Electronic Health Interventions for Type 2 Diabetes and Obesity in Hispanic or Latino Adults: A Systematic Review of English and Spanish Studies.

Objective: The objective of this study was to synthesize English and Spanish literature to determine whether electronic health interventions (EHIs) such as telehealth, telemedicine, digital health, and mobile health (mHealth) improve A1C, blood glucose, BMI, and/or weight among Hispanic/Latino adults with type 2 diabetes or overweight/obesity in the Americas. Design and methods: Searches were conducted in June 2021 using the Scientific Electronic Library Online, Cumulative Index of Nursing and Allied Health Literature, PubMed, and PsycInfo literature databases. Studies were identified that investigated the effect of an EHI on A1C, blood glucose, BMI, or weight in populations that were ≥12% Hispanic/Latino adults with type 2 diabetes or overweight/obesity, were conducted in the Americas, and were published in English or Spanish. Study quality was determined using the Quality Index Score. Data were extracted and synthesized, and themes were identified. Results: Twenty-five studies met inclusion criteria, including 23 in English (from the United States) and two in Spanish (from Chile). A total of 22 investigated type 2 diabetes, and three investigated overweight/obesity. The studies encompassed 6,230 participants, including 3,413 Hispanic/Latino adults. Sixty-three percent of studies demonstrated significant improvements in A1C or blood glucose and 67% in weight. Thirteen studies offered an EHI in both English and Spanish, and six offered the intervention in either English or Spanish alone. All EHIs involving mHealth exclusively and most (90%) involving more than one electronic modality demonstrated a higher number of significant findings compared with those having only one EHI modality, especially telehealth (44.4%). EHIs lasting ≤12 months had more significant findings (72.7%) than those lasting >12 months (50%). Six studies had industry-related funding, with 83.3% of those demonstrating significant improvements in outcomes. Conclusion: EHIs improved A1C and weight in adults (n = 4,355), including 45.5% Hispanic/Latino adults. mHealth and EHIs using more than one electronic modality and those lasting ≤12 months were especially effective. However, overall study quality was modest. Future research should be conducted in Spanish-speaking countries in Latin America and should compare the effectiveness of different EHI modalities.

Bactridine 2 effect in DRG neurons. Identification of NHE as a second target.

Bactridine 2 (Bact-2) is an antibacterial toxin from Tityus discrepans venom which modifies isoforms 1.2, 1.4 and 1.6 voltage-dependent sodium (Nav) channels. Bactridine-induced Na+ outflow in Yersinia enterocolitica was blocked by amiloride, suggesting that Bact-2 effect was mediated by an amiloride sensitive sodium channel. In this study we show that Bact-2 increases also an outward rectifying current in rat dorsal root ganglia (DRG) sensory neurons; therefore, the nature of the outward rectifying currents was characterized and then the effect of Bact-2 on these currents was studied. These currents are enhanced by amiloride, are decreased by Na+ when an outward pH gradient is present and its reversal potential coincides with that of a Cl-/H+ exchanger, suggesting that rectifying currents are produced by the electrogenic Cl-/H+ exchanger modulated by the Na+/H+ antiporter. Bact-2 also leads to an increase of the outward currents in a similar way to the produced by the inhibition of the Na+/H+ exchanger. Additionally, the subsequent application of Bact-2 after blocking the Na+/H+ exchanger does not produce any further effect, suggesting that Bact-2 modifies the outward current by modulating the activity of the Na+/H+ exchanger. The effect of Bact-2 on pHi regulation was determined using the pH indicator BCECF. The results show that the Na+/H+ exchanger is blocked by amiloride and Na+ free solutions and is modulated by Bact-2 in a similar way as cariporide. This study validates that besides Nav channels, Bact-2 modulates the activity of the Na+/H+ exchanger.

Extracellular Application of CRMP2 Increases Cytoplasmic Calcium through NMDA Receptors.

