A new approach to obtain pure and active proteins from Lactococcus lactis protein aggregates.

The production of pure and soluble proteins is a complex, protein-dependent and time-consuming process, in particular for those prone-to-aggregate and/or difficult-to-purify. Although Escherichia coli is widely used for protein production, recombinant products must be co-purified through costly processes to remove lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and minimize adverse effects in the target organism. Interestingly, Lactococcus lactis, which does not contain LPS, could be a promising alternative for the production of relevant proteins. However, to date, there is no universal strategy to produce and purify any recombinant protein, being still a protein-specific process. In this context and considering that L. lactis is also able to form functional protein aggregates under overproduction conditions, we explored the use of these aggregates as an alternative source of soluble proteins. In this study, we developed a widely applicable and economically affordable protocol to extract functional proteins from these nanoclusters. For that, two model proteins were used: mammary serum amyloid A3 (M-SAA3) and metalloproteinase 9 (MMP-9), a difficult-to-purify and a prone-to-aggregate protein, respectively. The results show that it is possible to obtain highly pure, soluble, LPS-free and active recombinant proteins from L. lactis aggregates through a cost-effective and simple protocol with special relevance for difficult-to-purify or highly aggregated proteins.

Morfometría nuclear de hepatocitos esteatósicos y esteatósicos estimulados con laser infrarrojo / Nuclear morphometric of the steatotic hepatocytes and stimulated steatotisc with infrared laser

Un total de 24 ratas hembras de 4 meses de vida con peso aproximado de 250 g recibieron una solución de alcohol 40 % disuelto en agua lo cual derivó en una esteatosis alcohólica multivesicular. A 12 de estas ratas esteatósicas se le aplicó estimulaciones de láser infrarrojo con dosis de 8 J/cm2 durante 15 días consecutivos. Posteriormente las ratas fueron sacrificadas y se extrajeron muestras tanto de hígado esteatósico como del estimulado para enseguida ser procesadas para microscopía electrónica de transmisión. De hepatocitos esteatósicos y esteatósicos estimulados se obtuvieron microfotografías electrónicas de transmisión con aumentos finales de 9.500 X, las cuales fueron sometidas a estudios morfométricos para determinar tanto el número de poros nucleares como de fracciones volumétricas de los siguientes componentes celulares: Areas celular y nuclear, fracciones volumétricas de núcleos y nucléolos, eu y heterocromatina. De igual manera se determinó la relación nucleo-citoplasmática de ambos tipos celulares. Del análisis de los resultados entre hepatocitos alcohólicos y alcohólicos estimulados se visualiza que existen notables diferencias en todos los componentes celulares cuantificados. Se concluye que los efectos de la estimulación con lásr infrarrojo provoca en los hepatocitos una drástica transformación en su ultraestructura y en su morfología, situación que se traduciría, por ende, en una variación funcional, representando de esta manera el efecto que dicha estimulación provoca en los hepatocitos.

A total of 24 female rats, aged 4 months and weighing approximately 250 g and they given a solution of 40 % alcohol dissolved in water, leading to alcoholic multivesicular steatosis and 12 of rats was given and infrared laser with dose of 8 J/cm2 during 15 d. The rats were then killed and samples of steatosis and stimulated and were taken and processed for examination by transmission electron microscope. Transmission electron microscope microphotographs steatotic hepatocytes and stimulated steatotic were obtained with final magnification of 9,500 X. They were subjected to morphometric studies to determine the number of nuclear pores and volumetric fractions and areas the following components: cellular and nuclear area, volumetric fractions of nucleus, nucleolus, eu and heterochromatin, nucleocytoplamic ratio of each cell type was determined. Analysis of the results between alcoholic hepatocytes and stimulate alcoholic shows that noticeable differences exist in all the cell components quantified. It is concluded that the effects of the stimuli of laser infrared provoke in the hepatocytes, a drastic transformation of their ultrastructure and morphology. This finally leads to functional variations, representing the effects produced by this stimulate in the hepatocytes.

Poros Nucleares y Función Celular en Epitelio Mamario / Nuclear Pores and Cellular Function

El presente artículo tiene como objetivo central evidenciar la interesante relación que se establece entre la función celular y el número de poros nucleares, relación que modula el activo intercambio nucleo-citoplasmatico en distintas etapas del ciclo celular de la estirpe HC11.

The main objective of this article is related to the study of different existing relationships between cellular function and the number of nuclear pores in order to explain the amount of nuclear-cytoplasmatic exchange through HC11 cell cycle stages.

Clinical assessment and health-related quality of life in patients with non-cardiac chest pain.

