculturation and a metal mixture score. Lastly, best subset selection was used to build a prediction model for each toxic metal with a combination of the acculturation predictors. Results: After adjustment, immigration factors were positively associated with arsenic and lead concentrations. For lead alone, English language and American media and food preferences were associated with lower levels. Immigration and parental heritage from Mexico were positively associated with the metal mixture, while preferences for English language, media, and food were negatively associated. Conclusion: Acculturation-related predictors of exposure provide information about potential sources of toxic metals, including international travel, foods, and consumer products. The findings in this research study provide information to empower future efforts to identify and address specific acculturation-associated toxicant exposures in order to promote health equity through clinical guidance, patient education, and public policy.

Purpose: The purpose of the study was to examine the influences of sex and acculturation on dietary behaviors, macronutrient intake, and dietary quality in participants enrolled in a diabetes prevention initiative in Starr County, Texas.Methods: Baseline data from the Starr County diabetes prevention study (N = 300) were analyzed—acculturation (country of origin, years in Starr County, language and food preferences), depressive symptoms (Patient Health Questionnaire-9), healthy eating self-efficacy (Weight Efficacy Lifestyle Questionnaire-Short Form), diet quality (USDA Healthy Eating Index), fat avoidance (Fat Avoidance Scale, Spanish version), and macronutrients. Descriptive statistics and univariate analysis of covariance were used to examine differences based on acculturation, controlling for sex.Results: Participants were predominantly female (73%) and, on average, 51 years of age. Language and food preferences favored Spanish language and Hispanic foods, respectively. The majority (71%) was born in Mexico but had resided in Starr County for 33 years, on average. Depressive symptoms were moderate, and eating self-efficacy scores suggested low confidence in making healthy food choices, particularly for saturated fats. Spanish language preference was associated with worse dietary habits. The mean dietary quality score was lower than the national average (54 vs 59 nationally); females had slightly higher dietary quality than males and a higher mean fat avoidance score, although differences were not clinically significant. Intakes of carbohydrate, saturated fats, and cholesterol were higher than recommended daily allowances.Conclusions: The overall preference for speaking Spanish and the influence of language on dietary intake should inform future dietary interventions. Accommodating cultural norms and food preferences remain major challenges to improving dietary quality among the diverse Hispanic ethnic groups.

Seven Wonders of the Solar System explores the seven planets of our solar system using a different approach that considers their various habitats, discusses environmental issues, and includes especially bright [...]

Background: Obesity is an important contributor to many cardiovascular risk factors and has been associated with abnormalities in cardiac contractile function. Causes of impaired contractile function are not fully understood and may include an oversupply of substrates. Objective: We tested the hypothesis that metabolic dysregulation may adversely influence cardiac function. Specifically, we examined the effects of plasma free fatty acids and insulin sensitivity on left ventricular function in patients with clinically severe obesity. Design: We measured metabolic and cardiac variables in 64 obese patients [body mass index (BMI; in kg/[m.sup.2]) > 35], including 2-D complete echocardiogram with M-mode and tissue Doppler imaging, anthropometric measurements, and analysis of blood chemistries. Results: The median (25th and 75th percentile) age and BMI were 46 y (36, 53 y) and 51.5 (42.5, 56.5), respectively. The prevalence of diabetes, hypertension, and insulin resistance were 38%, 53%, and 90%, respectively. Plasma free fatty acid (FFA) concentrations were elevated in the cohort. No association was observed between insulin sensitivity or anthropometric measurements and left ventricular contractile function. However, FFA concentration was independently associated with diastolic function (r = -0.33, P = 0.01), and 40% of the cohort showed age-adjusted diastolic impairment as measured by tissue Doppler imaging. Conclusion: The negative association between FFA and diastolic function, in the setting of insulin resistance, suggests that excess FFA may exert a lipotoxic effect on the heart. 2006;84:336-41. KEY WORDS Obesity, free fatty acids, insulin resistance, diastolic function, echocardiography, lipotoxicity

Cardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of death in patients with diabetes. Cardiovascular disease in diabetes is multifactorial, and control of the cardiovascular risk factors leads to substantial reductions in cardiovascular events. The 2015 American Heart Association and American Diabetes Association scientific statement, “Update on Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease in Adults With Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus in Light of Recent Evidence,” highlighted the importance of modifying various risk factors responsible for cardiovascular disease in diabetes. At the time, there was limited evidence to suggest that glucose-lowering medications reduce the risk of cardiovascular events. At present, several large randomized controlled trials with newer antihyperglycemic agents have been completed, demonstrating cardiovascular safety and reduction in cardiovascular outcomes, including cardiovascular death, myocardial infarction, stroke, and heart failure. This AHA scientific statement update focuses on (1) the evidence and clinical utility of newer antihyperglycemic agents in improving glycemic control and reducing cardiovascular events in diabetes; (2) the impact of blood pressure control on cardiovascular events in diabetes; and (3) the role of newer lipid-lowering therapies in comprehensive cardiovascular risk management in adults with diabetes. This scientific statement addresses the continued importance of lifestyle interventions, pharmacological therapy, and surgical interventions to curb the epidemic of obesity and metabolic syndrome, important precursors of prediabetes, diabetes, and comorbid cardiovascular disease. Last, this scientific statement explores the critical importance of the social determinants of health and health equity in the continuum of care in diabetes and cardiovascular disease.

