Dental caries prevalence and severity positively associate with AMY1 gene copy number.

OBJECTIVE: To establish the possible relation between total caries (TC) and caries severity (CS) with the AMY1 gene copy number (AMY1GCN). MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was an observational, cross-sectional, population-based, and association study with 303 participants. Each participant underwent a complete anamnesis and stomatological check-up, and peripheral blood was obtained to extract gDNA. TC and CS were determined as the number of caries at the dental exploration and the number of dental surfaces affected by caries, respectively, and AMY1GCN was determined by qPCR. RESULTS: We found an elevated caries prevalence (92.7%); TC and CS were 8 ± 10 and 10 ± 13 (median ± IR). There were higher TC and CS in those participants with AMY1GCN above the mean value (0.02 and 0.01 p values, respectively). A positive correlation between TC and CS with AMY1GCN (0.11 and 0.125 r values, 0.03 and 0.01 p values, respectively) was found, in addition to an association between TC and CS with AMY1GCN (1.5 and 1.6 OR values, 0.48 and 0.26 p values, respectively). CONCLUSION: TC and CS were positively related to the AMY1GCN. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Dental caries has a high prevalence and a multifactorial etiology and has been related to a genetic component. Indeed, the salivary enzyme alpha-amylase could play a significant role in caries susceptibility, considering that its codifying gene (AMY1) can show variation in its gene copy number. This can be considered an important factor for the development of caries at a genetic level.

A new strategy for the decellularization of whole organs by hydrostatic pressure.

Tissue engineering has been able to develop novel decellularization-recellularization techniques, which facilitates the research for the generation of functional organs. This is based in the initial obtention of the organ's extracellular matrix (ECM). Therefore, any improvement in the decellularization process would have a positive impact in the results of the recellularization process. Nevertheless, commonly the methods and equipment employed for this process are expensive and thus limit the access of this technique to various research groups globally. To develop a decellularization technique with the exclusive use of hydrostatic pressure of detergent solutions, to have an easily accessible and low-cost technique that meets the basic requirements of acellularity and functionality of the ECM. This experimental study was performed in 10 male Wistar rats, obtaining the liver to carry out serial washes, with 1%, 2%, and 3% Triton X-100 solutions and 0.1% SDS. The washes were performed by using a gravity perfusion system (GPS), which assured us a continuous hydrostatic pressure of 7.5 mmHg. The obtained ECM was processed using stains and immunostaining to determine the residual cell content and preservation of its components. The staining showed a removal of cellular and nuclear components of approximately 97% of the acellular ECM, with an adequate three-dimensional pattern of collagen and proteoglycans. Furthermore, the acellular ECM allowed the viability of a primary hepatocyte culture. The use of the GPS decellularization technique allowed us to obtain an acellular and functional ECM, drastically reducing experimentation costs.

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.

Influencia de la prematuridad sobre el sistema nervioso en la niñez y en la adultez / Influence of prematurity on the nervous system in childhood and adulthood

Objetivo: Revisar la influencia de la prematuridad sobre el sistema nervioso durante los primeros años de vida y posteriormente durante la adultez.Desarrollo: Los recién nacidos pretérmino constituyen una población vulnerable. Tienen un elevado riesgo de sufrir problemas de salud,discapacidades neurológicas y trastornos de la conducta, pobre desempeño cognitivo. También cursan con un riesgo elevado de presentarparálisis cerebral y trastornos sensoriales. Por otra parte, es conocido que algunos eventos que ocurren tempranamente en la vida influyenen el desarrollo de enfermedades en la vida adulta. A largo plazo, los niños que nacieron prematuramente tienen mayor riesgo de desarrollar enfermedades cardiovasculares, hipertensión arterial y diabetes mellitus en la edad adulta y posiblemente, también presentenun riesgo mayor de padecer cáncer. El conocimiento de estos aspectos por parte de los profesionales permitiría una mejor compresión de las morbilidades que presentan durante la vida los niños nacidos prematuramente.Conclusiones: Los programas de atención, evaluación y seguimiento de niños pretérmino deben tener en cuenta el efecto de dicho evento en las diferentes etapas de la vida(AU)

Objective: To review the influence of prematurity on the nervous system during early life and later life.Development: Preterm infants are a vulnerable population with high risk of health problems, neurological disabilities and behavioraldisorders, poor cognitive performance, and high risk of cerebral palsy and sensory disorders. Moreover, some events that occur early in life influence in the development of diseases in adulthood. Regarding long term, preterm children have increased risk of cardiovascular disease, hypertension and diabetes mellitus in adulthood, and possibly also an increased risk of cancer. Knowledge of these aspects byprofessionals allows a better understanding of morbidities that occur during the life of preterm children.Conclusions: Care programs, evaluation and monitoring of preterm infants should take into account the effect of the same in different stages of life(AU)

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.

