Enzymatic glycoengineering-based spin labelling of cell surface sialoglycans to enable their analysis by electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy.

A novel method for spin labelling of sialoglycans on the cell surface is described. C9-Azido sialic acid was linked to glycans on live cells via CSTII-catalysed α2,3-sialylation utilizing azido-sialic acid nucleotide as a sialyl donor, which was followed by attachment of a spin label to the azide via click reaction. It enables the study of cell surface sialoglycans by EPR spectroscopy.

Interleukin-6 and neuregulin-1 as regulators of utrophin expression via the activation of NRG-1/ErbB signaling pathway in mdx cells.

Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a neuromuscular disease originated by mutations in the dystrophin gene. A promising therapeutic approach deals with functional substitution of dystrophin by utrophin, a structural homolog that might be able to compensate dystrophin absence in DMD muscle fibers. It has been described that both interleukin-6 (IL-6) and neuregulin-1 (NRG-1; Heregulin-HRG) induce utrophin expression in skeletal muscle. We investigated a possible functional link among IL-6, NRG-1 and utrophin, in normal (C57) and dystrophic (mdx) skeletal muscle cells. Western Blot analysis allowed us to demonstrate that IL-6 (100ng/mL) induces NRG-1 receptor phosphorylation (ErbB2/ErbB3) in both cell types, in a process that depends on intracellular Ca2+ and metalloproteinase activity; it also induces a transient increase of ERK1 and GABPα phosphorylation only in dystrophic myotubes. Semiquantitative PCR showed that IL-6 treatment increases utrophin mRNA levels just in mdx myotubes. We observed that utrophin mRNA induction was abolished by BAPTA-AM (an intracellular Ca2+ chelator), GM6001 (a general metalloproteinase inhibitor), genistein (a general protein tyrosine kinase inhibitor), PD-158780 (an ErbB receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor) and PD-98059 (a MEK inhibitor), whereas Ly-294002 and wortmannin (PI3K inhibitors) did not affect utrophin induction evoked by IL-6 in dystrophic myotubes. Our results suggest that IL-6 induces utrophin expression in mdx myotubes through activation of a NRG-1/ErbBs signaling cascade. Soluble NRG-1 elicited by proteolytic processing of transmembrane NRG-1 might induce ErbBs phosphorylation and ERK1/2 pathway activation, leading to utrophin up-regulation.

[How to design workshops to promote health in community groups]. / Cómo diseñar talleres para promover la salud en grupos comunitarios.

One of the strategies of health promotion is to develop life skills people considering themselves as the main health resource. A workshop has to get its participants become «asset¼ to make decisions and create health, focusing on the development and acquisition of skills in a motivating group and in order to achieve health objectives. The concepts behind the design of a workshop are: participatory planning, training, meaningful learning, group learning and participatory techniques. The steps to follow to design a workshop and facilitate their application are: Stage 0, founding; initial stage, host and initial evaluation; central or construction stage based learning in the acquisition of knowledge, attitudes and skills, and final stage or evaluation.

Major roles of kupffer cells and macrophages in NAFLD development.

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is an important public health problem with growing numbers of NAFLD patients worldwide. Pathological conditions are different in each stage of NAFLD due to various factors. Preclinical and clinical studies provide evidence for a crucial role of immune cells in NAFLD progression. Liver-resident macrophages, kupffer cells (KCs), and monocytes-derived macrophages are the key cell types involved in the progression of NAFLD, non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Their unique polarization contributes to the progression of NAFLD. KCs are phagocytes with self-renewal abilities and play a role in regulating and maintaining homeostasis. Upon liver damage, KCs are activated and colonized at the site of the damaged tissue. The secretion of inflammatory cytokines and chemokines by KCs play a pivotal role in initiating NAFLD pathogenesis. This review briefly describes the role of immune cells in the immune system in NAFLD, and focuses on the pathological role and molecular pathways of KCs and recruited macrophages. In addition, the relationship between macrophages and insulin resistance is described. Finally, the latest therapeutics that target KCs and macrophages are summarized for the prevention and treatment of NAFLD.

Knowledge of osteoporosis among men in the primary care setting.

