Effect of digestible versus non-digestible citral nanoemulsions on human gut microorganisms: An in vitro digestion study.

Essential oil (EO) nanoemulsions have been recently studied due to their antimicrobial properties. Nevertheless, little is known about their possible negative effect against human gut microorganisms during their passage though the gastrointestinal tract. This work studied the effect of digestible (corn oil) or non-digestible (paraffin oil) citral nanoemulsions against specific microorganisms of human microflora under in vitro digestion conditions. The use of a citral lipid carrier (paraffin oil or corn oil) decreased the nanoemulsion particle size and increased its stability after gastric conditions with regards to the pure citral nanoemulsions. Digestible nanoemulsions formulated with corn oil and citral presented a lower bactericidal activity against Lactobacillus acidophilus and Escherichia coli after being subjected to in vitro digestion conditions in comparison to the initial nanoemulsion. However, a non-digestible nanoemulsion formulated with paraffin oil and citral presented a similar antimicrobial activity against L. acidophilus and E. coli to the one of the initial nanoemulsion. This evidences that non-digestible nanoemulsions may entrap the citral in the lipid core and thus retaining its antimicrobial potential during their passage though the gastrointestinal tract. Hence, this work evidences the impact of the lipid carrier digestibility when formulating antimicrobial nanoemulsions on certain intestinal probiotic bacteria.

Understanding the Quality of Life and Its Related Factors in Orthodontics Postgraduate Students: A Mixed Methods Approach.

This study analyzed the academic, sociodemographic, and labor conditions related to the quality of life (QOL) of orthodontics postgraduate students in Colombia. A mixed study (explanatory sequential design) was conducted. An online cross-sectional survey (n = 84; 64.3% females) was carried out with sociodemographic, academic, social support, health, labor, and QOL (WHOQOL-BREF) variables. Descriptive, bivariate analyses, and multivariate linear regression were performed. Focus groups (FGs) delved into aspects of relevance regarding QOL and determinants, through qualitative content analysis and triangulation of information. The median score in the four WHOQOL-BREF dimensions surpasses 50 points, with the highest score being in the psychological dimension (62.5 ± 16.7). According to the multivariate linear regression models, the variables significantly associated with QOL scores were playing sports, being married/living together, normal BMI, low social support, and medium/low socioeconomic status. The qualitative results explained the determinants of QOL in the personal, academic, and social dimensions of the participants. The discourses showed that the postgraduate course represents a resignification of their life, where their QOL is affected by the difficulties of their academic development, by the difficulty of reconciling the personal academic load with their affective, work, and social life, and by the stress they experience in their staff process. In conclusion, the participants' QOL was moderate and affected by different factors. The findings highlighted the importance of mental health promotion and well-being strategies in students of orthodontic postgraduate training programs in Colombia for improving QOL.

Efecto del factor de crecimiento fibroblástico dos (FGF-2), en la reducción de la senescencia en células madre mesenquimales aisladas de gelatina de Wharton / Fibroblastic growth factor two (FGF-2), in reducing the senescent effect on mesenchymal stem cell isolated from Wharton ́s jelly

Resumen Introducción. Las células madre mesenquimales han generado interés en la ingeniería de tejidos, debido a sus propiedades proliferativas y capacidad de reparación de tejidos, sin embargo, para un trasplante exitoso, es necesario aumentar el número de células mediante un cultivo in-vitro. Durante este proceso la capacidad proliferativa disminuye, provocando cambios en la morfología y funcionalidad celular y afectando la viabilidad del cultivo, este estado se conoce como senescencia celular y como posibles causales, se ha considerado el estrés oxidativo y la falta de factores de crecimiento. Objetivos: Evaluar el efecto de FGF-2 sobre la senescencia de un cultivo de células madre mesenquimales aisladas de gelatina de Wharton y su papel en la regulación del estrés oxidativo. Metodología. Se añadieron dosis de 3,5 y 7,5 ng de FGF-2 al cultivo. Durante los pasajes 5 y 7, se estimó tanto la senescencia celular como la presencia de ROS (especies reactivas de oxígeno). Resultados.Se obtuvo en el pasaje 5, una diferencia significativa del 99,5% entre el control (+) con respecto a los tratamientos con FGF-2, sin embargo, en el pasaje 7 se observó un aumento en la producción de la enzima ß-galactosidasa y cambios morfológicos, confirmando un estado senescente en el cultivo en todos los tratamientos evaluados. Conclusión. Las dosis utilizadas en este estudio contribuyeron positivamente a disminuir el proceso senescente en el cultivo celular, además se determinó, que el FGF-2 puede prolongar el tiempo de cultivo, retardando parcialmente la concentración de especies reactivas de oxígeno

