Influence of non-osteoporotic treatments in patients on active anti-osteoporotic therapy: evidence from the OSTEOMED registry.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effect of different non-osteoporotic drugs on the increase or decrease in the risk of incident fragility fractures (vertebral, humerus or hip) in a cohort of patients diagnosed with osteoporosis on active anti-osteoporotic therapy. METHODS: For this retrospective longitudinal study, baseline and follow-up data on prescribed non-osteoporotic treatments and the occurrence of vertebral, humerus or hip fractures in 993 patients from the OSTEOMED registry were analyzed using logistic regression models. The drugs evaluated with a possible beneficial effect were thiazides and statins, while the drugs evaluated with a possible harmful effect were antiandrogens, aromatase inhibitors, proton pump inhibitors, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, benzodiazepines, GnRH agonists, thyroid hormones, and oral and inhaled corticosteroids. RESULTS: Logistic regression analyses indicated that no treatment significantly improved fracture risk, with the only treatments that significantly worsened fracture risk being letrozole (OR = 0.18, p-value = 0.03) and oral corticosteroids at doses ≤ 5 mg/day (OR = 0.16, p-value = 0.03) and > 5 mg/day (OR = 0.27, p-value = 0.04). CONCLUSION: The potential beneficial or detrimental effects of the different drugs evaluated on fracture risk are masked by treatment with anabolic or antiresorptive drugs that have a more potent action on bone metabolism, with two exceptions: letrozole and oral corticosteroids. These findings may have important clinical implications, as patients receiving these treatments are not fully protected by bisphosphonates, which may imply the need for more potent anti-osteoporotic drugs such as denosumab or teriparatide.

Biological aspects of crosses between populations of Triatoma mexicana (Hemiptera: Reduviidae: Triatominae).

We examined the degree of reproductive isolation in four populations of Triatoma mexicana Herrich-Schaeffer from Mexico along with fertility and the segregation of morphological characteristics in two generations of offspring from crosses between these populations. The percentage of couples with (fertile) offspring was high among all sets of crosses between cohorts from Peñamiller, Meztitlán, and Orizabita. It was low in crosses involving a cohort from Tierra Blanca, mainly in crosses with Meztitlán. Among sets of crosses involving Tierra Blanca specimens, whole first-generation (F1) individuals were morphologically similar to the specimens from other locations. All F1 individuals of crosses involving Peñamiller looked like Peñamiller. However, in crosses between F1 and F1 progeny of parental crosses, alleles for size, overall color, length of head, ante and post ocular distance, and humeral angle apparently had Mendelian dominant/recessive relationships. The cohorts from Peñamiller and Meztitlán seemed to be dominant with respect to Orizabita and Tierra Blanca. Results indicated that cohorts from Peñamiller, Meztitlán, and Orizabita were not reproductively isolated. In contrast, Tierra Blanca was reproductively isolated from the other three populations of T. mexicana and is apparently undergoing an early divergence process of speciation for allopatry.

Comorbidity and osteoporotic fracture: approach through predictive modeling techniques using the OSTEOMED registry.

PURPOSE: To examine the response to anti-osteoporotic treatment, considered as incident fragility fractures after a minimum follow-up of 1 year, according to sex, age, and number of comorbidities of the patients. METHODS: For this retrospective observational study, data from baseline and follow-up visits on the number of comorbidities, prescribed anti-osteoporotic treatment and vertebral, humerus or hip fractures in 993 patients from the OSTEOMED registry were analyzed using logistic regression and an artificial network model. RESULTS: Logistic regression showed that the probability of reducing fractures for each anti-osteoporotic treatment considered was independent of sex, age, and the number of comorbidities, increasing significantly only in males taking vitamin D (OR = 7.918), patients without comorbidities taking vitamin D (OR = 4.197) and patients with ≥ 3 comorbidities taking calcium (OR = 9.412). Logistic regression correctly classified 96% of patients (Hosmer-Lemeshow = 0.492) compared with the artificial neural network model, which correctly classified 95% of patients (AUC = 0.6). CONCLUSION: In general, sex, age and the number of comorbidities did not influence the likelihood that a given anti-osteoporotic treatment improved the risk of incident fragility fractures after 1 year, but this appeared to increase when patients had been treated with risedronate, strontium or teriparatide. The two models used classified patients similarly, but predicted differently in terms of the probability of improvement, with logistic regression being the better fit.

