The Genus Capsicum: A Review of Bioactive Properties of Its Polyphenolic and Capsaicinoid Composition.

Chili is one of the world's most widely used horticultural products. Many dishes around the world are prepared using this fruit. The chili belongs to the genus Capsicum and is part of the Solanaceae family. This fruit has essential biomolecules such as carbohydrates, dietary fiber, proteins, and lipids. In addition, chili has other compounds that may exert some biological activity (bioactivities). Recently, many studies have demonstrated the biological activity of phenolic compounds, carotenoids, and capsaicinoids in different varieties of chili. Among all these bioactive compounds, polyphenols are one of the most studied. The main bioactivities attributed to polyphenols are antioxidant, antimicrobial, antihyperglycemic, anti-inflammatory, and antihypertensive. This review describes the data from in vivo and in vitro bioactivities attributed to polyphenols and capsaicinoids of the different chili products. Such data help formulate functional foods or food ingredients.

Coffee Chlorogenic Acids Incorporation for Bioactivity Enhancement of Foods: A Review.

The demand of foods with high antioxidant capacity have increased and research on these foods continues to grow. This review is focused on chlorogenic acids (CGAs) from green coffee, which is the most abundant source. The main CGA in coffee is 5-O-caffeoylquinic acid (5-CQA). Coffee extracts are currently the most widely used source to enhance the antioxidant activity of foods. Due to the solubility of CGAs, their extraction is mainly performed with organic solvents. CGAs have been associated with health benefits, such as antioxidant, antiviral, antibacterial, anticancer, and anti-inflammatory activity, and others that reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases, type 2 diabetes, and Alzheimer's disease. However, the biological activities depend on the stability of CGAs, which are sensitive to pH, temperature, and light. The anti-inflammatory activity of 5-CQA is attributed to reducing the proinflammatory activity of cytokines. 5-CQA can negatively affect colon microbiota. An increase in anthocyanins and antioxidant activity was observed when CGAs extracts were added to different food matrices such as dairy products, coffee drinks, chocolate, and bakery products. The fortification of foods with coffee CGAs has the potential to improve the functionality of foods.

Prevalence of complementary and alternative medicine despite limited perceived efficacy in patients with rheumatic diseases in Mexico: Cross-sectional study.

INTRODUCTION: Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is frequently used by patients with rheumatic diseases (RD) to improve their symptoms; however, its diversity and availability have increased notably while scientific support for its effectiveness and adverse effects is still scarce. OBJECTIVE: To describe the prevalence and diversity of CAM in patients with RD in Chihuahua, Mexico. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted in 500 patients with RD who were interviewed about the use of CAM to treat their disease. The interview included sociodemographic aspects, characteristics of the disease, as well as a description of CAM use, including type, frequency of use, perception of the benefit, communication with the rheumatologist, among others. RESULTS: The prevalence of CAM use was reported by 59.2% of patients, which informed a total of 155 different therapies. The herbal CAM group was the most used (31.4%) and included more than 50 different therapies. The use of menthol-based and arnica ointments was highly prevalent (35%). Most patients (62.3%) reported very little or no improvement in their symptoms. Only a fourth of the patients informed the rheumatologist of the use of CAM. The use of CAM was influenced by female sex, university degree, diagnosis delay, lack adherence to the rheumatologist's treatment, family history of RD, and orthopedic devices. CONCLUSION: The use of CAM in our population is highly prevalent and similar to reports in different populations suggesting a widespread use in many different societies. We found high use of herbal remedies; however, there were many different types suggesting a lack of significant effect. Patients continue using CAM despite a perception of no-effectiveness. Recurrent use of CAM is explained by factors other than its efficacy.

Detection of Echinococcus granulosus sensu lato infection by using extracts derived from a protoscoleces G1 cell line.

Cystic echinococcosis (CE) can be diagnosed by means of several serological approaches, but their results vary among laboratories due to the molecular characteristics of the reference antigens used. Thus, this study aimed to address both the relevance of an EGPE cell line previously obtained from Echinococcus granulosus protoscoleces G1 and the complexity of the immune response by using two different in vitro growth stages as separate sources of parasite antigens. The serum reactivity was investigated by western blotting (WB) in 21 CE patients from an endemic area in a matched case-control design and also in seven experimentally infected sheep and five healthy control sheep. EGPE-antigen-human serum sensitivity by WB was higher than that of hydatid fluid (HF) WB, ELISA and DD5 (P < .05, Chi-square test). EGPE protein extract was immunogenic in mice and hyperimmune plasma reacted with HF proteins, and AgB2 expression was detected by molecular analysis. Proteins of 37 to 60 kDa were recognized by 95.24% of the CE patients' sera but, with poor specificity. Statistically significant differences were found between serum protein extract recognition at 7 and 20 days of cell growth. The EGPE cell line is a laboratory source of antigens for improvement of CE serological diagnosis.