ABSTRACTThe study aim was to investigate the effects of a training inquiry task supported by video worked examples on elementary students’ science process skills. In this case study, 30 participants used these videos as a support during the performance of an inquiry activity based on fruit decomposition. To date, these supports have only been studied at higher educative levels and they have not been used to address biological phenomena topics. The results indicate that the video worked examples provide students with a cognitive scheme for the inquiry process and have a positive effect on their science process skills. In particular, after the training inquiry task, participants contextualise researchable questions and contemplate study variables that allow them to design proper experimental designs. Video worked examples also promote students’ data representation, which leads them to make more advanced scientific explanations.

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Increases in broadband cortical electroencephalogram (EEG) power in the gamma band (30–80 Hz) range have been observed in schizophrenia patients and in mouse models of schizophrenia. They are also seen in humans and animals treated with the psychotomimetic agent ketamine. However, the mechanisms which can result in increased broadband gamma power and the pathophysiological implications for cognition and behavior are poorly understood. Here we report that tonic optogenetic manipulation of an ascending arousal system bidirectionally tunes cortical broadband gamma power, allowing on-demand tests of the effect on cortical processing and behavior. Constant, low wattage optogenetic stimulation of basal forebrain (BF) neurons containing the calcium-binding protein parvalbumin (PV) increased broadband gamma frequency power, increased locomotor activity, and impaired novel object recognition. Concomitantly, task-associated gamma band oscillations induced by trains of auditory stimuli, or exposure to novel objects, were impaired, reminiscent of findings in schizophrenia patients. Conversely, tonic optogenetic inhibition of BF-PV neurons partially rescued the elevated broadband gamma power elicited by subanesthetic doses of ketamine. These results support the idea that increased cortical broadband gamma activity leads to impairments in cognition and behavior, and identify BF-PV activity as a modulator of this activity. As such, BF-PV neurons may represent a novel target for pharmacotherapy in disorders such as schizophrenia which involve aberrant increases in cortical broadband gamma activity.

Breast cancer is a heterogeneous suite of diseases, with likely strong, but still poorly understood, environmental etiologies. New advances in single cell methods are now poised to help us understand how environmental exposures, such as air and water pollutants, diet, personal and consumer care products, and social factors, may promote the development of aggressive breast cancers. In this review, we describe how dissociated and spatial single cell transcriptomic analyses can be used to advance our understanding how our environment impacts breast carcinogenesis through the view of frameworks such as the Hallmarks of Cancer and the Key Characteristics of Carcinogens.

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The Fine-Lubinsky syndrome (FLS) is a rare congenital disorder. Heart failure has not been described in young adults with this condition. Here, we report the first case of heart failure in a young adult patient with FLS. This finding highlights the need for further investigation into cardiac complications in this illness.

Purpose: The purpose of the study was to explore the feasibility of using commonly available technology, such as text messaging, for diabetes prevention in rural Mexican American communities during COVID-19.Methods: Participants were selected from a diabetes prevention study funded by the National Institutes of Health that, prior to COVID-19, involved in-person group intervention sessions. Participants were predominantly female adults born in Mexico and Spanish-speaking. A subsample (n = 140) was divided into 3 cohorts: (1) 50 who completed the initial in-person intervention prior to the COVID-19 research pause, (2) 60 who needed additional support sessions to complete the intervention and thus received 10 text messages with links to relevant online diabetes prevention videos (TM+), and (3) 30 who received enhanced usual care involving health guidance offered during data collection (control). Repeated measures analysis of covariance was used to evaluate cohort differences at 24 months post baseline.Results: No significant cohort differences were found for depression, eating self-efficacy, alcohol intake, fat avoidance, or sedentary behaviors. Differences in A1C showed both in-person and TM+ cohorts having lower mean A1C levels (5.5%) than the control cohort (5.7%). The TM+ cohort had lower body mass index than other cohorts and a lower diabetes conversion rate (22.2%) compared to the control cohort (28%). Participants indicated preferences for in-person/TM+ combination interventions. The strongest positive feedback was for the TM+ intervention cooking demonstration videos.Conclusions: Augmented text messaging combined with in-person sessions had similar outcomes to the all in-person strategy and thus has the potential for expanding the reach of diabetes prevention to many Mexican American communities.

