Influences of 23 different equations used to calculate gene copies of SARS-CoV-2 during wastewater-based epidemiology.

Following the emergence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in late 2019, the use of wastewater-based surveillance (WBS) has increased dramatically along with associated infrastructure globally. However, due to the global nature of its application, and various workflow adaptations (e.g., sample collection, water concentration, RNA extraction kits), numerous methods for back-calculation of gene copies per volume (gc/L) of sewage have also emerged. Many studies have considered the comparability of processing methods (e.g., water concentration, RNA extraction); however, for equations used to calculate gene copies in a wastewater sample and subsequent influences on monitoring viral trends in a community and its association with epidemiological data, less is known. Due to limited information on how many formulas exist for the calculation of SARS-CoV-2 gene copies in wastewater, we initially attempted to quantify how many equations existed in the referred literature. We identified 23 unique equations, which were subsequently applied to an existing wastewater dataset. We observed a range of gene copies based on use of different equations, along with variability of AUC curve values, and results from correlation and regression analyses. Though a number of individual laboratories appear to have independently converged on a similar formula for back-calculation of viral load in wastewater, and share similar relationships with epidemiological data, differential influences of various equations were observed for variation in PCR volumes, RNA extraction volumes, or PCR assay parameters. Such observations highlight challenges when performing comparisons among WBS studies when numerous methodologies and back-calculation methods exist. To facilitate reproducibility among studies, the different gc/L equations were packaged as an R Shiny app, which provides end users the ability to investigate variability within their datasets and support comparisons among studies.

Hipoglucemia hiperinsulinémica postprandial luego de la cirugía bariátrica / Postprandial hyperinsulinemic hypoglycemia after bariatric surgery

bariátrica (CB) ha ido en aumento en relación con la epidemia de obesidad y el mayor número de procedimientos quirúrgicos realizados a nivel mundial. Entre las complicaciones, la hipoglucemia hiperinsulinémica postprandial (HHP) adquirió relevancia, aunque es una de las menos conocidas y comprendidas de la CB, frecuentemente inadvertida y por lo tanto subdiagnosticada. Se distingue de la hipoglucemia de ayuno en que su presentación es típicamente posterior a la ingesta, asociada a valores de hipoglucemia precedidos por hiperglucemia e hiperinsulinemia en sangre. Se caracteriza por el incremento de la variabilidad de la glucemia, con absorción acelerada, aumento y rápida caída del azúcar en sangre, por lo que comprende valores de hiper e hipoglucemia. Debe sospecharse cuando se detectan síntomas adrenérgicos o de neuroglucopenia postprandiales luego de la CB1. Ha sido considerada más frecuente luego del bypass gástrico en-Y-Roux (BGYR), pero también fue descripta asociada a otras técnicas quirúrgicas, como la derivación biliopancreática/switch duodenal (DBP/SD)2 y la gastrectomía vertical en manga (GVM), y de otras intervenciones que comprometen el píloro o el vaciamiento gástrico3. No se observó luego de la cirugía con banda gástrica ajustable, un procedimiento que no altera la anatomía gastrointestinal

Associated with the obesity epidemic and the growing number of bariatric surgery procedures being performed worldwide, the incidence of reported complications has increased as well. Among these, the postprandial hyperinsulinemic hypoglycemia (PHH) warrants further attention. This condition is not entirelly understood and is probably underdiagnosed. The PHH is characterized by hypoglycemic symptoms occurring after a meal accompanied by a low plasma glucose value, typically preceded by a high rise in both glucose and insulin concentrations. Patients with PHH have shown increased glucose variability with a rapid increase in glucose absorption into the systemic circulation and an increase in glucose disappearance, with glucose values reaching both the hyperglycemic and hypoglycemic areas. It should be suspected in patients with postprandial adrenergic or neuroglycopenic symptoms after bariatric surgery1. It was considered most commonly associated with Roux-en Y gastric bypass (RYGB), although it was also described after biliopancreatic diversion (BPD) with duodenal switch2 and sleeve gastrectomy, and other surgical procedures which compromises the pylorus and the gastric emptying3. It has not been observed after adjustable gastric banding, an intervention that does not alter the gastrointestinal anatomy

DNA Repair Deficient Chinese Hamster Ovary Cells Exhibiting Differential Sensitivity to Charged Particle Radiation under Aerobic and Hypoxic Conditions.

