Immunostimulant Activity of Bacteria Isolated from Extreme Environments in Baja California Sur, Mexico: A Bioprospecting Approach.

Excessive use of antibiotics has led to an increase of pathogenic bacteria with multiple antibiotic resistance. Hypersaline and hyperthermal environments promote the development of several microorganisms that can potentially act as immunostimulants. Thus, the aim of this study was bioprospecting marine bacteria from these environments using mouse leukocytes as a cell model for assess immunostimulatory activity. Samples were taken from two evaporation ponds with 4 and 8% salinity (p/v) in a marine solar saltern (MSS) at Laguna Ojo de Liebre, Guerrero Negro and a shallow hydrothermal vent (SHV), Bahía Concepción under a mangrove forest both off Baja California Sur, México. From total number of isolates (N = 340), 267 were obtained from the MSS and 73 from the SHV. The 10 isolates that induced nitric oxide (NO) production in mouse splenocytes were identified using the 16S rRNA gene, of which Halomonas elongata, Halomonas sp., Pseudoalteromonas ruthenica, Bacillus subtilis and three Bacillus strains were isolated from the MSS ponds at 8% salinity and three Marinobacter lutaoensis strains from the SHV. Most of the selected bacteria were not cytotoxic for mouse splenocytes and enhanced phagocytic respiratory burst and antioxidant enzyme activities compared to the control immunostimulant (lipopolysaccharide from Escherichia coli). Selected bacteria from 8% salinity ponds in the MSS in Guerrero Negro had immunostimulant activity in vitro in mouse splenocytes. In conclusion, Bacillus subtilis SA4 220, Bacillus sp. SA4 62A, P. ruthenica SA4 40 as well as Halomonas sp. SA4 207 and Halomonas elongata SA8 44 increased several immunological parameters. Further research is needed to evaluate their potential application in preclinical models to fight against infectious diseases. Supplementary Information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s12088-022-01002-3.

Probable benign paroxysmal positional vertigo, spontaneously resolved: Incidence in medical practice, patients' characteristics and the natural course.

BACKGROUND: Probable benign paroxysmal positional vertigo, spontaneously resolved (pBPPVsr), is a variant of benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) in which there is no observable nystagmus and no vertigo with any positional maneuver. OBJECTIVES: To calculate the incidence pBPPVsr, compare the characteristics of the patients with pBPPVsr and BPPV not spontaneously resolved and describe the spontaneous resolution in the natural course of BPPV. METHODS: Multicenter prospective descriptive study. During a one-year period, all patients with suspected BPPV that presented to the Neurotology Units of five participating centers were recruited. The incidence of pBPPVsr was calculated as a percentage of the total number of patients with BPPV. The prevalence of several variables was compared between pBPPVsr and BPPV not spontaneously resolved. The timing of spontaneous resolution was estimated using Kaplan-Meier curves. RESULTS: 457 patients met the inclusion criteria. The incidence of pBPPVsr was 33.5%. It was significantly higher in males, in patients with normal bone mass and in patients who were not taking sulpiride. A rate of 18% of spontaneous resolution after the first month and 51% after the first year was found. This percentage did not change in a significant way after this moment. The curves for males, patients under 50 and patients with normal blood pressure decreased significantly faster. CONCLUSIONS: In our serie, BPPV spontaneously resolved in half of the patients with BPPV during the first year. This seemed to occur more commonly in males and could have been hindered by sulpiride intake, osteoporosis, advanced age and high blood pressure.

Plant extracts as a natural treatment against the fish ectoparasite Neobenedenia sp. (Monogenea: Capsalidae).

