Long-term warming effects on the microbiome and nifH gene abundance of a common moss species in sub-Arctic tundra.

Bacterial communities form the basis of biogeochemical processes and determine plant growth and health. Mosses harbour diverse bacterial communities that are involved in nitrogen fixation and carbon cycling. Global climate change is causing changes in aboveground plant biomass and shifting species composition in the Arctic, but little is known about the response of moss microbiomes in these environments. Here, we studied the total and potentially active bacterial communities associated with Racomitrium lanuginosum in response to a 20-yr in situ warming in an Icelandic heathland. We evaluated the effect of warming and warming-induced shrub expansion on the moss bacterial community composition and diversity, and nifH gene abundance. Warming changed both the total and the potentially active bacterial community structure, while litter abundance only affected the total bacterial community structure. The abundance of nifH genes was negatively affected by litter abundance. We also found shifts in the potentially nitrogen-fixing community, with Nostoc decreasing and noncyanobacterial diazotrophs increasing in relative abundance. Our data suggest that the moss microbial community and potentially nitrogen fixing taxa will be sensitive to future warming, partly via changes in litter and shrub abundance.

Current Practices and Challenges in the Diagnosis and Management of PKU in Latin America: A Multicenter Survey.

This study aimed to describe the current practices in the diagnosis and dietary management of phenylketonuria (PKU) in Latin America, as well as the main barriers to treatment. We developed a 44-item online survey aimed at health professionals. After a pilot test, the final version was sent to 25 practitioners working with inborn errors of metabolism (IEM) in 14 countries. Our results include 22 centers in 13 countries. Most countries (12/13) screened newborns for PKU. Phenylalanine (Phe) targets at different ages were very heterogeneous among centers, with greater consistency at the 0-1 year age group (14/22 sought 120-240 µmol/L) and the lowest at >12 years (10 targets reported). Most countries had only unflavored powdered amino acid substitutes (10/13) and did not have low-protein foods (8/13). Only 3/13 countries had regional databases of the Phe content of foods, and only 4/22 centers had nutrient analysis software. The perceived obstacles to treatment were: low purchasing power (62%), limited/insufficient availability of low-protein foods (60%), poor adherence, and lack of technical resources to manage the diet (50% each). We observed a heterogeneous scenario in the dietary management of PKU, and most countries experienced a lack of dietary resources for both patients and health professionals.

Safety and Quality Assessment of Smallholder Farmers' Maize in the Western Highlands of Guatemala.

Maize ( Zea mays) is a staple in many developing countries but is known to be prone to pest (insects, birds, and rodents) and fungal infestation. In Guatemala, mycotoxin contamination of cultivated products may occur owing to such factors as environmental conditions and the use of traditional agriculture operations. To assess the current maize conditions in Guatemala, a small-scale study was performed. Mold and insect counts and mycotoxin (aflatoxin and fumonisin) concentrations were determined on 25 farms in two townships (Chiantla and Todos Santos) of the Huehuetenango Department. Total fungal counts were 3.6 to 6.83 log CFU/g with no significant differences ( P > 0.05) across farms at different altitudes. Farms where maize was not produced but was purchased were at higher risk of fumonisin contamination, whereas local producers were mostly affected by aflatoxins. Aflatoxin was present in maize from 100% of farms at 1.0 to 85.3 ppb, and fumonisin was detected on 52% of farms at 0.4 to 31.0 ppm. Average mycotoxin consumption amounts were above the recommended maximum intake for aflatoxin in both produced and purchased maize and above the provisional maximum tolerable daily intake for fumonisin in purchased maize. Estimated daily intake was 0.01 to 0.85 µg/kg of body weight per day for aflatoxin and 2.9 to 310.0 µg/kg of body weight per day for fumonisin. An entomological analysis revealed overall 32% prevalence of Ephestia kuehniella (flour moth), 16% prevalence of Sitophilus zeamais (maize weevil), and 8% prevalence of Tribolium sp. (flour beetle) on the analyzed farms. This study highlighted poor agricultural practices used in the highlands of Guatemala. Current practices should be revised for the production of maize that is safe for consumption by the population in this region.