It has been well established that hypoxia significantly increases both cellular and tumor resistance to ionizing radiation. Hypoxia associated radiation resistance has been known for some time but there has been limited success in sensitizing cells to radiation under hypoxic conditions. These studies show that, when irradiated with low linear energy transfer (LET) gamma-rays, poly (ADP-ribose), polymerase (PARP), Fanconi Anemia (FANC), and mutant Chinese Hamster Ovary (CHO) cells respond similarly to the non-homologous end joining (NHEJ) and the homologous recombination (HR) repair mutant CHO cells. Comparable results were observed in cells exposed to 13 keV/µm carbon ions. However, when irradiated with higher LET spread out Bragg peak (SOBP) carbon ions, we observed a decrease in the oxygen enhancement ratio (OER) in all the DNA of repair mutant cell lines. Interestingly, PARP mutant cells were observed as having the largest decrease in OER. Finally, these studies show a significant increase in the relative biological effectiveness (RBE) of high LET SOBP carbon and iron ions in HR and PARP mutants. There was also an increase in the RBE of NHEJ mutants when irradiated to SOBP carbon and iron ions. However, this increase was lower than in other mutant cell lines. These findings indicate that high LET radiation produces unique types of DNA damage under hypoxic conditions and PARP and HR repair pathways play a role in repairing this damage.

Tratamiento de la enfermedad hepática grasa no alcohólica / Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease treatment

La enfermedad del hígado graso no alcohólico (EHGNA) es una enfermedad del hígado que no se asocia con el alcohol. Su prevalencia aumenta junto con la epidemia de obesidad y diabetes tipo 2 (DM2), y el riesgo de sufrir una enfermedad hepática más agresiva es mayor con el consiguiente aumento de la cirrosis, el carcinoma hepatocelular y la enfermedad cardiovascular (ECV). La acumulación ectópica de grasa se asocia a dietas hipergrasas y de alta densidad energética, a la hiperglucemia y la insulinorresistencia que condicen a la supresión de la producción hepática de glucosa y la disminución de la captación de glucosa por el músculo esquelético lo cual promueve la lipogénesis de novo y genera un círculo vicioso que favorece aún más la esteatosis

Population and development in the Amazon: A longitudinal study of migrant settlers in the Northern Ecuadorian Amazon / Población y desarrollo en la Amazonia: Un estudio longitudinal de colonos migrantes en la Amazonía norte del Ecuador

ABSTRACT This paper examines changes over time for a full generation of migrant settlers in the Northern Ecuadorian Amazon (NEA). Data were collected from a 2014 household survey covering a subsample of households surveyed previously in 1990 and 1999. We observed changes in demographic behavior, land use, forest cover, and living conditions. As the frontier develops, human fertility is continuing to decline with contraceptive prevalence rising. Meanwhile, out-migration from colonist households, largely to destinations within the region, persists. More households have secure land tenure than in 1999, and are better off as measured by possession of assets. There is continued growth in pasture, largely at the expense of forest. Farms still serve as an important livelihood source for families, though growing cities in the NEA are creating more non-agricultural economic opportunities. Our findings provide a snapshot of demographic, economic, land use, and livelihood changes occurring in the NEA during the past quarter century, providing useful information for policymakers seeking to balance economic and environmental goals in order to promote sustainable development as well as protect biodiversity.

RESUMEN Este artículo describe cambios para una generación de migrantes en la Amazonía norte del Ecuador (ANE). Nosotros realizamos una encuesta en el 2014 de un subgrupo de fincas que encuestamos en 1990 y 1999. Observamos cambios demográficos, del uso de la tierra, de la cubierta forestal, y de las condiciones de vida de este grupo. Encontramos que la fecundidad está disminuyendo y que el uso de planificación familiar está aumentando. La migración fuera de las fincas continúa, la mayoría a destinos en la ANE. Más fincas tienen los derechos de su tierra y las familias tienen más bienes. Desde 1999 ha habido conversión en las fincas de bosques a pasto. Las fincas son fuentes importantes de sustento de vida, pero las ciudades en crecimiento están creando otras oportunidades económicas. Nuestros resultados demuestran cambios significativos demográficos, económicos, del uso de la tierra, y de las condiciones de vida durante el periodo 1990-2014. Nuestro artículo provee información útil para líderes que quieran avanzar metas económicas y ambientales para promover el desarrollo sostenible y proteger la biodiversidad.