Avances en terapia farmacológica y fitoquímica de la adipogénesis / Advances in pharmacological and phytochemical adipogenesis therapy

La principal función de los adipocitos es el almacenamiento de lípidos cuando hay exceso de energía y la movilización de la misma cuando hay deficiencia. Una de las características de la obesidad es el aumento de la cantidad y el tamaño de los adipocitos, lo que implica la diferenciación de preadipocitos (PAD). El tejido adiposo (TA) tiene su origen en la etapa prenatal y puede seguir expandiéndose durante la vida adulta a partir de células precursoras, ya que los adipocitos maduros no pueden multiplicarse por división celular. El presente estudio proveerá información reciente de los eventos que se producen durante el origen y diferenciación de los PAD, así como los factores implicados en la regulación de la adipogénesis y los mecanismos que regulan las funciones fisiológicas del TA (AU)

The main function of the adipocyte is lipid storage when there is a positive energy balance and lipid release when there is and energy deficiency. One characteristic of obesity is an increase in the number and size of adipocytes, which implies pre adipocyte (PAD) differentiation. The adipose tissue (AT) has its origins in the prenatal stage and may continue to expand during adulthood from precursor cells since mature adipocytes cannot multiply by cell division. This study provide updates on the events that occur during the origin and differentiation of PAD, the factors involved in the regulation of adipogenesis and mechanisms that regulate physiological functions of AT (AU)

Inhibition of Fatty Acid Oxidation Modulates Immunosuppressive Functions of Myeloid-Derived Suppressor Cells and Enhances Cancer Therapies.

Myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSC) promote tumor growth by inhibiting T-cell immunity and promoting malignant cell proliferation and migration. The therapeutic potential of blocking MDSC in tumors has been limited by their heterogeneity, plasticity, and resistance to various chemotherapy agents. Recent studies have highlighted the role of energy metabolic pathways in the differentiation and function of immune cells; however, the metabolic characteristics regulating MDSC remain unclear. We aimed to determine the energy metabolic pathway(s) used by MDSC, establish its impact on their immunosuppressive function, and test whether its inhibition blocks MDSC and enhances antitumor therapies. Using several murine tumor models, we found that tumor-infiltrating MDSC (T-MDSC) increased fatty acid uptake and activated fatty acid oxidation (FAO). This was accompanied by an increased mitochondrial mass, upregulation of key FAO enzymes, and increased oxygen consumption rate. Pharmacologic inhibition of FAO blocked immune inhibitory pathways and functions in T-MDSC and decreased their production of inhibitory cytokines. FAO inhibition alone significantly delayed tumor growth in a T-cell-dependent manner and enhanced the antitumor effect of adoptive T-cell therapy. Furthermore, FAO inhibition combined with low-dose chemotherapy completely inhibited T-MDSC immunosuppressive effects and induced a significant antitumor effect. Interestingly, a similar increase in fatty acid uptake and expression of FAO-related enzymes was found in human MDSC in peripheral blood and tumors. These results support the possibility of testing FAO inhibition as a novel approach to block MDSC and enhance various cancer therapies.

Microondas: experimentación pura y clínica / Microwave: pura experimental and clinical

Las microondas constituyen una subfamilia de la gran gama de ondas electromagnéticas que existen en el universo. Utilizamos dichas microondas en una frecuenciade 2,450 MHz como sustancia imponderable, obtenida de un magnetrón de un horno de microondas convencional, para la preparación de un medicamentohomeopático en las escalas cincuentamilesimal y centesimal por medio del método clásico. Llevamos a cabo una patogenesia y luego su aplicación clínica paralograr una aproximación al conocimiento de los síntomas y signos involucrados en esta investigación. Participaron 20 sujetos, 16 en experimentación pura y 4 enexperimentación clínica, bajo el esquema propuesto por Samuel Hahnemann en el Organon de la medicina en su sexta edición, fungiendo como grupo de controlel 10% del total de los participantes con placebo. Como resultado se obtuvo una patogenesia en la cual los rubros de mente y extremidades se expresaron comolos más activos con 13% del total de los síntomas cada uno; fueron seguidos por el rubro estómago, con el 11% del total, posteriormente el rubro cabeza, con 8%, ydescendentemente el resto de rubros con menos del 7% del total de los síntomas de la investigación cada uno.

