Cytokines and growth factors in a biologic product obtained from patients' urine as immune-modulators to treat autoimmune and allergic diseases.

At "Instituto de Alergias y Autoinmunidad Dr. Maximiliano Ruiz Castañeda, A.C." in Mexico City, a non-traditional health care center focused on the treatment of autoimmune and allergic diseases using personalized medicine, an alternative treatment referred to as an "immune-modulator" has been developed. In this study, we will refer to this treatment substance as the "immune-modulator." In brief, a urine sample is collected from the patient and processed to obtain the peptide fraction, which is conditioned and then administered sublingually to the patient. Sample processing involves multiple steps aimed at the removal of toxic compounds and enrichment for cytokines, growth factors, and other immune peptides that may contribute to the function of the immune-modulator. This treatment has been administered for many years, and patients testify that it is useful and reliable. Despite the benefits of this treatment, the molecular mechanisms underlying its effects have not been thoroughly investigated. Therefore, this study aims to identify immunoregulatory peptides, such as cytokines and growth factors, in the immune-modulator. Urine and immune-modulator concentrations of cytokines and growth factors were assessed using a Luminex assay. Twenty-one cytokines and growth factors were identified in immune-modulator samples. MCP-1 was identified in 100% of the samples; MIP-1ß, IL-8, RANTES, INF-γ, and IP-10 were identified in approximately 65-70% of samples; IL5, IL-1B, and IL-17 in 50-60%; eotaxin, VEGF, IL-6, and FGF in about 40%; MIP-1α, IL-9, GM-CSF, G-CSF, IL-12, and IL-15 in about 20-30%; and IL-13 and PDGF-bb were identified in <6% of samples. Additionally, patients exhibited significant changes in IL-1ß, IFN-γ, and MCP-1 concentrations after treatment with the immune-modulator, whereas healthy individuals showed no significant change in response to the treatment. The immune-modulator is an alternative treatment based on the administration of cytokines and growth factors obtained from the urine of patients. In this study, its composition was characterized. The isolated products could be responsible for the effects of the immune-modulator. Further trials are required to evaluate the effective delivery of these molecules by the administration route described.

Educational inequalities in traffic deaths during fluctuations of the economy in four Argentinian provinces, 1999-2013.

OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study is to analyse how educational differentials in traffic mortality changed during economic fluctuations in four Argentinian provinces. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective quantitative analysis of secondary data. METHODS: Data on fatalities due to traffic injuries (all traffic injuries, pedestrians/cyclists, motorcyclists, car users and unspecified road users) in four Argentinian provinces between 1999 and 2013 were linked to population data and information on the educational level of the deceased to compute mortality rates by educational level. Negative binomial models were estimated using age, sex, year, province of residence, year of economic expansion or recession and educational level as explanatory variables. RESULTS: Annual traffic mortality differentials by educational level were lower during the period of economic crisis. An absolute increase in traffic mortality was observed in individuals of low educational level during economic expansions, but here, there were no traffic mortality differences for individuals of medium to high educational level. The educational gap in motorcyclist mortality widened during the period of quick economic expansion between 2005 and 2013. CONCLUSIONS: We found less educational inequality in traffic mortality during an economic crisis in a developing country. However, the educational inequalities for different subtypes of traffic mortality show different patterns of evolution during the cycle of economic expansion and recession. Considering deaths due to traffic injuries, economic growth seems to be riskier for individuals of lower educational level compared with those of medium-high educational level.

Susceptibility background for type 2 diabetes in eleven Mexican Indigenous populations: HNF4A gene analysis.

