EAT-2 attenuates C. elegans development via metabolic remodeling in a chemically defined food environment.

Dietary intake and nutrient composition regulate animal growth and development; however, the underlying mechanisms remain elusive. Our previous study has shown that either the mammalian deafness homolog gene tmc-1 or its downstream acetylcholine receptor gene eat-2 attenuates Caenorhabditis elegans development in a chemically defined food CeMM (C. elegans maintenance medium) environment, but the underpinning mechanisms are not well-understood. Here, we found that, in CeMM food environment, for both eat-2 and tmc-1 fast-growing mutants, several fatty acid synthesis and elongation genes were highly expressed, while many fatty acid ß-oxidation genes were repressed. Accordingly, dietary supplementation of individual fatty acids, such as monomethyl branch chain fatty acid C17ISO, palmitic acid and stearic acid significantly promoted wild-type animal development on CeMM, and mutations in either C17ISO synthesis gene elo-5 or elo-6 slowed the rapid growth of eat-2 mutant. Tissue-specific rescue experiments showed that elo-6 promoted animal development mainly in the intestine. Furthermore, transcriptome and metabolome analyses revealed that elo-6/C17ISO regulation of C. elegans development may be correlated with up-regulating expression of cuticle synthetic and hedgehog signaling genes, as well as promoting biosynthesis of amino acids, amino acid derivatives and vitamins. Correspondingly, we found that amino acid derivative S-adenosylmethionine and its upstream metabolite methionine sulfoxide significantly promoted C. elegans development on CeMM. This study demonstrated that C17ISO, palmitic acid, stearic acid, S-adenosylmethionine and methionine sulfoxide inhibited or bypassed the TMC-1 and EAT-2-mediated attenuation of development via metabolic remodeling, and allowed the animals to adapt to the new nutritional niche.

Biologically synthesized silver nanoparticles as potent antibacterial effective against multidrug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is one of the most worrisome infectious bacteria due to its intrinsic and acquired resistance against several antibiotics and the recalcitrance of its infections; hence, the development of novel antimicrobials effective against multidrug-resistant P. aeruginosa is mandatory. In this work, silver nanoparticles obtained by green synthesis using a leaf extract and fungi were tested against a battery of clinical strains from cystic fibrosis, pneumonia and burnt patients, some of them with multidrug resistance. Both nanoparticles showed a potent antibacterial effect, causing severe damage to the cell wall, membrane and DNA, and inducing the production of reactive oxygen species. Moreover, the nanoparticles derived from fungi showed synergistic antibacterial effects with the antibiotics meropenem and levofloxacin for some clinical strains and both kinds of nanoparticles were nontoxic for larvae of the moth Galleria mellonella, encouraging further research for their implementation in the treatment of P. aeruginosa infections.

Application of the INFOGEST Standardized Method to Assess the Digestive Stability and Bioaccessibility of Phenolic Compounds from Galician Extra-Virgin Olive Oil.

The INFOGEST standardized method was applied to assess the potential bioaccessibility and bioaccessibility of the phenolic compounds from a Galician extra-virgin olive oil (EVOO). The in vitro digestion model involves three steps and generates two fractions after each one: an aqueous fraction (namely, water phase (Wp)) and an oily fraction (namely, oily phase (Op)). The results showed that secoiridoids were the most abundant family in the Galician EVOO polar fraction, representing 98% of the total phenolic compounds. After oral digestion, phenolic acids and simple phenols were mainly detected in Wp, while lignans and flavonoids were mostly found in Op. After gastric digestion, extensive hydrolysis of secoiridoids was observed to generate free tyrosol, hydroxytyrosol, and hydroxytyrosol acetate. The instability of secoiridoids after intestinal digestion was again responsible for the release of simple phenols, which were mainly recovered in Wp together with flavonoids. In contrast, lignans were stable to duodenal conditions and remained in Op.

