The grapevine guard cell-related VvMYB60 transcription factor is involved in the regulation of stomatal activity and is differentially expressed in response to ABA and osmotic stress.

BACKGROUND: Under drought, plants accumulate the signaling hormone abscisic acid (ABA), which induces the rapid closure of stomatal pores to prevent water loss. This event is trigged by a series of signals produced inside guard cells which finally reduce their turgor. Many of these events are tightly regulated at the transcriptional level, including the control exerted by MYB proteins. In a previous study, while identifying the grapevine R2R3 MYB family, two closely related genes, VvMYB30 and VvMYB60 were found with high similarity to AtMYB60, an Arabidopsis guard cell-related drought responsive gene. RESULTS: Promoter-GUS transcriptional fusion assays showed that expression of VvMYB60 was restricted to stomatal guard cells and was attenuated in response to ABA. Unlike VvMYB30, VvMYB60 was able to complement the loss-of-function atmyb60-1 mutant, indicating that VvMYB60 is the only true ortholog of AtMYB60 in the grape genome. In addition, VvMYB60 was differentially regulated during development of grape organs and in response to ABA and drought-related stress conditions. CONCLUSIONS: These results show that VvMYB60 modulates physiological responses in guard cells, leading to the possibility of engineering stomatal conductance in grapevine, reducing water loss and helping this species to tolerate drought under extreme climatic conditions.

Genetic and histological studies on the delayed systemic movement of Tobacco Mosaic Virus in Arabidopsis thaliana.

BACKGROUND: Viral infections and their spread throughout a plant require numerous interactions between the host and the virus. While new functions of viral proteins involved in these processes have been revealed, current knowledge of host factors involved in the spread of a viral infection is still insufficient. In Arabidopsis thaliana, different ecotypes present varying susceptibilities to Tobacco mosaic virus strain U1 (TMV-U1). The rate of TMV-U1 systemic movement is delayed in ecotype Col-0 when compared with other 13 ecotypes.We followed viral movement through vascular tissue in Col-0 plants by electronic microscopy studies. In addition, the delay in systemic movement of TMV-U1 was genetically studied. RESULTS: TMV-U1 reaches apical leaves only after 18 days post rosette inoculation (dpi) in Col-0, whereas it is detected at 9 dpi in the Uk-4 ecotype. Genetic crosses between Col-0 and Uk-4 ecotypes, followed by analysis of viral movement in F1 and F2 populations, revealed that this delayed movement correlates with a recessive, monogenic and nuclear locus. The use of selected polymorphic markers showed that this locus, denoted DSTM1 (Delayed Systemic Tobamovirus Movement 1), is positioned on the large arm of chromosome II. Electron microscopy studies following the virion's route in stems of Col-0 infected plants showed the presence of curved structures, instead of the typical rigid rods of TMV-U1. This was not observed in the case of TMV-U1 infection in Uk-4, where the observed virions have the typical rigid rod morphology. CONCLUSION: The presence of defectively assembled virions observed by electron microscopy in vascular tissue of Col-0 infected plants correlates with a recessive delayed systemic movement trait of TMV-U1 in this ecotype.

Prolonged grief disorder treatment: An approach to COVID-19 grief / Tratamiento del trastorno de duelo prolongado: Una aproximación al duelo en tiempos de COVID-19

