Helicobacter pylori vacA and cagA genotype diversity and interferon gamma expression in patients with chronic gastritis and patients with gastric cancer.

BACKGROUND: Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is the main risk factor for the development of chronic gastritis, gastric ulcer, and gastric cancer. In H. pylori-infected individuals, the clinical result is dependent on various factors, among which are bacterial components, the immune response, and environmental influence. AIMS: To compare IFN-γ expression with the H. pylori vacA and cagA genotypes in patients with chronic gastritis and patients with gastric cancer. METHODS: Ninety-five patients diagnosed with chronic gastritis and 20 with gastric cancer were included in the study. Three gastric biopsies were taken; one was used for the molecular detection and genotyping of H. pylori; another was fixed in absolute alcohol and histologic sections were made for determining IFN-γ expression through immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: No differences were found in the cells that expressed IFN-γ between the patients with chronic gastritis (median percentage of positive cells: 82.6% in patients without H. pylori and 82% in infected persons) and those with gastric cancer (70.5% in H. pylori-negative patients and 78.5% in infected persons). IFN-γ expression was 69% in chronic gastritis patients infected with H. pylori vacAs2m2/cagA⁻ it was 86.5% in patients infected with H. pylori vacAs1m2/cagA⁻, 86.5% in vacAs1m1/cagA⁻, and 82% in vacAs1m1/cagA⁺. Similar data were found in the patients with gastric cancer. CONCLUSIONS: IFN-γ expression varied depending on the H. pylori vacA and cagA genotype, but not in accordance with the presence of chronic gastritis or gastric cancer.

Resistance Exercise Program in Cognitively Normal Older Adults: CERT-Based Exercise Protocol of the AGUEDA Randomized Controlled Trial.

OBJECTIVES: To provide a comprehensive CERT (Consensus on Exercise Reporting Template)-based description of the resistance exercise program implemented in the AGUEDA (Active Gains in brain Using Exercise During Aging) study, a randomized controlled trial investigating the effects of a 24-week supervised resistance exercise program on executive function and related brain structure and function in cognitively normal older adults. DESIGN AND PARTICIPANTS: 90 cognitively normal older adults aged 65 to 80 were randomized (1:1) to a: 1) resistance exercise group; or a 2) wait-list control group. Participants in the exercise group (n = 46) performed 180 min/week of resistance exercise (3 supervised sessions per week, 60 min/session) for 24 weeks. INTERVENTION: The exercise program consisted of a combination of upper and lower limb exercises using elastic bands and the participant's own body weight as the main resistance. The load and intensity were based on the resistance of the elastic bands (7 resistances), number of repetitions (individualized), motor complexity of exercises (3 levels), sets and rest (3 sets/60 sec rest), execution time (40-60 sec) and velocity (as fast as possible). SETTINGS: The maximum prescribed-target intensity was 70-80% of the participants' maximum rate of perceived exertion (7-8 RPE). Heart rate, sleep quality and feeling scale were recorded during all exercise sessions. Those in the wait-list control group (n = 44) were asked to maintain their usual lifestyle. The feasibility of AGUEDA project was evaluated by retention, adherence, adverse events and cost estimation on the exercise program. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: This study details the exercise program of the AGUEDA trial, including well-described multi-language manuals and videos, which can be used by public health professionals, or general public who wish to implement a feasible and low-cost resistance exercise program. The AGUEDA exercise program seems to be feasible by the high retention (95.6%) and attendance rate (85.7%), very low serious adverse event (1%) and low economic cost (144.23 € /participant/24 weeks). We predict that a 24-week resistance exercise program will have positive effects on brain health in cognitively normal older adults.

[Splenic pseudocyst: a rare condition]. / Seudoquiste esplénico: una entidad poco frecuente.

