Enhancing earthworm (Lumbricus terrestris) tolerance to plastic contamination through gut microbiome fortification with plastic-degrading microorganisms.

Microorganisms from L. terrestris gut previously exposed to different types of plastic (PET, LDPE, LLDPE, and PS) were studied to be used as probiotics of earthworms in plastic-contaminated soils (LDPE, LLDPE and recycled mulching film) at mesocosm-scale trials. The most abundant morphotypes with enzymatic capacities of interest were identified. Pseudomonas alkylphenolica (PL4) and Pseudomonas putida (PL5) strains were selected to be used as inoculants using Morus alba leaves as carriers to strengthen the intestinal microbiota of earthworms. Culture (selective cetrimide agar medium) and molecular (qPCR) techniques were used to trace the presence of the inoculum in the intestine of the earthworms. Additionally, a metataxonomic analysis was carried out to study the biodiversity and functionality of the earthworm microbiome, and their measure of survival and weight. Probiotics improved the survival rates of earthworms exposed to plastics, which also increased the abundance of microbial groups of interest in plastic bioremediation tasks.

Development of plastic-degrading microbial consortia by induced selection in microcosms.

The increase in the production of highly recalcitrant plastic materials, and their accumulation in ecosystems, generates the need to investigate new sustainable strategies to reduce this type of pollution. Based on recent works, the use of microbial consortia could contribute to improving plastic biodegradation performance. This work deals with the selection and characterization of plastic-degrading microbial consortia using a sequential and induced enrichment technique from artificially contaminated microcosms. The microcosm consisted of a soil sample in which LLDPE (linear low-density polyethylene) was buried. Consortia were obtained from the initial sample by sequential enrichment in a culture medium with LLDPE-type plastic material (in film or powder format) as the sole carbon source. Enrichment cultures were incubated for 105 days with monthly transfer to fresh medium. The abundance and diversity of total bacteria and fungi were monitored. Like LLDPE, lignin is a very complex polymer, so its biodegradation is closely linked to that of some recalcitrant plastics. For this reason, counting of ligninolytic microorganisms from the different enrichments was also performed. Additionally, the consortium members were isolated, molecularly identified and enzymatically characterized. The results revealed a loss of microbial diversity at each culture transfer at the end of the induced selection process. The consortium selected from selective enrichment in cultures with LLDPE in powder form was more effective compared to the consortium selected in cultures with LLDPE in film form, resulting in a reduction of microplastic weight between 2.5 and 5.5%. Some members of the consortia showed a wide range of enzymatic activities related to the degradation of recalcitrant plastic polymers, with Pseudomonas aeruginosa REBP5 or Pseudomonas alloputida REBP7 strains standing out. The strains identified as Castellaniella denitrificans REBF6 and Debaryomyces hansenii RELF8 were also considered relevant members of the consortia although they showed more discrete enzymatic profiles. Other consortium members could collaborate in the prior degradation of additives accompanying the LLDPE polymer, facilitating the subsequent access of other real degraders of the plastic structure. Although preliminary, the microbial consortia selected in this work contribute to the current knowledge of the degradation of recalcitrant plastics of anthropogenic origin accumulated in natural environments.

Cardiopulmonary Imaging Utilization and Findings among Hospitalized COVID-19 Patients in Latin America: (From "RIMAC: Registry IMAging Cardiopulmonary among Hospitalized COVID-19 Patients in LATAM").

Objectives: Describe the use and findings of cardiopulmonary imaging-chest X-ray (cX-ray), echocardiography (cEcho), chest CT (cCT), lung ultrasound (LUS), and/or cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (cMRI)-in COVID-19 hospitalizations in Latin America (LATAM). Background: There is a lack of information on the images used and their findings during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic in LATAM. Methods: Multicenter, prospective, observational study of COVID-19 inpatients, conducted from March to December 2020, from 12 high-complexity centers, in nine LATAM countries. Adults (>18 years) with at least one imaging modality performed, followed from admission until discharge and/or in-hospital death, were included. Results: We studied 1,435 hospitalized patients (64% males) with a median age of 58 years classified into three regions: Mexico (Mx), 262; Central America and Caribbean (CAC), 428; and South America (SAm), 745. More frequent comorbidities were overweight/obesity, hypertension, and diabetes. During hospitalization, 58% were admitted to the ICU. The in-hospital mortality was 28%, and it was highest in Mx (37%).The most frequent images performed were cCT (61%), mostly in Mx and SAm, and cX-ray (46%), significant in CAC. The cEcho was carried out in 18%, similarly among regions, and LUS was carried out in 7%, with a higher frequently in Mx. Abnormal findings on the cX-ray were peripheral or basal infiltrates, and in cCT abnormal findings were the ground glass infiltrates, more commonly in Mx. In LUS, interstitial syndrome was the most abnormal finding, predominantly in Mx and CAC.Renal failure was the most prevalent complication (20%), predominant in Mx and SAm. Heart failure developed in 13%, predominant in Mx and CAC. Lung thromboembolism was higher in Mx while myocardial infarction was in CAC.Logistic regression showed associations of abnormal imaging findings and their severity, with comorbidities, complications, and evolution. Conclusions: The use and findings of cardiopulmonary imaging in LATAM varied between regions and had a great impact on diagnosis and prognosis.

