Bone Remodeling and Bone Structural Genes in Legg-Calvé-Perthes Disease: The OPG rs2073618 and IL-6 rs1800795 Are Associated with High Risk in Mexican Patients.

Legg-Calve-Perthes disease (LCPD) is an idiopathic avascular necrosis of the pediatric femoral head. Bone remodeling and bone structural genes have the potential to contribute to the progression of LCPD when there is disequilibrium between bone resorption and bone formation. A case-control study was performed to search for associations of several common polymorphisms in the genes Receptor Activator for Nuclear Factor κappa B (RANK), Receptor Activator for Nuclear Factor κappa B Ligand (RANKL), osteoprotegerin (OPG), interleukin (IL)-6, and type 1 collagen (COL1A1) with LCPD susceptibility in Mexican children. A total of 23 children with LCPD and 46 healthy controls were genotyped for seven polymorphisms (rs3018362, rs12585014, rs2073618, rs1800795, rs1800796, rs1800012, and rs2586498) in the RANK, RANKL, OPG, IL-6, and COL1A1 genes by real-time polymerase chain reaction with TaqMan probes. The variant allele (C) of IL-6 rs1800795 was associated with increased risk of LCPD (odds ratio [OR]: 3.8, 95% confidence interval [CI]: [1.08-13.54], p = 0.033), adjusting data by body mass index (BMI) and coagulation factor V (FV), the association with increased risk remained (OR: 4.9, 95% CI: [1.14-21.04], p = 0.025). The OPG polymorphism rs2073618, specifically GC-GG carriers, was associated with a more than fourfold increased risk of developing LCPD (OR: 4.34, 95% CI: [1.04-18.12], p = 0.033) when data were adjusted by BMI-FV. There was no significant association between RANK rs3018362, RANKL rs12585014, IL-6 rs1800796, COL1A1 rs1800012, and rs2586498 polymorphisms and LCPD in a sample of Mexican children. The rs1800975 and rs2037618 polymorphisms in the IL-6 and OPG genes, respectively, are informative markers of increased risk of LCPD in Mexican children.

Health and economic impact associated with rheumatoid arthritis discharges: a cost analysis of a two-year cohort in Mexico.

BACKGROUND: Rheumatoid arthritis is a highly prevalent disease. Patients undergo various medical and pharmacological treatments, which have an economic impact on hospitals. The aim of this study was to estimate the direct economic costs of Mexican Social Security Institute (IMSS) resources used to provide healthcare to adult patients with rheumatoid arthritis in 2016-2017. METHODS: Data of patients aged > 18 years with Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) were obtained from databases and public information sources to estimate the use of IMSS resources for the target population. Total costs were estimated by means of the macro-costing method, employing the diagnosis-related group (DRG). Each DRG of the IMSS was constructed with one of the diagnoses and the respective combination of clinical characteristics included in the ICD-9. This study was conducted from the national perspective of IMSS, the largest healthcare service administrator in the country. As such, it can be considered representative of the broader healthcare landscape in Mexico. RESULTS: The total cost per year of furnishing inpatient care to RA patients was found to be $170,099,794 MXN ($9,096,245.67 USD) for 2016 and $167,039,481 MXN ($8,932,592.57 USD) for 2017, implying an enormous economic impact on the government budget for Mexican public health services. CONCLUSIONS: Our results demonstrate that the direct costs of musculoskeletal and cardiovascular surgery represented the highest costs of RA in-hospital care at IMSS (the largest health institution in Mexico) in 2016 and 2017. Further studies are needed that include the cost of drugs and other indirect costs in addition to our results to get the most accurate approximation of the cost of living with RA.

[Assessment of knowledge in Transfusional Medicine in residents in Bajío]. / Evaluación de conocimientos en Medicina Transfusional en médicos residentes del Bajío.