Abstract Background It has been estimated that COVID-19 grief will affect approximately sixteen million people worldwide, while the prevalence of prolonged grief disorder (PGD) could rise to 40%. Objective To review treatments that can be administered to patients with PGD due to COVID-19. Method PUBMED and Google Scholar were searched with the following keywords: prolonged grief disorder, complicated grief, grief and psychotherapy, and treatment of prolonged grief, complicated grief or persistent complex grief. Results Fifty articles were reviewed on the efficacy of interpersonal therapy, rational emotional-behavioral therapy, supportive therapy, humanistic therapy, systemic family therapy, group therapy, writing therapy, Internet-based intervention, and a modality of cognitive behavioral therapy used with prolonged grief, metacognitive therapy, and acceptance and commitment therapy. Discussion and conclusion There is no consensus on the psychotherapeutic treatment of choice for people with PGD due to the loss of a family member to COVID-19. Group therapy is effective in reducing the intensity of uncomplicated grief, cognitive-behavioral therapy is highly efficacious in reducing the severity of grief, metacognitive therapy specifically designed for PGD has a positive impact on depression, anxiety, stress, rumination, and quality of life while Acceptance and Commitment Therapy is helpful for restoring spirituality. Psychotherapy is most effective when combined with drug therapy. It is suggested that comparative studies be undertaken of psychotherapeutic techniques for managing patients with PGD associated with COVID-19 and the adaptation of these techniques to virtual settings.

Resumen Antecedentes Se estima que el duelo secundario a COVID-19 dejará cerca de 16 millones de personas afectadas mundialmente, y la prevalencia del Trastorno de Duelo Prolongado (TDP) pudiera incrementarse al 40%. Objetivo Revisar los tratamientos susceptibles de aplicar en pacientes con TDP por COVID-19. Método Se realizó la búsqueda en PUBMED y Scholar google con las palabras clave trastorno de duelo prolongado, duelo complicado, duelo y psicoterapia y tratamiento del duelo prolongado o complicado o complejo persistente. Resultados Se revisaron 50 artículos, se refirió la eficacia de la terapia interpersonal, la terapia racional emotiva del comportamiento, la terapia de apoyo, la terapia humanista, la terapia familiar sistémica, la terapia grupal, la terapia de escritura, la intervención basada en internet, y una modalidad de terapia cognitivo conductual aplicada al duelo prolongado, la terapia metacognitiva y la terapia de aceptación y compromiso. Discusión y conclusión No hay consenso sobre el uso preferencial de tratamientos psicoterapéuticos en personas con TDP por la pérdida de una familiar por COVID-19. La terapia grupal es efectiva en disminuir la intensidad del duelo no complicado, la terapia cognitivo conductual es altamente efectiva para disminuir la gravedad del duelo, la Terapia Metacognitiva diseñada específicamente para el TDP impacta positivamente en la depresión, ansiedad y calidad de vida; y la Terapia de Aceptación y Compromiso es útil en el restablecimiento de la espiritualidad. La psicoterapia es más eficaz cuando se combina con terapia farmacológica. Se sugiere la realización de estudios comparativos entre técnicas psicoterapéuticas para el manejo de pacientes con TDP asociado a COVID-19 y la adaptación de estas técnicas a ambientes virtuales.

Isolation of the three grape sub-lineages of B-class MADS-box TM6, PISTILLATA and APETALA3 genes which are differentially expressed during flower and fruit development.

The B class of MADS-box floral homeotic genes specifies petal and stamen identity in angiosperms. While this group is one of the most studied in herbaceous plant species, it has remained largely uncharacterized in woody species such as grapevine. Although the B class PI/GLO and AP3/DEF clades have been extensively characterized in model species, the role of the TM6 subgroup within the AP3 clade is not completely understood, since it is absent in Arabidopsis thaliana. In this study, the coding regions of VvTM6 and VvAP3 and the genomic sequence of VvPI, were cloned. VvPI and AtPI were confirmed to be functional homologues by means of complementation of the pi Arabidopsis mutant. Expression analysis revealed that VvPI and VvAP3 transcripts are restricted almost exclusively to inflorescences, although VvPI was detected at low levels in leaves and roots. VvTM6 expresses throughout the plant, with higher levels in flowers and berries. A detailed chronological study of grape flower progression by light microscopy and temporal expression analysis throughout early and late developmental stages, revealed that VvPI expression increases during pollen maturation and decreases between the events of pollination and fertilization, before the cap fall. On the other hand, VvTM6 is expressed in the last stage of anther development. Specific expression of VvAP3 and VvPI was detected in petals and stamens within the flower, while VvTM6 was also expressed in carpels. Moreover, this work provides the first evidence for expression of a TM6-like gene throughout fruit growth and ripening. Even if these genes belong to the same genetic class they could act in different periods and/or tissues during reproductive organ development.

