High-Temperature Majorana Zero Modes.

We employ analytical and numerical approaches to show that unpaired Majorana zero modes can occur in cores of Abrikosov vortices at the interface between a three-dimensional topological insulator, such as Bi_{2}Se_{3}, and a twisted bilayer of high-T_{c} cuprate superconductor, such as Bi_{2}Sr_{2}CaCu_{2}O_{8+δ}. When the twist angle is close to 45° the latter has been predicted to form a fully gapped topological superconductor up to temperatures approaching its native T_{c}≃90 K. Majorana zero modes in these structures will persist up to unprecedented high temperatures and, depending on the quality of the interface, may be protected by gaps with larger magnitudes than other candidate systems.

Neuroscience20 (BRAIN20, SPINE20, and MENTAL20) Health Initiative: A Global Consortium Addressing the Human and Economic Burden of Brain, Spine, and Mental Disorders Through Neurotech Innovations and Policies.

Neurological disorders significantly impact the world's economy due to their often chronic and life-threatening nature afflicting individuals which, in turn, creates a global disease burden. The Group of Twenty (G20) member nations, which represent the largest economies globally, should come together to formulate a plan on how to overcome this burden. The Neuroscience-20 (N20) initiative of the Society for Brain Mapping and Therapeutics (SBMT) is at the vanguard of this global collaboration to comprehensively raise awareness about brain, spine, and mental disorders worldwide. This paper aims to provide a comprehensive review of the various brain initiatives worldwide and highlight the need for cooperation and recommend ways to bring down costs associated with the discovery and treatment of neurological disorders. Our systematic search revealed that the cost of neurological and psychiatric disorders to the world economy by 2030 is roughly $16T. The cost to the economy of the United States is $1.5T annually and growing given the impact of COVID-19. We also discovered there is a shortfall of effective collaboration between nations and a lack of resources in developing countries. Current statistical analyses on the cost of neurological disorders to the world economy strongly suggest that there is a great need for investment in neurotechnology and innovation or fast-tracking therapeutics and diagnostics to curb these costs. During the current COVID-19 pandemic, SBMT, through this paper, intends to showcase the importance of worldwide collaborations to reduce the population's economic and health burden, specifically regarding neurological/brain, spine, and mental disorders.

Membrane translocation and activation of GnRH receptor sensitize prostate cancer cells to radiation.

BACKGROUND: GnRH analogs are widely used as neoadjuvant agents for radiotherapy in prostate cancer (PCa) patients, with well-documented effects in reducing tumor bulk and increasing progression-free survival. GnRH analogs act locally in the prostate by triggering apoptosis of PCa cells via activation of the GnRH receptor (GnRHR). During PCa progression, the distribution of GnRHR within the cell is altered, with reduced expression in the cell membrane and remaining sequestered in the endoplasmic reticulum. Pharmacoperone IN3 is able to relocalize GnRHR to the cell membrane. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of radiation on PCa cells pretreated with leuprolide, alone or in combination with IN3, as radiosensitizers. MATERIAL AND METHODS: PC3 and human PCa primary cell cultures were treated with IN3 for 24 h, followed by different doses of leuprolide for 48 h and, finally, single doses of radiation (3, 6, and 9 Gy). After radiation, cell survival, apoptosis, cell cycle distribution, and colony growth were evaluated. RESULTS: Radiation reduced cell survival and increased apoptosis in a dose-dependent manner. This effect was also directly related to leuprolide concentration. Pretreatment with IN3 enhanced apoptosis and decreased cell survival, also observing a higher proportion of cells arrested in G2. CONCLUSION: Neoadjuvant leuprolide increases radiation-mediated apoptosis of PCa cells. This effect was enhanced by pretreatment with pharmacoperone IN3. Clinical use of IN3 as a radiosensitizer combined with androgen deprivation therapy to improve survival of patients with PCa remains to be evaluated.

