Impact of the Role of the Clinical Pharmacist on the Underreporting of Adverse Drug Reactions at a Peruvian hospital.

Background: The clinical pharmacists play a key role in the Pharmacovigilance System. They are integrated to the health team performing pharmacotherapeutic follow-up (PF), drug information, at third level care hospital. The objective of this study was to assess the impact of the clinical pharmacists' role in increasing the reporting of suspected adverse drug reactions (SADRs) after including in-service training (IST) in their role, as well as to characterize the reported ADRs. Methods: A longitudinal study was performed, reports of SADRs received through medical interconsultations were evaluated, before and after applying IST, in 2 periods: January 2017 to June 2018 and July 2018 to December 2019. Results: Interconsultations after IST were increased by 168,4%; of these, 75 were ADRs reported to the Dirección General de Medicamentos, Insumos y Drogas (DIGEMID). Internal Medicine and Pneumology services reported more SADR in both periods. There was significant statistical difference in ADRs' causality (P = .001) and type (P = .009). Severe ADRs highlighted after IST (4 vs 12). The most affected organ and system in both periods was skin and appendages. Conclusion: The reporting of SADRs augmented, reflected in an increase in medical interconsultations as a modality of SADR notification, after including IST to the role of the clinical pharmacist, allowing the development of convenient FP, which led to the evaluation of SARs. A higher number of serious ADRs were reported.

Description and results of birth defects surveillance and follow-up programs in Bogotá and Cali, Colombia, 2002-2019.

Birth defects are structural or functional defects present at birth and are caused by different factors that affect intrauterine development. They are the second most common cause of death under five years of age in Latin America and the Caribbean. In Bogotá and Cali, Colombia, there are two surveillance programs established to evaluate the prevalence of them. The purpose of the following article is to describe the experience and results of the surveillance of the Birth Defects Surveillance Programs in Bogotá and Cali, Colombia, 2002-2019. The information was taken from the surveillance programs that have an active hospital system in some institutions of the city (ECLAMC modality), and use data from the passive national system (Sistema Nacional de Vigilancia en Salud Pública - SIVIGILA) to expand their coverage. From 2002 until 2019, 1,289.650 births have been monitored through one of the surveillance programs, including both methodologies. The importance of surveillance programs relies on the amount of data obtained that allows the development of research, the detection of potential changes throughout time, and the guidance of public policies to improve promotion and prevention strategies.

Percentile distribution of anthropometric variables in pregnant women.

Anthropometric indicators play an important role in the health status assessment of individuals and populations across the different vulnerable groups, due to which it is necessary to ascertain the percentile distribution of the weight, body mass index (BMI), and mid-arm, thigh, and calf circumferences in pregnant women for each week of gestational age. This descriptive and cross-sectional study included 4481 measurements of anthropometric variables obtained from 745 pregnancies out of 719 subjects aged between 19 and 39 years, who were well-nourished, healthy, without clinical edema in the third trimester, with single pregnancy, and validated gestational age. All evaluations were conducted at the Centro de Atencion Nutricional Infantil Antimano, CANIA, from 1998 to 2012. The anthropometric measurements were performed by standardized anthropometrists. Measures of central tendency and dispersion, bivariate correlations, and percentiles 3, 10, 25, 50, 75, 90, and 97 were calculated for each gestational age, between the 8th and 37th weeks of gestation. The number of measurements performed for each studied variable ranged from a minimum of 101 and a maximum of 241 at each gestational week. The BMI and circumference behaviors showed increases as the gestational age advanced. The changes in the variables observed in the 50th percentile between weeks 8 thru 37 were: weight, 10.10 kg; BMI, 4.23 kg/m2; and circumferences (cm): mid-arm, 0.45; calf, 1.60; and thigh, 3.55. The results of this study provide the means to simplify the screening and follow-up of the nutritional status in an accurate manner at any stage of gestation until the 37th week.

Percentile distribution for anthropometric variables used to estimate body composition in pregnant women.

