Biodiversity and brewing attitude of non-Saccharomyces strains isolated from Uruguayan vineyards and other ecosystems.

In recent years, interest in non-Saccharomyces yeasts for the innovation and development of different and alternative beer styles has been increasing, especially for the microbrewing industry. This work studied the biodiversity of non-Saccharomyces yeasts based on isolates from grapes of different Uruguayan vineyards, craft breweries and raw materials, with the aim of selecting autochthonous non-Saccharomyces yeasts with a brewing attitude. Brewing tests were performed on synthetic wort developed for this purpose, and the evolution of alcoholic fermentation was monitored by measuring glucose, maltose, maltotriose consumption, ethanol and glycerol production and final sensory analysis. A total of two hundred seventy-one yeast strains belonging to different genera were evaluated according to these parameters. After evaluating alcoholic fermentation performance, a native yeast strain belonging to the species Starmerella meliponinorum was selected due to its high maltotriose consumption and glycerol production, making it a very promising brewing yeast, especially for production of low carbohydrate beers.

Espectro de neuromielitis óptica: ¿seropositivo para la anticuaporina es una entidad diferente de los pacientes que son seronegativos? Una perspectiva de Colombia / Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder: Do patients positive and negative for anti–aquaporin-4 antibodies present distinct entities? A Colombian perspective

Introducción: La neuromielitis óptica es una enfermedad inflamatoria del sistema nervioso central, caracterizada por ataques de neuritis óptica y mielitis transversa longitudinalmente extensa. El descubrimiento del biomarcador diagnóstico anticuerpo anti-acuaporina-4 y los hallazgos imagenológicos en resonancia magnética cerebral han permitido el reconocimiento de un fenotipo clínico más amplio y detallado denominado espectro neuromielitis óptica. Objetivo: Determinar las características demográficas y clínicas de los pacientes diagnosticados con NMO/NMOSD, de acuerdo con la seropositividad del anticuerpo, en dos instituciones de cuarto nivel de complejidad en Bogotá. Métodos: Se realizó un estudio tipo serie de casos. Fueron incluidos aquellos pacientes > 18 años con diagnóstico de NMO/NMOSD, valorados en el Servicio de Neurología de dos hospitales de alta complejidad entre los años 2013 y 2017, con disponibilidad de estudios imagenológicos y resultados de serología. Se evaluaron variables demográficas, clínicas e imagenológicas, y se realizó un análisis de estas variables, según seropositividad del Ac-AQP4. Resultados: Se incluyeron 35 pacientes con NMO/NMOSD, la mediana de edad de inicio fue de 46,5 años (P25-P75 = 34,2-54,0), la mayoría de los pacientes tuvo manifestaciones clínicas a nivel sensitivo (n = 25) y motor (n = 26), en seis (n = 6) pacientes se identificó una enfermedad autoinmune concomitante. Se encontró seropositividad en 20 pacientes. Encontramos algunas diferencias en las características clínicas e imagenológicas, pero solo la edad y el compromiso de nervio óptico mostraron diferencia estadísticamente significativa (p = 0,03). Conclusiones: No se encontraron grandes diferencias clínicas, imagenológicas y de laboratorio, según la seropositividad del Ac-AQP4, excepto en la edad de inicio y el compromiso de nervio óptico (uni o bilateral), pero deben ser estudiadas de manera más detallada en poblaciones más amplias.(AU)

Introduction: Neuromyelitis optica (NMO) is an inflammatory disease of the central nervous system characterised by attacks of optic neuritis and longitudinally extensive transverse myelitis. The discovery of anti–aquaporin-4 (anti-AQP4) antibodies and specific brain MRI findings as diagnostic biomarkers have enabled the recognition of a broader and more detailed clinical phenotype, known as neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD). Objective: This study aimed to determine the demographic and clinical characteristics of patients with NMO/NMOSD with and without seropositivity for anti-AQP4 antibodies, in 2 quaternary-level hospitals in Bogotá. Methods: Our study included patients > 18 years of age and diagnosed with NMO/NMOSD and for whom imaging and serology results were available, assessed between 2013 and 2017 at the neurology departments of hospitals providing highly complex care. Demographic, clinical, and imaging data were gathered and compared in patients with and without seropositivity for anti-AQP4 antibodies. Results: The sample included 35 patients with NMO/NMOSD; the median age of onset was 46.5 years (P25-P75, 34.2-54.0); most patients had sensory (n = 25) and motor manifestations (n = 26), and a concomitant autoimmune disease was identified in 6. Twenty patients were seropositive for anti-AQP4 antibodies. Only age and presence of optic nerve involvement showed statistically significant differences between groups (p = .03). Conclusions: Clinical, imaging, and laboratory variables showed no major differences between patients with and without anti-AQP4 antibodies, with the exception of age of onset and presence of optic nerve involvement (uni- or bilateral); these factors should be studied in greater detail in larger populations.(AU)

