Utilization of dapsone and hemoglobin in the epithelial skin regeneration therapy of cutaneous loxoscelism: A case report and integrative literature review.

BACKGROUND: Loxosceles spp are arthropods found worldwide. Its bite may produce cutaneous loxoscelism (necrotic or edematous) or cutaneous-visceral loxoscelism. Depending on their severity and location, cutaneous forms are managed with local cold application and systemic administration of antihistamines, corticosteroids, antibiotics, polymorphonuclear inhibitors, and analgesics. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to report a case of cutaneous loxoscelism and to identify the main dermatological manifestations associated with the Loxosceles spp bite. DESIGN AND SETTING: This case report and literature review was conducted in a Mexican university. METHODS: A detailed report on the medical management of a patient with cutaneous loxoscelism treated at the emergency department of a public hospital was published. Scopus, PubMed, Web of Science, and Google Scholar databases were searched to identify articles reporting cutaneous loxoscelism. The following keywords were used during the database search: "loxoscelism" OR "spider bite," OR "loxosceles" OR "loxosceles species" OR "loxosceles venom" OR "loxoscelism case report" AND "cutaneous" OR "dermonecrotic arachnidism." RESULTS: A 62-year-old female patient with cutaneous loxoscelism was treated with systemic dapsone and local heparin spray. Eighteen studies with 22 clinical cases were included in this systematic review. Of the 22 patients, 12 (54.5%) were men. L. rufescens was the predominant spider species. CONCLUSIONS: The administration of dapsone and heparin for the management of cutaneous loxoscelism demonstrated success in this case, with no sequelae observed. In general, the literature review indicated favorable outcomes in patients treated with antimicrobials and corticosteroids, with continuous healing of skin lesions. SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION: PROSPERO ID CRD42023422424 (https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?ID=CRD42023422424).

Utilization of dapsone and hemoglobin in the epithelial skin regeneration therapy of cutaneous loxoscelism: A case report and integrative literature review

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: Loxosceles spp are arthropods found worldwide. Its bite may produce cutaneous loxoscelism (necrotic or edematous) or cutaneous-visceral loxoscelism. Depending on their severity and location, cutaneous forms are managed with local cold application and systemic administration of antihistamines, corticosteroids, antibiotics, polymorphonuclear inhibitors, and analgesics. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to report a case of cutaneous loxoscelism and to identify the main dermatological manifestations associated with the Loxosceles spp bite. DESIGN AND SETTING: This case report and literature review was conducted in a Mexican university. METHODS: A detailed report on the medical management of a patient with cutaneous loxoscelism treated at the emergency department of a public hospital was published. Scopus, PubMed, Web of Science, and Google Scholar databases were searched to identify articles reporting cutaneous loxoscelism. The following keywords were used during the database search: "loxoscelism" OR "spider bite," OR "loxosceles" OR "loxosceles species" OR "loxosceles venom" OR "loxoscelism case report" AND "cutaneous" OR "dermonecrotic arachnidism." RESULTS: A 62-year-old female patient with cutaneous loxoscelism was treated with systemic dapsone and local heparin spray. Eighteen studies with 22 clinical cases were included in this systematic review. Of the 22 patients, 12 (54.5%) were men. L. rufescens was the predominant spider species. CONCLUSIONS: The administration of dapsone and heparin for the management of cutaneous loxoscelism demonstrated success in this case, with no sequelae observed. In general, the literature review indicated favorable outcomes in patients treated with antimicrobials and corticosteroids, with continuous healing of skin lesions. SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION: PROSPERO ID CRD42023422424 (https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?ID=CRD42023422424).

One-step simultaneous liquid phase exfoliation-induced chirality in graphene and their chirality-mediated microRNA delivery.