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I just finished reading David H. Levy's October 2010 column ('Pluto's second chance'), and I am disheartened by its contents. To take the argument about Pluto's planetary status to children [...]

Background: Diabetes is associated with poor cardiovascular outcomes, and insulin-treated patients usually have a worse prognosis than non-insulin-treated subjects. The relationship between insulin treatment and outcomes in high-risk myocardial infarction patients has not been described in a large dataset.Methods: To investigate the association between insulin-treated diabetes and long-term cardiovascular outcomes in patients with high-risk myocardial infarction, we used adjusted Cox models to compare cardiovascular mortality and hospitalisation among 28,771 patients grouped by diabetes status and insulin treatment from four randomised clinical trials (VALIANT, EPHESUS, OPTIMAAL, CAPRICORN) of acute myocardial infarction complicated by heart failure and/or left ventricular systolic dysfunction.Results: After an approximately 2-year follow-up, patients with no diabetes (21,386 subjects, 74.3%), non-insulin-treated diabetes (4977 patients, 17.3%) and insulin-treated diabetes (2409 subjects, 8.4%) had an incremental yearly mortality risk (15.8%, 21.3% and 28.1%, respectively). Insulin-treated diabetes patients presented with a higher cardiovascular burden and comorbidities. After adjustment for 18 baseline covariates, patients with non-insulin-treated and insulin-treated diabetes were at higher risk of cardiovascular death (hazard ratio (HR) 1.25, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.13–1.38 and HR 1.49, 95% CI 1.31–1.69, respectively; Pfor comparison of non-insulin-treated vs. insulin-treated diabetes =0.016) and cardiovascular hospitalisation (HR 1.33, 95% CI 1.25–1.41 and HR 1.16, 95% CI 1.11–1.22, respectively) compared to patients without diabetes. These results remained consistent after further adjustment for medications and left ventricular ejection fraction.Conclusions: Insulin-treated diabetes patients had higher event rates than diabetes patients taking oral treatments and patients without diabetes. However, insulin-treated diabetes patients had more comorbidities and atherosclerotic disease, precluding any causality suggestion between insulin treatment and outcomes. This high-risk population may require specific and/or more intense cardiovascular protective therapies.

(CHEST 1999; 115:1418-1423) Key words: anticoagulation; enoxaparin; low-molecular-weight heparin; pulmonary embolism; thrombophlebitis; unstable angina Abbreviations: DVT = deep venous thrombosis; ESSENCE = Efficacy and Safety of Subcutaneous Enoxaparin in Non-Q-Wave [...]

Galectin-3 has been proposed as a novel biomarker of heart failure and cardiac fibrosis, and may also be associated with fibrosis of other organs such as the kidney. To determine this, we prospectively analyzed data from 9,148 Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) Study participants with measured plasma galectin-3 levels (baseline, visit 4, 1996-98) and without prevalent chronic kidney disease (CKD) or heart failure. We identified 1,983 incident CKD cases through December 31, 2013 over a median follow-up of 16 years. At baseline, galectin-3 was cross-sectionally associated with estimated glomerular filtration rate and urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio; both significant. The results were adjusted for age, sex, race-center, education, physical activity, smoking status, body mass index, systolic blood pressure, anti-hypertensive medication use, history of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, fasting blood glucose, and rs4644 (a single nucleotide polymorphism of galactin-3). There was a significant, graded, and positive association between galectin-3 and incident CKD (quartile 4 vs. 1 hazard ratio: 2.22 [95% confidence interval: 1.89, 2.60]). The association was attenuated but remained significant after adjustment for estimated glomerular filtration rate, urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio, troponin T, and N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (quartile 4 vs. 1 hazard ratio: 1.75 [95% confidence interval: 1.49, 2.06]), and was stronger among those with hypertension at baseline (significant interaction). Thus, in this community-based population, higher plasma galectin-3 levels were associated with an elevated risk of developing incident CKD, particularly among those with hypertension.

The Backyard Astronomer's Guide, Second Edition Terence Dickinson and Alan Dyer (Firefly, 2002). 336 pages. ISBN 1-55209-507-X. $49.95. Available from Sky Publishing. ONE WARM SUMMER EVENING, AT the tender age [...]

'We are doing everything we can to partner up with as many of these entities that will facilitate our growth of this very important program. We have our officers going [...]

