The DNA methyltransferase inhibitor decitabine blunts the response to a high animal fat and protein diet in mice.

Increasing evidence hints that DNA hypermethylation may mediate the pathogenic response to cardiovascular risk factors. Here, we tested a corollary of that hypothesis, i.e., that the DNA methyltransferase inhibitor decitabine (Dec) ameliorates the metabolic profile of mice fed a moderately high-animal fat and protein diet (HAFPD), a proxy of cardiovascular risk-associated Western-type diet. HAFPD-fed mice were exposed to Dec or vehicle for eight weeks (8W set, 4-32/group). To assess any memory of past exposure to Dec, we surveyed a second mice set treated as 8W but HAFPD-fed for further eight weeks without any Dec (16W set, 4-20/group). In 8W, Dec markedly reduced HAFPD-induced body weight gain in females, but marginally in males. Characterization of females revealed that Dec augmented skeletal muscle lipid content, while decreasing liver fat content and increasing plasma non-esterified fatty acids, adipose insulin resistance, and -although marginally- whole blood acylcarnitines, compared to HAFPD alone. Skeletal muscle mitochondrial DNA copy number was higher in 8W mice exposed to HAFPD and Dec, or in 16W mice fed HAFPD only, relative to 8W mice fed HAFPD only, but Dec induced a transcriptional profile indicative of ameliorated mitochondrial function. Memory of past Dec exposure was tissue-specific and sensitive to both duration of exposure to HAFPD and age. In conclusion, Dec redirected HAFPD-induced lipid accumulation towards the skeletal muscle, likely due to augmented mitochondrial functionality and increased lipid demand. As caveat, Dec induced adipose insulin resistance. Our findings may help identifying strategies for prevention and treatment of lipid dysmetabolism.

Efectos de la pandemia por COVID-19 en determinantes sociales de familias del área metropolitana de Bucaramanga

Introducción: La pandemia por COVID-19 trajo consigo grandes cambios a nivel socioeconómico, producto de las medidas tomadas para mitigar su expansión, que implicó cierre de colegios y dificultad para el acceso a servicios de salud. Sin embargo, no se cuenta con mucha información respecto al impacto que estas medidas han tenido en la salud y el bienestar de niños y adolescentes, por lo cual se desarrolló una encuesta virtual para conocer la dimensión de los efectos de la pandemia en el bienestar integral de los menores y sus familias. Metodología: Estudio observacional de corte transversal que se realizó mediante la aplicación de una encuesta en formato electrónico a padres de familia de niños y adolescentes del Área Metropolitana de Bucaramanga. Resultados: Se obtuvieron 960 respuestas. El 25,63 % de los encuestados refieren cancelación de citas médicas. El 98 % de los estudiantes pudo continuar las actividades académicas durante el aislamiento. El factor económico fue la principal causa de preocupación en el periodo de la encuesta. Discusión: Durante el periodo de aislamiento, los problemas de salud mental, las dificultades para el acceso a herramientas para la educación virtual y las barreras para la atención, propias de la emergencia sanitaria, causaron efectos significativos en la calidad de vida de los menores. Conclusiones: Ante emergencias sanitarias, se deben mantener los servicios de atención en salud de la misma forma que se hacía previo a la ocurrencia del evento, como los programas de vacunación, crecimiento y desarrollo, promoción y prevención, además de la continuidad de la escolaridad.

Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic has brought great changes along with, some of those were at the socioeconomic level, as a result of the actions taken to mitigate the virus expansion, which involved the closure of schools and restriction in accessing to some health services. However, there is not much information regarding the impact that these measures have had on the health and well-being of children and adolescents, for this reason, a virtual survey was developed to find out the dimension of the pandemic's effect on the comprehensive welfare of minors and families. Methodology: Cross-sectional observational study, which was carried out by applying a survey in electronic format to parents of children and adolescents in the Metropolitan Area of Bucaramanga. Results: A total of 960 responses were obtained. Of those surveyed, 25,63% refer cancellation of medical appointments. The 98% of students were able to continue academic activities during isolation. The economic factor was the main cause of concern in the survey period. Discussion: During the isolation period, mental health problems, difficulties in accessing tools for virtual education and barriers to care, typical of the health emergency, caused a significant effects on the quality of life of youngsters. Conclusions: In the event of health emergencies, health care services should be maintained in the same way as before the occurrence of the event, such as vaccination, growth and development, promotion and prevention programs, in addition to the continuity of schooling.

