Meta-analysis of pre-clinical studies on the effects of opioid receptor ligands on food intake, motivation, and choice.

The opioid receptors (OR) regulate food intake. Still, despite extensive pre-clinical research, the overall effects and individual contribution of the mu (MOR), kappa (KOR), and delta (DOR) OR subtypes to feeding behaviors and food intake remain unclear. To address this, we conducted a pre-registered systematic search and meta-analysis of rodent dose-response studies to evaluate the impact of central and peripheral administration of non-selective and selective OR ligands on intake, motivation, and choice of food. All studies had a high bias risk. Still, the meta-analysis confirmed the overall orexigenic and anorexigenic effects of OR agonists and antagonists, respectively. Our results support a larger orexigenic role for central MOR agonists among OR subtypes and that peripheral OR antagonists reduce motivation for and intake of preferred foods. In binary food choice studies, peripheral OR agonists selectively increase the intake of fat-preferred foods; in contrast, they did not increase the intake of sweet carbohydrate-preferred foods. Overall, these data support that OR regulation of intake, motivation, and choice is influenced by food macronutrient composition.

Effect of high-flow vs. low-flow nasal plus mouthguard oxygen therapy on hypoxaemia during sedation: a multicentre randomised controlled trial.

Whether high-flow vs. low-flow nasal oxygen reduces hypoxaemia for sedation during endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography is currently unknown. In this multicentre trial, 132 patients ASA physical status 3 or higher, BMI > 30 kg.m-2 or with known or suspected obstructive sleep apnoea were randomly allocated to high-flow nasal oxygen up to 60 l.min-1 at 100% FI O2 or low-flow nasal oxygen at 4 l.min-1 . The low-flow nasal oxygen group also received oxygen at 4 l.min-1 through an oxygenating mouthguard, totalling 8 l.min-1 . Primary outcome was hypoxaemia, defined as Sp O2 < 90% regardless of duration. Hypoxaemia occurred in 7.7% (5/65) of patients with high-flow and 9.1% (6/66) with low-flow nasal oxygen (percentage point difference -1.4%, 95%CI -10.9 to 8.0; p = 0.77). Between the groups, there were no significant differences in frequency of hypoxaemic episodes; lowest Sp O2 ; peak transcutaneous carbon dioxide; hypercarbia (transcutaneous carbon dioxide > 2.66 kPa from baseline); requirement of chin lift/jaw thrust; nasopharyngeal airway insertion; bag-mask ventilation; or tracheal intubation. Following adjustment for duration of the procedure, the primary outcome remained non-significant. In high-risk patients undergoing endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography, oxygen therapy with high-flow nasal oxygen did not reduce the rate of hypoxaemia, hypercarbia or the need for airway interventions, compared with combined oral and nasal low-flow oxygen.

Dark Matter Search in Missing Energy Events with NA64.

A search for sub-GeV dark matter production mediated by a new vector boson A^{'}, called a dark photon, is performed by the NA64 experiment in missing energy events from 100 GeV electron interactions in an active beam dump at the CERN SPS. From the analysis of the data collected in the years 2016, 2017, and 2018 with 2.84×10^{11} electrons on target no evidence of such a process has been found. The most stringent constraints on the A^{'} mixing strength with photons and the parameter space for the scalar and fermionic dark matter in the mass range ≲0.2 GeV are derived, thus demonstrating the power of the active beam dump approach for the dark matter search.

Search for a Hypothetical 16.7 MeV Gauge Boson and Dark Photons in the NA64 Experiment at CERN.

We report the first results on a direct search for a new 16.7 MeV boson (X) which could explain the anomalous excess of e^{+}e^{-} pairs observed in the excited ^{8}Be^{*} nucleus decays. Because of its coupling to electrons, the X could be produced in the bremsstrahlung reaction e^{-}Z→e^{-}ZX by a 100 GeV e^{-} beam incident on an active target in the NA64 experiment at the CERN Super Proton Synchrotron and observed through the subsequent decay into a e^{+}e^{-} pair. With 5.4×10^{10} electrons on target, no evidence for such decays was found, allowing us to set first limits on the X-e^{-} coupling in the range 1.3×10^{-4}≲ε_{e}≲4.2×10^{-4} excluding part of the allowed parameter space. We also set new bounds on the mixing strength of photons with dark photons (A^{'}) from nonobservation of the decay A^{'}→e^{+}e^{-} of the bremsstrahlung A^{'} with a mass ≲23 MeV.

