The aim was to determine the effect of Sechium edule var. nigrum spinosum (chayote) on gene expression related to antioxidant protection mechanisms and the inflammatory process in older adults with ...metabolic syndrome (MetS). A quasi-experimental study was carried out in a convenience sample of 46 older adults diagnosed with MetS: (i) placebo group (PG; n = 20); (ii) experimental group (EG; n = 26). The clinical, biochemical, anthropometric parameters and SOD, GPx, and CAT enzyme activity, alongside total oxidant status (TOS), total antioxidant status (TAS), oxidative stress index (OSI), cytokines (IL-6, IL-8 and TNF-α), and mRNA expression of SOD, GPx, CAT, IL-6, IL-8, TNF-α, Nrf2, NFkB p50, and NFkB p65, were measured at baseline and 6 months post-intervention. A statistically significant decrease was observed in TOS (baseline, 28.9 ± 3.6 vs. post, 23.7 ± 3.4, p < 0.01) and OSI (baseline, 24.1 ± 3.8 vs. post, 17.7 ± 4), as well as an increase in IL-6 (baseline, 10.7 ± 1.1 vs. post, 12.3 ± 2, p = 0.03), SOD activity (baseline, 167.1 ± 11.9 vs. post, 180.6 ± 7.6, p < 0.05), CAT activity (baseline, 1.0 ± 0.2 vs. post, 1.3 ± 0.2, p < 0.01), and TAS (baseline, 1.1 ± 0.1 vs. post, 1.4 ± 0.1, p < 0.01) in the EG compared to the PG. Regarding the expression of Nrf2, SOD, and IL-6, the EG showed a significant increase vs. basal levels (47%, 44%, and 43%, respectively). Our findings suggest that Sechium edule supplementation promotes the antioxidant response and decreases oxidative stress via Nrf2.
Human aging is a gradual and adaptive process characterized by a decrease in the homeostatic response, leading to biochemical and molecular changes that are driven by hallmarks of aging, such as ...oxidative stress (OxS), chronic inflammation, and telomere shortening. One of the diseases associated with the hallmarks of aging, which has a great impact on functionality and quality of life, is sarcopenia. However, the relationship between telomere length, sarcopenia, and age-related mortality has not been extensively studied. Moderate physical exercise has been shown to have a positive effect on sarcopenia, decreasing OxS and inflammation, and inducing protective effects on telomeric DNA. This results in decreased DNA strand breaks, reduced OxS and IA, and activation of repair pathways. Higher levels of physical activity are associated with an apparent increase in telomere length. This review aims to present the current state of the art of knowledge on the effect of physical exercise on telomeric maintenance and activation of repair mechanisms in sarcopenia.
This paper is focused on the Middle Paleolithic rock shelter called “Abrigo de San Lázaro”, placed in the Eresma River valley (Segovia, Spain). In this area, a multisource geomatic approach is used. ...On the one hand, the external envelope of the shelter has been digitalized by the means of an efficient combination between aerial photogrammetry and laser scanning (static and mobile). On the other hand, the ground penetrating radar and the electric tomography were used with the aim of evaluating the inner disposition of the shelter. The combination of both digitalization (external and internal) has allowed for improving the knowledge of the site characteristics that, in turn, will facilitate the future excavation works. The results of these studies allow archaeologists to know new data for a better understanding of the site formation (geology of the site, sedimentary potential, rock shelter dimensions, etc.) and the events that took place in it (knowing its historical evolution, especially the interaction between man and the environment). Additionally, the information obtained from these studies is very useful to plan future excavation works on the site.
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IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, UL, UM, UPUK
Nanoscience and nanotechnology have been shown to have the capacity to help study, manipulation,design, and synthesis of new nano‐sized materials to manufacture new products with desirable features ...never seen before. The unique properties of materials at nanoscale opens an excellent possibility for nanotechnology to be used in soil environmental remediation, and water, and air decontamination. In crop management, nanomaterials are used to regulate the controlled release of nutrients, fertilizers, and pesticides. However, it is not only necessary to expose the positive effects by the application of the nanomaterials but also to demonstrate the impacts on soil and nontarget organisms (plants, mesofauna, macrofauna, and soil microbiota). In this context, pieces of evidence on the adverse effects of engineered nanoparticles (ENP) on the physicochemical and biological properties of soils are discussed in this paper. We have found a diversity of contradictory results. The summaries, findings, and conclusions of most of the investigations support the need to understand the biological or physicochemical transformation and transport of ENP in soil, and in the plant‐organism relationship. Better understanding regarding the soil biota coupled with the ecological ENP behavior could ensure the safe use of ENP. Nanomaterials can change the physicochemical and biological properties of the soils; consequently, long‐term in situ field trials are required, and meanwhile, land‐application of nanomaterials should be limited to scientific experiments to fill knowledge gaps to not jeopardize the global food production or the environment and worldwide human health.
