The influence of age, period, and cohort factors on the incidence of kidney cancer in Spain 1990-2019: Evidence from the global burden of disease study.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to assess the influence of age, period, and cohort (A-P-C) factors on kidney cancer (KC) incidence trends in Spain from 1990 to 2019. METHODS: Employing data from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019, we employed joinpoint analysis to determine long-term patterns and A-P-C modelling to quantify net drift, local drift, longitudinal age curves, and rate ratios (RRs) of period and cohort effects. RESULTS: Over the period 1990-2019, an estimated 142,811 cases of KC were diagnosed in Spain. A consistent upward trend in KC incidence was observed for both men and women, with the male-to-female ratio remaining stable at 2.6. Joinpoint analysis identified three distinct periods for men: An initial period (1990-1995) characterised by a significant increase in rates, a subsequent period (1995-2016) characterised by a slowdown in the rate of increase, and a final period (2016-2019) in which rates have plateaued. In women, 2 time periods were observed: an initial period (1990-2007) in which rates increased significantly, followed by a period of stabilization (2007-2019). Men born in the early-mid 20th century had a rising KC risk, peaking in the 1960s. Women's risk rose steadily, peaking in the late 1990s. CONCLUSION: A-P-C analysis reveals steady KC incidence increase in both genders over three decades. This highlights the need for targeted public health policies and effective prevention strategies.

Bladder cancer mortality trends in Spain: 1980-2021.

OBJECTIVE: We propose to update bladder cancer mortality rates in Spain from 1980 to 2021, by sex and age-group, by autonomous community (AC). MATERIALS AND METHODS: The public online databases of the National Statistical Institute were used to obtain data on population and bladder cancer mortality. Age-standardised mortality rates (ASMRs), all ages and truncated (<75 and ≥75) were estimated and reported as rates per 100,000 persons. Joinpoint regression software was used for estimation and trend analysis of ASMRs bladder cancer. RESULTS: In the last decade, the ASMR for bladder cancer (all ages, <75 years and ≥75 years) decreased significantly in Spain for both sexes. This trend was observed in 12 ACs for men and in 4 ACs (Andalusia, Canary Islands, Catalonia and Madrid) for women, although to different degrees. For men, ASMR remained stable in Castilla-León and La Rioja (<75 years), Cantabria, Castilla-La Mancha and Valencia (≥75 years) and the 2 Castilian regions (all ages). For women, ASMR also decreased in Valencia (<75 and ≥75), Castilla-León (≥75), Galicia (≥75 and all ages) and Navarre (<75 and all ages). CONCLUSION: Our results reveal significant variations in trends by AC, sex and age group, emphasizing the need for continued follow-up and targeted interventions to further reduce bladder cancer mortality rates in Spain.

Hydrocarbon exposure effect on energetic metabolism and immune response in Crassostrea virginica.

Crassostrea virginica was exposed to different light crude oil levels to assess the effect on transcriptomic response and metabolic rate. The exposure time was 21 days, and levels of 100 and 200 µg/L were used, including a control. The most significant difference among treatments was the overexpression of several genes associated with energy production, reactive oxygen species (ROS) regulation, immune system response, and inflammatory response. Also, a hydrocarbon concentration-related pattern was identified in ROS regulation, with a gene expression ratio near 1.8:1 between 200 and 100 µg/L treatments. Statistical analysis showed no interaction effect for metabolic rate; however, significant differences were found for oil concentration and time factors, with a higher oxygen consumption at 200 µg/L. Our findings provide novel information about the metabolic response of C. virginica during hydrocarbons exposure. In addition, our results point out which biological processes should be investigated as targets for searching bioindicators.

A linear-polymer-based lactoferrin-selective recognition element for an ELISA mimic: A proof of concept.