Outcome of the treatment of hydronephrosis due to congenital ureteropelvic stenosis according to age at surgery.

BACKGROUND: Congenital kidney and urinary tract anomalies are the most common cause of chronic kidney disease in the first three decades of life. Stenosis of the ureteropelvic junction may cause dilation of the collecting system in the fetal kidney. This study aimed to determine hydronephrosis due to congenital ureteropelvic stenosis treatment outcome according to the age of the intervention. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective descriptive study that included pediatric patients with hydronephrosis secondary to ureteropelvic junction stenosis operated by the Anderson-Hynes open pyeloplasty method from 2010 to 2016. Patients were divided into two groups: group A, children < 1 year of age, and group B, children > 1 year of age. We analyzed ultrasonographic parameters, renal function, and clinical data. Inferential statistics were used with the Mann-Whitney U-test and X2 test. Intra-group data were assessed with the Wilcoxon test. RESULTS: We included 52 patients: group A (n = 16, 30%) and group B (n = 36, 70%). The male sex predominated, and mainly the left renal unit. The most important surgical finding was stenotic segment. The median right glomerular filtration rate was 24.1 mL/min (19.0-34.5) pre-surgical and 38.2 mL/min (35.9-41.09) post-surgical in group A (p = 0.028), and 28.4 mL/min (18.5-35.0) pre-surgical and 37 mL/min (35.7-46.0) post-surgical in group B (p = 0.003). The median left glomerular filtration rate was 30 mL/min (21.4-39.0) pre-surgical and 40.0 mL/min (37.7-44.6) post-surgical in group A (p = 0.005) and 18.4 mL/min (14.2-29.2) pre-surgical and 37 mL/min (33.1-38.5) post-surgical in group B (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Correction of ureteropelvic stenosis before one year of age results in better renal function than a later correction.

INTRODUCCIÓN: Las anormalidades congénitas del riñón y del tracto urinario son la causa más frecuente de enfermedad renal crónica en las primeras décadas de la vida. La estenosis de la unión ureteropiélica puede ocasionar restricción del flujo urinario desde la pelvis renal hacia el uréter, y es la causa más común de dilatación del sistema colector en el riñón fetal. El objetivo de este estudio fue determinar los resultados del tratamiento de la hidronefrosis por estenosis ureteropiélica congénita según la edad de la intervención. MÉTODOS: Se llevó a cabo un estudio retrospectivo descriptivo incluyendo pacientes pediátricos con hidronefrosis secundaria a estenosis de la unión ureteropiélica sometidos a pieloplastia abierta de Anderson-Hynes en el periodo 2010-2016. Se formaron dos grupos: A, pacientes < 1 año, y B, pacientes > 1 año. Se analizaron parámetros clínicos, ecosonográficos y de función renal. Se utilizó estadística inferencial con las pruebas U de Mann Whitney, χ2 y Wilcoxon. RESULTADOS: Se incluyeron 52 pacientes: 16 en el grupo A (30%) y 36 en el grupo B (70%). Predominó el sexo masculino, y principalmente la unidad renal izquierda. El hallazgo quirúrgico más importante fue el segmento estenótico. La mediana de la tasa de filtración glomerular derecha prequirúrgica fue de 24.1 ml/min (19.0-34.5) y la posquirúrgica fue de 38.2 ml/min (35.9-41.09) en el grupo A (p = 0.028), frente a 28.4 ml/min (18.5-35.0) y 37 ml/min (35.7-46.0), respectivamente, en el grupo B (p = 0.003). La mediana de la tasa de filtración glomerular izquierda prequirúrgica fue de 30 ml/min (21.4-39.0) y la posquirúrgica fue de 40.0 ml/min (37.7-44.6) en el grupo A (p = 0.005), frente a 18.4 ml/min (14.2-29.2) y 37 ml/min (33.1-38.5), respectivamente, en el grupo B (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONES: La corrección de la estenosis ureteropiélica antes de 1 año de edad resulta en una mejor función renal que la corrección tardía.

