Significance of an Interprofessional Healthy Aging Program for Community-Dwelling Older Adults: A Narrative Study.

Participation is widely recognized as an important health determinant for older adults. Exploring interventions to promote active participation of community-dwelling older adults is an important step in translating current knowledge into practice. Few studies have examined community-level interventions to support older adults' participation. The study purpose was to examine the significance of the lived experiences of community-dwelling older adults who participated in an interprofessional healthy aging promotion program. The specific aims were to uncover the narrative significance of the lived experiences and how they evolved and intertwined with the life histories of the older adults 2 years after the intervention ended. A narrative inquiry design was used. Four key informants participated in two semi-structured interviews and a member-checking process. The data were analyzed from a three-dimensional inquiry space of time and continuity, place and context, and social interactions. The findings affirmed three core threads that wove the participants' lived experiences within the program together with their life histories after the intervention. These were enjoyment, learning, and sharing. Four themes revealed the essential elements of the lived experience, and three others exposed participants' growth and life enrichment, all being fundamental to participation. The 3-year community-level intervention was valued and a novel opportunity for facilitating participation and successful aging. It allowed the participants to acquire an evolved vision of self, have meaningful interactions, develop the means to engage in future community activities, implement new self-care strategies, and establish memories and friendships significant for life participation.

Vimentin single cysteine residue acts as a tunable sensor for network organization and as a key for actin remodeling in response to oxidants and electrophiles.

Cysteine residues can undergo multiple posttranslational modifications with diverse functional consequences, potentially behaving as tunable sensors. The intermediate filament protein vimentin has important implications in pathophysiology, including cancer progression, infection, and fibrosis, and maintains a close interplay with other cytoskeletal structures, such as actin filaments and microtubules. We previously showed that the single vimentin cysteine, C328, is a key target for oxidants and electrophiles. Here, we demonstrate that structurally diverse cysteine-reactive agents, including electrophilic mediators, oxidants and drug-related compounds, disrupt the vimentin network eliciting morphologically distinct reorganizations. As most of these agents display broad reactivity, we pinpointed the importance of C328 by confirming that local perturbations introduced through mutagenesis provoke structure-dependent vimentin rearrangements. Thus, GFP-vimentin wild type (wt) forms squiggles and short filaments in vimentin-deficient cells, the C328F, C328W, and C328H mutants generate diverse filamentous assemblies, and the C328A and C328D constructs fail to elongate yielding dots. Remarkably, vimentin C328H structures resemble the wt, but are strongly resistant to electrophile-elicited disruption. Therefore, the C328H mutant allows elucidating whether cysteine-dependent vimentin reorganization influences other cellular responses to reactive agents. Electrophiles such as 1,4-dinitro-1H-imidazole and 4-hydroxynonenal induce robust actin stress fibers in cells expressing vimentin wt. Strikingly, under these conditions, vimentin C328H expression blunts electrophile-elicited stress fiber formation, apparently acting upstream of RhoA. Analysis of additional vimentin C328 mutants shows that electrophile-sensitive and assembly-defective vimentin variants permit induction of stress fibers by reactive species, whereas electrophile-resistant filamentous vimentin structures prevent it. Together, our results suggest that vimentin acts as a break for actin stress fibers formation, which would be released by C328-aided disruption, thus allowing full actin remodeling in response to oxidants and electrophiles. These observations postulate C328 as a "sensor" transducing structurally diverse modifications into fine-tuned vimentin network rearrangements, and a gatekeeper for certain electrophiles in the interplay with actin.

Characterization of pain-related behaviors, changes in bone microarchitecture and sensory innervation induced by chronic cadmium exposure in adult mice.

Because of the relative lack of understanding of the neurobiological mechanisms that drive toxic effects of cadmium in bone, the purpose of this study was to characterize a preclinical model of chronic cadmium exposure. Adult male C57BL/6 J mice were exposed to cadmium 25 mg/L (as CdCl2) in drinking water for 16 weeks. During this time, pain-related behaviors including hindpaw mechanical sensitivity and vertical rears were evaluated every four weeks. We assessed changes in bone microarchitecture at the femoral neck and L5 vertebra by microcomputed tomography and quantified the density of nerve fibers expressing PGP 9.5 (a pan-neuronal marker) and CGRP (a marker of sensory nerve fibers subfamily) at the femoral neck and glabrous skin of the hindpaw using immunohistochemistry. Cadmium exposure produced mechanical hypersensitivity in both hindpaws along with decreased rearing activity (surrogate for musculoskeletal-related pain) without affecting the horizontal activity (a measure of locomotor behavior) in comparison to the control group. Intraperitoneal acute treatment with morphine and gabapentin reversed pain-related behaviors in cadmium-exposed mice. Furthermore, exposure to cadmium resulted in significant trabecular bone deterioration at the femoral neck and L5 vertebra. We also observed a significant reduction in the density of both CGRP+ and PGP 9.5+ nerve fibers in the femoral neck, but not in the hindpaw glabrous skin, suggesting tissue-dependent neurotoxicity. This model may help in developing a mechanism-based understanding of the factors that generate and maintain musculoskeletal pain and bone loss caused by chronic cadmium exposure and in translating these findings into new therapies for treating cadmium-induced bone toxicity.

