Glycan moieties in Entamoeba histolytica ubiquitin are immunodominant.

The ubiquitin-proteasome system plays a central role performing several functions to maintain parasite homeostasis. We have reported the partial characterization of N-linked glycosylation profile in E. histolytica ubiquitin (EhUb). Here we examined the immunogenicity and antigenicity of carbohydrates in EhUbiquitin. Rabbits were immunized with purified EhUbiquitin or purified recombinant rUb expressed by E. coli. Using Western Blot, we explored the immunogenicity and antigenicity of protein portion and carbohydrates moiety. Interestingly, immunized rabbits produced antibodies to both Ub glycoprotein and rUb; but antibodies against carbohydrates were immunodominant, rather than antibodies to the protein moiety of EhUbiquitin. In addition, we observed that antibodies to protein moiety are not conserved in serum unless antigen is continually administrated. Conversely, anti-Ub glycoprotein antibodies are well maintained in circulation. In humans, infection with Entamoeba histolytica induces strong IgG anti-Ub response. The human antibodies recognize both, the protein moieties and the glycosylated structure. Entamoeba histolytica ubiquitin is immunogenic and antigenic. The glycan moieties are immunodominant and induces IgG. These data open the door to use carbohydrates as potential targets for diagnose tests, drugs and vaccine to prevent this parasitic disease.

Diagnostic parameters of serological ELISA for invasive amoebiasis, using antigens preserved without enzymatic inhibitors.

Amoebiasis is the third cause of death due to parasites in the world. Although, numerous serodiagnostic and salivary tests have been developed, the majority of these assays lack sensitivity in endemic zones to detect acute amoebic liver abscess. The two main limiting factors to develop reliable assays are the high levels of anti-amoeba antibodies in populations living in endemic zones, and the proteolysis of amoebic extracts even treated with inhibitors. Our group reported a method to preserve amoebic antigens without using enzymatic inhibitors (IC:MC fraction) that shows stability for years. Here we describe the development of a serologic ELISA to diagnose amoebiasis made with IC: MC antigens, and its validation for clinical use in endemic areas. In our study, we included sera from 66 patients diagnosed with acute amoebic liver abscess and 33 volunteers living in an endemic area for amoebiasis. Our assay was compared with an indirect haemagglutination assay (IHA) an ELISA elaborated with antigens derived from untreated trophozoites. The ELISA made with IC: MC antigens presented more reproducibility compared to other assays. Sera from 95% ALA patients showed a positive value. The ELISA (IC: MC) detected 97% of patients with ALA compared to an 81% using IHA. The parameters of ELISA (vs. IHA) were Sensitivity 98% (81%), Specificity 96% (97%), Positive predictive value 98% (96%), Negative predictive value 96% (73%) and Accuracy 98% (87%). A negative serologic test does not rule out the diagnosis of invasive amoebiasis. The ELISA made with antigens preserved without using enzymatic inhibitors has valuable serodiagnostic value to diagnose acute amoebic liver abscess, even in populations living in endemic zones of amoebiasis carrying antibodies against amoebas. In conclusion, ELISA-IC:MC presented better diagnostic parameters than IHA although a negative serologic test does not rule out acute invasive amoebiasis.

Fighting childhood obesity one game at a time.

Traditional video games contribute to a sedentary lifestyle. Active video games that include physical activity may help reduce childhood obesity and have found an unconventional niche in medical treatment and training. This article offers providers practical information on how to evaluate popular active video games and how to encourage patients to make them part of a more healthful lifestyle.

