Asociación entre obesidad abdominal, consumo de alcohol y actividad física en universitarios panameños / Association between abdominal obesity, alcohol consumption and physical activity in Panamanian college students

Introducción. La obesidad abdominal es considerada un factor de riesgo de enfermedad cardiovascular y diabetes. El consumo excesivo episódico de alcohol y la inactividad física también son factores de riesgo comportamentales asociados a enfermedades no transmisibles. Objetivo: Analizar la asociación entre la obesidad abdominal, el consumo de alcohol y la inactividad física en universitarios panameños. Materiales y métodos: Estudio transversal analítico realizado en 374 estudiantes universitarios panameños en el periodo abril ­ diciembre de 2021. Se implementó el cuestionario para la vigilancia de factores de riesgo de enfermedades no transmisibles de la Organización Mundial de la Salud y se evaluó la circunferencia de cintura. La obesidad abdominal se estableció con una circunferencia de cintura ≥80 cm en mujeres y ≥90 cm en hombres. Se realizaron análisis descriptivos, bivariados y múltiples usando modelos de regresión logística para determinar la asociación entre las variables del estudio. Las pruebas U Mann-Whitney y Chi cuadrado fueron utilizadas para analizar diferencias por sexo. Resultados: Una tercera parte de los universitarios participantes presentaron obesidad abdominal. Las mujeres reportaron mayores niveles de inactividad física (<0,0001) y conducta sedentaria (p=0,0010) que los hombres. Después de ajustar por sexo, edad y nivel socioeconómico, la obesidad abdominal estuvo asociada con la inactividad física (OR: 1,762, IC 95%: 1,040 ­ 2,985, p=0,035) y el consumo excesivo episódico de alcohol (OR 1,114, IC: 1,015 ­ 1,223, p=0,023). Conclusiones: Los universitarios panameños que reportaron bajos niveles de actividad física y consumo excesivo episódico de alcohol tuvieron una mayor probabilidad de registrar obesidad abdominal(AU)

Introduction. Abdominal obesity is considered a risk factor for cardiovascular disease and diabetes. Episodic excessive consumption of alcohol and physical inactivity are behavioral risk factors associated with non-communicable diseases. Objective: To analyze the association between abdominal obesity, alcohol consumption and physical inactivity in Panamanian university students. Materials and methods: Analytical cross-sectional study conducted on 374 Panamanian university students in the period April ­ December 2021. The questionnaire for the surveillance of risk factors for non-communicable diseases of the World Health Organization was implemented and waist circumference was evaluated. Abdominal obesity was established with a waist circumference ≥80 cm in women and ≥90 cm in men. Descriptive, bivariate, and multiple analyzes were performed using logistic regression models to determine the association between the study variables. The Mann-Whitney U and Chi square tests were used to analyze differences by sex. Results: A third of the participating university students had abdominal obesity. Women reported higher levels of physical inactivity (<0,0001) and sedentary behavior (p=0,0010) than men. After adjusting for sex, age and socioeconomic status, abdominal obesity was associated with physical inactivity (OR: 1,762, 95% CI: 1,040 ­ 2,985, p=0,035) and episodic heavy alcohol consumption (OR 1,114, CI: 1,015 ­ 1,223, p=0,023). Conclusions: Students who reported low levels of physical inactivity and binge drinking were more likely to have abdominal obesity(AU)

Harmonization of indirect reference intervals calculation by the Bhattacharya method.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to harmonize the criteria for the Bhattacharya indirect method Microsoft Excel Spreadsheet for reference intervals calculation to reduce between-user variability and use these criteria to calculate and evaluate reference intervals for eight analytes in two different years. METHODS: Anonymized laboratory test results from outpatients were extracted from January 1st 2018 to December 31st 2019. To assure data quality, we examined the monthly results from an external quality control program. Reference intervals were determined by the Bhattacharya method with the St Vincent's hospital Spreadsheet firstly using original criteria and then using additional harmonized criteria defined in this study. Consensus reference intervals using the additional harmonized criteria were calculated as the mean of four users' lower and upper reference interval results. To further test the operation criteria and robustness of the obtained reference intervals, an external user validated the Spreadsheet procedure. RESULTS: The extracted test results for all selected laboratory tests fulfilled the quality criteria and were included in the present study. Differences between users in calculated reference intervals were frequent when using the Spreadsheet. Therefore, additional criteria for the Spreadsheet were proposed and applied by independent users, such as: to set central bin as the mean of all the data, bin size as small as possible, at least three consecutive bins and a high proportion of bins within the curve. CONCLUSIONS: The proposed criteria contributed to the harmonization of reference interval calculation between users of the Bhattacharya indirect method Spreadsheet.

