Impaired intratumoral dendritic cell function and potential predictive value of dendritic cell markers for metastasis in malignant salivary gland tumors.

BACKGROUND: The differentiation between primary and metastatic salivary gland neoplasms (SGNs) helps in determining appropriate management strategies, including the need for additional diagnostic tests, surveillance, or aggressive treatment. The purpose of this study was to identify and quantify the immature and mature dendritic cells (DCs) in metastatic and no metastatic SGNs and determine its association with clinicopathological findings. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Cross-sectional, observational, and descriptive study that includes 33 malignant salivary gland neoplasms [MSGN (6, 18.1% metastatic)], and 22 pleomorphic adenomas (PA), as a control group. Clinical and histopathological characteristics were obtained. Immunohistochemistry for human leukocyte antigen D-related (HLA-DR), CD1a, CD83, and Ki-67 proteins was done. Positive intra- and peritumoral DCs were counted. RESULTS: Individuals with MSGN had a lower density of intratumoral HLA-DR+ cells than those with PA (p=0.001), Ki-67 immunostaining was significantly higher in MSGN than in PA (6% vs. 1.4%, p<0.001). Metastatic MSGN showed less intratumoral CD1a+ than non-metastatic (3.2 vs. 165.1, p=0.001). No differences in intra- and peritumoral CD83+ cells were found between benign and malignant SGN. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that the immune-protective function of intratumoral DCs is compromised in MSGNs. DCs markers may represent useful prediction tools for metastases in salivary gland malignancies, with crucial implications in the implementation of appropriate disease management strategies.

A perspective on the role of uncertainty in sustainability science and engineering.

The Trans-Atlantic Research and Development Interchange on Sustainability Workshop (TARDIS) is a meeting on scientific topics related to sustainability. The 2019 workshop theme was "On the Role of Uncertainty in Managing the Earth for Global Sustainability." This paper presents the perspectives on this topic derived from talks and discussions at the 2019 TARDIS workshop. There are four kinds of uncertainties encountered in sustainability ranging from clear enough futures to true surprises. The current state-of-the-art in assessing and mitigating these uncertainties is discussed.

Inflammatory biomarkers in dentinal fluid as an approach to molecular diagnostics in pulpitis.

AIM: To explore a set of inflammatory biomarkers obtained from dentinal fluid (DF) from patients with symptomatic irreversible pulpitis (IP), reversible pulpitis (RP) and normal pulp (NP). METHODOLOGY: A cross-sectional exploratory study was performed, recruiting 64 patients on the basis of their respective pulp condition. DF samples were obtained from all patients (23, from IP patients; 20, from RP patients; and 21, from NP patients). Quantification of biomarkers was performed using a Luminex® MAGPIX platform system and multiplex assay kits. The Kruskal-Wallis test was used for comparisons with regard to pulp state. A simple logistic regression model and the odds ratio (OR) with a 95% level of confidence (P = 0.05) were used to evaluate associations between biomarker levels and pulpal diagnosis. The performance discrimination of the biomarkers was evaluated through the construction of a receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve by calculating the area under the curve (AUC) for IP versus RP after logistic regression modelling. Youden criteria were used to establish cut-off points for biomarkers alone with AUC > 70 and P-value < 0.05, or estimated probabilities from the multivariable logistic model. RESULTS: The biomarkers that had significantly higher values in participants with IP versus RP were IL-1α, VEGF-α and FGF acid (P < 0.05). FGF acid (OR: 12.62; P = 0.0085; CI 95% 1.91-83.29) and VEGF-α (OR: 2.61; P = 0.0252; CI 95% 1.13-6.03) were associated with pulp diagnoses of IP versus RP. The AUC-ROC curve for FGF acid was 0.79. The model containing FGF acid, IL-1α, IL-6 and TIMP-1 had an AUC-ROC of 0.92 for IP versus RP with a significant difference from the FGF acid ROC curve (P = 0.0231). CONCLUSIONS: Dentinal fluid could be used to assay pulpal mediators in the molecular diagnosis of pulpitis. Despite the limitation of the clinical diagnostics used in the present study, it was possible to detect a difference between irreversible symptomatic pulpitis and reversible pulpitis associated with the following combined biomarkers: FGF acid + IL-6 + IL-1α, +TIMP-1.

