Activating stress memory: eustressors as potential tools for plant breeding.

Plants are continuously exposed to stress conditions, such that they have developed sophisticated and elegant survival strategies, which are reflected in their phenotypic plasticity, priming capacity, and memory acquisition. Epigenetic mechanisms play a critical role in modulating gene expression and stress responses, allowing malleability, reversibility, stability, and heritability of favourable phenotypes to enhance plant performance. Considering the urgency to improve our agricultural system because of going impacting climate change, potential and sustainable strategies rely on the controlled use of eustressors, enhancing desired characteristics and yield and shaping stress tolerance in crops. However, for plant breeding purposes is necessary to focus on the use of eustressors capable of establishing stable epigenetic marks to generate a transgenerational memory to stimulate a priming state in plants to face the changing environment.

Potential application of yeasts from Ecuadorian chichas in controlled beer and chicha production.

The potential of yeasts isolated from traditional chichas as starter cultures, either for controlled production of the native beverage or for industrial beer production, has been investigated. Three S. cerevisiae strains and one T. delbrueckii strain isolated from four different Ecuadorian chichas were compared to ale and lager beer strains with respect to fermentation performance, sugar utilisation, phenolic off-flavour production, flocculation and growth at low temperature. Fermentations were performed in 15 °P all-malt wort and in a model chicha substrate at 12 °C and 20 °C. Tall-tube fermentations (1.5 L) were also performed with both substrates to assess yeast performance and beer quality. Among the strains tested, only one Ecuadorian S. cerevisiae strain was able to ferment the wort sugars maltose and maltotriose. Fermentations with all Ecuadorian strains were poor in wort at 12 °C relative to 20 °C, but were similar in model chicha substrate at both temperatures. The aromatic profile was different between species and strains. These results indicate the potential of yeasts derived from traditional Andean fermented beverages for commercial applications. One of the chicha strains demonstrated traits typical of domesticated brewery strains and could be suitable for ale fermentation, while the other strains may have potential for low-alcohol beer or chicha production.

Recommendations for the prevention and diagnosis of asthma in children: Evidence from international guidelines adapted for Mexico.

BACKGROUND: With the availability of high-quality asthma guidelines worldwide, one possible approach of developing a valid guideline, without re-working the evidence, already analysed by major guidelines, is the ADAPTE approach, as was used for the development of National Guidelines on asthma. METHODS: The guidelines development group (GDG) covered a broad range of experts from medical specialities, primary care physicians and methodologists. The core group of the GDG searched the literature for asthma guidelines 2005 onward, and analysed the 11 best guidelines with AGREE-II to select three mother guidelines. Key clinical questions were formulated covering each step of the asthma management. RESULTS: The selected mother guidelines are British Thoracic Society (BTS), GINA and GEMA 2015. Responses to the questions were formulated according to the evidence in the mother guidelines. Recommendations or suggestions were made for asthma treatment in Mexico by the core group, and adjusted during several rounds of a Delphi process, taking into account: 1. Evidence; 2. Safety; 3. Cost; 4. Patient preference - all these set against the background of the local reality. Here the detailed analysis of the evidence present in BTS/GINA/GEMA sections on prevention and diagnosis in paediatric asthma are presented for three age-groups: children with asthma ≤5 years, 6-11 years and ≥12 years. CONCLUSIONS: For the prevention and diagnosis sections, applying the AGREE-II method is useful to develop a scientifically-sustained document, adjusted to the local reality per country, as is the Mexican Guideline on Asthma.

[Endometrial ablation with thermal balloon, experience in a private hospital]. / Ablación endometrial con balón térmico, experiencia en un hospital privado.

BACKGROUND: Traditionally, the treatment for menorrhagia includes pharmacological therapies (hormones and uterotonics) or surgical (dilatation/curettage and hysterectomy). Recently the FDA approved a non-invasive therapeutic option, known as endometrial ablation. Which it consists in a thermal balloon delivers (ThermaChoice y Thermablate EAS) which energy destroys the uterine lining, thus reducing the bleeding and even producing amenorrhea. And could offer other benefits such as reduction of the surgical time, and therefore: anesthesia time, postoperative complications and costs. Highlighting a greater patient satisfaction. OBJECTIVE: Describe the demographic characteristics, outcomes and patient satisfaction, which were treated with endometrial ablation for menorrhagia. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A descriptive, observational and retrospective study. During a period of 11 years (March 2012 to December 2013), in a private hospital, that includes 124 patients with menorrhagia, which were treated with endometrial ablation: 53 (43%) ThermaChoice y 71 (57%) Thermablate EAS. We used T Student and Fisher method to study the results. RESULTS: The 124 patients (100%) achieve all the criteria's of endometrial ablation according ACOG (American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists) were candidates for. The mean age of our patients were 38 years old, who didn't respond to pharmacologic treatment had a definitive contraception. Among these women, 119 (96%) had a reduction in bleeding en the first 12 months, 25 (31%) presented with amenorrhea and 1 (<1%) required a surgical approach. Overall, 119 patients (96%) were satisfied with their results. CONCLUSIONS: Endometrial ablation is an approved FDA treatment for menorrhagia, which is safe, accessible and effective. With an easy implementation and low rate of complications.

