The Protective Role of Cranberries and Blueberries in Oral Cancer.

BACKGROUND: Oral cancer has a high prevalence worldwide, and this disease is caused by genetic, immunological, and environmental factors. The main risk factors associated with oral cancer are smoking and alcohol. RESULTS: There are various strategies to reduce risk factors, including prevention programs as well as the consumption of an adequate diet that includes phytochemical compounds derived from cranberries (Vaccinium macrocarpon A.) and blueberries (Vaccinium corymbosum L.); these compounds exhibit antitumor properties. RESULTS: The main outcome of this review is as follows: the properties of phytochemicals derived from cranberries were evaluated for protection against risk factors associated with oral cancer. CONCLUSIONS: The secondary metabolites of cranberries promote biological effects that provide protection against smoking and alcoholism. An alternative for the prevention of oral cancer can be the consumption of these cranberries and blueberries.

In Vitro and In Vivo Evaluation of a Polycaprolactone (PCL)/Polylactic-Co-Glycolic Acid (PLGA) (80:20) Scaffold for Improved Treatment of Chondral (Cartilage) Injuries.

Articular cartilage is a specialized tissue that provides a smooth surface for joint movement and load transmission. Unfortunately, it has limited regenerative capacity. Tissue engineering, combining different cell types, scaffolds, growth factors, and physical stimulation has become an alternative for repairing and regenerating articular cartilage. Dental Follicle Mesenchymal Stem Cells (DFMSCs) are attractive candidates for cartilage tissue engineering because of their ability to differentiate into chondrocytes, on the other hand, the polymers blend like Polycaprolactone (PCL) and Poly Lactic-co-Glycolic Acid (PLGA) have shown promise given their mechanical properties and biocompatibility. In this work, the physicochemical properties of polymer blends were evaluated by Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) and Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) and were positive for both techniques. The DFMSCs demonstrated stemness by flow cytometry. The scaffold showed to be a non-toxic effect when we evaluated it with Alamar blue, and the samples were analyzed using SEM and phalloidin staining to evaluate cell adhesion to the scaffold. The synthesis of glycosaminoglycans was positive on the construct in vitro. Finally, the PCL/PLGA scaffold showed a better repair capacity than two commercial compounds, when tested in a chondral defect rat model. These results suggest that the PCL/PLGA (80:20) scaffold may be suitable for applications in the tissue engineering of articular hyaline cartilage.

Spatiotemporal Dynamic Regulation of Organelles During Meiotic Development, Insights From Fungi.

Eukaryotic cell development involves precise regulation of organelle activity and dynamics, which adapt the cell architecture and metabolism to the changing developmental requirements. Research in various fungal model organisms has disclosed that meiotic development involves precise spatiotemporal regulation of the formation and dynamics of distinct intracellular membrane compartments, including peroxisomes, mitochondria and distinct domains of the endoplasmic reticulum, comprising its peripheral domains and the nuclear envelope. This developmental regulation implicates changes in the constitution and dynamics of these organelles, which modulate their structure, abundance and distribution. Furthermore, selective degradation systems allow timely organelle removal at defined meiotic stages, and regulated interactions between membrane compartments support meiotic-regulated organelle dynamics. This dynamic organelle remodeling is implicated in conducting organelle segregation during meiotic differentiation, and defines quality control regulatory systems safeguarding the inheritance of functional membrane compartments, promoting meiotic cell rejuvenation. Moreover, organelle remodeling is important for proper activity of the cytoskeletal system conducting meiotic nucleus segregation, as well as for meiotic differentiation. The orchestrated regulation of organelle dynamics has a determinant contribution in the formation of the renewed genetically-diverse offspring of meiosis.

The Effects of COVID-19 on Healthcare Workers and Non-Healthcare Workers in Mexico: 14 Months into the Pandemic.

