Association between genetic variations at 8q24 and prostate cancer risk in Mexican Men.

BACKGROUND: Variants of 8q24 locus have been associated with prostate cancer (PCa) susceptibility. This study aims to analyze the genetic basis of PCa susceptibility in Mexican men by analyzing SNPs in the 8q24 locus for the first time. METHODS: A case-control study was performed in 875 men recruited from the Mexican Social Security Institute, 326 patients with PCa, and 549 non-PCa patients (88 with benign prostatic hyperplasia BPH and 461 healthy controls). The 8q24 locus SNPs: rs16901979, rs16983267, rs1447295, and rs7837328 were genotyped by allelic discrimination assays using TaqMan probes. Statistical analysis was performed using Epi Info statistical 7.0 and SNPstats softwares. RESULTS: All genotype frequencies were in Hardy-Weinberg Equilibrium. No differences were observed in genotype distribution between PCa and non-PCa patients for rs6983267. Under different inheritance models, the rs16901979, rs1447295, and rs7837328 SNPs were associated with PCa (OR = 2.8, 1.8, and 1.72, respectively; Pc < 0.001) when comparing PCa patients against controls. This association remains between PCa and BPH patients under different models (OR = 8.5, 2.2, and 1.9, respectively; Pc < 0.001). There were no significant differences in allele and genotype distribution among BPH patients and controls. The combined effect of the alleles CGAA for the SNPs rs16901979, rs6983267, rs1447295, and rs7837328 showed significant differences between PCa patients and controls (OR = 2.9, 95% CI = 1.48-5.83, Pc = 0.008). Four 8q24 variants were not associated with D'Amico score, age at diagnosis, and bone metastases. CONCLUSIONS: Our study provides the first confirmation that variants rs16901979, rs1447295, and 7837328 at 8q24 locus are associated with PCa susceptibility in Mexican men.

Punica granatum L.-derived omega-5 nanoemulsion improves hepatic steatosis in mice fed a high fat diet by increasing fatty acid utilization in hepatocytes.

Pomegranate seed oil (PSO) is mainly composed of punicic acid (PA), a polyunsaturated fatty acid also known as omega-5 (ω-5), a potent antioxidant associated with a variety of metabolic and cellular beneficial effects. However, the potential benefits of a nanoemulsified version of ω-5 (PSOn) have not been evaluated in a pathological liver condition. Here, we examined whether PSOn had beneficial effects on C57BL/6N mice fed a high-fat diet (HFD), specifically on hepatic steatosis. We observed that PSOn supplementation decreased body weight and body fat mass in control mice, whereas glucose intolerance, insulin resistance, energy expenditure, and hepatic steatosis were improved in both control mice and in mice fed a HFD. Interestingly, PSOn increased fatty acid oxidation in primary hepatocytes and antioxidant gene expression. Altogether, our data indicate that PSOn effectively reduces some of the HFD-derived metabolic syndrome indicators by means of an increase in fatty acid oxidation within hepatocytes.

A dietary intervention with functional foods reduces metabolic endotoxaemia and attenuates biochemical abnormalities by modifying faecal microbiota in people with type 2 diabetes.

AIM: To study the effects of a functional food-based dietary intervention on faecal microbiota and biochemical parameters in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D). MATERIALS AND METHODS: This placebo-controlled, randomized, double-blind study included 81 patients with T2D divided into two 3-month treatment groups: one following a reduced-energy diet with a dietary portfolio (DP) comprising high-fibre, polyphenol-rich and vegetable-protein functional foods; the other taking a placebo (P). The primary outcome was the effect of the DP on faecal microbiota. Secondary endpoints were biochemical parameters, lipopolysaccharide, branched-chain amino acids, trimethylamine N-oxide, glycosylated haemoglobin (HbA1c) and free fatty acids (FFAs). RESULTS: Patients with T2D exhibited intestinal dysbiosis characterized by an increase in Prevotella copri. Dietary intervention with functional foods significantly modified faecal microbiota compared with P by increasing alpha diversity and modifying the abundance of specific bacteria, independently of antidiabetic drugs. There was a decrease in P. copri and increases in Faecalibacterium prausnitzii and Akkermansia muciniphila, two bacterial species known to have anti-inflammatory effects. The DP group also exhibited significant reductions in areas under the curve for glucose, total and LDL cholesterol, FFAs, HbA1c (P< 0.05), triglycerides and CRP, and an increase in antioxidant activity (P< 0.01) vs. the P group. CONCLUSION: Long-term adherence to a high-fibre, polyphenol-enriched and vegetable-protein-based diet provides benefits for the composition of faecal microbiota, and may offer potential therapies for improvement of glycaemic control, dyslipidaemia and inflammation.