INTRODUCTION: Non-cardiac chest pain (NCCP) is mainly related to oesophageal disease, and in spite of being a common condition in Mexico, information regarding it is scarce. AIM: To assess the clinical characteristics and health-related quality of life of patients with NCCP of presumed oesophageal origin. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Patients with NCCP of presumed oesophageal origin with no previous treatment were included in the study. Associated symptoms were assessed and upper gastrointestinal endoscopy and 24-hour oesophageal pH monitoring were performed to diagnose gastroesophageal reflux disease, while oesophageal manometry was used to determine oesophageal motility disorders. The SF-36 Health-Related Quality of Life (HR-QoL) questionnaire was completed and its results compared to a control group without oesophageal symptoms. RESULTS: The study included 33 patients, of which 61% were women, and the mean age was 46.1 (±11.6) years. Causes of NCCP were gastroesophageal reflux disease in 48%, achalasia in 34%, and functional chest pain in 18%. The average progression time for chest pain was 24 (2-240) months, with ≤ 3 events/week in 52% of the patients. The most frequent accompanying symptoms were: regurgitation (81%), dysphagia (72%) and heartburn (66%). Patients with NCCP show deterioration in HR-QoL compared to the control group (P=.01), regardless of chest pain aetiology. The most affected areas were general perception of health, emotional issues, and mental health sub-scale (P>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: In our population, patients with NCCP show deterioration in HR-QoL regardless of the aetiology, frequency, and accompanying symptoms.

Microscopía electrónica de nucleos hepáticos estimulados con dosis crecientes de laser infrarrojo / Electron microscopy hepatic nuclei stimulated with increasing doses of infrared laser

Un total de 20 ratas hembras de 4 meses de vida con peso aproximado de 250 gramos fueron divididas en 4 grupos de animales rotulados como A, B, C y D. El grupo A corresponde al control y los demás grupos recibieron respectivamente estimulaciones con laser infrarrojo con dosis crecientes de 4, 8 y 16 Joules por cm2 durante 15 días consecutivos en 5 puntos del hígado. Posteriormente las ratas fueron sacrificadas y se extrajeron muestras tanto de hígado control como de los estimulados con inducciones infrarrojas para enseguida ser procesadas para microscopía electrónica de transmisión. De los hepatocitos se obtuvieron microfotografías electrónicas de transmisión con aumentos finales de 9.500 X, las cuales fueron sometidas a estudios morfométricos para determinar fracciones volumétricas de sus núcleos y estructuras nucleares. De igual manera se cuantificaron las áreas nucleares, celulares y se determinó la relación núcleo-citoplasmática de los tipos celulares estudiados. Analizados los resultados entre los hepatocitos controles e irradiados se visualiza que existen notables diferencias en la totalidad de los parámetros cuantificados concluyéndose que los efectos de las estimulaciónes infrarrojas con dosis crecientes genera transformaciones en su ultraestructura y en su morfología, fundamentalmente en el aumento de los volúmenes nucleares, y celulares, los volúmenes de cromatina y de la relación-núcleo-citoplasmática situación que se traduciría en una variación funcional, representando de esta manera un efecto evidente que estas inducciones infrarrojas generan.

Twenty-four four-month-old female rats weighing approximately 250 grams were divided into four groups labeled A, B, C and D. A corresponds to the normal group and the other groups received stimulation increasing doses with 4, 8 and 16 J/cm2 of infrared laser respectively for 15 consecutive days in five points of the liver. The rats were then sacrificed and samples of normal liver and liver stimulated with infrared inductions were extracted for immediate processing via transmission electron microscopy. From cell types transmission electron microphotographs were obtained at magnifications of 9500 X these were subjected to morphometric studies to determine volumetric fractions of the nuclei and nuclear structures. Likewise, cell and nuclear areas and nuclear-citoplasmatic relation were quantified. Analysis of the results between normal and radiated hepatocytes revealed notable differences in all the cell components quantified. It is concluded that the effects of increasing infrared stimulation doses brings transformation in their ultrastructure and morphology, fundamentally in the considerable increase in nuclear volume, chromatin volume and the nuclear-citoplasmatic relation, which ultimately translates into a functional variation, thus representing an obvious impact produced by these infrared inductions.