INTRODUCTION: Cystic lesions of the spleen are uncommon, and can be classified according to their histological findings in true cysts and secondary cysts or pseudocysts. Frequently, splenic pseudocysts are secondary to trauma, infection or splenic infarcts. The clinical presentation is variable and may be asymptomatic or usually the symptoms are related to compression of adjacent organs. The case of a 14-year-old female with a history of having a fall from a height of 50 cm with a direct trauma in the left lumbar region 3 years ago is presented. She was asymptomatic until one month before going to consultation when she had a minor trauma (a fall from her own height) and a volume increase was detected in the upper left abdominal quadrant. Physical examination revealed splenomegaly 8 cm below the ridge rib and pain was induced after deep palpation. omputed tomography showed a 12 x 10 x 8 cm cystic lesion in the upper splenic pole. Laparotomy and splenectomy was performed. The histological analysis showed that the cyst wall consisted of dense collagen without epithelial lining. Currently the patient is asymptomatic.

Scaling population density to body size in rocky intertidal communities.

Interspecific comparisons of animal population density to body size has been the subject of active research in the last decade, especially for terrestrial animals when considering particular taxa or taxonomic assemblages. Studies of rocky intertidal communities showed that animal population density scales with body size to the -0.77 power. This relation held within local communities representing a broad array of animal taxa and was not affected by a dramatic alteration in the network of between-species interactions, as revealed by two long-term human exclusion experiments.

Preparation of Modified Films with Protein from Grouper Fish.

A protein concentrate (PC) was obtained from Grouper fish skin and it was used to prepare films with different amounts of sorbitol and glycerol as plasticizers. The best performing films regarding resistance were then modified with various concentrations of CaCl2, CaSO4 (calcium salts), and glucono-δ-lactone (GDL) with the purpose of improving their mechanical and barrier properties. These films were characterized by determining their mechanical properties and permeability to water vapor and oxygen. Formulations with 5% (w/v) protein and 75% sorbitol and 4% (w/v) protein with a mixture of 15% glycerol and 15% sorbitol produced adequate films. Calcium salts and GDL increased the tensile fracture stress but reduced the fracture strain and decreased water vapor permeability compared with control films. The films prepared represent an attractive alternative for being used as food packaging materials.

An outbreak of Cryptosporidium diarrhea in a pediatric hospital.

PIP: Physicians investigated a nosocomial diarrhea outbreak among 11 2 year old undernourished children in the nutrition service of the pediatric teaching hospital, Hospital Infantile, in Mexico City, Mexico in April 1988. Health practitioners took at least 2 stool samples from each ill child to be analyzed for Cryptosporidium oocysts. The attack rate stood st 82%. The hospital admitted a malnourished child with chronic diarrhea and pneumonia on March 22. Laboratory tests revealed that he had many Cryptosporidium oocysts and was positive for HIV. Hospital staff did not isolate him. He died on May 9 of Escherichia coli and Candida septicemia. The outbreak ended 1 week later. Laboratory tests detected Cryptosporidium oocysts in 9 cases all of whom were 3-13 months old. Further the symptoms (mean duration 14 days, fever [mean peak 38.6 degrees Celsius, and vomiting] matched those of other reported Cryptosporidium diarrhea outbreaks. The epidemic curve suggested a common source of the outbreak. Since the infants received intravenous feedings or sterilized formula, food and water could not have been the source. The physicians believed the AIDS case was that source. Direct person to person transmission was probably not responsible since each infant had his/her own separate crib. Even though the physicians could not conclusively identify the vehicle of transmission, it was most likely the hands of hospitals staff either directly by touching the infants or by contaminating the nasogastric tubes. After the outbreak, the physicians observed that only 30% of medical personnel indeed washed their hands before caring for an infant. 4 previous studies on nosocomial Cryptosporidium diarrhea outbreaks also reported the source case as immunodeficient, but these studies only included adults.^ieng

[Scrotal leiomyosarcoma: report of a case]. / Leiomiosarcoma escrotal: a propósito de un caso.

A case of scrotal leiomyosarcoma, which is considered to be an exceptional type of tumour. Also, a literature review highlighting the good prognosis and relatively benign course for this location.

[Vesical cavernous hemangioma]. / Hemangioma cavernoso vesical.