Metabolite Profiling of Rosemary Cell Lines with Antiproliferative Potential against Human HT-29 Colon Cancer Cells.

Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) is a culinary and medicinal plant used in food and pharmaceutical industry. The wide range of biological activities is mainly related to phenolic and terpenic compounds; like carnosic acid (CA), carnosol (CS) and rosmarinic acid (RA), mainly reported in rosemary leaf extracts, and recently described in rosemary callus extracts. The aim of this work was to investigate the chemical profile of rosemary cell lines and evaluate their antiproliferative potential against human HT-29 colorectal cancer cell lines. For this purpose, rosemary leaf explants were dedifferentiated on MS medium and added with 2, 4-D (2, 4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid; 2 mg/L) and BAP (6-benzylaminopurine; 2 mg/L). Cell aggregates were separated according to colour and three rosemary cell lines cultures were established: green (RoG), yellow (RoY) and white (RoW). The chemical profile of rosemary cell lines extracts was characterized by combining HPLC and GC platforms coupled to HR-MS/MS. The antiproliferative activity against HT-29 cell line was analyzed with MTT assay. A total of 71 compounds, including hydroxycinnamic acid and hydroxybenzoic acid derivatives, flavonoids, phenolic di- and triterpenes, as well as relevant unsaturated fatty acids and their esters, phytosterols, and carotenoids were tentatively identified in the extract of the target cell lines. The antiproliferative activity test against HT-29 cell using the MTT assay revealed that the viability of HT-29 colon cancer cells was affected after treatment with the RoW extract (IC50 of 49.63 µg/mL) at 48 h. These results showed that rosemary cell lines can also accumulate other bioactive phytochemicals with demonstrated antiproliferative potential.

Research priorities in multiple sclerosis in Latin America: A multi-stakeholder call to action to improve patients care: Research priorities in MS in LATAM.

As human and economic resources are limited, especially in Latin America (LATAM), it is important to identify research priorities to improve multiple sclerosis (MS) patients care in the region. The objective was to generate a multidisciplinary consensus on research priorities in MS for patients care in LATAM by involving healthcare professionals and MS patient associations. METHODS: consensus was reached through a four-step modified Delphi method designed to identify and rate research priorities in MS in LATAM. The process consisted of two qualitative assessments, a general ranking phase and a consensus meeting followed by a more detailed ranking phase RESULTS: a total of 62 participants (35 neurologists, 4 nurses, 12 kinesiologists, 7 neuropsychologists and 4 patient association members) developed the process. At the final ranking stage following the consensus meeting, each participant provided their final rankings, and the top priority research questions were outlined. 11 research priorities were identified focusing on healthcare access, costs of the disease, physical and cognitive evaluation and rehabilitation, quality of life, symptoms management, prognostic factors, the need of MS care units and patient's management in emergencies like COVID-19. CONCLUSION: this work establishes MS research priorities in LATAM from multiple perspectives. To pursue the actions suggested could launch the drive to obtain information that will help us to better understand the disease in our region and, especially, to better care for affected patients.

Improving Diversity in Pediatric Residency Selection: Using an Equity Framework to Implement Holistic Review.

BACKGROUND: Many programs struggle to recruit, select, and match a diverse class of residents, and the most effective strategies for holistic review of applications to enhance diversity are not clear. OBJECTIVE: We determined if holistic pediatric residency application review guided by frameworks that assess for bias along structural, interpersonal, and individual levels would increase the number of matched residents from racial and ethnic groups that are underrepresented in medicine (UiM). METHODS: Between 2017 and 2020, University of California San Francisco Pediatrics Department identified structural, interpersonal, and individual biases in existing selection processes and developed mitigation strategies in each area. Interventions included creating a shared mental model of desirable qualities in residents, employing a new scoring rubric, intentional inclusion of UiM faculty and trainees in the selection process, and requiring anti-bias training for everyone involved with recruitment and selection. RESULTS: Since implementing these changes, the percentage of entering interns who self-identify as UIM increased from 11% in 2015 to 45% (OR 6.8, P = .008) in 2019 and to 35% (OR 4.6, P = .035) in 2020. CONCLUSIONS: Using an equity framework to guide implementation of a pediatric residency program's holistic review of applications increased the numbers of matched UiM residents over a 3-year period.

