Antifungal activity of poly(ε-caprolactone) nanoparticles incorporated with Eucalyptus essential oils against Hemileia vastatrix.

Coffee (Coffea L.) is one of the main crops produced globally. Its contamination by the fungus Hemileia vastatrix Berkeley and Broome has been economically detrimental for producers. The objective of this work was to extract and characterize the essential oils from Eucalyptus citriodora Hook, Eucalyptus camaldulensis Dehn and Eucalyptus grandis Hill ex Maiden, produce and characterize nanoparticles containing these essential oils and evaluate the in vivo and in vitro antifungal activity of free and nanoencapsulated essential oils. The principal constituent of the essential oil from E. citriodora was citronellal; that from E. grandis was α-pinene; and that from E. camaldulensis was 1,8-cineol. The in vitro antifungal activity against the fungus H. vastatrix was 100% at a concentration of 1000 µl l-1 for all the oils and nanoparticles containing these natural products. The sizes of the nanoparticles produced with the essential oils from E. citriodora, E. camaldulensis and E. grandis were 402·13 nm, 275·33 nm and 328·5 nm, respectively, with surface charges of -11·8 mV, -9·24 mV and - 6·76 mV, respectively. Fourier transform infrared analyses proved that the encapsulation of essential oils occurred in the polymeric matrix of poly(ε-caprolactone). The incorporation of essential oils into biodegradable poly(ε-caprolactone) nanoparticles increased their efficiency as biofungicides in the fight against coffee rust, decreasing the severity of the disease by up to 90·75% after treatment with the nanoparticles containing the essential oil from E. grandis.

Saccharomyces boulardii as therapeutic alternative in experimental giardiasis.

AIMS: The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of treatment with the probiotic Saccharomyces boulardii with or without metronidazole in experimental giardiasis. METHODS AND RESULTS: The effect of treatment with S. boulardii with or without metronidazole on the intestinal mucosa, the antioxidant defence system and the parasitic load was determined in experimental giardiasis. Eight groups of animals with infection and/or treatment with the probiotic and/or drugs for 1 week after infection with Giardia lamblia were used. A reduction of approximately 90% in the parasitic load was observed in all the treated groups. Saccharomyces boulardii attenuated the damage caused by infection in the intestinal mucosa preserving its architecture and inhibiting the oxidative stress induced by parasite and metronidazole. CONCLUSIONS: Saccharomyces boulardii was effective alone or in combination with metronidazole in resolving already established G. lamblia infection. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: These results suggest the use of S. boulardii as an alternative treatment for giardiasis mainly in cases of resistance or intolerance to conventional treatment.

Epidemiologic analysis of salivary gland tumors over a 10-years period diagnosed in a northeast Brazilian population.

BACKGROUND: Salivary gland tumors (SGT) correspond to a heterogeneous group of lesions with variable biological behavior. The present study aimed to determine the distribution and demographic findings of salivary gland neoplasms in a northeast Brazilian population. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A retrospective descriptive cross-sectional study was performed. A total of 588 cases of SGT were diagnosed between 2006 and 2016 of 4 pathology services in the state of Sergipe, Brazil. All cases were reviewed, and data such as sex, age, anatomical location, and histopathological diagnosis were collected. RESULTS: A total of 470 (79.9%) tumors were benign and 118 (20.1%) were malignant. The majority of the patients were females (n=328, 55.8%) with an overall female:male ratio of 1.2:1. The major salivary glands were affected more than the minor glands (69.5% vs. 30.5%). Pleomorphic adenoma (n=419, 71.3%) and mucoepidermoid carcinoma (n=29, 4.9%) were the most frequent benign and malignant tumors, respectively. In addition, both benign and malignant tumors occurred more frequently in the parotid gland (n=300, 51%, p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The epidemiologic profile and clinical characteristics of SGT were similar to those described in other countries and other regions of Brazil. Epidemiological studies of SGT help to understand their clinical and pathological features and are essential to establish the proper management and prognosis.

Organ doses and risks of computed tomography examinations in Recife, Brazil.