Characterization of Thermophilic Lignocellulolytic Microorganisms in Composting.

Composting involves the selection of a microbiota capable of resisting the high temperatures generated during the process and degrading the lignocellulose. A deep understanding of the thermophilic microbial community involved in such biotransformation is valuable to improve composting efficiency and to provide thermostable biomass-degrading enzymes for biorefinery. This study investigated the lignocellulose-degrading thermophilic microbial culturome at all the stages of plant waste composting, focusing on the dynamics, enzymes, and thermotolerance of each member of such a community. The results revealed that 58% of holocellulose (cellulose plus hemicellulose) and 7% of lignin were degraded at the end of composting. The whole fungal thermophilic population exhibited lignocellulose-degrading activity, whereas roughly 8-10% of thermophilic bacteria had this trait, although exclusively for hemicellulose degradation (xylan-degrading). Because of the prevalence of both groups, their enzymatic activity, and the wide spectrum of thermotolerance, they play a key role in the breakdown of hemicellulose during the entire process, whereas the degradation of cellulose and lignin is restricted to the activity of a few thermophilic fungi that persists at the end of the process. The xylanolytic bacterial isolates (159 strains) included mostly members of Firmicutes (96%) as well as a few representatives of Actinobacteria (2%) and Proteobacteria (2%). The most prevalent species were Bacillus licheniformis and Aeribacillus pallidus. Thermophilic fungi (27 strains) comprised only four species, namely Thermomyces lanuginosus, Talaromyces thermophilus, Aspergillus fumigatus, and Gibellulopsis nigrescens, of whom A. fumigatus and T. lanuginosus dominated. Several strains of the same species evolved distinctly at the stages of composting showing phenotypes with different thermotolerance and new enzyme expression, even not previously described for the species, as a response to the changing composting environment. Strains of Bacillus thermoamylovorans, Geobacillus thermodenitrificans, T. lanuginosus, and A. fumigatus exhibiting considerable enzyme activities were selected as potential candidates for the production of thermozymes. This study lays a foundation to further investigate the mechanisms of adaptation and acquisition of new traits among thermophilic lignocellulolytic microorganisms during composting as well as their potential utility in biotechnological processing.

Obesidad pregestacional como riesgo cardiometabólico

RESUMEN Introducción: La obesidad se considera un factor de riesgo de enfermedades cardiovasculares. Objetivo: Caracterizar los parámetros antropométricos y analíticos para medir el grado de obesidad y su asociación a los factores de riesgo cardiometabólicos. Método: Estudio analítico transversal en un grupo de gestantes que inician su gravidez con un índice de masa corporal por encima de 25 kg/m2 (sobrepeso y obesas) con una muestra intencional de 184 gestantes. Se evaluaron las variables: edad, talla, peso, estado nutricional y ganancia de peso; posteriormente, se calculó la prevalencia de obesidad y se evaluó la ganancia de peso al final del embarazo. Se realizó estadística descriptiva para el análisis de las variables mediante el programa estadístico SPSS v. 20. Resultados: Predominaron las gestantes evaluadas como obesas clase I (134), que representaron el 72,8%. Los cuatro índices relacionados con el riesgo cardiometabólico se presentaron con una alta frecuencia. Conclusiones: La prevalencia de obesidad abdominal en la muestra estudiada es elevada, las variables antropométricas y analíticas estudiadas demuestran valores de riesgo cardiometabólico desde la captación del embarazo.

ABSTRACT Introduction: Obesity is considered a risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Objective: To characterize anthropometric and analytical parameters to measure the degree of obesity and its association with cardiometabolic risk factors. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional analytical study in a group of pregnant women who started their pregnancy exhibiting a body mass index above 25 kg/m2 (overweight and obese) with an intentional sample of 184 pregnant women. Variables assessed were: age, height, weight, nutritional status and weight gain; subsequently, the prevalence of obesity was calculated and weight gain at the end of pregnancy was evaluated. Descriptive statistics were performed for the analysis of the variables using the SPSS v. 20 statistical program. Results: There was a predominance of pregnant women evaluated as class I obese (134), representing 72.8%. All four indices related to cardiometabolic risk were highly prevalent. Conclusions: The prevalence of abdominal obesity was high in the sample studied. Anthropometric and analytical variables analyzed showed cardiometabolic risk values from early detection of pregnancy.