Experimental optimization of concatenated taper Mach-Zehnder interferometers operating in the 1000-1150 nm wavelength range.

Experimental optimization of all fiber Mach-Zehnder interferometers based on concatenated tapers is presented. The experimental optimization was realized by the application of the four parameters Taguchi algorithm, and the insertion loss of comb filters operating around the 1064 nm wavelength was taken as the parameter to be optimized. The out of band losses were reduced from around 2.5 dB (43.7%) to a minimum of 0.45 dB (9.84%) in one case, and from 2.9 (48.71%) to 0.4 dB (8.79%) by using a fixed tapers pair's geometry with 1 mm×1 mm×1 mm of up-taper length/waist length/down-taper length, respectively, and a waist diameter of 40 µm.

Adaptable Optical Fiber Displacement-Curvature Sensor Based on a Modal Michelson Interferometer with a Tapered Single Mode Fiber.

A compact, highly sensitive optical fiber displacement and curvature radius sensor is presented. The device consists of an adiabatic bi-conical fused fiber taper spliced to a single-mode fiber (SMF) segment with a flat face end. The bi-conical taper structure acts as a modal coupling device between core and cladding modes for the SMF segment. When the bi-conical taper is bent by an axial displacement, the symmetrical bi-conical shape of the tapered structure is stressed, causing a change in the refractive index profile which becomes asymmetric. As a result, the taper adiabaticity is lost, and interference between modes appears. As the bending increases, a small change in the fringe visibility and a wavelength shift on the periodical reflection spectrum of the in-fiber interferometer is produced. The displacement sensitivity and the spectral periodicity of the device can be adjusted by the proper selection of the SMF length. Sensitivities from around 1.93 to 3.4 nm/mm were obtained for SMF length between 7.5 and 12.5 cm. Both sensor interrogations, wavelength shift and visibility contrast, can be used to measure displacement and curvature radius magnitudes.

Changes in milk composition in obese rats consuming a high-fat diet.

Maternal obesity programmes offspring development. We addressed maternal obesity effects induced by high-fat diets on maternal mammary gland (MG) structure and function and offspring brain, liver and fat outcomes. Mothers were fed control (C, n 5) or obesogenic (MO, n 5) diet from the time they were weaned through pregnancy beginning at 120 d, through lactation. At offspring postnatal day (PND) 20, milk leptin and nutrients were determined. At the end of lactation, maternal liver and MG fatty acid profile were measured. Desaturase (Δ6D and Δ5D) and elongase (ELOVL 5 and ELOVL 2) protein was measured by immunohistochemistry and Western blotting (WB) in the liver and WB in the MG. In mothers, liver, MG and milk fat content were higher in MO than in C. Liver arachidonic acid (AA) and EPA and MG EPA were lower in MO than in C. Liver desaturases were higher in MO. The MG was heavier in MO than in C, with decreased Δ5D expression in MO. Desaturases and elongases were immunolocalised in parenchymal cells of both groups. Milk yield, water, carbohydrate content, EPA and DHA were lower, whereas milk leptin and AA were higher in MO than in C. At PND 21 and 36, brain weight was less and fat depots were greater in MO offspring than in C. MO decreased male absolute brain weight but not female absolute brain weight. In conclusion, maternal obesity induced by an obesogenic diet negatively affects maternal liver and MG function with the production of significant changes in milk composition. Maternal obesity adversely affects offspring metabolism and development.

[Intensity adjustment of hematopoietic alogeneic transplantation in acute leukemia]. / Ajuste de intensidad para el trasplante hematopoyético alogénico en leucemia aguda.