Computed tomography (CT) examinations have increased significantly in recent years due to technological innovations. In some industrialised countries, CT contributes to the population dose as much as background radiation. In developing countries, the uses and risks of CT have not been well characterised. The purpose of this investigation was to assess potential stochastic and deterministic radiation effects from common CT exams performed in six hospitals of Recife, Pernambuco. Scanning parameters and patient gender and age were collected for a total of 285 patients undergoing CT examinations of the head (90), chest (75), abdomen (60) and abdomen-pelvis (60). The organ doses, which were calculated using the ImPACT dosimetry calculator, varied significantly among institutions. Organs such as the brain, the heart and the eye lenses, which exhibited doses as high as 85, 42 and 100 mGy, respectively, are of concern for the production of cerebrovascular and cardiovascular diseases and cataracts. Effective cancer risks were calculated using Brenner methodology and BEIR-VII risk factors. They range from 1.8 to 110.2 cases per 100000 persons for cancer induction and from 1.5 to 63.0 cases per 100000 for cancer mortality. To reduce doses, a quality assurance programme that includes procedural justification and radiation protection optimisation should be implemented.

Site of intrauterine artificial insemination in the bitch does not affect sperm distribution within the uterus.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the distribution of frozen-thawed spermatozoa within the uterine lumen and oviducts following intrauterine laparoscopic deposition at two sites. Twelve bitches of unknown reproductive history were randomly distributed into two groups. Semen (3 ml containing 300 × 10(6) frozen-thawed spermatozoa) was infused at the uterine body (UB group) or at the cranial tip of the left uterine horn. A 22-G catheter was used to access the uterine lumen. Sperm cell distribution was evaluated after ovariohysterectomy performed 3 h after artificial insemination (AI). There was no difference between groups in mean time to perform AI. Spermatozoa were detected in all uterine segments, including the tip of both horns, but none was detected in the oviduct. The 22-G catheter facilitated deposition of semen in the uterine lumen, particularly at the UB site. Sperm cell distribution occurred evenly along both horns, independent of the site of semen deposition.

Treatment with Bifidobacterium longum 51A attenuates intestinal damage and inflammatory response in experimental colitis.

This study evaluated the effects of Bifidobacterium longum 51A on the intestinal mucosa and inflammatory response in experimental colitis. Colitis was induced by administration of 3.5% dextran sodium sulphate (DSS) solution for 7 days. Two periods of administration were performed: treatment (T) group, mice received Bifidobacterium only during disease induction (7 days); total treatment (TT) group, mice received Bifidobacterium for 10 days before and during disease induction. The probiotic effects on intestinal permeability, inflammatory infiltrate, histological analysis, cytokines, chemokines and sIgA were evaluated. Bifidobacterium administration in the T group showed reduction in intestinal permeability and lower IL-1ß, myeloperoxidase, and eosinophil peroxidase levels compared to those in the colitis group (P<0.05). Bifidobacterium administration in the TT group attenuated severe lesions in the colon and reduced eosinophil peroxidase level (P<0.05). B. longum 51A treatment modality was more effective than total treatment and reduced the inflammatory response and its consequences on intestinal epithelium.

Evaluation of the MOSkin dosimeter for diagnostic X-ray CT beams.

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the response of the MOSkin MOSFET dosimeter for X-ray diagnostic CT beams. Experiments were performed to investigate the sensitivity, energy dependence, reproducibility, fading and angular dependence of the dose response for the device. The dosimeter's performance was evaluated for the standard radiation qualities RQT 8, RQT 9 and RQT 10 in a metrology laboratory. In a CT scanner, the MOSkin was used to assess the air kerma profile and the dose profile in a phantom. The integral of the dose profile was compared to the CPMMA,100 measured with a pencil ionization chamber. The results showed that the MOSkin response was linear and reproducible with doses in the CT range. Energy dependence varied up to a factor of 1.19 among the tested X-ray energies. Angular dependence of the response was not greater than 7.8% within the angle range from 0 to 90 degrees. Signal fading within 3 min was negligible. Additionally, the MOSkin was able to accurately assess the air kerma profile and the integral of the dose profile in a CT scanner. The integral of the dose profile in a phantom was in agreement with the CPMMA,100. The presented results demonstrated the potential of the MOSkin for application in CT dosimetry.