Ovariectomy increases the age-induced hyperphosphorylation of Tau at hippocampal CA1.

One of the main hallmarks of Alzheimer's disease includes the neurofibrillary tangles formation produced by hyperphosphorylation of the Tau protein, whose expression is putatively regulated by the ovarian hormones estradiol and progesterone. Hippocampus is a brain region that participates in many functions related to learning and memory; in addition, it is abundant in both estradiol and progesterone receptors. In this study, we explore the expression of Tau hyperphosphorylation at hippocampus and the performance of rats in an autoshaping learning task at 5, 10 and 15 months after the ovaries removal. In these animals, ovariectomy was performed at 3 months of age. These data were compared with those derived from intact rats at 8, 13 and 18 months old. A clear decrease in the number of conditioned responses of both intact and ovariectomized rats in the autoshaping learning task was observed. The interaction of both factors confirms that, in this test, learning varies depending on aging and the presence or absence of ovaries. A progressive increase in hippocampal Tau phosphorylation at Ser-396 was observed in either intact or ovariectomized rats. Interestingly, an interaction between the analyzed factors shows that such hyperphosphorylation was potentiated by the absence of ovaries. These results emphasize the importance of aging and the lack of ovarian hormones for an associative learning test and for the expression of one of the most important hallmarks of Alzheimer's disease.

[Peripartum cardiomyopathy: a case report]. / Miocardiopatía periparto: reporte de un caso.

Background: Peripartum cardiomyopathy also known as cardiomyopathy associated with pregnancy, is rarely a cause of heart failure, it affects pregnant or puerperal women in the first 5 months. Although the first case reported was in 1849, it was recognized until 1930. In 2010 the European Society of Cardiology Working Group on peripartum cardiomyopathy, defined this pathology as an idiopathic cardiomyopathy that affects pregnant women between the third trimester and five months after delivery. Characterized by a left ventricular failure with an ejection fraction of ≤45% and an end-diastolic dimension ≥2.7 cm/m2 , in absence of an identifiable cause of heart failure. Case report: We report a case of a 39-year-old patient, diagnosed with a peripartum cardiomyopathy in the early puerperium, characterized by hypertension, tachycardia, dyspnea and oxygen desaturation. The transesophageal echocardiogram reported heart failure, a hypokinetic left ventricle and a ventricular failure with an ejection fraction <40%. We could not identify an other cause to justify heart failure. Multidisciplinary management was administered successfully. Conclusion: The importance of this article relies in the fact that eripartum cardiomyopathy has a high morbidity and mortality. The impact of this pathology is unknow in our country. Here we establish and discuss the multidisciplinary management held in our hospital with this specific patient in order to improve the prognosis on future occasions.

Laparoscopic treatment of duodenal obstruction: report on first experiences in Latin America.

BACKGROUND: There are few reports in the literature on the use of a laparoscopic approach for duodenal obstruction, particularly for duodenal atresia. We report here the results of 4 cases treated laparoscopically, and discuss the safety, feasibility and long-term results of this approach. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Four pediatric patients presented with duodenal obstruction, one with duodenal atresia, one with annular pancreas, and two with duodenal obstruction due to Ladd's bands but without malrotation. Diagnosis was made by clinical evaluation, simple X-ray film in the Ladd's patients, and contrast gastroduodenal X-ray series for the annular pancreas. All procedures were performed using 3-mm instruments and 3 trocars. Two duodeno-duodenal anastomoses were performed and two lyses of Ladd's bands; all procedures were carried out laparoscopically. RESULTS: An upper GI contrast excluded obstruction or leakage in all patients 5 - 7 days after surgery and feedings were started. The patient with annular pancreas died of cardiovascular complications after one months. The other 3 patients are asymptomatic and tolerating feedings after a follow-up of 36 months. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that a laparoscopic approach for duodenal obstruction can be performed safely and effectively and achieves a short hospital stay. Laparoscopic lysis of Ladd's bands is easy to perform, but duodenoduodenostomy requires advanced laparoscopic skills.

