Título del artículo:

Association of Symptoms of Depression with Cardiovascular Disease and Mortality in Low-, Middle-, and High-Income Countries

Importance: Depression is associated with incidence of and premature death from cardiovascular disease (CVD) and cancer in high-income countries, but it is not known whether this is true in low- A nd middle-income countries and in urban areas, where most people with depression now live. Objective: To identify any associations between depressive symptoms and incident CVD and all-cause mortality in countries at different levels of economic development and in urban and rural areas. Design, Setting, and Participants: This multicenter, population-based cohort study was conducted between January 2005 and June 2019 (median follow-up, 9.3 years) and included 370 urban and 314 rural communities from 21 economically diverse countries on 5 continents. Eligible participants aged 35 to 70 years were enrolled. Analysis began February 2018 and ended September 2019. Exposures: Four or more self-reported depressive symptoms from the Short-Form Composite International Diagnostic Interview. Main Outcomes and Measures: Incident CVD, all-cause mortality, and a combined measure of either incident CVD or all-cause mortality. Results: Of 145862 participants, 61235 (58%) were male and the mean (SD) age was 50.05 (9.7) years. Of those, 15983 (11%) reported 4 or more depressive symptoms at baseline. Depression was associated with incident CVD (hazard ratio [HR], 1.14; 95% CI, 1.05-1.24), all-cause mortality (HR, 1.17; 95% CI, 1.11-1.25), the combined CVD/mortality outcome (HR, 1.18; 95% CI, 1.11-1.24), myocardial infarction (HR, 1.23; 95% CI, 1.10-1.37), and noncardiovascular death (HR, 1.21; 95% CI, 1.13-1.31) in multivariable models. The risk of the combined outcome increased progressively with number of symptoms, being highest in those with 7 symptoms (HR, 1.24; 95% CI, 1.12-1.37) and lowest with 1 symptom (HR, 1.05; 95% CI, 0.92-1.19; P for trend <.001). The associations between having 4 or more depressive symptoms and the combined outcome were similar in 7 different geographical regions and in countries at all economic levels but were stronger in urban (HR, 1.23; 95% CI, 1.13-1.34) compared with rural (HR, 1.10; 95% CI, 1.02-1.19) communities (P for interaction =.001) and in men (HR, 1.27; 95% CI, 1.13-1.38) compared with women (HR, 1.14; 95% CI, 1.06-1.23; P for interaction <.001). Conclusions and Relevance: In this large, population-based cohort study, adults with depressive symptoms were associated with having increased risk of incident CVD and mortality in economically diverse settings, especially in urban areas. Improving understanding and awareness of these physical health risks should be prioritized as part of a comprehensive strategy to reduce the burden of noncommunicable diseases worldwide..

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JAMA Psychiatry

Título del artículo:

Copper Recovery from PCBs by Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans: Toxicity of Bioleached Metals on Biological Activity

Abstract: The suitability and limits of bioleaching for copper recovery from printed circuits boards has been stated with new strategies and methodologies. The process has been tested using a continuous column reactor simulating those conditions found at industrial scale. The new strategy developed improved the kinetic reaction rate and overcomes transport limitations for the leaching solution, thus improving copper recoveries from 50 to 80% in only 6 h. This drastically reduced the time required by previous studies to achieve the same copper recovery. Inhibition effects of the biological process due to the release of metals from e-waste has been identified by means of microrespirometric monitoring tests. This systematic study allowed identifying that nickel, copper and aluminum impact the microorganisms’ activity, inactivating them in specific scenarios (depending on the concentration and the time exposed). Including the time exposure as variable, this work demonstrated that metal concentrations that have been reported as non-toxic to microorganisms, resulted toxic when the required leaching contact time was considered. Besides high iron concentrations also produce inhibitory effect on the microorganisms’ growth, despite being the energy source for their metabolism. Graphic Abstract: [Figure not available: see fulltext.].

