Effects of eccentric-emphasized leg curl intervention on muscle strength imbalance markers in professional soccer players during pre-season.

BACKGROUND: The effects of strength training on muscle strength imbalance are unclear in professional soccer players. As a result, this study examined the effects of an 8-week strength training program comprising eccentric-emphasized prone leg curl adjusted according to the individual strength imbalance status. METHODS: Ten professional soccer players (26.0 ± 3.6 yrs) participated in the study. Players who had a ≥ 10% contralateral imbalance in knee flexors eccentric peak torque (n = 6) performed two additional repetitions per set in the low-strength limb (high-volume, HV) compared to the high-strength limb (low-volume, LV). Isokinetic concentric knee extension and concentric and eccentric knee flexion peak torque (PT) and derived contralateral imbalances and conventional and functional hamstring-to-quadriceps ratios (H:Q) were assessed at baseline and after 8 weeks. Differences at baseline were assessed using paired-sample T-tests, and a two-way (limb x time) repeated measures analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) for changes over time. RESULTS: A significant improvement in the eccentric knee flexion PT was observed in both limbs after 8 weeks (P < 0.05), with greater effects observed in the HV limb (25.0 N m, 95% CI: 15.1-34.9 N m). Significant decreases were also observed in the contralateral imbalances from concentric knee extension and flexion and eccentric knee flexion PT (P < 0.05). Differences were not observed in concentric knee extension and flexion PT (P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: A short-term eccentric-emphasized leg curl intervention adjusted by the initial knee flexors eccentric strength was an efficient method to improve knee flexors strength imbalance in professional soccer players.

Associations of Physical Activity and Exercise with Health-related Outcomes in Patients with Melanoma During and After Treatment: A Systematic Review.

PURPOSE: Although exercise medicine is recommended to counter treatment-related side-effects and improve health-related outcomes of patients affected by different cancers, no specific recommendations exist for patients with melanoma. As a result, we systematically examined the current evidence regarding the effects of physical activity and exercise on objectively-measured and patient-reported outcomes among patients with melanoma. METHODS: Searches were conducted in PubMed, CINAHL, EMBASE, SPORTDiscus, and Web of Science databases. This review included published data involving physical activity or exercise and objectively-measured or patient-reported outcomes of patients with cutaneous melanoma. The quality of included studies was assessed using the McMaster University Critical Appraisal Tool for Quantitative Studies. RESULTS: Six studies including 882 patients with melanoma were included. Studies presented heterogeneity of design with 2 cross-sectional surveys, 2 retrospective analyses, and 2 non-randomized intervention trials. No statistically significant change in quality of life, fatigue, physical function, cardiorespiratory fitness, body composition, psychological distress, cognitive function, or treatment-related side-effects were attributable to physical activity or exercise. Importantly, physical activity or exercise during melanoma treatment or into survivorship did not adversely impact patients/survivors. CONCLUSION: In summary, physical activity or exercise did not adversely impact quality of life, objectively-measured or patient-reported outcomes in patients with melanoma. In addition, there is a paucity of quality studies examining the effects of physical activity or exercise on patients with melanoma throughout the cancer care continuum.

Effect of the acute and chronic administration of Lupinus albus ß-conglutin on glycaemia, circulating cholesterol, and genes potentially involved.

Constituents of lupin seeds, like γ-conglutin and lupanine, have gained attention as potential complementary treatments for dysglycaemia management. Notwithstanding, the effect of other lupin components on carbohydrate metabolism, including ß-conglutin protein, has received little attention. Here, we investigated the influence of the acute and chronic administration of ß-conglutin on glycaemia modulation in normal and streptozotocin induced-to-diabetes rats. We analysed the liver transcriptome modulation exerted by ß-conglutin in diabetes-induced rats using DNA microarrays to scout for potential molecular targets and pathways involved in this biological response. The acute administration of ß-conglutin reduced the incremental area under the curve of glycaemia in normal and diabetes-induced animals. In a seven-day study with diabetic animals, glycaemia increased significantly in non-treated animals but remained unchanged in animals treated with a daily dose of ß-conglutin. Total cholesterol was significantly lower at the end of the experimental period (-21.8 %, p = 0.039). The microarray and gene ontology analyses revealed several targets and pathways potentially modulated by ß-conglutin treatment, including a possible down-regulation of Jun kinase activity. Moreover, our data indicate that targets related to oxidative stress, inflammation, and estrogenic activity might orchestrate these metabolic effects. In conclusion, our findings show that ß-conglutin may help manage postprandial glycaemia and reduce cholesterol levels under the dysglycaemia stage. We identified and proposed new potential molecular targets for further research related to the mechanism of action of ß-conglutin.

