An Apple and Acáchul Berry Snack Rich in Bioaccessible Antioxidants and Folic Acid: A Healthy Alternative for Prenatal Diets.

A fruit leather (apple and acáchul berry) oriented toward women of reproductive age was developed. The snack was supplemented with an ingredient composed of folic acid (FA) and whey proteins (WPI) to ensure the required vitamin intake to prevent fetal neural tube defects. In order to generate a low-calorie snack, alternative sweeteners were used (stevia and maltitol). The fruit leather composition was determined. Also, an in vitro digestion process was carried out to evaluate the bioaccessibility of compounds with antioxidant capacity (AC), total polyphenols (TPCs), total monomeric anthocyanins (ACY), and FA. The quantification of FA was conducted by a microbiological method and by HPLC. The leather contained carbohydrates (70%) and antioxidant compounds, mainly from fruits. Bioaccessibility was high for AC (50%) and TPCs (90%), and low for ACY (17%). Regarding FA, bioaccessibility was higher for WPI-FA (50%) than for FA alone (37%), suggesting that WPI effectively protected the vitamin from processing and digestion. Furthermore, the product was shown to be non-cytotoxic in a Caco-2 cell model. The developed snack is an interesting option due to its low energy intake, no added sugar, and high content of bioactive compounds. Also, the supplementation with WPI-FA improved the conservation and bioaccessibility of FA.

Experimental and in silico approaches for the buffalo whey protein-folic acid complexation elucidation. Molecular changes impacting on protein structure and functionality.

Using a buffalo whey proteins concentrate (BWPC) as a nanocarrier of labile bioactive compounds as vitamins constitutes a very innovative approach with potential application in the food and nutraceutical industries. This work aims to deepen the knowledge of the phenomena occurring in the complexation process of vitamin B9 with BWPC, providing valuable information on the molecular and functional properties of complexes and intervening substances. For such purpose, analytical (SEC-FPLC, Fluorescence spectroscopy, FTIR, DLS, UV-vis spectroscopy) and in-silico methods (molecular docking) were performed to get complementary data. Five types of proteins were identified in the BWPC. Folic acid (FA) interacted with BWPC in buffer pH 7 through H-bonds and hydrophobic interactions, inducing conformational changes and modifying the secondary and tertiary protein structure. The resultant BWPC-FA complexes showed a size distribution in the nanoscale (100-150 nm) with no aggregation. Molecular docking showed that lactoferrin had the highest FA binding affinity. Complexation did not reduce the antioxidant activity of intervening substances. Indeed, the radical scavenging capacity of BWPC-FA was 20 % higher than single BWPC. The obtained results provide relevant data enabling the adding value of the main effluent of buffalo dairy industries.

Biomolecules resveratrol + coenzyme Q10 recover the cell state of human mesenchymal stem cells after 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium-induced damage and improve proliferation and neural differentiation.

Neurodegenerative disorders are a critical affection with a high incidence around the world. Currently, there are no effective treatments to solve this problem. However, the application of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and antioxidants in neurodegenerative diseases has shown to be a promising tool due to their multiple therapeutic effects. This work aimed to evaluate the effects of a combination of resveratrol (RSV) and coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) on the proliferation and differentiation of MSC and the protector effects in induced damage. To characterize the MSCs, we performed flow cytometry, protocols of cellular differentiation, and immunocytochemistry analysis. The impact of RSV + CoQ10 in proliferation was evaluated by supplementing 2.5 and 10 µM of RSV + CoQ10 in a cellular kinetic for 14 days. Cell viability and lactate dehydrogenase levels (LDH) were also analyzed. The protective effect of RSV + CoQ10 was assessed by supplementing the treatment to damaged MSCs by 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium (MPP+); cellular viability, LDH, and reactive oxygen species (ROS) were evaluated.. MSCs expressed the surface markers CD44, CD73, CD90, and CD105 and showed multipotential ability. The combination of RSV + CoQ10 increased the proliferation potential and cell viability and decreased LDH levels. In addition, it reverted the effect of MPP+-induced damage in MSCs to enhance cell viability and decrease LDH and ROS. Finally, RSV + CoQ10 promoted the differentiation of neural progenitors. The combination of RSV + CoQ10 represents a potential treatment to improve MSCs capacities and protect against neurodegenerative damage.