Graphene (G) has established itself as an exciting prospect for a broad range of applications owing to its remarkable properties. Recent innovations in chiral nanosystems have led to sensors, drug delivery, catalysis, etc. owing to the stereospecific interactions between various nanosystems and enantiomers. As the molecular structure of G itself is achiral introducing chirality in G by simple attachment of a functional group (a chiral ligand) on the G nanosheet may result in more diverse applications. Herein, we demonstrate direct liquid phase exfoliation and chiral induction in G nanosheets abbreviated as l-graphene and d-graphene in the presence of chiral l-tyrosine and d-tyrosine and by applying high-temperature sonication. The obtained exfoliated nanosheets demonstrated stable chirality confirmed by circular dichroism. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectra, Raman spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) showed functional, structural, morphological, surface, and thermal characteristics of l-graphene and d-graphene. The hemo-compatibility of these chiral graphenes was evaluated for the very first time utilizing human red blood cells. Lastly, for the very first time, an attempt was made to explore enantiomeric binding between chiral l-graphene and d-graphene with microRNA (miR-205) and their possibility towards chirality-mediated gene delivery in prostate cancerous cells.

Indocyanine Green-based Glow Nanoparticles Probe for Cancer Imaging.

Indocyanine green (ICG) is one of the FDA-approved near infra-red fluorescent (NIRF) probes for cancer imaging and image-guided surgery in the clinical setting. However, the limitations of ICG include poor photostability, high concentration toxicity, short circulation time, and poor cancer cell specificity. To overcome these hurdles, we engineered a nanoconstruct composed of poly (vinyl pyrrolidone) (PVP)-indocyanine green that is cloaked self-assembled with tannic acid (termed as indocyanine green-based glow nanoparticles probe, ICG-Glow NPs) for the cancer cell/tissue-specific targeting. The self-assembled ICG-Glow NPs were confirmed by spherical nanoparticles formation (DLS and TEM) and spectral analyses. The NIRF imaging characteristic of ICG-Glow NPs was established by superior fluorescence counts on filter paper and chicken tissue. The ICG-Glow NPs exhibited excellent hemo and cellular compatibility with human red blood cells, kidney normal, pancreatic normal, and other cancer cell lines. An enhanced cancer-specific NIRF binding and imaging capability of ICG-Glow NPs was confirmed using different human cancer cell lines and human tumor tissues. Additionally, tumor-specific binding/accumulation of ICG-Glow NPs was confirmed in MDA-MB-231 xenograft mouse model. Collectively, these findings suggest that ICG-Glow NPs have great potential as a novel and safe NIRF imaging probe for cancer cell/tumor imaging. This can lead to a quicker cancer diagnosis facilitating precise disease detection and management.

Control de historias clínicas clasificadas por patologías a través de una aplicación web

Introducción: Las aplicaciones web actualmente son indispensables para el manejo de los datos en toda organización, permite al usuario acceder y utilizar la información desde cualquier parte del mundo. El uso de las aplicaciones web ha propiciado la agilización de varios procesos. Objetivo: Emplear una aplicación web desarrollada mediante software libre para el control y clasificación de historias clínicas por diferentes patologías del Centro Médico Salud y Vida de Ibarra, Ecuador. Método: Se aplicó una investigación de modalidad mixta cualitativa-cuantitativa la misma que permitió identificar necesidades reales de los pacientes y de los profesionales de esta casa de salud. El uso de la investigación histórica ayudó a conocer cada uno de los procesos que fueron tomados en cuenta en la generación de la historia clínica y cómo poder clasificarlas por patologías. Con ayuda de la investigación bibliográfica se logró recopilar definiciones necesarias para argumentar la base teórica del artículo; a través de la encuesta y entrevista se identificó la disconformidad de los pacientes por factores como el tiempo de espera, la deficiencia de búsqueda y peor aún no encontrarse registrados. Resultados: La agilidad en los procesos de registro de los pacientes y cada uno con su respectiva historia clínica permite que en las próximas citas los especialistas continúen con su diagnóstico. Conclusiones: La aplicación web agiliza de manera efectiva los procesos relacionados a las historias clínicas, lo que contribuye al control y clasificación de dicha documentación.

