Anti-ulcerogenic Potential of Kalanchoë gastonis-bonnieri Extracts in Male ICR Mice Model of Ethanol-induced Gastric Ulcers.

Peptic ulcers (PU) are a breach in the mucosa of the digestive tract and are related to several factors including an altered immune system and an unbalanced diet. Current treatment carries to long-term complications; therefore, the use of medicinal plants is an alternative for several inflammatory diseases including ulcerative lesions. Kalanchoë gastonis-bonnieri, is a succulent plant and, has been used in traditional medicine against gastric ulcers, inflammation, and cancer among others. The main goal of this work was to analyze the anti-ulcerogenic potential of extracts from leaves of K. gastonis-bonnieri in an assay of ethanol-induced gastric ulcers. An ethanolic extract was obtained by maceration from fresh leaves of K. gastonis-bonnieri, and fractions were obtained through bipartition and chemical fractioning. The chemical characterization of the extract was made through HPLC, GC-MS, and NMR. Total extract and fractions showed an anti-ulcerogenic effect in specimens of male ICR mice with a gastric ulcer index (UI) of 3.27-5.47. The recorded effect is attributed to the presence of terpenoid compounds such as ß-Amyrin acetate, which showed antioxidant properties and lessened formations of ulcers induced by ethanol administration in mice stomach.

Antidepressant activity of tricin-7-O-glucoside and anxiolytic-like effect of harmane from Passiflora coriacea Juss. On mice.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Passiflora coriacea Juss., a medicinal plant in the family Passifloraceae, is widely used to treat anxiety and depression in Mexican folk medicine. However, its chemical profile and biological activity have not been characterized. AIM OF THE STUDY: The aim of the study was to determine the antidepressant activity, anxiolytic effect, and chemical profile of Passiflora coriacea. MATERIALS AND METHODS: An organic fraction (PcEA) from a hydroalcoholic extract of the aerial parts of P. coriacea was obtained, followed by a chemical analysis and separation, yielding six fractions (PcEA, T1, T2, T1.1, T2.1, and T2.2). Male ICR mice were used to determine the antidepressant activity of selected treatments (PcEA, T1, T2, and T1.1) based on a forced swim test (FST). The anxiolytic-like effects of various treatments (PcEA, T1, T2, T2.1, and T2.2) were determined using the elevated plus maze (EPM) test. RESULTS: The organic fraction of P. coriacea decreased anxiety-like behaviors in mice and increased the time of mobility in the FST. After chemical separation, two compounds were isolated from the species with antidepressant activity and anxiolytic-like effects, T1.1 (tricin 7-O-glucoside) and T2.2 (harmane), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Compounds isolated from P. coriacea exerted anxiolytic and antidepressant effects in mice based on the EPM and FST. The flavonoid tricin-7-O-glucoside and the alkaloid harmane contributed to these biological activities.

Anti-adipogenic effect of Malva parviflora on 3T3-L1 adipocytes.

Malva parviflora has shown anti-inflammatory, antihypertensive, antihyperlipidemic, and hypoglycemic effects. This study is aimed to evaluate the anti-adipogenic effect of M. parviflora on 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Fibroblast differentiation was induced either in the absence or presence of M. parviflora fractions (F3, F4, F7, F12, F13, F17, F18 and F19) for 4 days; F17 and 18 were the most effective fractions in reducing intracellular lipid accumulation (by 25.6% and 23.1%, respectively). EC50 of F17 and F18 (14 µg/mL and 17 µg/mL, respectively) were used to evaluate their anti adipogenic effect. After 10 days of inducing differentiation in the absence or presence of the extracts at the EC50 of F17 and F18, lipid accumulation, the concentration of interleukin 6 (IL-6) were measured in the culture medium; the presence of PPAR-γ, AKT, and p-AKT was also determined. In differentiated adipocytes (C2), F17 maintained intracellular lipid concentration at levels comparable to metformin, while decreasing PPAR-γ and increasing p-AKT presence; it also prevented IL-6 expression. F17 consists of alanine, valine, phenylalanine, and proline. On the other hand, F18 reduced intracellular lipid concentrations, prevented the increase of PPAR-γ and p-AKT, and maintained IL-6 expression at similar levels as metformin. F18 is mainly constituted by alanine, valine, proline, and sucrose. In conclusion, M. parviflora fractions (F17 and F18) control the process of adipogenesis, lipogenesis, and cellular dysfunction.

