Patch age alters seagrass response mechanisms to herbivory damage.

Natural disturbances can produce a mosaic of seagrass patches of different ages, which may affect the response to herbivory. These pressures can have consequences for plant performance. To assess how seagrass patch age affects the response to herbivory, we simulated the effect of herbivory by clipping leaves of Halodule wrightii in patches of 2, 4 and 6 years. All clipped plants showed ability to compensate herbivory by increasing leaf growth rate (on average 4.5-fold). The oldest patches showed resistance response by increasing phenolic compounds (1.2-fold). Contrastingly, the concentration of phenolics decreased in the youngest patches (0.26-fold), although they had a similar leaf carbon content to controls. These results suggest that younger plants facing herbivory pressure reallocate their phenolic compounds towards primary metabolism. Results confirm the H. wrightii tolerance to herbivory damage and provides evidence of age-dependent compensatory responses, which may have consequences for seagrass colonization and growth in perturbed habitats.

A new physiological medium uncovers biochemical and cellular alterations in Lesch-Nyhan disease fibroblasts.

BACKGROUND: Lesch-Nyhan disease (LND) is a severe neurological disorder caused by the genetic deficiency of hypoxanthine-guanine phosphoribosyltransferase (HGprt), an enzyme involved in the salvage synthesis of purines. To compensate this deficiency, there is an acceleration of the de novo purine biosynthetic pathway. Most studies have failed to find any consistent abnormalities of purine nucleotides in cultured cells obtained from the patients. Recently, it has been shown that 5-aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide riboside 5'-monophosphate (ZMP), an intermediate of the de novo pathway, accumulates in LND fibroblasts maintained with RPMI containing physiological levels (25 nM) of folic acid (FA), which strongly differs from FA levels of regular cell culture media (2200 nM). However, RPMI and other standard media contain non-physiological levels of many nutrients, having a great impact in cell metabolism that does not precisely recapitulate the in vivo behavior of cells. METHODS: We prepared a new culture medium containing physiological levels of all nutrients, including vitamins (Plasmax-PV), to study the potential alterations of LND fibroblasts that may have been masked by the usage of non-physiological media. We quantified ZMP accumulation under different culture conditions and evaluated the activity of two known ZMP-target proteins (AMPK and ADSL), the mRNA expression of the folate carrier SLC19A1, possible mitochondrial alterations and functional consequences in LND fibroblasts. RESULTS: LND fibroblasts maintained with Plasmax-PV show metabolic adaptations such a higher glycolytic capacity, increased expression of the folate carrier SCL19A1, and functional alterations such a decreased mitochondrial potential and reduced cell migration compared to controls. These alterations can be reverted with high levels of folic acid, suggesting that folic acid supplements might be a potential treatment for LND. CONCLUSIONS: A complete physiological cell culture medium reveals new alterations in Lesch-Nyhan disease. This work emphasizes the importance of using physiological cell culture conditions when studying a metabolic disorder.

Chemometric Evaluation of RI-Induced Phytochemicals in Phaseolus vulgaris Seeds Indicate an Improvement on Liver Enzymes in Obese Rats.

Liver enzymes alterations (activity or quantity increase) have been recognized as biomarkers of obesity-related abnormal liver function. The intake of healthy foods can improve the activity of enzymes like aspartate and alanine aminotransferases (AST, ALT), γ-glutaminyl transferase (GGT), and alkaline phosphatase (ALP). Beans have a high concentration of several phytochemicals; however, Restriction Irrigation (RI) during plant development amends their synthesis. Using chemometric tools, we evaluated the capacity of RI-induced phytochemicals to ameliorate the high activity of liver enzymes in obese rats. The rats were induced with a high-fat diet for 4 months, subsequently fed with 20% cooked beans from well-watered plants (100/100), or from plants subjected to RI at the vegetative or reproduction stage (50/100, 100/50), or during the whole cycle (50/50) for 3 months. A partial least square discriminant analysis indicated that mostly flavonols have a significant association with serum AST and ALT activity, while isoflavones lowered GGT and ALP. For AST and ALT activity in the liver, saponins remained significant for hepatocellular protection and flavonoids remained significant as hepatobiliary protectants by lowering GGT and ALP. A principal component analysis demonstrated that several flavonoids differentiated 100/50 treatment from the rest, while some saponins were correlated to 50/100 and 50/50 treatments. The intake of beans cultivated under RI improves obesity-impaired liver alterations.