Actividad antioxidante del complejo de inclusión del extracto de semilla de Bixa orellana en ß-ciclodextrina obtenido por CO2 supercrítico / Antioxidant activity of the inclusion complex of Bixa orellana seeds extract in ß-cyclodextrin obtained by supercritical CO2

Antecedentes: los extractos de Bixa orellana son utilizados como colorante de alimentos, y presentan una actividad antioxidante de importancia farmacéutica. Su uso puede limitarse por su inestabilidad, donde el proceso de inclusión en ß-ciclodextrina (ß-CD) por fluido supercrítico con CO2 (FSC-CO2) es una alternativa para mediar esta desventaja. Objetivos: comparar diferentes condiciones de temperatura y presión de extracción por FSC-CO2, para determinar cuál de estas permite obtener un extracto de Bixa orellana con mayor actividad antioxidante, y evaluar el efecto de la inclusión en ß-CD, en dicha capacidad antioxidante. Métodos: se obtuvieron extractos por FSC-CO2 variando condiciones de presión y temperatura: (I) 3583 psi, 35°C, (II) 1413 psi, 35°C, (III) 2184 psi, 45°C, (IV) 5076 psi, 45°C, y (V) 2300 psi, 40°C. Se evaluó la actividad antioxidante de los extractos obtenidos mediante el método DPPH, determinando su IC50. Se realizó el complejo de inclusión en ß-CD del extracto que presentó la mayor actividad antioxidante, por el método FSC-CO2, y fue caracterizado por IR, DSC y RMN. Mediante análisis comparativo de los espectros de la ß-CD, extracto libre y el complejo extracto/ß-CD, se verificó el acomplejamiento, y se evaluó la capacidad antioxidante del complejo de inclusión. Resultados: el extracto con mayor actividad antioxidante se obtuvo bajo la condición de extracción IV, con un IC50 de 23,55 µg/ mL, seguido del extracto II (28,76 µg/mL), del extracto III (37,23 µg/mL), del extracto V (81,09 µg/mL) y del extracto I (193,82 µg/mL), los cuales presentaron diferencias significativas (P<0,01). Los espectros obtenidos por IR, DSC y RMN presentaron desplazamientos propios del proceso de encapsulamiento. El valor IC50 del complejo extracto/ß-CD fue de 104,84 µg/mL, siendo significativamente mayor al valor obtenido para el extracto puro (23,55 µg/mL). Conclusión: el extracto de Bixa orellana con una actividad antioxidante mayor se obtuvo por fluido supercrítico a 5076 psi de presión y 45°C de temperatura. Las variaciones de los espectros IR, DSC y RMN demuestran la inclusión del extracto en la ß-CD, y los valores de IC50 indican el efecto protector de la ß-CD ante la reacción con el radical DPPH.

Background: Bixa orellana extracts are used to food coloring and it is important in pharmaceutical industry as a potential source of antioxidant activity. The application may be limited because it is unstable, but the process of inclusion in ß-cyclodextrin (ß-CD) by supercritical fluid CO2 (FSC-CO2) is an alternative to mediate this disadvantage. Objectives: we compared different conditions of temperature and pressure of FSC-CO2 extraction, to obtain a Bixa orellana extract with excellent antioxidant activity, and we evaluated the effect of inclusion in ß-CD in the antioxidant capacity. Methods: extracts were obtained by FSC-CO2 with different conditions of pressure and temperature: (I) 3583 psi, 35°C, (II) 1413 psi, 35°C, (III) 2184 psi, 45°C, (IV) 5076 psi, 45°C, and (V) 2300 psi, 40°C. The antioxidant activity by DPPH assay was determined and the IC50 was evaluated. We performed the inclusion complex in ß-CD with the highest antioxidant activity extract. The extract/ß-CD complex was characterized by IR, DSC and NMR. This complexation was verified by comparative analysis of the spectra of the ß-CD, free extract and ß-CD/extract complex. The antioxidant capacity of this inclusion complex was evaluated. Results: the extract with highest antioxidant activity was obtained under the extraction condition IV, with an IC50 of 23.55 µg/mL, followed extract II (28.76 µg/mL), extract III (37.23 µg/mL), extract V (81.09 µg/mL) and extract I (193.82 µg/mL). Analysis showed significant differences (P<0.01) between these extracts. The spectra obtained by IR, DSC and NMR evidence the encapsulation process. The IC50 value of the extract/ß-CD complex (104.84 µg/mL) was significantly higher than the value obtained for the pure extract (23.55 µg/mL). Conclusions: the highest antioxidant activity of Bixa orellana extracts was obtained by supercritical fluid pressure at 5076 psi and temperature of 45°C. Variations in IR, DSC and NMR spectra showed the inclusion of the ß-CD/extract, and the IC50 values indicated the protective effect of ß-CD to the reaction with DPPH radical.