The vesical cavernous hemangioma is a rare tumor with a begin biological behaviour. This sort of tumor has particular diagnostic and therapeutical features, and a variety of treatments has been used on it. The case of cavernous hemangioma in the bladder that we present was only diagnosed after RTU due to preoperative diagnosis of urotelial vesical tumor. We review clinical, diagnostic and therapeutical features of this kind of tumor.

[COLORECTAL MALIGNANT POLYP: RESULTS OF TREATMENT AND FOLLOW-UP] / Pólipo Maligno Colorectal: Resultados del tratamiento y del seguimiento a largo plazo.

We present the results of the treatment and five year or more follow-up of patients with malignant polyp removed by colonoscopic polypectomy. They were 17 male and 9 female, between 25-85 years old, mean 60.4 years. 29 malignant polyps removed had well differentiated or moderated well differentiated adenocarcinoma; 10 patients had 36 synchronous lesions, 77% of them were adenomas. 22 patients had only polypectomy, and 4 polypectomy and colon resection, whose surgical specimen was tumor free in the site of polypectomy, without metastatic nodes. During the follow-up, two patients died of other causes than malignant polyp; one did not return; and 23 remain free of tumor. Colonoscopic polypectomy can be an excellent treatment for malignant colorectal polyp if the risk factors -endoscopic, pathological of the invasive carcinoma and the general clinical conditions of patients- are strictly applied.

Diabetes surgery in type 2 BMI 24-29 vs IMC 30-34 diabetic patients: is there differences among restrictive, malabsorptive and gastric bypass procedures?

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a public health problem with a prevalence of 345 million people worldwide that it may double by the year 2030 and have a high costs and mortality. Gastrointestinal surgery is accepted as a form of treatment that was already suggested for obese in 1987 by Pories, confirmed for obese patients by the metaanalysis of Buchwald and the direct comparison of gastric bypass with medical treatment in the study of Schauer that demonstrate a 4 fold greater resolution rate of DM with surgery. Improvement occurs immediately after surgery, before the patients lose weight in with BMI > 35; but there is doubt if the existent evidence is enough to extrapolate these results to patients with BMI < 35 and especially with BMI < 30, in spite that four reviews in patients with this BMI and DM2 demonstrated the same results when stomach, duodenum and part of jejunum is bypassed as happen gastric bypass (better results with this of one anastomosis than of two anastomosis, Roux-en-Y) BPD. For patients with a BMI between 30 and 35 restrictive techniques: LAGB and SGL are good but not better than the mixed: RYGB, BAGUA, or SG-DJB with remission from 60 to 100%, minor in the derivative: BPD and above on the IID with a 81% of remission. There are no differences in the metabolic control in comparison to the obese, It is progressively better with DJB, SDS, IID and BAGUA especially in patients who do not require insulin, have less time with disease, have normal C peptide levels, and not so much relation with the initial BMI that is only important to decide the degree of restriction. Although several mechanisms has been suggested for explaining these results such as caloric intake, hormonal changes, bypass of the anterior or early stimulation of posterior intestine, fundectomy, intestinal gluconeogenesis and others, new ones will appear in the near future.