The toxicity of water-ethanol extracts of garlic (Allium sativum), ginger (Zingiber officinale), basil (Ocimum basilicum), bitter chaparro (Castela tortuousa), onion (Allium cepa) and papaya (Carica papaya) against adults, eggs and oncomiracidia of Neobenedenia spp. parasites was examined. Parasites were exposed to continuous immersion and treated as follows: extracts were tested at three dilutions: 1:10, 1:50 and 1:100 made with filtered seawater (35 g l-1); ethanol (70%) was evaluated at the same dilutions of 1:10 (7% ethanol), 1:50 (1.4% ethanol) and 1:100 (0.07% ethanol) and a seawater (35 g l-1) control. The antiparasitic effect was measured on: (1) adult survival, egg production and time to detachment from the culture vessel; (2) egg development and cumulative egg hatching; and (3) oncomiracidia survival. All three dilutions of ginger and dilutions 1:100 and 1:50 of basil extract reduced adult survival in vitro, time to detachment from the surface of the culture vessel, egg production and oncomiracidia survival. Bitter chaparro extract reduced adult egg production and oncomiracidia survival. Hatching success was significantly reduced (P < 0.05) in basil extract (1:100) to 86.6% compared to the seawater control (100%). Dilutions 1:10 of ginger and basil exhibited the highest impact on the biological parameters of Neobenedenia sp. Our study demonstrates that water-ethanol extracts of ginger, basil and bitter chaparro are toxic against Neobenedenia sp. life stages.

Healing criteria: How should an episode of benign paroxistic positional vertigo of posterior semicircular canal's resolution be defined? Prospective observational study.

OBJECTIVES: To compare the outcome of the Epley maneuver (EM) in benign paroxysmal positional vertigo of the posterior canal (CSP-BPPV) depending on the definition used for recovery. DESIGN: Multicenter observational prospective study. SETTING: Otoneurology Units of 5 tertiary reference hospitals. PARTICIPANTS: All patients presenting with unilateral CSP-BPPV assisted for 1-year period. EXCLUSION CRITERIA: Spontaneous nystagmus, positive McClure-Pagnini maneuver, positive bilateral Dix-Hallpike maneuver (DHM), positive DHM for vertigo but negative for nystagmus and atypical nystagmus. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Response to EM was measured after 7 days in 3 different outcomes: disappearance of nystagmus during the DHM in the follow-up visit, disappearance of vertigo during the DHM and general status (GS) during daily life activities. RESULTS: 264 patients were recruited (68 male/166 female, mean age 62 years). After the EM, nystagmus disappeared in 67% of them, vertigo in 54% and 36% were asymptomatic in their daily life. These outcomes were strongly correlated, but they were not concordant in a clinically significant group of cases; only the 26% of patients met all of them. The healing process follows the next sequence: negativization of positional nystagmus, then disappearance of positional vertigo and, finally, the improvement of GS during daily life activities. CONCLUSION: Nowadays, healing criteria for the resolution of an PSC-BPPV episode have not been specifically defined yet. Provided that other otoneurological disorders have been ruled out, the next resolution criterion is proposed: absence of nystagmus and specifically during control DHM and disappearance of symptoms during daily life activities.

Gold nanoparticles (AuNP) exert immunostimulatory and protective effects in shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) against Vibrio parahaemolyticus.

Gold nanoparticles (AuNP) stimulate immune responses in mammals but they have not been tested in species of relevance in aquaculture. In this study the immunostimulant and protective potential of orally administered AuNP against V. parahaemolyticus, the causative agent of Acute Hepatopancreatic Necrosis Disease, was determined in shrimp. Synthetized AuNP (18.57 ±â€¯4.37 nm) were moderately dispersed with a negative ζ potential of -10.3 ±â€¯0.208 mV (pH = 7). AuNP were administered (single dose) at 0.2, 2, and 20 µg/g feed in shrimp. Hemolymph samples were withdrawn daily for 6 days. Hemolymph or hemocytes were used to determine total hemocyte counts, immune-related enzymatic activities, and expression of immune-relevant genes. Hepatopancreas was sampled for the analysis of AuNP biodistribution and histological examination. Survival was recorded daily. No mortality or toxicity signs in hepatopancreas were found. AuNP were detected in hepatopancreas. Early (24-48 h) immunostimulation was mainly related to immune gene up-regulation. Upon a challenge with V. parahaemolyticus, survival was higher (80%) and histopathological damages were lower in shrimp treated with the 2 µg/g dose when compared to the control. Therefore orally administered AuNP are proposed as immunostimulants that protect shrimp against V. parahaemolyticus infection.