Leishmania spp Epitopes in Humans Naturally Resistant to the Disease: Working Toward a Synthetic Vaccine.

Vaccines are one of the most effective strategies to fight infectious diseases. Reverse vaccinology strategies provide tools to perform in silico screening and a rational selection of potential candidates on a large scale before reaching in vitro and in vivo evaluations. Leishmania infection in humans produces clinical symptoms in some individuals, while another part of the population is naturally resistant (asymptomatic course) to the disease, and therefore their immune response controls parasite replication. By the identification of epitopes directly in humans, especially in those resistant to the disease, the probabilities of designing an effective vaccine are higher. The aim of this work was the identification of Leishmania epitopes in resistant humans. To achieve that, 11 peptide sequences (from Leishmania antigenic proteins) were selected using epitope prediction tools, and then, peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were isolated from human volunteers who were previously divided into four clinical groups: susceptible, resistant, exposed and not exposed to the parasite. The induction of inflammatory cytokines and lymphoproliferation was assessed using monocyte-derived dendritic cells (moDCs) as antigen-presenting cells (APCs). The response was evaluated after exposing volunteers' cells to each peptide. As a result, we learned that STI41 and STI46 peptides induced IL-8 and IL-12 in moDCs and lymphoproliferation and low levels of IL-10 in lymphocytes differentially in resistant volunteers, similar behavior to that observed in those individuals to L. panamensis lysate antigens. We conclude that, in silico analysis allowed for the identification of natural Leishmania epitopes in humans, and also STI41 and STI46 peptides could be epitopes that lead to a cellular immune response directed at parasite control.

Electrospinning of Electroconductive Water-Resistant Nanofibers of PEDOT-PSS, Cellulose Nanofibrils and PEO: Fabrication, Characterization, and Cytocompatibility.

Electrically conductive composite nanofibers were fabricated using poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) doped with poly(styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT-PSS) and cellulose nanofibrils (CNFs) via the electrospinning technique. Poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) was used to assist the electrospinning process, and poly(ethylene glycol) diglycidyl ether was used to induce chemical cross-linking, enabling stability of the formed fibrous mats in water. The experimental parameters regarding the electrospinning polymer dispersion and electrospinning process were carefully studied to achieve a reproducible method to obtain bead-free nanofibrous mats with high stability after water contact, with an electrical conductivity of 13 ± 5 S m-1, thus making them suitable for bioelectrochemical applications. The morphology of the electrospun nanofibers was characterized by scanning electron microscopy, and the C/S ratio was determined with energy dispersive X-ray analysis. Cyclic voltammetric studies showed that the PEDOT-PSS/CNF/PEO composite fibers exhibited high electroactivity and high stability in water for at least two months. By infrared spectroscopy, the slightly modified fiber morphology after water contact was demonstrated to be due to dissolution of some part of the PEO in the fiber structure. The biocompatibility of the PEDOT-PSS/CNF/PEO composite fibers when used as an electroconductive substrate to immobilize microalgae and cyanobacteria in a photosynthetic bioelectrochemical cell was also demonstrated.

Enfermedad renal crónica presuntiva en adultos mayores / Presumptive chronic kidney disease in elderly adults

Resumen Introducción: la enfermedad renal crónica (ERC) en los adultos mayores es altamente prevalente y se asocia a múltiples factores de riesgo. Objetivo: identificar pacientes adultos mayores con ERC que acuden a la consulta ambulatoria de nefrología en el Centro Integral de Salud Comunitaria (CSIC) Chacaltaya, El Alto, Bolivia, en el período comprendido entre septiembre y diciembre de 2018. Materiales y métodos: estudio observacional, descriptivo y transversal realizado en consulta ambulatoria de nefrología en el CISC Chacaltaya, El Alto, Bolivia. La muestra fue de 203 pacientes. Se analizaron las variables edad, sexo, estado civil, ocupación laboral, antecedentes patológicos personales, clasificación de la ERC. Se utilizó la fórmula Modifcation of Diet in Renal Disease abreviada para determinar el grado de la enfermedad. Se utilizó la estadística descriptiva (frecuencias absolutas y relativas, prueba Chi-cuadrado) y tuvo en cuenta el consentimiento informado. Resultados: prevalece el estadio 2 de la enfermedad, con 44,3 %, seguido del estadio 3a, con 21,7 %, fue más prevalente en el grupo de edad de 70-79 años y más en las mujeres que en los hombres. Los factores de riesgo que se relacionan con la enfermedad renal crónica en nuestro estudio fueron: edad, sexo femenino, diabetes mellitus, malnutrición por exceso, proteinuria y anemia. Conclusiones: La ERC presenta una alta prevalencia en la población mayor de 60 años, su diagnóstico precoz tiene un papel importante en el abordaje integral de la misma en el nivel primario de salud.

