Hexyltrimethylammonium ion enhances potential copper-chelating properties of ammonium thiomolybdate in an in vivo zebrafish model.

Ammonium and hexyltrimethylammonium thiomolybdates (ATM and ATM-C6) and thiotungstates (ATT and ATT-C6) were synthesized. Their toxicity was evaluated using both in vitro and in vivo approaches via the zebrafish embryo acute toxicity assay (ZFET), while the copper-thiometallate interaction was studied using cyclic voltammetry, as well as in an in vivo assay. Cyclic voltammetry suggests that all thiometallates form complexes with copper in a 2:1 Cu:thiometallate ratio. Both in vitro and in vivo assays demonstrated low toxicity in BALB/3T3 cells and in zebrafish embryos, with high IC50 and LC50 values. Furthermore, the hexyltrimethylammonium ion played a crucial role in enhancing viability and reducing toxicity during prolonged treatments for ATM and ATT. In particular, the ZEFT assay uncovered the accumulation of ATM in zebrafish yolk, averted by the incorporation of the hexyltrimethylammonium ion. Notably, the copper-thiometallate interaction assay highlighted the improved viability of embryos when cultured in CuCl2 and ATM-C6, even at high CuCl2 concentrations. The hatching assay further confirmed that copper-ATM-C6 interaction mitigates inhibitory effects induced by thiomolybdates and CuCl2 when administered individually. These results suggest that the incorporation of the hexyltrimethylammonium ion in ATM increase its ability to interact with copper and its potential application as a copper chelator.

Prevalence of esophageal inlet patch and clinical characteristics of the patients. / Prevalencia y características clínicas de pacientes con parche de mucosa gástrica ectópica en esófago.

INTRODUCTION AND AIMS: An inlet patch (IP) is the presence of gastric columnar epithelium outside of the stomach. No studies have been conducted in Mexico on that pathology. The aim of the present study was to determine the prevalence of esophageal IP and the clinical characteristics of the patients that present it. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted that included consecutive patients referred for endoscopy within the time frame of September 2015 to May 2016. The patients answered a questionnaire, and high-definition endoscopy with digital chromoendoscopy was performed. The prevalence of IP was identified. The chi-square test was used to compare the clinical characteristics between patients that presented with esophageal IP and those without it. RESULTS: A total of 239 patients were included in the study. Their mean age was 53 years, and 130 (54.4%) were women. IP was found in 26 patients (10.9%), 15 of whom were men (57.7%). The main reason for referral to endoscopy was gastroesophageal reflux disease, present in 69.2% of the patients with IP and in 55.9% without IP (p=.19). The most common symptoms were heartburn and regurgitation. The former was present in 69.2% of the patients with IP and in 59.1% without IP (p=.32), and the latter was present in 65.4% of the patients with IP and 69.1% without IP (p=.7). Extraesophageal manifestation distribution was: cough in 46.2% of the patients with IP and 38% without IP (p=.45) and dysphonia in 54% with IP and 47% without IP (p=.53). Twenty-three percent of the patients with IP had Barrett's esophagus, as did 23% without IP (p=.99). CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of IP was high. The primary referral diagnosis was gastroesophageal reflux disease. No differences were found in relation to symptoms or the presence of Barrett's esophagus between the patients with and without IP.

miR15a and miR16 in Chilean type 1 diabetes patients: possible association with apoptosis, inflammatory, or autoimmunity markers.

AIM: Type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1D) is an autoimmune disease characterized by the progressive destruction of ß cells, mediated by the interaction between T cells and several cytokines. The pathogenesis of T1D has established its possible relationship with miRNAs. In this study, we analyze the expression profile of miR-15a and miR-16 in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and their possible association with apoptosis, inflammation, or autoimmunity markers. PATIENTS AND METHODOLOGY: 38 T1D patients and 41 control subjects were recruited. mRNAs were analyzed by means of qPCR and TaqMan probes. PBMCs were treated with different concentrations of glucose (baseline, 11 and 25 mM) with or without an inflammatory stimulus as TNF-α (10 ng/ml). RESULTS: A decrease in the levels of the miR-15a expression in basal conditions is observed in T1D patients compared to healthy control subjects (relative units 0.5 vs. 1.8, p < 0.05). This change in miR-15a and miR-16 is not affected by the addition of TNF-α. No association is observed with inflammatory markers (IL-6, TNF-α, vCAM) or apoptosis (bcl2 expression). The relationship with immunological markers shows an interaction effect between miR16 and IA-2 (p < 0.03). CONCLUSION: TNF-α does not affect the expression profile of miR-15a and miR16 in PBMCs. A weak correlation is observed between miR-16 and with the autoimmunity profile (IA-2 autoantibody).

miR15a and miR16 in Chilean type 1 diabetes patients: possible association with apoptosis, inflammatory, or autoimmunity markers.