BACKGROUND: The intensity of conditioning chemotherapy and radiotherapy in hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) varies according to several factors including the patient’s age, pre-existing conditions and performance status. Myeloablative conditioning (MA) increases transplant related mortality and reduces survival in older patients. Reduced intensity conditioning (RIC) is a good option for these patients. AIM: To report our experience with HSCT in patients of different ages with acute leukemia. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Retrospective analysis of 115 allogeneic HSCT performed in patients with acute myeloid or lymphoblastic leukemia. RESULTS: We analyzed the cohort of patients in groups according to age at transplantation: younger than 40 years (n = 74), 41 to 50 years (n = 25) and older than 51 years of age (n = 16). Overall survival (OS), Disease free survival (DFS) and relapse at five years were similar in both groups of patients younger than 50 years (OS 40 and 44% respectively, DFS 38 and 42% respectively and relapse 40% and 34% respectively, p = NS). Patients over 51 years had a five years OS of 12%. However when we analyzed those patients by date and conditioning we found that patients who were treated with MA regimens in the first decade of the transplant program (before 2000) had lower OS compared to those treated after 2000 with RIC (five years OS 49% and 12% respectively, p < 0.01). No significant differences in terms of OS, recurrence or incidence of graft-versus-host disease were found when comparing groups under 40 years, between 41 and 50 years and older than 51 years treated only with RIC. CONCLUSIONS: RIC provides the possibility of HSCT in older patients with rates comparable to those obtained in younger patients successfully treated with MA conditioning.

NKG2C gene deletion in the Mexican population and lack of association to respiratory viral infections.

Expansion of a natural killer (NK) cell population that expresses NKG2C has been associated with cytomegalovirus and other viral infections. It has been suggested that this cell population may play a role in infection control. Deletion of the NKG2C gene (homozygous or heterozygous) has been reported with high prevalence in European and Asian populations. However, the effect of NKG2C genotype on NK cell responses to infection remains poorly defined. We determined the prevalence of the NKG2C deletion in a Mexican population (n = 300) and in a group of patients (n = 131) to assess whether NKG2C genotype affects the incidence of symptomatic viral infections caused by influenza or respiratory syncytial virus. The frequency of the NKG2C deletion haplotype in Mexican mestizos was significantly lower (10.3%) than that reported in other populations (17.5-21.9%). No difference in the prevalence of NKG2C deletion was observed in subjects with viral infections compared with the reference population. In addition, no differences in clinical characteristics and infection outcome were observed between patients with and without the NKG2C gene deletion. Our results indicate that copy number variation in the NKG2C gene has no impact on the severity of respiratory viral infections.

Effect of tongue position on masseter and temporalis electromyographic activity during swallowing and maximal voluntary clenching: a cross-sectional study.

The purpose of this study was to measure and compare the tonic electromyographic (EMG) activity of the temporalis and masseter muscles following placement of the tongue either on the palate or in the floor of the mouth during swallowing and maximal voluntary clenching (MVC). Thirty healthy dental students with natural dentition and bilateral molar support, between the ages of 18 and 22, with no prior history of oro-facial injury, or current or past pain in the jaw, mouth or tongue participated in the study. Tonic masseter and temporalis EMG activities were recorded using surface electrodes. Subjects were instructed to passively place the tongue either on the anterior hard palate or in the floor of the mouth during swallowing and MVC. At each tongue position, the resulting EMG was recorded. During swallowing, no significant difference in EMG activity was found either for the masseter (P-value = 0.1592) or the temporalis (P-value = 0.0546) muscles, regardless of the tongue position. During MVC, there was a statistically significant difference for both the masseter (P-value = 0.0016) and the temporalis (P-value = 0.0277) muscles with lower levels recorded with the tongue in the floor of the mouth. This study found that in normal, pain-free subjects, placing the tongue in the floor of the mouth significantly reduces masticatory muscle activity during MVC. Thus, it may be considered as a possible therapeutic option to decrease masticatory muscle activity; however, further research is needed in patients with oro-facial pain.