Background: Despite the existence of national and international guidelines, multiple studies show that the clinical use of blood components is not based on scientific evidence; this situation replicates, therefore it was necessary to apply an assessment tool in our medical unit. Objective: Assessment the knowledge in transfusion medicine in medical residents who have high requirements of blood hemocomponentes in Unidad Médica de Alta Especialidad Hospital de Especialidades No.1 Centro Médico Nacional Bajío. Material and methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was designed, and through a validated test the knowledge in transfusional medicine of residents of the unit was evaluated. Results: 100 residents participated in the research, most of them from the anesthesiology department; as a result, the evaluation tool showed a "Fair" performance in 75% of the participants. No specialty achieved a "Satisfactory" result. Conclusions: The application of this tool is the first step to develop and implement strategies to reduce unjustified transfusions of blood components and thus continue to provide excellent care to beneficiaries, minimizing risks and optimizing institutional resources.

Introducción: a pesar de la existencia de guías tanto nacionales como internacionales, múltiples estudios han puesto de manifiesto que el uso clínico de hemocomponentes no está basado en la evidencia científica; esta situación se replica y es necesario modificarla. Por ello, se planteó aplicar una herramienta de evaluación de conocimientos en medicina transfusional para tal fin en nuestra unidad. Objetivo: evaluar el conocimiento sobre medicina transfusional en médicos residentes de las especialidades con más demandas de hemocomponentes del Hospital de Especialidades No.1 del Centro Médico Nacional Bajío. Material y métodos: se diseñó un estudio transversal descriptivo y, por medio de un examen validado, se evaluó el conocimiento en medicina transfusional de médicos residentes de las especialidades que indican el mayor número de transfusiones en la unidad. Resultados: se contó con la participación de 100 residentes; la mayor participación fue de la especialidad de Anestesiología. El 75% de los participantes obtuvieron un desempeño "Regular" en la herramienta de evaluación. Ninguna especialidad alcanzó un resultado "Satisfactorio". Conclusiones: la aplicación de esta herramienta es el primer paso para desarrollar e implementar estrategias que permitan disminuir las transfusiones de hemocomponentes injustificadas y de esta manera seguir brindando una atención de excelencia a los derechohabientes, minimizando riesgos y optimizando recursos institucionales.

Hemangioendotelioma epitelioide cutáneo extenso multifocal agresivo. Informe de un caso / Aggressive multifocal extensive cutaneous epithelioid haemagioendothelioma. A case report

El hemangioendotelioma epitelioide es un tumor vascular infrecuente, descrito por primera vez en 1975 por Dail y Liebow como un carcinoma bronquioloalveolar. Habitualmente, se comporta como una neoplasia de bajo grado; sin embargo, se han descrito casos en los que el tumor manifiesta una elevada agresividad, extendiéndose con rapidez por todo el organismo. Presentamos el caso de un hombre de 41 años con dermatosis en muslo izquierdo y extensión rápida a abdomen, cuyo diagnóstico inicial fue de un carcinoma metastásico vs. linfoma. En la revisión de laminillas, se confirmó el diagnóstico de hemangioendotelioma epitelioide de piel, iniciando tratamiento con radioterapia. Este tumor afecta excepcionalmente la piel, habiéndose descrito pocos casos en la literatura médica.(AU)

Epithelioid haemangioendothelioma is a rare vascular tumor, first described in 1975 by Dail and Liebow as a bronchioloalveolar carcinoma. Although it usually behaves like a low-grade neoplasm, cases have been reported in which the tumor shows a high grade of malignancy, spreading rapidly throughout the body. We present the case of a 41-year-old man with dermatosis in the left thigh with rapid extension to the abdomen; the initial differential diagnoses were metastatic carcinoma versus lymphoma. When the histopathology was re-examined, a diagnosis of skin epithelioid hemangioendothelioma was confirmed and treatment with radiotherapy was initiated. This tumour rarely affects the skin; there are only a few previously reported cases.(AU)

[Aggressive multifocal extensive cutaneous epithelioid haemagioendothelioma. A case report]. / Hemangioendotelioma epitelioide cutáneo extenso multifocal agresivo. Informe de un caso.