OBJECTIVES: Osteoporosis has been often viewed as a disease affecting women; however, men are at risk for osteoporosis, and the mortality after hip fracture in men older than 75 years of age is significantly higher than in women. We aimed to assess knowledge of osteoporosis and its risk factors in men. METHODS: A questionnaire assessing knowledge of osteoporosis was presented to 136 male patients randomly in Internal Medicine and Family Practice clinics at Saint Joseph Hospital. RESULTS: A total of 136 men agreed to fill in the questionnaire. Only 130 patients who completed the entire questionnaire were included in the data analysis. Twenty-three percent of men surveyed had never heard about osteoporosis. Thirty-nine percent were unaware that osteoporosis is directly responsible for disabling hip fractures. Sixty-seven percent did not know that a potential outcome of hip fracture is death. Only 38% recognized that smoking is a risk factor, 20% knew that excessive caffeine intake can put them at risk, and 35% realized that excessive alcohol intake is a risk factor. Only 21% could correctly identify the calcium-rich foods among the choices. There was a positive relationship (P < 0.05) between receiving an official discussion with a physician regarding osteoporosis and the actual score on the "knowledge of osteoporosis" questionnaire. CONCLUSION: A significant percentage of men are unaware of the complications and risk factors for osteoporosis. Receiving educational information about osteoporosis from a physician should be considered at an early stage, especially for those patients with modifiable risk factors.

Changes in the depth of chest compressions during cardiopulmonary resuscitation in a pediatric simulator. / Modificación de la profundidad de las compresiones cardíacas durante la reanimación cardiopulmonar en un simulador pediátrico.

INTRODUCTION: High-quality chest compressions (CCs) are the main component of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). Objectives. T o assess the depth of CCs during CPR using a pediatric patient manikin. A secondary objective was to explore the association between CC depth and sex, level of training, body mass index, and periodic physical training. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Prospective study with experimental observation. Pediatric residents, pediatricians, nurses, and other health care providers trained in CPR and who attended children were included. A software program was used to record the depth of CCs while performing CPR during 2 minutes. Tiredness was defined as a deterioration in the number of adequately deep CCs (> 50 mm) by more than 3 CCs between the first and the last cycles. RESULTS: A total of 137 subjects participated (85.4 % were women). Only 48 participants (35.8 %) showed an adequate performance in terms of depth. Significant differences were observed for men (p < 0.0001) and trained pediatricians compared to the rest (p = 0.038). A worsening was observed in performance in terms of depth after 2 minutes in 36.5 % of participants. No significant differences were observed in relation to body mass index and physical activity. CONCLUSIONS: Depth rate reduced after 2 minutes. No association was observed with the body mass index or regular physical activity of resuscitators but with their sex and level of training.

Introducción. Las compresiones cardíacas (CC) de alta calidad son el principal componente de la reanimación cardiopulmonar (RCP). Objetivos: Evaluar la profundidad de las CC durante las maniobras de RCP realizadas sobre un simulador pediátrico. Secundariamente, explorar la asociación entre la profundidad de las CC con respecto al género, nivel de formación, índice de masa corporal y entrenamiento físico periódico. Material y métodos. Trabajo prospectivo de observación experimental. Se incluyeron médicos residentes de Pediatría, pediatras, enfermeros y otros profesionales capacitados en RCP que asistían a niños. Se registró, mediante un software, la profundidad de las CC mientras realizaban maniobras de RCP durante 2 minutos. Se definió como equivalente a cansancio el deterioro en el número de CC adecuadas en profundidad (> 50 mm) mayor de 3 entre el primero y el último ciclo. Resultados. Participaron 137 sujetos (85,4 % de mujeres). Solamente 48 (35,8 %) presentaron un desempeño adecuado en cuanto a la profundidad. Se observaron diferencias significativas en favor del género masculino (p < 0,0001) y de los pediatras formados por sobre el resto (p 0,038). El 36,5 % de los participantes empeoraron su desempeño en cuanto a la profundidad a los dos minutos. No se observaron diferencias significativas en cuanto al índice de masa corporal y actividad física. Conclusiones. Las CC disminuyeron en profundidad al cabo de dos minutos. No hubo asociación con el índice de masa corporal ni la actividad física habitual de los reanimadores, pero sí en cuanto a género y nivel de formación.

