Possible Role of Cannabis in the Management of Neuroinflammation in Patients with Post-COVID Condition.

The post-COVID condition (PCC) is a pathology stemming from COVID-19, and studying its pathophysiology, diagnosis, and treatment is crucial. Neuroinflammation causes the most common manifestations of this disease including headaches, fatigue, insomnia, depression, anxiety, among others. Currently, there are no specific management proposals; however, given that the inflammatory component involves cytokines and free radicals, these conditions must be treated to reduce the current symptoms and provide neuroprotection to reduce the risk of a long-term neurodegenerative disease. It has been shown that cannabis has compounds with immunomodulatory and antioxidant functions in other pathologies. Therefore, exploring this approach could provide a viable therapeutic option for PCC, which is the purpose of this review. This review involved an exhaustive search in specialized databases including PubMed, PubChem, ProQuest, EBSCO, Scopus, Science Direct, Web of Science, and Clinical Trials. Phytocannabinoids, including cannabidiol (CBD), cannabigerol (CBG), and Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), exhibit significant antioxidative and anti-inflammatory properties and have been shown to be an effective treatment for neuroinflammatory conditions. These compounds could be promising adjuvants for PCC alone or in combination with other antioxidants or therapies. PCC presents significant challenges to neurological health, and neuroinflammation and oxidative stress play central roles in its pathogenesis. Antioxidant therapy and cannabinoid-based approaches represent promising areas of research and treatment for mitigating adverse effects, but further studies are needed.

Changes in the Dentate Gyrus Gene Expression Profile Induced by Levetiracetam Treatment in Rats with Mesial Temporal Lobe Epilepsy.

Temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) is one of the most common forms of focal epilepsy. Levetiracetam (LEV) is an antiepileptic drug whose mechanism of action at the genetic level has not been fully described. Therefore, the aim of the present work was to evaluate the relevant gene expression changes in the dentate gyrus (DG) of LEV-treated rats with pilocarpine-induced TLE. Whole-transcriptome microarrays were used to obtain the differential genetic profiles of control (CTRL), epileptic (EPI), and EPI rats treated for one week with LEV (EPI + LEV). Quantitative RT-qPCR was used to evaluate the RNA levels of the genes of interest. According to the results of the EPI vs. CTRL analysis, 685 genes were differentially expressed, 355 of which were underexpressed and 330 of which were overexpressed. According to the analysis of the EPI + LEV vs. EPI groups, 675 genes were differentially expressed, 477 of which were downregulated and 198 of which were upregulated. A total of 94 genes whose expression was altered by epilepsy and modified by LEV were identified. The RT-qPCR confirmed that LEV treatment reversed the increased expression of Hgf mRNA and decreased the expression of the Efcab1, Adam8, Slc24a1, and Serpinb1a genes in the DG. These results indicate that LEV could be involved in nonclassical mechanisms involved in Ca2+ homeostasis and the regulation of the mTOR pathway through Efcab1, Hgf, SLC24a1, Adam8, and Serpinb1a, contributing to reduced hyperexcitability in TLE patients.

Aptamers: A Cutting-Edge Approach for Gram-Negative Bacterial Pathogen Identification.

Early and accurate diagnoses of pathogenic microorganisms is essential to correctly identify diseases, treating infections, and tracking disease outbreaks associated with microbial infections, to develop precautionary measures that allow a fast and effective response in epidemics and pandemics, thus improving public health. Aptamers are a class of synthetic nucleic acid molecules with the potential to be used for medical purposes, since they can be directed towards any target molecule. Currently, the use of aptamers has increased because they are a useful tool in the detection of specific targets. We present a brief review of the use of aptamers to detect and identify bacteria or even some toxins with clinical importance. This work describes the advances in the technology of aptamers, with the purpose of providing knowledge to develop new aptamers for diagnoses and treatment of different diseases caused by infectious microorganisms.

Unusual Trisomy X Phenotype Associated with a Concurrent Heterozygous 16p11.2 Deletion: Importance of an Integral Approach for Proper Diagnosis.