Moderate volume of sprint bouts does not induce muscle damage in well-trained athletes.

INTRODUCTION: Understanding the recovery in response to different sprint protocols is important for optimizing neuromuscular gains and organizing training sessions in sports. The current study aimed to investigate acute neuromuscular changes following a moderate volume of sprint protocols with and without change-of-direction. METHODS: 26 well-trained male collegiate athletes from different sports were randomly allocated into straight-line group (SLG) or change-of-direction group (CODG). The protocols were 1 × 15 repetitions of 20-meter sprints in line (SLG) or with two changes in each repetition (CODG). Knee extension maximal and explosive strength, jump performance, serum creatine kinase, and quadriceps and hamstrings echo intensity were collected pre-, post- 0, 24, 48, and 72 h post-exercise. RESULTS: There were no significant changes in any of the variables at any time point after the exercise protocols in comparison with pre-exercise values (p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The present study suggests that sprint training with moderate volume with or without change of direction does not induce neuromuscular or physiological changes during 72 h post-exercise. This information is especially important for sports staff in order to optimize training prescription and frequency.

Tremor Control Devices for Essential Tremor: A Systematic Literature Review.

Background: There is a growing interest in nonpharmacological approaches for essential tremor (ET), including tremor cancelation devices. However, the true efficacy of such devices in ET remains unclear. Methods: A systematic literature review was conducted using standardized criteria regarding efficacy and comfortability. Devices focused on design or experimental testing in which tremor was simulated in a robot were excluded. Results: Out of 324 articles initially identified, 12 articles were included. Orthoses using biomechanical loading and neuromodulation with electrical stimulation, and external tremor cancelation devices, were the main interventions used to suppress tremor. All devices were designed to control tremor of the upper limbs at different anatomical locations. Overall, an average tremor attenuation of 50-98% was reported (level of evidence III). Interference with voluntary movements and portability was described as the main drawback. Discussion: In conclusion, this review highlights the growing interest in emerging tremor control devices and the importance of assessing comfort without affecting voluntary movements. However, the level of evidence regarding the efficacy of these tremor control devices remains low. An integrated multidisciplinary combination approach of engineering, robotics, physiology, physiotherapy, and clinical assessment is needed to improve the quality of non-pharmacological interventions for ET.

Representaciones sociales acerca de la lucha, en Chile, por el derecho a la salud / Social representations of the fight for the right to health in Chile / Representações sociais atinentes na luta, no Chile, pelo direito à saúde

Resumen Objetivo: El presente trabajo explora las representaciones que, acerca de la lucha por el derecho a la salud, tienen algunos actores sociales que participan de acciones colectivas por la salud en Santiago de Chile. Metodología: La aproximación al fenómeno se realiza desde el paradigma pospositivista, con enfoque cualitativo; la información fue obtenida a partir de nueve entrevistas focalizadas, y su análisis desde la teoría fundamentada. Resultados: La lucha por el derecho a la salud se refiere a la defensa de la vida en forma integral, entendiéndola como el esfuerzo por la transformación de la sociedad a partir de la construcción colectiva de un nuevo modelo económico-político. Conclusión: Esta aproximación permite hacer visible que los actores que hacen parte de las acciones colectivas no conforman un movimiento unificado ni estructurado, y que las luchas por el derecho a la salud constituyen un fenómeno emergente, que puede enmarcarse en un proceso de repolitización de la sociedad chilena, en cuyo seno las representaciones acerca de las luchas por el derecho a la salud de los actores sociales investigados tendrían un carácter emancipatorio, con base en su perfil contrahegemónico.

