ANGPTL-4 is associated with obesity and lipid profile in children and adolescents

Angiopoietin-like protein 4 (ANGPTL-4) regulates lipidic metabolism and a_ects energy homeostasis. However, its function in children with obesity remains unknown. We investigated plasma ANGPTL-4 levels in children and its relationship with body mass index (BMI) and di_erent lipidic parameters such as free fatty acids (FFA). Plasma ANGPTL-4 levels were analyzed in two di_erent cohorts. In the first cohort (n = 150, age 3-17 years), which included children with normal weight or obesity, we performed a cross-sectional study. In the second cohort, which included only children with obesity (n = 20, age 5-18 years) followed up for two years after an intervention for weight loss, in which we performed a longitudinal study measuring ANGPTL-4 before and after BMI-loss. In the cross-sectional study, circulating ANGPTL-4 levels were lower in children with obesity than in those with normal weight. Moreover, ANGPTL-4 presented a negative correlation with BMI, waist circumference, weight, insulin, homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance index (HOMA index), triglycerides, and leptin, and a positive correlation with FFA and vitamin-D. In the longitudinal study, the percent change in plasma ANGPTL-4 was correlated with the percent change in FFA, total-cholesterol and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol. This study reveals a significant association of ANGPTL-4 with pediatric obesity and plasma lipid profile

Influencia de la radiación láser de CO2 en las propiedades mecánicas de pastas de cemento portland

This article presents the results of the treatment of fresh cement pastes with CO2 laser radiation (10.6μm), in order to improve its mechanical properties in addition to obtaining lower setting times than those of a natural setting (without radiation .) It was observed that the CO2 laser radiation has a positive influence on the mechanical properties of cement paste, not due to the heat produced during irradiation, but due to the effect of electric field propagation on water molecules, whose are arranged around functional groups of the binder and by the effect of ration, causes a micro vibration effect, resulting in a more compact and less porous paste which has better mechanical properties compared to natural setting paste. The internal and surface temperature of the samples, the evolution of setting, Young's modulus (using ultrasonic pulse velocity) and compressive strength were registered.En este artículo se presentan los resultados correspondientes al tratamiento de pastas frescas de cemento con radiación láser de CO2 (10.6µm), con el propósito de mejorar sus propiedades mecánicas además de obtener tiempos de fraguado menores a los del fraguado en forma natural (sin radiación). Se demostró que la radiación con láser de CO2 influye positivamente en las propiedades mecánicas de la pasta de cemento, no por el calentamiento producido durante la irradiación, sino por el efecto de la propagación del campo eléctrico sobre las moléculas de agua que están dispuestas alrededor de los grupos funcionales del aglutinante y que al rotar producen un efecto equivalente a micro vibraciones, dando como resultado un material más compacto, con menos poros y mejores propiedades mecánicas respecto al fraguado natural. Se registró la temperatura interna y superficial de las muestras, la evolución del fraguado, el módulo de Young y la resistencia a compresión

CORRECCIONES DIFERENCIALES VÍA NTRIP PARA DISPOSITIVO MÓVIL CON APLICACIÓN ANDROID

El posicionamiento en tiempo real usando GPS se hace mediante correcciones diferenciales enviadas desde una estación base hacia un receptor móvil. Generalmente, la corrección es enviada vía radio o por medio de satélites de comunicación. Con el desarrollo del internet inalámbrica y con el aumento de la cobertura de la señal mediante un Protocolo, conocido como IP, han hecho que se integren estas tecnologías para realizar mediciones para trabajos y estudios en tiempo real usando la tecnología GPS, y mediante el protocolo NTRIP. Esta técnica se ha estado desarrollando e implementando de forma constante en la región, siendo el presente y futuro de las mediciones para trabajos de precisión y en tiempo real. En este trabajo, se muestra la implementación de la técnica NTRIP para posicionamiento en tiempo real. El acceso a datos brutos del GPS en un móvil ANDROID y un navegador Mobile Mapper 10, la utilización de NTRIP para el envió de correcciones diferenciales por medio del protocolo IP, y el internet como red de información inmediata, fueron la base general para crear una aplicación que utiliza una corrección diferencial por posición. Los primeros resultados muestran una mejoría en la posición, pudiendo llegar a obtener un error medio de 2.3m en una Tablet con Android, y 1.6 m con el Mobile Mapper 10; en un tiempo de 5 minuto