Epithelioid haemangioendothelioma is a rare vascular tumor, first described in 1975 by Dail and Liebow as a bronchioloalveolar carcinoma. Although it usually behaves like a low-grade neoplasm, cases have been reported in which the tumor shows a high grade of malignancy, spreading rapidly throughout the body. We present the case of a 41-year-old man with dermatosis in the left thigh with rapid extension to the abdomen; the initial differential diagnoses were metastatic carcinoma versus lymphoma. When the histopathology was re-examined, a diagnosis of skin epithelioid hemangioendothelioma was confirmed and treatment with radiotherapy was initiated. This tumour rarely affects the skin; there are only a few previously reported cases.

Terahertz imaging demonstrates its diagnostic potential and reveals a relationship between cutaneous dehydration and neuropathy for diabetic foot syndrome patients.

Diabetic foot syndrome, a long term consequence of Diabetes Mellitus, is the most common cause of non-traumatic amputations. Around 8% of the world population suffers from diabetes, 15% of diabetic patients present a diabetic foot ulcer which leads to amputation in 2.5% of the cases. There is no objective method for the early diagnosis and prevention of the syndrome and its consequences. We test terahertz imaging, which is capable of mapping the cutaneous hydration, for the evaluation of the diabetic foot deterioration as an early diagnostic test as well as ulcers prevention and tracking tool. Furthermore, the analysis of our terahertz measurements combined with neurological and vascular assessment of the patients indicates that the dehydration is mainly related to the peripheral neuropathy without a significant vascular cause.

Both in vitro T cell proliferation and telomere length are decreased, but CD25 expression and IL-2 production are not affected in aged men.

INTRODUCTION: Aging is a natural process involving dysfunction of multiple organs and is characterized by increased susceptibility to infections, cancer and autoimmune diseases. The functionality of the immune system depends on the capacity of lymphocytes to proliferate in response to antigenic challenges, and telomere length has an important role regulating the number of cell divisions. The aim of this study was to determine the possible relationship between telomere length, interleukin 2 (IL-2) production, CD25 expression and proliferation of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) in aged men. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Telomere length was measured by RT-PCR in PBMCs from young and aged men. IL-2 production and CD25 expression were determined by ELISA and flow cytometry, respectively. Cell proliferation was measured by CFSE dilution assays upon in vitro stimulation with concanavalin A (Con A). RESULTS: PBMCs from aged men showed a shorter telomere length and a reduced capacity to proliferate in vitro, compared to young men. In contrast, no significant differences in the level of CD25 expression on T lymphocytes, and in vitro production of IL-2 were detected in both groups. In addition, no significant correlation was detected between levels of CD25 expression, IL-2 production, cell proliferation, and telomere length in aged men. CONCLUSIONS: In aged men the telomere length shortening and the reduced T cell proliferation are not related to the capacity of IL-2 production and CD25 expression on T lymphocytes.

Case Report: Uterine Adenosarcoma With Sarcomatous Overgrowth and Malignant Heterologous Elements.

A 46- year-old woman presented a uterine adenosarcoma originating in the lower uterine segment. The diagnosis was made in an endometrial biopsy and confirmed in the pathological examination of the complete surgical specimen, both identifying heterologous malignant elements. In addition, complementary immunohistochemical studies were performed. We reviewed the literature, illustrating the clinical and morphological characteristics and the differential diagnoses to be evaluated.

The Impact of Hurricane Maria on Student Pharmacists and Their Perception of Their Academic Performance.

Objective. To assess the self-reported impact of hurricane Maria on the perceived academic performance of student pharmacists at Nova Southeastern University's (NSU) Puerto Rico Regional Campus. Methods. A 37-item electronic instrument, the Hurricane Impact Survey, was created and sent by email to all student pharmacists ≥21 years old enrolled at NSU-COP Puerto Rico Campus during the fall 2017 semester. The electronic survey was available through Redcap platform for four weeks. Descriptive statistics, bivariate analysis, and logistic regression were used to analyze students' responses. Qualitative analysis was used to identify emerging themes in the open-ended comments. Results. A total of 150 student pharmacists completed the survey for a response rate of 69% (150/215). More than 70% of student pharmacists perceived that their academic performance was affected after the hurricane. About one third of students reported not being able to function mentally at the same level as they had prior to the storm (n=53, 35%) and reported having difficulty sleeping (n=54, 36%). Female student pharmacists were more likely than male student pharmacists to report not being able to function at the same level mentally as they had before the hurricane (41% vs 17%). In the multivariate analysis, first- and second-year student pharmacists were more likely to perceive a negative impact on their academic performance compared to third- and fourth-year student pharmacists. Lack of preparedness, gratefulness, and campus management were the themes that emerged from the qualitative analysis. Conclusion. Hurricane Maria had a significant impact on the lives of student pharmacists in Puerto Rico. This led to a perception of diminished academic performance, especially among first- and second-year students. The results can be used to guide preparedness and response to natural disasters in academic settings.