Protocolo de Atención Odontológica Integral para niños hasta los 5 años de edad / Protocolo de atendimento odontológico integral para crianças de até 5 anos de idade / Comprehensive Dental Care Protocol for Children up to 5 years of age

La atención odontológica del niño de corta edad en Latinoamérica se iniciaron en Brasil en el año 1983 a través de la implementación del programa "Plan de Atención Odontológica para el Primer Año de Vida", cuya praxis está basada en la filosofía de tratamiento odontológico educativo, preventivo y curativo para niños el primer año de vida con amplio acompañamiento longitudinal; liderado por el Dr. Luiz Reinaldo de Figueiredo Walter y colaboradores adscritos a la disciplina de Odontopediatria y Ortodoncia de la Universidad Estadual de Londrina. Objetivo: Diseñar un protocolo de atención odontológica integral para niños hasta los 5 años de edad y sus padres o cuidadores. Metodología: Investigación proyectiva, no experimental con diseño transversal y de fuentes documentales provenientes de la literatura científica que estableció los mejores niveles de evidencia posible para sustentar la formulación del protocolo. Resultados: el protocolo se estructuro en 4 fases: I Fase Inicial (atención a la gestante, madre y niño), II Fase Diagnóstica (atención del niño), III Fase Preventiva, IV Fase Curativa del niño. Conclusión: Existe suficiente evidencia científica disponible para aseverar que la atención odontológica de niños menores de 5 años es fundamental para garantizar una población adulta futura con adecuada salud bucal. La puesta en práctica del protocolo propuesto contribuirá a controlar los procesos de enfermedades bucales como la CPI-Severa, maloclusión, periodontitis y sus factores de riesgo comunes con las enfermedades no trasmisibles.

O atendimento odontológico de crianças pequenas na América Latina teve início no Brasil em 1983 com a implantação do programa "Plano de Assistência Odontológica para o Primeiro Ano de Vida", cuja prática se baseia na filosofia do tratamento odontológico educacional, preventivo e curativo para crianças no primeiro ano de vida com acompanhamento longitudinal extenso; liderado pelo Dr. Luiz Reinaldo de Figueiredo Walter e colaboradores lotados na disciplina de Odontopediatria e Ortodontia da Universidade Estadual de Londrina. Objetivo: Elaborar um protocolo de atendimento odontológico integral para crianças de até 5 anos de idade e seus pais ou responsáveis. Metodologia: Pesquisa projetiva, não experimental, com delineamento transversal e fontes documentais da literatura científica que estabeleceram os melhores níveis de evidência possíveis para subsidiar a formulação do protocolo. Resultados: o protocolo foi estruturado em 4 fases: I Fase Inicial (cuidado da gestante, mãe e filho), II Fase Diagnóstica (cuidado da criança), III Fase Preventiva, IV Fase Curativa da criança. Conclusão: Existem evidências científicas suficientes para afirmar que o atendimento odontológico de menores de 5 anos é fundamental para garantir uma futura população adulta com saúde bucal adequada. A implantação do protocolo proposto contribuirá para o controle dos processos de doenças bucais, como ICC grave, maloclusão, periodontite e seus fatores de risco comuns às doenças não transmissíveis.

The dental care of young children in Latin America began in Brazil in 1983 through the implementation of the program "Dental Care Plan for the First Year of Life", whose practice is based on the philosophy of dental treatment educational, preventive and curative for children in the first year of life with extensive longitudinal monitoring; led by Dr. Luiz Reinaldo de Figueiredo Walter and collaborators assigned to the discipline of Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics of the State University of Londrina. Objective: Design a comprehensive dental care protocol for children up to 5 years of age and their

Incertidumbre y afrontamiento en familiares de personas dependientes del alcohol: apoyo social y espiritualidad / Uncertainty and coping among relatives of alcohol dependent persons: social support and spirituality / Incerteza e enfrentamento em parentes de pessoas dependentes de álcool: apoio social e espiritualidade

