Antitumor effect of a small-molecule inhibitor of KRASG12D in xenograft models of mucinous appendicular neoplasms.

Pseudomyxoma peritonei (PMP) is a rare disease characterized by a massive accumulation of mucus in the peritoneal cavity. The only effective treatment is aggressive surgery, aimed at removing all visible tumors. However, a high percentage of patients relapse, with subsequent progression and death. Recently, there has been an increase in therapies that target mutated oncogenic proteins. In this sense, KRAS has been reported to be highly mutated in PMP, with KRASG12D being the most common subtype. Here, we tested the efficacy of a small-molecule KRASG12D inhibitor, MRTX1133, in a high-grade PMP xenograft mouse model carrying a KRASG12D mutation. The results obtained in this work showed a profound inhibition of tumor growth, which was associated with a reduction in cell proliferation, an increase in apoptosis, and a reduction in the MAPK and PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathways. In conclusion, these results demonstrate the high potency and efficacy of MRTX1133 in KRASG12D-PMP tumors and provide a rationale for clinical trials.

A Pilot Study on the Feasibility of Developing and Implementing a Mobile App for the Acquisition of Clinical Knowledge and Competencies by Medical Students Transitioning from Preclinical to Clinical Years.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the consequent restrictions, universities have had to adapt their curricula substantially to new schemes in which remote learning is of the essence. In this study, we assess the feasibility of developing a mobile app supplementary to the distant teaching paradigm for the "Cardiology" module of the "General Pathology" subject in undergraduate Medical Education, and we evaluate its impact and acceptability. A cohort of volunteer second-year medical students (n = 44) had access to the app, and their opinions on its utility (1−10) were collected. Additionally, the students were invited to refer their expected satisfaction (1−10) with a blended learning methodology overlapping this new tool with the traditional resources. The average expected satisfaction had been compared to the average satisfaction obtained by just the traditional methodology in other modules from the same subject. Through a qualitative approach, we defined the strengths and weaknesses of the tool. Seventy-seven percent of the participants rated at 8/10 or more the potential learning value of the application and, if used as a supplement to traditional teaching, it would also statistically improve the satisfaction of students (6.52 vs. 8.70, p < 0.001). Similarly, the qualitative data corroborated the benefits of such innovation. Multidisciplinary collaborations are encouraged to develop teaching innovations, although further research should aim to better define the effectiveness of learning with these resources.

Treatment with an Anti-CK2 Synthetic Peptide Improves Clinical Response in COVID-19 Patients with Pneumonia. A Randomized and Controlled Clinical Trial.

The instrumental role of CK2 in the SARS-CoV-2 infection has pointed out this protein kinase as promising therapeutic target in COVID-19. Anti-SARS-CoV-2 activity has been reported by CK2 inhibitors in vitro; however, no anti-CK2 clinical approach has been investigated in COVID-19. This trial aimed to explore the safety and putative clinical benefit of CIGB-325, an anti-CK2 peptide previously assessed in cancer patients. A monocentric, controlled, and therapeutic exploratory trial of intravenous CIGB-325 in adults hospitalized with COVID-19 was performed. Twenty patients were randomly assigned to receive CIGB-325 (2.5 mg/kg/day during 5-consecutive days) plus standard-of-care (10 patients) or standard-of-care alone (10 patients). Adverse events were classified by the WHO Adverse Reaction Terminology. Parametric and nonparametric statistical analyses were performed according to the type of variable. Considering the small sample size, differences between groups were estimated by Bayesian analysis. CIGB-325 induced transient mild and/or moderate adverse events such as pruritus, flushing, and rash in some patients. Both therapeutic regimens were similar with respect to SARS-CoV-2 clearance in nasopharynx swabs over time. However, CIGB-325 significantly reduced the median number of pulmonary lesions (9.5 to 5.5, p = 0.042) at day 7 and the proportion of patients with such an effect was also higher according to Bayesian analysis (pDif > 0; 0.951). Also, CIGB-325 significantly reduced the CPK (p = 0.007) and LDH (p = 0.028) plasma levels at day 7. Our preliminary findings suggest that this anti-CK2 clinical approach could be combined with standard-of-care in COVID-19 in larger studies.

