Universidad Manuela Beltrán

About: Universidad Manuela Beltrán is a education organization based out in Bogotá, Colombia. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Body mass index. The organization has 690 authors who have published 611 publications receiving 2526 citations.

Handgrip strength attenuates the adverse effects of overweight on cardiometabolic risk factors among collegiate students but not in individuals with higher fat levels.

Abstract: The aims of this study are to (i) examine a clustered metabolic syndrome composite score (MetScore) and fatness among college students across body mass index (BMI) categories, and (ii) determine whether fit individuals have lower MetScores, fewer individual metabolic syndrome components, and lower fatness than unfit individuals across BMI categories. A total of 1,795 participants aged >18 years who participated in The FUPRECOL Study were selected for the present analyses. Handgrip strength was tested by a grip dynamometer and used to classify adults as fit or unfit. Among all participants, MetScore, percentage of body fat, and visceral adiposity increased linearly across the BMI categories among college students (all P < 0.001). Individuals who were overweight and fit had a lower MetScore (−0.6 SD; P = 0.02), body fat percentage (−2.6%; P < 0.001) and visceral adiposity (−0.2; P = 0.01) than unfit peers. Moderately fit obese individuals had significantly lower visceral fat levels than unfit obese peers (−3.0; P = 0.03). These results suggest that having adequate handgrip strength-a proxy of overall strength capacity-may attenuate obesity-related cardiometabolic risk. Moreover, weight loss should be recommended to all individuals with obesity, even among those who are currently considered fit.

Set-up reduction in an interconnection axle manufacturing cell using SMED

Abstract: This document is about how to reduce set-up time using Single-Minute Exchange of Die (SMED) on an actual production process of interconnection axles, starting with a production and indicators analysis, followed by time studies, and then the rolling-out of all the SMED stages. The first activity carried out was observation, second assessment, and followed by implementation leading to standardization and the generation of standard manufacturing documents. At this point, training was carried out thereby enabling the validation and assessment of the versatility matrix. Finally, the productivity of the manufacturing cell was evaluated by looking at the new Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE) indicator to demonstrate the effectiveness of SMED in reducing start-up times and the fine-tuning of machinery.

Exposure to Mercury in Workers and the Population Surrounding Gold Mining Areas in the Mojana Region, Colombia.

Abstract: In Colombia, the inhabitants of the Mojana region have historically been subjected to high levels of environmental and occupational exposure to mercury; however, there are few robust data on the magnitude of this exposure and associated factors. This study aimed to describe the levels of mercury in the workers and inhabitants in this region, and to identify the main sociodemographic and occupational factors that are associated with this exposure. A cross-sectional study was conducted, in which mercury levels were determined in biological samples (blood, urine, hair) from 1119 people in the Mojana region. A questionnaire was also administered, which was adapted from the Global Mercury Assessment. Linear regression models were adjusted for the natural logarithm of mercury levels in blood, urine, and hair, using the factors that were explored as independent variables. The study reports high mercury levels in 35.0% of blood samples (95% CI 31.9⁻38.1%), 28.8% (95% CI 24.9⁻32.8%) of urine samples, and 56.3% (95% CI 53.1⁻59.5%) of hair samples. The reported source of water for consumption was associated with high levels of mercury (p-value < 0.05). We provide evidence of high levels of mercury exposure for the population in the Mojana region.

Synthesis and Characterization of a Bioartificial Polymeric System with Potential Antibacterial Activity: Chitosan-Polyvinyl Alcohol-Ampicillin

Abstract: Bio-artificial polymeric systems are a new class of polymeric constituents based on blends of synthetic and natural polymers, designed with the purpose of producing new materials that exhibit enhanced properties with respect to the individual components. In this frame, a combination of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and chitosan, blended with a widely used antibiotic, sodium ampicillin, has been developed showing a moderate behavior in terms of antibacterial properties. Thus, aqueous solutions of PVA at 1 wt.% were mixed with acid solutions of chitosan at 1 wt.%, followed by adding ampicillin ranging from 0.3 to 1.0 wt.% related to the total amount of the polymers. The prepared bio-artificial polymeric system was characterized by FTIR, SEM, DSC, contact angle measurements, antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli and antibiotic release studies. The statistical significance of the antibacterial activity was determined using a multifactorial analysis of variance with ρ < 0.05 (ANOVA). The characterization techniques did not show alterations in the ampicillin structure and the interactions with polymers were limited to intermolecular forces. Therefore, the antibiotic was efficiently released from the matrix and its antibacterial activity was preserved. The system disclosed moderate antibacterial activity against bacterial strains without adding a high antibiotic concentration. The findings of this study suggest that the system may be effective against healthcare-associated infections, a promising view in the design of novel antimicrobial biomaterials potentially suitable for tissue engineering applications.