Resumen Introducción: La dependencia al alcohol, considerada como una enfermedad crónica, es un detonante de incertidumbre para el familiar de la persona con dependencia, lo cual genera trastornos emocionales negativos. El apoyo social y la espiritualidad son mecanismos de afrontamiento que podrían disminuir la incertidumbre y favorecer el bienestar tanto físico, como psicológico. Objetivos: Determinar la relación y el efecto del apoyo social y la espiritualidad sobre la incertidumbre del familiar de la persona dependiente del alcohol. Métodos: Estudio descriptivo y correlacional, muestra de 135 mujeres pertenecientes a grupos Al-Anon, se utilizaron la Escala de Percepción de Incertidumbre en Padres y Miembros de la Familia (PPUS-FM) de Mishel, el cuestionario MOS-SSS de Sherbourne y Stewart y la Escala de Perspectiva Espiritual elaborada por Reed. Resultados: Se identificó un coeficiente de correlación negativo y significativo de la incertidumbre con el apoyo social (r s= -.356, p <.01) y la espiritualidad (r s= -.216, p <.05). Mediante un modelo de regresión lineal general univariado se determinó que únicamente el apoyo social influye en la disminución de la incertidumbre (β= -.280, t= -3.62, p= .001) con un coeficiente de determinación o varianza explicada del 11.5%, mientras que la espiritualidad no mostró efecto (β= -.041, t= .218, p >.05) sobre la incertidumbre. Conclusiones: El apoyo social es identificado como un mecanismo de afrontamiento efectivo que permitirá al personal de enfermería desarrollar intervenciones dirigidas a reducir la incertidumbre en familiares de personas con algún tipo de dependencia.

Abstract Introduction: Alcohol dependency is a chronic illness which generates uncertainty and other emotional problems among the relatives of persons who suffer alcoholism. Social support and spirituality are some coping mechanisms which could reduce uncertainty and favor the physical and psychological wellbeing. Objective: To determine the relationship and the effect of social support and spirituality on the uncertainty experienced by relatives of alcohol dependent persons. Methods: This is a descriptive and correlational study. The sample was constituted by 135 women members of Al-Anon. The Mishel Scale of Perception of Uncertainty among Parents and Family Members (PPUS-FM), the Sherbourne and Stewart Questionnaire, and the Reed Spiritual Perspective Scale were all used. Results: Significant negative correlation coefficients between uncertainty and social support (r s= -.356, p .05). and spirituality (r s= -.216, p .05). were identified. Using a univariate general linear regression model, it was determined that only social supports reduced uncertainty (β= -.280, t= -3.62, p= .001) with 11.5% of variance explained; while spirituality did not produce any effect (β = -.041, t= .218, p >.05). Conclusions: Social support is identified as a coping mechanism which can be used by nursing staff to develop interventions aimed at reducing uncertainty among relatives of alcohol dependent persons.

Resumo Introdução: A dependência do álcool, considerada como uma doença crónica, é um gatilho de incerteza para o familiar da pessoa com dependência, o qual gera transtornos emocionais negativos. O suporte social e a espiritualidade são mecanismos de enfrentamento que poderiam diminuir a incerteza e favorecer o bem-estar tanto físico, quanto psicológico. Objetivos: Determinar a relação e o efeito do suporte social e a espiritualidade sobre a incerteza do familiar da pessoa dependente de álcool. Métodos: Estudo descritivo e correlacional, amostra de 135 mulheres pertencentes aos grupos Al-Anon, utilizaram-se a Escala de Percepção de Incerteza em Pais e Membros da Família (PPUS-FM) de Mishel, o questionário MOS-SSS de Sherbourne e Stewart e a Escala de Perspectiva Espiritual elaborada por Reed. Resultados: Identificou-se um coeficiente de correlação negativo e significativo da incerteza com o apoio social (r s= -.356, p <.01) e a espiritualidade (r s= -.216, p <.05). Mediante um modelo de regressão linear geral univariado determinou-se que unicamente o apoio social influencia a diminuição da incerteza (β= -.280, t= -3.62, p= .001) com um coeficiente de determinação ou variância explicada do 11.5%, enquanto a espiritualidade não mostrou efeito (β= -.041, t= .218, p >.05) sobre a incerteza. Conclusões: O suporte social é identificado como um mecanismo de enfrentamento eficaz que permitirá ao pessoal de enfermagem desenvolver intervenções dirigidas a reduzir a incerteza em familiares de pessoas com algum tipo de dependência.