Population and development in the Amazon: A longitudinal study of migrant settlers in the Northern Ecuadorian Amazon.

This paper examines changes over time for a full generation of migrant settlers in the Northern Ecuadorian Amazon (NEA). Data were collected from a 2014 household survey covering a subsample of households surveyed previously in 1990 and 1999. We observed changes in demographic behavior, land use, forest cover, and living conditions. As the frontier develops, human fertility is continuing to decline with contraceptive prevalence rising. Meanwhile, out-migration from colonist households, largely to destinations within the region, persists. More households have secure land tenure than in 1999, and are better off as measured by possession of assets. There is continued growth in pasture, largely at the expense of forest. Farms still serve as an important livelihood source for families, though growing cities in the NEA are creating more non-agricultural economic opportunities. Our findings provide a snapshot of demographic, economic, land use, and livelihoods changes occurring in the NEA during the past quarter century, providing useful information for policymakers seeking to balance economic and environmental goals in order to promote sustainable development as well as protect biodiversity.

Este artículo describe cambios para una generación de migrantes en la Amazonía norte del Ecuador (ANE). Nosotros realizamos una encuesta en el 2014 de un subgrupo de fincas que encuestamos en 1990 y 1999. Observamos cambios demográficos, del uso de la tierra, de la cubierta forestal, y de las condiciones de vida de este grupo. Encontramos que la fecundidad está disminuyendo y que el uso de planificación familiar está aumentando. La migración fuera de las fincas continúa, la mayoría a destinos en la ANE. Más fincas tienen los derechos de su tierra y las familias tienen más bienes. Desde 1999 ha habido conversión en las fincas de bosques a pasto. Las fincas son fuentes importantes de sustento de vida, pero las ciudades en crecimiento están creando otras oportunidades económicas. Nuestros resultados demuestran cambios significativos demográficos, económicos, del uso de la tierra, y de las condiciones de vida durante el periodo 1990­2014. Nuestro artículo provee información útil para líderes que quieran avanzar metas económicas y ambientales para promover el desarrollo sostenible y proteger la biodiversidad.

In vitro screening of radioprotective properties in the novel glucosylated flavonoids.

Novel glucosyl flavonoids are developed by the addition of glucose to naturally occurring flavonoids. Flavonoids are known antioxidants that possess radioprotective properties. In order to investigate the radioprotective properties of novel glucosyl flavonoids, in vitro DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) analysis was carried out. In the present study, Quercetin, Naringenin, and Hesperetin groups of flavonoids included in the natural and novel glucosyl 13 flavonoids were investigated. Flavonoids were mixed with Lambda DNA, and subsequently exposed to gamma­rays. Furthermore, DNA DSB yields were visualized by gel electrophoresis. Quercetin derivatives displayed reduced DNA DSB formation at 10 µM. At a high concentration, the majority of flavonoids displayed radioprotective properties as a reduction of DSB yields. Suppression of DSB formation was confirmed via the molecular combing assay for Quercetin, and three monoglucosyl flavonoids. Glucosylation showed positive effects for radioprotection and monoglucosyl-Rutin showed superior radioprotective properties when compared to monoglucosyl-Naringin and Hesperidin. In addition, Quercetin derivatives had greater total antioxidant capacities and DPPH radical scavenging ability than other flavonoid groups. Since Quercetin, Isoquercetin, and Rutin display poor water solubility, monoglucosyl-Rutin, maltooligosyl-Isoquercetin, and maltooligosyl-Rutin may be better radioprotective agents and easily bioavailable with increased water solubility.

Data for induction of cytotoxic response by natural and novel quercetin glycosides.

The flavonoids quercetin, and its natural glycosides isoquercetin and rutin, are phytochemicals commonly consumed in plant-derived foods and used as a food beverage additive. Semi-synthetic maltooligosyl isoquercetin, monoglucosyl rutin and maltooligosyl rutin were developed by synthetic glycosylation to improve their water solubility for food and other applications. Using a system of Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells, this study examined the differences in cytotoxic responses induced by short and continuous exposure of natural and synthetic flavonoids. By assessing cell viability after short term exposure and clonogenicity with continuous exposure under various flavonoids, quercetin aglycone is confirmed to be the most cytotoxic flavonoids, and heavily glucosylated maltooligosyl rutin was the least cytotoxic. The other heavily glucosylated maltooligosyl isoquercetin showed intermediate cytotoxicity and similar toxicity as isoquercetin.

