Título del artículo:

Characterization of the disability in a sample of children with Cerebral Palsy from Bucaramanga and its metropolitan area, Colombia

Background: The occurrence of CP in industrialized countries ranges from 2 to 2.5 cases for every 1,000 live births, the prevalence of low birth weight, maternal conditions, obstetric and inbreeding have been decisive. This condition leads to limitations and restrictions in different roles an individual can play in society which can be facilitated or inhibited according to the different factors of the context in which it operates, therefore the condition of physical harm has to a disability. Objective. To determine the sociodemographic, neonatal history, disability status and level of gross motor function in children with cerebral palsy 2-12 years of Bucaramanga and its metropolitan area. Material and methods. We performed a cross-sectional study with a sample of 60 participants selected for convenience. The level of gross motor function was assessed using the classification system of the gross motor function (GMFCS). The analysis calculated absolute and relative frequencies. Results. The largest age group was between 6 and 12 years 61.6%, 50% were female and the majority belonged to the socioeconomic stratum 2 (43.3%), representing the lower class stratification as in Colombia; 56, 7% of children lived with both parents, found that 55% of households had >1 y <2 Current legal minimum monthly wage and the health system was the most common tax (65%). According to the classification with GMFCS, we found that 38.3% of children were at level V, 25.0% in Level I, Level IV 16.7%, 13.3% in level III and level II 6.7%. Body structures most affected were the central nervous system with 78.3%, followed by deficiencies in the structures for movement (upper and lower limbs) with 20.0%. Conclusion. It is found that the severity of gross motor function is directly related to functional abilities, the need for elements of support and caregiver.

Acerca de la revista donde se publicó este artículo:

Revista Facultad de Medicina

Título del artículo:

Physical–Chemical and Metataxonomic Characterization of the Microbial Communities Present during the Fermentation of Three Varieties of Coffee from Colombia and Their Sensory Qualities

The microbial composition and physical-chemical characteristics were studied during the coffee fermentation of three Coffea arabica L. varieties, Var. Tabi, Var. Castillo General® and Var. Colombia. Mucilage and washed coffee seeds samples were collected at different stages of fermentation. Mucilage microbiology characterization and metataxonomic analysis were performed using 16S rDNA sequencing to determine bacterial diversity and ITS sequencing for fungal diversity. Additionally, the microorganisms were isolated into pure cultures. The molecular diversity analyses showed similarities in microorganisms present during the fermentation of Var. Castillo General and Var. Colombia, which are genetically closely related; mixed-acid bacteria (Enterobacteriaceae, Tatumella sp.) and lactic acid bacteria (Leuconostoc sp., Weissella sp. and Lactobacillaceae) were common and predominant, while in Var. Tabi, acetic acid bacteria (Gluconobacter sp. and Acetobacter sp.) and Leuconostoc sp. were predominant. At the end of the fermentation period, the fungi Saccharomycodaceae, Pichia and Wickerhamomyces were found in Var. Castillo General and Var. Colombia, while in Var. Tabi, Saccharomycodaceae, Pichia and Candida were recorded. Sensory analyses of the coffee beverages were carried out (SCA methodology) for all samples. Var. Tabi had the highest SCA score, between 82.7 and 83.2, while for Var. Colombia, the score ranged between 82.1 and 82.5. These three coffee varieties showed potential for the production of specialty coffees influenced by spontaneous fermentation processes that depend on microbial consortia rather than a single microorganism.

Acerca de la revista donde se publicó este artículo:

Agriculture (Switzerland)

Título del artículo:

Mutación autosómica recesiva en el gen NCF 2 que codifica para P67 PHOX, primera descripción de este tipo de mutación en la literatura de un grupo familiar con enfermedad granulomatosa crónica en Suramérica

Acerca de la revista donde se publicó este artículo:

Iatreia

Título del artículo:

Mutation in the KCNA2 Gene, Heterozygous Variant of Uncertain Clinical Significance, First Case Description in the Scientific Medical Literature