Effect of olive ripening degree on the antidiabetic potential of biophenols-rich extracts of Brava Gallega virgin olive oils.

The diet management is imperative to anticipate risk factors that favour the development of diseases; indeed, the intake of virgin olive oil could be an alternative natural source of α-glucosidase enzyme inhibitors, which delay the digestion rate of carbohydrates. Consequently, the impact of diabetes mellitus (DM) could be diminished. Extra Virgin Olive Oils (EVOO) were elaborated from Galician autochthonous variety 'Brava Gallega' with olives selected at three different degree of ripeness (ripening index, RI: 1.4, 3.0, 5.5) in order to assess the effect of maturation on overall chemical composition, sensory quality, and enzyme inhibition. The phenolic profile of the EVOOs determined by LC-ESI-IT-MS exhibited quantitative differences as ripening advanced; for example oleocanthal, tyrosol, luteolin and apigenin concentrations were higher in the overripe olive oil (RI 5.5). Anyway, the phenolic extracts (from every tested RI) were more active than acarbose. In particular, those obtained from the most mature olives displayed the most powerful inhibitory activity (IC50 value of 143 µg of dry extract/mL). In addition, the significant effect of these compounds (i.e. luteolin, apigenin, tyrosol and oleocanthal) on the inhibitory activity of the olive oil extracts was demonstrated. Our results suggest that, regardless of RI, the inhibitory activity of 'Brava Gallega' olive oils could represent a valuable strategy for reinforcing the health claim of olive oil for phenolic compounds.

[Non-invasive brain and spinal cord stimulation for motor and functional recovery after a spinal cord injury]. / Estimulación no invasiva cerebral y medular para la recuperación motora y funcional tras una lesión medular.

INTRODUCTION: Spinal cord injury is a traumatic or non-traumatic event that causes an alteration of sensory, motor or autonomic functioning and ultimately affects the physical, psychological and social well-being of the person who suffers it. A comprehensive approach to spinal cord injury requires many health resources and can place a considerable financial burden on patients, their families and the community. AIM: To review the literature published to date on the use of non-invasive brain stimulation, including repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS), transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS), and transcutaneous non-invasive spinal cord stimulation (tcSCS), as therapeutic strategies to improve the functionality of patients with spinal cord injury. The studies were grouped as addressing either non-invasive brain stimulation or non-invasive spinal cord stimulation. DEVELOPMENT: Altogether 32 studies were identified: 21 involving brain stimulation (14 in rTMS and 7 in tDCS) and 11 with spinal cord stimulation (tcSCS). All the studies were conducted in adult patients who had undergone a spinal cord injury. Despite significant variability in treatment protocols, patient characteristics and clinical assessment, the changes observed were reported in almost all the studies without producing any side effects and with motor or functional improvement. CONCLUSION: Non-invasive brain stimulation, as well as spinal cord stimulation, are promising techniques for the rehabilitation of patients with spinal cord injury due to their novelty, effectiveness and minimal side effects.