Background and Objectives: Healthcare workers (HCWs) play important roles in mitigating the COVID-19 pandemic and are more likely to become infected with COVID-19. Mexico, among other countries, had a high incidence and prevalence of cases and deaths from this disease. Material and Methods: This retrospective study evaluated the clinical characteristics as well as the geographical distribution of cases, deaths, and active cases of COVID-19 in HCWs and non-HCWs using official information from the Ministry of Health of Mexico. Results: A total of 235,343 cases of COVID-19 were reported in healthcare workers, and 2,094,191 cases were reported in non-healthcare workers. A total of 76.0% of cases in healthcare workers occurred in those who were between 25 and 50 years of age, and 71.4% of deaths occurred in those who were 50 to 69 years of age. Among healthcare workers, the most frequent comorbidities were obesity (15.2%), hypertension (10.9%), and diabetes (6.8%). Nurses were the group with the most cases (39.7%), followed by other healthcare workers (30.6%), physicians (26%), and dentists (1.6%). Physicians were the group with the most deaths (46%), followed by other professionals (30%), nurses (19%), and dentists (3%). Conclusion: These findings are likely the result of healthcare workers in Mexico being at a greater risk of exposure to SARS-CoV-2.

The Transcription Factor SCX is a Potential Serum Biomarker of Fibrotic Diseases.

Fibrosing diseases are causes of morbidity and mortality around the world, and they are characterized by excessive extracellular matrix (ECM) accumulation. The bHLH transcription factor scleraxis (SCX) regulates the synthesis of ECM proteins in heart fibrosis. SCX expression was evaluated in lung fibroblasts and tissue derived from fibrotic disease patients and healthy controls. We also measured SCX in sera from 57 healthy controls, and 56 Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF), 40 Hypersensitivity Pneumonitis (HP), and 100 Systemic Sclerosis (SSc) patients. We report high SCX expression in fibroblasts and tissue from IPF patients versus controls. High SCX-serum levels were observed in IPF (0.663 ± 0.559 ng/mL, p < 0.01) and SSc (0.611 ± 0.296 ng/mL, p < 0.001), versus controls (0.351 ± 0.207 ng/mL) and HP (0.323 ± 0.323 ng/mL). Serum levels of the SCX heterodimerization partner, TCF3, did not associate with fibrotic illness. IPF patients with severely affected respiratory capacities and late-stage SSc patients presenting anti-topoisomerase I antibodies and interstitial lung disease showed the highest SCX-serum levels. SCX gain-of-function induced the expression of alpha-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA/ACTA2) in fibroblasts when co-overexpressed with TCF3. As late and severe stages of the fibrotic processes correlated with high circulating SCX, we postulate it as a candidate biomarker of fibrosis and a potential therapeutic target.

Effect of different exposure times on physicochemical, mechanical and biological properties of PGS scaffolds treated with plasma of iodine-doped polypyrrole.

Polyglycerol sebacate (PGS) scaffolds obtained using a leaching technique were modified with iodine-doped polypyrrole (PPy-I) in a plasma reactor in order to study the effect of exposure time on the cell viability of hDPSCs. SEM analysis showed the formation and growth of PPy-I particles as the exposure time was increased, while FTIR and XPS analysis revealed the presence of -NH- and N+ groups in the chemical composition of the surfaces, relating to the increase in the amount of PPY-I particles. The water contact angle measurements showed an increase in the scaffold's hydrophilicity with greater exposure times which was also attributed to the rising of PPy-I particles. It was also observed that PPy-I promotes the rigidity of the treated PGS scaffolds. when in direct contact with treated PGS scaffolds, cell viability improved with respect to non-treated scaffolds, however only at shorter time exposures. Extracts of plasma-treated PGS scaffolds showed high cytotoxicity as the time exposure to plasma treatment was increased.