The genetic risk of developing type 2 diabetes (T2D) increases in parallel with the proportion of Native American ancestry. Mestizo Mexicans have a 70% Native Amerindian genetic background. The T130I polymorphism in the HNF4A gene has been associated with early-onset T2D in mestizo Mexicans. Thus, the aim of the present study was to evaluate the frequency and relationship of the T130I variant in the HNF4A gene with risk factors for developing T2D in eleven indigenous groups from Mexico. In two groups, all exons of the HNF4A gene were directly sequenced; in the remaining the T130I polymorphism was analyzed by restriction fragment length polymorphism. Ancestry informative markers were assessed to confirm the Amerindian component. An additional analysis of EHH was carried out. Interestingly, HNF4A gene screening revealed only the presence of the T130I polymorphism. The range frequency of the risk allele (T) in the indigenous groups was from 2.7 to 16%. Genotypic frequencies (T130I/I130I) were higher and significantly different from those of all of the populations included in the HapMap Project (P < 0.005). EHH scores suggest a positive selection for T130I polymorphism. Metabolic traits indicate a relationship between the T130I/I130I genotypes with high triglyceride concentrations in the indigenous groups (P < 0.005). These results strongly suggest that the high frequency of the T130I polymorphism and its biological relationship with dysfunction in lipid metabolism in Mexican indigenous groups is a risk factor for the developing of T2D in Mexicans.

Expression of interleukin (IL)-19 and IL-24 in inflammatory bowel disease patients: a cross-sectional study.

Interleukin (IL)-19 and IL-24 belong to the IL-20 subfamily, and are involved in host defence against bacteria and fungi, tissue remodelling and wound healing. Nevertheless, no previous studies have explored their expression in Mexican mestizo patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The aim of the study was to characterize and to enumerate peripheral and tissue IL-19- and IL-24-producing cells, as well as gene expression in patients with IBD with regard to its clinical activity. We studied a total of 77 patients with ulcerative colitis (UC), 36 Crohn's disease (CD) and 33 patients as control group (without endoscopic evidence of intestinal inflammation). Gene expression was measured by real-time-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Protein expression was detected in biopsies by immunohistochemistry and in freshly isolated peripheral blood mononuclear cells by flow cytometry. IL-19 and IL-24 gene expression was elevated significantly in patients with active IBD versus the inactive disease and non-inflammatory control groups (P < 0·05). However, IL-19- and IL-24-producing cells were only increased in active CD versus active UC and non-inflammatory tissues (P < 0·05). IL-19 was produced conspicuously by circulating B cells and monocytes in patients with inactive disease (P < 0·05). Conversely, IL-24 was noticeably synthesized by peripheral B cells, CD4(+) T cells, CD8(+) T cells and monocytes in patients with active disease. In conclusion, IL-19- and IL-24-producing cells in active CD patients were increased compared with active UC and non-inflammatory tissues. These cytokines could significantly shape and differentiate inflammatory process, severity and tolerance loss between UC and CD pathophysiology.

Evaluation of a psychoeducation programme for parents of children and adolescents with ADHD: immediate and long-term effects using a blind randomized controlled trial.

Recent guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) have claimed the possible benefits of psychoeducational techniques in the comprehensive management of ADHD. To evaluate the efficacy of a psychoeducation programme for parents of children and adolescents with ADHD in a clinical setting using a blind randomized trial. 81 children/adolescents with ADHD were randomly assigned for their families to receive either a well-structured psychoeducation programme (intervention group, n = 44), or a parent counselling and support intervention (control group, n = 37). Measures of child ADHD symptoms, psychopathology, quality of life and family stress were taken before and after intervention and after a year follow-up. Parents and evaluators were unaware of the condition received. Compared to the support control group, the psychoeducation group showed ADHD Index and cognitive/inattention levels significantly reduced after the intervention ended (Mann-Whitney U = 3.34; p = 0.001; Mann-Whitney U = 3.47; p = 0.001). An improvement in the pro-social domain was also observed after 1 year follow-up (Mann-Whitney U = -2.37; p = 0.018), and clinical global impression found a statistically significant effect for severity over the time. Differences were initially found for the impact of the disorder in the family in different domains, including emotional and social functioning; these differences were no longer significant after alpha correction. No significant differences in quality of life or family stress were found in comparison with the control group. This psychoeducation programme is a valuable treatment for parents/carers of children/adolescents with ADHD, which needs to be considered when evaluating different non-pharmacological treatment options. Psychoeducation and other kind of non-pharmacological approaches need to be regarded not as a substitute, but as a complementary treatment to medications; these approaches might help other very crucial aspects of ADHD including social and familiar outcomes.