Sensibilidad al contraste en un grupo de diabéticos mexicanos / Contrast sensitivity in a group of Mexican diabetics

RESUMEN Objetivo: Comparar la sensibilidad al contraste evaluada en un grupo de mexicanos con diabetes mellitus contra uno sin diabetes como control. Métodos: Un total de 31 voluntarios, 14 participantes con DM con un tiempo de diagnóstico entre 2 y 20 años (sin retinopatía diabética), y 17 en el grupo control iniciaron el estudio; 4 diabéticos y 5 no diabéticos fueron excluidos por no cumplir con los criterios de inclusión. Por lo tanto, los datos analizados fueron de un grupo de 10 diabéticos (52 ± 10 años) y otro de 12 no diabéticos (52 ± 6 años). Se evaluó la sensibilidad al contraste con la cartilla Vector Vision CSV1000E a una distancia de 2,5 metros con una iluminación de 85 cd/m2. Resultados: Un mayor porcentaje de ojos diabéticos alcanzaron un mejor umbral de contraste en 3, 6 y 18 ciclos por grado en comparación con el grupo control. En 12 ciclos por grado solamente en los umbrales 1 y 5. Conclusiones: La sensibilidad al contraste de la población mexicana con diabetes mellitus presenta mejor percepción de contraste en las frecuencias evaluadas que el grupo control(AU)

ABSTRACT Objective: Compare contrast sensitivity as measured in a group of Mexican diabetes mellitus patients versus a control non-diabetic group. Methods: A group of 31 volunteers, 14 participants with DM with a diagnosis time between 2 and 20 years (without diabetic retinopathy), and 17 in the control group started the study; 4 diabetics and 5 non-diabetics were excluded because they did not meet the inclusion criteria. Therefore, the data analyzed were from a group of 10 diabetics (52 ± 10 years) and another of 12 non-diabetics (52 ± 6 years). Contrast sensitivity was evaluated with a Vector Vision CSV1000E chart at a distance of 2.5 meters and a luminance of 85 cd/m2. Results: A higher percentage of diabetic eyes reached a better contrast threshold at 3, 6 and 18 cycles per degree in comparison with the control group. At 12 cycles per degree only at thresholds 1 and 5. Conclusions: Contrast sensitivity in the Mexican population with diabetes mellitus displays better contrast perception at the frequencies evaluated than the control group(AU)

For Whom Does Determinism Undermine Moral Responsibility? Surveying the Conditions for Free Will Across Cultures.

Philosophers have long debated whether, if determinism is true, we should hold people morally responsible for their actions since in a deterministic universe, people are arguably not the ultimate source of their actions nor could they have done otherwise if initial conditions and the laws of nature are held fixed. To reveal how non-philosophers ordinarily reason about the conditions for free will, we conducted a cross-cultural and cross-linguistic survey (N = 5,268) spanning twenty countries and sixteen languages. Overall, participants tended to ascribe moral responsibility whether the perpetrator lacked sourcehood or alternate possibilities. However, for American, European, and Middle Eastern participants, being the ultimate source of one's actions promoted perceptions of free will and control as well as ascriptions of blame and punishment. By contrast, being the source of one's actions was not particularly salient to Asian participants. Finally, across cultures, participants exhibiting greater cognitive reflection were more likely to view free will as incompatible with causal determinism. We discuss these findings in light of documented cultural differences in the tendency toward dispositional versus situational attributions.

Cambia el color y el riesgo… Nuevo escenario para el cáncer de próstata en Chile / Prostate cancer in african american immigrants in Chile

In 2017, migrants were 4.35% of the Chilean population, mainly from Peru and Colombia. From 2015, the amount of migrants from Central America, particularly from Haiti increased notably. This process changed the phenotype of the male population, increasing the proportion of black men, mainly between 20 and 50 years. Afro-descendant men have a higher risk for prostate cancer, and the tumor can appear as early as 40 years of age among them. This increase will have future repercussions on the public health system, since part of these men have low income and poor living conditions. Therefore, it is necessary to discuss early detection strategies focused on this population, including education for both patients and health professionals. This review includes data on the reality of migration in Chile and its impact on the health system. The higher incidence and mortality of prostate cancer in the migrant population is reviewed and risk-adjusted screening strategies are proposed.

[Prostate cancer in african american immigrants in Chile]. / Cambia el color y el riesgo Nuevo escenario para el cáncer de próstata en Chile.