Increased inflammatory biomarkers in early pregnancy is associated with the development of pre-eclampsia in patients with periodontitis: a case control study.

AIM(S): To explore the relationship between biomarkers of systemic inflammation in plasma and gingival crevicular fluid in early pregnancy and the subsequent development of pre-eclampsia in patients with periodontitis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A case-control study was performed. From a cohort composed of 126 pregnant women, 43 normotensive healthy pregnant women were randomly selected, and 11 cases of preeclampsia were identified. Plasmatic and gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) samples were collected in early pregnancy (11-14 wk gestation). The levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) were measured in the plasma and GCF samples, whereas the level of C-reactive protein (CRP) was measured in plasma samples. Biomarkers were determined by ELISA assays. The data were analysed using descriptive statistics, and the association between variables was estimated through logistic regression models. RESULTS: There was observed an association between pre-eclampsia and plasmatic levels of CRP (OR: 1.07; p = 0.003). Additionally, pre-eclampsia also was associated with IL-6 levels in GCF samples in early pregnancy (OR: 1.05; p = 0.039). A multiple logistic regression model suggests that increased levels of IL-6 in GCF (OR = 1.06; p = 0.02; CI 95% 1.007-1.117) in early pregnancy increase the risk of developing pre-eclampsia. CONCLUSION(S): Pregnant women with periodontitis who later development pre-eclampsia, shows increased levels of IL-6 in GCF and CRP in plasma during early pregnancy. Periodontal disease could contribute to systemic inflammation in early pregnancy via a local increase of IL-6 and the systemic elevation of CRP. Therefore, both inflammatory markers could be involved in the relationship between periodontal disease and pre-eclampsia.

Porphyromonas gingivalis, Treponema denticola and toll-like receptor 2 are associated with hypertensive disorders in placental tissue: a case-control study.

AIM(S): To explore the associations between the presence of periodontal pathogens and the expression of toll-like receptors (TLR-2 and TLR-4) in the placental tissue of patients with hypertensive disorders compared to the placentas of healthy normotensive patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A case-control study was performed. From a cohort composed of 126 pregnant women, 33 normotensive healthy pregnant women were randomly selected, and 25 cases of patients with hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, including gestational hypertension and pre-eclampsia, were selected. Placental biopsy was obtained after aseptic placental collection at the time of delivery. All of the samples were processed and analysed for the detection of Porphyromonas gingivalis, Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans, Fusobacterium nucleatum, Treponema denticola and Tannerella forsythia using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique. Determination of the expressions of TLR-2 and TLR-4 was performed in samples of total purified protein isolated from placental tissues and analysed by ELISA. The data were assessed using descriptive statistics. The associations among variables were estimated through multiple logistic regression models and the Mann-Whitney test to evaluate the differences between the two groups. RESULTS: A significant increase was observed in the expression of TLR-2 in the placentas of patients with hypertensive disorders (p = 0.04). Additionally, the multiple logistic regression models demonstrated an association between the presence of T. denticola and P. gingivalis in placental tissues and hypertensive disorders (OR: 9.39, p = 0.001, CI 95% 2.39-36.88 and OR: 7.59, p = 0.019, CI 95% 1.39-41.51, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: In the present study, pregnant women with periodontal disease presented an association in the placental tissue between the presence of T. denticola and P. gingivalis and hypertensive disorders. Additionally, increased expression of TLR-2 was observed. However, further studies are required to determine the specific roles of periodontal pathogens and TLRs in the placental tissue of patients with pregnancy-related hypertensive disorders.

Src and PI3 K inhibitors affect the virulence factors of Entamoeba histolytica.