Search for Invisible Decays of Sub-GeV Dark Photons in Missing-Energy Events at the CERN SPS.

We report on a direct search for sub-GeV dark photons (A^{'}), which might be produced in the reaction e^{-}Z→e^{-}ZA^{'} via kinetic mixing with photons by 100 GeV electrons incident on an active target in the NA64 experiment at the CERN SPS. The dark photons would decay invisibly into dark matter particles resulting in events with large missing energy. No evidence for such decays was found with 2.75×10^{9} electrons on target. We set new limits on the γ-A^{'} mixing strength and exclude the invisible A^{'} with a mass ≲100 MeV as an explanation of the muon g_{µ}-2 anomaly.

Modulation of the immune response by infection with Cryptosporidium spp. in children with allergic diseases.

It has been demonstrated that the allergic response can be ameliorated by the administration of pathogen derivatives that activate Toll-like receptors and induce a Th1-type immune response (IR). Cryptosporidium is a parasite that promotes an IR via Toll-like receptors and elicits the production of Th1-type cytokines, which limit cryptosporidiosis. The aim of this study was to investigate allergy-related immune markers in children naturally infected with Cryptosporidium. In a cross-sectional study, 49 children with or without clinical diagnosis of allergies, oocysts of Cryptosporidium spp. in the faeces were screened microscopically. We microscopically screened for leucocytes, examined T and B cells for allergy-related activation markers using flow cytometry and evaluated serum for total IgE using chemiluminescence. Children with allergies and Cryptosporidium in the faeces had significantly lower levels of total IgE, B cells, CD19(+) CD23(+) and CD19(+) CD124(+) cells as well as a greater percentage of interferon-gamma (IFN-γ(+) ) and IL-4(+) CD4(+) cells than children with allergies without Cryptosporidium. This is the first description of the modulation of the IR in children with allergic diseases in the setting of natural Cryptosporidium infection. Our findings suggest the involvement of CD4(+) cells producing IL-4 and IFN-γ in the IR to Cryptosporidium in naturally infected children.

Deep neuromuscular block reduces intra-abdominal pressure requirements during laparoscopic cholecystectomy: a prospective observational study.

BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic surgery causes specific post-operative discomfort and intraoperative cardiovascular, pulmonary, and splanchnic changes. The CO2 pneumoperitoneum-related intra-abdominal pressure (IAP) remains one of the main drivers of these changes. We investigated the influence of deep neuromuscular blockade (NMB) on IAP and surgical conditions. METHODS: This is an open prospective single-subject design study in 20 patients (14 female/6 male) undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Inclusion criteria were 18 years or older, and American Society of Anesthesiologists classification 1 to 3. Under a standardised anaesthesia, lowest IAP providing adequate surgical conditions was assessed without NMB and with deep NMB [post-tetanic count (PTC)<2] with rocuronium. The differences between IAP allowing for an adequate surgical field before and after administration of rocuronium were determined, as were effects of patient gender, age, and body mass index. RESULTS: Mean IAP without NMB was 12.75 (standard deviation 4.49) mmHg. Immediately after achieving a deep NMB, this was 7.20 (2.51). This pressure difference of 5.55 mmHg (5.08, P<0.001) dropped to 3.00 mmHg (4.30, P<0.01) after 15 min. Higher IAP differences were found in women compared with men. A modest inverse relationship was found between pressure difference and age. CONCLUSIONS: We found an almost 25% lower IAP after a deep NMB compared with no block in laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Younger and female patients appear to benefit more from deep neuromuscular blockade to reduce IAP.

Isolation of Pseudobutyrivibrio ruminis and Pseudobutyrivibrio xylanivorans from rumen of Creole goats fed native forage diet.