Introduction: Pathogenic variants in the KCNA2 gene (OMIM *176262) are associated with developmental and epileptic encephalopathy 32 (MIM #616366) with autosomal dominant inheritance. Objectives: To present the first case in the scientific medical literature concerning a heterozygous variant of uncertain clinical significance (VUS) in the KCNA2 gene. Methods: This involves a 17-year-old female patient with diffuse sensory motor axonal polyneuropathy and drug-resistant epilepsy, referred for evaluation, leading to a genetic assessment. Results: A heterozygous variant of uncertain clinical significance (VUS) in the KCNA2 gene has been identified, involving the change of an adenine to a guanine at position 925 of the cDNA, in exon 3 of the gene (c.925A>G), resulting in a missense change from arginine to glycine at amino acid 309 (p.Arg309Gly) in the protein, an evolutionarily conserved amino acid. This variant is reported in the ClinVar database (Variant ID: 1313559) and classified as VUS. It is not listed in databases such as the Human Gene Mutation Data Base (HGMD), Leiden Open Variation Data Base (LOVD), or in the consulted scientific literature. The allelic frequency is unknown in the control population (gnomAD). In silico predictors (SFIT, Polyhen-2, LRT, MutationTaster, MutationAssesor, FATHHM, MetaSMV) classify this variant as deleterious. Conclusions: This case is anecdotal and demonstrates our limited knowledge about the genetic correlation and neurological disorders. We hope that genetic research in this field will continue to develop.

Acerca de la revista donde se publicó este artículo:

Iatreia

Título del artículo:

Genética como determinante de estado de hipercoagulabilidad por mutación C677T MTHFR, presentación de 1 caso clínico en Colombia

Acerca de la revista donde se publicó este artículo:

Iatreia

Título del artículo:

Relative Abundance of Spermadhesin-1 in the Seminal Plasma of Young Nellore Bulls Is in Agreement with Reproductive Parameters

This study aimed to evaluate the proteomic profile of seminal plasma from young Nellore bulls. We used 20 bulls aged between 19.8 and 22.7 months, divided into two groups according to the results of the Breeding Soundness Evaluation (BSE): approved (FIT n = 10) and not approved (UNFIT n = 10). The scrotal perimeter was measured and a semen collection was performed through electroejaculation. The percentage of sperm motility, mass motility, and sperm vigor were calculated using conventional microscopy, and the percentage of sperm abnormalities was calculated using phase-contrast microscopy of all ejaculates. Seminal plasma was separated from spermatozoa using centrifugation and processed for proteomic analysis by LC-MS/MS. Seminal plasma proteins were identified using MASCOT Daemon software v.2.4.0 and label-free quantification analysis was carried out by SCAFFOLD Q+ software v.4.0 using the Exponentially Modified Protein Abundance Index (emPAI) method. Functional classification of proteins was performed based on their genetic ontology terms using KOG. Functional cluster analysis was performed on DAVID. There were no differences in scrotal perimeter and physical semen characteristics between FIT and UNFIT groups of bulls. The percentage of sperm abnormalities was higher (p < 0.05) in the UNFIT group of bulls. A total of 297 proteins were identified for the two groups. There were a total of 11 differentially abundant proteins (p < 0.05), two of them more abundant in FIT bulls (Spermadhesin-1 and Ig gamma-1 chain C region) and nine in UNFIT bulls (Vasoactive intestinal peptide, Metalloproteinase inhibitor 2, Ig lambda-1 chain C regions, Protein FAM3C, Hemoglobin beta, Seminal ribonuclease, Spermadhesin 2, Seminal plasma protein BSP-30kDa, and Spermadhesin Z13). Spermadhesin-1 was the protein with the highest relative abundance (36.7%) in the seminal plasma among all bulls, corresponding to 47.7% for the FIT bulls and 25,7% for the UNFIT bulls. Posttranslational modification, protein turnover, and chaperones were the functional categories with the highest number of classified proteins. Protein functional annotation clusters were related to Phospholipid efflux, ATP binding, and chaperonin-containing T-complex. The differentially abundant proteins in the group of FIT bulls were related to sperm capacitation and protection against reactive species of oxygen. In contrast, differentially expressed proteins in the group of UNFIT bulls were related to motility inhibition, intramembrane cholesterol removal and oxidative stress. In conclusion, the proteomic profile of the seminal plasma of FIT bulls presents proteins with participation in several biological processes favorable to fertilization, while the proteins of the seminal plasma of UNFIT bulls indicate a series of alterations that can compromise the fertilizing capacity of the spermatozoa. In addition, the relative abundance of spermadhesin-1 found in the seminal plasma of young Nellore bulls could be studied as a reproductive parameter for selection.