Chemical analysis of callus extracts from toxic and non-toxic varieties of Jatropha curcas L.

Jatropha curcas L. belongs to Euphorbiaceae family, and it synthesizes flavonoid and diterpene compounds that have showed antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, antiviral, antimicrobial, antifungal and insecticide activity. Seeds of this plant accumulate phorbol esters, which are tigliane type diterpenes, reported as toxic and, depending on its concentration, toxic and non-toxic varieties has been identified. The aim of this work was to characterize the chemical profile of the extracts from seeds, leaves and callus of both varieties (toxic and non-toxic) of Jatropha curcas, to verify the presence of important compounds in dedifferentiated cells and consider the possibility of using these cultures for the massive production of metabolites. Callus induction was obtained using NAA (1.5 mg L-1) and BAP (1.5 mg L-1) after 21 d for both varieties. Thin layer chromatography analysis showed differences in compounds accumulation in callus from non-toxic variety throughout the time of culture, diterpenes showed an increase along the time, in contrast with flavonoids which decreased. Based on the results obtained through microQTOF-QII spectrometer it is suggested a higher accumulation of phorbol esters, derived from 12-deoxy-16-hydroxy-phorbol (m/z 365 [M+H]+), in callus of 38 d than those of 14 d culture, from both varieties. Unlike flavonoids accumulation, the MS chromatograms analysis allowed to suggest lower accumulation of flavonoids as the culture time progresses, in callus from both varieties. The presence of six glycosylated flavonoids is also suggested in leaf and callus extracts derived from both varieties (toxic and non-toxic), including: apigenin 6-C-α-L-arabinopyranosyl-8-C-ß -D-xylopyranoside (m/z 535 [M+H]+), apigenin 4'-O-rhamnoside (m/z 417 [M+H]+), vitexin (m/z 433 [M+H]+), vitexin 4'-O-glucoside-2″-O-rhamnoside (m/z 741 [M+H]+), vicenin-2 (m/z 595 [M+H]+), and vicenin-2,6″-O-glucoside (m/z 757 [M+H]+).

Chemical characterization of leaves and calli extracts of Rosmarinus officinalis by UHPLC-MS.

Rosmarinus officinalis L. (Lamiaceae) is an aromatic plant widely popular mainly due to its uses in traditional medicine as an anti-inflammatory, diuretic and antimicrobial, as well as in the prevention and treatment of diseases. These biological activities are mainly related to the presence of phenolic and terpenic compounds. This work reports a chemical profile analysis of extracts from leaves and calli of rosemary obtained by both pressurized liquid extraction and maceration. Chemical profiles were determined on calli extracts of 3, 6, 9, and 15 days of culture; chemical characterization and quantification of compounds was carried out using ultrahigh performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. A total of 53 metabolites were identified in callus and 47 compounds in leaf extracts, of which 25 correspond to phenolic compounds, mainly flavonoids and flavones, 13 terpenes that include phenolic terpenes and one diterpenolactone, two glycosides which correspond to 6-O-caffeoyl-ß-D-fructofuranosil-(2→1)-α-D-glucopyranoside and primulaverin, an aromatic compound identified as fenantrenone and a growth regulator 12-hydroxy jasmonic acid. These results showed that undifferentiated rosemary cells accumulate the same compounds identified mainly in highly specialized tissues such as leaves. The plant cell culture supply the possibility of developing biotechnological processes to obtain compounds of commercial interest.

Incidence of mammograms with inconclusive results and their diagnostic utility / Incidencia de mastografías con resultado no concluyente y su utilidad diagnóstica

BACKGROUND: In Mexico, breast cancer represents the leading cause of death due to malignant pathology in women, presenting itself at a younger age. Due to an increase in BI-RADS 0 mammograms, the question arises as to what is the incidence of said result in mammograms performed during 2014 and 2017, determine the factors associated with variations in the BI-RADS determination and validate the diagnostic utility of this scale. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Cross-sectional, comparative, retrospective study. Population of 1358 women eligible 40 to 69 years in 2014 and 1650 women of the same age group in 2017. The means were compared with Pearson's Chi-square statistical test to compare proportions in order to determine significant differences in the incidence of inconclusive results of mammography and thus estimate the usefulness of mammography as a screening test. RESULTS: In 2014, 9.50% of the patients studied obtained a BI-RADS 0 result, compared to 2017, in which it was 35.4% with a Chi-square value of 278.31, which shows a higher probability 99% that there is an association between the year in which the study was conducted and the number of BI-RADS 0 reported. CONCLUSIONS: The mammograms with inconclusive results from the years 2014 and 2017 showed a significant difference, for which it was determined that mammography is a highly useful diagnostic method for mass detection.

