Evolution of pollination by frugivorous birds in Neotropical Myrtaceae.

Bird pollination is relatively common in the tropics, and especially in the Americas. In the predominantly Neotropical tribe Myrteae (Myrtaceae), species of two genera, Acca and Myrrhinium, offer fleshy, sugary petals to the consumption of birds that otherwise eat fruits, thus pollinating the plants in an unusual plant-animal interaction. The phylogenetic position of these genera has been problematic, and therefore, so was the understanding of the evolution of this interaction. Here we include new sequences of Myrrhinium atropurpureum in a comprehensive molecular phylogeny based on a balanced sample of two plastid and two nuclear markers, with the aim of providing the historical framework of pollination by frugivorous birds in Myrteae. We developed 13 flower and inflorescence characters that comprehensively depict the macroscopic morphological components of this interaction. Bayesian and parsimony phylogenies concur in placing both Acca and Myrrhinium in a clade with Psidium species; with Myrrhinium sister to Psidium. Mapping of morphological characters indicated some degree of convergence (e.g., fleshy petals, purplish display) but also considerable divergence in key characters that point to rather opposing pollination strategies and also different degrees of specialization in Acca versus Myrrhinium. Pollination by frugivorous birds represents a special case of mutualism that highlights the evolutionary complexities of plant-animal interactions.

Perinatal Asphyxia Reduces the Number of Reelin Neurons in the Prelimbic Cortex and Deteriorates Social Interaction in Rats.

Obstetrical complications of perinatal asphyxia (PA) can often induce lesions that, in the long-term, manifest as schizophrenia. A deterioration of the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) and a reduction in the number of GABAergic neurons are commonly observed in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia. In this study, we investigated the link between PA, reelin and calbindin diminution and psychiatric diseases that involve social interaction deficits. This was achieved by observing the effect of 19 min of asphyxia on both subpopulations of GABAergic neurons. PA was produced by water immersion of fetus-containing uterus horns removed by cesarean section from ready-to-deliver rats. PA generated a significant and specific decrease in the number of reelin-secreting neurons in mPFC layer VI [F(2, 6) = 8.716, p = 0.016; PA vs. vaginal controls (VC), p = 0.03, and PA vs. cesarean controls (CC), p = 0.022]. This reduction reached approximately 60% on average. Changes in the percentage of reelin neurons including all the cortex layers did not achieve a significant outcome but a trend: CC % 10.61 ± 1.34; PA % 8.64 ± 1.71 [F(2, 6) = 1.299, p = 0.33]. In the case of calbindin, there was a significant decrease in cell density in the PA group [2-way repeated-measures ANOVA, F(1, 4) = 13.03, p = 0.0226]. The multiple-comparisons test showed significant differences in the superficial aspect of layer II (Sidak test for multiple comparisons CC vs. PA at 200 µm: p = 0.003). A small, but significant difference could be seen when the distance from the pia mater to the start of layer VI was analyzed (CC mean ± SEM = 768.9 ± 8.382; PA mean ± SEM = 669.3 ± 17.75; p = 0.036). Rats exposed to PA showed deterioration in social interactions, which manifested as a decrease in play soliciting. In this model, which involved severe/moderate asphyxia, we did not find significant changes in locomotive activity or anxiety indicators in the open field task. The loss of reelin neurons could be conducive to the shrinkage of the prelimbic cortex through the reduction in neuropil and the deterioration of the function of this structure.

Juvenile Psammomatoid Ossifying Fibroma: Findings on Bone Scan.

Juvenile psammomatoid ossifying fibroma is a rare bone-forming tumor seen in craniofacial bones, which affects mainly young patients. We report scintigraphic and SPECT/CT findings of 2 patients diagnosed with this disease. One patient presented with suspicion of fibrous dysplasia and the other with suspected malignancy in the setting of a rapidly growing mass. Both cases highlight the importance of recognizing this type of tumor in young patients with abnormal uptake in paranasal bones and sinuses within the range of potential differential diagnoses including sarcomas, fibrous dysplasia, and odontogenic tumors.

[Impact of risk factors for osteoporosis on bone mineral density in perimenopausal women of the City of Querétaro, México]. / Impacto de los factores de riesgo en osteoporosis sobre la densidad mineral osea en mujeres perimenopáusicas de la Ciudad de Querétaro, México.