Acerca de la revista donde se publicó este artículo:

Veterinary Sciences

Título del artículo:

Knowledge about COVID-19 in the General Population of Mexico

An analytical observational study was conducted to investigate the association between knowledge of COVID-19 in the general population of Mexico and sociodemographic variables of interest. A total of 758 adults between 18 and 74 years old (M = 37.3 SD = 12.6), of which 88.9% had higher education and 33.2% were health care workers, participated in an online questionnaire assessing disease knowledge and the COVID-5 item Fear Scale, which was adapted by the research team. The proportion of individuals with high knowledge about COVID-19 was found to be 41.0%. Participants with higher education and healthcare professionals demonstrated higher knowledge scores in comparison to those with primary and secondary education, as well as non-healthcare professionals (PR=1.25, 95%CI 1.05-1.48). In conclusion, that people with higher education and healthcare workers exhibited better knowledge scores regarding the disease, while high knowledge about COVID-19 was only associated with being a health professional.

Acerca de la revista donde se publicó este artículo:

Hacia la Promocion de la Salud

Título del artículo:

Integrated optimisation of the unequal-area facility layout and the flowshop group scheduling problems for a case of the garment industry

The unequal-area facility layout (UAFLP) and the flowshop group scheduling (FSGSP) problems are two important problems in both research literature and industrial applications. The former considers the location of departments with different area requirements within a floor plan. The latter seeks for a sequence of product families and jobs to be processed on groups of machines, called manufacturing cells. In this paper, an integrated approach for optimising both the UAFLP and the FSGSP is presented in the case of a sportswear manufacturing company. A genetic algorithm (GA) is proposed for minimising the sum of the total material handling and the tardiness costs. The results showed that the optimisation process obtained a reduction of 6.69% of the total costs for the proposed alternative, in comparison with the current situation of the case study.

Acerca de la revista donde se publicó este artículo:

International Journal of Industrial and Systems Engineering

Título del artículo:

Extrapyramidal Side Effects with Chronic Atypical Antipsychotic Can Be Predicted by Labeling Pattern of FosB and phosphoThr³⁴-DARPP-32 in Nucleus Accumbens

Extrapyramidal side effects (EPS) can be induced by neuroleptics that regulate the expression of transcription factor FosB and dopaminergic mediator DARPP-32 in the striatum. However, the long-term neurobiological changes in striatal projection neurons resulting from a cumulative dosage of typical and atypical antipsychotics are poorly understood. The present study aimed to determine the differential and long-lasting changes in FosB distribution and DARPP-32 phosphorylation in the striatum and nucleus accumbens (NAc) associated with chronic antipsychotic-induced EPS. Male C57Bl/6J mice received daily injections of Olanzapine (Olz, 15 mg/kg), Clozapine (Clz, 20 mg/kg), or Haloperidol (Hal, 1 mg/kg), for a period of 11 weeks with a 4-day withdrawal period before the last dosage. Catalepsy for detection of EPS, along with open-field and rotarod tests, were assessed as behavioral correlates of motor responses. Additionally, FosB and phosphorylated-DARPP-32 immunohistochemistry were examined in striatal regions after treatment. All antipsychotics produced catalepsy and reduced open-field exploration, such as impaired rota-rod performance after Olz and Hal. The washout period was critical for Clz-induced side effects reduction. Both Olz and Clz increased FosB in NAc Shell-region, and phosphoThr34-DARPP-32 in NAc. Only Clz reduced phosphoThr75-DARPP-32 in the dorsal striatum and showed FosB/phosphoThr34-Darpp-32-ir in the NAc Core region. This study provides evidence that atypical antipsychotics such as Olz and Clz also give rise to EPS effects frequently associated with a cumulative dosage of typical neuroleptics such as Hal. Nevertheless, FosB/phosphoThr34-Darpp-32-ir in the NAc Core region is associated with hypokinetic movements inhibition.

Acerca de la revista donde se publicó este artículo:

Biomedicines

Título del artículo:

Association between obesity and low muscular and cardiorespiratory capacity, cardiometabolic risk factors in Colombian children

Objective: To examine the association between cardio respiratory and muscular fitness and the presence of obesity and other cardiovascular and metabolic risk factors in school children. Material and method: Cross-sectional study, conducted in 336 school children (boys and girls) in grade 5° and 6° of public schools in the city of Bucaramanga, Colombia. Results: Significant inverse correlations were found between body mass index (BMI) and grip strength adjusted for weight (-0532) (P <0.001), long jump (-0248) (P <0.001) and Yo-Yo test (-0.321) (P <0.001). The maximum grip strength was correlated inversely with systolic blood pressure (SBP) (-0115) (p <0.05). Conclusion: Obesity assessed by BMI and body fat percent is inversely related with muscular and cardio respiratory fitness in Colombian school children.

