Biological Activity of Sacha Inchi (Plukenetia volubilis Linneo) and Potential Uses in Human Health: A Review.

Sacha inchi (Plukenetia volubilis Linneo) is an ancestral plant originating in the Amazon jungle that has been adopted as a food source due to its high nutritional value, which has gradually been recognized to have potential benefits for human health. Diverse prospective studies have evaluated the effect of consuming components from the plant, derivatives from its seeds, leaves and shell on preventing the risk of cardiovascular disease, chronic inflammatory disease, dermatitis and controlling tumor proliferation, especially given its recognized high content of essential fatty acids, phenolic compounds and vitamin E, showing antioxidant, hypolipidemic, immunomodulation and emollient activity, as well as the capacity to remove heavy metals from aqueous solutions. This review offers a complete description of the existing information on the use and biological activity of P. volubilis L., based on its essential lipid components and evidenced on its use in the field of human health, in prevention, therapeutic and nutritional contexts, along with industrial uses, making it a promising bioresource.

Immunological Memory to Zika Virus in a University Community in Colombia, South America.

Zika virus appeared in South America in 2015, generating alarm worldwide as it causes microcephaly and autoimmunity. This study aims to determine the serological footprint of the incoming epidemic in a student community and to characterize the memory functional cell response during post convalescence. In a cross-sectional study, Zika-specific IgG using LIA immunoassay was found in 328 university students (CI=95%), while in the second phase, the functional cellular memory response for IFN-γ and IL-2 was quantified using post-stimulus ELISpot with inactivated virus, starting with individuals seropositive for Zika and control individuals (seropositive only for Dengue and seronegative for Zika-Dengue). Depending on the antigen used, memory humoral response (IgG) against Zika Virus was observed in >60% of the population; seropositivity for NS1 was 21.1% higher than E antigen with high intensity. The analysis of cell functionality in 22 individuals seropositive for Zika virus revealed either IFN-γ+ or IL-2+ cells in 86.3% of cases (Th1 profile), presenting multifunctionality in 50% (11 individuals), 64% of which presented> 6 SFC/104 PBMCs (>600 SFC/106 PBMC), reflecting memory circulating cells. A good agreement (Kappa= 0.754) was observed between the coexistence of both cellular and humoral responses but not in their intensity.

Preliminary analysis of single-nucleotide polymorphisms in IL-10, IL-4, and IL-4Rα genes and profile of circulating cytokines in patients with gastric Cancer.

BACKGROUND: Gastric Cancer is highly prevalent and deadly worldwide. In Colombia, it is the most lethal form of cancer. Some single-nucleotide polymorphisms in IL-10, IL-4, and IL-4Rα genes have been associated with an anti-inflammatory environment and a Th2 profile in detriment of the antitumor Th1 response. This research sought to detect single-nucleotide polymorphisms in promoter sequences, like - 1082 (G/A), - 592 (C/A), and - 819 (C/T), as well as - 590 (C/T) of the IL-10 and IL-4 genes, respectively; in addition to the IL-4Rα mutation variants, Ile50Val and Q576R, together with circulating levels of IL-4, TNF-α, IL-10, and IFN-γ in patients with gastric carcinoma in Cúcuta, Colombia. METHODS: In a cross-sectional study, 17 patients and 30 healthy individuals were genotyped for the six polymorphisms mentioned through PCR-RFLP of DNA obtained from peripheral blood cells and serum samples were analyzed by sandwich ELISA to quantify cytokines. Statistical difference between groups was determined along with the association between the presence of polymorphisms and the risk of gastric cancer, as well as the mortality in patients, using Mann-Whitney U test and logistic regression analysis, respectively. RESULTS: An association between the - 1082 (G/A) and the risk of gastric cancer was found (OR = 7.58, range 0.77-74.06, P = 0.08). Furthermore, patients had a significant increase in IL-4 serum levels (P < 0.01) compared to healthy individuals, both variables showed a higher estimated risk of mortality in patients, although without statistical association (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: We infer that two possible biomarkers (one immunological and one genetic) could be considered in association with gastric cancer in our population, which should be confirmed by subsequent studies involving a greater number of individuals.