In 2017, migrants were 4.35% of the Chilean population, mainly from Peru and Colombia. From 2015, the amount of migrants from Central America, particularly from Haiti increased notably. This process changed the phenotype of the male population, increasing the proportion of black men, mainly between 20 and 50 years. Afro-descendant men have a higher risk for prostate cancer, and the tumor can appear as early as 40 years of age among them. This increase will have future repercussions on the public health system, since part of these men have low income and poor living conditions. Therefore, it is necessary to discuss early detection strategies focused on this population, including education for both patients and health professionals. This review includes data on the reality of migration in Chile and its impact on the health system. The higher incidence and mortality of prostate cancer in the migrant population is reviewed and risk-adjusted screening strategies are proposed.

Hemostatic agents for access tract in tubeless percutaneous nephrolithotomy: Is it worth?

INTRODUCTION: The role of hemostatic agents as an adjunct for closure of the nephrostomy tract in tubeless percutaneous surgery (tubeless percutaneous nephrolithotomy [tPNL]) has been previously evaluated, observing a potential benefit in terms of reduced bleeding and urinary leakage. We assessed the rate of postoperative complications after the use of hemostatic agents for sealing the nephrostomy tract in patients undergoing tPNL at our institution. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: We performed a retrospective analysis of 52 consecutive patients undergoing tPNL at our center between January 2010 and December 2013. No substance was placed within the tract in 25 patients (Group 1). A cylinder of Surgicel(®) in addition to 1 unit of Gelita(®) were placed within the access tract in 27 patients (Group 2). We accounted for demographic variables, stone size, operative time, postoperative pain, development of hematoma, postoperative hematocrit drop, urinary leakage, residual lithiasis, and hospital stay length. RESULTS: Age and sex differed significantly between the two groups (P = 0.0002 and P = 0.048 respectively). However, there were no significant differences in terms of body mass index and stone burden. No significant differences between groups were found with regards to operative time, postoperative hematocrit drop, postoperative pain and presence of residual lithiasis. CONCLUSION: The use of Gelita(®) and Surgicel(®) as hemostatic agents in tPNL is safe, but we were not able to demonstrate any significant benefit in terms of postoperative morbidity after comparing the use of these agents in tPNL. We concluded that the uses of hemostatic agents needed to be evaluated in prospective randomized trials to define its benefits.

Nefrolitectomía endoscópica transpiélica durante pieloplastía laparoscópica asistida por robot: Combinación de técnicas endourológicas para la resolución de un caso de estenosis pieloureteral asociado a nefrolitiasis / Endoscopic nephrolithotomy transpielic during a robot assisted laparoscopic pyeloplasty: Combination of endourological techniques for solving a case of pelvi-ureter stenosis associated with nephrolithiasis

La estenosis pieloureteral (EPU) puede predisponer al desarrollo de nefrolitiasis debido a estasis urinaria. Inicialmente la endopielotomía percutánea fue la alternativa mínimamente invasiva de elección frente a la cirugía abierta para la resolución de los casos de EPU con nefrolitiasis concomitante. Sin embargo, el bajo éxito de la endopielotomía percutánea ha favorecido el uso de la laparoscopía convencional o asistida por robot para el tratamiento de las EPU. Se han reportado casos de pieloplastías laparoscópicas en los cuales se ha introducido un nefroscopio flexible a través de un trócar para resolver la nefrolitiasis por vía transpiélica. Acá reportamos nuestra experiencia en un caso.(AU)

The pelvi-ureter stenosis may predispose to the development of nephrolithiasis due to urinary stasis. Initially, a percutaneous endopyelotomy was minimally invasive alternative of choice versus open surgery for resolving cases of EPU with concomitant nephrolithiasis. However, the low success of percutaneous endopyelotomy has favored the use of conventional laparoscopy or robot-assisted treatment of the pelvi-ureter stenosis. There have been reports of laparoscopic pyeloplasty in which a flexible nephroscope is inserted through a trocar to solve nephrolithiasis by a transpielic via. Here we report our experience in one case.(AU)

Repeated Plasmodium vivax malaria relapses in a Peruvian sailor.

