Reliability of magnetic resonance for temporomandibular joint disc perforation: A 12 years retrospective study.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the reliability of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in detecting disc perforations in the temporomandibular joint (TMJ), and to establish diagnostic criteria for this purpose. The retrospective analysis included patients who had undergone preoperative MRI and TMJ arthroscopy at the same hospital. Direct and indirect signs of disc abnormalities on MRI were compared with arthroscopic findings of disc perforation. Out of 355 joints evaluated in 185 patients, arthroscopy confirmed disc perforations in 14.7% of cases. Several MRI findings were significantly associated with disc perforation, including anterior disc displacement without reduction (ADDwoR), signal alterations in the mid-disc area, disc deformity (SAMD), retrocondylar disc fragments, osteophytes, condylar bone marrow degeneration (CBMD), and joint effusion in both joint spaces (ESJS-EIJS). Regression analysis revealed that SAMD, osteophytes, and CBDM were strongly associated with disc perforation. The ROC curve showed that MRI had an AUC = 0.791, with a sensitivity of 88.5% and a specificity of 61.5%. Two diagnostic methods, one based on three findings (osteophytes, ADDwoR, and SAMD) and one based on two direct signs (ADDwoR and SAMD), yielded high sensitivity and specificity values of 80.4% and 69.8%, and 84.3% and 62.5%, respectively. In conclusion, MRI demonstrated acceptable accuracy in the detection of TMJ disc perforations, with specific diagnostic criteria offering high sensitivity and specificity. Significant MRI indicators of disc perforation included SAMD, osteophytes, and CBDM. This study provides valuable information on the use of MRI as a diagnostic tool for TMJ disc perforations.

Personalized Interventional Surgery of the Lumbar Spine: A Perspective on Minimally Invasive and Neuroendoscopic Decompression for Spinal Stenosis.

Pain generator-based lumbar spinal decompression surgery is the backbone of modern spine care. In contrast to traditional image-based medical necessity criteria for spinal surgery, assessing the severity of neural element encroachment, instability, and deformity, staged management of common painful degenerative lumbar spine conditions is likely to be more durable and cost-effective. Targeting validated pain generators can be accomplished with simplified decompression procedures associated with lower perioperative complications and long-term revision rates. In this perspective article, the authors summarize the current concepts of successful management of spinal stenosis patients with modern transforaminal endoscopic and translaminar minimally invasive spinal surgery techniques. They represent the consensus statements of 14 international surgeon societies, who have worked in collaborative teams in an open peer-review model based on a systematic review of the existing literature and grading the strength of its clinical evidence. The authors found that personalized clinical care protocols for lumbar spinal stenosis rooted in validated pain generators can successfully treat most patients with sciatica-type back and leg pain including those who fail to meet traditional image-based medical necessity criteria for surgery since nearly half of the surgically treated pain generators are not shown on the preoperative MRI scan. Common pain generators in the lumbar spine include (a) an inflamed disc, (b) an inflamed nerve, (c) a hypervascular scar, (d) a hypertrophied superior articular process (SAP) and ligamentum flavum, (e) a tender capsule, (f) an impacting facet margin, (g) a superior foraminal facet osteophyte and cyst, (h) a superior foraminal ligament impingement, (i) a hidden shoulder osteophyte. The position of the key opinion authors of the perspective article is that further clinical research will continue to validate pain generator-based treatment protocols for lumbar spinal stenosis. The endoscopic technology platform enables spine surgeons to directly visualize pain generators, forming the basis for more simplified targeted surgical pain management therapies. Limitations of this care model are dictated by appropriate patient selection and mastering the learning curve of modern MIS procedures. Decompensated deformity and instability will likely continue to be treated with open corrective surgery. Vertically integrated outpatient spine care programs are the most suitable setting for executing such pain generator-focused programs.

In Vivo Evaluation of the Cardiometabolic Potential of Grape Pomace: Effect of Applying Instant Controlled Pressure Drop.

