Saccades, pupil response and blink abnormalities in Huntington's disease patients during free viewing.

OBJECTIVE: Video-based eye tracking was used to investigate saccade, pupil, and blink abnormalities among patients with Huntington's disease (HD) who watched sequences of short videos. HD, an autosomal dominant neurodegenerative disorder resulting from a CAG mutation on chromosome 4, produces motor and cognitive impairments including slow or irregular eye movements, which have been studied using structured tasks. METHODS: To explore how HD affects eye movements under instruction free conditions, we assessed 22 HD patients and their age matched controls in a 10-minute video-based free viewing task. RESULTS: Patients with HD experienced a significant reduction in saccade exploration rate following video clip transitions, an increase in pupil reactions to luminance changes after clip transitions, and a significant higher blink rate throughout the task compared to the control group. CONCLUSIONS: These results show that HD has a significant impact on how patients visually explore and respond to their environment under unconstrained and ecologically natural conditions. SIGNIFICANCE: Eye tracking in HD patients revealed saccadic, pupil, and blink abnormalities in early HD patients, suggestive of brain circuitry abnormalities that probably involve brain stem deficits. Further research should explore the impact of these changes on the quality of life of the patients affected by the disease.

Relação entre meditação, regulação emocional e expressão vocal: estudo de intervenção / Relación entre meditación, regulación emocional y expresión vocal: estudio de intervención / The relationship between meditation, emotional regulation and vocal expression: interventional study

Introdução: A voz é um indicador de estados emocionais, influenciada por fatores como o tônus vagal, a respiração e a variabilidade da frequência cardíaca. O estudo explora esses fatores e a relação com a regulação emocional e a prática meditativa como técnica de autorregulação. Objetivo: Investigar a diferença nas características vocais e na variação da frequência cardíaca em meditadores experientes (EM) e novatos (NM) antes e depois de uma prática meditativa e em não praticantes de meditação ­ grupo controle (CG), antes e depois de um teste controle. Métodos: Estudo quase-fatorial 3 x 2. Três grupos foram avaliados (meditadores experientes EM; meditadores novatos NM; e grupo controle CG, não praticantes de meditação) em dois momentos da manipulação experimental ­ antes e depois de uma sessão meditativa para praticantes de meditação, e antes e depois de uma tarefa de busca de palavras para o grupo controle. A frequência fundamental, jitter, shimmer, relação harmônico-ruído e o primeiro (F1), o segundo (F2) e terceiro (F3) formantes da vogal [a]; a variação da frequência cardíaca (SDNN, RMSSD, LF/HF, SD1 and SD2); estado de ansiedade e autopercepção vocal, foram investigados, antes e após a intervenção. Resultados: O grupo EM alcançou ótimo relaxamento do trato vocal. Os grupos NM e CG apresentaram mudanças em F1. Prática meditativa, de longa duração, está associado com grande diferença em F3, SDNN e SD2 na variação da frequência cardíaca. Conclusão: Os resultados sugerem que prática meditativa influencia a expressão vocal e reação emocional, e que a experiência em prática meditativa favorece esta relação. (AU)

Introduction: The voice is an indicator of emotional states, influenced by factors such as vagal tone, breathing and heart rate variability. This study explores these factors and their relationship with emotional regulation and meditative practice as a self-regulation technique. Purpose: To investigate the difference in vocal characteristics and heart rate variability in experienced (EM) and novice (NM) meditators before and after a meditation practice and in non-meditators - control group (CG), before and after a control test. Methods: 3 x 2 quasi-factorial study. Three groups were evaluated (experienced meditators EM; novice meditators NM; and control group CG, non-meditators) at two points in the experimental manipulation - before and after a meditation session for meditators, and before and after a word search task for the control group. The fundamental frequency, jitter, shimmer, harmonic-to-noise ratio and the first (F1), second (F2) and third (F3) formants of the vowel [a]; heart rate variation (SDNN, RMSSD, LF/HF, SD1 and SD2); anxiety state and vocal self-perception, were investigated, before and after the intervention. Results: The EM group achieved optimal vocal tract relaxation. The NM and CG groups showed changes in F1. Long-term meditative practice was associated with a large difference in F3, SDNN and SD2 in heart rate variation. Conclusion: The results suggest that meditation practice influences vocal expression and emotional reaction, and that experience in meditation practice favors this relationship. (AU)