Two Plasmodium vivax recurrences in a Peruvian sailor with weight above the 60 kg (cap for primaquine dosage) highlight the importance of adequate radical cure weight dosage for patient treatment and control efforts, particularly within the military.

Utilidad del tacto rectal en pacientes con cáncer de próstata y antígeno prostático menor a 4 ng/ml / Usefulness of DRE in patients with prostate cancer and PSA less than 4ng / ml

Actualmente la necesidad de incorporar el tacto rectal en protocolos de tamizaje ha sido tema de debate. Existe una gran proporción de cáncer de próstata (CaP) que son diagnosticados solo con tacto rectal (TR) sospechoso, aportando además importante información pronostica. En nuestro trabajo, evaluaremos la utilidad que tiene el tacto rectal sospechoso en aquellos pacientes con cáncer de próstata y APE < 4 ng/ml. MATERIALES Y MÉTODOS: Se realiza un estudio transversal y se registran pacientes de un hospital público que fueron controlados entre los años 2010 y 2012 con sospecha de CaP. Resultados: De un total de 268 pacientes que fueron sometidos a biopsia prostática por sospecha de CaP se obtuvo lo siguiente: 8 pacientes con APE < 2.5 ng/ml. cuya media de edad fue 70 años (61-82;7.4), destacó que el 87.5 por ciento tenía TR alterado y un 25 por ciento se confirmó cáncer, otorgando al TR una sensibilidad de 100 por ciento y valor predictivo positivo (VPP) 28.5 por ciento. 17 pacientes con APE 2.5-4.0 ng/ml. cuya media de edad fue 64.7 años (55-74;6.9), en donde un 29.4 por ciento tenía TR alterado y en un 35.3por ciento se confirmó cáncer, la sensibilidad del TR resultó 33por ciento y el VPP de 40 por ciento. 243 pacientes con APE 4.1-10 ng/ml. cuya media de edad fue 66.7 años (44-84;7.1), tenían TR alterado en 17.3porciento y confirmación de cáncer en un 27.3 por ciento, la sensibilidad del TR fue un 28.3 por ciento y el VPP 38 por ciento. CONCLUSIONES: La probabilidad de tener cáncer prostático con tacto rectal alterado es mayor a medida que aumenta el APE, destacando un VPP de 28.5 por ciento y VPN de un 100 por ciento en pacientes con APE < 2.5por ciento. En los pacientes con APE de 2.5-4.0 ng/ ml., el tacto rectal obtiene un VPP 40 por ciento y VPN 66.6 por ciento. Estos valores sugieren que aún es importante realizar el TR de manera rutinaria, ya que aproximadamente un tercio tendrá o desarrollara un cáncer de próstata.

Currently the need to include a rectal examination in screening protocols has been the subject of debate. There is a large proportion of prostate cancer (CaP) who are diagnosed only with suspicious digital rectal examination (DRE), also providing important prognostic information. In our work, we will evaluate the usefulness suspicious digital rectal examination in patients with prostate cancer and PSA <4 ng / ml. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted and a public hospital patients who were followed between 2010 and 2012 with suspected PCa are recorded. RESULTS: From the 268 patients who underwent prostate biopsy for suspected CaP the following was obtained: From 8 patients with PSA <2.5 ng / ml. whose average age was 70 years (61-82; 7.4), it was noted that 87.5 percent had altered DRE and in 25 percent cancer is confirmed, giving DRE a 100 percent sensitivity and a positive predictive value of (PPV) 28.5 percent. 17 patients with APE 2.5-4.0 ng / ml. whose mean age was 64.7 years (55-74; 6.9), where 29.4 percent had altered DRE and in 35.3 percent cancer is confirmed, the sensitivity of DRE was 33 percent and a PPV of 40 percent. 243 patients with APE 4.1-10 ng/ml. whose mean age was 66.7 years (44-84; 7.1) DRE was altered in 17.3 percent and confirmation of cancer was 27.3 percent, sensitivity was 28.3 percent and PPV 38 percent. CONCLUSIONS: The chance of having prostate cancer with altered DRE is greater with increasing PSA, highlighting a PPV of 28.5 percent and NPV of 100 percent in patients with PSA <2.5 percent. In patients with PSA of 2.5-4.0 ng / ml., DRE get a PPV 40 percent and NPV 66.6 percent. These values suggest that it is still important to the TR routinely, because approximately one third have or develop prostate cancer.