Abstract Introduction: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) in older adults is highly prevalent and is associated with multiple risk factors. Objective: To identify elderly patients with CKD who attend the nephrology outpatient clinic at the Comprehensive Community Health Center (CSIC) Chacaltaya, El Alto, Bolivia, in the period between September and December 2018. Materials and methods: Observational, descriptive and cross-sectional study performed in an outpatient nephrology clinic in CISC Chacaltaya, El Alto, Bolivia. The universe was 203 patients. The following variables were analyzed: age, sex, marital status, occupation, personal pathological background, classification of CKD. The formula Modification of Diet in Renal Disease was abbreviated to determine the degree of the disease. To give an exit, descriptive statistics were used (absolute and relative frequencies, chi-square test). Informed consent was taken into account. Results: Stage 2 of the disease prevails, with 44.3%, followed by stage 3a, with 21.7%; it was more prevalent in the age group of 7079 years and more in women than in men. The risk factors that are related to chronic kidney disease in our study were age, female gender, diabetes mellitus and malnutrition by excess, proteinuria and anemia. Conclusions: CKD presents a high prevalence in the population over 60 years of age; its early diagnosis plays an important role in its integral approach at the primary health level.

Groundwater discharge in high-mountain watersheds: A valuable resource for downstream semi-arid zones. The case of the Bérchules River in Sierra Nevada (Southern Spain).

Aquifers in permeable formations developed in high-mountain watersheds slow down the transfer of snowmelt to rivers, modifying rivers' flow pattern. To gain insight into the processes that control the hydrologic response of such systems the role played by groundwater in an alpine basin located at the southeastern part of the Iberian Peninsula is investigated. As data in these environments is generally scarce and its variability is high, simple lumped parameter hydrological models that consider the groundwater component and snow accumulation and melting are needed. Instead of using existing models that use many parameters, the Témez lumped hydrological model of common use in Spain and Ibero-American countries is selected and modified to consider snow to get a simplified tool to separate hydrograph components. The result is the TDD model (Témez-Degree Day) which is applied in a high mountain watershed with seasonal snow cover in Southern Spain to help in quantifying groundwater recharge and determining the groundwater contribution to the outflow. Average groundwater recharge is about 23% of the precipitation, and groundwater contribution to total outflow ranges between 70 and 97%. Direct surface runoff is 1% of precipitation. These values depend on the existence of snow. Results are consistent with those obtained with chloride atmospheric deposition mass balances by other authors. They highlight the important role of groundwater in high mountain areas, which is enhanced by seasonal snow cover. Results compare well with other areas. This effect is often neglected in water planning, but can be easily taken into account just by extending the water balance tool in use, or any other, following the procedure that has being developed.

SNPs in bone-related miRNAs are associated with the osteoporotic phenotype.

Biogenesis and function of microRNAs can be influenced by genetic variants in the pri-miRNA sequences leading to phenotypic variability. This study aims to identify single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) affecting the expression levels of bone-related mature microRNAs and thus, triggering an osteoporotic phenotype. An association analysis of SNPs located in pri-miRNA sequences with bone mineral density (BMD) was performed in the OSTEOMED2 cohort (n = 2183). Functional studies were performed for assessing the role of BMD-associated miRNAs in bone cells. Two SNPs, rs6430498 in the miR-3679 and rs12512664 in the miR-4274, were significantly associated with femoral neck BMD. Further, we measured these BMD-associated microRNAs in trabecular bone from osteoporotic hip fractures comparing to non-osteoporotic bone by qPCR. Both microRNAs were found overexpressed in fractured bone. Increased matrix mineralization was observed after miR-3679-3p inhibition in human osteoblastic cells. Finally, genotypes of rs6430498 and rs12512664 were correlated with expression levels of miR-3679 and miR-4274, respectively, in osteoblasts. In both cases, the allele that generated higher microRNA expression levels was associated with lower BMD values. In conclusion, two osteoblast-expressed microRNAs, miR-3679 and miR-4274, were associated with BMD; their overexpression could contribute to the osteoporotic phenotype. These findings open new areas for the study of bone disorders.

