Long-term influence of chitin concentration on the resistance of cement pastes determined by atomic force microscopy

The presence of sulfates potentialize damage on cementbased materials, leading to structural failures. Therefore, structures must be designed to compensate for this effect. The mechanical properties of cement–chitin mixtures are investigated with different percentages of chitin (0.5, 1.3, and 2.1 wt.%) and aging of composite in a joint nanoscopic- and macroscopic-scale by experimental study. The objective is to increase the durability of concrete elements at coastal aquifers where concrete structures are in constant exposure to sulfate ions, chloride ions among others. Tapping mode AFM was used to characterize the surface structure and roughness of the cement pastes. To verify the chitin addition and the formation of sulfate-based aggregates Raman and IR spectra were recorded and are presented in this work. Then, force spectroscopy was used to obtain the nanomechanical properties at three different exposure times (1 day, 6 months, and 1 year) into water or a SO4 2 environment. Macroscopic parameters (e.g., compression strength of cylindrical probes) were assessed for comparison following standard guidelines. The results show a decrease of its mechanical properties as a function of the polymer concentration but more importantly, they correlate the elasticity and adhesion at the nanoscale with the behavior of the bulk material.

Levels of insulin and HOMA-IR in adolescents in Saltillo, Coahuila, Mexico

An alarming rise of obesity in adolescents has been observed, placing them at risk of developing resistance to insulin (IR) and its adverse metabolic consequences such as diabetes mellitus type 2 (DM2), metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular disease. Objective: To know the prevalence of obesity, and the levels of glucose, insulin and HOMA-IR and its association with the BMIz, waist circumference and the pubertal stage in a random sample of adolescents. Materials and methods: 292 adolescents between 12 and 15 years (152 female and 140 male), whose anthropometric measurements (weight, height and waist circumference) were taken, body mass index calculated and Z-score determined. Blood glucose and insulin levels were evaluated from a sample of blood and their HOMA-IR was determined. Results: The results showed that 32.5% were obese, 22.3% were overweight and 23.6% showed adolescent central obesity. Glucose levels (p = 0.016), insulin (p = 0.0001) and HOMA-IR (p = 0.0001) showed significant differences in the group with obesity. Values of the three parameters were increased with the stage of puberty. We found significant differences in the levels of glucose (p = 0.0388), insulin (p = 0.0005) and HOMA-IR (p = 0.0001) between the prepubertal and postpubertal stages.