La Escuela Médica de Quito: origen y trayectoria de tres siglos / The Medical School of Quito: origin and trajectory of three centuries

Contexto: la cátedra de Medicina o Escuela Médica Quiteña, constituye la más antigua del país, y una de las primeras de la América hispana. Objetivo: describir la Escuela Médica de Quito, su origen y trayectoria a lo largo de tres siglos. Discusión: en la Audiencia de Quito, la noble ciudad de las iglesias, empieza a fisgonearse la obra monumental de los albores de la educación médica nacional. Los conventos abren sus puertas al surgimiento de los espacios de las letras, del arte y del conocimiento venido desde Europa. Las deplorables condiciones de vida de la población, junto a las reiteradas epidemias, demandaron de ese esfuerzo fenomenal de los religiosos de Santo Domingo, quienes fundaron la primera Cátedra de Medicina en 1693. La figura protagónica de Eugenio Espejo, marca el despertar del humanismo en el siglo XVIII. Su lucha en todos los órdenes, reivindica a los grupos sociales marginados. Su aporte crítico al sistema de enseñanza universitario, particularmente al de medicina, significan una nueva y anticipada visión sobre la verdadera forma de instrumentar el arte de curar y enseñar. Esta Cátedra de Medicina o Escuela Médica Quiteña, constituye la más antigua del país, y una de las primeras de la América hispana. El Plan de Estudios de la Cátedra de Medicina de Quito se estableció en tres años con las asignaturas de Anatomía y Fisiología (a cargo del catedrático de Prima), Patología, Método y Terapéutica (a cargo del catedrático de Vísperas). Los espíritus ilustrados, erguidos con la independencia americana, inician el renacimiento nacional, impulsan la ciencia y combaten la relajación opresiva en que se hallaba sumido el pueblo ecuatoriano e infunden un afán de ilustración y progreso que se manifiesta por el resurgimiento y la creación de los planteles de enseñanza y la formación de academias científicas en varias ciudades de la naciente República. Cinco años después de la gesta libertaria, la labor del protomedicato declina sus atribuciones ante la Facultad de Medicina, que escribe el 26 de octubre de 1827 la primera página de sus anales, cuando la Universidad Central crea la Facultad Médica del Departamento del Ecuador y Distrito del Sur, en reemplazo de la antigua Escuela Médica Quiteña. Lo estatuido en la Ley sobre las Escuelas de Medicina, fija las cátedras correspondientes yse manda que haya en cada una, biblioteca, anfiteatro y gabinete anatómico, laboratorios, etc. Conclusión: el advenimiento de las ideas libertarias y la instauración de la República, la formación médica ecuatoriana se cobija de la influencia europea, particularmente francesa y posteriormente anglosajona. (AU)

Context: the Chair of Medicine or Medical School of Quito is the oldest in the country, and one of the first in Hispanic America. Objective: to describe the Medical School of Quito, its origin and trajectory over three centuries. Discussion: at the Audiencia of Quito, the noble city of the churches, the monumental work of the dawn of national medical education begins to be snooped. The convents open their doors to the emergence of spaces of letters, art and knowledge from Europe. The deplorable conditions of life of the population, together with the repeated epidemics, demanded of that phenomenal effort of the religious of Santo Domingo, who founded the first Chair of Medicine in 1693. The leading figure of Eugenio Espejo marks the awakening of humanism in the eighteenth century. His struggle in all orders vindicates marginalized social groups. His critical contribution to the system of university education, particularly saying that medicine means a new and anticipated vision of the true way to implement the art of healing and teaching. This Chair of Medicine or Medical School of Quito is the oldest in the country, and one of the first in Hispanic America. The curriculum of the Chair of Medicine of Quito was establishe in three years with the subjects of Anatomy and Physiology (in charge of the professor of Prima), Pathology, Method and Therapeutics (under the charge of the professor of Vespers). The enlightened spirits, erected with American independence, initiate the national revival, promote science and combat the oppressive relaxation in which the Ecuadorian people were immerse and infuse an eagerness for illustration and progress that is manifested by the resurgence and creation of the teaching facilities and the formation of scientific academies in several cities of the nascent Republic. Five years after the libertarian deed, the work of the protomedicato declines its attributions before the Faculty of Medicine, which writes on October 26, 1827 the first page of its annals, when the Central University creates the Medical Faculty of the Department of Ecuador and District of the South, replacing the old Medical School of Quito. Conclusion: the advent of libertarian ideas and the establishment of the Republic, the Ecuadorian medical training is sheltered from European influence, particularly French and later Anglo-Saxon influence. (AU)

