Association of the GSTM1 null polymorphism with breast cancer in a Mexican population.

The glutathione S transferase (GST) family plays an important role in the processing of carcinogens. Data on the null GSTM1 genotype has revealed associations with cancer, and has been suggested to affect carcinogen metabolism and to contribute to tumor promotion in the mammary gland. We examined the role of the null GSTM1 genotype by comparing the genotypes of 276 healthy Mexican women with those of 558 Mexican women with breast cancer (BC). The genotype frequencies observed in the controls and patients with BC were 38 and 45% for the null GSTM1 genotype, respectively. The obtained odds ratio (OR) was 1.36, with a 95% confidence interval (95%CI) of 1.02-1.8, P = 0.04. The protective association was also evident upon analysis of the distributions of the null GSTM1 genotype in patients with positive chemotherapy response who had high plasma levels of glucose (OR 0.56, 95%CI = 0.33-0.94, P = 0.03). This study suggested that the null GSTM1 genotype is associated with BC susceptibility in the Mexican population analyzed.

Eficiencia de la combinación ketamina-propofol para procedimientos quirúrgicos cortos / Efficiency of ketamine-propofol combination for short surgical procedures

Determinar la eficacia de la anestesia con ketamina-propofol en una mezcla 1:2 (1 miligramo de ketamina por cada 2 miligramos de propofol) para procedimientos quirúrgicos cortos mínimamente invasivos. Metodología: Se realizó un estudio prospectivo, por medio de la aleatorización de 77 pacientes sometidos a procedimientos quirúrgicos cortos en dos grupos de estudio: el primero recibió una mezcla de ketamina-propofol en una proporción 1:1, y el otro la recibió en una proporción 1:2. Resultados: No se obtuvieron diferencias estadísticamente significativas entre los dos grupos de estudio en edad, género o peso. Al grupo que se le administró menos ketamina recibió más frecuentemente otro tipo de medicamentos para suplementar la analgesia. No hubo diferencias en lo referente a estabilidad hemodinámica o incidencia de efectos adversos. Conclusión: La mezcla ketamina-propofol es probablemente eficaz para garantizar condiciones quirúrgicas adecuadas, y segura evitando la inestabilidad hemodinámica de los pacientes. Dosis inferiores de ketamina a 2 mg/kg pueden requerir adición de medicamentos analgésicos...

To determine the efficacy of anaesthesia with ketamine-propofol in a mixture 1:2 (1 milligram of ketamine per each 2 milligrams of propofol) for short surgical procedures minimally invasive. Methodology: A prospective study through randomization of 77 patients undergoing surgical procedures at two study groups: the first received a mixture of ketamine-propofol in a ratio of 1:1, and the other received it in a proportion 1:2. Results: No statistically significant differences between the two groups of study on age, gender or weight were obtained. The group that received less ketamine most frequently received another type of drugs to supplement analgesia. There were no differences in relation to stability and haemodynamics or incidence of adverse effects. Conclusion: The mix ketamine-propofol is probably effective to secure adequate surgical conditions avoiding hemodynamics instability of the patients. Lower doses of 2 mg/kg ketamine may require addition of pain-relieving medications...

Eco-efficient concretes: the effects of using recycled ceramic material from sanitary installations on the mechanical properties of concrete.

The aim of this research was to investigate some of the physical and mechanical properties of concrete mixed under laboratory conditions, where different proportions of coarse aggregate materials were substituted by porcelain from sanitary installations. The results of the tests show that the concrete produced has the same mechanical characteristics as conventional concrete, thus opening a door to selective recycling of sanitary porcelain and its use in the production of concrete.

Further dissection of a genomic locus associated with behavioral activity in the Wistar-Kyoto hyperactive rat, an animal model of hyperkinesis.

Molecular genetic studies of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are a major focus of current research since this syndrome has been shown to be highly heritable.(1) Our approach has been to search for quantitative trait loci (QTL) in a genetic animal model of hyperkinesis, the Wistar-Kyoto hyperactive (WKHA) rat, by a whole-genome scan analysis. In a previous article, we reported the detection of a major QTL associated with behavioral activity in an F2 cross between WKHA and Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) rat strains.(2) Here, we extend our analysis of this cross by adding new genetic markers, now defining a 10 cM interval on rat chromosome 8 associated with ambulatory and exploratory activities. Then we present a replication of this QTL detection, at least for exploratory activity, by a new genetic mapping analysis of an activity QTL in an F2 cross between the WKHA and Brown Norway (BN) rat strains. Overall, the results provide compelling evidence for the presence of gene(s) influencing activity at this locus. The QTL interval has been refined such that the human orthologous region could be defined and tested in human populations for association with ADHD. Ultimately, the improved dissection of this genomic locus should allow the identification of the causal genes.