Boar semen cryopreserved with trehalose-containing liposomes: disaccharide determination and rheological behaviour.

This study aimed to detect intracellular trehalose in boar sperm that were cryopreserved with liposomes and conduct an analysis of its effects on some characteristics of thawed sperm, including rheological properties. First, soybean lecithin cholesterol-based liposomes were produced and characterized in the presence of 300 mM trehalose. Next, semen samples were frozen in two freezing media: a control medium with 300 mM trehalose and an experimental medium supplemented with 300 mM trehalose and 10% liposomes, both of which were thawed and then studied to ascertain their integrity, motility, rheological response, and trehalose quantities by testing two methods of spermatic lysis via high-performance liquid chromatography with an evaporative light-scattering detector (HPLC-ELSD). The results found spherical liposomes measuring 357 nm that were relatively stable in an aqueous medium and had an entrapment efficiency of 73%. An analysis of the cryopreserved ejaculates showed that their viability and motility did not significantly differ between groups (P > 0.05). The viscous response of the samples was influenced by the extracellular medium rather than by the freezing-thawing process, which resulted in a loss of interaction between the cells and cryoprotectants. Finally, intracellular trehalose levels were determined using HPLC-ELSD, with no differences observed (P > 0.05) when comparing both sperm lysis methods. The use of liposomes with trehalose appears to be a promising option for boar semen cryopreservation, with a marked effect on rheological properties. The proposed HPLC-ELSD method was effective for measuring trehalose in cryopreserved cell samples.

[Knowledge assessment of shoulder dystocia management by Spanish professionals.] / Evaluación del conocimiento en la resolución de la distocia de hombros en profesionales españoles.

OBJECTIVE: Shoulder dystocia (SD) training is recommended by diverse international healthcare organizations; however, it is not so in Spain, and there is no specific programmes. The objective of the study was to evaluate the level of knowledge and attitudes towards resolving a SD among a large sample of spanish obstetricians and midwives. METHODS: A multi-professional team carried out simulation-based training courses. Descriptive observational study where mean, standard deviation, minimum and maximum or median and interquartile intervals according to the distribution will be used for continuous variables. For the discrete variables, the number and the corresponding percentages will be reported. RESULTS: Between December 2015 and 2019, the team carried out 17 editions of SD workshop and 904 active professionals were trained in labour wards in different parts of Spain. The results showed that 64.8% of the professionals had learned to solve shoulder dystocia through books and/or 58.4% theoretical classes. 60.4% (380) of the respondents had not received any type of training in simulation in obstetrics. 87.1% (415/476) of the students had not felt prepared to face a SD when they finished the residency At the time of answering this survey, 61.8% (358) did not feel prepared to solve a SD. CONCLUSIONS: Training in Shoulder Dystocia in Spain is mainly theoretical and a high number of professionals recognize that they are not sufficiently prepared to face it with guarantees.

OBJETIVO: El entrenamiento en distocia de hombros (DH) está recomendado por numerosas sociedades médicas internacionales y, sin embargo, en España, no existen programas específicos de entrenamiento. El objetivo de este estudio fue evaluar el nivel de conocimiento y habilidades prácticas para resolver una distocia de hombros de un amplio número de matronas y ginecólogos españoles que habían realizado un curso basado en simulación. METODOS: El equipo multiprofesional de simulación obstétrica realizo talleres basados en simulación para la resolución de la DH. Estudio descriptivo observacional donde para las variables continuas se utilizará media, desviación estándar, mínimo y máximo o mediana e intervalos intercuartiles de acuerdo con la distribución. Para las variables discretas se reportarán el número y los porcentajes correspondientes. RESULTADOS: Entre diciembre de 2015 y 2019, el equipo llevo a cabo 17 ediciones del taller de DH y formo a 904 profesionales de diferentes partes de España. Los resultados mostraron que Un 64,8% de los profesionales había aprendido a solucionar la distocia de hombros a través de libros y/o un 58,4% clases teóricas. El 60,4% (380) de los encuestados, no había recibido ningún tipo de formación en simulación en obstetricia. Un 87,1% (415/476) de los alumnos no se había sentido preparado para enfrentarse a una DH cuando terminó la residencia En el momento de contestar esta encuesta, un 61,8% (358) no se sentía preparado para resolver una DH. CONCLUSIONES: La formación en distocia de hombros en España es principalmente teórica y un alto numero de profesionales reconoce que no están suficientemente preparados para afrontarla con garantías.

