National Autonomous University of Nicaragua

About: National Autonomous University of Nicaragua is a education organization based out in Managua, Nicaragua. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Public health. The organization has 775 authors who have published 715 publications receiving 9791 citations.

Daily Rice Bran Consumption for 6 Months Influences Serum Glucagon-Like Peptide 2 and Metabolite Profiles without Differences in Trace Elements and Heavy Metals in Weaning Nicaraguan Infants at 12 Months of Age.

Abstract: Background Environmental enteric dysfunction (EED) is associated with chronic gut inflammation affecting nutrient absorption and development of children, primarily in low- and middle-income countries. Several studies have shown that rice bran (RB) supplementation provides nutrients and modulates gut inflammation, which may reduce risk for undernutrition. Objective The aim was to evaluate the effect of daily RB dietary supplementation for 6 mo on serum biomarkers in weaning infants and associated changes in serum and stool metabolites. Methods A 6-mo randomized-controlled dietary intervention was conducted in a cohort of weaning 6-mo-old infants in Leon, Nicaragua. Anthropometric indices were obtained at 6, 8, and 12 mo. Serum and stool ionomics and metabolomics were completed at the end of the 6-mo intervention using inductively coupled plasma MS and ultra-high performance LC-tandem MS. The ɑ1-acid glycoprotein, C-reactive protein, and glucagon-like peptide 2 (GLP-2) serum EED biomarkers were measured by ELISA. Results Twenty-four infants in the control group and 23 in the RB group successfully completed the 6-mo dietary intervention with 90% dietary compliance. RB participants had higher concentrations of GLP-2 as compared with control participants at 12 mo [median (IQR): 743.53 (380.54) pg/mL vs. 592.50 (223.59) pg/mL; P = 0.04]. Metabolite profiles showed significant fold differences of 39 serum metabolites and 44 stool metabolites from infants consuming RB compared with control, and with significant metabolic pathway enrichment scores of 4.7 for the tryptophan metabolic pathway, 5.7 for polyamine metabolism, and 5.7 for the fatty acid/acylcholine metabolic pathway in the RB group. No differences were detected in serum and stool trace elements or heavy metals following daily RB intake for 6 mo. Conclusions RB consumption influences a suite of metabolites associated with growth promotion and development, while also supporting nutrient absorption as measured by changes in serum GLP-2 in Nicaraguan infants. This clinical trial was registered at https://clinicaltrials.gov as NCT02615886.

Acid-Base Balance in Uremic Rats with Vascular Calcification

Abstract: Background/Aims: Vascular calcification (VC), a major complication in humans and animals with chronic kidney disease (CKD), is influenced by changes in acid-base balance. The purpose of this study was to describe the acid-base balance in uremic rats with VC and to correlate the parameters that define acid-base equilibrium with VC. Methods: Twenty-two rats with CKD induced by 5/6 nephrectomy (5/6 Nx) and 10 nonuremic control rats were studied. Results: The 5/6 Nx rats showed extensive VC as evidenced by a high aortic calcium (9.2 ± 1.7 mg/g of tissue) and phosphorus (20.6 ± 4.9 mg/g of tissue) content. Uremic rats had an increased pH level (7.57 ± 0.03) as a consequence of both respiratory (PaCO2 = 28.4 ± 2.1 mm Hg) and, to a lesser degree, metabolic (base excess = 4.1 ± 1 mmol/l) derangements. A high positive correlation between both anion gap (AG) and strong ion difference (SID) with aortic calcium (AG: r = 0.604, p = 0.02; SID: r = 0.647, p = 0.01) and with aortic phosphorus (AG: r = 0.684, p = 0.007; SID: r = 0.785, p = 0.01) was detected. Conclusions: In an experimental model of uremic rats, VC showed high positive correlation with AG and SID.

Identification of young adults at risk of an accelerated loss of kidney function in an area affected by Mesoamerican nephropathy.

Abstract: After two-years of follow-up of 263 apparently healthy 18- to 30-year-old men in communities affected by Mesoamerican nephropathy (MeN), we identified three distinct case groups: a subgroup with (i) established renal dysfunction (case-group 1); individuals with (ii) a rapid decline in kidney function (case-group 2); and individuals with (iii) stable kidney function (non-cases). This paper investigates whether local tests are potentially useful for the timely identification of these case groups. Creatinine levels were measured in local laboratories every six months for two years. Aliquots were sent to a centralized laboratory for measurements of cystatin C and creatinine levels. We investigated agreement between the locally and centrally measured creatinine-based Chronic Kidney disease Epidemiology Collaboration (CKD-EPI) equation for estimating the Glomerular Filtration Rate (eGFR). A logistic regression analysis was used to assess predictive factors for case groups 1 and 2 compared to non-cases. Predictive variables were locally measured eGFR, and urinary neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (uNGAL) levels. The discrimination performance of the model was assessed using the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC). Considerable variation in local eGFR measurements was observed. The prediction model for case-group 1 included baseline kidney function and with or without uNGAL (AUC = 0.98, 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.91–1.00). The prediction model for case-group 2 also required eGFRScr at six and twelve months after baseline, with or without uNGAL levels (AUC = 0.88; 95% CI 0.80–0.99). Established renal dysfunction was detected at a single time point using local measurements and uNGAL. For the detection of a rapid decline in kidney function over time, at least 2 more measurements at six and twelve months are needed.

Medición de la contribución de la Bioeconomía en América Latina: caso Cuba

Abstract: La presente investigacion constituye una primera aproximacion para el caso de Cuba, a la medicion de la contribucion de la bioeconomia desde una perspectiva economica. Su desarrollo ha estado vinculado a la Red Iberoamericana de Bioeconomia y Cambio Climatico (REBICAMCLI) financiada por el programa CYTED. Los datos utilizados fueron tomados en su mayoria del Anuario estadistico de Cuba, principal publicacion de la Oficina Nacional de Estadistica e Informacion (ONEI), donde se recogen las estadisticas oficiales del pais. El ano base que se toma para los analisis es 1997, que es el que se reconoce hasta la fecha como referencia oficial en el Sistema de Cuentas Nacionales. No obstante, dada la necesidad de cambiar el ano base cada cierto tiempo, se conoce que este esta aun en proceso de cambio. Esta primera aproximacion muestra un muy bajo nivel de aporte de la bioeconomia en Cuba, para un promedio de un 4%, cifra que pudiera incrementarse de contarse con una informacion mas detallada a nivel del Sistema de Cuentas Nacionales. En cuanto a los factores que condicionan este bajo aporte, estan problemas estructurales de la economia, como la doble circulacion monetaria, las distorsiones de precios, los subsidios a la produccion en el sector agricola, entre otros. Rev. iberoam. bioecon. cambio clim. Vol.1(1) 2015; 223-240

Cómo redactar los antecedentes de una investigación cualitativa

Abstract: The irruption in the field of educational research for those who open up to view and always become a number of fears, uncertainty and confusions that soon become questions in a series of questions: How to write the background of an investigation? qualitative? This is an issue that interests us, that raises the academic future. To do this, a documentary path based on the technique of documentary review has been taken, and a set of scientific books and articles has been analyzed, and another amount has been consulted in national documentation centers and international digital platforms, which has generated The result is a model for the drafting of background information, which among its aims is to facilitate the construction of qualitative research antecedents and, therefore, to be a reference for those who are flamingly initiated in the area of educational research.