Sepsis neonatal grave en una unidad de cuidados intensivos / Severe neonatal sepsis in an intensive care unit

INTRODUCCIÓN: la sepsis neonatal grave se produce en 0,5 a 8,0 de cada 1 000 nacidos vivos, y es la causa más común de muerte neonatal. OBJETIVO: caracterizar la sepsis neonatal grave en los pacientes ingresados en el servicio de Neonatología del Hospital Universitario Ginecoobstétrico "Mariana Grajales", de Santa Clara, durante los años 2011-2012. MÉTODOS: se realizó un estudio observacional, descriptivo, de tipo transversal, con elementos de enfoque cualitativo y cuantitativo. El universo de estudio quedó conformado por el total de recién nacidos con sepsis neonatal grave (105 neonatos), lo que coincidió con la muestra. Las variables perinatales seleccionadas fueron: total de nacidos vivos, ingresos en terapia neonatal (con sepsis y con sepsis graves), edad gestacional, clasificación de la sepsis, microorganismos aislados, estudios microbiológicos y tasa por 1 000 nacidos vivos por infección. RESULTADOS: de los 145 neonatos con diagnóstico de sepsis, 105 de ellos evolucionaron con sepsis grave (72,4 %). Se comprobó que 70 pacientes del total nacieron pretérminos, que representó el 66,6 %; y 74 niños presentaron sepsis generalizada adquirida confirmada. Fue más frecuente el aislamiento del Staphylococcus coagulasa negativo. CONCLUSIONES: más de la mitad de los neonatos con sepsis se comportaron como una sepsis grave. La prematuridad se relacionó estrechamente con esta entidad en la etapa neonatal. La sepsis generalizada adquirida fue la más frecuente. Más de la mitad de los hemocultivos fueron positivos, y los microorganismos más frecuentes fueron el Staphylococcus coagulasa negativo y la Candida.

INTRODUCTION: severe neonatal sepsis occurs in 0.5 to 8 per 1 000 livebirths and is the common cause of neonatal death. OBJECTIVE: to characterize the severe neonatal sepsis in patients admitted to the neonatology service of "Mariana Grajales" university gynecological and obstetric hospital located in Santa Clara during 2011 and 2012. METHODS: observational, descriptive and cross-sectional study was conducted, using quantitative and qualitative-focused elements. The universe of study was the total number of newborns with severe neonatal sepsis (105 neonates), which agreed with the sample. The selected perinatal variables included total number of livebirths, admissions to neonatal therapy service (with sepsis and severe sepsis), gestational age, classification of sepsis, isolated microorganisms, microbiological studies and infection rate per 1 000 livebirths. RESULTS: of 145 neonates with sepsis diagnosis, 105 progressed into severe sepsis (72.4 %). It was confirmed that 70 patients were preterm born, accounting for 66.6 % and 74 children presented with confirmed acquired generalized sepsis. The most isolated agent was negative Staphylococcus coagulase. CONCLUSIONS: half of neonates with sepsis behaved as if they had severe sepsis. Prematurity was closely related to this entity at the neonatal phase. Acquired generalized sepsis was the most common. More than 50 % of the hemocultures were positive and the most frequent ones were negative Staphylococcus coagulase and Candida.

Mortalidad infantil por cardiopatías congénitas en un período de nueve años en villa clara / Infantile mortality due to congenital cardiopathies in a period of nine years in Villa Clara

Introducción: las cardiopatías congénitas constituyen una de las primeras causas de mortalidad infantil en Villa Clara. Objetivo: caracterizar, desde el punto de vista clínico y epidemiológico, la mortalidad infantil por cardiopatías congénitas diagnosticadas en etapa neonatal. Métodos: Se realizó un estudio descriptivo clínico epidemiológico en el servicio de Neonatología del Hospital Universitario “Mariana Grajales” durante nueve años (2000-2008). La muestra estuvo constituida por 249 neonatos con diagnóstico de cardiopatía congénita antes de los 28 días, que fueron evolucionados hasta el año de vida. Se confeccionó una encuesta y se controlaron variables. Se creó una base de datos y se procesó la información estadísticamente. Resultados: la tasa de mortalidad infantil por cardiopatías congénitas diagnosticadas en la etapa neonatal fue de 0,75 por cada mil nacidos vivos. La mortalidad infantil por cardiopatías congénitas experimenta una mejoría en los últimos años. Fallecieron el 100 % de los que presentaban coartación de la aorta. El 66,1 % de los fallecidos presentaron otras complicaciones. En los neonatos operados, más del 55 % permanecieron vivos después del primer año. La disminución de fallecidos con cardiopatías en neonatos está influida por la experiencia de los neonatólogos y el buen funcionamiento de la red cardiopediátrica. La presencia de cardiopatías congénitas complejas, así como las complicaciones, fueron frecuentes, independiente de que fueran o no intervenidos quirúrgicamente. Conclusiones: los defectos cardíacos congénitos más frecuentes como causa de muerte presentaron importante complejidad anatómica, clínica y hemodinámica.

