Environmental, personal, and genetic determinants of response to vitamin D supplementation in older adults

CONTEXT AND OBJECTIVE: Suboptimal vitamin D status can be corrected by vitamin D supplementation, but individual responses to supplementation vary. We aimed to examine genetic and nongenetic determinants of change in serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) after supplementation. DESIGN AND PARTICIPANTS: We used data from a pilot randomized controlled trial in which 644 adults aged 60 to 84 years were randomly assigned to monthly doses of placebo, 30 000 IU, or 60 000 IU vitamin D3 for 12 months. Baseline characteristics were obtained from a self-administered questionnaire. Eighty-eight single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in 41 candidate genes were genotyped using Sequenom MassArray technology. Serum 25(OH)D levels before and after the intervention were measured using the Diasorin Liaison platform immunoassay. We used linear regression models to examine associations between genetic and nongenetic factors and change in serum 25(OH)D levels. RESULTS: Supplement dose and baseline 25(OH)D level explained 24% of the variability in response to supplementation. Body mass index, self-reported health status, and ambient UV radiation made a small additional contribution. SNPs in CYP2R1, IRF4, MC1R, CYP27B1, VDR, TYRP1, MCM6, and HERC2 were associated with change in 25(OH)D level, although only CYP2R1 was significant after adjustment for multiple testing. Models including SNPs explained a similar proportion of variability in response to supplementation as models that included personal and environmental factors. CONCLUSION: Stepwise regression analyses suggest that genetic variability may be associated with response to supplementation, perhaps suggesting that some people might need higher doses to reach optimal 25(OH)D levels or that there is variability in the physiologically normal level of 25(OH)D.

Studies of the polarographic and coulometric behaviour of aromatic nitro-compounds: I. Nitrobenzene in ethanol

A detailed polarographic (a.c. and d.c.) and coulometric investigation of nitrobenzene has been made at various pH values in the presence of different concentrations of ethanol. Below pH 4.7, two waves are apparent but above this pH, the second wave does not appear. Coulometric evidence indicates that the first and second waves correspond to the four-and two-electron processes, respectively. The coulometric method was not applicable in sodium hydroxide and sodium acetate solutions. When the diffusion coefficients (from the diaphragm cell) are used in the Ilkovic equation, no reliable conclusions can be reached for the number of electrons involved in the reduction process in alkaline solutions. The a.c. polarographic method gives evidence for the formation of species such as: C6H5NO2H22+, C6H5NO2− and C6H5NO22−. Analysis of d.c. polarographic data by Delahay's treatment of irreversible waves, indicates that the number of electrons involved in the rate-determining step is 2. In sodium hydroxide solutions, however, the first main wave is split indicating more than one rate-determining step. The results presented in this paper indicate that the first wave in the reduction of nitrobenzene is a four-electron process at all pH values. The second wave, which appears below pH 4.7, corresponds to a two-electron process irrespective of wave heights. The difference in the a.c. polarographic behaviour in acid and alkaline solutions has given evidence for the formation of species like C6H5NO2H2, C6H5NO2−, and C6H5NO22.

Expected Performance of the ATLAS Experiment - Detector, Trigger and Physics

A detailed study is presented of the expected performance of the ATLAS detector. The reconstruction of tracks, leptons, photons, missing energy and jets is investigated, together with the performance of b-tagging and the trigger. The physics potential for a variety of interesting physics processes, within the Standard Model and beyond, is examined. The study comprises a series of notes based on simulations of the detector and physics processes, with particular emphasis given to the data expected from the first years of operation of the LHC at CERN.