Cáncer de piel asociado a la infección por VIH / Skin cancer associated with HIV infection

El virus de la inmunodeficiencia humana (VIH), agente etiológico del SIDA (síndrome de inmunodeficiencia adquirida), provoca una serie de alteraciones en el sistema inmune que determinan un mayor riesgo para el desarrollo de neoplasias en los pacientes infectados por este virus. Desde la aparición de la terapia antiretroviral (TARV) se ha modificado la presentación de las neoplasias reportadas, disminuyendo la incidencia de las neoplasias definitorias de SIDA (NDS) en contraste al aumento de las neoplasias no definitorias de SIDA (NNDS). Estas últimas corresponden al linfoma de Hodgkin, carcinoma anal invasor, cánceres de piel (melanoma y no melanoma), cáncer oral, cáncer de pene, cáncer pulmonar, hepatocarcinoma, entre otros. Esta revisión tiene como objetivo presentar los aspectos más importantes del cáncer de piel y de las principales neoplasias que presentan manifestaciones dermatológicas en los pacientes con VIH.

The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), etiologic agent of AIDS (acquired immune deficiency syndrome), causes several disturbances in the immune system that define a higher risk of neoplasms development in patients infected with this virus. Since the emergence of antiretroviral therapy (ART), the presence of reported neoplasms has changed, decreasing the incidence of AIDS-defining cancers (ADC) in contrast with the increase in non-AIDS-defining cancers (NADC). These latter corresponds to Hodgkin lymphoma, invasive anal cancer, skin cancers, oral cancer, penis cancer, lung cancer, hepatocellular carcinoma, among others. The objective of this review is to present the most important aspects of skin cancer and the main neoplasms having dermatological manifestations in HIV patients.

El retículo endoplasmático liso en hepatocitos estimulados con distintas dosis de láser infrarrojo / The smooth endoplasmic reticulum in hepatocytes stimulated with different doses of infrared laser

Veinticuatro ratas hembras Sprague Dawley de 4 meses de vida con peso aproximado de 250 g, fueron divididas en cuatro grupos (A, B, C y D), donde el grupo A (control) no recibió estimulación infrarroja, B se irradió con láser infrarrojo 4 J/cm², C con dosis de 8 J/cm² y D con 16 J/cm². La estimulación infrarroja se realizó diariamente, por 15 días ininterrumpidos. Las ratas fueron sacrificadas y se extrajeron muestras tanto de hígado normal (control) como estimulado con las distintas dosis infrarrojas, las que fueron procesadas para microscopía electrónica de transmisión. De los hepatocitos normales y estimulados, se obtuvieron microfotografías con aumentos finales de hasta 36.500 X, que fueron sometidas a estudios morfométricos para determinar fracciones volumétricas con especial énfasis en el retículo endoplásmico liso (REL) y de los siguientes componentes celulares: retículo endoplasmático rugoso (RER), mitocondrias, glicógeno, eu y heterocromatina. De igual manera se cuantificaron las áreas celulares y nucleares. Del análisis de los resultados entre hepatocitos normales y estimulados con diferentes dosis infrarrojas, se visualiza que existen notables diferencias en todos los componentes celulares cuantificados particularmente el REL. Se concluye que las estimulaciones infrarrojas provocan una drástica transformación en la ultraestructura y morfología de los hepatocitos, lo que provocaría una variación funcional, representando de esta manera el efecto que estas estimulaciones provocan en este tipo celular.

A total of 24 female Sprague-Dawley rats aged 4 months and weighing approximately 250 g, were divided into four groups labeled A, B, C and D. Group A received no infrared stimulation and served as control. Group B was radiated with a dose of 4 J/cm² of infrared laser, Group C with doses of 8 J/cm² and Group D with 16 J/cm². This infrared stimulation was carried out daily for 15 days uninterrupted. The rats were then sacrificed and samples of both normal-control liver and liver stimulated with the different infrared doses were extracted for immediate processing via transmission electron microscopy. Transmission electron microphotographs were obtained at magnifications of 21300X from both normal and stimulated hepatocytes; these were subjected to morphometric studies to determine volumetric fractions with special emphasis on the smooth endoplasmic reticulum (SER) and the following cell components: rough endoplasmic reticulum (RER), mitochondria, glycogen, eu and heterochromatin. Likewise, cell and nuclear areas were quantified. Analysis of the results of normal and stimulated hepatocytes with different infrared doses showed considerable differences in all the quantified cell components and particularly from the SER it is concluded that the effects of these stimulations bring about a drastic transformation in the ultrastructure and morphology of the hepatocytes, which may ultimately translate into a functional variation, thus representing the effect that these stimulations cause in this cell type.

