Abstract OBJECTIVE: To determine the relation between uric acid and metabolic and anthropometric parameters and adipokines leptin and adiponectin in post-menopausal women. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A descriptive cross-sectional study was performed in post-menopausal women. Anthropometric measurements were taken by electric bioimpedance, and fasting venous blood samples were taken to determine glucose, total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol and triglycerides by enzyme techniques, and levels of adiponectin, leptin and insulin were measured by radioimmunoassay. Insulin resistance was calculated using HOMA-IR. The variables were described with mean and standard deviation. Statistical analysis was performed by Pearson correlation test to evaluate the relation between uric acid and the study variables, and a multiple regression was performed to determine the parameters with greatest influence on uric acid. RESULTS: The study included 90 post-menopausal women aged 55 to 84 years. The average age of the participants was 63.7 years, and the average concentration of uric acid was 4.9 mg/dL. In bivariate analysis, anthropometric parameters, LDL-cholesterol, triglycerides and leptin showed positive association with uric acid, and HDL-cholesterol and adiponectin had a negative one. In multiple regression analysis, body fat associated with uric acid independent of body weight (beta=0.592, p=0.037). CONCLUSIONS: Uric acid relates with an adverse cardio-metabolic profile in post-menopausal women.

Resumen OBJETIVO: Evaluar la relación del ácido úrico con los parámetros metabólicos, antropométricos, leptina y adiponectina, en mujeres posmenopáusicas en quienes se incrementa el riesgo de enfermedad cardiovascular. MATERIALES Y MÉTODOS: Estudio transversal y descriptivo efectuado en mujeres posmenopáusicas. Parámetros de estudio: mediciones antropométricas (bioimpedancia eléctrica), concentraciones de glucosa, colesterol total, LDL-colesterol, HDL-colesterol, triglicéridos (por métodos enzimáticos), adiponectina, leptina e insulina (por radioinmunoensayo). Cálculo de la resistencia a la insulina por el método HOMA-IR. Descripción de variables con promedio y desviación estándar. Análisis estadístico, con prueba de correlación de Pearson, para determinación de la relación entre el ácido úrico y las variables de estudio y regresión múltiple para determinación de los parámetros con mayor influencia en el ácido úrico. RESULTADOS: Se estudiaron 90 mujeres posmenopáusicas de 55 a 84 años, con edad promedio de 63.7 años. La concentración promedio de ácido úrico de las participantes fue de 4.9 mg/dL. En el análisis bivariado los parámetros antropométricos, el LDL-c, los triglicéridos y la leptina se asociaron positivamente con el ácido úrico y el HDL-c y la adiponectina de forma negativa. En el análisis multivariado la grasa corporal se asoció con el ácido úrico, independientemente del peso corporal (beta = 0.592; p = 0.037). CONCLUSIONES: En mujeres posmenopáusicas, las concentraciones anormales de ácido úrico se relacionan con un perfil cardiometabólico adverso.

O objetivo do presente estudo foi descrever a estrutura de bancos de rodolitos de áreas rasas da Bahia Magdalena, um dos sistemas estuarinos mais produtivos da costa pacífica mexicana. Quatro bancos de rodolitos situados entre 1 e 3m de profundidade foram avaliados em relação a densidade, classes de tamanho, densidade dos ramos, volume e peso no período de setembro de 2008 a maio de 2009. A espécie dominante no local foi Lithophyllum margaritae. O tamanho dos bancos variou de 7,600 a 17,800 m² aproximadamente, com densidades de 42.2-215.9 ind.m-2 . Foram observadas formas de crescimento fruticosa e folhosa em L. margaritae, sendo a forma esférica predominante (81-99%). A densidade dos ramos (3.0-13.3 ramos.cm-2) variou significativamente (p < 0.05) entre os bancos. O volume médio (2.0-400 ml) e o peso úmido (32.4-84.8 g) não tiveram diferenças significativas entre os locais, mas uma correlação positiva significativa (r = 0.95, p < 0.05) foi encontrada entre os parâmetros. O tamanho das plantas variou de 2.0 a 11.5 centímetros predominando o padrão entre 40.1-60 mm. As diferenças na densidade de rodolitos, densidade dos ramos e a esfericidade foram atribuídas às condições hidrodinâmicas diferenciadas nos locais. Estes bancos também foram um importante habitat para uma grande diversidade de esponjas associadas. A ordenação das amostras com o escalonamento multidimensional não-métrico (MDS) indicou grande variabilidade na distribuição das assembléias de esponjas entre os bancos, estas diferenças provavelmente são resultado de diferenças nas condições ambientais. Embora estes bancos de rodolitos não sejam tão extensos quanto os de outras regiões, nossas pesquisas preliminares revelaram que estes bancos são um habitat comum na Bahia Magdalena e provavelmente têm um papel importante na produtividade do sistema estuarino da região.

