Pravastatin inhibits cell proliferation and increased MAT1A expression in hepatocarcinoma cells and in vivo models.

BACKGROUND: Statins may have therapeutic effects on hepatocarcinoma (HCC). This type of disorder is the most common malignant primary tumour in the liver. Our objective was to determine whether pravastatin had a therapeutic effect in vitro and in vivo models. METHOD: We design in vitro and in vivo model. In vitro we used PLC and determine cell proliferation. In vivo, we used and animal model to determined, PCNA and MAT1A expression and transaminases levels. RESULTS: We found that pravastatin decreases cell proliferation in vitro (cell proliferation in pravastatin group was 82%, in sorafenib group 51% and in combined group 40%) and in vivo (in pravastatin group 80%, in sorafenib group 76.4% and in combined group 72.72%). The MAT1A levels, was significantly higher in Pravastatin group (D 62%, P 94%, S 71%, P + S 91%). The transaminases levels, decreased significantly in Pravastatin group (GOT and GPT levels D 619.5 U/L; 271 U/L) (P 117.5 U/L; 43.5 U/L) (S 147 U/L; 59 U/L) (P + S 142 U/L; 59 U/L). CONCLUSION: The combination of pravastatin + sorafenib were more effective than Sorafenib alone.

Varietal Descriptors for the Distinction of Underutilized Varieties of Sechium edule (Jacq) Swartz.

Sechium edule (Jacq.) Sw. (Cucurbitaceae) is a species native to Mexico and Central America. The collection, characterization, and evaluation of accessions maintained in genebanks is essential for the conservation of this species. However, there are no specific varietal descriptors that differ from those used in a phenetic approach and are adapted to international registration guidelines to help distinguish, improve, cluster, and protect intraspecific variants of common use and those obtained by breeding. Therefore, 65 morphological descriptors (qualitative and quantitative) were evaluated in 133 accessions obtained from Mexico, Guatemala, and Costa Rica located in the National Germplasm Bank of S. edule in Mexico. These characteristics were observed to be phenetically stable for five generations under the same agroclimatic conditions. In addition, an analysis of amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) was applied to 133 samples from a set of 245 accessions. According to the multivariate analysis, 26 of the 65 descriptors evaluated (qualitative and quantitative) enabled differentiation of varieties of S. edule. The AFLP analysis showed a high level of polymorphism and genetic distance between cultivated accessions and their corresponding wild ancestor. The variations in S. edule suggest that the morphological characteristics have differentiated from an essentially derived initial edible variety (ancestral original variety), but unlike other cucurbits, there is no evidence of the ancestral edible for Sechium since the seed is unorthodox and there are no relicts.

Factors predicting the initiation of a tobacco cessation program in Spain.

There have been limited studies regarding the characteristics of subjects who have decided to initiate a cessation program to quit tobacco smoking. Identifying such characteristics is important because it provides information regarding recruiting and tailoring strategies, as well as intervention methods. This observational trial with cross-sectional data analysis sought to identify the characteristics of subjects who have decided to initiate a smoking cessation program compared with those who did not. All subjects who asked for information about our cessation program between January 2000 and December 2005 were eligible for participation. All subjects were interviewed regarding their tobacco consumption practices. We also collected information on medical history and psychological conditions. Multivariate analysis was used to identify variables associated with the decision to initiate the cessation program. A total of 1,681 subjects asked for information about smoking cessation at our center, and 1,132 (67.3%) decided to enter our program. Independent factors associated with the decision to initiate the cessation program included female gender (OR: 1.54; 95% CI:1.23-1.93), having a university degree (OR: 1.46; 95% CI: 1.12-1.88), bronchial asthma (OR: 0.41; 95% CI: 0.24-0.71), nonpsychotic psychiatric disorders (OR: 0.52; 95% CI: 0.40-0.66), psychotic disorders (OR: 6.00; 95% CI: 2.74-13.14), and a history of insomnia (OR: 6.22; 95% CI: 1.85-20.87). Although all smokers should be counseled to quit smoking, our data may help to concentrate efforts on some subjects in order to increase the participation in smoking cessation programs.

Does the African Citrus psyllid, Trioza erytreae (Del Guercio) (Hemiptera: Triozidae), Represent a Phytosanitary Threat to the Citrus Industry in Mexico?