Introduction: Web applications are currently essential for data management in any organization, they allow the user to access and use information from anywhere in the world. The use of web applications has led to the streamlining of several processes. Objective: To use a web application developed using free software for the control and classification of medical records for different pathologies in the Health and Life Medical Center of Ibarra, Ecuador. Method: A qualitative-quantitative mixed modality research was applied, which allowed us to identify the real needs of the patients and professionals of this health home. The use of historical research helped to know each of the processes that were taken into account in the generation of the clinical history and how to classify them by pathologies. With the help of bibliographic research, it was possible to compile the necessary definitions to argue the theoretical basis of the article; Through the survey and interview, patient dissatisfaction was identified due to factors such as waiting time, search deficiency and, even worse, not being registered. Results: The agility in the patient registration processes and each one with their respective medical history allows the specialists to continue with their diagnosis in the next appointments. Conclusions: The web application effectively streamlines the processes related to medical records, which contributes to the control and classification of said documentation.

Introdução: As aplicações web são atualmente essenciais para a gestão de dados em qualquer organização, pois permitem ao usuário acessar e utilizar informações de qualquer lugar do mundo. A utilização de aplicações web tem levado à agilização de diversos processos. Objetivo: Utilizar uma aplicação web desenvolvida em software livre para o controle e classificação de prontuários de diferentes patologias no Centro Médico Saúde e Vida de Ibarra, Equador. Método: Foi aplicada uma pesquisa quali-quantitativa de modalidade mista, que permitiu identificar as reais necessidades dos pacientes e profissionais desta casa de saúde. A utilização da pesquisa histórica ajudou a conhecer cada um dos processos que foram levados em consideração na geração da história clínica e como classificá-los por patologias. Com o auxílio da pesquisa bibliográfica foi possível compilar as definições necessárias para argumentar a base teórica do artigo; Por meio da pesquisa e entrevista, foi identificada a insatisfação dos pacientes devido a fatores como tempo de espera, deficiência na busca e, pior ainda, não estar cadastrado. Resultados: A agilidade nos processos de cadastramento de pacientes e cada um com seu respectivo histórico permite que os especialistas continuem com seu diagnóstico nas próximas consultas. Conclusões: A aplicação web agiliza eficazmente os processos relacionados com os registos médicos, o que contribui para o controlo e classificação da referida documentação.

Cardiopulmonary Imaging Utilization and Findings among Hospitalized COVID-19 Patients in Latin America: (From "RIMAC: Registry IMAging Cardiopulmonary among Hospitalized COVID-19 Patients in LATAM").

Objectives: Describe the use and findings of cardiopulmonary imaging-chest X-ray (cX-ray), echocardiography (cEcho), chest CT (cCT), lung ultrasound (LUS), and/or cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (cMRI)-in COVID-19 hospitalizations in Latin America (LATAM). Background: There is a lack of information on the images used and their findings during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic in LATAM. Methods: Multicenter, prospective, observational study of COVID-19 inpatients, conducted from March to December 2020, from 12 high-complexity centers, in nine LATAM countries. Adults (>18 years) with at least one imaging modality performed, followed from admission until discharge and/or in-hospital death, were included. Results: We studied 1,435 hospitalized patients (64% males) with a median age of 58 years classified into three regions: Mexico (Mx), 262; Central America and Caribbean (CAC), 428; and South America (SAm), 745. More frequent comorbidities were overweight/obesity, hypertension, and diabetes. During hospitalization, 58% were admitted to the ICU. The in-hospital mortality was 28%, and it was highest in Mx (37%).The most frequent images performed were cCT (61%), mostly in Mx and SAm, and cX-ray (46%), significant in CAC. The cEcho was carried out in 18%, similarly among regions, and LUS was carried out in 7%, with a higher frequently in Mx. Abnormal findings on the cX-ray were peripheral or basal infiltrates, and in cCT abnormal findings were the ground glass infiltrates, more commonly in Mx. In LUS, interstitial syndrome was the most abnormal finding, predominantly in Mx and CAC.Renal failure was the most prevalent complication (20%), predominant in Mx and SAm. Heart failure developed in 13%, predominant in Mx and CAC. Lung thromboembolism was higher in Mx while myocardial infarction was in CAC.Logistic regression showed associations of abnormal imaging findings and their severity, with comorbidities, complications, and evolution. Conclusions: The use and findings of cardiopulmonary imaging in LATAM varied between regions and had a great impact on diagnosis and prognosis.