Herramientas para la evaluación integral de la función sexual en pacientes con esclerosis múltiple / Tools for comprehensive evaluation of sexual function in patients with multiple sclerosis

Introducción: La esclerosis múltiple (EM) es una enfermedad desmielinizante del sistema nervioso central (SNC) que afecta a adultos jóvenes, ocasionando una variedad de síntomas (motores, visuales, control de esfínteres, alteraciones de la marcha) que impactan la funcionalidad del paciente; sin embargo, otros síntomas, como la disfunción sexual (DS), también pueden tener un efecto sobre la calidad de vida.DesarrolloLa DS puede presentarse en cualquier momento del curso de la enfermedad, su prevalencia varía entre 50 y 90%, puede ser secundaria a lesiones desmielinizantes en médula espinal y/o cerebro, ocasionada por síntomas que no incluyen directamente el sistema nervioso —fatiga, aspectos psicológicos, sociales y culturales—. Si bien se ha logrado establecer su prevalencia y su impacto sobre la calidad de vida, la DS todavía es una condición frecuentemente subestimada, razón por la cual en este artículo se revisan las diferentes escalas que ayudan a evaluar la presencia o la severidad de esta para dar un manejo multidisciplinario temprano, según corresponda.ConclusiónCinco cuestionarios han sido evaluados y/o diseñados para pacientes con EM, los cuales podrían identificar la presencia de DS, su etiología y, con esto, determinar posibilidades de tratamiento. La EM debe ser comprendida como una enfermedad compleja que abarca y compromete diferentes aspectos de la salud de los pacientes, y va más allá de solo medir escalas de discapacidad. (AU)

Introduction: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a demyelinating disease of the central nervous system (CNS) that affects young adults, causing a variety of symptoms (motor alterations, visual alterations, loss of sphincter control, gait alterations) that impair the patient's functional status. However, other symptoms, such as sexual dysfunction, can also have an effect on quality of life.DevelopmentSexual dysfunction can occur at any time during the course of the disease; its prevalence varies between 50% and 90%, and it can be secondary to demyelinating lesions in the spinal cord and/or brain or caused by symptoms that do not directly involve the nervous system (fatigue; psychological, social, and cultural factors; etc.). Although its prevalence and impact on quality of life are well known, sexual dysfunction is still frequently underestimated. Therefore, in this article we review the different scales for assessing presence or severity of sexual dysfunction, in order to offer early multidisciplinary management.ConclusionWe evaluated 5 questionnaires that could identify the presence of sexual dysfunction in patients with MS and determine its aetiology, assisting in treatment decision making. MS must be understood as a complex disease that encompasses and compromises different aspects of patients’ health, and goes beyond simply measuring disability. (AU)

SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence in workers from a Colombian University Hospital.

BACKGROUND: Antibody (Ab) tests for SARS-CoV-2 virus allows for the estimation of incidence, level of exposure and duration of immunity acquired by a previous infection. In health workers, the hospital setting might convey a greater risk of infection. AIMS: To describe the frequency of immunoglobulin G (IgG) Abs (IgG-Abs) to the SARS-CoV-2 virus among workers at a third-level university hospital in Colombia. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, we included medical and non-medical personnel with at least one real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR)/antigen test between March 2020 and March 2021. In April 2021, an IgG-Ab test against SARS-CoV-2 was conducted for all participants and replicated 2 weeks later in a random sample (10%). The frequency of IgG-Abs is presented based on status (positive/negative) and time elapsed since RT-PCR/antigen test (<3 months, 3-6 months, >6 months). RESULTS: We included 1021 workers (80% women, median age 34 years (interquartile range 28-42), 73% medical personnel, 23% with previous positive RT-PCR/antigen). The overall seroprevalence was 35% (95% CI 31.6-37.4, 35% in medical and 33% in non-medical personnel). For those with a previous positive RT-PCR/antigen test, the seroprevalence was 90% (<3 months), 82% (3-6 months) and 48% (>6 months). In participants with a previous negative RT-PCR/antigen test, the seroprevalence was 17% (<3 months), 21% (3-6 months) and 29% (>6 months). CONCLUSIONS: High IgG-Ab positivity was found in hospital personnel, regardless of work activities. The prevalence of detectable Abs differed by previous RT-PCR/antigen status and time elapsed since the diagnostic test.