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Waste and Biomass Valorization

Título del artículo:

Facing cardiovascular risk in Ibero-America

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Revista Espanola de Cardiologia

Título del artículo:

Hydrogen production from palm kernel shell: Kinetic modeling and simulation

The hydrogen production process from palm kernel shell (PKS) is modeled and simulated by a steady-state gasification system using Aspen PLUS®. The kinetic parameters of the gasification are determined by employing thermogravimetric analysis (TG/DTG) using two gasifying agents (CO2 and steam) and applying three semi-empirical kinetic models to interpret the experimental results (linear model, grain model, and volumetric model). The process was subjected to different temperatures (750–950 °C) and different compositions of the steam/biomass ratio (S/B) (0–2.5). It is obtained that the linear model and the grain model have the best R2 with the gasification results of the PKS with steam (0.966) and CO2 (0.965), respectively. The steam reaction kinetic parameters obtained were E=125.79KJ/mol and A=26.23s−1, and for the reaction with CO2, they were E=99.87KJ/mol andA=6.3s−1. The production yield of H2 (109 g H2/PKS kg) is reached at the highest temperature (950 °C) and the lowest S/B ratio (0). It is concluded that the model can predict with greater precision the hydrogen composition in the syngas, with a 0.135 mean square error, compared to other authors that present a 0.282 mean square error.

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International Journal of Hydrogen Energy

Título del artículo:

Salt and cardiovascular disease: Insufficient evidence to recommend low sodium intake

Several blood pressure guidelines recommend low sodium intake (<2.3 g/day, 100 mmol, 5.8 g/day of salt) for the entire population, on the premise that reductions in sodium intake, irrespective of the levels, will lower blood pressure, and, in turn, reduce cardiovascular disease occurrence. These guidelines have been developed without effective interventions to achieve sustained low sodium intake in free-living individuals, without a feasible method to estimate sodium intake reliably in individuals, and without high-quality evidence that low sodium intake reduces cardiovascular events (compared with moderate intake). In this review, we examine whether the recommendation for low sodium intake, reached by current guideline panels, is supported by robust evidence. Our review provides a counterpoint to the current recommendation for low sodium intake and suggests that a specific low sodium intake target (e.g. <2.3 g/day) for individuals may be unfeasible, of uncertain effect on other dietary factors and of unproven effectiveness in reducing cardiovascular disease. We contend that current evidence, despite methodological limitations, suggests that most of the world\'s population consume a moderate range of dietary sodium (2.3-4.6g/day; 1-2 teaspoons of salt) that is not associated with increased cardiovascular risk, and that the risk of cardiovascular disease increases when sodium intakes exceed 5 g/day. While current evidence has limitations, and there are differences of opinion in interpretation of existing evidence, it is reasonable, based upon observational studies, to suggest a population-level mean target of <5 g/day in populations with mean sodium intake of >5 g/day, while awaiting the results of large randomized controlled trials of sodium reduction on incidence of cardiovascular events and mortality.

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European Heart Journal

Título del artículo:

Stigma-discrimination: Significant collateral damage of COVID-19

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Indian Journal of Psychiatry

Título del artículo:

Ketogenic diets as treatment of obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus

During the last decades, several interventions for the management of overweight and obesity have been proposed. Among diets, the first studies focused on the effect of water only and total fasting diets with or without proteins. Unfortunately, they were found to be associated with adverse events which lead to the abandon of these strategies. Interestingly, despite the radical approach, total fasting was effective and generally well tolerated. A strict connection between protein-calorie malnutrition and increased in morbidity and mortality in hospitalized patients was found at that time. Then, the seminal works of Blackburn and his collaborators lead to the introduction of the protein-sparing modified fast. Encouraged by the early results using this intervention, diets evolved to the current very-low-calorie ketogenic diets (VLCKD). In the present review, results of studies on the VLCKDs are presented and discussed, with a particular reference to the protocolled VLCKD. Also, a recent proposal on the nomenclature on the ketogenic diets is reported. Available evidence suggests VLCKDs to be effective in achieving a rapid and significant weight loss by means of an easily reversible intervention which could be repeated, if needed. Muscle mass and strength are preserved, resting metabolic rate is not impaired, hunger, appetite and mood are not worsened. Symptoms and abnormal laboratory findings can be there, but they have generally been reported as of mild intensity and transient. Preliminary studies suggest VLCKDs to be a potential game-changer in the management of type 2 diabetes too. Therefore, VLCKDs should be considered as an excellent initial step in properly selected and motivated patients with obesity or type 2 diabetes, to be delivered as a part of a multicomponent strategy and under strict medical supervision.