Anthropometric indicators of body composition, reflective of fat and lean compartments in pregnant women, undergo changes throughout gestation. The adequate interpretation of these indicators requires the availability of percentile distribution values for each week of gestational age. The objective was to determine the percentile distribution for subcutaneous skin-fold thicknesses: biceps, triceps, subscapular, mid-thigh, and both arm fat and arm muscle areas for each week of gestational age. This descriptive and cross-sectional study included 4,481 measurements of anthropometric variables obtained from 745 pregnancies out of 719 subjects aged between 19 and 39 years, well-nourished, healthy, without clinical edema, single pregnancy, and validated gestational age. Evaluations were conducted at the Centro de Atencion Nutricional Infantil Antimano, between 1998 and 2012. The anthropometric measurements were performed by standardized anthropometrists. Descriptive statistics, bivariant correlations, and percentiles 3, 10, 25, 50, 75, 90, and 97 were calculated for each week of pregnancy between weeks 8 thru 37. The number of measurements performed for each variable studied at each week of gestation ranged between 100 and 236. The behavior of the variables reflecting the fat component showed increases as the gestational age advanced (1.86 cm2), whereas the muscle area showed decreases (-0.02 cm2). The most noticeable variations were seen in the subscapular and mid-thigh skin-fold thicknesses 2.90 mm and 5.0 mm, respectively. The availability of percentile distributions of the anthropometric variables used in the evaluation of body composition for pregnant women per gestational age, contributes to optimizing the nutritional categorization in this population group.

Molecular Survey of Babesia and Anaplasma Infection in Cattle in Bolivia.

Latin American countries produce more than a quarter of the world's beef and are a major global supplier of livestock protein. Tick-borne diseases (TBDs) are a major constraint to the livestock industry worldwide, including in Latin America. The aim of this study was to detect and characterise tick-borne pathogens in cattle from Santa Cruz, Bolivia, where no detailed epidemiological data are available. Blood samples were collected from 104 cattle. Apicomplexan parasites were detected by nested PCR amplification of the 18S ribosomal RNA gene (rDNA), and Anaplasmataceae was screened by the PCR amplification of 16S rDNA, followed by characterisation based on the heat shock protein and citrate synthase gene sequences. Babesia infection was observed in nine cattle (one Babesia bovis and eight Babesia bigemina), while Anaplasmataceae infection was detected in thirty-two cattle. A sequencing analysis confirmed the presence of Anaplasma marginale and Anaplasma platys-like. These results provide the first molecular evidence for the four above-mentioned tick-borne pathogens in cattle in Bolivia. This information improves our understanding of the epidemiology of TBDs and will help in formulating appropriate and improved pathogen control strategies.

[Effectiveness of the Body Mass Index in the nutritional diagnosis of pregnant adolescents]. / Efectividad del índice de masa corporal en el diagnóstico nutricional de las gestantes adolescentes.

The purpose of this study was to analyze the diagnostic capacity of different classification criteria based on Body Mass Index in the assessment of nutritional status and to evaluate their effectiveness. The sample comprised 367 healthy pregnant adolescents in their first trimester of gestation, from a socioeconomic level IV, between Oct. 1999 and Dec. 2008. Two methodologies were applied for the nutritional classification: (1) Integral nutritional diagnosis (gold standard), and (2) Body Mass Index (BMI), using local reference values: Proyecto Venezuela and the Transversal Study of Caracas, and international reference values: Frisancho and WHO 2006. Concordances, kappa, sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values, positive and negative likelihood ratios, and the Youden index were calculated. According to the gold standard and BMI, the percentage of well-nourished pregnant women ranged between 62.4% and 80.6%. Within the deficit range, Frisancho was the most effective with kappa: 0.80; sensitivity: 87.3%; specificity: 94.8%; positive likelihood ratio: 16.9, and negative likelihood ratio: 0.13; Youden index: 0.82. Within the excess range, Frisancho and the Transversal Study of Caracas were the most effective with Youden index: 0.86 and 0.83, respectively. These results revealed that Frisancho was the best criterion to diagnose malnutrition in deficit in pregnant women. All references have an adequate diagnostic capacity for the excess range, of which Frisancho and the Transversal Study of Caracas are the best. We recommend using such reference values to optimize the efficiency of the BMI indicator in diagnosing malnutrition in deficit and in excess in the first trimester of gestation in pregnant adolescents within populations with similar characteristics.

