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La calprotectina (CP) es una proteína de unión a calcio y zinc que se suele determinar en muestras fecales, aunque su cuantificación en otros fluidos biológicos podría ser de interés. El objetivo del presente estudio es validar la determinación de CP en líquido pleural mediante quimioluminiscencia.

Calprotectin (CP) is a calcium and zinc binding protein that is widely measured on faecal samples but its determination in other biological fluids might be of interest. The aim of this work was to validate the measurement of CP in pleural fluid by chemiluminescence.

Clear evidence has been presented correlating gene polymorphisms at 6p21.3 - 21.4 (containing HLA and TNF) and the predisposition to acquire multiple sclerosis (MS). In a previous study, we found that polymorphisms at HLA DQA1 were associated with being or not being predisposed to MS in individuals inhabiting the tropics, where the prevalence of MS is significantly lower than in subtropical areas. Here, we tested the hypothesis that polymorphisms at D6S276, D6S265, D6S273 and D6S291 microsatellite loci are in strong linkage disequilibrium with a major genetic factor predisposing to MS. These microsatellites span the 6p21.3 region with intervals of 5 cM establishing particular landmarks for the HLA and TNF loci. Thirty-five MS patients and 35 controls, age, sex, social, ethnically and geographically matched healthy individuals, were studied. After testing the fit of gene frequencies to the normal distribution and performing the correlation for multiple comparisons, we found significant differences among the case and the control frequencies for the allele 202 belonging to the marker D6S276 (Pc = 0.00455) and for the allele 114 belonging to the marker D6S265 (Pc = 0.0084). For these two alleles at different loci, we found higher frequencies in the cases than in the controls. A nonsignificant p value was found in testing the existence of linkage disequilibrium among the studied loci in the cases and in the controls. In conclusion, the current study adds evidence to the established association among polymorphisms of genes located at 6p21.3 - 21.4 and MS. Furthermore, because of the distribution of the tested microsatellite loci, the more probable critical region could be correlated with the TNF neighborhood. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

La calidad del aire en las zonas aledañas a los puertos requiere un monitoreo permanente y cualificado de un conjunto de variables que sirven para calificar los riesgos asociados a las diversas actividades que allí se realizan. La normativa ambiental vigente en Colombia establece topes admisibles para los contaminantes atmosféricos, los cuales se consideran valores de referencia para definir, junto con las variables mencionadas, unos indicadores ambientales adecuados. Este artículo presenta la propuesta entregada, en diciembre de 2009, al Ministerio de Ambiente, Vivienda y Desarrollo Territorial, para la implementación de un Sistema de Vigilancia de la calidad del aire en puertos marítimos y sus áreas de influencia. La propuesta hace parte de un estudio más amplio de seguimiento ambiental permanente en varias áreas portuarias marítimas de Colombia.

Abstract Background A rural region in south-west Spain has one of the highest lung cancer incidence rates of the country, as revealed by a previous epidemiological 10-year follow-up study. The present work was undertaken to ascertain the role of CYP1A1 gene polymorphisms and their interaction with tobacco smoking in the development of the disease in this location. Methods One-hundred-and-three cases of lung cancer and 265 controls participated in the study. The participants were screened for the presence of four CYP1A1 polymorphisms, namely MspI, Ile462Val, T3205C, and Thr461Asn. Lung cancer risk was estimated as odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) using unconditional logistic regression models adjusting for age, sex, and smoking. Results The distribution of the variant CYP1A1 alleles was different from that described for other Caucasian populations, with CYP1A1*2A showing an uncommonly high frequency (p < 0.01). The CYP1A1*2B allele (carrying MspI and Ile462Val mutations) was strongly associated with high lung cancer risk (OR = 4.59, CI:1.4-12.6, p p p = 0.04). Moreover, the Thr461Asn polymorphism was found to be associated with SCLC in a Caucasian population for the first time to our knowledge (OR = 8.33, CI: 1.3-15.2, p = 0.04). Conclusion The results suggest that CYP1A1 polymorphisms contribute to increase lung cancer susceptibility in an area with an uncommon high incidence rate.