La diabetes mellitus (DM) es un problema de salud pública, con una prevalencia de 345 millones de personas, que puede duplicarse para el año 2030 y con importante repercusión en costes y mortalidad. La cirugía gastrointestinal es aceptada como una forma de tratamiento sugerida en obesos desde 1987 por Pories, y confirmada por el meta-análisis de Buchwald y la comparación directa del bypass gástrico con el mejor tratamiento médico en el estudio de Schauer que pone de manifiesto un índice de remisión 4 veces mayor con la cirugía. La mejoría ocurre inmediatamente después de la cirugía, antes de la pérdida de peso en pacientes con IMC > 35; pero hay duda si la evidencia existente es suficiente para extrapolar estos resultados a pacientes con IMC < 35 y especialmente con IMC < 30, a pesar de existir cuatro revisiones en pacientes con este IMC y DM2 que demuestran los mismos resultados que en obesos cuando se puentea estómago, duodeno y parte del yeyuno como pasa en el bypass gástrico y la DBP. Para pacientes con IMC entre 30 y 35 las técnicas restrictivas: BGAL Y GVL son buenas pero no superiores a las mixtas: BGYR, BAGUA o GV-BDY con remisión desde 60 a 100%, menor en las derivativas: DBP y mayor en la IID con un 81% de remisión. En pacientes con sobrepeso no existen diferencias en el control metabólico respecto a los obesos. Es progresivamente mejor con DBP, CDC, IID y BAGUA sobre todo en pacientes que no requieren insulina, tienen menos tiempo con la enfermedad o con un nivel de peptido C normal, factores determinantes y no así el IMC inicial que sólo influye en el volumen de restricción. Aunque se han sugerido distintos mecanismos para explicar los resultados como ingesta calórica, hormonales, teoría del intestino anterior o posterior, fundectomía , neoglucogénesis intestinal y otros, aparecerán más en un futuro no lejano.

A mechanistic model to study the thermal ecology of a southeastern pacific dominant intertidal mussel and implications for climate change.

Developing mechanistic models to predict an organism's body temperature facilitates the study of physiological stresses caused by extreme climatic conditions the species might have faced in the past or making predictions about changes to come in the near future. Because the models combine empirical observation of different climatic variables with essential morphological attributes of the species, it is possible to examine specific aspects of predicted climatic changes. Here, we develop a model for the competitively dominant intertidal mussel Perumytilus purpuratus that estimates body temperature on the basis of meteorological and tidal data with an average difference (+/-SE) of 0.410 degrees +/- 0.0315 degrees C in comparison with a field-deployed temperature logger. Modeled body temperatures of P. purpuratus in central Chile regularly exceeded 30 degrees C in summer months, and values as high as 38 degrees C were found. These results suggest that the temperatures reached by mussels in the intertidal zone in central Chile are not sufficiently high to induce significant mortality on adults of this species; however, because body temperatures >40 degrees C can be lethal for this species, sublethal effects on physiological performance warrant further investigation. Body temperatures of mussels increased sigmoidally with increasing tidal height. Body temperatures of individuals from approximately 70% of the tidal range leveled off and did not increase any further with increasing tidal height. Finally, body size played an important role in determining body temperature. A hypothetical 5-cm-long mussel (only 1 cm longer than mussels found in nature) did reach potentially lethal body temperatures, suggesting that the biophysical environment may play a role in limiting the size of this small species.

Perfil clínico y adherencia al tratamiento farmacológico en pacientes hipertensos de Llay-Llay / Clinical characteristics and medication adherence of Llay-Llay’s hypertensive patients

La hipertensión arterial (HTA) es el principal factor de riesgo para enfermedad cardiovascular, que es la principal causa de morbimortalidad en Chile. La falta de adherencia a terapia es la principal causa de fracaso al tratamiento anti-hipertensivo. El objetivo de este estudio es construir un perfil clínico y de adherencia al tratamiento de pacientes hipertensos controlados en el Centro de Salud Familiar (CESFAM) Llay-Llay, determinando las variables que inciden en la adherencia. METODOLOGÍA: Estudio descriptivo, observacional, con muestreo no probabilístico. Se revisaron datos epidemiológicos y clínicos de pacientes hipertensos controlados en CESFAM Llay-Llay (n=2331). Se aplicó test de Morisky-Green-Levine a 167 pacientes que consultaron al CESFAM entre Mayo-Junio del 2012, para determinar adherencia al tratamiento. Significancia con p<0,05 (t-Student). RESULTADOS: Del total de hipertensos, 37,4 por ciento son hombres y 62,6 por ciento mujeres, edad promedio: 64,71 años. En promedio utilizan 1,39 fármacos, sin diferencias entre sexos. Existe relación directa entre edad y número de fármacos utilizado. De la población estudiada con test de Morisky-Green-Levine, 42 por ciento (n=70) se clasificó como adherente (0 puntos) y 58 por ciento (n=97) como no adherente (mayor o igual a 1 punto). No hubo diferencias significativas en edad promedio, sexo ni cantidad de fármacos entre ambos grupos. Hubo diferencias significativas en cifras de presión arterial entre ambos grupos (120/71 vs. 130/77, p<0,05). CONCLUSIONES: La población hipertensa de Llay-Llay es de predominio femenino y edad avanzada. Tiene buena adherencia al tratamiento, independiente de edad, sexo y número de fármacos utilizados, lo que tiene repercusión positiva en sus cifras de presión arterial...