Immediate postoperative morbidity in patients with indwelling double-J stent versus overnight-externalized ureteral catheter after tubeless percutaneous nephrolithotomy: a prospective, randomized study.

The conventional technique for percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PNL) ends by placing a nephrostomy tube within the access tract. However, feasibility and safety of tubeless PNL have been widely demonstrated. In this modification, a ureteral stent is usually left in place instead of the nephrostomy tube. The aim of this study is to compare the use of a postoperative indwelling double-J stent versus an overnight-externalized ureteral catheter in patients undergoing tubeless PNL. Sixty-eight patients undergoing tubeless PNL were randomized either for a postoperative double-J stent (group 1) or for an overnight-externalized ureteral catheter (group 2). Outcomes evaluated included postoperative pain, hospital stay length, incidence of hemorrhagic complications, residual lithiasis and urinary leakage. Groups were similar according to age, sex, body mass index and stone burden. There were no significant differences in terms of postoperative pain, incidence of perirenal hematomas, residual lithiasis and urinary leakage. However, patients in group 1 presented longer hospital stays (3.7 ± 1.7 vs. 1.9 ± 0.3 days; p < 0.001) and greater hematocrit drops (4.9 ± 2.2 vs. 2.1 ± 1.8 %; p < 0.001). Our results confirm that among patients undergoing tubeless PNL, both alternatives (i.e. leaving a double-J stent or an overnight-externalized ureteral catheter) are reliable and safe. However, further considerations, like the need of double-J stent removal under cystoscopy, need to be taken into account when deciding which modality to use.

Laparoscopic partial nephrectomy: A series of one hundred cases performed by the same surgeon.

INTRODUCTION: Laparoscopic partial nephrectomy (LPN) has become the first-line surgical technique for the management of renal tumors smaller than 4 cm. Its main advantages are an excellent oncologic control together with the preservation of nephron units. Moreover, it implies a shorter length of hospital stay, less postoperative pain, and shorter recovering times for patients. CONTEXT: We included 100 patients who consecutively underwent LPN between years 2000 and 2010 in our institution. AIMS: The aim was to present our experience and to compare it with the results reported in the literature by other centers. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: This was a prospective study. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: One hundred consecutive patients (67 men and 33 women) who underwent LPN within years 2000 and 2010 were included in the study. In all cases, surgery was performed by the same surgeon (JMC). Data were collected retrospectively, including clinical and histopathologic information, as well as surgical and functional results. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED: Statistical analysis was performed using the chi-square test and SPSS v17 software. A P-value < 0.05 was considered significant in all the analyses. RESULTS: The indication for LPN was a renal tumor or a complex renal cyst in the 96% of the cases. A retroperitoneal or transperitoneal approach was performed in the 62% and 38% of the cases, respectively. The average size of the tumor was 3.3 cm (range 1-8). The mean surgical time was 103.5 min (range 40-204). The mean estimated blood loss was 193.7 cc. The average hospital length of stay was 50.2 h. Six (6%) patients had complications related to the surgery. The majority (n = 2) was due to intraoperative bleeding. With an average follow-up time of 42.1 months, there is no tumor recurrence reported up to now. CONCLUSIONS: Our results are similar to those reported in the international literature. LPN is a challenging surgical technique that in hands of a trained and experienced surgeon has excellent and reproducible results for the management of small renal masses and cysts.

Pharmacoperone IN3 enhances the apoptotic effect of leuprolide in prostate cancer cells by increasing the gonadotropin-releasing hormone receptor in the cell membrane.

Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonists are widely used for the treatment of advanced prostate cancer (PCa). Agonists activate the GnRH receptor (GnRH-R), triggering apoptosis in PCa cells. In gonadotropes, the amount of GnRH-R in the plasma membrane is regulated by protein folding and endoplasmic reticulum retention, mechanisms that can be overcome by the pharmacoperone IN3. Our aim was to describe the intracellular distribution of GnRH-R in PCa cells and its relation to response to GnRH analog treatments. The expressions of GnRH-R in PCa biopsies were evaluated by immunohistochemistry and the intracellular distribution was determined by immunofluorescence in primary cell cultures from human PCa samples. Cultured cells were pretreated with IN3 and then with leuprolide. Cell survival was evaluated by 1-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-3,5-diphenylformazan (MTT) thiazolyl blue formazan and cell cycle and apoptosis by flow cytometry. We observed that the expression of GnRH-R decreased according to malignant progression. Most GnRH-R are located inside the cell, colocalizing with endoplasmic reticulum markers. The treatment with IN3 decreased cellular GnRH-R retention, increasing plasma membrane expression in approximately 60%. Pretreatment with IN3 decreased PCa cell survival compared with leuprolide-alone treatment, primarily because of an increase in apoptosis. We conclude that the response of PCa cells to leuprolide is related to the amount of GnRH-R in the plasma membrane. Therefore, pretreatment evaluation of the amount of these receptors may be a predictor of the outcome of leuprolide treatment in PCa patients. Assessment of systemic IN3 effect would be necessary to determine its utility as an adjuvant treatment in hormone-resistant tumors.

Molecular signature of cancer stem cells isolated from prostate carcinoma and expression of stem markers in different Gleason grades and metastasis.

Prostate cancer (PCa) is the most frequently diagnosed malignancy in men worldwide. Chemotherapy response is very poor and resistance to hormone-based treatments is frequent in advances stages. Recently, tumor-initiating cells or cancer stem cells (CSCs) have been identified in several cancers, including PCa. These cells are thought to be responsible for therapy resistance, relapse and metastasis. In the present work, enriched populations of CSCs were obtained using a mixed procedure that included differential clone-forming ability, sphere growing induction (prostatospheres) and magnetic-associated cell sorting (MACS). Also, stem marker expression was determined in PCa biopsies of different histological grades and metastasis samples. The signature for stem markers of the isolated CSCs was CD133+/CD44+/ABCG2+/ CD24-. Expression of stem markers (CD133, CD44, and ABCG2) was higher in medium Gleason biopsies than in lower and higher grades, and lymph-node and bone metastasis samples. These results suggest that the CSCs in PCa reach an important number in medium Gleason grades, when the tumor is still confined into the gland. At this stage, the surgical treatment is usually with curative intention. However, an important percentage of patients relapse after treatment. Number and signature of CSCs may be a prognosis factor for PCa recurrence.

Molecular signature of cancer stem cells isolated from prostate carcinoma and expression of stem markers in different Gleason grades and metastasis

Prostate cancer (PCa) is the most frequently diagnosed malignancy in men worldwide. Chemotherapy response is very poor and resistance to hormone-based treatments is frequent in advances stages. Recently, tumor-initiating cells or cancer stem cells (CSCs) have been identified in several cancers, including PCa. These cells are thought to be responsible for therapy resistance, relapse and metastasis. In the present work, enriched populations of CSCs were obtained using a mixed procedure that included differential clone-forming ability, sphere growing induction (prostatospheres) and magnetic-associated cell sorting (MACS). Also, stem marker expression was determined in PCa biopsies of different histological grades and metastasis samples. The signature for stem markers of the isolated CSCs was CD133+/CD44+/ABCG2+/ CD24-. Expression of stem markers (CD133, CD44, and ABCG2) was higher in medium Gleason biopsies than in lower and higher grades, and lymph-node and bone metastasis samples. These results suggest that the CSCs in PCa reach an important number in medium Gleason grades, when the tumor is still confined into the gland. At this stage, the surgical treatment is usually with curative intention. However, an important percentage of patients relapse after treatment. Number and signature of CSCs may be a prognosis factor for PCa recurrence.

CKD in Hispanics: Baseline characteristics from the CRIC (Chronic Renal Insufficiency Cohort) and Hispanic-CRIC Studies.