Introducción: La voz es un indicador de los estados emocionales, influida por factores como el tono vagal, la respiración y la variabilidad de la frecuencia cardiaca. Este estudio explora estos factores y su relación con la regulación emocional y la práctica de la meditación. Objetivo: Investigar la diferencia en las características vocales y variabilidad de la frecuencia cardiaca en meditadores experimentados (EM) y novatos (NM) antes y después de una práctica de meditación y en no meditadores - grupo control (GC), antes y después de una prueba control. Métodos: Estudio cuasi-factorial 3 x 2. Se evaluaron tres grupos (meditadores experimentados EM; meditadores novatos NM; y grupo control CG, no meditadores) en dos momentos - antes y después de una sesión de meditación para los meditadores, y antes y después de una tarea de búsqueda de palabras para el grupo control. Se investigaron la frecuencia fundamental, jitter, shimmer, relación armónico-ruido y los formantes primero (F1), segundo (F2) y tercero (F3) de la vocal [a]; la variación de la frecuencia cardiaca (SDNN, RMSSD, LF/HF, SD1 y SD2); el estado de ansiedad y autopercepción vocal, antes y después de la intervención. Resultados: El grupo EM consiguió una relajación óptima del tracto vocal. Los grupos NM y CG mostraron cambios en F1. La práctica de meditación a largo plazo se asocia con una gran diferencia en F3, SDNN y SD2 en la variación de la frecuencia cardiaca. Conclusión: Los resultados sugieren que la práctica de meditación influye en la expresión vocal y reacción emocional. (AU)

Diagnóstico prenatal de espectro de acretismo placentario y su manejo. A propósito de un caso / Prenatal Diagnosis of Placenta Accreta Spectrum and Its Management. A case report / Diagnóstico pré-natal do Espectro do Acretismo Placentário e seu tratamento. Relato de caso

El espectro acretismo placentario es una patología que cursa con una alta morbimortalidad, viéndose en los últimos años un incremento en su incidencia y cobrando relevancia por la tasa de cesáreas en aumento, siendo su principal factor de riesgo. Se describe el caso de una paciente de 32 años, portadora de acretismo placentario, diagnosticado mediante ecografía a las 31 semanas de edad gestacional, donde se logró planificar paso a paso la cirugía con equipo, colocando previo a la cirugía balones en arterias hipogástricas y catéter doble Jota, haciendo una estadificación intraoperatoria detallada. A propósito del caso clínico se realiza una revisión y actualización de la patología, enfatizando en la planificación detallada de la cirugía y el abordaje con equipos de referencia.

Placenta Accreta Spectrum is a condition associated with high morbidity and mortality. In recent years, there has been an increase in its incidence, highlighting its importance due to the rising rate of cesarean sections which is its main risk factor. A case is described of a 32-year-old patient with placenta accreta, diagnosed via ultrasound at 31 weeks of gestation. The surgery was meticulously planned with the team, including the placement of balloons in the hypogastric arteries and a double-J catheter, allowing for detailed intraoperative staging. In relation to the clinical case, a review and update of the pathology is carried out, emphasizing the detailed planning of the surgery and the approach in specialized teams.

O Espectro do Acretismo Placentário é uma patologia de alta morbimortalidade, com incidência crescente nos últimos anos e ganhando relevância devido ao aumento da taxa de cesarianas, sendo este o seu principal fator de risco. Descrevemos o caso de uma paciente de 32 anos com acretismo placentário, diagnosticado por ultrassonografia com 31 semanas de idade gestacional, na qual a cirurgia foi planejada passo a passo com a equipe multidisciplinar, com a colocação de balões nas artérias hipogástricas e um cateter duplo jack antes da cirurgia e realizando um estadiamento intraoperatório detalhado. Uma revisão e atualização da bibliografia, enfatizando o planejamento detalhado da cirurgia e a abordagem em equipes composta por profissionais de várias especialidades médicas.

An adenosine derivative prevents the alterations observed in metabolic syndrome in a rat model induced by a rich high-fat diet and sucrose supplementation.

Metabolic syndrome is a multifactorial disease with high prevalence worldwide. It is related to cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and obesity. Approximately 80% of patients with metabolic syndrome have some degree of fatty liver disease. An adenosine derivative (IFC-305) has been shown to exert protective effects in models of liver damage as well as on elements involved in central metabolism; therefore, here, we evaluated the effect of IFC-305 in an experimental model of metabolic syndrome in rats induced by a high-fat diet and 10% sucrose in drinking water for 18 weeks. We also determined changes in fatty acid uptake in the Huh-7 cell line. In the experimental model, increases in body mass, serum triglycerides and proinflammatory cytokines were induced in rats, and the adenosine derivative significantly prevented these changes. Interestingly, IFC-305 prevented alterations in glucose and insulin tolerance, enabling the regulation of glucose levels in the same way as in the control group. Histologically, the alterations, including mitochondrial morphological changes, observed in response to the high-fat diet were prevented by administration of the adenosine derivative. This compound exerted protective effects against metabolic syndrome, likely due to its action in metabolic regulation, such as in the regulation of glucose blood levels and hepatocyte fatty acid uptake.

Liver fibrotic development is reduced through inflammation prevention by an adenosine derivative compound.