INTRODUCCIÓN: En México, el cáncer de mama representa la primera causa de muerte por patología maligna en la mujer, y se presenta cada vez a menor edad. Debido a un incremento en las mastografías BI-RADS 0 se plantea la interrogante sobre cuál es la incidencia de dicho resultado en las mastografías realizadas durante los años 2014 y 2017, determinar los factores asociados a variaciones en la determinación BI-RADS y validar la utilidad diagnóstica de esta escala. MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: Estudio transversal, comparativo y retrospectivo, en una población de 1358 mujeres derechohabientes de 40 a 69 años en 2014 y de 1650 mujeres del mismo grupo etario en 2017. Se compararon las medias con la prueba estadística ji al cuadrado de Pearson para comparar proporciones con el fin de determinar diferencias significativas en la incidencia de resultados no concluyentes de la mastografía y así estimar la utilidad de esta como prueba de cribado. RESULTADOS: En 2014, el 9.5% de las pacientes estudiadas obtuvieron un resultado BI-RADS 0, mientras que en el año 2017 fueron el 35.4%, con un valor de ji al cuadrado de 278.31, con lo que se demuestra una probabilidad mayor del 99% de que exista una asociación entre el año en que se realizó el estudio y el número de BI-RADS 0 reportado. CONCLUSIONES: Las mastografías con resultado no concluyente de los años 2014 y 2017 mostraron una diferencia significativa, por lo que se determinó que la mastografía es un método diagnóstico con gran utilidad para la detección en masa.

Creencias alimentarias en estudiantes universitarios mexicanos: una aproximación cualitativa / Eating beliefs among Mexican university students: a qualitative approach

Objetivo: Identificar las creencias conductuales, normativas y de control que subyacen a la alimentación saludable en estudiantes de la Universidad de Guadalajara, México. Método: Estudio cualitativo y exploratorio, basado en la Teoría del Comportamiento Planeado realizado a partir de 3 grupos focales (n= 25). La información se analizó con la técnica Análisis Temático a partir de tres categorías definidas a priori: creencias conductuales, normativas y de control. Resultados: Los universitarios creen que alimentarse de manera saludable beneficia la salud física y mental, dentro de las desventajas de este tipo de alimentación se encuentra que la compra y preparación de alimentos saludables es más costosa y les toma mucho más tiempo que alimentarse en base a comida rápida. Paralelamente, declaran que implementar una alimentación saludable sería más sencillo si vivieran en familia y sus madres se hicieran cargo (creencias de control). Con respecto a las creencias normativas, señalaron que sus figuras parentales serían más felices si los participantes se alimentaran sanamente, pero que en lo concreto, no sienten ninguna presión social por alimentarse adecuadamente. Conclusión: Las características poco saludables de la conducta alimentaria de los universitarios, está condicionada por las creencias que subyacen a ella. Al profundizar en estas creencias se puede comprender la perspectiva del estudiante frente a su alimentación, siendo esta información clave y contextualizada para diseñar intervenciones efectivas en las universidades.

The aim of this study was to inquire into the behavioral beliefs, normative beliefs and control beliefs underlying the healthy eating in students of the Guadalajara University, México. Methods: Qualitative and exploratory study based on Ajzen's Theory of Planned Behavior, 3 focus group interviews were carried out (n:25). The information was analyzed using the Thematic Analysis method from three previously defined categories: behavioral beliefs, normative beliefs and control beliefs. Results: University students considered healthy eating to be beneficial for physical and mental health, they also believed that healthy food purchases and preparation were expensive and time consuming (behavioral beliefs). In parallel, they informed that implementing a healthy diet would be easier if their mothers helped them and if they lived in a family (control beliefs). Regarding normative beliefs, they stated that their parental figures would be happy if the participants made changes in their diet but they did not feel any particular social pressure to eat healthier. Conclusions: The eating behavior of the university students is conditioned by the beliefs that underlie the eating decision making process. By understanding student eating beliefs, we can obtained key and contextualized information to design effective interventions in the university.