A Long Journey of CICA-17 Quinoa Variety to Salinity Conditions in Egypt: Mineral Concentration in the Seeds.

Quinoa may be a promising alternative solution for arid regions, and it is necessary to test yield and mineral accumulation in grains under different soil types. Field experiments with Chenopodium quinoa (cv. CICA-17) were performed in Egypt in non-saline (electrical conductivity, 1.9 dS m-1) and saline (20 dS m-1) soils. Thirty-four chemical elements were studied in these crops. Results show different yields and mineral accumulations in the grains. Potassium (K), P, Mg, Ca, Na, Mn, and Fe are the main elements occurring in the quinoa grains, but their concentrations change between both soil types. Besides, soil salinity induced changes in the mineral pattern distribution among the different grain organs. Sodium was detected in the pericarp but not in other tissues. Pericarp structure may be a shield to prevent sodium entry to the underlying tissues but not for chloride, increasing its content in saline conditions. Under saline conditions, yield decreased to near 47%, and grain sizes greater than 1.68 mm were unfavored. Quinoa may serve as a complementary crop in the marginal lands of Egypt. It has an excellent nutrition perspective due to its mineral content and has a high potential to adapt to semi-arid and arid environments.

Microbial communities of the olive mill wastewater sludge stored in evaporation ponds: The resource for sustainable bioremediation.

Olive Mill Wastewater (OMW) is a polluting residue from the olive oil industry. It is usually stored in open-air unprotected evaporation ponds where their sediments accumulate. This study compares the characteristics of OMW sludges stored for long-time in evaporation ponds and assesses their impact on the underlying soil layer. Physicochemical parameters, toxicity bioassays, and full characterization of the microbial community were analyzed. The extension of the polluting effects was assessed by analysis of toxicity, microbial biomass carbon, and respiration. Geostatistics was used to predict their spatial distribution. Organic matter and polyphenol content besides toxicity levels determine variations between OMW sludges and have a high impact on the microbiota they contain. The microbial community was abundant, diverse, and functionally active. However, the biodegradability of the sludges was hindered by the toxicity levels. Toxicity and biomass carbon were higher on the surface of the ponds than in the soil layer revealing a reduced leach flow and depletion of contaminants. The natural microbiota might be biostimulated by means of applying sustainable and feasible biological treatments in order to favor the OMW sludges bioremediation. These results open up the possibility of solving the environmental concern caused by its storage in similar scenarios, which are common in olive oil-producing countries.

Industrial Composting of Sewage Sludge: Study of the Bacteriome, Sanitation, and Antibiotic-Resistant Strains.

Wastewater treatment generates a huge amount of sewage sludge, which is a source of environmental pollution. Among the alternatives for the management of this waste, industrial composting stands out as one of the most relevant. The objective of this study was to analyze the bacterial population linked to this process and to determine its effectiveness for the reduction, and even elimination, of microorganisms and pathogens present in these organic wastes. For this purpose, the bacteriome and the fecal bacteria contamination of samples from different sewage sludge industrial composting facilities were evaluated. In addition, fecal bacteria indicators and pathogens, such as Salmonella, were isolated from samples collected at key stages of the process and characterized for antibiotic resistance to macrolide, ß-lactam, quinolone, and aminoglycoside families. 16S rRNA phylogeny data revealed that the process clearly evolved toward a prevalence of Firmicutes and Actinobacteria phyla, removing the fecal load. Moreover, antibiotic-resistant microorganisms present in the raw materials were reduced, since these were isolated only in the bio-oxidative phase. Therefore, industrial composting of sewage sludge results in a bio-safe final product suitable for use in a variety of applications.

Señales ateroscleróticas tempranas en mujeres de edad mediana con antecedentes de preeclampsia / Early atherosclerotic signs in middle-aged women with a history of pre-eclampsia