[Active Substance Index (AKS) percentile distribution in pediatric ages]. / Indice de sustancia activa (AKS) distribución percentilar en edades pediátricas.

The aim of this study was to discern the percentile distribution of the Active Substance Index (AKS) in boys and girls aged 4 to 9 years in order to obtain reference values for this indicator. This index was calculated in 3634 healthy and well-nourished children with normal stature from a poor urban community at Centro de Atención Nutricional Infantil Antímano (CANIA), within the period between January 1999 and December 2007. Children with prematurity backgrounds, pubertal growth spurts, or with chronic pathologies, whether defined or under study, were excluded. The Dugdale & Griffiths two-skinfold equation for boys and girls shorter than 150 cm and 140 cm, respectively was used to obtain the fat body mass required to estimate the AKS index. The variables were measured by standardized anthropometrics technicians, with quality control every 4 months as recommended by international standards. Descriptive statistics of the AKS index and variables used for their calculation were obtained, as well as index percentiles 3, 10, 25, 50, 75, 90, and 97. Tests applied included Kolmogorov-Smirnoff, Anova one-way, Chi Square, Tukey and bivariated correlations (p < 0.05). The AKS index behavior exhibited higher values in the boys, decreasing with age in both sexes, ranging from 1.28 to 1.04 in the boys and from 1.17 to 0.94 in the girls. Statistically significant differences were found for each age and sex. These results provide the AKS index percentile distribution values needed for nutritional assessments in pediatric ages. These values should be validated and their effectiveness should be studied.

[Diagnosis of familial amyloid polyneuropathy type I in Argentina]. / Diagnóstico de polineuropatía amiloidótica familiar tipo I en la Argentina.

Familial amyloid polyneuropathy (FAP) is an autosomal dominant inherited disease, characterized by systemic deposition of amyloid fibrils in various tissues, especially in peripheral nerves, being a variant of transthyretin (TTR) the principal component of amyloid fibrils. TTR is a normal plasma protein (previously called prealbumin) that functions as a transport protein binding tiroxine and retinol. Among many mutations that have been found in the TTR gene, the variant with a single amino acid substitution of methionine for valine at position 30 (TTR Val30Met) is the responsible of the Portuguese-type Familial Amyloidotic Polyneuropathy (FAP Type I). Interest in this pathology has arisen in Argentina because of the finding of an endemic area where a group of Portuguese immigrant families is localized. Since liver transplantation is a widely accepted treatment because it results in the disappearance of variant transthyretin from plasma, an early detection of the altered gene is essential. Thus, the objective of the present work was to optimize a methodology to detect the Val30Met mutation introducing modifications into techniques that were previously developed. The simple method here described is useful to confirm the diagnosis of the potential disease and, therefore, make it possible for patients to gain access to early liver transplantation.

Effect of erythropoietin on staurosporine-induced apoptosis and differentiation of SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells.

Since apoptosis appeared to be related to neurodegenerative processes, neuroprotection has been involved in investigation of therapeutic approaches focused upon pharmacological agents to prevent neuronal programmed cell death. In this regard, erythropoietin (Epo) seems to play a critical role. The present work was focused on the study of the Epo protective effect upon human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells subjected to differentiation by staurosporine. Under this condition, profuse neurite outgrowth was accompanied by programmed cell death (35% of apoptotic cells by Hoechst assay, showing characteristic DNA ladder pattern). A previous treatment with recombinant human Epo (rHuEpo) increased the expression of the specific receptor for Epo while prevented apoptosis. Simultaneously, morphological changes in neurite elongation and interconnection induced by staurosporine were blocked by Epo. These Epo effects proved to be associated to the induction of Bcl-xL at the mRNA and protein levels (RT-PCR and Western blot after immunoprecipitation) and were mediated by activation of pathways inhibited by wortmannin. In conclusion, the fact that both events induced by staurosporine, cell apoptosis and differentiation, were prevented in SH-SY5Y cells previously exposed to rHuEpo suggests interrelated signaling pathways triggered by the Epo/EpoR interaction.