Microwaves are a subfamily of a long range of electromagnetic waves that exist in the universe. We used these microwaves on a 2,450 MHz frequency as an imponderable substance, obtained from a magnetron through a conventional microwave oven to prepare an Homeopathic medicine in the cincuentamilesimal and centesimal classic scale. We wanted to do this pure experimentation and then the clinical application to know on a better way the expressed signs and symptoms. There were 20 subjects, 16 as pure experimentation subjects and 4 as clinical research subjects using the classical method of pure experimentation developed by Samuel Hahnemann in the Organon of medicine, sixth edition. Our control placebo group was formed by the 10% of total research subjects. As a result we obtained a pathogenesia in which the more active items were mind and extremities with 13% of total symptoms each, then head item with 8% and the rest of the items by descending order with less of 7% of the total symptoms each.

Microondas. Experimentación Pura y clínica / Microwave. Pura experimental and clinical

Las microondas constituyen una subfamilia de la gran gama de ondas electromagnéticas que existen en el universo. Utilizamos dichas microondas en una frecuenciade 2,450 MHz como sustancia imponderable, obtenida de un magnetrón de un horno de microondas convencional, para la preparación de un medicamentohomeopático en las escalas cincuentamilesimal y centesimal por medio del método clásico. Llevamos a cabo una patogenesia y luego su aplicación clínica paralograr una aproximación al conocimiento de los síntomas y signos involucrados en esta investigación. Participaron 20 sujetos, 16 en experimentación pura y 4 enexperimentación clínica, bajo el esquema propuesto por Samuel Hahnemann en el Organon de la medicina en su sexta edición, fungiendo como grupo de controlel 10% del total de los participantes con placebo. Como resultado se obtuvo una patogenesia en la cual los rubros de mente y extremidades se expresaron comolos más activos con 13% del total de los síntomas cada uno; fueron seguidos por el rubro estómago, con el 11% del total, posteriormente el rubro cabeza, con 8%, ydescendentemente el resto de rubros con menos del 7% del total de los síntomas de la investigación cada uno. (AU)

Microwaves are a subfamily of a long range of electromagnetic waves that exist in the universe. We used these microwaves on a 2,450 MHz frequency as an imponderable substance, obtained from a magnetron through a conventional microwave oven to prepare an Homeopathic medicine in the cincuentamilesimal and centesimal classic scale. We wanted to do this pure experimentation and then the clinical application to know on a better way the expressed signs and symptoms. There were 20 subjects, 16 as pure experimentation subjects and 4 as clinical research subjects using the classical method of pure experimentation developed by Samuel Hahnemann in the Organon of medicine, sixth edition. Our control placebo group was formed by the 10% of total research subjects. As a result we obtained a pathogenesia in which the more active items were mind and extremities with 13% of total symptoms each, then head item with 8% and the rest of the items by descending order with less of 7% of the total symptoms each. (AU)

Adaptive responses of mitochondria to mild copper deprivation involve changes in morphology, OXPHOS remodeling and bioenergetics.

Copper is an essential cofactor of complex IV of the electron transfer chain, and it is directly involved in the generation of mitochondrial membrane potential. Its deficiency induces the formation of ROS, large mitochondria and anemia. Thus, there is a connection between copper metabolism and bioenergetics, mitochondrial dynamics and erythropoiesis. Copper depletion might end in cellular apoptosis or necrosis. However, before entering into those irreversible processes, mitochondria may execute a series of adaptive responses. Mitochondrial adaptive responses (MAR) may involve multiple and diverse mechanisms for preserving cell life, such as mitochondrial dynamics, OXPHOS remodeling and bioenergetics output. In this study, a mild copper deficiency was produced in an animal model through intraperitoneal injections of bathocuproine disulfonate in order to study the MAR. Under these conditions, a new type of mitochondrial morphology was discovered in the liver. Termed the "butternut squash" mitochondria, it coexisted with normal and swollen mitochondria. Western blot analyses of mitochondrial dynamics proteins showed an up-regulation of MFN-2 and OPA1 fusion proteins. Furthermore, isolated liver mitochondria displayed OXPHOS remodeling through a decrease in supercomplex activity with a concomitant increase at an individual level of complexes I and IV, higher respiratory rates at complex I and II levels, higher oligomycin-insensitive respiration, and lower respiratory control ratio values when compared to the control group. As expected, total ATP and ATP/ADP values were not significantly different, since animal's health was not compromised. As a whole, these results describe a compensatory and adaptive response of metabolism and bioenergetics under copper deprivation.