AIM: Type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1D) is an autoimmune disease characterized by the progressive destruction of ß cells, mediated by the interaction between T cells and several cytokines. The pathogenesis of T1D has established its possible relationship with miRNAs. In this study, we analyze the expression profile of miR-15a and miR-16 in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and their possible association with apoptosis, inflammation, or autoimmunity markers. PATIENTS AND METHODOLOGY: 38 T1D patients and 41 control subjects were recruited. mRNAs were analyzed by means of qPCR and TaqMan probes. PBMCs were treated with different concentrations of glucose (baseline, 11 and 25 mM) with or without an inflammatory stimulus as TNF-α (10 ng/ml). RESULTS: A decrease in the levels of the miR-15a expression in basal conditions is observed in T1D patients compared to healthy control subjects (relative units 0.5 vs. 1.8, p < 0.05). This change in miR-15a and miR-16 is not affected by the addition of TNF-α. No association is observed with inflammatory markers (IL-6, TNF-α, vCAM) or apoptosis (bcl2 expression). The relationship with immunological markers shows an interaction effect between miR16 and IA-2 (p < 0.03). CONCLUSION: TNF-α does not affect the expression profile of miR-15a and miR16 in PBMCs. A weak correlation is observed between miR-16 and with the autoimmunity profile (IA-2 autoantibody).

New variants of polar glycopeptidolipids detected in Mycobacterium simiae, including 'habana' strains, as evidenced by electrospray ionization-ion trap-mass spectrometry.

AIMS: To determine the composition of polar glycopeptidolipids (pGPLs) of Mycobacterium simiae and, particularly, those of 'habana' strains, in a search for specific markers given the immunogenic potential of 'habana' TMC 5135 in experimental tuberculosis. METHODS AND RESULTS: pGPLs were determined in free lipid extracts using electrospray ionization-ion trap-mass spectrometry (ESI-IT-MS), working in both negative- and positive-ion mode. In the case of TMC 5135, the presence of the previously characterized GPL-II (containing 2,4-di-O-CH(3) glucuronic acid as distal sugar in the oligosaccharide antigenic moiety) and GPL-III (containing 4-O-CH(3) glucuronic acid as distal sugar) was confirmed using MS/MS and MS/MS/MS approaches. Interestingly, some 'habana' strains presented variants of GPL-II, designated GPL-II'-A and GPL-II'-B. A di-O-CH(3)-deoxy-hexose (tentatively, 2,3-di-O-CH(3)-fucose) was identified as the penultimate sugar in the oligosaccharide moiety of GPL-II'-A, whereas in GPL-II'-B the penultimate sugar was fucose (tentative identification). On the contrary, the distal sugar of the oligosaccharide chain of pGPLs of Myco. simiae ATCC 25275(T) was identified as tri-O-CH(3)-glucuronic acid (designated GPL-sim(T)-I, with two variants: GPL-sim(T)-I-A and GPL-sim(T)-I-B), O-CH(3)-glucuronic acid (designated GPL-sim(T)-II) and di-O-CH(3)-glucuronic acid (GPL-II'-A and GPL-II'-B). The penultimate sugar of the oligosaccharide chain of GPL-sim(T)-I-A and GPL-sim(T)-II was identified as di-O-CH(3)-deoxy-hexose (tentatively, 2,3-di-O-CH(3) fucose), and that of GPL-sim(T)-I-B as deoxy-hexose (tentatively, fucose). In all strains studied, each [M-H](-) and [M+Na](+) ion was revealed as a mixture of homologous compounds varying in the number of -O-CH(3) groups present in the oligosaccharide moiety and in the length of the fatty acyl linked to the peptide. CONCLUSIONS: The present work indicates that, within a similar general pattern of pGPLs, different strains of Myco. simiae present some variations, so that new compounds (GPL-II'-A, GPL-II'-B, GPL-sim(T)-I-A, GPL-sim(T)-I-B and GPL-sim(T)-II) were defined. Noteworthy was the fact that the 'habana' strains clearly differed from the type strain of Myco. simiae. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: The data obtained can be used in the delineation of the 'habana' group of Myco. simiae, including the quality control of the immunogenic strain 'habana' TMC 5135.

Lipids of 'Mycobacterium habana', a synonym of Mycobacterium simiae with vaccine potential.

'Mycobacterium habana' was proposed as a distinct species within the genus Mycobacterium; however, it is actually a synonym of Mycobacterium simiae and included in the serotype I of this species. The potential use of 'M. habana' as a vaccine in both leprosy and tuberculosis has led to the analysis of its lipid composition in an attempt to define distinctive markers that could be used in the quality control of true strains of this bacterium. Lipids of taxonomic value (fatty and mycolic acids) are similar in 'M. habana' and M. simiae; nevertheless, they clearly differ on the basis of glycopeptidolipid (GPL) composition. Thus, contrary to M. simiae, most strains of 'M. habana' can be defined by the presence of three polar compounds, designated GPL-I, GPL-II and GPL-III, easily determined by thin-layer chromatography, and characterized, respectively, by the content of l-fucose, 2,4-di-O-Me-d-glucuronic acid, and 4-O-Me-d-glucuronic acid, as epitopes.

