Efectividad de un cereal de maíz precocido fortificado con gluconato ferroso estabilizado con glicina o bisglicinato ferroso sobre el estatus de hierro de niños de 24 a 59 meses / Effectiveness of a precooked maize-based cereal fortified with ferrous gluconate stabilized with glycine or ferrous bisglycinate on iron status of children 24-59 months of age

Food fortification is the most effective and sustainable strategy to combat iron deficiency anemia (IDA). The objective of this was to evaluate the effectiveness of a precooked corn-based cereal (Nutricrema®) fortified with ferrous gluconate stabilized with glycine or ferrous bisglycinate chelate on iron status in of preschool children. A prospective, double-blind, cluster-randomized trial was conducted in a rural and indigenous area of Panama. During a six month period, 36 rural community soup-kitchens were divided into two groups randomly assigned to receive either: Group-A: 90 g of cereal with 10 mg of iron as ferrous gluconate stabilized with glycine; or Group-B (n=129): 90 g of cereal with 10 mg of iron as ferrous bisglycinate chelate. A total of 393 children aged 24 to 59 months of both sexes were recruited. Before and after the fortification trial iron status was evaluated. Two hundred and fifty-four children ended the follow-up (125 and 129 in groups A and B, respectively). Prevalence of IDA in group A was 29.6% and 26.4% (NS) before and after the trial, respectively; the corresponding figure for group B was 32.6% and 10.9% (p <0.05), respectively. In conclusion, the precooked corn-based cereal fortified with ferrous bisglycinate is effective in reducing the prevalence of IDA, while the cereal fortified with ferrous gluconate stabilized with glycine did not have a significant effect on the prevalence of IDA.

La fortificación de los alimentos es la estrategia más efectiva y sustentable para combatir la anemia por deficiencia de hierro (ADH). El objetivo de este estudio fue evaluar la efectividad de un alimento basado en maíz precocido (Nutricrema®) fortificado con gluconato ferroso estabilizado con glicina o bisglicinato ferroso sobre la nutrición de hierro de preescolares. Se realizó un estudio prospectivo aleatorizado por grupos, doble ciego, en un área rural indígena de Panamá. Treinta y seis comedores infantiles se asignaron aleatoriamente en dos grupos para que los niños recibieran, durante 6meses, 90 g de cereal fortificado con 10 mg de hierro como gluconato ferroso estabilizado con glicina (grupo comedores A) o con 10 mg como bisglicinato ferroso (grupo comedores B). Se reclutaron 393 niños de 24 a 59 meses de ambos sexos. Se evaluó la nutrición de hierro antes y después de la intervención. Doscientos cincuenta y cuatro niños finalizaron el estudio (125 y129 en los grupos A y B). La prevalencia de ADH en el grupo A fue 29,6% y 26,4% (NS) antes y después de la intervención; las prevalencias correspondientes en el grupo B fueron 32,6% y 10,9% (p <0,05). En conclusión, el cereal precocido basado en maíz fortificado con bisglicinato ferroso es efectivo en reducir la prevalencia de ADH, mientras el fortificado con gluconato ferroso estabilizado con glicina no tuvo un impacto significativo sobre la prevalencia de ADH.

Effect of oxygen tension on bioenergetics and proteostasis in young and old myoblast precursor cells.

In the majority of studies using primary cultures of myoblasts, the cells are maintained at ambient oxygen tension (21% O2), despite the fact that physiological O2 at the tissue level in vivo is much lower (~1-5% O2). We hypothesized that the cellular response in presence of high oxygen concentration might be particularly important in studies comparing energetic function or oxidative stress in cells isolated from young versus old animals. To test this, we asked whether oxygen tension plays a role in mitochondrial bioenergetics (oxygen consumption, glycolysis and fatty acid oxidation) or oxidative damage to proteins (protein disulfides, carbonyls and aggregates) in myoblast precursor cells (MPCs) isolated from young (3-4 m) and old (29-30 m) C57BL/6 mice. MPCs were grown under physiological (3%) or ambient (21%) O2 for two weeks prior to exposure to an acute oxidative insult (H2O2). Our results show significantly higher basal mitochondrial respiration in young versus old MPCs, an increase in basal respiration in young MPCs maintained at 3% O2 compared to cells maintained at 21% O2, and a shift toward glycolytic metabolism in old MPCs grown at 21% O2. H2O2 treatment significantly reduced respiration in old MPCs grown at 3% O2 but did not further repress respiration at 21% O2 in old MPCs. Oxidative damage to protein was higher in cells maintained at 21% O2 and increased in response to H2O2 in old MPCs. These data underscore the importance of understanding the effect of ambient oxygen tension in cell culture studies, in particular studies measuring oxidative damage and mitochondrial function.