Acerca de la revista donde se publicó este artículo:

Trauma (Spain)

Título del artículo:

Primary esophageal meningioma: First literature report

We have described a primary esophageal meningioma (MG) clinical case diagnosed in a 62-year-old woman; also, we review the literature about extracranial MGs. To our knowledge, this is the first case report of an extracranial MG occurring primarily in the esophagus. These are benign neoplasms reported classically in the central nervous system (CNS). The extrancranial MGs have histopathologic and inmunohistochemical features identical to those observed in CNS MGs; thus, the main diagnostic hurdle is to keep it in the differential for lesions occurring outside the CNS. © 2013 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.

Acerca de la revista donde se publicó este artículo:

Journal of Clinical Gastroenterology

Título del artículo:

Serological and molecular markers for Hepatitis B virus in university students

Introduction: Reports from the World Health Organization (WHO) show that the prevalence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infections varies by geographical region and risk group. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of HBV infections, as well as the vaccination status, among university students from Bucaramanga. Methodology: This was a cross sectional study conducted in 2010 which included 1298 students from five universities. Serological markers for HBV infection were detected using ELISA. Viral genomes were detected with nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Results: Active infections were established in 0.15% of the study population, and this finding was confirmed by PCR. Resolved infections were identified in 0.60% of the population. Isolated anti-HBc antibodies were found, 30.2% of vaccinated individuals. 67.9% of the study population was susceptible. No occult HBV was detected. Conclusions: The low prevalence of HBV infections reported in this study contrasts with the intermediate epidemiological pattern described in the region. We found poor vaccination coverage and absence of occult hepatitis B among these university students. © 2012 Asociaciones Colombianas de Gastroenterología, Endoscopia digestiva, Coloproctología y Hepatología.

Acerca de la revista donde se publicó este artículo:

Revista Colombiana de Gastroenterologia

Título del artículo:

Environmental Profile of a Community\'s Health (EPOCH): An Ecometric Assessment of Measures of the Community Environment Based on Individual Perception

Background: Public health research has turned towards examining upstream, community-level determinants of cardiovascular disease risk factors. Objective measures of the environment, such as those derived from direct observation, and perception-based measures by residents have both been associated with health behaviours. However, current methods are generally limited to objective measures, often derived from administrative data, and few instruments have been evaluated for use in rural areas or in low-income countries. We evaluate the reliability of a quantitative tool designed to capture perceptions of community tobacco, nutrition, and social environments obtained from interviews with residents in communities in 5 countries. Methodology/ Principal Findings: Thirteen measures of the community environment were developed from responses to questionnaire items from 2,360 individuals residing in 84 urban and rural communities in 5 countries (China, India, Brazil, Colombia, and Canada) in the Environmental Profile of a Community\'s Health (EPOCH) study. Reliability and other properties of the community-level measures were assessed using multilevel models. High reliability (>0.80) was demonstrated for all community-level measures at the mean number of survey respondents per community (n = 28 respondents). Questionnaire items included in each scale were found to represent a common latent factor at the community level in multilevel factor analysis models. Conclusions/ Significance: Reliable measures which represent aspects of communities potentially related to cardiovascular disease (CVD)/risk factors can be obtained using feasible sample sizes. The EPOCH instrument is suitable for use in different settings to explore upstream determinants of CVD/risk factors. © 2012 Corsi et al.

Acerca de la revista donde se publicó este artículo:

PLoS ONE

Título del artículo:

Risk factors for preeclampsia in women from Colombia: A case-control study

Background: Preeclampsia (PE) is a multi-causal disease characterized by the development of hypertension and proteinuria in the second half of pregnancy. Multiple risk factors have been associated with the development of PE. Moreover, it is known that these risk factors vary between populations from developed and developing countries. The aim of this study is to identify which risk factors are associated with the development of preeclampsia (PE) among Colombian women. Methods: A multi-centre case-control study was conducted between September 2006 and July 2009 in six Colombian cities. Cases included women with PE (n = 201); controls were aged-matched pregnant women (n = 201) without cardiovascular or endocrine diseases for a case-control ratio of 1:1. A complete medical chart, physical examination and biochemical analysis were completed before delivery. Multivariable logistic regression was used to calculate odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) of potential risk factors associated with PE. Results: The presence of factors present in the metabolic syndrome cluster such as body mass index >31 Kg/m2 (OR = 2.18; 1.14-4.14 95% CI), high-density lipoprotein <1.24 mmol/L (OR = 2.42; 1.53-3.84 95% CI), triglycerides >3.24 mmol/L (OR = 1.60; 1.04-2.48 95% CI) and glycemia >4.9 mmol/L (OR = 2.66; 1.47-4.81 95%CI) as well as being primigravidae (OR = 1.71; 1.07-2.73 95% CI) were associated with the development of PE, after adjusting for other variables. Conclusion: Factors present in the cluster of metabolic syndrome and primigravidity were associated with a greater risk of PE among Colombian women. Understanding the role of this cluster of risk factors in the development of PE is of crucial importance to prevent PE and remains to be determined. © 2012 Reyes et al.