BACKGROUND: Liver fibrosis is a global health problem, and studying its development provides important information to address its treatment. Here, we characterized the effects of an adenosine compound (IFC-305) on preventing fibrosis and liver inflammation. METHODS: We studied the impact of IFC-305 on a carbon tetrachloride-induced liver fibrosis model in Wistar male rats at 4, 6, and 8 weeks. The effects were characterized by liver tissue histology, macrophages identification by flow cytometry with CD163+/CD11b/c+ antibodies, hepatic and plasmatic cytokine levels employing MILLIPLEX MAP and ELISA, Col1a1 and Il6 gene expression by RTqPCR, lipoperoxidation by TBARS reaction, and reactive oxygen species using 2'-7'dichlorofluorescin diacetate. RESULTS: CCl4-induced liver fibrosis and inflammation were significantly reduced in rats treated with IFC-305 at 6 and 8 weeks. In addition, we observed diminished expression of Col1a1; a decrease in the inflammatory cytokines IL-1ß, IL-6, MCP-1, TNF-α, and IL-4 a; reduction in inflammatory macrophages; inhibition of lipoperoxidation; and ROS production in Kupffer cells. CONCLUSION: This study showed that IFC-305 can inhibit liver fibrosis establishment by regulating the immune response during CCl4-induced damage. The immunomodulatory action of IFC-305 supports its use as a potential therapeutic strategy for preventing liver fibrosis.

The Era of Biomaterials: Smart Implants?

Conditions, accidents, and aging processes have brought with them the need to develop implants with higher technology that allow not only the replacement of missing tissue but also the formation of tissue and the recovery of its function. The development of implants is due to advances in different areas such as molecular-biochemistry (which allows the understanding of the molecular/cellular processes during tissue repair), materials engineering, tissue regeneration (which has contributed advances in the knowledge of the properties of the materials used for their manufacture), and the so-called intelligent biomaterials (which promote tissue regeneration through inductive effects of cell signaling in response to stimuli from the microenvironment to generate adhesion, migration, and cell differentiation processes). The implants currently used are combinations of biopolymers with properties that allow the formation of scaffolds with the capacity to mimic the characteristics of the tissue to be repaired. This review describes the advances of intelligent biomaterials in implants applied in different dental and orthopedic problems; by means of these advances, it is expected to overcome limitations such as additional surgeries, rejections and infections in implants, implant duration, pain mitigation, and mainly, tissue regeneration.

Cuban American Perspectives on Sexual Dysfunction Following Pelvic Radiotherapy: A Qualitative Study.

Participation in sexual medicine research may depend on a patient's willingness to speak openly about sex, sexual function, or other sensitive topics. These topics may be difficult or uncomfortable to talk about, and this discomfort may be further amplified when a patient comes from a cultural background that stigmatizes open conversation about sex and sexuality. We used qualitative analysis to better understand the intersection between cultural identity, the experience of sexual dysfunction as a side-effect of pelvic radiotherapy, and willingness to communicate about sexual dysfunction with healthcare providers, in Cuban American women in Miami, Florida. Doing so, we found four unique themes among Cuban American participants regarding the intersection of national identity, Hispanic identity, Catholic religion, and their experience of radiotherapy-related sexual dysfunction: Marianismo, Machismo, Familismo, and Espiritismo. These themes, a reflection of the cohort's shared identity, were found to have an effect on participant views of sexual health, romantic relationships, coping strategies, and relative comfort discussing problems with intercourse. These cultural values served as barriers to openly discussing sexual dysfunction with not just medical providers and research teams but also their partners, families, and friends. In order to encourage Cuban American participation in sexual medicine studies, future research should evaluate strategies to overcome these barriers.

Long-term benefits of heart rate variability biofeedback training in older adults with different levels of social interaction: a pilot study.

To test whether heart rate variability (HRV) biofeedback training benefits older adults with different social interaction levels. METHODS: 32 older adults (16 were institutionalized and 16 were not). Both groups received 14 sessions, 15 min, 3 times a week, with half of the individuals receiving HRV biofeedback training and the other half receiving control training. The following parameters were assessed immediately before and after training, and 4.5 weeks after the last session (follow-up period): aerobic conditioning, anthropometric data, emotional scores, and HRV components. RESULTS: Before the training, the institutionalized individuals had higher scores of loneliness (p < 0.01) and depression (p < 0.0001) and lower social touches (p < 0.0001), body mass (p = 0.04), and body fat percentage (p = 0.002) than the non-institutionalized individuals. HRV biofeedback improved symptoms of depression in both groups. HRV improved only in the non-institutionalized group, and loneliness only in the institutionalized group. Lastly, all changes persisted after the follow-up period. CONCLUSIONS: HRV biofeedback training was effective in improving symptoms of depression in older adults. Improvement of HRV and loneliness was dependent on the level of social interaction.