Abstract Objective: This article explores the representations that some social actors participating in collective actions for health in Santiago de Chile have with respect to the fight for the right to health. Methodology: The phenomenon is explored from a post-positivist paradigm with a qualitative approach. The information was gathered from nine focused interviews and their analysis was based on grounded theory. Results: The fight for the right to health refers to the defense of life in a holistic way, understanding it as an effort towards the transformation of society through the collective construction of a new economic-political model. Conclusion: This approach shows that social actors that are part of collective actions do not form a structured or cohesive movement. Also, fights for the right to health constitute an emerging phenomenon that may be seen as part of a repolitization of the Chilean society, in which representations of the fights for the right to health in the investigated actors would be of an emancipatory in nature, based on their counter-hegemonic profile.

Resumo Objetivo: O presente trabalho explora as representações que, atinentes na luta pelo direito à saúde, possuem alguns atores sociais que participam de ações coletivas para a saúde em Santiago, Chile. Metodologia: A abordagem do fenômeno é realizada a partir do paradigma pós-positivista, com abordagem qualitativa; as informações foram obtidas de nove entrevistas focadas e sua análise a partir da teoria fundamentada. Resultados: A luta pelo direito à saúde refere-se à defesa da vida de forma integral, entendendo-a como o esforço de transformação da sociedade a partir da construção coletiva de um novo modelo econômico-político. Conclusão: Essa abordagem permite tornar visível que os atores que fazem parte das ações coletivas não constituem um movimento unificado ou estruturado e que as lutas pelo direito à saúde constituem um fenômeno emergente, que pode ser emolduradorado num processo de repolitização no colo da sociedade chilena, em que as representações atinentes nas lutas pelo direito à saúde dos atores sociais apuradosados teriam caráter emancipatório, com base em seu perfil contra-hegemônico

Improvement of nutritional quality of local dishes and their acceptance by children of different ages / Melhoria de pratos típicos: qualidade nutricional e sua aceitação por crianças de várias idades

ABSTRACT Objective Food insecurity and child malnutrition are central topics in many food programs around the world; however, these indices do not diminish. The creation of strategies is necessary to increase the effectiveness of nutritional improvement programs. The objective of this research was to improve the nutritional quality of three local dishes included in the regular diet of the population by adding amaranth and to evaluate their acceptance by children from three communities in Tochimilco, Puebla, Mexico. Methods The study was carried out in three communities of "Tochimilco", Puebla, Mexico, in order to evaluate three local dishes: banana smoothie, beans and corn tortillas, which were chosen by mothers of the region in participative workshops on preparation of local dishes enriched with amaranth. Two sensory tests were applied: paired-comparison and hedonic scale to 208 and 210 children of preschool and scholar age, respectively. Results It was found that consumers showed similar preference for banana smoothie and beans enriched with amaranth compared to non-enriched dishes; while the amaranth enriched tortilla gained more preference in the different statistical tests and it was the dish with higher content of amino acids. Sensory attributes were similarly assessed and there were no significant differences among rural and urban communities and school year. Conclusion Children easily accept the addition of amaranth to the dishes they are accustomed to, as it does not change their food culture. It is possible to improve child nutrition by designing healthier dishes and incorporating them into the daily cooking of those who prepare the food.

RESUMO Objetivo A insegurança alimentar e a desnutrição infantil são temas centrais de muitos programas alimentares ao redor do mundo; no entanto, esses índices não diminuem. É preciso criar estratégias para aumentar a eficácia dos programas de desenvolvimento nutricional. A presente pesquisa teve como objetivo melhorar a qualidade nutricional de três pratos típicos da dieta normal da população local, adicionando amaranto às comidas típicas e avaliando a aceitação dele por crianças de três comunidades em Tochimilco, Puebla, México. Métodos O estudo foi realizado nas três comunidades para avaliar os três pratos típicos desta mesma região: vitamina de banana, feijão e as tortilhas de milho. Estas comidas foram escolhidas por mães da região em oficinas participativas de preparação de pratos locais enriquecidos com amaranto. Dois testes sensoriais foram aplicados: comparação pareada e escala hedônica para 208 e 210 crianças em idade pré-escolar e escolar, respectivamente. Resultados Verificou-se que os consumidores mostraram uma preferência semelhante pela vitamina de banana e feijão enriquecido com amaranto do que os mesmos não enriquecidos; enquanto a tortilha de milho enriquecida com amaranto ganhou mais preferência nos diferentes testes estatísticos e foi o prato com maior teor de aminoácidos. Os atributos sensoriais foram avaliados da mesma forma e não houve diferenças significativas entre as comunidades rurais e urbanas e as notas escolares. Conclusão As crianças aceitam facilmente a incorporação de amaranto nos pratos típicos da dieta delas, pois não repre-sentou nenhuma alteração da sua cultura alimentar. É possível melhorar a nutrição infantil, criando pratos mais saudáveis e incorporando-os na culinária cotidiana daqueles que preparam a comida.