Análisis morfométrico de hepatoesteatosis microvesicular alcohólica de ratas / Morphometric analysis of alcoholic microvesicular hepatic steatosis in rats

Un total de 24 ratas hembras de 4 meses de vida con peso aproximado de 250 gramos fueron divididas en dos grupos de animales rotulados como A y B. El grupo A se mantuvo con pellet y agua ad libitum sirviendo como controles mientras que el grupo B conservaba el pellet y recibía una solución de alcohol 40% disuelto en agua lo cual derivó en una esteatosis alcohólica multivesicular. Ambos grupos se mantuvieron en estas condiciones por 60 días. Posteriormente las ratas fueron sacrificadas y se extrajeron muestras tanto de hígado normal-control como de hígado graso para enseguida ser procesadas para microscopía electrónica de transmisión. De hepatocitos normales y esteatósicos se obtuvieron microfotografías electrónicas de transmisión con aumentos finales de 9.500X, las cuales fueron sometidas a estudios morfométricos para determinar fracciones volumétricas de los siguientes componentes celulares: Retículo endoplasmático rugoso, mitocondrias, inclusiones lipídicas y de glicógeno, eu y heterocromatina. De igual manera se cuantificaron las áreas celulares y nucleares. Del análisis de los resultados entre hepatocitos normales y alcohólicos se visualiza que existen notables diferencias en todos los componentes celulares cuantificados. Se concluye que los efectos de la ingesta diaria de alcohol provoca en los hepatocitos una esteatosis microvesicular que genera una drástica transformación en su ultraestructura y en su morfología, situación que se traduciría, por ende, en una variación funcional, representando de esta manera el efecto que esta droga provoca en los hepatocitos.

A total of 24 female rats, aged 4 months and weighing approximately 250 g, were divided into two groups, called A and B. The group A animals were kept on pellets and water ad libitum and served as controls, while group B animals were fed pellets and given a solution of 40% alcohol dissolved in water, leading to alcoholic multivesicular steatosis. Both groups were kept under these conditions for 60 days. The rats were then euthanized and samples of normal-control and fatty liver were taken and processed for examination by transmission electron microscope. Transmission electron microscope microphotographs of normal and steatotic hepatocytes were obtained with final magnification of 9,500 X. They were subjected to morphometric studies to determine the volumetric fractions of the following cell components: Rough Endoplasmic Reticulum, mitochondria, lipid and glycogen inclusions, and eu- and heterochromatin. In addition, the cell and nucleus areas were quantified and the nucleo cytoplasmic ratio of each cell type was determined. Analysis of the results between normal and alcoholic hepatocytes shows that noticeable differences exist in all the cell components quantified. It is concluded that the effects of the daily consumption of alcohol provoke microvesicular steatosis in the hepatocytes, generating a drastic transformation of their ultrastructure and morphology. This finally leads to functional variations, representing the effects produced by this drug in the hepatocytes.

Analisis comparativo del número de neurofilamentos en nervios isquiáticos de rata sometidos a neuropraxia tratadas con láser de baja intensidad y ultrasonido terapéutico / Comparative analysis of the number of neurofilaments in rat sciatic nerve undergoing neuropraxia treated by low-level laser and therapeutic ultrasound

Es habitual que tras una compresión nerviosa se aplique terapia, ya sea, a través de laser de baja intensidad (LBI) o ultrasonido (US). El objetivo de este trabajo fue determinar la efectividad de dichos tratamientos para reparar el citoesqueleto neuronal evaluando la variación en el número de neurofilamentos. Se realizó un diseño experimental, en el cual se utilizaron 30 ratas que fueron separadas en 6 grupos: 1- control sano; 2- control lesionado; 3- irradiado con LBI 2J/cm2; 4- irradiado con LBI 10 J/cm2; 5- irradiado con US 0,5W/cm2 y 6- irradiado con US 1W/cm2. Con excepción del grupo 1 los especímenes fueron anestesiados y se les realizó la compresión del nervio isquiático derecho utilizando una presión de 40N durante 45 segundos. Veinticuatro horas después de la compresión se inició la irradiación con LBI y US, según protocolo. En nuestra investigación constatamos que el incremento en el número de neurofilamentos se relacionó con la dosis aplicada de LBI y US. El valor medio de neurofilamentos/0,25 mm2 obtenidos en cada grupo fue: 1 - 128; 2 - 100; 3 - 156; 4 - 140; 5 - 100; 6 - 148. La aplicación de LBI de y de US terapéutico aumenta el número de neurofilamentos en nervios isquiáticos de rata sometidos a neuropraxia, siendo el LBI más eficaz en comparación al US. Se agrega que estas terapias para inducir la regeneración del nervio lesionado se relacionan al tipo de protocolo utilizado, lo que demuestra la necesidad de establecer la adecuada dosis de irradiación con el propósito de obtener la mejor respuesta terapéutica.