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Reviews in Endocrine and Metabolic Disorders

Título del artículo:

Low levels of awareness, treatment, and control of hypertension in Andean communities of Ecuador

The major burden of hypertension (HTN) occurs in low-middle-income countries (LMIC) and it is the main modifiable risk factor for cardiovascular diseases (CVD). Few population studies on HTN prevalence have been carried out in Ecuador where there is limited information regarding its prevalence, awareness, treatment, and control. Thus, the aim of the present study was to determine the prevalence, awareness, treatment, and control of HTN and its association with socio-economic, nutritional, and lifestyle habits in urban and rural Andean communities of Pichincha province in Ecuador. The authors studied 2020 individuals aged 35-70 years (mean age 50.8 years, 72% women), included in the Ecuadorian cohort of the Prospective Urban and Rural Epidemiology (PURE) study, from February to December 2018. The hypertension prevalence (\'140/90 mmHg) was 27% and was greater in urban than in rural communities, more common in men, in individuals older than 50 years of age, in people with low monthly income and low level of education. Higher prevalence was also observed in subjects with obesity, and among former smokers and those who consumed alcohol. Only 49% of those with HTN were aware of their condition, 40% were using antihypertensive medications, and 19% had their blood pressure under control (\'140/90 mmHg). These results showed low levels of awareness, treatment, and control of HTN in the Andean region of Ecuador, suggesting the urgent necessity of implementing programs to improve the diagnosis and management of HTN.

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Journal of Clinical Hypertension

Título del artículo:

Position statement of the Interamerican Society of Cardiology (IASC) on the current guidelines for the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of arterial hypertension 2017–2020

Objectives: As an Inter-American Society we are convinced of the need to standardize the steps in which we diagnose, evaluate, treat and control hypertension, establishing guidelines and rules that should be adopted in all countries of Latin America, aimed at standardizing management and control of CV risk in order to achieve a substantial decrease in CV events. Methods: In the last four years important international guidelines for the diagnosis, management, treatment and control of arterial hypertension have been published. In America, mostly in mid- and low-income countries, hypertension is a major problem of public health, being the most important cardiovascular risk factor due to its great population impact. Therefore, it is crucial to dedicate all the possible efforts to increase substantially the number of hypertensive patients diagnosed in a given area, and to improve the percentage of controlled patients. This is a major necessity in order to reduce the morbidity and mortality for CVD in the Latin American region, although no guidelines takes the Latin American populations into account, and much less standardizes their diagnosis and management. Conclusions: The Inter-American Society of Cardiology suggest the use of the blood pressure classification of the Latin American Society of Hypertension (LASH) and recommends the use of the SCORE System to stratify the global CV risk because this system has the capability to adapt the global risk by means of a correcting factor based on the ethnicity of the different native populations in America.

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International Journal of Cardiology: Hypertension

Título del artículo:

Comparative gastroprotective activity of Malva pseudolavatera webb & Berthel and Malva sylvestris L. Grown in Ecuador