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FZAB, GIS, IJS, KILJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, SAZU, SBCE, SBMB, UL, UM, UPUK
Objectives
This study aimed to compare the performance of the CURB-65, A-DROP, and NEWS scores for the prediction of clinical outcomes in patients with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) in a ...Colombian population.
Materials and Methods
In this retrospective cohort study, we analyzed data from patients with CAP seen within the emergency department, general ward hospitalization, and intensive care unit in a tertiary care health institution located in Cundinamarca, from January 2012 to December 2020.
Results
A total of 1651 patients were included in our study. CURB-65 and A-DROP scores showed a good performance for primary outcomes related to in-hospital mortality and 30-day mortality with an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC-ROC) of 0.72 (95% confidence interval CI, 0.69–0.76) and 0.69 (95% CI, 0.65–0.73), respectively. On the other hand, NEWS score exhibited an acceptable performance in predicting in-hospital mortality and 30-day mortality; furthermore, it showed better performance in anticipating the need for invasive mechanical ventilation and vasopressor therapy (AUC-ROC of 0.64 95% CI, 0.59–0.69 and AUC-ROC of 0.65 95% CI, 0.60–0.69, respectively).
Conclusions
Our findings suggest that, in patients with CAP, the use of CURB-65, A-DROP, and NEWS scores helps the clinician to predict in-hospital and 30-day mortality. However, NEWS score proves to be a more convenient tool to predict the need for several life support measures and management in the intensive care unit.
Herpes simplex encephalitis can trigger autoimmune encephalitis that leads to neurological worsening. We aimed to assess the frequency, symptoms, risk factors, and outcomes of this complication.
We ...did a prospective observational study and retrospective analysis. In the prospective observational part of this study, we included patients with herpes simplex encephalitis diagnosed by neurologists, paediatricians, or infectious disease specialists in 19 secondary and tertiary Spanish centres (Cohort A). Outpatient follow-up was at 2, 6, and 12 months from onset of herpes simplex encephalitis. We studied another group of patients retrospectively, when they developed autoimmune encephalitis after herpes simplex encephalitis (Cohort B). We compared demographics and clinical features of patients who developed autoimmune encephalitis with those who did not, and in patients who developed autoimmune encephalitis we compared these features by age group (patients ≤4 years compared with patients >4 years). We also used multivariable binary logistic regression models to assess risk factors for autoimmune encephalitis after herpes simplex encephalitis.
Between Jan 1, 2014, and Oct 31, 2017, 54 patients with herpes simplex encephalitis were recruited to Cohort A, and 51 were included in the analysis (median age 50 years IQR 5–68). At onset of herpes simplex encephalitis, none of the 51 patients had antibodies to neuronal antigens; during follow-up, 14 (27%) patients developed autoimmune encephalitis and all 14 (100%) had neuronal antibodies (nine 64% had NMDA receptor NMDAR antibodies and five 36% had other antibodies) at or before onset of symptoms. The other 37 patients did not develop autoimmune encephalitis, although 11 (30%) developed antibodies (n=3 to NMDAR, n=8 to unknown antigens; p<0·001). Antibody detection within 3 weeks of herpes simplex encephalitis was a risk factor for autoimmune encephalitis (odds ratio OR 11·5, 95% CI 2·7–48·8; p<0·001). Between Oct 7, 2011, and Oct 31, 2017, there were 48 patients in Cohort B with new-onset or worsening neurological symptoms not caused by herpes simplex virus reactivation (median age 8·8 years IQR 1·1–44·2; n=27 male); 44 (92%) patients had antibody-confirmed autoimmune encephalitis (34 had NMDAR antibodies and ten had other antibodies). In both cohorts (n=58 patients with antibody-confirmed autoimmune encephalitis), patients older than 4 years frequently presented with psychosis (18 58% of 31; younger children not assessable). Compared with patients older than 4 years, patients aged 4 years or younger (n=27) were more likely to have shorter intervals between onset of herpes simplex encephalitis and onset of autoimmune encephalitis (median 26 days IQR 24–32 vs 43 days 25–54; p=0·0073), choreoathetosis (27 100% of 27 vs 0 of 31; p<0·001), decreased level of consciousness (26 96% of 27 vs seven 23% of 31; p<0·001), NMDAR antibodies (24 89% of 27 vs 19 61% of 31; p=0·033), and worse outcome at 1 year (median modified Rankin Scale 4 IQR 4–4 vs 2 2–3; p<0·0010; seizures 12 63% of 19 vs three 13% of 23; p=0·001).