We isolated and identified functional groups of bacteria in the rumen of Creole goats involved in ruminal fermentation of native forage shrubs. The functional bacterial groups were evaluated by comparing the total viable, total anaerobic, cellulolytic, hemicellulolytic, and amylolytic bacterial counts in the samples taken from fistulated goats fed native forage diet (Atriplex lampa and Prosopis flexuosa). Alfalfa hay and corn were used as control diet. The roll tubes method increased the possibility of isolating and 16S rDNA gene sequencing allowed definitive identification of bacterial species involved in the ruminal fermentation. The starch and fiber contents of the diets influenced the number of total anaerobic bacteria and fibrolytic and amylolytic functional groups. Pseudobutyrivibrio ruminis and Pseudobutyrivibrio xylanivorans were the main species isolated and identified. The identification of bacterial strains involved in the rumen fermentation helps to explain the ability of these animals to digest fiber plant cell wall contained in native forage species.

Eritrasma, revisión / Erythrasma, review

El eritrasma es una infección superficial de la piel que afecta la capa córnea y es causado por una bacteria grampositiva, Corynebacterium minutissimum. Se presenta como manchas eritematosas a marrón en grandes pliegues y como descamación y maceración en pliegues interdigitales; es asintomática, aunque en algunos casos se acompaña de prurito. El diagnóstico es clínico por luz de Wood que da una fluorescencia rojo coral de las áreas afectadas. Su curso es benigno, aunque persiste si no se da un tratamiento adecuado.

Erythrasma is a superficial skin infection of the stratum corneum caused by a gram-positive bacteria, Corynebacterium minutissimum. It is characterized by reddish-brown areas affecting occluded intertriginous zones such as axillae, inframammary folds, and as irregular scaly patches or macerated lesions on toeweb spaces. It is asymptomatic, though sometimes accompanied by pruritus. Clinical diagnosis is supported by a red fluorescence under Wood s light examination. It is benign, yet persistent if not adequately treated.

Evaluación del esfigmomanómetro automático Accutorr Plus NIBP (DATASCOPE) según las recomendaciones de la Sociedad Británica de Hipertensión / Evaluation of the Datascope Accutorr Plus NIBP automatic sphygmomanometer with regard to British Hypertension Society Guidelines

Fundamento. Los instrumentos capaces de medir con exactitud la tensión arterial (TA) son imprescindibles para el diagnóstico y control de la hipertensión arterial. El uso de esfigmomanómetros automáticos se ha popularizado tanto en las consultas y hospitales como en el domicilio de los pacientes. La exactitud de cada uno de estos tensiómetros debería ser validada por grupos independientes de los fabricantes, siguiendo protocolos establecidos por las sociedades científicas. El objetivo de este trabajo es la evaluación del tensiómetro automático oscilométrico Accutorr Plus modelo NIBP (Datascope Corporation, Mahwah, NJ, EE.UU.), según el protocolo de la British Hypertension Society. Pacientes y métodos. Ciento veinte adultos (60 de ellos diabéticos) que acudieron consecutivamente a una consulta externa hospitalaria fueron incluidos en el estudio. Se obtuvieron 120 pares de medidas de TA, la mitad con el dispositivo probado (dos unidades) y la otra mitad con el esfigmomanómetro de mercurio (método de referencia). Un mismo examinador obtuvo las dos lecturas del mismo brazo y de modo secuencial. Ambas mediciones se compararon mediante la obtención de la diferencia en valores absolutos. Resultados. En cuanto a la tensión arterial sistólica (TAS), las diferencias inferiores o iguales a 5 mmHg supusieron el 24,4 per cent de las lecturas, las inferiores o iguales a 10 mmHg el 56,3 per cent y las inferiores o iguales a 15 mmHg el 73,1 per cent (porcentajes acumulativos). En cuanto a la tensión arterial diastólica (TAD), los porcentajes correspondientes a las tres categorías fueron, respectivamente, 39,5, 67,2 y 90,7. La diferencia media y las desviaciones estándar obtenidas con las dos unidades probadas fueron notablemente homogéneas (TAS: 10,9 ñ 7,4 y 10,7 ñ 11,6 mmHg; TAD: 7,2 ñ 5,3 y 7,1 ñ 5,5 mmHg), sin diferencias estadísticamente significativas. Conclusiones. El manómetro automático Accutorr Plus modelo NIBP obtuvo un nivel D (no apto para uso clínico) de acuerdo con los estándares de la British Hypertension Society, tanto en TAS como en TAD (AU)

[Sensitivity and specificity of a questionnaire about respiratory symptoms similar to asthma]. / Sensibilidad y especificidad de un cuestionario de síntomas respiratorios similares al asma.