Health resource allocation among indigenous peoples from the right to health and health capability approaches: The case of P'urhépecha people.

The right to health under the human rights-based approach and health capability paradigm can be used to identify whether health-related resources are allocated in a way that health inequities are being reduced among indigenous peoples taking into account what they value. Elements for these approaches were identified and assessed for the P'urhépecha people in Mexico through developed indicators based on the available statistics and qualitative data. Compared with the national level, there is a lag for most of the indicators related to the availability and use of public health systems, health determinants, health-related information, and traditional healing. People are worried because diseases such as diabetes and substance abuse are high and rising; however, they continue lifestyles that support them. Through the health capability paradigm and the right to health approach, it is found that health and health capabilities for the P'urhépecha must comprise their idea of good living (Buen Vivir) or sési irékani, which in turn requires the right to development. In this sense, current P'urhépecha demands converge with those of other indigenous peoples in which autonomy, as a right to self-determination, is a necessary condition to design their health policy and allocate health-related resources in a globalised world.

Hipema traumático en paciente con hemoglobinopatía / Trauma hyphema in a patient with hemoglobinopathy

El hipema traumático es la presencia de sangre en la cámara anterior y puede presentarse en traumas oculares a globo abierto o cerrado, así como coexistir con otras lesiones. Se presenta un paciente masculino de 52 años de edad, coloración de la piel negra, quien sufrió un trauma contuso del ojo derecho que le provocó hipema y requirió ingreso hospitalario. A pesar del tratamiento médico convencional, evolucionó desfavorablemente, ya que presentó resangrado tardío. motivados por esto le indicamos un estudio de electroforesis de hemoglobina e incorporamos un tratamiento sistémico con antifibrinolíticos. Se obtuvo resolución de la hemorragia en las primeras 48 horas de iniciar el tratamiento. Se concluye que el uso de antifibrinolíticos resulta efectivo para el tratamiento del hipema postraumático en pacientes con hemoglobinopatías(AU)

Trauma hyphema is the presence of blood in the anterior chamber and may occur in open or closed eyeball traumas as well as coexist in other lesions. This is the case of a Black male patient aged 52 years, who suffered a blunt trauma in his right eye causing hyphema and requiring hospitalization. Despite the conventional medical treatment, the recovery was unfavorable since he presented with late rebleeding. Due to the above-mentioned condition, he was performed a hemoglobin electrophoresis study and he received a systemic treatment with antifibrinolytics. Hemorrhage disappeared after 48 hours of treatment. It was concluded that the use of antifibrinolytics is effective for the treatment of post-trauma hyphema in patients with hemoglobinopathy. Key words: Hyphema; antifibrinolytics; hemoglobinopathy(AU)

Hipema traumático en paciente con hemoglobinopatía / Trauma hyphema in a patient with hemoglobinopathy

El hipema traumático es la presencia de sangre en la cámara anterior y puede presentarse en traumas oculares a globo abierto o cerrado, así como coexistir con otras lesiones. Se presenta un paciente masculino de 52 años de edad, coloración de la piel negra, quien sufrió un trauma contuso del ojo derecho que le provocó hipema y requirió ingreso hospitalario. A pesar del tratamiento médico convencional, evolucionó desfavorablemente, ya que presentó resangrado tardío. motivados por esto le indicamos un estudio de electroforesis de hemoglobina e incorporamos un tratamiento sistémico con antifibrinolíticos. Se obtuvo resolución de la hemorragia en las primeras 48 horas de iniciar el tratamiento. Se concluye que el uso de antifibrinolíticos resulta efectivo para el tratamiento del hipema postraumático en pacientes con hemoglobinopatías(AU)

Trauma hyphema is the presence of blood in the anterior chamber and may occur in open or closed eyeball traumas as well as coexist in other lesions. This is the case of a Black male patient aged 52 years, who suffered a blunt trauma in his right eye causing hyphema and requiring hospitalization. Despite the conventional medical treatment, the recovery was unfavorable since he presented with late rebleeding. Due to the above-mentioned condition, he was performed a hemoglobin electrophoresis study and he received a systemic treatment with antifibrinolytics. Hemorrhage disappeared after 48 hours of treatment. It was concluded that the use of antifibrinolytics is effective for the treatment of post-trauma hyphema in patients with hemoglobinopathy. Key words: Hyphema; antifibrinolytics; hemoglobinopathy(AU)

Gender differences in V˙O2 and HR kinetics at the onset of moderate and heavy exercise intensity in adolescents.