AbstractIntroduction. Mesenchymal stem cells have been generated interest in tissue engineering, due to their proliferative properties and tissue repair capacity, however, for a successful transplant process, it is necessary to increase the number of cells in a culture expansion process. During this process the proliferative capacity is limited, causing changes in cell morphology and functionality affecting the viability of the culture, this state is known as cell senescence. Oxidative stress and deregulation of growth factors are considered as reasons. Aims. To evaluate the effect of FGF-2 on the senescence of a mesenchymal stem cells culture isolated from Wharton ́s jelly and its role in the regulation of oxidative stress. Methodology: 3,5 and 7,5 ng doses of FGF-2 were added to the culture medium from passage 2, then the senescence of the culture was evaluated and the presence of reactive oxygen species was determined during passages 5 and 7. Results. We observed that in passage 5, there is a significant difference 99.5% between the control (+) concerning the FGF-2 treatments, however, in passage 7, an increase in the production of the enzyme ß-galactosidase was observed and changes in morphology such as: increase in size and elongated shape of the cell, confirming a senescent state on the culture in all the treatments evaluated. Conclusion. The doses used in this study contributed positively to decrease this process in a cell culture, also, the FGF- 2 can prolong the cultivation time, partially decreasing the concentration of reactive oxygen species

Decisions about the diagnostic and treatment criteria of dental caries among a group of dental students, faculty staff and dentists within the city of Medellin, Colombia / Decisiones sobre los criterios de diagnóstico y tratamiento de la caries dental entre un grupo de estudiantes de odontología, profesores y odontólogos de la ciudad de Medellín, Colombia

Objective: To analyze the criteria for diagnosis and treatment decision-making in relation to dental caries in different participants (teachers of dentistry, dental students at dental schools, and dentists practicing at public oral health services) in the city of Medellin (Colombia). Material and Methods: A cross-sectional study was applied in the period September 2015-december 2016 by means of an international validated questionnaire in 340 participants (dental teachers: 69, dental students: 193, dentists: 78). The survey addressed several topics related to detection and restorative threshold, preferences of preparation type, restorative materials used and opinions about diagnosis and treatment for dental caries. A descriptive analysis was carried out and Chi square tests were applied to observe statistically significant differences between the study variables.Results: 340 participants were surveyed among teachers who teach cariology, health care dentists, and undergraduate final-year students. Most participants were women (70%). The age mean was higher for DDSs (46 ± 9 years). On average, practicing dentists and dental teachers had a work experience of 21 ± 9 years. In case of treatment decisions, the majority of the surveyed would use immediate operative restorative treatment for advanced carious lesions (inner one-third of the dentin for approximal and grade 5 for occlusal). In addition, respondents reported different cavities diagnosis for clinical occlusal cases and some significant statistically differences were found for restorative treatment decisions and type of materials according to the type of participant. Conclusion: Criteria for diagnosis and treatment of dental caries differed among the student, dentist and dental teachers with variety in diagnosis and treatment concepts. However, a conservative tendency for restorative treatment decisions was observed. Strategies for incorporating non-restorative and minimal measures in professional practice should be considered in curricula of universities.