Antioxidant and pro-oxidant actions of resveratrol on human serum albumin in the presence of toxic diabetes metabolites: Glyoxal and methyl-glyoxal.

Methylglyoxal (MGO) and glyoxal (GO) are attracting considerable attention because of their role in the onset of diabetes symptoms. Therefore, to comprehend the molecular fundamentals of their pathological actions is of the utmost importance. In this study, the molecular interactions between resveratrol (RES) and human serum albumin (HSA) and the ability of the stilbene to counteract the oxidative damage caused by pathological concentrations of MGO and GO to the human plasma protein, was assessed. The oxidation of Cys34 in HSA as well as the formation of specific protein semialdehydes AAS (α-aminoadipic), GGS (γ-glutamic) and the accumulation of Advanced Glycation End-products (AGEs) was investigated. Resveratrol was found to neutralize both α-dicarbonyls by forming adducts detected by HESI-Orbitrap-MS. This antioxidant action was manifested in a significant reduction of AGEs. However, RES-α-dicarbonyl conjugates oxidized Cys34 and lysine, arginine and/or proline by a nucleophilic attack on SH and ε-NH groups in HSA. The formation of specific semialdehydes in HSA after incubation with GO and MGO at pathological concentrations was reported for the first time in this study, and may be used as early and specific biomarkers of the oxidative stress undergone by diabetic patients. The pro-oxidative role of the RES-α-dicarbonyl conjugates should be further investigated to clarify whether this action leads to positive or harmful clinical consequences. The biological relevance of human protein carbonylation as a redox signaling mechanism and/or as a reflection of oxidative damage and disease should also be studied in future works.

Antifungal activity of Parastrephia quadrangularis (Meyen) Cabrera extracts against Fusarium verticillioides.

Fungi are cosmopolitan organisms that grow in and adapt to a vast number of substrates and environments, and that can cause diseases in humans and animals, as well as in crops. The vast area and diverse geographical characteristics of Argentina, with the consequent climatic diversity make the country an important source of biological resources suitable for the search of new compounds. The aim of the present study was to describe the antifungal activity of extracts of Parastrephia quadrangularis, a species from northern Argentina, against Fusarium verticillioides M7075. Bio-guided fractionation and MS/MS studies were conducted to elucidate the chemical structure of active compounds. The extracts exhibited a minimum inhibitory concentration among 118·74 and 250 µg ml-1 and the differences between the treatments and the inoculum control was 12·5-16·5 mm, respectively, in colony growth. Moreover, hyphae treated with the extracts stained blue with Evans blue, showed alterations in permeability of plasma membranes. HLPC-MS analysis of active fractions revealed the presence of p-coumaroyloxitremetone, and a derivate structure for another compound is proposed. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: In Argentina, Fusarium verticillioides causes 'ear rot', a disease that produces important yield and nutritional quality losses in the maize producing region. This study suggests that Parastrephia quadrangularis extracts have potential for the growth inhibition against F. verticillioides M7075, and the bioactivity is reported for the first time. The results obtained will provide a starting point for discover new antimicotic candidate in natural products.

Effects of extraction solvents on photoluminescent properties of eysenhardtia polystachia and their potential usage as biomarker.