Monofrequency electrical impedance mammography (EIM) diagnostic system in breast cancer screening.

BACKGROUND: Some evidence has shown that malignant breast tumours have lower electrical impedance than surrounding normal tissues. Electrical impedance could be used as an indicator for breast cancer detection. The purpose of our study was to analyse the sensitivity and specificity of electrical impedance mammography (EIM) and its implementation for the differential diagnosis of pathological lesions of the breast, either alone or in combination with mammography/ultrasound, in 1200 women between 25 and 70 years old. METHODS: This study is a prospective, cross-sectional epidemiological observational study of serial screening. The women were invited to participate and signed a consent letter. Impedance imaging of the mammary gland was evaluated with the computerized mammography equipment of MEIK electroimpedance v.5.6. (0.5 mA, 50 kHz), developed and manufactured by PKF SIM-Technika®. The successful identification of breast cancer along with the sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values of EIM were determined as follows: % sensitivity; % specificity; % positive predictive value (PPV); and % negative predictive value (NPV). RESULTS: EIM had a sensitivity of 85% and a specificity of 96%; the positive predictive value was 12%, and the negative predictive value was 99%. Seven cases were biopsy confirmed cancers. Significant correlations between the electrical conductivity index and body mass index (BMI) (p = 0.04) and patient age were observed (p = 0.01). We also observed that the average conductivity distribution increased according to age group (p = 0.001). We used the chi-squared test to assess the interactions between percent density and BMI (normal < 25 kg/m2 (n = 310), overweight 25-29.9 kg/m2 (n = 418) and obese ≥30 (n = 437)) (p <  0.05). The patients with a diagnosis of mammary carcinoma had a BMI of 35.51 kg/m2. CONCLUSIONS: Our results demonstrate that the use of monofrequency electrical impedance mammography (EIM) in the detection of breast cancer had a sensitivity and specificity of 85 and 96%, respectively. These findings may support future research in the early detection of breast cancer. EIM is a non-radiation method that may also be used as a screening method for young women with dense breasts and a high risk of developing breast cancer.

Recovery Of Bone And Muscle Mass In Patients With Chronic Kidney Disease And Iron Overload On Hemodialysis And Taking Combined Supplementation With Curcumin And Resveratrol.

INTRODUCTION: Malnutrition is common in haemodialysis patients and closely related to morbidity and mortality. We evaluated the effect of twelve weeks of supplementation with resveratrol and curcumin on recovery of bone and muscle mass and protein oxidation, lipid peroxidation on patients with chronic kidney disease and iron overload undergoing hemodialysis, we performed a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. METHODS: We included a total of 40 patients, were randomly assigned to two groups, 20 to the group with antioxidant supplementation (Resveratrol + Curcumin) (Group A), treated with a daily oral dose of 500 mg of Resveratrol and 500 mg of Curcumin, and 20 to the control group treated with placebo (Group B). RESULTS: Significant differences were found in the body composition of the patients between both groups. There was a significant difference in Body Mass Index (BMI) values (p = 0.002), fat percentage (p = 0.007), muscle mass (p = 0.01) bone mass (p = 0.01), as well as in the score of the subjective global evaluation (p = 0.03). Also differences were found between the basal and final serum levels of Triglycerides (TG) (p = 0.01), VLDL (p = 0.003). A significant decrease in the levels of serum ferritin (2003.69 ± 518.73 vs 1795.65 ± 519.00 ng/mL; p = 0.04). Nor were significant differences observed between the baseline and the final Thiobarbituric Acid Reactive Substances (TBARS) values (70.45 ± 69.21 vs 50.19 ± 32.62, p = 0.24). The same results was obtained for carbonyl values (2.67 ± 0.75 vs 2.50 ± 0.85; p = 0.50). DISCUSSION: The present study is the first assay on patients with chronic kidney disease and iron overload that demonstrates the beneficial effects of combined supplementation with Curcumin and Resveratrol on muscle and bone mass. There was a significant decrease in circulating levels of ferritin, to finding that remarkably novel.

