Transitions in chromatin conformation shaped by fatty acids and the circadian clock underlie hepatic transcriptional reorganization in obese mice.

The circadian clock system coordinates metabolic, physiological, and behavioral functions across a 24-h cycle, crucial for adapting to environmental changes. Disruptions in circadian rhythms contribute to major metabolic pathologies like obesity and Type 2 diabetes. Understanding the regulatory mechanisms governing circadian control is vital for identifying therapeutic targets. It is well characterized that chromatin remodeling and 3D structure at genome regulatory elements contributes to circadian transcriptional cycles; yet the impact of rhythmic chromatin topology in metabolic disease is largely unexplored. In this study, we explore how the spatial configuration of the genome adapts to diet, rewiring circadian transcription and contributing to dysfunctional metabolism. We describe daily fluctuations in chromatin contacts between distal regulatory elements of metabolic control genes in livers from lean and obese mice and identify specific lipid-responsive regions recruiting the clock molecular machinery. Interestingly, under high-fat feeding, a distinct interactome for the clock-controlled gene Dbp strategically promotes the expression of distal metabolic genes including Fgf21. Alongside, new chromatin loops between regulatory elements from genes involved in lipid metabolism control contribute to their transcriptional activation. These enhancers are responsive to lipids through CEBPß, counteracting the circadian repressor REVERBa. Our findings highlight the intricate coupling of circadian gene expression to a dynamic nuclear environment under high-fat feeding, supporting a temporally regulated program of gene expression and transcriptional adaptation to diet.

El distrés oxidativo y sus implicaciones moleculares en algunas enfermedades infecciosas: una revisión / Oxidative distress and its molecular implication for some infectious diseases: A review

Introducción: Las especies reactivas de oxígeno, nitrógeno y azufre (ERONS) se generan continuamente en la fisiología de los organismos. Como parte de la respuesta de las células inmunitarias frente a los patógenos podrían aumentar y producir distrés oxidativo, citotoxicidad y daño de los órganos. El reconocimiento de las implicaciones moleculares de las ERONS todavía es un campo de investigación en desarrollo. Objetivo: Describir los aspectos moleculares relacionados con el metabolismo oxidativo y algunos patógenos (virus, parásitos, bacterias y hongos) en relación con las infecciones. Métodos: Se identificaron 520 documentos relacionados con los criterios de búsqueda en las bases de datos LILACS, Science Direct, SciELO, EMBASE, PubMed e Infomed, con los buscadores Google y Google académico. De estos, fueron analizados 78 documentos publicados a partir de 1980 al 2021 en español o inglés y organizados en 7 subtemas. Información, análisis y síntesis: Los agentes infecciosos y el hospedero interactúan produciendo ERONS que pueden superar los sistemas de defensa antioxidantes e influyen en el distrés oxidativo. Los procesos biológicos asociados al estado redox se relacionan con los factores de transcripción Nrf2 y NF-κB. Ambos permiten una respuesta celular entre la susceptibilidad y la resistencia a los agentes infecciosos, por lo que pueden iniciar o acelerar procesos fisiopatológicos en el organismo. En general la respuesta redox en la fisiopatología infecciosa está interconectada con la reprogramación metabólica, las respuestas antimicrobianas e inflamatorias y la disfunción celular o de tejido. Conclusiones: Los eventos moleculares redox pueden participar en diversas enfermedades infecciosas, mediando diferentes respuestas o trastornos asociados.

Introduction: Reactive oxygen/nitrogen/sulfur species (RONSS) are continuously generated in the physiology of organisms. As part of the immune cell response to pathogens, they may increase and lead to oxidative stress, cytotoxicity and organ damage. Recognizing the molecular implications of RONSS is still a developing field of research. Objective: To describe the molecular aspects related to oxidative metabolism and some pathogens (viruses, parasites, bacteria and fungi) in relation to infections. Methods: Based on the search criteria, 520 documents were identified in LILACS, Science Direct, SciELO, EMBASE, PubMed and Infomed databases, using the search engines Google and Google Scholar. Of these, 78 documents published from 1980 to 2021 in Spanish or English and organized into seven subtopics were analyzed. Information, analysis and synthesis: Infectious agents and the host interact to produce RONSS that can overcome antioxidant defense systems influencing on oxidative stress. Biological processes associated with the redox state are related to the transcription factors Nrf2 and NF-κB. Both generate a cellular response between susceptibility and resistance to infectious agents, thus they can initiate or accelerate pathophysiological processes in the organism. In general, the redox response in infectious pathophysiology is interconnected with metabolic reprogramming, antimicrobial and inflammatory responses, and cellular or tissue dysfunction. Conclusions: Molecular redox events may be involved in various infectious diseases, where different associated responses or disorders mediate.