The majority of the studies on V˙O2 kinetics in pediatric populations investigated gender differences in prepubertal children during submaximal intensity exercise, but studies are lacking in adolescents. The purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis that gender differences exist in the V˙O2 and heart rate (HR) kinetic responses to moderate (M) and heavy (H) intensity exercise in adolescents. Twenty-one healthy African-American adolescents (9 males, 15.8 ± 1.1 year; 12 females, 15.7 ± 1 year) performed constant work load exercise on a cycle ergometer at M and H. The V˙O2 kinetics of the male group was previously analyzed (Lai et al., Appl. Physiol. Nutr. Metab. 33:107-117, 2008b). For both genders, V˙O2 and HR kinetics were described with a single exponential at M and a double exponential at H. The fundamental time constant (τ1) of V˙O2 was significantly higher in female than male at M (45 ± 7 vs. 36 ± 11 sec, P < 0.01) and H (41 ± 8 vs. 29 ± 9 sec, P < 0.01), respectively. The functional gain (G1) was not statistically different between gender at M and statistically higher in females than males at H: 9.7 ± 1.2 versus 10.9 ± 1.3 mL min-1 W-1, respectively. The amplitude of the slow component was not significantly different between genders. The HR kinetics were significantly (τ1, P < 0.01) slower in females than males at M (61 ± 16 sec vs. 45 ± 20 sec, P < 0.01) and H (42 ± 10 sec vs. 30 ± 8 sec, P = 0.03). The G1 of HR was higher in females than males at M: 0.53 ± 0.11 versus 0.98 ± 0.2 bpm W-1 and H: 0.40 ± 0.11 versus 0.73 ± 0.23 bpm W-1, respectively. Gender differences in the V˙O2 and HR kinetics suggest that oxygen delivery and utilization kinetics of female adolescents differ from those in male adolescents.

Chronic hindlimb suspension unloading markedly decreases turnover rates of skeletal and cardiac muscle proteins and adipose tissue triglycerides.

We previously showed that a single bolus of "doubly-labeled" water ((2)H2 (18)O) can be used to simultaneously determine energy expenditure and turnover rates (synthesis and degradation) of tissue-specific lipids and proteins by modeling labeling patterns of protein-bound alanine and triglyceride-bound glycerol (Bederman IR, Dufner DA, Alexander JC, Previs SF. Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab 290: E1048-E1056, 2006). Using this novel method, we quantified changes in the whole body and tissue-specific energy balance in a rat model of simulated "microgravity" induced by hindlimb suspension unloading (HSU). After chronic HSU (3 wk), rats exhibited marked atrophy of skeletal and cardiac muscles and significant decrease in adipose tissue mass. For example, soleus muscle mass progressively decreased 11, 43, and 52%. We found similar energy expenditure between control (90 ± 3 kcal · kg(-1)· day(-1)) and hindlimb suspended (81 ± 6 kcal/kg day) animals. By comparing food intake (∼ 112 kcal · kg(-1) · day(-1)) and expenditure, we found that animals maintained positive calorie balance proportional to their body weight. From multicompartmental fitting of (2)H-labeling patterns, we found significantly (P < 0.005) decreased rates of synthesis (percent decrease from control: cardiac, 25.5%; soleus, 70.3%; extensor digitorum longus, 44.9%; gastrocnemius, 52.5%; and adipose tissue, 39.5%) and rates of degradation (muscles: cardiac, 9.7%; soleus, 52.0%; extensor digitorum longus, 27.8%; gastrocnemius, 37.4%; and adipose tissue, 50.2%). Overall, HSU affected growth of young rats by decreasing the turnover rates of proteins in skeletal and cardiac muscles and adipose tissue triglycerides. Specifically, we found that synthesis rates of skeletal and cardiac muscle proteins were affected to a much greater degree compared with the decrease in degradation rates, resulting in large negative balance and significant tissue loss. In contrast, we found a small decrease in adipose tissue triglyceride synthesis paired with a large decrease in degradation, resulting in smaller negative energy balance and loss of fat mass. We conclude that HSU in rats differentially affects turnover of muscle proteins vs. adipose tissue triglycerides.