Proliferation, Migration and Invasion of Breast Cancer Cell Lines Are Inhibited by 1,5-Disubstituted Tetrazol-1,2,3-triazole Hybrids through Interaction with p53.

The anticarcinogenic potential of a series of 1,5-disubstituted tetrazole-1,2,3-triazole hybrids (T-THs) was evaluated in the breast cancer (BC)-derived cell lines MCF-7 (ER+, PR+, and HER2-), CAMA-1 (ER+, PR+/-, and HER2-), SKBR-3 (ER+, PR+, and HER2+), and HCC1954 (ER+, PR+, and HER2+). The T-THs 7f, 7l, and 7g inhibited the proliferation of MCF-7 and CAMA-1, HCC1954, and SKBR-3 cells, respectively. The compounds with stronger effect in terms of migration and invasion inhibition were 7o, 7b, 7n, and 7k for the CAMA-1, MCF-7, HCC1954, and SKBR-3 cells respectively. Interestingly, these T-THs were the compounds with a fluorine present in their structures. To discover a possible target protein, a molecular docking analysis was performed for p53, p38, p58, and JNK1. The T-THs presented a higher affinity for p53, followed by JNK1, p58, and lastly p38. The best-predicted affinity for p53 showed interactions between the T-THs and both the DNA fragment and the protein. These results provide an opportunity for these compounds to be studied as potential drug candidates for breast cancer treatment.

Purine Nucleotide Alterations in Tumoral Cell Lines Maintained with Physiological Levels of Folic Acid.

Most cancer cells have an increased synthesis of purine nucleotides to fulfil their enhanced division rate. The de novo synthesis of purines requires folic acid in the form of N10-formyltetrahydrofolate (10-formyl-THF). However, regular cell culture media contain very high, non-physiological concentrations of folic acid, which may have an impact on cell metabolism. Using cell culture media with physiological levels of folic acid (25 nM), we uncover purine alterations in several human cell lines. HEK293T, Jurkat, and A549 cells accumulate 5'-aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide ribonucleotide (ZMP), an intermediary of the de novo biosynthetic pathway, at physiological levels of folic acid, but not with the artificially high levels (2200 nM) present in regular media. Interestingly, HEK293T and Jurkat cells do not accumulate high levels of ZMP when AICAr, the precursor of ZMP, is added to medium containing 2200 nM folate; instead, ATP levels are increased, suggesting an enhanced de novo synthesis. On the other hand, HeLa and EHEB cells do not accumulate ZMP at physiological levels of folic acid, but they do accumulate in medium containing AICAr plus 2200 nM folate. Expression of SLC19A1, which encodes the reduced folate carrier (RFC), is increased in HEK293T and Jurkat cells compared with HeLa and EHEB, and it is correlated with the total purine nucleotide content at high levels of folic acid or with ZMP accumulation at physiological levels of folic acid. In conclusion, tumoral cell lines show a heterogenous response to folate changes in the media, some of them accumulating ZMP at physiological levels of folic acid. Further research is needed to clarify the ZMP downstream targets and their impact on cell function.

Changes in carbon metabolism and dissolved organic carbon fluxes on seagrass patches (Halodule wrightii) with different ages in Southern Gulf of California.

Seagrass meadows are highly dynamic, particularly in sites where extreme climatological events may produce a mosaic of patches with different ages. This study evaluates the community carbon metabolism, dissolved organic carbon (DOC) fluxes and associated fauna in patches of Halodule wrightii with different ages since establishment. Net community production declined as patch age increased, probably due to the increase in non-photosynthetic tissues, higher respiration rates of the community assemblage and a likely increase in self-shading of the canopy. The export of DOC was significantly higher in the youngest patches, mainly as a consequence of the lower seagrass net production recorded in older meadows. We concluded that 'colonizers' seagrass species may show higher production rates and DOC release during the first stages of colonization, which suggest that, the production, organic carbon exportation and their role as relevant blue carbon communities may be higher than expected.