INTRODUCTION: Questionnaires are an epidemiological instrument to detect patients with asthma. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Worldwide standardized questionnaires were selected, taking the most important points for making the diagnosis of asthma. A questionnaire was applied to outpatients who attend to pulmonary disease service. The answers were compared with a "gold standard" proposed, consisted in clinical screening and pulmonary function tests. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: Kappa coefficient, sensitivity, specificity and predictive values were obtained, with intervals of confidence of 95%. RESULTS: The questionnaires were applied to 120 patients, 70.83% women, the answering percentage was 99%. Mean age was 32 years with a range of 24-40. In 62.5% patients there was already a previous diagnosis of asthma. Positive Familial history was present in 65.83, cough in 85%, dyspnea in 80.83%, sneezes in 53.33% and wheezes in 77.5%. The was of kappa coefficient for previous medical diagnosis 0.96%, followed by positive familial history, wheezes and cough in 0.90%. The greatest specificity was for wheezes, dyspnea and previous medical diagnosis. The greatest specificity for previous medical diagnosis was wheezes and sneezes. CONCLUSIONS: The use of questionnaires for respiratory symptoms similar to asthma can be an option to detect groups of high risk.

Intracellular trafficking of Brucella abortus in J774 macrophages.

Brucella abortus is a facultative intracellular bacterium capable of surviving inside professional and nonprofessional phagocytes. The microorganism remains in membrane-bound compartments that in several cell types resemble modified endoplasmic reticulum structures. To monitor the intracellular transport of B. abortus in macrophages, the kinetics of fusion of phagosomes with preformed lysosomes labeled with colloidal gold particles was observed by electron microscopy. The results indicated that phagosomes containing live B. abortus were reluctant to fuse with lysosomes. Furthermore, newly endocytosed material was not incorporated into these phagosomes. These observations indicate that the bacteria strongly affect the normal maturation process of macrophage phagosomes. However, after overnight incubation, a significant percentage of the microorganisms were found in large phagosomes containing gold particles, resembling phagolysosomes. Most of the Brucella bacteria present in phagolysosomes were not morphologically altered, suggesting that they can also resist the harsh conditions prevalent in this compartment. About 50% colocalization of B. abortus with LysoSensor, a weak base that accumulates in acidic compartments, was observed, indicating that the B. abortus bacteria do not prevent phagosome acidification. In contrast to what has been described for HeLa cells, only a minor percentage of the microorganisms were found in compartments labeled with monodansylcadaverine, a marker for autophagosomes, and with DiOC6 (3,3'-dihexyloxacarbocyanine iodide), a marker for the endoplasmic reticulum. These results indicate that B. abortus bacteria alter phagosome maturation in macrophages. However, acidification does occur in these phagosomes, and some of them can eventually mature to phagolysosomes.

[Effect of 2 pesticides indoors on the respiratory function of a Mexican population]. / Efecto de dos plaguicidas intramuros en la función respiratoria de una población mexicana.

INTRODUCTION: The utilisation of pesticides in the large cities has been increased. Exist few studies that determine the damage in the respiratory appliance. OBJECTIVE: Determined on a healthy population of Mexico City with two known products used for the control of the insecticides in household, with the main objective to determine the clinical and functional manifestations that its use implies. MATERIAL AND METHODS: They were included 70 sound volunteers with residence in the City of Mexico that lived in apartments with 100 square meters of construction, tobacco negative and without previous antecedents of cardiovascular disease, without acute infectious process. They were split into 2 groups one that inhaled pesticides for combustion and the group b in electric form, In them I accomplished study espirometric to the beginning and during 3 exposed hours. The analysis by T Student. RESULTS: In group A was observed a meaningful difference of 0.01 in the first hour and of p < 0.028 in the second and third hours, with collateral effects as irritation eyes (74%) disnea (57%) cough (43%) and headaches (28%). Group B with a small difference of the VEF-1 in the first hour p < 0.03 and without differences on the following hours. We haven't observed secondary effects according to this group. The analysis en both group we have only differences in the first hours with p < 0.004. CONCLUSION: The exposition to pesticides our group for combustion produces a lot of clinical and functional alterations than the electric pesticides.