Tobamovirus coat protein CPCg induces an HR-like response in sensitive tobacco plants.

When inoculated into sensitive tobacco Xanthi-nn plants, the crucifer and garlic-infecting Tobacco mosaic virus (TMV-Cg) induces local necrotic lesions that resemble those seen in the hypersensitive response (HR) of resistant tobacco plants. However, unlike these, tobacco Xanthi-nn plants do not become resistant to infection and the virus spreads systemically causing a severe disease characterized by necrotic lesions throughout the plant. To identify the viral protein that elicits this necrotic response, we used a set of hybrid viruses constructed by combination of TMV-Cg and the tobacco mosaic virus strain U1 (TMV-U1). In this study we present evidence that the coat protein of TMV-Cg (CPCg) is the elicitor of the necrotic response in tobacco Xanthi-nn plants. Local and systemic necrotic lesions induced by TMV-Cg and by the hybrid U1-CPCg -that carries CPCg in a TMV-U1 context- are characterized by cell death and by the presence of autoflorescent phenolic compounds and H2O2, just like the HR lesions. In addition, defense-related genes and detoxifying genes are induced in tobacco Xanthi-nn plants after TMV-Cg and U1-CPCg inoculation. We postulate that in our system, CPCg is recognized by sensitive tobacco plants that mount an incomplete defense response. We call this an HR-like since it is not enough to induce plant resistance.

Improved Salinity Tolerance in Carrizo Citrange Rootstock through Overexpression of Glyoxalase System Genes.

Citrus plants are widely cultivated around the world and, however, are one of the most salt stress sensitive crops. To improve salinity tolerance, transgenic Carrizo citrange rootstocks that overexpress glyoxalase I and glyoxalase II genes were obtained and their salt stress tolerance was evaluated. Molecular analysis showed high expression for both glyoxalase genes (BjGlyI and PgGlyII) in 5H03 and 5H04 lines. Under control conditions, transgenic and wild type plants presented normal morphology. In salinity treatments, the transgenic plants showed less yellowing, marginal burn in lower leaves and showed less than 40% of leaf damage compared with wild type plants. The transgenic plants showed a significant increase in the dry weight of shoot but there are no differences in the root and complete plant dry weight. In addition, a higher accumulation of chlorine is observed in the roots in transgenic line 5H03 but in shoot it was lower. Also, the wild type plant accumulated around 20% more chlorine in the shoot compared to roots. These results suggest that heterologous expression of glyoxalase system genes could enhance salt stress tolerance in Carrizo citrange rootstock and could be a good biotechnological approach to improve the abiotic stress tolerance in woody plant species.

A novel Otubain-like cysteine protease gene is preferentially expressed during somatic embryogenesis in Pinus radiata.

OTUBAINS are a recently discovered family of cysteine proteases that participate in the ubiquitin pathway. These proteins were originally described in animal systems and are involved in removing the ubiquitin chain attached to a protein destined for degradation. In a cDNA-AFLP screen designed to identify genes that are expressed during early somatic embryogenesis in the conifer Pinus radiata, a fragment-derived transcript corresponding to an Otubain-like cysteine protease was identified. The full-length cDNA contained an 885 bp ORF encoding 294 amino acids, and was named PrOTUBAIN. The deduced protein showed high identity to other OTUBAINS and contained an OTU domain and a catalytic triad characteristic of cysteine proteases. The 3-D model of PrOTUBAIN showed significant similarity to human OTUBAIN2, suggesting that the plant protein may possess functions similar to that of the human protein. Real time PCR assays demonstrated that PrOTUBAIN is expressed in different tissues and that transcript are particularly abundant in embryogenic tissues. This is the first report of this class of protein in higher plants and the putative role of PrOTUBAIN is discussed.

Synthetic seed production from somatic embryos of Pinus radiata.