Protein kinases (PKs) of parasitic protozoa are being evaluated as drug targets. A large number of protein kinases within the protein kinome of Entamoeba histolytica strongly suggest that protein phosphorylation is a key component of pathogenesis regulation by this parasite. PI3 K and Src are kinases previously described in this parasite, but their role is poorly understood. Here, the effect of Src-1-inhibitor and PI3 K inhibitor (Wortmannin) on the virulence factors of E. histolytica was evaluated. Results show that both inhibitors affect the actin cytoskeleton and the amoebic movement. Also, the proteolytic activity is diminished by Wortmannin, but not by Src-inhibitor-1; however, the phagocytic capacity is diminished by Wortmannin and Src-1-inhibitor. Finally, we found that the virulence in vivo of E. histolytica is affected by Wortmannin but not by Src-1-inhibitor. This study opens the way for the design of anti-amoebic drugs based on kinase inhibition.

Plasma rich in growth factors membrane as a macular hole treatment in a vitrectomized patient due to rhegmatogenous retinal detachment.

The formation of a macular hole after vitrectomy due to rhegmatogenous retinal detachment is a rare complication. Although there are different surgical options in the treatment of these macular holes with favorable outcomes, it has been shown that the history of macula-off retinal detachment is the most important risk factor related to the need for multiple interventions to close these macular holes, therefore special attention should be paid in the management of these patients. We present the case of a patient with macula-off rhegmatogenous retinal detachment who required treatment with cataract surgery with intraocular lens implant and pars plana vitrectomy. Four years after the primary surgery, she presented a large macular hole, and was treated with membrane of plasm rich in growth factors with closure of the macular hole and visual improvement without recurrence 12 months after surgery.

Colloidal stability of graphene in aqueous medium: a theoretical approach through molecular dynamics.

CONTEXT: Graphene has been used as reinforcement of polymeric nanocomposites to increase mechanical and electrical properties. Recently, graphene suspensions have been used for the development of nanofluids in automotive applications, where improvements in convection heat transfer coefficients and pressure drops have been reported. However, dispersions of graphene sheets in a polymeric matrix as well as in a solvent medium are difficult to achieve; that is because Van der Waals, [Formula: see text] and Coulombic interactions cause agglomerations. Surface chemical modifications have been considered as viable options to improve the graphene integration. In this work, we studied the colloidal stability of aqueous solutions of graphene sheets functionalized with (i) carboxylic groups, (ii) 3-amino-propyl tri-ethoxy silane (amphiphilic behavior), (iii) graphene oxide, and (iv) pristine graphene. Results show that the lower sedimentation velocity corresponds to the graphene functionalized with carboxylic groups, which presents the higher colloidal stability. However, the amphiphilic group enhances the interaction energy between graphene and the solvent; we believe that there is a threshold percentage of functionalization that improves the colloidal stability of graphene. METHOD: Transport properties of graphene solutions were estimated by using Non-Equilibrium Molecular Dynamics simulations to generate Poiseuille flow in an NVT ensemble. Simulations were developed in the LAMMPS code. The COMPASS Force Field was used for the graphene systems and the TIP3P for the water molecules. Bonds and angles of hydrogen atoms were kept rigid by using the shake algorithm. The molecular models were built through MedeA and visualized with the Ovito software.

YouTube® in Spanish as a source of information for patients with inflammatory bowel disease.

INTRODUCTION AND AIM: The majority of patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) seek information about their disease on the Internet. The reliability, comprehensiveness, and quality of said information in Spanish has not previously been studied. MATERIALS AND METHODS: An analytic observational study was conducted that included YouTube® videos on IBD available in Spanish, describing general characteristics, engagement, and sources. Standard tools for evaluating reliability (DISCERN), comprehensiveness, and overall quality (Global Quality Score, GQS) were employed. RESULTS: One hundred videos were included. Eighty-eight videos consisted of information produced by healthcare professionals (group 1) and 12 included patient opinions (group 2). There were no differences in the median scores for reliability (DISCERN 3 vs 3, p = 0.554) or comprehensiveness (3 vs 2.5, p = 0.768) between the two groups, but there was greater overall quality in the group 2 videos (GQS 3 vs 4, p = 0.007). Reliability was higher for the videos produced by professional organizations (DISCERN 4; IQR 3-4), when compared with healthcare information websites and for-profit agencies (DISCERN 3; IQR 2.5-3.5) (p < 0.001), but the videos with healthcare information website and for-profit sources had a higher quality score (GQS 3 vs 4, p < 0.001). Comprehensiveness scores were similar. CONCLUSION: The majority of YouTube® videos in Spanish on IBD have good reliability, comprehensiveness, and quality. Reliability was greater for the videos produced by professional organizations, whereas quality was higher for those created from healthcare information websites and for-profit agencies.