Synthesis and Computational Studies Demonstrate the Utility of an Intramolecular Styryl Diels-Alder Reaction and Di-t-butylhydroxytoluene Assisted [1,3]-Shift to Construct Anticancer dl-Deoxypodophyllotoxin.

Deoxypodophyllotoxin is a secondary metabolite lignan possessing potent anticancer activity with potential as a precursor for known anticancer drugs, but its use is limited by scarcity from natural sources. We here report the total synthesis of racemic deoxypodophyllotoxin in seven steps using an intramolecular styryl Diels-Alder reaction strategy uniquely suited to assemble the deoxypodophyllotoxin core. Density functional theory was used to analyze concerted, polar, and singlet-open-shell diradical reaction pathways, which identified a low-energy concerted [4 + 2] Diels-Alder pathway followed by a faster di-t-butylhydroxytoluene assisted [1,3]-formal hydrogen shift.

Efecto del tiempo de almacenamiento sobre las características fisicoquímicas, antioxidantes y antiproliferativa de néctar de agraz (Vaccinium meridionale Swartz) / Effect of storage time on the physicochemical characteristics, antioxidant and antiproliferative nectar of unripe (Vaccinium meridionale Swartz)

El Agraz (Vaccinium meridionale Swartz), es una baya que posee alta capacidad antioxidante debido a su contenido de compuestos polifenólicos como antocianinas, ácidos fenólicos y flavonoides. El objetivo de este estudio fue evaluar la composición proximal inicial y el efecto en las características fisicoquímicas (pH, °Brix, acidez titulable (AT)), actividad antioxidante y antiproliferativa de néctares elaborados a partir de agraz liofilizado, almacenados du- rante 42 días. Se prepararon dos néctares: NA (sacarosa) y NB (aspartame), se evaluó cambio en pH, °Brix y AT cada7días durante el almacenamiento. Se determinó contenido de fenoles y antocianinas totales mediante Folin-Ciocalteau y método diferencial de pH, respectivamente, actividad antioxidante mediante FRAP y ORAC. Se analizó la actividad antiproliferativa con sulforodamina B en células SW480 (adenocarcinoma de colon). Los resultados mostraron que ambos néctares presentaron estabilidad en °Brix, pH yAT y el NB presentó menor aporte calórico. El contenido de fenoles totales aumentó durante el almacenamiento. El contenido de antocianinas y capacidad antioxidante se redujo significativamente (p<0,05). NA presentó mejor actividad antiproliferativa a las 72h, con un porcentaje de inhibición del crecimiento celular a una concentración de 1g/mL de 63,50% (IC50=0,6g/mL). Se puede concluir que NA presentó mayor capacidad antiproliferativa y NB mejor actividad antioxidante, que aunque disminuyó significativamente durante el almacenamiento, continuó siendo alta comparada con estudios reportados en la literatura. Para productos realizados a partir de bayas del género Vaccinium. Se requieren estudios adicionales “in vivo” que permitan comprobar su eficacia quimiopreventiva y dilucidar mecanismos moleculares de acción para beneficio de la salud humana, demostrando su potencial funcional descrito hasta ahora “in vitro”(AU)

Effect of storage time on the physicochemical characteristics, antioxidant and antiproliferative nectar of unripe (Vaccinium meridionale Swartz). Agraz (Vaccinium meridionale Swartz) is a berry that has high antioxidant capacity due to its content of polyphenolic compounds as anthocyanins, phenolic acids and flavonoids. The aim of this study was to evaluate the initial proximal composition and the effect on the physicochemical characteristics (pH, ° Brix, titratable and acidity (TA), antioxidant and antiproliferative activity of nectars made from unripe lyophilized and stored for 42 days. Two nectars were prepared: NA (sucrose) and NB (aspartame), was evaluated change in pH, °Brix and AT every 7 days during storage. It was determined and total phenols content by Folin-Ciocalteu anthocyanins and pH differential method, respectively, antioxidant activity by FRAP and ORAC. Antiproliferative activity with sulforhodamine B in SW480 cells (colon adenocarcinoma) were analyzed. The results showed that both were stable nectars ° Brix, pH and changes in AT. The NB has lower calories. The content of total phenols increased during storage. The anthocyanin content and antioxidant capacity was significantly reduced (p <0.05). NA presented better antiproliferative activity at 72 h, with a percentage of inhibition of cell growth at a concentration of 1g / ml of 63.50% (IC50 = 0.6 g/mL). It can be concluded that NA had a higher antiproliferative capacity and NB better antioxidant activity than even decreased significantly during storage, remained high com- pared to studies reported in the literature. Further studies "in vivo" to verify their chemopreventive efficacy and elu- cidate molecular mechanisms of action for the benefit of human health, showing their functional potential described so far "in vitro" are required(AU)