Pinus radiata is one of the most important forestry species in the southern hemisphere. This work describes the regeneration of this plant via somatic embryogenesis from immature zygotic embryos. To improve this process, somatic embryogenic cell suspensions were established in liquid media for the generation of material for embryo maturation. Each developmental stage of these suspensions was characterized by microscopy and their growth phases quantified. An alginate-containing medium was used as an encapsulation method for the somatic embryos that were then germinated as artificial seeds in vitro. The protocols described in this work are both useful and reliable for industrial purposes.

Structure-function relationship between the tobamovirus TMV-Cg coat protein and the HR-like response.

The tobamovirus TMV-Cg induces an HR-like response in Nicotiana tabacum cv. Xanthi nn sensitive plants lacking the N or N' resistance genes. This response has been characterized by the appearance of necrotic lesions in the inoculated leaf and viral systemic spread, although the defence pathways are activated in the plant. A previous study demonstrated that the coat protein (CP) of TMV-Cg (CPCg) was the elicitor of this HR-like response. We examined the influence of four specific amino acid substitutions on the structure of CPCg, as well as on the development of the host response. To gain insights into the structural implications of these substitutions, a set of molecular dynamic experiments was performed using comparative models of wild-type and mutant CPCg as well as the CP of the U1 strain of TMV (CPU1), which is not recognized by the plants. A P21L mutation produces severe changes in the three-dimensional structure of CPCg and is more unstable when this subunit is laterally associated in silico. This result may explain the observed incapacity of this mutant to assemble virions. Two other CPCg mutations (R46G and S54K) overcome recognition by the plant and do not induce an HR-like response. A double CPCg mutant P21L-S54K recovered its capacity to form virions and to induce an HR-like response. Our results suggest that the structural integrity of the CP proteins is important for triggering the HR-like response.

Medición del complejo intima media carotídeo (cimc) y evaluación mental de pacientes diabéticos tipo 2 / Measurement of the carotid intima media complex (cimc) and mental evaluation of type 2 diabetic patients

Establecer la relación entre el grosor de las arterias que irrigan al SNC, medidas a través del Comple-jo Intima Media Carotídeo (CIMC), evaluadas por Ecodo-ppler Bi-dimensional y los resultados de la evaluación del estado mental de los pacientes diabéticos aplicando el Examen Mínimo del Estado Mental (EMEM), Minimental Test de Folstein, en una población de diabéticos tipo 2, que asisten a la consulta de la Unidad de Diabetes del Hospital Vargas de Caracas (UDHV). Métodos: Estudio descriptivo transversal correlacional. Se estudiaron 80 pacientes de la UDHV, seleccionados en forma no alea-toria. Se les realizó historia clínica, registro de signos vitales, evaluación oftalmológica, cardiovascular y neu-rológica así como, exámenes de laboratorio (glicemia, hemoglobina glucosilada, BUN, creatinina, perfil lipídico, orina y microalbuminuria), electrocardiograma de reposo, Ecodoppler carotídeo y se aplicó el EMEM. Resultados: La medición del ECIMC en 80 pacientes con DM tipo 2 resultó anormal en 33 casos (41,25%). En la aplicación del EMEM 28 pacientes (35%) de la muestra estudiada, alcanzaron menos de 24 puntos. Hubo asociación estadís-ticamente significante entre el grosor del CIMC y el género masculino, el tabaquismo y la retinopatía diabética. La puntuación registrada por la aplicación del EMEM se co-rrelacionó significativamente con la retinopatía diabética y la dislipidemia. Conclusiones: Hubo asociación estadís-ticamente significante entre el grosor del CIMC y el género masculino, el tabaquismo y la retinopatía diabética. La puntuación registrada por la aplicación del EMEM se co-rrelacionó significativamente con la retinopatía diabética y la dislipidemia (AU)