Modificación de la profundidad de las compresiones cardíacas durante la reanimación cardiopulmonar en un simulador pediátrico / Changes in the depth of chest compressions during cardiopulmonary resuscitation in a pediatric simulator

Introducción. Las compresiones cardíacas (CC) de alta calidad son el principal componente de la reanimación cardiopulmonar (RCP). Objetivos: Evaluar la profundidad de las CC durante las maniobras de RCP realizadas sobre un simulador pediátrico. Secundariamente, explorar la asociación entre la profundidad de las CC con respecto al género, nivel de formación, índice de masa corporal y entrenamiento físico periódico. Material y métodos. Trabajo prospectivo de observación experimental. Se incluyeron médicos residentes de Pediatría, pediatras, enfermeros y otros profesionales capacitados en RCP que asistían a niños. Se registró, mediante un software, la profundidad de las CC mientras realizaban maniobras de RCP durante 2 minutos. Se definió como equivalente a cansancio el deterioro en el número de CC adecuadas en profundidad (> 50 mm) mayor de 3 entre el primero y el último ciclo. Resultados. Participaron 137 sujetos (85,4 % de mujeres). Solamente 48 (35,8 %) presentaron un desempeño adecuado en cuanto a la profundidad. Se observaron diferencias significativas en favor del género masculino (p < 0,0001) y de los pediatras formados por sobre el resto (p 0,038). El 36,5 % de los participantes empeoraron su desempeño en cuanto a la profundidad a los dos minutos. No se observaron diferencias significativas en cuanto al índice de masa corporal y actividad física. Conclusiones. Las CC disminuyeron en profundidad al cabo de dos minutos. No hubo asociación con el índice de masa corporal ni la actividad física habitual de los reanimadores, pero sí en cuanto a género y nivel de formación.

Introduction. High-quality chest compressions (CCs) are the main component of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). Objectives. T o assess the depth of CCs during CPR using a pediatric patient manikin. A secondary objective was to explore the association between CC depth and sex, level of training, body mass index, and periodic physical training. Material and methods. Prospective study with experimental observation. Pediatric residents, pediatricians, nurses, and other health care providers trained in CPR and who attended children were included. A software program was used to record the depth of CCs while performing CPR during 2 minutes. Tiredness was defined as a deterioration in the number of adequately deep CCs (> 50 mm) by more than 3 CCs between the first and the last cycles. Results. A total of 137 subjects participated (85.4 % were women). Only 48 participants (35.8 %) showed an adequate performance in terms of depth. Significant differences were observed for men (p < 0.0001) and trained pediatricians compared to the rest (p = 0.038). A worsening was observed in performance in terms of depth after 2 minutes in 36.5 % of participants. No significant differences were observed in relation to body mass index and physical activity. Conclusions. Depth rate reduced after 2 minutes. No association was observed with the body mass index or regular physical activity of resuscitators but with their sex and level of training.

Eficacia de una tabla de referencia de drogas. Una herramienta para reducir errores en la medicación durante la emergencia pediátrica / Efficacy of a drug reference table for emergencies. A tool to reduce errors in medication

Introducción. Se diseñó una tabla de referencia de drogas para emergencias (TRDE) especificando utilidad, dosis, vía de administración y dilución de las drogas más utilizadas durante emergencias pediátricas. El objetivo de este trabajo fue evaluar su utilidad para reducir errores en medicación. Materiales y métodos. Se realizó un estudio controlado aleatorizado con residentes de un hospital general pediátrico durante jornadas de simulación médica de alta fidelidad. Participaron 79 médicos divididos en 12 equipos; 6 asignados aleatoriamente, tuvieron la TRDE disponible y un instructivo para utilizarla. Se analizaron cantidad total de errores en la prescripción de medicación, y tipo de error (elección de la droga, dosis, dilución y vía de administración). Resultados. La media de indicaciones por equipo fue 7,08 drogas (DS 6,25-7,92). Los equipos sin TRDE cometieron 5,17 errores totales más que los que la usaron (IC 90% 0,21-10,12; P=0,08). En el análisis diferenciado por tipo de error aquellos sin TRDE cometieron 2,5 errores más de dilución (IC 90% 0,87-4,13; P=0,02). No hubo diferencias significativas de errores de elección, dosificación y vía de administración de drogas. Conclusión. La TRDE determinó una disminución global de errores en la prescripción de medicación durante situaciones de emergencia, principalmente en la dilución