Cardiac abnormalities in Trypanosoma cruzi seropositive patients in the State of Querétaro, México / Alteraciones cardiacas en una población seropositiva a Trypanosoma cruzi en Querétaro, México

Abstract: Background: Chagas disease is an endemic illness in the Americas and therefore constitutes a public health problem. An estimated 8 million people are infected and over 20 million live in areas at risk. In Mexico, the problem is under reported and no epidemiological data by the different States indicating true prevalence for this infection is available. During the chronic phase, 30% of infected patients may develop chagasic cardiomyopathy (CCM), characterized by different types of alterations of cardiac function. Objective: To describe cardiac abnormalities in Trypanosoma cruzi seropositive subjects in the endemic areas. Material and methods: This is a descriptive cross-sectional study with non-random sampling. In our project the endemic area was considered for Trypanosoma cruzi using the Epi Info statistical program (Stat Calc) to calculate the number of subjects to study by means of a sample of 1 033 subjects aged 2-90 years. Prior informed consent or parental consent, implementation of a survey, a 5 mL of blood sample free from anticoagulant was taken from the cubital vein to detect anti-Trypanosoma cruzi by ELISA, recombinant ELISA, hemagglutination indirect (HAI), indirect immunofluorescence (IFI) and Western blot (using the enzyme superoxide dismutase iron as antigen). Those subjects who were positive in two or more tests were chosen for electrocardiogram (EKG) and an echocardiogram (ECO) with portable devices. Results: Of the 1 033 participants, 84 between 6 and 88 years tested positive for Trypanosoma cruzi. In the analysis of data with echocardiograms and electrocardiograms, 47 subjects over 26 years (56%), presented right bundle branch block or left bundle block (RBBB/LBBB), changes in the diameters of the right ventricle or left ejection fraction accounting of 70%. In subjects under 26 years there were electrocardiographic changes (RBBB/LBBB). Conclusion: 8.13% were seropositive for Trypanosoma cruzi with ventricular conduction system and morphological alterations.

Resumen: Antecedentes: La enfermedad de Chagas es una patología endémica en las Américas, donde representa un problema de salud pública. Se estima que aproximadamente 8 millones de personas están infectadas y 20 millones viven en áreas de riesgo de infectarse. En México el problema está subestimado y se carece de datos epidemiológicos por estado del país que indiquen una prevalencia real de este padecimiento. Durante la fase crónica, el 30% de los pacientes infectados pueden desarrollar miocardiopatía chagásica (MCC), que se caracteriza por presentar diferentes alteraciones de la función cardiaca. Objetivo: Describir las alteraciones cardiacas en sujetos seropositivos para Trypanosoma cruzi de áreas endémicas. Material y métodos: Es un estudio con diseño transversal descriptivo, con muestra no probabilística. En nuestro proyecto, se consideró una zona endémica a Trypanosoma cruzi, mediante el programa estadístico Epi Info (Stat Calc), para estimar el número de sujetos a estudiar, obteniéndose una muestra de 1 033 sujetos de edades entre 2 a 90 años. Previo consentimiento informado, y aplicación de una encuesta, se puncionó la vena cubital, obteniéndose una muestra sanguínea de 5 mL, sin anticoagulante, para buscar anticuerpos anti-Trypanosoma cruzi mediante, ELISA, ELISA recombinante, hemaglutinación indirecta (HAI), inmunofluorescencia indirecta (IFI) y Western-Blot (usando la enzima superóxido dismutasa de hierro como antígeno). Los sujetos reactivos a dos o más pruebas fueron seleccionados para la realización de un electrocardiograma (EKG) y un ecocardiograma (ECO) con equipos portátiles Resultados: De los 1 033 participantes, 84 entre 6 a 88 años resultaron positivos para Trypanosoma cruzi. En el análisis de los hallazgos ecocardiográficos y electrocardiográficos en los 47 sujetos mayores de 26 años (56%) presentaron bloqueo de rama derecha o izquierda del haz de His (BRDHH/BRIHH). Conclusión: El 8.13% fueron seropositivos para Trypanosoma cruzi con cambios morfológicos ventriculares y del sistema de conducción del haz de His.

