The effect of Lactobacillus acidophilus and Lactobacillus casei on the in vitro bioaccessibility of flaxseed lignans (Linum usitatissimum L.).

Secoisolariciresinol (SECO) is present in flaxseeds as a glucoside, secoisolariciresinol diglucoside (SDG), which can be metabolized to enterodiol (ED) and enterolactone (EL) by the human intestinal microbiota. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of Lactobacillus casei and Lactobacillus acidophilus on the bioaccessibility of flaxseed lignans from a complete in vitro digestion of whole flaxseeds (WFs) and flaxseed flour (FF). Lignans are only detected in the large intestine. The bioaccessibility of SDG for FF digestion can be ordered as follows: control (without probiotics) > L. casei > L. acidophilus; and for WF digestion, only in the presence of L. casei SDG was detected. For SECO and EL, the presence of both probiotics had no effect on FF and WF digestion. However, in the digestion of WF both L. casei and L. acidophilus increased ED bioaccessibility in the first 12 h; but both probiotics had no significant effect on FF digestion.

Canine-chilled sperm: study of a semen extender made with low-density lipoproteins from hen egg yolk supplemented with glutamine.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of a combination of 6% low-density lipoproteins (LDL) and 20 mm glutamine in comparison with other extenders used for the refrigeration of canine semen: Tris egg yolk (EY) 20% and 6% LDL. The percentages of mobile spermatozoa after 4 days storage in a domestic refrigerator at +4 °C were 53.1%, 44.2% and 52.2% for the 6% LDL + 20 mm glutamine, 20% EY and 6% LDL extenders respectively for 100% of the dogs. After 7 days of storage, these percentages fell to 37.8%, 26.4% and 33.6% in the same extenders for 50% of the dogs. In vitro fertility tests were performed with all of the extenders following the mobility results. These tests were conducted on the day of sampling (D0), and 48 and 96 h after sampling. The results of the hypo-osmotic swelling test were 82.6%, 81.2% and 85.7% on D0, 75.2%, 74.1% and 78.5% on D2, and 70.8%, 71% and 76.1% on D4 for the 6% LDL + 20 mm glutamine, 20% EY and 6% LDL extenders, respectively. For the FITC/pisum sativum agglutinin (PSA) test, the results were 81.5%, 70.2% and 84.8% on D0, 78.9%, 62.3% and 84.2% on D2, and 72.7%, 59.6% and 73.7% on D4 for the 6% LDL + 20 mm glutamine, 20% EY and 6% LDL extenders, respectively. The acridine orange test was positive; in nearly 100% of cases, none of the spermatozoa had been denatured on D0, D2 and D4. The 6% LDL + 20 mm glutamine and the 6% LDL extenders are capable of preserving spermatozoa that have been stored in a domestic refrigerator at +4°C for at least 4 days. This means that the spermatozoa retain good cytoplasmic membrane integrity, had not capacitated and contained intact DNA in comparison with spermatozoa preserved in the egg yolk extender. The duration of storage is a very important consideration when faced with the problem of sending semen over ever-greater distances.

Effect of semen dilution to low-sperm number per dose on motility and functionality of cryopreserved bovine spermatozoa using low-density lipoproteins (LDL) extender: comparison to Triladyl and Bioxcell.

Artificial insemination with doses containing low-sperm numbers has been utilized to optimize the use of elite bulls. Hen egg yolk is widely used as a cryoprotective agent in semen freezing extender protecting the spermatozoa. Its action is due to the presence of low-density lipoproteins (LDL) in the hen egg yolk. The objectives of the present study were to evaluate the effects of the semen dilution to low-sperm number/dose on sperm motility and integrity of sperm plasma membrane in the cryopreservation process, using two commercial extenders (Triladyl, Bioxcell and LDL extender prepared in our laboratory, 97% purity. Fifteen ejaculates were collected from five fertile crossbred bulls (Bos taurusxBos indicus). After collection, sperm motility was examined by Computer-Assisted Semen Analysis (Hamilton Thorne), morphological sperm characteristics were evaluated by differential interference microscopy and the integrity of plasma membranes was determined using the hypo-osmotic swelling test. The semen was subsequently divided into three aliquots and diluted with the three extenders into 120 x 10(6), 60 x 10(6) and 20 x 10(6)sperm/mL, corresponding to 30 x 10(6), 15 x 10(6) and 5 x10(6) sperm/dose, respectively. This study revealed that LDL extender was more effective in preservation of motility and integrity of the plasma membrane of spermatozoa than Bioxcell and Triladyl (p<0.05), but no significant difference was observed between Triladyland Bioxcell. Therefore we can conclude that LDL extender could be used instead of Triladyl or Bioxcellat low semen concentration per dose for elite bulls, it also could be envisaged for the industry of sex-stored semen.