[Adrenocortical function in patients with systemic mycoses]. / Función adrenocortical en pacientes con micosis sistémica.

The systemic mycoses like paracoccidioidomycosis and histoplasmosis, are the main cause of adrenal insufficiency in the countries where they arc endemic. In Venezuela an elevated frequency of these mycoses has been registered. The objective of this study was to evaluate the glucocorticoid adrenal function in patients with paracoccidioidomycosis and histoplasmosis hospitalized in the University Hospital "Ruiz y Pácz" of Ciudad Bolivar (Bolivar state) and in the Hospital "Luis Felipe Rojas Guevara", of El Tigre (Anzoátegui state), Venezuela, between January 2003 and January 2004. The test of fast stimulation with synthetic adrenocorticotrophin hormone (ACTH) was applied to a total of 12 patients with diagnosis of some of these mycoses and data of epidemiologic interest were taken. The proportion men:women was of 5:1, the average age was 35.1 +/- 0.37 years, similar to the control group. Basal plasmatic cortisol levels were within the normal rank in all the patients. After the injection of synthetic ACTH, an increase of plasmatic cortisol values in the same rank for patients with a normal adrenal function was observed, but it was significantly lower than the observed for the control group. These results suggest that there is an adrenal gland functional reserve diminution in patients with either Paracoccidioidomycosis or Histoplasmosis. In patients with systemic mycoses, it is important to evaluate the response to the test of fast stimulation with ACTH due to the frequency of impairment of the glucocorticoid adrenal function in our location.

The distinct erythropoietin functions that promote cell survival and proliferation are affected by aluminum exposure through mechanisms involving erythropoietin receptor.

Erythropoietin (Epo) promotes the development of erythroid progenitors by triggering intracellular signals through the binding to its specific receptor (EpoR). Previous results related to the action of aluminum (Al) on erythropoiesis let us suggest that the metal affects Epo interaction with its target cells. In order to investigate this effect on cell activation by the Epo-EpoR complex, two human cell lines with different dependence on Epo were subjected to Al exposure. In the Epo-independent K562 cells, Al inhibited Epo antiapoptotic action and triggered a simultaneous decrease in protein and mRNA EpoR levels. On the other hand, proliferation of the strongly Epo-dependent UT-7 cells was enhanced by long-term Al treatment, in agreement with the upregulation of EpoR expression during Epo starvation. Results provide some clues to the way by which Epo supports cell survival and growth, and demonstrate that not all the intracellular factors needed to guarantee the different signaling pathways of Epo-cell activation are available or activated in cells expressing EpoR. This study then suggests that at least one of the mechanisms by which Al interfere with erythropoiesis might involve EpoR modulation.

Aluminum exposure affects transferrin-dependent and -independent iron uptake by K562 cells.

Aluminum (Al) and iron (Fe) share several physicochemical characteristics and they both bind to transferrin (Tf), entering the cell via Tf receptors (TfR). Previously, we found similar values of affinity constant for the binding of TfR to Tf carrying either Al or Fe. The competitive interaction between both metals prevented normal Fe incorporation into K562 cells and triggered the upregulation of Fe transport. In the present work we demonstrated that Al modified Fe uptake without affecting the expression of Tf receptors. Both TfR and TfR2 mRNA levels, evaluated by RT-PCR, and TfR antigenic sites, analyzed by flow cytometry, were found unchanged after Al exposure. In turn, Al did induce upregulation of non-Tf bound Fe (NTBI) uptake. This modulation was not due to intracellular Fe decrease since NTBI transport proved not to be regulated by Fe depletion. Unlike its behavior in the presence of Tf, Al was unable to compete with NTBI uptake, suggesting that both metals do not share the same alternative transport pathway. We propose that Al interference with TfR-mediated Fe incorporation might trigger the upregulation of NTBI uptake, an adaptation aimed at incorporating the essential metal required for cellular metabolism without allowing the simultaneous access of a potentially toxic metal.