TITLE: Estimulación no invasiva cerebral y medular para la recuperación motora y funcional tras una lesión medular.Introducción. La lesión medular es un evento traumático o no traumático que causa una alteración de la función sensorial, motora o autonómica y, en última instancia, afecta a las características físicas, psicológicas y el bienestar social de la persona que lo sufre. El abordaje integral de la lesión medular requiere muchos recursos de salud y puede representar una considerable carga financiera para los pacientes, sus familias y la comunidad. Objetivo. Revisar la bibliografía publicada sobre el uso de la estimulación cerebral no invasiva, incluida la estimulación magnética transcraneal repetitiva (EMTr), la estimulación de corriente continua directa transcraneal (tDCS), así como la estimulación medular no invasiva transcutánea (tcSCS), como estrategias terapéuticas para mejorar la funcionalidad de los pacientes con lesión medular. Los estudios se agruparon bien como de estimulación no invasiva cerebral, bien como de estimulación medular no invasiva. Desarrollo. Se identificaron 32 estudios: 21 de estimulación cerebral (14 en EMTr y 7 en tDCS) y 11 de estimulación medular (tcSCS). Todos los estudios se realizaron en pacientes adultos que sufrieron una lesión medular. A pesar de la variabilidad significativa en los protocolos de tratamiento, las características de los pacientes y la evaluación clínica, los cambios observados se describieron en casi todos los estudios sin producir efectos secundarios con mejoría motora o funcional. Conclusión. La estimulación cerebral no invasiva, así como la estimulación medular, son técnicas prometedoras para la rehabilitación de pacientes con lesión medular debido a su novedad, su efectividad y mínimos efectos secundarios.

Seguimiento y características clínicas de los pacientes con nódulos tiroideos en nuestra práctica clínica antes de 2015 / Follow-up and clinical characteristics of patients with thyroid nodules in our clinical practice before 2015

INTRODUCCIÓN: Los nódulos tiroideos son una consulta muy prevalente en Endocrinología. Las guías de la Asociación Americana de Tiroides (2015) animaban a realizar estudios a largo plazo. El objetivo de este estudio fue revisar las características, el seguimiento y la evolución de los nódulos de tiroides seguidos en nuestras consultas hasta 2015. MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: Estudio retrospectivo de pacientes con al menos dos ecografías o cirugía. Los datos clínicos, ecográficos y de punción, así como la evolución y los resultados histológicos de aquellos operados, se analizaron con métodos descriptivos, bivariados y de regresión. RESULTADOS: 1.420 pacientes seguidos en Endocrinología a largo plazo fueron incluidos. 20 se excluyeron por tener una sola ecografía. El 71,2% presentaban normofunción, 9,6% hipertiroidismo subclínico, 9,5% hipotiroidismo subclínico, 5,7% hipotiroidismo clínico y 4% hipertiroidismo clínico. Del total de nódulos seguidos (n= 1400), 64,1%, 15,6% y 20,3% permanecieron estables, aumentaron y disminuyeron respectivamente. Los que crecieron no tuvieron más características sospechosas en las ecografías. De los intervenidos (457 casos (32,6% del total), 207 fueron malignos (45,2%). 57% de ellos fueron diagnosticados e intervenidos durante el primer año, en la primera evaluación. La aparición de nódulos malignos en el resto de pacientes fue de 89 casos (6,3% de todos los nódulos seguidos, 38,3% de ellos, incidentalomas). La ecografía y la citología empleadas antes de la homogenización de los criterios diagnósticos tuvieron una baja sensibilidad y especificidad en nuestro medio. CONCLUSIONES: Más de la mitad de los cánceres de tiroides fueron diagnosticados en la evaluación inicial del nódulo tiroideo. Más de la mitad de los nódulos no operados en el primer año mantienen el mismo tamaño a largo plazo. No encontramos predictores clínicos del aumento de tamaño. El valor diagnóstico de la ecografía y PAAF sin unos criterios estandarizados homogéneos es bajo.