Lysobacter is known as a bacterial genus with biotechnological potential, producing an array of enzymes, antimicrobial metabolites, and bioactive antioxidant compounds, including aryl polyene (APE) pigments that have been described as protecting substances against photooxidative damage and lipid peroxidation. In this study, the pigment extracted from keratinolytic Lysobacter sp. A03 isolated from Antarctic environment was characterized. The results of KOH test, UV-vis spectroscopy, CIELAB color system, 1 H-NMR, and FTIR-ATR spectroscopy suggest the pigment is a yellow xanthomonadin-like pigment. The in vitro antioxidant activity of the pigment was confirmed by the scavenging of ABTS and DPPH radicals. In silico analysis of the genome through antiSMASH software was also performed and the secondary metabolite gene clusters for APE and resorcinol synthesis were identified, suggesting that proteins responsible for the pigment biosynthesis are encoded in Lysobacter A03 genome., (© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature.)

Background: Melanoma metastases to the CNS rank third in frequency, just after lung and breast metastases. There is controversy regarding the factors predisposing to developing CNS metastases in patients with cutaneous melanoma and their survival with conventional treatments., Methods: We carried out a retrospective analysis in a third-level hospital in Mexico to determine epidemiological aspects of melanoma metastases to the central nervous system, factors related to its appearance, clinical presentation, and survival in three treatment groups: surgery, radiotherapy, and conservative management., Results: We found that the nodular variant has the most significant association with CNS metastases. In addition, the superficial spreading variant has the highest risk of presenting a more substantial number of lesions, up to seven for each case and predominantly in the infratentorial space. On the other hand, we found more remarkable survival in patients treated only with surgery than those treated with radiotherapy or conservatively., Conclusions: This study lays the foundations for future prospective survival analysis of the different current treatment modalities for metastatic melanoma in the brain and spine. It also highlights the clinical risk factors for metastatic brain and spine tumors of melanoma., Competing Interests: The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (© 2024 The Authors.)

Background: Aquatic ecosystems in the tropics are typically environments with a high species richness of fishes. These systems are also among the most vulnerable in the world, threatening the overall biodiversity of tropical regions. As a first step, it is important to enumerate the species in any ecosystem to promote its conservation. This study aims to inventory the ichthyofauna in the Chile Verde Lagoon, Quintana Roo, on the Yucatan Peninsula, a system fortunately well protected in Mexico, based on faunal surveys backed up with mtDNA barcodes., Methods: We collected larvae, juveniles, and adults of fishes in the lagoon with a variety of sampling gear targeting various life stages. Species were identified using both morphology and DNA barcodes. The abundance of species and ichthyoplankton biomass (wet weight, suction technique) were calculated from 43 samples., Results: We collected 197 adult and juvenile fishes and 3,722 larvae, of which 306 specimens were DNA-sequenced with a success rate of 96.7%. We identified 13 families, 24 genera, and 27 species in our inventory. The species number was estimated to comprise 75% of the potential total richness using the Chao 1 richness estimator. Clupeids and gobiids accounted for 87.9% of the total abundance of fishes, and, together with cyprinodontids, also accounted for the highest ichthyoplankton biomass., Conclusion: Adult and juvenile fishes were identified by morphology and meristic values, however larvae required DNA barcoding to identify species. The high biomass and abundance of larvae of clupeids, gobiids and cyprinodontids suggests that the Chile Verde Lagoon may be important for reproduction of these species in the region. Microgobius microlepis , a marine goby species, is reported for the first time in an inland oligohaline system. This study provides a basis for future environmental assessment and biomonitoring of the Chile Verde Lagoon in the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico., Competing Interests: The authors declare there are no competing interests., (©2023 Uh-Navarrete et al.)