The synthesis of polymers with tailored properties for the recognition of macromolecules such as proteins is challenging. In this work, the synthesis of a new polymer format, a linear polymer (LP), as the selective recognition element for the globular protein lactoferrin (LF) is proposed as a proof-of-concept study. For the synthesis, a solid-phase strategy using the reversible deactivation radical polymerisation (RDRP) mechanism is proposed. This approach, which is usually used in molecular imprinting, involves the immobilisation of LF on the surface of a solid support, but, unlike classical imprinting, a cross-linker in the polymerisation mixture is not required. Consequently, the copolymer is soluble and flexible, thus overcoming the drawbacks associated with traditional synthetic polymers for macromolecule imprinting. This new polymer format has great potential for replacing natural antibodies in bioassays such as enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA), dot blot, western blot, or pull-down. In our case, the linear polymer was used as a recognition element to replace natural antibodies in a LF-selective ELISA. The responses of the linear polymer between LF concentrations of 0.1 nM and 0.25 µM were studied, and a significant difference was observed between the non-specific signals and the signals measured in the presence of the polymeric material. Further, the response versus log concentration curves were fitted to a logistic equation, allowing estimation of the EC50 value: 11.8 ± 1.4 nM. We also confirmed the selective detection of LF using the competitive inhibition of the selective LF-biotin conjugate (LF-Bi) binding to the plastic receptor (LP) for closely related proteins (e.g. those having similar molecular weights or isoelectric points) such as human lysozyme, trypsin, and albumin, which are present in human body fluids. The system presents a cross-reactivity value or selectivity of 1.95% for lysozyme, 0.028% for trypsin, and 0.016% for albumin. The applicability of this method for the determination of urine LF levels in inflammatory and infectious diseases of the human urinary tract is also demonstrated.

Recent trends in prostate cancer in Spain. / Tendencias recientes en cáncer de próstata en España.

OBJECTIVE: To assess recent trends in prostate cancer incidence, survival and mortality in Spain using updated data. SUBJECTS AND METHOD: Prostate cancer mortality data have been obtained from the National Institute of Statistics (INE). Incidence cases have been obtained from the databases Cancer Incidence in Five Continents (CI5) and European Cancer Information System. Joinpoint regression models were used for trend analysis. The results show the duration (years) of each trend, as well as the Annual Percent Change (APC) for each of them. The direction and magnitude of recent trends (last 5 years available) were evaluated using the percentages of Average Annual Percent Change (AAPC). RESULTS: Incidence rates increased significantly from 16.4 in 1980 to 61.3 in 2014. The joinpoint analysis shows three periods: two initial periods of significant rise (1980-1990; 3.5% and 1990-2004; 8.4%) followed by a final one in which rates stabilize (2004-2014; -0.5%, non-significant). Mortality rates drop from 12.9 in 1980 to 7.9 in 2018, with an AAPC of -1.2% (p<0.05). However, the joinpoint analysis identified three time periods: an initial period of statistically significant rise (1980-1998; APC: 0.6%, p<0.05) and two periods of decreasing rates (1992-2008; APC: -3.3%, p<0.05 and 2008-2018; APC: -2.4%, p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Recent trends (last 5 years) show that mortality rates have decreased and incidence rates have stabilized or even decreased in some age groups.

Low-dose-rate brachytherapy for prostate cancer in renal transplant recipients.

PURPOSE: Prostate cancer (PCa) is the most common malignancy among men and one of the most common neoplasms affecting renal transplant recipients (RTRs). The available treatments for localized PCa among the general population (GP), surgery and external beam radiotherapy, carry a risk of damage to the transplanted kidney, the ureters, and the bladder and therefore tend to be avoided by most groups. The objective of this study was to assess the efficacy and feasibility of low-dose-rate brachytherapy (LDR-BT) for PCa in RTRs. METHODS AND MATERIALS: We carried out a retrospective review on all RTRs diagnosed of PCa who had undergone LDR-BT at our institution between 2000 and 2015. Nine patients met these criteria, but 1 did not fulfill the followup. Hence, we analyzed 8 patients. We reviewed all clinical data for PCa and graft function in these patients and compared the results with the GP. RESULTS: Mean baseline prostate-specific antigen was 6.8 ± 1.9 ng/mL. All PCa had a Gleason score of 6 and were classified as low risk according the Europe Association of Urology guidelines. Mean followup after seed implantation was 48 ± 12.8 months. All 8 patients remain free of prostate-specific antigen failure. Five-year progression-free survival, cancer-specific survival, and overall survival rates were 100%, 100%, and 62.5%. There was no specific toxicity associated with LDR-BT, and there were no acute adverse events affecting the graft. CONCLUSIONS: LDR-BT is a feasible and acceptable treatment for localized PCa in RTRs. Oncological outcomes are similar to the GP, and there is minimal toxicity to the renal graft.