[Presentation, staging, and outcome of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma at a center in Veracruz, Mexico]. / Presentación, clasificación y evolución de los pacientes con carcinoma hepatocelular en un centro de Veracruz, México.

BACKGROUND: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) staging provides a basis for calculating disease prognosis and therapeutic guidance. Liver resection and transplantation are curative options, and ablation therapies are applied to patients that are not candidates for curative treatment. Survival after liver resection or ablation therapies varies. AIMS: To describe the presentation, staging, management, and outcome in patients with HCC in our center. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Forty-two patients had a 7-year prospective follow-up. Survival was calculated with the Kaplan-Meier analysis and the log-rank test was used for its comparison between the staging systems (Okuda, BCLC, and CLIP) and types of treatment (liver resection, radiofrequency ablation, and no surgical treatment). RESULTS: The mean age of the patients was 68.9 ± 9.5 years; 57% were women. A total of 54% of the patients presented with cirrhosis and 31% were infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV). The mean tumor size was 6.48 ± 2.52cm. The CLIP 0, Okuda I, and BCLC A stages had better survival rates than the other stages (P<0.05). Survival with resection was superior (median of 32 months and survival at 1, 3, and 5 years of 83, 39, and 19.7%, respectively) to that of both radiofrequency ablation (median of 25 months and survival at 1 and 3 years of 90 and 17.2%, respectively) and no surgical treatment (1 year < 5%) (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: The patients at our center were diagnosed at late stages of HCC, as is the case in other Mexican populations. Outcome in relation to CLIP and BCLC was similar to the prognoses reported in the literature. The best results were observed in the patients with early stage disease and those that underwent HCC resection surgery.

Evaluation of planning dysfunction in attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and autistic spectrum disorders using the zoo map task.

Attention-Deficit-Hyperactivity-Disorders (ADHD) and Autistic-Spectrum-Disorders (ASD) share overlapping clinical and cognitive features that may confuse the diagnosis. Evaluation of executive problems and planning dysfunction may aid the clinical diagnostic process and help disentangle the neurobiological process underlying these conditions. This study evaluates the planning function problems in 80 male children and adolescents diagnosed with ADHD and 23 male children and adolescents with ASD using the Zoo Map Task; both groups were comparable in terms of age and IQ. The relationship between planning function and other executive functions is also assessed. In comparison to the ADHD groups, ASD children presented more errors in the open-ended tasks; these planning function problems seem to be mediated by processing speed and motor coordination, however it does not seem to be mediated by other executive function problems, including attention, working memory or response inhibition. In the time for planning, an interaction between the specific subgroups and working memory components was observed. ADHD and ASD present with different patterns of planning function, even when other components of executive function are taken into account; clinical and educational implications are discussed.

Withdrawal syndrome in the pediatric intensive care unit. Incidence and risk factors.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the incidence of withdrawal syndrome after prolonged infusion of fentanyl and midazolam in children, and the associated risk factors. DESIGN: Historic or retrospective cohort study. SETTING: Pediatric Intensive Care Unit in an academic center. PATIENTS: Forty-eight pediatric patients who received sedation and analgesia only with fentanyl and midazolam through continuous infusion for at least 48 hours. INTERVENTIONS: None. MAIN VARIABLES OF INTEREST: Collected data included demographic and clinical parameters, dose and duration of sedation received, and incidence, severity and treatment of withdrawal syndrome. RESULTS: Fifty percent of the patients developed withdrawal syndrome. There were significant differences between the patients who developed withdrawal syndrome and those who did not, in terms of the duration of infusion and the cumulative doses of both drugs. A cumulative fentanyl dose of 0.48 mg/kg, a cumulative midazolam dose of 40 mg/kg, and a duration of infusion of both drugs of 5.75 days were risk factors for the development of withdrawal syndrome. Most children developed mild or moderate disease, beginning about 12-36 hours after weaning from infusion. Methadone was used in most cases for treating withdrawal. CONCLUSIONS: There is a high incidence of withdrawal syndrome in children following the continuous infusion of midazolam and fentanyl. The duration of infusion of both drugs and higher cumulative doses are associated with the development of withdrawal syndrome.

