Evaluation and analysis of plasma soluble adhesion molecules in patients with coronary ectasia and atherosclerotic coronary artery disease.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: The pathogenesis of coronary artery ectasia (CE) is poorly understood. An underlying inflammatory process is suspected; current therapy aims to prevent thrombotic events. Presently, there is no evidence to support an anti-inflammatory approach for CE patients. We undertook this study to determine the presence and levels of adhesion molecules as well as other inflammation-related markers and evaluate their invasive angiography findings to compare between patients with CE or atherosclerotic coronary artery disease (CAD). METHODS: We included 23 patients with CE alone and 23 patients with CAD alone reported by diagnostic angiography. The two groups were paired according to gender and age. Clinical variables, angiographic findings (STEMI, NSTEMI, previous coronary stenting and previous CABG), serum VCAM, ICAM, C-reactive protein (CRP), IL-6 and adiponectin were compared between groups. RESULTS: In patients with CE, median for serum VCAM was 1700 ng/mL with a range from 900-4050 and for serum ICAM was 550 ng/mL (370-1530); in contrast to the obstructive lesions group where we found a median for VCAM of 1150 ng/mL (650-2000) and for ICAM of 370 ng/mL (150-480). Both measurements achieved statistical significance with a p value = 0.0001. There was no important variation between patients measured at different times from diagnosis. CONCLUSION: Plasma soluble adhesion molecules in CE are elevated in comparison to CAD. The presence of high levels of these molecules, along with not uncommon multivessel and extensive coronary affection suggest the participation of subclinical inflammation, which may have an important role in the development of CE.

Single nucleotide polymorphisms within LIPA (Lysosomal Acid Lipase A) gene are associated with susceptibility to premature coronary artery disease. a replication in the genetic of atherosclerotic disease (GEA) Mexican study.

AIM: The rs1412444 and rs2246833 polymorphisms within the LIPA gene were recently found to be significantly associated with coronary artery disease (CAD) in genome-wide association studies in Caucasian and Asian populations. The aim of the present study was to replicate this association in an independent population with a different genetic background. METHODS: The rs1412444 and rs2246833 polymorphisms of the LIPA gene were genotyped by 5' exonuclease TaqMan genotyping assays in a sample of 899 Mexican patients with premature CAD, 270 individuals with subclinical atherosclerosis, and 677 healthy unrelated controls. Haplotypes were constructed after linkage disequilibrium analysis. RESULTS: Under recessive and additive models, the rs1412444 T and rs2246833 T alleles were associated with an increased risk of premature CAD when compared to controls adjusting for age, gender, BMI, and total cholesterol (OR = 1.53, PRec = 0.0013 and OR = 1.34, PAdd = 5 × 10(-4) for rs1412444 and OR = 1.45, PRec = 0.0039 and OR = 1.28, PAdd = 0.0023 for rs2246833). The effect of the two polymorphisms on various metabolic cardiovascular risk factors was analyzed in premature CAD and controls (CAC score = 0). The T alleles in both polymorphisms after adjusting for age, gender, BMI, and medication were associated with hypo-α-lipoproteinemia, hypercholesterolemia, hypertriglyceridemia, metabolic syndrome, and type 2 diabetes mellitus using recessive and additive models. The polymorphisms were in strong linkage disequilibrium and, based on SNP functional prediction software, only the rs1412444 polymorphism seemed to be functional. CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that the rs1412444 and rs2246833 of the LIPA gene are shared susceptibility polymorphisms for CAD among different ethnicities.

Association of angiotensin II type 1-receptor gene polymorphisms with the risk of developing hypertension in Mexican individuals.