Two predicted α-helices within the prion-like domain of TIAR-1 play a crucial role in its association with stress granules in Caenorhabditis elegans.

Stress granules (SGs) are sites for mRNA storage, protection, and translation repression. TIA1 and TIAR1 are two RNA-binding proteins that are key players in SGs formation in mammals. TIA1/TIAR have a prion-like domain (PrD) in their C-terminal that promotes liquid-phase separation. Lack of any TIA1/TIAR has severe consequences in mice. However, it is not clear whether the failure to form proper SGs is the cause of any of these problems. We disrupted two predicted α-helices within the prion-like domain of the Caenohabditis elegans TIA1/TIAR homolog, TIAR-1, to test whether its association with SGs is important for the nematode. We found that tiar-1 PrD mutant animals continued to form TIAR-1 condensates under stress in the C. elegans gonad. Nonetheless, TIAR-1 condensates appeared fragile and disassembled quickly after stress. Apparently, the SGs continued to associate regularly as observed with CGH-1, an SG marker. Like tiar-1-knockout nematodes, tiar-1 PrD mutant animals exhibited fertility problems and a shorter lifespan. Notwithstanding this, tiar-1 PrD mutant nematodes were no sensitive to stress. Our data demonstrate that the predicted prion-like domain of TIAR-1 is important for its association with stress granules. Moreover, this domain may also play a significant role in various TIAR-1 functions unrelated to stress, such as fertility, embryogenesis and lifespan.

[Anogenital lesions produced by Human Papillomavirus. Prevalence study in children and adolescent not vaccinated]. / Lesiones anogenitales por Virus Papiloma Humano. Estudio de prevalencia en niños, niñas y adolescentes no vacunados.

In Chilean children and adolescents, human papillomavirus (HPV) infection prevalence is unknown. In 2014, the HPV vaccine was incorporated into the National Immunization Program for girls, and since 2019 for boys. OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence, genotypes, and characteristics of HPV infection in children and adolescents with anogenital lesions not vaccinated against HPV. PATIENTS AND METHOD: Children and adolescents with anogenital lesions who consulted at the Luis Calvo Mackenna Children's Hospital between 2013 and 2017 were studied. The reason for consultation, age, sex, family history of HPV lesions, history of sexual abuse, and consensual sexual activity were recorded. HPV was detected by PCR and typification by reverse hybridization of the L1 gene. The samples were analyzed in the Oncogenic Virus Section of the Institute of Public Health. RESULTS: 110 patients were studied; 44.5% were children. HPV was detected in 34 cases (30.9% [CI95% 22.4- 40.4]), 22 (44.9%) were children and 12 (19.7%) adolescents. Eleven (91.7%) adolescents had a history of sexual con tact (p < 0.005); 4 (18.2%) children disclosed sexual abuse. HPV was found in 25% of patients with genital lesions and 50% with perianal lesions (p < 0.015). The most frequent genotypes were 59, 58, 16, 18, 6, and 11. Only low-risk genotypes were detected in children and high-risk genotypes were detected in 11/12 (91.7%) of HPV (+) adolescents. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of HPV infection was 30%. In adolescents, the infection was related to sexual contact and high-risk HPV. In children, it was associated with low-risk genotypes. Perianal lesions are more frequently associated with HPV infec tion than genital lesions in children and adolescents. The visual inspection does not allow to specify the etiology of the genital lesions, so it is necessary to perform a PCR test for HPV.