Grape pomace (GP) is a source of polyphenols which may be present as free structures or associated with dietary fiber. Instant controlled pressure drop (DIC) is a technology which can modify the association of polyphenols with food matrixes, but how these modifications affect the health benefits associated with GP remains to be elucidated. In this study, in rats fed a high-fat-fructose diet (HFF), we evaluated the in vivo cardiometabolic effects of the modification of polyphenols in GP caused by DIC at 0.2 MPa for 60 s (DIC1) and 0.4 MPa for 120 s (DIC2). These treatments increased anthocyanin and total flavonoid contents, respectively, while all the supplementations caused significant improvements in insulin resistance and plasma triacylglycerols. Thus, the bioactive compounds present in GP (including a major fraction of non-extractable proanthocyanidins) caused these modifications independently of the specific polyphenol profiles which may have resulted from these DIC treatments. Additionally, only intact GP led to an increase in HDL cholesterol, while only DIC2-treated GP improved hepatic steatosis. In conclusion, GP always improves insulin sensitivity in this animal model of obesity, while the different compositions of GP modified by DIC may be associated with other cardiometabolic parameters.

Rompiendo el efecto ''techo de cristal'' en la generación de evidencia clínica de alto nivel en ortopedia y traumatología / Breaking the "glass ceiling" effect in the generation of high-level clinical evidence in orthopedics and traumatology

Introduction: In clinical studies involving common orthopedic problems and traumatic injuries, randomization methods are difficult to orchestrate. The lack of high-level clinical evidence based on prospective, randomized, double-blind studies is often cited as a major reason for rejecting proposed therapeutic advances in orthopedic surgery. Materials and methods: This opinion document summarizes the limitations of clinical trials in surgical subspecialties. A consensus is presented about how the practicing orthopedic surgeon can produce high-quality clinical evidence and thus make changes to their clinical practice protocols. Results: This literature review revealed that level of evidence classifications vary among surgical subspecialties. Research in orthopedics and traumatology is primarily directed toward diagnosis, preferred treatment, and economic decision analysis, while other prognostic classifications are preferred in other areas, such as plastic surgery. In orthopedics, double-blind controlled studies are rare and often impractical or even unethical. Crossover between randomized surgical trials of study groups is more common. Other difficulties in surgical trials range from: lack of organizational and financial support, institutional approval or ethics committee and registration requirements for clinical trials, and to insufficient time outside of an already busy clinical program to dedicate to this laborious task. uncompensated task. Conclusion: Orthopedic surgery is a subspecialty based on experience and skill. Many innovations begin with enterprising surgeons reporting opinion reports or retrospective cohort studies, many of which are biased. Prospective observational cohort studies with consistent results may offer higher grade clinical evidence than poorly executed randomized trials.

Airways cephalometric norms from a sample of Caucasian Children.

BACKGROUND: The diagnosis of the respiratory pattern and the analysis of airway dimension using lateral cephalometric radiographs include the study of the adenoid region, free air space of the nasopharynx and oropharynx, soft palate and posterior part of the tongue. The objective of this study is to identify the airways cephalometric norms from a sample of Caucasian children, in relation to gender, age and type of malocclusion. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 480 patients of both sexes were included in the study, the age ranged between 6-12 years. The radiographic records were analyzed using the Nemoceph® 11.3.0 software and the diagnosis of skeletal class was performed using the Steiner analysis. The cephalometric measurements used for the study were PNS-AD1, AD1-Ba, PNS-Ba, Ptm-Ba, PNS-H and the upper and lower airways according to McNamara analysis. The comparative analysis was performed using only upper and lower airways variables. RESULTS: The mean values for each variable in the total sample were 23.2 mm (PNS-Ad1), 24.7 mm (Ad1-Ba), 47.6 mm (PNS-Ba), 45.7 mm (Ptm-Ba), 30.0 mm (PNS-H), 9.3 mm (upper airway) and 11.5 mm (lower airway). According to gender, all variables were greater in the boys group except for the lower airway. In relation to age, the mean values increased with age except for the lower airway and the AD1-Ba variables. In patients with skeletal Class I greater dimensions of the upper and lower airways were observed. CONCLUSIONS: In this Caucasian sample, it has been observed a tendency of minor airway dimensions in patients with skeletal Class II, lower age range female gender. It has been observed only significant differences between age and skeletal class for lower airways variable and, in relation to upper airways variable the results were significant in relation to age. Key words:Child development, Diagnostic XRay, Cephalometry, Respiratory system diagnostic imaging.