Clinical correlations of striatal hand deformities in Parkinson's disease.

BACKGROUND: Hand deformities have been recognized since the 19th century as part of the postural abnormalities observed in Parkinson's disease (PD). However, their pathogenesis and clinical correlations are poorly understood. METHODS: We evaluated 104 hands of 52 consecutive patients with PD by high-resolution photographs taken from the radial aspect of each hand; the degree of flexion of the 2nd metacarpophalangeal (MCP) joint was measured by software. The presence of classical striatal hand deformity (CSHD) was also evaluated, defined as MCP flexion, proximal interphalangeal joint extension, and distal interphalangeal joint flexion. RESULTS: Patients with PD had a mean age of 63.3 ± 12.7 years, and 29 (56%) were male. The degree of MCP joint flexion in both hands showed moderate correlation with the MDS-UPDRS-III motor score (r = 0.518, P < 0.001), mainly related to ipsilateral rigidity and ipsilateral bradykinesia scores, and fair correlation with the Hoehn-Yahr stage. A CSHD only correlated with a younger age at onset of PD (P = 0.049). These hand deformities were not markers of dyskinesia, levodopa equivalent dose, or cognitive dysfunction. CONCLUSIONS: Metacarpophalangeal joint flexion is the most common hand deformity in PD and correlates with rigidity and bradykinesia. A CSHD was only related to a younger age at onset.

Qualitative evaluation of ferritin in serum samples by Raman spectroscopy and principal component analysis.

Iron molecule is of great importance in the synthesis of hemoglobin which is essential for oxygen transport. Iron levels are quantified by accurately high sensitivity tests, such as serum ferritin (SF). However, common studies to quantify SF are long and strenuous (~ 5 h), for example enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). In this paper, blood serum samples were analyzed by Raman spectroscopy (RS), and a computational analysis of spectra is proposed to detect differences in SF as an alternative procedure. Serum samples were obtained from 22 patients, 9 who were clinically diagnosed with anemia and 13 controls. Patients with anemia had low levels of SF (< 30 ng/ml), and a control group had levels between 30 and 500 ng/ml. The spectra obtained were conditioned with a baseline correction and smoothing, then evaluated by principal component analysis (PCA), and a predictive model was estimated by lineal discrimination analysis (LDA). The results showed a clear differentiation of the study groups by PCA, also 99.69% sensitivity and 100% specificity by LDA. This study suggest that Raman spectroscopy is a fast (~ 5 min) and a powerful tool capable to qualitative differentiate ferritin concentrations.

Telomere length analysis in residents of a community exposed to arsenic.

Differentiated cells telomere length is an indicator of senescence or lifespan; however, in peripheral blood leukocytes the relative shortening of the telomere has been considered as a biological marker of aging, and lengthening telomere as an associated risk to cancer. Individual's age, type of tissue, lifestyle, and environmental factors make telomere length variable. The presence of environmental carcinogens such as arsenic (As) influence as causal agents of these alterations, the main modes of action for As described are oxidative stress, reduction in DNA repair capacity, overexpression of genes, alteration of telomerase activity, and damage to telomeres. The telomeres of leukocytes resulting a finite capacity of replication due to the low or no activity of the telomerase enzyme, therefore, elongation telomere in this kind of cells is a potential biological marker associated with the development of chronic diseases and carcinogenesis.