Background. A drug reference table for emergencies (TE) was designed specifying utility, dose, route of administration and dilution of the drugs used during pediatric emergencies. The aim of this work was to evaluate its utility to reduce errors in medication. Methods. A randomized controlled study was conducted with residents of a pediatric general hospital during high-fidelity medical simulation. 79 residents were divided into 12 teams, 6 randomly assigned teams had the TE available and instructions on how to use it. We analyzed the total number of errors in the prescription of medication, and type of error (choice of drug, dose, dilution and route of administration). Results. The mean of indications per team was 7.08 drugs (DS 6.25-7.92). Teams without TE performed 5.17 total errors more than those who used it (IC 90% 0.21-10.12, P = 0.08). Analyzing by type of error those without TE made 2.5 more dilution errors (IC 90% 0.87-4.13, P = 0.02). There were no significant differences in errors of choice, dosage and route of drug administration. Conclusion. The TE produced overall decrease in medication prescription errors during emergency situations, particularly in dilution errors

Individualization through standardization: electronic orders for subcutaneous insulin in the hospital.

OBJECTIVE: The objective was to design electronic order sets that would promote safe, effective, and individualized order entry for subcutaneous insulin in the hospital, based on a review of best practices. METHODS: Saint Francis Hospital in Evanston, Illinois, a community teaching hospital, was selected as the pilot site for 6 hospitals in the Health Care System to introduce an electronic medical record. Articles dealing with management of hospital hyperglycemia, medical order entry systems, and patient safety were reviewed selectively. RESULTS: In the published literature on institutional glycemic management programs and insulin order sets, features were identified that improve safety and effectiveness of subcutaneous insulin therapy. Subcutaneous electronic insulin order sets were created, designated in short: "patients eating", "patients not eating", and "patients receiving overnight enteral feedings." Together with an option for free text entry, menus of administration instructions were designed within each order set that were applicable to specific insulin orders and expressed in standardized language, such as "hold if tube feeds stop" or "do not withhold." CONCLUSION: Two design features are advocated for electronic order sets for subcutaneous insulin that will both standardize care and protect individualization. First, within the order sets, the glycemic management plan should be matched to the carbohydrate exposure of the patients, with juxtaposition of appropriate orders for both glucose monitoring and insulin. Second, in order to convey precautions of insulin use to pharmacy and nursing staff, the prescriber must be able to attach administration instructions to specific insulin orders.

A case of hypoglycemia, lactic acidosis, and hematologic malignancy.

OBJECTIVE: To report a case of chronic and persistent hypoglycemia and lactic acidosis in a 74-year-old military veteran. METHODS: The clinical, laboratory, radiologic, and cytogenetic details of the case are presented, followed by a discussion of the related literature. RESULTS: The patient was treated for septicemia without evidence of infection. Mitochondrial dysfunction was explored because of the possibility of environmental exposures during military service. On bone marrow biopsy, he was found to have immature B-cell lymphoma and myelodysplasia. There have been 28 previously reported cases of non-Hodgkin lymphoma-induced lactic acidosis in adult patients (11 with hypoglycemia), which has been associated with a high mortality rate. CONCLUSION: Our case is unique because, to our knowledge, it is the first reported case of immature B-cell lymphoma/leukemia and myelodysplasia with a complex karyotype based on extensive cytogenetic studies in a patient presenting with hypoglycemia, lactic acidosis, and central nervous system involvement by lymphoma.

