Observational analysis of clinical and pathological characteristics and their prognostic impact in Mexican patients with breast cancer: A multi-center study.

Breast cancer is the most incidental and deadly neoplasm worldwide; in Mexico, very few epidemiologic reports have analyzed the pathological features and its impact on their clinical outcome. Here, we studied the relation between pathological features and the clinical presentation at diagnosis and their impact on the overall and progression-free survival of patients with breast cancer. For this purpose, we collected 199 clinical records of female patients, aged at least 18 years old (y/o), with breast cancer diagnosis confirmed by biopsy. We excluded patients with incomplete or conflicting clinical records. Afterward, we performed an analysis of overall and progression-free survival and associated risks. Our results showed an average age at diagnosis of 52 y/o (24-85), the most common features were: upper outer quadrant tumor (32%), invasive ductal carcinoma (76.8%), moderately differentiated (44.3%), early clinical stages (40.8%), asymptomatic patients (47.8%), luminal A subtype (47.8%). Median overall survival was not reached, but median progression-free survival was 32.2 months (29.75-34.64, CI 95%) associated risk were: clinical stage (p < 0.0001) symptomatic presentation (p = 0.009) and histologic grade (p = 0.02). Therefore, we concluded that symptom presence at diagnosis impacts progression-free survival, and palpable symptoms are related to an increased risk for mortality.

Delayed estrogen actions diminish food consumption without changing food approach, motor activity, or hypothalamic activation elicited by corticostriatal µ-opioid signaling.

Mu-opioid receptor (µ-OR) signaling in forebrain sites including nucleus accumbens (Acb) and ventromedial prefrontal cortex (vmPFC) modulates reward-driven feeding and may play a role in the pathophysiology of disordered eating. In preclinical models, intra-Acb or intra-vmPFC µ-OR stimulation causes overeating and vigorous responding for food rewards. These effects have been studied mainly in male animals, despite demonstrated sex differences and estrogen modulation of central reward systems. Hence, the present study investigated sex differences and estrogen modulation of intra-Acb and intra-vmPFC µ-OR-driven feeding behaviors. First, the dose-related effects of intra-Acb and intra-vmPFC infusions of the µ-OR-selective agonist, DAMGO, were compared among intact female, ovariectomized (OVX) female, and intact male rats. The DAMGO feeding dose-effect function was flattened in intact females relative to the robust, dose-dependent effects observed in OVX females and intact males. Thus, in intact females, intra-Acb DAMGO failed to elevate food intake relative to vehicle, while intra-vmPFC DAMGO elevated food intake, but to a smaller degree compared to males and OVX females. Next, to explore the possible role of estrogen in mediating the diminished DAMGO response observed in intact females, OVX rats were given intra-Acb or intra-vmPFC infusions of DAMGO either immediately after a subcutaneous injection of 17-beta-estradiol 3-benzoate (EB; 5 µg/0.1 mL) or 24 h after EB injection. Intra-Acb DAMGO effects were not changed at the immediate post-EB time point. At the delayed post-EB timepoint, significant lordosis was noted and the duration of intra-Acb DAMGO-driven feeding bouts was significantly reduced, with no change in the number of bouts initiated, locomotor hyperactivity, or Fos immunoreactivity in hypothalamic feeding and arousal systems. Similarly, EB failed to alter the motor-activational effects of intra-vmPFC DAMGO while reducing feeding. These findings indicate that delayed, presumably genomically mediated estrogen actions modulate the µ-OR-generated motivational state by reducing consummatory activity while sparing goal-approach and general arousal/activity. The results additionally suggest that EB regulation of consummatory activity occurs outside of forebrain-µ-OR control of hypothalamic systems.

Delayed but not immediate effects of estrogen curtail gamma-aminobutyric acid-mediated feeding responses elicited from the nucleus accumbens shell.

The present study investigated immediate versus delayed effects of estrogen replacement in ovariectomized (OVX) rats on hyperphagia elicited by gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)-A-agonist (muscimol) infusions into the nucleus accumbens shell (AcbSh). First, because intra-AcbSh muscimol-induced feeding has never been explored in OVX rats, a dose-effect curve was generated and compared to sham-operated males, the current point of reference in the literature. Muscimol (5, 10, 25, and 50 ng) increased food intake in both sexes, and both sexes reached the same asymptotic level of intake. Nevertheless, slopes of the linearized dose-effect functions for males and OVX females differed significantly, with females starting at a lower baseline and exhibiting a steeper slope. Next, the behavioral profiles of a behaviorally active, but nonmaximal intra-AcbSh muscimol dose (25 ng), were examined in a separate group of OVX females at two time-points: immediately after injecting 17ß-estradiol 3-benzoate (EB) subcutaneously (5 µg), and 24 hr post-EB. Delayed, but not immediate, EB pretreatment suppressed, but did not eliminate, muscimol-driven food intake. However, EB did not change nonfood-directed behaviors such as locomotion or rearing. These results demonstrate that feeding mediated by intra-AcbSh GABA-A receptors is delimited by delayed, but not rapid, effects of estradiol. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved).