Collapsin Response Mediator Protein 2 (CRMP2) is an intracellular protein involved in axon and dendrite growth and specification. In this study, CRMP2 was identified in a conditioned media derived from degenerated sciatic nerves (CM). On cultured rat hippocampal neurons, acute extracellular application of CM or partially purified recombinant CRMP2 produced an increase in cytoplasmic calcium. The increase in cytoplasmic calcium was mostly mediated through NMDA receptors, with a minor contribution of N-type VDCC, and it was maintained as long as CM was present. By using live-labeling of CRMP2, Ca2+ channel binding domain 3 (CBD3) peptide derived from CRMP2, and recombinant CRMP2, we demonstrated that that this effect was mediated by an action on the extracellular side of the NMDA receptor. This is the first report of an extracellular action of CRMP2. Prolonged exposure to extracellular CRMP2, may contribute to neuronal calcium dysregulation and neuronal damage.

TBR2 antagonizes retinoic acid dependent neuronal differentiation by repressing Zfp423 during corticogenesis.

During cerebral cortex development, neural progenitors are required to elaborate a variety of cell differentiation signals to which they are continuously exposed. RA acid is a potent inducer of neuronal differentiation as it was found to influence cortical development. We report herein that TBR2, a transcription factor specific to Intermediate (Basal) Neural Progenitors (INPs), represses activation of the RA responsive element and expression of RA target genes in cell lines. This repressive action on RA signaling was functionally confirmed by the decrease of RA-mediated neuronal differentiation in neural stem cells stably overexpressing TBR2. In vivo mapping of RA activity in the developing cortex indicated that RA activity is detected in radial glial cells and subsequently downregulated in INPs, revealing a fine cell-type specific regulation of its signaling. Thus, TBR2 might be a molecular player in opposing RA signaling in INPs. Interestingly, this negative regulation is achieved at least in part by directly repressing the critical nuclear RA co-factor ZFP423. Indeed, we found ZFP423 to be expressed in the developing cortex and promote RA-dependent neuronal differentiation. These data indicate that TBR2 contributes to suppressing RA signaling in INPs, thereby enabling them to re-enter the cell cycle and delay neuronal differentiation.

ProNGF derived from rat sciatic nerves downregulates neurite elongation and axon specification in PC12 cells.

Several reports have shown that a sciatic nerve conditioned media (CM) causes neuronal-like differentiation in PC12 cells. This differentiation is featured by neurite outgrowth, which are exclusively dendrites, without axon or sodium current induction. In previous studies, our group reported that the CM supplemented with a generic inhibitor for tyrosine kinase receptors (k252a) enhanced the CM-induced morphological differentiation upregulating neurite outgrowth, axonal formation and sodium current elicitation. Sodium currents were also induced by depletion of endogenous precursor of nerve growth factorr (proNGF) from the CM (pNGFd-CM). Given that sodium currents, neurite outgrowth and axon specification are important features of neuronal differentiation, in the current manuscript, first we investigated if proNGF was hindering the full PC12 cell neuronal-like differentiation. Second, we studied the effects of exogenous wild type (pNGFwt) and mutated (pNGFmut) proNGF isoforms over sodium currents and whether or not their addition to the pNGFd-CM would prevent sodium current elicitation. Third, we investigated if proNGF was exerting its negative regulation through the sortilin receptor, and for this, the proNGF action was blocked with neurotensin (NT), a factor known to compete with proNGF for sortilin. Thereby, here we show that pNGFd-CM enhanced cell differentiation, cell proportion with long neurites, total neurite length, induced axonal formation and sodium current elicitation. Interestingly, treatment of PC12 cells with wild type or mutated proNGF isoforms elicited sodium currents. Supplementing pNGFd-CM with pNGFmut reduced 35% the sodium currents. On the other hand, pNGFd-CM+pNGFwt induced larger sodium currents than pNGFd-CM. Finally, treatments with CM supplemented with NT showed that sortilin was mediating proNGF negative regulation, since its blocking induced similar effects than the pNGFd-CM treatment. Altogether, our results suggest that proNGF within the CM, is one of the main inhibitors of full neuronal differentiation, acting through sortilin receptor.