Histone deacetylase inhibitors: mechanism of action and therapeutic use in cancer.

Histone deacetylases (HDACs) remove the acetyl groups of lysine residues of histone tails leading to chromatin compaction and transcriptional repression. In addition, HDACs can also influence transcription-independent events such as mitosis or deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) repair and deacetylate nonhistone proteins involved in cell proliferation and death, altering their function. Histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDACi) constitute a promising treatment for cancer therapy due to their low toxicity. HDACi have been shown to induce differentiation, cell-cycle arrest, and apoptosis and to inhibit migration, invasion, and angiogenesis in many cancer cell lines. In addition, these compounds inhibit tumor growth in animal models and show antitumor activity in patients. HDACi alone and in combination with a variety of anticancer drugs are being tested in clinical trials, showing significant anticancer activity both in hematological and solid tumors. SAHA (vorinostat, Zolinza) was the first HDACi approved by the US Food and Drug Administration to enter the clinical oncology market for treating cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL) and is being tested for other malignancies.

[Electrical manifestations of dead myocardium associated to proximal blocks of intermediate degree]. / Aspectos eléctricos de la asociación de miocardio inactivable y bloqueos tronculares de grado intermedio.

The electrical manifestation of dead myocardium associated to incomplete bundle branch block, i.e., with a limited "jumping wave" phenomenon, are exposed. Our description is based on previous experimental studies and validated by electro-anatomical comparisons. In previous experimental reports, the electrical manifestations of dead myocardium in the presence of varying degrees of associated block have also been described. The main electrocardiographic changes are related to the location and extent of damaged region and to degree of bundle branch block. If a left bundle branch block coexists with dead myocardium, small Q waves are registered in left unipolar leads exploring the damaged area. In these leads, the signs of subepicardial or transmural injury are increased. When a right proximal block coexists, the main changes concern the morphologies registered in the unipolar right epicardial and precordial leads. The electrical changes are due to the spatial orientation of the electromotive forces of ventricular depolarization and repolarization. The electrocardiographic changes described here can be satisfactorily understood in the light of the present knowledge on the ventricular electrical phenomenon.

Aspectos eléctricos de la asociación de miocardio inactivable y bloqueos tronculares de grado intermedio / Electrical manifestations of dead myocardium associated to proximal blocks of intermediate degree

The electrical manifestation of dead myocardium associated to incomplete bundle branch block, i.e., with a limited [quot ]jumping wave[quot ] phenomenon, are exposed. Our description is based on previous experimental studies and validated by electro-anatomical comparisons. In previous experimental reports, the electrical manifestations of dead myocardium in the presence of varying degrees of associated block have also been described. The main electrocardiographic changes are related to the location and extent of damaged region and to degree of bundle branch block. If a left bundle branch block coexists with dead myocardium, small Q waves are registered in left unipolar leads exploring the damaged area. In these leads, the signs of subepicardial or transmural injury are increased. When a right proximal block coexists, the main changes concern the morphologies registered in the unipolar right epicardial and precordial leads. The electrical changes are due to the spatial orientation of the electromotive forces of ventricular depolarization and repolarization. The electrocardiographic changes described here can be satisfactorily understood in the light of the present knowledge on the ventricular electrical phenomenon.

[Clinical nutrition knowledge in health care members of University Hospitals of Paraguay]. / Nivel de conocimiento en nutrición clínica en miembros del Equipo de Salud de Hospitales Universitarios del Paraguay.

BACKGROUND: Adequate clinical nutrition care is an integral part of the complete treatment of hospitalised patients, requiring specific knowledge from the health care team. The aim of this study is to assess, in Paraguay, the health care team ability in clinical care nutrition. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A survey was made including 174 people of Paraguay university hospitals (29% physicians, 29% medicine graduating students, 11% pharmaceutics, 24% nurses, 7% dieticians), by answering voluntarily a multiple choice questionnaire of 20 items. RESULTS: The median score of the 20 questions was 6 (0-15). Physicians obtained a median of 6 (2-15), graduating students 7 (2-14), pharmaceutics 7 (0-15), nurses 3 (0-11), and dieticians 9 (4-13). The dieticians obtained a significantly higher score than the other groups (p < 0.005). CONCLUSIONS: The knowledge about clinical nutrition in the health care members from university hospitals is not adequate. The level of education in clinical nutrition is better in the dietician.