Meningoencephalitis by Naegleria fowleri: epidemiological study in Anzoategui state, Venezuela.

A case of primary amoebic meningoencephalitis produced by Naegleria fowleri was diagnosed in the Independencia county of Anzoategui State, Venezuela. This case motivated the realization of the present epidemiological study with the aim of identifying free-living amoebae in this area. Representative water samples were taken and physicochemical and microbiologic analyses were carried out. Trophozoites and cysts of Naegleria spp, were detected in 44.4% (n=4). An excellent concordance was found among the observations of free-living amoebae in smears and those of monoxenic cultures in non-nourishing agar with Klebsiella pneumoniae (Kappa=1; p= 0.003). A variable load of aerobic mesophils was obtained. Moulds and yeast averages presented 3.0 CFU/ml (SD +/- 2.0) and 102.9 CFU/ml (SD +/- 32.2), respectively. One hundred per cent of the samples presented a most probable number of total and fecal coliforms of 240,000 NMP/100mL. Naegleria spp was present in waters of the Independence county of Anzoategui state, which constitutes a risk for people that use these sources.

Human erythroid cells are affected by aluminium. Alteration of membrane band 3 protein.

There is evidence that anaemia is associated with aluminium (Al). We have already reported on the sensitivity to Al, showed by erythroid cell populations of animals chronically exposed to the metal. In order to investigate whether Al could also affect human cells, experiments were carried out both on immature and mature human erythroid cells. Erythroid progenitors (CFU-E, colony-forming units-erythroid) concentrated from human peripheral blood were cultured in an Al-rich medium under erythropoietin stimulation and their development analysed. Human peripheral erythrocytes were aged in the presence of Al. Cells were examined using scanning electron microscopy, and membrane proteins analysed by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis with sodium dodecyl sulphate and immunoblotting. The development of the Al-treated progenitors was 8750/6600-9200 CFU-E/10(6) cells, a significantly lower median value (P<0.05) than that showed by non-treated cells (12300/11200-20700 CFU-E/10(6) cells). Erythrocyte morphological changes were induced by Al during the in vitro ageing. The cells lost their typical biconcave shape, turning into acanthocytes and stomatocytes. Simultaneously, an increased membrane protein breakdown compatible with band 3 degradation was detected. Besides, Al was found within the cells and attached to the membrane. The present in vitro results suggest that Al may disturb human erythropoiesis through combined effects on mature erythrocytes and cellular metabolism in late erythroid progenitors.

[Effectiveness of body mass index in the nutritional diagnosis of pregnant women]. / Efectividad del indice de masa corporal en el diagnóstico nutricional de gestantes.

Our goal was to analyze the concordances and non-concordances of the nutritional classification in pregnant women and to evaluate their effectiveness when different BMI classification methodologies were applied. The study consisted of 314 adult healthy pregnant women in their first trimester, of socioeconomic status IV. In all of them, two nutritional classification criteria were applied: the integral nutritional diagnosis (IND) and different BMI reference values (Institute of Medicine, FAO/OMS, Frisancho, Bray, and Atalah). Kappa, concordance and nonconcordance, sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values were calculated. The highest frequency of concordance between IND and the analyzed classification criteria in comparing four and three nutritional categories was Frisancho's with the following results 89.2%, Kappa = 0.81 in the first case, and 91.4, Kappa = 0.84 in the second case. In deficit, the Bray and Atalah classification criteria were the highest sensitivities. In excess, FAO/ OMS, Frisancho, and Bray had a high sensitivity (1 - 0.99). Frisancho, in addition, had a high specificity with respect to FAO/OMS and Bray. Frisancho's classification criteria are the best choice for diagnosing adult pregnant women's nutritional status during the first trimester within population groups with these characteristics.