RESUMEN Introducción: Las enfermedades cardiovasculares son la principal causa de muerte en el país, en el sexo femenino. Objetivo: Identificar señales ateroscleróticas tempranas en mujeres de edad mediana con antecedentes de preeclampsia. Método: Estudio observacional descriptivo de corte transversal con 108 mujeres entre 45-59 años de edad, en el Policlínico Docente Chiqui Gómez Lubián, de Santa Clara (Cuba), en los años 2017 y 2018. El grupo estudio estuvo constituido por 54 mujeres que tuvieron antecedentes de preeclampsia en la última década; la misma cantidad de ellas, sin este antecedente, conformaron el grupo control. Resultados: El factor de riesgo con mayor prevalencia en el total de mujeres estudiadas fue el combinado de sobrepeso y obesidad (75%), subgrupo donde se ubicó el 98,1% de aquellas con antecedentes de preeclampsia. Le siguieron en orden de frecuencia la hipercolesterolemia (71,3 %), la hipertensión arterial (54,6%), el hábito de fumar (51,8%) y la diabetes mellitus (38,9%). El 92,6% de las mujeres con antecedentes de preeclampsia eran hipertensas y todas tenían una circunferencia abdominal ≥ 88 cm. Además, todas aquellas con riesgo cardiovascular moderado, alto o muy alto tenían antecedentes de preeclampsia, y del total de mujeres con bajo riesgo cardiovascular, solo 22 (28,9%) tenían este antecedente; pues el resto (71,1%) representa el total de mujeres sin preeclampsia. Conclusiones: En las mujeres con preeclampsia predominaron las señales ateroscleróticas tempranas, como la obesidad, la circunferencia abdominal mayor de 88 cm y la hipertensión arterial; así como los factores de riesgo aterogénico asociados a un riesgo cardiovascular moderado, alto y muy alto.

ABSTRACT Introduction: In our country, cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of death among women. Objective: To identify early atherosclerotic signs in middle aged women with a history of pre-eclampsia. Method: An observational descriptive study was carried out with 108 women aged 45-59 years old, at the Policlínico Docente Chiqui Gómez Lubián, in Santa Clara (Cuba), over the years 2017 and 2018. The study group was made up of 54 women who had a history of pre-eclampsia in the last decade while the control group comprised the same number of women with no history of pre-eclampsia. Results: The most prevalent risk factor in the total number of women studied was the combination of overweight and obesity (75%); this subgroup comprised 98.1% of those with a history of pre-eclampsia. It was followed in frequency by hypercholesterolemia (71.3%), high blood pressure (54.6%), smoking (51.8%) and diabetes mellitus (38.9%). The 92.6% of women with a history of pre-eclampsia were hypertensive and all had an abdominal circumference ≥ 88 cm. Furthermore, all those with moderate, high or very high cardiovascular risk had a history of pre-eclampsia, and of the total number of women with low cardiovascular risk, only 22 (28.9%) had such a background; as the rest (71.1%) accounted for the total number of women without pre-eclampsia. Conclusions: Early atherosclerotic signs: obesity, abdominal circumference greater than 88 cm and high blood pressure, as well as atherogenic risk factors associated with moderate, high and very high cardiovascular risk predominated in women with pre-eclampsia.

Industrial composting of low carbon/nitrogen ratio mixtures of agri-food waste and impact on compost quality.

The agri-food waste (AW) require amendments for composting to adjust nutritional and physicochemical deficiencies. The theoretical mixtures formulation is difficult to reach on an industrial scale. The main objective of this work was to evaluate to what extent the composition of AW-based mixtures determines the quality of the final compost produced at the industrial scale. Raw materials having the same AW share characteristics, irrespectively of the amendments added, but their compost were different. All the materials were biological stable at the cooling phase, and mature enough at the end, although the degree of humification did not match with the absence of phytotoxicity. The final compost had sufficient quality even though the AW-based raw materials have a low C/N ratio (<20) and other characteristics such as high electrical conductivity (13 mS·cm-1) and pH (<8.5) that are unfavorable for composting. The management operations during industrial composting correct the deficiencies of raw materials.

Diseño e implantación de un proyecto docente para la formación de la identidad médica en estudiantes de Medicina / Design and implementation of a teaching project for the formation of medical identity in medical students

Se describen el diseño y la puesta en marcha de un proyecto docente en la Facultad de Medicina de la Universidad de Navarra dirigido a promover una fuerte identidad médica centrada en el paciente que armonice el desarrollo personal y el profesional de los futuros médicos. La acción educativa se lleva a cabo en 3 fases consecutivas. La primera consiste en unos talleres previos a las rotaciones clínicas en los que se reflexiona, de manera participativa, sobre un aspecto de identidad profesional seleccionado. En un segundo momento, el alumno identificará manifestaciones concretas de ese contenido en la práctica clínica: esa experiencia se recoge por escrito en un portafolio, no solo de manera descriptiva, sino también con una reflexión personal sobre lo que se ha vivido. Se cierra el proceso educativo con la evaluación razonada del portafolio y el contraste de su contenido con el tutor clínico

We describe the process of designing and implementation of a new teaching project in the University of Navarra. The aim of the project is to promote a patient-centered professional and personal identity for the future doctors. The educational process has 3 consecutive phases. First, workshops that take place prior to clerkships, where students actively reflect on a selected professional identity quality. Then, the student will identify real clinical scenarios during their clerkships where this professional behavior takes place. They should reflect on this, and they should learn through their own reactions and emotions and write a self-reflection. The educational process finishes with the formative and personal feedback from the clinical tutor

Integral approach using bacterial microbiome to stabilize municipal solid waste.