Ajuste de la cifra de hemoglobina glucosilada para el diagnóstico de diabetes mellitus en México / Adjustment of the glycated hemoglobin value to diagnose diabetes mellitus in Mexico

Resumen ANTECEDENTES En la actualidad la Asociación Americana de Diabetes (ADA) acepta el uso de tres pruebas para el diagnóstico de diabetes mellitus, que incluyen la determinación de hemoglobina glucosilada (HbA1c). OBJETIVO Evaluar si la cifra establecida de HbA1c de 6.5% para el diagnóstico de diabetes mellitus es válida para la población mexicana. MATERIAL Y MÉTODO Estudio descriptivo, transversal y analítico en el que en octubre de 2016 se incluyeron personas en quienes se determinó HbA1c en sangre capilar y glucemia en sangre venosa. RESULTADOS Se incluyeron 388 pacientes. Se determinó que ni la edad ni el sexo predisponen a la obtención de una cifra determinada de HbA1c. La prueba de HbA1c capilar tendió a diagnosticar mayor número de casos de prediabetes (170 vs 63) y diabetes (27 vs 13) en comparación con la prueba de glucosa sérica, con diferencia en el número de personas sanas entre ambos grupos de 121 (191 personas sanas con HbA1c y 312 personas sanas con glucosa sérica); sin embargo, ambas variables compartieron 90.2% de similitud (p < 0.001). Se obtuvo un nuevo nivel de corte de HbA1c para el diagnóstico de diabetes de 6.65% (con sensibilidad y especificidad de 76 y 97%, respectivamente). CONCLUSIÓN Con el nuevo punto de corte disminuyó la incidencia de casos de diabetes en el grupo de HbA1c, con reducción de 7 a 4.9% (27 a 19 casos).

Abstract BACKGROUND Nowadays, the American Diabetes Association (ADA) recognizes the use of three tests for the diagnosis of diabetes mellitus, including the determination of glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c). OBJECTIVE To evaluate if the established value of 6.5% of glycated hemoglobin for the diagnosis of diabetes mellitus is applicable to the Mexican population. MATERIAL AND METHOD A descriptive, transversal and analytic study was done in October 2016 in persons that were subjected to a capillary test for HbA1c and serum glucose. RESULTS There were included 388 subjects in whom it was determined that the age and the sex did not influence on the obtaining of a determinate level of HbA1c. Capillary HbA1c test tended to diagnose a greater number of cases of prediabetes (170 vs 63) and diabetes (27 vs 13) compared with serum glucose test, with a difference in the number of healthy persons between the two groups of 121 (191 healthy persons with HbA1C and 312 healthy persons with serum glucose); however, both variables shared a 90.2% of similarity (p < 0.001). It was obtained a new threshold of HbA1C for the diagnosis of diabetes of 6.65% (with sensitivity and specificity of 76% and 97%, respectively). CONCLUSION With the new cutoff value the incidence of cases of diabetes decreased in the HbA1c group, with a reduction of 7% to 4.9% (27 to 19 cases).

Analysis of risk factors influencing the outcome of the Epley maneuver.

Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) is the most frequent type of vertigo. The treatment of canalithiasis of the posterior semicircular canal consists in performing a particle-repositioning maneuver, such as the Epley maneuver (EM). However, the EM is not effective in all cases. The objective of this study is to identify risk factors, which predict the EM failure, among the clinical variables recorded in anamnesis and patient examination. This is an observational prospective multicentric study. All patients presenting with BPPV were recruited and applied the EM and appointed for a follow-up visit 7 days later. The following variables were recorded: sex, age, arterial hypertension, diabetes, hyperlipidemia, smoking habit, alcohol consumption, migraine, osteoporosis, diseases of the inner ear, previous ipsilateral BPPV, previous traumatic brain injury, previous sudden head deceleration, time of evolution, sulpiride or betahistine treatment, experienced symptoms, outcome of the Halmagyi maneuver, laterality, cephalic hyperextension of the neck, intensity of nystagmus, intensity of vertigo, duration of nystagmus, occurrence of orthotropic nystagmus, symptoms immediately after the EM, postural restrictions, and symptoms 7 days after the EM. Significant differences in the rate of loss of nystagmus were found for six variables: hyperlipidemia, previous ipsilateral BPPV, intensity of nystagmus, duration of nystagmus, post-maneuver sweating, and subjective status. The most useful significant variables in the clinical practice to predict the success of the EM are previous BPPV and intensity of nystagmus. In the other significant variables, no physiopathological hypothesis can be formulated or differences between groups are too small.

In vivo and in vitro studies using larval and adult antigens from Neobenedenia melleni on immune response in yellowtail (Seriola lalandi).

Neobenedenia melleni is a monogenean parasite that causes significant mortality and economic losses in fish aquaculture. Changes in the antigenic composition of this parasite occur during its developmental stages. In this study, we evaluated humoral parameters in serum and transcriptional immune responses of yellowtail naturally infected with N. melleni. In addition, in vitro assays were performed to study the stimulatory effects of antigens from larvae and adults on spleen leucocytes from non-infected fish at 6 and 24 h post-stimulation. The results showed enhanced total protein, myeloperoxidase and antiprotease activities in N. melleni-infected fish compared with non-infected ones. The induction of Toll-like receptors (TLRs) and pro-inflammatory cytokines in spleen leucocytes during natural infection with N. melleni suggests that these immune-related genes play an important role in the initiation of the immune defence mechanism for controlling parasite infection. Interestingly, the magnitude of in vitro responses of spleen leucocytes was dependent on the parasitic stage. An important stimulation of gene expression by adult antigens on spleen leucocytes was observed. Differential expression patterns of TLRs and target cytokines in yellowtail leucocytes in both in vivo and in vitro studies suggest that the quality of yellowtail immune response is conditioned by N. melleni development.

Probabilidad de éxito de obtener un hemocultivo positivo / Probability of success of obtaining a positive hemoculture

Resumen ANTECEDENTES: la sepsis se define como la existencia posible o documentada de una infección junto con manifestaciones sistémicas de infección. El hemocultivo es el estudio de primera línea en pacientes con sospecha de infección; el objetivo principal de los hemocultivos consiste en confirmar bacteremia. En la bibliografía se reporta que la sensibilidad para el diagnóstico de bacteremias es baja, con crecimiento en cultivos menor a 10%; en otras palabras, los hemocultivos son positivos en únicamente una tercera parte de los casos. OBJETIVO: determinar la tasa de hemocultivos positivos en el Hospital Ángeles Pedregal de la Ciudad de México, así como describir los microorganismos encontrados con mayor frecuencia y sus resistencias. MATERIAL Y MÉTODO: estudio retrospectivo, observacional y descriptivo, en el que se revisaron todos los hemocultivos realizados en el hospital citado, de enero a diciembre de 2015. RESULTADOS: de la muestra total (1,598 hemocultivos), únicamente 213 resultaron positivos, con lo que se reportó una probabilidad de éxito de 13%. Los microorganismos más frecuentes fueron Escherichia coli (43%), de los que 35 (16%) fueron organismos resistentes (BLEE), Burkholderia cepacia (6%) y Enterococcus faecalis (5%) en el grupo de los gramnegativos y Staphylococcus epidermidis (9%) y Staphyloccocus aureus (6%) en el grupo de los grampositivos. CONCLUSIONES: el número de hemocultivos que resultan positivos en el Hospital Ángeles Pedregal de la Ciudad de México es ligeramente mayor al reportado en la bibliografía. Además, se encontró mayor positividad para Escherichia coli, lo que confirma que las poblaciones de microorganismos son diferentes en cada hospital.