Trisomy X is the most frequent sex chromosome anomaly in women, but it is often underdiagnosed postnatally because most patients do not show any clinical manifestation. It is estimated that only 10% of patients with trisomy X are diagnosed by clinical findings. Thus, it has been proposed that the clinical spectrum is not yet fully delimited, and additional uncommon or atypical clinical manifestations could be related to this entity. The present report describes a female carrying trisomy X but presenting atypical manifestations, including severe intellectual disability, short stature, thymus hypoplasia, and congenital hypothyroidism (CH). These clinical findings were initially attributed to trisomy X. However, chromosome microarray analysis (CMA) subsequently revealed that the patient also bears a heterozygous 304-kb deletion at 16p11.2. This pathogenic copy-number variant (CNV) encompasses 13 genes, including TUFM. Some authors recommend that when a phenotype differs from that described for an identified microdeletion, the presence of pathogenic variants in the non-deleted allele should be considered to assess for an autosomal recessive disorder; thus, we used a panel of 697 genes to rule out a pathogenic variant in the non-deleted TUFM allele. We discuss the possible phenotypic modifications that might be related to an additional CNV in individuals with sex chromosome aneuploidy (SCA), as seen in our patient. The presence of karyotype-demonstrated trisomy X and CMA-identified 16p11.2 deletion highlights the importance of always correlating a patient's clinical phenotype with the results of genetic studies. When the phenotype includes unusual manifestations and/or exhibits discrepancies with that described in the literature, as exemplified by our patient, a more extensive analysis should be undertaken to enable a correct diagnosis that will support proper management, genetic counseling, and medical follow-up.

Thinking outside the black box: are the brain endothelial cells the new main target in Alzheimer's disease?

The blood-brain barrier is the interface through which the brain interacts with the milieu and consists mainly of a sophisticated network of brain endothelial cells that forms blood vessels and selectively moves molecules inside and outside the brain through multiple mechanisms of transport. Although brain endothelial cell function is crucial for brain homeostasis, their role in neurodegenerative diseases has historically not been considered with the same importance as other brain cells such as microglia, astroglia, neurons, or even molecules such as amyloid beta, Tau, or alpha-synuclein. Alzheimer's disease is the most common neurodegenerative disease, and brain endothelial cell dysfunction has been reported by several groups. However, its impairment has barely been considered as a potential therapeutic target. Here we review the most recent advances in the relationship between Alzheimer's disease and brain endothelial cells commitment and analyze the possible mechanisms through which their alterations contribute to this neurodegenerative disease, highlighting their inflammatory phenotype and the possibility of an impaired secretory pattern of brain endothelial cells that could contribute to the progression of this ailment. Finally, we discuss why shall brain endothelial cells be appreciated as a therapeutic target instead of solely an obstacle for delivering treatments to the injured brain in Alzheimer's disease.

Antiangiogenic Effect of Dopamine and Dopaminergic Agonists as an Adjuvant Therapeutic Option in the Treatment of Cancer, Endometriosis, and Osteoarthritis.

Dopamine (DA) and dopamine agonists (DA-Ag) have shown antiangiogenic potential through the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) pathway. They inhibit VEGF and VEGF receptor 2 (VEGFR 2) functions through the dopamine receptor D2 (D2R), preventing important angiogenesis-related processes such as proliferation, migration, and vascular permeability. However, few studies have demonstrated the antiangiogenic mechanism and efficacy of DA and DA-Ag in diseases such as cancer, endometriosis, and osteoarthritis (OA). Therefore, the objective of this review was to describe the mechanisms of the antiangiogenic action of the DA-D2R/VEGF-VEGFR 2 system and to compile related findings from experimental studies and clinical trials on cancer, endometriosis, and OA. Advanced searches were performed in PubMed, Web of Science, SciFinder, ProQuest, EBSCO, Scopus, Science Direct, Google Scholar, PubChem, NCBI Bookshelf, DrugBank, livertox, and Clinical Trials. Articles explaining the antiangiogenic effect of DA and DA-Ag in research articles, meta-analyses, books, reviews, databases, and clinical trials were considered. DA and DA-Ag have an antiangiogenic effect that could reinforce the treatment of diseases that do not yet have a fully curative treatment, such as cancer, endometriosis, and OA. In addition, DA and DA-Ag could present advantages over other angiogenic inhibitors, such as monoclonal antibodies.