Causas de desapego a tratamiento, dieta y seguimiento de pacientes con diabetes y posibles factores asociados con la enfermedad / Causes to detachment to treatment, diet and monitoring of patients with diabetes and possible factors associated with disease

Objetivo Analizar las causas de desapego a tratamiento y dieta de pacientes con diabetes y factores asociados con la enfermedad, como historia familiar de diabetes e hipertensión, en pacientes de un municipio de San Luis Potosí, México, y zonas aledañas. Métodos Estudio descriptivo de variables como edad, sexo, escolaridad, ocupación, historia familiar de diabetes e hipertensión, causas de desapego al tratamiento y dieta; estudio analítico por comparación de grupos en cuanto al riesgo de padecer diabetes de acuerdo a las variables socio demográficas y antecedentes familiares. Resultados De los 156 pacientes incluidos, las principales causas de desapego o abandono del tratamiento y/o dieta indicados fueron el olvido y la insistencia en el consumo de alimentos restringidos, además los pacientes con antecedentes familiares de hipertensión en ambos padres tuvieron 5,8 veces más riesgo de presentar Diabetes Mellitus, en comparación con aquellos sin éste antecedente (p<0,01). Aquellos pacientes con antecedentes maternos de diabetes presentaron 4,76 veces máyor riesgo de padecerla, comparados con aquellos que presentaban antecedentes paternos únicamente (p<0,001). En el caso de los pacientes con antecedentes de obesidad, estos presentaron 2,4 veces mayor riesgo de padecer diabetes, que los que no la tenían (p<0,05). Conclusiones Las principales causas, referidas por los pacientes, de desapego al tratamiento y dieta fueron el olvido y la insistencia en el consumo de alimentos restringidos. Además, el grado de asociación de Diabetes Mellitus con los antecedentes familiares de esta patología e hipertensión es de 2,4 a 5,8 veces, con una p<0,05.

Objectives Analyze the causes of detachment to diet and treatment of patients with diabetes and factors associated with disease such as family history of diabetes and hypertension, in patients from one municipality of San Luis Potosi, Mexico, and surrounding areas. Methods Descriptive study of variables such as age, sex, schooling level, occupation, family history of diabetes and hypertension, causes of detachment to diet and treatment; analytic for groups in terms of the risk of diabetes according to socio demographic and family history. Results Of the 156 patients included main causes of detachment or abandonment of the indicated treatment and/or were the oblivion and insistence on restricted food intake. Patients with a family history of hypertension in both parents had 5.8 times the risk of Diabetes Mellitus, compared to those without this history (p<0.01). Those patients with a maternal history of diabetes had 4.76 times the risk of suffering it too, compared to those with only paternal history (p<0.001). For patients with a history of obesity, they had 2.4 times higher risk of developing diabetes than those who had not (p<0.05). Conclusions Main causes, reported by patients, for detachment to treatment and diet were the oblivion and the insistence on restricted food intake, and the degree of association of Diabetes Mellitus with family history of this disease and hypertension is 2.4 to 5.8 times, with p<0.05.

[Causes of diabetic patients' indifference towards treatment, diet and monitoring and possible factors associated with such disease]. / Causas de desapego a tratamiento, dieta y seguimiento de pacientes con diabetes y posibles factores asociados con la enfermedad.

OBJECTIVES: Analyze the causes of detachment to diet and treatment of patients with diabetes and factors associated with disease such as family history of diabetes and hypertension, in patients from one municipality of San Luis Potosi, Mexico, and surrounding areas. METHODS: Descriptive study of variables such as age, sex, schooling level, occupation, family history of diabetes and hypertension, causes of detachment to diet and treatment; analytic for groups in terms of the risk of diabetes according to socio demographic and family history. RESULTS: Of the 156 patients included main causes of detachment or abandonment of the indicated treatment and/or were the oblivion and insistence on restricted food intake. Patients with a family history of hypertension in both parents had 5.8 times the risk of Diabetes Mellitus, compared to those without this history (p<0.01). Those patients with a maternal history of diabetes had 4.76 times the risk of suffering it too, compared to those with only paternal history (p<0.001). For patients with a history of obesity, they had 2.4 times higher risk of developing diabetes than those who had not (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Main causes, reported by patients, for detachment to treatment and diet were the oblivion and the insistence on restricted food intake, and the degree of association of Diabetes Mellitus with family history of this disease and hypertension is 2.4 to 5.8 times, with p<0.05.