Species of the genus Malva (Malva pseudolavatera and Malva sylvestris), introduced in Ecuador, are widely used traditionally. However, unlike the species M. sylvestris, for M. pseudolavatera there is no information on its composition and properties. The species were collected in the province of Chimborazo Ecuador. Aqueous decoction extracts were made which were lyophilized to obtain dry extracts. Gastroprotective activity was studied in two models of ulcers induced by ethanol and NSAIDs (ASA). Male mice with average weights of 30 ± 2 g were used, which were divided into 13 groups of 5 mice, for each of the models. The treatments of aqueous extracts of M. pseudolavatera and M. sylvestris were administered orally, for seven days, in doses of 1000, 500, 250, 125 and 75 mg / Kg of mouse weight respectively. The degree of gastric protection was compared between the two species studied and it was evidenced that at the dose of 1000 mg / kg, M. pseudolavatera presented greater gastric protection than M. sylvestris, which was met at lower doses for the two models used. The inhibition percentages of gastric ulcers showed that the positive control treated with Sucralfate reached 87.5% inhibition, while the groups treated with the extracts of M. pseudolavatera and M. sylvestris at doses of 1000 mg / Kg reached 77 and 72%. inhibition respectively in the induction model alcohol and 84 and 78% inhibition respectively in the induction model NSAID.

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Pharmacologyonline

Título del artículo:

Cross-frequency phase-amplitude coupling between hippocampal theta and gamma oscillations during recall destabilizes memory and renders it susceptible to reconsolidation disruption

Avoidance memory reactivation at recall triggers theta-gamma hippocampal phase amplitude coupling (hPAC) only when it elicits hippocampus-dependent reconsolidation. However, it is not known whether there is a causal relationship between these phenomena. We found that in adult male Wistar rats, silencing the medial septum during recall did not affect avoidance memory expression or maintenance but abolished hPAC and the amnesia caused by the intrahippocampal administration of reconsolidation blockers, both of which were restored by concomitant theta burst stimulation of the fimbria-fornix pathway. Remarkably, artificial hPAC generated by fimbria-fornix stimulation during recall of a learned avoidance response naturally resistant to hippocampus-dependent reconsolidation made it susceptible to reactivation-dependent amnesia. Our results indicate that hPAC mediates the destabilization required for avoidance memory reconsolidation and suggest that the generation of artificial hPAC at recall overcomes the boundary conditions of this process.

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Journal of Neuroscience

Título del artículo:

Determination of the gelification kinetics of a correction gel of injection profiles by ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy

Mature wells in which, for a long time, water injection has been used, as a method of recovery they reach a point where the water cut increases or remains constant. thus decreasing the recovered hydrocarbon factor; This phenomenon occurs because the water injected, has preferential recordings in the porous medium, and does not reach the hydrocarbon available in other areas of the formation, in this type of deposits the injection of polyacrylamide gels, crosslinked with acetate of chromium, these gels make a plugging, in areas of high water permeability, causing the change of path of the same, as well as move the hydrocarbon in other areas of the porous medium. At present, the kinetics of gelation of this type of substances is monitored qualitatively by means of the \"Syddansk\" code, which analyzes its consistency and elasticity, only by observation. Although this method is practical, it is not very descriptive and depends a lot on the opinion and criteria of the observer, being little reproducible. Given this situation, and the increase in chemical recovery projects in the country, a methodology is described that describes the moment of gelation, reproducibly and without the injection of the analyst. During the gelation process, different polyacrylamide-chromium gels were monitored in relationships used in field operations, using ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy, detecting a change in absorbances, of the spectra, which were analyzed to plant a kinetic model of gelation, in addition to generating the approach of a method, to identify the state of gelation based on the variation in absorbance.

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Journal of Physics: Conference Series

Título del artículo:

Post-consumption foamed polystyrene coatings for surface tension modification

Foamed polystyrene, commercially known as Icopor, occupies a very important place in the transport systems, and conservation of freight and food, but it is also one of the main polymeric pollutants, due to its low biodegradability, and low reuse. Polystyrene has in its structure aromatic and aliphatic functional groups, which have a high hydrophobicity, which makes them candidates as modifiers of permeability and surface properties, although for this purpose the implementation of solvents is also required. In the following work, polystyrene residues for domestic and food use were used to obtain coatings, which allow surface tension to be modified, on surfaces with high water permeability. For this purpose, the polymeric residue was dissolved in organic type solvents, generating a varnish, which was used to coat the study surface, from which the surface tension with respect to water was previously known by analysing the contact angle; to be compared with those obtained after coating, resulting in an increase in the contact angle, which indicates an increase in surface tension, conferred on the new surface hydrophobicity.