It is essential to evaluate osteoporosis risk factors, mainly the modifiable, like the lifestyle, in Mexican women in order to prevent it, since it is a serious public health problem. We studied 805 women (35-55 years old) in the City of Queretaro, México. We obtained: personal data, family history, habits, such as smoking, alcohol, caffeine (coffee and soft drink of cola) and physical activity. Participants complete the questionnaire on 19 risk factors for osteoporosis (International Osteoporosis Foundation) one of them with risk. We evaluated: body mass index (BMI), cardiovascular risk and corporal complexion. Bone densitometry was performed in two diagnostic regions: lumbar spine and total hip and participants were classified as normal bone mass density (BMD), low BMD and osteoporosis. The prevalence of osteoporosis was 7% and of low BMD was 34%, predominantly in the lumbar region and in those with menopause. In osteoporotic women, the age was higher (51 years) and 85% menopausal women, also lower values of weight, height, BMI, waist circumference and hip than women with normal bone mass density. The significantly modifiable risk factors were: low weight, smoking and consumption of soft drink of cola with 6,5, 1,2 and 1,4 (odds ratio), respectively (p < 0.05). The significantly non-modifiable risk factors were: menopause (surgical), history of fracture and risk. It is concluded that within the modifiable risk factors for the prevention ofosteoporosis, those with the greatest impact were low weight, cigarette and soft drink of cola.

Hypothermia prevents gliosis and angiogenesis development in an experimental model of ischemic proliferative retinopathy.

PURPOSE: To develop a time course study of vascularization and glial response to perinatal asphyxia in hypoxic-ischemic animals, and to evaluate hypothermia as possible protective treatment. METHODS: We used retinas of 7-, 15-, 21-, and 30-day-old male Sprague-Dawley rats that were exposed to perinatal asphyxia at either 37°C (PA) or 15°C (HYP). Born to term animals were used as controls (CTL). We evaluated the thickness of the most inner layers of the retina (IR), including internal limiting membrane, the retinal nerve fiber layer, and the ganglion cell layer; and studied glial development, neovascularization, adrenomedullin (AM), and VEGF by immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence, and Western blot. RESULTS: A significant increment in IR thickness was observed in the PA group from postnatal day (PND) 15 on. This alteration was concordant with an increased number of new vessels and increased GFAP expression. The immunolocalization of GFAP in the internal limiting membrane and perivascular glia of the IR and in the inner processes of Müller cells was coexpressed with AM, which was also significantly increased from PND7 in PA animals. In addition, VEGF expression was immunolocalized in cells of the ganglion cell layer of the IR and this expression significantly increased in the PA group from PND15 on. The retinas of the HYP group did not show differences when compared with CTL at any age. CONCLUSIONS: This work demonstrates that aberrant angiogenesis and exacerbated gliosis seem to be responsible for the increased thickness of the inner retina as a consequence of perinatal asphyxia, and that hypothermia is able to prevent these alterations.

Impacto de los factores de riesgo en osteoporosis sobre la densidad mineral ósea en mujeres perimenopáusicas de la Ciudad de Querétaro, México / Impact of risk factors for osteoporosis on bone mineral density in perimenopausal women of the City of Querétaro, México.

Es indispensable evaluar los factores de riesgo en osteoporosis, principalmente los modificables, como: los estilos de vida, para prevenirla, ya que es un grave problema de salud pública. Se estudiaron 805 mujeres (35-55 años) de la ciudad de Querétaro, México. Se obtuvieron datos personales, historia familiar, hábitos como: fumar, actividad física, consumo de alcohol y de cafeína (refresco de cola y café). Las participantes completaron el cuestionario de riesgo de osteoporosis (19 factores, con uno, existe riesgo) (International Osteoporosis Foundation). Se evaluó: Índice de Masa Corporal (IMC), riesgo cardiovascular y complexión corporal (Talla/Circunferencia de muñeca). Se realizó una densitometría ósea (DXA) en dos regiones diagnósticas: columna lumbar y cadera total y las participantes se clasificaron en: densidad mineral ósea (DMO) normal, DMO baja y osteoporosis. La prevalencia de osteoporosis fue de 7% y de DMO baja fue de 34%, predominantemente en región lumbar y en aquellas con menopausia. La edad fue mayor en mujeres osteoporóticas (51 años) y el 85% menopáusicas, con valores menores de: peso, talla, IMC, circunferencia de cintura y cadera, que las normales. Los factores de riesgo modificables que aumentaron el riesgo fueron: bajo peso, fumar y consumo de refresco de cola con 6,5, 1,2 y 1,4 (razón de momios) respectivamente (p<0,05). Factores no modificables significativos: menopausia (quirúrgica), historia de fractura y riesgo de osteoporosis. Se concluye que dentro de los factores de riesgo modificables para la prevención de osteoporosis de mayor impacto en esta muestra son: bajo peso, cigarrillo y el refresco de cola.

