Mexican immigrant parents' hopes for their children and parenting strategies in different immigration climates.

In the present article, we explore the hopes that immigrant parents of Mexican origin have for their children and the strategies they employ to foster such hopes in light of immigration status, immigration climate, and transnational lived experiences. We conducted six focus groups with 42 immigrant parents of Mexican origin living in Arizona and Texas to explore their hopes and strategies used to foster hopes. Parents, the majority of whom were mothers, defined hopes in terms of what they can provide to their children, including (a) a better life through education and economic opportunities, (b) a strong moral and civic upbringing, and (c) safety from neighborhood crime and hostile immigrant climates. Parents fostered these hopes through the strategies of using self as example, parental involvement and monitoring, self-sacrifice, and family unity. Mothers of unauthorized immigration status raising children in a harsh immigration climate also avoided undue public exposure to ensure their children's safety, a task that was difficult for fathers as breadwinners. Immigration status and climate influenced parents' ability to provide opportunities for their children to pursue educational and career opportunities. We discuss parents' hopes and parenting strategies in the context of different immigration climates, highlight emerging gender differences, and provide recommendations for research and practice.

En el presente artículo, analizamos las esperanzas que tienen los padres inmigrantes de origen mexicano para sus hijos y las estrategias que emplean para alimentar dichas esperanzas teniendo en cuenta la situación migratoria, el ambiente de inmigración y las experiencias transnacionales vividas. Organizamos seis grupos de análisis con 42 padres inmigrantes de origen mexicano que viven en Arizona y Texas con el fin de analizar sus esperanzas y estrategias utilizadas para alimentar esperanzas. Los padres, la mayoría de los cuales eran madres, definieron las esperanzas desde el punto de vista de lo que les pueden facilitar a sus hijos, por ejemplo, una vida mejor mediante oportunidades educativas y económicas, una fuerte educación cívica y moral, y protección contra la delincuencia barrial y los ambientes hostiles de inmigrantes. Los padres alimentaron estas esperanzas mediante las estrategias de uso de su propio ejemplo, su participación y supervisión, el sacrificio propio y la unidad familiar. Las madres de situación migratoria no autorizada que criaron hijos en un ambiente hostil de inmigrantes también evitaron la exposición pública excesiva para garantizar la seguridad de sus hijos, una tarea que fue difícil para los padres como sostenes de la familia. La situación y el ambiente migratorios influyeron en la capacidad de los padres de brindar posibilidades a sus hijos de seguir oportunidades educativas y profesionales. Explicamos las esperanzas de los padres y las estrategias de crianza en el contexto de diferentes ambientes de inmigración, destacamos las diferencias de género que surgieron, y ofrecemos recomendaciones para la investigación y la práctica.

The shared epitope phenomenon-A potential impediment to virtual crossmatch accuracy.

With the implementation of the new kidney allocation system (KAS), there is increased reliance on a virtual crossmatch/histocompatibility risk assessment (vXM) for evaluating potential presence, as well as strength, of HLA antibodies against a potential donor. The accuracy of such an assessment depends on the precision in the identification of the recipient's antibody profile and the potential donor's HLA typing. While the development of the single antigen bead (SAB) multiplex assay has improved the sensitivity and specificity of HLA antibody detection, several limitations of the assay (specific to certain sensitized patients) can complicate accurate interpretation of results. In this report, we focus on the "shared-epitope" phenomenon, a condition in which antibody strength can be underrepresented, or its presence completely missed, due to binding of the antibody to competing targets on multiple antigens (beads), effectively "diluting" the resulting MFI readout. Here, we provide a relevant background to understand this phenomenon and present a couple of case studies illustrating how it can be investigated, leading to a more accurate histocompatibility consultation.

Polyphenolic Profile and Antioxidant Activity of Leaf Purified Hydroalcoholic Extracts from Seven Mexican Persea americana Cultivars.