Adult Executive Functioning Inventory (ADEXI): Factor structure, convergent validity, and reliability of a Spanish adaptation.

Although there are several ratings to assess Executive Functions (EF) in adults, most of these are lengthy and comprise items which describe extreme or pathologic behaviors (e.g., ADHD symptoms), proving inadequate for the assessment of EF in general population. The Adult Executive Functioning Inventory (ADEXI) seeks to assess EF taking these limitations into account. The aims of the present study were to analyze the factor structure, the convergent and divergent validity, and the reliability of a Spanish adaptation of the ADEXI in a non-clinical population. The Spanish adaptation of the ADEXI, the Interpersonal Reactivity Index (IRI), the Cognitive Flexibility Scale (CFS), and an adaptation of the Aggression Scale (AS) were administered to 369 healthy adults between 18 and 60-years-old. To analyze the factor structure of the ADEXI, Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) was used. In addition, the relationship between the inventory and the IRI, the CFS and the AS was analyzed. Finally, Cronbach's α index was calculated. CFA showed that the two-factor model including (1) Working memory and (2) Inhibition best fit the data. Significant correlations were found between the ADEXI scores and the CFS, the IRI and the AS, providing additional evidence of construct validity. The internal consistency of the ADEXI was high (α = 0.87). Taken together, our results indicate that the Spanish adaptation of the ADEXI shows satisfactory psychometric properties and would be a valid and reliable measure to assess EF in non-clinical populations both for clinical and research purposes.

Effect of the Addition of Different Vegetal Mixtures on the Nutritional, Functional, and Sensorial Properties of Snacks Based on Pseudocereals.

Quick meals available in markets are popular among consumers. Generally, these products are not recognized as functional foods owing to nutrient-poor composition. In this study, energy snack bars were developed with different formulations, using puffed quinoa, amaranth, cacao liquor, and coconut oil, and the effects of the addition of commercial vegetal mixtures (VM) on nutritional and functional properties were assessed. VM addition showed significant effects on the protein, lipid, and fiber contents, phenolic compounds (PHC) content, and antioxidant activity of the snacks. The control snack showed higher levels of free and bound PHC. The oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) analyses recorded highest values of free PHC (9392.7 µmol TE/100 g dry weight) in PC65 (concentrate based on a combination of vegetal proteins), whereas the highest bound PHC levels of 47,087 and 46,531 µmol TE/100 g dry weight were observed in PC65 and the control snacks, respectively. Sensorial attributes assessment provided a high score on the hedonic scale, wherein panelists detected no differences among the samples. Altogether, the selection of non-conventional ingredients with high antioxidant activities emerged as a successful strategy to produce sensory acceptable meals.

Eye Salvage with Intra-Arterial and Intra-Vitreal Chemotherapy in Patients with Retinoblastoma: 8-Year Single-Institution Experience in Colombia.

INTRODUCTION: Intra-arterial chemotherapy (IAC) is useful for eye preservation in advanced retinoblastoma (Rb). Intra-vitreal chemotherapy (IvitC) is the latest treatment for vitreous seeds. METHODS: The present study is a retrospective assessment of 100 eyes, treated with primary or secondary IAC alone or with IvitC. We evaluated demographic and clinical variables, eye salvage, associated adverse events, and patient survival. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Kaplan-Meier survival curves and Cox hazard ratios were utilized to assess the effect of demographic and clinical variables over eye salvage. RESULTS: Bilateral Rb was observed in 61% of patients, and 57% of eyes received secondary treatment. Forty eyes needed intra-arterial plus IvitC and 62 presented advanced disease (group D and E). Three- and 5-year ocular survival probabilities were 75 and 68%. We found a higher risk in group D and E eyes and those requiring 2 or more routes for ophthalmic artery catheterization. Patients coming from other countries also showed increased risk. Using primary or secondary treatment, or IvitC, did not affect this risk. Overall rates of survival and eye salvages were 98.8 and 73%, and we had a 100% catheterization success and none ophthalmic arterial occlusions. CONCLUSIONS: In an upper middle-income country such as Colombia, a specialized institution counting with therapeutic alternatives and a multidisciplinary team can reach rates of patient survival and eye salvage similar to those of high-income countries.

First record of entomopathogenic nematodes from Yucatán State, México and their infectivity capacity against Aedes aegypti.