It is essential to evaluate osteoporosis risk factors, mainly the modifiable, like the lifestyle, in Mexican women in order to prevent it, since it is a serious public health problem.We studied 805 women (35-55 years old) in the City of Queretaro, México. We obtained: personal data, family history, habits, such as smoking, alcohol, caffeine (coffee and soft drink of cola) and physical activity. Participants complete the questionnaire on 19 risk factors for osteoporosis (International Osteoporosis Foundation) one of them with risk. We evaluated: body mass index (BMI), cardiovascular risk and corporal complexion. Bone densitometry was performed in two diagnostic regions: lumbar spine and total hip and participants were classified as normal bone mass density (BMD), low BMD and osteoporosis. The prevalence of osteoporosis was 7% and of low BMD was 34%, predominantly in the lumbar region and in those with menopause. In osteoporotic women, the age was higher (51 years) and 85% menopausal women, also lower values of weight, height, BMI, waist circumference and hip than women with normal bone mass density. The significantly modifiable risk factors were: low weight, smoking and consumption of soft drink of cola with 6,5, 1,2 and 1,4 (odds ratio), respectively (p <0,05). The significantly non-modifiable risk factors were: menopause (surgical), history of fracture and risk. It is concluded that within the modifiable risk factors for the prevention of osteoporosis, those with the greatest impact were low weight, cigarette and soft drink of cola.

Enzymatic detergent in rat peritoneum. A comparative study with physiological solution.

BACKGROUND: Peritoneal washing out with physiological solution with different substances added is useful in peritoneal infections, but the effect of enzymatic detergents, such as quaternary didecyl-dimethyl ammonium compounds (DDAC), used in the sterilization of surgical material is unknown. We undertook this study to determine histological changes (inflammation, fibrosis and new vessel formation) in the peritoneum of Wistar rats after the application of physiological solution or DDAC. METHODS: The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of DDAC for E. coli (512 µg/ml) and E. faecalis (128 µg/ml) was determined. Sixty-three Wistar rats weighing 200 ± 20 g were studied. They were divided into three groups: control: 7 rats were instilled with 3 ml of physiological solution in peritoneal cavity; groups 1 and 2 were instilled with 3 ml of MIC for E. coli and E. faecalis, respectively. These groups were divided into four subgroups of seven animals. In every rat, 1 cm(2) of peritoneum was obtained at 2, 7, 14, and 21 days for histological study with hematoxylin-eosin. Ten fields were evaluated. The data obtained were analyzed with the Mann-Whitney test. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in inflammation, fibrosis and new vessel formation with the physiological solution vs. DDAC at 2, 7, 14, and 21 days (p >0.05), except for inflammation at 2 days in group 2 (p = 0.026), which remitted. CONCLUSIONS: There was no significant difference in changes in rat peritoneum after physiological solution or DDAC application.

Actividad in vitro de CQ-EPCA-297-S en comparación con quinolonas y cefalosporinas de tercera generación de 212 bacterias patógenicas aisladas de enfermos de la ciudad de Querétaro / Comparison of the in vitro activity of CQ-EPCA-297-S, with quinolones and third generation cephalosporins against 212 clinical isolates from patients from Querétaro, Mexico

En este estudio se presenta la susceptibilidad in vitro de un nuevo antimicrobiano denominado cefaquinolona (CQ-EPCA-297-S), desarrollado por Laboratorios Aranda mediante la hibridación de un grupo fluoroquinolínico con un derivado del ácido 7-aminocefalosporánico, en 212 bacterias grampositivas y gramnegativas y comparado contra tres cefalosporinas de tercera generación y dos fluoroquinolonas de mayor uso terapéutico. Utilizando el método de difusión en agar (Kirby-Bauer) se observó 100 por ciento de sensibilidad contra bacterias grampositivas y 97.3 por ciento contra gramnegativas. Se concluye que la actividad in vitro de CQ-EPCA fue superior a los otros antimicrobianos evaluados, existiendo la posibilidad de uso terapéutico en el futuro.