Actualización de cirugía bariátrica y cirugía metabólica / Update of bariatric surgery anda metabolic surgery

La obesidad aumenta el riesgo de desarrollar o agravar múltiples afecciones particularmente la diabetes tipo 2, una enfermedad crónica de difícil control cuyo tratamiento con distintos fármacos y aún con insulina, frecuentemente no alcanza los objetivos terapéuticos ni reduce el riesgo cardiovascular. Cuando se asocia a obesidad severa, su terapéutica se torna más compleja. Se analiza la utilización de cirugía bariátrica y metabólica en pacientes con obesidad severa y diabetes, se revisan las técnicas quirúrgicas, las hipótesis sobre su mecanismo de acción, la selección de pacientes y los resultados. La cirugíabariátrica ha probado ser efectiva en el tratamiento de la obesidad severa y de la DM2 en pacientes con IMC >35 kg/m2. Es una cirugía de aceptable tolerancia en personas preparadas, de bajo riesgo y con complicaciones subsanables y manejables en la actualidad. La cirugía bariátrica dispone de suficiente respaldo científico. En cambio, en las evidencias disponibles de la cirugía metabólica en pacientes con IMC <35 kg/m2 y más aún con IMC <30 kg/m2 existen resultados promisorios en el corto y mediano plazo, pero no se dispone aún de evidencia suficiente que avale su indicación. Se requieren más investigaciones para establecer la eficacia y seguridad de estas técnicas quirúrgicas en el largo plazo.

Actualización de cirugía bariátrica y cirugía metabólica / Update of bariatric surgery anda metabolic surgery

La obesidad aumenta el riesgo de desarrollar o agravar múltiples afecciones particularmente la diabetes tipo 2, una enfermedad crónica de difícil control cuyo tratamiento con distintos fármacos y aún con insulina, frecuentemente no alcanza los objetivos terapéuticos ni reduce el riesgo cardiovascular. Cuando se asocia a obesidad severa, su terapéutica se torna más compleja. Se analiza la utilización de cirugía bariátrica y metabólica en pacientes con obesidad severa y diabetes, se revisan las técnicas quirúrgicas, las hipótesis sobre su mecanismo de acción, la selección de pacientes y los resultados. La cirugíabariátrica ha probado ser efectiva en el tratamiento de la obesidad severa y de la DM2 en pacientes con IMC >35 kg/m2. Es una cirugía de aceptable tolerancia en personas preparadas, de bajo riesgo y con complicaciones subsanables y manejables en la actualidad. La cirugía bariátrica dispone de suficiente respaldo científico. En cambio, en las evidencias disponibles de la cirugía metabólica en pacientes con IMC <35 kg/m2 y más aún con IMC <30 kg/m2 existen resultados promisorios en el corto y mediano plazo, pero no se dispone aún de evidencia suficiente que avale su indicación. Se requieren más investigaciones para establecer la eficacia y seguridad de estas técnicas quirúrgicas en el largo plazo. (AU)

Antioxidant effects of the VO(IV) hesperidin complex and its role in cancer chemoprevention.

Vanadium compounds are known for a variety of pharmacological properties. Many of them display antitumoral and osteogenic effects in several cell lines. Free radicals induce the development of tumoral processes. Natural polyphenols such as flavonoids have antioxidant properties since they scavenge different free radicals. For these reasons it is interesting to investigate the effects of a new complex generated between the vanadyl(IV) cation and the flavonoid hesperidin. The complex has been synthesized and characterized by physicochemical methods. Spectroscopic analysis revealed a 1:1 stoichiometry of ligand:VO and coordination by deprotonated cis-hydroxyl groups to the disaccharide moiety of the ligand. The complex improves the superoxide dismutase (SOD)-like activity of the ligand, but the scavenging of other radicals tested does not change upon complexation. When tested on two tumoral cell lines in culture (one of them derived from a rat osteosarcoma UMR106 and the other from human colon adenocarcinoma Caco-2), the complex enhanced the antiproliferative effects of the free ligand, and this effect correlated with the morphological alterations toward apoptosis. Also, on the osteoblastic cell line the complex stimulated cell proliferation and collagen type I production at low concentrations. At higher doses the complex behaved as a cytotoxic compound for the osteoblasts.