Influence of steric effect on the structural aspects of N,N `,N `'-triarylguanidine derived six-membered C,N] palladacycles

Guanidine derived six-membered C,N] palladacycles of the types (C,N)Pd(mu-OC(O)R)](2) (1a-d), (C,N)Pd(mu-Br)](2) (2a,b), cis-(C,N)PdBr(L)] (3a-d, 4, and 5), and ring contracted guanidine derived five-membered C,N] palladacycle, (C,N)PdBr(C NXy)] (6) were prepared in high yield following the established methods with a view aimed at understanding the influence of the substituents on the aryl rings of the guanidine upon the solid state structure and solution behaviour of palladacycles. Palladacycles were characterised by microanalytical, IR, NMR and mass spectral data. The molecular structures of 1a, 1c, 2a, 2b, 3a, 3c, 3d, and 4-6 were determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction data. Palladacycles 1a and 1c were shown to exist as a dimer in transoid in-in conformation in the solid state but as a mixture of a dimer in major proportion and a monomer (kappa(2)-O,O'-OAc) in solution as deduced from H-1 NMR data. Palladacycles 2a and 2b were shown to exist as a dimer in transoid conformation in the solid state but the former was shown to exist as a mixture of a dimer and presumably a trimer in solution as revealed by a variable temperature H-1 NMR data in conjunction with ESI-MS data. The cis configuration around the palladium atom in 3a, 3c, and 3d was ascribed to steric influence of the aryl moiety of =NAr unit and that in 4-6 was ascribed to antisymbiosis. The solution behaviour of 3d was studied by a variable concentration (VC) H-1 NMR data.

Utilización de la resina de neem (Azadirachta indica) como desparasitante externo en el tratamiento del tórsalo (Dermatobia hominis) en bovinos del municipio de Muy Muy, departamento de Matagalpa

El presente estudio se realizó con el objetivo de evaluar la utilización de la Resina de Neem (Azadirachta indica)como desparasitante externo en el tratamiento del tórsalo (Dermatobia hominis)en bovinos del Municipio de Muy Muy, Departamento de Matagalpa. El Municipio de Muy Muy esta ubicado en las Coordenadas 12º45'48" de latitud Norte con 85° 37' 36" de Longitud Oeste, con una altura sobre el nivel del mar de 337.6 metros, una precipitación promedio entre 1400-1800 mm, con una temperatura promedio 24°C., La topografía del terreno en que se ubica el Municipio de MUY MUY, presenta las siguientes características: 32.1% Terrenos Plano, 41.0% Terrenos Ondulados y 26.9% Terrenos Quebrados. Y los tipos de suelos son arcillosos y rocosos. En el trabajo experimental se utilizó un diseño completamen te al azar (D.C.A) el que estuvo compuesto por un lote de 18 animales divididos en 3 grupos, cada grupo formado por 6 animales seleccionadas al azar y sometidas a tratamientos distintos Tratamiento I: Ivermectina al 1%, Tratamiento II: Resina del Neem al 5%. Tratamiento III: Resina de Neem al 10%. Para evaluar la efectividad de los distintos tratamientos se hizo conteos periódicos de tórsalos cada siete días, cuantificando la cantidad de nódulos por animal y región anatómica a los 7, 14, 21, 28, 35, 42, 49, 56 días. La efectividad de todos los tratamientos se observó a partir de los 21 días después de la aplicación. Los tratamientos II y I tuvieron las mejores respuestas en el control, del tórsalo, con un porcentaje de efectividad del 91.6%, y 72.7% respectivamente y con un 62.5% para el tratamiento III. El área anatómica mas afectada fue la del miembro anterior derecho seguido del lateral derecho. Según el análisis del costo de la dosis, se puede decir que la resina de Neem es un desparasita nte económico para los productores.

Efectos de las vitaminas y minerales en vacas gestantes durante el período periparto para la disminución de la incidencia del anestro post parto en la finca San Cristóbal del municipio de Camoapa

El presente estudio se realizó con el objetivo de evaluar el efecto de las vitaminas y minerales en la fase preparto para reducir la incidencia del anestro en vacas pertenecientes a la finca San Cristóbal del municipio de Camoapa. El trabajo experimental se utilizó un diseño completamente aleatorio (D.C.A), el que está compuesto por un lote de 24 animales dividido en 3 grupos, cada grupo formado por 8 animales seleccionados al azar y sometidos a los siguientes tratamientos Tratamiento 1: Pecutrin, Tratamiento 11: Selfos plus + vit. AD3E y Tratamiento III: Control. Obteniendo como resultados, los animales que se les suministró Pecutrin presentan celos a los 116 días, mientras que los animales tratados con Selfos plus presentaron celos a los 80 días, y los no tratados presentaron celo a los 180 días, obteniéndose que con el tratamiento Selfos plus se redujo el puerperio en 100 días por animal. El intervalo parto primer celo comprendió entre 54 - 180 días, los animales tratados con Pecutrin correspondieron a una duración entre 62-130 días, mientras los tratados con Selfos plus+ vit. AD3E correspondieron a una duración de 54- 100 días, mientras que los no tratados fueron de 180 días. Según el análisis del costo de la dosis se puede decir que el Selfos plus+ vit. AD3E es un mineral económico para los productores.