Tools for comprehensive evaluation of sexual function in patients with multiple sclerosis.

INTRODUCTION: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a demyelinating disease of the central nervous system (CNS) that affects young adults, causing a variety of symptoms (motor alterations, visual alterations, loss of sphincter control, gait alterations) that impair the patient's functional status. However, other symptoms, such as sexual dysfunction, can also have an effect on quality of life. DEVELOPMENT: Sexual dysfunction can occur at any time during the course of the disease; its prevalence varies between 50% and 90%, and it can be secondary to demyelinating lesions in the spinal cord and/or brain or caused by symptoms that do not directly involve the nervous system (fatigue; psychological, social, and cultural factors; etc.). Although its prevalence and impact on quality of life are well known, sexual dysfunction is still frequently underestimated. Therefore, in this article we review the different scales for assessing presence or severity of sexual dysfunction, in order to offer early multidisciplinary management. CONCLUSION: We evaluated 5 questionnaires that could identify the presence of sexual dysfunction in patients with MS and determine its aetiology, assisting in treatment decision making. MS must be understood as a complex disease that encompasses and compromises different aspects of patients' health, and goes beyond simply measuring disability.

Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder: do patients positive and negative for anti-aquaporin-4 antibodies present distinct entities? A Colombian perspective.

INTRODUCTION: Neuromyelitis optica (NMO) is an inflammatory disease of the central nervous system characterised by attacks of optic neuritis and longitudinally extensive transverse myelitis. The discovery of anti-aquaporin-4 (anti-AQP4) antibodies and specific brain MRI findings as diagnostic biomarkers have enabled the recognition of a broader and more detailed clinical phenotype, known as neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD). OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to determine the demographic and clinical characteristics of patients with NMO/NMOSD with and without seropositivity for anti-AQP4 antibodies, in 2 quaternary-level hospitals in Bogotá. METHODS: Our study included patients > 18 years of age and diagnosed with NMO/NMOSD and for whom imaging and serology results were available, assessed between 2013 and 2017 at the neurology departments of hospitals providing highly complex care. Demographic, clinical, and imaging data were gathered and compared in patients with and without seropositivity for anti-AQP4 antibodies. RESULTS: The sample included 35 patients with NMO/NMOSD; the median age of onset was 46.5 years (P25-P75, 34.2-54.0); most patients had sensory (n = 25) and motor manifestations (n = 26), and a concomitant autoimmune disease was identified in 6. Twenty patients were seropositive for anti-AQP4 antibodies. Only age and presence of optic nerve involvement showed statistically significant differences between groups (P = .03). CONCLUSIONS: Clinical, imaging, and laboratory variables showed no major differences between patients with and without anti-AQP4 antibodies, with the exception of age of onset and presence of optic nerve involvement (uni- or bilateral); these factors should be studied in greater detail in larger populations.

Effect of Saccharomyces and non-Saccharomyces native yeasts on beer aroma compounds.

Recently, the increase in microbreweries and the consequent production of craft beers have reached exponential growth. The interest in non-conventional yeasts for innovation and a unique selling feature in beer fermentation is increasing. This work studied the autochthonous Saccharomyces and non-Saccharomyces yeasts, isolated from various food sources, with the ability to modify and improve the fermentative and aromatic profiles during alcoholic fermentation. The ability to ferment maltose and produce desirable aroma compounds were considered as the key characters for the screening selection. A synthetic beer wort was developed for this purpose, to simulate beer wort composition. A total of forty-seven yeast strains belonging to different genera were analysed according to their fermentation profile, volatile compounds production and sensory analysis. Three native strains of Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Zygoascus meyerae and Pichia anomala were selected to evaluate their aromatic profile in single and mixed fermentations. The strains produced 4-vinylguaiacol, ß-phenylethyl alcohol, and isoamyl alcohol at levels significantly above the sensory threshold, making them interesting for wheat and blond craft beer styles. The native Hanseniaspora vineae was also included in a co-fermentation treatment, resulting in a promising yeast to produce fruity beers.

Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder: Do patients positive and negative for anti-aquaporin-4 antibodies present distinct entities? A Colombian perspective. / Espectro de neuromielitis óptica: ¿seropositivo para la anticuaporina es una entidad diferente de los pacientes que son seronegativos? Una perspectiva de Colombia.

INTRODUCTION: Neuromyelitis optica (NMO) is an inflammatory disease of the central nervous system characterised by attacks of optic neuritis and longitudinally extensive transverse myelitis. The discovery of anti-aquaporin-4 (anti-AQP4) antibodies and specific brain MRI findings as diagnostic biomarkers have enabled the recognition of a broader and more detailed clinical phenotype, known as neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD). OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to determine the demographic and clinical characteristics of patients with NMO/NMOSD with and without seropositivity for anti-AQP4 antibodies, in 2 quaternary-level hospitals in Bogotá. METHODS: Our study included patients > 18 years of age and diagnosed with NMO/NMOSD and for whom imaging and serology results were available, assessed between 2013 and 2017 at the neurology departments of hospitals providing highly complex care. Demographic, clinical, and imaging data were gathered and compared in patients with and without seropositivity for anti-AQP4 antibodies. RESULTS: The sample included 35 patients with NMO/NMOSD; the median age of onset was 46.5 years (P25-P75, 34.2-54.0); most patients had sensory (n = 25) and motor manifestations (n = 26), and a concomitant autoimmune disease was identified in 6. Twenty patients were seropositive for anti-AQP4 antibodies. Only age and presence of optic nerve involvement showed statistically significant differences between groups (p = .03). CONCLUSIONS: Clinical, imaging, and laboratory variables showed no major differences between patients with and without anti-AQP4 antibodies, with the exception of age of onset and presence of optic nerve involvement (uni- or bilateral); these factors should be studied in greater detail in larger populations.

Tools for comprehensive evaluation of sexual function in patients with multiple sclerosis. / Herramientas para la evaluación integral de la función sexual en pacientes con esclerosis múltiple.

INTRODUCTION: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a demyelinating disease of the central nervous system (CNS) that affects young adults, causing a variety of symptoms (motor alterations, visual alterations, loss of sphincter control, gait alterations) that impair the patient's functional status. However, other symptoms, such as sexual dysfunction, can also have an effect on quality of life. DEVELOPMENT: Sexual dysfunction can occur at any time during the course of the disease; its prevalence varies between 50% and 90%, and it can be secondary to demyelinating lesions in the spinal cord and/or brain or caused by symptoms that do not directly involve the nervous system (fatigue; psychological, social, and cultural factors; etc.). Although its prevalence and impact on quality of life are well known, sexual dysfunction is still frequently underestimated. Therefore, in this article we review the different scales for assessing presence or severity of sexual dysfunction, in order to offer early multidisciplinary management. CONCLUSION: We evaluated 5 questionnaires that could identify the presence of sexual dysfunction in patients with MS and determine its aetiology, assisting in treatment decision making. MS must be understood as a complex disease that encompasses and compromises different aspects of patients' health, and goes beyond simply measuring disability.

In silico analysis of antidiabetic potential of phenolic compounds from blue corn (Zea mays L.) and black bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.).

The growing interest in bioactive compounds, especially in polyphenols, is due to their abundance in the human diet and potentially positive effects on health. The consumption of polyphenols has been shown to possess anti-diabetic properties by preventing insulin resistance or insulin secretion through different signaling pathways, this effect is associated with their capacity to exert genomic modulations. Several studies have suggested that polyphenols could also bind to cellular proteins and modulate their activity, however, the mechanisms of action underlying their beneficial effects are complex and are not fully understood. The aim of this work was to characterize phenolic compounds present in blue corn and black bean extracts as well as identify their potential interactions with target proteins involved in diabetes pathogenesis using in silico approach. Total polyphenols content of both blue corn and black beans was identified using UPLC-ESI/qTOF/MS and quantified by colorimetric assays. In this work we identified twenty-eight phenolic compounds in the extracts, mainly anthocyanins, flavonols, hydroxycinamic acids, dihydroxybenzoic acids, flavones, isoflavones, and flavanols. Interactome of these compounds with thirteen target proteins involved in type 2 diabetes mellitus was performed in-silico. In total, 312 bioactive compounds/protein interaction analyses were acquired. Molecular docking results highlighted that nine of the top ten interactions correspond to anthocyanins, cyanidin 3-glucoside with 11ß-HS, GFAT, PPARG; delphinidin 3-glucoside with 11ß-HS, GFAT, PTP and RTKs; and petunidin 3-glucoside with 11ß-HS and PTP. These proteins are involved in mechanisms regulating functions such as inflammation, insulin resistance, oxidative stress, glucose and lipid metabolism. In conclusion, this work provides a prediction of the potential molecular mechanism of black bean and blue corn polyphenols, specifically anthocyanins and could constitute new pathways by which compounds exert their antidiabetic benefits.