Therapy by low-level laser (LLL) or ultrasound (US) are commonly used as treatment after nerve crush. The aim of this study was to determine the effectiveness of such treatments to repair the neuronal cytoskeleton evaluating the variation in the number of neurofilaments. For this an experimental design was performed, which involved 30 rats divided into 6 groups: 1 - control healthy; 2 - control injured; 3 - irradiated by LLL 2 J/cm2; 4 - irradiated by LLL 10 J/cm2; 5 - irradiated by US 0.5 W/cm2 and 6 - irradiated by US 1W/cm2. With the exception of group 1 all specimens were anesthetized and underwent right sciatic nerve compression using 40N pressure for 45 seconds. Twenty-four hours after compression irradiation was started by LLL and US according protocol. In our research we found that the increase in the number of neurofilaments was related to the applied dose of LLL and US. The average value of neurofilaments / 0.25 mm2 obtained in each group was: 1 - 128; 2-100; 3-156; 4-140; 5-100; 6-148. We concluded that the application of LLL and therapeutic US increases the number of neurofilaments in rat sciatic nerve undergoing neuropraxia, with LLL being more effective compared to the US. Furthermore we concluded that the effectiveness of therapies to induce regeneration of injured nerve is related to the type of protocol used, demonstrating the need to establish an adequate radiation dose with the purpose of obtaining the best therapeutic response, thus achieving successful treatment.

Análisis morfométrico ultraestructural de células normales de glándula parótida de rata / Ultrastructural morphometric analysis from normal parotid gland cells of rat

A partir de 10 ratas hembras con un peso aproximado de 250 g y 4 meses de vida, fueron obtenidas quirúrgicamente muestras de glándula parótida las que se trataron con técnicas de microscopía electrónica de transmisión para posteriormente obtener microfotografías de células parotideas con aumentos finales de hasta 21300 X. En las citadas microfotografías se aplicaron técnicas morfométricas con el objetivo de cuantificar las fracciones volumétricas que los distintos componentes ocupan en estas células normales, describiendo de esta manera sus volúmenes y relacionándolos con la funcionalidad que desempeñan en esta célula normal. Se evaluaron las fracciones volumétricas pertenecientes a: citoplasma, núcleo, mitocondrias, retículo endoplasmático rugoso (RER), gránulos de zimógeno, eu y heterocromatina. De igual forma, se cuantificó las áreas celulares y nucleares. Contando con los datos numéricos producto de la evaluación morfométrica de sus componentes se podrá determinar el patrón de distribución de sus organelos y de funcionalidad de esta célula activa en la síntesis y secreción de proteínas representada por los gránulos de zimógeno de diastasa y diversas proteínas salivales.

From 10 female rats weighing approximately 250 g and aged 4 months, samples of parotid gland were obtained surgically which were treated with transmission electronic microscopy in order to obtain microphotographs with final increases of up to 21,300 X. Morphometric techniques were applied to these microphotographs to quantify the volumetric fractions that the different components occupy in these normal cells, thus describing their volumes and relating them to their functionality in this normal cell. Volumetric fractions were evaluated pertaining to: cytoplasm, nucleus, mitochondria, rough endoplasmic reticulum (RER), zymogen granules, eu and heterochromatin. Likewise, cell and nuclear areas were quantified. With the numerical data from the morphometric evaluation of its components, it was possible to determine the distribution pattern of the organelles and functionality of this cell active in protein synthesis and secretion represented by diastase zymogen granules and various salivary proteins.

Efecto de estimulaciones infrarrojas sobre hepatoesteatosis microvesicular alcohólica de ratas / Infrared laser effect on alcoholic rat hepatic microvesicular steatosis

24 ratas hembras de 4 meses de vida con peso aproximado de 250 gramos fueron divididas en dos grupos de animales, A y B. Ambos grupos se mantuvieron con pellet y solución de alcohol 40% durante 60 días generándoseles una hepatoesteatosis microvesicular. Los hígados de los animales pertenecientes al grupo B fueron estimulados con láser infrarrojo 6 J/cm2 durante 15 días consecutivos. Posteriormente, las ratas fueron sacrificadas y se extrajeron muestras de hígado y luego procesadas para microscopía electrónica de transmisión. De ambos tipos celulares se obtuvieron microfotografías electrónicas de transmisión con aumentos finales de 8.500 X, las cuales fueron sometidas a estudios morfométricos para determinar fracciones volumétricas de los siguientes componentes celulares: Retículo endoplasmático rugoso (RER), mitocondrias, inclusiones lipídicas y de glicógeno, eu y heterocromatina. De igual manera se cuantificaron las áreas celulares y nucleares. Del análisis de los resultados entre hepatocitos esteatósicos e irradiados se visualiza que existen diferencias en todos los componentes celulares cuantificados y se concluye que los efectos de la estimulación infrarroja con dosis de 6 J/cm2 provoca en los hepatocitos con esteatosis microvesicular transformación en su ultraestructura y en su morfología, fundamentalmente en la disminución acentuada de las infiltraciones lipídicas hasta en un 80% situación que se traduciría, en una variación funcional, representando de esta manera un efecto evidente que estas inducciones infrarrojas generan.