Biological transformation of municipal solid waste is an environment-friendly management strategy against recalcitrant residues. The bacterial biome that inhabit said residues are responsible of decomposing both simple and complex materials. For this reason, processes such as composting, which favor the acceleration of the transformation of organic matter, can contribute to the degradation of municipal solid waste. Not only as mere fertilizer for crops, but also as methods for the recovery of solid waste. However, the control of the conditions necessary to achieve an optimal process on an industrial scale is a great concern. Thus, the aim of this work focuses on the characterization of the bacterial microbiome on three municipal solid waste facilities in order to deepen the role of microorganisms in the state of the final product obtained. For it, an intensive metagenomic analysis as well as a battery of physicochemical determinations were carried out. The lack of adequate thermophilic phases was decisive in finding certain bacterial genera, such as Lactobacillus, which was significant through these processes. Biodiversity did not follow a common pattern in the three processes, neither in abundance nor in richness but, in general, it was greater during the bio-oxidative stage. Despite the different trend in terms of the degradation of carbon fractions in these wastes, at the end of the biodegradation treatments, a sufficient degree of bioestabilization of the organic matter was reached. The results offer the opportunity to obtain a level of detail unprecedented of the structure, dynamics and function of the bacterial community in real conditions, without the control offered by laboratory conditions or pilot plants.

Bioremediation of Olive Mill Wastewater sediments in evaporation ponds through in situ composting assisted by bioaugmentation.

The common method for the disposal of olive oil mill wastewater (OMW) has been its accumulation in evaporation ponds where OMW sediments concentrate. Due to the phytotoxic and antimicrobial effect of OMW, leaks from ponds can pollute soils and water bodies. This work focuses on the search for microorganisms that can be used as inocula for bioremediation of polluted matrices in OMW ponds by means of in situ composting. Two fungi isolated from OMW sediments, Aspergillus ochraceus H2 and Scedosporium apiospermum H16, presented suitable capabilities for this use as a consortium. Composting eliminated the phyto- and ecotoxicity of OMW sediments by depleting their main toxic components. Inoculation with the fungal consortium improved the bioremediation efficacy of the technique by hastening the decrease of phytotoxicity and ecotoxicity and enhancing phytostimulant property of compost produced. This procedure constitutes a promising strategy for bioremediation of OMW polluted sites.

Caracterización del riesgo cardiometabólico en mujeres de edad mediana con antecedentes de preeclampsia en la última década / Characterization of cardiometabolic risk in middle aged women with a history of pre-eclampsia in the last decade

RESUMEN Introducción: El antecedente de preeclampsia se convierte en un riesgo cardiometabólico. Objetivo: Caracterizar el riesgo cardiometabólico en mujeres en edad mediana con antecedente de preeclampsia. Método: Estudio descriptivo, retrospectivo con 76 mujeres, seleccionadas por un método aleatorio simple, en el Hospital Gineco-Obstétrico Mariana Grajales de Santa Clara entre 2017 y 2018. Resultados: La presencia de preeclampsia se observó en el 75% de las mujeres con antecedentes solo de hipertensión arterial, en el 76,5% de las que padecen hipertensión y diabetes mellitus, en el 66,7% de las que tienen hipertensión y dislipidemia, y en el 62,5% de aquellas donde se asocian hipertensión, diabetes y dislipidemia. De las 71 mujeres con circunferencia abdominal mayor a 88 cm, se encontró una asociación con el antecedente de preeclampsia en el 74,6%; el 80,3% resultó ser obesa y solamente el 28,2% no tenía otros factores de riesgo cardiometabólico. De las 55 mujeres (72,4%) que tuvieron cifras de tensión arterial alteradas 53 (96,4%) tienen antecedentes de preeclampsia para un valor predictivo positivo mayor de 95%. El síndrome metabólico se relacionó significativamente con la hipertensión arterial (χ2=4.3; p=0,039) y quienes la padecen tienen aproximadamente 6 veces mayor riesgo que las que no la tienen. Del total de mujeres, 11 (14,5%) tienen síndrome metabólico, y de ellas 9 (81,8%), antecedentes de preeclampsia. Conclusiones: El antecedente de preeclampsia tiene relación con factores de riesgo cardiometabólico, como la obesidad, la hipertensión arterial, la diabetes mellitus y la dislipidemia, por lo que aumenta el riesgo cardiometabólico en estas pacientes.

