Hematology and Serum Biochemistry of Coastal Seabirds Rehabilitated on the Southeastern and Southern Coast of Brazil.

Complete blood counts (n=566) and serum biochemistry (n=426) were assessed in seven coastal seabirds species that underwent rehabilitation along the southeastern and southern coast of Brazil from Saquarema, Rio de Janeiro State (22°56'16.44″S, 42°18'24.16″W) to Laguna, Santa Catarina State (28°29'43″S, 48°45'39.2″W), from August 2016 to August 2020. Blood samples were collected from four species of Charadriiformes, including Kelp Gull (Larus dominicanus, n=136), South American Tern (Sterna hirundinacea, n=25), Cabot's Tern (Thalasseus acuflavidus, n=17), and Common Tern (Sterna hirundo, n=14) as well as three species of Suliformes, the Brown Booby (Sula leucogaster, n=212), Magnificent Frigatebird (Fregata magnificens, n=104), and Neotropic Cormorant (Nannopterum brasilianum, n=58). The individuals were sampled as part of the protocol required before their release into the wild when considered healthy. This work aimed to establish the normal hematologic and biochemical reference values of those seabird species and, when possible, to analyze variations among age class and sex and to compare those with the available data in the literature. In addition, we provide the first baseline data for the South American Tern, Cabot's Tern, and Neotropic Cormorant. Baseline hematologic data are crucial for assessing health status of individuals and to support management and conservation actions, including release of seabirds into the wild.

Agreement between diagnostic methods for SARS-CoV-2 infection in children seen at the Emergency Department of a children's hospital. / Concordancia entre métodos diagnósticos de infección por SARS-CoV-2 en niños asistidos en el departamento de urgencias de un hospital pediátrico.

INTRODUCTION: Rapid antigen tests (RAgTs) for SARS-CoV-2 are considered adequate for diagnosis at the point of care. Our objective was to establish the agreement between reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) and RAgTs in the pediatric population. POPULATION AND METHODS: All patients aged 1 month to 17 years and 11 months seen at the Emergency Fever Unit of a children's hospital between 6-11-2021 and 10-3-2021 were recruited. The Panbio COVID-19 Ag® test (Abbott Diagnostic) was compared to the reference method RT-qPCR (as per the protocol suggested by the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention). RESULTS: A total of 6491 patients were included. The prevalence of COVID-19 was 2.8%. Symptoms were observed in 92.1%. Sensitivity, specificity, and the kappa index of agreement for the RAgT were 71.0%, 99.9%, and 0.813, respectively. The kappa index and the RAgT sensitivity were significantly higher in the group aged 13-17 years (0.89 and 82.4%, respectively) compared to the groups aged 0-5 and 6-12 years. This may be due to the lower viral load observed in patients younger than 12 years. CONCLUSIONS: Although RAgTs shorten the time to result and improve the isolation strategy for COVID-19 patients, their sensitivity in children younger than 12 years or asymptomatic children is not within the recommended ranges, especially during periods of low disease prevalence.

Introducción. Los inmunoensayos de detección rápida de antígenos (TRA) del SARS-CoV-2, son considerados adecuados para el diagnóstico en el punto de atención. El objetivo fue conocer la concordancia entre la reacción en cadena de la polimerasa en tiempo real con transcriptasa inversa (RT-qPCR, por su sigla en inglés) y los TRA en población pediátrica. Población y métodos. Se reclutaron todos los pacientes entre 1 mes y 17 años 11 meses de edad atendidos en la Unidad Febril de Urgencia de un hospital pediátrico entre el 11 de junio y el 3 de octubre de 2021. Se utilizó el TRA Panbio COVID-19 Ag® (Abbott Diagnostic) y, como método de referencia, la RT-qPCR (según el protocolo de los Centros para el Control y la Prevención de Enfermedades). Resultados. Se incluyeron 6491 pacientes. La prevalencia de COVID-19 fue del 2,8 %. El 92,1 % de los sujetos presentaron síntomas. La sensibilidad, la especificidad y el índice kappa de concordancia para el TRA fueron del 71,0 %, 99,9 % y 0,813, respectivamente. El índice kappa y la sensibilidad del TRA fueron significativamente mayores en el grupo de 13 a 17 años (0,89 y 82,4 %, respectivamente) cuando se los comparó con los grupos de 0 a 5 y de 6 a 12 años. Esto podría deberse a la menor carga viral observada en los pacientes menores de 12 años. Conclusión. Si bien los TRA permiten acortar el tiempo de obtención de los resultados y mejorar la estrategia de aislamiento de pacientes con COVID-19, la sensibilidad en niños menores de 12 años o asintomáticos no se encontraría dentro de los rangos recomendados, sobre todo en períodos de baja prevalencia de la enfermedad.

