Purpose
We carried out a randomized, clinical trial in adults of both sexes with metabolic syndrome (MS) to assess the efficacy of high-intensity, low-volume interval training (HIIT) compared to ...moderate-intensity continuous training (MICT) on insulin resistance (IR), muscle mass, muscle activation, and serum musclin.
Methods
Fasting glycemia, insulinemia, and glycated haemoglobin were determined by conventional methods, IR by Homeostatic model assessment (HOMA), lean mass by Dual-Energy X-ray Absorptiometry, muscle activation through carnosine by Proton Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy, and musclin by Enzyme-Linked ImmunoSorbent Assay before and after a supervised, three-times/week, 12-week treadmill programme. HIIT (
n
= 29) consisted of six intervals with one-minute, high-intensity phases at 90% of peak oxygen consumption (VO
2peak
). MICT (
n
= 31) trained at 60% of VO
2peak
for 30 min.
Results
Patients had a mean age of 50.8 ± 6.0 years, body mass index of 30.6 ± 4.0 kg/m
2
, and VO
2peak
of 29.0 ± 6.3 mL.kg
−1
.min
−1
. Compared to MICT, HIIT was not superior at reducing Ln HOMA-IR (adjusted mean difference: 0.083 95%CI − 0.092 to 0.257), carnosine or musclin or at increasing thigh lean mass. HIIT increased carnosine by 0.66 mmol/kg.ww (95% CI 0.08–1.24) after intervention. Both interventions reduced IR, body fat percentage and increased total lean mass/height
2
and VO
2peak
. Musclin showed a non-significant reduction with a small effect size after both interventions.
Conclusion
Compared to MICT, HIIT is not superior at reducing IR, carnosine or musclin or at increasing skeletal muscle mass in adults with MS. Both training types improved IR, muscle mass and body composition. NCT03087721, March 22nd, 2017.
Trial registration number
NCT03087721. Registered March 22nd, 2017.
The thermally dimorphic fungus Histoplasma capsulatum is the causative agent of histoplasmosis, one of the most prevalent endemic mycosis in the Americas. In tropical regions, agro-ecosystems require ...organic matter replacement, therefore, the use of organic fertilizers has increased disregarding the fact that certain number of such fertilizers might be contaminated with the fungus, and with their handling resulting in human cases and even outbreaks of histoplasmosis. Additionally, in Colombia, chicken manure is the most common raw material used in the production of organic fertilizers. In this work, we reported the isolation of this fungus from chicken manure, and genetically compared with 42 clinical isolates. The genetically compared environmental isolates grouped together with the clinical ones. Our result suggests that chicken manure may be one of H. capsulatum infection sources. Also, the phylogenetic analyses done with other H. capsulatum isolates indicate that the Colombian isolates are widely distributed in the relational tree thus reveling towards the great genetic diversity among the H. capsulatum Colombian isolates.
The 1.5-km-wide, 40-m-deep, crater-like structure in the 10 Ma old Barda Negra basaltic plateau in Central Argentina was discovered in the early 2000s. Based on remote sensing surveys and on its ...morphological characteristics, similar to those of the Barringer crater in Arizona, the structure is described to be originated by an impact. In this study we ran several field work campaigns and collected and analysed samples, in order to find more evidences to endorse or reject this hypothesis.