Toxic effects of A2E in human ARPE-19 cells were prevented by resveratrol: a potential nutritional bioactive for age-related macular degeneration treatment.

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a late-onset retinal disease and the leading cause of central vision loss in the elderly. Degeneration of retinal pigment epithelial cells (RPE) is a crucial contributing factor responsible for the onset and progression of AMD. The toxic fluorophore N-retinyl-N-retinylidene ethanolamine (A2E), a major lipofuscin component, accumulates in RPE cells with age. Phytochemicals with antioxidant properties may have a potential role in both the prevention and treatment of this age-related ocular disease. Particularly, there is an increased interest in the therapeutic effects of resveratrol (RSV), a naturally occurring polyphenol (3,4',5-trihydroxystilbene). However, the underlying mechanism of the RSV antioxidative effect in ocular diseases has not been well explored. We hypothesized that this bioactive compound may have beneficial effects for AMD. To this end, to investigate the potential profits of RSV against A2E-provoked oxidative damage, we used human RPE cell line (ARPE-19). RSV (25 µM) attenuates the cytotoxicity and the typical morphological characteristics of apoptosis observed in 25 µM A2E-laden cells. RSV pretreatment strengthened cell monolayer integrity through the preservation of the transepithelial electrical resistance and reduced the fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)-dextran diffusion rate as well as cytoskeleton architecture. In addition, RSV exhorts protective effects against A2E-induced modifications in the intracellular redox balance. Finally, RSV also prevented A2E-induced mitochondrial network fragmentation. These findings reinforce the idea that RSV represents an attractive bioactive for therapeutic intervention against ocular diseases associated with oxidative stress such as AMD.

High-throughput microsphiltration to assess red blood cell deformability and screen for malaria transmission-blocking drugs.

The mechanical retention of rigid erythrocytes in the spleen is central in major hematological diseases such as hereditary spherocytosis, sickle-cell disease and malaria. Here, we describe the use of microsphiltration (microsphere filtration) to assess erythrocyte deformability in hundreds to thousands of samples in parallel, by filtering them through microsphere layers in 384-well plates adapted for the discovery of compounds that stiffen Plasmodium falciparum gametocytes, with the aim of interrupting malaria transmission. Compound-exposed gametocytes are loaded into microsphiltration plates, filtered and then transferred to imaging plates for analysis. High-content imaging detects viable gametocytes upstream and downstream from filters and quantifies spleen-like retention. This screening assay takes 3-4 d. Unlike currently available methods used to assess red blood cell (RBC) deformability, microsphiltration enables high-throughput pharmacological screening (tens of thousands of compounds tested in a matter of months) and involves a cell mechanical challenge that induces a physiologically relevant dumbbell-shape deformation. It therefore directly assesses the ability of RBCs to cross inter-endothelial splenic slits in vivo. This protocol has potential applications in quality control for transfusion and in determination of phenotypic markers of erythrocytes in hematological diseases.

Efectividad del extracto acuoso de aloe en el tratamiento de las alveolitis bucales / Effectiveness of the aqueous extract of aloe in the treatment of oral alveolitis