BACKGROUND: Biological control using entomopathogenic nematodes (EPN) has demonstrated good potential to contribute to the integral control of mosquito larvae, which as adults are vectors of diseases such as Dengue fever, Zika and Chikungunya. However, until now there are no records of the presence of EPN or their killing capacity in Yucatán state, southern México. The objectives of the current study were: (1) to report the entomopathogenic nematodes present in Yucatán soils and (2) to determine the killing capacity of the most frequent and abundant EPN against Aedes aegypti mosquito larvae and the microbial community developed by Ae. Aegypti exposed to this EPN. METHODS: The nematodes were collected by the insect trap technique using the great wax moth Galleria mellonella. Internal transcribed spacer (ITS), 28S gene of ribosomal DNA and phylogenetic analyses were performed to identify the EPN. For the bioassay, four concentrations of the most frequent and abundant EPN were tested: 1,260:1 infective juveniles (IJs) per mosquito larvae, 2,520 IJs:1, 3,780 IJs:1 and 5,040 IJs:1. High-throughput sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene was used to identify bacterial amplicon sequences in the mosquito larvae infected with EPN. RESULTS: Six isolates of Heterorhabditis were recovered from 144 soil samples. Heterorhabditis indica (four isolates) was the most frequent and abundant EPN, followed by Heterorhabditis n. sp. (two isolates). Both nematodes are reported for the first time for Yucatán state, Mexico. The concentration of 2,520 IJs:1 produced 80% of mosquito larvae mortality in 48 h. Representative members of Photorhabdus genus were numerically dominant (74%) in mosquito larvae infected by H. indica. It is most likely that these bacteria produce secondary toxic metabolites that enhance the mortality of these mosquito larvae.

Individuals Diagnosed with Binge-Eating Disorder Have DNA Hypomethylated Sites in Genes of the Metabolic System: A Pilot Study.

Binge-eating disorder, recently accepted as a diagnostic category, is differentiated from bulimia nervosa in that the former shows the presence of binge-eating episodes and the absence of compensatory behavior. Epigenetics is a conjunct of mechanisms (like DNA methylation) that regulate gene expression, which are dependent on environmental changes. Analysis of DNA methylation in eating disorders shows that it is reduced. The present study aimed to analyze the genome-wide DNA methylation differences between individuals diagnosed with BED and BN. A total of 46 individuals were analyzed using the Infinium Methylation EPIC array. We found 11 differentially methylated sites between BED- and BN-diagnosed individuals, with genome-wide significance. Most of the associations were found in genes related to metabolic processes (ST3GAL4, PRKAG2, and FRK), which are hypomethylated genes in BED. Cg04781532, located in the body of the PRKAG2 gene (protein kinase AMP-activated non-catalytic subunit gamma 2), was hypomethylated in individuals with BED. Agonists of PRKAG2, which is the subunit of AMPK (AMP-activated protein kinase), are proposed to treat obesity, BED, and BN. The present study contributes important insights into the effect that BED could have on PRKAG2 activation.

Plastome genomics in South American maize landraces: chloroplast lineages parallel the geographical structuring of nuclear gene pools.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: The number of plastome sequences has increased exponentially during the last decade. However, there is still little knowledge of the levels and distribution of intraspecific variation. The aims of this study were to estimate plastome diversity within Zea mays and analyse the distribution of haplotypes in connection with the landrace groups previously delimited for South American maize based on nuclear markers. METHODS: We obtained the complete plastomes of 30 South American maize landraces and three teosintes by means of next-generation sequencing (NGS) and used them in combination with data from public repositories. After quality filtering, the curated data were employed to search for single-nucleotide polymorphisms, indels and chloroplast simple sequence repeats. Exact permutational contingency tests were performed to assess associations between plastome and nuclear variation. Network and Bayesian phylogenetic analyses were used to infer evolutionary relationships among haplotypes. KEY RESULTS: Our analyses identified a total of 124 polymorphic plastome loci, with the intergenic regions psbE-rps18, petN-rpoB, trnL_UAG-ndhF and rpoC2-atpI exhibiting the highest marker densities. Although restricted in number, these markers allowed the discrimination of 27 haplotypes in a total of 51 Zea mays individuals. Andean and lowland South American landraces differed significantly in haplotype distribution. However, overall differentiation patterns were not informative with respect to subspecies diversification, as evidenced by the scattered distribution of maize and teosinte plastomes in both the network and Bayesian phylogenetic reconstructions. CONCLUSIONS: Knowledge of intraspecific plastome variation provides the framework for a more comprehensive understanding of evolutionary processes at low taxonomic levels and may become increasingly important for future plant barcoding efforts. Whole-plastome sequencing provided useful variability to contribute to maize phylogeographic studies. The structuring of haplotype diversity in the maize landraces examined here clearly reflects the distinction between the Andean and South American lowland gene pools previously inferred based on nuclear markers.