High Prevalence of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome in Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus Adolescents: Is There a Difference Depending on the NIH and Rotterdam Criteria?

BACKGROUND: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is more frequently observed in type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) adult women than in nondiabetic women. No such prevalence has yet been studied in adolescent girls with T1DM. AIM: The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of PCOS in adolescent girls with T1DM and to determine the clinical and hormonal features associated with the disorder. METHODS: A cross-sectional study of 53 adolescent girls (gynecological age >2 years) referred for routine evaluation for T1DM was conducted. We diagnosed PCOS using the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and Rotterdam criteria. RESULTS: 26.4 and 47.9% of adolescents had PCOS according to NIH (NIH-PCOS) and Rotterdam (Rotterdam-PCOS) criteria. 66.7% of NIH-PCOS adolescents had a complete phenotype associated with hyperandrogenism, oligomenorrhea, and polycystic ovarian morphology, unlike only 33.3% of the Rotterdam-PCOS adolescents. A family history of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) was more frequent in PCOS than in non-PCOS girls, whichever criteria were used. Late pubertal development and a T1DM diagnosis close to puberty were factors associated with NIH-PCOS. CONCLUSION: Adolescents with T1DM had a high prevalence of PCOS. More differences between PCOS and non-PCOS patients were found using the NIH criteria, suggesting that clinical characteristics might be more accurate for diagnosing PCOS in girls with T1DM. A family history of T2DM is associated with a high risk of PCOS.

Estudio comparativo de las fracciones lipídicas de Bactris gasipaes Kunth (chontaduro) obtenidas por extracción soxhlet y por extracción con CO2 supercrítico / Estudo comparativo da fração lipídica do Bactris gasipaes Kunth(pupunha) obtida por extração soxhlet e extração com CO2 supercrítico / Comparative study of lipid fractions from Bactris gasipaes Kunth (peach palm) obtained by soxhlet and supercritic CO2 extraction

Se determinó el efecto de dos métodos de extracción sobre el rendimiento y composición de extractos lipídicos de pulpa de chontaduro (Bactris gasipaes Kunth), cosechados en cuatro localidades del pacífico colombiano. Los métodos de extracción fueron soxhlet con hexano y extracción por fluido supercrítico con CO2 (EFS CO2) a 26,890 MPa y 330 K. Para los cuatro ecotipos estudiados, los resultados muestran un mayor rendimiento de extracción por el método EFS CO2 (4,03-8,28% p/p) en comparación al método soxhlet (1,5-2,73% p/p). La caracterización de los lípidos de los diferentes ecotipos, realizada a través de cromatografía de gases con detector de ionización de llama (FID), muestra un alto contenido de ácidos grasos insaturados, similar al aceite de oliva y otras oleaginosas: 36,23-51,89% p/p de ácido oleico, 2,38-8,82% p/p de ácido linoleico, y 0,22-1,58% p/p de ácido linolénico, no presentando diferencias significativas de dichos contenidos para ambos métodos. El contenido de lípidos del fruto de chontaduro, corroboran su potencial como una muy buena fuente de ácidos grasos esenciales.