Learning curve for the management of tyrosine kinase inhibitors as the first line of treatment for patients with metastatic renal cancer. / Curva de aprendizaje en el manejo de los inhibidores de tirosina quinasa como primera línea de tratamiento en pacientes con cáncer renal metastásico.

OBJECTIVES: To analyse the learning curve for the management of tyrosine kinase inhibitors as the first line of treatment for patients with metastatic renal cancer. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We evaluated 32 consecutive patients treated in our department for metastatic renal cancer with tyrosine kinase inhibitors (pazopanib or sunitinib) as first-line treatment between September 2012 and November 2015. We retrospectively analysed this sample. We measured the time to the withdrawal of the first-line treatment, the time to progression and overall survival using Kaplan-Meier curves. The learning curve was analysed with the cumulative sum (CUSUM) methodology. RESULTS: In our series, the median time to the withdrawal of the first-line treatment was 11 months (95% CI 4.9-17.1). The mean time to progression was 30.4 months (95% CI 22.7-38.1), and the mean overall survival was 34.9 months (95% CI 27.8-42). By applying the CUSUM methodology, we obtained a graph for the CUSUM value of the time to withdrawal of the first-line treatment (CUSUM TW), observing 3 well-differentiated phases: phase 1 or initial learning phase (1-15), phase 2 (16-26) in which the management of the drug progressively improved and phase 3 (27-32) of maximum experience or mastery of the management of these drugs. The number of treated patients needed to achieve the proper management of these patients was estimated at 15. CONCLUSIONS: Despite the limitations of the sample size and follow-up time, we estimated (in 15 patients) the number needed to reach the necessary experience in the management of these patients with tyrosine kinase inhibitors. We observed no relationship between the time to the withdrawal of the first-line treatment for any cause and progression.

Prediabetes en estudiantes de 1er año del campus ciencias de la salud de una universidad Mexicana / Prediabetes in 1st year students of the health sciences campus from a Mexican university

Introducción. Dado el aumento dramático de diabetes en el mundo, el objetivo de esta investigación fue analizar los valores de la glucemia en una población universitaria de nuevo ingreso para sustentar estrategias de detección y manejo preventivo de prediabetes y diabetes. Métodos. Estudio observacional, analítico, transversal, no probabilístico. Se analizaron los valores de glucemia en ayunas de 367 estudiantes de nuevo ingreso en 2011, y 430 en 2016 al campus de Ciencias de la Salud de una universidad del sureste de México. Se aplicaron pruebas de tendencia central, comparaciones y proyecciones. Resultados. En la muestra de 2011 hubo prevalencia de 11 por ciento de mujeres y 12,4 por ciento de hombres con glucemia en valores de prediabetes. En la de 2016, hubo 30,3 por ciento de mujeres y 40 por ciento en prediabetes. Hubo diferencia de los promedios de glucemia entre ambas muestras de 5,4 mg/dL (0,3 mmol/L) en mujeres, t = - 4,582 (p = 0,0001) y 10,81 mg/dL (0,6 mmol/L) en hombres, t = - 6,428 (p = 0,0001). No se encontró correlación con masa corporal. Conclusiones. En la muestra de 2016 hubo incremento en la prevalencia de prediabetes y de adultos jóvenes en riesgo de desarrollar diabetes mellitus de tipo 2, por lo que es necesario desarrollar estrategias para mejorar el estilo de vida.(AU)