Concordancia entre métodos diagnósticos de infección por SARS-CoV-2 en niños asistidos en el departamento de urgencias de un hospital pediátrico / Agreement between diagnostic methods for SARS-CoV-2 infection in children seen at the Emergency Department of a children's hospital

Introducción. Los inmunoensayos de detección rápida de antígenos (TRA) del SARS-CoV-2, son considerados adecuados para el diagnóstico en el punto de atención. El objetivo fue conocer la concordancia entre la reacción en cadena de la polimerasa en tiempo real con transcriptasa inversa (RT-qPCR, por su sigla en inglés) y los TRA en población pediátrica. Población y métodos. Se reclutaron todos los pacientes entre 1 mes y 17 años 11 meses de edad atendidos en la Unidad Febril de Urgencia de un hospital pediátrico entre el 11 de junio y el 3 de octubre de 2021. Se utilizó el TRA Panbio COVID-19 Ag® (Abbott Diagnostic) y, comométodo de referencia, la RT-qPCR (según el protocolo de los Centros para el Control y la Prevención de Enfermedades). Resultados. Se incluyeron 6491 pacientes. La prevalencia de COVID-19 fue del 2,8 %. El92,1 % de los sujetos presentaron síntomas. La sensibilidad, la especificidad y el índice kappa de concordancia para el TRA fueron del 71,0 %, 99,9 % y 0,813, respectivamente. El índice kappa yla sensibilidad del TRA fueron significativamentemayores en el grupo de 13 a 17 años (0,89 y 82,4 %,respectivamente) cuando se los comparó con los grupos de 0 a 5 y de 6 a 12 años. Esto podría deberse a la menor carga viral observada en los pacientes menores de 12 años. Conclusión. Si bien los TRA permiten acortar el tiempo de obtención de los resultados y mejorar la estrategia de aislamiento de pacientes con COVID-19, la sensibilidad en niños menores de 12 años o asintomáticos no se encontraría dentro de los rangos recomendados, sobre todo enperíodos de baja prevalencia de la enfermedad.

Introduction. Rapid antigen tests (RAgTs) for SARS-CoV-2 are considered adequate for diagnosis at the point of care. Our objective was to establish the agreement between reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) and RAgTs in the pediatric population. Population and methods. All patients aged 1 month to 17 years and 11 months seen at the Emergency Fever Unit of a children's hospital between 6-11-2021 and 10-3-2021 were recruited. The Panbio COVID-19 Ag® test (Abbott Diagnostic) was compared to the reference method RT-qPCR (as per the protocol suggested by the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention). Results. A total of 6491 patients were included. The prevalence of COVID-19 was 2.8%. Symptoms were observed in 92.1%. Sensitivity, specificity, and the kappa index of agreement for the RAgT were 71.0%, 99.9%, and 0.813, respectively. The kappa index and the RAgT sensitivity were significantly higher in the group aged 13­17 years (0.89 and 82.4%, respectively) compared to the groups aged 0­5 and 6­12 years. This may be due to the lower viral load observed in patients younger than 12 years. Conclusion. Although RAgTs shorten the time to result and improve the isolation strategy for COVID-19 patients, their sensitivity in children younger than 12 years or asymptomatic children is not within the recommended ranges, especially during periods of low disease prevalence.

Comparison Between Three Cryoprotectants in the Freezing of Mazama americana Semen Collected by Artificial Vagina.