Hypertension is the main risk factor for cardiovascular disease, which in turn is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in Chile. Non-adherence to therapy is an important cause of antihypertensive treatment failure. The aim of this study is to build a profile of the clinical features and treatment adherence of hypertensive patients from Llay-Llay’s family health center (CESFAM), and to determine variables that affect adherence. METHODOLOGY: A descriptive, observational study with non-probability sampling. We reviewed epidemiological and clinical data of hypertensive patients from Llay-Llay’s CESFAM (n=2331). Morisky-Green-Levine test was applied to 167patients admitted to CESFAM between May and June of 2012, to determine adherence to treatment. Significance with p < 0.05 (t-test). RESULTS: Among hypertensive patients, 37.4 percent were men and 62.6 percent women, mean age 64.71 years. On average, 1.39 drugs were used with no gender differences. A direct relationship between age and number of drugs used was observed. For the population studied with Morisky-Green-Levine test, 42 percent (n=70) was classified as adherent (0 points) and 58 percent (n = 97) as non-adherent (greater than or equal to 1 point). No significant differences in mean age, sex or number of drugs between these two groups. There were significant differences in blood pressure between the two groups (120/71 vs.130/77, p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The hypertensive population of Llay-Llay corresponds mostly to women and the elderly. It had good adherence to treatment, regardless of age, sex and number of drugs used, which has a positive impact on blood pressure...

[Report of a new mutation in CYBB gene in two patients with X linked chronic granulomatous disease]. / Identificación de mutaciones en el gen CYBB que llevan al fenotipo de la enfermedad granulomatosa crónica ligada al cromosoma X: reporte de una nueva mutación.

BACKGROUND: The X-linked form of chronic granulomatous disease (CGD) is a primary immunodeficiency that affects phagocytes of the innate immune system and is characterized by an increased susceptibility to severe bacterial and fungal infections. It is caused by mutations in the CYBB gene, which encodes the 91-kD subunit of phagocyte NADPH oxidase. AIM: To identify the mutation in the CYBB gene in two unrelated patients from Chile with the diagnosis of X-linked CGD and their families. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The molecular genetic defects of two unrelated patients from Chile with X-linked CGD caused by defects in the CYBB gene were investigated. The underlying mutation was investigated by single strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP) analysis of PCR-amplified genomic DNA and by sequencing of the affected gene region. RESULTS: We found an insertion c.1267_1268insA in exon 10 leading to a frameshift mutation. This mutation is a novel report. We also identified a splice site mutation in the other patient, that presented a c.1326 +1 G>A substitution in intron 10. The mutation was also detectable in his heterozygous mother. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first report of the clinical and molecular characterization of Chilean patients with mutations in CYBB gene.

Cross-protection between species of the Schistosoma haematobium group induced by vaccination with irradiated parasites.

Mice vaccinated with irradiated cercariae of Schistosoma haematobium, S. bovis and S. margrebowiei showed good levels of resistance (38-62%) against an homologous challenge, and varying degrees of resistance (19-46%), against challenges with closely related species. No protection against S. mansoni was induced by vaccination with any of these species. This restricted cross-protection reflects the close phylogenetic relationship between species of the S. haematobium group and indicates that immunologically important epitopes are conserved within this species complex.

Bixin and norbixin in human plasma: determination and study of the absorption of a single dose of Annatto food color.