Development of a realistic 3D printed eye lens dosemeter using CAD integrated with Monte Carlo simulation.

Recent epidemiological studies suggested to lower the threshold dose for radiation induced cataract in the eye lens. Therefore, eye lens radiation protection became to play a more important role in personal dosimetry. The main objective of this work is to propose a new methodology for prototyping and benchmarking of an eye lens dosimter based on the equivalent dose to the sensitive part of the eye lens, using CAD Software and Geant4 Monte Carlo simulations with mesh modelling and 3D printing. A 3D printed dosemeter was type tested based on IEC 62387:2012, in terms of energy and angular dependence for the measurements of Hp(3). The results show that the methodology employed is suitable for the development of new eye lens dosemeters.

Effect of probiotic Saccharomyces boulardii in experimental giardiasis.

The aim of the study was to assess the efficacy of Saccharomyces boulardii in experimental treatment of giardiasis and its impact on intestinal integrity and some functions of gerbils infected with Giardia lamblia. 28 gerbils (Meriones unguiculatus), aged 4-6 weeks, were divided into four groups: untreated and uninfected control (CT); infected with G. lamblia (IGL); treated with S. boulardii (SB); and infected with G. lamblia and treated with S. boulardii (ITSB). The SB and ITSB groups received S. boulardii 15 days prior to being infected with G. lamblia. The treatment continued until completion of the experiment (22nd day). The IGL and ITSB groups were gavage-inoculated with G. lamblia ensuring one-week infection. 4 h before euthanasia, all animals were gavaged with a solution containing diethylenetriamine-pentaacetic acid (DTPA) marked with technetium-99mTc DTPA to determine intestinal permeability. The small intestine was removed for histopathological, morphometric analysis and count of trophozoites adhered to the mucosa. The selected probiotic caused an approximate reduction of 70% of parasite load, which was determined by attached trophozoites (P<0.01) and immune-marked trophozoites (P<0.05). Treatment with S. boulardii (SB and ITSB groups) also increased the height of the intestinal villi and crypt depth compared to the CT and IGL groups (P<0.05). The area of mucus production and the number of goblet cells of the SB and ITSB groups were higher compared to the CT and IGL groups (P<0.01). The animals treated with S. boulardii also exhibited a significant increase of intraepithelial lymphocytes counts (P<0.01). There was no difference in the intestinal permeability between the groups studied. The efficacy of S. boulardii in reducing damages caused by Giardia was demonstrated, with an approximate reduction of 70% of the parasite load, suggesting its use as a coadjuvant in giardiasis treatment.

Mathematical modelling of scanner-specific bowtie filters for Monte Carlo CT dosimetry.

The purpose of bowtie filters in CT scanners is to homogenize the x-ray intensity measured by the detectors in order to improve the image quality and at the same time to reduce the dose to the patient because of the preferential filtering near the periphery of the fan beam. For CT dosimetry, especially for Monte Carlo calculations of organ and tissue absorbed doses to patients, it is important to take the effect of bowtie filters into account. However, material composition and dimensions of these filters are proprietary. Consequently, a method for bowtie filter simulation independent of access to proprietary data and/or to a specific scanner would be of interest to many researchers involved in CT dosimetry. This study presents such a method based on the weighted computer tomography dose index, CTDIw, defined in two cylindrical PMMA phantoms of 16 cm and 32 cm diameter. With an EGSnrc-based Monte Carlo (MC) code, ratios CTDIw/CTDI100,a were calculated for a specific CT scanner using PMMA bowtie filter models based on sigmoid Boltzmann functions combined with a scanner filter factor (SFF) which is modified during calculations until the calculated MC CTDIw/CTDI100,a matches ratios CTDIw/CTDI100,a, determined by measurements or found in publications for that specific scanner. Once the scanner-specific value for an SFF has been found, the bowtie filter algorithm can be used in any MC code to perform CT dosimetry for that specific scanner. The bowtie filter model proposed here was validated for CTDIw/CTDI100,a considering 11 different CT scanners and for CTDI100,c, CTDI100,p and their ratio considering 4 different CT scanners. Additionally, comparisons were made for lateral dose profiles free in air and using computational anthropomorphic phantoms. CTDIw/CTDI100,a determined with this new method agreed on average within 0.89% (max. 3.4%) and 1.64% (max. 4.5%) with corresponding data published by CTDosimetry (www.impactscan.org) for the CTDI HEAD and BODY phantoms, respectively. Comparison with results calculated using proprietary data for the PHILIPS Brilliance 64 scanner showed agreement on average within 2.5% (max. 5.8%) and with data measured for that scanner within 2.1% (max. 3.7%). Ratios of CTDI100,c/CTDI100, p for this study and corresponding data published by CTDosimetry (www.impactscan.org) agree on average within about 11% (max. 28.6%). Lateral dose profiles calculated with the proposed bowtie filter and with proprietary data agreed within 2% (max. 5.9%), and both calculated data agreed within 5.4% (max. 11.2%) with measured results. Application of the proposed bowtie filter and of the exactly modelled filter to human phantom Monte Carlo calculations show agreement on the average within less than 5% (max. 7.9%) for organ and tissue absorbed doses.