Maintaining genetic variability is an important part of the conservation of endangered species, so the construction of germplasm banks is essential. Several species of the genus Mazama endure constant pressure in their natural habitat and are threatened with extinction. The correct manipulation and adequacy of the diluents and cryoprotectants must be studied to be successful in the formation of these banks. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficiency of three different cryoprotectants in sperm cryopreservation in the species Mazama americana: 6% glycerol (GLY), 3% ethylene glycol (ETG), and 5% dimethylformamide (DMF). Semen was obtained with the lateral deviation of the penis to an artificial vagina. In the pre-freeze and post-thaw periods, motility, vigor, membrane integrity, acrosome integrity, and sperm cell morphology were evaluated for each of the cryoprotectants. Post-thaw motility was higher when semen was frozen with cryoprotectants GLY and DMF (55.31 ± 7.39 and 55.94 ± 2.77, respectively), compared with the result obtained for ETG (48.13 ± 2.39). For major defects (MaD), a difference was observed between the pre- and post-cryopreservation periods, such that DMF generated a higher number of post-thaw MaD (25.94 ± 5.37). All cryoprotectants were efficient for cryopreservation of M. americana semen, resulting in samples with satisfactory viability after thawing. However, the medium with the cryoprotectants GLY, at a concentration of 6%, and DMF, at a concentration of 5%, were preferable.

Health assessment of juvenile green turtles in southern São Paulo State, Brazil: a hematologic approach.

We assessed the health status and hematologic and blood chemistry values of 48 juvenile green turtles (Chelonia mydas) on the southeastern coast of Brazil (25°S 48°W). We investigated the impact of size and weight, nutritional condition, and presence of epibionts and fibropapilloma tumors. Nutritional status was good for 39 animals; these animals had higher serum albumin, cholesterol, and phosphorus concentrations than 9 animals with a fair nutritional score. Reference values for hematology and biochemistry were calculated for 39 individuals without fibropapillomas (FPs). Turtles with epibionts (n = 33) had lower hemoglobin (Hb) than turtles without epibionts (n = 15; t = -2.09, p = 0.04), and the area occupied by epibionts was positively correlated with the white blood cell count (r = 0.37, p = 0.03). FP turtles had significantly lower hematocrit (Hct), Hb, and red blood cell (RBC) counts than non-FP turtles; serum albumin and cholesterol were higher in non-FP than FP turtles. A negative correlation between curved carapace length (CCL) and Hct (r = -0.51, p = 0.0002) and RBC (r = -0.47, p = 0.0007), and between serum cholesterol, sodium, and uric acid and CCL (r = -0.53, p = 0.0001; r = -0.38, p = 0.007; r = -0.35, p = 0.014, respectively) were identified. The health of turtles appears to deteriorate as they get larger, which manifests in more FPs, decreased body condition, and systemic physiologic changes consistent with chronic disease including lower Hct, RBC counts, serum cholesterol, sodium, and uric acid.

Ig-Like Transcript 2 (ILT2) Blockade and Lenalidomide Restore NK Cell Function in Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia.

One of the cardinal features of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is its association with a profound immunosuppression. NK cell function is markedly impaired in CLL patients, who show a significant dysregulation of the expression of activating and inhibitory receptors. Here, we analyzed the role of the novel inhibitory receptor Ig-like transcript 2 (ILT2, also termed LIR-1, LILRB1) in the regulation of NK cells in CLL. Our results show that ILT2 expression was significantly decreased on leukemic cells and increased on NK cells of CLL patients, particularly in those with advanced disease and with bad prognostic features, such as those carrying chromosome del(11q). The immunomodulatory drug lenalidomide may regulate the expression of ILT2 and its ligands in CLL since it significantly increased the expression of ILT2 and partially reestablished the expression of its ligands on leukemic cells. Furthermore, lenalidomide significantly increased the activation and proliferation of NK cells, which was strongly enhanced by ILT2 blockade. Combining ILT2 blockade and lenalidomide activated NK cell cytotoxicity resulting in increased elimination of leukemic cells from CLL patients. Overall, we describe herein the role of an inhibitory receptor involved in the suppression of NK cell activity in CLL, which is restored by ILT2 blockade in combination with lenalidomide, suggesting that it may be an interesting therapeutic strategy to be explored in this disease.

Electronic Communication Channel Use and Health Information Source Preferences Among Latinos in Northern Manhattan.