The molecular epidemiology of HIV type 1 of men in Mexico.

Genotypic characteristics of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) in Mexico were investigated in a multicenter study that involved centers in five geographic regions of the country. Study samples (n = 65) collected from male patients in 1998-1999 were sequenced within the C2-V5 region of the gp120 env gene. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that subtype B predominates in Mexico. The level of interpatient nucleotide diversity (mean value of 8.9%) was congruent with multiple introductions of the virus and the "aging" epidemic in Mexico. One-third of samples (30.8% of cases) showed polymorphism within the crown of the V3 loop demonstrating non-GPGR motifs. Two new motifs in the V3 loop crown - HPGG and GPEG - were observed. The evolution of the AIDS epidemic in Mexico should be closely monitored since non-B HIV-1 subtypes might be introduced. The nucleotide sequences were deposited in the GenBank under accession numbers AF200855-AF200869, AF200871-AF200892, and AF200894-AF200921.

[Measured versus estimated energy expenditure at rest in critically ill patients]. / El gasto energético en reposo, medido contra estimado, en pacientes críticamente enfermos.

UNLABELLED: Differences between the indirect calorimetry (Ic) and Harris-Benedict method (HBM) to assess the caloric demand in critically ill patients were determined using a manual procedure to measure Ic. Forty patients were evaluated by both methods. Activity and lesion factors were included for HBM regarding each case. Ic was based on gas analysis (O2 and CO2) of an expired/inspired sample by means of Weir equation and Lusk tables. The comparison between Ic and HBM alone did not show differences. Results showed statistically significant differences when Ic and HBM plus activity and lesion factors were compared. Ic showed higher confidence and precision in critically ill patients (p < 0.05 and p < 0.001. Student's t test). CONCLUSIONS: The HBM failed to show an appropriate correlation in these patients as other published data. The procedure manual in Ic has value and can be use in second level hospitals.

Comparison of the safety and efficacy of lomefloxacin and trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole in the treatment of uncomplicated urinary tract infections: results from a multicenter study.

Lomefloxacin, a new difluorinated quinolone, and trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole (TMP/SMX) were compared in the treatment of adults with uncomplicated urinary tract infections. The study was conducted as a multicenter, controlled, prospectively randomized, single-blind study in five countries (Argentina, Belgium, Brazil, Mexico, and Venezuela). A total of 254 patients were enrolled: 129 in the lomefloxacin group and 125 in the TMP/SMX group. Patients received either 400 mg lomefloxacin orally once daily or 160 mg/800 mg TMP/SMX orally twice daily for 7-10 days. Escherichia coli and Proteus mirabilis were the pathogens most frequently isolated. At 5-9 days post-therapy, satisfactory bacteriologic results were noted in 98.4% of patients treated with lomefloxacin and in 95.8% of patients in the TMP/SMX group (p = 0.2153). Clinical success 5-9 days post-therapy was noted in 99.2% of patients in the lomefloxacin group and in 98.3% of patients in the TMP/SMX group (p = 0.5138). Adverse events probably related to treatment occurred in 6% of those treated with lomefloxacin and in 7% of patients treated with TMP/SMX. Once-daily oral lomefloxacin is a well-tolerated and effective treatment of uncomplicated urinary tract infections caused by susceptible pathogens.

Formolgelificación modificada por Linke y col. en enfermos hansenianos

Se han practicado 170 tests de Linke, Hartert y Zahnhofer (modificación de la formolgelificación clásica por añadir al formol partes iguales de cloruro de calcio al 14 por 100), de los cuales tests, 20 fueron realizados en personas sanas como controle, 30 en individuos aparentemente curados de lepra y 120 en enfermos hansenianos del tipo lepromatoso, siendo divididos en los seguientes grupos: a) sin complicaciones, b)en leprorreacciones, c) con trastornos hepáticos graves y d) con trastornos del tipo síndrome nefrósico. Los resultados han sido se interés en cuanto este nuevo test demuestra una gran sensibilidad hacia el aumento de las globulinas gamma dando positividades rápidas, y también hacia los aumentos de las globulinas alfa y aún más de las globulinas beta, dando positividades lentas en muchos casos y en otros falsas negatividades, aun cuando persiste un porcentaje elevado de globulinas gamma. El test resulta útil: 1) en las complicaciones renales (aumento de las globulinas alfa y beta; 2) en las hepáticas (aumento de las globulinas gamma; 3) en las leprorreacciones (aumento de las globulinas alfa y a veces de las globulinas gamma; 4) es también útil para evaluar en los casos curados el momento de la desaparición completa de la disproteinemia hanseniana que sigue por mucho tiempo a la negativización bacteriológica y clínica. El test es recomendable por su fácil realización y es de rápida lectura y da muchas veces resultados equiparables a los de la Banda de Weltmann, donde se emplea el mismo electrolito.