Teratogen Potential Evaluation of the Aqueous and Hydroalcoholic Leaf Extracts of Crataegus oxyacantha in Pregnancy Rats.

Crataegus oxyacantha is used in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases. The aim of this study was to evaluate the transplacental genotoxicity effect of aqueous (AE) and hydroalcoholic extract (HE) of leaves C. oxyacantha in a rat model and the quantification of malondialdehyde (MDA) in the liver. Three different doses of the AE and HE of the C. oxyacantha leaf were administered orally (500, 1000 and 2000 mg/kg) to Wistar rats during 5 days through the pregnancy term (16-21 days), and sampling in rats occurred every 24 h during the last 6 days of gestation, while only one sample was taken in neonates at birth. A sample of the mother's and the neonate's liver was taken for the determination of MDA. The results show that, at the hepatic level, the evaluated doses of extracts C. oxyacantha in pregnant rats and their pups did not show cytotoxicity. However, the AE and HE generated cytotoxic and genotoxic damage in the short term. On the other hand, only the AE showed a teratogenic effect. Based on these results, the AE and HE of the C. oxyacantha leaf should not be administered during pregnancy.

Neurolupus como manifestación de primer brote psicótico Reporte de caso / Neurolupus as a manifestation of the first psychotic episode: case report

Resumen Antecedentes: El lupus eritematoso sistémico (LES) es una enfermedad auto inmunitaria crónica multisistémica con diversas manifestaciones clínicas. Siendo las mujeres la pobla ción vulnerable y con mayor afectación a nivel neurológico, al presentar mayor riesgo de convulsiones. Las manifestaciones neuropsiquiátricas ocurren en etapas tempranas de la enfermedad y del diagnóstico, ya que pueden presentarse junto con manifestaciones sistémicas o no. La frecuencia de manifestaciones neuropsiquiátricas en el lupus eritematoso sistémico se ha descrito del 14 al 75%, siendo las alteraciones cognitivas uno de los grandes síntomas a destacar1. La cual puede ir acompañada de trastornos afectivos de tipo depresión y ansiedad. Ya que la psicosis secundaria a LES se remarca por su baja prevalencia (10%)2, los estudios de laboratorio nos suelen orientar hacia el diagnóstico definitivo, siendo los anticuerpos ribosomales P los que se han relacionado más específicamente con la psicosis lúpica. La resonancia magnética es la prueba de elección y las lesiones cerebrales están dominadas por hiperintensidades de materia blanca en forma de punción3. En el siguiente reporte de caso, presentamos a una paciente de 20 años, la cual contaba con antecedentes de esteatosis hepática diagnosticado, diabetes tipo MODY y resección de ovario derecho por teratoma maduro de 9 años de evolución, pero sin antecedentes psiquiátricos de importancia para el momento de su valoración. Sin embargo, de forma aguda presentó un brote psicótico caracterizado por ideas delirantes de grandiosidad y referencia, así como alteraciones conductuales, cognitivas y afectivas. Por las que tuvieron que acudir a hospital de 3er nivel durante el periodo de contingencia sanitaria en el 2020. Tras el antecedente de presentar infección por SARS-CoV-2 tres meses antes de su patología neuropsiquiátricas. Se sospechó en síntomas neurológicos secundarios a infección por COVID-19, así como patología psiquiátrica aislada. Por lo que se realizó abordaje de estudio de primer brote psicótico, diagnosticándose lupus eritematoso sistémico con manifestaciones neuropsiquiátricas. El tratamiento se basó en un bolo de metilprednisolona y antipsicóticos, luego modificada por terapia con corticoesteroides orales y antipsicótico de depósito. Conclusión: El lupus eritematoso sistémico con manifestaciones neuropsiquiátricas es una presentación poco frecuente del padecimiento, por la amplia variación en la aparición de este, los pacientes con síntomas psiquiátricos en contexto de hospital general deben de ser tomados en cuenta para abordajes extensos4. De la misma forma, el tener este conocimiento del caso podrá ampliar nuestro conocimiento sobre las complicaciones de esta patología reumatológica. Y una de sus complicaciones más graves como la psicosis lúpica para poder realizar un mejor abordaje del primer brote psicótico en hospitales generales, donde la valoración de un especialista puede ser más complicada para mejorar las condiciones médicas de estos pacientes.