El perímetro de cuello y su relación con los factores de riesgo cardiometabólico en las mujeres / Neck´s perimeter and its relation with the cardiometabolic risk factors in women

RESUMEN Introducción: El perímetro de cuello en la actualidad es una medida útil asociada de manera significativa a la resistencia a la insulina y al riesgo cardiometabólico. Objetivo: Determinar la relación entre el perímetro de cuello y los factores de riesgo cardiometabólico en mujeres de 45 a 60 años de edad. Métodos: Se realizó un estudio en 270 mujeres aparentemente sanas, de 45 a 60 años de edad. Se tomaron medidas antropométricas como peso corporal, índice de masa corporal, perímetro de cintura, perímetro de cuello y el tejido adiposo visceral por bioimpedancia. Se determinaron niveles séricos de glucosa, perfil lipídico (colesterol, triglicéridos, HDL-colesterol, LDL-colesterol), HbA1c, insulina y proteína C reactiva. Resultados: El índice de masa corporal de las participantes fue de 28,2 ± 4,2. Se encontró que 38,1 por ciento de las mujeres presentaban síndrome metabólico y mayor perímetro de cuello, en comparación con las participantes sin síndrome (36,8 + 2,1 vs 35,1 + 1,6 cm, respectivamente, p< 0,0001). El perímetro de cuello se asoció positivamente con índice de masa corporal (r= 0,690, p= 0,0001), tejido adiposo visceral (r= 0,548, p= 0,0001), circunferencia de Cintura (r= 0,640, p< 0,0001), glucosa (r= 0,251, p= 0,0001), triglicéridos (r= 0,143, p= 0,019), HbA1c (r= 0,160, p= 0,010) y proteína C reactiva (r= 0,342, p= 0,001). Conclusiones: Las mujeres con incremento en el perímetro de cuello presentan un perfil de riesgo cardiometabólico aumentado. La medición del perímetro de cuello representa un método útil y práctico en la predicción del riesgo cardiometabólico(AU)

ABSTRACT Introduction: Neck´s perimeter is nowadays a useful measure significantly associated to insulin resistance and to cardiometabolic risk. Objective: To determine the relation between the neck´s perimeter and the cardiometabolic risk factors in women from 45 to 60 years old. Methods: A study was performed in 270 apparently healthy women, aging 45 to 60 years old. Anthropometric measurements were taken such as weight, body mass index, waist circumference, neck´s perimeter and visceral adipose tissue by bioelectrical impedance analysis. There were identified serum levels of glucose, lipid profile (cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL-cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol), HbA1c, insulin and C-reactive protein. Results: The body mass index of the participants was 28.2 ± 4.2. It was found that 38.1 percent of the women had a metabolic syndrome and a higher perimeter of neck, in comparison with participants without the syndrome (36.8 + 2.1 vs 35.1 + 1.6 cm, respectively, p< 0.0001). The neck´s perimeter was positively associated with body mass index (r = 0.690, p= 0.0001), visceral adipose tissue (r = 0.548, p= 0.0001), waist circumference (r = 0.640, p< 0.0001), glucose (r = 0.251, p= 0.0001), triglycerides (r = 0.143, p = 0.019), HbA1c (r = 0.160, p = 0.010) and C-reactive protein (r = 0.342, p = 0.001). Conclusions: Women with an increase in the neck´s perimeter have a profile of increased cardiometabolic risk. The measurement of neck´s perimeter represents a useful and practical method for the prediction of cardiometabolic risk(AU)

Vimentin filaments interact with the actin cortex in mitosis allowing normal cell division.

The vimentin network displays remarkable plasticity to support basic cellular functions and reorganizes during cell division. Here, we show that in several cell types vimentin filaments redistribute to the cell cortex during mitosis, forming a robust framework interwoven with cortical actin and affecting its organization. Importantly, the intrinsically disordered tail domain of vimentin is essential for this redistribution, which allows normal mitotic progression. A tailless vimentin mutant forms curly bundles, which remain entangled with dividing chromosomes leading to mitotic catastrophes or asymmetric partitions. Serial deletions of vimentin tail domain gradually impair cortical association and mitosis progression. Disruption of f-actin, but not of microtubules, causes vimentin bundling near the chromosomes. Pathophysiological stimuli, including HIV-protease and lipoxidation, induce similar alterations. Interestingly, full filament formation is dispensable for cortical association, which also occurs in vimentin particles. These results unveil implications of vimentin dynamics in cell division through its interplay with the actin cortex.

Monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) and fibroblast growth factor-21 (FGF-21) as biomarkers of subclinical atherosclerosis in women.