Diagnosis of inborn errors of metabolism.

Systematic detection of inborn errors of metabolism (IEM) has usually encountered difficulties in developing countries. We present our experience in a high-risk population in Mexico between 1973 and 1998 with particular reference to the last 10 years, during which time infrastructure and support were considerably improved. Only disorders of intermediary metabolism were sought. The total number of patients studied is not available, but in the last 10 years, patients numbered 5,186. Routine metabolic screening was performed on all patients, with additional tests according to the clinical picture and screening results. The referral criteria have increasingly diversified, one-third being neurological conditions. Of the referrals, 33.8% were from pediatricians (31.1% of whom were at critical medicine departments) and the remainder from specialists. The number of diagnosed patients has increased to 1 per 43.9 patients studied. Amino acid defects have been the most prevalent, the proportion of organic acid and carbohydrate disorders having increased in the last 10 years, associated with improved diagnostic facilities. The most frequently diagnosed diseases were PKU, type 1a glycogen storage, and maple syrup urine disease (MSUD), their frequency apparently varying among different regions of Mexico. Other results of our program include training of specialists and technicians, development of the Latin American Metabolic Information Network, a procedure to locally prepare a special food product low in phenylalanine for the treatment of PKU patients, and extension of approaches for these disorders to the investigation metabolic derangements of infant malnutrition. This work demonstrates that inherited metabolic diseases constitute a significant load in pediatric pathology and that their study can and should be pursued in developing nations.

Mesigyna once-a-month combined injectable contraceptive: experience in Latin America.

A phase III clinical study was carried out among 534 fertile Latin American women to evaluate cycle control, side effects, and contraceptive efficacy of a once-a-month combined injectable, Mesigyna, consisting of 50 mg norethisterone enanthate and 5 mg estradiol valerate. The pregnancy rate at 1 year was 0 per 100 woman-years for a total experience of 4688 woman-months. The overall discontinuation rate at one year was 17.9%. Discontinuation rate for bleeding problems was 5.1%. The Colombian women had a significant increase (p <0.001) in bleeding problems compared to other countries. The discontinuation rate for amenorrhea was 1.1%. There were no significant differences between the groups regarding discontinuation for other medical or non-medical reasons. Mean weight gain after one year of use was 1.02 kg. Mesigyna is an appropiate once-a-month injectable contraceptive for Latin American women since it is highly effective and its perception of normal menstrual bleeding is of importance in the Latin American population.

[Impact of Chagas' infection on some demographic characteristics: results of an ecological study]. / Impacto da infecção chagásica sobre algumas características demográficas: resultados de um estudo ecológico.