Estresse e acidentes de trabalho: Estudo Pró-Saúde

Esta tese tem o objetivo geral de investigar a associação entre estresse e acidentes no trabalho em funcionários técnico-administrativos efetivos de uma universidade pública no Rio de Janeiro por meio de modelos multiníveis. Para alcançar tal objetivo, a tese foi distribuída em dois artigos. O primeiro artigo investiga a associação entre estresse e acidentes no trabalho considerando componentes hierárquicos da estrutura dos dados por meio de modelos multiníveis com funcionários no primeiro nível agrupados em setores de trabalho no segundo nível. O segundo artigo investiga o comportamento dos coeficientes fixos e aleatórios dos modelos multiníveis com classificação cruzada entre setores de trabalho e grupos ocupacionais em relação aos modelos multiníveis que consideram apenas componentes hierárquicos dos setores de trabalho, ignorando o ajuste dos grupos ocupacionais. O estresse psicossocial no trabalho foi abordado a partir das relações entre alta demanda psicológica e baixo controle do processo laboral, Estas dimensões foram captadas por meio da versão resumida da escala Karasek, que também contém informações sobre o apoio social no trabalho. Dimensões isoladas do estresse no trabalho (demanda e controle), razão entre demanda psicológica e controle do trabalho (Razão D/C) e o apoio social no trabalho foram mensurados no nível individual e nos setores de trabalho. De modo geral, os resultados destacam a demanda psicológica mensurada no nível individual como um importante fator associado à ocorrência de acidentes de trabalho. O apoio social no trabalho, mensurado no nível individual e no setor de trabalho, apresentou associação inversa à prevalência de acidentes de trabalho, sendo, no setor, acentuada entre as mulheres. Os resultados também mostram que os parâmetros fixos dos modelos com e sem classificação cruzada foram semelhantes e que, de modo geral, os erros padrões (EP) foram um pouco maiores nos modelos com classificação cruzada, apesar deste comportamento do EP não ter sido observado quando relacionado aos coeficientes fixos das variáveis agregadas no setor de trabalho. A maior distinção entre as duas abordagens foi observada em relação aos coeficientes aleatórios relacionados aos setores de trabalho, que alteraram substancialmente após ajustar o efeito da ocupação por meio dos modelos com classificação cruzada. Este estudo reforça a importância de características psicossociais na ocorrência de acidentes de trabalho e contribui para o conhecimento dessas relações a partir de abordagens analíticas que refinam a captação da estrutura de dependência dos indivíduos em seu ambiente de trabalho. Sugere-se a realização de outros estudos com metodologia similar, que permitam aprofundar o conhecimento sobre estresse e acidentes no trabalho.

Kinetic energies of C-n(+) (n <= 58) fragment ions produced by nanosecond laser impact on C-60

Laser-induced fragmentation of C-60 has been studied using a time-of-flight mass spectrometric technique. The average kinetic energies of fragment ions C-n(+) (n <= 58) have been extracted from the measured full width at half maximum (FWHM) of ion beam profiles. The primary formation mechanism of small fragment ion C-n(+) (n < 30) is assumed to be a two-step fragmentation process: C60 sequential decay to unstable C-30(+) ion and the binary fission of C-30(+). Considering a second photo absorption process in the later part of laser pulse duration, good agreement is achieved between experiment and theoretical description of photoion formation. (C) 2009 Elsevier B. V. All rights reserved.