Prevalence of thyroid function test abnormalities and anti-thyroid antibodies in an open population in Central México.

OBJECTIVE. To examine the prevalence of abnormal thyroid function tests and positive anti-thyroid antibodies in two Central Mexican cities. MATERIAL AND METHODS. Subjects 18 to 70 years old were randomly selected to participate in this survey. A questionnaire was given and blood samples were taken to measure TSH and free T4 levels as well as anti-TPO and anti- Tg antibodies. RESULTS. The mean TSH level in subjects without existing thyroid disease was 1.72 mIU/L; 0.64 and 3.74 mIU/L were the 2.5th and 97.5th percentiles. The mean free T4 level was 1.02 ng/dL, and the 2.5th and 97.5th percentiles were 0.78 and 1.31 ng/dL, respectively. There was a 2.5% prevalence of former diagnosed thyroid diseases, 3.9% of individuals were sub-hypo, and 1.1% had overt hypothyroidism. Total hypothyroidism prevalence was 7.48% (when we considered TSH levels greater than 4.5 mIU/L), but it was 11.03% when diagnosed with TSH values greater than 3.5 mIU/L. Factors associated with hypothyroidism were older age, positive family background of thyroid disease, and positive anti- TPO and anti-Tg antibodies. Subclinical and overt hyperthyroidism were found in 1.7% of participants. CONCLUSIONS. Abnormal thyroid function test prevalence in this population was high, but few participants were aware of having a thyroid disease. The prevalence of positive anti-thyroid antibodies was high. More studies are necessary to elucidate the effects of thyroid abnormalities on other aspects of health status and quality of life.

Iodine nutrition in elementary state schools of Queretaro, Mexico: correlations between urinary iodine concentration with global nutrition status and social gap index.

OBJECTIVE AND METHODS: To estimate median urinary iodine concentration (UIC), and to correlate it with global nutrition indicators and social gap index (SGI) in 50 elementary state schools from 10 municipalities in the State of Queretaro, Mexico. RESULTS: 1,544 students were enrolled and an above of requirements of iodine intake was found (median UIC of 297 µg/L). Iodine status was found as deficient, adequate, more than adequate and excessive in 2, 4, 19 and 25 schools, respectively. Seventy seven percent of table salt samples showed adequate iodine content (20-40 ppm), while 9.6% of the samples had low iodine content (< 15 ppm). Medians of UIC per school were positively correlated with medians of body mass index (BMI) by using the standard deviation score (SDS) (r = 0.47; p < 0.005), height SDS (r = 0.41; p < 0.05), and overweight and obesity prevalence (r = 0.41; p < 0.05). Medians of UIC per school were negatively correlated with stunting prevalence (r = -0.39; p = 005) and social gap index (r = -0.36; p < 0.05). Best multiple regression models showed that BMI SDS and height were significantly related with UIC (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: There is coexistence between the two extremes of iodine intake (insufficient and excessive). To our knowledge, the observed positive correlation between UIC and overweight and obesity has not been described before, and could be explained by the availability and consumption of snack food rich in energy and iodized salt.

Iodine nutrition in elementary state schools of Queretaro, Mexico: correlations between urinary iodine concentration with global nutrition status and social gap index / Consumo de iodo em escolas de ensino fundamental de Querétaro, México: correlação entre a concentração urinária de iodo, o estado nutricional geral e o índice de desigualdade social