Diseminación de enterobacterias productoras de carbapenemasas tipo KCP en Venezuela / Spread of carbapenemase-producing Enterobacteriaceae type KCP in Venezuela

La resistencia a carbapenems en la familia Enterobacteriaceae constituye un problema creciente a nivel mundial, siendo el mecanismo de mayor impacto clínico, epidemiológico y microbiológico, la producción de serino-carbapenemasas KPC. Investigar la presencia de carbapenemasas tipo KPC en aislados de Enterobacterias resistentes a carbapenems, provenientes de diversos centros de salud a nivel nacional, durante el período mayo 2010 - junio 2011. En esta investigación se analizaron 91 aislados de Enterobacterias: K pneumoniae (48), E. cloacae (30), E. aerogenes (4), E. coli (2), C. koseri (1), C. freundil (6), con resistencia a carbapenems provenientes de 14 centros de salud. La susceptibilidad antimicrobiana se evaluó siguiendo los criterios de la CLSI 2011. La detección fenotípica de carbapenemasas se realizó mediante el test de Hodge modificado y evaluando la sinergia con el ácido 3-aminofenilborónico 300 µg/disco. Se realizó el Test de Hodge "doble modificado" a los aislados de Enterobacter y Citrobacter. La detección genotípica de carbapenemasas se llevó a cabo mediante PCR utilizando iniciadores para el gen blaKPC. Todos los aislados presentaron a los deinhibición < 22 mm para meropenem y ertapenem. El 95% de los aislados resultaron positivos para el test de Hogde modificado, el test con ácido borónico, y para el gen blaKPC. En el test de Hodge "doble modificado", se observó 100% de positividad. La resistencia a carbapenems mediada por Carbapenemasas KPC, se ha incrementado en los últimos años en el país y el carácter plasmídico de estas enzimas les permite su fácil diseminación entre diversos géneros de Enterobacterias.

Resistance to carbapenems is the family Enterobacteriaceae is a growing problem around the world, being production of KPC serino-carbapenemase, the mayor impact clinical, epidemiological and microbiological mechanism. To investigate the presence of KPC carbapenemases in isolates of Enterobacterias resistant to carbapenems, from various health centers nationwide, during the period May-2010 June 2011. In this study were analyzed 91 Enterobacterias isolates: K. pneumoniae (48), E. cloacae (30), E. aerogenes (4), E. coli (2), C. koseri (1), C. freundii (6), with resistance to carbapenems from 14 health centers. Antimicrobial susceptibility was evaluated according to the criteria of the CLSI 2011. Phenotypic detection of carbapenemases was performed by Modified Hodge Test and it was evaluated the synergy with the 3-aminophenylboronic 300 µg/disc. Test were done with "double Modified" Hodge to Enterobacter and Citrobacter isolates. Genotypic detection of carbapenemases was performed out by using PCR primers for the gene blaKPC. All isolated showed inhibition zones <22 mm for meropenem and ertapemen. The 95% of the isolates were positive for Hogde Modified Test, test with boronic acid, and to blaKPC gene. By performing "Double Modified" Hodge`s essay , we observed a 100% of positivity. Resistance to carbapenems mediated by KPC carbapenemases has increased in the last few years in the country, and plasmidic characterization of these enzymes allows easily dissemination among different genera of Enterobacteriaceae.

Multipotent genetic suppression of retrotransposon-induced mutations by Nxf1 through fine-tuning of alternative splicing.

Cellular gene expression machinery has coevolved with molecular parasites, such as viruses and transposons, which rely on host cells for their expression and reproduction. We previously reported that a wild-derived allele of mouse Nxf1 (Tap), a key component of the host mRNA nuclear export machinery, suppresses two endogenous retrovirus-induced mutations and shows suggestive evidence of positive selection. Here we show that Nxf1(CAST) suppresses a specific and frequent class of intracisternal A particle (IAP)-induced mutations, including Ap3d1(mh2J), a model for Hermansky-Pudlak syndrome, and Atcay(hes), an orthologous gene model for Cayman ataxia, among others. The molecular phenotype of suppression includes approximately two-fold increase in the level of correctly-spliced mRNA and a decrease in mutant-specific, alternatively-processed RNA accumulating from the inserted allele. Insertional mutations involving ETn and LINE elements are not suppressed, demonstrating a high degree of specificity to this suppression mechanism. These results implicate Nxf1 in some instances of pre-mRNA processing, demonstrate the useful range of Nxf1(CAST) alleles for manipulating existing mouse models of disease, and specifically imply a low functional threshold for therapeutic benefit in Cayman ataxia.

