Influence of foliar nutrients on phenol levels in leaves of Eugenia uniflora

Eugenia uniflora L., Myrtaceae, leaves contain high amounts of phenolic compounds which are responsible for several pharmacological activities. In order to evaluate the phenolics seasonal variation leaves were analysed on a monthly basis during the period of two years for the contents of hydrolysable tannins, total phenols, flavonoids, and nutrients (N, P, K, S, Ca, Mg, Mn, Zn, Cu, and Fe). Results were correlated with climate conditions (rainfall, humidity, and mean temperature) by Principal Component and ClusterAnalysis which allowed four groups to be distinguished with respect to the age of the leaves and the content of some metals. Young leaves were characterised by high levels of Zn and nitrogen whereas old leaves contained high levels of Fe and calcium, and both groups had moderate amounts of phenolics. Adult leaves were divided in two groups and results revealed that while one group had the highest levels of all phenols and lowest amounts of Mn and Cu, the other showed opposite quantities. The Canonical Correlation Analysis confirmed a highly significant negative correlation between phenol contents and Mn and Cu. These facts suggested that flavonoids and tannins production depends of the amounts of foliar nutrients, Cu and Mn in particular, which are cofactors of enzymes involved in phenol degradation and lignin biosynthesis. This knowledge can improve this specie cultivation in order to enhance the phenolic compounds concentration.

Protein kinase C isoform specificity of cholinergic potentiation of glucose-induced pulsatile 5-HT/ insulin release from mouse pancreatic islets

Thymeleatoxin (TMX), an activator of Ca2+-sensitive protein kinase C (cPKC) isoforms, was used to assess the PKC isoform specificity of cholinergic potentiation of glucose (11 mM)-induced pulsatile 5-HT/insulin release (PIR) from single mouse pancreatic islets. TMX (100 nM) and carbachol (Cch, 50 mM) enhanced PIR ~ 3-fold while reducing the underlying [Ca2+]i oscillations (duration and amplitude) by ~ 40-50 percent. Both effects were ablated by the specific PKC inhibitor bisindolylmaleimide and chronic TMX pretreatment. Cch also evoked an initial transient [Ca2+]i rise and surge of 5-HT release, which remained unaffected by chronic TMX pretreatment. It is concluded that the immediate cholinergic responses are insensitive to cPKC. In contrast, specific activation of a cPKC isoform mediates sustained cholinergic potentiation of glucose-induced insulin secretion.

El estrés, su comportamiento en la atención primaria de salud / Stress, its behavior in primary health care

Se realizó un estudio descriptivo en la población comprendida entre los 17 y los 60 años de edad atendida en el consultorio médico no. 14 del Policlínico tipo I, de Cabaiguán. La muestra de la investigación estuvo formada por 88 personas que representan el 30 por ciento del universo de esa población. Como objetivo nos propusimos valorar el fenómeno estrés como factor de riesgo de enfermar, para lo cual utilizamos varias técnicas de investigación. Los resultados encontrados manifiestan que el 52,3 por favor posee Patrón A de Conducta, altos niveles de ansiedad y el 61,4 por favor presenta 6 o más manifestaciones del estilo de vida que facilitan el estrés, todo lo cual habla a favor de la presencia de la vulnerabilidad al estrés