Understanding key health concepts is crucial to participation in Precision Medicine initiatives. In order to assess methods to develop and disseminate a curriculum to educate community members in Northern Manhattan about Precision Medicine, clients from a local community-based organization were interviewed during 2014-2015. Health literacy, acculturation, use of Internet, email, and text messaging, and health information sources were assessed. Associations between age and outcomes were evaluated; multivariable analysis used to examine the relationship between participant characteristics and sources of health information. Of 497 interviewed, 29.4 % had inadequate health literacy and 53.6 % had access to the Internet, 43.9 % to email, and 45.3 % to text messaging. Having adequate health literacy was associated with seeking information from a healthcare professional (OR 2.59, 95 % CI 1.54-4.35) and from the Internet (OR 3.15, 95 % CI 1.97-5.04); having ≤ grade school education (OR 2.61, 95 % CI 1.32-5.17) also preferred information from their provider; persons >45 years (OR 0.29, 95 % CI 0.18-0.47) were less likely to use the Internet for health information and preferred printed media (OR 1.64, 95 % CI 1.07-2.50). Overall, electronic communication channel use was low and varied significantly by age with those ≤45 years more likely to utilize electronic channels. Preferred sources of health information also varied by age as well as by health literacy and educational level. This study demonstrates that to effectively communicate key Precision Medicine concepts, curriculum development for Latino community members of Northern Manhattan will require attention to health literacy, language preference and acculturation and incorporate more traditional communication channels for older community members.

Role of Saccharomyces cerevisiae Trk1 in stabilization of intracellular potassium content upon changes in external potassium levels.

Saccharomyces cerevisiae cells are able to grow at very different potassium concentrations adapting its intracellular cation levels to changes in the external milieu. Potassium homeostasis in wild type cells resuspended in media with low potassium is an example of non-perfect adaptation since the same intracellular concentration is not approached irrespective of the extracellular levels of the cation. By using yeasts lacking the Trk1,2 system or expressing different versions of the mutated main plasma membrane potassium transporter (Trk1), we show that Trk1 is not essential for adaptation to potassium changes but the dynamics of potassium loss is very different in the wild type and in trk1,2 mutant or in yeasts expressing Trk1 versions with highly impaired transport characteristics. We also show that the pattern here described can be also fulfilled by heterologous expression of NcHAK1, a potassium transporter not belonging to the TRK family. Hyperpolarization and cationic drugs sensitivity in mutants with defective transport capacity provide additional support to the hypothesis of connections between the activity of the Trk system and the plasma membrane H(+) ATPase (Pma1) in the adaptive process.

Optical biomarkers for breast cancer derived from dynamic diffuse optical tomography.

Diffuse optical tomography (DOT) is a noninvasive, nonionizing imaging modality that uses near-infrared light to visualize optically relevant chromophores. A recently developed dynamic DOT imaging system enables the study of hemodynamic effects in the breast during a breath-hold. Dynamic DOT imaging was performed in a total of 21 subjects (age 54±10 years) including 3 healthy subjects and 18 subjects with benign (n=8) and malignant (n=14) masses. Three-dimensional time-series images of the percentage change in oxygenated and deoxygenated hemoglobin concentrations ([HbO2] and [Hb]) from baseline are obtained over the course of a breath-hold. At a time point of 15 s following the end of the breath-hold, [Hb] in healthy breasts has returned to near-baseline values (1.6%±0.5%), while tumor-bearing breasts have increased levels of [Hb] (6.8%±3.6%, p<0.01). Further, healthy subjects have a higher correlation between the breasts over the course of the breath-hold as compared with the subjects with breast cancer (healthy: 0.96±0.02; benign: 0.89±0.02; malignant: 0.78±0.23, p<0.05). Therefore this study shows that dynamic features extracted from DOT measurements can differentiate healthy and diseased breast tissues. These features provide a physiologic method for identifying breast cancer without the need for ionizing radiation.

Subcellular potassium and sodium distribution in Saccharomyces cerevisiae wild-type and vacuolar mutants.