An updated review of idiopathic osteosclerosis of the jaws / Una revisión actualizada de la osteoesclerosis idiopática en los maxilares

Objective: The aim of this study was to update the concepts of the diagnosis of idiopathic osteosclerosis (IO) of the jaws by digital panoramic radiographs and cone beam tomography and describe the impact of this disease on oral and general health. Methods: A search of the main databases of dental medical research was carried out using the search terms "osteosclerosis, panoramic radiography, cone beam computed tomography, jaws". Articles without language restriction until September 30, 2020 were identified. The prevalence and clinical and radiographic characteristics of IO of the jaws were examined in 2D and 3D imaging studies, as well as the interaction during treatments in the various dental specialties. Results: We analyzed the current situation regarding the diagnosis of IO, with an update of the diagnostic criteria used to accurately identify IO in the latest generation imaging studies, as well determine its possible interactions in oral an general health. Conclusions: It is important to have a clear differential diagnosis of IO and be able to distinguish different radiopacities in the maxilla. Accurate reporting and monitoring of the morphometric characteristics are necessary taking into account the impact the presence of IO of the jaws has on future dental treatments. (AU)

Objetivo: El propósito de esta investigación fue actualizar las consideraciones para el diagnóstico de la osteoesclerosis idiopática en radiografías panorámicas digitales y tomografías de haz cónico, a fin de determinar sus implicancias en la salud oral y general. Métodos: Se realizó las pesquisas en las principales bases de datos de investigación médica estomatológica, utilizando las palabras "osteoesclerosis", "radiografía panorámica", "tomografía computarizada de haz cónico" y "mandíbula". Se identificaron artículos sin restricción de idioma, desde las primeras publicaciones hasta el 30 de septiembre del 2020. Se examinaron la prevalencia, las características clínicas y radiográficas en estudios imagenológicos de dos y tres dimensiones, así como su interacción durante los tratamientos realizados en las diversas especialidades estomatológicas. Resultados: La información obtenida nos permitió analizar la situación actual con respecto al diagnóstico de la OI y actualizar los criterios diagnósticos para una identificación certera de la OI en los estudios imagenológicos de última generación, así como sus posibles interacciones en la salud oral y general. Conclusiones: Es importante tener un criterio diagnóstico diferencial claro al distinguir las diferentes radiopacidades como la OI, que se pueden presentar en los maxilares, mediante un registro preciso de sus características morfométricas y seguimiento en el tiempo, teniendo en cuenta su existencia y sus implicancias en los tratamientos dentales a futuro. (AU)

An updated review of idiopathic osteosclerosis of the jaws.

Objective: : The aim of this study was to update the concepts of the diagnosis of idiopathic osteosclerosis (IO) of the jaws by digital panoramic radiographs and cone beam tomography and describe the impact of this disease on oral and general health. Methods: A search of the main databases of dental medical research was carried out using the search terms "osteosclerosis, panoramic radiography, cone beam computed tomography, jaws". Articles without language restriction until September 30, 2020 were identified. The prevalence and clinical and radiographic characteristics of IO of the jaws were examined in 2D and 3D imaging studies, as well as the interaction during treatments in the various dental specialties. Results: We analyzed the current situation regarding the diagnosis of IO, with an update of the diagnostic criteria used to accurately identify IO in the latest generation imaging studies, as well determine its possible interactions in oral an general health. Conclusions: It is important to have a clear differential diagnosis of IO and be able to distinguish different radiopacities in the maxilla. Accurate reporting and monitoring of the morphometric characteristics are necessary taking into account the impact the presence of IO of the jaws has on future dental treatments.