Rendimiento académico y tiempo de lectura en estudiantes universitarios de cultura física, deporte y recreación / Academic Performance And Reading Time In University Students Of Physical Culture, Sports And Recreation

Introducción: Los universitarios colombianos registran bajos niveles de lectura. Esta problemática es causada en parte por políticas de gobierno inadecuadas para el fomento de la lectura e incide en los resultados de las pruebas Saber Pro. Objetivo: Establecer la asociación entre el rendimiento académico y el tiempo de lectura académica semanal de una muestra de estudiantes universitarios de cultura física, deporte y recreación. Métodos: Estudio transversal analítico realizado en 149 estudiantes matriculados en el periodo 2018-II. Se realizaron análisis descriptivos, bivariados y múltiples usando modelos de regresión logística. Para establecer el tiempo de lectura se aplicó un cuestionario ad hoc. En el caso del rendimiento académico se consultó el promedio de notas acumulado del Sistema Académico de la universidad. Resultados: La mediana de promedio acumulado de calificaciones de los participantes fue de 3,90/5,0, RI: 0,5 (mujeres: 4,15; RI: 0,35; hombres: 3,9; RI: 0,4; p = 0,0038). La mediana de lectura semanal fue de 60 minutos RI: 150 (mujeres: 122,5; RI: 120; hombres: 60, RI: 160; p = 0,0139). Después de ajustar por sexo, edad y nivel socioeconómico, tener un promedio superior a 3,9/5,0 resultó asociado con más minutos de lectura semanal (OR: 1,004, IC 95 por ciento: 1,001 - 1,007, p = 0,007). Conclusiones: Las mujeres registran más tiempo de lectura semanal y mejor promedio académico que los hombres. Los estudiantes que tienen más minutos de lectura semanal tienen mayor probabilidad de tener un promedio acumulado mayor o igual a 3,9 sobre 5,0(AU)

Introduction: Colombian university students show low reading levels. This problem is caused in part by inadequate government policies to promote reading and affects the results of Saber Pro tests. Objective: Establish the association between academic performance and weekly academic reading time of a sample of university students of Physical Culture, Sports and Recreation. Methods: Cross-sectional analytical study conducted in 149 students enrolled in the period 2018-II. Descriptive, bivariate and multiple analyses were performed using logistic regression models. To establish the reading time, an ad hoc questionnaire was applied. In the case of academic performance, the accumulated grades average of the university's Academic System was consulted. Results: The median cumulative grades average of the participants was 3.90/5.0, IR: 0.5 (women: 4.15; RI: 0.35; men: 3.9; RI: 0.4; p = 0.0038). The median weekly reading was 60 minutes RI: 150 (women: 122.5; RI: 120; men: 60, RI: 160; p = 0.0139). After adjusting by sex, age and socioeconomic status, having an average above 3.9/5.0 was associated with more weekly reading minutes (OR: 1.004, 95 percent CI: 1.001 - 1.007, p = 0.007). Conclusions: Women have more weekly reading time and better academic average than men. Students who have more weekly reading minutes are more likely to have a cumulative average greater than or equal to 3.9 out of 5.0(AU)

Asociación entre el sobrepeso y la obesidad con el colesterol, la presión arterial y la diabetes en estudiantes universitarios panameños / Association of overweight and obesity to cholesterol, arterial pressure and diabetes in Panamanian university students