Effect of 17ß-estradiol on zinc content of hippocampal mossy fibers in ovariectomized adult rats.

Sex hormones such as estrogen (17ß-estradiol) may modulate the zinc content of the hippocampus during the female estrous cycle. The mossy fiber system is highly plastic in the adult brain and is influenced by multiple factors including learning, memory, and stress. However, whether 17ß-estradiol is able to modulate the morphological plasticity of the mossy fibers throughout the estrous cycle remains unknown. Ovariectomized (Ovx) female 70- to 90-day-old Sprague-Dawley rats without or with estrogen supplement (OvxE) were compared with control rats in three stages of the estrous cycle: diestrus, proestrus, and estrus. The brain tissue from each of the five groups was processed with Timm's silver sulfide technique using the Image J program to measure the mossy fiber area in the stratum lucidum of CA3. Total zinc in the hippocampus was measured using Graphite Furnace Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry. Two additional (Ovx and OvxE) groups were examined in spatial learning and memory tasks using the Morris water maze. Similar increases in total zinc content and mossy fiber area were observed. The mossy fiber area decreased by 26 ± 2 % (difference ± SEM percentages) in Ovx and 23 ± 4 % in estrus as compared to the proestrus group and by 18 ± 2 % in Ovx compared to OvxE. Additionally, only the OvxE group learned and remembered the task. These results suggest that estradiol has a significant effect on zinc content in hippocampal CA3 during the proestrus stage of the estrous cycle and is associated with correct performance in learning and memory.

Copper reduces striatal protein nitration and tyrosine hydroxylase inactivation induced by MPP+ in rats.

Striatal administration of 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium (MPP(+)), the active metabolite of 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP), causes nigrostriatal dopaminergic pathway damage similar to that observed in Parkinson's disease. Copper acts as a prosthetic group of several antioxidant enzymes and recent data show that copper attenuated MPP(+)-evoked neurotoxicity. We evaluated the effect of copper (as a supplement) upon proteins nitration (60 kDa) and tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) inactivation induced by MPP(+) (10 microg/8 microL) injection into the rat striatum. Copper pretreatment (10 micromol/kg i.p.) prevented both MPP(+)-induced proteins nitration and TH inactivation. Copper treatment also prevented the dopamine-depleting effect of MPP(+) injection. Those results were accompanied by a significant reduction of enzymatic activity of the constitutive nitric oxide synthase (cNOS), whereas, the protein levels of the three isoforms of NOS remained unchanged. Results indicate that the effect of copper against MPP(+)-induced proteins nitration and TH inactivation in the striatum of rat may be mediated by a reduction of cNOS activity.

Quistes retro-aeeolares en adolescentes: aspectos clínicos y ultrasonograficos / Retro-areolar cysts in adolescents: clinical and ultrasonographic aspects

Retroareolar cysts are common in pre and postmenarchic girls. Boys are rarely diagnosed with this condition. They correspond to cystic dilatations of the accessory mammary glands that open along with a sebaceous gland at the areola and can be single or multiple, uni or bilateral, palpable or incidental findings on ultrasound. They have variable morphology, thin walls, anechogenic content, sometimes calcic sediment can be observed in their lumen. Infected cysts present enlarged, hypervascularized walls; their content is echogenic, avascular and the adjacent tissue is hyperechogenic, with increased vascularization at color Doppler. If not treated, may become retroareolar abscesses. Inflamatory complications are treated with anti-inflamatory drugs and/or antibiotics. No diagnostic biopsy or puncture aspiration is required, since they are spontaneously drained at the areola. In order to appropriately advise patients and families, it is necessary to have knowledge of both the medical and the ultrasonographic aspects of them and their complications.