This study aimed to analyze the impact of T. cruzi infection on some demographic characteristics in the State of Bahia. It is a place where Chagas' disease is endemic in general. In the endemic areas, similar infection rates were observed in males and females. However, males, mainly those aged 30 or more, had higher mortality rates than females. Analyses were conducted on a set of secondary data from several different sources. They included prevalence of T. cruzi infection, specific mortality related to Chagas' disease, and demographic characteristics. The data were aggregated at two different levels: municipality and homogeneous micro-regions. Significant positive correlations were observed between prevalence of T. cruzi infection and mortality rates. These indicators, in turn, were correlated with the proportion of widows and widowers in the population. Findings were higher for widows. In areas where prevalence of T. cruzi infection was 15% or greater, there were 22% more widows as compared to infection free areas. Places with high prevalence presented some skew in the age structure, and there was a consistent decrease in the proportion of males in the 35-44 age group. A possible confounding effect of migration on these finding was not demonstrated.

MAINTENANCE COST CONTROL MODEL OF CLINICAL ENGINEERING DEPARTMENTS IN COLOMBIA HEALTHCARE CENTERS / MODELO DE CONTROL DE COSTOS DE MANTENIMIENTO DE LOS DEPARTAMENTOS DE INGENIERÍA CLÍNICA EN LOS CENTROS DE SALUD EN COLOMBIA / MODELO DE CONTROLE DE CUSTOS DE MANUTENÇÃO DOS DEPARTAMENTOS DE ENGENHARIA CLÍNICA NOS CENTROS DE SAÚDE NA COLÔMBIA

This article presents a practical guidance model for clinics and hospitals of the Colombian national territory that provides technical support in the process of construction and consolidation of a schematic that shows the real cost inside their clinical engineering departments. For that purpose, an exhaustive technological vigilance has been done, relating to subject matter that compete with the managing cost in hospitable entities of diverse countries in the international arena. In addition, the study accumulates literary demonstrated in benchmarking developed by clinical - hospitable establishments of nations with out-standing standards of quality worldwide. Finally, all the information gathered is brought to the Colombian context to be applicable to the national healthcare system, and to be able to meet regulations and requirements that the Colombian Social Security System requires to clinical engineering departments.

En este artículo se presenta un modelo de orientación práctica para clínicas y hospitales del territorio nacional colombiano, que proporciona apoyo técnico en el proceso de construcción y consolidación de un esquema que muestra el costo real dentro de sus departamentos de ingeniería clínica. Para ello, se ha efectuado una exhaustiva vigilancia tecnológica, en relación con el tema que compita con el costo de gestión en entidades hospitalarias de diversos países en el ámbito internacional. Además, el estudio se compila literatura de la evaluación comparativa desarrollada por establecimientos clínicos - hospitalarios de las naciones con los mejores estándares de calidad en todo el mundo. Por último, toda la información recogida es llevada al contexto colombiano para ser aplicable al sistema nacional de salud, y para ser facilitar el cumplimiento con las normas y requisitos que el sistema de seguridad social colombiano exige a los departamentos de ingeniería clínica.

Este artigo apresenta um modelo de orientação prática para clínicas e hospitais no território colombiano, que presta apoio técnico no processo de construção e consolidação de um diagrama que mostra o custo real dentro de seus departamentos de engenharia clínica. Para este efeito, procedeu a uma vigilância tecnológica completa, em relação ao assunto que compete com o custo de gestão em entidades hospitalares de diferentes países no âmbito internacional. Além, o estudo se compila literatura da avaliação comparativa desenvolvida por estabelecimentos clínicos-Hospitalares das nações com os mais altos padrões de qualidade em todo o mundo. Finalmente, toda a informação recolhida é levada para o contexto colombiano para ser aplicável ao sistema nacional de saúde, e para facilitar o cumprimento das normas e requisitos que o sistema de segurança social colombiana exige aos departamentos de engenharia clínica.