Micronutrient deficiencies are widespread and growing global concerns. Nanoscale nutrients present higher absorption rates and improved nutrient availability and nutrient use efficiency. Co-application of nanofertilizers (NFs) with biological agents or organic compounds increases NF biocompatibility, stability, and efficacy. This study aimed to develop and evaluate zinc and iron bio-nanofertilizers formulated with plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) and microalgae. Nanoparticles (NPs) were synthesized with the co-precipitation method and functionalized with Pseudomonas species and Spirulina platensis preparation. NPs were characterized and evaluated on seed germination, soil microbial growth, and early plant response under seedbed conditions. NPs corresponded to zinc oxide (ZnO; 77 nm) and maghemite (γ-Fe 2 O 3 ; 68 nm). Functionalized nanoparticles showed larger sizes, around 145-233 nm. The seedling vigor index of tomato and maize was significantly increased (32.9-46.1%) by bacteria-functionalized ZnO- and γ-Fe 2 O 3 -NPs at 75 ppm. NFs at 250 and 75 ppm significantly increased bacterial growth. NFs also improved early plant growth by increasing plant height (14-44%), leaf diameter (22-47%), and fresh weight (46-119%) in broccoli and radish, which were mainly influenced by bacteria capped ZnO- and γ-Fe 2 O 3 -NPs at 250 ppm. Beneficial effects on plant growth can be attributed to the synergistic interaction of the biological components and the zinc and iron NPs in the bio-nanofertilizers.

Introduction: For over a century, Sporothrix schenckii was considered the sole species responsible for sporotrichosis. In 2007, scientific community confirmed the disease could be caused by various Sporothrix species. These species differed in their virulence factors and their antifungal sensitivity., Objective: This study aims to characterize 42 Colombian clinical isolates of Sporothrix spp. phenotypically and genotypically., Material and Methods: Forty-two clinical isolates were characterized using phenotypic methods. It involved various culture media to determine their growth range at different temperatures and to assess the type and distribution of pigment and colony texture. Microscopic morphology was evaluated through microcultures, as well as the conidia diameter, type of sporulation, and morphology. Additionally, the assimilation of carbohydrates was selected as a physiological trait for species identification. Genotyping of 40 isolates was performed through partial amplification of the calmodulin gene, followed by sequence analysis., Results: Molecular studies enabled the identification of 32 isolates of S. schenckii and 8 isolates of S. globosa. The combination of phenotypic and genotypic methods eased these species characterizations and the recognition keys development based on parameters such as growth diameter at 25 and 30 ºC, colony texture (membranous or velvety) on potato dextrose agar, and microscopic morphology with predominance of pigmented triangular, elongated oval globose, or subglobose conidia., Conclusions: Confirmation of the phenotypic characteristics and molecular analysis is crucial for identifying Sporothrix species and determining adequate treatment. This study represents the first phenotypical and genotypical characterization of clinical isolates of Sporothrix spp. reported in Colombia.

Paracoccidioidomycosis is a systemic mycosis endemic in Latin America. The most frequent form involves a chronic compromise of the lungs, skin, and mucosa. The patient started with a single oral lesion that lasted for several years. The absence of other symptoms pointed out a possible malignant neoplasm, specifically a squamous cell carcinoma. Differentiation between both diagnoses –fungal infection and carcinoma– depends on the results of the direct examination, the histopathological study, and the initial and subsequent cultures. However, in this case, those findings were not conclusive. The coexistence of both diagnoses is frequent and increases the diagnostic challenge. After several consultations and tests, direct examination, immunodiffusion and real-time PCR findings the multifocal chronic paracoccidioidomycosis diagnosis was confirmed. This case warns about a systematical absence of clinical suspicion of endemic mycoses before the appereance of mucocutaneous lesions, which can be produced by fungi like Paracoccidioides spp, and the importance of considering those mycoses among the differential diagnoses.