Los quistes retroareolares son frecuentes en niñas pre y postmenárquicas. Raramente se diagnostican en el varón. Corresponden a dilataciones quísticas de glándulas mamarias accesorias que se abren junto con una glándula sebácea en la areola, pueden ser únicos o múltiples, uni o bilaterales, palpables o hallazgos incidentales en ecografía. Los no complicados tienen morfología variable, paredes delgadas y contenido anecogénico, pudiendo observarse sedimento calcico en su lumen. Los complicados presentan paredes engrosadas, hipervascularizadas, con contenido ecogénico, avascular, tejidos adyacentes hiperecogénicos y aumento de la vascularización al Doppler color. Sin tratamiento, pueden transformarse en abscesos retroareolares. La complicación inflamatoria se trata con antiinflamatorios y/o antibióticos. No requieren biopsia diagnóstica ni punción evacuadora, puesto que se drenan espontáneamente a la areola. El conocimiento del cuadro clínico y su aspecto ul-trasonográfico permitirá orientar adecuadamente a los pacientes y sus familias.

Morphometric analysis of brain lesions in rat fetuses prenatally exposed to low-level lead acetate: correlation with lipid peroxidation.

The effect of prenatal lead acetate exposure was studied microscopically together with the concentration of lead and lipid fluorescent products (LFP) in the brain of rat fetuses. Wistar rats were intoxicated with a lead solution containing either 160 or 320 ppm of lead acetate solution during 21 days through drinking water. The control group (ten rats) received deionized water for the same period. The rats were killed on gestation day 21 and fetuses were obtained; the placenta, umbilical cord and parietal cortex (Cx), striatum (St), thalamus (Th) and cerebellum (Ce) were collected for measuring tissue lead concentration, LFP as an index of lipid peroxidation and histopathologic examination. Lead contents were increased in placenta, umbilical cord, St, Th and Cx in both lead-exposed groups. Lead exposure increased (LFP) in placenta and umbilical cord, St, Th and Ce as compared to the control group. Histopathological examination showed severe vascular congestion in placenta, the Cx, St, Th and Ce with hyperchromatic and shrunken cells. Interstitial oedema was found in all regions studied of both lead exposed groups. The morphometric evaluation of the studied brain regions showed an absolute decrease in total cell number and increased number of damaged cells and interstitial oedema. Our results show that morphological changes in rat brain are correlated with increased lipid peroxidation, and the lead levels of the umbilical cord, however it is not clear whether oxidative stress is the cause or the consequence of these neurotoxic effects of lead.

[Spontaneous pneumothorax: pleurodesis with an iodo-povidone hydroalcoholic solution]. / Neumotórax espontáneo: sínfisis pleural con solución hidroalcohólica de povidona yodada.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the efficacy of an iodo-povidone hydroalcoholic solution for the chemical pleurodesis of spontaneous pneumothorax. MATERIAL AND METHOD: A descriptive, retrospective study of 81 patients with spontaneous pneumothorax. The patients were treated by video-assisted thoracoscopy and chemical pleurodesis with an iodo-povidone hydroalcoholic solution at the thoracic surgery unit of Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau in Barcelona (Spain) between January 1993 and December 1999. RESULTS: Eighty-one patients, 59 men (73%) and 22 women (27%), between 14 and 82 years old (mean age 33 years) were treated. Pneumothorax was most often on the right side (43 cases, 53%). The main indications for surgery were recurrence (52 cases, 64%) and persistent air leaks (25 cases, 31%). All were treated by video-assisted thoracoscopy, with resection of the pulmonary parenchyma in 30 cases (37%) and pleural instillation of the iodo-povidone hydroalcoholic solution as the irritant in all cases. Air leaks were observed during early postoperative recovery in 10 patients (12.3%), self-limited fever in 5 (6.1%) and infection of drainage openings in 2 (2.4%). During the postoperative follow-up period of 6 to 67 months (mean 24 months), 5 recurrences (6.1%) were seen. CONCLUSIONS: An iodo-povidone hydroalcoholic solution is easy to apply by video-assisted thoracoscopy and is highly effective for pleurodesis in cases of spontaneous pneumothorax.