Diabetes y malformaciones congénitas. Cienfuegos, 2005-2015 / Diabetes and congenital malformations. Cienfuegos, 2005-2015

RESUMEN Fundamento: la diabetes constituye el trastorno metabólico que más repercusión tiene sobre la salud materna y su descendencia, con mayor énfasis en las malformaciones congénitas. Objetivo: describir las malformaciones congénitas en hijos de madres diabéticas en la provincia de Cienfuegos. Métodos: estudio de serie de casos realizado en Cienfuegos, desde enero de 2005 a diciembre de 2015, sobre fetos y neonatos con malformaciones congénitas hijos de madres diabéticas. Los datos se obtuvieron del modelo del Registro Cubano de Malformaciones Congénitas y Prenatales y otros documentos del departamento de archivos del Hospital Materno de Cienfuegos y del Centro Provincial de Genética Médica. Se analizaron variables sociodemográficas, maternas, tipo de malformación y el diagnóstico pre y posnatal según el caso. Resultados: la incidencia de malformaciones en hijos de madres diabéticas fue del 3,4 %; predominaron las malformaciones mayores, dentro de ellas, las cardiovasculares. No existieron diferencias en la aparición de malformaciones entre la diabetes mellitus pregestacional y la gestacional. Los factores de riesgo más frecuentes fueron: el sobrepeso materno, las enfermedades no transmisibles y el uso de medicamentos en el embarazo. Conclusiones: en los hijos de madres diabéticas predominaron las malformaciones congénitas cardiovasculares y se relacionaron con el sobrepeso y la comorbilidad materna.

ABSTRACT Foundation: diabetes is the metabolic disorder with the greatest impact on maternal health and its offspring, with greater emphasis on congenital malformations. Objective: to describe congenital malformations in children of diabetic mothers in the province of Cienfuegos. Methods: case series study conducted in Cienfuegos, from January 2005 to December 2015, on fetuses and neonates with congenital malformations, children of diabetic mothers. The data were obtained from the model of the Cuban Registry of Congenital and Prenatal Malformations and other documents of the archives department of the Maternity Hospital of Cienfuegos and the Provincial Center of Medical Genetics. We analyzed socio- demographic, maternal variables, type of malformation and pre and postnatal diagnosis according to the case. Results: the incidence of malformations in children of diabetic mothers was 3.4%; Major malformations predominated, including cardiovascular malformations. There were no differences in the appearance of malformations between pre-gestational and gestational diabetes mellitus. The most frequent risk factors were: maternal overweight, non-communicable diseases and the use of drugs in pregnancy. Conclusions: congenital cardiovascular malformations predominated in children of diabetic mothers and were related to overweight and maternal comorbidity.

Cálculo del Índice de Pearl de etinilestradiol 30 mcg/drospirenona 3 mg (Genesa®)

Objetivo: Calcular el índice de Pearl de Genesa® en mujeres venezolanas. Métodos: Estudio fase IV, prospectivo y abierto. Las pacientes recibieron etinilestradiol 30 mcg / drospirenona 3 mg (Genesa®): un comprimido diario desde el primer día de la menstruación por 21 días; descanso de siete días y reinicio el día ocho. Resultados: Se ingresaron al estudio 115 pacientes, se obtuvo un índice de Pearl de 0,98. Los efectos adversos fueron: un embarazo, incremento de peso, retención de líquidos, náuseas, manchas en la piel. Conclusiones: Etinilestradiol 30 mcg/drospirenona 3 mg (Genesa®) presenta un adecuado índice de Pearl en mujeres venezolanas.

Objective: To calculate the Pearl index of Genesa® in Venezuelan women. Methods: Phase IV prospective and open study. Patients received ethinylestradiol 30 mcg / drospirenone 3 mg (Genesa®): one tablet daily from the first day of menstruation for 21 days; seven-day break and restart the eighth day. Results: 115 patients were admitted to the study, a Pearl index of 0.98 was obtained. Most common side effects: one pregnancy, weight gain, fluid retention, nausea, skin blemishes. One patient discontinued treatment for adverse effects (vomiting and nausea). Conclusions: Genesa® presents an adequate Pearl Index in Venezuelan woman.