BACKGROUND: Atherosclerosis is a primary risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD). Proinflammatory biochemical factors can influence vascular health; monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) is elevated in patients with CVD while fibroblast growth factor-21 (FGF-21) acts directly on cardiac tissue to reduce infarction damage. However, the relationship between plasma concentrations of MCP-1, FGF-21 and subclinical CVD indices remains equivocal. AIM: To determine the association between MCP-1, FGF-21 and subclinical atherosclerosis [i.e., carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT)] in women without clinical evidence of CVD. METHODS: A cross-sectional analysis of 140 women without history of CVD was performed. Anthropometrics were collected, serum concentrations of MCP-1 and FGF-21 were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and cIMT was quantified (B-mode ultrasonography). The correlations between MCP-1, FGF-21 and the presence of clinical and laboratory of subclinical atherosclerosis (i.e., cIMT ≥0.70 mm), comparison intergroup and odd ratio with multiple logistic regression were analyzed. RESULTS: MCP-1, but not FGF-21 correlated with some obesity indicators. In median comparison among groups, subclinical atherosclerosis showed higher serum concentrations of MCP-1and lower serum concentrations of FGF-21. In postmenopausal women, there were significant differences MCP-1 (p = 0.001), and FGF-21 (p = 0.010). Multiple logistic regression analysis in postmenopausal women with subclinical atherosclerosis, between MCP-1 (p = 0.001) and FGF-21 (p = 0.037) showed association with cIMT, along with age. CONCLUSIONS: MCP-1 and FGF-21 levels are associated with subclinical atherosclerosis disease severity (i.e., cIMT) in postmenopausal women without CVD. Further efforts focused on characterizing the relationship between novel blood-borne markers of early CVD pathology are warranted and should be pursued.

Evaluation of a Medical Student Research and Career Development Program to Increase Diversity in Academic Medicine.

PURPOSE: To describe and evaluate an innovative research program supported by the National Institutes of Health, "Promoting Research Opportunities Fully-Prospective Academics Transforming Health" (PROF-PATH), designed to support medical students from groups underrepresented-in-medicine (URM) interested in pursuing academic careers. METHOD: Based on social cognitive career theory (SCCT), PROF-PATH supplemented a traditional research program (TRP) by providing additional mentorship and a curriculum focused on "assumed knowledge" of academic culture, guidance with research challenges, and emotional competence. The four-year evaluation (2013-2016) consisted of pre- and postprogram surveys of PROF-PATH and TRP students, plus focus groups and individual structured interviews with PROF-PATH students. Survey questions queried students' self-confidence in research- and career-related skills and abilities. The authors mapped themes elicited in focus groups and interviews onto SCCT domains. RESULTS: Of 454 medical students, 343 (75.6%) completed the surveys. According to preprogram surveys, PROF-PATH students (n = 85) were less confident in their ability to find or manage mentor relationships than TRP students (n = 258) and less likely to report having a mentor who provided strong support for their research interests. At program's end, PROF-PATH students showed greater increases in confidence than TRP students in multiple ability domains. Qualitative analysis of themes indicated that PROF-PATH influenced students through seven SCCT domains and increased student academic career self-efficacy. CONCLUSIONS: An innovative program for URM medical students participating in mentored research was successful in supporting academic career interest and academic self-efficacy. Schools motivated to increase diversity in academic medicine should consider adapting PROF-PATH.

[Asociación del estado hormonal con el riesgo cardiovascular evaluado por Globorisk en mujeres mexicanas].

INTRODUCTION: Cardiovascular disease is the main cause of mortality worldwide. In women, its incidence increases at the sixth decade of life, coinciding with postmenopause. Whether this effect is due to menopause-related hormonal changes is not known. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the differences in cardiovascular risk in pre- and postmenopausal women by means of the Globorisk risk scale, the triglyceride/high-density lipoproteins cholesterol (Tg/HDL-C) ratio and metabolic syndrome (MS) criteria. METHOD: Cross-sectional study that included 408 women from 40 to 60 years of age; anthropometric measurements and biochemical determinations were performed. The participants were classified as premenopausal and postmenopausal. Cardiovascular risk was assessed using the MS criteria, the Globorisk risk calculator and the Tg/HDL-C ratio. RESULTS: Postmenopausal women showed a significant increase in waist circumference, total cholesterol and triglycerides in comparison with premenopausal women. Significant associations were found between hormonal state and Globorisk measured cardiovascular risk (OR = 2.50; 95 % CI = 1.67-3.74) and the Tg/HDL-C ratio (OR = 1.66; 95 % CI = 1.09-2.52). CONCLUSION: Cardiovascular risk factors have a higher prevalence in postmenopause. The Globorisk scale and Tg/HDL-C ratio identify cardiovascular risk in postmenopausal women.