Calidad microbiológica: detección de Aeromonas sp y Pseudomonas sp en garrafones provenientes de pequeñas plantas purificadoras de agua / Microbiological quality: detection of Aeromonas sp and Pseudomonas sp in jugs from small water purification establishments

RESUMEN Las plantas purificadoras de agua que carecen de un adecuado sistema de control de calidad pueden generar problemas de salud pública. El objetivo de este estudio fue examinar la calidad microbiológica del agua proveniente de pequeñas plantas purificadoras de la ciudad de Puebla, así como, determinar la existencia de bacterias Aeromonas sp y Pseudomonas sp, y caracterizar si presentan un fenotipo patógeno oportunista. Se recolectaron 70 muestras de garrafones de agua de 25 establecimientos. La cuantificación bacteriana se realizó mediante el método de goteo en placa. Se comprobaron los géneros microbianos mediante análisis bioquímico. En las cepas que mostraron discrepancia se utilizó la identificación molecular con base a secuencias parciales del gen 16S rRNA para confirmar su especie y se les evaluaron sus características de patogenicidad: multirresistencia a antibióticos, producción de biopelícula y actividad hemolítica. El 40 % de las plantas purificadoras no cumplieron con la calidad microbiológica del agua para consumo humano. El 41.4 % de los garrafones de agua muestreados incumplió la normativa, presentando coliformes totales 35.7 %, Pseudomonas 30 %, Enterococcus faecalis 8.6 % y bacterias coliformes fecales el 5.7 %. Se obtuvieron 56 aislados, provenientes de los 29 garrafones contaminados; 10 de ellos se caracterizaron molecularmente, resultando 7 aislados relacionados con especies diferentes de P. aeruginosa y 3 con especies de Aeromonas. De los aislados de Pseudomonas, 5 presentaron resistencia a 2 familias de antibióticos y 2 mostraron multirresistencia. El 36 % de los 10 aislados produjeron hemólisis y biopelícula. Dos cepas de Aeromonas mostraron resistencia a Cefalosporina 3a generación pero no produjeron hemólisis. Los 10 aislados analizados fueron clasificados como no patógenos. Es necesario un seguimiento sanitario más estricto para lograr el cumplimiento de las normas nacionales e internacionales relacionadas con el consumo de agua purificada, para evitar dañar la salud de los consumidores.

ABSTRACT Water purification establishments that lack an adequate quality control system can cause public health problems. The objective of this study was to examine the microbiological quality of water from small purification establishments in the city of Puebla, as well as to determine the existence of Aeromonas sp and Pseudomonas sp bacteria, and to characterize whether they present an opportunistic pathogenic phenotype. 70 water jug samples were collected from 25 establishments. Bacterial quantification was performed using the drop plate method. Microbial genera were determined by biochemical analysis using the standard methodology. In the strains that showed discrepancy, molecular identification based on partial sequences of the 16S rRNA gene was used to confirm their species, and their pathogenic characteristics were evaluated: multiresistance to antibiotics, biofilm production, and hemolytic activity. The results showed that 40 % of the purification establishments did not comply with the microbiological quality of water for human consumption. Similarly, 41.4 % of the jugs of water sampled failed to comply with the regulations, presenting total coliforms 35.7 %, Pseudomonas 30 %, Enterococcus faecalis 8.6 % and fecal coliform bacteria 5.7 %. Likewise, 56 isolates were obtained from the 29 contaminated jugs, of which 10 were molecularly characterized, resulting in 4 different species for P. aeruginosa and 3 for Aeromonas. Of the 7 Pseudomonas isolates, 5 presented resistance to 2 families of antibiotics and 2 showed multiresistance. In total, 36 % of the 10 isolates produced hemolysis and biofilm. Two Aeromonas strains showed resistance to 3rd generation Cephalosporin but did not produce hemolysis. The 10 isolates analyzed were classified as non-pathogenic. A stricter sanitary monitoring is necessary to achieve compliance with national and international standards related to the consumption of purified water, to avoid harming the health of consumers.