Estado de conservación de los fondos de la Biblioteca Médica Nacional de Cuba / State of conservation of the Cuban National Medical Library funds

Con el objetivo de determinar el grado de conservación de los fondos de la Biblioteca Nacional de Medicina de Cuba, así como sus principales factores deteriorantes, se seleccionó al azar una muestra de 495 números de revistas, 142 ejemplares de libros y 126 tesis de grado. En los tres tipos de documentos estudiados, las encuadernaciones se encuentran más deterioradas que el cuerpo del documento. Asimismo, el factor deteriorante esencial es el antropogénico. Es necesario elevar la educacion y formación de los usuarios en el cuidado y mantenimiento de los documentos(AU)

Estado de conservación de los fondos de la Biblioteca Médica Nacional de Cuba / State of conservation of the Cuban National Medical Library funds

Con el objetivo de determinar el grado de conservación de los fondos de la Biblioteca Nacional de Medicina de Cuba, así como sus principales factores deteriorantes, se seleccionó al azar una muestra de 495 números de revistas, 142 ejemplares de libros y 126 tesis de grado. En los tres tipos de documentos estudiados, las encuadernaciones se encuentran más deterioradas que el cuerpo del documento. Asimismo, el factor deteriorante esencial es el antropogénico. Es necesario elevar la educacion y formación de los usuarios en el cuidado y mantenimiento de los documentos

Evaluación en forraje y grano de cruzas de maiz procedentes de CIMMYT, en el valle de Cochabamba

En la Estación Experimental "La Violeta" se realizó un ensayo, con el objeto de determinar los componentes fenotípicos y de rendimiento en forraje y grano de 33 accesiones de maiz, procedentes del CIMMYT, las cuales fueron caracterizadas en condiciones climáticas del valle cochabambino. Los tratamiento fueron dispuestos en un diseño de bloques completos al azar con cuatro repeticiones. El análisis estableció diferencias entre accesiones, para todas las variables de respuesta. En general las dos variedades locales respondieron de mejor manera a las conciciones climáticas de la zona, obteniéndose la mayor altura de planta, retraso en la floración masculina y femenina, mayor índice de área foliar y mayor desarrollo de tallos. Se observó también que las accesiones 20, 30, 32, 15, 27 y POOL 12 respondieron de mejor manera a las variables de producción de grano y solo algunas accesiones provenientes del CIMMYT respondieron de materia seca.

Experiencia de 15 años con técnicas de reproducción asistida en Venezuela / Experience of 15 years with technique of reproduction in Venezuela

Se analizan los resultados de 1000 transferencias en técnicas de reproducción asistida: 444 casos de transferencia de embriones y 556 de transferencia intratubaria de gametos. Las indicaciones más frecuentes fueron: factor ovárico (25,92 por ciento), infertilidad de causa desconocida (24,39 por ciento) y factor masculino (20,68 por ciento). La incidencia de embarazos con transferencia de embriones fue 21,84 por ciento y la de éxitos 16,89 por ciento, mientras que en los casos de transferencia intratubaria de gametos fue 23,20 por ciento y 17,80 por ciento respectivamente. Hubo un total de 226 embarazos (22,60 por ciento), 174 (76,99 por ciento) superaron la semana 20, en 47 (20,79 por ciento) ocurrió aborto y hubo 5 (2,21 por ciento) ectópicos. Nacieron un total de 247 niños producto de 125 embarazos simples (71,83 por ciento) y 49 múltiples (28,16 por ciento). Se produjo pérdida perinatal en 7 casos (4,02 por ciento) y nacieron 4 niños (1,61 por ciento) con malformaciones congénitas. Se concluye que las técnicas de reproducción asistida son excelentes para el manejo de los casos difíciles de infertilidad

Cómo reducir la prevalencia de donantes de sangre VIH positivos / How to decrease the prevalence of HIV positive blood donors