Percentile distribution of anthropometric variables in pregnant women / Distribución percentilar de variables antropométricas en gestantes adultas

Anthropometric indicators play an important role in the health status assessment of individuals and populations across the different vulnerable groups, due to which it is necessary to ascertain the percentile distribution of the weight, body mass index (BMI), and mid-arm, thigh, and calf circumferences in pregnant women for each week of gestational age. This descriptive and cross-sectional study included 4,481 measurements of anthropometric variables obtained from 745 pregnancies out of 719 subjects aged between 19 and 39 years, who were well-nourished, healthy, without clinical edema in the third trimester, with single pregnancy, and validated gestational age. All evaluations were conducted at the Centro de Atención Nutricional Infantil Antímano, CANIA, from 1998 to 2012. The anthropometric measurements were performed by standardized anthropometrists. Measures of central tendency and dispersion, bivariate correlations, and percentiles 3, 10, 25, 50, 75, 90, and 97 were calculated for each gestational age, between the 8th and 37th weeks of gestation. The number of measurements performed for each studied variable ranged from a minimum of 101 and a maximum of 241 at each gestational week. The BMI and circumference behaviors showed increases as the gestational age advanced. The changes in the variables observed in the 50th percentile between weeks 8 thru 37 were: weight, 10.10 kg; BMI, 4.23 kg/m2; and circumferences (cm): mid-arm, 0.45; calf, 1.60; and thigh, 3.55. The results of this study provide the means to simplify the screening and follow-up of the nutritional status in an accurate manner at any stage of gestation until the 37th week.

Los indicadores antropométricos juegan un papel importante en la evaluación el estado de salud a nivel individual y poblacional en los diferentes grupos vulnerables por lo que resulta necesario conocer la distribución percentilar del peso, índice de masa corporal (IMC) y circunferencias: media del brazo, muslo y pierna, para cada edad gestacional. Estudio descriptivo, de corte transversal, incluyó 4484 mediciones de las variables antropométricas obtenidas de 745 embarazos, provenientes de 719 mujeres, con edades comprendidas entre 19 y 39 años, sanas, eutróficas, sin edema, con embarazo simple y edad gestacional validada, evaluadas en el Centro de Atención Nutricional Infantil Antímano, desde 1998 hasta el 2012. Las mediciones antropométricas fueron realizadas por antropometristas estandarizadas. Se calcularon medidas de tendencia central y de dispersión, así como correlaciones bivariantes y percentiles 3, 10, 25, 50, 75, 90 y 97 para cada edad gestacional, entre las 8 y 37 semanas de gestación. El número de mediciones realizadas para cada variable analizada varió entre 101 y 241 por edad gestacional. El comportamiento del IMC y circunferencias evidenció incrementos a medida que aumenta la edad gestacional. Los cambios referidos al percentil 50 de las variables, de las semanas de gestación 8 a la 37 fueron: peso 10,10 kg; IMC 4,23 Kg/m2; circunferencias (cm): media del brazo 0,45; pierna 1,60; muslo 3,55. Los resultados de este estudio constituyen una herramienta que simplifica la evaluacion inicial y el seguimiento del estado nutricional de manera puntual en cualquier momento de la gestacion hasta las 37 semanas de edad gestacional.

Percentile distribution for anthropometric variables used to estimate body composition in pregnant women