INTRODUCCIÓN: La enfermedad cardiovascular es la principal causa de mortalidad en el mundo. En la mujer se incrementa en la sexta década de la vida, coincidiendo con la posmenopausia. Se desconoce si este efecto se debe a cambios hormonales relacionados con la menopausia. OBJETIVO: Evaluar diferencias del riesgo cardiovascular en mujeres pre y posmenopáusicas mediante la escala de riesgo Globorisk, el índice triglicéridos/c-HDL (Tg/c-HDL) y los criterios de síndrome metabólico (SM). MÉTODOS: Estudio transversal que incluyó a 408 mujeres de 40 a 60 años; se realizaron mediciones antropométricas y bioquímicas. Las participantes se clasificaron en premenopáusicas y posmenopáusicas. El riesgo cardiovascular se evaluó utilizando los criterios de SM, calculadora de riesgo Globorisk y el índice Tg/c-HDL. RESULTADOS: Las mujeres en etapa posmenopáusica presentaron incremento significativo en la circunferencia de cintura, de colesterol total y triglicéridos, en comparación con las mujeres premenopáusicas. Se encontraron asociaciones significativas del estado hormonal con el riesgo cardiovascular evaluado por Globorisk (RM = 2.50, IC 95 % = 1.67-3.74) y con el índice Tg/c-HDL (RM = 1.66, IC 95 % = 1.09-2.52). CONCLUSIÓN: Los factores de riesgo cardiovascular tienen mayor prevalencia en la posmenopausia. La escala Globorisk y el índice Tg/c-HDL identifican el riesgo cardiovascular en la mujer posmenopáusica.

Parahippocampectomy as a New Surgical Approach to Mesial Temporal Lobe Epilepsy Caused By Hippocampal Sclerosis: A Pilot Randomized Comparative Clinical Trial.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: The parahippocampal gyrus plays an important role in the epileptogenic pathways of mesial temporal lobe epilepsy caused by hippocampal sclerosis (mTLE-HS); its resection could prevent epileptic seizures with fewer complications. This study evaluates the initial efficacy and safety of anterior temporal lobectomy (ATL), selective amygdalohipppocampectomy (SAH), and parahippocampectomy (PHC) surgical approaches in mTLE-HS. METHODS: A randomized comparative pilot clinical trial (2008-2011) was performed that included patients with mTLE-HS who underwent ATL, trans-T3 SAH, and trans-T3 PHC. Their sociodemographic characteristics, visual field profiles, verbal and visual memory profiles, and Engel scale outcome at baseline and at 1 and 5 years are described, using descriptive statistics along with parametric and nonparametric tests. RESULTS: Forty-three patients with a mean age of 35.2 years (18-56 years), 65% female, were analyzed: 14 underwent PHC, 14 ATL, and 15 SAH. The following percentages refer to those patients who were seizure free (Engel class IA) at 1-year and 5-year follow-up, respectively: 42.9% PHC, 71.4% ATL, and 60% SAH (P = 0.304); 28.6% PHC, 50% ATL, and 53.3% SAH (P = 0.353). Postoperative visual field deficits were 0% PHC, 85.7% ATL, and 46.7% SAH (P = 0.001). Verbal and/or visual memory worsening were present in 21.3% PHC, 42.8% ATL, and 33.4% SAH (P = 0.488) and preoperative and postoperative visual memory scores were significantly different in the SAH group only (P = 0.046). CONCLUSIONS: PHC, ALT, and SAH show a preliminary similar efficacy in short-term seizure-free rates in patients with mTLE-HS. However, PHC efficacy in the long-term decreases compared with the other surgical techniques. PHC does not produce postoperative visual field deficits.

Quantum Nonlocality and Quantum Correlations in the Stern-Gerlach Experiment.

The Stern-Gerlach experiment (SGE) is one of the foundational experiments in quantum physics. It has been used in both the teaching and the development of quantum mechanics. However, for various reasons, some of its quantum features and implications are not fully addressed or comprehended in the current literature. Hence, the main aim of this paper is to demonstrate that the SGE possesses a quantum nonlocal character that has not previously been visualized or presented before. Accordingly, to show the nonlocality into the SGE, we calculate the quantum correlations C ( z , θ ) by redefining the Banaszek-Wódkiewicz correlation in terms of the Wigner operator, that is C ( z , θ ) = 〈 Ψ | W ^ ( z , p z ) σ ^ ( θ ) | Ψ ã€‰ , where W ^ ( z , p z ) is the Wigner operator, σ ^ ( θ ) is the Pauli spin operator in an arbitrary direction θ and | Ψ ã€‰ is the quantum state given by an entangled state of the external degree of freedom and the eigenstates of the spin. We show that this correlation function for the SGE violates the Clauser-Horne-Shimony-Holt Bell inequality. Thus, this feature of the SGE might be interesting for both the teaching of quantum mechanics and to investigate the phenomenon of quantum nonlocality.