Objetivo: Analizar los criterios para la toma de decisiones diagnósticas y terapéuticas en relación a la caries dental en diferentes participantes (docentes, estudiantes de odontología de las facultades de odontología y odontólogos de los servicios públicos de salud bucal) de la ciudad de Medellín (Colombia). Material y Métodos: Se aplicó un estudio transversal en el período septiembre 2015 - diciembre 2016 mediante cuestionario internacional validado en 340 participantes (profesores de odontología: 69, estudiantes de odontología: 193, odontólogos: 78). La encuesta abordó varios temas relacionados con la detección y el umbral de restauración, las preferencias del tipo de preparación, los materiales de restauración utilizados y las opiniones sobre el diagnóstico y el tratamiento de la caries dental. Se realizó un análisis descriptivo y se aplicaron pruebas de Chi cuadrado para observar diferencias estadísticamente significativas entre las variables de estudio. Resultados: Se encuestó a 340 participantes entre profesores que imparten clases de cariología, odontólogos y estudiantes de último año de pregrado. La mayoría de los participantes eran mujeres (70%). La edad media fue mayor para los odontólogos (46 ± 9 años). En promedio, los odontólogos y los profesores de odontología tenían una experiencia laboral de 21 ± 9 años. En caso de decisiones de tratamiento, la mayoría de los encuestados utilizaría tratamiento restaurador quirúrgico inmediato para lesiones cariosas avanzadas (tercio interno de la dentina para proximal y grado 5 para oclusal). Además, los encuestados informaron diferentes diagnósticos de caries para los casos clínicos oclusales y se encontraron algunas diferencias estadísticamente significativas para las decisiones de tratamiento restaurativo y el tipo de materiales según el tipo de participante. Conclusion: Los criterios para el diagnóstico y tratamiento de la caries dental fueron diferentes entre los estudiantes, odontólogos y profesores de odontología con variedad en los conceptos de diagnóstico y tratamiento. Sin embargo, se observó una tendencia conservadora para las decisiones de tratamiento restaurativo. Las estrategias para incorporar medidas mínimas y no restaurativas en la práctica profesional deben ser consideradas en los planes de estudio de las universidades.

Influence of lipid nanoparticle physical state on ß-carotene stability kinetics under different environmental conditions.

Carotenoids are lipophilic compounds that provide important health-related benefits for human body functions. However, they have low water solubility and chemical stability, hence their incorporation in aqueous-based foods requires the use of emulsion-based lipid carriers. This work aimed at elucidating whether their inclusion in emulsion-based Solid Lipid Nanoparticles (SLNs) can provide a protective effect against ß-carotene degradation under different environmental conditions in comparison to liquid lipid nanoemulsions. Glyceryl Stearate (GS) was mixed with Medium Chain Trygliceride (MCT) oil to formulate SLNs. SLNs presented a significantly enhanced ß-carotene retention and a slower ß-carotene degradation kinetics at increasing storage temperature, acidic conditions and light exposure. In fact, SLNs formulated with 5% GS in the lipid phase and stored at 4 °C and pH 7 retained almost 70% of the initially encapsulated ß-carotene after 55 days of storage, while it was completely degraded when it was encapsulated in liquid nanoemulsions. Moreover, it was observed that the solid lipid type affects the protective effect that SLNs may confer to the encapsulated lipophilic bioactives. Saturated long chain triglycerides, such as hydrogenated palm oil (HPO) presented slower and lower ß-carotene degradation kinetics in comparison to solid lipids composed of MCT, such as Coconut Oil (CNUT) or MCT + 5% of GS in the lipid phase. This work evidences that the incorporation of lipophilic bioactive compounds, such as ß-carotene, into SLNs slows down their degradation kinetics which might be attributed to a reduced diffusion of the oxidative species due to the lipid crystalline structure.

Cytotoxic Effects of Blue Scorpion Venom (Rhopalurus junceus) in a Glioblastoma Cell Line Model.