INTRODUCTION: Thyroid nodules are a very prevalent consultation in endocrinology. Guidelines from the American Thyroid Association (2015) encouraged to conduct follow-up studies in the long term. This study object was to review the clinical characteristics, follow-up and evolution of thyroid nodules visited in our consultations till 2015. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Retrospective study of patients that had at least two thyroid ultrasounds or had been operated. Clinical, ultrasound and FNA (fine needle aspiration) data as well as the evolution and histology results of those operated, were analyzed with descriptive, bivariated and regression analyses. RESULTS: 1.420 patients followed in Endocrinology in the long term were included. 20 were excluded for having only one ecography. 71,2% had normal function, 9,6% subclinical hyperthyroidism, 9,5% subclinical hypothyroidism, 5,7% clinical hypothyroidism and 4% clinical hyperthyroidism. Of all the nodules followed (n=1400), 64,1%, 15,6% and 20,3% remained the same size, grew and decreased respectively. Nodules that grew didn´t have more suspicious sonographic characteristics. Of the operated nodules (457 cases (32,6% of all), 207 were cáncer (45,2%). 57% of them were diagnosed and intervened during the first year, in the first evaluation. Malignant nodules were detected in the rest of patients in 89 cases (6,3% of all the followed nodules, 38,3% of them were incidental cases). The ultrasound and citology diagnoses used before the homogenization of diagnoses criteria had a low senitivity and specificity in our clinical environment. CONCLUSIONS: More than half of the thyroid cancers were diagnosed in the initial evaluation of the thyroid nodule. More than half of nodules non operated in the first year remained the same size long term. We could not find clinical predictors of growth. The diagnostic value of the ultrasound and FNA is low without standardized and homogenous criteria.

Sacral neuromodulation in patients with congenital faecal incontinence. Special issues and review of the literature.

BACKGROUND: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effectiveness of sacral neuromodulation (SNM) as a treatment for congenital faecal incontinence (FI). METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted on patients with congenital FI who had SNM surgery at our institution between October 2005 and June 2013. An initial percutaneous nerve evaluation was performed, and patients with an improvement of more than 50% in their symptoms had permanently implants for SNM treatment. RESULTS: There were 4 patients who received a permanent implant. Mean duration of follow-up was 67.5 months (range 45-135 months). At last follow-up, 2 patients maintained significant improvement with SNM, 1 was explanted after 4 years of treatment due to infection but remained asymptomatic and SNM failed in the remaining patient who went on to graciloplasty. CONCLUSIONS: SNM may be of value for treating FI in patients with anorectal malformations.

Desprendimiento de retina exudativo bilateral asociado con coriorretinopatía serosa central en una paciente tratada con corticoesteroides / Bilateral exudative retinal detachment associated with central serous chorioretinopathy in a patient treated with corticosteroids

Caso clínico: Presentamos el caso de una mujer de 54 años con una coriorretinopatía serosa central diagnosticada erróneamente de enfermedad de Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada y tratada con corticoides sistémicos. La paciente desarrolló un desprendimiento de retina exudativo bulloso en ambos ojos. Discusión: La interrupción del tratamiento con corticoides junto con el drenaje quirúrgico del líquido subretiniano y la aplicación de terapia fotodinámica consiguió la mejoría anatómica y funcional. El correcto diagnóstico de las formas atípicas de la enfermedad podría evitar las complicaciones del uso inadecuado de los corticoides (AU)

Case report: The case is presented on a 54-year-old woman with a central serous chorioretinopathy, misdiagnosed as Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada disease, and treated with systemic corticosteroids. The patient presented with a bilateral bullous exudative retinal detachment. Discussion: Discontinuation of corticosteroid therapy, surgical drainage of subretinal fluid, and photodynamic therapy, led to anatomical and functional improvement. The recognition of an atypical presentation of central serous chorioretinopathy may avoid complications of the inappropriate treatment with corticosteroids (AU)

Phenolic Compounds Profiling of Virgin Olive Oils from Different Varieties Cultivated in Mendoza, Argentina, by Using Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry.

The aim of this work was to achieve a preliminary characterization of the profile of the phenolic fraction of virgin olive oils (VOOs) from Maipú (Mendoza, Argentina). Thus, 25 commercial VOO samples from Arauco, Arbequina, Picual, Frantoio, Changlot, Empeltre, Nevadillo, Manzanilla, and Coratina (both monovarietals and blends) were analyzed using LC-ESI-QTOF MS and LC-ESI-IT MS for identification and quantification purposes, respectively. A rapid LC method (15 min) accomplished quantitative information about a total of 40 phenolic compounds, including secoiridoid derivatives, which have not been evaluated before in samples coming from the subregion so-called Maipú (Mendoza province, Argentina). The results make evident that olive oils coming from Mendoza can be considered as important sources of phenolic bioactive compounds, exhibiting similar phenolic compound levels to those shown by oils from other typical world production regions. Moreover, some distinctive features of the Arauco variety (Argentinean autochthonous variety) were pointed out; indeed, a correlation between flavonoids content and botanical variety was established herewith.

