Design of a Social Marketing Plan on Salt Reduction for the Control and Treatment of Noncommunicable Diseases in Costa Rica

High blood pressure and other non-communicable diseases associated with excessive salt/sodium consumption represent a major challenge to the health of the world’s population. Consumption is a human behavior that is usually influenced by significant factors, internal and external to people. The design of a national social marketing intervention is described. The whole process was developed by a national interdisciplinary team over the course of a decade (2011-2022). Its purpose is to promote changes in this behavior, through gradual reduction of salt/sodium consumption in the target populations of Costa Rica, for the prevention and control of associated diseases. The process includes four phases: research, situation analysis, creation of a proposal for the social marketing strategy, and implementation and evaluation. Last phase was not developed by the research team. The main inputs used to design this intervention were the data generated in three qualitative researchers carried out by the national work team and the social marketing regional plan for salt consumption reduction in Latin America. By analyzing these research data, marketing mix components were determined for designing the intervention. The marketing strategy is promotional and is based on encouraging a natural diet with less sodium using natural seasonings and adding less discretional salt and industrialized products high in sodium, in the preparation of food and dishes. The primary key audience is the mother of the school-aged child, and the secondary is the adult caregivers of this child. It is expected that in the short term, health promoters from different government and non-state sectors will contribute to the implementation of the national social marketing plan, to achieve, in the medium or long term, a consumption that approaches five grams of salt per person per day. This plan is a country initiative to position the value of a natural diet with less sodium and to contribute to the prevention and treatment of HT and NCD associated diseases.

Modified combustion synthesis of g-LiAlO_2 using metal oxides

An alternative solution for the direct formation of?-LiAlO2 was presented by a modified combustion method,to apply it to rather simple systems,utilizing non-oxidizer compounds such as Al2O3 and LiOH,and urea as fuel.LiAlO2 was prepared via non-stoichiometric 1:1,1.5:1 and 2:1 of Li/Al molar ratios at 900 and 1000°C for 5 min.Textural and structural characterization ofγ-LiAlO2 was performed.Also,the effect of different Li/Al molar ratios on material morphology and its stability before high gamma radiation gradients was evaluated.The results showed that the crystal structures of the obtained powders wereγ-LiAlO2 and?-LiAlO2,depending on the Li/Al molar ratio.The results obtained demonstrate that?-LiAlO2 microbricks,polyhedral and laminar shapes can be successfully synthesized with the proposed method and without any subsequent process.Additionally,gamma irradiation showed that the?-LiAlO2 obtained does not decompose,forming only small amounts of Li2CO3.It can be established that the irradiation produces consolidation,which is not favourable for an efficient extraction of tritium.Finally,it could be demonstrated that nitrate precursors are not necessary in the combustion method to produceγ-LiAlO2 with high purity.

Immunometabolic bases of type 2 diabetes in the severity of COVID- 19

The outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19)is caused by the novel severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2(SARS-CoV-2).COVID-19 and type 2 diabetes(T2D)have now merged into an ongoing global syndemic that is threatening the lives of millions of people around the globe.For this reason,there is a deep need to understand the immunometabolic bases of the main etiological factors of T2D that affect the severity of COVID-19.Here,we discuss how hyperglycemia contributes to the cytokine storm commonly associated with COVID-19 by stimulating monocytes and macrophages to produce interleukin IL-1β,IL-6,and TNF-αin the airway epithelium.The main mechanisms through which hyperglycemia promotes reactive oxygen species release,inhibition of T cell activation,and neutrophil extracellular traps in the lungs of patients with severe SARS-CoV-2 infection are also studied.We further examine the molecular mechanisms by which proinflammatory cytokines induce insulin resistance,and their deleterious effects on pancreaticβ-cell exhaustion in T2D patients critically ill with COVID-19.We address the effect of excess glucose on advanced glycation end product(AGE)formation and the role of AGEs in perpetuating pneumonia and acute respiratory distress syndrome.Finally,we discuss the contribution of preexisting endothelial dysfunction secondary to diabetes in the development of neutrophil trafficking,vascular leaking,and thrombotic events in patients with severe SARS-CoV-2 infection.As we outline here,T2D acts in synergy with SARSCoV-2 infection to increase the progression,severity,and mortality of COVID-19.We think a better understanding of the T2D-related immunometabolic factors that contribute to exacerbate the severity of COVID-19 will improve our ability to identify patients with high mortality risk and prevent adverse outcomes.