Currently, nanomaterials had been used for several applications; one of them is as bio-markers. These nanomaterials contain fluorescent compounds as effective indicators for imaging and other applications in Biotechnology. In previous studies, we proposed a functionalized nanomaterial-based biomarker from silica and Eysenhardtia Polystachia, a medicinal tree known in Mexico as "palo azul" (Kidneywood). Our previous results showed the feasibility of the nanomaterial obtained as bio-marker. In this article, our purpose is to evaluate the effects of extraction solvents on fluorescence of that biomarker. The photoluminescence (PL) effect was evaluated at different pH (4, 7.4 and 8); four extraction solvents, ethanol, methanol, methanol-ethanol and methanol-ethanol-water were evaluated. A molecular dynamics simulation was performed to recognize molecular interaction between the compounds of the extracts with solvent molecules and to investigate the solvent molecules effect on photoluminescence spectra. The results were also compared with rhodamine 6G and we found that, at physiological pH (7.4), the fluorescent-coated silica nanoparticles obtained were also stable. We found that extraction solvents could be used for obtaining different nanomaterials for specific applications, and also found the best extraction solvent for obtaining EP nanomaterials for health care applications, specifically for imaging techniques.

Development of meniscus substitutes using a mixture of biocompatible polymers and extra cellular matrix components by electrospinning.

Despite the significant advances in the meniscus tissue engineering field, it is difficult to recreate the complex structure and organization of the collagenous matrix of the meniscus. In this work, we developed a meniscus prototype to be used as substitute or scaffold for the regeneration of the meniscal matrix, recreating the differential morphology of the meniscus by electrospinning. Synthetic biocompatible polymers were combined with the extracellular matrix component, collagen and used to replicate the meniscus. We studied the correlation between mechanical and structural properties of the polymer blend as a function of collagen concentration. Fibers were collected on a surface of a rapidly rotating precast mold, to accurately replicate each sectional morphology of the meniscus; different electro-tissues were produced. Detailed XRD analyses exhibited structural changes developed by electrospinning. We achieved to integrate all these electro-tissues to form a complete synthetic meniscus. Vascularization tests were performed to assess the potential use of our novel polymeric blend for promising meniscus regeneration.

Autonomic dysfunction in presymptomatic spinocerebellar ataxia type-2.

OBJECTIVES: To explore and quantify possible abnormalities in the autonomic cardiovascular regulation in presymptomatic stage of type 2 spinocerebellar ataxia (PS-SCA2). MATERIALS & METHODS: Heart rate variability (HRV) for 5-min series of RR intervals was analyzed in 48 PS-SCA2. Autonomic testing included resting recording, standing, Valsalva maneuver, and deep breathing. The results were compared with a group of sex- and age-matched controls. RESULTS: Time-and-frequency domain HRV indices were significantly different between PS-SCA2 and control groups. Using two standard diagnostic procedures were identified 4 (8.33%) subjects with severe and 8 (16.66%) subjects with early cardiac autonomic neuropathy in PS-SCA2. CAG index significantly correlated with age (-0.35) and HR (0.31). CONCLUSIONS: Our results confirm the presence of cardiovascular autonomic dysfunction in PS-SCA2 subjects.

Avocado, sunflower and olive oils as replacers of pork back-fat in burger patties: effect on lipid composition, oxidative stability and quality traits.

The present study investigates the effects of avocado, sunflower and olive oils used as back-fat replacers, on the fatty acid composition, oxidative stability, volatiles profile and color and texture properties of cooked pork patties. The vegetable oils modified the fatty acid profiles of the patties by lowering the percentages of SFA (from 36.96% to ~25.30%) and reducing the atherogenic index (from 0.41 to ~0.24). Vegetable oils had higher amounts of antioxidant compounds such as tocopherols (10.8-53.9 mg/100 g) than back-fat (5.9 mg/100 g). Consistently, patties manufactured with the oils had significantly lower amounts of lipid and protein oxidation products than control patties. Avocado oil contributed with specific aroma-active terpenes to patties and had a significant impact on particular color and texture parameters. The results from this study highlight the technological applications of the vegetable oils as food ingredients in the design of healthier meat commodities.