Therapeutic Potential of Dopamine and Related Drugs as Anti-Inflammatories and Antioxidants in Neuronal and Non-Neuronal Pathologies.

Dopamine (DA), its derivatives, and dopaminergic drugs are compounds widely used in the management of diseases related to the nervous system. However, DA receptors have been identified in nonneuronal tissues, which has been related to their therapeutic potential in pathologies such as sepsis or septic shock, blood pressure, renal failure, diabetes, and obesity, among others. In addition, DA and dopaminergic drugs have shown anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties in different kinds of cells. AIM: To compile the mechanism of action of DA and the main dopaminergic drugs and show the findings that support the therapeutic potential of these molecules for the treatment of neurological and non-neurological diseases considering their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory actions. METHOD: We performed a review article. An exhaustive search for information was carried out in specialized databases such as PubMed, PubChem, ProQuest, EBSCO, Scopus, Science Direct, Web of Science, Bookshelf, DrugBank, Livertox, and Clinical Trials. RESULTS: We showed that DA and dopaminergic drugs have emerged for the management of neuronal and nonneuronal diseases with important therapeutic potential as anti-inflammatories and antioxidants. CONCLUSIONS: DA and DA derivatives can be an attractive treatment strategy and a promising approach to slowing the progression of disorders through repositioning.

Evaluación del polimorfismo Pro12Ala del gen PPARƴ en mujeres con diabetes mellitus gestacional / Evaluation of the Pro12Ala polymorphism of the PPARƴ gene in women with gestational diabetes mellitus

Resumen OBJETIVO: Determinar la frecuencia del alelo Ala en una muestra de mujeres mexicanas con diabetes mellitus gestacional y asociar su repercusión en la glucemia. MATERIALES Y MÉTODOS: Estudio ambispectivo, observacional, transversal y correlacional efectuado en una cohorte de pacientes con diabetes gestacional atendidas entre los meses de enero a junio del 2014 en el Hospital Militar de Especialidades de la Mujer y Neonatología de la Secretaría de la Defensa Nacional en la Ciudad de México. Se evaluó el polimorfismo mediante amplificación de un fragmento de ADN mediante la reacción en cadena de la polimerasa (PCR) y su secuenciación. RESULTADOS: Se estudiaron 81 pacientes; 3 de ellas con el alelo Ala, con concentraciones de glucosa menores y antecedente de más abortos en comparación con las mujeres sin el alelo Ala. CONCLUSIONES: La coexistencia del alelo Ala en mujeres embarazadas con diagnóstico de diabetes mellitus gestacional pudiera tener un efecto protector en contra de la hiperglucemia en el embarazo y el riesgo de aborto.

Abstract OBJECTIVE: To determine the frequency of peroxisomal proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARg) polymorphism of proline substituted with an alanine in amino acid 12 (Pro12Ala), in women with gestational diabetes mellitus and associate its impact with glycemia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: An ambispective, observational, cross-sectional and correlational study was carried out in a cohort of women with gestational diabetes that included 81 pregnant women treated at the Military Hospital for Women's Specialties and Neonatology of the Ministry of National Defense in the city from Mexico. Polymorphism was evaluated by amplification of a DNA fragment by PCR Polymerase Chain Reaction and its sequencing. RESULTS: The results indicated that 13.5% of the women carriers of the Ala allele also had lower blood glucose values and a history with a higher number of abortions compared to women without the Ala allele. CONCLUSIONS: The presence of the Ala allele in pregnant women with gestational diabetes mellitus could have a protective effect against hyperglycemia in pregnancy and a risk of abortion.

Effects of the utilization of intellectual property by scientific researchers on economic growth in Mexico.