Fundamento: la alveolitis es una complicación que puede aparecer luego de las exodoncias, se considera una urgencia estomatológica por el dolor intenso. Resulta preocupante para los servicios estomatológicos su prevalencia, por las complicaciones e invalidez que puede provocar en los pacientes.Objetivo: evaluar la efectividad del extracto acuoso de aloe de uso farmacéutico en el tratamiento de las alveolitis.Método: se realizó un estudio experimental, en 100 pacientes que acudieron a la Clínica Provincial Docente, Clínica La Vigía y al Policlínico Julio Antonio Mella de Camagüey en el 2014, y que fueron diagnosticados con alveolitis. La muestra quedó conformada por 50 pacientes en el grupo control tratados con alvogyl y 50 en el grupo de estudio, tratados con extracto acuoso de aloe vera.Resultados: la mayor cantidad de los pacientes se concentró entre las edades de 26 a 45 años. A las 24 horas de tratamiento los resultados sobre la disminución del dolor fueron similares para ambos grupos, con un 18 por ciento para el grupo de estudio y un 16 por ciento para el grupo control. Al transcurrir 48 horas los mejores resultados se registraron en el grupo control con 62 por ciento de pacientes sin dolor, solo 30 por ciento en el grupo de estudio y a las 72 horas se mantuvo esta tendencia con 90 por ciento en el grupo control y 72 por ciento en el de estudio. En el grupo estudio eliminaron el dolor el 84,6 por ciento de los pacientes que presentaron alveolitis húmeda.Conclusiones: el extracto acuoso de aloe es un medicamento natural, efectivo en el tratamiento de las alveolitis; principalmente en las alveolitis húmedas y en aquellas que se presentaron en el maxilar. No hubo aparición de reacciones adversas con ninguno de los medicamentos aplicados (AU)

Background: alveolitis is a complication that may appear after the extraction of a tooth. It is considered a dental emergency due to the intense pain. Its prevalence is worrisome for the dental services for the complications and disability that it can provoke in patients.Objective: to evaluate the effectiveness of the aqueous extract of aloe with pharmaceutical use in the treatment of alveolitis.Method: an experimental study was carried out with 100 patients that visited the Provincial Teaching Dental Clinic, La Vigía Clinic, and Julio Antonio Mella Polycilinic of Camaguey in 2014, and that were diagnosed with alveolitis. The sample was made up of 50 patients in the control group treated with Alvogyl and 50 patients in the study group treated with aloe.Results: most of the patients belonged to the 26 to 45 age group. At 24 hours of treatment the results on pain relief were similar for both groups, with an 18 percent for the study group and a 16 percent for the control group. At 48 hours the best results were found in the control group, with 62 percent of patients with no pain, and only a 30 percent in the study group. At 72 hours this tendency was kept with 90 percent in the control group and 72 percent in the study group. In the study group an 84 percent of the patients with wet alveolitis felt pain relief.Conclusions: the aqueous extract of aloe is a natural drug which is effective in the treatment of alveolitis, mainly in wet alveolitis and those affecting the maxillary bones. There were no adverse reactions with none of the used medications (AU)

Síndrome de calcificación cerebral asociado a hipoparatiroidismo / Cerebral calcification syndrome associated with hypoparathyroidism

Las calcificaciones cerebrales agrupan diversas entidades patológicas que frecuentemente han sido referidas como enfermedad de Fahr. Estas tienen una presentación clínica variada, desde el curso subclínico hasta manifestaciones motoras convulsivas e inclusive demenciales. Se presenta el caso de una mujer de 46 años con una crisis epiléptica convulsiva generalizada, asociada a calcificaciones difusas por hipoparatiroidismo postquirúrgico, en quien se inicia reposición de calcio, logrando resolución del cuadro convulsivo. Este reporte destaca el abordaje fisiopatológico de las calcificaciones cerebrales por hipoparatiroidismo, la importancia de una definición más general de cómo sería el síndrome de calcificación cerebral teniendo en cuenta las diferentes entidades patológicas conocidas asociadas con diferente espectro clínico y, por último, pone en evidencia la carencia de investigaciones sobre el tema.

Brain calcifications group diverse pathological entities that have often been referred to as Fahr disease. These have a clinical presentation which varies from subclinical course to several motor manifestations and dementia. We report the case of a 46 year old woman with generalized seizures associated with diffuse calcifications on postoperative hypoparathyroidism in whom calcium supplementation starts achieving resolution of the symptoms. This report highlights the pathophysiological approach by hypoparathyroidism brain calcifications, the importance of a general definition as in the brain calcification syndrome considering different known disease entities associated with different clinical spectrum and, finally, demonstrates the lack of research on the subject.