Living cells accumulate potassium (K⁺) to fulfil multiple functions. It is well documented that the model yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae grows at very different concentrations of external alkali cations and keeps high and low intracellular concentrations of K⁺ and sodium (Na⁺) respectively. However less attention has been paid to the study of the intracellular distribution of these cations. The most widely used experimental approach, plasma membrane permeabilization, produces incomplete results, since it usually considers only cytoplasm and vacuoles as compartments where the cations are present in significant amounts. By isolating and analysing the main yeast organelles, we have determined the subcellular location of K⁺ and Na⁺ in S. cerevisiae. We show that while vacuoles accumulate most of the intracellular K⁺ and Na⁺, the cytosol contains relatively low amounts, which is especially relevant in the case of Na⁺. However K⁺ concentrations in the cytosol are kept rather constant during the K⁺-starvation process and we conclude that, for that purpose, vacuolar K⁺ has to be rapidly mobilized. We also show that this intracellular distribution is altered in four different mutants with impaired vacuolar physiology. Finally, we show that both in wild-type and vacuolar mutants, nuclei contain and keep a relatively constant and important percentage of total intracellular K⁺ and Na⁺, which most probably is involved in the neutralization of negative charges.

Low-carbohydrate diet for the treatment of gestational diabetes mellitus: a randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: Medical nutrition therapy based on the control of the amount and distribution of carbohydrates (CHO) is the initial treatment for gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), but there is a need for randomized controlled trials comparing different dietary strategies. The purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis that a low-CHO diet for the treatment of GDM would lead to a lower rate of insulin treatment with similar pregnancy outcomes compared with a control diet. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: A total of 152 women with GDM were included in this open, randomized controlled trial and assigned to follow either a diet with low-CHO content (40% of the total diet energy content as CHO) or a control diet (55% of the total diet energy content as CHO). CHO intake was assessed by 3-day food records. The main pregnancy outcomes were also assessed. RESULTS: The rate of women requiring insulin was not significantly different between the treatment groups (low CHO 54.7% vs. control 54.7%; P = 1). Daily food records confirmed a difference in the amount of CHO consumed between the groups (P = 0.0001). No differences were found in the obstetric and perinatal outcomes between the treatment groups. CONCLUSIONS: Treatment of women with GDM using a low-CHO diet did not reduce the number of women needing insulin and produced similar pregnancy outcomes. In GDM, CHO amount (40 vs. 55% of calories) did not influence insulin need or pregnancy outcomes.

Estrategia de perfeccionamiento para la Maestría en Educación Médica de Villa Clara / Strategy for the improvement of the Master´s Course in medical Education in Villa Clara

La Maestría en Educación Médica que se ejecuta en la Universidad de Ciencias Médicas de Villa Clara desde 2002, ha desarrollado hasta el momento tres ediciones propias, y tiene como propósito perfeccionar el desempeño académico del profesorado. El estudio procura describir las características de la estrategia de perfeccionamiento elaborada a partir del diagnóstico realizado. Se emplearon métodos teóricos, empíricos y estadísticos; la triangulación metodológica a partir de los métodos empleados y los puntos de vista de los actores intervinientes permitió obtener una valoración integral de la realidad estudiada. La estrategia de perfeccionamiento tuvo en cuenta las limitantes identificadas y abarca un grupo de acciones que faciliten una mejor planificación, organización, ejecución y control de su puesta en marcha(AU)

Salt and oxidative stress tolerance in Debaryomyces hansenii and Debaryomyces fabryi.

We report the characterization of five strains belonging to the halotolerant highly related Debaryomyces hansenii/fabryi species. The analysis performed consisted in studying tolerance properties, membrane characteristics, and cation incell amounts. We have specifically investigated (1) tolerance to different chemicals, (2) tolerance to osmotic and salt stress, (3) tolerance and response to oxidative stress, (4) reactive oxygen species (ROS) content, (5) relative membrane potential, (6) cell volume, (7) K(+) and Na(+) ion content, and (8) membrane fluidity. Unexpectedly, no direct relationship was found between one particular strain, Na(+) content and its tolerance to NaCl or between its ROS content and its tolerance to H(2)O(2). Results show that, although in general, human origin D. fabryi strains were more resistant to oxidative stress and presented shorter doubling times and smaller cell volume than food isolated D. hansenii ones, strains belonging to the same species can be significantly different. Debaryomyces fabryi CBS1793 strain highlighted for its extremely tolerant behavior when exposed to the diverse stress factors studied.

K(+) uptake systems in the yeast Hansenula polymorpha. Transcriptional and post-translational mechanisms involved in high-affinity K(+) transporter regulation.