In order to get a noninvasive method for men-tal decline in diabetics patients, the relationship between ca-rotid thickness measured by B Echo Doppler and mental sta-tus assessment by Folstein ́s Minimental test was stablished. Methods: A descriptive study was performed. 80 dia-betics patients were assessed, cardiovascular risk factors, vital signs, ophthalmology, cardiovascular and neurology evaluation was properly made, laboratory exams, cardiac electrocardiogram, thoracic radiology, carotid B Echo Do-ppler and minimental test was applied. Results: In 33 diabetics patients Minimental test's re-cords were abnormal (41,25%). And in 28 (35%) patients the results were lower than 24 points in the Minimental test. Significant statistics relations were settled between carotid thickness and male gender, smoking and diabetic retinopathy. The Minimental results were significant asso-ciated with dyslipidemia and diabetic retinopathy.Conclusions: There was a statistically significant asso-ciation between the thickness of CIMC and male gender, smoking and diabetic retinopathy. The score recorded by the application of the EMEM was significantly correlated with diabetic retinopathy and dyslipidemia (AU)

Analysis of local and systemic spread of the crucifer-infecting TMV-Cg virus in tobacco and several Arabidopsis thaliana ecotypes.

The crucifer-infecting tobacco mosaic virus, TMV-Cg, infects Arabidopsis thaliana (L.) Heynh. efficiently without causing severe symptoms. The systemic spread of TMV-Cg in Arabidopsis was evaluated in 14ecotypes. Five days after inoculation, TMV-Cg was detected in apical leaves of 8 out of 14 ecotypes. As expected, the spread of TMV-Cg in the ecotypes tested was considerably faster than that of tobacco mosaic virus (TMV-U1). To study the participation of viral proteins in the TMV-Cg-induced infection, a complete genomic cDNA of TMV-Cg was cloned. The role of TMV-Cg movement protein in systemic spread was tested with a hybrid virus, constructed from the TMV-U1 genome and the TMV-Cg movement protein gene. Contrary to expectations, the systemic spread of this hybrid in Arabidopsis was similar to that of TMV-U1. The failure of the hybrid virus to spread at rates similar to those of TMV-Cg was not due to restrictions in local movement. In tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L.), the hybrid virus spread efficiently and induced systemic mosaic symptoms characteristic of TMV-U1. The TMV-Cg cDNA clone provides an attractive tool to study virus-host interactions.

Influencia de la familiaridad de la situación en la actitud de autocuidado en pacientes diabéticos depresivos: Unidad de Diabetes del Hospital Vargas de Caracas / Influence of the familiarity of the situation in the attitude of the self care in depressive diabetic patient: Diabetes Units at the Vargas of Caracas Hospital

Se examinan los efectos de la familiaridad de la situación en la actitud de autocuidado de una muestra de sujetos diabéticos depresivos, partiendo del supuesto de que una mayor familiaridad situacional con la diabetes produce un mayor contraste de expectativas, y por ende, un aumento en la actitud de autocuidado. Con este fin se utilizaron dos grupos de pacientes diabeticos depresivos de la Unidad de Diabetes del Hospital Vargas; un primer grupo de sujetos con alta familiaridad situacional y un segundo grupo de sujetos con baja familiaridad situacional, a los cuales les fue aplicado el mismo tratamiento: pretest, Contraste de Expectativas y postest. Los resultados de los análisis estadísticos de tendencia central y dispersión, junto con una prueba T, reflejaron que, tal y como se esperaba, los sujetos del grupo 1 (alta Familiaridad) presentaron un contraste de expectativas que aumentó su Actitud de Autocuidado, mientras que los grupo 2 no mostraron cambios en su Actitud de Autocuidado, y por ende no presentaron contraste de expectativas. Las implicaciones teóricas de estos resultados son discutidas.