Neurorehabilitation Improves the Motor Features in Prodromal SCA2: A Randomized, Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND: The search for early interventions is a novel approach in spinocerebellar ataxias, but there are few studies supporting this notion. This article aimed to assess the efficacy of neurorehabilitation treatment in prodromal spinocerebellar ataxia type 2. METHODS: Thirty spinocerebellar ataxia type 2 preclinical carriers were enrolled in a randomized, controlled trial using neurorehabilitation. The intervention in the treated group was 4 hours per day, 5 days per week for 12 weeks, emphasizing static balance, gait, and limb coordination. The control group did not receive rehabilitation. The primary outcome measure was the time for 5-m tandem gait over the floor. Secondary outcomes included other timed tests with increased motor complexity, as well as the scores of the SARA and the Inventory of Non-ataxia Symptoms. RESULTS: The times for 5-m tandem gait over the floor and the mattress were significantly reduced only in the rehabilitated group. Moreover, the times upholding the tandem stance over a mattress and the seesaw were notably increased only in this group. Likewise, the finger-nose and the heel-shin tests were improved in the rehabilitated group alone. The SARA score and the count of nonataxia symptoms were unchanged. CONCLUSIONS: This rehabilitation program improves the subtle gait, postural and coordinative deficits in prodromal spinocerebellar ataxia type 2, which provided novel hints about the preservation of motor learning and neural plasticity mechanisms in early disease stages, leading chances for other interventional approaches in this and other spinocerebellar ataxias. © 2019 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society.

The organization of the human cerebellum estimated by intrinsic functional connectivity.

The cerebral cortex communicates with the cerebellum via polysynaptic circuits. Separate regions of the cerebellum are connected to distinct cerebral areas, forming a complex topography. In this study we explored the organization of cerebrocerebellar circuits in the human using resting-state functional connectivity MRI (fcMRI). Data from 1,000 subjects were registered using nonlinear deformation of the cerebellum in combination with surface-based alignment of the cerebral cortex. The foot, hand, and tongue representations were localized in subjects performing movements. fcMRI maps derived from seed regions placed in different parts of the motor body representation yielded the expected inverted map of somatomotor topography in the anterior lobe and the upright map in the posterior lobe. Next, we mapped the complete topography of the cerebellum by estimating the principal cerebral target for each point in the cerebellum in a discovery sample of 500 subjects and replicated the topography in 500 independent subjects. The majority of the human cerebellum maps to association areas. Quantitative analysis of 17 distinct cerebral networks revealed that the extent of the cerebellum dedicated to each network is proportional to the network's extent in the cerebrum with a few exceptions, including primary visual cortex, which is not represented in the cerebellum. Like somatomotor representations, cerebellar regions linked to association cortex have separate anterior and posterior representations that are oriented as mirror images of one another. The orderly topography of the representations suggests that the cerebellum possesses at least two large, homotopic maps of the full cerebrum and possibly a smaller third map.

Optimization of the enzymatic hydrolysis of Blue shark skin.

Enzymatic hydrolysis of Blue shark skin using Protamex™ was evaluated seeking optimal process conditions. The influence of temperature (45 to 65 °C), pH (6.8 to 8), and enzyme/substrate ratio (E/S; 1% to 5%) on the responses of degree of hydrolysis and protein recovery were determined and process optimization was performed looking for maximum value of the responses. Optimum conditions were established (T = 51 °C, E/S = 4%, and pH = 7.1) and model validation was accomplished by triplicate. Under these conditions protein hydrolysates were prepared and characterized by their amino acid composition, peptide size distribution, and antioxidant capacity by ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) and Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC) assays. A degree of hydrolysis of 19.3% and protein recovery of 90.3% were obtained at optimal conditions. Chemical score indicated that the hydrolysate supplies minimal essential amino acid requirements for adults. Molecular weight of peptides on the hydrolysate was below 6.5 kDa. Enzymatic hydrolysis process was efficient for recovery of low molecular weight peptides with important nutritional content and antioxidant activity (FRAP = 12 µmol eq. in FeSO(4).7H(2)O/g of protein, TEAC = 225.3 µmol eq. in trolox/g of protein).

An RFID-based intelligent vehicle speed controller using active traffic signals.