Introduction: The clinical effect of domperidone against COVID-19 has been investigated in a double-blind phase III clinical trial (EudraCT number 2021-001228-17). Domperidone has shown in vitro antiviral activity against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and potential immudolatory properties through the stimulation of prolactin secretion., Patients and Methods: The efficacy of oral domperidone plus standard of care (SOC; n  = 87) versus placebo plus SOC ( n  = 86) was evaluated in a 28-day randomized double-blind multicentre study in primary health care centres. A total of 173 outpatients with mild-to-moderate COVID-19 were included. Three daily doses of 10 mg (30 mg/day) of domperidone or placebo were administered for 7 days. Reduction of viral load on day 4 was the primary efficay endpoint. It was estimated in saliva samples by reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR), as the cycle thresholds detected ORF1ab, N Protein and S Protein genes., Results: A significant reduction in the viral load was observed ( p  < 0.001) from baseline to days 4, 7 and 14 of the three genes studied with non-significant differences between domperidone and placebo groups. Twenty-three patients (13.3%) experienced adverse events, 14 patients in the domperidone group (16.1%) and 9 patients in the placebo group (10.5%). No patients needed to be hospitalized., Conclusion: Results do not prove the use of domperidone as antiviral in patients with COVID-19.

Obesity is a critical medical condition worldwide that is increasingly involved with nutritional derangements associated with micronutrient deficiencies, including iron, zinc, calcium, magnesium, selenium, and vitamins A, C, D, and E. Nutritional deficiencies in obesity are mainly caused by poor-quality diets, higher nutrient requirements, alterations in micronutrient metabolism, and invasive obesity treatments. The current conventional agricultural system is designed for intensive food production, focusing on food quantity rather than food quality, consuming excessive agricultural inputs, and producing nutrient-deficient foods, thus generating severe health and environmental problems; agricultural food products may worsen obesity-related malnutrition. Therefore, modern agriculture is adopting new biofortification technologies to combat micronutrient deficiencies and improve agricultural productivity and sustainability. Biofertilization and nanofertilization practices are increasingly used due to their efficiency, safety, and reduced environmental impact. Biofertilizers are preparations of PGP-microorganisms that promote plant growth by influencing plant metabolism and improving the nutrient uptake, and nanofertilizers consist of synthesized nanoparticles with unique physicochemical properties that are capable of increasing plant nutrition and enriching agricultural products. This review presents the current micronutrient deficiencies associated with obesity, the modern unsustainable agri-food system contributing to obesity progression, and the development of bio- and nanofertilizers capable of biofortifying agri-food crops with micronutrients commonly deficient in patients with obesity.

Background: The use of health games is a promising strategy for educating and promoting healthy lifestyle behaviors among children., Objective: We aimed to describe the design and development of a serious game, called HelperFriend, and evaluate its feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary effects in children in a pilot study. HelperFriend is a vicarious experiential video game designed to promote 3 lifestyle behaviors among young children: physical activity, healthy eating, and socioemotional wellness., Methods: Participants aged 8 to 11 years were recruited from an elementary school and randomized to receive a healthy lifestyle behavior educational talk (control) or play six 30-minute sessions with HelperFriend (intervention). Assessments were conducted at baseline (T0) and after the intervention (ie, 4 weeks) (T1). The primary outcome was gain in knowledge. The secondary outcomes were intention to conduct healthy behaviors, dietary intake, and player satisfaction., Results: Knowledge scores of intervention group participants increased from T0 to T1 for physical activity (t 14 =2.01, P=.03), healthy eating (t 14 =3.14, P=.003), and socioemotional wellness (t 14 =2.75, P=.008). In addition, from T0 to T1, the intervention group improved their intention to perform physical activity (t 14 =2.82, P=.006), healthy eating (t 14 =3.44, P=.002), and socioemotional wellness (t 14 =2.65, P=.009); and there was a reduction in their intake of 13 unhealthy foods. HelperFriend was well received by intervention group., Conclusions: HelperFriend appears to be feasible and acceptable for young children. In addition, this game seems to be a viable tool to help improve the knowledge, the intention to conduct healthy behaviors, and the dietary intake of children; however, a well-powered randomized controlled trial is needed to prove the efficacy of HelperFriend., (©Ismael Edrein Espinosa-Curiel, Edgar Efrén Pozas-Bogarin, Maryleidi Hernández-Arvizu, Maria Elena Navarro-Jiménez, Edwin Emeth Delgado-Pérez, Juan Martínez-Miranda, Humberto Pérez-Espinosa. Originally published in JMIR Serious Games (https://games.jmir.org), 06.05.2022.)