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Journal of Physics: Conference Series

Título del artículo:

Geological and physical-chemistry characterization of asphaltite from Colombian Middle Magdalena region

The massive consumption of fossil hydrocarbons and the absence of new conventional oil reserves, research on unconventional resources is prevalent. The Asphaltite is a substance with high energy value thanks to its composition of high molecular weight hydrocarbons, becomes an energy alternative in the future. In Middle Magdalena region of Colombia, Luna formation emerges with its members Salada, Pujamana, and Galembo of Upper Cretaceous age, which contains a deposit of this type of substances, which can become an economic and energy engine for the region. A representative sample of this asphaltite was taken in the Galembo Member (Top of Luna formation) and a geological description was made about its formation and occurrence in the area. The solubility of asphaltite was evaluated in two characteristic solvents for hydrocarbons, toluene and heptane, the first of aromatic character, with which it was possible to solubilize probably corresponding to the light fractions, while solubilization with heptane generated a precipitate Asphaltene, a nature that was corroborated by tests of visible infrared and ultraviolet spectroscopy, additionally an elementary analysis was performed to determine the concentrations of carbon, hydrogen, sulphur and oxygen. Finally, by means of thermogravimetry and differential scanning calorimetry an analysis was carried out to evaluate its energy potential, according to the results obtained, asphaltite samples are a promising energy resource.

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Journal of Physics: Conference Series

Título del artículo:

Estimation of the potential for bioethanol production from the residues of cacao husks in Ecuador

In this study, the theoretically obtainable bioethanol production potential is estimated from the use of cacao residues in Ecuador, through the formulation of a mathematical model of the acid hydrolysis in cellulose of cacao husks and its conversion to ethanol by fermentation. Methodologically, the study was based on official documentation on the national and provincial amount of residual biomass of this crop, and on a kinetic model adapted to the case under study. An amount of 8.28 Mml of bioethanol was obtained, whose mixture with extra gasoline, at a ratio of 5:95 v/v, results in the Ecopaís E5C gasoline. Production of 166 Mml of E5C was estimated, corresponding to 10 % of the national production for the year 2017 and 56 % of the production for the year 2014, year in which the residual biomass of cacao was estimated. The coastal region contributes with 71 % of the national bioethanol and E5C production, led by the province of Guayas, in which E5 gasoline represents 25 % of its consumption in 2017. It is concluded that this production route of bioethanol is an attractive diversification option of the current production route based on the cultivation of sugarcane, adding value to residual biomass that is currently discarded. The theoretical results constitute the basis for more detailed studies in those provinces that combine a high potential for cacao residues and increasing consumption of E5 but must be complemented with experimental research to corroborate their validity and provide elements that determine the viability of the bioethanol production route studied.

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Ciencia Tecnologia Agropecuaria

Título del artículo:

Physical activity in adults: recommendations, determinants and measurement

Introduction: Several studies have shown the potential benefits of the practice of Physical Activity (PA) over the years; however, some modulators known as determinants that modify its practice have also been identified. Objective: To gather and summarize available information on the importance of physical activity, its definition, determinants and evaluation methods in adults, as well as to establish the development of recommendations over time. Material and Methods: A search was made in different databases using search terms of physical activity, recommendations, and determinants in both English and Spanish during the period between 1996 and 2019. Articles related to adults were included and those about children and adolescents were excluded. Development: The recommendations have evolved from 1978 when the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) established very general specifications such as PA practices from 3 to 5 days per week at an intensity between 60% and 90% Heart Rate Reserve (HRR) until the most recent recommendations made by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in 2018. Objective and subjective criteria are among the evaluation methods. Conclusions: Regular PA practice is an efficient strategy to reduce the risk factors associated with Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs). Likewise, subjective and objective criteria are identified for its evaluation. The recommendations have evolved from 1978 to 2018 establishing that adults should be involved in PA from 150 to 300 minutes per week.