Acerca de la revista donde se publicó este artículo:

PLoS ONE

Título del artículo:

Angiogenic imbalance and plasma lipid alterations in women with preeclampsia from a developing country

Background: An imbalance between anti-angiogenic factors (e.g. soluble vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-1 (s-FLT1) and soluble endoglin (s-Eng)) and pro-angiogenic factors (e.g. placental growth factor (PlGF)) as well as increased oxidized low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL) concentrations have been associated with preeclampsia (PE). Risk factors associated with the development of PE, however, are known to be different between developed and developing countries. The aim of the study was to determine the levels of s-FLT1, s-Eng, PIGF, and ox-LDL in women with PE from a developing country. Methods: A multi-center casecontrol study was conducted. One hundred and forty three women with PE were matched by age and parity with 143 healthy pregnant women without cardiovascular or endocrine diseases. Before delivery, blood samples were taken and serum was stored until analysis. Results: Women with PE had lower concentrations of PIGF (p < 0.0001) and higher concentrations of s-Eng (p = 0.001) than healthy pregnant women. There were no differences between the groups regarding ox-LDL or s-FLT1. Women with early onset PE had higher s-FLT1 concentrations (p = 0.0004) and lower PIGF concentrations (p < 0.0001) than their healthy pregnant controls. Women with late onset PE had higher concentrations of s-Eng (p = 0.005). Women with severe PE had higher concentrations of s-Eng (p = 0.0008) and ox-LDL (p = 0.01), and lower concentrations of PIGF (p < 0.0001). Conclusions: Women with PE from a developing country demonstrated an angiogenic imbalance and an increased rate of LDL oxidation. Findings from this study support the theory that PE is a multifactorial disease, and understanding differences in these subpopulations may provide a better target to approach future therapies. © 2012 Informa UK, Ltd.

Acerca de la revista donde se publicó este artículo:

Growth Factors

Título del artículo:

Optimizing hydrogen production and efficiency in biomass gasification through advanced CFD modeling

Gasification is a thermochemical process that converts biomass into biochar, bio-oil, and syngas. This study applies Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) to predict Cold Gas Efficiency (CGE) and hydrogen yield (yH2), integrating a pyrolysis submodel and an average intrinsic reactivity approach for solid–gas reactions to assess the influence of temperature on gas composition and reaction kinetics. A two-dimensional downdraft gasifier model was developed to simulate species transport and reaction mechanisms under four experimental treatments: gasification with air (B), with CaCO3 as a catalyst (BC), with steam addition (BS), and with both steam and CaCO3 (BCS). Model validation demonstrated that CFD accurately captured the effects observed experimentally, predicting syngas composition with a global error of 7.71 %. The highest CGE achieved was 61.6 %, and the maximum yH2 reached 308 ml H2/g biomass under the BCS condition, where the combination of steam and CaCO3 enhanced hydrogen production by promoting tar reforming and CO2 capture. The results confirm that steam and CaCO3 improve cold gas efficiency and hydrogen yield, aligning with experimental observations. This study highlights CFD as a reliable tool for predicting biomass gasification performance, particularly for hydrogen-rich syngas production.

Acerca de la revista donde se publicó este artículo:

Applied Thermal Engineering

Título del artículo:

Strigolactones and control of parasitic weeds

Parasitic weeds such as Striga and Orobanche species pose a significant threat to agricultural productivity by attaching to the roots of host plants, depriving them of essential water, nutrients, and energy derived from photosynthesis. The seeds of these parasites require specific chemical signals, known as germination stimulants, released by host plant roots to initiate their germination process. These stimulants mainly consist of isoprenoids categorized as strigolactones (SLs), a class of plant hormones crucial for regulating various aspects of plant growth and development. The structural diversity of SLs is attributed to their biosynthetic pathway originating from carotenoids. SLs mediate interactions between plants and other organisms, particularly parasitic plants. They serve a dual role in these interactions: while facilitating the germination of parasitic weed seeds, they also influence root development, shoot branching, and plant responses to environmental cues. Leveraging this understanding, researchers aim to develop potent SL agonists and small-molecule SL agonists that induce suicidal germination of parasitic weeds at low concentrations. Such strategies could effectively control these harmful pests, enhancing crop yields sustainably. In summary, insights into the function of SLs in plant-parasitic weed relationships provide a foundation for developing innovative approaches to manage these agricultural threats and improve overall crop productivity.