Purification of a Fe-SOD excreted by Leishmania braziliensis for specific antibodies detection in Mexican human sera: Cutting-edge the knowledge.

Clinical diagnosis of leishmaniasis is highly complex, presenting a wide range of clinical manifestations, sometimes non-specific, and thus the epidemiological study and diagnostic need specific molecular markers for each Leishmania species. Leishmania spp. posses different Fe-SOD isoforms, one of which is excreted into the external milieu and, presenting immunogenic characteristics, is a very reliable molecular marker. Superoxide dismutases (SODs) are antioxidant metal-enzymes responsible for the dismutation of superoxide ion into hydrogen peroxide and molecular oxygen, and it is considered an important virulence factor. In this manuscript we have purified the iron(Fe)-SOD excreted by Leishmania braziliensis using ion-exchange and molecular-sieve chromatography and we have studied it as an antigen in serodiagnostic analyses in ELISA and Western blot techniques, testing 213 human sera from Mexico. Indeed, L. braziliensis Fe-SODe has been purified 123.26 times with a specific activity of about 893.66 U/mg of protein. Applying the purified enzymes in serological tests we found 17.84% sera positive. We have demonstrated that the purified enzyme is more sensitive than the non-purified ones and we also demonstrated, for the first time, the presence of antibodies against L. braziliensis, not the main species in the country, in human population from Hidalgo and Nuevo Leon States.

Comparative serology techniques for the diagnosis of Trypanosoma cruzi infection in a rural population from the state of Querétaro, Mexico.

Immunological diagnostic methods for Trypanosoma cruzi depend specifically on the presence of antibodies and parasitological methods lack sensitivity during the chronic and "indeterminate" stages of the disease. This study performed a serological survey of 1,033 subjects from 52 rural communities in 12 of the 18 municipalities in the state of Querétaro, Mexico. We detected anti-T. cruzi antibodies using the following tests: indirect haemagglutination assay (IHA), indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFA), ELISA and recombinant ELISA (rELISA). We also performed Western blot (WB) analysis using iron superoxide dismutase (FeSOD), a detoxifying enzyme excreted by the parasite, as the antigen. Positive test results were distributed as follows: ELISA 8%, rELISA 6.2%, IFA and IHA 5.4% in both cases and FeSOD 8%. A comparative study of the five tests was undertaken. Sensitivity levels, specificity, positive and negative predictive values, concordance percentage and kappa index were considered. Living with animals, trips to other communities, gender, age, type of housing and symptomatology at the time of the survey were statistically analysed using SPSS software v.11.5. Detection of the FeSOD enzyme that was secreted by the parasite and used as an antigenic fraction in WBs showed a 100% correlation with traditional ELISA tests.

Comparative serology techniques for the diagnosis of Trypanosoma cruzi infection in a rural population from the state of Querétaro, Mexico

Immunological diagnostic methods for Trypanosoma cruzi depend specifically on the presence of antibodies and parasitological methods lack sensitivity during the chronic and “indeterminate” stages of the disease. This study performed a serological survey of 1,033 subjects from 52 rural communities in 12 of the 18 municipalities in the state of Querétaro, Mexico. We detected anti-T. cruzi antibodies using the following tests: indirect haemagglutination assay (IHA), indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFA), ELISA and recombinant ELISA (rELISA). We also performed Western blot (WB) analysis using iron superoxide dismutase (FeSOD), a detoxifying enzyme excreted by the parasite, as the antigen. Positive test results were distributed as follows: ELISA 8%, rELISA 6.2%, IFA and IHA 5.4% in both cases and FeSOD 8%. A comparative study of the five tests was undertaken. Sensitivity levels, specificity, positive and negative predictive values, concordance percentage and kappa index were considered. Living with animals, trips to other communities, gender, age, type of housing and symptomatology at the time of the survey were statistically analysed using SPSS software v.11.5. Detection of the FeSOD enzyme that was secreted by the parasite and used as an antigenic fraction in WBs showed a 100% correlation with traditional ELISA tests.

Comparative bionomics of four populations of Meccus longipennis (Hemiptera: Reduviidae: Triatominae) under laboratory conditions.