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Revista Habanera de Ciencias Medicas

Título del artículo:

Toxoplasma gondii in small ruminants in northeastern areas of Colombia: Seroprevalence and risk factors

Sheep and goats are susceptible to infections with Toxoplasma gondii and could play an important role in the transmission of the zoonotic parasite to human. We conducted a cross sectional study to estimate the seroprevalence and to assess the risk factors for T. gondii seropositivity in small ruminants under traditional husbandry systems. This study was carried out from November 2015 to April 2016 in randomly selected small ruminants (n = 1038) from 48 farms located in Colombia, in the departments of northern Cesar in the north and La Guajira in the south. An indirect ELISA was used to detect IgG antibodies to T. gondii in the animals. A standardized questionnaire was used to obtain information on putative risk factors. We conducted the association analyses by using univariable and multivariate logistic regression and report odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence interval (C.I). The overall seroprevalence in small ruminants was 23.5% (C.I: 21–26.2%). Sheep showed a higher seroprevalence (25.1% C.I: 22.4–28.6%) than goats (18.4% C.I: 22.4–28.6%). The association analysis recognized as risk factors for T. gondii seropositivity farming pigs in addition to small ruminants (OR = 1.96 C.I: 1.414–2.743), the inexistence of manure heap (OR = 2.254 C.I: 1.480–3.433) and drinking water from locally aqueducts (OR = 1.489 C.I: 1.006–2.204). The results of the study confirmed that exposure to T. gondii is common in sheep and goats in dry Caribbean regions of Colombia.

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Parasite Epidemiology and Control

Título del artículo:

Emerging approaches since design for theorization and creation of transmedia experiences: Approximation to meta-analysis of scientific publications

The main objective of this document is to identify the existence of predominant and emerging approaches in the design of transmedia experiences, in order to contribute from different perspectives to the transmedia concept from the modes of involvement of audiences. The bibliometric analysis is done of a total of 559 articles consolidated from the literature search carried out in WoS on the ISI Web of Knowledge platform (Thomson Reuters) and SCImago Research Group (Scopus). For the observation window 2008-2019, the indicators are analyzed: diachronic productivity, author productivity, citations and content. In the results, an exponential growth of the publications is observed until its peak in 2016, as well as its subsequent stability; similarly, the creation of author networks for collaborative production and the achievement of common goals is evident; and a tendency to cite the conventional literature existing outside the sample documents is also identified. The conclusions establish the interest of the academic community for the design of transmedia experiences and the participation of audiences as content that is transversal to the sample and not as a central theme of study.

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Arte, Individuo y Sociedad

Título del artículo:

Methodological proposal for the construction and selection of digital high-precision elevation models

Digital Elevation Models improve accuracy in terrain analysis. This work compared different interpolation methods using statistical criteria in a topographic survey of 339 points raised with a total station in the “San Juan de Lagunillas” area (Venezuela). The existence of a significant trend process with spatial autocorrelation modeled by an isotropic Gaussian semivariogram was documented. The kriging allowed to obtain residuals less than a minimum tolerable error equal to 0.1 m. The residual kriging was the best evaluated in cross validation with exclusion (absolute mean error of 0.71 m). The disjunctive kriging showed a lower error average but a wider error range and the highest mean absolute error (12.8 m). The other kriging showed mean error variance greater than 1.3 m and absolute minimum errors greater than 0.85 m. Due to the high dependence on the model specification form, graphics are recommended for a better fit.

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Colombia Forestal

Título del artículo:

COVID-19 is a new disease caused by the beta coronavirus SARS-CoV-2.

The first registers of atypical pneumonia were reported in China by the end of December 2019. The disease was rapidly disseminated in the entire world. The spectrum of the clinical manifestations is large going from individuals without any symptoms to those who develop multisystem disease and death. It has been demonstrated that hypertension and diabetes are more frequent in people with COVID-19 and the presence of diabetes is associated with an increased risk of more severe disease and higher mortality. In the present article, we review the possible mechanism why the diabetes patients have an increased risk of mortality by COVID-19 and recommend preventive actions that must be implemented in the general population and particularly in individuals with diabetes.