The efficiency and composition of lipid extracts of peach palm pulp (Bactris gasipaes Kunth), harvested in four different locations in the Colombian Pacific region, were evaluated by two different extraction methods. Soxhlet extraction method with hexane as a solvent, and supercritical fluid CO2 extraction method (SFE CO2) at 26,890 MPa and 330 K were tested. Results showed a higher efficiency for the SFE CO2 method (4.03-8.28% w/w) as compared to the soxhlet method (1.5-2.73% w/w) for four ecotypes or crops. Furthermore, the lipids characterization of the different ecotypes, performed by gas chromatography with a flame ionization detector (FID), showed a high content of unsaturated fatty acids, olive oil-like, with 36.23-51.89% w/w oleic acid, 2.38-8.82% w/w linoleic acid, and 0.22-1.58% w/w linolenic acid. The lipid content of peach palm fruit corroborate its potential as a very goodsource of essential fatty acids.

Determinou-se o efeito de dois métodos de extração sobre o rendimento e a composição dos lipídios da polpa de pupunha (Bactris gasipaes Kunth), colhidas em quatro localidades da região do pacífico colombiano. Foram avaliadas as diferenças entre os métodos de extração soxhlet com hexano e extração por fluido supercrítico com CO2 (EFS CO2) a 26,890 MPa e 330 K. Para os quatro ecótipos estudados, os resultados mostram aumento de rendimento de extração pelo método CO2 EFS (4,03-8,28% p/p) em comparação com o método soxhlet (1,5-2,73% p/p). Além disso, a caracterização dos lipídios dos diferentes ecótipos usando cromatografia em fase gasosa com detetor de ionização de chama (FID), mostra um alto conteúdo de ácidos graxos insaturados, similar ao azeite de oliva e outras oleaginosas, com 36,23-51,89% p/p de ácido oléico, 2,38-8,82% p/p de ácido linoléico e 0,22-1,58% p/p de ácido linolênico, não apresentando diferenças significativas de tais conteúdos para ambos métodos. Além disso, o conteúdo dos lipídios da fruta pupunha corroboram o seu potencial como uma boa fonte de ácidos graxos essenciais.

Controversias en el manejo de la talla baja idiopática

La talla baja idiopática (TBI) es un diagnóstico de exclusión que abarca un amplio y heterogéneo grupo de niños aparentemente sanos pero con talla inferior a -2 desviaciones estándar. En los Estados Unidos está aprobado el uso de hormona de crecimiento (HC) en niños con TBI, a diferencia de la mayoría de países Europeos. La respuesta terapéutica de los niños con TBI tratados con HC es muy variable y dependiente de múltiples factores al inicio y durante el tratamiento, por lo cual el beneficio de su uso no ha podido establecerse de forma consensual. Esta revisión recoge información actualizada sobre los más recientes estudios publicados en pacientes con TBI tratados con HC hasta alcanzar talla final, los diferentes factores asociados a la respuesta terapéutica, los efectos metabólicos, psicosociales y efectos adversos de la HC, y sobre otras opciones terapéuticas a considerar tales como HC con análogos de la GnRH, inhibidores de aromatasa e IGF1 humana recombinante.

Idiopathic short stature (ISS) is an exclusion diagnostic which includes a broad and heterogeneous group of supposedly healthy children with height below -2 standard deviations. In the United States, treatment with growth hormone (GH) is approved for children with ISS, as opposed to the majority of European countries. The final height of children with ISS whom are treated with GH is highly variable and dependent on multiples factors at the beginning and during the treatment. For this reason, the indication of GH therapy in ISS children is not consensual. This revision contains actual data about the most recently published studies in patients with ISS treated with GH until final height, associated factors to height gaining, metabolic, psychosocial and adverse events, and finally, other therapeutic options such as GH combined with GnRH analogues, aromatase inhibitors and recombinant human IGF1.

Fenoles totales y actividad antioxidante en hojas de dos especies colombianas del género Meriania (melastomataceae) / Total phenolics and antioxidant activity in leaves of two colombian species of Meriania genus (melastomataceae) / Fenóis totais e atividade antioxidante em folhas de duas espécies colombiana do gênero Meriania (melastomataceae)