Escleredema de Buschke asociado a infección estreptocócica

El escleredema de Buschke, o adultorum, es una enfermedad rara del tejido conjuntivo, de causa desconocida, caracterizada por una induración súbita, simétrica y difusa de la piel, de difícil tratamiento. Se presenta un paciente pediátrico con escleredema de Buschke secundario a amigdalitis estreptocócica, manejado satisfactoriamente con fototerapia con rayos ultravioleta B de banda estrecha y penicilina oral.

Fototerapia y otras alternativas terapéuticas para el manejo del vitiligo, diez años de experiencia en el Servicio de Fototerapia del Centro Dermatológico de la Universidad CES / Phototherapy and other therapeutic alternatives for vitiligo treatment, ten years of experience in Phototherapy Service of the Dermatology Center of Universidad CES

El vitiligo es un trastorno adquirido del pigmento de etiología desconocida, que se caracteriza clínicamente por máculas acrómicas de distribución variable, secundarias a la pérdida de melanocitos funcionales en la epidermis. Existen múltiples opciones de tratamiento, con el fin de lograr la mejor respuesta clínica con mínimos efectos secundarios. En la actualidad, los estudios han demostrado que la fototerapia con radiación ultravioleta de tipo B de banda estrecha es el tratamiento de elección en pacientes con vitiligo moderado a grave. En esta revisión abordaremos las diferentes opciones terapéuticas para el vitiligo basados en la información disponible, haciendo énfasis en el uso de la fototerapia.

Tuberculosis in the age of biologic therapy.

The introduction of biologic therapies for psoriasis has revolutionized the treatment of plaque psoriasis. These changes in our drug armamentarium have resulted in the need for dermatologists to have a through command of knowledge regarding tuberculosis given the potential for reactivation with this class of medications. The focus of this review is to update dermatologists on pertinent information regarding the microbiology, immunology, screening, and recognition of the clinical presentations of tuberculosis. The current literature regarding the occurrence of tuberculosis with biologics, specifically antitumor necrosis factor therapy, is reviewed. Special emphasis is placed on the different clinical presentations between newly acquired tuberculosis versus reactivation of latent disease while receiving these medications. Given the ever-widening use of biologic therapy in our specialty, we must be capable of rapidly identifying infected patients, including those with asymptomatic latent disease. The failure to screen for tuberculosis before the initiation of biologic therapy may result in adverse outcomes for both the patient and the overall health of our communities.

Erythromycin-resistant Streptococcus pyogenes in Argentina.

Erythromycin (ERY) resistance in Streptococcus pyogenes has recently emerged as a problem of growing concern all through the world. We are presenting the comparison of results of the continuous surveillance of erythromycin resistance in S. pyogenes performed since 1989 in the Hospital de Pediatría J.P. Garrahan of Buenos Aires City, with independently observed rates in other five centers of Buenos Aires and seven centers of six other Argentinian cities, obtained between 1999 and 2001. A significant increase of erythromycin resistance was observed among S. pyogenes isolated in the Hospital Garrahan (6.6% in 1998-1999 to 9.9% in 2000). Similar trends were also detected in other centers of other Argentinian cities when recent data were compared to results of a multicenter study performed in 1995. However, lower rates of resistance were recorded in Mendoza, Cipolletti and Neuquén in comparison with data of 1995, 1998 and 1998 respectively. The reason of such decreasing resistance rates deserves to be investigated. The average of ERY-resistance rates obtained in the surveyed centers was 6.7% (range 0.5-14.1%). Control of antimicrobial use should be performed to warrant the future effectiveness of macrolide antibiotics regarding the positive association between use and resistance. These results also suggest that susceptibility tests for macrolides should be performed whenever S. pyogenes is isolated in Argentina.