Introducción: El sobrepeso y la obesidad son considerados por la Organización Mundial de la Salud como un factor de riesgo metabólico asociado a enfermedades no transmisibles. Objetivo: Evaluar la asociación entre sobrepeso y obesidad con los antecedentes de colesterol sanguíneo elevado, presión arterial alta y diabetes sacarina. Métodos: Estudio transversal, analítico, realizado en 297 estudiantes de una universidad privada de Panamá. Se consideró como variable dependiente el sobrepeso-obesidad determinada para los participantes con un IMC ≥ 25 kg/m2. Para establecer los antecedentes de presión arterial alta, diabetes sacarina y colesterol sanguíneo elevado, se aplicó el cuestionario básico del instrumento STEPS de la Organización Mundial de la Salud. Fueron realizados análisis descriptivos, bivariados y múltiples utilizando modelos de regresión logística. Resultados: El 46,12 por ciento de la población de estudio presentó sobrepeso-obesidad. Los hombres mostraron una prevalencia estadísticamente significativa más alta que las mujeres. El 12,45 por ciento, 11,11 por ciento y 8,75 por ciento de los estudiantes reportaron antecedente de presión arterial alta, colesterol sanguíneo elevado y diabetes sacarina, respectivamente. Después de ajustar por sexo, edad y nivel socioeconómico, los participantes que reportaron antecedente de colesterol sanguíneo elevado en sangre presentaron una mayor probabilidad de tener sobrepeso-obesidad (OR = 2,92, IC 95 por ciento: 1,07-7,93, p = 0,035). Conclusiones: Casi la mitad de los universitarios presentaron sobrepeso-obesidad. Se encontró una mayor probabilidad de tener sobrepeso-obesidad en los estudiantes que reportaron colesterol sanguíneo elevado. Es importante la implementación de estrategias que promuevan la adquisición de hábitos de vida saludable en la población universitaria panameña con el objetivo de disminuir el riesgo cardiovascular futuro(AU)

Introduction: To the World Health Organization, overweight and obesity are metabolic risk factors for non-communicable diseases. Objective: Evaluate the association of overweight and obesity to a history of high blood cholesterol, high arterial pressure and diabetes mellitus. Methods: An analytical cross-sectional study was conducted of 297 students from a private university in Panama. Overweight-obesity was considered as a dependent variable determined for participants with a BMI ≥ 25 kg/m2. High arterial pressure, diabetes mellitus and high blood cholesterol antecedents were established with the basic questionnaire in the STEPS World Health Organization tool. Descriptive, bivariate and multiple analyses were performed with the use of logistic regression models. Results: 46.12 percent of the study population were overweight-obese. Statistically significant prevalence was higher in men than in women. 12.45 percent, 11.11 percent and 8.75 percent of the students surveyed reported a history of high arterial pressure, high blood cholesterol and diabetes mellitus, respectively. After adjustment for sex, age and socioeconomic level, participants reporting a history of high blood cholesterol had a greater probability of being overweight-obese (OR = 2.92, CI 95 percent: 1.07-7.93, p = 0.035). Conclusions: Almost half of the university students were overweight-obese. A higher probability of being overweight-obese was found in students reporting high blood cholesterol. It is necessary to implement strategies fostering the acquisition of healthy living habits by the Panamanian university population, thus reducing future cardiovascular risk(AU)

Photo-Selective Nets and Pest Control: Searching Behavior of the Codling Moth Parasitoid Mastrus ridens (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae) under Varying Light Quantity and Quality Conditions.

Photo-selective nets (PSN) are used to manipulate the physiology of fruit crops. Besides their advantages to the crop, PSN potentially affect insect pests and their natural enemies. We aimed to assess the effects of these production systems on the searching behavior of the codling moth parasitoid, Mastrus ridens. We hypothesized that PSN and black standard nets (SN) affect the behavior of the parasitoid by delaying host localization and reducing parasitism. Laboratory experiments were carried out in closed cages under four treatment conditions: black SN, pearl PSN, red PSN, and no PSN as control (uncovered cages). Our results showed that the host localization of M. ridens was delayed under black SN and enhanced by pearl and red PSN. The PSN and the black SN did not affect the parasitism levels. In addition, the initial behavior of the parasitoid during the first 30 min of the bioassays was not affected by treatments. However, females spent most of the time walking around the arena, grooming, or resting, regardless of the color of the net. Parasitism was not affected under the PSN or the black SN; however, this must be verified in field conditions.

Effect of Different Levels of Energy Diet Restriction on Energy Balance, Leptin and CL Development, Vascularization, and Function in South American Camelids.