We have identified the two main K(+) transporters in the yeast Hansenula polymorpha. So far this is the only yeast with these transporters amenable to molecular genetic analysis. Two ORF-encoding permeases with high similarity to Trk1 and Hak1 are present in the genome of this yeast. Deletion of either of these genes led to defective growth in low K(+). The K(+) and Rb(+) uptake rates showed high affinity of Hak1 for K(+), while the affinity estimated for Trk1 was two orders of magnitude lower. TRK1 was not transcriptionally regulated and HAK1 was strongly induced in response to very low K(+) and down-regulated by the presence of K(+). This process is clearly dependent on calcineurin. The use of a set of strains carrying mutations affecting intracellular protein trafficking revealed that in response to K(+), Hak1 is endocytosed and degraded in the vacuole, this depending on the ubiquitin ligase Rsp5. This is a first insight into the transcriptional and post-translational mechanisms regulating a high-affinity K(+) transporter (HAK-type transporter) that allows cells to respond and adapt to K(+) availability.

The wheat MAP kinase phosphatase 1 confers higher lithium tolerance in yeast.

The durum wheat TMKP1 gene encodes a MAP kinase phosphatase. When overexpressed in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, TMKP1 leads to salt stress tolerance (especially LiCl ), which is dependent on the phosphatase activity of the protein. The TMKP1-associated Li(+) resistance is restricted to a galactose-containing medium. Interestingly, this salt tolerance is abolished in the absence of one member of the yeast type 2C Ser/Thr protein phosphatase family (Ptc1) but not when other members such as Ptc2 or Ptc3 are lacking. Increased Li(+) tolerance is not mediated by regulation of the P-type ATPase Ena1, a major determinant for salt tolerance. In contrast, the effect of TMKP1 depends on Hal3 (a negative regulator of Ppz phosphatases) and on the presence of the high-affinity potassium transporters Trk1/Trk2. Tolerance to Li(+) is also abolished in cells lacking the aldose reductase Gre3, previously shown to be involved in the resistance to this cation. This study provides evidence that the wheat TMKP1 phosphatase is contributing to reduce the exacerbated lithium toxicity in galactose-grown cells, in a way that depends on the presence of the potassium Trk transporters.

Functional HAK/KUP/KT-like potassium transporter encoded by chlorella viruses.

Chlorella viruses are a source of interesting membrane transport proteins. Here we examine a putative K(+) transporter encoded by virus FR483 and related chlorella viruses. The protein shares sequence and structural features with HAK/KUP/KT-like K(+) transporters from plants, bacteria and fungi. Yeast complementation assays and Rb(+) uptake experiments show that the viral protein, termed HAKCV (high-affinity K(+) transporter of chlorella virus), is functional, with transport characteristics that are similar to those of known K(+) transporters. Expression studies revealed that the protein is expressed as an early gene during viral replication, and proteomics data indicate that it is not packaged in the virion. The function of HAKCV is unclear, but the data refute the hypothesis that the transporter acts as a substitute for viral-encoded K(+) channels during virus infection.

In vivo key role of reactive oxygen species and NHE-1 activation in determining excessive cardiac hypertrophy.

Growing in vitro evidence suggests NHE-1, a known target for reactive oxygen species (ROS), as a key mediator in cardiac hypertrophy (CH). Moreover, NHE-1 inhibition was shown effective in preventing CH and failure; so has been the case for AT1 receptor (AT1R) blockers. Previous experiments indicate that myocardial stretch promotes angiotensin II release and post-translational NHE-1 activation; however, in vivo data supporting this mechanism and its long-term consequences are scanty. In this work, we thought of providing in vivo evidence linking AT1R with ROS and NHE-1 activation in mediating CH. CH was induced in mice by TAC. A group of animals was treated with the AT1R blocker losartan. Cardiac contractility was assessed by echocardiography and pressure-volume loop hemodynamics. After 7 weeks, TAC increased left ventricular (LV) mass by ~45% vs. sham and deteriorated LV systolic function. CH was accompanied by activation of the redox-sensitive kinase p90(RSK) with the consequent increase in NHE-1 phosphorylation. Losartan prevented p90(RSK) and NHE-1 phosphorylation, ameliorated CH and restored cardiac function despite decreased LV wall thickness and similar LV systolic pressures and diastolic dimensions (increased LV wall stress). In conclusion, AT1R blockade prevented excessive oxidative stress, p90(RSK) and NHE-1 phosphorylation, and decreased CH independently of hemodynamic changes. In addition, cardiac performance improved despite a higher work load.