High frequency pulsed electrodialysis of acidic filtrate in kraft pulping.

We introduce high frequency pulsed electrodialysis (hf-pED) to process the acidic filtrate of a Kraft pulp bleaching stage, tested in a pilot trial. Compared with conventional electrodialysis, hf-pED at 2,000 Hz allows a reduction in operational cost by 12%, estimated as 0.54 USD/m3 of acidic filtrate, while simultaneously preventing membrane fouling. The proposed sectorial stream treatment is demonstrated to significantly improve the quality of the final effluent, according to mass balances, making it more suitable for irrigation applications, considering requirements of irrigation norms. Thus, we estimate a reduction of 59, 21, and 20% in the concentration of chloride, sodium, and sulfate, respectively, in the final effluent of a conventional Kraft pulping mill. This strategy is presented as a sustainable and economic solution compared with the desalinization of the whole final effluent.

Derrame pericárdico en pacientes embarazadas / Pericardial effusion in pregnant patients

RESUMEN Introducción: El derrame pericárdico en la paciente embarazada es infrecuente, pero se ha visto su presencia en algunos casos aislados sin repercusión hemodinámica, por lo que no se describe la evolución y la conducta a seguir en estas pacientes. Objetivos: Caracterizar a la paciente embarazada con derrame pericárdico, según variables clínicas, epidemiológicas y de laboratorio; y determinar el tiempo de evolución del derrame pericárdico posterior al parto. Método: Se realizó un estudio observacional descriptivo prospectivo con 15 embarazadas con diagnóstico de derrame pericárdico, definido por ecocardiograma transtorácico, seleccionadas de forma intencional de una población de 256 mujeres en estado de gravidez, que fueron atendidas en el Hospital Universitario Gineco-Obstétrico Mariana Grajales de la ciudad de Santa Clara (Villa Clara, Cuba) durante el período de julio 2018 a marzo 2019. Resultados: De las 256 pacientes, solo 15 (5,9%) presentaron derrame pericárdico. El 80% de estos derrames fue encontrado en pacientes con preeclampsia. El 66,7% tenía entre 20 y 29 años de edad, y el 73,3%, color blanco de piel. El derrame fue predominantemente leve (66,7%) y nunca grave, y las pacientes afectadas tenían, además, hipertensión arterial crónica (40%), obesidad (20%) y enfermedad del colágeno (13,3%). En el 86,7% de los casos el derrame pericárdico desapareció en los primeros 15 días posparto. Conclusiones: El derrame pericárdico fue encontrado con más frecuencia en pacientes con preeclampsia, hipertensión arterial crónica, obesidad, proteinuria, hipoproteinemia e hipoalbuminemia; y desapareció, en la mayoría de los casos, en los primeros 15 días posparto.

ABSTRACT Introduction: Pericardial effusions are infrequent in pregnant patients, but its presence has been seen in some isolated cases without hemodynamic involvement. Therefore, neither outcome nor treatment of these cases are described. Objectives: To characterize pregnant patients with pericardial effusion, according to clinical, epidemiological and laboratory variables and determine the recovery time from post-delivery pericardial effusion. Method: A prospective descriptive observational study was carried out with 15 pregnant women with pericardial effusion, diagnosed by transthoracic echocardiogram, intentionally selected from a population of 256 pregnant women who were treated at the Hospital Universitario Gineco-Obstétrico Mariana Grajales in the city of Santa Clara (Villa Clara, Cuba) during the period from July 2018 to March 2019. Results: Of the 256 patients, only 15 (5.9%) presented pericardial effusion. Eighty percent of these effusions were found in patients with pre-eclampsia. A total of 66.7% were aged between 20 and 29 years and 73.3% were white. Effusions were predominantly mild (66.7%) and never severe, and the affected patients also had chronic high blood pressure (40%), obesity (20%) and collagen disease (13.3%). In 86.7% of cases the pericardial effusion resolved in the first 15 days postpartum. Conclusions: Pericardial effusion was more frequently found in patients with pre-eclampsia, chronic arterial hypertension, proteinuria, hypoproteinemia and hipoalbuminemia, and in most cases resolved within the first 15 days postpartum.