[Response to adjuvant therapy with potassium perchlorate in amiodarone-induced thyrotoxicosis: observations on three cases]. / A propósito de tres casos. Respuesta a la terapia adyuvante con perclorato potásico en la tirotoxicosis inducida por amiodarona.

INTRODUCTION: Amiodarone-induced thyrotoxicosis (AIT) is a common clinical disorder that may be life threatening and whose clinical manifestations and response to treatment may vary among patients. METHODS: We present three patients treated with amiodarone for atrial fibrillation who developed AIT at least 36 months after beginning the treatment. Thyrotoxicosis worsened the underlying cardiac disorders and was resistant to treatment based on the combination of dexamethasone 8-12 mg/day i.v., thioamides 45 mg/day p.o., beta blockers and potassium perchlorate at doses of 800 to 1000 mg per day p.o. Two of the patients attained sustained euthyroidism after 12 and 32 days of combined treatment, while the third required total thyroidectomy. CONCLUSION: The combination of thioamides with potassium perchlorate is an appropriate form of therapy for AIT in patients resistant to thioamides. The use of this combination should be evaluated in patients with mixed AIT or AIT of unclear etiology.

A propósito de tres casos. Respuesta a la terapia adyuvante con perclorato potásico en la tirotoxicosis inducida por amiodarona / Response to adjuvant therapy with potassium perchlorate in amiodarone-induced

Introducción La tiroiditis inducida por amiodarona (TIA) es una entidad clínica frecuente, con distintas formas de presentación, respuesta variable al tratamiento, y que puede ser potencialmente fatal. Métodos Se presentan tres pacientes con fibrilación auricular, que desarrollaron una TIA tras al menos 36 meses de exposición al fármaco. El hipertiroidismo asociado no respondió a la terapia farmacológica convencional, conllevando un empeoramiento franco de la cardiopatía de los pacientes, lo que motivó la indicación de tiroidectomía total, previa instauración de una terapia basada en la combinación de dexametasona 8-12mg/día iv, tionamidas 45mg/día vo, beta-bloqueantes, junto perclorato potásico 0,8-1g/día vo. Dos pacientes normalizaron las hormonas tiroideas periféricas tras 12 y 32 días de terapia combinada. Conclusión La combinación de tionamidas y perclorato potásico es una alternativa terapéutica eficaz en la TIA tipo I en pacientes refractarios a terapia convencional. Debe valorarse su empleo en pacientes con TIA mixta o etiología no aclarada (AU)

Introduction: Amiodarone-induced thyrotoxicosis (AIT) is a common clinical disorder that maybe life threatening and whose clinical manifestations and response to treatment may vary among patients. Methods: We present three patients treated with amiodarone for atrial fibrillation who developed AIT at least 36 months after beginning the treatment. Thyrotoxicosis worsened the underlying cardiac disorders and was resistant to treatment based on the combination of dexamethasone 8-12 mg/day i.v., thioamides 45 mg/day p.o., beta blockers and potassium perchlorate at doses of 800 to 1000 mg per day p.o. Two of the patients attained sustained euthyroidism after 12 and 32 days of combined treatment, while the third required total thyroidectomy. Conclusion: The combination of thioamides with potassium perchlorate is an appropriate formof therapy for AIT in patients resistant to thioamides. The use of this combination should be evaluated in patients with mixed AIT or AIT of unclear etiology (AU)

Alterations induced by chronic lead exposure on the cells of circadian pacemaker of developing rats.

Lead (Pb) exposure alters the temporal organization of several physiological and behavioural processes in which the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) of the hypothalamus plays a fundamental role. In this study, we evaluated the effects of chronic early Pb exposure (CePbe) on the morphology, cellular density and relative optical density (OD) in the cells of the SCN of male rats. Female Wistar rats were exposed during gestation and lactation to a Pb solution containing 320 ppm of Pb acetate through drinking water. After weaning, the pups were maintained with the same drinking water until sacrificed at 90 days of age. Pb levels in the blood, hypothalamus, hippocampus and prefrontal cortex were significantly increased in the experimental group. Chronic early Pb exposure induced a significant increase in the minor and major axes and somatic area of vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP)- and vasopressin (VP)-immunoreactive neurons. The density of VIP-, VP- and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP)-immunoreactive cells showed a significant decrease in the experimental group. OD analysis showed a significant increase in VIP neurons of the experimental group. The results showed that CePbe induced alterations in the cells of the SCN, as evidenced by modifications in soma morphology, cellular density and OD in circadian pacemaker cells. These findings provide a morphological and cellular basis for deficits in circadian rhythms documented in Pb-exposed animals.