Estudio del efecto fisiológico del consumo de arepas enriquecidas con pectina extraída de la cáscara de curuba (Passiflora tripartita var. mollissima) / Study of the physiological effect of the consumption of arepas enriched with pectin extracted from banana passionfruit peel (Passiflora tripartita var. mollissima) / Estudo do efeito fisiológico pelo consumo de arepas enriquecidas com pectina extraída da casca de curuba (Passiflora tripartita var. mollisima)

Resumen Se evaluó el efecto fisiológico del consumo de arepas de maíz enriquecidas con 10% (p/p) de pectina extraída de cáscara de curuba sobre los niveles séricos de glucosa y lípidos en adultos voluntarios. La pectina se extrajo con ácido clorhídrico y se precipitó con etanol del 96% (v/v). En primer lugar, los voluntarios consumieron arepa sin pectina por siete días; después, arepa con 10% (p/p) de pectina cítrica comercial por 20 días y, finalmente, arepa con 10% de pectina de curuba por 20 días. Al mismo tiempo, se realizó un análisis sensorial de aceptación. Los resultados mostraron que, al consumir arepa con pectina de curuba, los niveles séricos de glucosa disminuyeron significativamente (5,88% (p = 0,023)), mientras que el perfil lipídico no se afectó. La arepa con pectina de curuba mostró mayor porcentaje de fibra dietética soluble, insoluble y total, así como menor porcentaje de carbohidratos disponibles, respecto a las otras arepas analizadas. El panel sensorial dictaminó baja aceptación en sabor y textura para las arepas con pectina cítrica comercial y con pectina de curuba. Se concluyó que la pectina de curuba puede aprovecharse para la formulación de arepas ya que ofrece a los consumidores un alimento benéfico para reducir los niveles de glucosa en la sangre.

Abstract The physiological effect of corn arepas consumption enriched with 10% (w/w) pectin extracted from banana passionfruit peel was evaluated on the serum levels of glucose and lipid in adult volunteers. The pectin was extracted with hydrochloric acid and precipitated with 96% (v/v) ethanol. Firstly, the volunteers consumed arepa without pectin for seven days; then, arepa with 10% of commercial citrus pectin for 20 days, and, finally, arepa with 10% banana passionfruit pectin for 20 days. At the same time, a sensory acceptance analysis was carried out. The results showed that, when consuming arepa with banana passionfruit pectin, serum glucose levels decreased significantly (5.88% (p = 0.023)), while the lipid profile was not affected. The arepa formulated with banana passionfruit pectin showed a higher percentage of soluble, insoluble and total dietary fiber, as well as a lower percentage of available carbohydrates as compared to the other analyzed arepas. The sensory panel ruled low acceptance in flavor and texture for arepas with commercial citrus and banana passionfruit pectin. It was concluded that banana passionfruit pectin can be used for the formulation of arepas since it offers to consumers a beneficial food to reduce blood glucose levels.

Resumo Este estudo avaliou o efeito metabólico do consumo de arepas de milho enriquecidas com 10% (p/p) de pectina extraída da casca da curuba, sobre os níveis séricos de glucose e lipídios, em adultos voluntários. A pectina foi extraída utilizando ácido clorídrico e precipitou-se com etanol à 96% (v/v). Primeiro, os voluntários consumiram arepa sem pectina por sete dias, então arepa com 10% de pectina cítrica comercial por 20 dias, e finalmente arepa com 10% de pectina de curuba por 20 dias. Paralelamente, foi realizado uma análise sensorial de aceitação. Os resultados encontrados mostram que ao consumir arepa com pectina de curuba os níveis séricos de glucose diminuíram significativamente (5,88% (p = 0,023)), enquanto que o perfil lipídico não foi afectado. A arepa com pectina de curuba mostrou maior percentagem de fibra dietética solúvel, insolúvel e total, e um menor percentagem de carboidratos disponíveis com respeito aos valores das outras arepas avaliadas. O painel sensorial mostrou baixa aceitação no sabor y textura para arepas com pectina cítrica comercial e de curuba. Concluiu-se que a pectina de curuba pode ser usada para a formulação de arepas, uma vez que oferece aos consumidores um alimento benéfico para reduzir os níveis de glucose no sangue.

Strawberry polyphenols decrease oxidative stress in chronic diseases / Los polifenoles de la fresa disminuyen el estrés oxidativo en enfermedades crónicas.