A Rare Case of Giant Intraperitoneal Lipoma Found Incidentally on 18F-FDG PET/CT in a Patient with Nodular Fasciitis.

We report a case of concurrent nodular fasciitis and incidental giant intraperitoneal lipoma diagnosed on whole-body 18F-FDG PET/CT, an imaging modality that has the advantage of being able to detect unsuspected lesions.

Inmunidad e inflamación en el proceso quirúrgico / Immunity and inflammation in the surgical act

Resumen Todo acto quirúrgico implica un traumatismo directo al organismo, porque expone moléculas que normalmente no se encuentran en el medio extracelular, a las cuales el sistema inmune puede reconocer, e iniciará una respuesta inflamatoria aguda, con la consecuente producción de proteínas mensajeras llamadas citocinas proinflamatorias. Éstas se encargan de generar cambios en el tejido conectivo y el sistema vascular, lo que origina una vasodilatación que ocasiona la salida de líquido al espacio extracelular, lo que permitirá llegar al sitio de la lesión a los leucocitos y proteínas efectoras solubles, con el fin de responder al estímulo agresor mediante mecanismos innatos y adaptativos. Una vez que el estímulo agresor ha sido controlado, la respuesta fisiológica normal llevará a la producción de mediadores antiinflamatorios que permitan realizar una adecuada reparación tisular para llevar a los tejidos lesionados por el proceso quirúrgico a su estado normal.

Abstract Every surgical procedure results in a direct trauma to the organism because of an exposure to molecules that are not normally found in the extracellular environment, yet they can be recognized by the immune system and initiate an acute inflammatory response resulting in the production of messenger proteins called pro-inflammatory cytokines. This will produce changes in the connective and vascular tissues, leading to vasodilation and afterwards, the reléase of fluid into the extracellular space, allowing leukocytes and the soluble effector proteins to reach the injury in order to respond to the aggressor's stimulus with innate and adaptive mechanisms. Once the aggressor's stimulus has been controlled, the normal physiological response will lead to the production of anti-inflammatory mediators that will allow an adequate tissue repair. In this way, the injured tissues by the surgical lesion will return to its normal state.

Cefalea en trombocitosis esencial: reporte de un caso juvenil / Headache in essential thrombocytosis: report of a juvenile case

La trombocitosis esencial (TE), es una hemopatía caracterizada por un elevado número de plaquetas (>450x109L) e hiperplasia megacariocítica de la médula ósea, poco frecuente en menores de 30 años. La cefalea se encuentra en 45% de los casos, con características similares a la migraña, planteando dificultades diagnósticas. El número de plaquetas es relevante para el pronóstico (mayor riesgo de hemorragias o eventos isquémicos) y el tratamiento sintomático de la cefalea (contraindicación de ácido acetilsalicílico en pacientes con recuento plaquetario mayor a 1 500x109L). Se reporta el caso de una mujer de 20 años de edad, que inicia hace 3 años con episodios de cefalea y conteo de plaquetas en 2195x109L, hospitalizada por reagudización de cefalea, con un recuento plaquetario de 4640x109L. Mejora con hidroxicarbamida y analgésicos parenterales remitiendo los síntomas neurológicos.

Essential thrombocytosis (ET) is a blood disorder characterized by an elevated platelet count (> 450x109L) and megakaryocytic hyperplasia of the bone marrow is rare in people under 30 years. Headache occurs in 45% of cases, with migraineous characteristics, leading to difficulties in diagnosis. The number of platelets is relevant for prognosis-higher numbers correlate with more risk of bleeding or ischemic events, and guides the treatment of headaches, since the use of aspirin is contraindicated in patients with a platelet count more than 1500 x109L. We report a case of a 20 year-old woman, who presented with episodes of headache 3 years ago with a platelet count of 2195 x109L. She was hospitalized again recently for a headache exacerbation with a platelet count of 4640 x109L. After being treated with Hydroxyurea and parenteral analgesics her neurological symptoms resolved.

[Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease in Peru: report of eleven cases]. / Enfermedad de Creutzfeldt-Jakob en el Perú: reporte de once casos.

Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) is a fatal neurological disease caused by pathological isoform of the human prion protein. Clinical features of six cases of the sporadic form of CJD with definitive diagnosis by histopathology, and five cases with probable diagnosis were reported in patients treated at the Peruvian National Institute of Neurological Sciences. The average age of onset in definite cases was 55.8 years and in probable cases was 59.6, mostly males. The average disease duration was 8.8 months. A typical EEG was found in 50% of definite cases and in 80% of probable. The 14-3-3 protein in cerebrospinal fluid was positive in a probable case, and typical MRI findings were observed in two probable cases. All cases studied had a typical clinical course of the disease, and it is considered as the first report of CJD in Peru.

Enfermedad de Creutzfeldt-Jakob en el Perú: reporte de once casos / Creutzfeldt-jakob disease in Peru: report of eleven cases

La enfermedad de Creutzfeldt-Jakob (ECJ) es una enfermedad neurológica fatal producida por la isoforma patológica de la proteína priónica humana. Se reporta las características clínicas de seis casos de la forma esporádica de ECJ con diagnóstico definitivo por histopatología, y cinco casos con diagnóstico probable, en pacientes atendidos en el Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Neurológicas del Perú. La edad de inicio en los casos definitivos fue de 55,8 años y, en los probables, de 59,6 años, con predominio del sexo masculino. El tiempo de enfermedad fue de 8,8 meses. Se encontró un EEG típico en 50% de los casos definitivos y 80% de los probables. La proteína 14-3-3 en líquido cefalorraquídeo fue positiva en un caso probable y los hallazgos típicos en resonancia magnética se observaron en dos casos probables. Todos los casos cursaron con una evolución clínica típica de la enfermedad, y se considera el primer reporte de ECJ en el Perú. (AU)

Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) is a fatal neurological disease caused by pathological isoform of the human prion protein. Clinical features of six cases of the sporadic form of CJD with definitive diagnosis by histopathology, and five cases with probable diagnosis were reported in patients treated at the Peruvian National Institute of Neurological Sciences. The average age of onset in definite cases was 55.8 years and in probable cases was 59.6, mostly males. The average disease duration was 8.8 months. A typical EEG was found in 50% of definite cases and in 80% of probable. The 14-3-3 protein in cerebrospinal fluid was positive in a probable case, and typical MRI findings were observed in two probable cases. All cases studied had a typical clinical course of the disease, and it is considered as the first report of CJD in Peru. (AU)

Enfermedad de creutzfeldt-jakob en el Perú: reporte de once casos / Creutzfeldt-jakob disease in Peru: report of eleven cases

La enfermedad de Creutzfeldt-Jakob (ECJ) es una enfermedad neurológica fatal producida por la isoforma patológica de la proteína priónica humana. Se reporta las características clínicas de seis casos de la forma esporádica de ECJ con diagnóstico definitivo por histopatología, y cinco casos con diagnóstico probable, en pacientes atendidos en el Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Neurológicas del Perú. La edad de inicio en los casos definitivos fue de 55,8 años y, en los probables, de 59,6 años, con predominio del sexo masculino. El tiempo de enfermedad fue de 8,8 meses. Se encontró un EEG típico en 50% de los casos definitivos y 80% de los probables. La proteína 14-3-3 en líquido cefalorraquídeo fue positiva en un caso probable y los hallazgos típicos en resonancia magnética se observaron en dos casos probables. Todos los casos cursaron con una evolución clínica típica de la enfermedad, y se considera el primer reporte de ECJ en el Perú.

Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) is a fatal neurological disease caused by pathological isoform of the human prion protein. Clinical features of six cases of the sporadic form of CJD with definitive diagnosis by histopathology, and five cases with probable diagnosis were reported in patients treated at the Peruvian National Institute of Neurological Sciences. The average age of onset in definite cases was 55.8 years and in probable cases was 59.6, mostly males. The average disease duration was 8.8 months. A typical EEG was found in 50% of definite cases and in 80% of probable. The 14-3-3 protein in cerebrospinal fluid was positive in a probable case, and typical MRI findings were observed in two probable cases. All cases studied had a typical clinical course of the disease, and it is considered as the first report of CJD in Peru.