Abstract BACKGROUND: Sepsis is defined as the possible or documented presence of infection along with systemic manifestations of infection. Blood culture is the first-line study in patients with suspected infection, the main objective of blood cultures consists of confirming bacteremia. Literature reports that sensitivity for diagnosis of bacteremias is low, with a growth in crops <10%; in other words, blood cultures are positive in only 1/3 of the cases. OBJECTIVES: To determine the rate of positive blood cultures at Hospital Angeles Pedregal, Mexico City, as well as to describe the most commonly found microorganisms and their resistances. MATERIAL AND METHOD: A descriptive observational retrospective study was carried out. We reviewed all blood cultures performed at the Hospital Angeles Pedregal, Mexico, City, from January 2015 to December 2015. RESULTS: Of the total sample (1,598 blood cultures), only 213 were positive, finding a probability of success of 13%. The most common microorganisms were Escherichia coli (43%) of whom 35 (16%) were resistant organisms (BLEE), Burkholderia cepacia (6%) and Enterococcus faecalis (5%) in the gram-negative group. Staphylococcus epidermidis (9%) and Staphyloccocus aureus (6%) in the gram-positive group. CONCLUSIONS: Number of blood positive cultures at Hospital Angeles Pedregal, Mexico City, is slightly higher than that reported in literature. In addition, more positivity was found for Escherichia coli, confirming that the populations of microorganisms will be different at each hospital.

Tissue localization of GM-CSF receptor in bovine ovarian follicles and its role on glucose uptake by mural granulosa cells.

The granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF) is a multifunctional cytokine implicated in proliferation, differentiation, and activation of several cell types including those involved in hematopoiesis and reproduction. In the present study, the expression of the α- and ß-subunit genes of GM-CSF receptor during follicular development in cattle was assessed. The spatial association of α- and ß-subunits of GM-CSF with follicle stimulating hormone receptor (FSHR) and 3ß-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3ß-HSD), and the temporal associations with gene expression of hexose transporters (GLUTs) in granulosa cells of cattle were also evaluated. The effect of GM-CSF on the functionality of hexose transporters was also determined in an in vitro primary culture of granulosa cells. The spatial association of subunits of the GM-CSF receptor with 3ß-HSD and FSHR suggests a potential steroidogenic regulation of GM-CSF in granulosa cells. Immunodetection of GLUTs and uptake kinetic assays confirmed expression and functionality of these genes for hexose transporters in granulosa cells of cattle. Treatment of granulosa cells with GM-CSF, FSH or insulin- like growth factor-I (IGF-I) alone increased 2-deoxyglucose (DOG) or 3-0-methylglucose (OMG) uptake; however, when cells were treated with various combination of these factors there were no additive effect. Unexpectedly, the combination of GM-CSF and FSH decreased DOG uptake compared to FSH treatment alone. Thus, the expression pattern of GM-CSF receptor subunit genes during follicle development in cattle and promotion of DOG and OMG uptake in granulosa cells indicate a role for GM-CSF, FSH and/or IGF-I alone in regulating granulosa cell metabolic activity, specifically by promoting glucose uptake.