Consumption of hypercaloric diets leads to increase of free fatty acids (FFA), pro-inflammatory cytokines and production of oxygen and nitrogen reactive species. These alterations induce oxidative and nitrosative stress causing dysfunction of tissues and consequently the development of chronic diseases. Therefore, it is important to decrease oxidative stress and thus preventing the development of these diseases. Strawberry has a lot of Vitamin C and polyphenols, compounds with excellent antioxidant properties, which may be an option for reducing oxidative stress and therefore to prevent the development of some diseases. Studies conducted in vitro in animal models and clinical studies support that this fruit can be a good alternative to reduce oxidative stress and thus reducing and/or preventing the development of diseases in humans.

El consumo de dietas hipercalóricas conlleva al aumento de ácidos grasos libres (AGL), citocinas proinflamatorias y producción de especies reactivas de oxígeno y de nitrógeno. Estas alteraciones inducen estrés oxidativo y nitrosativo que daña a los tejidos causando disfunción de los mismos y en consecuencia se pueden desarrollar enfermedades crónicas. Por lo tanto, es importante disminuir el estrés oxidativo y con ello prevenir el desarrollo de estas enfermedades. La fresa es un fruto rico en vitamina C y polifenoles, compuestos con excelentes propiedades antioxidantes, por lo que puede ser una opción para la disminución del estrés oxidativo y por lo tanto, para prevenir el desarrollo de algunas enfermedades. Los estudios realizados in vitro, en modelos animales y estudios clínicos sustentan que la fresa puede ser una buena alternativa para disminuir el estrés oxidativo y así atenuar y/o prevenir el desarrollo de enfermedades en el humano.

R-Spondin-2 Is Upregulated in Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis and Affects Fibroblast Behavior.

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is characterized by the expansion of the myofibroblast population, excessive extracellular matrix accumulation, and destruction of the lung parenchyma. The R-spondin family (RSPO) comprises a group of proteins essential for development. Among them, RSPO2 is expressed primarily in the lungs, and its mutations cause severe defects in the respiratory tract. Interestingly, RSPO2 participates in the canonical Wingless/int1 pathway, a critical route in the pathogenesis of IPF. Thus, the aim of this study was to examine the expression and putative role of RSPO2 in this disease. We found that RSPO2 and its receptor leucine-rich G protein-coupled receptor 6 were upregulated in IPF lungs, where they localized primarily in fibroblasts and epithelial cells. Stimulation of IPF and normal lung fibroblasts with recombinant human RSPO2 resulted in the deregulation of numerous genes, although the transcriptional response was essentially distinct. In IPF fibroblasts, RSPO2 stimulation induced the up- or downregulation of several genes involved in the Wingless/int1 pathway (mainly from noncanonical signaling). In both normal and IPF fibroblasts, RSPO2 modifies the expression of genes implicated in several pathways, including the cell cycle and apoptosis. In accordance with gene expression, the stimulation of normal and IPF fibroblasts with RSPO2 significantly reduced cell proliferation and induced cell death. RSPO2 also inhibited collagen production and increased the expression of matrix metalloproteinase 1. Silencing RSPO2 with shRNA induced the opposite effects. Our findings demonstrate, for the first time to our knowledge, that RSPO2 is upregulated in IPF, where it appears to have an antifibrotic role.

Effect of reduced dietary fat on estradiol, adiponectin, and IGF-1 levels in postmenopausal women with breast cancer.