Epigenetic Regulation in Exposome-Induced Tumorigenesis: Emerging Roles of ncRNAs.

Environmental factors, including pollutants and lifestyle, constitute a significant role in severe, chronic pathologies with an essential societal, economic burden. The measurement of all environmental exposures and assessing their correlation with effects on individual health is defined as the exposome, which interacts with our unique characteristics such as genetics, physiology, and epigenetics. Epigenetics investigates modifications in the expression of genes that do not depend on the underlying DNA sequence. Some studies have confirmed that environmental factors may promote disease in individuals or subsequent progeny through epigenetic alterations. Variations in the epigenetic machinery cause a spectrum of different disorders since these mechanisms are more sensitive to the environment than the genome, due to the inherent reversible nature of the epigenetic landscape. Several epigenetic mechanisms, including modifications in DNA (e.g., methylation), histones, and noncoding RNAs can change genome expression under the exogenous influence. Notably, the role of long noncoding RNAs in epigenetic processes has not been well explored in the context of exposome-induced tumorigenesis. In the present review, our scope is to provide relevant evidence indicating that epigenetic alterations mediate those detrimental effects caused by exposure to environmental toxicants, focusing mainly on a multi-step regulation by diverse noncoding RNAs subtypes.

Divertículo de Meckel perforado por un cuerpo extraño / Meckel's Diverticulum Perforated by a Foreign Body

Introducción: El divertículo de Meckel es la anomalía congénita más frecuente del tracto gastrointestinal. Por lo general, cursa asintomático, y su diagnóstico es transoperatorio. Cuando presenta síntomas se deben a sus complicaciones, de las cuales la perforación constituye solo el 0,5 por ciento. Objetivo: Describir las características clínico-quirúrgicas de la presentación de un paciente con divertículo de Meckel perforado por cuerpo extraño. Caso clínico: Paciente adulto de 46 años de sexo masculino, piel blanca, que acude con dolor generalizado en el abdomen que se trasladó a Fosa Ilíaca Derecha, con febrícula. Se interviene quirúrgicamente y se halla divertículo de Meckel perforado por cuerpo extraño. Conclusiones: El pronóstico de esta enfermedad depende de la evolución, diagnóstico precoz y tratamiento aplicado en las distintas complicaciones, así como de la decisión de realizar tratamiento quirúrgico en los hallazgos casuales(AU)

Introduction: Meckel's diverticulum is the most frequent congenital anomaly of the gastrointestinal tract. It is generally asymptomatic, with an intraoperative diagnosis. When it presents symptoms, they are due to its complications, of which perforation accounts for only 0.5 percent. Objective: To describe the clinical-surgical characteristics of a patient who presented with a Meckel's diverticulum perforated by a foreign body. Clinical case: 46-year-old adult patient of the male sex and white skin, who presents with generalized pain in the abdomen that moved to the right iliac fossa and low-grade fever. The patient underwent surgery and a Meckel's diverticulum was found, perforated by a foreign body. Conclusions: The prognosis of this disease depends on the evolution, early diagnosis and applied treatment according to the different complications, as well as on the decision to perform surgical treatment in accidental findings(AU)

Integrated On-Chip 3D Vascular Network Culture under Hypoxia.

We developed a portable device made of poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS)/polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) for long-term 3D cell culture of vascular endothelial cells for the development of a vascular network and evaluated the device under different transitions between normoxia and hypoxia with good optical accessibility. The combination of a nested reservoir device and a bicarbonate/ascorbate buffer system accomplished on-chip incubation with 4.91 ± 0.86% pO2 and 5.19 ± 1.70% pCO2 for up to 10 days. Seventy-two hours of normoxic incubation preceding hypoxic culture increased the cell viability, network formation, and size and stability of the resulting lumens compared with those completely maintained in normoxia for the same total duration. We employed different parameters of the network (e.g., total mesh area, total length, number of branches, among others) for the comparison of different oxygen treatments in the device. The differential effect of hypoxic conditions based on the maturity of the vessels may be used as an external factor to improve vascular development in vitro.