The African citrus psyllid, Trioza erytreae (Del Guercio) (Hemiptera: Triozidae), is a vector of Candidatus Liberibacter africanus (CLaf), a pathogen that causes huanglongbing (HLB) in Africa. Trioza erytreae has invaded areas of Asia and Europe and has threatened citrus production due to its biological habits and the transmission of CLaf. Mexico is a country where citrus production has a vital role from the economic and social point of view. Therefore, ecological niche modeling (ENM) was used to determine if Mexico has the environmental availability that will allow T. erytreae invasion. We analyzed whether or not the distribution of Casimiroa edulis La Llave (Rutaceae) in the country could be a factor that enables the dispersal of T. eytreae. The environmental connectivity between five points of entry into the country (two ports and three airports) was explored to determine possible routes of dispersal of T. erytrae. The results showed that Mexico has wide availability for the invasion of the African citrus psyllid, which coincides with essential citrus areas of the country and with the distribution of C. edulis. Of the entry points studied, the Port of Veracruz showed nearby areas with environmental connectivity. Preventive monitoring measures for T. erytreae in Mexico should focus on Veracruz state because it has an entry point, ideal environmental availability, citrus areas, and specimens of C. edulis.

Sechium edule (Jacq.) Swartz, a New Cultivar with Antiproliferative Potential in a Human Cervical Cancer HeLa Cell Line.

The Sechium edule Perla Negra cultivar is a recently-obtained biological material whose progenitors are S. edule var. nigrum minor and S. edule var. amarus silvestrys, the latter of which has been reported to have antiproliferative activity against the HeLa P-388 and L-929 cancer cell lines. The present study aimed to determine if the methanolic extract of the fruit of the Perla Negra cultivar had the same biological activity. The methanolic extract was phytochemically characterized by thin layer chromatography (TLC) and column chromatography (CC), identifying the terpenes and flavonoids. The compounds identified via high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) were Cucurbitacins B, D, E, and I for the terpene fractions, and Rutin, Phlorizidin, Myricetin, Quercetin, Naringenin, Phloretin, Apigenin, and Galangin for the flavonoid fractions). Biological activity was evaluated with different concentrations of the methanolic extract in the HeLa cell line and normal lymphocytes. The methanolic extract inhibited the proliferation of HeLa cells (IC50 1.85 µg·mL-1), but the lymphocytes were affected by the extract (IC50 30.04 µg·mL-1). Some fractions, and the pool of all of them, showed inhibition higher than 80% at a concentration of 2.11 µg·mL-1. Therefore, the biological effect shown by the methanolic extract of the Perla Negra has some specificity in inhibiting tumor cells and not normal cells; an unusual feature among molecules investigated as potential biomedical agents.

Study of the Diagnostic Delay of Tuberculosis in Spain / Estudio del retraso diagnóstico de la tuberculosis en España

No disponible

Dengue virus: isolation, propagation, quantification, and storage.

Dengue is a disease caused by infection with one of the four dengue virus serotypes (DENV-1, -2, -3, and -4). The virus is transmitted to humans by Aedes sp. mosquitoes. This enveloped virus contains a positive single-stranded RNA genome. Clinical manifestations of dengue can have a wide range of outcomes varying from a mild febrile illness to a life-threatening condition. New techniques have largely replaced the use of DENV isolation in disease diagnosis. However, virus isolation still serves as the gold standard for detection and serotyping of DENV and is common practice in research and reference laboratories where clinical isolates of the virus are characterized and sequenced, or used for a variety of research experiments. Isolation of DENV from clinical samples can be achieved in mammalian and mosquito cells or by inoculation of mosquitoes. The experimental methods presented here describe the most common procedures used for the isolation, serotyping, propagation, and quantification of DENV.

The association between serum levels of potential biomarkers with the presence of factors related to the clinical activity and poor prognosis in spondyloarthritis.