Computational capabilities at the edge of chaos for one dimensional systems undergoing continuous transitions.

While there has been a keen interest in studying computation at the edge of chaos for dynamical systems undergoing a phase transition, this has come under question for cellular automata. We show that for continuously deformed cellular automata, there is an enhancement of computation capabilities as the system moves towards cellular automata with chaotic spatiotemporal behavior. The computation capabilities are followed by looking into the Shannon entropy rate and the excess entropy, which allow identifying the balance between unpredictability and complexity. Enhanced computation power shows an increase of excess entropy, while the system entropy density has a sudden jump to values near one. The analysis is extended to a system of non-linear locally coupled oscillators that have been reported to exhibit spatiotemporal diagrams similar to cellular automata.

STI/HIV Sexual Risk Behavior and Prevalent STI Among Incarcerated African American Men in Committed Partnerships: The Significance of Poverty, Mood Disorders, and Substance Use.

African Americans face disproportionate sexually transmitted infection including HIV (STI/HIV), with those passing through a correctional facility at heightened risk. There is a need to identify modifiable STI/HIV risk factors among incarcerated African Americans. Project DISRUPT is a cohort study of incarcerated African American men recruited from September 2011 through January 2014 from prisons in North Carolina who were in committed partnerships with women at prison entry (N = 207). During the baseline (in-prison) study visit, participants responded to a risk behavior survey and provided a urine specimen, which was tested for STIs. Substantial proportions reported multiple partnerships (42 %), concurrent partnerships (33 %), and buying sex (11 %) in the 6 months before incarceration, and 9 % tested positive for an STI at baseline (chlamydia: 5.3 %, gonorrhea: 0.5 %, trichomoniasis: 4.9 %). Poverty and depression appeared to be strongly associated with sexual risk behaviors. Substance use was linked to prevalent STI, with binge drinking the strongest independent risk factor (adjusted odds ratio: 3.79, 95 % CI 1.19-12.04). There is a continued need for improved prison-based STI testing, treatment, and prevention education as well as mental health and substance use diagnosis.

Increased flavour diversity of Chardonnay wines by spontaneous fermentation and co-fermentation with Hanseniaspora vineae.

Discovery, characterisation and use of novel yeast strains for winemaking is increasingly regarded as a way for improving quality and to provide variation, including subtle characteristic differences in fine wines. The objective of this work was to evaluate the use of a native apiculate strain, selected from grapes, Hanseniaspora vineae (H. vineae) 02/5A. Fermentations were done in triplicate, working with 225 L oak barrels, using a Chardonnay grape must. Three yeast fermentation strategies were compared: conventional inoculation with a commercial Saccharomyces cerevisiae strain, ALG 804, sequential inoculation with H. vineae and then strain ALG 804 and spontaneous fermentation. Yeast strain identification was performed during fermentation, in which the apiculate strain was found to be active, until 9% of alcohol in volume, for the co-fermentation and the spontaneous fermentation was completed by three native S. cerevisiae strains. Basic winemaking parameters and some key chemical analysis, such as concentration of glycerol, biogenic amines, organic acids, and aroma compounds were analysed. Sensory analysis was done using a trained panel and further evaluated with professional winemakers. Sequential inoculation with H. vineae followed by S. cerevisiae resulted in relatively dry wines, with increased aroma and flavour diversity compared with wines resulting from inoculation with S. cerevisiae alone. Wines produced from sequential inoculations were considered, by a winemaker's panel, to have an increased palate length and body. Characteristics of wines derived from sequential inoculation could be explained due to significant increases in glycerol and acetyl and ethyl ester flavour compounds and relative decreases in alcohols and fatty acids. Aroma sensory analysis of wine character and flavour, attributed to winemaking using H. vineae, indicated a significant increase in fruit intensity described as banana, pear, apple, citric fruits and guava. GC analysis of the relative accumulation of 23 compounds to significantly different concentrations for the three fermentation strategies is discussed in relation to aroma compound composition.