The genetic architecture of common traits, including the number, frequency, and effect sizes of inherited variants that contribute to individual risk, has been long debated. Genome-wide association studies have identified scores of common variants associated with type 2 diabetes, but in aggregate, these explain only a fraction of the heritability of this disease. Here, to test the hypothesis that lower-frequency variants explain much of the remainder, the GoT2D and T2D-GENES consortia performed whole-genome sequencing in 2,657 European individuals with and without diabetes, and exome sequencing in 12,940 individuals from five ancestry groups. To increase statistical power, we expanded the sample size via genotyping and imputation in a further 111,548 subjects. Variants associated with type 2 diabetes after sequencing were overwhelmingly common and most fell within regions previously identified by genome-wide association studies. Comprehensive enumeration of sequence variation is necessary to identify functional alleles that provide important clues to disease pathophysiology, but large-scale sequencing does not support the idea that lower-frequency variants have a major role in predisposition to type 2 diabetes.

Objectives:A 6-week cross-over study design was used to determine the effect of increased dairy consumption in typically low-dairy consumers (n= 37) with metabolic syndrome (MetS) on systemic inflammation and hepatic enzymes.Methods:This was a randomized study in which participants consumed low-fat dairy (LFD) (10 oz 1% milk, 6 oz nonfat yogurt, 4 oz 2% cheese) or a carbohydrate-based control (CNT) (1.5 oz granola bar and 12 oz 100% juice) for 6 weeks. After a 4-week washout, they were allocated to the alternate dietary treatment. Inflammatory status was assessed by fasting plasma concentrations of C-reactive protein (CRP), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), and monocyte chemoattractant −1 (MCP-1). In addition, gene expression of interleukin (IL)-1, IL-6, and TNF-α was evaluated in peripheral blood mononuclear cells isolated from a subset of 17 subjects (13 women, 3 men) at the end of each dietary period. Liver enzymes were also assessed to evaluate whether dairy components would affect hepatic function.Results:Participants had lower concentrations of both hepatic alanine aminotransferase (p< 0.05) and aspartate aminotransferase (p< 0.005) after the LFD period. No significant changes in any of the plasma inflammatory compounds were found when all data were analyzed together. In contrast, expression of IL-1b and IL-6 were reduced by 46% and 63%, respectively, compared to the control period. When stratified by gender, women had lower TNF-α, (p= 0.028) and MCP-1 (p= 0.001) following LFD consumption compared to CNT. In addition, hepatic steatosis index scores were significantly lower (p< 0.001) during the LFD period.Conclusions: We conclude that three dairy servings per day improved both liver function and systemic inflammation in subjects with MetS.

Both environmental and genetic factors contribute to schizophrenia; however, the exact etiology of this disorder is not known. Animal models are utilized to better understand the mechanisms associated with neuropsychiatric diseases, including schizophrenia. One of these involves gestational administration of methylazoxymethanol acetate (MAM) to induce a developmental disruption, which in turn produces a schizophrenia-like phenotype in post-pubertal rats. The mechanisms by which MAM produces this phenotype are not clear; however, we now demonstrate that MAM induces differential DNA methylation, which may be heritable. Here we demonstrate that a subset of both second (F2) and third (F3) filial generations of MAM-treated rats displays a schizophrenia-like phenotype and hypermethylation of the transcription factor, Sp5. Specifically, ventral tegmental area of dopamine neuron activity was examined using electrophysiology as a correlate for the dopamine hyperfunction thought to underlie psychosis in patients. Interestingly, only a subset of F2 and F3 MAM rats exhibited increases in dopamine neuron population activity, indicating that this may be a unique model with a susceptibility to develop a schizophrenia-like phenotype. An increase in dopamine system function in rodent models has been previously associated with decreases in hippocampal GABAergic transmission. In line with these observations, we found a significant correlation between hippocampal parvalbumin expression and dopamine neuron activity in F2 rats. These data therefore provide evidence that offspring born from MAM-treated rats possess a susceptibility to develop aspects of a schizophrenia-like phenotype and may provide a useful tool to investigate gene–environment interactions.

AbstractIntroduction:Prenatal and early postnatal growth are known to be abnormal in patients with CHD. Although adult metabolic risk is associated with growth later in childhood, little is known of childhood growth in CHD. Patients and Methods:Retrospective data were collected on 551 patients with coarctation of the aorta, hypoplastic left heart syndrome, single ventricle physiology, tetralogy of Fallot, transposition of the great arteries, or ventricular septal defects. Weight, height, and body mass index data were converted to Z-scores. Body size at 2 years and growth between 2 and 20 years, 2 and 7 years, and 8 and 15 years were compared with Normative data using a sequential series of mixed-effects linear models. Results:A total of 4660 weight, 2989 height, and 2988 body mass index measurements were analysed. Body size at 2 years of age was affected by cardiac diagnosis and gender. Abnormal growth was frequent and varied depending on cardiac diagnosis, gender, and the time period considered. The most abnormal patterns were seen in patients with tetralogy of Fallot, hypoplastic left heart syndrome, or single ventricle physiology. Potentially high-risk growth, a combination of small body size at 2 years and rapid subsequent growth, was seen in several groups. Conclusions:Childhood and adolescent growth patterns were gender- and lesion-specific. Several lesions were associated with abnormal patterns of childhood growth known to be associated with an increased risk of adult adiposity or metabolic risk in other populations. Further information is needed on the long-term metabolic risks of survivors of CHD.