Descripción de la enfermedad periodontal en pacientes con síndrome de down del instituto tolimense de educación especial de la ciudad de Ibagué / Periodontal disease description in Down syndrome patients of the Ibague City

El propósito de este estudio fue de establecer la frecuencia, localización y severidad de la enfermedad periodontal en pacientes con síndrome de Down del Instituto Tolimense de Educación Especial de la Ciudad de Ibagué. Para llevar a cabo este estudio de tipo descriptivo, se tomaron como muestra 51 pacientes con Síndrome de Down vinculados al instituto mencionado anteriormente con previa autorización escrita a sus padres. Los pacientes fueron distribuidos de acuerdo a la etapa de dentición en la cual se encontraron: dentición temporal, mixta y permanente. Debido a la alta prevalencia de enfermedad cardiaca; para la prevención de la endocarditis bacteriana los pacientes fueron premeditados de acuerdo Sociedad Americana de Cardiología antes de realizar el examen se consistió en la toma del índice periodontal INTPC de Ainamo (1982), índice de Ramfjord (nivel de inserción) y el índice de higiene oral de Oleary. Los resultados mostraron que la frecuencia de la enfermedad periodontal global en cualquiera de sus fases con el índice INTCP fue de 92.13; la frecuencia para enfermedad periodontal según el índice INTCP en los grados 3 y 4 fue de 23.52 y 5.88 respectivamente. La frecuencia de la pérdida de inserción en cualquiera de sus grados con el índice de Ramfjord fue de 54.89; la frecuencia para enfermedad periodontal según el índice de Ramfjord en los grados 1, 2 y 3 fue de 45.09, 3.92, y 5.88 respectivamente. No se encontró una relación directa entre índice periodontal e índice de higiene oral. La localización más frecuente de enfermedad periodontal fue la zona posteroinferior derecha y posterosuperior izquierda.

Lead acetate exposure inhibits nitric oxide synthase activity in capillary and synaptosomal fractions of mouse brain.

The toxicity of lead (Pb) is of concern to public health due to its persistence in the environment. Brain is one of the major target organs where severe neurologic alterations may be triggered after exposure. The primary effects of lead on brain functions are thought to be a damage to the nervous system microvasculature. However, the mechanism of this toxicity is poorly understood. Nitric oxide synthase (NOS) may be a target for lead and changes in its function can result in a cascade of pathophysiological effects that may be observed in isolated capillaries and synaptosomes. We have determined the concentration of lead in blood, capillaries and synaptosomes in brain from mice receiving 0, 250, 500, and 1000 ppm of lead for 14 days, through the drinking water. NOS activity was determined in the capillaries and synaptosomes by following the conversion of 3H-L-arginine to 3H-L-citrulline. The results show that blood lead levels were dose-dependent. Brain capillaries showed a preferential accumulation of lead as compared to synaptosomes. With all Pb treatments, synaptosomal constitutive NOS was inhibited (about 50% of control) while the inducible NOS activity in capillaries was enhanced. These data suggest that inhibition of cNOS activity and increase in iNOS may contribute to the Pb effects on the CNS.

[Escherichia coli L-asparaginase induces phosphorylation of endogenous polypeptides in human immune cells]. / L-asparaginasa de Escherichia coli induce fosforilación de polipéptidos endógenos en células inmunitarias humanas.

