Delay in puberty indices of Wistar rats caused by Cadmium. Focus on the redox system in reproductive organs.

Puberty is a transitional period from juvenile stage to adulthood, followed by the functional maturation of gonads and reproductive organs. This period is sensitive to environmental pollutants like cadmium (Cd), a heavy metal that represents a serious health risk. Cd is an endocrine disruptor that interferes with reproduction by causing oxidative stress in the reproductive organs, affecting the sexual function and decreasing testosterone (T) levels. However, little research has been done on the effects of Cd on puberty markers and antioxidant systems. In this study, we evaluated the effects of Cd on puberty markers: preputial separation, testes descent and T levels, and the antioxidant activity (SOD, CAT, GSH/GSSG and TAC) in the seminal vesicles, testis and epididymis. Male Wistar pups were treated with 1 mg/kg Cd or saline solution by i.p. injection from day 1 to 35; the other treatment was administrated for 49 days. At the end of treatment, the animals were sacrificed, and the tissues of interest dissected, weighed and prepared for the respective assays. Cd treated rats from birth to puberty showed a delay onset in the puberty markers and a low weight in reproductive organs. Also, Cd induced differential effects on the redox system in reproductive organs and decreased T levels, these effects played a pivotal role in the delay of puberty markers onset (testes descent and preputial separation), affecting the development and sexual maturity of the male rats.

Use of a combination strategy to improve neuroprotection and neuroregeneration in a rat model of acute spinal cord injury.

Spinal cord injury is a very common pathological event that has devastating functional consequences in patients. In recent years, several research groups are trying to find an effective therapy that could be applied in clinical practice. In this study, we analyzed the combination of different strategies as a potential therapy for spinal cord injury. Immunization with neural derived peptides (INDP), inhibition of glial scar formation (dipyridyl: DPY), as well as the use of biocompatible matrix (fibrin glue: FG) impregnated with bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) were combined and then its beneficial effects were evaluated in the induction of neuroprotection and neuroregeneration after acute SCI. Sprague-Dawley female rats were subjected to a moderate spinal cord injury and then randomly allocated into five groups: 1) phosphate buffered saline; 2) DPY; 3) INDP + DPY; 4) DPY+ FG; 5) INDP + DPY + FG + MSCs. In all rats, intervention was performed 72 hours after spinal cord injury. Locomotor and sensibility recovery was assessed in all rats. At 60 days after treatment, histological examinations of the spinal cord (hematoxylin-eosin and Bielschowsky staining) were performed. Our results showed that the combination therapy (DPY+ INDP + FG + MSCs) was the best strategy to promote motor and sensibility recovery. In addition, significant increases in tissue preservation and axonal density were observed in the combination therapy group. Findings from this study suggest that the combination theapy (DPY+ INDP + FG + MSCs) exhibits potential effects on the protection and regeneration of neural tissue after acute spinal cord injury. All procedures were approved by the Animal Bioethics and Welfare Committee (approval No. 178544; CSNBTBIBAJ 090812960) on August 15, 2016.

Non Pharmacological Strategies to Promote Spinal Cord Regeneration: A View on Some Individual or Combined Approaches.

Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a complex condition that can result in functional impairment and paralysis, and occurs more frequently in young men. Several studies tested diverse treatments; however none achieved effective neuronal regeneration or improvement in neural function. Current research is being performed in areas such as cellular therapy (Schwann cells, embryonic stem cells, pluripotent stem cells, mesenchymal stem cells and olfactory cells), growth factors (BDNF), inhibitory molecules, fibroglial scar, gene therapies, etc. Some strategies have provided encouraging results by themselves, others have been tested as a combination, showing an improved outcome after SCI. Combined strategies could be more effective than individual therapies; for instance, cotransplantation of cells at the injury site to maximize their effect has been used, and it has demonstrated a greater efficacy in comparison to grafts of stem cells or of a particular cell type. The combination of neurotrophic factors such as BDNF and NT- 3 enhances axonal regeneration and myelination; other therapies include the use of biological matrices in combination with inhibitors of glial scar formation. Chondroitinase ABC (ChABC) has shown synergistic effects with other strategies, specifically to improve regeneration and functional recovery after SCI. Experimental evidence suggests that it is possible to obtain better results with a combination of strategies, which justifies further research for therapeutic approaches. This review intends to compile the most relevant information about available up-to-date therapeutic strategies that are administered alone or in combination with others, and have offered the best results in neural regeneration after spinal cord injury.

Evaluación de la calidad del proceso de atención de enfermería del paciente hospitalizado / Quality evaluation in the nursing attentionm process of the hospitalized patient

Se realizó un estudio descriptivo y retrospectivo para evaluar la calidad del Proceso de Atención de Enfermería a pacientes hospitalizados del Hospital General Docente "Iván Portuondo" de San Antonio de los Baños durante el año 1997. Se utilizó como universo 268 compañeros y la muestra utilizada cuarsi-estratificada de 80 compañeros del servicio de medicina, dando mayor predominio al personal de enfermería 67 compañeros, por ser el que puso en práctica el proceso. Se identificaron los aspectos metodológicos que influyeron en la calidad del proceso; se realizaron auditorías retrospectivas y observaciones directas de 104 historias clínicas comprobando competencia y desempeño del personal. Se cumplimentó con los principios bioéticos: calidad de vida, autoestima, y confiabilidad. Se demostró el conocimiento y aplicación del proceso en el personal de enfermería (100 porciento), las acciones independientes (100 porciento) según encuestas, positividad de la ruta critica de enfermería en los aspectos: recepción del paciente, observación de enfermería, datos objetivos y subjetivos (100 porciento) no así en la respuesta del paciente (83,6 porciento) y resumen de alta (72,1 porciento). El criterio en la utilidad del proceso respondieron favorablemente (91,2 porciento)(AU)