The rational approach to the electrical exploration of the heart.

A rational approach is inevitable in any scientific activity. Such an approach is opposed not only to irrationality, at all inadmissible in scientific thinking, but also to empiric reasoning. Many years ago, Sodi Pallares introduced the rational method in the electrical exploration of the heart based on experimental findings obtained in his laboratory. This method has progressively been accepted and used with good results for diagnoses and has led to logical therapeutic inferences. To confirm the results from the logical interpretation of electrical tracings, we present some examples of its application in three fields: arrhythmias, myocardial infarction, and left ventricular hypertrophy. In the studied cases--two with tachycardia, one with a posterior infarct, and two with left ventricular hypertrophy--a very satisfactory correlation has been observed between the electrical exploration findings and those obtained through direct examination of the heart. It is desirable, and even profitable, to analyze in this way the electrical tracings to get as close as possible to reality, rejecting the stereotyped aspects of a simple routine exploration, which often induce errors and lead to some fallacious asseverations.

[Is the concept of "jumping wave" still valid?]. / Es aún válido el concepto de "salto de onda"?

UNLABELLED: The concept of the "jumping wave" phenomenon, i.e. of the slow and difficult passage of activation fronts from one septal mass to the other through an "intraseptal barrier", is derived from experimental studies of the Mexican School of Electrovectorcardiography. OBJECTIVE: To confirm the existence of histologically bipartite interventricular septum and of the electric independence of both septal masses. METHODOLOGY: We examined the histological characteristics of both septal masses in rat, canine, and human hearts. We also analyzed the morphological and chronological data of intracavitary records in the presence of different degree proximal blocks, comparing these findings with those obtained when peripheral blocks existed. RESULTS: We found a medial, longitudinal band between the two septal masses in animal as well as in human hearts. The analysis of intracavitary electric records confirmed a slow and difficult transmission of the activation fronts from one septal mass to the other, in the presence of proximal blocks and ventricular arrhythmias. Morphological and chronological changes of intraventricular complexes could not be explained if the septal activation process were of syncytial type. CONCLUSIONS: Results of this study firmly support the validity of our approach to the septal activation process in the presence of ventricular conduction disorders and arrhythmias. This approach helps to detect the possible coexistence of dead septal tissue.

[Development and evaluation of food supplements for the education, health, and nutrition program]. / Desarrollo y evaluación de suplementos alimenticios para el programa de educación, salud y alimentación.

OBJECTIVE: To develop and evaluate nutritional supplements destined to a program of social assistance. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In the design of the nutritional supplements a series of criteria were considered including nutrient composition, physicochemical properties and feasibility of production and utilization. Final products were initially evaluated to determine the level of acceptance in 40 children, 52 pregnant women and 62 lactating women in Mexico City. A community trial was also carried out to determine acceptance and consumption in 108 children and 128 women from a rural community in the state of Morelos. RESULTS: The specific formulation and technical processes of production of the nutritional supplements are presented. Products proved to be widely accepted, with average scores of 4.11-4.29 for the children's beverage, and 3.98-4.15 for a more viscous pap (range of scores was 1 to 5). Products for women received average scores from 4.75 to 5.70 in pregnant and from 4.8 to 5.4 in lactating women (range of scores from 1 to 7). In the community trial, supplements were very well accepted. Average consumption was > 75% among children and > 98% among women. Mean energy intake from supplements was 244 Kcal/day for women, and for children, 168 Kcal/day with the pap and 147 Kcal/day with the beverage. Consumption was consistent in all cases along the study. CONCLUSIONS: Nine nutritional supplements were developed and evaluated which comply with the necessary nutritional, physicochemical and hygienic characteristics for the target population, besides being relatively simple to prepare, and widely well accepted and consumed.

[Report of 2 cases with acquired von Willebrand disease and one with acquired hemophilia A]. / Informe de dos casos con enfermedad de von Willebrand adquirida y uno con hemofilia A adquirida.

We report three patients with acquired inhibitors against F VIII:C/F vW:Ag complex. Two patients had acquired hemophilia A. The three patients presented with bleeding diathesis. Case 1 was a 19 years old woman with Graves-Basedow disease; case 2 was a 40 years old woman with systemic lupus erythematosus of four years; and case 3 a 38 years old woman who had had rheumatoid arthritis for five years and was in her 3d month postpartum. The F VIII:C level was below 8 U/dL in all cases. The F vW:Ag, ristocetin cofactor and platelet aggregation with ristocetin were diminished in the two cases with von Willebrand. Inhibitor to F VIII:C was 50, 38 and 20 Bethesda units, respectively, for cases 1, 2 and 3. The three patients showed clinical response to DDAVP and cryoprecipitates with partial response in laboratory tests. All patients responded to corticosteroid treatment, but immunosuppressive treatment was necessary in case 3.