ABSTRACT Introduction: The history of pre-eclampsia becomes a cardiometabolic risk. Objective: To characterize the cardiometabolic risk in middle aged women with a history of pre-eclampsia. Method: Descriptive, retrospective study with 76 women, selected by a simple random method, at the Hospital Gineco-Obstétrico Mariana Grajales in Santa Clara, between 2017 and 2018. Results: The pre-eclampsia was observed in 75% of women with a history of only high blood pressure, in 76.5% of those with high blood pressure and diabetes mellitus, in 66.7% of those with high blood pressure and dyslipidemia, and in 62.5% of those where high blood pressure, diabetes mellitus and dyslipidemia are associated. From the 71 women with abdominal circumference greater than 88 cm, an association with previous pre-eclampsia was found in 74.6%; an 80.3% resulted to be obese and only 28.2% had no other cardiometabolic risk factors. From the 55 women (72.4%) who had altered blood pressure levels 53 (96.4%) had a history of pre-eclampsia for a positive predictive value greater than 95%. The metabolic syndrome was significantly related with high blood pressure (χ2=4.3; p=0.039) and who suffered from it have about six times a higher risk than the ones who do not. From the total of women, 11 (14.5%) had metabolic syndrome, and among these, 9 (81.8%) had a history of pre-eclampsia. Conclusions: The history of pre-eclampsia is related to cardiometabolic risk factors as obesity, high blood pressure, diabetes mellitus and dyslipidemia, thereby increasing the cardiometabolic risk for these patients.

Health indicators in intellectual developmental disorders: The key findings of the POMONA-ESP project.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this paper was to summarize the main results of the POMONA-ESP project, the first study to explore health status in a large representative, randomized and stratified sample of people with intellectual developmental disorders in Spain. METHODS: The POMONA-ESP project collected information about the health of 953 individuals with intellectual developmental disorders. RESULTS: Diseases such as urinary incontinence, oral problems, epilepsy, constipation or obesity were highly prevalent among the participants; with gender-differentiated prevalences for certain conditions, and age and intellectual disability level as risk factors for disease. Overmedication was common in the sample, and drugs were often prescribed without any clinical indication or follow-up. The present authors also found a lack of important relevant information about the participant's health and a lack of adequate genetic counselling. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings may contribute to a better understanding of health status and needs of people with intellectual developmental disorders and suggest several courses of action to improve their health care.

Quinoa Abiotic Stress Responses: A Review.

Quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd.) is a genetically diverse Andean crop that has earned special attention worldwide due to its nutritional and health benefits and its ability to adapt to contrasting environments, including nutrient-poor and saline soils and drought stressed marginal agroecosystems. Drought and salinity are the abiotic stresses most studied in quinoa; however, studies of other important stress factors, such as heat, cold, heavy metals, and UV-B light irradiance, are severely limited. In the last few decades, the incidence of abiotic stress has been accentuated by the increase in unpredictable weather patterns. Furthermore, stresses habitually occur as combinations of two or more. The goals of this review are to: (1) provide an in-depth description of the existing knowledge of quinoa's tolerance to different abiotic stressors; (2) summarize quinoa's physiological responses to these stressors; and (3) describe novel advances in molecular tools that can aid our understanding of the mechanisms underlying quinoa's abiotic stress tolerance.

Eficacia de la dieta libre de gluten en el síndrome Gilles de la Tourette con enfermedad celíaca. Reporte de caso / Efficacy of the gluten-free diet in the Gilles de la Tourette syndrome with celiac disease. Case Report

RESUMEN Fundamentación: El síndrome Gilles de la Tourette es un proceso neuropsiquiátrico de causa desconocida caracterizado por múltiples tics. Los desórdenes relacionados al gluten cubren múltiples manifestaciones clínicas inmunológicas ante el consumo de gluten; incluyen la enfermedad celíaca y la sensibilidad al gluten no celíaca. Se han publicado casos de síndrome Gilles de la Tourette con sensibilidad al gluten no celíaca, pero ninguno relacionado con la enfermedad celíaca clásica. Reporte de caso: Paciente masculino de 20 años, con diagnóstico de EC desde la infancia y cuadro típico de Tourette diagnosticado recientemente. Mostró excelente respuesta y remisión clínica neurológica y conductual después de establecerse rigurosamente una dieta libre de gluten. Conclusiones: Es necesario incluir entre los grupos de riesgo de sensibilidad al gluten los niños con trastornos neuropsicológicos como los aquí referidos. La enfermedad celíaca clásica debe incluirse entre las posibles asociaciones con el síndrome Gilles de la Tourette. La dieta restrictiva también mejora en estos casos la evolución de ambas enfermedades.