Contenido de nitratos en algunas frutas producidas en la provincia de Villa Clara / Nitrates content in some fruits produced in Villa Clara province

En el presente trabajo se informan los niveles de nitratos encontrados en muestras de fruta bomba (Carica papaya L.), guayaba (Psidium guajava L.) y plátano fruta (Musa saplentum L.), cultivados en Villa Clara y los contenidos de nitratos en muestras de compotas de fruta bomba-guayaba, y de guayaba, tomadas en los almacenes mayoristas de la provincia. El método de análisis empleado fue el recomendado por el comité mixto FAO/OMS, en 1976, para el que se emplea una columna reductora que contenía cadmio metálico. Los resultados medios obtenidos expresados en mg de Na NO3 por kg de muestra, fueron: fruta bomba, 228 + ou - 144; plátano, 188 + ou - 108; guayaba, 6 + ou - 4; compota de fruta bomba-guayaba, 128 y compota de guayaba, 6 + ou - 4. Estos resultados dieron lugar a las siguientes conclusiones: 1. Los niveles de nitratos hallados en las muestras de guayaba analizadas son muy bajos y no representan un aporte importante en el contenido de dicho compuesto en la compota. 2. Los contenidos de nitratos encontrados en las muestras de frutas bomba y plátano fruta, aunque superiores a los encontrados en la guayaba, no parecen representar riesgo toxicológico para los consumidores. Los niveles de nitratos encontrados en las muestras de compotas analizadas se encuentran por debajo de la tolerancia establecida para los alimentos infantiles lo que unido a la no presencia de nitritos, parece indicar que no representan riesgo para la salud por concepto de ingestión de nitratos y nitritos

Hemoglobinopatias en pacientes diabéticos inscritos en la Unidad de Diabetes del Hospital Vargas 1995-1998 / Hemoglobinopathies in patients diabetic inscriptive in the Diabetics Unity of the Hospital Vargas 1995-1998

Serendipidad (Serendipity), palabra inventada por Horace Walpole, escritor inglés del siglo XVIII y relación con los "tres príncipes del Serendip" (antiguo nombre del Ceilán). En medicina expresa un descubrimiento logrado por accidente o casualidad. Sería la acción de descubrir algo mientras se busca otra cosa. Esta situación se produjo en relación al descubrimiento de la utilidad clínica de la determinación de hemoglobina glicosilada (HbG) por Rabhar en 1968; cuando investigando hemoglobinopatías anormales en poblaciones de Irán, encontró dos pacientes diabéticos con niveles elevados de HbG "serendipity". El hallazgo fue confirmado posteriormente al estudiar otros 47 casos. El presente es un trabajo descriptivo; en el que reportamos el hallazgo casual de diversas hemoglobinopatías en 437 pacientes diabéticos en quienes se estudiaba la calidad del control metabólico a través de la determinación del HbG, por el método de electroforesis de proteínas en agar gel a pH 6,1. De 437 pacientes, 13 de ellos (3 por ciento) presentaron hemoglobinopatías de diferentes tipos. Conformado este grupo por 8 pacientes (61 por ciento) del sexo femenino y 5 pacientes (39 por ciento) del sexo masculino, con un promedio de edad de 42.3 años y un valor promedio de HbG de 15 por ciento, 10 pacientes (77 por ciento) presentaron rasgo falciforme (HbSA), 1 paciente (7,7 por ciento) anemia falciforme (HbSS) y 2 pacientes (15,3 por ciento), rasgo talasémico (HbAA)

Calidad del control metabólico en diabéticos inscritos en la Unidad de Diabetes del Hospital Vargas: evaluación inicial según hemoglobina glicosilada en 437 pacientes / Quality of the control metabolic inscribed in diabetic in the Unit of Diabetes of the Hospital Vargas: inicial evaluation according hemoglobin glicolisada in 437 patients