Effects of freeze-thaw on the biomechanical and structural properties of the rat Achilles tendon.

Rodent models are commonly used to investigate tendon healing, with the biomechanical and structural properties of the healed tendons being important outcome measures. Tendon storage for later testing becomes necessary when performing large experiments with multiple time-points. However, it is unclear whether freezing rodent tendons affects their material properties. Thus the aim of this study was to determine whether freezing rat Achilles tendons affects their biomechanical or structural properties. Tendons were frozen at either -20 °C or -80 °C directly after harvesting, or tested when freshly harvested. Groups of tendons were subjected to several freeze-thaw cycles (1, 2, and 5) within 3 months, or frozen for 9 months, after which the tendons were subjected to biomechanical testing. Additionally, fresh and thawed tendons were compared morphologically, histologically and by transmission electron microscopy. No major differences in biomechanical properties were found between fresh tendons and those frozen once or twice at -20 °C or -80 °C. However, deterioration of tendon properties was found for 5-cycle groups and both long-term freezing groups; after 9 months of freezing at -80 °C the tear resistance of the tendon was reduced from 125.4 ±â€¯16.4N to 74.3 ±â€¯18.4N (p = 0.0132). Moreover, tendons stored under these conditions showed major disruption of collagen fibrils when examined by transmission electron microscopy. When examined histologically, fresh samples exhibited the best cellularity and proteoglycan content of the enthesis. These properties were preserved better after freezing at -80 °C than after freezing at -20 °C, which resulted in markedly smaller chondrocytes and less proteoglycan content. Overall, the best preservation of histological integrity was seen with tendons frozen once at -80 °C. In conclusion, rat Achilles tendons can be frozen once or twice for short periods of time (up to 3 months) at -20 °C or -80 °C for later testing. However, freezing for 9 months at either -20 °C or -80 °C leads to deterioration of certain parameters.

Chemical and pharmacological aspects of neutralization of heparins from different animal sources by protamine.

Essentials Bovine (HBI) and porcine (HPI) heparins differ in structure and anticoagulant activity. Protamine-neutralization was evaluated on a variety of physical-chemical methods. HBI requires more protamine than HPI to fully neutralize its anticoagulant activity. Protamine preferentially removes higher-sulfated chains of HBI while HPI is evenly precipitated. SUMMARY: Background Protamine neutralization is an essential step for the safe use and inactivation of the unfractionated heparin (UFH) that is widely employed in surgical and non-surgical procedures involving extracorporeal circulation. Objective To compare protamine neutralization of different pharmaceutical-grade UFHs prepared from porcine or bovine intestine (HPI and HBI, respectively). HBI has approximately half the anticoagulant potency of HPI, mostly as consequence of its fraction enriched with N-sulfated α-glucosamine disaccharides. Methods Protamine neutralization of HPI and HBI was evaluated with in vitro, ex vivo and in vivo assays. We also performed in-depth assessments of the complexation of protamine with these distinct UFHs by using nuclear magnetic resonance and mass spectroscopy. Results HPI and HBI interact similarly with protamine on a mass/mass basis; however, HBI requires more protamine than HPI to have its anticoagulant activity fully neutralized, because of its lower potency, which entails the use of higher doses. Nuclear magnetic resonance spectra revealed that HPI precipitates homogeneously with protamine. On the other hand, the low-sulfated fraction of HBI, enriched with N-sulfated α-glucosamine, precipitates at higher concentrations of protamine than the fraction more like HPI, with a preponderance of N,6-disulfated α-glucosamine disaccharides. Finally, mass spectroscopy spectra showed that some of the different peptide components of protamine interact preferentially with the heparins, irrespective of their animal origin. Conclusion Our results have important medical implications, indicating that protamine neutralization of HBI, determined exclusively by point-of-care coagulation assessments, must fail because of its lower-sulfated fraction with reduced anticoagulant activity that could remain in the circulation after the neutralization procedure.