These days, mass-produced vehicles benefit from research on Intelligent Transportation System (ITS). One prime example of ITS is vehicle Cruise Control (CC), which allows it to maintain a pre-defined reference speed, to economize on fuel or energy consumption, to avoid speeding fines, or to focus all of the driver's attention on the steering of the vehicle. However, achieving efficient Cruise Control is not easy in roads or urban streets where sudden changes of the speed limit can happen, due to the presence of unexpected obstacles or maintenance work, causing, in inattentive drivers, traffic accidents. In this communication we present a new Infrastructure to Vehicles (I2V) communication and control system for intelligent speed control, which is based upon Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology for identification of traffic signals on the road, and high accuracy vehicle speed measurement with a Hall effect-based sensor. A fuzzy logic controller, based on sensor fusion of the information provided by the I2V infrastructure, allows the efficient adaptation of the speed of the vehicle to the circumstances of the road. The performance of the system is checked empirically, with promising results.

Molecular epidemiology of spinocerebellar ataxias in Cuba: Insights into SCA2founder effect in Holguin

The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of hereditaryataxias in Cuba, with a specialfocus on the clinical and molecular features of SCA2. Clinical assessmentswere performed by neurologicalexaminations and application of the SARA scale. Molecular analyses ofgenes SCA1–3, SCA6, SCA17and DRPLA identified 753 patients with SCA and 7173 asymptomaticrelatives, belonging to 200 unrelatedfamilies. 86.79 percent of all SCA patients were affected with SCA2. In the Holguin province, the averagepopulation prevalence of SCA2 is 40.18×105 inhabitants, with theremarkable figure of 141.66×105 inthe Baguanos municipality. The high prevalence of the SCA2 mutation inHolguin reflects most likelya founder effect. The stabilization of the prevalence along time suggeststhe existence of premutatedchromosomes with pure CAG, acting as reservoir for further expansions. CAGrepeat length correlatedinversely with age at onset, accounting for 80 percent of the variability. Genetic anticipation was observed in the 80 percent of transmissions. Repeat instability was greater in paternaltransmissions whereas CAG expansionswithout anticipation was observed in 10.97 percent suggesting the effect of CAA interruptions in the CAGsegment, which decrease the toxicity of the abnormal ataxin-2, and/orother protective factors...(AU)

Molecular epidemiology of spinocerebellar ataxias in Cuba: insights into SCA2 founder effect in Holguin.

The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of hereditary ataxias in Cuba, with a special focus on the clinical and molecular features of SCA2. Clinical assessments were performed by neurological examinations and application of the SARA scale. Molecular analyses of genes SCA1-3, SCA6, SCA17 and DRPLA identified 753 patients with SCA and 7173 asymptomatic relatives, belonging to 200 unrelated families. 86.79% of all SCA patients were affected with SCA2. In the Holguin province, the average population prevalence of SCA2 is 40.18x10(5) inhabitants, with the remarkable figure of 141.66x10(5) in the Baguanos municipality. The high prevalence of the SCA2 mutation in Holguin reflects most likely a founder effect. The stabilization of the prevalence along time suggests the existence of premutated chromosomes with pure CAG, acting as reservoir for further expansions. CAG repeat length correlated inversely with age at onset, accounting for 80% of the variability. Genetic anticipation was observed in the 80% of transmissions. Repeat instability was greater in paternal transmissions whereas CAG expansions without anticipation was observed in 10.97% suggesting the effect of CAA interruptions in the CAG segment, which decrease the toxicity of the abnormal ataxin-2, and/or other protective factors.

Desarrollo y producción de cefazolina 500 mg y 1 g, polvo estéril para inyección / Development and production of 500 mg and 1 mg cefalozin, sterile powder for injection

Se describe el desarrollo de la formulación para la obtención de cefazolina 500 mg y 1 g, polvo estéril para inyección, con la calidad requerida, así como el estudio de estabilidad para determinar su vida útil, tanto en forma de polvo como después de reconstituida. Se desarrolló este medicamento con calidad similar a las firmas internacionales al contar con la infraestructura necesaria, el personal técnico calificado y la posibilidad de adquirir la materia prima, además de reducir los costos, los que garantiza un gran beneficio social y económico

Desarrollo y producción de cefazolina 500 mg y 1 g, polvo estéril para inyección / Development and production of 500 mg and 1 mg cefalozin, sterile powder for injection

Se describe el desarrollo de la formulación para la obtención de cefazolina 500 mg y 1 g, polvo estéril para inyección, con la calidad requerida, así como el estudio de estabilidad para determinar su vida útil, tanto en forma de polvo como después de reconstituida. Se desarrolló este medicamento con calidad similar a las firmas internacionales al contar con la infraestructura necesaria, el personal técnico calificado y la posibilidad de adquirir la materia prima, además de reducir los costos, los que garantiza un gran beneficio social y económico (AU)

Hipotermia accidental / Accidental hypothermia

La hipotermia accidental presenta una elevada tasa de mortalidad, que oscila entre 2,2 a 18,1 por millón de habitantes de acuerdo a los diferentes medios. A propósito de cuatro casos de hipotermia accidental se analizan sus caracteres clínicos, diagnósticos, terapéuticos y pronósticos