OBJECTIVE AND METHODS: To estimate median urinary iodine concentration (UIC), and to correlate it with global nutrition indicators and social gap index (SGI) in 50 elementary state schools from 10 municipalities in the State of Queretaro, Mexico. RESULTS: 1,544 students were enrolled and an above of requirements of iodine intake was found (median UIC of 297 µg/L). Iodine status was found as deficient, adequate, more than adequate and excessive in 2, 4, 19 and 25 schools, respectively. Seventy seven percent of table salt samples showed adequate iodine content (20-40 ppm), while 9.6% of the samples had low iodine content (< 15 ppm). Medians of UIC per school were positively correlated with medians of body mass index (BMI) by using the standard deviation score (SDS) (r = 0.47; p < 0.005), height SDS (r = 0.41; p < 0.05), and overweight and obesity prevalence (r = 0.41; p < 0.05). Medians of UIC per school were negatively correlated with stunting prevalence (r = -0.39; p = 005) and social gap index (r = -0.36; p < 0.05). Best multiple regression models showed that BMI SDS and height were significantly related with UIC (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: There is coexistence between the two extremes of iodine intake (insufficient and excessive). To our knowledge, the observed positive correlation between UIC and overweight and obesity has not been described before, and could be explained by the availability and consumption of snack food rich in energy and iodized salt.

OBJETIVO E MÉTODOS: Estimar a concentração de iodo urinário (CIU) mediana e correlacioná-la com os indicadores de nutrição geral e com o índice de desigualdade social (IDS) de 50 escolas estaduais de ensino fundamental de 10 municípios do estado de Querétaro, no México. RESULTADOS: Utilizou-se um total de 1.544 crianças e encontrou-se uma ingestão acima das necessidades de iodo (CIU mediana de 297 µg/L). O nível de iodo determinado foi deficiente, adequado, mais do que adequado e excessivo em 2, 4, 19 e 25 escolas, respectivamente. Setenta e sete por cento de amostras de sal de mesa mostraram uma quantidade de iodo adequada (20-40 ppm), enquanto 9,6% das amostras tinham um teor de iodo baixo (< 15 ppm). As medianas de CIU por escola foram correlacionadas positivamente com as medianas do índice de massa corporal (IMC) usando o desvio-padrão da contagem (DP) (r = 0,47; p < 0.005), o DP da altura (r = 0,41; p < 0.05) e a prevalência de sobrepeso e de obesidade (r = 0,41; p < 0,05). As medianas de CUI por escola foram correlacionadas negativamente com a prevalência de desnutrição (r = -0.39; p = 005) e com o índice de desigualdade social (r = -0.36; p < 0,05). Os melhores modelos de regressão múltipla mostraram que a DP do IMC e a altura foram relacionados significativamente com a CIU (p < 0,05). CONCLUSÃO: Existe uma convivência entre os dois extremos de ingestão de iodo (insuficiente e excessiva). Em nosso conhecimento, a correlação positiva entre a CIU, o excesso de peso e a obesidade não foi descrita anteriormente e poderia ser explicada pela disponibilidade e consumo de alimentos ou refeições ricos(as) em energia e sal iodado.

Importance of iodine in pregnancy

Iodine is an essential constituent of thyroid hormones (TH). TH actively take part in critical periods of brain development during embryonic, fetal and postnatal stages. Therefore the absence of TH or iodine in these critical periods produces an irreversible brain damage. In fact, it is known that iodine deficiency is the leading cause of preventable brain damage worldwide. Because of the physiological adjustments during pregnancy iodine requirements increase significantly from 150 μg per day in non-pregnant adult women to 250 μg per day. Moreover, recent epidemiological studies around the world show that iodine intake during pregnancy is insufficient in many countries, even in developed countries like Australia, Spain and Italy. In the present work an overview of the importance of iodine nutrition during pregnancy is given.

Importancia del yodo en la gestación. El yodo es un nutrimento constituyente indispensable de las hormonas tiroideas (HT). Las HT participan activamente en periodos críticos del desarrollo cerebral durante las etapas embrionaria, fetal y posnatal. Por lo tanto la ausencia o deficiencia de las HT o de yodo en estas etapas del desarrollo produce un daño cerebral irreversible. De hecho, se sabe que la deficiencia de yodo es la principal causa de daño cerebral prevenible en el mundo. Debido a los ajustes fisiológicos propios de la gestación los requerimientos de yodo se incrementan notablemente, pasando de 150 μg al día en la mujer adulta no gestante a 250 μg al día durante el embarazo. Por otra parte, estudios epidemiológicos recientes hechos en todo el mundo muestran que el consumo de yodo durante la gestación es insuficiente en varios países; incluso en países desarrollados como Australia y España e Italia. En la presente revisión se da un panorama general de la importancia del consumo adecuado de yodo durante la gestación.