Amino acid profiles of young adults differ by sex, body mass index and insulin resistance.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: An increase in plasma branched-chain amino acids is associated with a higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. However, little is known about the basal plasma amino acid concentrations in young adults. Our aim was to determine the plasma amino acid profiles of young adults and to evaluate how these profiles were modified by sex, body mass index (BMI) and insulin resistance (IR). METHODS AND RESULTS: We performed a transversal study with 608 Mexican young adults aged 19.9 ± 2.4 years who were applicants to the Universidad Autónoma de San Luis Potosí. The subjects underwent a physical examination and provided a clinical history and a blood sample for biochemical, hormonal and amino acid analyses. The women had higher levels of arginine, aspartate and serine and lower levels of α-aminoadipic acid, cysteine, isoleucine, leucine, methionine, proline, tryptophan, tyrosine, urea and valine than the men. The obese subjects had higher levels of alanine, aspartate, cysteine, ornithine, phenylalanine, proline and tyrosine and lower levels of glycine, ornithine and serine than the normal weight subjects. Subjects with IR (defined as HOMA > 2.5) had higher levels of arginine, alanine, aspartate, isoleucine, leucine, phenylalanine, proline, tyrosine, taurine and valine than the subjects without IR. Furthermore, we identified two main groups in the subjects with obesity and/or IR; one group was composed of amino acids that positively correlated with the clinical, biochemical and hormonal parameters, whereas the second group exhibited negative correlations. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates that young adults with obesity or IR have altered amino acid profiles characterized by an increase in alanine, aspartate, proline and tyrosine and a decrease in glycine.

A heuristic computational model of basic cellular processes and oxygenation during spheroid-dependent biofabrication.

An emerging approach in biofabrication is the creation of 3D tissue constructs through scaffold-free, cell spheroid-only methods. The basic mechanism in this technology is spheroid fusion, which is driven by the minimization of energy, the same biophysical mechanism that governs spheroid formation. However, other factors such as oxygen and metabolite accessibility within spheroids impact on spheroid properties and their ability to form larger-scale structures. The goal of our work is to develop a simulation platform eventually capable of predicting the conditions that minimize metabolism-related cell loss within spheroids. To describe the behavior and dynamic properties of the cells in response to their neighbors and to transient nutrient concentration fields, we developed a hybrid discrete-continuous heuristic model, combining a cellular Potts-type approach with field equations applied to a randomly populated spheroid cross-section of prescribed cell-type constituency. This model allows for the description of: (i) cellular adhesiveness and motility; (ii) interactions with concentration fields, including diffusivity and oxygen consumption; and (iii) concentration-dependent, stochastic cell dynamics, driven by metabolite-dependent cell death. Our model readily captured the basic steps of spheroid-based biofabrication (as specifically dedicated to scaffold-free bioprinting), including intra-spheroid cell sorting (both in 2D and 3D implementations), spheroid defect closure, and inter-spheroid fusion. Moreover, we found that when hypoxia occurring at the core of the spheroid was set to trigger cell death, this was amplified upon spheroid fusion, but could be mitigated by external oxygen supplementation. In conclusion, optimization and further development of scaffold-free bioprinting techniques could benefit from our computational model which is able to simultaneously account for both cellular dynamics and metabolism in constructs obtained by scaffold-free biofabrication.

Tipificación SARM en trabajadores asistenciales de las unidades de cuidados intensivos en una institución hospitalari / MRSA Typing in health care workers from intensive care units of a Hospital Institution