BACKGROUND: Cancer is one of the leading cause of death worldwide. Besides current therapies and treatments to counter cancer, new alternatives are required to diminish the cell proliferation of oncogenic processes. METHODS: One of the most promissory therapy includes the use of blue scorpion venom as a specific cytotoxic agent to kill tumoral cells, including Glioblastoma multiforme. OBJECTIVES: We show evidence of the cytotoxic effect of blue scorpion venom in a cellular model of Glioblastoma multiforme. RESULTS: Our results demonstrate that 50 µg/ml of scorpion venom is capable to diminish the viability of Glioblastoma populations. CONCLUSION: It is possible that the action mechanism could be associated with a loss of membrane integrity. Additionally, some metalloproteinases as MMP2 and MMP9 may also participate in the potential action mechanism.

In vitro digestibility and release of a mango peel extract encapsulated within water-in-oil-in-water (W1/O/W2) emulsions containing sodium carboxymethyl cellulose.

Mango peel is a rich source of phenolic compounds (PC), which can be used in food fortification. The use of water-in-oil-in-water (W1/O/W2) emulsions represents a potential strategy to encapsulate, protect and incorporate PC from mango peel into food products. Moreover, even though non-digestible biopolymers are usually incorporated into emulsions to enhance stability, little is known about the effect on the digestibility and release of PC. In this study, a mango peel extract (MPE) was encapsulated using W1/O/W2 emulsions containing sodium carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC; 0, 0.5, 1.0% w/w) in W2, and their colloidal stability, lipid digestibility kinetics (free fatty acid release), and release (in terms of antioxidant activity) under in vitro digestion conditions were evaluated. The presence of CMC in emulsions caused flocculation of droplets, which remained unchanged during the gastric phase, suggesting that bridging flocculation occurred. Moreover, a slower lipid digestion rate was observed in emulsions containing CMC, with k-values ranging between 0.21 and 0.25 min-1, compared to emulsions without CMC (around 0.14 min-1). However, although CMC may slow down the lipolysis reaction during the first 40 min due to physical or steric hindrance, at the end of the intestinal phase, emulsions with or without CMC had a similar final FFA release. Moreover, MPE release was triggered under gastric conditions, probably by osmotic imbalance, showing a constant antioxidant activity value during the intestinal phase only in emulsions containing CMC. This study provides relevant insights to design double emulsions as delivery systems of water-soluble bioactive compounds with antioxidant activity, such as PC.

Dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans / Dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans

Resumen El dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans (DFSP) es un sarcoma cutáneo de baja incidencia y lento crecimiento que afecta principalmente a personas de entre 20 a 39 años y es más frecuente en afrodescendientes. La localización anatómica más común es el tronco, seguido de las extremidades superiores. La etiología no está clara, pero la mayoría de los casos presentan rearreglos genéticos que involucran los genes COL1A1 y PDGFB. El riesgo de metástasis es bajo, pero tiene tendencia a la recurrencia local, especialmente en: los tumores resecados con márgenes insuficientes, los tumores profundos y los tumores que presentan cambio fibrosarcomatoso. La primera línea de manejo para la enfermedad local es la cirugía con la resección local amplia o la cirugía micrográfica de Mohs (CMM), que ha mostrado recurrencias consistentemente bajas. La radioterapia se ha usado para tumores irresecables o como adyuvancia. En los casos de enfermedad metastásica el manejo de elección es el imatinib.

Abstract Dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans (DFSP) is a low incidence and slow growing cutaneous sarcoma that mainly affects individuals between 20 and 39 years old and is more frequent in black race. The most common anatomical site is the trunk, followed by the upper extremities. The etiology is unclear, but the most cases present genetic rearrangements involving the COL1A1 and PDGFB genes. The risk of metastasis is low, but it tends to local recurrence, especially when section margins were insufficient, in deep tumors or those with fibrosarcomatous change. The first line of treatment for local disease is surgery; wide local resection or Mohs micrographic surgery (MMS). The latter technique has shown consistently low recurrence rate. Radiotherapy has been used for unresectable cases or as adjuvant therapy. Imatinib is useful for metastatic disease.