Allergic Rhinitis and OSA in Children Residing at a High Altitude.

BACKGROUND: OSA affects 2% to 4 % of the pediatric population; allergic rhinitis (AR) has been identified as a risk factor in sleep-disordered breathing, but no studies evaluating such an association have been conducted in high-altitude environments. The goal of this study was to assess whether the severity of AR is associated with the severity of OSA in children undergoing polysomnography (PSG) in the high-altitude city of Bogotá, Colombia. METHODS: A cross-sectional observational study of children with AR was conducted. Severity of AR was evaluated by using the AR health-related quality of life questionnaire for children (ESPRINT-15) and the Allergic Rhinitis and its Impact on Asthma (ARIA) classification. Diagnosis and severity of OSA were established by using PSG. Potential associations between AR severity and OSA severity were assessed by using binary logistic regression and the Spearman correlation coefficient (ρ). RESULTS: A total of 99 children (mean age, 7.9 years; 45% female) were included; 53% had OSA. An ESPRINT-15 score was associated with severe OSA (OR, 2.0; 95% CI, 1.12-6.04; P = .01). Patients with moderate/severe persistent rhinitis according to ARIA exhibited a 10.1-fold greater risk of severe OSA (OR, 10.15; 95% CI, 1.15-89.0). Furthermore, the apnea-hypopnea index was associated with the ESPRINT-15 score (ρ = 0.215; P = .03) and with the ARIA severity scale (P = .04; ρ = 0.203). CONCLUSIONS: In symptomatic children with AR residing at a high altitude, increasing AR severity is associated with more severe OSA.

High prevalence of house dust mite sensitization in children with severe asthma living at high altitude in a tropical country.

BACKGROUND: Some studies, mainly in Europe, have shown a low level of sensitization to house dust mite (HDM) allergens at high altitude (HA). Differently, some others in tropical countries have shown a higher level. The aim of this study was to evaluate allergens sensitization, including HDM, in children with severe asthma (SA), residents at HA in a tropical middle-income developing country. METHODS: Observational, analytical, cross-sectional study in children aged 6-15 years old with SA at HA (2640 m). Skin prick tests (SPT), serum IgE, exhaled fraction of nitric oxide (FENO ), spirometry, and asthma questionnaire (ACT) were performed. Associations were explored by Pearson or Spearman coefficients. RESULTS: We included 61 children. Most patients were male (61.3%), median age: 10 years (Interquartile range [IQR]: 8-12), median BMI: 17 kg/m2 (IQR: 16-20); Median of positive SPT: 2 (IQR: 2-3). At least one SPT was positive in 88.7% of patients and 87.9% were positive for at least one HDM. Serum IgE: 348 UI/mL (IQR: 154-760) and FENO : 22 ppb (IQR: 9-41). Prebronchodilator values were (% predicted): FVC: 109.7% (±15.5%), FEV1 : 98.4% (±16.3); FEV1 /FVC: 82% (±8%). SPT were inversely correlated with the FEV1 /FVC (Rho: -0.34; 95% CI: -0.55 a -0.09; P = 0.008). CONCLUSIONS: These children with SA living at HA in a tropical middle-income developing country have a high prevalence of HDM sensitization. One explanation for this might be that tropical conditions, such as temperature and humidity, could modify the effect of the altitude on asthma.