Hallazgos de imagen de las masas cardíacas (parte II): tumores malignos y lesiones pseudotumorales / Imaging findings in cardiac masses (part II): malignant tumors and pseudotumors

Los tumores cardíacos malignos son menos frecuentes que los tumores benignos; pueden ser primarios y secundarios. Los secundarios o metastásicos son entre 20 y 40 veces más frecuentes que los primarios, con una incidencia estimada del 0,05%. Las lesiones pseudotumorales no neoplásicas pueden presentarse como masas cardíacas con características de imagen que pueden plantear el diagnóstico con neoplasias. El objetivo de este trabajo es presentar los tumores cardíacos malignos y las lesiones pseudotumorales haciendo hincapié en los hallazgos en TC y RM y en las características que permiten diferenciarlos de los tumores cardíacos benignos (AU)

Malignant heart tumors are less common than benign ones. They can be primary or secondary. Secondary or metastatic heart tumors are 20 to 40 times more common than primary malignant heart tumors, which have an estimated incidence of 0.05%. Non-neoplastic pseudotumors can present as cardiac masses, with imaging characteristics than can suggest the diagnosis of a tumor. The aim of this article is to describe and illustrate malignant heart tumors and pseudotumors, stressing the CT and MRI findings that make it possible to differentiate them from benign cardiac tumors (AU)

[Imaging findings in cardiac masses. Part II: malignant tumors and pseudotumors]. / Hallazgos de imagen de las masas cardíacas. parte II: tumores malignos y lesiones pseudotumorales.

Malignant heart tumors are less common than benign ones. They can be primary or secondary. Secondary or metastatic heart tumors are 20 to 40 times more common than primary malignant heart tumors, which have an estimated incidence of 0.05%. Non-neoplastic pseudotumors can present as cardiac masses, with imaging characteristics than can suggest the diagnosis of a tumor. The aim of this article is to describe and illustrate malignant heart tumors and pseudotumors, stressing the CT and MRI findings that make it possible to differentiate them from benign cardiac tumors.

Hallazgos de imagen de las masas cardíacas (parte I): protocolo de estudio y tumores benignos / Imaging findings in cardiac masses (Part I ): study protocol and benign tumors

Las masas cardíacas son un reto diagnóstico porque las decisiones terapéuticas se basan en los hallazgos de las técnicas de imagen. La ecocardiografía, la resonancia magnética (RM) y la tomografía computarizada (TC) son fundamentales para la detección, caracterización, estadificación y planificación del tratamiento. La mayoría de los tumores primarios son benignos; los más frecuentes son el mixoma, el fibroelastoma papilar y el lipoma. La localización del tumor y sus características en la TC y la RM orientan el diagnóstico etiológico en la mayor parte de los casos. Se describen los protocolos de estudio de TC y RM de las masas cardíacas, así como los hallazgos morfológicos, las localizaciones preferentes y las características más útiles para caracterizar las masas cardíacas benignas y establecer el diagnóstico diferencial con los tumores cardíacos malignos y las lesiones pseudotumorales no neoplásicas (AU)

Cardiac masses represent a diagnostic challenge because decisions about treatment are based on imaging techniques. Echocardiography, magnetic resonance (MR) and computed tomography (CT) are fundamental for the detection, characterization, and staging of cardiac masses as well as for planning their treatment. Most primary cardiac tumors are benign; myxomas, papillary fibroelastomas, and lipomas are the most common. The location of the tumors and its characteristics on CT and MR orient the etiologic diagnosis in most cases. This article describes the protocols for CT and MR studies of cardiac masses as well as the morphologic findings, predominant locations, and most useful characteristics for characterizing benign cardiac masses and establishing the differential diagnosis with malignant cardiac tumors and non-neoplastic pseudotumors (AU)

Genome-wide identification of copy number variations in Holstein cattle from Baja California, Mexico, using high-density SNP genotyping arrays.