Objetivo. Caracterizar microbiológicamente SARM en trabajadores asistenciales de las Unidades de Cuidados Intensivos en una institución hospitalaria de la ciudad de Montería. Materiales y métodos. Se realizó un estudio descriptivo longitudinal, en 52 trabajadores de dos unidades de cuidado intensivo; se tomaron hisopados nasales y faríngeos a cada individuo, con una periodicidad de 15 días/cinco meses. Mediante pruebas convencionales como fermentación de manitol, catalasa y coagulasa se realizó la identificación de S. aureus, con el disco de cefoxitín por Kirby- Bauer se evaluó la resistencia a Meticilina mediada por el gen mecA; antibióticos como Vancomicina, Eritromicina y Clindamicina fueron evaluados por esta prueba y confirmados por MicroScan ®. Resultados. se obtuvieron 88 aislamientos de S. aureus y 21 aislamientos SARM, una prevalencia de portación de SARM del 25%. El 90,5 % de las cepas de SARM fueron recuperadas de la faringe, en mayor proporción (50%) en el personal de enfermería. Conclusiones. La evidencia de su circulación de SARM en el personal asistencial dentro de una institución hospital, genera una alerta que le permite a la misma establecer políticas de contención para evitar la diseminación de estas cepas y evitar la aparición de brotes o infecciones hospitalarias asociadas a este patógeno.

Objective. To characterize microbiologically MRSA in health care workers of the Intensive Care Units at a hospital institution in the city of Montería. Materials and methods. A longitudinal descriptive study was carried out in 52 workers from two intensive care units; nasal and pharyngeal swabs were taken from each individual, with a periodicity of 15 days / five months. Examined through microbiological methods such as fermentation of mannitol, catalase and coagulase the identification of S. aureus was performed, with the cefoxitin disc by Kirby-Bauer disc-diffusion method the methicillin resistance mediated by the mecA gene was evaluated; antibiotics such as Vancomycin, Erythromycin and Clindamycin were evaluated by this test and confirmed by MicroScan ®. Results. we obtained 88 isolates of Staphylococcus aureus and 21 MRSA, a prevalence of MRSA of 25%. 90.5% of strains Of SARM were recovered from the pharynx, in a greater proportion (50%) in nursing staff. Conclusions. Evidence of MRSA circulation in care staff within a hospital institution generates an alert that allows it to establish containment policies to avoid the dissemination of these strains and to avoid the appearance of outbreaks or hospital infections associated with this pathogen.

Voces de adolescentes gestantes solteras en la experiencia de cuidado familiar / Voices of single pregnant teenagers in the family care experience

INTRODUCCIÓN. Diariamente en el mundo se dan 20 mil nacimientos de madres adolescentes, conllevando a repercusiones biológicas, psicológicas y sociales. México es el primer país con natalidad adolescente de los países que integran la Organización para la Cooperación y el Desarrollo Económicos. De acuerdo a evidencia científica, el cuidado familiar puede fungir como un factor protector para la vulnerabilidad y estigma social que representa la maternidad en condición de soltería. Sin embargo, son nulos los estudios encaminados a develar las voces de adolescentes gestantes solteras en la experiencia de cuidado familiar. Consiguiente se plantea la pregunta cómo es la experiencia de las adolescentes gestantes solteras (AGS) en cuidado familiar? OBJETIVO GENERAL. Interpretar la experiencia de AGS en cuidado familiar. METODOLOGÍA. Estudio cualitativo, fenomenológico hermenéutico. Selección de participantes por criterio de conveniencia y saturación de datos. Recolección de datos a través de cedula de datos sociodemográficos, diario de campo, visitas domiciliarias y entrevista en profundidad, duración promedio 80 minutos y dos sesiones, audio grabada previo consentimiento informado doble rubrica. Posterior transcripción fidedigna de datos, codificación, reducción y análisis. RESULTADOS. Del análisis emanan: Categoría 1. El mundo interior de la AGS, subcategorías: 1.1 El miedo, 1.2 La tristeza, 1.3 La alegría. Categoría 2. Experimentando el cuidado familiar, subcategorías: 2.1 Dinámicas familiares cambiantes, 2.2 Tipos de cuidado familiar. CONCLUSIÓN. La experiencia de gestación temprana en condición de soltería resulta un fenómeno complejo, social, transgeneracional y cultural que "multi-violenta" a las AGS. A pesar del cuidado familiar que perciben, son el rechazo, angustia y vergüenza los sentimientos que imperan en su experiencia. La ponderación social antes que personal del fenómeno, les ubica en el llamado "se dice" (Heidegger) resultando un Dasein inauténtico. Comprender la experiencia de las AGS en cuidado familiar, para enfermería, aproxima a un cuidado holístico.