Caracterización de pacientes con cáncer de mama y sus familiares acompañantes / Characterization of patients with breast cancer and their accompaning relatives

Fundamento: dentro del universo oncológico, irrumpe el cáncer mamario como uno de los tumores malignos de mayor presencia en el orbe, realidad cada vez más difícil de ignorar. Objetivo: caracterizar pacientes con cáncer de mama y a sus familiares acompañantes. Métodos: estudio descriptivo sobre todas las pacientes con diagnóstico de cáncer de mama, desde mayo de 2014 hasta diciembre de 2016, en el municipio de Rodas y sus familiares acompañantes. Se analizaron: edad, sexo, nivel de escolaridad, estado civil, ocupación, familiar acompañante, tiempo de evolución de la enfermedad, tratamiento. Resultados: predominaron las pacientes entre 46 y 65 años (79,2 %), con nivel medio superior de escolaridad (50,0 %) y con vínculo de pareja. El número de enfermas que no presentaban vínculo laboral fue destacable. El tiempo de evolución de la enfermedad mostró supremacía de pacientes enfermas desde 3 a 5 años (50,0 %), el tratamiento médico oncoespecífico preponderante fue el de cirugía y quimioterapia (58,3 %). En los familiares acompañantes se evidenció superioridad de adultos medios (62,5 %) y mujeres (79,2 %). Predominaron niveles superiores de escolaridad (50,0 %), el vínculo de pareja, tanto de uniones legales como consensuales (50 % y 29,2 % respectivamente), profesionales (45,8 %) y técnicos medios (25,0 %). Las pacientes identificaron con mayores frecuencias a las hijas o hijos como el familiar que las acompaña durante el proceso de su enfermedad (62,5 %). Conclusiones: el cáncer de mama se presentó mayormente a partir de la cuarta década de la vida, en mujeres con pareja estable y generalmente con tres a cinco años de evolución.

Introduction: breast cancer burst into the oncologic universeas one of the malignant tumors of higher presence worldwide which is really difficult to ignore. Objective: to characterize the patients diagnosed breast cancer and their relatives. Methods: descriptive study of all the patients with the dignosis of breast cancer, from May 2014 to December 2016 and their accompaning relatives at the Municipality of Rodas. The variables analyzed were: age, sex, schooling level, occupation, accompaning relative, evolution of the disease and treatment. Results: patients between 46 and 65 years old (72 %) predominated, with medium high schooling,(62 %) and with partnership relation. The number of ill women without employment was outstanding. The time of desease evolution showed the highest number of sick women from 3 to 5 years (50, 0 %), the prevailing oncospecific treatment was surgery and chemiotherapy (58,3 %). With respect to the accompaning relatives, a superiority of middleage adults predominated (62,5%) and women (72,2%). Higher level of schooling prevailed (50.0 %) and legal or consensual partnership relation (50,0 % and 29,2 % respectively), professionals (45,8 %) and technicians (25,0 %). Patients identified sons and daughters as the relative who accopany them in their disease process. Conclusions: breast cancer presented mainly of the fourth decade of life, in women with stable partner and generally with three to five years of evolution.

Creencias en salud y percepción de sobrecarga en cuidadores de pacientes con enfermedades oncológicas avanzadas / Health beliefs and overload perception in caregivers of patients with advanced oncological diseases

Fundamento: el cáncer es uno de los problemas más graves de salud en el mundo, dada su incidencia y afectación física y psicológica al individuo y a su familia, especialmente al cuidador primario, que permanece al lado del enfermo sufriendo su padecimiento. Objetivo: determinar las creencias en salud y la percepción de sobrecarga en los cuidadores de pacientes con enfermedades oncológicas en fase avanzada. Métodos: estudio exploratorio de corte transversal, realizado en 2015 en el Municipio de Rodas, provincia Cienfuegos, que incluyó diez cuidadores de pacientes con enfermedades oncológicas en fase avanzada, seleccionados de manera intencional. Se analizaron las variables: edad, sexo, tiempo como cuidador. Se aplicó la escala de sobrecarga del cuidador de Zarit y el modelo de creencias en salud. Resultados: todos los cuidadores eran adultos entre 46 y 55 años, nueve femeninos y uno masculino; desempeñaban el rol en un período de seis meses a un año, con percepción de sobrecarga intensa. Perciben amenaza a su salud a partir de su desempeño e identifican barreras y dificultades en el apoyo espiritual y material proveniente del personal sanitario y la falta de información para ejercer con éxito su papel. Reconocen como beneficios la necesidad de una comunicación clara proveedora de información y la identificación de otro familiar que colabore con el cuidado al paciente a fin de cumplir la máxima de cuidador-cuidado. Conclusiones: los cuidadores de pacientes con enfermedades oncológicas avanzadas se afectan a partir del desempeño de su rol en las dimensiones que componen el modelo de creencias en salud.