Introduction. Given the dramatic increase of diabetes in the world, the aim of this research was to analyze the values of blood glucose in a university population again income to support strategies for detection and preventive management of pre-diabetes and diabetes. Methods. Study observational, analytical, transverse, non-probability. The blood glucose values were analyzed in fasting of 367 freshmen students from move income in 2011 and 430 in 2016 to the campus of Health Sciences from a University in the Southeast of Mexico. Testing central tendency, comparisons and projections were applied. Results. In the sample of 2011 there was prevalence of 11 percent of women and 12.4 percent of men with blood glucose values of pre-diabetes. In the 2016 there were 30.3 percent of women and 40 percent in pre-diabetes. There was a difference of blood glucose averages among both samples of 5.4 mg/dL (0.3 mmol/L) in women, t = - 4.582 (p = 0.0001) and 10.81 mg/dL (0.6 mmol/L) in males, t = - 6.428 (p = 0.0001). Correlation with body mass was not found. C Conclusions. In the sample of 2016 there was increase in the prevalence of pre-diabetes and young adults at risk of developing type 2 diabetes mellitus by what is needed to develop strategies to improve lifestyle.(AU)

Cáncer de cuello uterino: una mirada integral con perspectiva de género / Cervical cancer: a comprehensive view from a gender perspective / O câncer cervical: um género comprehensive

Este artículo es una revisión de tema sobre cáncer de cuello uterino, con el fin de visibilizar la necesidad de un enfoque diferencial \r\ncon perspectiva de género y evidenciar que el contexto social, cultural y de desigualdad de las mujeres las hace más vulnerables \r\na este tipo de enfermedad. El enfoque biologicista ha limitado la mirada desde la morbilidad femenina diferencial y de esta forma \r\nha evitado poner de manifiesto cómo las mujeres, debido a su condición de género, tienen mayor probabilidad de enfermar y \r\ncómo la falta de autonomía sobre su cuerpo las pone en riesgo de sufrir esta clase de cáncer.\r\nEl texto plantea la importancia de realizar investigaciones sobre cáncer de cuello uterino para redefinir políticas públicas inclu\r\n-\r\nyentes con enfoque de género, que procuren cambios de paradigmas en la población, para generar transformaciones que \r\nconduzcan a un abordaje integral de esta patología

A review article on the topic of cervical cancer is presented \r\nin order to visualize the need of a differentiated approach to \r\ngender, and to demonstrate that social, cultural and egalitarian \r\nattitudes towards women makes women more vulnerable to \r\nthis type of disease. The biological focus has limited the view \r\nfrom the differential female morbidity, and has hindered the \r\ncase that women, due to the specifics of their gender, are more \r\nlikely to get sick and are at a higher risk of developing this type \r\nof cancer due to the lack of autonomy over their bodies.\r\nThe article shows the importance of cervical cancer research \r\nto redefine inclusive public policies with a gender perspective, \r\nwhich promote paradigm shifts in the population, to generate \r\ntransformations leading to a comprehensive approach to this \r\ncondition.

O artigo tem como objetivo rever o tema câncer de colo do \r\nútero, a fim de visualizar a necessidade de uma abordagem \r\ndiferenciada em relação ao sexo, e demonstrar que o contexto \r\nsocial, cultural e de desigualdade das mulheres as torna mais \r\nvulneráveis a este tipo doença. A abordagem biológica tem \r\nlimitado a visão da morbidade feminina diferencial e, desta \r\nforma, evitado colocar em destaque como as mulheres, por \r\ncausa da carga de gênero, são mais propensas a ficar doentes \r\ne, com a falta de autonomia sobre seus corpos, coloca-as em \r\nrisco de desenvolvimento deste tipo de câncer.\r\nO artigo mostra a importância da investigação sobre o câncer \r\nde colo do útero para redefinir políticas públicas inclusivas com \r\nenfoque de gênero, que promovam mudanças de paradigma \r\nadotivos na população, para gerar transformações que levem \r\na uma abordagem abrangente desta condição.

Has prostate cancer mortality stopped its decline in Spain?