Objetivo: El propósito de esta investigación fue actualizar las consideraciones para el diagnóstico de la osteoesclerosis idiopática en radiografías panorámicas digitales y tomografías de haz cónico, a fin de determinar sus implicancias en la salud oral y general. Métodos: Se realizó las pesquisas en las principales bases de datos de investigación médica estomatológica, utilizando las palabras "osteoesclerosis", "radiografía panorámica", "tomografía computarizada de haz cónico" y "mandíbula". Se identificaron artículos sin restricción de idioma, desde las primeras publicaciones hasta el 30 de septiembre del 2020. Se examinaron la prevalencia, las características clínicas y radiográficas en estudios imagenológicos de dos y tres dimensiones, así como su interacción durante los tratamientos realizados en las diversas especialidades estomatológicas. Resultados: La información obtenida nos permitió analizar la situación actual con respecto al diagnóstico de la OI y actualizar los criterios diagnósticos para una identificación certera de la OI en los estudios imagenológicos de última generación, así como sus posibles interacciones en la salud oral y general. Conclusiones: Es importante tener un criterio diagnóstico diferencial claro al distinguir las diferentes radiopacidades como la OI, que se pueden presentar en los maxilares, mediante un registro preciso de sus características morfométricas y seguimiento en el tiempo, teniendo en cuenta su existencia y sus implicancias en los tratamientos dentales a futuro.

Charged particle spectrometry to measure 10B concentration in bone.

Osteosarcoma is the most common primary malignant tumour of bone in young patients. The survival of these patients has largely been improved due to adjuvant and neo-adjuvant chemotherapy in addition to surgery. Boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT) is proposed as a complementary therapy, due to its ability to inactivate tumour cells that may survive the standard treatment and that may be responsible for recurrences and/or metastases. BNCT is based on neutron irradiation of a tumour enriched in 10B with a boron-loaded drug. Low-energy neutron capture in 10B creates charged particles that impart a high dose to tumour cells, which can be calculated only knowing the boron concentration. Charged particle spectrometry is a method that can be used to quantify boron concentration. This method requires acquisition of the energy spectra of charged particles such as alpha particles produced by neutron capture reactions in thin tissue sections irradiated with low-energy neutrons. Boron concentration is then determined knowing the stopping power of the alpha particles in the sample material. This paper describes the adaptation of this method for bone, with emphasis on sample preparation, experimental set-up and stopping power assessment of the involved alpha particles. The knowledge of boron concentration in healthy bones is important, because it allows for any dose limitation that might be necessary to avoid adverse effects such as bone fragility. The measurement process was studied through Monte Carlo simulations and analytical calculations. Finally, the boron content of bone samples was measured by alpha spectrometry at the TRIGA reactor in Pavia, Italy, and compared to that obtained by neutron autoradiography. The agreement between the results obtained with these techniques confirms the suitability of alpha spectrometry to measure boron in bone.

Comparative study of lumbar plexus path on the left and right sides through the psoas muscle / Estudo comparativo do trajeto do plexo lombar nos lados direito e esquerdo através do músculo psoas / Estudio comparativo del trayecto del plexo lumbar en los lados derecho e izquierdo a través del músculo psoas

ABSTRACT Objective: Spine surgery with a minimally invasive lateral approach and validate possible anatomical differences between the right and left sides. Methods: Four measurements (cm) were taken on 38 cadavers: the distance between the lumbar plexus and the transverse process (L4-L5) and the distance between the lumbar plexus and the midline of the lumbar spine, both on the right and left sides. Results: The mean distance between the lumbar plexus and the transverse process of L4-L5 was 1.03 cm and the distance to the midline was 3.99 cm for the right side. The averages of the left side were 1.13 cm and 3.38 cm, respectively. There is statistical difference between the sides (p<0.05) using the non-parametric Wilcoxon test. Conclusions: The authors suggest that the transverse process might be used as an anatomical landmark to define the surgical approach through the psoas muscle. Level of Evidence IV; Cadaveric study.