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Gaceta Medica de Caracas

Título del artículo:

Frequency-Dependent Effects of Exhalatory-Gated Transcutaneous Vagus Nerve Stimulation on Cardiac Autonomic Regulation in Hypertension

The objective of this study was to determine potential effects of respiratory-gated auricular vagal afferent nerve stimulation (RAVANS) on cardiovagal activity in hypertensive patients. Twenty hypertensive subjects (54.55\\pm 6.23 years; 12 females) underwent five randomized sessions of RAVANS at frequencies of 0, 2, 10, 25, and 100 Hz. Continuous electrocardiogram (ECG) and pulse rate signals were collected during 10-minute baseline, 30-minute stimulation, and 10-minute recovery periods using a Grass LP511 AC amplifier and piezo device. LabChart was used to acquire ECG and pulse signals and to process heart rate variability (HRV) indices. A significant increase in high frequency (HF) power (%) was observed during the RAVANS-100 Hz session from baseline to recovery l{n}=0.039) when compared to sham, adjusting for sex and baseline values. HRV evaluation for other frequencies did not yield significant results. These results suggest that RAVANS has a frequency-dependent effect on the modulation of cardiovagal activity (HF-HRV) in hypertension.

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2020 11th Conference of the European Study Group on Cardiovascular Oscillations: Computation and Modelling in Physiology: New Challenges and Opportunities, ESGCO 2020

Título del artículo:

Effect of the genetic group of cows of the Gyr and Holstein breeds on the in vitro production technique of bovine embryos

The aim of this study was to evaluate the genetic group effect of oocyte donors of the Gyr and Holstein breeds on the performance of the in vitro embryo production technique. Twelve multiparous cows were used, non-lactating, six of the Gyr breed (Bos indicus), and six of the Holstein (Bos taurus) breed. Prior to the implementation of the follicular aspiration technique, the animals were subjected to estrus synchronization through the administration of 3 mg estradiol benzoate (RIC-BE, Tecnopec Ltda., Brazil) plus the insertion of an ear implant with norgestomet (Crestar, Intervet, Brazil). Aspiration was performed seven days after the start of the synchronization protocol. The results showed that the cows of the Gyr breed had a higher number of visualized follicles and recovered oocytes, as well as a higher cleavage and blastocyst rate on day 7. These results allow considering that, the application of the in vitro embryo production technique in the Gyr breed offers a better performance in specific parameters in comparison to the Holstein breed.

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Ciencia Tecnologia Agropecuaria

Título del artículo:

Complex ecological interactions across a focus of cutaneous leishmaniasis in Eastern Colombia: novel description of Leishmania species, hosts and phlebotomine fauna

This study aimed to analyse the patterns of diversity, blood sources and Leishmania species of phlebotomines in a focus of cutaneous leishmaniasis in Arboledas, Eastern Colombia. In total, 1729 phlebotomines were captured in two localities (62.3% Siravita and 37.7% Cinera) and five environments of Norte de Santander. We identified 18 species of phlebotomines: Pintomyia ovallesi (29.8%), Psychodopygus davisi (20.3%), Pi. spinicrassa (18.5%) and Lutzomyia gomezi (15.8%) showed the highest abundance. Species diversities were compared between Cinera (15.00) and Siravita (20.00) and among five microenvironments: forest remnants (19.49), coffee plantations (12.5), grassland (12.99), cane plantations (11.66) and citrus plantations (12.22). Leishmania DNA was detected in 5.8% (80/1380) of females, corresponding mainly to Pi. ovallesi (22/80; 27.2%), Lu. gomezi (17/80; 21.3%) and Pi. spinicrassa (11/80; 13.8%). Leishmania species were 63.1% L. braziliensis, 18.5% L. panamensis, 13.2% L. infantum and 6.1% L. amazonensis. The most frequent feeding sources were Homo sapiens (50%), Bos taurus (13.8%) and Canis lupus familiaris (10.3%). This focus of cutaneous leishmaniasis has a high diversity of Leishmania-carrying phlebotomines that feed on domestic animals. The transmission of leishmaniasis to human hosts was mainly associated with Lu. gomezi, Pi. ovallesi and L. braziliensis.

