[Cardiovascular risk factors in Chilean university students]. / Factores de riesgo cardiovascular en estudiantes universitarios chilenos.

OBJECTIVE: To study the prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors in asymptomatic university students of both sexes, aged 18 to 25 years. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Serum lipid levels were measured in a subsample of 293 subjects, using a Hitachi 717 chemical analyzer. Obesity was classified using body mass index (BMI) measurements. A self-applied questionnaire was used to collect data on sedentary life style, family history of cardiovascular disease and cigarette smoking. Statistical associations of lipid levels with lipidic and non-lipidic risk factors were assessed using Pearson's chi-square test and multiple regression. RESULTS: We found lipid risk levels in 29.2% for total cholesterol (CT), 16.2% for low-density lipoproteins (C-LDL) and 5% for high-density lipoproteins (C-HDL). The main non-lipidic factors were smoking (46.1%) and sedentarism (60.8%). Obesity, hypertension and parental history of myocardial infarction were present in 1.9%, 4.6% and 11%, respectively. We observed an association of a lipid risk profile with obesity, cigarette smoking and family history. CONCLUSIONS: The results show that sedentarism and smoking are associated with a lipid risk profile. These results call for the need to develop appropriate behavior strategies for the successful prevention of cardiovascular disease.

Inhibitory effect of garlic (Allium sativum) on sodium transport in isolated toad skin.

The effect of an aqueous fraction from the bulbs of Allium sativum (GE) was investigated in toad skin. When added to the inner (serosal) solution, GE caused a maximal reversible reduction of the transepithelial potential difference and short circuit current of 38% and 45%, respectively. When added to the outer (mucosal) solution, the effect was only partially reversible. Isaacson's amiloride test showed that GE decreased sodium potential (ENa.) and sodium conductance (GNa.). The net Na+ flux decreased due principally to a fall in Na+ flux in the active direction. GE decreased Na(+)-K+ ATPase activity in vitro. Partial replacement of sodium by choline in the outer solution reduced the effect of GE on the skin and substitution of normal Ringer's solution with isethionate Ringer's solution in the outer solution significantly enhanced the effect of GE on the skin. These results indicate that GE decreases active Na transport in the toad skin.

Diuretic, natriuretic and hypotensive effects produced by Allium sativum (garlic) in anaesthetized dogs.

Gastric administration of encapsuled garlic powder to anaesthetized dogs induced dose-dependent (2.5 to 15 mg/kg) natriuretic and diuretic responses which reached maximum 30-40 min after garlic administration and decreased to basal levels after 100-150 min. A simultaneous decrease in arterial blood pressure was observed which continued past the 250 min-mark. High garlic doses (15 and 20 mg/kg) provoked bradycardia and T-wave inversion during the first 10-15 min of the experiment with recordings returning to normal and staying normal throughout the remainder of the experiment.

Conocimientos de SIDA en personal de salud: Hospital San Juan de Dios: Santiago 1989 / Information about AIDS in health personnel: San Juan de Dios Hospital, 1989

Se analiza el grado de conocimiento del personal de salud del Hospital San Juan de Dios acerca del SIDA, encontrándose niveles aceptables en la muestra estudiada. Con respecto a la autocalificación de riesgo se observa que los entrevistados tienden a asignarse bajo riesgo de contraer la enfermedad. Es destacable que el nivel de conocimientos detectados fue similar en los diferentes grupos entrevistados de los servicios de cirugía y obstetricia no así en el de medicina en el que se observaron variaciones intergrupales

Partial characterization of a nuclear proteolytic activity from fertilized sea urchin eggs.

The nuclei from fertilized sea urchin eggs, obtained 80 min after fertilization, contains a neutral proteolytic activity. Optimal action on casein was observed at pH 7-8 and a Km value of 1.2 mg/ml was determined for this substrate. The proteolytic activity was stimulated 1.5 fold by the addition of 3 M urea and decreased at higher urea concentrations. NaCl and CaCl2 were inhibitory whereas MgCl2 increased the enzyme activity. Isolated histones from sea urchin sperms, and especially histones H1, H2A, H2B and H3, were degraded by the nuclear activity. A partial inhibition of histones degradation was caused by sodium bisulfite and NaCl. The proteolytic activity was found associated to the chromatin of fertilized sea urchin eggs.

Partial purification of pepsins from adult and juvenile salmon fish Oncorhynchus keta. Effect of NaCl on proteolytic activities.

1. Two pepsins, designated Pepsin I and Pepsin II, were isolated and partially characterized from the stomach of the adult stage salmon Oncorhynchus keta. This stage is developed in a marine environment. 2. One pepsin, designated Pepsin II, was isolated from the stomach of the juvenile stage salmon Oncorhynchus keta. This stage is developed in an estuarine environment. 3. The enzymes were partially purified by ammonium sulfate precipitation, ion exchange chromatography and gel filtration. 4. Pepsins I and II from adults and Pepsin II from juvenile showed proteolytic activity on acid-denatured hemoglobin with a pH optimum of 3. 5. The mol. wt determined by gel filtration on Sephadex G-100 of Pepsin I from juvenile species was found to be 32,000 whereas a value of 27,000 was determined for Pepsin II from juvenile and adult fish. 6. In contrast with Pepsin II, Pepsin I was activated by NaCl. It is suggested that the appearance of NaCl-activated pepsin would represent and adaptive response of the organism to the change from a low to a high salinity environment.

Partial characterization of pepsins and gastricsins and their zymogens from human and toad gastric mucosae.

1. Three zymogens have been isolated from human gastric mucosae and two from the stomachs of the toad Caudiverbera caudiverbera. 2. Human zymogens I and III were immunologically related and cross-reacted with antisera prepared against porcine pepsinogen. The third, (II), showed no cross-reactivity. 3. Human zymogens I and III and toad zymogen ZII gave rise to two human pepsins and to a pepsin-like enzyme, respectively. 4. Human zymogen II (gastricsinogen) and toad zymogen ZI gave rise to human gastricsin and to a gastricsin-like enzyme respectively. 5. The toad enzymes showed much greater stability at neutral and alkaline pH values than the human enzymes.