"El hecho de que sean más mujeres, no garantiza nada": feminización y experiencias de las mujeres en la ginecobstetricia en México / "The fact that there are more women doesn't guarantee anything": The feminization of obstetrics and gynecology and the experiences of female medical professionals in Mexico

En el marco de la creciente feminización de la profesión médica en México, el artículo indaga sobre las características de este proceso para el caso de la ginecobstetricia. Considerando la feminización como un proceso de cambio, que se analiza cuantitativa y cualitativamente, el artículo se detiene en especial en las experiencias de las mujeres ginecobstetras, experiencias que se dan en el seno de una especialidad que, desde sus orígenes, funcionó como un dispositivo de control del cuerpo de las mujeres. Basado en una investigación etnográfica, el artículo combina fuentes estadísticas, de archivo y de observación de campo. El material que surge de las entrevistas muestra las experiencias y tensiones que viven las ginecobstetras en este contexto.

In the framework of an increasing feminization of the medical profession in Mexico, this article explores the characteristics of this process in the obstetrics and gynecology specialty. Understanding feminization as a process of change to be analyzed both quantitatively and qualitatively, the article focuses special attention on the experiences of female obstetrician-gynecologists within a medical specialty that has since its origins functioned as a mechanism of control over women's bodies. Based on ethnographic research, the article combines statistical and archival sources and field observation. The interviews reveal the experiences and tensions women obstetrician-gynecologists encounter in this context.

Novel targets for antibiotics discovery: riboswitches / 药学学报

Riboswitches are cis-acting domains located in mRNA sequences that could regulate gene expression by sensing small molecules without employing protein. Most known riboswitches in bacteria have naturally evolved to bind essential metabolite ligands and are involved in the regulation of critical genes that are responsible for the biosynthesis or transport of the cognate ligand. The riboswitch-mediated gene expression could be repressed by metabolite analogs, which caused bacterial growth inhibition or even death. A number of leading compounds targeting riboswitches have been discovered. A promising avenue for the development of new class of riboswitch-based antibiotics has been opened. Herein we reviewed the current findings of riboswitches that served as targets for antibacterial drug development and the underlying mechanisms. The development of high-throughput methods and rational drug design for riboswitch-specific drug discovery are relevant challenges are discussed. summarized.

Effects of Maternal Serum B vitamins, Homocysteine Concentrations and the 5, 10-Methylenetetrahydrofolate Reductase (MTHFR) Polymorphism on Pregnancy Outcomes

Maternal nutritional status has been shown to influence pregnancy outcomes. And the elevated maternal plasma homocysteine concentrations have been associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes. We investigated the effects of maternal serum levels of B vitamins and homocysteine, and the C677T MTHFR (5, 10-methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase) polymorphism on pregnancy outcomes. In 177 pregnant women of 24-28 wks of gestation, the MTHFR gene mutation, serum B vitamins and homocysteine concentrations were measured, and their pregnancy outcomes were investigated from medical records. The birth length, and 1- and 5-min Apgar scores of neonates in the T/T mothers were 45.4+/-9.3 cm, 7.6+/-3.2 and 8.5+/-3.8, respectively, which were significantly lower than those in the C/T (48.6+/-3.3 cm, 9.0+/-0.2, 10.0+/-0.2) or the C/C mothers (49.4+/-1.9 cm, 9.0+/-0.2, 10.0+/-0.0). The birth weight, birth length and the gestational age of neonates at delivery from hyperhomocysteinemic mothers whose homocysteine levels higher than 15 micromol were 2.5+/-1.3 kg, 43.9+/-9.0 cm, 35.4+/-6.3 wk, respectively, which were significant lower than those from normohomocysteinemic mothers (3.1+/-0.6 kg, 48.8+/-3.6 cm, 38.5+/-2.5 wk). The birth weight and birth length of neonates in mothers whose PLP levels were below the median were significantly lower than those from mothers with the PLP levels above the median. The 1- and 5-min Apgar scores of neonates were lower in mothers with the T/T MTHFR genotype than those with the C/T or C/C only when the serum PLP levels were below the median. The 1-, 5 min Apgar scores and birth length of neonates were lower in mothers with the T/T MTHFR genotype than those with the C/T or C/C only when the serum FMN levels were below the median. In conclusion, maternal B vitamin status, homocysteine and the C677T MTHFR genotype seem to have played an important role on pregnancy outcomes.

Vesicle formation by amphiphilic 10-alkyl-3-methyl isoalloxazine in aqueous medium.

The synthetic 10-alkyl isoalloxazines have been found to form vesicles in aqueous and binary solvent systems and confirmed by UV-visible, fluorescence,transmission electron microscopy and quasi elastic light scattering experiments. The mean external diameters of vesicles have been calculated for isoalloxazine with different carbon atom chain at position 10 by transmission electron microscopy and quasi elastic laser light scattering. The gel to liquid phase transition of liposomes measured by differential scanning calorimetry shows reproducible endothermic peak which lies well in the range of typical aqueous vesicles.

Flavin nucleotides in human lens: regional distribution in brunescent cataracts.

The biochemical mechanism(s) underlying brunescent cataracts remain unclear. Oxidative stress due to reactive oxygen species may have a role in the pigmentation process in eye lens. We have analysed human cataractous lenses for flavins by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), since flavins are light sensitive and act as endogenous sensitizers generating reactive oxygen species in the eye. The most significant observation in this study is that higher levels of flavin nucleotides occur in brown lens compared to yellow lens. The concentration of flavin nucleotides (flavin monouncleotide, FMN + flavin adenine dinucleotide, FAD) was highest in the nuclear region of the lens followed by the cortical and capsule-epithelial regions. However, the ratio of FAD/FMN was lowest in the nuclear region of the lens followed by other regions. On the other hand, riboflavin was not detected in any of the lens (cataractous) regions. These results suggest that the observed increase in flavin nucleotides in the ocular tissue could contribute towards deepening of lens pigmentation.

Changes of the Erythrocyte Glutathione Reduetase Activity before nd after Anestbesia / 대한마취과학회지

Riboflavin is a constituent of coenzyme, FMN, FAD and its content varies according to the physiological and nutritional status. However, the measurement of its content is so disputable that a new technique to determine its content has been developed, done by determination of glutathione reductase activity in red blood cell hemolysate. With this technique, the effect of various anesthetic agents (ether, halothane, tetracaine) upon riboflavin metabolism has been studied by the authors. In conclusion, the effects of anesthetics upon riboflavin metabolism are insignificant.