Influence of Internet and Social Media in the Promotion of Alternative Oncology, Cancer Quackery, and the Predatory Publishing Phenomenon.

In the last decade, electronic media has irrupted physician's clinical practice. Patients increasingly use Internet and social media to obtain enormous amounts of unsupervised data about cancer. Blogs, social networking sites, online support groups and forums are useful channels for medical education and experience sharing but also perfect environments for misinformation, quackery, violation of privacy and lack of professionalism. The widespread availability of such electronic resources allows some followers of the alternative oncology to spread useless irrational and controversial remedies for cancer, like false medicaments, miraculous diets, electronic devices, and even psychic therapies, as did charlatans in the past, providing false expectations about cancer treatments. Moreover, so-called predatory journals have introduced confusion and malpractice within the academic biomedical publishing system. This is a rising editorial phenomenon affecting all fields of biomedicine, including oncology that jeopardizes the quality of scientific contribution and damages the image of open access publication.

Rendimiento y optimización de la herramienta trigger en la detección de eventos adversos en pacientes adultos hospitalizados / Performance and optimisation of a trigger tool for the detection of adverse events in hospitalised adult patients

Objetivo: Caracterizar el rendimiento de los triggers utilizados en la detección de eventos adversos (EA) de pacientes adultos hospitalizados y definir un panel de triggers simplificado suficientemente sensible y específico, para la detección de EA. Método: Estudio transversal de altas de pacientes de un servicio de medicina interna para la detección de EA mediante revisión sistemática de la historia clínica y la identificación de 41 triggers (evento clínico relacionado frecuentemente con EA), determinando si hubo EA según el contexto en que apareció el trigger. Una vez identificado el EA, se procedió a la caracterización de los triggers que lo detectaron. Se aplicó regresión logística para la selección de los triggers con mayor capacidad de detección de EA. Resultados: Se revisaron 291 historias clínicas y se detectaron 562 triggers en 103 pacientes, de los cuales 163 estuvieron implicados en la detección de un EA. Los triggers que detectaron más EA fueron «A.1. Úlcera por presión» (9,82%), «B.5. Laxante o enema» (8,59%), «A.8. Agitación» (8,59%), «A.9. Sobresedación» (7,98%), «A.7. Hemorragia» (6,75%) y «B.4. Antipsicótico» (6,75%). Se obtuvo un modelo simplificado de triggers que incluyó la variable «Número de fármacos» y los triggers «Sobresedación», «Sondaje», «Reingreso en 30 días», «Laxante o enema» y «Cese brusco de la medicación». Este modelo obtuvo una probabilidad del 81% de clasificar correctamente las historias con EA y sin EA (p <0,001; intervalo de confianza del 95%: 0,763-0,871). Conclusiones: Un número elevado de triggers estuvieron asociados a EA. El modelo resumido permite detectar una gran cantidad de EA con un mínimo de elementos (AU)

Objective: To characterise the performance of the triggers used in the detection of adverse events (AE) of hospitalised adult patients and to define a simplified panel of triggers to facilitate the detection of AE. Method: Cross-sectional study of charts of patients from a service of internal medicine to detect EA through systematic review of the charts and identification of triggers (clinical event often related to AE), determining if there was AE as the context in which it appeared the trigger. Once the EA was detected, we proceeded to the characterization of the triggers that detected it. Logistic regression was applied to select the triggers with greater AE detection capability. Results: A total of 291 charts were reviewed, with a total of 562 triggers in 103 patients, of which 163 were involved in detecting an AE. The triggers that detected the most AE were 'A.1. Pressure ulcer' (9.82%), 'B.5. Laxative or enema' (8.59%), 'A.8. Agitation' (8.59%), 'A.9. Over-sedation' (7.98%), 'A.7. Haemorrhage' (6.75%) and 'B.4. Antipsychotic' (6.75%). A simplified model was obtained using logistic regression, and included the variable 'Number of drugs' and the triggers 'Over-sedation', 'Urinary catheterisation', 'Readmission in 30 days', 'Laxative or enema' and 'Abrupt medication stop'. This model showed a probability of 81% to correctly classify charts with EA or without EA (p <0.001; 95% confidence interval: 0.763-0.871). Conclusions: A high number of triggers were associated with AE. The summary model is capable of detecting a large amount of AE, with a minimum of elements (AU)