Acerca de la revista donde se publicó este artículo:

Strigolactones: Emerging Plant Hormones

Título del artículo:

Broad-spectrum antiviral ferruginol analog affects the viral proteins translation and actin remodeling during dengue virus infection

Dengue virus infection is the most important arbovirosis around the world. To date, no antiviral drugs have been approved for its treatment. Host-targeted antivirals (HTA) have emerged as a promising strategy, because of their high barrier to resistance. Using plaque-forming unit assays, molecular docking, fluorescence microscopy, image analysis, and molecular/cellular assays, it was found that 18-(phthalimide-2-yl)-ferruginol, a semi-synthetic analog of the bioactive diterpenoid ferruginol, couples with high affinity to RhoA GTPase. In addition, this molecule dramatically reduced actin filament formation and induced cellular morphological changes, when added to cell cultures before or after infection, without effect on microtubules or intermediate filaments. RhoA activation in infected cells was affected when the compound was added after 6 h.p.i. Furthermore, this compound decreased dengue virus-2 (DENV-2) E protein, NS3 protein, and dsRNA as measured by fluorescence microscopy, and changes in the distribution pattern of these viral components. 18-(phthalimide-2-yl)-ferruginol treatment at 6 and 12 h.p.i. reduces the virus yield. Western blot and RT-qPCR assays reveal that this analog decreased viral protein translation. Flow cytometry and wound-healing experiments also hint that cellular effects prompted for this compound do not relate to early apoptotic events and they could be reversible. Overall, our findings strongly suggest that 18-(phthalimide-2-yl)-ferruginol has an HTA mechanism, possibly disrupting the polyprotein translation of DENV-2 via alteration of RhoA-mediated actin remodeling and other related cellular and viral processes.

Acerca de la revista donde se publicó este artículo:

Antiviral Research

Título del artículo:

Unravelling the past of cervid populations on the Pearl Island Archipelago (Panama) through a two dimensional geometric morphometric analysis of the lower third molar

This study investigates the evolutionary and morphological divergence of Neotropical cervids across mainland and island populations, integrating size, shape, and ecological data. Three extant cervid species were analyzed: Mazama temama, Odocoileus virginianus, and Passalites nemorivagus, San José Island cervids, alongside extinct archaeological samples from Playa don Bernardo (PdB) on Pedro Gonzalez Island from Pearl Island Archipelago (Central Pacific, Panama). Morphometric analyses of lower third molars (m3) revealed distinct evolutionary trajectories shaped by geographic and ecological isolation. Centroid size analyses reveal significant interspecies differences, with O. virginianus being generally larger than other groups, while PdB cervids exhibit reduced sizes potentially linked to insular dwarfism. Shape analyses, including PCA and Procrustes ANOVA, demonstrate distinct morphological patterns among species, with P. nemorivagus showing unique traits, while PdB cervids cluster closely with O. virginianus and San José Island cervids. Canonical variate analysis (CVA) and phenotypic trees corroborate these relationships, highlighting evolutionary divergence influenced by ecological pressures. Statistical tests reveal significant species-level effects on size and shape, with minimal contributions from sex or species-sex interactions. Procrustes distance comparisons emphasize substantial morphological divergence between P. nemorivagus and other groups, while PdB cervids share closer morphological affinities with San José Island cervids and O. virginianus. These findings suggest a complex evolutionary history shaped by environmental constraints and isolation, underscoring the role of insular environments in driving morphological diversity among Neotropical cervids.

Acerca de la revista donde se publicó este artículo:

Journal of Archaeological Science

Título del artículo:

Optimization and modelling of bioethanol production by the fermentation of CCN-51 cocoa mucilage using the sequential simplex method and the modified Gompertz model