[Alpha-tocopherol and alpha-lipoic acid. An antioxidant synergy with potential for preventive medicine]. / El alfa-tocoferol y el acido alfa-lipoico. Una sinergia antioxidante con potencial en medicina preventiva.

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) have been involved in the induction and progression of damage of many human disorders, such as: heart infarction, cerebral ischemia, diabetic neuropathy, Alzheimer's disease, etc. In several studies, the synergism between alpha-lipoic acid and vitamin E has been described and potent antioxidant effects can be obtained when both antioxidants are simultaneously used. This review highlights recent findings showing that the combination of alpha-lipoic acid plus vitamin E effectively reduces oxidative damage in brain and cardiac ischemia as well as in other pathological events related to ROS increasing. These antioxidants are present in a broad variety of foods, are also available in several dietary supplements and their side effects are very rare. Therefore, alpha-lipoic acid and vitamin E may play an important role in clinical preventive medicine and human nutrition.

Parálisis facial periférica a frígori: terapia acupuntural / Peripheral facial parálisis: acupuncture therapy

Se realizó un ensayo clínico fase III con 93 pacientes de ambos sexos, entre las edades de 5 a 20 años remitidos a la clínica de Medicina Natural y Tradicional del ISCM Carlos J Finlay por las consultas especializadas de Neurología y Maxilo Facial de los hospitales de la provincia Camagüey con el diagnóstico de parálisis facial periférica a frígori en el período comprendido entre enero de 2001 a julio de 2002. La muestra se dividió en dos grupos control y estudio, con 62 y 31 pacientes respectivamente (en una proporción de dos por uno). Los objetivos propuestos fueron determinar la conducta terapéutica a seguir, evaluar el tratamiento y sus resultados y demostrar la efectividad de la terapia acupuntural para lograr la calidad del tratamiento en la parálisis facial periférica a frígori. Concluimos que en las parálisis producidas por cambio de temperatura tratadas con acupuntura su recuperación motora es más rápida, el uso indiscriminado de los esteroides trae consigo mayor número de reacciones adversas no favorables para el desarrollo del niño y mientras más rápido se instaure el tratamiento con acupuntura la recuperación motora de los pacientes es más rápida y mejor será la calidad de nuestros tratamientos(AU)

Parálisis facial periférica a frígori: terapia acupuntural / Peripheral facial parálisis: acupuncture therapy

Se realizó un ensayo clínico fase III con 93 pacientes de ambos sexos, entre las edades de 5 a 20 años remitidos a la clínica de Medicina Natural y Tradicional del ISCM Carlos J Finlay por las consultas especializadas de Neurología y Maxilo Facial de los hospitales de la provincia Camagüey con el diagnóstico de parálisis facial periférica a frígori en el período comprendido entre enero de 2001 a julio de 2002. La muestra se dividió en dos grupos control y estudio, con 62 y 31 pacientes respectivamente (en una proporción de dos por uno). Los objetivos propuestos fueron determinar la conducta terapéutica a seguir, evaluar el tratamiento y sus resultados y demostrar la efectividad de la terapia acupuntural para lograr la calidad del tratamiento en la parálisis facial periférica a frígori. Concluimos que en las parálisis producidas por cambio de temperatura tratadas con acupuntura su recuperación motora es más rápida, el uso indiscriminado de los esteroides trae consigo mayor número de reacciones adversas no favorables para el desarrollo del niño y mientras más rápido se instaure el tratamiento con acupuntura la recuperación motora de los pacientes es más rápida y mejor será la calidad de nuestros tratamientos