[Pyomyositis, sacroiliitis and spondylodiscitis caused by Staphylococcus hominis in a immunocompetent woman]. / Piomiositis, sacroiliitis y espondilodiscitis por Staphylococcus hominis en una mujer sin compromiso inmune.

In absence of risk factors, osteoarticular infections by coagulase-negative staphylococci are very infrequent. We described the case of a immunocompetent 73-year-old-woman that suffered pyomyositis, left sacroiliitis and spondylodiscitis involving the first and second thoracic vertebrae by Staphylococcus hominis. This multifocal infection occurred five-weeks after intramuscular administration of NSAI for treatment of low back pain associated with a herniated disc L4-L5. This is the first know case of a multifocal muscle skeletal infection by Staphylococcus hominis in a patient immunocompetent.

Analgesic-antiinflammatory properties of Proustia pyrifolia.

The antiinflammatory (per os and topic) and analgesic (per os) properties of the aerial part of Proustia pyrifolia a species in danger of extinction were investigated, and the major compounds of two of its active extracts were isolated. In addition, the evaluation of cytotoxicity in three tumoral cell lines and the acute toxicity of the crude methanol extract were also assayed, together with the antioxidant activity for the different extracts of this species. The results of the evaluation of the topic antiinflammatory activities induced by arachidonic acid, and phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate of the different extracts showed that this species possesses active constituents that could diminish cyclo-oxygenase and lipoxygenases activities, the enzymes that allow the synthesis of proinflammatory endogenous substances as prostaglandin E(2) and leukotrienes, respectively. Our results corroborate the antiinflammatory and analgesic effects of Proustia pyrifolia, and could justify its use in folk medicine for the treatment of rheumatic and gout illnesses. From bio-active extracts beta-sitosterol, quercetin and dihydroquercetin were obtained, and these compounds could explain in part the antiinflammatory, analgesic and antioxidant activities of this species. The crude methanol extract did not present acute toxicity or cytotoxic activity, however only this extract exhibited antioxidant activity.

Chemosensitization of a multidrug-resistant Leishmania tropica line by new sesquiterpenes from Maytenus magellanica and Maytenus chubutensis.

Parasite resistance to drugs has emerged as a major problem in current medicine, and therefore, there is great clinical interest in developing compounds that overcome these resistances. In an intensive study of South American medicinal plants, herein we report the isolation, structure elucidation, and biological activity of dihydro-beta-agarofuran sesquiterpenes from the roots of Maytenus magellanica (1-14) and M. chubutensis (14-17). This type of natural products may be considered as privileged structures. The structures of 10 new compounds, 1, 3, 6-9, and12-15, were determined by means of (1)H and (13)C NMR spectroscopic studies, including homonuclear (COSY and ROESY) and heteronuclear correlation experiments (HMQC and HMBC). The absolute configurations of eight hetero- and homochromophoric compounds, 1, 3,6-9, 12, and 13, were determined by means of CD studies. Fourteen compounds, 1-3 and 6-16, have been tested on a multidrug-resistant Leishmania tropica line overexpressing a P-glycoprotein-like transporter to determine their ability to revert the resistance phenotype and to modulate intracellular drug accumulation. From this series, 1, 2, 3, 14, and 15 showed potent activity, 1 being the most active compound. The structure-activity relationships of the different compounds are discussed.

Iridoids from Stachys grandidentata (Labiatae).