Se estudiaron las hojas de las especies Meriania speciosa y Meriania nobilis, obteniendo extractos de diferente polaridad, a los que se les realizaron diversas pruebas cualitativas. Se determinó el contenido de fenoles totales y se evaluó la actividad captadora de radicales con DPPH (FRS50: capacidad captadora de radicales que reduce en un 50% al radical DPPH) en microplacas de 96 pozos. Este estudio determinó que las dos especies presentan una buena actividad antioxidante. Los extractos que mayor actividad antioxidante mostraron fueron: butanol con FRS50 de 7,6 ± 0,8 y 23,4 ± 2,4; acuoso con FRS50 de 28,5 ± 2,9 y 63,0 ± 2,6 y hexano 2 con FRS50 de 17,0 ± 2,6 y 18,2 ± 2,5 mg/L, para las especies M. speciosa y M. nobilis respectivamente. Los extractos que presentaron un alto contenido de fenoles totales fueron: metanol 2 con valor de 0,47 ± 0,06 y 0,40 ± 0,03 mg equivalentes de ácido gálico (EAG)/g extracto seco (ES) y el extracto acuoso: 0,16 ± 0,06 y 0,12 ± 0,03 mg EAG/g ES para las especies M. speciosa y M. nobilis respectivamente. El extracto butanólico de la especie M. speciosa mostró la mayor actividad antioxidante con un FRS50 de 7,6 mg/L ± 0,8, este valor es comparable con el valor hallado para la quercetina FRS50: 4,2 mg/L ± 0,4, lo que indica que este extracto es promisorio en el contenido de metabolitos secundarios que exhiben actividad antioxidante y para la fabricación de productos agroquímicos, cosméticos y farmacéuticos.

The leaves of two species, Meriania speciosa and Meriania nobilis were studied, obtaining extracts of different polarity, which were submitted to tests for their DPPH antioxidant activity (FRS50: free radical scavenging capacity to reduce in 50% the DPPH) and total phenolics in a 96 wells format. This study determined that the two species have good antioxidant activity. The extracts that showed higher antioxidant activity were butanolic FRS50 of 7.6 ± 0.8 and 23,4 ± 2.4; aqueous FRS50 of 28.5 ± 2.9 y 63.0 ± 2.6; and hexane 2 FRS50 17.0 ± 2.6 and 18.2 ± 2.5 mg/L, for M. speciosa and M. nobilis, respectively; the extracts that showed a higher content of total phenolics were methanol 2 with a value of 0.47 ± 0.06 and 0.40 ± 0.03 and aqueous extract with a value of 0.16 ± 0.06 and 0.12 ± 0.03 mg EqAG/g ES for M. speciosa and M. nobilis, respectively. The extract showing better activity between the two species, was the butanolic of M. speciosa, with FRS50 7.6 mg/L ± 0.8, this value is comparable with the positive control, quercetine FRS50: 4.2 mg/L ± 0.4, which indicates that the butanolic extract is promissory in the content of secondary metabolites with antioxidant activity and for the production of agrochemicals, cosmetics and pharmaceuticals.

Duas espécies, Meriania speciosa e nobilis Meriania foram estudados, a obtenção de extratos de polaridade diferente, que foram submetidos a testes para a sua atividade antioxidante DPPH (FRS50: livre capacidade de eliminação de radicais para reduzir em 50% o DPPH) e fenóis totais em formato de 96 poços. Este estudo permitiu determinar que as duas espécies têm boa atividade antioxidante em extratos iniciais. Os extratos que apresentaram maior atividade antioxidante foram butanólico FRS50 de 7,6 ± 0,8 e 23,4 ± 2,4; FRS50 aquosa de 28,5 ± 2,9; 63,0 ± 2,6 y; e hexano 2 FRS50 17,0 ± 2,6 e 18,2 ± 2,5 mg/L; os extratos apresentaram maior teor de fenólicos totais foram metanol 2 valor de 0,47 ± 0,06 e 0,40 ± 0,03 e aquosa extrair valor de 0,16 ± 0,06 e 0,12 ± 0,03 mg EqAG / g ES para M. speciosa e M. nobilis, respectivamente. O extracto que mostra uma melhor actividade entre as duas espécies, foi o de M. butanólica speciosa, com FRS50 7,6 mg / L ± 0,8, este valor é comparável ao do controlo positivo, quercetine FRS50: 4,2 mg / L ± 0,4, o que indica butanólica extrato é promissória no conteúdo de metabólitos secundários com atividade antioxidante e para a produção de agroquímicos, cosméticos e farmacêuticos.