Tratamiento multimodal de la calcifilaxis con tiosulfato sódico, alprostadil y oxigenoterapia hiperbárica / Multimodal treatment of calciphylaxis with sodium thiosulfate, alprostadil, and hyperbaric oxygen therapy

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Hsp72 (HSPA1A) Prevents Human Islet Amyloid Polypeptide Aggregation and Toxicity: A New Approach for Type 2 Diabetes Treatment.

Type 2 diabetes is a growing public health concern and accounts for approximately 90% of all the cases of diabetes. Besides insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes is characterized by a deficit in ß-cell mass as a result of misfolded human islet amyloid polypeptide (h-IAPP) which forms toxic aggregates that destroy pancreatic ß-cells. Heat shock proteins (HSP) play an important role in combating the unwanted self-association of unfolded proteins. We hypothesized that Hsp72 (HSPA1A) prevents h-IAPP aggregation and toxicity. In this study, we demonstrated that thermal stress significantly up-regulates the intracellular expression of Hsp72, and prevents h-IAPP toxicity against pancreatic ß-cells. Moreover, Hsp72 (HSPA1A) overexpression in pancreatic ß-cells ameliorates h-IAPP toxicity. To test the hypothesis that Hsp72 (HSPA1A) prevents aggregation and fibril formation, we established a novel C. elegans model that expresses the highly amyloidogenic human pro-IAPP (h-proIAPP) that is implicated in amyloid formation and ß-cell toxicity. We demonstrated that h-proIAPP expression in body-wall muscles, pharynx and neurons adversely affects C. elegans development. In addition, we demonstrated that h-proIAPP forms insoluble aggregates and that the co-expression of h-Hsp72 in our h-proIAPP C. elegans model, increases h-proIAPP solubility. Furthermore, treatment of transgenic h-proIAPP C. elegans with ADAPT-232, known to induce the expression and release of Hsp72 (HSPA1A), significantly improved the growth retardation phenotype of transgenic worms. Taken together, this study identifies Hsp72 (HSPA1A) as a potential treatment to prevent ß-cell mass decline in type 2 diabetic patients and establishes for the first time a novel in vivo model that can be used to select compounds that attenuate h-proIAPP aggregation and toxicity.

Masa abdominal en un adolescente / Abdominal mass in an adolescent

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Calcinosis Cutis and Calciphylaxis.

Calcinosis cutis (CC) is defined as the deposition of calcium salts in the skin. The condition is divided into 5 types: calciphylaxis and dystrophic, metastatic, idiopathic, and iatrogenic CC. Dystrophic CC is the most common form and usually occurs in association with autoimmune diseases. CC can be treated surgically or with the use of drugs such as diltiazem, bisphosphonates, warfarin, ceftriaxone, probenecid, minocycline, or aluminum hydroxide. Calciphylaxis is defined as calcification of the media of small- and medium-sized blood vessels in the dermis and subcutaneous tissue. Clinically, calciphylaxis causes livedo racemosa, which progresses to retiform purpura and skin necrosis. First-line treatment is with sodium thiosulfate. We present a review of the calcifying disorders of the skin, focusing on their diagnosis and treatment.

Recommendations for the regionalizing of coffee cultivation in Colombia: a methodological proposal based on agro-climatic indices.