BACKGROUND: Little is known regarding chronic kidney disease (CKD) in Hispanics. We compared baseline characteristics of Hispanic participants in the Chronic Renal Insufficiency Cohort (CRIC) and Hispanic-CRIC (H-CRIC) Studies with non-Hispanic CRIC participants. STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional analysis. SETTING & PARTICIPANTS: Participants were aged 21-74 years with CKD using age-based estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) at enrollment into the CRIC/H-CRIC Studies. H-CRIC included Hispanics recruited at the University of Illinois in 2005-2008, whereas CRIC included Hispanics and non-Hispanics recruited at 7 clinical centers in 2003-2007. FACTOR: Race/ethnicity. OUTCOMES: Blood pressure, angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE)-inhibitor/angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB) use, and CKD-associated complications. MEASUREMENTS: Demographic characteristics, laboratory data, blood pressure, and medications were assessed using standard techniques and protocols. RESULTS: Of H-CRIC/CRIC participants, 497 were Hispanic, 1,650 were non-Hispanic black, and 1,638 were non-Hispanic white. Low income and educational attainment were nearly twice as prevalent in Hispanics compared with non-Hispanics (P < 0.01). Hispanics had self-reported diabetes (67%) more frequently than non-Hispanic blacks (51%) and whites (40%; P < 0.01). Blood pressure >130/80 mm Hg was more common in Hispanics (62%) than blacks (57%) and whites (35%; P < 0.05), and abnormalities in hematologic, metabolic, and bone metabolism parameters were more prevalent in Hispanics (P < 0.05), even after stratifying by entry eGFR. Hispanics had the lowest use of ACE inhibitors/ARBs among the high-risk subgroups, including participants with diabetes, proteinuria, and blood pressure >130/80 mm Hg. Mean eGFR was lower in Hispanics (39.6 mL/min/1.73 m(2)) than in blacks (43.7 mL/min/1.73 m(2)) and whites (46.2 mL/min/1.73 m(2)), whereas median proteinuria was higher in Hispanics (protein excretion, 0.72 g/d) than in blacks (0.24 g/d) and whites (0.12 g/d; P < 0.01). LIMITATIONS: Generalizability; observed associations limited by residual bias and confounding. CONCLUSIONS: Hispanics with CKD in the CRIC/H-CRIC Studies are disproportionately burdened with lower socioeconomic status, more frequent diabetes mellitus, less ACE-inhibitor/ARB use, worse blood pressure control, and more severe CKD and associated complications than their non-Hispanic counterparts.

Chemotherapy sensitivity recovery of prostate cancer cells by functional inhibition and knock down of multidrug resistance proteins.

BACKGROUND: In several cancer types, expression of multidrug resistance (MDR) proteins has been associated with lack of chemotherapy response. In advanced prostate cancer (PCa) the use of chemotherapy is mainly palliative due to its high resistance. Previously, we described that MDR phenotype in PCa could be related with high basal and drug-induced expression of MDR proteins P-Glycoprotein (P-Gp), MRP1, and LRP. METHODS: Using primary cell cultures from PCa patients, we evaluated the effect of function and expression inhibition of P-Gp, MRP1, and LRP, on cell survival after chemotherapy exposure. Cells were treated with specific MDR protein substrates (docetaxel and mitoxantrone for P-Gp, methotrexate for MRP1 and cisplatin for LRP) and pharmacological inhibitors (cyclosporine A, genistein and 3-aminobenzamide), and cell survival was evaluated trough 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) and cell cycle analysis. MRP1 activity was evaluated by FACS using the specific inhibitor MK571. Cells were transfected with MDR proteins siRNAs and treated with the corresponding substrates. RESULTS: PCa cell resistance to MDR protein substrates was partially reversed, decreasing cell survival in around 20%, by treating primary cell cultures with specific pharmacological inhibitors. PCa cells transfected with siRNAs against MDR proteins decreased cell survival when treated with the corresponding drugs. Docetaxel was the most effective chemotherapeutic drug to induce cell death and decrease survival. CONCLUSION: Low chemotherapy response in PCa could be explained, in part, by over-expression of functional MDR proteins. Expression and function of these proteins should be evaluated to enhance efficacy of docetaxel-based therapies of patients with hormone-resistant PCa.

Bolivia: Perspectivas económicas 2005-2014 / sss

Este ensayo, reflexiona sobre los posibles escenarios para la economía boliviana en los siguientes 10 años, tratando de fotografiar nuestra realidad futura con una lente optimista y una lente pesimista