El objetivo del presente estudio fue evaluar el efecto de la irrigación con las levaduras Debaryomyces hanseniivar. Fabry, Yarowia lipolytica YIBCS002, Yarowia lipolyticavar. BCS y Candida pseudointermediasobre el contenido nutricional final del forraje verde hidropónico de maíz (Zea maysL.), al ser efectuada en diferentes etapas de crecimiento de aquel (fase semilla-plántula o fase plántula-planta 20cm), o bien durante todo el cultivo. Todas las levaduras incrementaron el contenido de proteína cruda, lípidos, cenizas, humedad y energía bruta, independientemente de la etapa de crecimiento del forraje en las que fueron aplicadas. El porcentaje de electrólitos (Na, K, Cl, sulfatos, Ca y Mg) varió en función de la levadura aplicada; D. hanseniiincrementó todos los electrólitos, excepto el P. Se concluye que la adición de levaduras del género Debaryomyces, Candiday Yarowiaen la solución de riego de sistemas hidropónicos mejora el contenido de nutrientes del forraje verde. Esta práctica puede contribuir a la generación de cultivos de valor comercial en espacios limitados

Individuals with diabetes mellitus and pre–diabetes mellitus are at particularly high risk of incident heart failure or death, even after accounting for known confounders. Nevertheless, the extent of impairments in cardiac structure and function in elderly individuals with diabetes mellitus and pre–diabetes mellitus is not well known. We aimed to assess the relationship between echocardiographic measures of cardiac structure and function and dysglycemia.

Environmental context Knowledge of the speciation of metals, especially of the free metal ion concentration, is essential to understand the fate of these elements in rivers and their effects on living organisms. On-site analyses are preferred for these measurements as they allow problems associated with sample transportation and preservation to be avoided. In this context, an on-site methodology based on an electrochemical method and screen-printed sensors has been developed in the laboratory and validated on site. Abstract An on-site methodology has been developed for the direct determination of free Zn2+ with AGNES (Absence of Gradients and Nernstian Equilibrium Stripping) in freshwaters. This implementation includes: (i) the use of screen-printed electrodes, which provide good limits of detection and easy transportation and deployment; (ii) no need for sample purging; (iii) a calibration in a synthetic river solution that reproduces the speciation changes of the natural samples well and allows oxygen interference to be minimised; (iv) the addition of a background electrolyte up to 0.01molL-1 in both the calibration and freshwater samples; (v) chemical stripping chronopotentiometry as the quantification stage of AGNES. This procedure minimises the effects of working at low ionic strength and in the presence of dissolved oxygen. In the laboratory, the methodology was checked with different natural samples taken from rivers Garonne, Gave de Cauterets and Gave de Pau in the Pyrenees. Results appeared in good agreement with theoretical estimations computed from Visual Minteq. On-site measurements were performed for the first time with AGNES in the Gave de Cauterets in Soulom (France) and the results were corroborated with purged measurements performed in the laboratory.

The aim of this study was to describe the relationship between ankle brachial index (ABI) and the risk for heart failure (HF).

It is well known that hypercholesterolemia can lead to atherosclerosis and coronary heart disease. Adipose tissue represents an active endocrine and metabolic site, which might be involved in the development of chronic disease. Because adipose tissue is a key site for cholesterol metabolism and the presence of hypercholesterolemia has been shown to induce adipocyte cholesterol overload, it is critical to investigate the role of hypercholesterolemia on normal adipose function. Studies in preadipocytes revealed that cholesterol accumulation can impair adipocyte differentiation and maturation by affecting multiple transcription factors. Hypercholesterolemia has been observed to cause adipocyte hypertrophy, adipose tissue inflammation, and disruption of endocrine function in animal studies. Moreover, these effects can also be observed in obesity-independent conditions as confirmed by clinical trials. In humans, hypercholesterolemia disrupts adipose hormone secretion of visfatin, leptin, and adiponectin, adipokines that play a central role in numerous metabolic pathways and regulate basic physiologic responses such as appetite and satiety. Remarkably, treatment with cholesterol-lowering drugs has been shown to restore adipose tissue endocrine function. In this review the role of hypercholesterolemia on adipose tissue differentiation and maturation, as well as on hormone secretion and physiologic outcomes, in obesity and non–obesity conditions is presented.

Fingolimod is used to reduce the rates of relapse and slow the progression of disability in relapsing–remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS). In-office monitoring of patients for 6h after the first dose of fingolimod is currently recommended due to rare cardiac rhythm disturbances. The objective of this paper is to describe our experience with continuous electrocardiographic monitoring of patients with RRMS starting on fingolimod.