Abstract Background: Systemic lupus erythematosus is a chronic multisystemic autoimmune disease with diverse clinical manifestations. Women are the most vulnerable population and have the greatest neurological involvement with a higher risk of seizures. Neuropsychiatric manifestations occur in early stages of the disease and diagnosis since they can occur together with systemic manifestations or not. The frequency of neuropsychiatric manifestations in systemic lupus erythematosus has been described from 14 to 75%; being cognitive alterations one of the major symptoms to highlight. Which, in the same way can be accompanied by affective disorders such as depression and anxiety. Since psychosis, secondary to SLE, stands out for its low prevalence (10%), laboratory studies usually guide us towards a definitive diagnosis, being ribosomal P antibodies the ones that have been more specifically related to lupus psychosis. MRI is the test of choice and brain lesions are dominated by punctate white matter hyperintensities. In the following case report, we present a 20-year-old patient who had a history of diagnosed hepatic steatosis, MODY type diabetes and resection of the right ovary for mature teratoma of 9 years of evolution; but with no psychiatric history of importance at the time of her evaluation. However, she acutely presented a psychotic outbreak characterized by delusions of grandiosity and reference; as well as behavioral, cognitive, and affective alterations. For which she had to go to a 3rd level hospital during the period of health contingency in 2020. After a history of SARS-CoV-2 infection three months before her neuropsychiatric pathology, neurological symptoms secondary to COVID-19 infection were suspected, as well as isolated psychiatric pathology. Therefore, a study approach of the first psychotic outbreak was performed, diagnosing systemic lupus erythematosus with neuropsychiatric manifestations. Treatment was based on a bolus of methylprednisolone and antipsychotics; later modified by therapy with oral corticosteroids and depot antipsychotic. Conclusion: Systemic lupus erythematosus with neuropsychiatric manifestations is an infrequent presentation of the disease, because of the wide variation in its appearance, patients with psychiatric symptoms in a general hospital setting should be considered for extensive approaches. In the same way, having this knowledge of this case may broaden our knowledge about the complications of this rheumatologic pathology. And one of its most serious complications such as lupus psychosis to be able to make a better approach to the first psychotic outbreak in general hospitals, where the assessment of a specialist can be more complicated.

Common Bean Seeds Obtained by Plant Water Restriction Ameliorates Obesity-Associated Cardiovascular Risk and Insulin Resistance.

The inclusion of beans in the diet has been recommended for obesity control. However, its beneficial effect varies depending on agroclimatic factors acting during plant development. The antiobesogenic capacity of Dalia bean (DB) seeds obtained by water restriction (WR) during the vegetative or reproductive stage of plant growth (50/100 and 100/50% of soil moisture in vegetative/reproductive stage, respectively), during the whole cycle (50/50), and well-watered plants (100/100) was researched. After phytochemical characterization, harvested beans from each experimental unit were pooled among treatments, based on a multivariate canonical discriminant analysis considering concentration of non-digestible carbohydrates (total, soluble and insoluble dietary fiber and resistant starch), phenolic compounds (total phenols, flavonoids, anthocyanins and condensed tannins) and total saponins, which showed no differences among replicas of each treatment. Obesity was induced in rats (UAZ-2015-36851) with a high fat diet (HFD) for four months. Afterwards, rats were fed with the HFD supplemented with 20% of cooked DB for three months. During treatment, 100/50 beans, improved blood triglycerides, cholesterol, and glucose, and alleviated early insulin resistance (IR) related to inhibition of lipase, α-amylase and -glucosidase activity. After sacrifice, a hypolipidemic capacity and atherogenic risk reduction was observed, especially from the 100/50 treatment, suggesting that intake of DB obtained from WR may prevent IR and dyslipidemia.

Gold(I)-Catalyzed Synthesis of 4H-Benzo[d][1,3]oxazines and Biological Evaluation of Activity in Breast Cancer Cells.