The values of biological parameters related to the life cycles of four populations of Meccus longipennis (Reduviidae: Triatominae) were evaluated. Cohorts of each of the four studied populations from different geographical areas of Mexico were maintained under similar laboratory conditions and then compared. The population from El Saucito de Araujo was different from the other three studied populations, which could help explain the secondary importance of M. longipennis in the state of Chihuahua. This paper also supports the proposition that biological traits are important criteria for determining relationships between populations.

Marcadores de enfermedad renal crónica en adultos mayores. Isla de la Juventud 2007 / Markers of chronic renal illness in elderly. Isle of Youth 2007

Se realizó un estudio analítico retrospectivo de casos y controles en adultos mayores; con el objetivo de caracterizar la enfermedad renal crónica en esta población de la Isla de la Juventud. Se tuvo en cuenta algunos factores de riesgo para la misma, y se estimó la prevalencia de algunas enfermedades crónicas. Para establecer la existencia o no de asociación entre las variables predictoras de enfermedad renal crónica, se halló la razón de productos cruzados: Odd Ratio [OR], además se aplicó el estadígrafo Chi cuadrado (X2) de Mantel Haenszel, con un nivel de significación alfa igual o inferior a 0.05. Los principales factores de riesgo asociados a la presencia de marcadores para la enfermedad renal crónica, fueron: la diabetes mellitus, la hipertensión arterial, el hábito de fumar y la ingestión de antinflamatorios. El comportamiento de sus prevalencias es muy similar al resto del país(AU)

Was carried out a retrospective analytic study of cases and controls in bigger adults; with the objective of characterizing the illness renal chronicle in this population of the Youths Island. One kept in mind some factors of risk for the same one, and was considered the prevalence of some chronic illnesses. To establish the existence or not of association among the variable predictors of illness renal chronicle, he/she was the reason of crossed products: Odd Ratio [OR], also the statistician squared Chi was applied (X2) of Cloth Haenszel, with a same or inferior level of significance alpha at 0. 05. The main factors of risk associated to the presence of markers for the illness renal chronicle, were: the diabetes mellitus, the arterial hypertension, the habit of smoking and the antinflamatory ingestion. The behaviour of its prevalence is very similar to the rest of the country(AU)

[Clinical usefulness of biochemical markers of bone turnover in early postmenopausal women: two years longitudinal study]. / Utilidad clínica de los marcadores bioquímicos de remodelado óseo en la mujer posmenopáusica reciente: estudio longitudinal a 2 años.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Many studies have been performed on the ability of bone turnover markers (BTM) for the prediction of bone loss and to assess the correlation of BTM with bone mineral density (BMD). However, the results from these studies have been mixed. The aim of this study was to assess the usefulness of BTM to predict bone loss and to analize the correlation of BTM with BMD in early postmenopausal women. SUBJECTS AND METHOD: 183 healthy women, aged 50 to 55 years, with natural menopause of 6 to 36 months were randomly selected. We measured bone alkaline phosphatase (BALP), intact osteocalcine (OC) and C-telopeptide (sCTx) in serum, and calcium, deoxipiridinoline (DPD) and N-telopeptide (NTx) in urine. Bone densitometry of the spine (L(2)-L(4)) was performed at the start of the study and two years later. Student t test, ANOVA, chi2 test and ROC curves were used for the statistical analysis. RESULTS: Bone markers, mainly OC and CTx, correlated with BMD and discriminated osteoporosis, osteopenia and normal bone mass (p < 0.001). According to the ROC curves, OC had a sensitivity of 77.8% and specificity of 80.6% for the diagnosis of osteoporosis and sCTx, 83.3% and 74.5%, respectively. Regarding the relation to bone loss, only sCTx showed difference between the lowest and the highest quartile (p = 0.042), but we did not find an association between high turnover and fast bone losers. CONCLUSIONS: Bone markers, mainly OC and sCTx, are useful for identification of osteoporotic and osteopenic early postmenopausal women. However, regarding the bone loss, only CTx has a weak predictive value.