Persea americana (avocado) is a fruit consumed worldwide; however, since avocado leaves are apparently a natural ingredient that can be used as a traditional medicine, they can be a potential source of bioactive compounds. This study aimed to analyze the antioxidant activity of seven Mexican avocado leaf extracts by DPPH•, ABTS•+, and lipid peroxidation (LPO), and to identify the compound profile by liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry/electron spray ionization. The highest free radical-scavenging activity was observed for Platano Delgado and Criollo 6 avocado cultivars havin IC50 values of 271.86 ± 13.69 and 269.56 ± 6.53 for DPPH• and ABTS•+ radicals, respectively, while the best result for lipid oxidation inhibition was registered in Criollo 6 cultivar extract. In this study forty-one compounds were detected in avocado leaves of the the seven cultivars analyzed, and of these compounds, eighteen phenolics were identified for first time in such plant material. The present study demonstrated that Mexican cultivars of Persea americana possess diverse polyphenolic compounds with strong antioxidant activity, which might be useful in the food and pharmaceutical industries.

Systemic immunoregulatory and proteogenomic effects of tacrolimus to sirolimus conversion in liver transplant recipients.

UNLABELLED: Immunosuppression (IS) withdrawal from calcineurin inhibitors is only possible in ≈ 20% of liver transplant recipients. However, mammalian target of rapamycin inhibitors (e.g., sirolimus; SRL) appear to be more immunoregulatory and might promote a tolerant state for withdrawal. Our aim was to determine whether systemic (i.e., blood, marrow, and allograft) signatures of immunoregulation are promoted by conversion from tacrolimus (TAC) to SRL. We therefore performed the following serial assays before and after SRL conversion in liver transplant recipients to test for enhanced markers of immunoregulation: (1) flow-cytometry immunophenotyping of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and bone marrow aspirates for regulatory T cells (Tregs) (e.g., CD4(+) CD25(+++) FOXP3(+) ) and regulatory dendritic cells (DCregs) (immunoglobulin-like transcript 3(+) /4(+) ); (2) liver biopsy immunohistochemical staining (e.g., FOXP3:CD3 and CD4:CD8 ratios) and immunophenotyping of biopsy-derived Tregs after growth in culture; (3) effects of pre- versus postconversion sera on Treg generation in mixed lymphocyte reactions; (4) peripheral blood nonspecific CD4 responses; and (5) peripheral blood gene transcripts and proteomic profiles. We successfully converted 20 nonimmune, nonviremic recipients (age, 57.2 ± 8.0; 3.5 ± 2.1 years post-liver transplantation) from TAC to SRL for renal dysfunction. Our results demonstrated significant increases in Tregs in PBMCs and marrow and DCregs in PBMCs (P < 0.01) after conversion. In biopsy staining, FOXP3:CD3 and CD4:CD8 ratios were significantly higher after conversion and a number of biopsy cultures developed new or higher FOXP3(+) cell growth. Nonspecific CD4 responses did not change. Both pre- and postconversion sera inhibited mixed lymphocyte reactions, although only TAC sera suppressed Treg generation. Finally, 289 novel genes and 22 proteins, several important in immunoregulatory pathways, were expressed after conversion. CONCLUSIONS: TAC to SRL conversion increases systemic Tregs, DCregs, and immunoregulatory proteogenomic signatures in liver transplant recipients and may therefore facilitate IS minimization or withdrawal.

Impact of Fat Replacement by Using Organic-Candelilla-Wax-Based Oleogels on the Physicochemical and Sensorial Properties of a Model Cookie.

Oleogelation is an alternative process to improve the nutritional properties of food by creating soft-matter structures with the same functionality as commercial fats (shortenings). In this study, oleogels were produced by adding organic candelilla wax at 3% (OC03), 6% (OC06), and 9% (OC09) to extra-virgin linseed oil, and then characterized by their physicochemical properties. Furthermore, the physicochemical and sensorial properties of five cookie formulations were evaluated. Organic candelilla wax influenced the oleogel formulations, giving higher values of color (L* and b*), texture, acidity index, and melting point. In the cookie formulations, the luminosity values decreased when the percentage of oleogel was increased; reddish trends were obtained (a* values) for the cookie where 70% of the fat was replaced by the oleogel (C70), and more yellow trends were obtained (b* values) for C100. The moisture content was higher in cookies with oleogels, but it was within quality limits. The percentage of fat migration was lower in cookies with a mixture of fats and oleogels. In terms of hardness, the substitution of oleogels resulted in softer cookies. In terms of the sensory evaluation, the most accepted cookie was C70. Therefore, this study demonstrates the possibility of using organic-candelilla-wax-based oleogels in a real food model rich in unsaturated fats.