Study of body fluid samples using flow cytometry: Six years of experience at the Hospital Universitario San Ignacio - Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Bogota - Colombia / Estudio de muestras de fluidos corporales utilizando citometría de flujo: seis años de experiencia en el Hospital Universitario San Ignacio - Pontificia Universidad Javeriana Bogotá, Colombia / Estudo de amostras de fluídos corporais utilizando citometria de fluxo: seis anos de experiencia no Hospital Universitário San Ignacio - Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Bogotá, Colômbia

Abstract Flow cytometry (FCM) was implemented in 2008 at the Pontificia Universidad Javeriana and later at the Hospital Universitario San Ignacio to examine special samples of patients with hematological malignancies and solid tumors other than bone marrow and peripheral blood for diagnosis and monitoring. This study describes the main findings of special sample evaluation over a six-year period. In all, 1070 samples of body fluids from patients with benign and malignant diseases were examined by FCM. These samples were stabilized with TransFixTM and stained with six-color immunophenotyping panels. Samples included cerebrospinal fluid, bronchoalveolar lavage, pleural fluid, pericardial fluid and ascite fluid from patients with acute and chronic leukemia, myelodysplastic syndromes, lymphomas, myeloma, autoimmune diseases, immunodeficiencies and solid tumors, among others. Flow cytometry provided important information for the classification and detection of minimal numbers of tumor cells in leukemia and lymphoma cases. This work represents the first national report describing FCM implementation in special samples for diagnosis and clinical monitoring of patients with malignant and benign pathologies.

Resumen La citometría de flujo fue implementada en 2008 en la Pontificia Universidad Javeriana y posteriormente en el Hospital San Ignacio con el fin de examinar, para diagnóstico y monitoreo, muestras especiales de pacientes con malignidades hematológicas y tumores sólidos, distintos de los de médula ósea y sangre periférica. Este estudio describe los principales hallazgos de la evaluación de estas muestras especiales en un periodo de seis años. En total, se examinaron por citometría de flujo 1070 muestras de fluidos corporales de pacientes con enfermedades malignas y benignas. Estas muestras se estabilizaron con TransFix™ y teñidas con paneles inmunofenotípicos de seis colores. Las muestras incluyeron líquido cefalorraquídeo, lavado broncoalveolar, fluido pleural, fluido pericárdico y fluido ascítico, provenientes de pacientes con leucemia aguda y crónica, síndromes mielodisplásicos, linfomas, mieloma, enfermedades autoinmunes, inmunodeficiencias y tumores sólidos, entre otras enfermedades. La citometría de flujo proporcionó información importante sobre la clasificación y detección de números mínimos de células tumorales en casos de leucemia y linfoma. Este trabajo representa el primer reporte nacional que describe la implementación de citometría de flujo en muestras especiales para diagnóstico y monitoreo clínico de pacientes con patologías malignas y benignas.

Resumo A citometria de fluxo foi implementada em 2008 na Pontificia Universidad Javeriana e posteriormente no Hospital San Ignacio com a finalidade de examinar amostras especiais de pacientes com malignidades hematológicas e tumores sólidos diferentes aos de medula óssea e sangue periférico para diagnóstico e monitoramento. Este estudo descreve as principais descobertas a partir da avaliação de amostras especiais em um período de 6 anos. Se examinaram por citometria de fluxo um total de 1.070 amostras de fluídos corporais de pacientes doenças malignas e benignas. Estas amostras se estabilizaram com TransFix™ e coradas com painéis imunofenotípicos de seis cores. As amostras incluíram fluído cérebro-espinhal, lavado broncoalveolar, fluído pleural, fluído pericárdico e fluído ascético, provenientes de pacientes com leucemias aguda e crónica, síndromes mielodisplásicos, linfomas, mielomas, doenças autoimunes, imunodeficiência, e tumores sólidos, entre outras doenças. A citometria de fluxo proporcionou informações importantes sobre a classificação e detecção de um número mínimo de células tumorais nos casos de leucemia e linfomas. Este trabalho representa o primeiro relato nacional que descreve a implementação de citometria de fluxo em amostras especiais para diagnóstico e monitoramento clínico de pacientes com patologias malignas e benignas.