En esta investigación de corte descriptivo e interpretativo se presentan los resultados de un diagnóstico de necesidades realizado a una muestra de estudiantes universitarios de distintas titulaciones, quienes tienen que alternar la práctica como deportistas de alto nivel con el proceso formativo. El análisis de los distintos factores que intervienen en el desarrollo de esta doble actividad y los problemas a los que se enfrentan los estudiantes constituyen el eje central del presente trabajo, cuyos resultados deberían servir de referencia para que los centros universitarios implanten medidas y acciones que permitan la armonización entre ambas actividades sin tener que renunciar a ninguna de ellas. En el estudio se abordaron seis dimensiones fundamentales (orientación en las etapas previas, acceso a los estudios universitarios, adaptación a la universidad, apoyos recibidos, actividad deportiva y perspectivas de desarrollo profesional); la conclusión a la que se llegó fue que para poder conciliar la práctica deportiva con el proceso de aprendizaje, los estudiantes deportistas de alto rendimiento necesitan asesoramiento, atención más personalizada y medidas de apoyo institucional y académica que les ayuden a alcanzar sus objetivos.

This study was designed to assess the relationship between insulin resistance and incident heart failure (HF) in a community-based cohort.

The orthopalladated complexes are among the most representative Pd(II) compounds. They display a wide prospect of applications, but they are mainly known by their use as intermediates in metal-mediated organic synthesis. In this review we describe how palladacycles are used to build up new molecules through regioselective formation of C-halogen, C-O, C-N, C-P, C-S and C-C bonds, either under catalytic or stoichiometric conditions. This methodology is based on the selective incorporation of the Pd into the organic skeleton to be modified and subsequent reactivity of the Pd-C bond toward different substrates. In many cases this strategy is alternative or even competitive, improving standard organic methods. The most recent achievements of the last five years will be covered here, presenting only the most impressive results.

Despite the common coexistence of diabetes and heart failure (HF), the optimal medial treatment of diabetes in HF patients has not been well studied. We sought to compare the association between metformin use and clinical outcomes in a cohort of ambulatory patients with diabetes and established HF.

Propargylamines can be obtained from secondary amines and terminal alkynes in chlorinated solvents by a three‐ and two‐component synthesis catalyzed by gold compounds and nanoparticles (Au‐NP) under mild conditions. The use of dichloromethane allows for the activation of two CCl bonds and a clean transfer of the methylene fragment to the final product. The scope of the reaction as well as the influence of different gold(III) cycloaurated complexes and salts has been investigated. The involvement of gold nanoparticles generated in situ in the process is discussed and a plausible reaction mechanism is proposed on the basis of the data obtained.

The emergence of cell phones with embedded Global Positioning System (GPS) chips provides opportunities to push personalized real-time travel information subject to an individual's current location. One such application, a travel assistant device, notifies cognitively disabled public transportation users when it is time to request a stop and exit the vehicle. GPS-enabled cell phones must provide highly accurate real-time location data for this type of service. The components used in the data-collection process are identified, and a quantitative analysis of real-time GPS data obtained with a cell phone while walking, driving a vehicle, and riding public transportation is provided. The expectation was that position accuracy would suffer when the GPS signal was obstructed by a vehicle or the user's clothing. The obtained data demonstrate the results of location fix attempts over different transportation modes in an urban environment. The highest percentage of GPS fixes (79.0%) was obtained by users walking with the cell phone open and unobstructed; walking also produced valid GPS data (i.e., location data estimated to be accurate within 30 m of the true position) 66.2% of the time. For bus trips, GPS and valid fix percentages were 71.7% and 66.1%, respectively, when the phone was held near the window; when the phone was placed in the traveler's lap, these numbers fell to 51.3% and 27.8%, respectively. Car trips provided higher numbers: 77.7% and 71.6%, respectively. Location-based transportation applications are feasible using current technology, but predictive algorithms may be required to deliver highly accurate and timely location-aware services to cell phone users in highly obstructed environments.

Two cases of adenocarcinoma of the endometrium associated with benign mesenchymal tissues of adipose and osteoid type are presented. These components have a metaplastic or metamorphic, rather than neoplastic, orgin. Heterologous elements associated with adenocarcinoma should not be mistaken for the more common mixed mesodermal mülllerian tumors which have a different clinicopathologic behavior.