Higher prevalence of obesity and overweight without an adverse metabolic profile in girls with central precocious puberty compared to girls with early puberty, regardless of GnRH analogue treatment.

OBJECTIVES: 1. To determine BMI, obesity/overweight rates, glucose and lipids at baseline, during GnRHa treatment and shortly after therapy discontinuation in female children with CPP and EP. 2. To compare this response to that seen in a similar group of untreated patients. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of 71 children with either CPP (n = 37) or EP (n = 34) was undertaken. Forty three were treated with a GnRHa for at least 2 years, while 28 were followed without treatment. RESULTS: At the time of diagnosis, a higher BMI (z-score of 1.1 ± 0.8 vs. 0.6 ± 0.7, p = 0.004) and a higher prevalence of obesity/overweight (72.9 vs. 35.3%, p = 0.001) was observed in subjects with CPP when compared to those with EP. Children with EP had higher fasting glucose and total cholesterol than those with CPP. BMI z-score, obesity/overweight rates, fasting glucose and lipids did not change significantly in girls with CPP or EP during 3 yrs of follow up, regardless of treatment. Weight z-scores were higher at 3 years in treated than in untreated girls with CPP (p = 0.02), while it was higher in untreated than in GnRHa-treated patients with EP at baseline, 1, 2 and 3 years (p = 0.007, p = 0.002, p = 0.02 and p = 0.04, respectively) and remained so shortly after stopping therapy (p = 0.03). CONCLUSIONS: There is a high prevalence of obesity/overweight in girls with CPP and EP at diagnosis. However, this risk is greater in CPP than in EP girls. BMI, Obesity/overweight rates, fasting glucose and lipids remained stable in CPP and EP girls regardless of therapy. Weight z-scores were found to be higher in treated CPP girls and in untreated girls with EP.

Is the growth outcome of children with idiopathic short stature and isolated growth hormone deficiency following treatment with growth hormone and a luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone agonist superior to that obtained by GH alone?

AIM: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of combined therapy with growth hormone (GH) and luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone agonist (LHRHa) on the near-final height (NFH) of children with idiopathic short stature (ISS) and growth hormone deficiency (GHD) in early puberty. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of 20 patients with ISS and 9 patients with GHD treated with combined therapy was undertaken. Twelve children with ISS and ten with GHD, treated with GH alone, served as controls. Patients were matched at baseline for chronological age, bone age, height standard deviation score (SDS), and pubertal development. RESULTS: Patients with ISS or GHD treated with combined therapy improved both their predicted adult height (PAH) at 2 years of therapy (ISS, p < 0.001; GHD, p = 0.03) and their NFH (ISS, p < 0.05; GHD, p = 0.05). Treatment with combined therapy did not generate additional benefits on the PAH after 2 years of therapy (ISS children, an increase of 7.9 +/- 4.9 cm with combined therapy vs. 7.3 +/- 6.0 cm with GH; GHD children, an increase of 6.8 +/- 7.8 cm with combined therapy vs. 5 +/- 5.9 cm with GH). The total height gain SDS was higher in patients treated with GH alone compared with those with combined therapy, but the difference was not significant (ISS children, a gain of 2.4 SDS with GH vs. 0.8 SDS with combined therapy; GHD children, a gain of 1.8 SDS with GH vs. 0.6 SDS with combined therapy). CONCLUSIONS: Although 2 years of combined treatment with GH and LHRHa improved the PAH and the NFH of ISS and GHD patients in early puberty, this improvement was not significant compared with that observed in similar subjects treated with GH alone.

High prevalence of hirsutism and menstrual disorders in obese adolescent girls and adolescent girls with type 1 diabetes mellitus despite different hormonal profiles.