Patogenia y tratamientos actuales de la enfermedad de Alzheimer / Pathogenesis and current treatment of Alzheimer's disease

El Alzheimer es una enfermedad neurodegenerativa que se manifiesta como deterioro cognitivo y trastornos conductuales. En Cuba, junto a la demencia, ocupa el lugar número 6 en el cuadro de principales causas de muerte. No hay tratamiento eficaz para detener la progresión del Alzheimer. Sin embargo, algunas terapias detienen o ralentizan temporalmente el deterioro cognitivo, funcional y conductual de la enfermedad. En el trabajo se presenta una revisión actualizada a partir de la base de datos MEDLINE (2008-2013) sobre los mecanismos patológicos y los medicamentos usados en el tratamiento de los pacientes con la referida afección(AU)

Alzheimer disease is a neurodegenerative illness that manifests as cognitive deterioration and behavioral disorders. It holds the 6th place, like dementia, in the list of main causes of death in Cuba. There is no effective treatment to stop progression of Alzheimer's disease. However, some therapies manage to halt or to slow at least temporarily the cognitive, functional and behavioral deterioration of the disease. This paper presented an updated review on the pathological mechanisms and the drugs used in the treatment of Alzheimer patients, using MEDLINE database(AU)

Patogenia y tratamientos actuales de la enfermedad de Alzheimer / Pathogenesis and current treatment of Alzheimer's disease

El Alzheimer es una enfermedad neurodegenerativa que se manifiesta como deterioro cognitivo y trastornos conductuales. En Cuba, junto a la demencia, ocupa el lugar número 6 en el cuadro de principales causas de muerte. No hay tratamiento eficaz para detener la progresión del Alzheimer. Sin embargo, algunas terapias detienen o ralentizan temporalmente el deterioro cognitivo, funcional y conductual de la enfermedad. En el trabajo se presenta una revisión actualizada a partir de la base de datos MEDLINE (2008-2013) sobre los mecanismos patológicos y los medicamentos usados en el tratamiento de los pacientes con la referida afección(AU)

Alzheimer disease is a neurodegenerative illness that manifests as cognitive deterioration and behavioral disorders. It holds the 6th place, like dementia, in the list of main causes of death in Cuba. There is no effective treatment to stop progression of Alzheimer's disease. However, some therapies manage to halt or to slow at least temporarily the cognitive, functional and behavioral deterioration of the disease. This paper presented an updated review on the pathological mechanisms and the drugs used in the treatment of Alzheimer patients, using MEDLINE database(AU)

Time course of hepatic gluconeogenesis during hindlimb suspension unloading.