Stenocereus huastecorum-fruit juice concentrate protects against cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity by nitric oxide pathway activity and antioxidant and antiapoptotic effects.

Cisplatin (CP) is an antineoplastic agent used to treat solid tumors, that has high nephrotoxicity caused by physiologic, hemodynamic, and biochemical alterations. Some studies have shown that naturally derived bioactive compounds in CP-induced nephrotoxicity reduce the side effects of this antineoplastic drug. Pitaya is an endemic fruit from Mexico with a high bioactive compound content, including betalains and phenolic compounds, with reports of antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. In this study, the aim was to establish the effect of a pitaya juice concentrate (PJC) on CP-induced nephrotoxicity in Wistar male rats through the identification of metabolites, determination of its chemical composition and antioxidant activity, and evaluation of the protective effect of a PJC on CP-induced nephrotoxicity in rats. The PJC showed a high content of betanins with antioxidant activity by an oxygen radical absorbance capacity assay (1299.6 ± 2.80 Trolox equivalents/g). PJC was administered daily (400 mg day-1, p. o.) for 3 days before CP administration until the end of the experiment. On day four, rats were administered a single injection of CP (6 mg kg, i.p.-1) and sacrificed 72 h later. We observed that CP provoked renal dysfunction (1.0 ± 0.1 vs. 0.4 ± 0.07 serum creatinine levels), oxidative stress, a decrease in nitrate and nitrite (NO2¯/NO3¯) levels (0.1 ± 0.08 vs. 0.4 ± 0.3) and activation of apoptosis and immune responses in kidney tissue. In addition, CP treatment induced tubular damage threefold. PJC administration prevented renal dysfunction (0.5 ± 0.06 vs. 1.0 ± 0.1), normalized degenerative structural damage prevented the increase in lipoperoxidation levels (0.04 ± 0.01 vs. 0.2 ± 0.1) and reduced the apoptosis index by 2.5 in kidney tissue. However, it did not modify the immune response caused by CP. Furthermore, PJC treatment increased nuclear factor erythroid two related factors two protein levels two times and NO2¯/NO3¯ levels 22 times in kidney tissue, which may play a role in the renoprotective effect. In conclusion, the renoprotective effect of PJC on CP-induced nephrotoxicity was associated with the attenuation of dysfunction, structural damage, apoptosis activation, and oxidative stress and was related to changes in the tumor necrosis factor-alpha and renal nitric oxide (NO) pathways. The changes in the NO pathway may be involved in renal hemodynamics. Pitaya could be used as a functional food and therapeutic coadjuvant during CP treatments due to its high bioactive levels and renoprotective compounds.

Research opportunities: Traditional fermented beverages in Mexico. Cultural, microbiological, chemical, and functional aspects.

In Mexico, close to 200 fermented products have been described, of which, approximately 20 are beverages. They were obtained through rustic and ancestral fermentation methods by different indigenous Mexican communities; most of them were used in ceremonies, agricultural work, and other occasions. For their elaboration, different substrates obtained from plants are used, where uncontrolled and low-scale spontaneous anaerobic fermentation occurs. In Mexico, some of these products are considered as nutritional sources and functional beverages; the study of those products has revealed the presence of multiple compounds of biological importance. Additionally, elder generations attribute healing properties against diverse illnesses to these beverages. The aim of this review is to highlight the available information on twelve traditional Mexican fermented beverages, their traditional uses, and their fermentation processes along with toxicological, chemical, nutritional, and functional studies as seen from different areas of investigation. In the literature, pulque, cocoa, and pozol were the beverages with the greatest amount of described health properties; sendechó and guarapo were less characterized. Polyphenols, gallic and ferulic acid, anthocyanins and saponins were the most abundant molecules in all beverages. Finally, it is important to continue this research in order to determine the microorganisms that are involved in the fermentation process, as well as the organoleptic and beneficial properties they lend to the traditional Mexican fermented beverages.