Trypanosoma cruzi: seroprevalence detection in suburban population of Santiago de Querétaro (Mexico).

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the potential of iron-oxide dismutase excreted (SODeCRU) by T. cruzi as the antigen fraction in the serodiagnosis of Chagas disease and compile new epidemiological data on the seroprevalence of this disease in the suburban population of the city of Santiago de Querétaro (Mexico). DESIGN AND METHODS: 258 human sera were analyzed by the techniques of ELISA and Western blot and using the homogenate and the SODeCRU. RESULTS: A total of 31 sera were positive against ELISA/SODeCRU (12.4%), while 30 sera proved positive by WB/SODeCRU (11.6%). The comparison between the technique of ELISA and WB showed a sensitivity of 93%, and a specificity of 99%. The positive predictive value was 93% and the negative predictive value was 99%, with a Kappa (κ) value of 1. CONCLUSIONS: These preliminary data reveal the degree of infection of nonrural areas of Mexico and demonstrated that SODeCRU is an antigen useful to diagnose Chagas disease.

Importance of iodine in pregnancy.

Iodine is an essential constituent of thyroid hormones (TH). TH actively take part in critical periods of brain development during embryonic, fetal and postnatal stages. Therefore the absence of TH or iodine in these critical periods produces an irreversible brain damage. In fact, it is known that iodine deficiency is the leading cause of preventable brain damage worldwide. Because of the physiological adjustments during pregnancy iodine requirements increase significantly from 150 microg per day in non-pregnant adult women to 250 microg per day. Moreover, recent epidemiological studies around the world show that iodine intake during pregnancy is insufficient in many countries, even in developed countries like Australia, Spain and Italy. In the present work an overview of the importance of iodine nutrition during pregnancy is given.

Iodine nutrition status in pregnant women in Mexico.

BACKGROUND: Iodine nutrition during pregnancy has become an important public health concern because of the deleterious impact of iodine deficiency on brain development during fetal and early postnatal life. Iodine nutrition status can be assessed in a population by the median urinary iodine concentration (UIC). World Health Organization, the United Nations Children's Fund, and the International Council for Iodine Deficiency Disorders have established that a median of UIC between 150 and 249 µg/L in pregnant women indicates an adequate iodine intake. The aim of this study was to assess iodine nutrition status in Mexican pregnant women. METHODS: Two hundred ninety-four pregnant women receiving prenatal care in the Public Medical Units of the State Ministry of Health for each pregnancy trimester (first, n=60; second, n=103; and third, n=131) in Queretaro, Mexico, were enrolled to assess UIC by the Sandell-Kholtoff method. RESULTS: The median of UIC was 273, 285, and 231 µg/L in the first, second, and third trimesters of gestation, respectively. Globally, the median (range) of UIC was 260 (5-1320) µg/L, and the percentage of samples with UIC below 150 µg/L was 28%. There was no significant difference between the UIC of women using iodine-containing multivitamins compared with those who reported the consumption of noniodized multivitamins (p>0.05). In addition, we found no difference between the UIC of women using iodized table salt compared with those who employed noniodized table salt, with those who did not know whether their table salt was iodized (p>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Based on the median UIC, iodine intake in Queretaro, Mexico, is slightly above requirements during the first two trimesters, and adequate in the third trimester. The wide Mexican universal iodized salt program seems to supply adequate dietary iodine to pregnant women without health insurance in this region. However, regular monitoring of iodine status is recommended during pregnancy throughout Mexico.

[Mechanism of immunological injury in type 1 diabetes]. / Mecanismos de lesión inmunitaria en la diabetes mellitus tipo 1.

Type 1 diabetes mellitus (DM1) is an autoimmune disease characterized by a lack of insulin production by beta pancreatic cells. Immunological mechanisms play a key role in DM1 physiopathology, even in asymptomatic patients where different autoantibodies directed against several components of beta cells have been found. The human leucocitary antigen, islet cells autoantibodies, insulin autoantibodies, glutamic acid decarboxilase autoantibodies and the rapid intravenous glucose tolerance test can be used to identify individuals with high risk for developing DM1. Ganglioside GM2-1 and the tyrosine phosphatase enzyme (IA2/ICA512) antigens determination are also employed to assess DM1 individual risk. This risk is significantly higher when three or four autoantibodies are found. Nowadays, the islet cell autoantibodies are employed as markers for DM1. This work analyzes the immunological aspects related to DM1, and highlights recent developments in this field.