[Performance and optimisation of a trigger tool for the detection of adverse events in hospitalised adult patients]. / Rendimiento y optimización de la herramienta trigger en la detección de eventos adversos en pacientes adultos hospitalizados.

OBJECTIVE: To characterise the performance of the triggers used in the detection of adverse events (AE) of hospitalised adult patients and to define a simplified panel of triggers to facilitate the detection of AE. METHOD: Cross-sectional study of charts of patients from a service of internal medicine to detect EA through systematic review of the charts and identification of triggers (clinical event often related to AE), determining if there was AE as the context in which it appeared the trigger. Once the EA was detected, we proceeded to the characterization of the triggers that detected it. Logistic regression was applied to select the triggers with greater AE detection capability. RESULTS: A total of 291 charts were reviewed, with a total of 562 triggers in 103 patients, of which 163 were involved in detecting an AE. The triggers that detected the most AE were "A.1. Pressure ulcer" (9.82%), "B.5. Laxative or enema" (8.59%), "A.8. Agitation" (8.59%), "A.9. Over-sedation" (7.98%), "A.7. Haemorrhage" (6.75%) and "B.4. Antipsychotic" (6.75%). A simplified model was obtained using logistic regression, and included the variable "Number of drugs" and the triggers "Over-sedation", "Urinary catheterisation", "Readmission in 30 days", "Laxative or enema" and "Abrupt medication stop". This model showed a probability of 81% to correctly classify charts with EA or without EA (p <0.001; 95% confidence interval: 0.763-0.871). CONCLUSIONS: A high number of triggers were associated with AE. The summary model is capable of detecting a large amount of AE, with a minimum of elements.

Circuncisión neonatal con anestesia local: Resultados de un protocolo estandarizado / Neonatal circumcision with local anesthesia: Results of a standardized protocol

Introducción La circuncisión neonatal es un procedimiento frecuente en EE. UU. y en otros países, y presenta baja tasa de complicación en manos entrenadas. Sin embargo, en Chile recién está siendo incorporado clínicamente a nuestro medio. Nuestro objetivo fue establecer un protocolo local estandarizado de circuncisión neonatal con anestesia local y evaluar sus resultados y las posibles complicaciones. Pacientes y método Protocolo prospectivo estandarizado a pacientes que soliciten circuncisión neonatal cuyos criterios de inclusión fueron: niños < 60 días y < 5 kg. La técnica quirúrgica consiste en anestesia local tópica y bloqueo peneano, atrición del prepucio y mucosa redundante con clamp de Mogen® y sección con bisturí. Se evalúa protocolo utilizado desde noviembre de 2005 a octubre de 2014 por un urólogo pediatra y/o cirujano pediatra entrenados en la técnica. Se registran y analizan complicaciones y condiciones hasta el alta definitiva. Resultados En 9 años se aplicó el protocolo a 108 pacientes. La edad promedio al procedimiento fue de 9 días (1-52). Un paciente (0,9%) presentó sangrado inmediato, requiriendo cirugía posterior. Todos los pacientes fueron dados de alta definitiva de controles al mes, sin otras complicaciones. La razón para realizar el procedimiento fue por solicitud de los padres en el 100% de los casos por razones sociales o religiosas. Conclusión La circuncisión neonatal con anestesia local es un procedimiento sencillo y que en casos seleccionados tiene excelentes resultados, sin mayores complicaciones. Con el debido entrenamiento y adecuando el protocolo inicial, se puede realizar de manera ambulatoria, sin necesidad de someter al niño a los riesgos de la anestesia general en recién nacidos.