Hemangioma cavernoso orbitario: presentación de un caso clínico y revisión del tema / Orbital cavernous hemangioma: report of a case and review of the topic

El hemangioma cavernoso orbitario (HCO) constituye una tumoración vascular benigna no infiltrante, que crece lentamente y en función de la clínica, se decidirá la actitud terapéutica más conveniente, la observación o la extirpación quirúrgica. El diagnóstico definitivo se establece tras la extirpación del tumor y posterior estudio histopatológico del mismo. Presentamos el caso de una niña de 6 años de edad, con proptosis ocular derecha progresiva, con diagnóstico imagenológico sugestivo de lesión vascular, el cual fue confirmado en el estudio anatomo-patológico tras la intervención quirúrgica y la paciente evolucionó satisfactoriamente.

Avocado by-products as inhibitors of color deterioration and lipid and protein oxidation in raw porcine patties subjected to chilled storage.

Processing of avocados generates an important amount of by-products such as peels and seeds that are rich in bioactive substances with proven radical suppressing activities. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of peel and seed extracts from two avocado varieties-'Hass' and 'Fuerte'-as inhibitors of lipid and protein oxidation and color deterioration of raw porcine patties during chilled storage (4 °C/15 days). Avocado extracts significantly (p<0.05) reduced the loss of redness and the increase of lightness during storage of porcine patties. 'Fuerte' extracts were more efficient at inhibiting discoloration of chilled patties than 'Hass' extracts. Patties treated with avocado extracts had significantly lower amounts of TBA-RS than control ones throughout the storage. 'Hass' avocado extracts significantly inhibited the formation of protein carbonyls in chilled patties at day 15. The present results highlight the potential usage of extracts from avocado by-products as ingredients for the production of muscle foods with enhanced quality traits.

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and rhizospheric bacteria diversity along an altitudinal gradient in South American Puna grassland.

Rhizospheric soil samples were taken from Puna native grasses along an altitudinal gradient. Biodiversity of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) and associated bacteria was analyzed considering altitude and grasses photosynthetic pathways (metabolic type C3, C4). Cultivation-dependent approaches were applied to obtain further information about the phylogeny of the dominating cultivable aerobic-heterotrophic bacteria communities present in rhizospheric soil samples. In average, the bacterial count ranged between 1.30 x 10(2) and 8.66 x 10(4) CFU g(-1) of dry weight of soil. Individual bacterial colonies of aerobic heterotrophic bacteria grown on R2A medium were morphologically grouped and identified as typical soil bacteria belonging to the genera Bacillus, Pseudomonas, and Arthrobacter. Ten AMF taxa were found: Acaulospora sp., A. laevis, A. spinosa, Gigaspora sp., Gi. ramisporophora, Glomus sp., Gl. aggregatum, Gl. ambisporum, Gl. sinuosum, and Scutellospora biornata. AMF diversity decreased with altitude.

Elementos de transformación y humanización de la enseñanza de Enfermería Universitaria: Cuba: 1976-2006 / s. t

La enfermería cubana ha pasado por diferentes etapas en su enseñanza, desde la empírica hasta la enseñanza superior, incluyendo los post grados (cursos, diplomados, maestrías, especialidades) y en este momento la posible adquisición del grado científico de Doctor en Ciencias de Enfermería. Con este trabajo se pretende mostrar a grandes rasgos cómo en los diferentes planes de estudio han estado presentes los elementos de transformación y de humanización dirigidos tanto al sujeto de formación como al que recibe el cuidado. Se hace énfasis en la formación de valores y los principios éticos y bioéticos que fortalecen el método de actuación profesional y el Proceso de Atención de Enfermería. El estudio fue de tipo descriptivo y para su desarrollo se realizaron revisiones documentales y bibliográficas. De los resultados obtenidos se concluyó que en todos los Planes de Estudio ha estado presente el enfoque humanista de la formación, elemento este que se fortalece en el plan actual a través de las diferentes estrategias curriculares que se desarrollan en las disciplinas y asignaturas, dirigidas a preservar, desarrollar y promover la cultura de la humanidad(AU)