A procedure was developed for the detection and determination of bixin and norbixin in human plasma by reversed-phase HPLC with a sensitivity limit of 5 micrograms l-1. A group of seven volunteers ingested a single dose of 1 ml of a commercial Annatto Food Color (16 mg of cis-bixin in soybean oil). The presence of bixin (cis and trans) and norbixin (cis and trans) was demonstrated in the plasma at average levels of 11.6, 10.1, 2.8 and 0 micrograms l-1 of bixin and 48, 58, 53 and 29 micrograms l-1 of norbixin after 2, 4, 6 and 8 h, respectively. Considerable individual variations were observed. Complete plasma clearance generally occurred for bixin by 8 h and for norbixin by 24 h after ingestion of cis-bixin.

Molecular isoforms of chicken growth hormone (cGH): different bioactivities of cGH charge variants.

It has been suggested that the functional diversity of growth hormone (GH) is related to its molecular complexity. Here we report a characterization of charge and mass variants of chicken growth hormone (cGH) through a variety of electrophoretic systems [nondenaturing (ND-PAGE), denaturing (SDS-PAGE), under reducing and nonreducing conditions, isoelectrofocusing (IEF), and bidimensional electrophoresis] followed by Western blot and immunostaining with a specific antibody directed against pure cGH. We also report the biological properties of two charge variants on two homologous assays. The studies were carried out with purified cGH and with fresh chicken pituitary extracts. Three charge variants were obtained by ND-PAGE (Rf = 0.23, 0.30, and 0.35), which showed the same molecular weight (26 kDa), while in IEF eight isoforms were observed, the most conspicuous being those with pI = 6.86, 7.5, 7.9, 8.05, and 8.18. In SDS-PAGE under reducing conditions four immunoreactive bands were observed: the monomer (26 kDa), a dimer (52 kDa), a fragment (16 kDa), and a minor band at 22 kDa. Higher MW variants were found under nonreducing conditions. Bidimensional analysis also showed several charge variants for the monomer and the dimer. Bioactivity of two charge variants (0.23 and 0.3) was evaluated with a lipolytic and an antilipolytic assay on chicken adipose tissue explants. It was shown that variant 0.23 was mainly lipolytic, in a dose-dependent response, but lacked antilipolytic effect. On the other hand, variant 0.30 did not show lipolytic effect but presented a clear antilipolytic activity.

Exploration of the relationship between tetrachlorohydroquinone dehalogenase and the glutathione S-transferase superfamily.

Tetrachlorohydroquinone dehalogenase is found in Sphingomonas chlorophenolica, a soil bacterium that degrades pentachlorophenol, a widely used wood preservative. This enzyme converts tetrachlorohydroquinone (TCHQ) to trichlorohydroquinone (TriCHQ) and TriCHQ to dichlorohydroquinone (DCHQ) (Xun et al. (1992) J. Bacteriol. 174, 8003-8007). The reducing equivalents for each step are provided by two molecules of glutathione (Xun et al. (1992) Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. 182, 361-366). In addition to the expected TriCHQ and DCHQ products, the enzyme also produces substantial amounts of 2,3,5-trichloro-6-S-glutathionylhydroquinone (GS-TriCHQ) and an unidentified isomer of dichloro-S-glutathionylhydroquinone (GS-DCHQ). Treatment of the purified enzyme with dithiothreitol dramatically decreases the formation of GS-TriCHQ and GS-DCHQ. Furthermore, enzyme in freshly-prepared crude extracts forms only very small amounts of GS-TriCHQ and GS-DCHQ. We conclude that GS-TriCHQ and GS-DCHQ are produced by enzyme that has undergone some type of oxidative damage and are therefore not physiologically relevant products. The fact that the oxidative damage can be repaired by DTT suggests that a cysteine or methionine residue may be involved. We have created the C13S and C156S mutants of the enzyme. The C13S mutant converts TCHQ to GS-TriCHQ and GS-DCHQ, rather than to DCHQ. Thus, Cys13 is required for the reductive dehalogenation of TCHQ. A mechanism for the reaction which involves Cys13 is proposed.