The present article examines the impact of intellectual property (IP) utilization and concentration on economic growth in Mexico. The findings presented center on the use of different forms of IP by researchers in the National System of Researchers (SNI in Spanish) of Mexico. We focus especially on the externalities associated with the use of IP by researchers, as well as on understanding how knowledge about, and utilization of IP relates to economic growth, as measured by gross domestic product (GDP). The results of our analyses indicate that in the context of the Mexican SNI, the utilization of certain forms of IP, specifically patents and industrial designs, had a positive impact on economic growth, while the use of utility models was negatively linked to drivers of growth. Policies based on these results could seek to foster awareness and utilization of particular forms of IP by SNI researchers, which in turn could result in greater economic growth in Mexico.

Primary Barriers of Adherence to a Structured Nutritional Intervention in Patients with Dyslipidemia.

PURPOSE: To describe the primary barriers to adequately adhering to a structured nutritional intervention. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 106 participants diagnosed with dyslipidemia and without a medical nutrition therapeutic plan were included in this two-year study conducted at the INCMNSZ dyslipidemia clinic in Mexico City. All patients were treated with the same structured strategies, including three face-to-face visits and two telephone follow-up visits. Diet plan adherence was evaluated at each site visit through a 3-day or 24-h food recall. RESULTS: Barriers to adhere to the nutritional intervention were: lack of time to prepare their meals (23%), eating outside the home (19%), unwillingness to change dietary patterns (14%), and lack of information about a correct diet for dyslipidemias (14%). All barriers decreased significantly at the end of the intervention. Female gender, current smoking, and following a plan of more than 1500 kcal (R2 = 0.18 and p-value = 0.004) were associated with good diet adherence. Participants showed good levels of adherence to total caloric intake at visit 2 and 3, reporting 104.7% and 95.4%, respectively. Adherence to macronutrient intake varied from 65.1% to 126%, with difficulties in adhering to recommended carbohydrate and fat consumption being more notable. CONCLUSION: The study findings confirm that a structured nutritional intervention is effective in reducing barriers and improving dietary adherence and metabolic control in patients with dyslipidemias. Health providers must identify barriers to adherence early on to design interventions that reduce these barriers and improve adherence.

Development and validation of a tool for predicting type 2 diabetes in Mexican women of reproductive age.

INTRODUCTION: Diabetes is a worldwide problem with a greater impact in developing countries, where many people are unaware of their risk. In Mexico, women show the greatest risk for T2D. Current risk scores have been developed and validated in predominantly older European cohorts. They are not the best option in Mexican women. The development of a risk model/score in this population would be useful. OBJECTIVE: To develop and validate a risk model and score that incorporates the most relevant risk factors for T2D in Mexican women of reproductive age. METHODS: The study was carried out in two phases, with the first phase being the development of the predictive model and the second phase the validation of the model in a separate independent population. A cohort of Mexican patients of reproductive age ("Derivation Cohort") was used to create the predictive model. It included data on 3161 women. Risk factors for identification were assessed using Cox proportional hazards regression. Finally a score with a range of 0 to 19 points was developed to identify the 2.4 year probability of developing DM2 in Mexican women of reproductive age. RESULTS: 147 new cases of T2D (4.6%) were identified in the Derivation Cohort model, 97 of 925 participants (10.48%) in the validation cohort. The risk factor predictors of T2D were: history of gestational diabetes (HR 2.69, 95% CI 1.10-6.58), BMI (HR 1.03, 95% CI 1.01-1.06), hypertriglyceridemia (HR 1.54, 95% CI 1.11-2.14) and fasting blood glucose (HR 1.06, 95% CI 1.05-1.08), with an AUC of 0.75. The AUC in the validation cohort was 0.91 (95% CI 0.87-0.94). The score had a sensitivity of 73% and specificity of 67% at a cutoff of ≥15. CONCLUSIONS: A predictive model and risk score was developed to detect cases at risk for incident T2D. It was generated using the characteristics of Mexican women of reproductive age. This risk score is a step forward in attempting to address the generational legacy that diabetes in pregnancy could have on women and their children.

Barriers to adherence to a nutritional plan and strategies to overcome them in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus; results after two years of follow-up.