Copy number variations (CNVs) are an important source of genomic structural variation, and can be used as markers to investigate phenotypic and economic traits. CNVs also have functional effects on gene expression and can contribute to disease susceptibility in mammals. Currently, single nucleotide polymorphism genotyping arrays (SNP chips) are the technology of choice for identifying CNV variations. Microarray technologies have recently been used to study the bovine genome. The objective of the present study was to develop CNVs in Holstein cows from the Northwest of Mexico using the Affymetrix Axiom Genome-Wide BOS 1 Array, which assays 648,315 SNPs and provides a wide coverage for genome-wide studies. We applied the two most widely used algorithms for the discovery of CNVs (PennCNV and QuantiSNP) and found 56 CNV regions (CNVRs) representing 0.33% of the bovine genome (8.46 Mb). These CNVRs ranged from 1.5 to 970.8 kb with an average length of 151 kb. They involved 103 genes and showed a 28% overlap with CNVRs already reported. Of the 56 CNVRs found, 20 were novel. In this study we present the first genomic analysis of CNVs in Mexican cattle using high-density SNP data. Our results provide a new reference basis for future genomic variation and association studies between CNVs and phenotypes, especially in Mexican cattle.

[Hysteroscopic polypectomy, treatment of abnormal uterine bleeding]. / Polipectomía histeroscópica para el tratamiento del sangrado uterino anormal.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the effectiveness of the hysteroscopic polypectomy in terms of the decrease of the abnormal uterine bleeding. METHODS: A cross-sectional and analytical study was done with patients to whom a hysteroscopic polypectomy was done for treating the abnormal uterine bleeding, between January 2009 and December 2013. The response to the treatment was evaluated via a survey given to the patients about the behavior of the abnormal uterine bleeding after the procedure and about overall satisfaction. RESULTS: The results were obtained after a hysteroscopic polypectomy done to 128 patients and were as follows. The average time from the polypectomy applied until the survey was 30.5 months, with a standard deviation of 18 months. 67.2% of the patients reported decreased abnormal uterine bleeding and the 32.8% reported a persistence of symptoms. On average 82.8% of the. patients were satisfied with the treatment. Bivariate and multivariate analysis showed no association between the variables studied and no improvement of abnormal uterine bleeding after surgery (polypectomy). There were no complications. CONCLUSION: Hysteroscopic polypectomy is a safe surgical treatment, which decreases on two of three patients the abnormal uterine bleeding in the presence of endometrial polyps, with an acceptable level of satisfaction.

Imaging findings in cardiac masses (Part I): study protocol and benign tumors.

Cardiac masses represent a diagnostic challenge because decisions about treatment are based on imaging techniques. Echocardiography, magnetic resonance (MR) and computed tomography (CT) are fundamental for the detection, characterization, and staging of cardiac masses as well as for planning their treatment. Most primary cardiac tumors are benign; myxomas, papillary fibroelastomas, and lipomas are the most common. The location of the tumors and its characteristics on CT and MR orient the etiologic diagnosis in most cases. This article describes the protocols for CT and MR studies of cardiac masses as well as the morphologic findings, predominant locations, and most useful characteristics for characterizing benign cardiac masses and establishing the differential diagnosis with malignant cardiac tumors and non-neoplastic pseudotumors.

Functional analysis of endo-1,4-ß-glucanases in response to Botrytis cinerea and Pseudomonas syringae reveals their involvement in plant-pathogen interactions.

Plant cell wall modification is a critical component in stress responses. Endo-1,4-ß-glucanases (EGs) take part in cell wall editing processes, e.g. elongation, ripening and abscission. Here we studied the infection response of Solanum lycopersicum and Arabidopsis thaliana with impaired EGs. Transgenic TomCel1 and TomCel2 tomato antisense plants challenged with Pseudomonas syringae showed higher susceptibility, callose priming and increased jasmonic acid pathway marker gene expression. These two EGs could be resistance factors and may act as negative regulators of callose deposition, probably by interfering with the defence-signalling network. A study of a set of Arabidopsis EG T-DNA insertion mutants challenged with P. syringae and Botrytis cinerea revealed that the lack of other EGs interferes with infection phenotype, callose deposition, expression of signalling pathway marker genes and hormonal balance. We conclude that a lack of EGs could alter plant response to pathogens by modifying the properties of the cell wall and/or interfering with signalling pathways, contributing to generate the appropriate signalling outcomes. Analysis of microarray data demonstrates that EGs are differentially expressed upon many different plant-pathogen challenges, hormone treatments and many abiotic stresses. We found some Arabidopsis EG mutants with increased tolerance to osmotic and salt stress. Our results show that impairing EGs can alter plant-pathogen interactions and may contribute to appropriate signalling outcomes in many different biotic and abiotic plant stress responses.