OBJECTIVES: To compare the pubertal development, the hormonal profiles and the prevalence of hirsutism and menstrual disorders in obese adolescent girls and adolescent girls with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM). METHODS: Data were collected from 96 obese adolescent girls and 78 adolescent girls with T1DM at Tanner stage IV or V, whose ages ranged between 11.9 and 17.9 years. RESULTS: High prevalence of hirsutism and menstrual disorder was found in the obese adolescent girls (36.5 and 42% respectively) and the adolescent girls with T1DM (21 and 44% respectively). The obese girls were significantly younger at pubarche, thelarche and menarche than the girls with T1DM. Hirsutism in the obese girls and those with T1DM was associated with hyperandrogenaemia and a raised free androgen index (FAI). When the cause of the raised FAI was investigated in both the groups of girls with hirsutism, the raised FAI in the obese girls was due to low serum sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) levels. In contrast, the raised FAI of the girls with T1DM and hirsutism was due to hyperandrogenaemia. Menstrual disorders in the T1DM girls were associated also with hyperandrogenaemia unlike obese girls. CONCLUSIONS: Hirsutism and menstrual disorders are common in obese adolescent girls and adolescent girls with T1DM. Although hyperandrogenaemia is present in both groups of girls, the androgenic profiles of the two groups differ. The hyperandrogenaemia in the obese girls is primarily due to their decreased serum SHBG levels, whereas the hyperandrogenaemia in the girls with T1DM is due to their increased androgen production.

Predominant Sertoli cell deficiency in a 46,XY disorders of sex development patient with a new NR5A1/SF-1 mutation transmitted by his unaffected father.

OBJECTIVE: To further investigate the molecular mechanism by which NR5A1/SF-1 mutation led to gonadal dysgenesis with predominant Sertoli cell defect. DESIGN: Genetic and functional mutation study. SETTING: University hospital. PATIENT(S): Genetic analysis of an XY newborn with hypospadias and micropenis. Puberty developed spontaneously with a rise in T levels and normal LH contrasting with high FSH and low inhibin B concentrations, revealing a Sertoli cell defect. INTERVENTION(S): None. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): NR5A1/SF-1 gene molecular analysis. RESULT(S): Genetic analysis identified a new NR5A1/SF-1 mutation, c.842G>C (p.Arg281Pro). In vitro functional studies showed that the p.Arg281Pro mutant mainly altered Sertoli cell function, as observed in vivo with a high FSH level and low inhibin B concentration contrasting with normal LH concentration. The mutation was found in the father's DNA at a low copy number through direct sequencing and high-resolution melting assay, suggesting mosaicism. CONCLUSION(S): We describe a new heterozygous NR5A1/SF-1 mutation that mainly altered Sertoli cell function. However, this 46,XY disorders of sex development (DSD) boy had no Müllerian derivatives, suggesting normal Sertoli cell function during fetal life. During puberty, Sertoli cell deficiency became more apparent. This is the first report of a progressive and predominant Sertoli cell defect in an XY patient with testicular dysgenesis owing to NR5A1/SF-1 mutation.

Exposición al óxido de etileno del personal auxiliar en odontología / Exposure to ethylene oxide in dental auxiliary staff

El riesgo que representa el uso del óxido de etileno durante los procesos de esterilización, se magnifica en la medida en la cual el personal encargado de su manipulación desconoce sus efectos y por encima de estos las medidas preventivas que se deben adoptar para el desarrollo de un ejercicio profesional dentro de la Salud y Seguridad en el Trabajo

The risk of use ethylene oxide during sterilization process is increased at time that the personnel uncknoked its effects and preventions norms

Quiste mesentérico gigante: reporte de un caso pediátrico / Giant mesentery cyst: report of an case pediatrics