Foundation: Cancer is one of the most severe health problems worldwide, due to its incidence and physical and psychological involvement to the individual and his family, especially to the primary caregiver, who stays with the patient suffering his illness. Objective: To determine health beliefs and overload perception in caregivers of patients with with advanced oncological diseases. Methods: Cross exploratory study Developer in 2015 at the Rodas municipality, Cienfuegos province which included ten intentionally selected caregivers of patients with advanced oncological diseases. Variables as age, sex, and time as a caregiver were analyzed. The Zarit scale of caregiver overload and the Model of health beliefs were applied. Results: All caregivers were adults between 46 and 55 years old, nine female and 1 male. They played the role in a period ranging from 6 months to a year time, with the perception of intense overload. They perceive a threatening to their health due to their performance and identify barriers and problems in the spiritual and material support from sanitary personnel and lack of information to play their role successfully. They recognize as a benefit the need of a clear communication to provide information and the identification of another relative who collaborates in patient care giving to fulfil the saying of caring the care giver. Conclusion: Care givers to patients with advanced oncological diseases are affected due to their performance of their role in the dimensions which composed the models of health beliefs.

DNA secondary structure formation by DNA shuffling of the conserved domains of the Cry protein of Bacillus thuringiensis.

BACKGROUND: The Cry toxins, or δ-endotoxins, are a diverse group of proteins produced by Bacillus thuringiensis. While DNA secondary structures are biologically relevant, it is unknown if such structures are formed in regions encoding conserved domains of Cry toxins under shuffling conditions. We analyzed 5 holotypes that encode Cry toxins and that grouped into 4 clusters according to their phylogenetic closeness. The mean number of DNA secondary structures that formed and the mean Gibbs free energy [Formula: see text] were determined by an in silico analysis using different experimental DNA shuffling scenarios. In terms of spontaneity, shuffling efficiency was directly proportional to the formation of secondary structures but inversely proportional to ∆G. RESULTS: The results showed a shared thermodynamic pattern for each cluster and relationships among sequences that are phylogenetically close at the protein level. The regions of the cry11Aa, Ba and Bb genes that encode domain I showed more spontaneity and thus a greater tendency to form secondary structures (<∆G). In the region of domain III; this tendency was lower (>∆G) in the cry11Ba and Bb genes. Proteins that are phylogenetically closer to Cry11Ba and Cry11Bb, such as Cry2Aa and Cry18Aa, maintained the same thermodynamic pattern. More distant proteins, such as Cry1Aa, Cry1Ab, Cry30Aa and Cry30Ca, featured different thermodynamic patterns in their DNA. CONCLUSION: These results suggest the presence of thermodynamic variations associated to the formation of secondary structures and an evolutionary relationship with regions that encode highly conserved domains in Cry proteins. The findings of this study may have a role in the in silico design of cry gene assembly by DNA shuffling techniques.

Asociación de infección por Chlamydia trachomatis con el diagnóstico de cervicitis aguda / Association of Clamydia trachomatis with the Diagnosis of Acute Cervicitis

Las infecciones de transmisión sexual se consideran un problema de salud pública en el mundo debido a su creciente incidencia y elevada morbimortalidad (1). Las infecciones por Chlamydia trachomatis son las más comunes y costosas de las enfermedades de transmisión sexual bacterianas (2). En los estudios llevados a cabo en diferentes países se han encontrado prevalencias de C. trachomatis entre 1.7% y 25%, siendo más alta en la población menor de 25 años (1). La infección por clamidia genital causa cervicitis y salpingitis en mujeres, y uretritis y conjuntivitis tanto en hombres como en mujeres. Sin embargo, las infecciones por clamidia suelen producir pocos o ningún síntoma (en aproximadamente el 70% de las mujeres y el 50% de los hombres) y pueden permanecer sin ser detectadas y sin tratamiento. Si no se trata, esta infección de transmisión sexual puede progresar y causar complicaciones con graves consecuencias sobre la salud reproductiva de las mujeres, incluida la enfermedad inflamatoria pélvica (EPI) que puede conducir al embarazo ectópico y a la infertilidad de las trompas (3)...(AU)