A comprehensive characterization of simple sequence repeats in pepper genomes provides valuable resources for marker development in Capsicum.

The sequences of the full set of pepper genomes including nuclear, mitochondrial and chloroplast are now available for use. However, the overall of simple sequence repeats (SSR) distribution in these genomes and their practical implications for molecular marker development in Capsicum have not yet been described. Here, an average of 868,047.50, 45.50 and 30.00 SSR loci were identified in the nuclear, mitochondrial and chloroplast genomes of pepper, respectively. Subsequently, systematic comparisons of various species, genome types, motif lengths, repeat numbers and classified types were executed and discussed. In addition, a local database composed of 113,500 in silico unique SSR primer pairs was built using a homemade bioinformatics workflow. As a pilot study, 65 polymorphic markers were validated among a wide collection of 21 Capsicum genotypes with allele number and polymorphic information content value per marker raging from 2 to 6 and 0.05 to 0.64, respectively. Finally, a comparison of the clustering results with those of a previous study indicated the usability of the newly developed SSR markers. In summary, this first report on the comprehensive characterization of SSR motifs in pepper genomes and the very large set of SSR primer pairs will benefit various genetic studies in Capsicum.

Satisfacción de pacientes que acudieron al primer nivel de atención en Bogotá / Satisfaction of patients accessing the primary level of care (outpatient) in Bogotá

Objetivo Estimar la percepción de los pacientes sobre la atención médica en el primer nivel de atención. Metodología Se aplicó una encuesta telefónica a pacientes atendidos en dos meses diferentes del 2012, indagando por variables sociodemográficas, relaciones médico-paciente y acerca del proceso de atención médica. Resultados Se encuestaron 804 pacientes. El tiempo promedio de acceso a la atención fue de 9,6 días. El 78% refiere haber podido contar todo lo que sentía al médico, el 60% que el médico le explicó lo que tenía y, uno de cuatro,que indagó por su familia. El 30% sintió alivio completo luego de la atención médica. La calificación promedio de la atención médica fue de 7,9 (DE ±1,7). Las variables relacionadas con las calificaciones más altas fueron: Poder contarle todo al médico (OR 7,5IC 95% 1,8-31), ser examinado (OR7,5 IC 95% 1,5-38,5, explicarle quétiene (OR 5,2IC 95% 1,8-15), preguntar por la familia (OR 5,8 IC 95% 2,1-16,1)y haberlo atendido antes (OR 3,5 IC 95% 1,4-8,6). Conclusiones La comunicación extensa con el paciente es tan importante como el enfrentar la enfermedad en el acto médico.(AU)

Objective To assess outpatients’ perceptions of medical care. Methodology A telephone survey was administered to patients treated in two different months in 2012 with a focus on socio-demographic variables, access to care, physician-patient relationships, and on the process of medical care. Results 804 patients were surveyed. The average time of access to care was 9.6 days. 78 % reported having been able to tell the doctor everything that they felt, 60 % reported that the doctor explained what they had, and one in four patients said that the doctor asked about their families. 30 % felt complete relief after medical care. The average rating of care was 7.9 (SD ±1.7). Variables related to the highest ratings were: having been able to tell that doctor everything that they felt (OR 7.5 CI 95 % 1.8-31), having been examined (OR 7.5 CI95 % 1.5-38.5), that the doctor explained what they had (OR 5.2 CI 95 % 1.8-15), that the doctor asked about the family (OR 5.8 CI95 % 2.1-16.1), and if doctor had treated them formerly (OR 3.5 CI95 % 1.4-8.6). Conclusions Extensive communication with the patient is as important as dealing with the disease in the medical act.(AU)

Whole-genome sequencing of cultivated and wild peppers provides insights into Capsicum domestication and specialization.