Introduction Neonatal circumcision is a common procedure in the US and other countries, with low rates of complications in trained hands. However, it has recently been incorporated into the clinical environment in Chile. Our goal was to establish a local standardised protocol for neonatal circumcision under local anaesthesia, and evaluate the results and possible complications. Patients and method A standardised prospective protocol was used on patients who underwent neonatal circumcision. The inclusion criteria were: children < 60 days and < 5 kg. The surgical technique used was topical local anaesthesia and penile block, attrition of redundant prepuce and mucosa with Mogen® clamp, and section with scalpel. The protocol was used and evaluated from November 2005 to October 2014 by a paediatric surgeon and/or paediatric urologist trained in the technique. Complications and conditions until final discharge were analysed. Results The protocol was applied to 108 patients over a 9 year period. The mean age at procedure was 9 days (1-52). One patient (0.9%) had immediate bleeding, requiring further surgery. All patients were discharged from further medical checks at 1 month, without any other complications. The reason for the procedure was by parental request in 100% of the cases, and always for sociocultural reasons. Conclusion Neonatal circumcision under local anaesthesia is a simple procedure, and has excellent results in selected patients, and with no major complications. With proper training, and adapting the initial protocol, it can be performed on an outpatient basis, without putting the neonates through the risks of general anaesthesia.

[Neonatal circumcision with local anesthesia. Results of a standardized protocol]. / Circuncisión neonatal con anestesia local. Resultados de un protocolo estandarizado.

INTRODUCTION: Neonatal circumcision is a common procedure in the US and other countries, with low rates of complications in trained hands. However, it has recently been incorporated into the clinical environment in Chile. Our goal was to establish a local standardised protocol for neonatal circumcision under local anaesthesia, and evaluate the results and possible complications. PATIENTS AND METHOD: A standardised prospective protocol was used on patients who underwent neonatal circumcision. The inclusion criteria were: children <60days and <5kg. The surgical technique used was topical local anaesthesia and penile block, attrition of redundant prepuce and mucosa with Mogen® clamp, and section with scalpel. The protocol was used and evaluated from November 2005 to October 2014 by a paediatric surgeon and/or paediatric urologist trained in the technique. Complications and conditions until final discharge were analysed. RESULTS: The protocol was applied to 108 patients over a 9year period. The mean age at procedure was 9days (1-52). One patient (0.9%) had immediate bleeding, requiring further surgery. All patients were discharged from further medical checks at 1 month, without any other complications. The reason for the procedure was by parental request in 100% of the cases, and always for sociocultural reasons. CONCLUSION: Neonatal circumcision under local anaesthesia is a simple procedure, and has excellent results in selected patients, and with no major complications. With proper training, and adapting the initial protocol, it can be performed on an outpatient basis, without putting the neonates through the risks of general anaesthesia.

High Dose Intravenous Vitamin C Treatment for Zika Fever.

The Zika Fever is a viral disease caused by a single-stranded RNA virus from the Flavivirus genus, Flaviviridae family, from the Spondweni group. Its transmission occurs through mosquito vectors, principally Aedes Aegypti. The most common symptoms of Zika are fever, rash, joint pain, and conjunctivitis (red eyes). Other common symptoms include muscle pain and headache. As of now, no vaccine exists for the virus and no official treatment has been developed aside from standard procedures of the use of acetaminophen (paracetamol) and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. This is a case report of a 54 year-old Hispanic female who arrived at the clinic with symptomatology congruent with the Zika fever. The patient was treated with high doses of intravenous vitamin C over three days. The symptoms resolved after the infusions without any side effects at day four. Recovery from this viral infection takes normally around two weeks. Based on the positive outcome in this case, we propose that intravenous vitamin C should be studied further as a potential treatment for acute viral infections.

High dose intravenous vitamin c treatment in a patient with lung cancer: A case report.

Lung cancer is one of the most common cancers in both men and women. According to Dr. Abram Hoffer, patients with a better nutritional plan and daily Vitamin C supplementation improved their life quality. In this case report we present the case of a 56-year-old Hispanic male patient diagnosed with lung cancer on 2012. After undergoing surgery and chemotherapy, he started a high dose intravenous Vitamin C protocol on December 2013. The treatment continued until June 2015, when the patient decided to stop the treatment. A maximum of 75 gr of Vitamin C in 1,000 cc lactated Ringer's was given three times a week in a period over a year and a half. Patient's CEA levels continued to be within normal levels while high doses of Vitamin C infusions were given. Many case reports suggest that patients with lung cancer that received high doses of intravenous Vitamin C can live up to 10 years. A level of Vitamin C in plasma above 400 mg/dL is toxic to tumor cells, this can be achieved with periodic Vitamin C infusions. Our case support that the usage of high doses of IV Vitamin C can be effective in the treatment of patients with cancer without secondary effects.