The first gold(I)-catalyzed cycloisomerization procedure applied to the synthesis of substituted 4H-benzo[d][1,3]oxazines has been developed starting from N-(2-alkynyl)aryl benzamides. The chemoselective oxygen cyclization via the 6-exo-dig pathway yielded the observed heterocycles in modest to good chemical yields under very mild reaction conditions. The obtained oxazines were assayed on the breast cancer (BC)-derived cell lines MCF-7 and HCC1954 with differential biological activity. The newly synthesized 4H-benzo[d][1,3]oxazine compounds showed several degrees of cell proliferation inhibition with a remarkable effect for those compounds having a substituted aryl at C-2 of the molecules. The 4H-benzo[d][1,3]oxazines showed an IC50 ranking from 3.1 to 95 µM in MCF-7 and HCC1954 cells. These compounds represent potential drug candidates for BC treatment. However, additional assays are needed to elucidate their complete effect over the cellular and molecular hallmarks of cancer.

Cytotoxic and Genotoxic Evaluation of the Aqueous and Hydroalcoholic Leaf and Bark Extracts of Crataegus oxyacantha in Murine Model.

Crataegus oxyacantha has been mainly used in traditional medicine for the treatment of cardiovascular diseases. However, its safety profile has not been fully established, since only the genotoxic effects of C. oxyacantha fruit have been described. Therefore, the objective of this work was evaluating the cytotoxicity and genotoxicity of the aqueous and hydroalcoholic leaf and bark extracts of C. oxyacantha by means of the micronucleus test in a murine model. Doses of 2000, 1000, and 500 mg/kg of both extracts were administered orally for 5 days in mice of the Balb-C strain. Peripheral blood smears were performed at 0, 24, 48, 72, and 96 h after each administration. The number of polychromatic erythrocytes (PCEs), micronucleated polychromatic erythrocytes (MNPCEs), and micronucleated erythrocytes (MNEs) was determined at the different sampling times. Our results showed that the leaf and bark of C. oxyacantha increase the number of MNEs at the 2000 mg/kg dose, and only the aqueous leaf extract decreases the number of PCEs at the same dose. Therefore, the aqueous and hydroalcoholic leaf and bark extracts of C. oxyacantha showed genotoxic effects, and only the aqueous leaf extract exhibited cytotoxic effects.

UVB Inhibits Proliferation, Cell Cycle and Induces Apoptosis via p53, E2F1 and Microtubules System in Cervical Cancer Cell Lines.

Ultraviolet (UV) exposure has been linked to skin damage and carcinogenesis, but recently UVB has been proposed as a therapeutic approach for cancer. Herein, we investigated the cellular and molecular effects of UVB in immortal and tumorigenic HPV positive and negative cells. Cells were irradiated with 220.5 to 1102.5 J/m2 of UVB and cell proliferation was evaluated by crystal violet, while cell cycle arrest and apoptosis analysis were performed through flow cytometry. UVB effect on cells was recorded at 661.5 J/m2 and it was exacerbated at 1102.5 J/m2. All cell lines were affected by proliferation inhibition, cell cycle ablation and apoptosis induction, with different degrees depending on tumorigenesis level or HPV type. Analysis of the well-known UV-responsive p53, E2F1 and microtubules system proteins was performed in SiHa cells in response to UVB through Western-blotting assays. E2F1 and the Microtubule-associated protein 2 (MAP2) expression decrease correlated with cellular processes alteration while p53 and Microtubule-associated Protein 1S (MAP1S) expression switch was observed since 882 J/m2, suggesting they were required under more severe cellular damage. However, expression transition of α-Tubulin3C and ß-Tubulin was abruptly noticed until 1102.5 J/m2 and particularly, γ-Tubulin protein expression remained without alteration. This study provides insights into the effect of UVB in cervical cancer cell lines.

Physicochemical treatments for the reduction of aflatoxins and Aspergillus niger in corn grains (Zea mays).