The goal of this work was to determine the time-dependent changes in fractional hepatic gluconeogenesis (GNG) during conditions of hindlimb suspension unloading (HSU), a 'ground-based' method for inducing muscular atrophy to simulate space flight. We hypothesized that GNG would increase in HSU conditions as a result of metabolic shifts in the liver and skeletal muscle. A significant and progressive atrophy was observed in the soleus (30, 47 and 55%) and gastrocnemius muscles (0, 15 and 17%) after 3, 7 and 14 days of HSU, respectively. Fractional hepatic GNG was determined following the incorporation of deuterium from deuterated water ((2)H(2)O) into C-H bonds of newly synthesized glucose after an 8 h fast. Enrichment of plasma glucose with (2)H was measured using the classic method of Landau et al. (the 'hexamethylenetetramine (HMT) method'), based on specific (2)H labelling of glucose carbons, and the novel method of Chacko et al. ('average method'), based on the assumption of equal (2)H enrichment on all glucose carbons (except C2). After 3 days of HSU, fractional GNG was significantly elevated in the HSU group, as determined by either method (∼13%, P < 0.05). After 7 and 14 days of HSU, gluconeogenesis was not significantly different. Both analytical methods yielded similar time-dependent trends in gluconeogenic rates, but GNG values determined using the average method were consistently lower (∼30%) than those found by the HMT method. To compare and validate the average method against the HMT method further, we starved animals for 13 h to allow for hepatic GNG to contribute 100% to endogenous glucose production. The HMT method yielded 100% GNG, while the average method yielded GNG of ∼70%. As both methods used the same values of precursor enrichment, we postulated that the underestimation of gluconeogenic rate was as a result of differences in the measurements of product enrichment ((2)H labelling of plasma glucose). This could be explained by the following factors: (i) loss of deuterium via exchange between acetate and glucose; (ii) interference caused by fragment m/z 169, representing multiple isobaric species; and (iii) interference from other sugars at m/z 169. In conclusion, HSU caused a time-dependent increase in hepatic gluconeogenesis, irrespective of the analytical methods used.

Exercise intensity and oxygen uptake kinetics in African-American and Caucasian women.

The effect of exercise intensity on the on- and off-transient kinetics of oxygen uptake (VO(2)) was investigated in African American (AA) and Caucasian (C) women. African American (n = 7) and Caucasian (n = 6) women of similar age, body mass index and weight, performed an incremental test and bouts of square-wave exercise at moderate, heavy and very heavy intensities on a cycle ergometer. Gas exchange threshold (LT(GE)) was lower in AA (13.6 ± 2.3 mL kg(-1) min(-1)) than C (18.6 ± 5.6 mL kg(-1) min(-1)). The dynamic exercise and recovery VO(2) responses were characterized by mathematical models. There were no significant differences in (1) peak oxygen uptake (VO(2peak)) between AA (28.5 ± 5 mL kg(-1) min(-1)) and C (31.1 ± 6.6 mL kg(-1) min(-1)) and (2) VO(2) kinetics at any exercise intensity. At moderate exercise, the on- and off- VO(2) kinetics was described by a monoexponential function with similar time constants τ (1,on) (39.4 ± 12.5; 38.8 ± 15 s) and τ (1,off) (52.7 ± 10.1; 40.7 ± 4.4 s) for AA and C, respectively. At heavy and very heavy exercise, the VO(2) kinetics was described by a double-exponential function. The parameter values for heavy and very heavy exercise in the AA group were, respectively: τ (1,on) (47.0 ± 10.8; 44.3 ± 10 s), τ (2,on) (289 ± 63; 219 ± 90 s), τ (1,off) (45.9 ± 6.2; 50.7 ± 10 s), τ (2,off) (259 ± 120; 243 ± 93 s) while in the C group were, respectively: τ (1,on) (41 ± 12; 43.2 ± 15 s); τ (2, on) (277 ± 81; 215 ± 36 s), τ (1,off) (40.2 ± 3.4; 42.3 ± 7.2 s), τ (2,off) (215 ± 133; 228 ± 64 s). The on- and off-transients were symmetrical with respect to model order and dependent on exercise intensity regardless of race. Despite similar VO(2) kinetics, LT(GE) and gain of the VO(2) on-kinetics at moderate intensity were lower in AA than C. However, generalization to the African American and Caucasian populations is constrained by the small subject numbers.

VO(2) on-kinetics in isolated canine muscle in situ during slowed convective O(2) delivery.

