Central Chile is heavily exploited for mineral and water resources, with agriculture and large urban populations all creating intensive landscape use. Few records of past environmental and climate change are available that afford a broader context. To aid in this assessment, we present a 700-year reconstruction from Laguna del Maule (LdM) in the high Andes of central Chile based on sedimentological, geochemical, diatom and pollen analyses. The age model is based on 210Pb/137Cs and 14C dating tied into known volcanic eruptions. Sedimentology consists of organic-rich sediments and diatom oozes with several interspersed volcanic-rich facies and two tephra deposits. Sediment geochemistry exhibits increased productivity (high Br/Ti, biosilica) and more dominant oxic conditions (high Fe/Mn) from AD 1300 to 1400 and from AD 1650 to 1850, likely during periods of relatively lower lake levels and better development of littoral environments. However, during this later period, high elevation vegetation was dominant, indicative of regional cooler/wetter conditions. In contrast, sediments deposited from AD 1850 to 1930 evidence decreased productivity and increased anoxic lake bottom conditions. The ‘Little Ice Age’ (LIA) in LdM is characterized by significant variations in lake dynamics and hydrology with cooler/wetter conditions (AD 1570–1700), major environmental changes in the 18th century and ending at ca. AD 1850. LdM record documents the impact of the LIA in the southern hemisphere and stresses the global nature of this climate period. Large changes in lake dynamics and diatoms assemblages during the 20th century could be related to anthropogenic impacts, but recent changes in climate patterns cannot be excluded.
At 2 years of age, the concentrations of NSE and S100B were higher in the non-IUGR and IUGR groups with the worst scores for some areas of neurodevelopmental evaluation. The value of these biomarkers for prognostic neurodevelopmental use requires further investigation for both non-IUGR and IUGR infants.
Introduction: The objective of this study was to evaluate placental 11B-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 2 (11B-HSD-2) mRNA levels in intrauterine growth-restricted fetuses (IUGR) as compared with small-for-gestational-age (SGA) fetuses according to clinical criteria. Material and Methods: Placental levels of 11B-HSD-2 mRNA levels were measured in SGA (birth weight <10th centile) and gestational-age-matched, appropriate-for-gestational-age (AGA) births. SGA was classified as IUGR (birth weight <3rd centile or <10th percentile with abnormal uterine artery Doppler or cerebroplacental ratio) or non-IUGR SGA. After RNA extraction, mRNA levels were determined by reverse transcription and quantitative PCR. Results: A total of 38 placentas were analyzed (20 AGA and 18 SGA). Among the SGA pregnancies, 13 qualified as IUGR. The activity of 11B-HSD-2 in IUGR pregnancies [0.105 (SD 0.328)] was significantly reduced compared to non-IUGR SGA [0.304 (SD 0.261); p = 0.018] and AGA [0.294 (SD 0.328); p = 0.001]. These differences remained significant after adjusting for potential confounders (such as smoking or maternal cortisol levels). Activity levels did not significantly differ between non-IUGR SGA and AGA. Discussion: IUGR fetuses had reduced 11B-HSD-2 activity in comparison with SGA and normally grown fetuses. This finding provides opportunities to develop new placental biomarkers for the phenotypic characterization of fetal smallness.
Minimally processed watercress is an alternative to increase vegetable consumption. However, at almost all stages from field production to processing the vegetables could be contaminated with pathogenic and spoilage bacteria. UV-C light can be effective in controlling bacterial growth, but limited information is available for watercress sanitation and storability. This study reports the effect of UV-C light (0-25 kJ/m 2 ) on the quality of minimally processed watercress inoculated with a nonpathogenic Escherichia coli (ATCC 35218), and stored under active modified atmosphere (5% O2-10% CO2) during 12 days at 5C. The application of UV-C treatments reduced E. coli counts between 2.6 and 4.4 log cfu/g. Moreover, the application of 15-25 kJ/m 2 increased the phenolic content and caused slight changes in the visual appearance and color. Therefore, high UV-C doses could be an effective tool to decrease bacterial growth and to extend shelf life of minimally processed watercress.
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