Estudio multicéntrico sobre preferencia por los cuidados centrados en la persona en Sudamérica / Multicenter study on preference for person-centered care in South America

Introducción: los Cuidados Centrados en la Persona (CCP) secaracterizan por cuatro dimensiones: alianza terapéutica, el paciente como persona, el médico como persona, y el enfoque biopsicosocial. Los objetivos de este estudio fueron determinar y analizar el nivel de Preferencia por los Cuidados Centrados en la Persona (PCCP) encentros de salud de dos países de Sudamérica. Materiales y métodos:Se realizaron encuestas en siete centros de salud de Argentina yBolivia, utilizando el cuestionario ECP1. Resultados: Se analizaron 844cuestionarios, en los que se observó un porcentaje general de PCCPde 70%. Conclusiones: Los CCP demostraron tener una importantepreferencia en los siete centros de salud evaluados en los dos países de Sudamérica.

Background: person-Centered Care (PCC) is characterized by fourdimensions: the therapeutic alliance, the patient as a person, thephysician as a person, and the biopsychosocial approach. The objectivesof this study were to determine and analyze the level of Preferencefor Person-Centered Care (PPCC) in healthcare centers of two SouthAmerican countries. Materials and methods: Surveys were conductedin seven healthcare centers in Argentina and Bolivia, using the ECP1questionnaire. Results: 844 questionnaires were analyzed, in whichan overall percentage of 70% PPCC care was observed. Conclusions:PCC showed to have an important preference in the healthcare centersevaluated.

[ARIA Mexico 2014. Adaptation of the Clinical Practice Guide ARIA 2010 for Mexico. Methodology ADAPTE]. / ARIA México 2014. Adaptación de la Guía de Práctica Clínica ARIA 2010 para México. Metodología ADAPTE.

BACKGROUND: The global prevalence of allergic rhinitis is high. International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC) Phase III reports a total estimated prevalence of 4.6% in Mexico. There is evidence based on allergic rhinitis Clinical Practice Guidelines (CPG), but its promotion, acceptance and application is not optimal or adequate in Mexico. OBJECTIVE: To generate a guideline for the treatment of allergic rhinitis and its impact on asthma by adaptating the 2010 ARIA Guideline to Mexican reality, through a transculturation process applying the ADAPTE methodology. PATIENTS AND METHOD: Using the ADAPTE Methodology, the original 2010 ARIA CPG recommendations were evaluated by the guideline development group (GDG) into which multiple medical specialities managing patients with allergic rhinitis were incoorporated. The GDG valorated the quality of 2010 ARIA, checked and translated key clinical questions. Moreover, the GDG adjusted recommendations, patient preferences and included comments in the context of the Mexican reality (safety, costs and cultural issues). To accomplish this, we ran Delphi panels with as many rounds as necessary to reach agreement. One extra question, not included in the original 2010 ARIA, on the use of Nasal Lavages for AR was created sustained by a systematic literature review. RESULTS: A total of 45 questions from the original 2010 ARIA were included and divided into six groups covering prevention, medical treatment, immunotherapy and alternative medicine to treat patients with allergic rhinitis with or without asthma. Most of the questions reached agreement in one or two rounds; one question required three rounds. CONCLUSIONS: An easy-to-use, adaptated, up-to-date and applicable allergic rhinitis guideline for Mexico is now available.