RESUMO Objetivo: Encontrar um referencial anatômico prático e seguro durante a cirurgia com a técnica de acesso à coluna ALMI (acesso lateral minimamente invasivo) e validar possíveis diferenças anatômicas entre os lados direito e esquerdo. Método: Foram feitas 4 medidas (cm) em 38 cadáveres: entre o plexo lombar e o processo transverso de L4L5, e entre o plexo lombar e a linha média da coluna lombar dos lados direito e esquerdo. Resultados: A distância média encontrada entre o plexo lombar e o processo transverso de L4L5 foi de 1,03cm e a distância até a linha média foi de 3,99 cm do lado direito. Já do lado esquerdo, as médias são 1,13cm e 3,88cm, respectivamente. Houve diferença estatística entre os lados (p<0,05) pelo teste não-paramétrico de Wilcoxon. Conclusão: Sugere-se como referencial anatômico o processo transverso para definir o ponto de entrada do portal de trabalho no músculo psoas. Nível de Evidência IV; Estudo Cadavérico.

RESUMEN Objetivo: Encontrar una referencia anatómica práctica y segura durante la cirugía de la columna con técnica de abordaje lateral mínimamente invasivo y validar posibles diferencias anatómicas entre los lados derecho e izquierdo. Métodos: Se realizaron 4 medidas (cm) en 38 cadáveres: distancia entre el plexo lumbar y la apófisis transversa (L4-L5) y distancia entre el plexo lumbar y la línea media de la columna lumbar, en los lados derecho e izquierdo. Resultados: La distancia promedio entre el plexo lumbar y la apófisis transversa de L4-L5 fue 1,03 cm y la distancia a la línea media fue de 3,99 cm a la derecha. Los promedios de la izquierda fueron 1,13 cm y 3,88 cm respectivamente. Hay diferencia estadística entre los lados (p <0,05) mediante la prueba no paramétrica de Wilcoxon. Conclusiones: Se sugiere como referencia anatómica la apófisis transversa para definir el portal de trabajo a través del músculo psoas. Nivel de Evidencia IV; Estudio cadavérico.

Extending neutron autoradiography technique for boron concentration measurements in hard tissues.

The neutron autoradiography technique using polycarbonate nuclear track detectors (NTD) has been extended to quantify the boron concentration in hard tissues, an application of special interest in Boron Neutron Capture Therapy (BNCT). Chemical and mechanical processing methods to prepare thin tissue sections as required by this technique have been explored. Four different decalcification methods governed by slow and fast kinetics were tested in boron-loaded bones. Due to the significant loss of the boron content, this technique was discarded. On the contrary, mechanical manipulation to obtain bone powder and tissue sections of tens of microns thick proved reproducible and suitable, ensuring a proper conservation of the boron content in the samples. A calibration curve that relates the 10B concentration of a bone sample and the track density in a Lexan NTD is presented. Bone powder embedded in boric acid solution with known boron concentrations between 0 and 100 ppm was used as a standard material. The samples, contained in slim Lexan cases, were exposed to a neutron fluence of 1012 cm-2 at the thermal column central facility of the RA-3 reactor (Argentina). The revealed tracks in the NTD were counted with an image processing software. The effect of track overlapping was studied and corresponding corrections were implemented in the presented calibration curve. Stochastic simulations of the track densities produced by the products of the 10B thermal neutron capture reaction for different boron concentrations in bone were performed and compared with the experimental results. The remarkable agreement between the two curves suggested the suitability of the obtained experimental calibration curve. This neutron autoradiography technique was finally applied to determine the boron concentration in pulverized and compact bone samples coming from a sheep experimental model. The obtained results for both type of samples agreed with boron measurements carried out by ICP-OES within experimental uncertainties. The fact that the histological structure of bone sections remains preserved allows for future boron microdistribution analysis.