INTRODUCTION: Lifestyle changes in medical nutrition therapy (MNT) are associated to HbA1c decreases ranging from 0.3 to 2%. Evidence shows that people with barriers are less likely to adhere to a long-term nutritional plan. Little information is available on the barriers that prevent the implementation of a healthy nutritional plan, and the strategies used to overcome them. OBJECTIVE: To report the longitudinal changes in perceptions of barriers to adherence to a nutritional plan in T2DM. METHODS: A prospective cohort study with intervention. Follow-up was assessed at two years, and all patients received comprehensive care according to the CAIPaDi model. A questionnaire was used to detect the most common barriers to adherence to a nutritional plan at baseline and at 3 months and 1 and 2 years of follow-up. The analysis included data from 320 patients with complete evaluations from baseline to 2 years. Patients with T2DM aged 53.8±9.1 years (55.9% women), BMI 29.2±4.4kg/m2, and time since the diagnosis 1 (0-5) years were included in the study. RESULTS: At baseline, 78.4% of patients reported any barrier that limited adherence to a nutritional plan. The most common were "Lack of information on an adequate diet" (24.7%), "I eat away from home most of the time" (19.7%), and "Denial or refusal to make changes in my diet" (14.4%). After a structured nutritional intervention including strategies to eliminate each barrier, a 37% reduction (p<0.001) was seen in barriers at 2 years of follow-up. Patients with persistent barriers at two years had a greater proportion of HbA1c values >7% (24.7%) and triglyceride levels >150mg/dL (27.5%) out of the control range as compared to those with no barriers (11.6% and 14.4% respectively, p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Identification of barriers to adherence to a nutritional plan may allow healthcare professionals design interventions with the specific behavioral components needed to overcome such barrier, thus improving adherence to the nutritional plan with the resultant long-term changes.

Existence of a Conserved Quantity and Stability of In Vitro Virus Infection Dynamics Models with Absorption Effect.

The estimation of parameters in biomathematical models is useful to characterize quantitatively the dynamics of biological processes. In this paper, we consider some systems of ordinary differential equations (ODEs) modelling the viral dynamics in a cell culture. These models incorporate the loss of viral particles due to the absorption into target cells. We estimated the parameters of models by least-squares minimization between numerical solution of the system and experimental data of cell cultures. We derived a first integral or conserved quantity, and we proved the use of experimental data in order to test the conservation law. The systems have nonhyperbolic equilibrium points, and the conditions for their stability are obtained by using a Lyapunov function. We complemented these theoretical results with some numerical simulations.

Insuficiencia renal aguda en cirrosis hepática / Acute renal failure in hepatic cirrhosis

Resumen La asociación de la insuficiencia renal aguda en pacientes con cirrosis hepática siempre se ha establecido en el contexto del síndrome hepatorrenal, pero hay varias causas además de ésta. La insuficiencia renal aguda es un desafío terapéutico en pacientes con cirrosis hepática. La insuficiencia renal aguda se debe a factores prerrenales, factores intrínsecos del riñón o posrenales. La prevalencia de insuficiencia renal aguda en la cirrosis se ha informado de 14 a 50% en pacientes con cirrosis. Su prevalencia es de aproximadamente 50% en pacientes con cirrosis y ascitis y de 20% en los pacientes con cirrosis en etapa avanzada que están hospitalizados. En 2015, el Club Internacional de Ascitis estableció una nueva definición y estadificación de la insuficiencia renal aguda en pacientes con cirrosis hepática.

Abstract The association of acute renal failure in patients with liver cirrhosis has always been established in the context of hepatorenal syndrome, but there are several etiologies in addition to this cause. Acute renal failure is a therapeutic challenge in patients with liver cirrhosis. Acute renal failure is due to prerenal factors, intrinsic factors of the kidney or post-renal. The prevalence of acute renal failure in cirrhosis has been reported from 14 to 50% in patients with cirrhosis. Its prevalence is approximately 50% in patients with cirrhosis and ascites and 20% in patients with advanced stage cirrhosis who are hospitalized. In 2015, the International Ascitis Club established a new definition and staging of acute renal failure in patients with liver cirrhosis.