EGb761 blocks MPP+-induced lipid peroxidation in mouse corpus striatum.

EGb761 has been suggested to be an antioxidant and free radical scavenger. Excess generation of free radicals, leading to lipid peroxidation (LP), has been proposed to play a role in the damage to striatal neurons induced by 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium (MPP+). We investigated the effects of EGb761 pretreatment on MPP+ neurotoxicity. C-57 black mice were pretreated with EGb761 for 17 days at different doses (0.63, 1.25, 2.5, 5 or 10 mg/kg) followed by administration of MPP+, (0.18, 0.36 or 0.72 mg/kg). LP was analyzed in corpus striatum at 30 min, 1 h, 2 h and 24 h after MPP+ administration. Striatal dopamine content was analyzed by HPLC at the highest EGb761 dose at 2 h and 24 h after MPP+ administration. MPP+-induced LP was blocked (100%) by EGb761 (10 mg/kg). Pretreatment with EGb761 partially prevented (32%) the dopamine-depleting effect of MPP+ at 24 h. These results suggest that supplements of EGb761 may be effective at preventing MPP+-induced oxidative stress.

Valores predictivos de una escala basada en síntomas como test diagnóstico en enfermedad por reflujo gastroesofágico (ERGE) / Predictive value of a symtom based scale as a gastroesophageal reflux disease diagnostic test (GERD)

El diagnóstico correcto y el tratamiento de la enfermedad por reflujo gastroesofágico suele ser complejo y de alto costo. Debiera incluir exploraciones que no están disponibles en todos los centros. La detección clínica objetiva en base a un instrumento que considere síntomas, podría ser considerado como primer paso para el correcto estudio y tratamiento de pacientes portadores de esta patología de alta prevalencia. Pregunta de investigación: ¿Cuál es el valor predictivo y utilidad de una escala estructurada basada en síntomas, en el desarrollo de un modelo teórico predictivo para el diagnóstico y grado de severidad de la ERGE en adultos en la ciudad de la Paz? Objetivos: 1.-Determinar la sensibilidad, especificidad, valores predictivos, likelihoods ratios y probabilidades pre y post test del mejor punto de corte en la escala propuesta 2.- Proponer puntos de corte discriminativos para los diversos grados de severidad. 3.- Construir un modelo teórico para diagnóstico de confundentes y modificadores mediante técnicas de regresión. Diseño: Test diagnóstico. Material y métodos: 95 casos y 73 controles (de acuerdo a cálculo de tamaño muestral) sometidos a la escala IARG Indice de Actividad de Reflujo Gastroesofágico y a un algoritmo de exámenes como Gol Estandard compuesto. Análisis de varianza para determinar los valores discriminantes de grados de severidad y modelos de regresión logística para determinación de contundentes y modificadores de efecto. Resultados: La curva ROC mostró el puntaje de 30 de la escala como el óptimo. Este punto de corte tiene los valores de: sensibilidad 88,42; especificidad 93,15; valor predictivo +0,94, valor predictivo -0,86, likelihood ratio +12,91, likelihood ratio -0,12, y una probabilidad post test de 0,94. Los puntos de corte para los grados de severidad (equiparando a los grados endoscópicos) son: para el grado 0: 33; para el grado I: 68: para el grado II: 92; III: 124 y para el grado IV: 133. El modelo de regresión logística no detectó variables de confusión. Es estado socioeconómico resulto ser variables modificadora de efecto. Se detectó un sesgo diferencial con dirección alejada del cero y se determino su probable magnitud. Conclusiones: La escala IARG tiene una capacidad diagnóstica razonable, y puede ser usada como un método de diagnóstico de la ERGE donde no existan otras alternativas, así como usar sus puntos de corte como apoyo al criterio clínico para solicitar exámenes complementario.

Interaction between isoniazid and diverse vasodilators: role of decreased cerebral GABA.