POLITICS FOR THE INTEGRATION OF THE ACTIVITIES OF INSURANCE METROLOGICAL TO THE PROCESS OF MAINTENANCE OF BIOMEDICAL EQUIPMENTS / POLÍTICA PARA LA INTEGRACIÓN DE LAS ACTIVIDADES DE SEGUROS METROLÓGICOS AL PROCESO DE MANTENIMIENTO DE EQUIPOS BIOMÉDICOS / POLÍTICA PARA A INTEGRAÇÃO DAS ATIVIDADES DE SEGUROS METROLÓGICAS AO PROCESSO DE MANUTENÇÃO DE EQUIPAMENTOS BIOMÉDICOS

In this article, is postulated the integration of the activities for metrology and EB's maintenance (medical equipments), in order that this could be adopted for clinics and hospitals of the national territory. In a such way, which they have a theoretical support to be able to restructure the present flowcharts in his departments of clinical engineering. For such an intention, there has effected an exhaustive technological vigilance relating to subject matter that compete with the regulation, policies and functions that apply to these activities in the country and international entities; giving evidence across a comparison between these, of the diverse discrepancies and failings that are demonstrated on having developed these activities of a way independent, since also, from the opportunities of improvement that can present the institutions of health in Colombia, on having had integrated inside his engineering departments to the above mentioned areas. Finally, all the information gathered is brought to the Colombian context to be applicable to the national healthcare system. The politics of integration is outlined and the model proposes closely for mix the metrology and the maintenance of medical equipment, of a such way that are in limit with the laws that govern them in Colombia.

En este artículo se postula la integración de las actividades de metrología y mantenimiento de EBs (equipos médicos), con el fin de que estas puedan ser adoptadas para clínicas y hospitales del territorio nacional. En una forma tal, que las instituciones tengan un soporte teórico para poder reestructurar los actuales diagramas de flujo en sus departamentos de ingeniería clínica. Con ese objetivo, se ha efectuado una exhaustiva vigilancia tecnológica relacionada con los temas que competen con la regulación, las políticas y las funciones que se aplican a estas actividades en el país y por las entidades internacionales. Este proceso ha generando evidencias a través de una comparación entre estos, de las diversas discrepancias y fallas que se demuestran al haber desarrollado estas actividades de manera independiente. Esto permitirá a su vez, oportunidades de mejora que se pueden obtener y compartir en las instituciones de salud en Colombia, al haber integrado en el interior sus departamentos de ingeniería a las áreas antes mencionadas. Por último, toda la información recogida se lleva al contexto colombiano para ser aplicable al sistema nacional de salud. Las políticas de integración se esbozan. El modelo propone una estrecha mezcla para la metrología y el mantenimiento de equipos médicos, de manera tal que se encuentran en cumplimiento de las leyes que los rigen en Colombia.

Este artigo discute a integração de atividades de metrologia e de manutenção da EBs (equipamento médico), para que estes possam ser adotadas para clínicas e hospitais no território nacional. De tal forma, que tenham um relatório teórico para reestruturar os atuais diagramas de fluxo em departamentos de engenharia clínica. Com esse objetivo, se procedeu a uma exaustiva vigilância tecnologia relacionada com os tópicos relacionados com a regulamentação, as política e as funções que se aplicam a essas atividades no país e por entidades internacionais; gerando evidências através de uma comparação entre estes das várias discrepâncias e falhas que são mostradas ao ter desenvolvido essas atividades de forma independente, permitindo que a partir de oportunidades de melhoria que se podem obter nas instituições de saúde da Colômbia, para ser integrado dentro de seus departamentos de engenharia das áreas tratadas acima. Finalmente, toda a informação recolhida é levada ao contexto colombiano para ser aplicável ao sistema nacional de saúde. As políticas de integração são descritas e o modelo propõe uma estreita mistura para a metrologia e manutenção de equipamentos médicos, para que eles estejam em conformidade com as leis que regem na Colômbia.

Alteration of apparent viscosity of irradiated pepper--a tool for semi-quantitative estimation of irradiation dose.

The feasibility of using apparent viscosity (eta a) as a method for detecting the occurrence of previous irradiation of pepper was studied. Apparent viscosity of heat-treated suspensions of white and black pepper, nonirradiated or irradiated with different doses of ionising radiation (gamma), was measured under different "shear rates". Results of previous research were therefore expanded and their usefulness examined; low shear rate conditions were found to be preferable for the detection and semi-quantitative evaluation of irradiation doses. The experimental methodology for semi-quantitative estimation was developed and its scope and limitations are presented.