Can solid phase assays be better utilized to measure efficacy of antibody removal therapies?

Antibody removal therapies are used for patients with antibody-mediated-rejection or those requiring desensitization to become transplantable. Accurate measurement of antibody levels prior to, and during treatment, are required to choose the best therapeutic approach, and to provide measure of treatment efficacy. Currently, the FDA does not regard solid-phase assays for HLA-antibody identification as a reliable surrogate-marker for treatment efficacy. Serum samples from 40 patients (58 assays; >2200 positive data points) undergoing antibody-removal-therapies were tested as sample-pairs, pre- and post-treatment. MFI values of IgG and C1q single-antigen-bead assays were compared with antibody titer values (serial dilutions). Antibody reduction was tracked and the differences in pre-to-post-treatment values were calculated as delta-reduction of antibody levels. Dynamic patterns of titration studies reduced effects of serum-inherent inhibitory factors (prozone-like); eliminated over-saturation limitations, and provided better estimation of antibody-binding strength compared with the other methods. Moreover, delta-reduction of antibody values using titration studies was significantly more uniform compared with either IgG or C1q tests. Analyzing antibody results using only C1q positive or only higher MFI values did not change the overall magnitude of results. Overall, titration studies provided better estimate of responsiveness to treatment and thus can serve as companion to monitoring efficacy of antibody-removal therapies.

The presence of HLA-directed antibodies after heart transplantation is associated with poor allograft outcome.

BACKGROUND: The clinical significance of HLA-directed antibodies newly detected after transplantation (HT) is controversial. METHODS: Seventy-one HT recipients consented to enroll. Mean follow-up time was 28 months (range 6-48). Panel reactive antibody (PRA) analysis was performed on posttransplant sera (2 weeks, 1, 2, 3, 6, and 12 months and annually thereafter) using Flow-PRA. A mean of 6.9+/-1.2 serum samples per patient were obtained. Severity of cellular rejection was measured using the ISHLT grading system. Coronary angiography and intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) studies were performed annually to evaluate severity of allograft vasculopathy. RESULTS: Twenty-five recipients had newly detected HLA-directed antibodies during the first year postHT. HLA class I antibodies were detected in 18 patients (25.4%), and class II in 11 patients (15.5%). The majority of donor recipient pairs were HLA mismatched (4.6+/-1.2 of the six major HLA antigens). Only mismatches at HLA-A locus had significant association with de novo posttransplant antibody formation. Length of ischemia time was correlated with early and sustained presence of de novo HLA-directed antibodies postheart transplant. Importantly, an association between de novo HLA-directed antibodies and cellular rejection was notes (P=0.0002). De novo HLA class II directed antibodies are also associated with IVUS documented vasculopathy (P<0.002). Finally, death due to allograft failure is associated with the presence of de novo formed HLA class II directed antibodies (P=0.008). CONCLUSIONS: Identifying the formation of de novo HLA-directed antibodies following heart transplantation may predict allograft outcome. This, in turn, may serve as a tool for individualization of immunosuppression protocols in heart transplant recipients.

Donor-specific hyporesponsiveness in ELISPOT assay is associated with early recurrence of hepatitis C in liver transplant recipients.