BACKGROUND: Serum biomarkers traditionally associated with inflammatory activity and a poor prognosis in rheumatic diseases do not show the same relationship in spondyloarthritis. OBJECTIVE: To establish the association between serum levels of potential biomarkers with the presence of factors related to clinical activity and poor prognosis in spondyloarthritis. METHODS: Sixty-two patients were included: 13 with reactive arthritis, 19 with ankylosing spondylitis, and 30 with undifferentiated spondyloarthritis. The results were compared with those from 46 healthy controls. Clinical, radiological, and laboratory characteristics were assessed. The results were analyzed based on the presence of uveitis, enthesitis, inflammatory back pain, arthritis, HLA-B27 and sacroiliac involvement. The analyzed biomarkers included ESR, US-CRP, SAA, LBP, FSC-M, and MMP-3; and cytokine serum levels measured were: IL-17, IL-6, IL-1α , TNF-α , IFN-γ, and IL-23. RESULTS: Forty-three (69.4%) patients were male. The average age was 31.9 ± 9.9 years and the age at the onset of symptoms was 26.9 ± 7.3 years. HLA-B27 was positive in 26 (41.9%) patients, inflammatory back pain in 42 (67.7%), arthritis in 44 (71.0%), and enthesitis in 34 (54.8%). IL-17, IL-23, TNF-α , IL-6, IL-1α , and US-CRP levels were significantly higher in patients with SpA when compared to controls. US-CRP (P = 0.04), IL-6 (P = 0.003), IL-1α (P = 0.03), and LBP (P = 0.03) levels were associated with presence of HLA-B27, inflammatory back pain, and arthritis. CONCLUSION: An increase in serum levels of US-CRP, IL-6, IL-1α , and LBP was correlated with factors associated with clinical activity and poor prognosis in spondyloarthritis.

Associação entre os níveis séricos de potenciais biomarcadores com a presença de fatores relacionados à atividade clínica e ao mau prognóstico em espondiloartrites / The association between serum levels of potential biomarkers with the presence of factors related to the clinical activity and poor prognosis in spondyloarthritis

INTRODUÇÃO: Biomarcadores séricos, tradicionalmente associados à atividade inflamatória e mau prognóstico em doenças reumáticas, não apresentam a mesma relação nas espondiloartrites. OBJETIVO: Estabelecer uma associação entre os níveis séricos de biomarcadores com a presença de fatores associados com a atividade clínica e com o mau prognóstico nas espondiloartropatias. MÉTODOS: Sessenta e dois pacientes (13 com artrite reativa, 19 com espondilite anquilosante e 30 com espondiloartropatia indiferenciada) foram comparados a 46 controles sadios. Foram realizadas avaliações clínicas, radiológicas e laboratoriais. Os resultados foram analisados de acordo com a presença de uveíte, entesite, lombalgia inflamatória, artrite, HLA-B27 e comprometimento das articulações sacroilíacas. Os biomarcadores utilizados foram: VHS, PCRus, SAA, LBP, FSC-M e MMP-3, além da dosagem dos níveis séricos das citocinas: IL-17, IL-6, IL-1α , TNF-α , IFN-γ, e IL-23. RESULTADOS: Quarenta e três (69,4%) pacientes eram homens. A média de idades foi de 31,9 ± 9,9 anos, enquanto a idade média para o aparecimento dos sintomas foi de 26,9 ± 7,3 anos. HLA-B27 foi positivo em 26 (41,9%) dos pacientes, lombalgia inflamatória esteve presente em 42 (67,7%), artrite em 44 (71,0%) e entesite em 34 (54,8%) pacientes. Os níveis séricos de IL-17, IL-23, TNF-α , IL-6, IL-1α e PCRus foram mais elevados em pacientes com espondiloartropatia em comparação com os controles. Os valores de PCRus (P = 0,04), IL-6 (P = 0,003), IL-1α (P = 0,03), e LBP (P = 0,03) se associaram de maneira significativa com presença de HLA-B27, dor lombar inflamatória e artrite. CONCLUSÃO: O aumento dos níveis séricos de PCRus, IL-6, IL-1α e LBP apresentaram associação com fatores relacionados a atividade clínica e mau prognóstico em pacientes com espondiloartrites.

