Interactions between Core Elements of the Botrytis cinerea Circadian Clock Are Modulated by Light and Different Protein Domains.

Botrytis cinerea possesses a complex light-sensing system composed of eleven photoreceptors. In B. cinerea, bcwcl1 encodes for the BcWCL1 protein, the orthologue of the blue-light photoreceptor WC-1 from Neurospora crassa. The functional partner of BcWCL1 is the BcWCL2 protein, both interacting in the nucleus and forming the B. cinerea white collar complex (BcWCC). This complex is required for photomorphogenesis and circadian regulation. However, no molecular evidence shows a light-dependent interaction between the BcWCC components or light-sensing capabilities in BcWCL1. In this work, by employing a yeast two-hybrid system that allows for the in vivo analysis of protein-protein interactions, we confirm that BcWCL1 and BcWCL2 interact in the absence of light as well as upon blue-light stimulation, primarily through their PAS (Per-Arnt-Sim) domains. Deletion of the PAS domains present in BcWCL1 (BcWCL1PAS∆) or BcWCL2 (BcWCL2PAS∆) severely impairs the interaction between these proteins. Interestingly, the BcWCL1PAS∆ protein shows a blue-light response and interacts with BcWCL2 or BcWCL2PAS∆ upon light stimulation. Finally, we demonstrate that BcWCL1 and BcWCL1PAS∆ respond to blue light by introducing a point mutation in the photoactive cysteine, confirming that both proteins are capable of light sensing. Altogether, the results revealed the complexity of protein-protein interactions occurring between the core elements of the B. cinerea circadian clock.

Metahemoglobinemia, una entidad de diagnóstico complejo. Reporte de un caso

Methemoglobinemia is a rare condition with serious consequences if not diagnosed. We report the case of a 64-year-old woman with a history of allergy to sulfa drugs and a recent diagnosis of a small vessel vasculitis (ANCA-p) who started induction therapy with corticosteroids and rituximab. Due to the need for infectious prophylaxis, and considering her history, dapsone was administered instead of cotrimoxazole after ruling out glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency. During the admission to the hospital for her second dose of rituximab, and while being asymptomatic, she persistently presented a pulse oximetry ≪ 90% despite the administration of O2. Therefore, the infusion was postponed to study the patient. The arterial gasometric study by direct potentiometry revealed an O2 saturation of 98%, with a saturation gap > 5%. Considering the use of dapsone, a methemoglobinemia was suspected and confirmed by co-oximetry (methemoglobinemia 9%). Dapsone was suspended and one week later, her methemoglobinemia was absent.

Marketing social y su influencia en la solución de problemas de salud / Social marketing and its influence in the solution of health problems

Introducción: El marketing social es una disciplina de la mercadotecnia dirigida a influir en el comportamiento de las personas a fin de que mejoren su bienestar y el de la sociedad. Por sus características tiene potencialidades de influir en la solución de problemas de salud a nivel individual, grupal y social, en especial desde el punto de vista de las acciones de comunicación a aplicarse, como las actividades sociales, campañas sociales, charlas, relaciones públicas, ruedas de prensa, entre otras. Objetivo: El objetivo del artículo es valorar a partir del criterio de expertos, la influencia que puede ejercer el marketing social en la solución de problemas de salud en Ecuador. Métodos: Se aplicó un cuestionario para conocer el criterio de 10 especialistas de las ciencias médicas y administrativas de Ecuador, en función de la influencia que pueden ejercer los instrumentos y estrategias de comunicación de marketing social en la solución de problemas de salud. El procesamiento de los datos se realizó con Microsoft Excel, para determinar el comportamiento descriptivo de los mismos y de forma inferencial a través del Coeficiente R de Pearson. Resultados: A partir del criterio de los expertos se determinó la importancia de las actividades sociales para la solución de problemas de salud en Ecuador, en especial las campañas sociales explicativas y de desmotivación de vicios, así como los mensajes de motivación. Destacan como principales objetos de las campañas las enfermedades epidémicas y del desarrollo, y el gobierno nacional como principal agente de marketing social. Mientras que la comunidad tiene una baja participación y negativas relaciones con otras variables estudiadas. El control del proceso de comunicación limita la efectividad de las acciones de marketing social. Conclusiones: El análisis empírico desarrollado a partir del criterio de expertos permitió diagnosticar la influencia que ejerce el marketing social en la solución de problemas de salud, así como los principales instrumentos de comunicación que se emplean, los agentes más activos y algunas insuficiencias en el proceso(AU)