The purpose of this study was to examine O(2) uptake (Vo(2)) on-kinetics when the spontaneous blood flow (and therefore O(2) delivery) on-response was slowed by 25 and 50 s. The isolated gastrocnemius muscle complex (GS) in situ was studied in six anesthetized dogs during transitions from rest to a submaximal metabolic rate (≈50-70% of peak Vo(2)). Four trials were performed: 1) a pretrial in which resting and steady-state blood flows were established, 2) a control trial in which the blood flow on-kinetics mean response time (MRT) was set at 20 s (CT20), 3) an experimental trial in which the blood flow on-kinetics MRT was set at 45 s (EX45), and 4) an experimental trial in which the blood flow on-kinetics MRT was set at 70 s (EX70). Slowing O(2) delivery via slowing blood flow on-kinetics resulted in a linear slowing of the Vo(2) on-kinetics response (R = 0.96). Average MRT values for CT20, EX45, and EX70 Vo(2) on-kinetics were (means ± SD) 17 ± 2, 23 ± 4, and 26 ± 3 s, respectively (P < 0.05 among all). During these transitions, slowing blood flow resulted in greater muscle deoxygenation (as indicated by near-infrared spectroscopy), suggesting that lower intracellular Po(2) values were reached. In this oxidative muscle, Vo(2) and O(2) delivery were closely matched during the transition period from rest to steady-state contractions. In conjunction with our previous work showing that speeding O(2) delivery did not alter Vo(2) on-kinetics under similar conditions, it appears that spontaneously perfused skeletal muscle operates at the nexus of sufficient and insufficient O(2) delivery in the transition from rest to contractions.

Circunferencia de la cintura con sobrepeso e hipertensión arterial en adultos / Waist circumference with overweight and high blood pressure in adults

Introducción: desde la última década del siglo XX se ha establecido una pandemia de obesidad, y hoy se habla del término adiposidad; Cuba y, específicamente, nuestra comunidad no escapan a esa tendencia, y su asociación como factor de riesgo con otras dolencias ateroscleróticas han aumentado su incidencia. Objetivo: el objetivo de la investigación es identificar las alteraciones de la circunferencia de la cintura en adultos de una comunidad y su relación con otros factores de riesgo aterogénico. Material y Métodos: se realizó un estudio descriptivo en 312 pacientes de 20-59 años de ambos sexos, del Consultorio 6, Policlínico Vedado, La Habana, entre 2008 y 2009. Se aplicó modelo del Centro de Investigaciones y Referencias de Aterosclerosis, con variables: edad, sexo, tensión arterial, índice de masa corporal y circunferencia de cintura.Resultados: 30.1 por ciento de la población tuvo sobrepeso y 17 por ciento obesidad; 30.1 por ciento presentó obesidad abdominal; 60.9 por ciento tuvo cifras no óptimas de tensión arterial; 41.0 por ciento prehipertensión y 19.9 por ciento hipertensión. De los pacientes con sobrepeso, hay 38,5 por ciento hipertensos y 62,4 pr ciento de los obesos. De aquellos con riesgo muy elevado de obesidad abdominal, 46.8 pr ciento son prehipertensos y 29.8 por ciento hipertensos; casi 60 por ciento de los reportados con riesgo elevado de obesidad abdominal tuvo alteraciones de tensión arterial. Conclusiones: indicadores antropométricos constituyeron buenos marcadores de riesgo en hombres de 40-59 años y mujeres desde 30 años(AU)

Introduction: since end of XX Century an obesity pandemic has been settled, even nowadays the adiposity term appeared; Cuba and specifically our community are involved in those trends; its link with other atherosclerotic illnesses has arise their incidences. Objective: The main objective of this research is to identify the waist circunference alterations in adults of a community and its relationship with other factors of atherogenic risk. Material and Methods: a descriptive study was done to 312 outpatients of both sexes between 20-59 years from 6th Clinic, Vedado's Policlinic, on Havana; between 2008-2009. The Reference's Center of Atherosclerosis Form was applied with variables as: age, sex, blood pressure, body mass index and waist circumference. Results: 30.1 percent of population had overweight and 17 percent obesity; 60.9 percent had non desirable values of blood pressure; 41.0 percent prehypertension and 19.9 percent hypertension. Those patients with overweight there was 38.5 percent hypertensive, and also 62.4 percent of obese. Those which had high risk of abdominal obesity 46.8 percent had prehypertension and 29.8 percent hypertensive, almost 60 percent of reported with high risk of abdominal obesity had blood pressure disturbances. Conclusions: anthropometrical indicators were good risk markers in males from 40-59 years and women over 30 years(AU)