This work deals with the optimization of bioethanol production through a fermentation process of CCN-51 cocoa mucilage, based on increased concentrations of the Saccharomyces cerevisiae yeast. Cocoa mucilage, considered biomass waste, was selected for its high productivity and the large volumes generated in the cocoa industrial chain in Ecuador. The optimization of the fermentation process was performed using the sequential simplex method with two variables, and the results were experimentally confirmed by quantifying bioethanol through the microdiffusion method. The best operational conditions corresponded to a temperature of 35°C and a pH of 4. Regarding the concentration of yeast, it was found that the optimal value was 8 g/L, since lower concentrations led to low productivities, while higher concentrations resulted in inadequate functioning of the bioreactor. The best results reached a productivity of 1.35 ± 0.04 g/L · h and a maximum bioethanol concentration of 28.3 ± 0.8 g/L for a processing time of 21 h. The production of bioethanol was modelled using the modified Gompertz equation and simulated in MATLAB®, yielding a bioethanol production rate of 2.42 g/L · h with a correlation coefficient (R2) of 0.95. These results contribute to the knowledge of bioethanol production using cocoa mucilage and seek to add a positive value to this residue, whose management and final disposition have both undesirable environmental and economic effects.

Acerca de la revista donde se publicó este artículo:

Canadian Journal of Chemical Engineering

Título del artículo:

The use of ultrasound imaging in aesthetic injectables: A modified Delphi consensus

A four-round modified Delphi consensus was held concerning the question, ‘What are the prerequisites for using ultrasound imaging in cosmetic filler injections’? Fifteen international experts in the field from seven different relevant medical specialties and 11 countries were included. An extensive list of topics was discussed in rounds 1 and 2. Statements were drawn up for voting in rounds 3 and 4. Experts had a consensus (>70% agreement) on most of the statements. With regard to equipment, a minimum linear 15 MHz transducer (probe) is recommended for both learning and regular diagnostics. Hand-held devices can be used in both circumstances. B-mode, Color-Doppler, Spectral Doppler, and picture/video archiving are mandatory, Power-Doppler is recommended. Experts find ultrasound imaging prior to injection mandatory in certain areas with high risk for vascular adverse events, as well as for the management of complications. It is recommended to identify prior fillers before injecting. An ultrasound-guided injection is recommended in many parts of the face for fillers, toxin and injection lipolysis. A sterile probe cover and sterile gel are necessary in these cases. Ultrasound-guidance is necessary for precise intralesional injections, needed in filler complication treatment. An extensive list of training and practice topics is given that should be learned before one can start using ultrasound imaging in cosmetic filler injection practice. Ultrasound imaging for minimal invasive aesthetic procedures has met a significant surge in attention, both in publication numbers and in prominence at major conferences. For physicians and institutions exploring this field, many critical decisions must be made, particularly concerning the prerequisites for using ultrasound imaging in cosmetic filler injections. Guidelines from international experts addressing these topics would provide valuable insights and facilitate the adoption of ultrasound technology in this field.

Acerca de la revista donde se publicó este artículo:

Journal of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery

Título del artículo:

Obesity-related osteopontin protein and methylation blood levels are differentially modulated by a very low-calorie ketogenic diet or bariatric surgery

Background & aim: Osteopontin (OPN) was proposed to play a role in the pathophysiology of obesity and related disease, such as cancer. The aims were to evaluate the expression of OPN after caloric restriction-induced weight loss in adipose tissue (AT) from an animal model of diet-induced obesity (DIO) and to reflect these results on circulating OPN levels in patients with obesity (PWO); and to explore the effect of a very low-calorie ketogenic diet (VLCKD) on the circulating protein and DNA methylation levels of OPN, compared with a balanced hypocaloric diet (LCD) or bariatric surgery (BS) in PWO. Methods: OPN/SPP1 expression was evaluated in subcutaneous (SAT) and visceral (VAT) AT derived from diet-induced obesity (DIO) mice and after a 4-week weight-loss protocol of calorie restriction (CR). Plasmatic OPN was also evaluated in 32 normal-weight volunteers (20 women) and 79 PWO (59 women) and after a 4–6 months follow up of a VLCKD (n = 20), BS (n = 39) or LCD (n = 20). DNA methylation levels of OPN were extracted from our Infinium HumanMethylation450 BeadChips data sets. Results: OPN levels were higher in VAT of DIO mice and plasma of PWO than in normal-weight individuals and changed after weight loss. Particularly, circulating OPN increased 2 months after BS while it decreased at maximum ketosis-induced by VLCKD. A statistically significant decrease was also observed in methylation levels at cg11226901 after VLCKD. Conclusions: OPN levels were reduced after VLCKD and severely increased after BS. Therefore, it could be a biomarker of the obesity-related metabolic stress and could be epigenetically regulated.