ANTECEDENTES: la prevalencia de rinitis alérgica en todo el mundo es alta. El Estudio Internacional de Asma y Alergias en la Niñez (ISAAC de International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood) Fase III reporta una prevalencia estimada total en México de 4.6%. Existen guías de práctica clínica basadas en evidencia de rinitis alérgica, pero su promoción, aceptación y validez no son óptimas ni adecuadas para México. OBJETIVO: generar una guía de tratamiento de la rinitis alérgica y su repercusión en el asma adaptando la guía ARIA 2010 a la realidad mexicana mediante un proceso de transculturización, por medio de la metodología ADAPTE. MATERIAL Y MÉTODO: a través de la metodología ADAPTE un grupo de desarrollo de la guía, integrado por múltiples especialistas que tratan pacientes con rinitis alérgica, valoró la calidad de la guía ARIA 2010, revisó y tradujo las preguntas clínicas clave y ajustó las recomendaciones, preferencias del paciente y comentarios a la realidad mexicana (seguridad, costos y aspectos culturales). Para lograrlo se corrieron páneles Delphi, con tantas rondas como fuera necesario hasta lograr un acuerdo. Por medio de una revisión sistemática de la bibliografía se creó una pregunta especial no incluida en ARIA 2010 de la utilidad de realizar lavados nasales en pacientes con rinitis alérgica. RESULTADOS: se incluyeron 45 preguntas de la guía original ARIA 2010, divididas en seis bloques que abarcan prevención, tratamiento médico, inmunoterapia y terapias alternativas de pacientes con rinitis alérgica con o sin asma. La mayor parte de las preguntas alcanzaron acuerdo en una a dos rondas, sólo una requirió tres para ello. CONCLUSIONES: se cuenta ahora con una guía de rinitis alérgica de usosencillo, adaptada, actualizada y válida para México.

Serum chemerin levels during normal human pregnancy.

During gestation there are important changes in maternal metabolism and an increase in insulin resistance, coinciding with an increase in adiposity. Chemerin is an adipocytokine which is expressed and secreted in various tissues, including placenta, and may play an important role in metabolic regulation during pregnancy. The aim of this study was to determine serum levels of chemerin during gestation and compare them to other indicators of insulin resistance. A cross-sectional study was carried out analyzing serum chemerin levels of 20 pregnant women during three gestational periods, early, middle, and late (between the 10th and 14th, the 23rd and 26th, and the 34th and 37th week) and 20 non-pregnant women were used as a control group. An analysis of chemerin levels during the menstrual cycle was performed in an eumenorrheic group (n=16) in the early follicular (cycle day 4±1) and the midluteal phase (cycle day 22±1), demonstrating that serum chemerin levels did not fluctuate significantly. Serum levels of chemerin were significantly elevated during late gestation when compared to early (P<0.001) and middle (P=0.001) gestation and a negative correlation between serum chemerin and adiponectin levels (r=-0.1643) became more significant when the non-pregnant group was included in the calculations (r=-0.2471). There was no significant association of triglycerides, total cholesterol, LDL, HDL, insulin, and HOMA levels with chemerin. Although chemerin rose significantly and is negatively associated with adiponectin levels, it is not correlated with other markers of insulin sensitivity, suggesting that more study is needed to determine whether chemerin is useful in predicting insulin resistance during gestation.

Toxoplasma gondii infection and liver disease: a case-control study in a northern Mexican population.

BACKGROUND: Infection with the protozoan parasite Toxoplasma gondii may cause liver disease. However, the impact of the infection in patients suffering from liver disease is unknown. Therefore, through a case-control study design, 75 adult liver disease patients attending a public hospital in Durango City, Mexico, and 150 controls from the general population of the same region matched by gender, age, and residence were examined with enzyme-linked immunoassays for the presence of anti-Toxoplasma IgG and anti-Toxoplasma IgM antibodies. Socio-demographic, clinical and behavioral characteristics from the study subjects were obtained. RESULTS: Seroprevalence of anti-Toxoplasma IgG antibodies and IgG titers did not differ significantly in patients (10/75; 13.3%) and controls (16/150; 10.7%). Two (2.7%) patients and 5 (3.3%) controls had anti-Toxoplasma IgM antibodies (P = 0.57). Seropositivity to Toxoplasma did not show any association with the diagnosis of liver disease. In contrast, seropositivity to Toxoplasma in patients was associated with consumption of venison and quail meat. Toxoplasma seropositivity was more frequent in patients with reflex impairment (27.8%) than in patients without this impairment (8.8%) (P = 0.05). Multivariate analysis showed that Toxoplasma seropositivity in patients was associated with consumption of sheep meat (OR = 8.69; 95% CI: 1.02-73.71; P = 0.04) and rabbit meat (OR = 4.61; 95% CI: 1.06-19.98; P = 0.04). CONCLUSIONS: Seropositivity to Toxoplasma was comparable among liver disease patients and controls. Further studies with larger sample sizes are needed to elucidate the association of Toxoplasma with liver disease. Consumption of venison, and rabbit, sheep, and quail meats may warrant further investigation.