Geoparque en el Distrito Minero Tlalpujahua-El Oro / Geopark in Tlalpujahua-El Oro Mining District

RESUMEN La creación y declaratoria de los geoparques en el mundo ha sido exitosa, debido a la capacidad de gestión ambiental y social que poseen. La noción de desarrollo local, a través de la administración de estos territorios en México, se impulsa con investigación enfocada al análisis de potencialidad de los territorios desde hace unos años. El objetivo de este trabajo fue conocer el potencial que posee el distrito minero Tlalpujahua-El Oro para aspirar a ser declarado geoparque. A través de un sistema de evaluación matricial se obtuvieron los índices de patrimonio geológico y geomorfológico, de cultura y educación, economía y servicios, protección y legislación, y de accesibilidad, para determinar el potencial geológico, geomorfológico, cultural y socioeconómico, además de la fundamentación teórica. Se encontraron condiciones favorables para poder conformar al distrito minero como un geo-parque, al determinar el valor biótico, histórico y cultural de la mina Dos Estrellas. Lograr esta denominación impulsaría el crecimiento social y económico de la región, teniendo a la geoconservación como eje rector e integrador de la propuesta.

ABSTRACT The establishment and declaration of geoparks in the world has been successful due to the ability of environmental and social management that they possess. The notion of local development through the administration of these territories in Mexico has been driven for several years by research focused on the analysis of potential in natural heritage territories. The objective of this work was to determine the potential of Tlalpujahua-El Oro Mining District to be declared geopark. The indices of geological and geomorphological heritage, culture and education, economy and public services, protection and legislation and accessibility were obtained through a matrix assessment system. After determining the biotic, historical, and cultural value of the mine, it is concluded that favorable conditions were encountered in order to declare this territory as a geopark. Achieving this denomination would foster the social and economic growth of the region, with geopreservation as the guiding principle of the proposal.

Novel mutations associated with nephrogenic diabetes insipidus. A clinical-genetic study.

UNLABELLED: Molecular diagnosis is a useful diagnostic tool in primary nephrogenic diabetes insipidus (NDI), an inherited disease characterized by renal inability to concentrate urine. The AVPR2 and AQP2 genes were screened for mutations in a cohort of 25 patients with clinical diagnosis of NDI. Patients presented with dehydration, polyuria-polydipsia, failure to thrive (mean ± SD; Z-height -1.9 ± 2.1 and Z-weight -2.4 ± 1.7), severe hypernatremia (mean ± SD; Na 150 ± 10 mEq/L), increased plasma osmolality (mean ± SD; 311 ± 18 mOsm/Kg), but normal glomerular filtration rate. Genetic diagnosis revealed that 24 male patients were hemizygous for 17 different putative disease-causing mutations in the AVPR2 gene (each one in a different family). Of those, nine had not been previously reported, and eight were recurrent. Moreover, we found those same AVPR2 changes in 12 relatives who were heterozygous carriers. Further, in one female patient, AVPR2 gene study turned out to be negative and she was found to be homozygous for the novel AQP2 p.Ala86Val alteration. CONCLUSION: Genetic analysis presumably confirmed the diagnosis of nephrogenic diabetes insipidus in every patient of the studied cohort. We emphasize that we detected a high presence (50 %) of heterozygous females with clinical NDI symptoms. WHAT IS KNOWN: • In most cases (90 %), inherited nephrogenic diabetes insipidus (NDI) is an X-linked disease, caused by mutations in the AVPR2 gene. • In rare occasions (10 %), it is caused by mutations in the AQP2 gene. What is new: • In this study, we report 10 novel mutations associated with NDI. • We have detected a high presence (50 %) of heterozygous carriers with clinical NDI symptoms.