INTRODUCTION: Hypertension is a complex disease in which a significant interaction between genetic and environmental factors takes place. The renin-angiotensin system plays an important role regulating blood pressure to maintain homeostasis and vascular tone. In the present work, the role of angiotensin II type 1-receptor (AGTR1) gene polymorphisms as susceptibility markers for hypertension was evaluated. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Five polymorphisms in the AGTR1 gene were genotyped by 5' exonuclease TaqMan genotyping assays in 239 hypertensive and 371 non-hypertensive individuals. RESULTS: A similar distribution of rs275651, rs275652, rs275653, and rs5183 polymorphisms was observed in both studied groups. Different distribution of rs5182 genotypes was observed between the studied groups (p = 0.016). According to the co-dominant model, individuals with rs5182 CC genotype have a 1.83-fold increased risk of developing hypertension (p = 0.009). Polymorphisms were distributed in two blocks: block 1 included the rs275651, rs275652, and rs275653 polymorphisms, whereas block 2 included the rs5183 and rs5182 polymorphisms. Individuals with hypertension showed increased frequency of 'CA' haplotype of block 2 when compared to non-hypertensive individuals (p = 0.015, odds ratio = 1.33). CONCLUSION: The results suggest that the rs5182 gene polymorphism could be involved in the risk of developing hypertension in Mexican individuals.

Algoritmo de manejo del trauma craneoencefálico leve: Una necesidad social en Cuba / Algorism for mild craneo - encephalic trauma management social necessity in Cuba

El tema del traumatismo craneoencefálico leve ha sido poco estudiado es Cuba por lo que se presenta este artículo con el objetivo de demostrar la necesidad social de la aplicación de un algoritmo de manejo de estos pacientes que se adapte al contexto social cubano. Se ofrecen conceptos actualizados sobre la importancia de la ciencia y la tecnología en la sociedad moderna y se aborda la significación de la innovación tecnológica para el desarrollo de la tecnociencia en Cuba. Se trata, basado en una epistemología compleja, las relaciones que se establecen entre el desarrollo social y los servicios de salud, así como entre la evolución de la tecnociencia y el trauma craneoencefálico. Se argumenta la relevancia social del traumatismo craneoencefálico leve tanto a nivel mundial como local, así como el impacto favorable de la aplicación de un algoritmo de manejo de estos enfermos, realizado sobre una base científica, el cual permite un empleo óptimo y racional de las tecnologías imagenológicas de avanzada con que se cuenta (AU)

The topic about mild cranium-encephalic traumatism has been little studied in Cuba, that is why this article is presented with the objective to demonstrate the social necessity to apply an algorism for these patient's handling adapted to the Cuban social context. The article offers present-day concepts about the importance of science and technology in modern society and the significance of the technological innovation in the development of the techno-science in Cuba. The relationships between the social development and health services, as well as between the evolution of the techno-science and the cranium-encephalic trauma is treated, based on a complex apistemiology. The article argues the social relevance of the mild cranium-encephalic traumatism in the world and in the country, and the favourable impact of the application of an algorism of these sick persons' handling, carried out upon a scientific base which allows a better and rational use of the most advanced imagenology technologies we have (AU)

Aspectos epidemiológicos relacionados con el dolor en la población adulta / Epidemic aspects related with pain in the adult population

El dolor constituye una problemática que rebasa el marco estrictamente personal y sanitario para convertirse en un problema o enfermedad social. Objetivo: caracterizar algunas variables epidemiológicas en las personas afectas de dolor en la población adulta de la ciudad de Camagüey. Métodos: se realizó un estudio de corte observacional, explicativo y transversal en la población adulta de la ciudad de Camagüey desde enero de 2005 hasta abril de 2007. Se utilizaron técnicas de distribución de frecuencias, por ciento y test de hipótesis de proporciones. Se estudiaron las principales variables epidemiológicas relacionadas con el dolor Resultados: el 67 porciento de las personas estudiadas refirieron dolor, el 58,7 por ciento de los mismos con valores de tres a cinco de la escala analógica, el dolor crónico se presentó en el 33,4 por ciento, un 55,4 por ciento mostró una edad entre 31 y 50 años, la prevalencia fue del 95,7 por ciento para la raza blanca, las osteoartropatías fueron las más frecuentes dentro de las patologías encontradas con el 53,9 por ciento, el 40,7 por ciento acudió a consulta pero se automedicaban el 57,5 por ciento de las personas. Conclusiones: existe una alta prevalencia del dolor en la población camagüeyana, presentándose de forma persistente o crónica en dos de cada tres personas de la muestra (AU)