Polimorfismos en los genes MTHFR e IL-10 y factores de riesgo en pacientes con cáncer gástrico del municipio de San José de Cúcuta, Colombia / Polymorphisms in MTHFR and IL-10 Genes and Risk Factors in Patients with Gastric Cancer in the Municipality of San José de Cúcuta, Colombia

Introducción: el cáncer gástrico es una de las neoplasias de mayor interés en el mundo por su incidencia y mortalidad asociada. Se consideran tres factores relacionados con la ocurrencia del carcinoma gástrico: infección por Helicobacter pylori, susceptibilidad genética del huésped y factores ambientales. Objetivo: evaluar los polimorfismos C677T, A592C y T819C y factores de riesgo en pacientes con cáncer gástrico del municipio San José de Cúcuta. Métodos: aplicación de encuestas para detectar factores de riesgo, determinación de infección por Helicobacter pylori, genotipificación de polimorfismos mediante PCR-RFLP y análisis estadístico. Resultados: el análisis de factores de riesgo en los pacientes del grupo de casos mostró un consumo de tabaco, alcohol, y sal en el 68,8%, e infección por Helicobacter pylori de 75%; se determinó que el 68,8% tenían antecedentes familiares de cáncer y el 75% enfermedades gástricas preexistentes. El grupo control presentó un consumo de alcohol y tabaco inferior al de los pacientes del grupo de casos, alto consumo de verduras (64%) y valor similar de infección por Helicobacter pylori (80%). El análisis del polimorfismo C677T mostró mayor frecuencia en los pacientes del grupo de casos y grupo control para el alelo salvaje; los polimorfismos A592C y T819C presentaron mayor frecuencia del alelo mutado en los pacientes del grupo de casos y grupo control. El polimorfismo C677T no evidenció asociación significativa con la probabilidad de cáncer gástrico. Los polimorfismos A592C y T819C no registraron diferencias significativas entre los pacientes del grupo de casos y grupo control. Conclusión: aunque no se observaron diferencias significativas en las variantes genéticas, al evaluar los factores ambientales se detectaron distintos patrones entre los pacientes del grupo de casos y grupo control, lo cual probablemente explicaría la ausencia de la enfermedad en individuos sanos.

Introduction: gastric cancer is one of more concern neoplasms around the world due to its incidence and associated mortality. Helicobacter pylori infection, host genetic susceptibility and environmental factors are considered the causes of gastric carcinoma occurrence. Objective: to evaluate the C677T, A592C and T819C polymorphisms and risk factors in patients with gastric cancer in the municipality of San José de Cúcuta. Methods: application of surveys for determining risk factors, detection of serologic response to H. pylori infection, genotyping of polymorphisms using PCR-RFLP and statistical analysis. Results: the analysis of risk factors in the cases showed consumption of tobacco, alcohol, and salt in 68.8% and H. pylori infection in 75% of cases; 68.8% had a family history of cancer and 75% had preexisting gastric disease. The control population had lower consumption of alcohol and tobacco comparing to the cases group, high consumption of vegetables (64%) and similar value of H. pylori infection (80%). Analysis of the C677T polymorphism revealed predominance of the wild-type allele in both cases and controls with no evidence of association with the developing of gastric cancer; the polymorphisms A592C and T819C presented higher frequency of the mutated allele in both groups, with no significant differences between cases and controls. Conclusions: although no significant differences were observed in the genetic variants, different patterns were detected between cases and controls regarding the evaluation of environmental factors, which would probably explain the absence of the disease in healthy individuals.

Polimorfismos en los genes MTHFR e IL-10 y factores de riesgo en pacientes con cáncer gástrico del municipio de San José de Cúcuta, Colombia / Polymorphisms in MTHFR and IL-10 Genes and Risk Factors in Patients with Gastric Cancer in the Municipality of San José de Cúcuta, Colombia

Introducción: el cáncer gástrico es una de las neoplasias de mayor interés en el mundo por su incidencia y mortalidad asociada. Se consideran tres factores relacionados con la ocurrencia del carcinoma gástrico: infección por Helicobacter pylori, susceptibilidad genética del huésped y factores ambientales.Objetivo: evaluar los polimorfismos C677T, A592C y T819C y factores de riesgo en pacientes con cáncer gástrico del municipio San José de Cúcuta.Métodos: aplicación de encuestas para detectar factores de riesgo, determinación de infección por Helicobacter pylori, genotipificación de polimorfismos mediante PCR-RFLP y análisis estadístico.Resultados: el análisis de factores de riesgo en los pacientes del grupo de casos mostró un consumo de tabaco, alcohol, y sal en el 68,8 por ciento, e infección por Helicobacter pylori de 75 por ciento; se determinó que el 68,8 por ciento tenían antecedentes familiares de cáncer y el 75 por ciento enfermedades gástricas preexistentes. El grupo control presentó un consumo de alcohol y tabaco inferior al de los pacientes del grupo de casos, alto consumo de verduras (64 por ciento) y valor similar de infección por Helicobacter pylori (80 por ciento). El análisis del polimorfismo C677T mostró mayor frecuencia en los pacientes del grupo de casos y grupo control para el alelo salvaje; los polimorfismos A592C y T819C presentaron mayor frecuencia del alelo mutado en los pacientes del grupo de casos y grupo control. El polimorfismo C677T no evidenció asociación significativa con la probabilidad de cáncer gástrico. Los polimorfismos A592C y T819C no registraron diferencias significativas entre los pacientes del grupo de casos y grupo control.Conclusión: aunque no se observaron diferencias significativas en las variantes genéticas, al evaluar los factores ambientales se detectaron distintos patrones entre los pacientes del grupo de casos y grupo control, lo cual probablemente explicaría la ausencia de la enfermedad en individuos sanos.(AU)