Participación social en salud: qué rumbo tomar en municipios de Chiapas? / Social participation in health

Se parte de reconocer la ambigüedad teórica e ideológica del concepto Participación Social en Salud; asimismo el recrudecimiento de las adversas condiciones de vida y su impacto sobre la salud, particularmente en contextos de alta marginación en Chiapas, México. Con el objetivo de describir las características de participación de las mujeres en dos municipios de alta marginación, se aplicó una encuesta probabilística en 10 localidades de Oxchucy, San Lucas. Se usó un instrumento con preguntas abiertas y cerradas, aplicado mediante entrevista domiciliaria a mujeres (n =638). Se identificaron las posibilidades de intervención de las mujeres en la toma de decisiones relativas a salud; tanto en el espacio público como en el ámbito doméstico. La información procede de mujeres adultas, la mayoría se dice unida (87,5 por ciento y 82 por ciento, respectivamente) en San Lucas y Oxchuc, pero no todas viven con la pareja; tienen 5 hijos y 3,5 años de escolaridad, en promedio. La participación que las mujeres refieren tener en el espacio público es mínima, como asistentes sin derecho a voto en reuniones de las unidades médicas; en el ámbito privado únicamente las más jóvenes refieren compartir alguna vez la toma de decisiones sobre aspectos relacionados con la vida y salud propia y de los hijos/as. Se discuten las alternativas para superar la deficitaria participación de mujeres y hombres en la toma de decisiones que afectan a la vida comunitaria, que potencialmente contribuirían al mejoramiento de las condiciones de vida y salud de los habitantes de municipios marginados en Chiapas.

This paper begins by recognizing the theoretical and ideological ambiguity of the concept social participation in health, as well as the resurgence of the adverse living conditions and their the impact on health in the context of impoverished Chiapas, Mexico. In order to describe the characteristics of women’s participation in two highly marginalized municipalities, we used a random survey in 10 locations in San Lucas and Oxchuc. We designed an instrument with open and closed questions, which we carried out with women in home interviews (n =638). We identified the potential for involvement in decision-making in health among women, both in public spaces and at home. Those surveyed were adult women, most of them were in a relationship (87.5 percent and82 percent, respectively), and they were living in San Lucas and Oxchuc, but not all were living with their partner. They had, on average, 5 children and 3.5 years of education. The amount of participation in public spaces that women reported was minimal. They reported only being non-voting participants in medical committee meetings. In the private sphere, only the youngest of them reported ever participating in decision making on issues related to their own lives and health, and that of their children. We discuss the possible strategies to overcome the low level of participation in decision-making in community life, which could potentially contribute to improving the living conditions and health of the inhabitants of marginalized municipalities in Chiapas.

Ultrasound-guided percutaneous drainage of a traumatic abdominal wall hematoma in the emergency department.

BACKGROUND: Abdominal wall hematoma is due to trauma, coagulation disorders or anticoagulation therapy complications. METHODS: In this report we present a case of a 44-year-old female who suffered from blunt abdominal trauma and presented to the emergency department with sharp abdominal pain and ecchymosis. FAST and abdominal computerized tomography (CT) revealed an abdominal wall hematoma. Treatment with an ultrasound-guided percutaneous drainage was performed successfully. RESULTS: The patient remained under observation for six hours with serial ultrasound scans, and no signs of hematoma recurrence were present. She was discharged the same day with clinical improvement. CONCLUSION: Complete history investigation and clinical examination help to make a correct diagnosis of abdominal wall hematoma, select a prompt treatment, and reduce complications.