High performance of rapid influenza diagnostic test and variable effectiveness of influenza vaccines in Mexico.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the performance of rapid influenza diagnostic tests (RIDT) and influenza vaccines' effectiveness (VE) during an outbreak setting. METHODS: We compared the performance of a RIDT with RT-PCR for influenza virus detection in influenza-like illness (ILI) patients enrolled during the 2016/17 season in Mexico City. Using the test-negative design, we estimated influenza VE in all participants and stratified by age, virus subtype, and vaccine type (trivalent vs quadrivalent inactivated vaccines). The protective value of some clinical variables was evaluated by regression analyses. RESULTS: We enrolled 592 patients. RT-PCR detected 93 cases of influenza A(H1N1)pdm09, 55 of AH3N2, 141 of B, and 13 A/B virus infections. RIDT showed 90.7% sensitivity and 95.7% specificity for influenza A virus detection, and 91.5% sensitivity and 95.3% specificity for influenza B virus detection. Overall VE was 33.2% (95% CI: 3.0-54.0; p = 0.02) against any laboratory-confirmed influenza infection. VE estimates against influenza B were higher for the quadrivalent vaccine. Immunization and occupational exposure were protective factors against influenza. CONCLUSIONS: The RIDT was useful to detect influenza cases during an outbreak setting. Effectiveness of 2016/17 influenza vaccines administered in Mexico was low but significant. Our data should be considered for future local epidemiological policies.

Low serum vitamin D levels in type 2 diabetes patients are associated with decreased mycobacterial activity.

BACKGROUND: Concurrent diabetes mellitus and tuberculosis represent a significant health problem worldwide. Patients with diabetes mellitus have a high risk of tuberculosis, which may be mediated by an abnormal innate immune response due to hyperglycaemia or low vitamin D levels. METHODS: In the present study, we evaluated inactive vitamin D serum levels and the monocyte response to infection with M. tuberculosis, including phagocytosis of M. tuberculosis, antimycobacterial activity, LL-37, human ß defensin-2 and IL-10 gene expression and nitric oxide production, between type 2 diabetes mellitus patients (n = 51) and healthy volunteers (n = 38). RESULTS: Twenty-seven type 2 diabetes mellitus patients had inadequate inactive vitamin D levels (<50 nM). The percentages of M. tuberculosis phagocytosis between monocytes were similar across groups according to microscopy. Intracellular mycobacterial growth was similar in infected monocytes from both groups. However, M. tuberculosis growth was significantly higher in monocytes obtained from type 2 diabetes mellitus patients and lower vitamin D levels after 1-h (D0) and 72-h (D3) post-infection (p ≤ 0.05). LL-37, human ß defensin-2 and IL-10 mRNA expression were similar between monocytes across groups; vitamin D serum levels and LL-37, human ß defensin-2 and IL-10 expression were not correlated. Nitric oxide production was significantly higher in healthy volunteers than in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients with low vitamin D serum levels at D3 post-infection (p ≤ 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Our results show that monocytes from type 2 diabetes mellitus patients and low vitamin D serum levels show an impaired ability to control the intracellular growth of M. tuberculosis, which is not associated with significant decrease of LL-37 or human ß defensin-2 expression. Vitamin D could be the link between diabetes and tuberculosis susceptibility.

Nordihydroguaiaretic acid (NDGA) and α-mangostin inhibit the growth of Mycobacterium tuberculosis by inducing autophagy.

Tuberculosis (TB) remains as a global health problem. The prevalence of this infection is related to the association with other diseases, such as HIV, neglect treatment and misuse of antibiotics. Hence, the identification of new drugs is required to eradicate TB. Possible alternatives to existing antibiotics include pure compounds extracted from medicinal plants, which are an important source of antimicrobial agents. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of nordihydroguaiaretic acid (NDGA) and α-mangostin on Mycobacterium tuberculosis growth and bacterial survival in infected macrophages derived from the human THP-1 cell line and monocytes. Our results show that both compounds directly inhibit M. tuberculosis growth in liquid medium with Minimal Inhibitory Concentrations (MIC) of 250 and 62 µg/mL respectively, likely through preventing bacterial replication. In addition, NDGA and α-mangostin were able to induce autophagy in human cells at lower concentrations (7 and 6 µg/mL, respectively) and contributed to the elimination of intracellular bacteria. NDGA and α-mangostin could be candidates for coadjuvant therapy in cases of drug-resistant TB, and their ability to enhance the immune response by promoting autophagy might contribute to TB treatment.