La vigilancia del nivel de glicemia es considerada la piedra angular en el cuidado de la diabetes. Los resultados del estudio "Diabetes control and complication trial" (D.C.C.T) recomiendan el mantenimiento de niveles de glucosa lo más próximo a lo normal, debido a que las complicaciones crónicas de la diabetes tiene relación con el grado y duración de la hiperglicemia. La cuantificación de proteínas glicolisadas, principalmente la hemoglobina, permite con una simple medida determinar el promedio de glicemia de los 2-3 meses previos. Realizamos un estudio descriptivo en 437 pacientes diabéticos ambulatorios inscritos en la unidad de diabetes del Hospital Vargas (U.D.H.V). Medimos los níveles iniciales de hemoglobina A1 en muestras de sangre venosa, usando método electroforético en agar gel a ph 6.1. De los 437 pacientes encontramos 231 (52,9 por ciento) mujeres y 206 (47,1 por ciento) hombres. La edad promedio fue de 54,2 años. El valor promedio de HbA1 fue de 14,1 por ciento. El porcentaje de pacientes con control metabólico bueno fue de (13 por ciento), regular (20,4 por ciento) y malo (66,6 por ciento). Concluimos que 2/3 partes de los pacientes inscritos en la U.D.H.V. tienen un mal control metabólico al momento de su ingreso. Esperamos que nuestro trabajo en la asistencia y educación terapéutica de los pacientes diabéticos pueda mejorar esta situación, así como prevenir y reducir el riesgo de incrementar las complicaciones

Hemoglobinopatías en pacientes diabéticos inscritos en la Unidad Diabéticos del Hospital Vargas 1995-1998 / Diabetic patient hemoglobinopaty inscribed in the Unit of Diabetes of the Hospital Vargas 1995-1998

Serendipidad (serendipity), palabra inventada por Horace Walpole, escritor inglés del siglo XVIII y relacionada con los "tres principes del Serendip" (antiguo nombre del Ceilán). En medicina expresa un descubrimiento logrado por accidente o casualidad. Sería la acción de descubrir algo mientras se busca otra cosa. Esta situación se produjo en relación al descubrimiento de la utilidad clínica de la determinación de hemoglobina glicosilada (HbG) por Rabhar en 1968; cuando investigando hemoglobinopatías anormales en poblaciones de Irán, encontró "serendipity". El hallazgo fue confirmado posteriormente al estudiar otros 47 casos. El presente es un trabajo descriptivo; en el que reportamos el hallazgo casual de diversas hemoglobinopatías en 437 pacientes diabéticos en quienes se estudiaba la calidad del control metabólico a través de la determinación de HbG, por el método de electroforesis de proteínas en agar gel a pH 6,1. De 437 pacientes, 13 de ellos (3 por ciento) presentaron hemoglobinopatías de diferentes tipos. Conformado este grupo por 8 pacientes (61 por ciento) del sexo femenino y 5 pacientes (39 por ciento) del sexo masculino, con un promedio de edad de 42,3 años y un valor promedio de HbG de 15,6 por ciento, 10 pacientes (77 por ciento) presentaron rasgos falciforme (HbSA), 1 paciente (7,7 por ciento) anemía falciforme (HbSS) y 2 pacientes (15,3 por ciento), rasgo talasémico (HbAA)

Estudio prospectivo de 2000 pacientes diabéticos de la unidad de diabetes del Hospital Vargas; seguidos con determinación de hemoglobina glicosilada, tratados con educación terapéutica y apoyo social con beca de insulina medicamentos bajo costo (SUMED), durante 55 meses (1995-2000) / Study prospective of 2000 diabetic patients of the unit of diabetes of the Hospital Vargas followed with determination of hemoglobin glicocilada tried with therapeutic education therapy and social support with sholars hip of insulin medications under cost between 55 moths (1995-2000)

El proceso educativo comienza desde el momento de la primera consulta médica y se le da continuidad en las consultas sucesivas de control, igualmente se procura hacerlo en los períodos de hospitalización. A nivel de auditorio principal del hospital se realiza cada último martes del mes, entre 10 y 11 am; una charla a los pacientes, a sus familiares y a la comunidad en general. Esta programación se anuncia con varias meses de anticipación en la cartelera de la UDHV. Estas reuniones tienen un objetivo de información, motivación y en muchos casos tenemos la convicción de observar un real aprendizaje con cambios en el estilo de vida, comprensión adecuada del régimen nutricional y terapéutico. Además generan un entorno positivo de apoyo en el ámbito hospitalario