Contenido de ácidos grasos en semillas de chía (Salvia hispanica L.) cultivadas en cuatro estados de México / Fatty acid content in chia (Salvia hispanica L.) seeds grown in four Mexican states

Introducción: existe evidencia científica de que la chía (Salvia hispanica L.) es originaria de México y que formó parte, junto con el maíz, frijol y amaranto, de la dieta prehispánica. Con la llegada de los españoles, su uso fue suprimido en las tradiciones y costumbres de los aztecas y mayas, no es hasta finales del siglo pasado que las semillas de chía han cobrado gran interés por su alto contenido de ácido alfa-linolénico así como su relación con la salud y nutrición humana. Objetivo: determinar el perfil de ácidos grasos en semillas de chía cultivadas en diferentes zonas de México. Métodos: se obtuvieron cinco lotes de semillas de chía, a los cuales se les extrajo el aceite en equipo soxhlet con éter de petróleo. El perfil de ácidos grasos se determinó por cromatografía de gases con detector de ionización de flama. Resultados: los análisis cromatográficos permitieron identificar y cuantificar nueve ácidos grasos en las muestras de aceite de chía, palmítico (C16) y palmitoleico (C16:1), esteárico (C18), oleico cis-9 (C18:1 c9), oleico cis-11 (C18:1 c11), oleico cis-12 (C18:1 c12), linoleico (C18: 2 c9c12), araquídico (C20), linolénico (C18:3 c6c9c12) y alfa-linolénico (C18:3 c9c12c15). El ácidos graso alfa-linolénico presentó la mayor concentración (62,67 %). Conclusiones: el contenido de ácidos grasos saturados e insaturados en el aceite de semillas de chía, cultivadas en zonas diferentes de México, se encuentra dentro del intervalo informado para otros países.

Introduction: there is scientific evidence that chia (Salvia hispanica L.) is native to Mexico and was part of the prehispanic diet alongside maize, beans and amaranth. Upon arrival of the Spanish colonizers, its use was suppressed from Aztec and Mayan customs and traditions. It is not until the end of the twentieth century that chia seeds attracted great interest due to their high alpha-linoleic acid content and its relationship to human nutrition and health. Objective: determine the fatty acid profile in chia seeds grown in various regions of Mexico. Methods: five lots of chia seeds were obtained, from which the oil was extracted in a Soxhlet device with petroleum ether. The fatty acid profile was determined by gas chromatography with a flame ionization detector. Results: chromatographic analysis permitted identification and quantification of nine fatty acids in the chia oil samples: palmitic (C16) and palmitoleic (C16:1), stearic (C18), cis-9 oleic (C18:1 c9), cis-11 oleic (C18:1 c11), cis-12 oleic (C18:1 c12), linoleic (C18: 2 c9c12), arachidic (C20), linolenic (C18:3 c6c9c12) and alpha-linolenic (C18:3 c9c12c15). Alpha-linolenic acid had the greatest concentration (62.67 %). Conclusions: the content of saturated and unsaturated fatty acids in oil from chia seeds grown in various regions of Mexico is within the range reported by other countries.

Do serum C-reactive protein and interleukin-6 predict kidney scarring after urinary tract infection?