Asociación entre la severidad de la depresión y el apego al primer esquema de tratamiento antirretroviral / Association of depression severity with adherence to the first scheme of antiretroviral treatment

Resumen OBJETIVO Comparar el índice de apego a la terapia antirretroviral de primera línea en pacientes con trastornos depresivos vs pacientes sin depresión. MATERIAL Y MÉTODO Estudio prospectivo efectuado de enero a junio de 2016 en el que se evaluaron pacientes de las clínicas de VIH del Hospital General Regional núm. 1 del IMSS y del Hospital General Tacuba, en tratamiento antirretroviral con un primer esquema, iniciado hacía más de seis meses; se excluyeron los pacientes con trastornos neurológicos diferentes a depresión, pacientes con diagnóstico, tratamiento previo de depresión o ambos. Los pacientes respondieron el cuestionario de Beck de depresión y la escala SMAQ de apego. RESULTADOS Se evaluaron 180 pacientes con un primer esquema de tratamiento antirretroviral, se encontró que 126 (70%) pacientes no tenían depresión, 36 (20%) tenían depresión, 15 (8.3%) depresión moderada y 3 (1.7%) depresión severa. La falta de apego se observó en 15.8% de los pacientes sin depresión versus 55.5% de los pacientes con depresión (p = 0.01). El apego de los pacientes con depresión fue inversamente proporcional a la severidad de la misma. Respecto a la carga viral bajo el límite de supresión (< 40 copias/mL) en los pacientes sin depresión se observó mayor proporción de pacientes con carga viral superior a 40 copias/mL: 17.4 vs 15.87%, considerados sin apego por el cuestionario SMAQ. CONCLUSIONES El apego disminuye con la severidad de la depresión en los pacientes, lo que pone en riesgo la eficacia del tratamiento antirretroviral.

Abstract OBJECTIVE To compare the rate of adherence to antiretroviral therapy in the first line in patients with depressive disorders vs those without depression. MATERIAL AND METHOD A prospective study was done from January to June 2016 in patients from the HIV clinics of the Regional General Hospital No. 1 of IMSS, and the General Hospital Tacuba, in antiretroviral treatment with a first scheme, started more than six months ago, excluding patients with neurological disorders, different from depression, patients with diagnosis and/or previous treatment of depression. Patients answered the Beck questionnaire for depression and the SMAQ scale for adherence. RESULTS 180 patients were evaluated with a first antiretroviral treatment regimen. It was found that 126 (70%) patients did not present depression, 36 (20%) presented depression, 15 (8.3%) presented moderate depression and 3 (1.7%) presented severe depression. Non-adherence was observed in 15.8% of patients without depression versus 55.5% of patients with depression (p = 0.01). The adherence of patients with depression was inversely proportional to the severity of the same. Regarding the viral load under the limit of suppression (< 40 copies/mL) in patients without depression, a higher proportion of patients with a viral load higher than 40 copies/mL was observed: 17.4% vs 15.8%, considered non-adherent by the SMAQ questionnaire. CONCLUSIONS Adherence decreases with the severity of depression in patients, putting the effectiveness of antiretroviral treatment at risk.

Effect of cigarette smoke on counts of immunoreactive cells to eotaxin-1 and eosinophils on the nasal mucosa in young patients with perennial allergic rhinitis / Efeito do tabagismo nas contagens de células imunorreativas a eotaxina-1 e eosinófilos na mucosa nasal em pacientes jovens com rinite alérgica perene

Abstract Introduction: In teenagers with perennial allergic rhinitis, exposure to tobacco cigarette smoke increases the count of eosinophils in the nasal mucosa; the recruitment of eosinophils arises from the combined action of a number of cellular and molecular signals, including eotaxin. Objective: To assess the effect of exposure to tobacco cigarette smoke on the count of immunoreactive cells to eotaxin-1 and eosinophils on the nasal mucosa of children and teenagers with perennial allergic rhinitis. Methods: In a cross-sectional study, forty-four patients were evaluated (aged 7-19 years old): 22 with and 22 with no exposure to tobacco cigarette smoke. After replying to 2 validated questionnaires, on Asthma and Allergies in Childhood and on the severity of nasal symptoms, nasal mucosal samples were obtained by scraping the middle one-third of the inferior turbinates. Then counts of immunoreactive cells to eotaxin-1 and eosinophils were assessed by immunohistochemistry. Results: Patients with exposure to tobacco cigarette smoke showed higher cell counts of both eotaxin-1 and eosinophils than patients with no exposure to the smoke, with no correlation between the two variables. However, both counts, of eotaxin-1 and eosinophils, were related to the cotinine/creatinine ratio. Conclusions: Exposure to tobacco cigarette smoke can increase eotaxin-1 and the count of eosinophils in the nasal mucosa of young patients with perennial allergic rhinitis.