Anthropometric indicators of body composition, reflective of fat and lean compartments in pregnant women, undergo changes throughout gestation. The adequate interpretation of these indicators requires the availability of percentile distribution values for each week of gestational age. The objective was to determine the percentile distribution for subcutaneous skin-fold thicknesses: biceps, triceps, subscapular, mid-thigh, and both arm fat and arm muscle areas for each week of gestational age. This descriptive and cross-sectional study included 4,481 measurements of anthropometric variables obtained from 745 pregnancies out of 719 subjects aged between 19 and 39 years, well-nourished, healthy, without clinical edema, single pregnancy, and validated gestational age. Evaluations were conducted at the Centro de Atención Nutricional Infantil Antímano, between 1998 and 2012. The anthropometric measurements were performed by standardized anthropometrists. Descriptive statistics, bivariant correlations, and percentiles 3, 10, 25, 50, 75, 90, and 97 were calculated for each week of pregnancy between weeks 8 thru 37. The number of measurements performed for each variable studied at each week of gestation ranged between 100 and 236. The behavior of the variables reflecting the fat component showed increases as the gestational age advanced (1.86 cm2), whereas the muscle area showed decreases (-0.02 cm2). The most noticeable variations were seen in the subscapular and mid-thigh skin-fold thicknesses 2.90 mm and 5.0 mm, respectively. The availability of percentile distributions of the anthropometric variables used in the evaluation of body composition for pregnant women per gestational age, contributes to optimizing the nutritional categorization in this population group.

Distribución percentilar de variables antropométricas aplicadas en la estimación de la composición corporal en gestantes adultas. Los indicadores antropométricos de composición corporal que reflejan los compartimientos corporales magro y graso de la gestante se modifican a lo largo de la gestación. Para una interpretación adecuada de los mismos se requeriria disponer de sus valores para cada edad gestacional. El objetivo de la investigación fue determinar la distribución percentilar de los pliegues subcutáneos: bicipital, tricipital, subescapular y muslo, así como las áreas: grasa y muscular en cada semana de gestacion. Estudio descriptivo, de corte transversal, incluyó 4.481 mediciones de las variables antropométricas obtenidas de 745 embarazos, provenientes de 719 mujeres entre 19 y 39 años de edad, sanas, eutróficas, sin edema, con embarazo simple y edad gestacional validada, evaluadas en el Centro de Atención Nutricional Infantil Antímano, entre 1998 y 2012. Las mediciones antropométricas fueron realizadas por antropometristas estandarizadas. Se calcularon descriptivos, correlaciones bivariantes y percentiles 3, 10, 25, 50, 75, 90 y 97 para cada edad gestacional, entre las 8 y 37 semanas de gestación. El número de mediciones para cada variable estudiada en cada edad gestacional varió entre 100 y 236. El comportamiento de las variables que reflejan el componente graso demostró incrementos a medida que aumenta la edad gestacional (1,86 cm2), mientras que el área muscular manifestó decrementos (-0,02 cm2). Los mayores cambios se observaron en los pliegues subescapular 2,90 mm y muslo 5,00 mm. La distribución percentilar de para cada semana de gestación de las variables antropométricas que miden la composición corporal, constituye un aporte a la optimización de la categorización nutricional en este grupo de población.

Modulation of protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B by erythropoietin in UT-7 cell line.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Since the reversible phosphorylation of tyrosyl residues is a critical event in cellular signaling pathways activated by erythropoietin (Epo), attention has been focused on protein tyrosine phosphatases (PTPs) and their coordinated action with protein tyrosine kinases. The prototypic member of the PTP family is PTP1B, a widely expressed non-receptor PTP located both in cytosol and intracellular membranes via its hydrophobic C-terminal targeting sequence. PTP1B has been implicated in the regulation of signaling pathways involving tyrosine phosphorylation induced by growth factors, cytokines, and hormones, such as the downregulation of erythropoietin and insulin receptors. However, little is known about which factor modulates the activity of this enzyme. METHODS: The effect of Epo on PTP1B expression was studied in the UT-7 Epo-dependent cell line. PTP1B expression was analyzed under different conditions by Real-Time PCR and Western blot, while PTP1B phosphatase activity was determined by a p-nitrophenylphosphate hydrolysis assay. RESULTS: Epo rapidly induced an increased expression of PTP1B which was associated with higher PTP1B tyrosine phosphorylation and phosphatase activity. The action of Epo on PTP1B induction involved Janus Kinase 2 (JAK2) and Phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase (PI3K). CONCLUSION: The results allow us to suggest for the first time that, besides modulating Epo/Epo receptor signaling, PTP1B undergoes feedback regulation by Epo.