Pain constitutes a problem that exceeds the strictly personal and health framework to become a problem or social illness. Objective: to characterize some epidemic variables in people affected of pain in the adult population of Camagüey city. Method: an observational, explanatory and cross-cut study in the adult population of Camagüey city was conducted from January 2005 to April 2007. Frequency distribution techniques were used; percent and proportions hypothesis tests were used. The main epidemic variables related with pain were studied. Results: the 67 percent of studied people referred pain, the 58,7 percent of them with values from three to five of the analog scale, chronic pain was presented in 33,4 percent, the age group between 31 and 50 years predominated, the white race was the one that prevailed with the 95,7 percent, osteoarthropathies was the most frequent within pathologies with 53,9 percent, the 40,7 percent were attended at consultation but were self-medicated the 57,5 percent. Conclusions: a high prevalence of pain in the population of Camagüey exists, being presented persistent or chronic form in two out of three people of the sample (AU)

Aspectos epidemiológicos relacionados con el dolor en la población adulta / Epidemic aspects related with pain in the adult population

Fundamento: el dolor constituye una problemática que rebasa el marco estrictamente personal y sanitario para convertirse en un problema o enfermedad social. Objetivo: caracterizar algunas variables epidemiológicas en las personas afectas de dolor en la población adulta de la ciudad de Camagüey. Métodos: se realizó un estudio de corte observacional, explicativo y transversal en la población adulta de la ciudad de Camagüey desde enero de 2005 hasta abril de 2007. Se utilizaron técnicas de distribución de frecuencias, por ciento y test de hipótesis de proporciones. Se estudiaron las principales variables epidemiológicas relacionadas con el dolor Resultados: el 67 por ciento de las personas estudiadas refirieron dolor, el 58,7 por ciento de los mismos con valores de tres a cinco de la escala analógica, el dolor crónico se presentó en el 33,4 por ciento, un 55,4 por ciento mostró una edad entre 31 y 50 años, la prevalencia fue del 95,7 por ciento para la raza blanca, las osteoartropatías fueron las más frecuentes dentro de las patologías encontradas con el 53,9 por ciento, el 40,7 por ciento acudió a consulta pero se automedicaban el 57,5 por ciento de las personas. Conclusiones: existe una alta prevalencia del dolor en la población camagüeyana, presentándose de forma persistente o crónica en dos de cada tres personas de la muestra.

Background: pain constitutes a problem that exceeds the strictly personal and health framework to become a problem or social illness. Objective: to characterize some epidemic variables in people affected of pain in the adult population of Camagüey city. Method: an observational, explanatory and cross-cut study in the adult population of Camagüey city was conducted from January 2005 to April 2007. Frequency distribution techniques were used; percent and proportions hypothesis tests were used. The main epidemic variables related with pain were studied. Results: the 67 percent of studied people referred pain, the 58,7 percent of them with values from three to five of the analog scale, chronic pain was presented in 33,4 percent, the age group between 31 and 50 years predominated, the white race was the one that prevailed with the 95,7 percent, osteoarthropathies was the most frequent within pathologies with 53,9 percent, the 40,7 percent were attended at consultation but were self-medicated the 57,5 percent. Conclusions: a high prevalence of pain in the population of Camagüey exists, being presented persistent or chronic form in two out of three people of the sample.