ABSTRACT Background: The Gilles de la Tourette syndrome is a neuropsychiatric process of unknown cause characterized by multiple tics. Disorders related to gluten cover multiple immunological clinical manifestations when eating gluten; they include celiac disease and non-celiac gluten sensitivity. There have been cases of Gilles de la Tourette syndrome with sensitivity to non-celiac gluten, but none related to classic celiac disease. Case report: A 20-year-old male patient, with a CD diagnosis from childhood and typical GTS pattern recently diagnosed. He showed excellent response and clinical neurological and behavioral remission after rigorously establishing a gluten-free diet. Conclusions: Children with neuropsychological disorders such as those referred here need to be included among the risk groups with gluten sensitivity. Classical celiac disease should be included among the possible associations with the Gilles de la Tourette syndrome. The restrictive diet also improves the evolution of both diseases in these cases.

Eficacia de la dieta libre de gluten en el síndrome Gilles de la Tourette con enfermedad celíaca. Reporte de caso / Efficacy of the gluten-free diet in the Gilles de la Tourette syndrome with celiac disease. Case Report

RESUMEN Fundamentación: El síndrome Gilles de la Tourette es un proceso neuropsiquiátrico de causa desconocida caracterizado por múltiples tics. Los desórdenes relacionados al gluten cubren múltiples manifestaciones clínicas inmunológicas ante el consumo de gluten; incluyen la enfermedad celíaca y la sensibilidad al gluten no celíaca. Se han publicado casos de síndrome Gilles de la Tourette con sensibilidad al gluten no celíaca, pero ninguno relacionado con la enfermedad celíaca clásica. Reporte de caso: Paciente masculino de 20 años, con diagnóstico de EC desde la infancia y cuadro típico de Tourette diagnosticado recientemente. Mostró excelente respuesta y remisión clínica neurológica y conductual después de establecerse rigurosamente una dieta libre de gluten. Conclusiones: Es necesario incluir entre los grupos de riesgo de sensibilidad al gluten los niños con trastornos neuropsicológicos como los aquí referidos. La enfermedad celíaca clásica debe incluirse entre las posibles asociaciones con el síndrome Gilles de la Tourette. La dieta restrictiva también mejora en estos casos la evolución de ambas enfermedades (AU)

ABSTRACT Background: The Gilles de la Tourette syndrome is a neuropsychiatric process of unknown cause characterized by multiple tics. Disorders related to gluten cover multiple immunological clinical manifestations when eating gluten; they include celiac disease and non-celiac gluten sensitivity. There have been cases of Gilles de la Tourette syndrome with sensitivity to non-celiac gluten, but none related to classic celiac disease. Case report: A 20-year-old male patient, with a CD diagnosis from childhood and typical GTS pattern recently diagnosed. He showed excellent response and clinical neurological and behavioral remission after rigorously establishing a gluten-free diet. Conclusions: Children with neuropsychological disorders such as those referred here need to be included among the risk groups with gluten sensitivity. Classical celiac disease should be included among the possible associations with the Gilles de la Tourette syndrome. The restrictive diet also improves the evolution of both diseases in these cases (AU)

Structural and Magnetic Properties of Ni0.8Fe0.2/Ti Nanoscale Multilayers.

The influence of the thickness of the Ni0.8Fe0.2 (Permalloy, Py) layers on the structural and magnetic properties of magnetron sputtered Py/Ti multilayers was studied. The thickness of the Py layers was varied in the interval of 8 to 30 Å. X-ray reflectivity scans evidence the existence of a well-defined layered structure in all the samples considered, but also the presence of a complex intermixed interface. The shape of both the temperature dependence of magnetization and the hysteresis loops of the multilayered structures depends strongly on Py thickness. Magnetic and reflectivity measurements were comparatively analyzed in order to better understand the structure of the samples, and specifically, their interfaces. In particular, the presence of small superparamagnetic Py at the interfaces of the samples, especially evident in the samples with the thinnest Py layers, seems confirmed by the magnetic measurements, agreeing well with the reflectivity results.