Nordihydroguaiaretic acid attenuates the oxidative stress-induced decrease of CD33 expression in human monocytes.

Nordihydroguaiaretic acid (NDGA) is a natural lignan with recognized antioxidant and beneficial properties that is isolated from Larrea tridentata. In this study, we evaluated the effect of NDGA on the downregulation of oxidant stress-induced CD33 in human monocytes (MNs). Oxidative stress was induced by iodoacetate (IAA) or hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2)) and was evaluated using reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, and cell viability. NDGA attenuates toxicity, ROS production and the oxidative stress-induced decrease of CD33 expression secondary to IAA or H(2)O(2) in human MNs. It was also shown that NDGA (20 µ M) attenuates cell death in the THP-1 cell line that is caused by treatment with either IAA or H(2)O(2). These results suggest that NDGA has a protective effect on CD33 expression, which is associated with its antioxidant activity in human MNs.

Universidad de Buenos Aires: 180 años / The University of Buenos Aires: 180 years

La universidad de Buenos Aires, fundada en 1821, cumple al presente 180 años. Durante ese lapso ha visto cimentado su prestigio por la actuación de figuras de gran relieve científico e intelectual, formadas en sus claustros

Universidad de Buenos Aires: 180 años / The University of Buenos Aires: 180 years

La universidad de Buenos Aires, fundada en 1821, cumple al presente 180 años. Durante ese lapso ha visto cimentado su prestigio por la actuación de figuras de gran relieve científico e intelectual, formadas en sus claustros (AU)

Hildegarda de Bingen, a 900 años de su nacimiento / Hildegarda de Bingen, 900 years after her birth

Hildegarda de Bingen: condesa, moja benedictina, abadesa más tarde, médica, mística y santa de la Iglesia Católica. Los novecientos años de su nacimiento son razón suficiente para haer un homenaje a esta polifacética y polígrafa escritora. Se ha trabajado en particular lo odontológico, contenido en los textos de Hildegarda, en su original latino

Hildegarda de Bingen, a 900 años de su nacimiento / Hildegarda de Bingen, 900 years after her birth

Hildegarda de Bingen: condesa, moja benedictina, abadesa más tarde, médica, mística y santa de la Iglesia Católica. Los novecientos años de su nacimiento son razón suficiente para haer un homenaje a esta polifacética y polígrafa escritora. Se ha trabajado en particular lo odontológico, contenido en los textos de Hildegarda, en su original latino (AU)

Felipe II: 400 años de su muerte / Felipe II: 400 years from his death

El autor valora la figura de Felipe II, Rey de España e Indias, a los 400 años de su muerte, un valor de justicia. Más allá de su discutible mala fama, fue uno de los mejores críticos de artes de su tiempo, y además, como gobernante legisló e impulsó el movimiento científico hispanoamericano, demostrando que la política es mucho más que administrar

Felipe II: 400 años de su muerte / Felipe II: 400 years from his death

El autor valora la figura de Felipe II, Rey de España e Indias, a los 400 años de su muerte, un valor de justicia. Más allá de su discutible mala fama, fue uno de los mejores críticos de artes de su tiempo, y además, como gobernante legisló e impulsó el movimiento científico hispanoamericano, demostrando que la política es mucho más que administrar (AU)

Ejercicio profesional: ayer y hoy / Professional practice: yesterday and today

En tiempo de crisis, el autor echa la vista hacia atrás para plantear el problema del ejercicio profesional, no sólo odontológico, sino en general, universitario, en base a la ética, hoy en aparente disolución