BACKGROUND: Corn grains are commonly contaminated with mycotoxins and fungi. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the reduction of aflatoxins B1 , B2 , G1 , and G2 and the inhibition of Aspergillus niger in corn grains using ultrasound, ultraviolet (UV) radiation, electrolyzed water, and sodium bicarbonate. The determination of aflatoxins was performed by high-performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection and postcolumn derivatization, and analysis of A. niger was performed by evaluating mycelial growth in potato dextrose agar. The best treatment for reducing aflatoxins and inhibiting mycelial growth was evaluated in corn contaminated with A. niger. RESULTS: The results show a significant reduction in aflatoxins in the following order: sodium bicarbonate > ultrasound > UV > electrolyzed water for aflatoxins B1 , B2 , and G2 . For aflatoxin G1 , the order of reduction was sodium bicarbonate > ultrasound > electrolyzed water > UV, with maximum values between 70.50% and 87.03% reached with sodium bicarbonate; for the other treatments, the reduction was between 51.51% and 65.44%. Regarding the fungus, the order of inhibition in the control of mycelial growth was sodium bicarbonate > ultrasound > electrolyzed water > UV in corn grains, and inhibition of mycelial growth was obtained at a sodium bicarbonate concentration of 3.0 g L-1 . CONCLUSION: Sodium bicarbonate, electrolyzed water, ultrasound, and UV radiation inhibited the growth of A. niger on potato dextrose agar and reduced the contents of aflatoxins B1 , B2 , G1 , and G2 in vitro. Sodium bicarbonate showed an ability to inhibit mycelial growth in corn grains. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry.

Seagrass Halodule wrightii as a new habitat for the amphioxus Branchiostoma californiense (Cephalochordata, Branchiostomidae) in the southern Gulf of California, Mexico.

The first record of the amphioxus Branchiostoma californiense on seagrass patches of Halodule wrightii in the Gulf of California is reported. Sixty individuals (19 males, 18 females, and 23 undifferentiated) were collected in May 2017 at Bahía Balandra, Gulf of California, from subtidal seagrass patches at a depth of 0.5 m at low tide. The length and weight ranged from 15.88-28.44 mm and from 0.01-0.11 g for females and 11.7-27.9 mm and 0.01-0.09 g for males, respectively. The minimum size of sexually mature individuals was 11.70 mm for males and 15.88 mm for females; 62% of the specimens were sexually mature. Analysis of the total length-weight relationship suggested an allometric growth pattern among females, males and undifferentiated individuals, whereas an analysis of the entire sample suggested an isometric growth pattern. Typical and additional morphological characters were used to identify the amphioxi. High morphological variability between individuals was found, suggesting the presence of several morphotypes. Branchiostoma californiense had been previously reported as exclusively associated with bare sandy areas, but our study shows that this species can also be found in seagrass patches, using them as breeding and feeding grounds. Thus, seagrass patches are evidenced as suitable habitats for amphioxus.

Hepatoprotective, Antihyperlipidemic and Radical Scavenging Activity of Hawthorn (Crataegus oxyacantha) and Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) on Alcoholic Liver Disease.

Alcohol catabolism produces oxidative stress, causing cell death and inflammation in liver tissue principally. Hawthorn (Crataegus oxyacantha) and Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) are medicinal plants that have shown a potent antioxidant activity related with anti-inflammatory properties. The objective of this study was the evaluation of Hawthorn and Rosemary methanol extracts as preventive treatment in alcoholic liver disease (ALD). ALD rat model was used to measure serum hepatic enzyme levels (AST, ALT, γ-GT and ACP), total bilirubin, liver glycogen, lipid peroxidation, total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and serum lipid profile (total cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL and HDL) as well as histopathological analysis in hepatic tissues was recorder. Phytotreatments showed preventive effect, decreasing AST, γ-GT, lipid peroxidation and bilirubin indictors while TAC and liver glycogen stores increase. Interestingly, Rosemary diminished the levels of ALT and ACP. Remarkable both treatments show liver tissue damage reduction. Hawthorn proved antihyperlipidemic effect, eviting increase in all lipid indicators, while Rosemary showed antihyperlipidemic effect only in LDL levels without affecting HDL levels. The results indicate that Hawthorn and Rosemary treatments have different mechanisms of action; however they show hepatoprotective effect against ALD in rat model. Hawthorn and Rosemary could be used to prevent or help in the treatment of ALD.