As an economic crop, pepper satisfies people's spicy taste and has medicinal uses worldwide. To gain a better understanding of Capsicum evolution, domestication, and specialization, we present here the genome sequence of the cultivated pepper Zunla-1 (C. annuum L.) and its wild progenitor Chiltepin (C. annuum var. glabriusculum). We estimate that the pepper genome expanded ∼0.3 Mya (with respect to the genome of other Solanaceae) by a rapid amplification of retrotransposons elements, resulting in a genome comprised of ∼81% repetitive sequences. Approximately 79% of 3.48-Gb scaffolds containing 34,476 protein-coding genes were anchored to chromosomes by a high-density genetic map. Comparison of cultivated and wild pepper genomes with 20 resequencing accessions revealed molecular footprints of artificial selection, providing us with a list of candidate domestication genes. We also found that dosage compensation effect of tandem duplication genes probably contributed to the pungent diversification in pepper. The Capsicum reference genome provides crucial information for the study of not only the evolution of the pepper genome but also, the Solanaceae family, and it will facilitate the establishment of more effective pepper breeding programs.

[Satisfaction of patients accessing the primary level of care (outpatient) in Bogotá]. / Satisfacción de pacientes que acudieron al primer nivel de atención en Bogotá.

OBJECTIVE: To assess outpatients'’ perceptions of medical care. METHODOLOGY: A telephone survey was administered to patients treated in two different months in 2012 with a focus on socio-demographic variables, access to care, physician-patient relationships, and on the process of medical care. RESULTS: 804 patients were surveyed. The average time of access to care was 9.6 days. 78 % reported having been able to tell the doctor everything that they felt, 60 % reported that the doctor explained what they had, and one in four patients said that the doctor asked about their families. 30 % felt complete relief after medical care. The average rating of care was 7.9 (SD ±1.7). Variables related to the highest ratings were: having been able to tell that doctor everything that they felt (OR 7.5 CI 95 % 1.8-31), having been examined (OR 7.5 CI95 % 1.5-38.5), that the doctor explained what they had (OR 5.2 CI 95 % 1.8-15), that the doctor asked about the family (OR 5.8 CI95 % 2.1-16.1), and if doctor had treated them formerly (OR 3.5 CI95 % 1.4-8.6). CONCLUSIONS: Extensive communication with the patient is as important as dealing with the disease in the medical act.

Transcriptome analysis of symptomatic and recovered leaves of geminivirus-infected pepper (Capsicum annuum).

BACKGROUND: Geminiviruses are a large and important family of plant viruses that infect a wide range of crops throughout the world. The Begomovirus genus contains species that are transmitted by whiteflies and are distributed worldwide causing disease on an array of horticultural crops. Symptom remission, in which newly developed leaves of systemically infected plants exhibit a reduction in symptom severity (recovery), has been observed on pepper (Capsicum annuum) plants infected with Pepper golden mosaic virus (PepGMV). Previous studies have shown that transcriptional and post-transcriptional gene silencing mechanisms are involved in the reduction of viral nucleic acid concentration in recovered tissue. In this study, we employed deep transcriptome sequencing methods to assess transcriptional variation in healthy (mock), symptomatic, and recovered pepper leaves following PepGMV infection. RESULTS: Differential expression analyses of the pepper leaf transcriptome from symptomatic and recovered stages revealed a total of 309 differentially expressed genes between healthy (mock) and symptomatic or recovered tissues. Computational prediction of differential expression was validated using quantitative reverse-transcription PCR confirming the robustness of our bioinformatic methods. Within the set of differentially expressed genes associated with the recovery process were genes involved in defense responses including pathogenesis-related proteins, reactive oxygen species, systemic acquired resistance, jasmonic acid biosynthesis, and ethylene signaling. No major differences were found when compared the differentially expressed genes in symptomatic and recovered tissues. On the other hand, a set of genes with novel roles in defense responses was identified including genes involved in histone modification. This latter result suggested that post-transcriptional and transcriptional gene silencing may be one of the major mechanisms involved in the recovery process. Genes orthologous to the C. annuum proteins involved in the pepper-PepGMV recovery response were identified in both Solanum lycopersicum and Solanum tuberosum suggesting conservation of components of the viral recovery response in the Solanaceae. CONCLUSION: These data provide a valuable source of information for improving our understanding of the underlying molecular mechanisms by which pepper leaves become symptomless following infection with geminiviruses. The identification of orthologs for the majority of genes differentially expressed in recovered tissues in two major solanaceous crop species provides the basis for future comparative analyses of the viral recovery process across related taxa.