Hematoma subdural crónico calcificado: reporte de un caso / Calcified chronic subdural hematoma: a case report

El hematoma subdural crónico constituye una enfermedad frecuente en la práctica neuroquirúrgica cotidiana. Su diagnóstico se realiza actualmente de forma temprana en la mayoría de los pacientes, a partir de la introducción de las modernas técnicas de imagenología. Se presenta el caso de un enfermo de 84 años de edad con historia de cefalea, mutismo acinético y cuadriparesia, cuyo examen tomográfico mostró una colección extraxial supratentorial hemisférica derecha con calcificación masiva; se practicó la exéresis mediante una craneotomía y el estudio histopatológico confirmó el diagnóstico de hematoma subdural crónico. Se concluye que, al constituir la calcificación masiva del hematoma subdural crónico una rara forma de presentación imagenológica en la actualidad, deben contemplarse otras entidades en el diagnóstico diferencial como neoplasias y malformaciones vasculares intracraneales; por otro lado, aumenta la complejidad quirúrgica ya que es imprescindible la práctica de una craneotomía para la evacuación de la lesión (AU)

The chronic subdural hematoma constitutes a frequent disease in daily neurosurgical practice. Currently its diagnosis of premature form is performed in the majority of patients, since the introduction of imaging's modern techniques. An 84 years old patient with history of cephalea, akinetic mutism and cuadriparesis, whose tomographic exam showed a right hemispheric supratentorial extraxial collection with massive calcification; the exeresis was performed by means of a craniotomy and the histopathological study confirmed the diagnosis of chronic subdural hematoma. It was concluded that, when constitute the massive calcification of the chronic subdural hematoma a rare form of imaging presentation at present, should contemplate another entities in the differential diagnostic like neoplasias and intracranial vascular malformations; In addition, increases the surgical complexity since it is essential the practice of a craniotomy for the evacuation of the lesion (AU)

Hematoma subdural crónico calcificado: reporte de un caso / Calcified chronic subdural hematoma: a case report

El hematoma subdural crónico constituye una enfermedad frecuente en la práctica neuroquirúrgica cotidiana. Su diagnóstico se realiza actualmente de forma temprana en la mayoría de los pacientes, a partir de la introducción de las modernas técnicas de imagenología. Se presenta el caso de un enfermo de 84 años de edad con historia de cefalea, mutismo acinético y cuadriparesia, cuyo examen tomográfico mostró una colección extraxial supratentorial hemisférica derecha con calcificación masiva; se practicó la exéresis mediante una craneotomía y el estudio histopatológico confirmó el diagnóstico de hematoma subdural crónico. Se concluye que, al constituir la calcificación masiva del hematoma subdural crónico una rara forma de presentación imagenológica en la actualidad, deben contemplarse otras entidades en el diagnóstico diferencial como neoplasias y malformaciones vasculares intracraneales; por otro lado, aumenta la complejidad quirúrgica ya que es imprescindible la práctica de una craneotomía para la evacuación de la lesión.

The chronic subdural hematoma constitutes a frequent disease in daily neurosurgical practice. Currently its diagnosis of premature form is performed in the majority of patients, since the introduction of imaging's modern techniques. An 84 years old patient with history of cephalea, akinetic mutism and cuadriparesis, whose tomographic exam showed a right hemispheric supratentorial extraxial collection with massive calcification; the exeresis was performed by means of a craniotomy and the histopathological study confirmed the diagnosis of chronic subdural hematoma. It was concluded that, when constitute the massive calcification of the chronic subdural hematoma a rare form of imaging presentation at present, should contemplate another entities in the differential diagnostic like neoplasias and intracranial vascular malformations; In addition, increases the surgical complexity since it is essential the practice of a craniotomy for the evacuation of the lesion.

