The Protective Role of Cranberries and Blueberries in Oral Cancer.

BACKGROUND: Oral cancer has a high prevalence worldwide, and this disease is caused by genetic, immunological, and environmental factors. The main risk factors associated with oral cancer are smoking and alcohol. RESULTS: There are various strategies to reduce risk factors, including prevention programs as well as the consumption of an adequate diet that includes phytochemical compounds derived from cranberries (Vaccinium macrocarpon A.) and blueberries (Vaccinium corymbosum L.); these compounds exhibit antitumor properties. RESULTS: The main outcome of this review is as follows: the properties of phytochemicals derived from cranberries were evaluated for protection against risk factors associated with oral cancer. CONCLUSIONS: The secondary metabolites of cranberries promote biological effects that provide protection against smoking and alcoholism. An alternative for the prevention of oral cancer can be the consumption of these cranberries and blueberries.

Phytochemicals and modulation of exercise-induced oxidative stress: a novel overview of antioxidants.

The practice of physical exercise induces a series of physiological changes in the body at different levels, either acutely or chronically. During exercise, the increase in oxygen consumption promotes the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and reactive nitrogen species (RNS), which are necessary to maintain homeostasis. ROS/RNS activate cellular signaling pathways, such as the antioxidant cytoprotective systems, inflammation, and cell proliferation, which are crucial for cell survival. However, in exhaustive-extended physical exercise, workloads can exceed the endogenous antioxidant defenses, which may be related to impairment of muscle contraction, fatigue, and a decrease in athletic performance. This review addresses the role of some antioxidants from plant-derived extracts called phytochemicals that can mediate the response to oxidative stress induced by physical exercise by activating signaling pathways, such as Nrf2/Keap1/ARE, responsible for the endogenous antioxidant response and possibly having an impact on sports performance.

The Effects of COVID-19 on Healthcare Workers and Non-Healthcare Workers in Mexico: 14 Months into the Pandemic.

Background and Objectives: Healthcare workers (HCWs) play important roles in mitigating the COVID-19 pandemic and are more likely to become infected with COVID-19. Mexico, among other countries, had a high incidence and prevalence of cases and deaths from this disease. Material and Methods: This retrospective study evaluated the clinical characteristics as well as the geographical distribution of cases, deaths, and active cases of COVID-19 in HCWs and non-HCWs using official information from the Ministry of Health of Mexico. Results: A total of 235,343 cases of COVID-19 were reported in healthcare workers, and 2,094,191 cases were reported in non-healthcare workers. A total of 76.0% of cases in healthcare workers occurred in those who were between 25 and 50 years of age, and 71.4% of deaths occurred in those who were 50 to 69 years of age. Among healthcare workers, the most frequent comorbidities were obesity (15.2%), hypertension (10.9%), and diabetes (6.8%). Nurses were the group with the most cases (39.7%), followed by other healthcare workers (30.6%), physicians (26%), and dentists (1.6%). Physicians were the group with the most deaths (46%), followed by other professionals (30%), nurses (19%), and dentists (3%). Conclusion: These findings are likely the result of healthcare workers in Mexico being at a greater risk of exposure to SARS-CoV-2.

Oxidative Stress, Mitochondrial Function and Adaptation to Exercise: New Perspectives in Nutrition.

Cells have the ability to adapt to stressful environments as a part of their evolution. Physical exercise induces an increase of a demand for energy that must be met by mitochondria as the main (ATP) provider. However, this process leads to the increase of free radicals and the so-called reactive oxygen species (ROS), which are necessary for the maintenance of cell signaling and homeostasis. In addition, mitochondrial biogenesis is influenced by exercise in continuous crosstalk between the mitochondria and the nuclear genome. Excessive workloads may induce severe mitochondrial stress, resulting in oxidative damage. In this regard, the objective of this work was to provide a general overview of the molecular mechanisms involved in mitochondrial adaptation during exercise and to understand if some nutrients such as antioxidants may be implicated in blunt adaptation and/or an impact on the performance of exercise by different means.