The infective cycle of Cabbage leaf curl virus (CaLCuV) is affected by CRUMPLED LEAF (CRL) gene in Arabidopsis thaliana.

BACKGROUND: Geminiviruses are single-stranded DNA viruses that cause serious crop losses worldwide. Successful infection by these pathogens depends extensively on virus-host intermolecular interactions that allow them to express their gene products, to replicate their genomes and to move to adjacent cells and throughout the plant. RESULTS: To identify host genes that show an altered regulation in response to Cabbage leaf curl virus (CaLCuV) infection, a screening of transposant Arabidopsis thaliana lines was carried out. Several genes were identified to be virus responsive and one, Crumpled leaf (CRL) gene, was selected for further characterization. CRL was previously reported by Asano et al., (2004) to affect the morphogenesis of all plant organs and the division of plastids. We report here that CRL expression, during CaLCuV infection, shows a short but strong induction at an early stage (3-5 days post inoculation, dpi). To study the role of CRL in CaLCuV infection, CRL over-expressing and silenced transgenic plants were generated. We compared the replication, movement and infectivity of CaLCuV in transgenic and wild type plants. CONCLUSION: Our results showed that CRL over-expressing plants showed an increased susceptibility to CaLCuV infection (as compared to wt plants) whereas CRL-silenced plants, on the contrary, presented a reduced susceptibility to viral infection. The possible role of CRL in the CaLCuV infection cycle is discussed.

Detección de micobacterias en muestras clínicas mediante la Reacción en Cadena de la Polimerasa / Detection by polimerase chain reaction of mycobacteria in clinical samples

Introducción. Las micobacteriosis constituyen un importante problema de salud a nivel mundial, siendo aún mayor en pacientes con el Síndrome de Inmunodeficiencia Adquirida (SIDA). En este trabajo utilizamos la Reacción en Cadena de la Polimerasa (RCP) para el diagnóstico de las principales micobacteriosis, y comparamos los resultados obtenidos con los del diagnóstico convencional.Material y métodos. Se procesaron cepas controles y 15 muestras: 14 esputos y 1 líquido cefalorraquídeo provenientes de pacientes con sospecha clínica de tuberculosis. El procesamiento de las muestras para la RCP se realizó por calentamiento. Se emplearon oligonucleótidos que amplifican un fragmento del gen de la proteína de 65 kDa de los complejos Mycobacterium tuberculosis y Mycobecterium avium intracellulare (MAI).Resultados. Ocho muestras resultaron positivas a la RCP revelada por electroforesis sobre gel de agarosa, y 7 resultaron negativas. Los resultados de la RCP y del cultivo micobacteriológico coincidieron en 10 casos.Discusión. La RCP es una técnica que reduce a horas el tiempo de diagnóstico de micobacteriosis(AU)

Detección de micobacterias en muestras clínicas mediante la Reacción en Cadena de la Polimerasa / Detection by polimerase chain reaction of mycobacteria in clinical samples

Introducción. Las micobacteriosis constituyen un importante problema de salud a nivel mundial, siendo aún mayor en pacientes con el Síndrome de Inmunodeficiencia Adquirida (SIDA). En este trabajo utilizamos la Reacción en Cadena de la Polimerasa (RCP) para el diagnóstico de las principales micobacteriosis, y comparamos los resultados obtenidos con los del diagnóstico convencional.Material y métodos. Se procesaron cepas controles y 15 muestras: 14 esputos y 1 líquido cefalorraquídeo provenientes de pacientes con sospecha clínica de tuberculosis. El procesamiento de las muestras para la RCP se realizó por calentamiento. Se emplearon oligonucleótidos que amplifican un fragmento del gen de la proteína de 65 kDa de los complejos Mycobacterium tuberculosis y Mycobecterium avium intracellulare (MAI).Resultados. Ocho muestras resultaron positivas a la RCP revelada por electroforesis sobre gel de agarosa, y 7 resultaron negativas. Los resultados de la RCP y del cultivo micobacteriológico coincidieron en 10 casos.Discusión. La RCP es una técnica que reduce a horas el tiempo de diagnóstico de micobacteriosis.