Procedimiento general para purificar a pequeña escala las fimbrias expresadas por cepas porcinas de Escherichia coli enterotoxigenicas / A general procedure for small-scale purification of fimbriae expressed by porcine enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli strains

La fimbriacion en cepas de Escherichia coli enterotoxigénicas es un proceso complejo controlado por varios mecanismos: reguladores globales y locales de la transcripción y el control postranscripcional, e influenciado por factores como velocidad de crecimiento bacteriano, composición del medio de cultivo, temperatura y pH, entre otros. Estas características propician que la expresión fimbrial se pierda con alta frecuencia. De allí que se requieran procedimientos de cultivo que favorezcan el mantenimiento de dicha expresión. Con ese objetivo, en el trabajo la población bacteriana fimbriada se enriquecio mediante cultivo estático en caldo Mueller-Hinton. Luego, la expresión fimbrial se mantuvo mediante el crecimiento en forma consecutiva en agar CFA, y el caldo Minca o Mínimo, según el tipo fimbrial, en los que se alcanzó la máxima expresión a las 4-5h de cultivo. Las fimbrias se extrajeron mediante tratamiento térmico y se precipitaron con sulfato de amonio al 40 por ciento. La purificación se realizó mediante exclusión molecular y el tratamiento con deoxicolato de sodio. La metodología propuesta integra procedimientos conocidos en un proceso simple y reproducible para la obtención de las fimbrias F4, F5, F6 y F41 en cantidades suficientes para su posterior uso en la generación de anticuerpos, el desarrollo de inmunoensayos y otros estudios a escala de laboratorio, que necesiten de preparaciones con una pureza superior al 80 por ciento, que mantengan su estructura nativa

Effect of sex hormones on non-esterified fatty acids, intra-abdominal fat accumulation, and hypertension induced by sucrose diet in male rats.

Sucrose-fed rats (1) had higher intra-abdominal fat mass and plasma non-esterified fatty acids and lower testosterone levels, (2) were hypertensive, and (3) had lower plasma NO metabolites than controls. The lack of testosterone by castration of sucrose-fed rats decreased high blood pressure and circulating non-esterified fatty acids and increased NO metabolites. The administration of testosterone to castrated sucrose-fed rats restored hypertension, fat accumulation, and high-circulating non-esterified fatty acids, and lowered NO metabolite levels whereas estradiol treatment did not significantly affect these variables in castrated animals. This study proposes that the low levels of testosterone found in sucrose-fed rats are sufficient to maintain central obesity and increased circulating non-esterified fatty acids, which contribute to the development of hypertension in sucrose-fed rats by modulating the biosynthesis of NO.

Algoritmo de manejo del trauma craneoencefálico leve: Una necesidad social en Cuba / Algorism for mild craneo - encephalic trauma management social necessity in Cuba

El tema del traumatismo craneoencefálico leve ha sido poco estudiado es Cuba por lo que se presenta este artículo con el objetivo de demostrar la necesidad social de la aplicación de un algoritmo de manejo de estos pacientes que se adapte al contexto social cubano. Se ofrecen conceptos actualizados sobre la importancia de la ciencia y la tecnología en la sociedad moderna y se aborda la significación de la innovación tecnológica para el desarrollo de la tecnociencia en Cuba. Se trata, basado en una epistemología compleja, las relaciones que se establecen entre el desarrollo social y los servicios de salud, así como entre la evolución de la tecnociencia y el trauma craneoencefálico. Se argumenta la relevancia social del traumatismo craneoencefálico leve tanto a nivel mundial como local, así como el impacto favorable de la aplicación de un algoritmo de manejo de estos enfermos, realizado sobre una base científica, el cual permite un empleo óptimo y racional de las tecnologías imagenológicas de avanzada con que se cuenta.

The topic about mild cranium-encephalic traumatism has been little studied in Cuba, that is why this article is presented with the objective to demonstrate the social necessity to apply an algorism for these patient's handling adapted to the Cuban social context. The article offers present-day concepts about the importance of science and technology in modern society and the significance of the technological innovation in the development of the techno-science in Cuba. The relationships between the social development and health services, as well as between the evolution of the techno-science and the cranium-encephalic trauma is treated, based on a complex apistemiology. The article argues the social relevance of the mild cranium-encephalic traumatism in the world and in the country, and the favourable impact of the application of an algorism of these sick persons' handling, carried out upon a scientific base which allows a better and rational use of the most advanced imagenology technologies we have.