Cómo diseñar talleres para promover la salud en grupos comunitarios / How to design workshops to promote health in community groups

Una de las estrategias de promoción de la salud es el desarrollo de habilidades para la vida considerando a las propias personas como principal recurso para la salud. Un taller ha de conseguir que sus participantes se conviertan en «activos» para tomar decisiones y generar salud, centrándose en el desarrollo y adquisición de habilidades en grupo de una manera motivadora y con la finalidad de alcanzar unos objetivos. Los conceptos que fundamentan el diseño de un taller y que han de plantearse como etapa 0 son: planificación participativa, capacitar, aprendizaje significativo, aprender en grupo y técnicas participativas. Las etapas que se deben seguir para diseñar un taller y facilitar su aplicación son: etapa 0 de fundamentación, etapa inicial, de acogida y de evaluación inicial; etapa central o de construcción del aprendizaje basado en la adquisición de conocimientos, actitudes y habilidades, y etapa final o de evaluación (AU)

Abstract One of the strategies of health promotion is to develop life skills people considering themselves as the main health resource. A workshop has to get its participants become «asset» to make decisions and create health, focusing on the development and acquisition of skills in a motivating group and in order to achieve health objectives. The concepts behind the design of a workshop are: participatory planning, training, meaningful learning, group learning and participatory techniques. The steps to follow to design a workshop and facilitate their application are: Stage 0, founding; initial stage, host and initial evaluation; central or construction stage based learning in the acquisition of knowledge, attitudes and skills, and final stage or evaluation (AU)

Prevalence of secondary causes of bone loss among breast cancer patients with osteopenia and osteoporosis.

PURPOSE: To determine the prevalence of secondary causes of bone loss among patients with breast cancer with osteopenia and osteoporosis. PATIENTS AND METHODS: All women referred to a bone health clinic over a 6-year period for bone evaluation were included in this retrospective study and stratified based on presence or absence of a breast cancer history. The prevalence of secondary causes of bone loss in the two groups was compared. RESULTS: Of the 238 women identified, 64 women had breast cancer. The non-breast cancer group (n = 174) was significantly older (P = .015), had a lower mean weight (P = .019), lower 25 hydroxy-vitamin D level (P = .019), and greater degree of bone loss in both the spine and hip (P < .001 and 0.004, respectively). The presence of at least one secondary cause of bone loss, excluding cancer-related therapies, was seen in 78% of the breast cancer patient group and in 77% of the non-breast cancer group (P = not significant). Newly diagnosed metabolic bone disorders were seen in 58% of the breast cancer population. The most common was vitamin D deficiency, seen in 38% of patients in the breast cancer group and 51% of patients in the non-breast cancer group. Idiopathic hypercalciuria was diagnosed in 15.6%, primary hyperparathyroidism in 1.6%, and normocalcemic hyperparathyroidism in 3.1% of the breast cancer population. CONCLUSION: A high prevalence of secondary causes of bone loss among patients with breast cancer supports a comprehensive evaluation in these patients, particularly those considering therapy with an aromatase inhibitor.

Tratamiento ambulatorio de las úlceras flebostáticas / Ambulatory treatment of the phlebostatic ulcers

La importancia de las úlceras de origen venoso radica, por un lado en la elevada frecuencia por la enorme incapacidad que genera en los pacientes que las sufren, además por la carga económico-social que representan debido a la cantidad de recursos utilizados en su tratamiento y la pérdida de días laborables. Algunos autores plantean en su plan estratégico el dormir con las piernas elevadas, el uso de vendaje elástico comprensivo y la orientación a los pacientes de deambular. La última de estas medidas hace que el tratamiento a dichas lesiones se realice de forma ambulatoria. Se realizó un trabajo con 49 pacientes portadores de úlceras de origen venoso, con predominio del sexo femenino, entre los 60 y 70 años de edad y de etiología posflebítica con un 86 (por ciento). El germen predominante en nuestra serie fue el Proteus seguido de la Pseudomona. Las lesiones ulcerosas de los pacientes de nuestro estudio no habían cicatrizado desde que aparecieron a pesar de los tratamientos impuestos tanto ambulatorios como hospitalizados, con un tiempo de evolución de 4,2 años como promedio. Con el método utilizado en este trabajo, empleando vendaje elástico y manteniendo a los pacientes en sus labores habituales, obtuvimos un 55,1 (por ciento) de cicatrización total, un 34,2 (por ciento) de resultados aceptables y un 10,2 (por ciento) de malos resultados(AU)