Fascia lata como alternativa en tratamientos odontológicos / Fascia lata as an alternative in dental treatments

Resumen Introducción: La fascia lata es la parte más externa de la aponeurosis del muslo. Se trata de una membrana gruesa y resistente que posee elasticidad, flexibilidad y memoria. Actualmente es utilizada en el área médica para el tratamiento de defectos abdominales, incontinencia urinaria, ptosis palpebral y, en odontología, se utiliza para regeneración tisular guiada, coberturas radiculares, aumento de reborde y preservación de alveolo. Método: Se ha realizado una búsqueda electrónica en las bases de datos de Medline, PubMed y SciELO con el término fascia lata. Fueron incluidos textos compie-tos en idioma español e inglés que abarcan desde 1983 hasta 2015. La característica principal de estos textos es que exploran el uso de fascia lata en el área médica y odontológica. Discusión: Durante la realización de este trabajo surgieron situaciones limitantes debido a la escasa cantidad de artículos, investigaciones y casos clínicos documentados enfocados al uso de la fascia lata en el área odontológica. Conclusiones: La fascia lata es un material reabsorbible. biocompatible, que es bien tolerado por el lecho receptor, goza de características de seguridad y larga duración en su uso dentro de las especialidades medicas y odontológicas.

Abstract Introduction: Fascia lata is the most extreme section of the thigh's aponeurosis. It is a thick and resistant membrane possessing elasticity, flexibility and memory. It is presently used in the medical world to treat abdominal defects, urinary incontinence, and palpebral ptosis. In dentistry it is used in guided tissue regeneration, root coverage, ridge increase and socket (alveolus) preservation. Method: An electronic search was conducted in the following databases: Medline, PubMed and Sei ELO, with the term fascia lata. Full texts in English and Spanish were included in timeline spanning from 1983 to 2015. Main characteristic selected for these texts was they explored use of fascia lata and medical and dental areas. Discussion: Limiting situations arose during the execution of this project due to the scarcity found in articles and research papers and documented clinical cases targeting use of fascia lata ion dental areas. Conclusions: Fascia lata is a resorbable, biocompatible material, well tolerated by the recipient bed; when used in medical and dental specialties it exhibits characteristics of accuracy (security) and long duration.

Uso de ácido hialurónico como alternativa para la reconstrucción de la papila interdental / Use of hyaluronic acid as an alternative for reconstruction of interdental papilla

RESUMEN: Introducción: El ácido hialurónico (AH) es un glucosaminoglicano esencial de la matriz extracelular de todos los tejidos, estando en una concentración media del 0.02%. Una persona de 60 kg de peso contiene aproximadamente 12 g de AH; las mayores concentraciones de este ácido se encuentran en los tejidos conectivos como la piel, la cual presenta hasta un 56% de éste. El AH tiene un papel importante en la migración celular, ya que está involucrado en procesos de crecimiento, inflamación y reparación, así como estimulación de diferentes células del tejido conectivo. Objetivo: Presentar un caso clínico de reconstrucción de la papila interdental infiltrando AH. Caso clínico: Paciente femenino de 24 años de edad que al interrogatorio refiere ser sistémicamente sana. Presenta pérdida de la papila interdental de la zona OD 11 y 21 a causa de una gingivitis y mala técnica de cepillado. Se valora de acuerdo con la clasificación de Nordland y Tarnow para saber el grado de predictibilidad del procedimiento y de acuerdo con la clasificación de Cardaropoli, con el fin de poder realizar comparaciones antes y después del tratamiento. La paciente presentaba 5 mm del punto de contacto a la cresta ósea, por lo que se realizó un infiltrado de AH en la papila durante cuatro semanas cada siete días. Conclusión: Existen muy pocas técnicas no quirúrgicas para la regeneración de la papila interdental, dentro de ellas encontramos el uso de AH. Las investigaciones sobre esta técnica no son nuevas, sin embargo, se deben continuar y ampliar los estudios considerando diversos factores: realizarlos en poblaciones mayores con personas de distintas razas, sexo y utilizando diferentes intervalos de infiltración.