Background: A high proportion of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) survivors may develop long-term cognitive impairment. We aimed to develop a multivariate causal model exposing the links between COVID-19-associated biomarkers, illness-related variables, and their effects on cognitive performance., Methods: In this prospective study, we assess the potential drivers for the development of cognitive impairment in patients with severe COVID-19 pneumonia aged ≥ 18 years at 6-month follow-up after hospital discharge, using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA). Patients with pre-existing cognitive impairment were excluded. Laboratory results at hospital admission were clustered by principal component analysis (PCA) and included in a path analysis model evaluating the causal relationship between age, comorbidities, hypoxemia, invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV) requirement, in-hospital delirium, and cognitive performance., Results: We studied 92 patients: 54 (58.7%) men and 38 (41.3%) women, with median age of 50 years (interquartile range 42-55), among whom 50 (54.4%) tested positive for cognitive impairment at 6-month follow-up. Path analysis revealed a direct link between the thrombo-inflammatory component of PCA (C-reactive protein, fibrinogen, and neutrophils) and hypoxemia severity at hospital admission. Our model showed that low PaO 2 /FiO 2 ratio values, unlike the thrombo-inflammatory component, had a direct effect on cognitive performance, independent from age, in-hospital delirium, and invasive mechanical ventilation., Conclusion: In this study, biomarkers of thrombo-inflammation in COVID-19 and low PaO 2 /FiO 2 had a negative effect on cognitive performance 6 months after hospital discharge. These results highlight the critical role of hypoxemia as a driver for impaired cognition in the mid-term., (© 2021. Fondazione Società Italiana di Neurologia.)

The development of new strategic therapies for multidrug-resistant bacteria, like the use of non-antimicrobial approaches and/or drugs repurposed to be used as monotherapies or in combination with clinically relevant antibiotics, has become urgent. A therapeutic alternative for infections by multidrug-resistant Gram-negative bacilli (MDR-GNB) is immune system modulation to improve the infection clearance. We showed that immunocompetent mice pretreated with tamoxifen at 80 mg/kg/d for three days and infected with Acinetobacter baumannii , Pseudomonas aeruginosa , or Escherichia coli in peritoneal sepsis models showed reduced release of the monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1) and its signaling pathway interleukin-18 (IL-18), and phosphorylated extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2). This reduction of MCP-1 induced the reduction of migration of inflammatory monocytes and neutrophils from the bone marrow to the blood. Indeed, pretreatment with tamoxifen in murine peritoneal sepsis models reduced the bacterial load in tissues and blood, and increased mice survival from 0% to 60-100%. Together, these data show that tamoxifen presents therapeutic efficacy against MDR A. baumannii , P. aeruginosa , and E. coli in experimental models of infection and may be a new candidate to be repurposed as a treatment for GNB infections.