Algoritmo de manejo del trauma craneoencefálico leve: una necesidad social en Cuba / Algorism for mild craneo - encephalic trauma management social necessity in Cuba

El tema del traumatismo craneoencefálico leve ha sido poco estudiado es Cuba por lo que se presenta este artículo con el objetivo de demostrar la necesidad social de la aplicación de un algoritmo de manejo de estos pacientes que se adapte al contexto social cubano. Se ofrecen conceptos actualizados sobre la importancia de la ciencia y la tecnología en la sociedad moderna y se aborda la significación de la innovación tecnológica para el desarrollo de la tecnociencia en Cuba. Se trata, basado en una epistemología compleja, las relaciones que se establecen entre el desarrollo social y los servicios de salud, así como entre la evolución de la tecnociencia y el trauma craneoencefálico. Se argumenta la relevancia social del traumatismo craneoencefálico leve tanto a nivel mundial como local, así como el impacto favorable de la aplicación de un algoritmo de manejo de estos enfermos, realizado sobre una base científica, el cual permite un empleo óptimo y racional de las tecnologías imagenológicas de avanzada con que se cuenta(AU)

Angiotensin-I-converting enzyme (ACE) insertion/deletion polymorphism in Mexican patients with coronary artery disease. Association with the disease but not with lipid levels.

Angiotensin-I-converting enzyme (ACE) insertion/deletion (ID) polymorphism has been associated with the genetic susceptibility to coronary artery disease (CAD) and also with the lipid profile in several populations. In the present work, we analyzed the distribution of ID polymorphism in 147 Mexican patients with CAD and 100 unrelated healthy controls. The correlation of this polymorphism with the lipid profile (cholesterol, low density lipoprotein-cholesterol, very low density lipoprotein-cholesterol, high density lipoprotein-cholesterol and triglycerides) in the patients group was determined. Increased frequency of D allele as well as DD genotype and decreased frequency of I allele and II genotype were found in CAD patients group (pC = 0.00058, OR = 1.96, pC = 0.021, OR = 2.5 and pC = 0.00058, OR = 0.51, pC = 0.0028, OR = 0.38). Correlation between ID genotypes and lipid profile in patients was carried out in total population and separately for females and males. After they had been adjusted for age, sex and BMI, there was no association among the three genotypes (II, ID and DD) and lipids and lipoproteins in none of the studied groups. Our data suggest that genetic variation at the ACE is a genetic factor related with the susceptibility to coronary artery disease in the Mexican Mestizo population.

Distribution of paraoxonase PON1 gene polymorphisms in Mexican populations. Its role in the lipid profile.

Paraoxonase gene polymorphisms (PON1-55 and PON1-192) were determined in four Mexican populations (Mestizos, Nahuas, Teenek and Mayos) belonging to different ethnic groups. The role of these polymorphisms in the lipid profile in the Mestizo group was also analyzed. PON1 polymorphisms were determined by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism. Comparison among Mexican populations showed increased frequencies of PON1-55 L allele and LL genotype and decreased frequencies of M allele and LM genotype in the three Amerindian populations when compared to Mestizos (P < 0.05). Mexicans together with Asian populations (from Japan and China) presented the highest frequencies of PON1-55 L allele (P < 0.05 when compared to Caucasian populations). Heterogeneous data were noted when PON1-192 polymorphism comparison was made. In summary, distribution frequencies of PON1 showed that Mexican populations are more related to Asians than Caucasians. This confirms previous studies with other genetic markers indicating that Native Americans have stronger genetic affinities to the Paleolithic people of North-East Asia than to other major world populations. In Mexican Mestizos, lack of correlation between PON1 polymorphisms and lipid profile was found, corroborating previous data in other populations. The present data could be helpful to understand the distribution of these polymorphisms and its role as genetic and evolutive markers in the Amerindian populations.