INTRODUCTION: In recent years, epidemiological studies have strongly related obesity with an increased risk of developing postmenopausal breast cancer. The aromatization of fatty tissue increases the levels of estradiol and adiponectin, which is correlated with the body mass index (BMI). It is of interest to investigate the effect of reducing BMI on estradiol, adiponectin, and IGF-1, as reducing BMI could be a new strategy to limit the risk of recurrence during the adjuvant treatment of breast cancer. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of reduced dietary fat on the levels of serum estradiol, adiponectin, and IGF-1 among postmenopausal Mexican women with breast cancer. METHODS: In this controlled clinical trial, 100 female patients were randomly divided into two groups and followed for six months. Group 1 (n = 50) was subjected to reduced dietary fat, whereas Group 2 (n = 50) was subjected to a control diet. The levels of serum estradiol and testosterone were determined using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, whereas the concentrations of adiponectin and IGF-1 were determined using a radioimmunoassay. RESULTS: The patients subjected to reduced dietary fat showed a significant difference in BMI (27.93 ± 4.45 vs 26.05 ± 2.65; p = 0.01) and waist circumference (99.92 vs 91.59 cm; p = 0.0001) after the treatment. Moreover, a significant decrease in serum estradiol was observed (21.23 ± 14.32 vs 16.05 ± 10.25 ng/mL; p < 0.001). The adiponectin concentration also decreased significantly (47.53 ± 12.19 vs 42.52 ± 12.34 µg/mL; p = 0.004), while IGF-1 and testosterone did not show significant changes (p > 0.05). In addition, BMI had a relationship with serum adiponectin (r = -0.27; p = 0.02) and estradiol (r = 0.37; p = 0.001). CONCLUSION: The current study shows that reducing BMI decreases serum estradiol and adiponectin. Large clinical trials are needed to investigate the role of adiponectin in breast cancer development in obese women.

Association between telomere length and CYP19 TTTA repetition polymorphism in healthy and breast cancer-diagnosed women.

INTRODUCTION: Several studies have reported an increase in breast cancer (BC) risk when patients are carriers of the CYP19 TTA polymorphism with ≥10 repeats; moreover, it has been reported that telomere length is associated with a higher susceptibility of developing cancer. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to understand the relationship between CYP19 TTTA repetition polymorphism and telomere length and its effects on serum estradiol, estrone and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 180 postmenopausal healthy and 70 BC-diagnosed women were included. Telomere length was determined through real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction, and aromatase polymorphism was analyzed through DNA; both samples were obtained from circulating leukocytes. Serum estrone, estradiol and FSH were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS: Patients with a BC diagnosis showed >10 repetitions more frequently, compared with that of healthy women (50% vs 23%, χ2 = 11.44, p = 0.0007). A significant difference in telomere length between healthy and BC women was observed (5,042.7 vs 2,256.7 pb, Z = 4.88, p < 0.001). CYP19 TTTA repeat polymorphism was associated with serum levels of estradiol and estrone in both groups, being higher in those with >10 repeats. Moreover, telomere length showed an inverse relationship with the number of repeats of the aromatase polymorphism in healthy women (R2 = 0.04, r = -0.24); in contrast, BC patients did not display this relationship. In addition, telomere length presented an inverse relationship with serum levels of estradiol and estrone in BC patients (p = 0.02). CONCLUSION: Telomere length is shorter in BC patients than in healthy patients. The CYP19 TTTA repeat polymorphism is associated with serum levels of estradiol and estrone in both healthy women and BC patients, being higher in those with polymorphism carriers >10 repeats. Telomere length has an inverse correlation with the number of repeats of the aromatase polymorphism in healthy women but not in BC women. Estradiol and estrone levels in BC women have an inverse relationship with telomere length.

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor plasma levels and premature cognitive impairment/dementia in type 2 diabetes.

AIM: To assess the relationship of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) with cognitive impairment in patients with type 2 diabetes. METHODS: The study included 40 patients with diabetes mellitus type 2 (DM2), 37 patients with chronic kidney disease in hem dialysis hemodialysis therapy (HD) and 40 healthy subjects. BDNF in serum was quantified by ELISA. The Folstein Mini-Mental State Examination was used to evaluate cognitive impairment. RESULTS: The patients with DM2 and the patients in HD were categorized into two groups, with cognitive impairment and without cognitive impairment. The levels of BDNF showed significant differences between patients with DM2 (43.78 ± 9.05 vs 31.55 ± 10.24, P = 0.005). There were no differences between patients in HD (11.39 ± 8.87 vs 11.11 ± 10.64 P = 0.77); interestingly, ferritin levels were higher in patients with cognitive impairment (1564 ± 1335 vs 664 ± 484 P = 0.001). The comparison of BDNF values, using a Kruskal Wallis test, between patients with DM2, in HD and healthy controls showed statistical differences (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Low levels of BDNF are associated with cognitive impairment in patients with DM2. The decrease of BDNF occurs early and progressively in patients in HD.