Purpose: To investigate associations between chronic health conditions and participation in school and community activities at age 15 years., Methods: Secondary analysis of data from an urban U.S. birth cohort study was conducted to investigate associations between chronic health conditions and participation in specific types of school and community activities. Logistic regression was used to adjust for potentially confounding factors., Results: Over one third of the teens had a chronic health condition. Having a chronic developmental or behavioral health condition (vs. no chronic developmental or behavioral health condition) was associated with lower odds of participation in sports (odds ratio [OR], .714; 95% confidence interval [CI], .577-.883), volunteer activities (OR, .751; 95% CI, 0.611-.924), and any activities (OR, .690; 95% CI, .516-.921), after adjusting for potential confounders. The associations for having a chronic physical health condition were less consistent., Conclusions: Chronic developmental or behavioral conditions of teens are negatively associated with school and community participation, particularly sports and volunteering, both of which can substantially enhance their development. Schools can play a role in promoting participation by offering activities designed for students with disabilities that may also include typical students or by referring families to such activities in the community. Clinicians can play a role by educating families about the benefits of extracurricular activities, providing information about laws and regulations requiring schools and other organizations to provide accommodations, and linking families to activities and programs in their community., (Copyright © 2020 Society for Adolescent Health and Medicine. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Estuaries are highly productive ecosystems, defined by salt-freshwater exchanges that are significantly altered by changes upstream and in adjacent coastal areas. Tropical estuaries are characterized by the periodic advance and retreat of saline intrusion, depending on seasonality, episodic river flows and flooding events. Salt-water intrusion due to the estuarine dynamics might be affected by dam systems, which could modify the hydrological regime of the estuary in relation to other stressors, such as land use changes. For this purpose, field measurements of salinity, temperature, river-discharge and flow velocities were conducted over a year to analyze the current hydrological regime in the upper estuary of the Grijalva River in the southern Gulf of Mexico, part of the Biosphere Reserve "Pantanos de Centla", one of the most biodiverse areas in the world. Analysis of land use and vegetation cover was performed. Historical implications of the hydrological performance of the four-dam system (1957 to 2014) are presented, together with the upstream-induced changes (i.e. discharge and seasonal water volumes variations): before, between and after the full operation of the dam system. A general loss of seasonality in the river discharge was identified (1974-1987), when critical mean annual water discharges were registered (Q mean from 263.56 to 126.49 m 3 /s). Chronological changes in the estuary and in the surrounding area due to the introduction of large extensions of cultivated grassland (~1020 km 2 ), reduction in mangrove cover (~223 km 2 ) and tular (~1340 km 2 ) were noticed. These modifications mostly occurred before conservation strategies were implemented, such as the designation of the Biosphere Reserve (1992). This study contributes to a better understanding of the response of estuarine systems to anthropic perturbations and the development of long-term management plans that could take into account climate change and the increase of hydropower development., (Copyright © 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Objective To investigate the extent to which disabling infant health conditions are associated with adverse childhood experiences at age 5. Methods We conducted a secondary analysis of data from the Fragile Families and Child Wellbeing Study, a national urban birth cohort. We estimated logistic regression models of associations between the presence of a disabling infant health condition and the child's ACE exposures at age 5, controlling for factors that preceded the child's birth, including the mother's sociodemographic characteristics, physical health, mental illness, and substance abuse and the parents' criminal justice system involvement and domestic violence or sexual abuse. ACEs included 4 categories of child maltreatment (physical, sexual, psychological abuse, neglect) and 5 categories of household dysfunction (father absence, substance use, mental illness, caregiver treated violently, incarceration). Results 3.3% of the children were characterized as having a disabling health condition that was likely present at birth. Logistic regression estimates indicate that having a disabling infant health condition was associated with 83% higher odds of the child experiencing 2 or more ACEs (AOR 1.83, CI 1.14-2.94) and 73% higher odds of the child experiencing 3 or more ACEs (AOR 1.73, CI 1.07-2.77) at age 5. Conclusions for Practice The finding of strong links between disabling infant health conditions and ACEs at age 5 suggests that child health and ACEs play intertwining and mutually reinforcing roles during the early lifecourse and highlights the critical importance of investing in systems that simultaneously promote optimal child development and address childhood adversity.