The Colombian National Federation of Coffee Growers (FNC) conducted an agro-ecological zoning study based on climate, soil, and terrain of the Colombian coffee-growing regions (CCGR) located in the tropics, between 1° and 11.5° N, in areas of complex topography. To support this study, a climate baseline was constructed at a spatial resolution of 5 km. Twenty-one bioclimatic indicators were drawn from this baseline data and from yield data for different coffee genotypes evaluated under conditions at eight experimental stations (ESs) belonging to the National Center for Coffee Research (CENICAFÉ). Three topographic indicators were obtained from a digital elevation model (DEM). Zoning at a national level resulted in the differentiation of 12 agro-climatic zones. Altitude notably influenced zone differentiation, however other factors such as large air currents, low-pressure atmospheric systems, valleys of the great rivers, and physiography also played an important role. The strategy of zoning according to coffee-growing conditions will enable areas with the greatest potential for the development of coffee cultivation to be identified, criteria for future research to be generated, and the level of technology implementation to be assessed.

Preclinical immunogenicity study of trivalent meningococcal AWX-OMV vaccines for the African meningitis belt.

In the recent decade, epidemic meningitis in the African meningitis belt has mostly been caused by Neisseria meningitidis of serogroups A, W and X (MenA, MenW and MenX, respectively). There is at present no licensed vaccine available to prevent MenX meningococcal disease. To explore a trivalent MenAWX vaccine concept, we have studied the immunogenicity in mice of MenX outer membrane vesicles (X-OMV) or MenX polysaccharide (X-PS) when combined with a bivalent A-OMV and W-OMV (AW-OMV) vaccine previously shown to be highly immunogenic in mice. The vaccine antigens were produced from three representative wild type strains of MenA (ST-7), MenW (ST-11) and MenX (ST-751) isolated from patients in the African meningitis belt. Groups of mice were immunized with two doses of X-OMV or X-PS combined with the AW-OMV vaccine or as individual components. All vaccine preparations were adsorbed to Al(OH)3. Sera from immunized mice were tested by ELISA and immunoblotting. Functional antibody responses were measured as serum bactericidal activity (SBA) and opsonophagocytic activity (OPA). Immunization of mice with X-OMV, alone or in combination with AW-OMV induced high levels of anti-X OMV IgG. Moreover, X-OMV alone or in combination with the AW-OMV vaccine induced high SBA and OPA titers against the MenX target strain. X-PS alone was not immunogenic in mice; however, addition of the AW-OMV vaccine to X-PS increased the immunogenicity of X-PS. Both AWX vaccine formulations induced high levels of IgG against A- and W-OMV and high SBA titers against the MenA and MenW vaccine strains. These results suggest that a trivalent AWX vaccine, either as a combination of OMV or OMV with X-PS, could potentially prevent the majority of meningococcal disease in the meningitis belt.

Re-esterified palm oils, compared to native palm oil, do not alter fat absorption, postprandial lipemia or growth performance in broiler chicks.

Re-esterified palm oils are obtained from the chemical esterification of palm acid oils (rich in free fatty acids) with glycerol, both economically interesting by-products from oil refining and biodiesel industries, respectively. Thus, re-esterified palm oils could be an economically interesting alternative to native palm oil in broiler chick diets. However, because they may have different physicochemical properties than have their corresponding native oil, we assessed the effect of fatty acid (FA) positional distribution within acylglycerol molecules and the effect of acylglycerol composition on FA apparent absorption, and their possible consequences on the evolution of postprandial lipemia and growth performance in broiler chicks. Seventy-two 1-day-old female broiler chicks were randomly distributed into 18 cages. The three treatments used were the result of a basal diet supplemented with 6 wt% of native palm oil (N-TAG), re-esterified palm oil (E-TAG), or re-esterified palm oil high in mono- and diacylglycerols (E-MDAG). Chemical esterification raised the fraction of palmitic acid at the sn-2 position from 9.63 mol% in N-TAG oil to 17.9 mol% in E-TAG oil. Furthermore, E-MDAG oil presented a high proportion of mono- (23.1 wt%) and diacylglycerols (51.2 wt%), with FA mainly located at the sn-1,3 positions, which resulted in a lower gross-energy content and an increased solid-fat index at the chicken's body temperature. However, re-esterified palm oils did not alter fat absorption, postprandial lipemia, or growth performance, compared to native palm oil, so they can be used as alternative fat sources in broiler chick diets.