Endothelin-1 induced hypertrophic effect in neonatal rat cardiomyocytes: involvement of Na+/H+ and Na+/Ca2+ exchangers.

Endothelin-1 (ET-1) is a potent agonist of cell growth that also stimulates Na(+)/H(+) exchanger isoform 1 (NHE-1) activity. It was hypothesized that the increase in intracellular Na(+) ([Na(+)](i)) mediated by NHE-1 activity may induce the reverse mode of Na(+)/Ca(2+) exchanger (NCX(rev)) increasing intracellular Ca(2+) ([Ca(2+)](i)) which in turn will induce hypertrophy. The objective of this work was to test whether the inhibition of NHE-1 or NCX(rev) prevents ET-1 induced hypertrophy in neonatal rat cardiomyocytes (NRVMs). NRVMs were cultured (24 h) in the absence (control) and presence of 5 nmol/L ET-1 alone, or combined with 1 mumol/L HOE 642 or 5 mumol/L KB-R7943. Cell surface area, (3)H-phenylalanine incorporation and atrial natriuretic factor (ANF) mRNA expression were increased to 131 +/- 3, 220 +/- 12 and 190 +/- 25% of control, respectively (P < 0.05) by ET-1. [Na(+)](i) and total [Ca(2+)](i) were higher (8.1 +/- 1.2 mmol/L and 636 +/- 117 nmol/L, respectively) in ET-1-treated than in control NRVMs (4.2 +/- 1.3 and 346 +/- 85, respectively, P < 0.05), effects that were cancelled by NHE-1 inhibition with HOE 642. The rise in [Ca(2+)](i) induced by extracellular Na(+) removal (NCX(rev)) was higher in ET-1-treated than in control NRVMs and the effect was prevented by co-treatment with HOE 642 or KB-R7943 (NCX(rev) inhibitor). The ET-1-induced increase in cell area, ANF mRNA expression and (3)H-phenylalanine incorporation in ET-1-treated NRVM were decreased by NHE-1 or NCX(rev) inhibition. Our results provide the first evidence that NCX(rev) is, secondarily to NHE-1 activation, involved in ET-1-induced hypertrophy in NRVMs.

Epitelio escamoso original y resultado histológico posconización cervicouterina / Original squamous epithelium and histological results after cervicouterine conization

Se realizó un estudio descriptivo-retrospectivo de 66 pacientes procedentes de la consulta de Patología de Cuello del Policlínico Docente "Chiqui Gómez Lubián", a las cuales se les realizó una conización cervical en el período comprendido entre 1990-2000, con el objetivo de caracterizar la población de pacientes que tuvieron una prueba citológica sospechosa con resultado negativo a la observación clínica mediante exámenes colposcópicos; posteriormente se confirmó la presencia de una displasia. Por medio de la revisión de tarjetas citológicas, modelo 68-09, se obtuvieron los datos relacionados con sus antecedentes clinicoginecológicos y resultados citohistológicos y colposcópicos. En nuestro estudio prevaleció el inicio temprano de las relaciones sexuales; el mayor grupo de operadas tenía pacientes entre 25-39 años de edad, y el más elevado por ciento de diagnósticos histológicos postoperatorios correspondió a la displasia severa del cuello uterino y al carcinoma in situ, por lo que ante un citodiagnóstico alterado, con un examen colposcópico de una mucosa original, debemos pensar siempre en la posibilidad de una "enfermedad oculta(AU)

Esofagitis cáustica en la infancia: estudio en un servicio de gastroenterología pediátrica / Caustical esophagitis during childhood: a estudy at a service of pediatric gastroenterology

Se realizó un estudio prospectivo a 149 pacientes que ingresaron por ingestión accidental de sustancias cáusticas en el Hospital Pediátrico Universitario "José Luis Miranda" de la ciudad de Santa Clara, región central de Cuba en el período comprendido desde enero de 1996 a abril de 1999. A todos se le realizó fibroesofagogastroscopia en las primeras 72 horas siguientes del accidente. Se elaboró un modelo de vaciamiento de datos donde se precisaron las manifestaciones clínicas encontradas así como los hallazgos detectados durante en examen endoscópico(AU)