Introduction: Social marketing is a discipline of marketing aimed at influencing people's behavior in order to improve their well-being and that of society. Because of its characteristics, it has the potential to influence the solution of health problems at the individual, group and social level, especially from the point of view of communication actions to be applied, such as social activities, social campaigns, talks, public relations, press conferences, among others. Objective: The objective of the article is to evaluate, based on the criterion of experts, the influence that social marketing can exert on solving health problems in Ecuador. Methods: A questionnaire was applied to know the criteria of 10 specialists from the medical and administrative sciences of Ecuador, depending on the influence that can be exerted on the instruments and strategies of communication of social marketing in the solution of health problems. The data processing was done with Microsoft Excel, to determine the descriptive behavior of the same and inferential form through Pearson R Coefficient. Results: Based on the criteria of the experts, the importance of social activities for the solution of health problems in Ecuador was determined, especially the explanatory social campaigns and demotivation of vices, as well as motivational messages. The epidemic and developmental diseases are highlighted as the main objects of the campaigns, and the national government is the main agent of social marketing. While the community has low participation and negative relationships with other variables studied. Controlling the communication process limits the effectiveness of social marketing actions. Conclusions: The empirical analysis developed from the expert criterion allowed to diagnose the influence of social marketing in the solution of health problems, as well as the main communication tools used, the most active agents and some shortcomings in the process(AU)

Calidad de vida en pacientes adolescentes con epilepsia en México / Quality of life in adolescent patients with epilepsy in Mexico

Antecedentes. La epilepsia afecta todas las áreas en la vida del niño que la padece. Hay pocos estudios al respecto en poblaciones latinoamericanas. Nuestro objetivo fue evaluar la calidad de vida de los pacientes adolescentes con epilepsia con el uso del cuestionario QOLIE-31 en un hospital de tercer nivel de atención, así como identificar los factores que influyen en la misma. Pacientes y métodos. Un total de 60 pacientes adolescentes entre 12 y 17 años de la consulta externa de neurología pediátrica del Hospital Infantil “Federico Gómez” cumplió los criterios de inclusión. Se les aplicó el cuestionario QOLIE-31 entre septiembre 2008 a mayo 2009. Resultados: El 58.3% de los pacientes reportó una mala calidad de vida y solo 6.7% muy buena calidad de vida, siendo más afectados la calidad de vida en general (98.3%) y la función cognitiva (65%). Un factor muy influyente fue el antecedente de epilepsia parcial y el uso de politerapia antiepiléptica. Conclusión. La calidad de vida en los adolescentes estudiados está muy afectada por la ocurrencia de epilepsias parciales, el inicio temprano y el uso de politerapia. Se requiere un programa de atención integral con más información sobre la enfermedad...

Cognitive assessment of the non-demented elderly community dwellers in Spain.

OBJECTIVE: The prevalence of cognitive impairment and population normative values for cognitive function were assessed, for the first time, in 2,630 subjects representative of the non-demented community dweller population > or =65 years in Spain, a southern European country with a sizable proportion of illiterate senior citizens. METHODS: Data were collected cross-sectionally by interview, using a structured questionnaire. Cognitive function was assessed using the Mini-Examen Cognoscitivo (MEC; Spanish-validated version of the Mini-Mental State Examination). RESULTS: A total of 22.4% of the subjects presented with cognitive impairment (MEC < or =22). The proportion of subjects with cognitive impairment was double in women versus men, rose to 46.2% in subjects aged > or =85 years and to 34.8% in subjects with no formal education, and was higher among those who had limitations in instrumental activities of daily living (p < 0.001). In subjects with no formal education, 25% registered mean MEC scores compatible with probable cognitive impairment. CONCLUSIONS: One of every 5 Spanish senior citizens presents with cognitive impairment, a proportion that increased among women, subjects with no formal education and with higher age.

Changes in the prevalence of overweight and obesity and their risk factors in Spain, 1987-1997.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to examine the relationship of the changes in the prevalence of overweight and obesity with the changes in some of their risk factors in Spain from 1987 to 1997. METHODS: Data were obtained from three interview-based health surveys, covering representative samples of the noninstitutionalized Spanish population aged 16 years and over and undertaken in 1987 (n = 17,434), 1995 (n = 4,736), and 1997 (n = 4,678). To compensate for the different sample sizes, the 1995 and 1997 surveys were combined. Risk factors for obesity and overweight considered in this study were age, educational level, physical activity at work, physical activity during leisure time, tobacco use, alcohol consumption, and civil status. Data analysis was performed with logistic regression. RESULTS: The prevalence of overweight and obesity (body mass index >or= 25 kg/m(2)) rose from 35.6% in 1987 to 40.9% in 1995/1997 among women and from 47.1 to 56.2% among men. In the period 1987-1995/1997, the proportion of persons with secondary or university education increased by 11.3% in women and 10.8% in men. Similarly, the prevalence of intense or regular leisure-time physical activity increased by 5.7 and 6.2% in women and men, respectively. The remaining risk factors for overweight and obesity registered no substantial change in prevalence over the study period. The prevalence of overweight and obesity expected in 1995/1997, had educational level and leisure-time physical activity been the same as in 1987, is higher than the observed figures; for educational level, expected figures are 7.3 and 1.4% higher than those observed among women and men, respectively, while for leisure-time physical activity corresponding values are 2.8 and 1.6%. CONCLUSIONS: The rise in the prevalence of overweight and obesity in Spain from 1987 to 1997 may have been attenuated by an increase in leisure-time physical activity and by an improvement in educational level, particularly among women. The contribution to overweight and obesity trends attributable to physical activity at work or to tobacco and alcohol consumption appears to be small or null.