OBJECTIVE: To investigate if serum C-reactive protein (s-CRP) and interleukin 6 (s-IL6) provide information for predicting renal damage and for DMSA patient selection in children with urinary tract infection (UTI). METHODS: This observational study was carried out in children with UTI. s-CRP and s-IL6 were measured at UTI diagnosis. Patients forming renal scarring were identified by DMSA scans. The usefulness of s-CRP and s-IL6 measurements for nephropathy scarring diagnosis was evaluated using diagnostic quality and efficiency indexes. RESULTS: Thirty-two children were included in the study. Eight showed renal scarring after the follow-up. The s-CRP was 110.23 ± 59.69 mg/L and 52.46 ± 63.13 mg/L for patients with and without renal scarring. The s-IL6 concentration was 18.34 ± 11.80 pg/mL and 8.07 ± 9.51 pg/mL respectively. The cut-off points for optimum nephropathy scarring diagnosis were 115 mg/L for s-CRP and 20 pg/mL for s-IL6. The value of highest sensitivity for s-CRP was >5 mg/L (S:100 %) and greatest specificity was >150 mg/L (Sp:95.83). The highest sensitivity for s-IL6 was >4 pg/mL (S:100 %) and the maximum specificity was >40 pg/mL (Sp:100 %). CONCLUSIONS: Results confirm that children who will develop renal scarring show higher levels of s-IL6 and s-CRP at UTI diagnosis. However, none of the techniques provide sufficient information for predicting renal damage in all patients and for DMSA patient selection.

Comparative study of Chalcone synthase promoters across plant families / Estudio Comparativo de Promotores de la Chalcón Sintasa en Diferentes Familias de Plantas

In the post – genomic era the understanding of gene regulation has become a challenge and a research priority. In this research, we performed a comparative study of the regulator sequences of the chalcone synthase gene across plant families. Twenty-two sequences of chalcone synthase promoters were compared considering three regulator Cis elements: G-Box, H-Box and TATA Box. Our results show that these Cis elements are conserved among species and even at the family level. However, in some species all of the Cis elements were not found, showing that the expression and regulation of these promoters via the Cis elements can be variable. Additionally, a comparison between promoters from a species with a chalcone synthase multigene family showed that the duplicate genes are variable in the composition of the Cis elements, suggesting that these genes could be expressing in different ways.

Urinary interleukin-6 is useful in distinguishing between upper and lower urinary tract infections.

This study was designed to determine whether the measurement of interleukin (IL)-6 in urine is useful for distinguishing between acute pyelonephritis and lower urinary tract infection. This observational study was carried out at León Hospital (Spain) on 35 patients (ten boys) aged between 0 and 14 years with urinary tract infection. Urinary levels of IL-6 were determined with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) at diagnosis and after recovery. Renal dimercaptosuccinate acid (DMSA) scan was performed on all patients to discard or confirm acute pyelonephritis. The mean urinary concentration [x +/- standard deviation (SD)] of IL-6 at diagnosis was 20.3 +/- 23.3 and 5.3 +/- 9.7 pg/ml in patients with acute pyelonephritis and lower urinary infection, respectively [95% confidence interval (CI): 2.6-27.4; p < 0.01]. Specificity for a value of IL-6 >15 pg/ml, was 94.1% (95% CI: 91.1-97.1). Positive predictive value for IL-6 >15 pg/ml was 87.5% (95% CI: 81.1-93.8). IL-6 was undetectable in the urine of both groups of patients at the time of recovery. Urinary levels of IL-6 are useful in differentiating between upper and lower urinary tract infection in children. In this clinical setting, a value >15 pg/ml is a strong indicator of acute pyelonephritis.

A generalized caspase inhibitor disrupts early mammalian development.

The role and mechanism of cell death in early mammalian embryos is not well understood. In mouse embryos collected after fertilization and maintained in vitro until blastula formation, two instances of cell death are observed: the polar bodies and one or two cells near the equator, at the junction of the inner cell mass to the prototrophoblast. Inhibitors of caspases do not block the death of the polar bodies. Inhibitors of caspases 3, 7 and 8 do not affect post-cavitation death, but the pan-caspase inhibitor zVAD-FMK, when applied at the 1-2 cell stage, causes an expansion of post-cavitation death and ultimately malformation or death of the embryo. Our results indicate that the early deaths are not caspase-dependent and that there is a role for caspase activity in early embryos, which is not related to cell death.