Age-associated B cells predict impaired humoral immunity after COVID-19 vaccination in patients receiving immune checkpoint blockade

Age-associated B cells (ABC) accumulate with age and in individuals with different immunological disorders, including cancer patients treated with immune checkpoint blockade and those with inborn errors of immunity. Here, we investigate whether ABCs from different conditions are similar and how they impact the longitudinal level of the COVID-19 vaccine response. Single-cell RNA sequencing indicates that ABCs with distinct aetiologies have common transcriptional profiles and can be categorised according to their expression of immune genes, such as the autoimmune regulator (AIRE). Furthermore, higher baseline ABC frequency correlates with decreased levels of antigen-specific memory B cells and reduced neutralising capacity against SARS-CoV-2. ABCs express high levels of the inhibitory FcγRIIB receptor and are distinctive in their ability to bind immune complexes, which could contribute to diminish vaccine responses either directly, or indirectly via enhanced clearance of immune complexed-antigen. Expansion of ABCs may, therefore, serve as a biomarker identifying individuals at risk of suboptimal responses to vaccination

Evaluation of micro-energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence and histochemical tests for aluminium detection in plants from High Altitude Rocky Complexes, Southeast Brazil

The soils developed under High Altitude Rocky Complexes in Brazil are generally of very low chemical fertility, with low base saturation and high exchangeable aluminium concentration. This stressful condition imposes evolutionary pressures that lead to ecological success of plant species that are able to tolerate or accumulate high amounts of aluminium. Several analytical methods are currently available for elemental mapping of biological structures, such as micro-X-ray fluorescence (μ-EDX) and histochemical tests. The aim of this study was to combine μ-EDX analysis and histochemical tests to quantify aluminium in plants from High Altitude Rocky Complexes, identifying the main sites for Al-accumulation. Among the studied species, five showed total Al concentration higher than 1000 mg kg−1. The main Al-hyperaccumulator plants, Lavoisiera pectinata, Lycopodium clavatum and Trembleya parviflora presented positive reactions in the histochemical tests using Chrome Azurol and Aluminon. Strong positive correlations were observed between the total Al concentrations and data obtained by μ-EDX analysis. The μ-EDX analysis is a potential tool to map and quantify Al in hyperaccumulator species, and a valuable technique due to its non-destructive capacity. Histochemical tests can be helpful to indicate the accumulation pattern of samples before they are submitted for further μ-EDX scrutiny

SENSITIVITY OF MEIOTIC YEAST CELLS TO ULTRAVIOLET LIGHT

ABSTRACT Sporulating cells of Szccharomyces cereuisiae show an increasing sensitivity to ultraviolet irradiation. Maximum sensitivity is reached at a time comparable to meiotic prophase. Sensitivity is expressed as reduced sporulation after the irradiation. The uv effect can be efficiently reversed by photoreactivating light. Viability is also morc severely affected during premeiotic DNA synthesis and during meiosis than in earlier stages in sporulation. Cells left in sporulation medium after the irradiation show a reduced viability compared with the cells plated immediately after the irradiation. Non-sporulating diploids do not acquire sensitivity when exposed to sporulation medium, hence the sensitivity is related to the sporulation process. That meiosis itself is affected, rather than spore formation alone, is evident from experiments in which the uv irradiation interferes with the uncovering of a recessive marker and with commitment to meiosis. It is proposed that during meiotic prophase, the DNA repair system is different from that found in vegetative cells.</jats:p