Monomelittoside, melittoside, 8-acetyl-harpagide, harpagide, ajugol, 5-desoxy-harpagide, 5-desoxy-8-acetylharpagide and catalpol were isolated from the aerial parts of S. grandidentata.

Propolis from Chilean matorral hives.

Viscidone (0.5%), vanillin, 3',4'-(methylendioxy)acetophenone, 3-ethoxy-4-methoxybenzaldehyde, cinnamic acid, 3-methoxy-4-hydroxymethyl ester were isolated from propolis of hives from Cuncumen. This is the first report on propolis composition of an arid and a Mediterranean type climate area.

A new cucurbitacin glycoside from Kageneckia oblonga (Rosaceae).

A novel cucurbitacin glycoside has been isolated from aerial parts of Kageneckia oblonga R. et P. and shown to be 3beta-(beta-D-glucosyloxy)-16alpha,23alpha-epoxycuc urbita-5,24-dien-11-one. The structure was established by usual spectroscopic and two-dimensional (2D) NMR techniques. This compound has found to be nontoxic when tested in-vivo cell culture assays. In previous investigations we reported 23,24-dihydrocucurbitacin F and prunasine. This was the first report on cucurbitacins from the genus Kageneckia (Rosaceae).

Evaluation of albendazole prodrugs in experimental trichinellosis.

BACKGROUND: Two albendazole (ABZ) prodrugs, N-methoxycarbonyl-N'-[(2-nitro-4-propylthio) phenyl] thiourea (compound 2), and N-methoxycarbonyl-N'-[(2-nitro-5-propylthio) phenyl] thiourea (compound 3) have recently been synthesized. These compounds showed greater solubility than ABZ itself. METHODS: In order to evaluate the biotransformation of compounds 2 and 3 to ABZ and/or ABZ-sulphoxide (ABZ-SO), plasma samples taken from mice treated with the prodrugs were analyzed by HPLC. Also, the anthelmintic activity of compounds 2 and 3 against Trichinella spiralis was evaluated in the mice experimentally infected with the parasite. RESULTS: The presence of ABZ and/or ABZ-SO was demonstrated in plasma samples taken at different time intervals after prodrug administration, although their levels were low compared to those reached in mice treated with ABZ. Additionally, prodrugs 2 and 3 were also detected in these samples. In regard to the anthelmintic activity of ABZ prodrugs, it was shown that compound 3 was more active than compound 2. Additionally, it was as effective as ABZ against T. spiralis pre-adult, adult, and female fecundity. However, compound 3 was not as active as ABZ against the muscle stage of the parasite. CONCLUSIONS: Compound 3 had better anthelmintic activity against T. spiralis than compound 2. The bioconversion of compounds 2 and 3 to ABZ and/or ABZ-SO was demonstrated by HPLC, but they did not reach equivalent concentrations to that of ABZ. Prodrugs 2 and 3 were also present in plasma samples, suggesting that prodrugs were not efficiently reduced in the intestine of mice.

Archives of Medical Research: an historical and subject coverage overview.

A bibliometric study about the subject content of the articles published in the Mexican scientific journal Archives of Medical Research is reported. The journal, published by the Mexican Institute of Social Security (IMSS), is comprised of 100 regular issues and 12 special supplements giving a total amount of 1,424 reports on medical research performed in Mexico during the last 25 years. According to the type of studies published during this period, we found that there is a similar percent of biomedical and clinical reports in the journal (47 and 42%, respectively) and a low proportion of epidemiological and medical educational reports (8 and 3%, respectively). Six thematic areas of research have been permanently published in this journal: investigations on infectious and neurological diseases being the areas mainly represented (34% of the total, corresponding to 17% in each area), followed by studies in reproductive biology (10%) and endocrine (7%), oncological (5%) and cardiovascular (3%) diseases. The tendency of the subjects covered by the journal during this period shows an increment in reports on infectious and parasitic disorders together with an increase in publications related to medicinal plant pharmacology; reproductive biology and endocrine studies show also an increasing tendency. On the other hand, a moderate decrease in studies related to neurological, oncological and cardiovascular diseases is observed. The origin of contributions during the last five years has balanced the proportion of papers published from IMSS scientists, other Mexican biomedical researchers and foreign contributions, thus reflecting favorably the recent changes in the journal's policies. This journal represents a clear example of a scientific publication edited in a developing country, originating as a national publication that evolved progressively into an international biomedical journal.

