mtDNA haplogroup A enhances the effect of obesity on the risk of knee OA in a Mexican population.

To evaluate the influence of mitochondrial DNA haplogroups on the risk of knee OA in terms of their interaction with obesity, in a population from Mexico. Samples were obtained from (n = 353) knee OA patients (KL grade ≥ I) and (n = 364) healthy controls (KL grade = 0) from Mexico city and Torreon (Mexico). Both Caucasian and Amerindian mtDNA haplogroups were assigned by single base extension assay. A set of clinical and demographic variables, including obesity status, were considered to perform appropriate statistical approaches, including chi-square contingency tables, regression models and interaction analyses. To ensure the robustness of the predictive model, a statistical cross-validation strategy of B = 1000 iterations was used. All the analyses were performed using boot, GmAMisc and epiR package from R software v4.0.2 and SPSS software v24. The frequency distribution of the mtDNA haplogroups between OA patients and healthy controls for obese and non-obese groups showed the haplogroup A as significantly over-represented in knee OA patients within the obese group (OR 2.23; 95% CI 1.22-4.05; p-value = 0.008). The subsequent logistic regression analysis, including as covariate the interaction between obesity and mtDNA haplogroup A, supported the significant association of this interaction (OR 2.57; 95% CI 1.24-5.32; p-value = 0.011). The statistical cross-validation strategy confirmed the robustness of the regression model. The data presented here indicate a link between obesity in knee OA patients and mtDNA haplogroup A.

Bioconversion of Lignocellulosic Biomass into Value Added Products under Anaerobic Conditions: Insight into Proteomic Studies.

Production of biofuels and other value-added products from lignocellulose breakdown requires the coordinated metabolic activity of varied microorganisms. The increasing global demand for biofuels encourages the development and optimization of production strategies. Optimization in turn requires a thorough understanding of the microbial mechanisms and metabolic pathways behind the formation of each product of interest. Hydrolysis of lignocellulosic biomass is a bottleneck in its industrial use and often affects yield efficiency. The accessibility of the biomass to the microorganisms is the key to the release of sugars that are then taken up as substrates and subsequently transformed into the desired products. While the effects of different metabolic intermediates in the overall production of biofuel and other relevant products have been studied, the role of proteins and their activity under anaerobic conditions has not been widely explored. Shifts in enzyme production may inform the state of the microorganisms involved; thus, acquiring insights into the protein production and enzyme activity could be an effective resource to optimize production strategies. The application of proteomic analysis is currently a promising strategy in this area. This review deals on the aspects of enzymes and proteomics of bioprocesses of biofuels production using lignocellulosic biomass as substrate.

Analyses of the Genetic Polymorphisms rs3740199 and rs1871054 of the ADAM12 Gene and the Alleles at the rs2073508 Loci of the TGFB1 Gene and Their Contribution to Susceptibility to Primary Knee Osteoarthritis.

Aims: To analyze the association of polymorphisms in the ADAM12 (rs3740199 and rs1871054) and TGFB1 (rs2073508) genes with knee osteoarthritis (KOA) in a population from northern Mexico. Methods: A total of 296 individuals were included in the study. Primary KOA was confirmed according to the criteria established by the American College of Rheumatology. A real-time PCR-based DNA genotyping method was used to evaluate the rs3740199, rs1871054, and rs2073508 polymorphisms in 132 cases and 164 controls. Results: Our results demonstrate that the ADAM12 rs3740199 polymorphism was significantly associated with primary KOA under the recessive model (p = 0.036). However, after performing a multinomial logistic regression model, no significant association was found (p = 0.722). Furthermore, no associations for the rs1871054 and rs2073508 polymorphisms were observed in this study. Conclusion: These findings suggest that polymorphisms within the ADAM12 and TGFB1 genes may not have a significant influence on primary KOA susceptibility in the Mexican Mestizo population; however, inclusion of other ethnic groups and a larger sample size are needed to more fully analyze the role of these polymorphisms with KOA risk.

IN VIVO EFFECT OF RUTA CHALEPENSIS EXTRACT ON HEPATIC CYTOCHROME 3A1 IN RATS.

BACKGROUND: Since the time when drugs began to be used, it became evident that they could produce a therapeutic effect, but also a clinical condition of toxicity or no effect at all on humans, despite using the same doses in different patients. Such untoward effects were termed "drug idiosyncrasy" and also "idiosyncratic drug effects", but the factors producing such diverse responses were never taken into account. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ruta chalepensis L. (fringed rue) is an herbaceous plant of the Rutaceae family used in traditional medicine due to its properties, such as its analgesic and antipyretic effects. This study used 25 male rats divided into five groups. Plant extract was administered to Groups 1 and 2 at doses of 100 and 30 mg/kg/day, respectively, for three days; Group 3 was administered 100 mg/kg/day of dexamethasone (DEX), as well as 100 mg/kg/day of Ruta chalepensis extract; Group 4 was administered 100 mg/kg/day of DEX and treated as positive control; Group 5 was treated as negative control and was administered a physiological solution. Twenty-four hours after the the last dose, the animals were sacrificed and their livers were extracted. RESULTS: The aqueous extract of Ruta chalepensis, intraperitoneally administered, was able to induce cytochrome 3A1 in doses of 30 mg/kg/day, and a greater inducing effect occurs when the plant is co-administered in doses of 100 mg/kg/day with dexamethasone. CONCLUSION: This study suggests that aqueous extract of Ruta chalepensis can induce cytochrome 3a1. This study helps provide a better understanding of CYP3a regulation. Future in vitro work is needed to determine the compounds that produce the cytochrome modulation.