We observe a circular depression not generally surrounded by raised rims, in contrast to craters produced either by a meteorite impact or phreatomagmatic eruption (maars). Mineralogical investigations of rocks and sediments do not show high pressure and temperature minerals, such as coesite or stishovite, or any remnants of an impactite or impact melt/glass. Likewise, no textural evidences for impact-related fracturing or stress are observed. A detailed geomorphological mapping indicates a successive crater development which invokes local stepwise subsidence. Magnetic mapping performed with the EU-funded NEWTON multisensor novel instrument shows a ~2000 nT field anomaly associated to the edges of the crater, and susceptibility measurements cast an important contrast between the basaltic rims and plateau, and the crater interior. Therefore, we propose a sinkhole origin for the crater, with a former collapse of the plateau basalts and a latter infill with sedimentary material. This hypothesis is supported by the fact that the 40 to 85 m thick and 14 to 15 Ma old carbonate-bearing Collón Curá Formation, underneath the 100 to 150 m thick basaltic plateau lava sheet, represents ideal rocks for dissolution and karst formation; remote sensing data show other nearby sinkholes (20 km westward), with extensions of 3 × 6 km and 100 m depth, which are emplaced within a cogenetic neighboring basaltic plateau with a similar underlying lithology; and the consistence of the magnetic model computed with this scheme and on measured rock remanence and susceptibilities of the structure and surroundings.
These giant collapse sinkholes, up to 6 km in diameter, within caprocks of very thick plateau basalts, represent unique examples for planetary surface shaping processes which also occur on Mars and comets in areas with basalts or rigid caprocks.
•Barda Negra crater is a terrestrial analogue of Mars and the Moon.•Barda Negra crater was classified as formed by an impact.•Magnetic tests and field work lead to a new interpretation.•A sinkhole origin is proposed for Barda Negra crater.
Wieacker-Wolff syndrome is an ultra-rare disease with X-linked inheritance characterized by arthrogryposis, intellectual disability, microcephaly, and distal limb muscle atrophy. Ophthalmic ...abnormalities such as ptosis, strabismus, and oculomotor apraxia have been reported in half of the patients. Wieacker-Wolff syndrome female-restricted (WRWFFR) is an even rarer disease recently used for females with a more severe phenotype.
Clinical geneticist and ophthalmic examination, neuroimaging, and exome sequencing.
A 4 years-old girl with developmental and language delay, microcephaly, camptodactyly, digital pads, and arthrogryposis was identified by the clinical geneticist. Ophthalmic examination revealed deep-set eyes, high hyperopic astigmatism in both eyes, and reduced retinal nerve fiber layer thickness measured by optical coherence tomography. Exome sequencing identified a novel, probably pathogenic variant in the ZC4H2 gene NM_018684.3:c.145A>T p. (Lys49*) in heterozygosis.
WRWFFR is an ultra-rare disease with X-linked inheritance by variants in the ZC4H2 gene. This case reports a girl with a novel nonsense variant in the ZC4H2 gene and a severe phenotype; previous reports have identified WRWFFR in females with large deletions and nonsense mutations which could explain the manifestations in the current case report. A complete ophthalmic examination should be considered in patients with WRWFFR to detect the possibly associated optic nerve involvement and other previously described manifestations such as ptosis and strabismus.
Within the framework of the current COVID-19 pandemic, there is a race against time to find therapies for the outbreak to be controlled. Since vaccines are still tedious to develop and partially ...available for low-income countries, passive immunity based on egg-yolk antibodies (IgY) is presented as a suitable approach to preclude potential death of infected patients, based on its high specificity/avidity/production yield, cost-effective manufacture, and ease of administration. In the present study, IgY antibodies against a recombinant RBD protein of SARS-CoV-2 were produced in specific-pathogen-free chickens and purified from eggs using a biocompatible method.
immunoreactivity was tested, finding high recognition and neutralization values. Safety was also demonstrated prior to efficacy evaluation, in which body weight, kinematics, and histopathological assessments of hamsters challenged with SARS-CoV-2 were performed, showing a protective effect administering IgY intranasally both as a prophylactic treatment or a post-infection treatment. The results of this study showed that intranasally delivered IgY has the potential to both aid in prevention and in overcoming COVID-19 infection, which should be very useful to control the advance of the current pandemic and the associated mortality.