Utilidad clínica de los marcadores bioquímicos de remodelado óseo en la mujer posmenopáusica reciente: estudio longitudinal a 2 años / Clinical usefulness of biochemical markers of bone turnover in early postmenopausal women: two years longitudinal study

FUNDAMENTO Y OBJETIVO: Los estudios sobre la capacidad de los marcadores del remodelado óseo (MRO) para la predicción de la pérdida ósea y sobre la correlación de los MRO con la densidad mineral ósea (DMO) han mostrado resultados dispares. Los objetivos del trabajo han sido evaluarla utilidad de los MRO para predecir la pérdida de masa ósea y estudiar la correlación entre los MRO y la DMO en las mujeres posmenopáusicas recientes. SUJETOS Y MÉTODO: Seleccionamos al azar a 183 mujeres sanas de 50-55 años, con menopausia natural en los últimos 6-36 meses. En suero analizamos fosfatasa alcalina ósea (FAO), osteocalcinaintacta (OC) y C-telopéptido (sCTx), y en orina, calcio, de oxipiridinolina (DPD) y N-telopéptido (NTx). Realizamos una densitometría ósea (L2-L4) basal y otra de control a los 2 años. El análisis estadístico se ha hecho mediante la t de Student, ANOVA, prueba de X2 y curvas ROC. RESULTADOS: Los MRO correlacionaron con la DMO y permitieron diferenciar entre osteoporosis, osteopenia y masa ósea normal, principalmente OC y sCTx (p < 0,001). Según las curvas ROC, la OC tuvo una sensibilidad del 77,8% y una especificidad del 80,6% para el diagnóstico de osteoporosis, mientras que la de sCTx, fue del 83,3 y el 74,5%, respectivamente. En cuanto ala relación con la pérdida ósea, solamente hubo diferencia entre el cuartil inferior y el superior de sCTx (p = 0,042). No encontramos asociación entre recambio óseo alto y pérdidas rápidas de masa ósea. CONCLUSIONES: Los MRO son de utilidad para la identificación de mujeres posmenopáusicas recientes con osteoporosis y osteopenia, principalmente OC y sCTx, pero respecto a la pérdida ósea tan sólo sCTx tiene un valor predictivo débil

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Many studies have been performed on the ability of bone turnover markers (BTM) for the prediction of bone loss and to assess the correlation of BTM with bone mineral density (BMD). However, the results from these studies have been mixed. The aim of this study was to assess the usefulness of BTM to predict bone loss and to analize the correlation of BTM with BMD in early postmenopausal women. SUBJECTS AND METHOD: 183 healthy women, aged 50 to 55 years, with natural menopause of 6 to36 months were randomly selected. We measured bone alkaline phosphatase (BALP), intact osteocalcine(OC) and C-telopeptide (sCTx) in serum, and calcium, de oxipiridinoline (DPD) and N-telopeptide (NTx) in urine. Bone densitometry of the spine (L2-L4) was performed at the start of the study and two years later. Student t test, ANOVA, X2 test and ROC curves were used for the statistical analysis. RESULTS: Bone markers, mainly OC and CTx, correlated with BMD and discriminated osteoporosis, osteopenia and normal bone mass (p < 0.001). According to the ROC curves, OC had a sensitivity of 77.8% and specificity of 80.6% for the diagnosis of osteoporosis and sCTx,83.3% and 74.5%, respectively. Regarding the relation to bone loss, only sCTx showed difference between the lowest and the highest quartile (p = 0.042), but we did not find an association between high turnover and fast bone losers. CONCLUSIONS: Bone markers, mainly OC and sCTx, are useful for identification of osteoporoticand osteopenic early postmenopausal women. However, regarding the bone loss, only CTx has a weak predictive value

Adaptation of phytoplankton to novel residual materials of water pollution: an experimental model analysing the evolution of an experimental microalgal population under formaldehyde contamination.

The adaptation mechanisms of microalgae to grow in contaminated waters were analysed using a chlorophyta species under formaldehyde exposure as experimental model. Cultures initially collapsed after exposure to 16 ppm formaldehyde, but occasionally resistant cells were able to grow after further incubation. Resistant cells arose by rare spontaneous mutations that appeared before the exposure to formaldehyde (mutation rate=3.61 x 10(-6)), and not as result of physiological mechanisms. Although mutations may be the mechanisms that should allow the survival of microalgae in polluted waters in a world under rapid global change, mutants have a diminished growth rate.