Intervención educativa sobre hipertensión arterial en pacientes hipertensos / Educational intervention on blood pressure in hypertensive patients

Se realiza un estudio sobre hipertensión arterial en el Consultorio Médico de La Sombrilla de Paraguay, Guantánamo, en el período mayo de 2012 a mayo de 2013, con el objetivo de modificar el nivel de conocimiento sobre hipertensión arterial en pacientes que padecen esta enfermedad. El universo de estudio y, a su vez, la muestra lo constituyeron todos los pacientes hipertensos mayores de 15 años (n= 59). Se recogieron datos como: edad, sexo, escolaridad y ocupación de los mismos, se identificó el nivel de conocimiento relacionado con la enfermedad antes y después del estudio y se realizaron encuentros educativos acerca de esta entidad. Hubo predominio del sexo femenino, en edades superior a los 50 años de edad y con nivel de escolaridad medio y obreros. Existía gran desconocimiento y descontrol sobre la enfermedad, aspecto que mejoró luego de la intervención(AU)

A study on arterial hypertension in done at the clinical office, Paraguay, Guantanamo, from May 2012 to May 2013, with the aim of changing the level of knowledge about arterial hypertension on patients suffering from this disease. The universe and sample of study sample were all those hypertensive patients older than 15 years (n = 59). Data were collected: age, gender, education and occupation of the same, the level of knowledge was identified and associated with the disease after and before the study doing educational meetings about this entity. There was a predominance of women older than 50 years of age, elemental level of education and work. There was great ignorance and lack of control concerning to disease, improving after the intervention

Toxicidad cutánea a corto plazo de pacientes con cáncer de mama tratados con radioterapia hipofraccionada / Short-term dermal toxicity of breast cancer patients treated with hypofractionated radiotherapy

Antecedentes: reportar la factibilidad y resultados de toxicidad cutánea en una cohorte de pacientes portadores de cáncer de mama, tratados con un esquema de hipofraccionamiento de radioterapia externa, con un manejo multidisciplinario. Métodos: utilizando un software SPSS v18, se realizó un análisis retrospectivo de 299 pacientes (6H y 293 M), tratados entre marzo de 2009 y diciembre de 2011, en el Instituto Oncológico del Sureste, Murcia, España. La mediana de edad fue de 54 años (rango, 31-89); 145 (48,49 por ciento) pacientes con cáncer de mama derecha y 154 (51,50 por ciento) de mama izquierda. Con base en la 7ma ed AJCC, la etapificación patológica fue: 118 (39,5 por ciento) pacientes T1, 114 (38,1 por ciento) T2, 43 (14,1 por ciento) T3, 11 (3,8 por ciento) T4, 5 (1,7 por ciento) Tis, 4 (1,3 por ciento) Tx; 137 pacientes (45,8 por ciento) eran N0, 94 (31,5 por ciento) N1, 45 (15 por ciento) N2, 20 (6,70 por ciento) N3 y 3 (1,00 por ciento) Nx. Todos los pacientes se sometieron a RTE con técnicas 3D conformada con esquema hipofraccionado de 2,67 Gy/día, en fracciones para una dosis total de Gy. Se realizó irradiación electiva a la región supraclavicular en 169 pacientes, con igual fraccionamiento. El 100 por ciento de la muestra se sometió a cirugía, el 84,3 por ciento recibió quimioterapia (66,21 por ciento postoperatoria y 18,1 por ciento neoadyuvante). Resultados: sesenta y siete pacientes (23,1 por ciento) presentaron toxicidad cutánea grado 2 al finalizar el tratamiento. No se reportó toxicidad cutánea aguda severa. Conclusión: el esquema de hipofraccionamiento empleado en cáncer de mama es factible y no ha demostrado incremento en la toxicidad aguda severa a nivel de piel...