BACKGROUND: Serum biomarkers traditionally associated with inflammatory activity and a poor prognosis in rheumatic diseases do not show the same relationship in spondyloarthritis. OBJECTIVE: To establish the association between serum levels of potential biomarkers with the presence of factors related to clinical activity and poor prognosis in spondyloarthritis. METHODS: Sixty-two patients were included: 13 with reactive arthritis, 19 with ankylosing spondylitis, and 30 with undifferentiated spondyloarthritis. The results were compared with those from 46 healthy controls. Clinical, radiological, and laboratory characteristics were assessed. The results were analyzed based on the presence of uveitis, enthesitis, inflammatory back pain, arthritis, HLA-B27 and sacroiliac involvement. The analyzed biomarkers included ESR, US-CRP, SAA, LBP, FSC-M, and MMP-3; and cytokine serum levels measured were: IL-17, IL-6, IL-1α , TNF-α , IFN-γ, and IL-23. RESULTS: Forty-three (69.4%) patients were male. The average age was 31.9 ± 9.9 years and the age at the onset of symptoms was 26.9 ± 7.3 years. HLA-B27 was positive in 26 (41.9%) patients, inflammatory back pain in 42 (67.7%), arthritis in 44 (71.0%), and enthesitis in 34 (54.8%). IL-17, IL-23, TNF-α , IL-6, IL-1α , and US-CRP levels were significantly higher in patients with SpA when compared to controls. US-CRP (P = 0.04), IL-6 (P = 0.003), IL-1α (P = 0.03), and LBP (P = 0.03) levels were associated with presence of HLA-B27, inflammatory back pain, and arthritis. CONCLUSION: An increase in serum levels of US-CRP, IL-6, IL-1α , and LBP was correlated with factors associated with clinical activity and poor prognosis in spondyloarthritis.

Respuesta a la selección para resistencia a sequía en maíz (Zea mays L.) / drought resistance Selection response in corn (Zea mays L.)

Se estudió la respuesta a la selección masal para componentes del rendimiento de grano y la estabilidad en dos variedades originales de maíz, Zacatecas 58 y Cafime, en las cuales se aplicaron 19 y 16 ciclos de selección masal para resistencia a sequía, respectivamente. Ambos materiales genéticos se evaluaron en dos localidades (Montecillo y Tecámac, Estado de México) con tres ambientes de humedad del suelo (riego, temporal y sequía). Los estimadores del avance genético por ciclo de selección y los parámetros de estabilidad utilizados indican que en el ambiente de sequía se encontraron los avances genéticos más altos por ciclo para ambas variedades, pero la mayor ganancia acumulada en unidades para los caracteres evaluados, se obtuvo en condiciones de riego. Los compuestos de selección de Cafime fueron más consistentes que los de Zacatecas 58. El peso de mazorca promedio por planta se incrementó conforme aumentó el número de ciclos de selección en las dos variedades y de manera concomitante se incrementó el coeficiente de regresión. Se deduce que al aumentar la selección masal visual aumenta el rendimiento y la sensibilidad ambiental lineal (b i), pero no la sensibilidad ambiental no lineal (S²d i). Finalmente, el aumento del rendimiento y de sus componentes estuvo positivamente correlacionado con el coeficiente de regresión lineal del rendimiento sobre el número de ciclos de selección, pero no hubo correlación con las desviaciones de regresión.

The response to masal selection for components of grain yield, and stability, were studied in two original varieties of corn, Zacatecas 58 and Cafime, in which 19 and 16 cycles of masal selection for drought resistance were applied, respectively. Both genetic materials were evaluated in two localities (Montecillo and Tecámac, State of Mexico) in three soil moisture environments (irrigation, rainfall and drought). The genetic advance estimates for a selection cycle and the stability parameters used indicate that in the drought environment the highest genetic advances in a cycle were found for both varieties, but the largest accumulated profit in units for the evaluated traits, was obtained under irrigation conditions. The selection compounds of the Cafime variety were more consistent than those of Zacatecas 58. In both varieties, the ear corn average weight increased as the selection cycle number increased and, thus, the coefficient of regression also increased. It is deduced that an increase of visual masal selection increases the yield and the environmental linear sensibility (b i), but not the environmental nonlinear sensibility (S²d i). Finally, the yield increase and its components were positively correlated with the linear regression coefficient of the yield concerning the selection cycles number, but there was no correlation with the regression deviation.