Estudio etnobotánico de las plantas medicinales utilizadas por los habitantes del corregimiento de Genoy, Municipio de Pasto, Colombia / Ethnobotanical study of medicinal plants used by the inhabitants of the village of Genoy, Municipality of Pasto, Colombia

Entre octubre de 2011 y enero de 2012 se llevó a cabo un estudio etnobotánico enfocado al conocimiento de las especies utilizadas con fines etnobotánicos, así como la relación cultural en torno a su empleo por parte de los habitantes del Corregimiento de Genoy, ubicado en el municipio de Pasto, departamento de Nariño. La información se obtuvo de 38 personas: 27 mujeres y 11 hombres, mediante encuestas semiestructuradas, de las cuales 4 fueron informantes clave. Todos los informantes fueron seleccionados al azar. Se determinó la importancia relativa de especies medicinales (IRE), así como otros índices etnobotánicos que permitieron calcular el valor de reconocimiento de uso para cada especie (RUV). Como resultado se registró información para 63 plantas de uso medicinal, distribuidas en 31 familias botánicas y 56 géneros, siendo Lamiaceae, Asteraceae y Apiaceae las familias más importantes. Con relación a las partes de la planta, las más utilizadas fueron: hojas (89,47%), y flores (21,05%). Un mayor número de especies se utilizan para tratar afecciones de tipo gastrointestinal, reproductivo, cutáneo y respiratorio. Las plantas medicinales que son ampliamente utilizadas por la población local presentaron valores más altos de IRF y RUV: cedrón (Aloysia citriodora), manzanilla (Matricaria hamomilla) y orégano (Origanum vulgare).

Between October 2011 and January 2012 an ethnobotanical study focused on the knowledge of ethnobotanical species used for ethnobotanical purposes, as well as the cultural relationship around the use of those species by the inhabitants of Genoy Township located in San Juan de Pasto, Nariño was carried out. 38 people were interviewed using a semi-structured survey: 27 women and 11 men of whom 4 were key sources of information. All the participants were randomly selected. The relative importance of medicinal species (RIE) was estimated, as well as other etnobotanical indices that allowed calculating the value of recognition of use for each species (RUV). As a result, information for 63 medicinal species was recorded and distributed in 31 botanical families and 56 genres. The most important families, in order, were: Lamiaceae, Asteraceae and Apiaceae. The most used parts of the plant were leaves (89.47%) and flowers (21.05%). A greater number of the species were used to treat gastrointestinal, reproductive, skin and respiratory disorders. The following medicinal plants that are widely used by local people showed the highest RIE and RUV values: cedron (Aloysia citriodora), chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla) and oregano (Origanum vulgare).

Manifestaciones otorrinolaringológicas del síndrome de Down / Ear, nose and throat manifestations of Down’s syndrome

Los pacientes con síndrome de Down presentan con frecuencia enfermedades otorrinolaringólogicas secundarias a las anomalías anatómicas y fisiológicas propias de su fenotipo. Las manifestaciones más frecuentes son la otitis serosa y el síndrome de apnea obstructiva del sueño. Es importante reconocer y tratar de forma temprana estas manifestaciones para que no supongan una merma en la calidad de vida de los pacientes con síndrome de Down (AU)

Patients with Down’s syndrome frequently have ear, nose and throat diseases secondary to anatomical and physiological abnormalities that are characteristic of their phenotype. The most frequent manifestations are serous otitis and obstructive sleep apnea syndrome. It is important to recognize and treat these manifestations early so that they do not mean a decrease in quality of life of patients with Down’s syndrome (AU)