Páncreas y células beta: mecanismos de diferenciación, morfogénesis y especificación celular endocrina. ¿Regeneración? / Pancreas and β cells: Differentiation mechanisms, morphogenesis and endocrine cellular specification. Regeneration?

La diabetes mellitus tipo 1 es una enfermedad metabólica multifactorial en la que los mecanismos inmunológicos juegan un papel fundamental. Una vez desarrollada la enfermedad, los pacientes son dependientes de la administración exógena de insulina. Actualmente, el campo de la investigación experimental ha identificado una población pancreática con características de células madre. Esta población de células positivas a nestina, se expresa bajo ciertas condiciones especiales y abre la posibilidad de desarrollar técnicas para la obtención de nuevas células β que pudieran regenerar el tejido dañado. Este trabajo es una revisión acerca del desarrollo embrionario del páncreas, las células madre pancreáticas embrionarias, los modelos actuales de lesión para la inducción de la expresión de células madre en páncreas adultos, el papel de los radicales libres sobre la expresión de nuevas células madre y las terapias experimentales actuales para mejorar la expresión de estas células.

Diabetes mellitus type 1 is a multifactorial metabolic disease in which immunological mechanisms play an essential role. Once the disease is fully established, affected individuals are dependent upon exogenous insulin administration. Current research has identified a pancreatic population resembling stem cells features. This population of nestin-positive cells is activated under specific circumstances and opens the possibility of developing procedures for obtaining new β cells for the regeneration of the pancreatic islets. In this work we review the embryonic development of pancreas, pancreatic stem cells, the current models for the induction of stem cells in adult pancreas, the role of free radicals on the induction of new stem cells, and the current therapeutic procedures to improve the expression of these cells.

Vasoinhibins prevent retinal vasopermeability associated with diabetic retinopathy in rats via protein phosphatase 2A-dependent eNOS inactivation.

Increased retinal vasopermeability contributes to diabetic retinopathy, the leading cause of blindness in working-age adults. Despite clinical progress, effective therapy remains a major need. Vasoinhibins, a family of peptides derived from the protein hormone prolactin (and inclusive of the 16-kDa fragment of prolactin), antagonize the proangiogenic effects of VEGF, a primary mediator of retinal vasopermeability. Here, we demonstrate what we believe to be a novel function of vasoinhibins as inhibitors of the increased retinal vasopermeability associated with diabetic retinopathy. Vasoinhibins inhibited VEGF-induced vasopermeability in bovine aortic and rat retinal capillary endothelial cells in vitro. In vivo, vasoinhibins blocked retinal vasopermeability in diabetic rats and in response to intravitreous injection of VEGF or of vitreous from patients with diabetic retinopathy. Inhibition by vasoinhibins was similar to that achieved following immunodepletion of VEGF from human diabetic retinopathy vitreous or blockage of NO synthesis, suggesting that vasoinhibins inhibit VEGF-induced NOS activation. We further showed that vasoinhibins activate protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A), leading to eNOS dephosphorylation at Ser1179 and, thereby, eNOS inactivation. Moreover, intravitreous injection of okadaic acid, a PP2A inhibitor, blocked the vasoinhibin effect on endothelial cell permeability and retinal vasopermeability. These results suggest that vasoinhibins have the potential to be developed as new therapeutic agents to control the excessive retinal vasopermeability observed in diabetic retinopathy and other vasoproliferative retinopathies.

Food allergy mediated by IgG antibodies associated with migraine in adults.

BACKGROUND: Migraine occurs with a high prevalence of 18 per cent. Management requires a tailored regimen of pharmacological and other measures based on individual clinical history. In some patients, allergen-specific IgG has been suspected to be involved in their mechanism, however, serological methods to investigate such possibility, are seldomly used. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate allergen-specific IgG in serum of patients with migraine refractory to traditional treatment. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Serum antibodies to specific 108 food allergens were measured by enzyme immunoassay from 56 patients with migraine and a control group without migraine. RESULTS: In addition to statistical significant differences in the number of positives for IgG food allergens between patients with migraine and a controlled group, elimination diets successfully control the migraine without the need of medications. CONCLUSION: According to the results obtained, serum IgG antibodies to common food should be investigated in patients with migraine.