The results of our prospective study show that autoimmune encephalitis occurred in 27% of patients with herpes simplex encephalitis. It was associated with development of neuronal antibodies and usually presented within 2 months after treatment of herpes simplex encephalitis; the symptoms were age-dependent, and the neurological outcome was worse in young children. Prompt diagnosis is important because patients, primarily those older than 4 years, can respond to immunotherapy.
Mutua Madrileña Foundation, Fondation de l'Université de Lausanne et Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois, Instituto Carlos III, CIBERER, National Institutes of Health, Generalitat de Catalunya, Fundació CELLEX.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZRSKP
The protozoan parasite
is exposed to reactive oxygen and nitric oxide species that have the potential to damage its genome.
harbors enzymes involved in DNA repair pathways like Base and Nucleotide ...Excision Repair. The majority of DNA repairs pathways converge in their final step in which a DNA ligase seals the DNA nicks. In contrast to other eukaryotes, the genome of
encodes only one DNA ligase (EhDNAligI), suggesting that this ligase is involved in both DNA replication and DNA repair. Therefore, the aim of this work was to characterize EhDNAligI, its ligation fidelity and its ability to ligate opposite DNA mismatches and oxidative DNA lesions, and to study its expression changes and localization during and after recovery from UV and H
O
treatment. We found that EhDNAligI is a high-fidelity DNA ligase on canonical substrates and is able to discriminate erroneous base-pairing opposite DNA lesions. EhDNAligI expression decreases after DNA damage induced by UV and H
O
treatments, but it was upregulated during recovery time. Upon oxidative DNA damage, EhDNAligI relocates into the nucleus where it co-localizes with EhPCNA and the 8-oxoG adduct. The appearance and disappearance of 8-oxoG during and after both treatments suggest that DNA damaged was efficiently repaired because the mainly NER and BER components are expressed in this parasite and some of them were modulated after DNA insults. All these data disclose the relevance of EhDNAligI as a specialized and unique ligase in
that may be involved in DNA repair of the 8-oxoG lesions.
Objetivo: construir una contextualización teórica de la denominación de origen del mezcal en el Estado de México en el marco del control social de las organizaciones, el rol de los actores (internos ...y externos) y los beneficios que perciben los productores de agave y de mezcal. Metodología: estudio exploratorio mixto, sustentado en revisión documental, observación participativa y aplicación de 134 cuestionarios a productores voluntarios. Resultados: la incertidumbre en torno a la denominación de origen del mezcal en el Estado de México conforma un escenario permeado de conflictos de intereses. La interconexión entre los productores no ha sido alterada, pero la interdependencia entre ellos a escala micro puede mejorarse. Limitaciones: la transversalidad del estudio, es decir, la elección de un momento único. Valor: se avanza en el entendimiento del contexto de la denominación de origen del mezcal en el Estado de México y se visibilizan facilitadores y barreras para la certificación de calidad. Conclusiones: abordar la contextualización teórica desde la teoría de control social facilitó el análisis micro y macro del fenómeno situacional y temporal previo a la autorización de uso de la denominación de origen del mezcal en el Estado de México.
Este artículo presenta los datos arqueológicos recuperados en las excavaciones del poblado castreño de El Castru, en Vigaña (Balmonte de Miranda, Asturias) realizadas en 2012 y 2013. Dicho yacimiento ...constituye un buen ejemplo de los pequeños castros de la Edad del Hierro en las montañas del área occidental cantábrica. Por ello, el análisis de las informaciones obtenidas y su contextualización a escala regional ofrecen interesantes aportaciones al debate sobre las formas de poblamiento y subsistencia adoptadas por las comunidades del I milenio a.C. en el Noroeste ibérico.
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