Factores de riesgo en osteoartritis de rodilla en una población mexicana de casos y controles / Facteurs de risque d'ostéoarthrite de genou dans une population mexicaine / Risk factors for knee osteoarthritis in a Mexican population

Introducción: la osteoartritis de rodilla es uno de los trastornos articulares más comunes e incapacitantes del sistema musculoesquelético, que afecta a cualquier grupo étnico y ocasiona grados variables de discapacidad. Diversos factores de riesgo se han relacionado con el desarrollo y la progresión de la enfermedad como son la edad, los factores genéticos, factores ocupacionales, traumatismos, la menopausia, diabetes mellitus, obesidad, el género, la mala alineación de las extremidades, entre otros más. La distinción de estos factores en forma individual o conjunta es importante con el fin de prevenir o diagnosticar y tratar en forma temprana la enfermedad. Objetivo: determinar la frecuencia y asociación de factores de riesgo con la osteoartritis de rodilla en población mexicana de casos y controles. Métodos: se llevó a cabo un estudio de casos y controles analizando la asociación entre diferentes factores de riesgo y la osteoartritis primaria de rodilla, de febrero 2010 a febrero 2012. Se incluyó un total de 440 personas que fueron evaluadas por dos ortopedistas, estableciendo en 218 de ellas el diagnóstico de osteoartritis de rodilla sobre la base de los criterios del Colegio Americano de Reumatología y los criterios radiológicos de Kellgren y Lawrence. También se incluyeron 222 controles sanos. Resultados: en este estudio, la edad y la menopausia se asociaron como factores de riesgo significativos para el desarrollo de osteoartritis de rodilla (p= 0,00, OR 2,107, IC 95 por ciento 1,338-3,320; p= 0,002, OR 2,722, IC 95 por ciento 1,464-5,060, respectivamente). El tabaquismo se asoció como factor de protección en mujeres (p= 0,025, OR 0,408, IC 95 por ciento 0,186-0,892). Conclusiones: hasta nuestro conocimiento, este es el primer estudio de casos y controles en mexicanos, en el cual los resultados sugieren a la menopausia y a la edad como factores de riesgo en la probabilidad del desarrollo de la osteoartritis de rodilla(AU)

Introduction: knee osteoarthritis is one of the most common and disabling joint disorders of the musculoskeletal system that affects any ethnic group and causes diverse degrees of disability. Different risk factors have been related to the development and progression of the disease such as age, genetic factors, occupational factors, trauma, menopause, diabetes mellitus, obesity, gender and bad alignment of the extremities among others. The distinction of these factors in an individual or group form is important in order to prevent or diagnose and treat the disease and make an early diagnosis of it. Objective: to determine the frequency and association of risk factors for knee osteoarthritis in a case-control study in a Mexican population. Methods: a case-control study was performed by analyzing the association between different risk factors and the primary knee osteoarthritis from February 2010 to February 2012. A total of 440 people that were assessed by Orthopaedics were included establishing, in 218 of them, the diagnosis of knee osteoarthritis according to The American College of Rheumatology and Kellgren-Lawrence radiologic criteria. 222 healthy controls were included as well. Results: in this study, age and menopause were associated as significant risk factors for the development of knee osteoarthritis (p= 0.00, OR 2.107, CI 95 percent 1.338-3.320; p= 0.002, OR 2.722, CI 95 percent 1.464-5.060, respectively). Smoking habit was associated as a protective factor in women (p= 0.025, OR 0.408, CI 95 percent 0.186-0.892). Conclusions: to our knowledge, this is the first case-control study in Mexicans which results suggest menopause and age as risk factors for the probability to develop knee osteoarthritis(AU)

Introduction: l'ostéoarthrite de genou est l'un des troubles articulaires les plus fréquemment trouvés, affectant n'importe quel groupe ethnique et provoquant différents degrés d'infirmité. Plusieurs facteurs de risque sont associés au développement et à la progression de la maladie, telles que l'âge, les facteurs génétiques, les facteurs occupationnels, les traumatismes, la ménopause, le diabète sucré, l'obésité, le sexe, la malformation des membres, etc. La distinction de ces facteurs de façon individuelle ou conjointe est importante, afin de prévenir ou diagnostiquer et traiter opportunément la maladie. But: déterminer la fréquence et la relation des facteurs de risque avec l'ostéoarthrite de genou dans une population mexicaine de cas et de témoins. Méthodes: une étude de cas-témoins pour analyser la relation existant entre différents facteurs de risque et l'ostéoarthrite primaire de genou a été réalisée de février 2010 à février 2012. On a inclus un total de 440 personnes (évaluées par deux orthopédistes), dont 218 ont été diagnostiquées d'ostéoarthrite de genou sur la base des critères du Collège américain de rhumatologie et des critères radiologiques de Kellgren et Lawrence. On a aussi inclus 222 témoins sains. Résultats: dans cette étude, l'âge et la ménopause sont associées comme facteurs de risque significatifs au développement de l'ostéoarthrite de genou (respectivement, p= 0,00, OR 2,107, IC 95% 1,338-3,320; p=0,002, OR 2,722, IC 95 pourcent 1,464-5,060). Le tabagisme est associé comme facteur de protection chez les femmes (p=0,025, OR 0,408, IC 95 pourcent 0,186-0,892). Conclusions: jusqu'à maintenant, c'est la première étude mexicaine de cas-témoins, dans laquelle ses résultats évoquent la ménopause et l'âge comme facteurs de risque de l'ostéoarthrite de genou(AU)