The objective was to determine the effect of energy diet restriction on energy balance, systemic leptin and corpus luteum (CL) vascularization, development, and function in South American camelids. In experiment 1, adult llamas were randomly assigned to receive a diet of 70% of their maintenance energy requirements (MER) (Restricted group, n = 7) or fed ad libitum (Control group, n = 7) during 28 days. Body live weight (BLW) and body condition score (BCS) were recorded, blood samples were collected every 2 weeks to measure plasma leptin concentrations, and energy metabolites were quantified. In experiment 2, adult alpacas were randomly assigned to receive a diet of 40% MER for 21 days (Restricted group, n = 7) or fed ad libitum (Control group, n = 7). Then, ovulation was induced with gonadorelin acetate (day = 0), and trans-rectal ultrasonography (7.5 MHz) was performed using B and Doppler mode to record the diameter of the pre-ovulatory follicle, ovulation, CL diameter, and vascularization from Days 0 to 13. Blood samples were collected every 48 h from Days 1 to 13 to quantify plasma leptin and progesterone concentrations. In experiment 1, energy diet restriction of 70% MER did not affect plasma leptin concentration and metabolic parameters of the Restricted group. In experiment 2, the Restricted group had a lower BCS (p < 0.001), a smaller diameter of the CL on Days 5 and 7 (p < 0.05), and a smaller maximum diameter of the CL (10.2 ± 0.6 mm) than the Control group (12.1 ± 0.6 mm; p = 0.04). Low energy restriction of 70% MER for 28 days did not affect the energy balance of llamas (Experiment 1). Moderate energy restriction of 40% MER for 21 days negatively affected energy balance (BCS), and CL development but not its vascularization, leptin, and progesterone concentrations. These species must be submitted to longer periods or a higher level of energy restriction to impair ovarian function.

Effects of leptin administration on development, vascularization and function of Corpus luteum in alpacas submitted to pre-ovulatory fasting.

The objective of this study was to determine the effect of leptin administration on the development, vascularization and function of Corpus luteum (CL) in alpacas submitted to pre-ovulatory fasting. Fourteen alpacas were kept in fasting conditions for 72h and received five doses of o-leptin (2µg/kg e.v.; Leptin group) or saline (Control group) every 12h. Ovulation was induced with a GnRH dose (Day 0). The ovaries were examined every other day by trans-rectal ultrasonography (7.5MHz; mode B and power Doppler) from Day 0 to 13 to determine the pre-ovulatory follicle diameter and ovulation, and then to monitor CL diameter and vascularization until the regression phase. Serial blood samples were taken after GnRH treatment to determine plasma LH concentration; and every other day from Days 1 to 13 to determine plasma progesterone and leptin concentrations. The pre-ovulatory follicle and CL diameter, LH, progesterone and leptin plasma concentrations were not affected by treatment (P>0.05). The vascularization area of the CL was, nevertheless, affected by the treatment (P<0.01) with significant differences between groups at Days 3, 7 and 9 (P<0.05). The Leptin group had a larger maximum vascularization area (0.67±0.1 compared with 0.35±0.1cm2; P<0.05). In addition, there was a positive correlation between CL vascularization, CL diameter and plasma progesterone. The exogenous administration of leptin during pre-ovulatory fasting increased the vascularization of the CL in alpacas in vivo.

Propiedades insecticidas del polvo de Laurelia sempervirens L. para el control de Sitophilus zeamais Motschulsky (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) / Insecticidal properties of Laurelia sempervirens powder to Sitophilus zeamais Motschulsky (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) control

Sitophilus zeamais is a key pest of stored cereals. The insecticidal properties of Laurelia sempervirens powder against S. zeamais were assessed in laboratory. The variable evaluated were mortality of adult insects by contact and fumigant toxicity, mortality of immature insects by contact toxicity, residual effect of powder stored under environmental or refrigerated conditions, adult insect emergence (F1), repellency and weight reduction and germination of maize. The concentrations evaluated were 0, 0.25, 0.5, 1.0, 2.0 and 4.0 percent and the experimental design was completely randomly. In contact toxicity bioassay all treatments showed mortality over 90 percent while fumigant activity did not exceed 40 percent. The F1 only was registered in treatment of 0.25 percent and control showing all other treatments 0 percent. In immature control bioassay all treatments exhibited statistical differences with control. The storage of powder under refrigerated conditions not improved the residual effect. All concentrations of powder assessed showed repellence. Germination and grain weight loss of maize seeds not showed significant differences with control. We concluded that L. sempervirens has promissory perspectives to stored grain pests control...