Se denomina quiste mesentérico a una serie de masas abdominales quísticas benignas. Son poco frecuentes. La incidencia es de 1/100000 ingresos en adultos y de 1/20000 en niños. El número de casos ha aumentado con el rciente desarrollo de la ultrasonografía y la tomografía computada. En pediatría éstas masas corresponden a linfangiomas quísticos en la mayoría de los casos, mas raramente corresponden a masas provenientes del tejido mesotelial o del epiplón (5). Se considera que los quistes retroperitoneales, mesentéricos y del omento son del mismo grupo porque derivan de la misma estructura embriológica (4). Se presenta el caso de un lactante masculino de 23 meses de edad, procedente del Edo. Zulia traído a nuestro centro asistencial por presentar dolor, aumento de volumen abdominal y pérdida de peso de un mes de evolución, y en los últimos quince días vómitos postprandiales y dificultad para evacuar. Lucía caquéctico, con un abdomen globoso (perímetro: 53 cm) a expensas de tumoración indurada, dolorosa, de bordes mal definidos en hemiabdomen izquierdo, que atravesaba la línea media. Se solicitó Rx abdominal que reveló imagen densa que rachazaba las vísceras hacia hermiabdomen derecho. Se decide practicar ultrasonografía que reporta imagen densa compatible con esplenomegalia gigante, en vista de la cual se realiza TAC de abdomen con medio de contraste oral que evidencia extensa lesión intraperineal de aspecto quístico con marcado efecto comprensivo, con desplazamiento de estructuras intestinales hacia hemiabdomen derecho y anterior. Se decide realizar laparotomía exploradora hallando: tumoración quística a tensión a nivel de la raíz del mesenterio colon transverso y curvatura mayor del estómago, de la cual se drenaron 1500cc de líquido citrino, se resecó la pared anterior del quiste y se marsupializaron los bordes; (además se realizó apendicectomía profiláctica). La biopsia reportó quiste mesentérico endotelial tipo linfagioma y líquido acelular.

Four new lactones from Botrytis cinerea.

Four new lactones (1-4) have been isolated from Botrytis cinerea. Their structures were elucidated by interpretation of spectral data, mainly (1)H and (13)C NMR, including two-dimensional analysis (HOMOCOSY, HMQC, and HMBC). The phytotoxic activities of these new natural products have been evaluated. Compounds 1-3 were inactive, while 4 showed a phytotoxic effect when tested up to 250 ppm.

Determinantes del control prenatal en embarazadas de la región centrooccidental de Venezuela / Determinants prenatal control in pregnant women in Venezuela west - central region

Reconocer determinantes del inadecuado control prenatal. Estudio de casos y controles. Los casos (mujeres con 0-4 consultas) y controles (mujeres con 5 o más consultas) se seleccionaron entre 1.843 pacientes. El análisis se realizó por regresión múltiple. Región Centroccidental de Venezuela (Hospitales "Antonio María Pineda", "Jesús María Casal", "Placido Dominguez Rivero" y "Alfredo van Grieken"), entre 1995 y 1998. Los factores relacionados al inadecuado control prenatal incluyeron la edad menor de 20 años (razón de posibilidades = 1,60), los bajos ingresos (razón de posibilidades = 1,37) y la procedencia rural (razón de posibilidades = 1,53). La primiparidad (razón de posibilidades = 0,89) y la edad de 30 o más años (razón de posibilidades = 0,86) se asociaron a menor riesgo de inadecuado control prenatal. La determinación de los factores asociados al indecuado control prenatal puede orientar la realización de programas que tiendan a optimizarlo

Participación en la comunidad y los programas de salud bucal / Participation of the community and the dental health education

Diagnóstico de la participación de la zona Zuata en las organizaciones sociales y en la planificación de los programas de salud oral; y la influencia de la inserción social en el conocimiento y educación de la salud bucal

Nutrición y desarrollo del sistema nervioso / Nutrition and development of nervous system

El desarrollo del sistema nervioso se caracteriza por una sucesión de hechos críticos en las primeras semanas del desarrollo embrionario y por un complejo crecimiento y maduración que se extiende a los primeros años de vida del hombre. En esta revisión se discuten las distorsiones y deficiencias que sufren las estructuras nerviosas y los procesos metabólicos cerebrales cuando el organismo es sometido a restricciones nutricionales durante el período crítico del desarrollo nervioso. Esta información proviene en su mayoría de estudios realizados en animales experimentales. Se analizan las observaciones que se han hecho sobre el desarrollo cognoscitivo y comportamiento social y emocional de niños malnutridos. Las posibilidades de rehabilitación estructural y funcional del sistema nervioso afectado por la malnutrición perinatal se discuten a la luz de evidencias recientes que sugieren una plasticidad mayor en el cerebro de la tradicionalmente conocida y en el contexto de ensayos con niños rehabilitados nutricionalmente y sometidos a una estimulación cognoscitiva en su medio ambiente