Immunohistochemical techniques were usedto study the presence of cyclosporin A (CsA) and leukocyte subsets in 30 gingival biopsies of renal transplant subjects with gingival overgrowth (GO). Statistical analysis revealed significant differences in the total number of inflammatory cells determined by monoclonal antibody CD45, the monocyte/macrophage (CD68) subset, the plasmatic cells (EMA), and the total of T‐lymphocytes (CD3) (P < 0.001, Student ttest) between the treated subjects and the healthy control group. Differences were found in the helper/inducer T lymphocytes CD4 (P< 0.001 Student ttest) and cyrotoxic/suppressor T lymphocyte (CD8) (P<0.01, Student ttest) subsets between both groups. The CD4/CD8 ratio was greater in the transplant subjects than in the control group (1.82 ± 0.16 versus 1.35 ± 0.05 respectively) (P<0.05 Student ttest). There was no significant difference in the populations CD16+, CD57+, and CD20+. The CD45+ CD4+, and CD68+ cells increased in number along with the degree of GO. The number of epithelial cells/mm2which displayed a deposit of CsA increased in accordance with the degree of GO (P<0.05, Kruskal‐Wallis's test). Likewise, the intraepithelial deposit of CsA in the GO region was found to be related to the inflammatory infiltrate CD4+, CD8+, and CD68+ (r = 0.7432; r = 0.7346; r = 0.77005, respectively). Our findings suggest that the intraepithelial deposit of CsA and the inflammatory infiltrate play a predominantly pathogenic role and are both related to the degree of GO. J Periodontol 1994; 65:724–730.

Mucosal surfaces like those present in the lung, gut, and mouth interface with distinct external environments. These mucosal gateways are not only portals of entry for potential pathogens but also homes to microbial communities that impact host health. Secretory immunoglobulin A (SIgA) is the single most abundant acquired immune component secreted onto mucosal surfaces and, via the process of immune exclusion, shapes the architecture of these microbiomes. Not all microorganisms at mucosal surfaces are targeted by SIgA; therefore, a better understanding of the SIgA-coated fraction may identify the microbial constituents that stimulate host immune responses in the context of health and disease.

Introduction:Reactive hyperemia index (RHI) as measured by pulse amplitude tonometry (PAT), represents a simple, non-invasive measure of endothelial function. Lower RHI has been correlated with cardiovascular (CV) risk factors including obesity, total/HDL cholesterol ratio, diabetes, smoking and dyslipidemia. Whether this extends to Hispanics is unknown.Hypothesis:Lower RHI (indicative of more severe endothelial dysfunction) is associated with traditional CV risk factors in Mexican Americans.Methods:We performed a cross-sectional study of 853 Mexican Americans residing in Starr County, TX. RHI was calculated using a fingertip peripheral arterial tonometry device (EndoPAT), based on digital pulse amplitude variation during reactive hyperemia induced by a 5-minute forearm cuff occlusion. The cohort was divided into RHI quartiles. Multivariable linear regression modeling was used to determine the association between RHI quartiles and traditional CV risk factors.Results:Mean age was 51 ? 12 years, and 29% were men. Those in the lowest RHI quartile were more likely to be men, current tobacco users and have a higher mean arterial blood pressure and ratio of total/HDL cholesterol (Table). Age, BMI, LDL cholesterol, diabetes, and hemoglobin A1C were not significantly different among RHI quartiles. In the multivariable linear regression analysis only male sex (p<0.001) and high total/HDL cholesterol ratio (p=0.015) were independently associated with low RHI.Conclusions:This is the first study examining the association of PAT-assessed RHI with CV risk factors in Mexican Americans. In our cohort, lower RHI was more common in male subjects and associated with high total/HDL cholesterol ratio. Further studies are needed to assess the relationship of PAT-assessed RHI with traditional and other less common CV risk factors, and define its overall value as a predictor of CV disease.

Introduction:Metabolomic profiling holds promise to detect metabolic changes prior to the development of heart failure (HF) and to reveal underlying molecular pathways. We aimed to identify novel metabolites and pathways predictive of incident HF in the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) Study.Methods:Among 3,737 ARIC European and African Americans participants free of HF at the initial study visit (1986-1989), we performed metabolomic profiling with measurement of 245 metabolites using gas and liquid chromatography mass spectrometry. Over a median 30 years follow-up, 965 incident HF cases occurred. Multivariable Cox proportional hazards regressions was employed adjusting for demographics and clinical risk factors (i.e. ARIC HF risk factors, kidney function, lipids, alcohol consumption, stroke and atrial fibrillation status) and correcting for multiple testing using false-positive discovery rate at 0.05. We also conducted network analysis to construct metabolite modules using hierarchical clustering and related them to incident HF.Results:Adjusting for ARIC HF risk factors, 53 metabolites were significantly associated with incident HF. On average, per SD increase of the identified log-transformed metabolites was associated with an 11% difference in HF risk. After additional adjustments for lifestyle risk factors and comorbidities, 35 metabolites remained significant. Pseudouridine, a nucleotide (HR [95% CI] 1.16 [1.07- 1.26]) and ?-glutamyltyrosine, a dipeptide (HR [95% CI] 0.85 [0.79- 0.91]) showed the greatest positive and negative associations per SD increase of their log-transformed levels, respectively. Network analysis identified six metabolite modules. The glutathione pathway module comprised of antioxidants (HR [95% CI] 0.84 [0.79- 0.90], p=3?10-7) and aromatic amino acids module (HR [95% CI] 0.91 [0.85- 0.97], p=9?10-3) were associated with decreased HF risk. Acylcarnitines module comprised of fatty acids was associated with increased HF risk (HR [95% CI] 1.11 [1.05- 1.18], p=7?10-4).Conclusions:We identified novel metabolites and metabolite modules associated with long-term HF risk in a bi-racial population, and metabolites (i.e. acylcarnitines) known to be related to HF status and prognosis.