Mexican state governments' actions are essential to control the COVID-19 pandemic within the country. However, the type, rigor and pace of implementation of public policies have varied considerably ...between states. Little is known about the subnational (state) variation policy response to the COVID-19 pandemic in Mexico. We collected daily information on public policies designed to inform the public, as well as to promote distancing, and mask use. The policies analyzed were: School Closure, Workplace Closure, Cancellation of Public Events, Restrictions on Gatherings, Stay at Home Order, Public Transit Suspensions, Information Campaigns, Internal Travel Controls, International Travel Controls, Use of Face Masks We use these data to create a composite index to evaluate the adoption of these policies in the 32 states. We then assess the timeliness and rigor of the policies across the country, from the date of the first case, February 27, 2020. The national average in the index during the 143 days of the pandemic was 41.1 out of a possible 100 points on our index. Nuevo León achieved the highest performance (50.4); San Luis Potosí the lowest (34.1). The differential between the highest versus the lowest performance was 47.4%. The study identifies variability and heterogeneity in how and when Mexican states implemented policies to contain COVID-19. We demonstrate the absence of a uniform national response and widely varying stringency of state responses. We also show how these responses are not based on testing and do not reflect the local burden of disease. National health system stewardship and a coordinated, timely, rigorous response to the pandemic did not occur in Mexico but is desirable to contain COVID-19.
Celotno besedilo
Dostopno za:
DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
A few viruses have been detected in prostate cancer, however their role in the development of this malignancy has not been determined. The aim of this study was to analyze the presence and ...functionality of human papillomavirus (HPV) and polyomaviruses (BKPyV and JCPyV) in prostate carcinomas in Chilean patients.
Sixty-nine primary prostate carcinomas were analyzed for the presence of HPV, BKPyV and JCPyV using standard polymerase chain reaction protocols. In addition, when samples were positive for HPyV, large T antigen (TAg) transcripts were analyzed using reverse transcriptase PCR.
HPV and JCPyV were not detected in any specimens (0/69, 0 %); whereas, BKPyV was detected in 6/69 PCas (8.7 %). We did not find a statistically significant association between the presence of BKPyV and age (p = 0.198) or Gleason score (p = 0.268). In addition, 2/6 (33 %) BKPyV positive specimens showed detectable levels of TAg transcripts.
There was no association between HPV or JCPyV presence and prostate cancer development. The presence of BKPyV in a small subset of prostate carcinomas in Chilean patients could indicate that this virus plays a potential role in prostate cancer development and requires further investigation.
Lessing (ChS) has shown protective effect on N-Nitroso-N-methylurea (NMU)-induced prostate cancer in rats. Currently, statins are being studied for their pro-apoptotic and antimetastatic effects. ...The main objective of this research was to determine the protective effect associated with the oral administration of simvastatin and ethanolic extract of the aerial parts of ChS in the prevention of prostate cancer.
Fifty-six albino male rats were randomized into seven groups: I) negative control: physiological serum: 2 mL/kg; II) TCN: testosterone 100 mg/kg + cyproterone 50 mg/kg + NMU 50 mg/kg; III) TCN + S40 (simvastatin 40 mg/kg); IV) TCN + ChS250 (ChS 250 mg/kg); V) TCN + ChS50 (ChS 50 mg/kg) + S40; VI) TCN + ChS250 (ChS 250 mg/kg) + S40; and VII) TCN + ChS500 (ChS 500 mg/kg) + S40. The antioxidant activity was tested by using (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) (DPPH) assay. Hematology, toxicological biochemical parameters, prostate-specific antigen (PSA), histology and prostate size were evaluated as main indicators of protective effect.
Triglyceride values were decreased in the groups receiving ChS, being significant (
=0.02) in IV and VII group compared to cancer-inducing group (TCN). In groups that received ChS, PSA levels (
=0.71) were significant compared with TCN group. The VII group had the lowest prostate volume by sonography. The TCN group showed multiple foci of high-grade prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia (HG-PIN) with the presence of cells in mitosis; whilst, groups V and VI had few areas of HG-PIN.
In experimental conditions, the ethanolic extract of
in association with simvastatin showed a protective effect on prostate cancer through hypolipidemic and antioxidant activity.