Introduction: congenital cardiopathies constitute one of the first causes of infantile mortality in Villa Clara. Objective: To characterize, from the epidemiological and clinical point of view, infantile mortality due to congenital cardiopathies diagnosed in neonatal stage. Methods: an epidemiological, clinical and descriptive study was performed in the Neonatology service of the University Hospital “Mariana Grajales” during nine years (2000-2008). The sample was integrated by 249 neonates with the diagnosis of congenital cardiopathy before 28 days, who were improving until first year of life. A survey was made and variables were controlled. A database was also made and information was processed statistically. Results: infantile mortality rate due to congenital cardiopathy diagnosed during neonatal stage was of 0, 75 for each thousand born alive. Infantile mortality due to congenital cardiopathy showed an improvement in the last years. The 100 % of the infants with coarctation of the aorta died. The 66,1 % of the deceased infants showed other complications. In operated neonates, more than 55 % remained alive after first year. The diminution of neonates´deads with cardiopathies is thanks to the experience of the neonatology staff and the smooth running of cardiopediatric network. The presence of complex congenital cardiopathies, and their complications, were frequent, in spite of infants were or were not operated on surgically. Conclusions: the most congenital cardiac defects, like cause of death, showed important hemodynamics, clinical, and anatomical complexity.

Inhibition of acetylcholinesterase activity by hidroalcoholic extractand their fractions of Bouvardia ternifolia (Cav. ) Shcltdl (Rubiaceae) / Inhibición de la actividad de acetilcolinesterasa por el extracto hidroalcohólico y sus fracciones de Bouvardia ternifolia (Cav. ) Shcltdl (Rubiaceae)

The hydroalcoholic extract (BtHA) and its fractions of Bouvardia ternifolia were evaluated as inhibitors of the activity of the acetylcholinesterase enzyme utilizing the in vitro method (Ellman). BtHA inhibited the acetylcholinesterase enzyme competitively (IC50 = 0.6 ug/ml); the ethyl acetate fraction (BtF-AcOEt) caused mixed-type inhibition (IC50 = 0.96 ug/ml). A fraction insoluble on methanol (Bt-Faq-1) showed a mixed-type inhibition (CI50 = 0.96 ug/ml). Finally, the methanol-soluble fraction (Bt-Faq-2), presented complex, mixed-type inhibition that corresponds to the C5 system ( alpha= 0.740 and beta = 0.842). Rutin, quercetin, kaempferol and ursolic acid were detected by HPLC and the concentration of these compounds was different in each fraction.

El extracto hidroalcohólico (BtHA) y fracciones provenientes de Bouvardia ternifolia fueron evaluadas como inhibidores de la enzima acetilcolinesterasa utilizando el método enzimático propuesto por Ellman. BtHA inhibe a la enzima de manera competitiva (IC50 = 0.6 ug/ml); la fracción de acetato de etilo (BtF-AcOEt) provoca una inhibición mixta (IC50 = 0.96 ug/ml). La fracción insoluble en metanol (Bt-Faq-1) mostró una inhibición tipo mixta (CI50 = 0.96 ug/ml). Finalmente la fracción soluble en metanol, Bt-Faq-2, inhibe a la enzima presentando una inhibición mixta que corresponde a un sistema C5 ( alfa= 0.740 and beta= 0.842). Mediante HPLC se detectó rutina, quercetina, canferol y ácido ursólico la concentración de estos compuestos fue diferente en cada fracción.

Hijo de madre adolescente / The child of an adolescent mother

Nuestro estudio fue realizado en una muestra de 1388 neonatos de ellos 694 hijos de madres con edad entre 20 y 35 años (grupo control) nacidos en el Hospital Provincial Gineco-Obstétrico "Mariana Grajales" en el período del 1 de enero al 31 de diciembre del 2003. Se efectúa una evaluación integral que incluye: caracterización general de la madre y datos relacionados con el embarazo y el parto, además se profundiza mediante historia clínica neonatal, en datos antropométricos, puntuación de Apgar, morbimortalidad y complicaciones, estableciendo la relación entre las variables por prueba de independencia de X a la 2 y prueba de hipótesis de proporciones. Se determina que la proporción de madres adolescentes es creciente con características propias: edad más frecuente entre 15 y 20 años, estudiantes y solteras, incremeto de partos pretérmino, distócicos y mayor número de complicaciones periparto, que afectan la evolución del recién nacido de forma significativa