A bibliographic review was made to assess the influence of humanistic and philosophical thinking in Nursing professional thinking. In our analysis, the institutionalization process of professional nursing is considered, as well as the necessary linking established among philosophical thinking, the most genuine elements of medical ethics, bioethics, and the nursing care process, to lay down strategies of professional care where the humanizing process in the art of care leads to health services of excellence in this century, as an answer to the increasing demand of personalizing health care. It was concluded that it is necessary to link knowledges of other sciences with nursing to materialize its object of study in a holistic way, since the quality of training of this professional does not depend exclusively on knowledge, intellectual abilities, and professional habits registered in the university curriculum vitae, but also on his motivations, on his personal and collective interests, as well as on the system of values regulating his professional ethics, since it is impossible to separate the good praxis from taking care of the humanistic values, starting from a proposal of nursing philosophy that includes the following components with a systemic approach: human beings, environment, health, nurse, and nursing(AU)

UV-B effects on Antarctic Chlorella sp cells.

Growth of Antarctic Chlorella sp cells was measured in cultures irradiated with 30 kJ m(-2) UV-B (280-320 nm). The specific growth rate immediately after the lag phase was 0.36+/-0.06 and 0.26+/-0.03 day(-1) for unirradiated cultures and cultures irradiated with UV-B, respectively, UV-B irradiation significantly decreased ascorbate content by 54.5%, and increased the ascorbyl radical content/ascorbate content ratio by 2.25-fold in algae cultures in log phase. UV-B exposure significantly decreased by 95, 62 and 71% the content of alpha-tocopherol, beta-carotene and total thiols, respectively, in cells in log phase of development. The cellular content of alpha-tocopherol, beta-carotene and total thiols was reduced by 78, 43 and 44%, respectively in stationary phase, as compared to the antioxidant content in the cells during log phase of development. UV-B exposure reduced the content of alpha-tocopherol and total thiols in stationary phase of development by 64 and 91%, respectively, as compared to unirradiated cells. The content of beta-carotene in stationary phase was not affected by UV-B exposure. The results presented here suggest that increased UV-B radiation was responsible for the development of oxidative stress conditions, assessed as the ascorbyl radical content/ascorbate content ratio, in Antarctic Chlorella sp cells. Moreover, a significant decrease in the content of both lipid and water soluble antioxidants might contribute to establish oxidative stress in the cells.

Niveles séricos de la molécula CD30 soluble en la infección por el virus de hepatitis B / Serum levels of soluble CD30 molecule in hepatitis B virus infection

Background: The release of CD30 molecule in the soluble form (sCD30) is considered a feature of Th2 activation and proliferation of the cellular phenotype Th2. Aim: To analyze the immunoregulatory role of sCD30 in the evolution of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. Patients and methods: Three study groups were formed: 15 patients with acute infection by HBV who remitted toward the resolution of the infection; 15 patients who evolved to the carrier state and 15 subjects without clinical history of infection by this or other viruses. The determination of serological markers for the HBV was done by the Microparticles Enzymatic Immunoanalysis techniques (MEIA). The method of double antibody by ELISA was used For sCD30 determination. Results: A significant sCD30 increase (p < 0.05) was observed in patients with acute infection, during the acute phase (135.7 ñ 36.7). These values decreased to 16.2 ñ 2.5 during the convalescent phase. Patients that evolved to the carrier state, did not experience a rise in sCD30 values (40.2 ñ 6.7, 38 ñ 9.2 and 36.1 ñ 8.3 during the acute phase, at 120 and 240 days respectively). The value in the control group was 34.8 ñ 6.7. Conclusions: The group that evolved towards remission experienced a higher activation of the Th2 cellular phenotype, promoting humoral immune response. An inactivity of sCD30 values was observed in the group that evolved to the carrier state

[Role of cytokines in chronic gastritis by Helicobacter pylori]. / Papel de las citoquinas en la gastritis crónica por Helicobacter pylori.