A pesar de haber abolido la entrega de los resultados serológicos a los donantes de sangre, como recurso para promover la donación de sangre y de haber mejorado el interrogatorio pre-donación, nuestra prevalencia de VIH en donantes se mantiene elevada. En el presente trabajo, hemos tratado de analizar las causas por las cuales fueron aceptados un grupo de donantes VIH positivos que acudieron a nuestra consejería desde enero de 1995 a diciembre de 1996. Para la evaluación se utilizó una encuesta en la que se recogieron datos de identificación, tipo y frecuencia de la donación, antecedentes de riesgo, conocimiento previo de su estado inmunoserológico, motivación hacia la donación, autoconsideración como persona de riesgo u conocimiento de las implicaciones de transfundir sangre contaminada. Para el tamizaje serológico se utilizaron los reactivos Abbott HIV/HIV2-3ra generación plus EIA, Abbott Diagnostic y HIV-1 Western Blot Cambridge Biotech, Worcester, MA. Durante los dos años de evaluación, se atendieron 53.338 donantes de los cuales 130 (0,24 por ciento) fueron confirmados positivos. Sólo 18/130 (13,84 por ciento) acudieron a la consejería. La edad promedio fue de 33.27 ñ 5,35 años, todos del sexo masculino, 15 solteros y 3 con pareja fija. 6/18 (33,33 por ciento) pudieron haber sido descartados por su apariencia y por su ocupación. La donación "voluntaria" fue mayor que en el grupo control (p=0,0001). La homo/bisexualidad y la promiscuidad (p=0,0003) fueron los antecedentes que predominaron, presentándose en el 55,55 por ciento de dichos donantes más de un antecedente de riesgo juntos. La donación con marcadores de VHB y de sífilis fue significativamente mayor (p=0,0001 y p=0,0005). 5/18 (27,77 por ciento) refirieron conocer previamente su problema, 3/18 (16,66 por ciento) lo sospechaban y 10/18 (55,55 por ciento) lo ignoraban, aunque los antecedentes de riesgo se distribuyeron en forma similar en ambos grupos. Los motivos para la donación en los que contestaron afirmativo/sospechas: Para realizar nuevamente la prueba: 6; Falla en el interrogatorio: 1; Presión familiar: 1, De los que ignoraban estar positivos: No se consideraron de riesgo: 6; Poca confianza en el interrogador: 3; Falla en el interrogatorio: 1. El 61,11 por ciento sabía que la prueba se práctica a todas las donaciones

Embarazo ectópico: frecuencia Hospital Dr. Adolfo Prince Lara, 1969-1996 / Ectopic pregnancy: frecuency Dr. Adolfo Prince Lara, 1969-1996 Hospital

Analizar aspectos de interés del embarazo ectópico, su frecuencia, características maternas, obstétricas, diagnóstico y tratamiento. Hospital Dr. "Adolfo Prince Lara", Puerto Cabello, Estado Carabobo, Venezuela. Estudio retrospectivo y descriptivo de 291 embarazos ectópicos atendidos desde 1969 hasta 1996 en 112 551 embarazos total; para el análisis de variablesse incluyeron 278 histórias clínicas. La frecuencia media global fue 2,32 por 1000 embarazos o 1 embarazo ectópico por cada 386 embarazos. Hay una tendencia general al incremento duplicándose en los últimos años. Fue predominante el grupo etario de 20 a 29 años (58,43), gestaciones de II-V (65,47 por ciento), edad gestacional menor o igual a 10 semanas (61,87 por ciento). La clínica más llamativa fue dolor pelviano (95,32 por ciento), amenorrea (78,42 por ciento) y sangrado genital (56,83 por ciento). El diagnóstico de embarazo ectópico al ingreso se hizo en el 78,77 por ciento, no se sospechó en 21,23 por ciento; los métodos determinantes fueron la clínica (80,58 por ciento), hematología (34,17 por ciento), ecografía (33,45 por ciento). El embarazo estaba roto en 82,97 por ciento, localizado en las trompas 93,48 por ciento, ovario 2,36 por ciento, resuelto mediante salpingectomía 99,54 por ciento; no hubo complicaciones y en 87,68 por ciento hubo 1 muerte materna. El embarazo ectópico es una patología en ascenso en nuestro medio, que amerita implementar programa preventivo y mantener actividades docentes y asistenciales actualizadas para el diagnóstico y tratamiento