Acerca de la revista donde se publicó este artículo:

Clinical Nutrition

Título del artículo:

A Competitive Model for Rural Agricultural Development: Insights from Family Farming in Lebrija, Santander, Colombia

Family farming is essential for rural development and food security, yet it faces persistent structural barriers. This study aimed to develop a competitive model for Peasant, Family, and Community Agriculture (PFCA) in Lebrija, Colombia, by analyzing key factors affecting productivity, profitability, and competitiveness. A mixed-methods approach was used, integrating surveys, participatory workshops, and field visits across 79 family agricultural units (FAUs). Multiple correspondence analysis (MCA) and ordinal logistic regression (OLR) identified the impact of financial exclusion, low mechanization, and dependence on intermediaries, alongside strengths such as traditional knowledge transfer, family labor, and agroecological practices. The findings reveal a paradox: while PFCA resilience supports agricultural sustainability, it may also hinder modernization. To address this, a strategic action plan was developed with six axes: governance, commercialization, financing, technology, training, and climate mitigation. This framework provides policy recommendations for financial inclusion, direct market access, and technological innovation. The study offers a replicable model for policymakers, rural development agencies, and agricultural cooperatives, supporting sustainable and competitive family farming in Colombia and similar rural economies.

Acerca de la revista donde se publicó este artículo:

Agriculture (Switzerland)

Título del artículo:

Prediction of cardiovascular risk: validation of a non-laboratory and a laboratory-based score in a Brazilian community-based cohort of the PURE study

Background: Risk scores are essential tools for implementing cardiovascular disease (CVD) prevention. Validating risk scores considering regional diversities and disparities is critical for reducing the burden of CVD on global morbidity and mortality. We aimed to validate two cardiovascular risk scores (laboratory and non-laboratory-based) to predict major adverse cardiovascular events in the Brazilian cohort of the PURE study. Methods: We validated two risk scores derived from the INTERHEART study, the non-laboratory INTERHEART risk score (NL-IHRS) and the laboratory fasting cholesterol INTERHEART risk score (FC-IHRS) using data from 4623 (urban areas) and 1415 (rural areas) participants without CVD in the Brazilian cohort of the PURE study enrolled in 2004 and 2005 and followed up to September 2021. The endpoint was major cardiovascular events (MACE), defined as the composite of myocardial infarction, stroke, heart failure, or death from cardiovascular causes. We evaluated the model performance of IHRS through c-statistic and calibration methods. Findings: After a mean follow-up of 8.8 years (range, 0.28–15.1 years), there were 312 cardiovascular events, corresponding to an incidence rate of 0.58% per year (0.56% per year in urban versus 0.64% per year in rural areas). For the NL-IHRS, the c-statistic was 0.69 (95% confidence interval, CI, 0.66–0.72) in the overall cohort, 0.68 (95% CI, 0.64–0.72) in the urban cohort, and 0.72 (95% CI, 0.66–0.78) in the rural cohort. C-statistic values for the recalibrated FC-IHRS were 0.71 (95% CI, 0.67–0.74), 0.71 (95% CI, 0.67–0.75), and 0.70 (95% CI, 0.64–0.76) in the overall, urban, and rural cohorts, respectively. Interpretation: In this Brazilian community-based prospective cohort, both NL-IHRS and FC-IHRS-based models performed with reasonable discriminative accuracy on the risk estimation of long-term risk of major CVD. A non-laboratory-based CVD risk score may be instrumental in Brazilian communities with limited access to medical resources. Funding: Population Health Research Institute, Novartis Biociências S.A.

Acerca de la revista donde se publicó este artículo:

The Lancet Regional Health - Americas

Título del artículo:

Advanced graphene oxide synthesis for arsenic removal from groundwater in Mexico and Colombia

This study presents the optimization of graphene oxide (GO) synthesis for arsenic (As) removal from contaminated groundwater in Mexico and Colombia, using the modified Hummers method. By applying response surface methodology (RSM), the concentrations of NaNO₃ and KMnO₄ were adjusted to maximize the density of oxygenated functional groups, significantly enhancing the adsorption capacity for As(V). Characterization results revealed a reduction in macroporosity and an increase in mesoporosity and microporosity, contributing to the superior adsorption performance. The optimized GO achieved an adsorption capacity of 99.13 mg g⁻¹ at 308 K under competitive conditions with other ions such as F⁻, CrO₄²⁻, Cl⁻, CO₃²⁻, and SO₄²⁻. Additionally, the synthesis process reduced toxic by-products, demonstrating sustainability for industrial-scale applications. These findings represent a significant advancement in the development of efficient and sustainable materials for groundwater remediation.

Acerca de la revista donde se publicó este artículo:

Results in Engineering