Dermatological and Ophthalmological Inflammatory, Infectious, and Tumoral Tattoo-Related Reactions: A Systematic Review.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this work was to review the scientific evidence about dermatological and ophthalmological inflammatory, infectious, and tumoral tattoo-related reactions published in the literature. METHODS: We conducted a literature search from January 1, 2000 to July 15, 2020 in MEDLINE, COCHRANE, EMBASE, and LILACS. Limits regarding the language and period of publication were used. A data collection form was designed in Excel. Four reviewers independently extracted relevant details about the design and the results of each study. RESULTS: One hundred four studies were included, most of them were conducted in Europe and North America. The remaining studies were conducted in Asia, South America, Africa, and Oceania. We included 52 case reports, 21 cross-sectional studies, 20 case series, 10 case-control studies, and 1 cohort study. Eighty-six studies described skin tattoos, of which 7 were publications of eyebrow tattoos and 6 of eyelid tattoos, and 5 articles included cases of subconjunctival tissue tattoos (eyeball). Fifty-seven studies described local reactions related to tattoos and 47 studies reported systemic reactions or reactions in different locations from the tattoo site. The types of reactions described in the studies were: infections in 45 studies, inflammatory reactions in 53 studies, neoplasia in 4 studies, and hypertrichosis in 2 studies. CONCLUSION: This literature review evidenced a close relationship between the application of tattoos on dermatological and ophthalmological tissues, and the possible immunological complications, neoplasms, and infectious complications. Dermatologists and ophthalmologists should be aware of the consequences caused by even small amounts of ink applied on skin and eyes, generating the need for strict regulations for its use.

Epidemiología de las alteraciones ponderales / epidemiology of alterations ponderal

Introducción: La obesidad es un problema de salud pública a nivel mundial, que compromete a población de altos y bajos recursos por igual y presenta un efecto deletéreo de alto impacto en la fisiopatogenia de la enfermedad cardiovascular. Objetivo: Determinar la prevalencia de sobrepeso y obesidad en nuestra población. Materiales y métodos: Estudio descriptivo, retrospectivo, de corte transversal, incluyó 1024 mujeres de 25 a 65 años residentes de CABA y GBA, que concurrieron a la "Campaña de Prevención del cáncer cervicouterino y detección temprana del cáncer de mama" realizada entre el 9 y 13 de Marzo de 2020 a cargo del Servicio de Ginecología del Hospital de Clínicas "José de San Martín". Se registraron talla y peso. Se calculó el índice de masa corporal (IMC) a través de una fórmula predeterminada. Se excluyeron las pacientes con insuficiencia ovárica prematura y menopausia temprana. Resultados: Se dividió a las pacientes en premenopáusicas y postmenopáusicas. Del grupo de mujeres premenopáusicas (70,61% n=723), el IMC promedio fue de 28,18 kg/m2 (DS 5,86); 0,42% presentó bajo peso (IMC promedio 17,65 kg/m2 DS 0,05), 32,37% normopeso (IMC promedio 22,32 kg/m2 DS 1,68), 32,09% sobrepeso (IMC promedio 27,26 kg/m2 DS 0,22) y 35,13% presentó obesidad (IMC promedio 34,53 kg/m2 DS 4,38). Del grupo de mujeres postmenopáusicas (29,39% n=301) el IMC promedio fue de 29,47 kg/m2 (DS 5,76); ninguna presentó bajo peso, 20,27% presentó normopeso (IMC promedio 22,71 kg/m2 DS 1,6), 40,53% sobrepeso (IMC promedio 27,47 kg/m2 DS 1,43) y 39,2% fueron obesas (IMC promedio 35,04 kg/m2 DS 4,72). Conclusiones: Se observó un aumento en la prevalencia de sobrepeso y obesidad en la postmenopausia que podría explicarse no sólo por el aumento de la edad sino también por los cambios hormonales que acompañan a la postmenopausia. Destaca la importancia del médico ginecólogo en prevención (AU)

Introduction: Obesity is a global public health challenge that affects both high- and low-income populations equally and has a high-impact deleterious effect on the physiopathological origin of cardiovascular disease. Objective: To determine the prevalence of overweight and obesity in our population.Material and methods: This descriptive, retrospective, cross-sectional study included 1024 women of 25 to 65 years old who were living in the Buenos Aires Metropolitan Area (AMBA) and were screened at the "Cervical Cancer Prevention and Breast Cancer Early Detection Campaign" conducted from March 9 to 13, 2020 in the Gynecology Department of Hospital de Clínicas "José de San Martín". Height and weight measurements were performed. Body mass index (BMI) was calculated using a predetermined formula. Patients with premature ovarian failure and early menopause were excluded from the study. Results: Patients were divided into premenopausal and postmenopausal. In the group of premenopausal women (70.61% n=723), the average BMI was 28.18 kg/m2 (SD 5.86); 0.42% were underweight (average BMI 17.65 kg/m2 SD 0.05); 32.37% had normal weight (average BMI 22.32 kg/m2 SD 1.68); 32.09% were overweight (average BMI 27.26 kg/m2 SD 0.22) and 35.13% had obesity (average BMI 34.53 kg/m2 SD 4.38). In the group of postmenopausal women (29.39% n=301) the average BMI was 29.47 kg/m2 (SD 5.76); none was underweight, 20.27% had normal weight (average BMI 22.71 kg/m2 SD 1.6), 40.53% were overweight (average BMI 27.47 kg/m2 SD 1.43) and 39.2% were obese (average BMI 35.04 kg/m2 SD 4.72). Conclusions: An increased prevalence of overweight and obesity has been observed in postmenopause, which could be explained not only by aging but also by the hormonal changes associated with postmenopause. Gynecologists play and important role in prevention (AU)

Response to Infection by Trypanosoma cruzi in a Murine Model.