Inappropriate treatment in children with bloody diarrhea: clinical and microbiological studies.

It is suggested that in dysentery physicians should treat empirically, as early treatment seems to improve outcome. A constantly updated knowledge of the relative frequency of enteropathogens and their sensitivity to antimicrobials is needed to choose the right therapy. We studied microbiological and clinical findings in 119 children with bloody diarrhea in Mexico City. Patients were divided into those < 1 year (infants) and those 1-5 years (children). Shigella was more frequent in children (35%) than in infants (10%). Campylobacter was more common in infants (29%) than in children (12%); Salmonella more frequent in infants (22%) than in children (8%); cytotoxic E. coli (EHEC) more frequent in children (20%) than in infants (13%). No cases of amebiasis were identified. Fever was the most sensitive indicator of infection for Shigella (70%), as compared for Salmonella (50%), Campylobacter (42%) and EHEC (36%); whereas specificity was about 50% for all pathogens. In contrast, the absence of fever was 80% predictive for the absence of these pathogens. In children with dysentery, the specific etiology cannot be predicted in the absence of culture. Almost 50% of the Shigella, Salmonella and EHEC isolates were resistant to ampicillin. In our community, the use of ampicillin and metronidazole should be discouraged.

Minor sesquiterpenes from Maytenus chubutensis.

Four new minor dihydro-beta-agarofuran-skeleton sesquiterpenes, 9 beta-benzoyloxy-1 alpha,2 alpha,6 beta-triacetoxy-15-hydroxydihydro-beta- agarofuran [1], 9 beta-benzoyloxy-1 alpha,2 alpha,6 beta,15-tetracetoxydihydro-beta-agarofuran [6], 9 alpha-benzoyloxy-1 alpha,2 alpha,6 beta-triacetoxy- 8 alpha,15-dihydroxydihydro-beta-agarofuran [7], and 9 alpha-benzoyloxy-1 alpha,2 alpha,6 beta,8 alpha-tetracetoxy-15- hydroxydihydro-beta-agarofuran [8] were isolated from the aerial parts of Maytenus chubutensis and identified by spectroscopy and chemical reactions.

Epidemiology of acute diarrhoea in a rural medical care system in México (IMSS-COPLAMAR).

This paper shows the results of a study of acute diarrhoea (AD) in 137 rural communities in Mexico. We studied 51 communities with 1000 inhabitants or less, 45 communities with 1001 to 5000 inhabitants and, 41 with 5001 to 15000 inhabitants. All in all we observed 4,796.9 persons year during a period comprised from March 1982 to February 1983. In communities with more than 5000 inhabitants there occurred 0.85 episodes of AD per person-year, whereas in the smaller ones the incidence was only 0.58 episodes per person-year p less than 0.01). In small communities the frequency was higher in families with poor water supply and inadequate excreta disposal, whereas in large communities the frequency was not affected by such services. In 95.6 percent of the cases the episodes were self-limited within the first 14 days. There were seven deaths, five occurring in children under one year of age, six in children living in small communities and, five associated with dehydration. These results suggest that the size of the community constitutes a risk factor for AD in rural areas, which deserves to be explored in further studies. The lethality observed in small communities stresses the need of programs for better treatment of this frequent disease.

[Planning in order to survive]. / Planificar para sobrevivir.

PIP: Health care plays a crucial role in economic and social development, and third world countries face especially difficult problems in this area. They must stretch the limited available resources to reach a large part of their population and to cope with rapid population growth, which limits investments. Population research is an essential component of development planning, and health care planning must take place within the framework of the overall national social and economic development. There are complex interrelations among the health sector, the economy, social structures, the educational level, and the distribution of the po pulation. Intelligent and thorough planning is necessary to ensure full utilization of available resources and the best possible care for the entire community.^ieng