Sitophilus zeamais es plaga primaria de los cereales almacenados. Se evaluaron, en laboratorio, las propiedades insecticidas del polvo de follaje de Laurelia sempervirens para el control de S. zeamais. Las variables evaluadas fueron mortalidad por contacto y fumigante de insectos adultos, toxicidad por contacto sobre estados inmaduros, efecto residual del polvo almacenado en condiciones ambientales y de refrigeración, emergencia de insectos adultos (F1), repelencia y pérdida de peso y germinación del maíz. Las concentraciones evaluadas fueron 0; 0,25; 0,5; 1,0; 2,0 y 4,0 por ciento y el diseño experimental fue completamente al azar. En el bioensayo de toxicidad por contacto todos los tratamientos mostraron una mortalidad sobre el 90 por ciento, mientras que la actividad como fumigante no superó el 40 por ciento. La F1 sólo se registró en el tratamiento de 0,25 por ciento y en el testigo mostrando todos los otros tratamientos 0 por ciento. En el bioensayo de control de estados inmaduros todos los tratamientos exhibieron diferencias significativas con el testigo. El almacenamiento del polvo en condiciones de refrigeración no mejoró el efecto residual. Todas las concentraciones de polvo evaluadas registraron efecto repelente. La germinación y pérdida de peso de las semillas de maíz no mostraron diferencias significativas con el testigo. Se concluye que L. sempervirens tiene perspectivas promisorias para el control de plagas de los granos almacenados...

Actividad insecticida del polvo de Peumus boldus Molina (Monimiaceae) contra Sitophilus zeamais Motschulsky (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) / Insecticidal activity of Peumus boldus Molina (Monimiaceae) powder against Sitophilus zeamais Motschulsky (Coleoptera: Curculionidae)

The insecticidal properties of foliage´s powder of Peumus boldus Molina against adults and immature S. zeamais were evaluated. The highest toxicity in contact and fumigant activity was reached by concentrations upper to 1.25 percent showing mortality over to 90 percent. The treatments with high mortality showed a lower adult insect emergence (F1) and grain weight loss too. In immature S. zeamais control lower F1 was observed in highest concentrations of powder. The storage of powder under refrigerated conditions not prevents the insecticidal properties lost. All evaluated concentrations exhibited repellent activity against S. zeamais adults. The powder of P. boldus does not affect the grain germination. We concluded that powder of P. boldus has promissory perspectives to stored products pests control.

Se evaluaron las propiedades insecticidas del polvo de follaje de Peumus boldus Molina para el control de adultos y estados inmaduros de S. zeamais. La mayor toxicidad por contacto y fumigación se obtuvo con las concentraciones iguales o mayores a 1,25 por ciento registrando una mortalidad superior a 90 por ciento. Los tratamientos con mayor mortalidad mostraron también una baja emergencia de insectos adultos (F1) y menor pérdida de peso del grano. En el control de estados inmaduros la menor F1 se observó en las concentraciones más altas de polvo. El almacenamiento del polvo en refrigeración no impidió la pérdida en el tiempo de las propiedades insecticidas. Todas las concentraciones evaluadas mostraron efecto repelente contra adultos de S. zeamais. El polvo de P. boldus no afectó significativamente la germinación de los granos. Se concluye que el polvo de P. boldus tiene perspectivas auspiciosas para el control de plagas de los productos almacenados.

Identification of potentially toxic environmental Microcystis by individual and multiple PCR amplification of specific microcystin synthetase gene regions.

Reliable cyanotoxin monitoring in water reservoirs is difficult because of, among other reasons, unpredictable changes in cyanobacteria biomass, toxin production, and inadequate sampling frequency. Therefore, it would be useful to identify potentially microcystin-producing strains of cyanobacterial populations in field samples. With this aim, we developed a methodology to distinguish microcystin-producing from non-producing Microcystis strains by amplifying six characteristic segments of the microcystin synthetase mcy cluster, three corresponding to the nonribosomal peptide synthetase, genes mcyA, mcyB, and mcyC, and three to the polyketide synthase, genes mcyD, mcyE, and mcyG. For this purpose five new primer sets were designed and tested using purified DNA, cultured cells, and field colonies as DNA sources. Simultaneous amplification of several genes in multipex PCR reactions was performed in this study. The results obtained showed that: (i) the expected specific amplicons were obtained with all microcystin-producing strains but not with nonproducing strains; (ii) cells could be directly used as DNA templates, 2000 cells being a sufficient number in most cases; (iii) simultaneous amplification of several gene regions is feasible both with cultured cells and with field colonies. Our data support the idea that the presence of various mcy genes in Microcystis could be used as a criterion for ascribing potential toxigenicity to field strains, and the possibility of applying whole-cell assays for the simultaneous amplification of various genes may contribute significantly to simplifying toxigenicity testing.