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Royal Society Open Science

Título del artículo:

An innovative low-cost equipment for electro-concentration of microalgal biomass

Microalgal harvesting is one of the most challenging processes in the development of algal research and development. Several methods, such as centrifugation, flocculation and filtration, are available at the laboratory scale. However, the requirement for expensive pieces of equipment and the possibility of biomass contamination are recurring gaps that hinder the development of microalgae R and D (research and development) in different parts of the world. Recently, electroflotation has been proved to be a suitable method for the harvesting of different species of microalgae and cyanobacteria. To this day, there are no companies that sell laboratory-scale electroflotation equipment; this is mainly due to the gap in the knowledge of which factors (time, mixing rate, number of electrodes and others) will affect the efficiency of concentration without reducing the biomass quality. This paper aims to build an innovative, low-cost electroflotation system for under 300 USD (United States dollar) with cheap and resistant materials. To achieve our goal, we tested the interaction of three variables (time, mixing rate and amount of electrodes). Results showed that an efficiency closer to 100% could be achieved in under 20 min using > 10 electrodes and 150 rpm (round per minute). We hope this innovative approach can be used by different researchers to improve our knowledge of the concentration and harvesting of algae and cyanobacteria.

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Applied Sciences (Switzerland)

Título del artículo:

Association of nut intake with risk factors, cardiovascular disease, and mortality in 16 countries from 5 continents: Analysis from the Prospective Urban and Rural Epidemiology (PURE) study

Background: The association of nuts with cardiovascular disease and deaths has been investigated mostly in Europe, the USA, and East Asia, with few data available from other regions of the world or from low- and middle-income countries. Objective: To assess the association of nuts with mortality and cardiovascular disease (CVD). Methods: The Prospective Urban Rural Epidemiology study is a large multinational prospective cohort study of adults aged 35-70 y from 16 low-, middle-, and high-income countries on 5 continents. Nut intake (tree nuts and ground nuts) was measured at the baseline visit, using country-specific validated FFQs. The primary outcome was a composite of mortality or major cardiovascular event [nonfatal myocardial infarction (MI), stroke, or heart failure]. Results: We followed 124,329 participants (age = 50.7 y, SD = 10.2; 41.5% male) for a median of 9.5 y. We recorded 10,928 composite events [deaths (n = 8,662) or major cardiovascular events (n = 5,979)]. Higher nut intake (>120 g per wk compared with <30 g per mo) was associated with a lower risk of the primary composite outcome of mortality or major cardiovascular event [multivariate HR (mvHR): 0.88; 95% CI: 0.80, 0.96; P-trend = 0.0048]. Significant reductions in total (mvHR: 0.77; 95% CI: 0.69, 0.87; P-trend <0.0001), cardiovascular (mvHR: 0.72; 95% CI: 0.56, 0.92; P-trend = 0.048), and noncardiovascular mortality (mvHR: 0.82; 95% CI: 0.70, 0.96; P-trend = 0.0046) with a trend to reduced cancer mortality (mvHR: 0.81; 95% CI: 0.65, 1.00; P-trend = 0.081) were observed. No significant associations of nuts were seen with major CVD (mvHR: 0.91; 95% CI: 0.81, 1.02; P-trend = 0.14), stroke (mvHR: 0.98; 95% CI: 0.84, 1.14; P-trend = 0.76), or MI (mvHR: 0.86; 95% CI: 0.72, 1.04; P-trend = 0.29). Conclusions: Higher nut intake was associated with lower mortality risk from both cardiovascular and noncardiovascular causes in low-, middle-, and high-income countries.

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American Journal of Clinical Nutrition