Infecciones respiratorias en niños migrantes indígenas de familias jornaleras mexicanas / Respiratory tract infections in indigenous migrant Mexican day-laboring families' children

Objetivo Identificar factores asociados a infecciones de vías respiratorias en niños migrantes indígenas de familias jornaleras del sector cañero en Colima, México. Métodos Estudio transversal descriptivo. Previo consentimiento informado, se entrevistaron 71 madres sobre aspectos sociodemográficos y antecedentes de infecciones de vías respiratorias en sus niños, durante el período decosecha 2010-2011. Se realizó antropometría a 176 niños de 0-14 años y se revisaron clínicamente en busca de infecciones de vías respiratorias superiores e inferiores. Se calcularon frecuencias, porcentajes, Ji cuadrado,razones de momios (cruda y ajustada) e intervalos de confianza del 95 %. Resultados El 52,3 % de los niños tuvieron antecedentes de infecciones respi-ratorias en los últimos seis meses. Los porcentajes de infecciones respiratorias tuvieron diferencias significativas por albergues de residencia. Los factores asociados al antecedente de infección fueronla edad menor a cuatro años (RMA=4,06, IC 95 % (2,03-8,09)) y la residencia temporal en un albergue conmayor hacinamiento en sus cuartos y mayor uso de fogones de leña para cocinar (RMA=1,92, IC95 % (1,01-3,63)). Conclusión Los niños migrantes indígenas de familias jornaleras son vulnerables a las infecciones de vías respiratorias. Los programas preventivos deben segmentar sus acciones por grupos de edad, con énfasis en los niños menores, y favorecer la mejora en las condiciones de salubridad en los albergues.(AU)

Objective Identifying factors associated with respiratory tract infection in indigenous migrant day-laborer families'children living inthe sugarcane sector in Colima, Mexico. Methods This was a cross-sectional study. Having given theirinformed consent, 71 mothers were interviewed for compiling pertinentsociodemographic data and a history of respiratory tract infection in their children during the harvest period 2010-2011. Anthropometry for 176 children aged 0-14 years was recorded and they were clinically examinedfor upper and lower respiratory tract infection. Frequencies, percentages, Chi-square, odds ratio (crude and adjusted) and 95 % confidence intervals were calculated for the resulting data. Results 52.3 % of the children in the sample had a history of respiratory infection occurring during the last six months. Respiratory infectionrates were statistically significant regarding temporary residence in shelters/hostels. The factors associated with a background of infection were being aged less than four years (AOR 4.06 (2.03-8.09) 95 % CI) and having been involved in temporary residence in a shelter,thereby leading tomore overcrowding and an increased use of wood stoves for cooking (AOR 1.92 (1.01-3.63) 95 % CI). ConclusionIndigenous migrant day-laboring families'children are vulnerable to respiratory infection. Prevention programs should target their activities by age-group, emphasizing younger children, and promote improved sanitary conditions in the shelters.(AU)

Age and exercise training alter signaling through reactive oxygen species in the endothelium of skeletal muscle arterioles.

Exercise training ameliorates age-related impairments in endothelium-dependent vasodilation in skeletal muscle arterioles. Additionally, exercise training is associated with increased superoxide production. The purpose of this study was to determine the role of superoxide and superoxide-derived reactive oxygen species (ROS) signaling in mediating endothelium-dependent vasodilation of soleus muscle resistance arterioles from young and old, sedentary and exercise-trained rats. Young (3 mo) and old (22 mo) male rats were either exercise trained or remained sedentary for 10 wk. To determine the impact of ROS signaling on endothelium-dependent vasodilation, responses to acetylcholine were studied under control conditions and during the scavenging of superoxide and/or hydrogen peroxide. To determine the impact of NADPH oxidase-derived ROS, endothelium-dependent vasodilation was determined following NADPH oxidase inhibition. Reactivity to superoxide and hydrogen peroxide was also determined. Tempol, a scavenger of superoxide, and inhibitors of NADPH oxidase reduced endothelium-dependent vasodilation in all groups. Similarly, treatment with catalase and simultaneous treatment with tempol and catalase reduced endothelium-dependent vasodilation in all groups. Decomposition of peroxynitrite also reduced endothelium-dependent vasodilation. Aging had no effect on arteriolar protein content of SOD-1, catalase, or glutathione peroxidase-1; however, exercise training increased protein content of SOD-1 in young and old rats, catalase in young rats, and glutathione peroxidase-1 in old rats. These data indicate that ROS signaling is necessary for endothelium-dependent vasodilation in soleus muscle arterioles, and that exercise training-induced enhancement of endothelial function occurs, in part, through an increase in ROS signaling.