Cardiopathy is a common, irreversible manifestation of the chronic phase of Chagas disease; however, there is controversy as to how the causes for progression from the acute to the chronic phase are defined. In this work, the presence of the parasite is correlated with the occurrence of cell infiltration and fibrosis in cardiac tissues, as well as IgG detection and disease progression in a murine model. Fifty CD1 mice were infected intraperitoneally with Trypanosoma cruzi, while 30 control were administered with saline solution. Parasitemia levels were determined, and IgG titers were quantified by ELISA. At different times, randomly selected mice were euthanized, and the heart was recovered. Cardiac tissue slides were stained with HE and Masson trichrome stain. A significant increase in parasitemia levels was observed after 15 days post-infection (dpi), with a maximum of 4.1 × 106 parasites on 33 dpi, ending on 43 dpi; amastigote nests were observed on 15-62 dpi. Histological analysis revealed lymphocytic infiltration and fibrotic lesions from 8 dpi until the end of the study, on 100 dpi. The presence of plasma cells in the myocardium observed on 40-60 dpi, accompanied by seropositivity to ELISA on 40-100 dpi, was regarded as the hallmark of the transition phase. Meanwhile, the chronic phase, characterized by the absence of amastigotes, presence of cell infiltration, fibrotic lesions, and seropositivity, started on 62 dpi. A strong correlation between parasitemia and the presence of amastigote nests was found (r 2 = 0.930), while correlation between the presence of fibrosis and of amastigote nests was weak (r 2 = 0.306), and that between fibrosis and lymphocyte infiltration on 100 dpi was strong (r 2 = 0.899). The murine model is suitable to study Chagas disease, since it can reproduce the chronic and acute phases of the human disease. The acute phase was determined to occur on 1-60 dpi, while the chronic phase starts on 62 dpi, and fibrotic damage is a consequence of the continuous inflammatory infiltration; on the other hand, fibrosis was determined to start on the acute phase, being more apparent in the chronic phase, when Chagas disease-related cardiopathy is induced.

Neuroibromatosis tipo l: relación genotipo-fenotipo / Type 1 neurofibromatosis: genotype-phenotype relationship

RESUMEN INTRODUCCIÓN: La neurofibromatosis (enfermedad de von Recklinghausen) es una enfermedad autosómica dominante que presenta principalmente manifestaciones cutáneas y neurológicas. El objetivo es describir actualmente si existe o no relación entre las mutaciones encontradas en los pacientes con neurofibromatosis tipo 1 y las características clínicas que presentan. MÉTODOS: Se realizó un artículo de revisión narrativa para evaluar la relación con el genotipo y fenotipo de los pacientes con neurofibromatosis tipo 1. Se revisaron las bases de datos PubMed, Embase y Lilacs. Se utilizaron los siguientes términos Mesh: Neurofibromatosis, neurofibromatosis tipo 1, genes, genotipo, fenotipo, mutaciones, secuenciación de exoma. Los estudios identificados fueron revisados y analizados. Se presentan los datos de manera cualitativa. RESULTADOS: De 425 artículos, 62 contenían la información necesaria para hacer el análisis. A pesar de que algunos estudios han presentado evidencia de asociación en relación a las mutaciones encontradas y la clínica, realmente no existe una correlación genotipo-fenotipo comprobada en neurofibromatosis tipo 1. Esto sugiere que para los fenotipos discordantes con genotipo similar existen otros factores que deben considerarse tales como la epigenética, alteraciones genéticas o incluso factores ambientales. CONCLUSIONES: Es necesario realizar estudios con cohortes más grande de pacientes para seguir estudiando si existe una relación directa o no.

SUMMARY INTRODUCTION: Neurofibromatosis (von Recklinghausen disease) is an autosomal dominant disease that mainly presents cutaneous and neurological manifestations. The objective is to describe if there is a relationship between the mutations found in patients with neurofibromatosis type 1 and the clinical characteristics they present. METHODS: A narrative review of the literature was carried out in relation to the genotype and phenotype of patients with Neurofibromatosis type 1 using PubMed, Embase, and Lilacs. The following Mesh terms were used: Neurofibromatosis, neurofibromatosis type 1, genes, genotype, phenotype, mutations, exome sequencing. The identified studies were reviewed and analyzed. Data are presented qualitatively RESULTS: Of 425 articles, 62 contained the information necessary to make the analysis. Although some studies have presented evidence of association in relation to the mutations found and the clinical one, there is still no proven genotype-phenotype correlation in neurofibromatosis type 1. This suggests that, for discordant phenotypes with a similar genotype, there are other factors that must be considered such as epigenetics, genetic alterations or even environmental factors. CONCLUSIONS: It is necessary to perform studies with larger cohort of patients to continue studying whether there is a direct relationship or not.