OBJECTIVE: To describe the evolution of prostate cancer mortality in Spain during the period 1980-2013. SUBJECT AND METHOD: The prostate cancer mortality data and population data needed to calculate the indicators were provided by the National Institute of Statistics. We calculated the specific rates by age group, raw and standardised globally using the direct method (European standard population). The rates are expressed for 100,000 person-years. For the analysis of trends in the rates, we used joinpoint regression models. RESULTS: The overall rates adjusted for age in Spain decreased from 21.7 to 15.4 deaths per 100,000 men-years between the starting and ending date of the study period (annual percentage change: -.9%; P<.05). The joinpoint analysis reflects 2 periods: 1980-1998 (.7% annual increase; P<.05) and 1998-2013, during which the rates decreased significantly (-3%; P<.05). Except for the autonomous cities of Ceuta and Melilla where the rates remained stable over the course of the study period, the communities showed 1 or 2 points of inflection in the trends, and all had a final period with a reduction in the rates (except for Galicia and Catalonia, where the rates stabilised in 2008-2013). CONCLUSION: The decline in prostate cancer mortality in Spain appears to have stopped in Galicia and Catalonia.

Comparison of pathological data between prostate biopsy and radical prostatectomy specimen in patients with low to very low risk prostate cancer.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the correlation between pathological data found in radical prostatectomy and previously performed biopsy in patients at low risk prostate cancer. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted to assess the characteristics of radical prostatectomies performed in our center from January 2012 to November 2014. The inclusion criteria were patients with low-risk disease (cT1c-T2a, PSA≤10ng/mL and Gleason score≤6). We excluded patients who had fewer than 8 cores in the biopsy, an unspecified number of affected cores, rectal examinations not reported in the medical history or biopsies performed in another center. RESULTS: Of the 184 patients who underwent prostatectomy during this period, 87 met the inclusion criteria, and 26 of these had<3 affected cores and PSA density≤.15 (very low risk). In the entire sample, the percentage of undergrading (Gleason score≥7) and extracapsular invasion (pT3) was 18.4% (95% CI 10.3-27.6) and 10.35% (95% CI 4.6-17.2), respectively. The percentage of positive margins was 21.8% (95% CI 12.6-29.9). In the very low-risk group, we found no cases of extracapsular invasion and only 1 case of undergrading (Gleason 7 [3+4]), representing 3.8% of the total (95% CI 0-12.5). Predictors of no correlation (stage≥pT3a or undergrading) were the initial risk group, volume, PSA density and affected cores. CONCLUSIONS: Prostate volume, PSA density, the number of affected cores and the patient's initial risk group influence the poor pathological prognosis in the radical prostatectomy specimen (extracapsular invasion and Gleason score≥7).

Elective bladder-sparing treatment for muscle invasive bladder cancer.

OBJETIVES: Radical cystectomy is the standard treatment for localised muscle invasive bladder cancer (MIBC). We offer a bladder-sparing treatment with TURB +/- Chemotherapy+Radiotherapy to selected patients as an alternative. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We analyze, retrospectively, 30 patients diagnosed with MIBC from March 1991 to October 2010. The mean age was 62.7 years (51-74). All patients were candidates for a curative treatment, and underwent strict selection criteria: T2 stage, primary tumor, solitary lesion smaller than 5cm with a macroscopic disease-free status after TURB, negative random biopsy without hydronephrosis. Staging CT evaluation was normal. Restaging TURB or tumor bed biopsy showed a disease-free status or microscopic muscle invasion. 14 patients underwent TURB alone, 13 TURB+Chemotherapy and 3 TURB+Chemotherapy+Radiotherapy. RESULTS: The mean follow up was 88.7 months (19-220). 14 patients remained disease free (46.6%), 10 had recurrent non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (33%). 81.3% complete clinical response. 71% bladder preserved at 5-years. Overall, 5-years survival rate was 79% and 85% cancer-specific survival rate. CONCLUSIONS: Although radical cystectomy is the standard treatment for localised MIBC, in strictly selected cases, bladder-sparing treatment offers an alternative with good long term results.

Cellular neurochemical characterization and subcellular localization of phospholipase C ß1 in rat brain.