Pioderma gangrenoso de la mama: reporte de un caso y revisión de la literatura / Pyoderma gangrenosum of the breast: a case report and literature review

El pioderma gangrenoso es una rara enfermedad inflamatoria que se caracteriza por una necrosis dolorosa de la piel que no cuenta con un tratamiento gold standard. Generalmente se asocia a enfermedades sistémicas, pero también se puede presentar después de procedimientos quirúrgicos. El diagnóstico es por exclusión, por esta razón es importante el estudio de enfermedades sistémicas e infecciones de la piel. El pioderma gangrenoso de la mama es un fenómeno poco frecuente, sólo se han reportado algunos casos. A continuación presentamos un caso de pioderma gangrenoso de la mama post reducción mamaria.

Pyoderma gangrenosum is a rare inflammatory disease characterized by a painful skin necrosis, and does not have a gold standard treatment. Usually associated with systemic diseases, may occur after surgical procedures. Diagnosis is made by exclusion, therefore it is important to rule out systemic diseases and infections of the skin. Pyoderma gangrenosum of the breast is a rare phenomenon, only few cases have been reported. We present a case of pyoderma gangrenosum of the breast post breast reduction.

Neonatal and adult gonadal hormone manipulations enhance morphine analgesia elicited from the ventrolateral periaqueductal gray in female rats.

Male rodents displayed greater magnitudes of analgesia following systemic, ventricular, and intracerebral administration of mu-opioid receptor agonists than female rodents. Whereas neonatal castration of male rat pups produced reductions in systemic and central morphine analgesia as adults, neonatal androgenization of female rat pups treated with testosterone propionate (TP) displayed enhancements in systemic and central morphine analgesia as adults. Adult gonadectomy minimally affected mu-opioid analgesia, except if less potent mu agonists were employed, or if morphine was directly administered into the ventrolateral periaqueductal gray (vlPAG). Adult ovariectomy failed to appreciably alter the enhanced analgesia following systemic morphine in female rats with neonatal androgenization. Because the vlPAG elicited morphine analgesia that was sensitive to both neonatal and adult gonadal hormone manipulations, the present study examined morphine analgesia elicited from the vlPAG in female rats receiving neonatal treatment with TP or vehicle and subsequently exposed to adult ovariectomy or sham surgery as well as intact male rats. Intact male rats displayed significantly greater magnitudes and potencies in vlPAG morphine analgesia than female rats receiving neonatal treatment with either vehicle or TP. In turn, neonatal androgenization significantly enhanced vlPAG morphine analgesia relative to neonatal vehicle treatment in females. Adult ovariectomy significantly enhanced the magnitude of vlPAG morphine analgesia in female rats receiving neonatal treatment with either vehicle or TP. This demonstrates a strong interaction between neonatal and adult gonadal hormone manipulations in the mediation of vlPAG morphine analgesia in female rats.

Utilidad y seguridad del 17-alfa-estradiol 0, 025 por ciento versus minoxidil 2 por ciento en el tratamiento de la alopecia androgenética / Usefulness and safety of 0.025 percent 17-alpha-estradiol versus 2 percent minoxidil in the treatment of androgenetic alopecia

Introducción: La calvicie más común es la alopecia androgenética, la cual consiste en una pérdida progresiva del cabello inducida por la acción de los andrógenos a nivel del folículo piloso. Objetivos: Evaluar la utilidad y seguridad del 17-alfa-estradiol al 0,025 por ciento en el tratamiento de la alopecia androgenética. Material y Métodos: Uso de una solución tópica capilar de 17-alfa-estradiol al 0,025 por ciento versus minoxidil al 2 por ciento en solución tópica capilar, durante 12 semanas, en pacientes chilenos con diagnóstico de alopecia androgenética mediante el análisis cuantitativo del videotricograma. Resultados: Se observó una tendencia al aumento de los cabellos en anágeno y disminución de los cabellos en telógeno en los pacientes tratados con 17-alfa-estradiol al 0,025 por ciento en la zona frontoparietal sin aparición de efectos adversos.