Genome-wide 5-hydroxymethylcytosine (5hmC) emerges at early stage of in vitro differentiation of a putative hepatocyte progenitor.

A basic question linked to differential patterns of gene expression is how cells reach different fates despite using the same DNA template. Since 5-hydroxymethylcytosine (5hmC) emerged as an intermediate metabolite in active DNA demethylation, there have been increasing efforts to elucidate its function as a stable modification of the genome, including a role in establishing such tissue-specific patterns of expression. Recently we described TET1-mediated enrichment of 5hmC on the promoter region of the master regulator of hepatocyte identity, HNF4A, which precedes differentiation of liver adult progenitor cells in vitro. Here, we studied the genome-wide distribution of 5hmC at early in vitro differentiation of human hepatocyte-like cells. We found a global increase in 5hmC as well as a drop in 5-methylcytosine after one week of in vitro differentiation from bipotent progenitors, at a time when the liver transcript program is already established. 5hmC was overall higher at the bodies of overexpressed genes. Furthermore, by modifying the metabolic environment, an adenosine derivative prevents 5hmC enrichment and impairs the acquisition of hepatic identity markers. These results suggest that 5hmC could be a marker of cell identity, as well as a useful biomarker in conditions associated with cell de-differentiation such as liver malignancies.

Gerenciamento do comportamento seguro para manutenção da vida na Estação Antártica Brasileira / Management of safe behavior to maintain life at the Brazilian Antarctic Station / Gestión del comportamiento seguro para mantenimiento de la vida en la Estación Antártica Brasileña

Em regiões polares, o gerenciamento do comportamento seguro é fundamental às operações de abastecimento para manutenção da vida (OPAMV). O objetivo deste estudo foi analisar aspectos do comportamento seguro nas OPAMV na Estação Antártica Comandante Ferraz (EACF) durante o inverno. A pesquisa foi descritiva, de abordagem qualitativa e procedimento de triangulação de observações e levantamento de dados. Foram realizadas observações da rotina de trabalho e entrevistas com a tripulação da Força Aérea Brasileira (n=12) e com o grupo-base (GB) da EACF (N=30). A autonomia do GB no trabalho minimiza o impacto das características extremas do inverno. As OPAMV na EACF repercutem diretamente na subsistência e na manutenção de laços afetivos externos. O estudo do gerenciamento do comportamento seguro aponta fatores com potencial de reduzirem riscos de acidentes e adoecimentos, impactando na permanência salutar no contexto. O aperfeiçoamento dos estudos pode contribuir para a atenção dos fatores humanos em condições polares.

In polar regions, the management of safe behavior is fundamental to supply operations to maintain life (OPML). The objective of this study was to control OPML at the Comandante Ferraz Antarctic Station during the winter. The research was descriptive, with a qualitative approach and the procedure of triangulation of observations and survey. Routine questions and interviews with the crew (n = 12) and with the base group (BG) of Ferraz Station (N = 30) were conducted. The autonomy of the BG in the work minimizes the impact of extreme winter characteristics. OPML at Ferraz Station has direct repercussions on subsistence and on the maintenance of external affective bonds. The study of safe behavior points to factors with the potential to reduce the risks of accidents and illness, having impact on healthy permanence in this context. Improvement of these studies can contribute to attending to human factors in polar conditions.

En regiones polares, la gestión del comportamiento seguro es fundamental para las operaciones de aprovisionamiento y el mantenimiento de la vida (OPAMV). El objetivo de este estudio fue analizar aspectos del comportamiento seguro en las OPAMV en la Estación Antártica Comandante Ferraz (EACF) durante el invierno. La investigación fue descriptiva, cualitativa y de triangulación de observaciones y datos. Se realizaron observaciones de rutina de trabajo y entrevistas con la tripulación de la Fuerza Aérea Brasileña (n = 12) y con el grupo base (GB) de la EACF (N = 30). La autonomía del GB minimiza el impacto de las características extremas del invierno. Las OPAMV en la EACF repercuten directamente en la subsistencia y mantenimiento de vínculos afectivos externos. El estudio de la gestión del comportamiento seguro indica riesgos de accidentes y enfermedades, afectando a la permanencia saludable en el contexto. El perfeccionamiento de los estudios puede contribuir a la atención de los factores humanos en condiciones polares.