The present study describes a complete and detailed neuroanatomical distribution map of the phospholipase C beta1 (PLCß1) isoform along the adult rat neuraxis, and defines the phenotype of cells expressing PLCß1, along with its subcellular localization in cortical neurons as assessed by double-immunofluorescence staining and confocal laser scanning. Immunohistochemical labeling revealed a considerable morphological heterogeneity among PLCß1-positive cells in the cortex, even though there was a marked predominance of pyramidal morphologies. As an exception to the general non-matching distribution of GFAP and PLCß1, a high degree of co-expression was observed in radial glia-like processes of the spinal cord white matter. In the somatosensory cortex, the proportion of GABAergic neurons co-stained with PLCß1 was similar (around 2/3) in layers I, II-III, IV and VI, and considerably lower in layer V (around 2/5). Double immunofluorescence against PLCß1 and nuclear speckle markers SC-35 and NeuN/Fox3 in isolated nuclei from the rat cortex showed a high overlap of both markers with PLCß1 within the nuclear matrix. In contrast, there was no apparent co-localization with markers of the nuclear envelope and lamina. Finally, to assess whether the subcellular expression pattern of PLCß1 involved specifically one of the two splice variants of PLCß1, we carried out Western blot experiments in cortical subcellular fractions. Notably, PLCß1a/1b ratios were statistically higher in the cytoplasm than in the nuclear and plasma membrane fractions. These results provide a deeper knowledge of the cellular distribution of the PLCß1 isoform in different cell subtypes of the rat brain, and of its presence in the neuronal nuclear compartment.

LOW-ORDER 4D DYNAMICAL MODELING OF HEART MOTION UNDER RESPIRATION.

This work is motivated by the limitations of current techniques to visualize the heart as it moves under contraction and respiration during interventional procedures such as ablation of atrial fibrillation. Our long-term goal is to integrate high resolution models routinely obtained from pre-procedure imaging (here, via MRI) with the low resolution, sparse, images, along with a few scalar measurements such as ECG, which are feasible during the real-time procedure. A key ingredient to facilitate this integration is the extraction from the pre-procedure model of an individualized, low complexity, dynamic model of the moving and beating heart. This is the immediate goal we address here. Our approach stems from work on distributed parameter dynamical systems and uses a combination of truncated basis expansions to obtain the requisite four dimensional low order model. The method's potential is illustrated not only by modeling results but also by estimation of an arbitrary slice from the parameterized model.

[Oral ketamine-midazolam premedication of uncooperative patients in major outpatient surgery]. / Premedicación con ketamina-midazolam oral en pacientes no colaboradores en cirugía mayor ambulatoria.

BACKGROUND: Currently, ketamine is not often used as an anesthetic. Its clinical characteristics and mechanism of action largely depend on antagonism of the N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the utility of oral ketamine as a preanesthetic agent to lower surgical stress for patients with mental disability. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Observational, retrospective study of 112 mentally disabled patients undergoing major dental surgery on an outpatient basis. The study group received oral midazolam, ibuprofen, and 6 mg/kg of ketamine; the control group received only midazolam and ibuprofen. We recorded data concerning demographics, anesthesia, surgery, physiologic variables, Glasgow score, time of onset of anxiolysis, duration of stay in the recovery ward, and adverse events. RESULTS: Conservative odontologic treatment was provided in 66.3% of the cases. Seventy-one patients (64.4%) were in the control group and 41 patients (36.6%) in the study group. Hemodynamic, respiratory, and neurologic changes were minimal and there were no significant between-group differences. Level of sedation differed significantly between groups (P = .001) at 15 and 30 minutes; differences were also observed within the study group. Mean (SD) duration of surgery was 72.6 (29.7) minutes. Mean duration of stay in the postoperative recovery ward was 140.9 (52.1) minutes (135.8 [54.89] minutes in the study group and 144.2 [50.5] minutes in the control group). The incidence of adverse events did not differ significantly between groups. CONCLUSIONS: Oral ketamine is an effective premedication for major ambulatory surgery and does not increase the incidence of side effects.

Feeding-elicited cataplexy in orexin knockout mice.