24 four-month-old female rats weighing approximately 250 grams were divided into two groups labeled A and B. Both groups were fed pellets and a 40% alcohol solution for 60 days, which caused a microvesicular hepatic steatosis. The livers of the animals in Group B were stimulated with 6 J/cm2 of infrared laser for 15 consecutive days. The rats were then sacrificed and samples of both steatosic liver and liver stimulated with infrared inductions were extracted for immediate processing via transmission electron microscopy.From both cell types transmission electron microphotographs were obtained at magnifications of 9500 X; these were subjected to morphometric studies to determine volumetric fractions of the following cell components: rough endoplasmic reticulum (RER), mitochondria, lipid and glycogen inclusions, euchromatin and heterochromatin. Likewise, cell and nuclear areas were quantified. Analysis of the results between steatosic and radiated hepatocytes revealed notable differences in all the cell components quantified. It is concluded that the effects of infrared stimulation with a dose of 6 J/cm2 brings about in the steatosic hepatocytes a microvesicular transformation in their ultrastructure and morphology, fundamentally in the considerable decrease in lipid infiltrations to 80%, which ultimately translates into a functional variation, thus representing an obvious impact produced by these infrared inductions.

Persistencia de los efectos del láser infrarrojo 6 J/cm² en hepatocitos de rata / Persistence of the effects of 6 J/cm2 infrared laser in rat hepatocytes

Hígados de ratas Sprague Dawley fueron irradiados con dosis diarias de 6 J/cm2 emitida por el láser AsGa equivalente a 904 nm durante 15 días De estos animales previamente anestesiados fueron sacrificados transcurridos 5, 10, 30, 45 y 60 días post irradiación para posteriormente obtener quirúrgicamente muestras de hígado y ser procesadas para microscopía electrónica de transmisión, aplicando técnicas morfométricas utilizando aumentos de 8.500 X con especial énfasis en cuantificar fracciones volumétricas de componentes celulares con el objetivo de precisar la duración de las estimulaciones infrarrojas. El análisis de los resultados entre hepatocitos controles e irradiados con dosis de 6 J/cm2 y tiempo de estimulación infrarroja revela que existen marcadas diferencias entre las fracciones volumétricas de componentes celulares determinantes de funcionalidad celular e involucrados en síntesis proteica, cuantificación que demuestra claramente que el efecto del láser infrarrojo persiste hasta los 30 días post estimulación, evidenciándose modificaciones de organelos que revelan alta funcionalidad, mientras que sobre este tiempo es observada una notable inhibición de dicha funcionalidad, concluyéndose entonces que los efectos de radiación infrarroja persisten en tiempos precisos provocando en los hepatocitos una drástica transformación en sus componentes y por ende en su funcionalidad. en estas células de elevado metabolismo.

Livers of Sprague Dawley rats were irradiated with daily doses of 6 J/cm2 emitted by a laser AsGa, equivalent to 904 nm during 15 days. Experiment animals were anaesthetised and killed after 5, 10, 30, 45 and 60 days post irradiation, in order to obtain samples of liver by surgery. These were processed for transmission electron microscopy, and morphometric techniques were applied using 8,500 X magnification with special emphasis on measuring the volumetric fractions of cell components in order to determine the duration of infrared stimulation. Analysis of the results between control hepatocytes and those irradiated with doses of 6 J/cm2 and by period after infra-red stimulation revealed the existence of marked differences between the volumetric fractions of cell components which determine cell function or are involved in protein synthesis. The measurements show clearly that the effect of the infrared laser persists up to 30 days post stimulation, with evidence of modifications of organelles revealing high functioning, while after 30 days a notable inhibition of this functioning is observed. It is therefore concluded that the effects of infrared radiation persist for precise times, provoking a drastic transformation in hepatocyte components, and thus the functioning of these high-metabolism cells.

Social comparison as a coping strategy among caregivers of eating disorder patients.