Introduction: Androgenetic alopecia is the most common cause of baldness. It consists of progressive hair loss induced by the action of androgens in the hair follicle. Aim: To evaluate usefulness and safety of 0.025 percent 17-alpha-estradiol in the treatment of androgenetic alopecia. Material and Methods: Use of a topic hair solution of 0.025 percent 17-alpha-estradiol versus 2 percent minoxidil topic hair solution for twelve weeks in Chilean patients with clinically diagnosed androgenetic alopecia through quantitative analysis with videotrichogram. Results: Patients treated with 0.025 percent 17-alpha-estradiol showed a tendency to increase the number of hair follicles in anagen phase and a decrease in telogen phase in the frontoparietal zone with no adverse events.

Gene regulatory networks orchestrating B cell fate specification, commitment, and differentiation.

The B cell developmental pathway represents a leading system for the analysis of regulatory circuits that orchestrate cell fate specification, commitment, and differentiation. We review the progress that has been achieved in the identification and characterization of regulatory components of such circuits, including transcription factors, chromatin modifying proteins, and signaling molecules. A comprehensive developmental model is proposed that invokes sequentially acting regulatory networks which dictate the generation of B cells from multipotential hematopoietic progenitors.

The pharmacologic and expectancy effects of alcohol on social anxiety in individuals with social phobia.

Individuals with social phobia are at an increased risk for alcohol problems. Individuals with social phobia could increase their risk for pathological alcohol use if they drink as a means of coping with anxiety-provoking social situations. Providing a circumscribed test of this view, we evaluate the effect of alcohol on the intensity of social phobia anxiety responses. Sixty-one individuals with social phobia gave two speech challenges in front of a group ('social anxiety challenge'), one occurring before and one after they consumed either: (a) an alcoholic drink they were told contained alcohol ('alcohol group'), (b) a non-alcoholic drink they were told contained alcohol ('placebo group'), or, (c) a non-alcoholic drink they were told contained no alcohol ('control group'). Both the alcohol group and the placebo group showed greater reduction in performance anxiety from the first to the second speech challenge than did the control group. Further, there was a strong trend in the data for the alcohol group to show greater reduction in performance anxiety from the first to the second speech challenge than did the placebo group. We concluded from these findings that the pharmacologic effects of alcohol and the belief that one consumed alcohol decrease social performance anxiety in an additive fashion. These results provide direct support for the negatively reinforcing properties of alcohol and are consistent with the view that symptom reduction may motivate alcohol use among socially phobic individuals.

Relatively normal human lymphopoiesis but rapid turnover of newly formed B cells in transplanted nonobese diabetic/SCID mice.

Human B lineage lymphocyte precursors in chimeric nonobese diabetic/SCID mice transplanted with umbilical cord blood cells were directly compared with those present in normal bone marrow. All precursor subsets were represented and in nearly normal proportions. Cell cycle activity and population dynamics were investigated by staining for the Ki-67 nuclear Ag as well as by incorporation experiments using 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine. Again, this revealed that human B lymphopoiesis in chimeras parallels that in normal marrow with respect to replication and progression through the lineage. Moreover, sequencing of Ig gene rearrangement products showed that a diverse repertoire of V(H) genes was utilized by the newly formed lymphocytes but there was no evidence for somatic hypermutation. The newly formed B cells frequently acquired the CD5 Ag and had a short life span in the periphery. Thus, all molecular requirements for normal B lymphocyte formation are present in nonobese diabetic/SCID mice, but additional factors are needed for recruitment of B cells into a fully mature, long-lived pool. The model can now be exploited to learn about species restricted and conserved environmental cues for human B lymphocyte production.

Identification of very early lymphoid precursors in bone marrow and their regulation by estrogen.

Estrogen is a negative regulator of lymphopoiesis and provides an experimental tool for probing relationships between lymphocyte precursors and stem cells. We found that expression of lymphocyte-associated genes and immunoglobulin (Ig) gene rearrangement occurred before CD45R acquisition. Lymphoid-restricted progenitors that were Lin(-)IL-7R alpha(+)c-kit(lo)TdT(+) (lineage marker(-), interleukin receptor 7 alpha(+), c-kit(lo) and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase(+)) were selectively depleted in estrogen-treated mice; within a less differentiated Lin-c-kit(hi) fraction, functional precursors of B and T, but not myeloid, cells were also selectively depleted. TdT and an Ig heavy chain transgene were detected within a hormone-regulated Lin(-)c-kit(hi)Sca-1(+)CD27(+)Flk-2(+)IL-7R alpha(-) subset of this multipotential progenitor population. Identification of these extremely early lymphoid precursors should facilitate investigation of the molecular mechanisms that control lineage-fate decisions in hematopoiesis.