Introduction:The prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is higher in black individuals than non-Hispanic white individuals. Recent cardiovascular (CV) outcome trials have demonstrated CV benefit of glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists in patients with T2DM and high CV risk. Whether the benefit seen in the overall trial population extends to the subgroup of black individuals is not known given the limited sample size.Methods:We performed a meta-analysis of randomized CV outcome trials published after the issuance of Food and Drug Administration Guidance on antihyperglycemic medications in 2008.Results:Five trials assessing the CV benefit of GLP-1 receptor agonists in T2DM were identified (ELIXA, LEADER, SUSTAIN-6, EXSCEL, and HARMONY). ELIXA was excluded given the different primary outcome studied and the lack of complete outcome data by race. The four trials included in this meta-analysis enrolled 36,852 individuals, including 2,101 black participants (6%). The prevalence of black patients in the individual clinical trials ranged from 2% in the HARMONY trial to 8% in the LEADER trial. The composite primary outcome of CV death, non-fatal MI, or non-fatal stroke was recorded in 114 out of 1,031 black patients (11%) treated with a GLP-1 analogue compared to 136/1070 (13%) treated with placebo (Hazard Ratio 0.96, 95% Confidence Interval 0.57-1.62). The test for heterogeneity was significant (p=0.04).Conclusions:Despite the high prevalence of T2DM in black individuals, they remain underrepresented in the clinical trials assessing the effect of GLP-1 receptor agonists on CV outcomes in T2DM. The results of this meta-analysis suggest heterogeneity in the studies that have been performed to date. Future studies are needed to confirm the benefit of GLP-1 receptor agonists in black individuals with T2DM and high CV risk.Figure: Hazard ratios of cardiovascular death, non-fatal MI, or non-fatal stroke in black patients with diabetes type 2 treated with a glucagon-like peptide-1 analogue versus placebo

Introduction:Galectin-3 (gal-3) is a B-galactoside-binding lectin and is associated with increased risk of heart failure and other adverse cardiovascular outcomes. Circulating gal-3 has been implicated in promoting tissue fibrosis, leading to vascular remodeling and resultant arterial stiffening.Hypothesis:Plasma gal-3 levels will be associated with central arterial stiffness in a community-based population.Methods:We conducted a cross-sectional analysis of 4,073 participants from the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) Study who attended visit 5 (2011-2013), with a mean age of 75.1±5.0 years. Central arterial stiffness was measured by carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (cfPWV). Association between gal-3 and arterial stiffness was assessed using multivariable linear regression models with gal-3 (log transformed) and adjustment first for age, sex, race-center, heart rate, current smoking, mean arterial pressure and use of anti-hypertensive medication (model 1), then for model 1 plus body mass index (BMI), diabetes, hypertension, LDL cholesterol and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) (model 2).Results:The median gal-3 concentration was 16.5 ng/mL (p25, p75: 13.8, 19.8) and mean cfPWV was 1163 (SD, 303) cm/s. Higher gal-3 concentrations corresponded with higher mean cfPWV and central pulse pressure (p-trends <0.001). Higher gal-3 levels were also associated with higher BMI, diabetes, hypertension, LDL cholesterol, cholesterol lowering medication use, prevalent coronary artery disease, and lower eGFR. In regression analysis, gal-3 was significantly associated with cfPWV in model 1 (ß=46.0; 95% CI 15.4-76.6, per natural log higher gal-3, p=0.003). Further adjustment in model 2 strongly attenuated the association and the coefficient was no longer significant (ß=25.0; 95% CI -8.2-58.2, per natural log increase in gal-3, p=0.14).Conclusions:Higher levels of gal-3, a known promoter of tissue fibrosis, were associated with greater central arterial stiffness. In addition, circulating gal-3 levels were also associated with many traditional risk factors such as BMI, diabetes, hypertension and eGFR; adjustment for these factors attenuated the association of gal-3 with arterial stiffness measures, suggesting mediation of the gal-3 association.