Valor del pesquisaje de la enfermedad celíaca en niños con baja talla. Métodos serológicos: una opción eficaz / Value of celiac disease screening in children with short stature. Serological methods: an efficient option

El estudio sistemático de los niños con retraso del crecimiento constituye un pilar clave en el quehacer del endocrinólogo pediatra. Múltiples han sido las causas identificadas para la baja estatura a lo largo de los años, y a la inmensa lista de enfermedades de origen genético, endocrino, osteomioarticular, cardiovascular, respiratorio y gastrointestinal, por recordar un grupo de ellas, se suma la enfermedad celíaca (EC), y se ha demostrado que es de vital importancia su pesquisa activa en estos pacientes, aunque no existan manifestaciones de tipo gastrointestinales. Programas de screening en la población indican que existe un subregistro de EC, y estudios recientes han permitido confirmar que es mucho más frecuente de lo que se suponía. Aunque la biopsia de yeyuno continúa siendo la regla de oro para su diagnóstico, la búsqueda incesante de métodos menos cruentos ha llegado al desarrollo de métodos serológicos, especialmente la determinación de anticuerpos anti-gliadina y anti-transglutaminasa, este último con un método desarrollado por investigadores nuestros. Con el propósito de analizar algunos estudios realizados con este fin, presentamos la siguiente revisión, lo que ha originado un protocolo de investigación que se llevará a cabo en nuestros pacientes con baja estatura(AU)

The systematic study of children with growth retardation is essential in the work of the paediatric endocrinologist. There have been identified multiple causes of short stature along the years, and the celiac disease (CD) is added to the immense list of disease of genetic, endocrine, osteomyoarticular, cardiovascular respiratory and gastrointestinal origin, just to remember some of them. It has been proved that the active search of CD in these patients is very important, even when there are no gastrointestinal manifestations. Screening programs carried out in the population show that there is a subregister of CD, and recent studies have allowed to confirm that it is much more frequent than it was thought. Although the jejunum biopsy is still the gold standard for its diagnosis, the constant search of less invasive methods have led to the development of serological methods, specially the determination of antigliadin and antitransglutaminase antibodies. The latter was attained through a method developed by our researchers. Aimed at analyzing some studies conducted to this end, we presented this review that originated a research protocol that will be put into practice among our patients with short stature(AU)

Valor del pesquisaje de la enfermedad celíaca en niños con baja talla. Métodos serológicos: una opción eficaz / Value of celiac disease screening in children with short stature. Serological methods: an efficient option

El estudio sistemático de los niños con retraso del crecimiento constituye un pilar clave en el quehacer del endocrinólogo pediatra. Múltiples han sido las causas identificadas para la baja estatura a lo largo de los años, y a la inmensa lista de enfermedades de origen genético, endocrino, osteomioarticular, cardiovascular, respiratorio y gastrointestinal, por recordar un grupo de ellas, se suma la enfermedad celíaca (EC), y se ha demostrado que es de vital importancia su pesquisa activa en estos pacientes, aunque no existan manifestaciones de tipo gastrointestinales. Programas de screening en la población indican que existe un subregistro de EC, y estudios recientes han permitido confirmar que es mucho más frecuente de lo que se suponía. Aunque la biopsia de yeyuno continúa siendo la regla de oro para su diagnóstico, la búsqueda incesante de métodos menos cruentos ha llegado al desarrollo de métodos serológicos, especialmente la determinación de anticuerpos anti-gliadina y anti-transglutaminasa, este último con un método desarrollado por investigadores nuestros. Con el propósito de analizar algunos estudios realizados con este fin, presentamos la siguiente revisión, lo que ha originado un protocolo de investigación que se llevará a cabo en nuestros pacientes con baja estatura(AU)

The systematic study of children with growth retardation is essential in the work of the paediatric endocrinologist. There have been identified multiple causes of short stature along the years, and the celiac disease (CD) is added to the immense list of disease of genetic, endocrine, osteomyoarticular, cardiovascular respiratory and gastrointestinal origin, just to remember some of them. It has been proved that the active search of CD in these patients is very important, even when there are no gastrointestinal manifestations. Screening programs carried out in the population show that there is a subregister of CD, and recent studies have allowed to confirm that it is much more frequent than it was thought. Although the jejunum biopsy is still the gold standard for its diagnosis, the constant search of less invasive methods have led to the development of serological methods, specially the determination of antigliadin and antitransglutaminase antibodies. The latter was attained through a method developed by our researchers. Aimed at analyzing some studies conducted to this end, we presented this review that originated a research protocol that will be put into practice among our patients with short stature(AU)