3D localization of a labeled target by means of a stereo vision configuration with subvoxel resolution.

We present a method for the visual measurement of the 3D position and orientation of a moving target. Three dimensional sensing is based on stereo vision while high resolution results from a pseudo-periodic pattern (PPP) fixed onto the target. The PPP is suited for optimizing image processing that is based on phase computations. We describe experimental setup, image processing and system calibration. Resolutions reported are in the micrometer range for target position (x,y,z) and of 5:3x10(-4) rad: for target orientation (θx,θy,θz). These performances have to be appreciated with respect to the vision system used. The latter makes that every image pixel corresponds to an actual distance of 0:3x0:3 mm2 on the target while the PPP is made of elementary dots of 1 mm with a period of 2 mm. Target tilts as large as π=4 are allowed with respect to the Z axis of the system.

Molecular Diagnostics of Porcine Stress Syndrome Susceptibility Associated with the Arg615Cys Mutation Using Real-Time PCR with Fluorescent Hybridization Probes / Molecular Diagnostics of Porcine Stress Syndrome Susceptibility Associated with the Arg615Cys Mutation Using Real-Time PCR with Fluorescent Hybridization Probes

Objective : The purpose of the presera study was to devélop a molecular genotyping method test by using a real time PCR hybridization probé and applying it to the analysis of C1843T mutations of the Sus scrofa RYR1 gene. Animáis population Three PSS-susceptible and PSS non-susceptible crossbred swine races were used for the experiments: Pietrain X Landrace Belga, Pietrain X Large White and Pietrain X Duroc. Methods: We have devéloped a genotyping method by using a hybridization probé and applied it to the analysis of C1843T mutations of the RYR1 gene, associated with PSS susceptibility. Genotyping results obtained by hybridization probé strategies were confirmed by restriction analysis and sequencing. In addi-tion, phenotype/genotype correlation analyses were devéloped by using the in vitro contracture test and confirmed the in vivo hálothane-succinylcholine challenge. Results: The real-time PCR with fluorescent hybridization probé methodology was designed to identify ho-mozygous PSS-resistant, PSS-susceptible animáis as well as heterozygous carriers. All cases genotyped by fluorescent hybridization probes were in agreement with PCR restriction enzyme digestión and sequencing and showed a 100% concordance between the in vivo and in vitro porcine stress syndrome (PSS) susceptibility results. Conclusions and clinical relevance: The real-time PCR with fluorescent hybridization probé method described here provides a rapid, easily interpretable and réliáble tool for genotyping the C1843T (Arg615-Cys) polymorphism of the RYR1 gene. This new methodology may be useful in the wide-scale genotyping of PSS-susceptibility and genetic selection.

Study of a Leptospirosis Outbreak in Honduras Following Hurricane Mitch and Prophylactic Protection of the vax-SPIRAL® Vaccine.

Honduras was one of the Central American countries most severely hit by Hurricane Mitch. Torrential rains and heavy flooding created conditions conducive to a leptospirosis outbreak in the country. A group of Cuban scientists studied 68 patients from the Department of Cort�s - one of the country's hardest hit areas - presenting clinical and epidemiological profiles indicative of leptospirosis. Blood and serum samples were taken from all subjects. A microscopic agglutination test (MAT) was used to identify Leptospira strains and to assess protection conferred by vax-SPIRAL® (Cuban leptospirosis vaccine) against the isolated strain. Prevalence of leptospires in the kidneys and liver was also verified. A male predominance was found in the group aged 15-49 years. Municipalities in this Department with the largest number of cases were San Pedro Sula, La Lima, and Chamelec�n. The most frequent symptoms included fever, headache, myalgia, and generalized discomfort. Over 80% of subjects reported presence of rodents in their homes, as well as contact with stagnant water and domestic animals. The strain isolated from positive blood cultures was from the Icterohaemorrhagiae serogroup, which was highly virulent in the animal model used. Protection was 100% in hamsters inoculated with vax-SPIRAL® and subsequently challenged with the Honduran strain. Additionally, macroscopic analysis of organs from immunized animals that survived the challenge showed no signs of leptospirosis infection.