Resumo Introdução: Em adolescentes com rinite alérgica perene, a exposição à fumaça do cigarro de tabaco aumenta a contagem de eosinófilos na mucosa nasal. O recrutamento de eosinófilos surge da ação combinada de alguns sinais celulares e moleculares, inclusive a eotaxina. Objetivo: Avaliar o efeito da exposição à fumaça do cigarro de tabaco na contagem de células imunorreativas a eotaxina-1 e eosinófilos na mucosa nasal de crianças e adolescentes com rinite alérgica perene. Método: Em um estudo transversal, 44 pacientes foram avaliados (entre sete e 19 anos): 22 com e 22 sem exposição à fumaça do cigarro de tabaco. Depois de responder a dois questionários validados, sobre asma e alergias na infância e sobre a gravidade dos sintomas nasais, as amostras de mucosa nasal foram obtidas por meio de raspagem do terço médio das conchas inferiores. Em seguida, as contagens de células imunorreativas para eotaxina-1 e eosinófilos foram avaliadas por imuno-histoquímica. Resultados: Os pacientes com exposição à fumaça do cigarro de tabaco apresentaram contagens de células mais elevadas tanto para eotaxina-1 como para eosinófilos em comparação com os pacientes sem exposição à fumaça, sem correlação entre as duas variáveis. No entanto, ambas as contagens, de eotaxina-1 e eosinófilos foram relacionadas com a razão cotinina/creatinina. Conclusões: A exposição à fumaça do cigarro de tabaco pode aumentar a eotaxina-1 e a contagem de eosinófilos na mucosa nasal de pacientes jovens com rinite alérgica perene.

Genome Sequence of Acinetobacter lactucae OTEC-02, Isolated from Hydrocarbon-Contaminated Soil.

Acinetobacter lactucae OTEC-02 was isolated from hydrocarbon-contaminated soils. Whole-genome sequence analysis was performed to learn more about the strain's ability to degrade different types of recalcitrant toxic monoaromatic hydrocarbons. The genome of this bacterium revealed its genomic properties and versatile metabolic features, as well as a complete prophage.

Effect of cigarette smoke on counts of immunoreactive cells to eotaxin-1 and eosinophils on the nasal mucosa in young patients with perennial allergic rhinitis.

INTRODUCTION: In teenagers with perennial allergic rhinitis, exposure to tobacco cigarette smoke increases the count of eosinophils in the nasal mucosa; the recruitment of eosinophils arises from the combined action of a number of cellular and molecular signals, including eotaxin. OBJECTIVE: To assess the effect of exposure to tobacco cigarette smoke on the count of immunoreactive cells to eotaxin-1 and eosinophils on the nasal mucosa of children and teenagers with perennial allergic rhinitis. METHODS: In a cross-sectional study, forty-four patients were evaluated (aged 7-19 years old): 22 with and 22 with no exposure to tobacco cigarette smoke. After replying to 2 validated questionnaires, on Asthma and Allergies in Childhood and on the severity of nasal symptoms, nasal mucosal samples were obtained by scraping the middle one-third of the inferior turbinates. Then counts of immunoreactive cells to eotaxin-1 and eosinophils were assessed by immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: Patients with exposure to tobacco cigarette smoke showed higher cell counts of both eotaxin-1 and eosinophils than patients with no exposure to the smoke, with no correlation between the two variables. However, both counts, of eotaxin-1 and eosinophils, were related to the cotinine/creatinine ratio. CONCLUSIONS: Exposure to tobacco cigarette smoke can increase eotaxin-1 and the count of eosinophils in the nasal mucosa of young patients with perennial allergic rhinitis.