Differential effects of biotin deficiency and replenishment on rat liver pyruvate and propionyl-CoA carboxylases and on their mRNAs.

Although the role of vitamins as prosthetic groups of enzymes is well known, their participation in the regulation of their genetic expression has been much less explored. We studied the effect of biotin on the genetic expression of rat liver mitochondrial carboxylases: pyruvate carboxylase (PC), propionyl-CoA carboxylase (PCC), and 3-methylcrotonyl-CoA carboxylase (MCC). Rats were made biotin-deficient and were sacrificed after 8 to 10 weeks, when deficiency manifestations began to appear. At this time, hepatic PCC activity was 20% of the control values or lower, and there was an abnormally high urinary excretion of 3-hydroxyisovaleric acid, a marker of biotin deficiency. Biotin was added to deficient primary cultured hepatocytes. It took at least 24 h after the addition of biotin for PCC to achieve control activity and biotinylation levels, whereas PC became active and fully biotinylated in the first hour. The enzyme's mass was assessed in liver homogenates from biotin-deficient rats and incubated with biotin to convert the apocarboxylases into holocarboylases, which were detected by streptavidin blots. The amount of PC was minimally affected by biotin deficiency, whereas that of the alpha subunits of PCC and of MCC decreased substantially in deficient livers, which likely explains the reactivation and rebiotinylation results. The expression of PC and alphaPCC was studied at the mRNA level by Northern blots and RT/PCR; no significant changes were observed in the deficient livers. These results suggest that biotin regulates the expression of the catabolic carboxylases (PCC and MCC), that this regulation occurs after the posttranscriptional level, and that pyruvate carboxylase, a key enzyme for gluconeogenesis, Krebs cycle anaplerosis, and fatty acid synthesis, is spared of this control.

Apparent higher frequency of phenylketonuria in the Mexican state of Jalisco.

The geographic origin of Mexican patients with phenylketonuria (PKU) in Mexico City and in southern California was studied. Compared to patients with other metabolic disorders, patients with PKU were significantly more likely to have originated from the Los Altos region of the state of Jalisco and its environs. The incidence of PKU among mentally retarded students attending special education schools was found to be significantly higher in Jalisco (particularly the Los Altos region) than in the neighboring state of Guanajuato (1.09% vs 0.3%). These results strongly suggest a "population of origin" effect, the mutant allele(s) having been introduced by the Spanish ancestors of the current population. Our findings also support the addition of PKU to the neonatal screening program for this region of Mexico.

Efectividad de la rehabilitación en la esclerosis múltiple / Effectiveness of rehabilitation in multiple sclerosis

Objetivo: Evaluar la efectividad del tratamiento rehabilitador en la esclerosis múltiple. Estrategia de búsqueda: Revisión sistemática de la literatura en las principales bases de datos. Artículos en español e inglés publicados entre 1997 y 2012. Selección de los estudios: Ensayos clínicos aleatorizados, ensayos clínicos no aleatorizados, metaanálisis, revisiones sistemáticas y guías de práctica clínica. Se seleccionaron un total de 35 artículos. Existe evidencia científica a favor del tratamiento rehabilitador en el manejo terapéutico de la esclerosis múltiple. Existen distintos grados de evidencia sobre la efectividad de cada uno de los componentes del equipo multidisciplinar cuando se analizan por separado. El tratamiento rehabilitador mejora la discapacidad y la minusvalía en pacientes con esclerosis múltiple (AU)

Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of rehabilitation treatment in multiple sclerosis. Search strategy: A systematic revision of the literature of articles in Spanish and English from 1997 to 2012 in the main databases was performed. Study selection: A total of 35 articles on randomized clinical trials, non-randomized clinical trails, meta-analysis, systematic reviews and clinic practice guidelines were selected for the study. There is scientific evidence supporting rehabilitation therapy of multiple sclerosis. There are different levels of evidence regarding the effectiveness of each one of the components of the multidisciplinary team when they are analyzed separately. Rehabilitation treatment improves disability and disablement in patients with multiple sclerosis (AU)