On the exponential model for energy with respect to number of electrons

Using an exponential model for the variation in energy with respect to the number of electrons it is shown that, within the model, the hardness, softness, electrophilicity and other global parameters connected to higher order derivatives follow an equalization principle after a molecule is formed from two separated species. Two generalizations of the model are also discussed, one of which presents discontinuity of the chemical potential at integer values of N.     

Anthropometric measurements by ethnicity in Colombia, 1965–1990

We analyzed the evolution of height in Colombia of cohorts born in the period 1965–1990 by ethnic groups. We found that Afro-Colombian men and women were the tallest: 6 cm taller than indigenous people and 2 cm taller than the rest of the population. We also found that the height gap between Afro-Colombians and others decreased during the period under study by 0.7 cm for both men and women. While improvements were noticeable among the Afro-Colombians and those who chose not to be classified by ethnicity, in the case of the indigenous population only female cohorts registered an average-height increase of 1.5 cm. Moreover, we found that indigenous Colombians were more likely than other ethnic groups to experience an increase in biological well-being as a consequence of an improvement in their socio-economic status, thereby reducing the average-stature gap between them and the rest of the population by 2.1 and 3.6 cm for men and women, respectively.     

Tasa estimada de disposición de glucosa en pacientes menores de 18 años con diabetes mellitus tipo 1 y sobrepeso-obesidad

ObjectiveTo assess the estimated glucose disposal rate (eGDR), insulin dose, and lipoprotein profile in children with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) and overweight or obesity as compared to children with T1DM and normal weight.MethodsA total of 115 patients (aged 5-16 years) with T1DM on intensive insulin therapy were recruited. The following parameters were measured: weight, height, body mass index, waist and hip circumference, insulin dose, eGDR, glycosylated hemoglobin, blood pressure, and lipoprotein profile. Results were stratified by sex and age.ResultsNo significant differences were found in eGDR between children with normal weight, overweight, and obesity. However, obese children older than 11 years had lower eGDR values (9.3 ± 1.3 vs 10.1 ± 0.8 mg kg^-1min^-1; p < 0.01). Insulin dose was higher in overweight and obese children, especially in IU/m²/day (37.7 vs 36.1 vs 29.4 respectively; p < 0.01). Obese children had higher low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels than children with overweight and normal weight (106.5 vs 91.7 vs 91.5 mg/dL respectively; p < 0.01). No correlation was found between waist circumference and the different markers of insulin resistance.ConclusionsValues of eGDR values were lower in obese children with T1DM older than 11 years, and this may therefore be considered a marker of insulin resistance. Insulin dose was higher in diabetic patients with overweight or obesity, specially in IU/m²/day. Obese children with T1DM had a lipoprotein profile of cardiovascular risk.     

Quantitative Analysis of Cell Migration Using Optical Flow

Neural crest cells exhibit dramatic migration behaviors as they populate their distant targets. Using a line of zebrafish expressing green fluorescent protein (sox10:EGFP) in neural crest cells we developed an assay to analyze and quantify cell migration as a population, and use it here to characterize in detail the subtle defects in cell migration caused by ethanol exposure during early development. The challenge was to quantify changes in the in vivo migration of all Sox10:EGFP expressing cells in the visual field of time-lapse movies. To perform this analysis we used an Optical Flow algorithm for motion detection and combined the analysis with a fit to an affine transformation. Through this analysis we detected and quantified significant differences in the cell migrations of Sox10:EGFP positive cranial neural crest populations in ethanol treated versus untreated embryos. Specifically, treatment affected migration by increasing the left-right asymmetry of the migrating cells and by altering the direction of cell movements. Thus, by applying this novel computational analysis, we were able to quantify the movements of populations of cells, allowing us to detect subtle changes in cell behaviors. Because cranial neural crest cells contribute to the formation of the frontal mass these subtle differences may underlie commonly observed facial asymmetries in normal human populations.     

Assessing “Dangerous Climate Change”: Required Reduction of Carbon Emissions to Protect Young People,Future Generations and Nature

We assess climate impacts of global warming using ongoing observations and paleoclimate data. We use Earth’s measured energy imbalance, paleoclimate data, and simple representations of the global carbon cycle and temperature to define emission reductions needed to stabilize climate and avoid potentially disastrous impacts on today’s young people, future generations, and nature. A cumulative industrial-era limit of ∼500 GtC fossil fuel emissions and 100 GtC storage in the biosphere and soil would keep climate close to the Holocene range to which humanity and other species are adapted. Cumulative emissions of ∼1000 GtC, sometimes associated with 2°C global warming, would spur “slow” feedbacks and eventual warming of 3–4°C with disastrous consequences. Rapid emissions reduction is required to restore Earth’s energy balance and avoid ocean heat uptake that would practically guarantee irreversible effects. Continuation of high fossil fuel emissions, given current knowledge of the consequences, would be an act of extraordinary witting intergenerational injustice. Responsible policymaking requires a rising price on carbon emissions that would preclude emissions from most remaining coal and unconventional fossil fuels and phase down emissions from conventional fossil fuels.     

Cascade screening and genetic diagnosis of familial hypercholesterolemia in clusters of the Southeastern region from Brazil

Familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) is an autosomal dominant genetic disease characterized by high levels of low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDLc), associated to premature cardiovascular disease. The detection of the variants related to FH is important to improve the early diagnosis in probands / index-cases (ICs) and their relatives. We included ICs with FH and their relatives, living in a small region of Minas Gerais state-Brazil, which were classified according to Dutch Lipid Clinic Network Criteria (DLCNC) and submitted to sequencing of genes related to FH (LDLR, APOB, PCSK9, LDLRAP1, LIPA, STAP1, APOE, ABCG5 e ABCG8). In a total of 143 subjects (32 ICs and 111 relatives), eight variants were identified in 91 individuals. From these variants, five were in LDLR [p.(Asp224Asn), p.(Ser854Gly), p.(Cys34Arg), p.(Asp601His), deletion of exon15 in LDLR)], one in APOB [p.(Met499Val)], one in PCSK9 [p.(Arg237Trp)] and one in APOE [p.(Pro28Leu)] genes. The variants were detected in 100% of those subjects classified as definitive, 87% as probable and 69% as possible FH cases based on DLCNC. The LDLc level was higher in individuals with corneal arch and xanthomas or xanthelasmas, as well as in pathogenic or probably pathogenic variants carriers. This study showed higher frequency of LDLR gene variants compared to other genes related to LDL metabolism in individuals with FH in Minas Gerais – Brazil and the presence of FH in relatives without previous diagnosis. Our data reinforce the importance of molecular and clinical evaluation of FH relatives in order to early diagnosis the FH, as well as cardiovascular diseases prevention.