Evaluación etnofarmacológica de plantas con propiedades hipoglucémicas usadas en la medicina tradicional del sureste de México / Ethnopharmacological evaluation of plants with hypoglycemic properties used in traditional medicine of México southeast

Ante el incremento de enfermedades crónico-degenerativas como la Diabetes mellitus (DM), es necesario e indispensable documentar y evaluar farmacológicamente las plantas utilizadas en la medicina tradicional regional para el control empírico de esta enfermedad. Este estudio presenta los resultados de una investigación etnofarmacológica de especies vegetales empleadas empíricamente en una comunidad del sureste mexicano para el control de la DM. La información se obtuvo en una comunidad de Tabasco, México a través de una entrevista estructurada TRAMIL y mediante la consulta de ejemplares de herbario. Se encontró un total de 36 especies vegetales usadas en la comunidad para este tratamiento y todas ellas conocidas por uno o más nombre locales. Las familias más representadas son las Fabaceae, Asteraceae, Cucurbitaceae, Meliaceae y Poaceae. Destacan cinco especies por su uso significativo TRAMIL (UST) para el control de la DM, siendo las más importantes Tradescanthia spathacea Sw. y Manilkara zapota (L.) P. Royen. La importancia de uso en la comunidad enfatiza la necesidad de iniciar estudios farmacológicos sobre la actividad hipoglucémica de estas especies.

Because of the increase of chronic degenerative diseases, such as Diabetes mellitus (DM), it is necessary and indispensable to carry out pharmacological studies in order to identify and to evaluate plant species that are used in regional traditional medicine for empirical control of DM. Results of an ethnopharmacological research on Mexican plants used for empirical control of DM in a community at the southeast of Mexico are presented in this study. Information was obtained from people at a community of Tabasco, Mexico by means of applying a TRAMIL structured interview, and by reviewing herbarium specimens. A total of 36 plant species that are used in the community to control the DM was found, all of those species are known by one or more local names. Botanical families with more species mentioned by people are Fabaceae, Asteraceae, Cucurbitaceae, Meliaceae and Poaceae. On the basis of their high TRAMIL significant use (TSU), five plant species are distinguished for local DM control, and two of them are the most important: Tradescanthia spathacea Sw. and Manilkara zapota (L.) P. Royen. The importance of using those species in the community emphasizes the need to initiate pharmacological studies on the hypoglycemic activity of them.

Administration of Lupinus albus gamma conglutin (Cγ) to n5 STZ rats augmented Ins-1 gene expression and pancreatic insulin content.

Several studies support the health-promoting benefits of lupins, particularly lupin proteins. It has been demonstrated that Lupinus albus gamma conglutin (Cγ) protein lowered blood glucose levels; thus, Cγ showed promise as a new anti-diabetic compound for type 2 diabetes (T2D) treatment. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of Cγ on Ins-1 gene expression and on pancreatic insulin content in streptozotocin-mediated diabetic rats. Cγ was isolated from Lupinus albus seeds. Its identification was confirmed with polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis under native and denaturing conditions. We used streptozotocin (STZ) to induce T2D on the 5th day of life of newborn male Wistar rats (n5-STZ). After 20 weeks post-induction, these animals (glycemia > 200 mg/dL) were randomly assigned to three groups that received the following one-week treatments: vehicle, 0.90% w/v NaCl (n5 STZ-Ctrl); glibenclamide, 10 mg/kg (n5 STZ-Glib); or Cγ, 120 mg/kg (n5 STZ-Cγ). Glucose and insulin levels were measured before and after treatment. Ins-1 gene expression was quantified using real time polymerase chain reaction and the pancreatic insulin content was evaluated with immunohistochemistry. Post-treatment, the n5 STZ-Cγ and n5 STZ-Glib groups showed reductions in glucose, increments in serum insulin, and increases in Ins-1 gene expression and beta cell insulin content compared to the n5 STZ-Ctrl group. The results showed that Cγ had beneficial effects on Ins-1 gene expression and pancreatic insulin content. These biological effects of Cγ strengthen its promising potential as a nutraceutical and/or new agent for controlling hyperglycemia.