The aim of the study was to determine any gender differences in the social comparisons made by caregivers of eating disorder patients and to analyse the relationship between social comparison and personality, age of caregivers, self-esteem, duration of illness, duration of treatment and perceived health and quality of life. We also explored the possibility of classifying caregivers according to these variables. Comparison strategies were analysed in a sample of 96 caregivers of eating disorder patients. The social comparison during illness scale, visual analogue scales of health and quality of life, self-esteem scale of Rosenberg and Eysenck Personality Questionnaire were used. In order to explore possible groupings a cluster analysis was performed. A significant correlation between the use of more unfavourable strategies, neuroticism and low self-esteem was found. Women adopted worse strategies and the cluster analysis revealed two sub-groups with respect to comparisons, personality, self-esteem, self-perceived health status and quality of life. The finding of subgroups associated with worse comparison strategies, higher neuroticism, lower self-esteem and a poorer self-perception of health and quality of life could have repercussions as regards the prognosis of eating disorders and, at all events, should be taken into account during therapeutic work with families.

Análisis morfométrico del efecto del láser infrarrojo sobre hepatocitos de rata / Morphometric analisys of infrared laser effect on rat hepatocyte

El láser infrarrojo emitido por el diodo Arsenurio de Galio (904 nm) proporciona terapia a lesiones articulares por su acción analgésica, cicatrizante y antiinflamatoria, promoviendo a nivel celular síntesis de ATP mitocondrial, modulación de canales de calcio, activando el proceso mitótico e incremento en la síntesis de DNA y de proteínas. Para determinar las dosis que estimulen componentes celulares involucrados en síntesis proteica, del hígado de ratas fueron tomadas muestras de tejido normal e irradiado mediante láser infrarrojo con 1, 2, 4, 8 y 16 Joules/cm2 durante 15 días consecutivos. Fueron tratadas para microscopía electrónica de transmisión y se obtuvieron micrografías con aumentos de 10.000 X. Se realizaron estudios morfométricos, cuantificándose las fracciones volumétricas de núcleos, citoplasma, retículo endoplasmático rugoso (RER), inclusiones de glicógeno, nucleolos, eucromatina y heterocromatina, relación núcleo- citoplasmática y las áreas celulares y nucleares. Los resultados del presente estudio que compara hepatocitos normales e irradiados, indican que existen diferencias significativas en todos los parámetros evaluados. Se concluye que los hepatocitos estimulados alteran su morfología y por ende sus componentes celulares, modificando la función celular determinándose con exactitud la dosis de estimulación infrarroja donde estas células presentan un mayor desarrollo de su maquinaria citoplasmática involucrada en síntesis de proteínas.

The infrared lasser emitted by the Gallium Arsenide diode provides an adequate therapy for articular lessions due to their healing, analgesic, and anti-inflammatory powers. It also promotes at cellular level mitochondrial ATP synthesis, modulates Calcium channels and activate mitotic processes by increasing DNA and protein synthesis. To determine the effective doses which stimulates rat liver protein synthesis, several samples from normal and irradiated tissues to intensities of 1, 2, 4, 8, and 16 Joules/cm2 by 15 consecutive days were taken. These samples were later prepared and observed under transmission E.M. (10000X) and analyzed by morphometric studies, where volume and organelle distribution, such as nucleus, cytoplasm, endoplasmic reticulum, glycogen inclussions, nucleolus, eu and heterochromatin were accounted, together at nuclear-cytoplasmic relationships and the cellular and nuclear areas. Under comparison normal and irradiated hepatocytes presented a significative difference in all evaluated parameters. It can be concluded that at certain specific level of infrared irradiation, hepatocytes alter their morphology by modifyng those cellular components involved in protein síntesis.

Psychometric properties of the Spanish version of the Eating Behaviours and Body Image Test for Preadolescent Girls (EBBIT).

The purpose of the current study was to explore the psychometric properties of the Spanish adaptation of the Eating Behaviours and Body Image Test for Preadolescent Girls (EBBIT), as well as its factor structure and internal consistency. A further objective was to determinate the convergent validity between measures of body mass index (BMI) and scores on the Body Dissatisfaction (BD) subscale, taking into account a wider questionnaire, known as the Eating Disorders Inventory (EDI-2). Once the original scale was translated, 525 girls (age range 7-12 years) were assessed by the EBBIT, and the BD subscale. Students were weighed and measured, using calibrated electronic instruments to calculate BMI scores. Factor analysis suggested two primary factors which represent body image dissatisfaction/ restrictive eating (BIDRE) and binge eating behaviours (BEB). The internal consistency of the EBBIT was 0.904. A multiple regression analysis was performed using BMI, age and BD subscale data (independent variables). Results suggest that scores on the EBBIT factors are related to body size satisfaction. Higher BMI and higher BD scores were associated with higher scores on the BIDRE, and BD scores were associated with higher scores on the BEB factor.