Three-dimensional reconstruction of subsurface defects using finite-difference modeling on pulsed thermography.

We develop a technique to analyze pulsed thermography videos in order to detect and reconstruct subsurface defects in homogeneous and layered objects. The technique is based on the analysis of the thermal response of an object to a heat pulse. This thermal response is compared to the predictions of a finite-difference model that is systematically and progressively adjusted to minimize a cost function. With this minimization process, we obtain a depth and a thickness function that allow us to determine the three-dimensional shape, size, depth, thickness, and location of internal defects. The detected defects are reliably reconstructed with graphics of easy interpretation.

[Morbidity and mortality in a series of patients suffering from intraperitoneal neoplasia treated with peritoneal cytoreduction and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy at the Fundación Santa Fe de Bogotá Teaching Hospital (ONCOLGroup--ATIA study)]. / Morbilidad y mortalidad en una serie de pacientes con neoplasias del peritoneo, tratados con citorreducción peritoneal más quimioterapia hipertérmica intraperitoneal en el Hospital Universitario de la Fundación Santa Fe de Bogotá (ONCOLGroup--estudio ATIA).

BACKGROUND: The procedure of radical peritonectomy followed by hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) is considered the standard treatment for peritoneal cancers. AIMS: To evaluate various outcomes in a cohort of patients with peritoneal tumors treated with HIPEC. METHODS: Twenty-four patients consecutively treated with radical peritonectomy plus HIPEC within the time frame of November 2007 to July 2010 were enrolled; 15 (62%) had tumors of appendicular origin, 4 (16.7%) had primary peritoneal tumors, 2 had ovarian carcinomas and there was one case of colon cancer, one carcinosarcoma and one hemangioendothelioma. Mean age was 53 years (range: 26-68) and median follow-up was 14.2 months (range: 1-32). Demographic data, histology, peritoneal cancer index (PCI), surgical procedure characteristics, recurrence-free survival (RFS), and overall survival (OS) were all evaluated. Short-term morbidity and mortality were also determined. RESULTS: Complete cytoreduction was achieved in 18 patients (75%). Mean PCI was 15 (<10: 41% and >10: 58%), and the median (range) for surgery duration, length of stay in the Intensive Care Unit, parenteral nutritional support, and hospital stay were 12,5 (7-20) hours, 11,4 (2-74) days, 13,8 (12-65) days, and 29,1 (10-90) days, respectively. One patient (4%) died 6 months after the procedure, due to multiple associated complications. Considerable morbidity was seen in 52% of cases, including thromboembolic events (41%), catheter-related bacteremia (29%), fistulas (29%), and nephrotoxicity (25%). Six patients (25%) recurred after a median of 21 months of RFS. CONCLUSIONS: Cytoreductive surgery plus HIPEC in well-selected patients presenting with tumors that affect the peritoneum is a procedure that can be carried out in Colombia with an adequate safety and effectiveness profile. Mortality was similar to that reported in the international literature.

[Analysis of genetic polymorphism of the HLA-B and HLA-DR loci in patients with dermatophytic onychomycosis and in their first-degree relatives]. / Análisis del polimorfismo genético de los loci HLA-B y HLA-DR en pacientes con onicomicosis dermatofítica y familiares en primer grado.