Recurrence of hepatitis C in liver transplant recipients is a common event that often leads to loss of the allograft. There are no means to prevent, or even predict, those patients who are more prone to early aggressive recurrence. Therefore there is an increased need for tailored immunosuppression protocols specific to this patient population. Fifteen liver transplant recipients (eight hepatitis C virus [HCV]+; 7 HCV-) were followed for 12-24 months after transplantation. The frequency of donor-specific interferon (IFN)-gamma- or interleukin-10-producing lymphocytes was monitored using ELISPOT assays. Of the eight HCV+ recipients, six experienced recurrence within the first year after transplant. All six patients had very low (negligible) frequency of donor-specific IFN-gamma precursors; in most cases not higher than the nonstimulated (spontaneous) secretion rate. The other two patients who did not recur exhibited donor-specific IFN-gamma reactivity. A significant difference in the frequency of alloantigen-specific T cells was observed between HCV+ recipients and patients with other indications for transplantation. The results of this preliminary study suggest that posttransplant monitoring of the frequency of donor-specific IFN-gamma-producing precursors may differentiate a subset of patients at risk for early recurrent hepatitis C and therefore may help to devise treatment strategies for HCV+ liver recipient after transplantation.

Hipoacusia neurosensorial inducido por el ruido en estudiantes de odondologia / Noise-Induced Sensorineural Hearing Loss in Dental Students

Objeto: Evaluar la presencia de hipoacusia neurosensorial inducida por ruido en relación a la edad, sexo, sintomatología otológica, y el tiempo de exposición al ruido laboral mediante una revisión clínica y el estudio de audiometría tonal luminal en pacientes de la carrera de odontología, que acuden al Servicio de Otorrinolaringología del Hospital Clínico Viedma.

Common gamma chain cytokines promote rapid in vitro expansion of allo-specific human CD8+ suppressor T cells.

Human CD8(+) regulatory T cells, particularly the CD8(+)CD28(-) T suppressor cells, have emerged as an important modulator of alloimmunity. Understanding the conditions under which these cells are induced and/or expanded would greatly facilitate their application in future clinical trials. In the current study, we develop a novel strategy that combines common gamma chain (γc) cytokines IL-2, IL-7 and IL-15 and donor antigen presenting cells (APCs) to stimulate full HLA-mismatched allogeneic human CD8(+) T cells which results in significant expansions of donor-specific CD8(+)CD28(-) T suppressor cells in vitro. The expanded CD8(+)CD28(-) T cells exhibit increased expressions of CTLA-4, FoxP3, and CD25, while down-regulate expressions of CD56, CD57, CD127, and perforin. Furthermore, these cells suppress proliferation of CD4(+) T cells in a contact-dependent and cytokine-independent manner. Interestingly, the specificity of suppression is restricted by the donor HLA class I antigens but promiscuous to HLA class II antigens, providing a potential mechanism for linked suppression. Taken together, our results demonstrate a novel role for common γc cytokines in combination with donor APCs in the expansion of donor-specific CD8(+)CD28(-) T suppressor cells, and represent a robust strategy for in vitro generation of such cells for adoptive cellular immunotherapy in transplantation.

Mycophenolic acid inhibits maturation and function of human dendritic cells and B cells.

Mycophenolic acid (MPA) is considered an immunosuppressive compound mainly because of its inhibitory effects on lymphocyte proliferation. Here we studied specifically the effects of MPA on the ability of dendritic cells (DCs) to activate T cells via the indirect pathway and on the maturation and function of B-lineage cells. We demonstrated that DC cell-surface receptors, associated with antigen uptake and antigen processing and presentation (CD83 and CD205), were differentially downregulated in the presence of MPA, translating into a decreased uptake of alloantigens and reduced stimulation of T cells with decreased cytokine secretion (interleukin (IL)-1Ra and transforming growth factor (TGF)-alpha). Similarly, MPA significantly inhibited B-cell differentiation into memory and plasma cells in vitro and decreased secretion of TNF-alpha, IL-1Ra, and IL-10. We further demonstrated for the first time that not only the amount of antibody secretion was significantly lowered in the presence of MPA but also the total number of antibody-producing cells was reduced. Importantly, we provide direct evidence that HLA-specific antibody secretion was also affected using a newly developed HLA antibody-specific B-cell enzyme-linked immunospot assay. Our data indicate additional pathways by which MPA downregulates the immune system. This in turn may lead to improved conditions for allograft tolerance and control of allograft rejection.