Experimental model standardizing polyvinyl alcohol hydrogel to simulate endoscopic ultrasound and endoscopic ultrasoundelastography

BACKGROUND Endoscopic ultrasound(EUS)and endoscopic ultrasound elastography(EUS-E)simulation lessens the learning curve;however,models lack realism,diminishing competitiveness.AIM To standardize the mechanical properties of polyvinyl alcohol(PVA)hydrogel for simulating organs and digestive lesions.METHODS PVA hydrogel(Sigma Aldrich,degree of hydrolysis 99%)for simulating EUS/EUS-E lesions was investigated in Unidad de Investigación y Desarrollo Tecnológico at Hospital General de México“Dr.Eduardo Liceaga”,Mexico City.We evaluated physical,contrast,elasticity and deformation coefficient characteristics in lesions,applying Kappa’s concordance and satisfaction questionnaire(Likert 4-points).RESULTS PVA hydrogel showed stable mechanical properties.Density depended on molecular weight(MW)and concentration(C).PVA bblocks with the greatest density showed lowest tensile strength(r=-0.8,P=0.01).Lesions were EUSgraphically visible.Homogeneous and heterogeneous examples were created from PVA blocks or PVA phantoms,exceeding(MW2=146000-186000,C9=15%and C10=20%)with a density under(MW1=85000-124000,C1=7%and C2=9%).We calculated elasticity and deformation parameters of solid(blue)areas,contrasting with the norm(Kappa=0.8;high degree of satisfaction).CONCLUSION PVA hydrogels were appropriate for simulating organs and digestive lesions using EUS/EUS-E,facilitating practice and reducing risk.Repetition amplified skills,while reducing the learning curve.

Production of Carbon Nanotubes and Hydrogen Catalyzed with Ni/MCM-41 Catalysts

Methane catalytic decomposition (MCD) over Ni/MCM-41 catalysts was tested in a microreactor to simultaneously produce hydrogen and carbon nanotubes (CNTs). The methane conversion reached 30% to 47% at a moderate temperature range from 400°C to 600°C and the catalytic activity of the catalysts remains stable during 500 min steam on time. CNTs were chiefly formed through tip-growth mode, due to the weak interaction between the metallic Ni and the support. Most of the Ni particles are located on the tip of the produced CNTs, which avoids rapid deactivation of the catalyst resulted from carbon encapsulation. Large Ni particles usually lead to the formation of CNTs with big diameter. During the reaction, the shape of Ni particles changed from pseudo-sphere to diamond-like. All the CNTs consist of multiple layer walls and are curved in certain degree.

Hydrolysis of Trivalent Holmium in Aqueous Solutions of 2 M Ionic Strength by Spectrophotometric and Potentiometric Methods

The first hydrolysis constants of trivalent holmium in 2 M NaClO4 and 2 M NaCl at 303 K and in CO2 free conditions were determined. The pCH borderlines of precipitation and first hydrolysis were determined by means of a spectrophotometric method and last one with the program SQUAD. Independently, the stability constant for the first hydrolytic species was determined, by means of potentiometric pH titrations whose data were treated with the program SUPERQUAD. The hydrolysis constants obtained were: ?and . These values attained by both methods are the same. The log10β1,Cl constants for the species HoCl2+ was also calculated for 2 M ionic strength and 303 K from the hydrolysis constant obtained in both perchlorate and chloride media. This value was logβ1,Cl = -0.56.