[The usefulness of transesophageal echocardiography in the diagnosis of intracardiac and extracardiac tumors]. / Utilidad de la ecocardiografía transesofágica en el diagnóstico de tumores intracardíacos y extracardíacos.

We studied 18 patients with suspected intrathoracic mass from january 1990 to august 1993. In all patients electrocardiogram, X-ray, transthoracic and transesophageal echocardiography were performed. Accordingly, the patients were divided into two groups: I) 8 patients with intracardiac myxoma, and II) 10 patients with no myxomatous tumor. The histopathologic identification of the intracardiac or extracardiac tumor was corroborated in all patients of group I and in only 8 patients of group II. In group I the mean age was 39 years and the female sex was more frequently (75%); with transthoracic and transesophageal approaches the myxoma was found in right atrium in four patients, in left atrium in three, and in the last patient the four chambers were occupied. In group II the mean age was 36 years, and the male sex was predominant (60%). In three patients cardiac tumors were detected by echocardiography, two of them were found in the right cavities (leiomyoma and leiomyosarcoma), in the rest the histologic lineage of the left atrial tumors was not possible to recognize. In the other seven patients with mediastinal tumor the heart was not infiltrated. On the basis of the obtained results we conclude that transthoracic echocardiography permits the identification of the intracardiac tumor; in these patients transesophageal studies give us an additional valuable information about the valves, the site of tumoral implantation and the wall infiltration. Transesophageal approach provides more information about its potential cardiac compression.

[Truncus arteriosus communis and interrupted aortic arch]. / Tronco arterioso común e interrupción del arco aórtico.

The association between persistent truncus arteriosus and interrupted aortic arch is a rare but important condition since it has special clinical and therapeutic implications. In this article we present three cases with this malformation. The clinical characteristics are similar to patients with isolated truncus such as heart failure and cyanosis since birth, a protosystolic click, an ejection murmur over the left parasternal line, heart enlargement, increased pulmonary vascular markings and biventricular hypertrophy. The clinical suspicion of interrupted aortic arch is bases on the presence of asymmetric pulses in the upper and lower limbs, but this difference is present only when the arterial duct is restrictive. Because of that, the echocardiographic analysis, mainly, and the angiocardiogram, secondarily, are very important diagnostic tools. We analyze the echocardiographic diagnostic findings, as well as the angiocardiographic anatomy. Also, some important pathophysiological aspects are discussed.

[Calcified embolism of the coronary artery due to the degeneration of a bioprosthesis in the aortic position]. / Embolia calcificada a la arteria coronaria por degeneración de bioprótesis en posición aórtica.

We present a case of arterial coronary embolism by calcified material of a bioprosthesis of bovine pericardium of the INC in aortic position 8 years after its implantation. Echocardiogram and catheterization with coronarography demonstrated prosthetic aortic dysfunction and normal coronaries. The patient complained of stable angor and dyspnea. During coronarography there was an increase of symptoms together with ECG changes and after a few hours with enzymatic increase. The patient was brought urgently to surgery where mitroaortic prosthesis was changed with mechanic prosthesis. As surgical findings: absence of a leaflet of prosthesis in aortic position with free fragmented calcium in periannular region and two remaining leaflet completely calcified, prosthesis in mitral position of normal appearance. We conclude that ischemia or myocardial infarction in presence of normal coronaries in patients with bovine pericardial bioprosthesis in aortic position can be secondary to calcium embolism, originated by mineralization process of a degenerated bioprosthesis several years after its implantation.

Retrospective serological study of histoplasmosis in Mexico.

Mycotic immunodiagnosis was performed in 325 patients with clinical evidence of systemic mycoses, over a 5-year period, from different hospitals of Mexico City. Results showed 168 individuals that presented one positive serological test to Histoplasma capsulatum antigens. From these, only 27 patients were serologically positive to two or more tests, such as tube precipitin, immunodiffusion, complement fixation, and ELISA, and developed signs and symptoms of a histoplasmosis clinically classified as primary pulmonary. Four of them presented an underlying disease including one positive HIV patient. Twenty-two came from endemic histoplasmosis zones of the country and most of them acquired the disease in caves or uninhabited houses. The diagnosis of histoplasmosis should be based on reliable laboratory data which could raise more significant information of its incidence in Mexico.