OBJECTIVE: To determine if the interaction between isoniazid and hydralazine, consisting of increased hypotension accompanied by bradycardia, occurs with other vasodilators. METHODS: Blood pressure and heart rate responses to a number of vasodilators were determined in rats under chloralose-urethane, pretreated or not with 250 mg/kg of isoniazid. The influence of this dose of isoniazid on GABA levels in the hypothalamus and pons-medulla was assessed in other groups of rats. RESULTS: Increased hypotension and bradycardia following i.p. isoniazid were observed with dipyridamole, prazosin, pinacidil and hydralazine given i.v. Bradycardia without increased hypotension appeared with papaverine and verapamil, while increased hypotension with unchanged heart rate was observed with minoxidil and captopril. Isoniazid decreased GABA in the hypothalamus and pons-medulla. CONCLUSIONS: At the high dose used, isoniazid interacts with various vasodilators, irrespective of their mechanism of action. The interaction could be due to the influence of the drug on GABA levels at cardiovascular regulatory sites.

Antibacterial and chemical evaluation of Chromolaena moritziana.

Chromolaena moritziana (Sch. Bip. ex Hieron.) King & Robin. (Asteraceae) is used in local ethnomedicine as an anticatarrhal, a depurative and in the treatment of skin diseases. This ethnopharmacological information has a direct correlation with that reported for other Chromolaena species. Dichloromethane and aqueous extracts from the leaves as well as ethyl acetate extracts from the flowers have shown antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus and a UV-V light effect was not observed against this bacterium. These results may justify the ethnomedical use in skin infections. The flavonoids kaempferol, kaempferol-3-O-rutinoside, rutin and isoquercitrin as well as the triterpene alpha-amyrin were isolated.

Blood lead levels in pregnant women of high and low socioeconomic status in Mexico City.

This study examined the determinants of blood lead (BPb) in 513 pregnant women in Mexico City: 311 from public hospital prenatal clinics, representing primarily women of low socioeconomic status (SES), and 202 from private hospitals, primarily women of high SES. Overall, BPb levels ranged from 1.38 to 29 micrograms/dl, with geometric means of 6.7 and 11.12 micrograms/dl for women from private and public hospitals, respectively. The crude geometric means difference obtained by t-test was 4.42 (p < 0.001). BPb was measured from January 1994 to August 1995 and showed higher levels during fall and winter and lower levels during spring and summer. The main BPb determinants were the use of lead-glazed ceramics in women from public hospitals and season of the year in women from private hospitals. Consumption of tortillas (corn bread rich in calcium) decreased BPb levels in the lower SES group, but the relationship was not statistically significant (p > 0.05). Consumption of milk products significantly (p < 0.05) reduced BPb levels in the higher SES group. In 112 women whose diets were deficient in calcium, taking calcium supplements lowered their blood lead levels about 7 micrograms/dl. A predictive model fitted to these data, using the strongest predictors plus gestational age, showed a difference of 14 micrograms/dl between the best and worst scenarios in women from public hospitals. Avoiding use of lead-glazed ceramics, consuming diets rich in calcium, and, if needed, taking calcium supplements, would be expected to result in substantial lowering of BPb, especially in pregnant women of low socioeconomic status.

Effects of pentoxifylline or dexamethasone in combination with amphotericin B in experimental murine cerebral cryptococcosis: evidence of neuroexcitatory pathogenic mechanisms.

In a murine model of intracerebral infection by Cryptococcus neoformans the therapeutic effects of pentoxifylline or dexamethasone were studied alone and in combination with amphotericin B. Assessed parameters were mean survival time, brain histopathology index, amounts of glutamate and gamma-aminobutyric acid in the brain, and yeast CFU per brain. Survival increased significantly in mice treated with dexamethasone, amphotericin B, amphotericin B plus dexamethasone, and amphotericin B plus pentoxifylline; the latter had significantly longer survival than other treated groups. Indices of histopathological damage were similar in all treated groups. In infected untreated mice, the amounts of glutamate in the brain were decreased, presumably by depletion. In mice treated with amphotericin B plus dexamethasone, glutamate levels returned to the range of control mice. No differences in the amounts of gamma-aminobutyric acid were found between control and treatment groups. Brain fungal counts were significantly lower in mice treated with amphotericin B, amphotericin B plus dexamethasone, and amphotericin B plus pentoxifylline than in untreated animals. In this model, pentoxifylline in combination with amphotericin B improved survival, decreasing the fungal burden, and has potential as adjuvant therapy in cerebral cryptococcosis.