Introduction: gastric cancer is one of more concern neoplasms around the world due to its incidence and associated mortality. Helicobacter pylori infection, host genetic susceptibility and environmental factors are considered the causes of gastric carcinoma occurrence.Objective: to evaluate the C677T, A592C and T819C polymorphisms and risk factors in patients with gastric cancer in the municipality of San José de Cúcuta.Methods: application of surveys for determining risk factors, detection of serologic response to H. pylori infection, genotyping of polymorphisms using PCR-RFLP and statistical analysis.Results: the analysis of risk factors in the cases showed consumption of tobacco, alcohol, and salt in 68.8 percent and H. pylori infection in 75 percent of cases; 68.8 percent had a family history of cancer and 75 percent had preexisting gastric disease. The control population had lower consumption of alcohol and tobacco comparing to the cases group, high consumption of vegetables (64 percent) and similar value of H. pylori infection (80 percent). Analysis of the C677T polymorphism revealed predominance of the wild-type allele in both cases and controls with no evidence of association with the developing of gastric cancer; the polymorphisms A592C and T819C presented higher frequency of the mutated allele in both groups, with no significant differences between cases and controls.Conclusions: although no significant differences were observed in the genetic variants, different patterns were detected between cases and controls regarding the evaluation of environmental factors, which would probably explain the absence of the disease in healthy individuals.(AU)

Frecuencia de anticuerpos anti Toxoplasma gondii en gestantes de Cúcuta, Colombia / Frequency of anti Toxoplasma gondii antibodies in pregnant of Cucuta, Colombia

La toxoplasmosis es una infección ocasionada por Toxoplasma gondii, peligrosa durante la gestación. La presencia de anticuerpos IgG específicos implica contacto previo individuo-parásito, mientras que la detección de IgM anti-T. gondii, es considerada marcador de infección aguda, fase en la que se incrementa además el título IgG. Objetivo: Determinar la frecuencia y título de anticuerpos contra Toxoplasma gondii en gestantes. Material y métodos: Estudio transversal, se determinó el título de IgG y la presencia de IgM específicas contra el parásito, mediante técnicas de aglutinación y Enzimoinmunoanálisis, respectivamente, en muestras de suero de mujeres en el primer, segundo o tercer trimestre de embarazo que asistieron a su control prenatal en el Centro de Imagenología y Laboratorio Clínico, durante el segundo semestre del año 2014. Resultados: Se evaluaron 167 pacientes, de las cuales 115 (68,9%) fueron negativas y 52 (31,1%) positivas para IgG anti T. gondii; dentro del último grupo se rastreó IgM específica en 35 pacientes, hallándose solo una positiva (3%). La titulación para IgG anti-T. gondii mostró resultados desde 1:1 a 1:8 diluciones en las 34 pacientes negativas para IgM específica y de 1:16 diluciones, en el caso positivo. Conclusión: Los resultados obtenidos en el presente estudio permiten concluir que una tercera parte de la población gestante presenta anticuerpos asociados a memoria inmunológica contra T.gondii a títulos bajos, y sólo una minoría (inferior al 5%) evidencia concomitantemente huella serológica de infección reciente...

Toxoplasmosis is caused by Toxoplasma gondii and it is especially dangerous during pregnancy. The presence of IgG antibodies against T. gondii indicates past infection, while the presence of IgM indicates acute infection. Objective: To determine the frequency and titers of antibodies against T. gondii in pregnant women in Cucuta, Colombia. Methods: A cross sectional study was carried out in which titers of IgG and IgM to T. gondii were measured using agglutination and immunoassay methods in serum samples of first, second and third trimester pregnant women who attended pre-natal control in the Center for Imagenology and Clinical Laboratory during the second semester of 2014. Results: 167 women were evaluated; 115 (68.9%) were negative for IgG and 52 (31.1%) were positive; specific IgM was search for in 35 of these IgG positive women, only one was positive (3%). IgG titers varied from 1:1 to 1:8 in the 34 IgM seronegative women, but was 1:16 in seropositive women. Conclusions: One third of the population studied was previously infected showing low titers of IgG, the minority showed evidence of acute infection...