Mice lacking orexin/hypocretin signaling have sudden episodes of atonia and paralysis during active wakefulness. These events strongly resemble cataplexy, episodes of sudden muscle weakness triggered by strong positive emotions in people with narcolepsy, but it remains unknown whether murine cataplexy is triggered by positive emotions. To determine whether positive emotions elicit murine cataplexy, we placed orexin knockout (KO) mice on a scheduled feeding protocol with regular or highly palatable food. Baseline sleep/wake behavior was recorded with ad libitum regular chow. Mice were then placed on a scheduled feeding protocol in which they received 60% of their normal amount of chow 3 h after dark onset for the next 10 days. Wild-type and KO mice rapidly entrained to scheduled feeding with regular chow, with more wake and locomotor activity prior to the feeding time. On day 10 of scheduled feeding, orexin KO mice had slightly more cataplexy during the food-anticipation period and more cataplexy in the second half of the dark period, when they may have been foraging for residual food. To test whether more palatable food increases cataplexy, mice were then switched to scheduled feeding with an isocaloric amount of Froot Loops, a food often used as a reward in behavioral studies. With this highly palatable food, orexin KO mice had much more cataplexy during the food-anticipation period and throughout the dark period. The increase in cataplexy with scheduled feeding, especially with highly palatable food, suggests that positive emotions may trigger cataplexy in mice, just as in people with narcolepsy. Establishing this connection helps validate orexin KO mice as an excellent model of human narcolepsy and provides an opportunity to better understand the mechanisms that trigger cataplexy.

Intimidación en colegios estatales de secundaria del Perú / Bullying in secondary national schools of Perú

Objetivo: conocer la frecuencia de intimidación en colegios nacionales de las tres regiones del Perú donde ha existido violencia política y determinar los factores de riesgo asociados.Métodos: estudio transversal, analítico, acerca de la intimidación en cinco departamentos del país: Ayacucho (Huamanga), Cusco (Sicuani), Junín (Satipo), Huancavelica y Lima (Ñaña). Después de determinar el tamaño de muestra de los estudiantes y efectuar la selección aleatoria de los salones de clase se empleó un cuestionario previamente validado para efectuar una encuesta en 1633 estudiantes. Estadísticamente se buscaron porcentajes, asociación de variables con intimidación, regresión logistica y se construyó una curva R.O.C.Resultados: la incidencia de intimidación tuvo un promedio de 50.7 por ciento. Las variables asociadas significativamente con intimidación en la regresión logistica fueron apodos, golpes, falta de comunicación, llamar homosexual, defectos físicos, necesidad de trabajar, necesidad de atención médica, acoso, escupir, obligar a hacer cosas que no se quiere, discriminación e insulto por correo electrónico.Conclusiones: la intimidación tiene origen multicausal, ocasiona problemas en la salud, fobia escolar, y el pronóstico a largo plazo para víctimas y agresores es negativo, pudiendo verse envueltos en problemas con la ley.

Objective: To know the frequency of bullying in national schools in the three peruvian regions where has existed political violence, and determine the associated risk factors. Methods: cross section study, analytic, about bullying in national schools of five departments Ayacucho (Huamanga), Cusco (Sicuani), Junín (Satipo), Huancavelica and Lima (Ñaña). After determine the sample size of students in each school and the aleatory election of the classrooms a questionnaire validated previously was used, and we did a survey in 1633 students. Statistically We look for percentage,s, associations, logistic regression measures and build a R.O.C curve. Results: The incidente of bullying was in average 50,7 percent The variables significant associated with bullying in the logistic regression were nicknames, beats, no communication, homosexual insult, physical defect, work need, medical attendance, pursue, spitted, forced to do thing than they didn't want, discrimination and e-mail inssult. Conclussions: The bullying has multicausal origin, give health problems, scholar phobia, and at long time the prognosis for victims and agressors is negative and they could be involved in problems with the law.

Role of protein kinase C, G-protein coupled receptors, and calcium flux during metamorphosis of the sea urchin Strongylocentrotus purpuratus.