Factores de riesgo metabólico y no metabólico en personas adultas de un centro de salud del Estado de México / Metabolic and non-metabolic risk factors in adults from a health center in the Estado de México

ResumenIntroducción: en las últimas décadas la diabetes mellitus 2 (DM2) ha tenido un incremento notable en México. En el año 2000 la Encuesta Nacional de Salud reportó 2.1 millones de personas afectadas; en 2006, 3.7 millones; y en 2012, 6.4 millones. Aunada a la enfermedad cardiovascular la DM2 representa la primera causa de mortalidad con tendencia al incremento progresivo en los últimos años. Objetivo: identificar y describir los factores de riesgo metabólico y no metabólico en personas adultas matriculadas en un centro de salud del Estado de México.Metodología: en una muestra no probabilística de 586 personas de ambos sexos, se formaron tres grupos con glucosa normal (GN), glucosa alterada en ayuno (GAA) y DM2. Se midieron variables no metabólicas (peso, estatura y circunferencia de cintura) y metabólicas (triglicéridos, c-HDL, c-LDL, tensión arterial sistólica y diastólica).Resultados: las medias del nivel de colesterol total en los tres grupos fueron más elevadas en el grupo con GN: 203.6 ± 36.7 mg/dl_ frente a 199.4 ± 39.7 mg/dL del grupo de GAA y 200.6 ± 44.7 mg/dL del de DM2. Los niveles séricos de c-LDL en los grupos GN y GAA fueron similares con 120.7 ± 32.3 frente a 120.5 ± 33.7, respectivamente. En el grupo de DM2 disminuyó la concentración sérica de c-LDL, con un resultado de 114.6 ± 36.5 mg/dL.Conclusiones: se encontró una alta frecuencia de alteraciones en el perfil lipídico y la presión arterial diastólica, así como obesidad abdominal en las personas con DM2 y en la población sin diabetes.

AbstractIntroduction: In the last decades, type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) has increased considerably in Mexico. In 2000 the National Health Survey reported 2.1 millions of people affected; in 2006, 3.7 millions; and in 2012, 6.4 millions. Acting together, T2DM and cardiovascular disease are the leading cause of mortality with a trend that is increasing progressively in recent years.Objective: To identify and describe metabolic and non-metabolic risk factors in adults enrolled in a health center in the Estado de México.Methods: A non-random sampling of 586 male and female patients was divided into three groups: normal glucose (NG), impaired fasting glucose (IFG) and T2DM. Metabolic (triglycerides, HDL-cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, as well as systolic and diastolic blood pressure) and non-metabolic (weight, height and waist circumference) variables were measured.Results: Mean levels of total cholesterol in the three groups were higher in the GN group with 203.6 ± 36.7 mg/dL vs. 199.4 ± 39.7mg/dL vs. 200.6 ± 44.7mg/dL, respectively. Serum levels of LDL-cholesterol in the GN and GAA groups were similar with 120.7 ± 32.3 vs. 120.5 ± 33.7, respectively; in the T2DM group, the serum level of LDL-C decreased (114.6 ± 36.5 mg/dL).Conclusions: Our findings show that patients with T2DM along with patients without diabetes show high frequency of alterations in lipid profiles and diastolic blood pressure, as well as abdominal obesity.

Somatic embryogenesis from leaf explants of Tagetes erecta L.

Tagetes erecta is an asteraceous plant of industrial, ornamental and medicinal importance; its inflorescences have been used as a pigment source for food coloring, mainly for poultry skin and eggs. Nevertheless, there are few reports on plant regeneration or micropropagation, because unsuccesfull results in the plant's reaction to the growth regulators, developing embryogenesis on Tagetes erecta. In this study, somatic embryogenesis was induced and plantlets of Tagetes erecta were regenerated. For induction of globular structures MS medium supplemented with 2,4-D (4.5 µM) and BAP (8.8 µM) was used; globular structures were transferred to MS medium with 45 g l-1 sucrose until the embryos maturation. Transmission electron microscopy showed characteristic subcellular structures of embryogenic callus. Somatic embryos were transferred to MS medium without plant growth regulators and whole plantlets were obtained. In vitro plants were successfully transplanted into a mixture of peat moss and vermiculite (1 : 1 v/v) under greenhouse conditions. In this study, somatic embryogenesis and plant regeneration system from foliar explants were established, an important requirement for performing genetic transformation events on Tagetes erecta.