The aim of the present study was to describe the structure of shallow-water rhodolith beds from Bahia Magdalena, one of the most productive estuarine systems of the Mexican Pacific coasts. From September 2008 to May 2009 four rhodolith beds were found (between 1 and 3 m depth) and population descriptors such as rhodolith density, size classes, branch density, volume and weight were determined. The dominant rhodolith forming species was Lithophyllum margaritae. The size of beds ranged from 7,600 to 17,800 m2 approximately with densities from 42.2 to 215.9 ind.m-2. In these beds, L. margaritae shows fruticose and foliose growth forms, from which spherical forms were predominant (81-99%). Branch density (from 3.0 to 13.3 branches.cm-2) varied significantly (p < 0.05) among beds. The average volume (from 2.0 to 400 mL) and wet weight (from 32.4 to 84.8 g) was not significantly different among sites, but a significant positive correlation (r = 0.95, p < 0.05) was found between these parameters. The size of plants ranged from 2.0 to 11.5 cm with predominant size classes of 40.1-60 mm. Differences in rhodolith density, branch density and sphericity were attributed to possible differences in hydrodynamic conditions among sites. These beds were also a suitable habitat for high diversity of associated sponges. A non-metric multidimensional scaling (MDS) analysis using sponge species data revealed variability in the distribution of sponge assemblages among sites, which is likely the result of differences in environmental conditions. Although these rhodolith beds are not as extensive as those of other regions, our preliminary surveys revealed that they are a common habitat in Bahía Magdalena and likely have an important role in the productivity of this estuarine system.

RESUMEN Se evaluó la maduración poscosecha del plátano luego de ser tratados con cinco dosis de etefón en el rango de concentración de 2000 a 6000 mg·L-1 de Ethrel, y almacenados por períodos comprendidos entre 24 y 240 horas. El material utilizado consistió en racimos de plátanos verdes cosechados en madurez fisiológica, provenientes de plantaciones del sur del estado Cojedes, Venezuela. Se utilizó la metodología de superficie de respuesta bajo un diseño compuesto central ortogonal para los factores de concentración de etefón y tiempo de almacenamiento. La combinación de ambos factores estableció un total de nueve tratamientos y seis repeticiones del punto central. Los frutos fueron almacenados a 18 ± 3 ºC y 87 % de humedad relativa. Se evaluaron las variables de pérdida de peso (PP), resistencia al corte (RC) y a la penetración (RP), sólidos solubles totales (SST) y acidez titulable (AT). El etefón, a las concentraciones utilizadas, no causó efecto alguno (P>0,05) sobre estas variables. El tiempo de almacenamiento causó un decrecimiento significativo (P≤0,01) en la RP y RC, así como un incremento en PP y SST. La AT tuvo una tendencia cuadrática alcanzando durante el almacenamiento un valor máximo para luego descender. Los bajos niveles de sólidos solubles totales así como los altos valores de resistencia al corte y a la penetración alcanzados durante el tiempo máximo del ensayo mostraron que un período de almacenamiento de 240 horas a 18 ºC no fue suficiente para lograr la madurez de consumo de los frutos

ABSTRACT The postharvest maturation of plantain after treated with five dose of ethephon (from 2000 to 6000 mg·L-1 Ethrel) and stored for periods ranging from 24 to 240 h was studied. Green plantain fruits coming from South of Cojedes State, Venezuela, harvested at physiologic maturation were used. The trial was conducted under an orthogonal central composite design with two factors and analyzed under response surface methods. The combination of factors established a total of nine treatments and six repetitions of the central point. The fruits were stored at 18 ± 3 ºC and 87 % H.R. The evaluated variables were weight loss (WL), resistance to the cut (RC) and penetration (RP), total soluble solids (TSS) and titratable acidity (TA). The ethephon, at the tested concentrations, did not produce any effect (P>0.05) on those variables. The storage time caused a decrease (P≤0.01) on RC and RP, along with an increment on WL and TSS. The TA showed a cuadratic trend reaching a maximum value before starting to descent. The low levels of total soluble solids and the high values of resistances to cut and penetration, obtained at the longest storage time, showed that storing the plantains for 240 h at 18 ºC was not a period long enough to induce the appropriate ripening of the fruits