5p and 3p Strands of miR-34 Family Members Have Differential Effects in Cell Proliferation, Migration, and Invasion in Cervical Cancer Cells.

The micro RNA (miR)-34 family is composed of 5p and 3p strands of miR-34a, miR-34b, and miR-34c. The 5p strand's expression and function is studied in cervical cancer. The 3p strand's function and regulation remain to be elucidated. To study the function of the passenger strands of miR-34 family members, we overexpressed 5p and 3p strands using a synthetic miRNA in cervical cell lines. Cell proliferation was evaluated using crystal violet. Migration and invasion were tested using transwell assays, Western blot, and zymography. Possible specific targets and cell signaling were investigated for each strand. We found that miR-34a-5p inhibited proliferation, migration, and cell invasion accompanied by matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP9) activity and microtubule-associated protein 2 (MAP2) protein reduction. We also found that miR-34b-5p and miR-34c-5p inhibit proliferation and migration, but not invasion. In contrast, miR-34c-5p inhibits MMP9 activity and MAP2 protein, while miR-34b-5p has no effect on these genes. Furthermore, miR-34a-3p and miR-34b-3p inhibit proliferation and migration, but not invasion, despite the later reducing MMP2 activity, while miR-34c-3p inhibit proliferation, migration, and cell invasion accompanied by MMP9 activity and MAP2 protein inhibition. The difference in cellular processes, MMP2 and MMP9 activity, and MAP2 protein inhibition by miR-34 family members suggests the participation of other regulated genes. This study provides insights into the roles of passenger strands (strand*) of the miR-34 family in cervical cancer.

A shortened treatment with rosemary tea (rosmarinus officinalis) instead of glucose in patients with diabetes mellitus type 2 (TSD).

BACKGROUND: Rosemary leaves powder has been reported to reduce in a dose-dependent manner, glucose levels, lipid profile and lipid peroxidation in humans. However, patients should ingest high doses of powder contained in capsules. This formulation constitutes the intake of 10 capsules per day, so the active metabolite must first, be released and then absorbed (for which, rosemary leaf powder must be mixed with gastric juice). AIM: Evaluate whether a shortened dose and time of treatment as well as the pharmaceutical presentation in rosemary tea (Rosmarinus officinalis) instead of powder have a therapeutic effect in the treatment of T2D. METHOD: The complementary therapy with Rosemary tea (2g/1 litre of water per day) were evaluate on resistance to insulin, oxidative stress, biochemical parameters and anthropometric measurements in forty patients T2D under treatment with metformin and/or glibenclamide afther giving your authorization through informed consent. RESULTS: The data indicated that Rosemary tea intake after 90 days, statistically decreased (p < 0.05) anthropometric parameters like the body mass index and waist-hip ratio. Remarkably, this treatment decreased the percentages of glycated hemoglobin, insulin resistance, and the pancreatic ß-cell function and lastly, a significant difference in lipid peroxide levels was found. CONCLUSION: These data show that shortening time and dose, as well as changing the formulation of the Rosemary plant constitutes a promising treatment for drug-resistant T2D patients.

Waist-height ratio in children of 7 to 11 years with high weight at birth and its relationship with gender, age and diet. / Índice cintura/estatura en niños de 7 a 11 años con alto peso al nacer y su relación con el sexo, la edad y la dieta.

INTRODUCTION: Obesity (OB), considered as one of the Non-Transmissible Chronic Diseases, has as its fundamental characteristics that of being prevalent at a global level, increasing in number, affecting developed and developing countries, affecting both genders, and all ages and social groups. OBJECTIVE: To identify if high birth weight is a predictive factor (risk factor) for abdominal obesity in children 7 to 11 years old, and its relationship to gender, age and diet. METHOD: A case-control descriptive study was carried out with children born between January 1992 and December 1995, in order to identify early risk factors (atherosclerotic accelerators) such as abdominal obesity in children aged 7 to 11, and who have a history of macrosomia or high birth weight, as well as their relationship with gender, age and diet. RESULTS: It was observed that the waist/height value was normal in 60.8% of the study group and in 64.00% in the control group. The difference between groups, gender, and age was not significant (P=.6859). As regards the diet in the study group (macrosomic), there was no significant association between the type of diet and waist circumference/height values, with an χ2=0.223 and P=.6373 (not significant). In the control group (with normal weight at birth), it was found that there is a significant statistical association between the type of diet and waist circumference/height values. This means that it can be stated, with 95% reliability, that the type of diet is associated with waist/height values. CONCLUSIONS: High birth weight is not a predictive factor (risk factor) for abdominal obesity (increased waist/height index). Gender and age are independent for abdominal obesity (macrosomic and normal weight at birth). The diet in high birth weight children is not related to the index waist-height index, which is not the case in those born with normal weight under the same conditions. The marked increase in abdominal obesity (Waist/height index) in children between 7 and 11 years old in both groups is worrying.