PURPOSE: To detect patterns of endogenous polypeptide phosphorylation in monocyte, lymphocyte, and polymorphonuclear leukocyte populations, induced by the products of the catalytic action of L-asparaginase (EcA). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Monocytes, polymorphonuclear cells and lymphocytes were isolated from heparinized blood from healthy, voluntary donors. The samples were incubated in 0.4 mCi/ml of [gamma-32P]H3PO4, with: 1 microgram/microliter of EcA, EcA and the substrate or with the products of EcA's catalytic activity: NH4+ and aspartate. The cells were lysated and electrophoresed using denaturing polyacrylamide gels that were then exposed on radiographic plates. The levels of polypeptide phosphorylation were quantified by computer densitometric analysis. RESULTS: The autoradiographs and the densitometric quantification of the electrophoretic profiles of monocytes, polymorphonuclear leukocytes, and lymphocytes revealed an increase in polypeptide phosphorylation when the cells were incubated with the enzyme and its substrate, ammonium and aspartate, or ammonium, which demonstrates that the NH4+ triggers intracellular phosphotransferase activity. A 58 kDa phosphoprotein outstood, it being common to the three cell populations studied. There were also specific phosphorylable polypeptides in monocytes, polymorphonuclear leukocytes, and lymphocytes. CONCLUSIONS: Escherichia coli L-asparaginase, binds the plasma membrane in normal human immune cells, catalyzing the L-asparagine substrate. The products of its activity: aspartate and NH4+ modify the extracellular environment, particularly the latter since it could diffuse into the cytosol and modify the pH, which would activate signal transduction pathways associated with the phosphorylation of substrates.

Intracellular Ca2+ homeostasis in rat round spermatids.

Intracellular calcium, [Ca2+]i, can regulate meiotic progression of mammalian oocytes. However, the role of [Ca2+]i in the regulation of the spermatogenic process and its cellular homeostatic mechanisms in spermatogenic cells has not been elucidated. Using intracellular fluorescent probes for Ca2+ and immunodetection of plasma membrane (PM) Ca(2+)-ATPases, we report that: a) rat round spermatids maintain [Ca2+]i levels of 60 +/- 5 nM (SEM), as estimated with fluo-3 in single cells or fura-2 in cells in suspension; b) these cells regulate [Ca2+]i by actively extruding it using a PM Ca(2+)-ATPase; c) rat spermatids also actively transport Ca2+ by sarco-endoplasmic reticulum type ATPases (SERCA); d) rat spermatids possess non-mitochondrial intracellular Ca2+i stores insensitive to thapsigargin but releasable by ionomycin; and e) rat spermatids do not activate Ca2+ entry mechanisms by the release of Ca2+ from SERCA-regulated stores. These results demonstrate that rat round spermatids can generate modulated intracellular Ca2+ signals upon activation of Ca2+ channels or Ca2+ release from intracellular stores.

Endoscopia y embarazo: Registro de las alteraciones tococardiográficas del producto durante el procedimiento, como índice de seguridad / Pregnancy and endoscopy: Tococardiographic alteration registered during endocospy

La esofagogastroduodenoscopia (EGD) ha demostrado ser un procedimiento seguro y útil. Su uso durante el embarazo no ha sido aceptado. El registro tococardiográfico de la frecuencia cardíaca fetal es un índice confiable del bienestar del producto, y sus alteraciones muestran el sufrimiento fetal. Se realizo un estudio prospectivo y logitudinal en 75 mujeres embarazadas, con sintomatología gastrointestinal superior, las cuales se sometieron a procedimiento endoscópico con monitoreo tococardiográfico. El promedio de edad fue de 26.6 años. 27 pacientes (49.3 por ciento) se encontraban entre la semana 20 y 27 de gestación 23 (30.6 por ciento) entre la semana 28 y 35). 15 pacientes (20 por ciento) entre la semana 36 y 42. Se registro bradicardía transitoria leve en 45 productos (60 por ciento), taquicardía transitoria en 15 (20 por ciento) y no se presentaron alteraciones 15 productos (20 por ciento). No se registro ninguna complicación durante el procedimiento ni durante el periodo de seguimiento hasta el momento del parto. Concluimos que el procedimiento de EGD realizado en las mujeres embarazadas es un procedimiento seguro y útil, y que no representa riesgo para la madre ni el producto.