Estudou-se a resposta à seleção massal para componentes do rendimento de grão e a estabilidade em duas variedades originais de milho, Zacatecas 58 e Cafime, nas quais foram aplicadas 19 e 16 ciclos de seleção massal para resistência à seca, respectivamente. Ambos materiais genéticos foram avaliados em duas localidades (Montecillo e Tecámac, Estado do México) com três ambientes de umidade do solo (irrigação, temporal e seca). Os estimadores do avanço genético por ciclo de seleção e os parâmetros de estabilidade utilizados indicam que no ambiente de seca se encontraram os avanços genéticos mais altos por ciclo para ambas as variedades, mas o maior ganho acumulado em unidades para os caracteres avaliados, foi obtido em condições de irrigação. Os compostos de seleção de Cafime foram mais consistentes que os de Zacatecas 58. O peso médio de espiga por planta se incrementou na medida em que aumentou o número de ciclos de seleção nas duas variedades e de maneira concomitante se incrementou o coeficiente de regressão. É deduzido que ao aumentar a seleção massal visual aumenta o rendimiento e a sensibilidade ambiental linear (b i), mas não a sensibilidade ambiental não linear (S²d i). Finalmente, o aumento do rendimento e de seus componentes esteve positivamente correlacionado com o coeficiente de regressão linear do rendimento sobre o número de ciclos de seleção, mas não houve correlação com as desviações de regressão.

Manejo integral del niño con diarrea crónica / Integrated management of chronic diarrhea in children

Se realiza una revisión de los aspectos de la diarrea en niños, con énfasis en la diarrea persistente y diarrea crónica; definiendo el término diarrea más como disminución de la consistencia que en términos de frecuencia. Se hace hincapié brevemente en la fisiopatología y en los factores asociados, manejo principalmente nutricional y medidas preventivas aceptadas. Tratando en estas líneas de facilitar el diagnóstico a partir de hallazgos en los exámenes de heces, como es la esteatorrea, GAP anion, pH y sustancias reductoras en heces.

A review of aspects of diarrhea in children, with emphasis on persistent diarrhea and chronic diarrhea; defining the term as diarrhea decreased more consistency in terms of frequency. Emphasis is placed briefly in the pathophysiology and associated factors, mainly management nutritional and preventive measures accepted. Trying on these lines to facilitate the diagnosis based on findings in stool examinations, as is the steatorrhea, GAP anion, pH and reducing substances in faeces.

Síndromes colestásicos en la infancia / Cholestatic syndromes in childhood

La colestasis neonatal continúa siendo un gran reto médico. Es importante diferenciar la colestasis de causa intrahepática de la erxtrahepática, ya que ésta última amerita un pronto manejo quirúrgico y su pronóstico es dependiente de la edad. El propósito de la siguiente revisión es bosquejar un enfoque racional frente al niño con síndrome colestásico, ya que la evolución de las nuevas pruebas diagnósticas, el mejoramiento de las técnicas por imágenes y los nuevos marcadores de enfermedades ofrecen actualmente nuevas dimensiones en el entendimiento y manejo del mismo.

The neonatal cholestasis, remains a major diagnostic challenge. Distinguishing intrahepatic from extrahepatic causes of cholestasis is of importance, since the latter may be treated surgical, but prognosis depends on the age. The purpose of this review is to outline a rational approach to the children with neonatal cholestasic disorders. The evolution of new diagnostic tools, better imaging and new markers for disease have provided new dimensions in the quest.

Dermatología Pediatrica: Síndrome de Peutz-Jeghers. Revisión de la literatura a propósito de un caso clínico / Pediatric dermatology: Peutz-Jeghers syndrome. Literature review a purpose of case

El Síndrome de Peutz-Jeghers (SPJ) es una entidad que se hereda con carácter autosómico dominante y se caracteriza por lesiones hiperpigmentadas, sobretodo en labios y mucosa oral y pólipos hamartomatosos intestinales. Describimos el caso de una niña de 5 a 10m, hospitalizada en nuestro servicio por anemia y un cuadro suboclusivo intestinal en varias oportunidades, llamando la atención los hallazgos de piel y mucosas como manifestaciones precoces que deben oroentar hacia el diagnóstico, evaluación y tratamiento temprano del SPJ. Se realiza una revisión de la literatura.