Autenticación citohistológica de cuatro plantas medicinales nativas / Cytohistological authentication of four native medicinal plants

El objetivo del presente trabajo de tesis fue autentificar citohistológicamente 4 plantas utilizadas como antimicrobiana y a las cuales se les ha comprobado esta actividad farmacolóica. El estudio identificó las características citohistológicas de los órganos de las siguientes plantas medicinales: folios de Simarouba glauca DC. (aceituna), hoja de Psidium Guajava L. (guayaba), hojas de Tagetes lucida Cav. (pericón) y corteza de Byrsonima crassifolia L. (nance).

Creencias y consecuencias sociales de la tuberculosis pulmonar en dos comunidades indígenas del estado de Oaxaca: una aproximación cualitativa / Popular beliefs on lung tuberculosis and their social consequences in two indigenous communities of the State of Oaxaca: a qualitative approximation

Introducción. El repunte de la tuberculosis a nivel mundial se debe a diversas causas, siendo las diferentes percepciones culturales de los grupos sociales con respecto a esta enfermedad, los que han influido en esta alza. En México, la tuberculosis se encuentra entre los primeros 20 lugares de morbimortalidad, siendo el estado de Oaxaca uno de los más afectados, ocupando los tres primeros lugares de mortalidad a nivel nacional, y cerca del 68 por ciento de estas defunciones ocurren en zonas índigenas. Objetivos. Descripción de creencias y consecuencias sociales de la tuberculosis, en dos comunidades indígenas de Oaxaca. Material y métodos. Estudio descriptivo en dos diferentes comunidades indígenas de Oaxaca. Utilización del método etnográfico, apoyado con herramientas cualitativas. Discusiones familiares, entrevistas abiertas con informantes clave y reconstrucción de la carrera del enfermo (historias de vida), tomando un marco muestral de 28 familias mixtecas y 84 zapotecas, seleccionadas al azar. Resultados. La tuberculosis fue desconocida por más del 80 por ciento de las familias. Los enfermos perciben a esta enfermedad como "Enfriamiento" y "Brujería", la adeherencia al tratamiento se hizo en etapas avanzadas y viven la tuberculosis como rechazo social, siendo el abandono y el aislamiento las principales consecuencias. Conclusiones. El concepto de "enfermedad" y de "tuberculosis pulmonar" en estos dos grupos étnicos es percibida de forma diferente al otorgado por los médicos, por ende las acciones de prevención y control a realizar deben considerar la cultura de cada grupo social

Creencias sobre infecciones respiratorias aguda en niños menores de cinco años: estudio etnográfico en dos comunidades indígenas del estado de Oaxaca / Beliefs on acute respiratory infection in children younger than five years old: ethnographic study in two indigenous communities of the State of Oaxaca

Introducción. En México se ha logrado disminuir la mortalidad por infecciones respiratorias agudas, en un 41.5 por ciento de 1990 a 1997. El descenso no ha sido mayor, porque los grupos indígenas y marginados siguen manteniendo altas tasas de mortalidad. Material y métodos. Estudio etnográfico, realizado en dos comunidades indígenas una mixteca y otra zapoteca de diferentes regiones del estado de Oaxaca. Población de estudio: 24 madres mixtecas y 15 zapotecas entre 15 y 65 años, con uno o más niños menores de cinco años. Se les aplicaron dos cuestionarios: uno, semi-abierto y otro socioeconómico, traducidos oralmente por personas de las comunidades. Objetivo. Conocer ¿cómo las madres de dos comunidades indígenas de diferentes regiones del estado de Oaxaca perciben e identifican a las infecciones respiratorias agudas y a qué prácticas médicas recurren? Resultados. En la comunidad mixteca, ninguna madre reconoció la neumonía, y en la zapoteca sólo un tercio. De las infecciones respiratorias agudas superiores, la mayoría de ambas comunidades, reconoce principalmente al resfriado común. Para la atención de las enfermedades, recurren a tres acciones: tradicional, doméstica y automedicación. Ninguna madre mencionó el uso de antibióticos. Sólo cuando sus hijos tienen una infección respiratoria aguda grave, acuden a la clínica oficial. Conclusión. El desconocimiento de las percepciones maternas del proceso salud-enfermedad-atención de las infecciones respiratorias agudas, puede hacer que las actividades de capacitación, para su prevención y control, planeadas bajo la concepción occidental del modelo biomédico les resulten ajenas, contribuyendo a mantener la morbilidad y mortalidad en sus comunidades