Coping strategies in eating disorders.

OBJECTIVE: The present article describes the coping strategies of patients with eating disorders (ED), their relation with determined personality characteristics and the specificity of strategies in comparison with a control group and a group of patients with other mental disorders. METHOD: Ninety-three patients with ED, 73 university psychology and nutrition students and 74 patients with other mental disorders were studied using the Coping Strategies Inventory (CSI) and the Inventory for the Assessment of Personality Disorders (IA-TP). RESULTS: Patients with ED presented more self-criticism, social withdrawal, inadequate emotion-focused management and general inadequate management if they were compared to the student sample and more self-criticism than patients with other mental disorders. Anorexic patients obtained higher scores at self-criticism, convincing, respectful and sensitive personality while bulimic patients scored more at impulsivity. Adequate management positively correlated with a sociable personality and negatively with an introverted one. Inadequate management was associated with introverted and inhibited personalities. The cluster analysis suggested two groups of patients: the first one presented greater self-criticism, wishful thinking, social withdrawal, inadequate emotion-focused management and general inadequate management; the second one had greater scores at problem solving, perceived self-efficacy, adequate problem-focused management and general adequate management. DISCUSSION: Findings suggest that coping strategies can play, along with personality features, an important part in the classification of eating disorders, and also in its prognostic and treatment.

[Impact of the anxiety characteristics and depression on clinical aspects and quality of life in patients with irritable bowel syndrome]. / Impacto de los rasgos de ansiedad y depresión sobre aspectos clínicos y calidad de vida en pacientes con síndrome de intestino irritable.

BACKGROUND: Anxiety and depression have been related with seeking medical care by IBS patients, however their impact over the clinical characteristics and health related quality of life (HRQOL) of the patients, is unknown. AIMS: To evaluate the impact of these traits over the symptoms, number of consultations and HRQOL in IBS. METHODS: Consecutive moderate to severe IBS-Rome I patients that consulted a reference center in Mexico City, answered the HAD, a Bowel Symptom Questionnaire and the SF-36. Patients were compared according to the presence or absence of anxiety or depression. RESULTS: Anxiety was found in 70%, depression in 46% and both traits among 40%. The majority of those with depression were single compared to a married majority in those without this trait (p = 0.03). Those with anxiety (p = 0.03) and depression (p = 0.006) reported more number of days with abdominal pain/ discomfort and both traits (p = 0.000) were associated with a higher frequency of fullness, distention, abdominal pain, incomplete evacuation, abnormal bowel movements and lower HRQOL. Patients with anxiety reported a more severe IBS and those with depression a higher frequency of diarrhea predominance (p = 0.047). CONCLUSIONS: Traits anxiety and depression negatively impacted over the number of days, symptom frequency and HRQOL of patients with moderate to severe IBS. More studies are needed to determine if these psychological symptoms are causing these outcomes or if the gastrointestinal symptoms and poor HRQOL are triggering anxiety and depression in IBS.

Prevalencia de la resistencia a metrodinazol, claritromicina y tetraciclina en Helicobacter pylori aislado de pacientes de la Región Metropolitana / Prevalence of metronidazole, clarithromycin and tetracycline resistance in Helicobacter pylori isolated from Chilean patients

Background: Helicobacter pylori is a pathogenic bacterium that infects a significant number of individuals. At present, therapeutic strategies to eradicate this bacterium depend on our knowledge of its resistance to antimicrobials. Aims: To evaluate the primary resistance of H pylori to metronidazole (Mtz), clarithromycin (Cla), and tetracycline (Tet) in symptomatic out-patients. Material and Methods: Fifty independent isolates of H pylori were obtained by endoscopy-assisted gastric biopsy from patients attending the University of Chile Clinical Hospital, that previously had not been treated with an eradication regime against this bacterium. The minimal inhibitory concentration of each antimicrobial was determined by agar dilution method. Results: Forty five and 27 percent of the isolates were found to be resistant to Mtz and Tet, respectively; the majority of these resistant isolates were from patients older than 21 years. Twenty percent of isolates were resistant to Cla; these were distributed evenly among different ages. Thirty two percent of the isolates were resistant to two or more of the antimicrobials. Conclusions: The high frequency of naturally occurring, antimicrobial-resistant strains of H pylori poses a national and world-wide problem for public health.