Artificial inducers have been used to study signal-transduction pathways involved in metamorphosis of some marine invertebrates. However, the transduction mechanisms for echinoderms have been less explored. In the present study, participation of protein kinase C (PKC), G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), and calcium has been investigated during metamorphosis of the sea urchin Stronglylocentrotus purpuratus. Competent larvae were induced with different drugs that activate (PKC and GP activators, Ca2+ ionophores, and inhibitors of Ca2+ ATPase) or inhibit (PKC, G-protein, and Ca2+ flux inhibitors) metamorphosis. Six of the compounds were effective: the PKC activators TPA and indolactam; the G-protein inhibitors suramin and guanosine; the calcium ionophore A23187, and the calcium ATPase inhibitor thapsigargin. TPA was effective at 0.001 microM; indolactam was effective at 0.001 microM. In the presence of KCl as inducer, the G-protein inhibitor suramin was effective at 10 microM and guanosine at 0.001 microM. In the presence of a bacterial film as inducer, suramin was effective at 50 microM, and guanosine inhibited metamorphosis at 1 microM. A23187 was effective at 5 and 10 microM and thapsigargin at 50 and 100 microM. Our results indicate that GPCRs, protein kinase C, and calcium participate in the metamorphosis of S. purpuratus. These elements of the transduction pathways triggered during metamorphosis may be part of a cascade of signal transduction routes that interact from induction to the end of the morphogenetic events that shape the postlarval form. In addition, according to the results obtained with G-protein inhibitors, the GPCRs may be shared between the artificial (KCl) and natural (biofilm) inducers.

Distribution of fumonisins in dry-milled corn fractions in Argentina.

Corn samples and different dry-milled fractions collected from an industrial mill in Argentina were analysed. Average contaminations were FB(1) 1540 microg kg(-1), FB(2) 716 microg kg(-1) and FB(3) 152 microg kg(-1) in whole corn; FB(1) 135 microg kg(-1), FB(2) 39.1 microg kg(-1) and FB(3) 10.2 microg kg(-1) in corn grits; FB(1) 358 microg kg(-1), FB(2) 122 microg kg(-1) and FB(3) 45.9 microg kg(-1) in 'C' flour; FB(1) 148 microg kg(-1), FB(2) 52.5 microg kg(-1) and FB(3) 28.3 microg kg(-1) in corn meal; and FB(1) 4210 microg kg(-1), FB(2) 2010 microg kg(-1) and FB(3) 447 microg kg(-1) in germ and bran together. The fumonisin contamination level was approximately three times higher in germ and bran than in whole corn, 13 times higher than in 'C' flour and 29 times higher than in corn meal and corn grits. Taking into account the distribution of fumonisins in commercial dry-milled corn fractions and corn meal consumption in Argentina, a theoretical whole corn level of 6640 microg kg(-1) maximum of total fumonisins could be processed to obtain products considered safe for human health.

Characterization of the central nervous system innervation of the rat spleen using viral transneuronal tracing.

Splenic immune function is modulated by sympathetic innervation, which in turn is controlled by inputs from supraspinal regions. In the present study, the characterization of central circuits involved in the control of splenic function was accomplished by injecting pseudorabies virus (PRV), a retrograde transynaptic tracer, into the spleen and conducting a temporal analysis of the progression of the infection from 60 hours to 110 hours postinoculation. In addition, central noradrenergic cell groups involved in splenic innervation were characterized by dual immunohistochemical detection of dopamine-beta-hydroxylase and PRV. Infection in the CNS first appeared in the spinal cord. Splenic sympathetic preganglionic neurons, identified in rats injected with Fluoro-Gold i.p. prior to PRV inoculation of the spleen, were located in T(3)-T(12) bilaterally; numerous infected interneurons were also found in the thoracic spinal cord (T(1)-T(13)). Infected neurons in the brain were first observed in the A5 region, ventromedial medulla, rostral ventrolateral medulla, paraventricular hypothalamic nucleus, Barrington's nucleus, and caudal raphe. At intermediate survival times, the number of infected cells increased in previously infected areas, and infected neurons also appeared in lateral hypothalamus, A7 region, locus coeruleus, subcoeruleus region, nucleus of the solitary tract, and C3 cell group. At longer postinoculation intervals, infected neurons were found in additional hypothalamic areas, Edinger-Westphal nucleus, periaqueductal gray, pedunculopontine tegmental nucleus, caudal ventrolateral medulla, and area postrema. These results demonstrate that the sympathetic outflow to the spleen is controlled by a complex multisynaptic pathway that involves several brainstem and forebrain nuclei.