Onychomycosis is known to have predisposing factors and a high prevalence within families that cannot be explained by within-family transmission. We determined the frequency of HLA-B and HLA-DR haplotypes in 25 families of Mexican patients with onychomycosis in order to define the role of the class II major histocompatibility complex (MHC) in genetic susceptibility to this infection. Seventy-eight subjects participated in the study, 47 with onychomycosis and 31 healthy individuals. The frequencies of the HLA-B and HLA-DR haplotypes were compared with those found in first-degree relatives without onychomycosis and in a historic control group of healthy individuals. The frequencies in the controls were similar to those of the healthy relatives of the patients. However, on comparison of the patients with historic controls, we detected a higher frequency of the HLA-DR8 haplotype (P=.03; odds ratio, 1.89; 95% confidence interval, 0.98-36). These findings suggest that there are polymorphisms in genes of the MHC that increase susceptibility to onychomycosis, particularly haplotype HLA-DR8.

Analysis of genetic polymorphism of the HLA-B and HLA-DR loci in patients with dermatophytic onychomycosis and in their first-degree relatives.

Onychomycosis is known to have predisposing factors and a high prevalence within families that cannot be explained by within-family transmission. We determined the frequency of HLA-B and HLA-DR haplotypes in 25 families of Mexican patients with onychomycosis in order to define the role of the class II major histocompatibility complex (MHC) in genetic susceptibility to this infection. Seventy-eight subjects participated in the study, 47 with onychomycosis and 31 healthy individuals. The frequencies of the HLA-B and HLA-DR haplotypes were compared with those found in first-degree relatives without onychomycosis and in a historic control group of healthy individuals. The frequencies in the controls were similar to those of the healthy relatives of the patients. However, on comparison of the patients with historic controls, we detected a higher frequency of the HLA-DR8 haplotype (P=.03; odds ratio, 1.89; 95% confidence interval, 0.98-36). These findings suggest that there are polymorphisms in genes of the MHC that increase susceptibility to onychomycosis, particularly haplotype HLA-DR8.

Comparison of the Effects of Endotracheal Intubation of Wistar Rats Using the Conventional Technique vs. a New Modified Technique Using a 3D Mouth-Piece.

AIMS: Endotracheal intubation in rats is challenging due to the difficult anatomical characteristics of the airway. The success rate at first attempt is low and airway damage is a common complication. We aimed to compare and evaluate the conventional intubation method with a modified procedure using an inclined plate, headlamp (700-Lumen), and 3D mouth-piece designed with a 20° curvature. Both techniques were conducted by laboratory personnel with and without previous experience in airway management of laboratory rats. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In this study, we used 36 Wistar rats of both genders. Three groups of laboratory personnel (anesthesiologists, medical students, and laboratory technicians) performed both endotracheal intubation techniques, i.e., blind intubation at supine position and endotracheal intubation at 70° supine position with a 3D mouth-piece and direct illumination of the glottis. RESULTS: The modified technique had a significantly higher success rate and shorter procedure duration. Moreover, there was no significant difference in the procedure duration between personnel with and without previous training in airway management. CONCLUSION: Previous knowledge and experience in airway management are required when performing conventional endotracheal intubation; moreover, its success rate is low. Contrastingly, using proper instruments and the 3D mouth-piece facilitated easier and quicker airway management regardless of previous experience.

HLA-DRB1 alleles are associated with the clinical course of disease and steroid dependence in Mexican patients with ulcerative colitis.

AIM: The aim of this study was to study the association between the HLA-DRB1 alleles and the clinical course of ulcerative colitis (UC). METHOD: Seventy-five Mexican patients with UC were studied. High resolution HLA typing was performed using Polymerase Chain Reaction-Sequence Specific Oligonucleotide PCR-SSO reverse dot blot and Polymerase Chain Reaction-single specific primer PCR-SSP. Molecular typing techniques were applied to define HLA-DRB1 alleles. RESULTS: Seventy-five patients (36 female patients, 39 male patients) were studied. Significant associations were found between some HLA-DRB1 alleles and the clinical course of disease: initial active and then inactive and the HLA-DRB1*14 allele (P = 0.03; OR = 4.63; 95% CI: 1.08-21.23); and HLA-DRB1*08 allele (P = 0.04; OR = 4.34; 95% CI: 1.9-33.3). On the other hand, the HLA-DRB1*07 (P = 0.001; OR = 9.76 95% CI: 1.55-65.56) was significantly associated with steroid dependence in UC patients. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that HLA-DRB1 alleles were associated with the clinical course of disease and steroid dependence in UC patients.