Quantitative measurement of oxidative damage in erythrocytes as indicator in benzene intoxications.

The metabolism of aromatic hydrocarbons by the organism forms products that cause cell death depending on the type of exposure. Benzene exposure has been linked to oxidative stress, hepatic damage, aplastic anemia, and hematopoietic cancer as lymphoid and myeloid leukemia. However, there are not fast methods to evaluate chronic benzene exposure in human blood. The objective of this work was the evaluation of the correlation between oxidative damage with benzene exposure and the level of cellular plasma membrane stability (CPMS) in erythrocytes to use it as a future indicator to determine the grade of benzene intoxications. CPMS in vitro assays were used to evaluate damage for benzene, toluene, and xylene. Erythrocytes CPMS assays in vitro shows a progressive reduction with benzene, toluene, and xylene suggesting that aromatic hydrocarbons complexity favors CPMS damage. Eight groups of Wistar rats (n = 5) were used to study the level of damage on CPMS by acute and chronic benzene administration. Enzymatic, metabolic, histological, and oxidative damage tests were performed. Acute administration (100 µL/100 g/single dose) showed a decrease of 66.7% in CPMS, while 63.6% for chronic administration (5 µL/100 g/every 2 days/3 months) showing a correlation with liver damage principally (transaminases activity increase, glycogen level decrease, and high oxidative damage). Tissue damage was observed in bone marrow, kidney, spleen, and lungs. Benzene produces damage on CPMS depending on the exposure time and dose. The CPMS technique could be used as an important aromatic hydrocarbons intoxication indicator.

Miedo a volar: Componentes y formas de afrontamiento de un grupo de patagones que viven en aislamiento relativo / Fear of flying: Components and forms of coping with a group of Patagonians living in relative isolation

Resumen El presente estudio trata del temor a volar, las expectativas de peligro y las estrategias de afrontamiento que las personas dicen utilizar al momento de volar en avión. Un total de 287 participantes, habitantes de una zona aislada geográficamente, que utilizan habitualmente el avión, fueron medidos en las variables ya señaladas. El muestreo fue no probabilístico accidental y el diseño utilizado fue no experimental transversal correlacional. Los principales resultados indican que las personas dicen temer principalmente a situaciones que provocan en ellos la pérdida del control emocional aunque sus estrategias de afrontamiento más comunes suelen estar orientadas a la resolución de problemas. Estas estrategias, orientadas a recuperar simbólicamente el control psicológico, no apuntan al afrontamiento de las emociones. También se describen algunas diferencias en el uso de estas estrategias según género. Se discuten estos resultados en términos de su sincronía con los estudios previos y sus potenciales implicancias para los actuales programas terapéuticos de intervención de dicho problema.

Abstract This study is about the fear of flight, the danger expectations and the coping strategies that people say to use when flying on an airplane. A total of 287 participants, people from a graphically isolated zone that usually use planes, were measured according to the already mentioned variables. The sampling was not accidental probabilistic and the designed used was not experimental transversal correlational. The principal results indicate that people say to be afraid principally of situations that cause in them the loss of the emotional control, although, their most common coping strategies use to be oriented to affront anxiety. This strategy, aimed to regain the psychological control symbolically, does not point to the emotions coping. Also, some differences in the use of these strategies according to gender are described. These results are discussed regarding its timing with previous studies and their potential implications for current therapeutic intervention programs for this problem.