Divergent effects of aging and sex on vasoconstriction to endothelin in coronary arterioles.

OBJECTIVE: The risk for cardiovascular disease increases with advancing age; however, the chronological development of heart disease differs in males and females. The purpose of this study was to determine whether age-induced alterations in responses of coronary arterioles to the endogenous vasoconstrictor, endothelin, are sex-specific. METHODS: Coronary arterioles were isolated from young and old male and female rats to assess vasoconstrictor responses to endothelin (ET), and ETa and ETb receptor inhibitors were used to assess receptor-specific signaling. RESULTS: In intact arterioles from males, ET-induced vasoconstriction was reduced with age, whereas age increased vasoconstrictor responses to ET in intact arterioles from female rats. In intact arterioles from both sexes, blockade of either ETa or ETb eliminated age-related differences in responses to ET; however, denudation of arterioles from both sexes revealed age-related differences in ETa-mediated vasoconstriction. In arterioles from male rats, ETa receptor protein decreased, whereas ETb receptor protein increased with age. In coronary arterioles from females, neither ETa nor ETb receptor protein changed with age, suggesting age-related changes in ET signaling occur downstream of ET receptors. CONCLUSIONS: Thus, aging-induced alterations in responsiveness of the coronary resistance vasculature to endothelin are sex-specific, possibly contributing to sexual dimorphism in the risk of cardiovascular disease with advancing age.

[Respiratory tract infections in indigenous migrant Mexican day-laboring families' children]. / Infecciones respiratorias en niños migrantes indígenas de familias jornaleras mexicanas.

OBJECTIVE: Identifying factors associated with respiratory tract infection in indigenous migrant day-laborer families'children living in the sugarcane sector in Colima, Mexico. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study. Having given their informed consent, 71 mothers were interviewed for compiling pertinent sociodemographic data and a history of respiratory tract infection in their children during the harvest period 2010-2011. Anthropometry for 176 children aged 0-14 years was recorded and they were clinically examined for upper and lower respiratory tract infection. Frequencies, percentages, Chi-square, odds ratio (crude and adjusted) and 95 % confidence intervals were calculated for the resulting data. RESULTS: 52.3 % of the children in the sample had a history of respiratory infection occurring during the last six months. Respiratory infection rates were statistically significant regarding temporary residence in shelters/hostels. The factors associated with a background of infection were being aged less than four years (AOR 4.06 (2.03-8.09) 95 % CI) and having been involved in temporary residence in a shelter,thereby leading to more overcrowding and an increased use of wood stoves for cooking (AOR 1.92 (1.01-3.63) 95 % CI). CONCLUSION: Indigenous migrant day-laboring families'children are vulnerable to respiratory infection. Prevention programs should target their activities by age-group, emphasizing younger children, and promote improved sanitary conditions in the shelters.

Mortalidad por tumores malignos en el Policlínico Universitario 4 de abril del municipio Guantánamo / Malignant tumors at the Community University Policlinic 4 of April Guantánamo

Se realiza un estudio descriptivo y retrospectivo con el objetivo de caracterizar el comportamiento de la mortalidad por tumores malignos en el Policlínico 4 de abril del municipio Guantánamo, provinciaGuantánamo, en el período comprendido desde el 1ro de enero de 2006 al 31 de diciembre de 2011. El universo de estudio fue de 327 fallecidos por dicha causa. Se estudian variables, como: edad, sexo, tipo de tumor maligno, año y mes de fallecimiento y confirmación a través de necropsia. Predominaron los fallecidos por cáncer en los años 2008 y 2011, del sexo masculino y mayores de 60 años de edad. Prevaleció dicha mortalidad en el cáncer de pulmón y de próstata y el mayor lugar de ocurrencia de los pacientes fallecidos fue en el domicilio (AU)