Keggin Structure and Surface Acidity of 12-Phosphotungstic Acid Grafted Zr-MCM-48 Mesoporous Molecular Sieves

A zirconium modified MCM-48 mesoporous material was synthesized by surfactant-templated method. Surface grafting Zr-MCM-48 with tungstophosphoric acid led to a great enhancement of both the number of the Br?nsted acid sites and acidity strength in comparison with the bare support. At 100°C, the 30 wt% H3PW12O40/Zr-MCM-48 contained 174 μmol/g Br?nsted acid sites which were 14.5 times greater than that of Zr-MCM-48. The Keggin structure of the grafted heteropolyacid was rather stable after calcination at 400°C for 2 h, approximately 93.3% of Keggin structure in the dispersed heteropolyacid were remained without destruction but slightly distorted in some degree, as evidenced by FTIR characterization and 31P NMR-MAS analysis. This H3PW12O40/Zr-MCM-48 solid with three dimensional mesoporous system, large surface area and very strong Br?nsted acidity will be a promising catalyst for acid catalytic reactions.

Isolation of L. interrogans Serovar Pomona in 14 Human Cases and an African Lion, All with Chronic Leptospirosis

Depending on its time of evolution, leptospirosis presents two phases: acute and chronic. The chronic leptospirosis is widely accepted in animals and, until recently, this was denied in humans. Since the 1990s, we have studied dozens of cases demonstrating the chronicity of leptospirosis, including an asymptomatic or undetermined form that may remain so throughout life time or may evolve into a definitive chronic disease and/or worsen, becoming severe cases. A fundamental part for its demonstration is the isolation and characterization of the etiologic agent. In this work, the first 14 isolations of Leptospira sp. are reported from human chronic leptospirosis and an African lion diagnosed with chronic leptospirosis, obtained between 2002 and 2006, in urine, blood, and skin microbiopsies. From the 14 isolations from patients with chronic leptospirosis, one of the cases is apparently congenital and two are from patients with chronic asymptomatic leptospirosis. The diagnosis was performed by means of videorecording in darkfield microscopy in blood and urine, specific culture media, and MAT serology. Argentic impregnation and detection of specific antigen by immunostaining in blood were performed in seven patients;in two patients, skin microbiopsies and biopsies were performed. All cases were positive by video-recording in darkfield, one of them MAT was 1:160, and the rest were positive at low titers (≤1:80). The two skin biopsies were positive by argentic impregnation and immunostaining. Eleven isolates were obtained from blood, two from skin, and one from urine. The isolates were characterized by monoclonal antibodies as Leptospira serovar Pomona. L. Pomona is considered of low virulence and high adaptability to the host, and is frequently associated to chronic leptospirosis in animals. In our study, it was the only isolated serovar, including the one isolated from the lion, which would seem the most common one in our country and responsible for a large portion of cases of chronic human leptospirosis.

Preparation and Characterization of Holmium-Beta-Cyclodextrin Complex

The purpose of this study was to prepare and characterize of holmium-beta-cyclodextrin complex (Ho-β-CD) in order to increase the solubility and stability of Holmium. To achieve this goal, Ho-β-CD complex was prepared by evaporation method of holmium and beta cyclodextrin solutions in a proportion (1:1) and (1:3), respectively. Infrared (IR) and Raman spectroscopy, X-Ray Diffraction were performed to identify the complex. Morphology of the Ho, β-CD, and Ho-β-CD were studied using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM).

Detection of Antibodies against Mycoplasma mycoides subsp. capri in Goats with the Complement Fixation Test

Mycoplasma mycoides subsp. capri is the causative agent of severe and acute respiratory problems in goats, which spreads rapidly and represents high mortality. The serological profile of the goat population, from nine regions in seven states of Mexico, was screened by the Complement Fixation test (CF) in sera from asymptomatic goats and animals with mild respiratory symptoms. Sera and nasal swabs of 827 goats were collected for the isolation of the organism. An antiserum was prepared against a previously isolated field strain of Mycoplasma mycoides subsp. capri. CF Antibody titers were associated with the results of the isolates to determine the cutoff point. The CF was considered as positive if its result was ≥1/16. The CF registered 251 positive goats (30.35%) and 576 (69.65%) negative;the test showed high sensitivity (93.33%) and specificity (72.27%). In the specific case of diagnosis for mycoplasmosis associated with respiratory problems in goats, the CF proved to be a good diagnosis test, this study determined that 30% of the goat population showed antibody titers against Mycoplasma mycoides subsp. capri and revealed those animals who have had contact with this microorganism during their lives regardless of the presence or absence of respiratory symptoms.