ABSTRACT: Introduction: Hialuronic acid (HA) is an essential glucosaminoglycan of the extracellular matrix of all tissues; it is found at an average concentration of 0.02%. A subject weighing 60 kg contains approximately 12 g of HA. The greater concentrations of this acid are found in connective tissue such as the skin, which exhibits up to 56% percent of said acid. HA plays an important role in cell migration, since it is involved in processes of growth, inflammation and reparation as well as stimulation of different connective tissue cells. Objective: To present a clinical case involving interdental papilla reconstruction with HA infiltration. Clinical case: 24 year old female who reported being systemically healthy. The patient exhibited loss of interdental papilla in the area of tooth number 11 and 21 caused by presence of gingivitis and poor brushing techniques. The patient was assessed according to Nordland and Tarnow classification in order to ascertain the procedure's degree of predictability; she was additionally examined according to Cardaropoli classification in order to be able to establish pre- and post-treatment comparisons. The patient exhibited 5 mm of contact point to the bone crest, therefore, HA infiltration was undertaken into the papilla, every seven days for four weeks. Conclusion: There are very few non-surgical techniques to regenerate interdental papillae, one of them is HA use. Research conducted on this technique is not new, nevertheless, it would be suitable to further it taking into consideration different factors; conducting them in greater-sized populations with subjects of different ethnicities and gender, and using different infiltration intervals.

Hepatoprotective effect of silymarin.

The use of medicinal plants in treating illnesses has been reported since ancestral times. In the case of hepatic diseases, several species such as Silybum marianum, Phyllanthus niruri, and Panus giganteus (Berk.) have been shown to ameliorate hepatic lesions. Silymarin is a natural compound derived from the species Silybum marianum, which is commonly known as Milk thistle. This plant contains at least seven flavoligands and the flavonoid taxifolin. The hepatoprotective and antioxidant activity of silymarin is caused by its ability to inhibit the free radicals that are produced from the metabolism of toxic substances such as ethanol, acetaminophen, and carbon tetrachloride. The generation of free radicals is known to damage cellular membranes and cause lipoperoxidation. Silymarin enhances hepatic glutathione and may contribute to the antioxidant defense of the liver. It has also been shown that silymarin increases protein synthesis in hepatocytes by stimulating RNA polymerase I activity. A previous study on humans reported that silymarin treatment caused a slight increase in the survival of patients with cirrhotic alcoholism compared with untreated controls.

Investigation on the protective effects of cranberry against the DNA damage induced by benzo[a]pyrene.

There are few reports that demonstrate the antigenotoxic potential of cranberries. Although the types of berry fruits consumed worldwide are many, this paper focuses on cranberries that are commonly consumed in Mexico (Vaccinium macrocarpon species). The purpose of the present study is to determine whether cranberry ethanolic extract (CEE) can prevent the DNA damage produced by benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P) using an in vivo mouse peripheral blood micronucleus assay. The experimental groups were organized as follows: a negative control group (without treatment), a positive group treated with B[a]P (200 mg/kg), a group administered with 800 mg/kg of CEE, and three groups treated with B[a]P and CEE (200, 400, and 800 mg/kg) respectively. The CEE and benzo[a]pyrene were administered orally for a week, on a daily basis. During this period the body weight, the feed intake, and the determination of antigenotoxic potential were quantified. At the end of this period, we continued with the same determinations for one week more (recovery period) but anymore administration of the substances. The animals treated with B[a]P showed a weight increase after the first week of administration. The same phenomenon was observed in the lots combined with B[a]P and CEE (low and medium doses). The dose of 800 mg/kg of CEE showed similar values to the control group at the end of the treatment period. In the second part of the assay, when the substances were not administered, these experimental groups regained their normal weight. The dose of CEE (800 mg/kg) was not genotoxic nor cytotoxic. On the contrary, the B[a]P increases the frequency of micronucleated normochromatic erythrocytes (MNNE) and reduces the rate of polychromatic erythrocytes (PE) at the end of the treatment period. With respect to the combined lots, a significant decrease in the MN rate was observed from the sixth to the eighth day of treatment with the two high doses applied; the highest protection (60%) was obtained with 800 mg/kg of CEE. The same dose showed an anticytotoxic effect which corresponded to an improvement of 62.5% in relation to the animals administered with the B[a]P. In the second period, all groups reached values that have been seen in the control group animals. Our results suggest that the inhibition of clastogenicity of the cranberry ethanolic extract against B[a]P is related to the antioxidant capacity of the combination of phytochemicals present in its chemical composition.

Inflammation, oxidative stress, and obesity.