Reconstruction and analysis of pulsed thermographic sequences for nondestructive testing of layered materials.

We develop a heat transfer model to reconstruct pulsed thermographic data of layered objects. One of its salient features is its incorporation of normalized variables for a generalized approach to such problems. Additionally, we establish a methodology to determine the spatial and temporal limits of the data reconstruction process. Moreover, we describe an effective nondestructive technique for detecting and characterizing internal defects in multilayer objects. This inspection technique is verified on the construction of physical models and their examination. The depth, transverse dimensions, and front-surface shape of the detected defects are straightforwardly obtained from 3D depthgrams.

Effect and associated factors of a clinical pharmacy model in the incidence of medication errors (EACPharModel) in the Hospital Pablo Tobón Uribe: study protocol for a stepped wedge randomized controlled trial (NCT03338725).

BACKGROUND: According to WHO, medication error (ME) is a subject that requires attention at all levels of care to reduce severe and preventable damage related to medication use. Clinical pharmacy practice standards have been proposed around the world so that the pharmacist, as part of a multidisciplinary health team, can help improve patient safety; however, further evidence derived from adequate studies is needed to demonstrate this. This study aims to assess the effect of a clinical pharmacy practice model (CPPM) in preventing MEs associated with the medication use process. METHODS: A prospective, stepped-wedge, cluster-randomized, controlled trial with a duration of 14 months will be performed to compare the effect of a CPPM along with the usual care process of patients in the Pablo Tobón Uribe Hospital (Medellin, Colombia). The study is designed as a cluster-randomized controlled trial, involving five hospital wards (clusters) and 720 patients. Medical wards are allocated to interventions using a stepped-wedge design. Clusters are initially assigned to the control group. After a 2-month observation period, hospital clusters were randomly allocated to the intervention group. Study outcomes will be assessed at baseline and at 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, and 12 months after randomization. The primary outcome will be to assess the effect of a CPPM on the incidence of medication errors associated with the medication use process. Drug-related problems and factors that contribute to the occurrence of MEs will be assessed as secondary outcomes. Statistical analyses will be performed using a mixed model, with the treatment group and time as fixed effects and the clustering structure as a random effect. Statistical analysis will be performed using Pearson chi-square tests and Student's t-tests, and a P value < 0.05 will be considered statistically significant. DISCUSSION: As far as we know, this is the first stepped-wedge, cluster-randomized, controlled trial designed to assess the change of a CPPM on the incidence of medication errors in a hospital in Colombia, and it could generate valuable information about a standardized and patient-centered clinical pharmacy model to improve the safety of inpatient care. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03338725. Registered on 9 November 2017. The first patient was randomized on 2 February 2018. PROTOCOL VERSION: 0010112018JG.

High through-put aflatoxin determination in plant material by automated solid-phase extraction on-line coupled to laser-induced fluorescence screening and determination by liquid chromatography-triple quadrupole mass spectrometry.

A screening test based on laser-induced fluorescence (LIF) and a method for individual identification - quantitation of aflatoxins (AFs) in olive leaves and drupes, based on chromatographic separation and triple-quad mass-spectrometry detection with electrospray ionization in positive mode, is here reported. The sensitivity and selectivity of both methods are enhanced by a preconcentration-cleanup step developed by a Prospekt station. The analysis frequency is at least 3.5 samples/h. The screening test makes able to detect the target analytes at concentrations of 0.7microg/kg without "false negatives". The LC-MS/MS method provides limits of detection (LOD) and quantification (LOQ) ranging between 0.01-0.03 and 0.03-0.11microg/kg, respectively. The linear dynamic range is between LOQ-50microg/kg. The between-day precision, expressed as relative standard deviation, ranges between 0.97-2.86% and the within laboratory reproducibility, also expressed as RSD, between 1.63% and 4.84%.