Helicobacter pylori is a curved, gram negative bacterium that inhabits only the gastric mucous membrane. Since its discovery and characterization, it has been related to the physiopathology of gastroduodenal diseases, including gastritis, peptic ulcers, gastric carcinoma and MALT lymphoma. This has resulted in numerous hypotheses that try to explain the different events that take place during the inflammation. The bacterium Settler, characterized by a marked infiltration of inflammatory cells (neutrophils, monocytes, linfocytes, etc.) which, after being activated, liberate locally various chemical mediators, which cause tissue damage. Among these, the cytokines are important mediators in this process. We have revised the literature related to the various biological functions of cytokines in tissue damage of the gastric mucosa.

Papel de las citoquinas en la gastritis cronica por Helicobacter pylori / Role of cytokines in chronic gastritis by Helicobacter pylori

Helicobacter pylori is a curved, gram negative bacterium that inhabits only the gastric mucous membrane. Since its discovery and characterization, it has been related to the physiopathology of gastroduodenal diseases, including gastritis, peptic ulcers, gastric carcinoma and MALT lymphoma. This has resulted in numerous hypotheses that try to explain the different events that take place during the inflammation. The bacterium Settler, characterized by a marked infiltration of inflammatory cells (neutrophils, monocytes, linfocytes, etc.) which, after being activated, liberate locally various chemical mediators, which cause tissue damage. Among these, the cytokines are important mediators in this process. We have revised the literature related to the various biological functions of cytokines in tissue damage of the gastric mucosa (AU)

Papel de las citoquinas en la gastritis crónica por Helicobacter pylori. / [Role of cytokines in chronic gastritis by Helicobacter pylori]

Helicobacter pylori is a curved, gram negative bacterium that inhabits only the gastric mucous membrane. Since its discovery and characterization, it has been related to the physiopathology of gastroduodenal diseases, including gastritis, peptic ulcers, gastric carcinoma and MALT lymphoma. This has resulted in numerous hypotheses that try to explain the different events that take place during the inflammation. The bacterium Settler, characterized by a marked infiltration of inflammatory cells (neutrophils, monocytes, linfocytes, etc.) which, after being activated, liberate locally various chemical mediators, which cause tissue damage. Among these, the cytokines are important mediators in this process. We have revised the literature related to the various biological functions of cytokines in tissue damage of the gastric mucosa.

Papel de las citoquinas en la gastritis cronica por Helicobacter pylori / Role of cytokines in chronic gastritis by Helicobacter pylori

Helicobacter pylori is a curved, gram negative bacterium that inhabits only the gastric mucous membrane. Since its discovery and characterization, it has been related to the physiopathology of gastroduodenal diseases, including gastritis, peptic ulcers, gastric carcinoma and MALT lymphoma. This has resulted in numerous hypotheses that try to explain the different events that take place during the inflammation. The bacterium Settler, characterized by a marked infiltration of inflammatory cells (neutrophils, monocytes, linfocytes, etc.) which, after being activated, liberate locally various chemical mediators, which cause tissue damage. Among these, the cytokines are important mediators in this process. We have revised the literature related to the various biological functions of cytokines in tissue damage of the gastric mucosa. (AU)

Papel de las citoquinas en la gastritis cronica por Helicobacter pylori / Role of cytokines in chronic gastritis by Helicobacter pylori

Helicobacter pylori is a curved, gram negative bacterium that inhabits only the gastric mucous membrane. Since its discovery and characterization, it has been related to the physiopathology of gastroduodenal diseases, including gastritis, peptic ulcers, gastric carcinoma and MALT lymphoma. This has resulted in numerous hypotheses that try to explain the different events that take place during the inflammation. The bacterium Settler, characterized by a marked infiltration of inflammatory cells (neutrophils, monocytes, linfocytes, etc.) which, after being activated, liberate locally various chemical mediators, which cause tissue damage. Among these, the cytokines are important mediators in this process. We have revised the literature related to the various biological functions of cytokines in tissue damage of the gastric mucosa.