Neutrophils predominate during the acute phase of the Paracoccidioides brasiliensis infection. Herein, we determined the role of the neutrophil during the early stages of experimental pulmonary paracoccidioidomycosis using a monoclonal antibody (mAb) specific for neutrophils. Male BALB/c mice were inoculated intranasally with 1.5 × 10(6) or 2 × 10(6) P. brasiliensis yeast cells. The mAb was administered 24 h before infection, followed by doses every 48 h until mice were sacrificed. Survival time was evaluated and mice were sacrificed at 48 h and 96 h after inoculation to assess cellularity, fungal load, cytokine/chemokine levels, and histopathological analysis. Neutrophils from mAb-treated mice were efficiently depleted (99.04%). Eighty percent of the mice treated with the mAb and infected with 1.5 × 10(6) yeast cells died during the first two weeks after infection. When mice were treated and infected with 2 × 10(6) yeast cells, 100% of them succumbed by the first week after infection. During the acute inflammatory response significant increases in numbers of eosinophils, fungal load and levels of proinflammatory cytokines/chemokines were observed in the mAb-treated mice. We also confirmed that neutrophils are an important source of IFN-γ and IL-17. These results indicate that neutrophils are essential for protection as well as being important for regulating the early inflammatory immune response in experimental pulmonary paracoccidioidomycosis.

The problem of channel estimation for multicarrier communications is addressed. We focus on systems employing the Discrete Cosine Transform Type-I (DCT1) even at both the transmitter and the receiver, presenting an algorithm which achieves an accurate estimation of symmetric channel filters using only a small number of training symbols. The solution is obtained by using either matrix inversion or compressed sensing algorithms. We provide the theoretical results which guarantee the validity of the proposed technique for the DCT1. Numerical simulations illustrate the good behaviour of the proposed algorithm.

There is great interest in consuming foods that can provide the nutrients for a good nutrition and other health beneficial compounds. The aim of this work was to determine the chemical composition of native foods of the Andean region and to quantify some functional com-ponents. Proximal composition, vitamin C, total phenolic compounds, antiradical activity (DPPH) in peel and pulp, dietary fiber soluble and insoluble, fructooligosaccharides (FOS), total and resistant starch (in tubers and raw roots, boiled and boiled and stored) of 6 varieties of Oca (Oxalis tuberosa), 4 clones of manioc (Manihot esculenta Crantz) and yacon (Smallanthus sonchifolius were determined. The results showed greater amount of bioactive compounds and antiradical activity in the skin of these products. The highest content was found in the oca peel. In all cases, the content of insoluble fiber was greater than the soluble. The manioc had higher total starch than Andean roots and tubers. The boiling process decreased the resistant starch content of ocas and maniocs, but when these are stored for 48 h at 5 ° C, the resistant starch content increased. The FOS content of the ocas was similar for all varieties (7%). The main component of yacon carbohydrates were FOS (8.89%). The maniocs did not contain FOS. It can be concluded that the roots and tubers studied, in addition to provide nutrients, contain functional compounds that confer additional helpful value for preventing no communicable diseases.

The increased expression of different soluble guanylyl cyclase (sGC) subunits during development is consistent with these proteins participating in the formation and establishment of interneuronal contacts. Functional sGC is generated by the dimerization of an alpha-subunit (sGCalpha1/2) with the beta1-subunit (sGCbeta1), and both depletion of the sGCbeta1 subunit and inhibiting sGC activity impair neurite outgrowth. Similarly, impairing sGC activity diminishes the amount of growth-associated protein (GAP-43) and synapsin I, two proteins that participate in axon elongation and synaptogenesis, suggesting a role for sGC in these processes. Indeed, fewer synapses form when sGC is inhibited, as witnessed by FM1-43 imaging and synapsin I immunostaining, and the majority of synapses that do form remain functionally immature. These findings highlight the importance of sGC in the regulation of neurite outgrowth and synapse formation, and in the functional maturation of cerebellar granule cells in vitro.