Epidermal Langerhans cells in Actinic Prurigo: a comparison between lesional and non-lesional skin.

BACKGROUND: Actinic Prurigo (AP) is a chronic pruritic dermatosis of unknown cause affecting sun exposed skin in defined ethnic groups with characteristic MHC alleles. However, the cutaneous dendritic cells have not been assessed. OBJECTIVE: To assess in situ the epidermal Langerhans Cell (LC) status in Actinic Prurigo. STUDY DESIGN: Fresh skin samples from three AP patients were used to evaluate in situ the epidermal LC, comparing lesional and non-lesional sites in each subject. SETTING: AP patients attending the Dermatology Department at the Hospital M. Gea-Gonzalez in Mexico city. METHODS: Lesional and non-lesional skin samples were taken from each subject to prepare both epidermal sheets and conventional tissue sections. Three markers restricted to LC in epidermis (CD1a, ATPase, MHC-II) were used to quantify the LC per area in epidermal sheets. RESULTS: Compared to non-lesional skin from the same subject, a significant reduction in the number of LC per area of epidermis was found in lesional skin; with any of the three markers evaluated. CONCLUSION: The frequency of epidermal LC decreases importantly in lesional skin from AP patients.

A/G Gln20Arg (exon 1) and G/A Val156Met (exon 5) polymorphisms of the human orosomucoid 1 gene in Mexico.

The human orosomucoid 1 gene (ORM1) codes an alpha-1-acid glycoprotein that has been classified as an acute-phase reactive protein, and a major drug-binding serum component, as well as an immunomodulatory protein with genetic polymorphisms. Evaluation of ORM variation through isoelectric focusing and immunobloting has revealed a world-wide distribution of the ORM1 F and ORM1 S alleles. We evaluated and examined the genetic characteristics of two Mexican populations that have different anthropological and cultural antecedents, examining two ORM1 genotypes (exon 1 - A/G (Gln20Arg) and exon 5 G/A (Val156Met)) in 145 individuals, using nested polymerase chain reaction, sequencing, and restricted fragment length polymorphism. Mexican Mestizos had higher frequencies of the exon 1 A allele (P = 0.020) and AA genotype (P = 0.018) and lower frequency of the G allele (P = 0.020) when compared to Teenek Amerindians. When we examined exon 5 G/A (Val156Met) polymorphisms, we found significantly higher frequencies of the G allele (P = 0.0007) and the GG genotype (P = 0.0003) in the Mexican Mestizo population. The Teenek population had a significantly higher frequency of the A allele than has been reported for Chinese and African (P < 0.05) populations, and the G/A genotype was more frequently found in this Mexican population than in Chinese, African and European populations (P < 0.05).

[Evolution of nutritional biochemical parameters in hemodialysis patients during a one-year follow-up period]. / Evolución de parámetros bioquímicos nutricionales en pacientes de hemodiálisis durante un año de seguimiento.

Current high survival in hemodialysis patients (52% at 5 years) have made the chronic manifestations to emerge such as the high hyponutrition prevalence of these patients, as well as the importance of the nutritional status in their morbimortality. The reason for protein-caloric hyponutrition is multifactorial, although chronic inflammatory conditions associated to the dialysis technique are becoming more and more relevant. The variations in several nutritional biochemical parameters (total proteins, plasma albumin, transferrin, and total cholesterol) have been assessed in 73 hemodialysis patients for one year. The mean age of the patients was 53.3 +/- 18.69 years (43 males and 30 females). The average on hemodialysis program was 43 +/- 33 months, with a mean session duration of 246 +/- 24 minutes, and mean hemodialysis dose administered of 1.37 +/- 0.27 (KT/V) (second generation Daurgidas). A decrease in all the biochemical parameters assessed has been observed, with statistically significant differences: total proteins (p < 0.001), albumin (p < 0.00001), total cholesterol (p < 0.05), and transferrin (p < 0.01). The evolution of the nutritional biochemical parameters assessed showed an important nutritional deterioration of the patients remaining stable with the therapy.