Obesity is a chronic disease of multifactorial origin and can be defined as an increase in the accumulation of body fat. Adipose tissue is not only a triglyceride storage organ, but studies have shown the role of white adipose tissue as a producer of certain bioactive substances called adipokines. Among adipokines, we find some inflammatory functions, such as Interleukin-6 (IL-6); other adipokines entail the functions of regulating food intake, therefore exerting a direct effect on weight control. This is the case of leptin, which acts on the limbic system by stimulating dopamine uptake, creating a feeling of fullness. However, these adipokines induce the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), generating a process known as oxidative stress (OS). Because adipose tissue is the organ that secretes adipokines and these in turn generate ROS, adipose tissue is considered an independent factor for the generation of systemic OS. There are several mechanisms by which obesity produces OS. The first of these is the mitochondrial and peroxisomal oxidation of fatty acids, which can produce ROS in oxidation reactions, while another mechanism is over-consumption of oxygen, which generates free radicals in the mitochondrial respiratory chain that is found coupled with oxidative phosphorylation in mitochondria. Lipid-rich diets are also capable of generating ROS because they can alter oxygen metabolism. Upon the increase of adipose tissue, the activity of antioxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx), was found to be significantly diminished. Finally, high ROS production and the decrease in antioxidant capacity leads to various abnormalities, among which we find endothelial dysfunction, which is characterized by a reduction in the bioavailability of vasodilators, particularly nitric oxide (NO), and an increase in endothelium-derived contractile factors, favoring atherosclerotic disease.

Detection of cytotoxic activity of lectin on human colon adenocarcinoma (Sw480) and epithelial cervical carcinoma (C33-A).

Lectins comprise a heterogeneous class of proteins that recognize the carbohydrate moieties of glycoconjugates with high specificity. Numerous studies have shown that lectins are capable of recognizing specific carbohydrate moieties displayed by malignant cells or tissues. The present work was performed to investigate the effects of tepary bean (Phaseolus acutifolius) lectins on proliferation, colony formation, and alteration of DNA synthesis of human malignant cells. Tepary bean lectin showed dose dependent  effects on the inhibition of viability as well as on colony formation in two human malignant cells lines (C33-A, Sw480); By contrast, tepary bean lectin only showed significant effects on DNA synthesis on Sw480 cells. Our results provide evidence of the anti- proliferative and cytotoxic effects of the tepary bean lectins on C33-A and Sw480 cells lines.

Exposure to sodium fluoride produces signs of apoptosis in rat leukocytes.

Fluoride is naturally present in the earth's crust and can be found in rocks, coal, and clay; thus, it can be found in small quantities in water, air, plants, and animals. Therefore, humans are exposed to fluoride through food, drinking water, and in the air they breathe. Flouride is essential to maintain bone strength and to protect against dental decay, but if it is absorbed too frequently, it can cause tooth decay, osteoporosis, and damage to kidneys, bones, nerves, and muscles. Therefore, the present work was aimed at determining the effect of intake of sodium fluoride (NaF) as an apoptosis inducer in leukocytes of rats treated for eight weeks with 1 or 50 parts per million (ppm) NaF. Expression of p53, bcl-2, and caspade-3 were used as apoptotic and general metabolism indicators of leukocyte-like indicators of the (INT) oxidation system. Male rats were exposed to NaF (1 and 500 ppm) for eight weeks, and then sacrificed weekly to obtain blood samples. Expression of p53, bcl-2, and caspase-3 were determined in leukocytes by Western blot, and general metabolism of leukocytes was analyzed with a commercial kit. We found changes in the expression of the proteins described, especially when the animals received 50 ppm of NaF. These results indicate that NaF intoxication can be an apoptosis inducer in rat leukocytes treated with the compound for eight weeks.

Effect of sodium fluoride ingestion on malondialdehyde concentration and the activity of antioxidant enzymes in rat erythrocytes.

Fluoride intoxication has been shown to produce diverse deleterious metabolic alterations within the cell. To determine the effects of sodium fluoride (NaF) treatment on malondialdehyde (MDA) levels and on the activity of antioxidant enzymes in rat erythrocytes, Male Wistar rats were treated with 50 ppm of NaF or were untreated as controls. Erythrocytes were obtained from rats sacrificed weekly for up to eight weeks and the concentration of MDA in erythrocyte membrane was determined. In addition, the activity of the enzymes superoxide, dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase were determined. Treatment with NaF produces an increase in the concentration of malondialdehyde in the erythrocyte membrane only after the eight weeks of treatment. On the other hand, antioxidant enzyme activity was observed to increase after the fourth week of NaF treatment. In conclusion, intake of NaF produces alterations in the erythrocyte of the male rat, which indicates induction of oxidative stress.