Crystal structures of EtEDTB center dot 1.4C(2)H(5)OH center dot 5H(2)O and H4EtEDTB(ClO4)(4)center dot C2H5OH (EtEDTB=N, N, N ', N '-tetrakis[2-(1-ethylbenzimidazolyl)methyl]-1,2-ethanediamine)

The crystal structures of EtEDTB.1.4C(2)H(5)OH.5H(2)O 1 and H4EtEDTB(ClO4)(4).C2H5OH 2 (EtEDTB = N, N,N',N'-tetrakis[2-(1-ethylbenzimidazolyl)methyl]-1,2-ethanediamine) have been determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction method. Compound 1 crystallizes in the space group P(1) over bar with a = 11.489(2), b = 11.866(3), c = 12.002(3) Angstrom, alpha = 97.47(2), beta = 114.564(13), gamma = 114.11(2)degrees, V = 1266.6(5) Angstrom(3), Z = 1, M-r = 847.48, D-c = 1.111 g/cm(3), F(000) = 456 and mu(MoKalpha) = 0.076 mm(-1). A total of 5207 reflections were measured for 1, of which 4323 were independent. The structure of 1 was solved by direct methods and refined by full-matrix least-squares technique to the final R = 0.0706 and wR = 0.1802 for 1318 observed reflections with I > 2sigma(I). In the structure of 1, centrosymmetric EtEDTB molecules are linked by hydrogen bonds through water and ethanol to form 2-dimensional network. Compound 2 crystallizes in the space group C2/c with a = 24.260(5), b = 13.040(3), c = 17.680(4) Angstrom, beta = 97.50(3)degrees, V = 5545.2(2) Angstrom(3), Z = 4, M-r = 1140.80, D-c = 1.366 g/cm(3), F(000) = 2384 and mu(MoKalpha) = 0.289 mm(-1).

A novel way to enhance electroluminescence performance based on soluble binary and ternary europium 1,1,1-trifluoroacetylacetonate

Five rare earth complexes (Gd(acae)(3), Gd(TFacaC)(3), Eu(acaC)(3), Eu(TFacaC)(3) and Eu(TFacaC)(3)bipy; acac, acetylacetone; TFacac, 1,1,1-trifluoroacetylacetone; bipy, 2,2'-bipyridyl) were synthesized. By comparing the phosphorescence spectra of Gd(acac)(3) and Gd(TFacac)(3) the effect of the replacement of hydrogen by fluorine was examined. Organic light-emitting devices (OLEDs) based on the corresponding europium complexes as emissive layers were also fabricated by the spin-coating method. The triple-layer-type device with the structure glass substrate/ITO (indium-tin oxide)/PVK [poly(N-vinylcarbazole)]/(PVKEu)-Eu-.(TFacac)(3)bipy:PBD[2-(4-bibipyyl)-5-(4-t-butylbipyl-1,3,4-oxadiazole)]/PBD/Al (aluminum) exhibits a brighter red luminescence than those devices with Eu(acac)(3) and Eu(TFacac)(3) complexes as emissive centers upon applying a d.c. voltage.

Synthesis, crystal structure and properties of H-8[P4W14O58Na4 (H2O)(20)] center dot 16H(2)O

A novel heteropoly tungstophosphates, H-8[P4W14O58Na4(H2O)(20)] . 16H(2)O, was synthesized by hydrothermal method and characterized by elemental analysis, IR spectrum and single-crystal X-ray structure analysis. The thermal stability of the compound was investigated by using TG-DTA. The crystal is triclinic system with space group P (1) over bar, a = 1. 137 9(2) nm, b=1. 363 2(3) nm, c=1. 627 1(3) nm; alpha=78. 20(3)degrees, beta=71, 20(3)degrees, gamma= 71. 62(3)degrees; V = 2. 252 5(8) nm(3), Z=1, M-r= 4 374. 38, D-c = 3. 225 mg/cm(3), mu = 18. 007 mm(-1), F(000)=1 972, R=0. 074 2, R-w=0. 200 4. The result of structure analysis shows that the anion of the compound consists of two PW7O29Na2(H2O)(10) subunits and two linked phosphorous atoms. A kind of microporous with size of 0. 661 4 nm X 0. 318 9 nm was formed in the crystal structure.