Flavonoid profile of Lupinus mexicanus germinated seed extract and evaluation of its neuroprotective effect.

The aim of this study was to determine the flavonoid profile of Lupinus mexicanus germinated seed extract (PE) and to evaluate its effect as a phytoestrogen on the morphometric parameters of CA3 hippocampal neurons of ovariectomized rats (OVX). L. mexicanus seeds, germinated for 48 h, were homogenized and macerated using an 80% ethanol solution. The extract was analyzed by HPLC/MS-MS. Thirty young Wistar strain female rats (200±10 g) were randomly distributed into four groups: sham operated (S) treated with dimethyl sulfoxide (vehicle); ovariectomized and treated with 1250 µg of PE extract (OVX-PE); ovariectomized and treated with 5 µg estradiol benzoate (OVX-EB); and ovariectomized and vehicle treated (OVX). All substances were injected subcutaneously daily for 28 days. On day 29, the animals were sacrificed, perfused, and fixed to obtain the brains for histological processing. Each brain was cut and stained with hematoxylin and eosin. The thickness of the stratum oriens (SO), the nuclear diameter, and the neuronal density were measured in the hippocampus CA3 area. Nine different flavonoids and one non-identified compound were detected. The histological analysis demonstrated that the thickness of the SO was higher in the OVX-EB and S groups than in the OVX-PE and OVX groups (p⟨0.05); in addition, the nuclear diameters of the neurons in the OVX-EB and S groups were higher compared with the other groups (p⟨0.05). The OVX group had the highest cellular density among groups (p⟨0.05). Based on our results, the PE obtained did not have beneficial effects on CA3 hippocampal neurons.

Structural analysis and profiling of phenolic secondary metabolites of Mexican lupine species using LC-MS techniques.

Flavonoid glycoconjugates from roots and leaves of eight North America lupine species (Lupinus elegans, Lupinus exaltatus, Lupinus hintonii, Lupinus mexicanus, Lupinus montanus, Lupinus rotundiflorus, Lupinus stipulatus, Lupinus sp.), three Mediterranean species (Lupinus albus, Lupinus angustifolius, Lupinus luteus) and one species from South America domesticated in Europe (Lupinus mutabilis) were analyzed using two LC/MS systems: low-resolution ion trap instrument and high-resolution quadrupole-time-of-flight spectrometer. As a result of the LC/MS profiling using the CID/MS(n) experiments structures of 175 flavonoid glycoconjugates found in 12 lupine species were identified at three confidence levels according to the Metabolomic Standard Initiative, mainly at level 2 and 3, some of them were classified to the level 1. Among the flavonoid derivatives recognized in the plant extracts were isomeric or isobaric compounds, differing in the degree of hydroxylation of the aglycones and the presence of glycosidic, acyl or alkyl groups in the molecules. The elemental composition of the glycoconjugate molecules was established from the exact m/z values of the protonated/deprotonated molecules ([M+H](+)/[M-H](-)) measured with the accuracy better than 5 ppm. Information concerning structures of the aglycones, the type of sugar moieties (hexose, deoxyhexose or pentose) and, in some cases, their placement on the aglycones as well as the acyl substituents of the flavonoid glycoconjugates was achieved in experiments, in which collision-induced dissociation was applied. Flavonoid aglycones present in the studied O-glycoconjugates were unambiguously identified after the comparison of the pseudo-MS(3) spectra with the spectra registered for the standards. Isomers of flavonoid glycoconjugates, in which one or two sugar moieties were attached to 4'- or 7-hydroxyl groups or directly to the C-6 or C-8 of the aglycones, could be distinguished on the basis of the MS(2) spectra. However, the collision energy applied in the CID experiments had to be optimized for each group of the compounds and there were no universal settings that allowed the acquisition of structural information for all the compounds present in the sample. Information obtained from the flavonoid conjugate profiling was used for the chemotaxonomic comparison of the studied lupine species. A clear-cut discrimination of the Mediterranean and North American lupines was obtained as a result of this analysis.