INTRODUCTION. Every day in the world there are 20 thousand births of adolescent mothers, leading to biological, psychological and social repercussions. Mexico is the first country with an adolescent birth rate in the countries that make up the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development. According to scientific evidence, family care can serve as a protective factor for the vulnerability and social stigma that represents single motherhood. However, studies aimed at revealing the voices of single pregnant teenagers in the family care experience are null. The question arises as to what is the experience of unmarried pregnant women (AGS) in family care? GENERAL OBJECTIVE. Interpret the AGS experience in family care METHODOLOGY. Qualitative, phenomenological hermeneutic study. Selection of participants by criterion of convenience and data saturation. Data collection through socio-demographic data, field diary, home visits and in-depth interview, average duration 80 minutes and two sessions, recorded audio prior double informed consent. Positive transcript of data, coding, reduction and analysis. RESULTS. From the analysis emanate: Category 1. The inner world of the AGS, subcategories: 1.1 The fear, 1.2 The sadness, 1.3 The joy. Category 2. Experiencing family care, subcategories: 2.1 Changing family dynamics, 2.2 Types of family care. CONCLUSION. The experience of early gestation in singles condition is a complex, social, transgenerational and cultural phenomenon that ""multi-violent"" to the AGS. Despite the family care they perceive, they are rejection, anguish and shame the feelings that prevail in their experience. The social rather than personal weighting of the phenomenon places them in the socalled ""is said"" (Heidegger) resulting in an inauthentic Dasein. Understanding the AGS experience in family care, for nursing, approximates holistic care.

Clinical significance of the ABCB1 and ABCG2 gene expression levels in acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

OBJECTIVES: Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is a clonal disease that accounts for 20% of acute leukemias in adults. A high percentage of adult patients (ranging from 70 to 80%) reach complete remission; however, the 5-year survival rate is only 20-40%. One of the main obstacles to treatment success is the drug resistance of leukemic cells. Therefore, our research group analyzed the ABCB1 and ABCG2 gene expression levels in 61 patients diagnosed with ALL and assessed whether the levels affected the clinical parameters and 40-month survival rate. METHODS: The ABCB1 and ABCG2 gene expression levels were analyzed using real-time polymerase chain reaction in 61 patients diagnosed with ALL and 99 healthy donors as controls. The association between ABCB1 and ABCG2 gene expression levels and clinical variables was determined using the Chi-square test and Fisher's exact test. Overall survival (OS) was determined using the Kaplan-Meier method. RESULTS: The results showed high ABCB1 and ABCG2 gene levels, which were 4.5 and 2.3 times the levels of healthy donors, respectively. A total of 52% of the study patients expressed high ABCB1 levels and were significantly associated with the high-risk patient group and a decreased 40-month survival rate of 78%. Only 49% of the patients expressed high ABCG2 gene levels. No association was found between the clinical parameters and the ABCG2 gene expression levels. CONCLUSIONS: Early detection of ABCB1 gene expression levels could be important for the diagnosis and monitoring of ALL patients.

[Cemented polyethylene insert in a well fixed Total knee replacement. Case report]. / Cementado del polietileno en una prótesis de rodilla osteointegrada. Reporte de caso.

We present the case of a 94 years- old patient, which was operated 14 years ago of a right total knee replacement for osteoarthritis, actually she suffers of pain and instability; her X ray shown polyethylene wear without loosening of the metal components. The polyethylene insert is not manufactured anymore so we decided cement a new polyethylene insert on the native tibial baseplate. The two years follow up show us a patient asymptomatic, good function and no radiolucencies on the tibial component. We only found a similar case report in Madrid and we believed that this decision, taken from total hip revisions, will succeed.

Se presenta el caso de una paciente de 94 años de edad, la cual fue intervenida hace 14 años de reemplazo articular de rodilla derecha por gonartrosis; actualmente con gonalgia y datos de inestabilidad. En las radiografías se aprecian signos de desgaste del polietileno y no se observan datos de aflojamiento en los componentes metálicos. El modelo implantado de polietileno ya no se fabrica en la actualidad y los componentes metálicos de la prótesis no presentan aflojamiento, por lo que se decide el cementado de un inserto de polietileno similar a las características previas para que se adapte al componente tibial. A dos años de evolución la paciente se reporta asintomática, con buena funcionabilidad y sin signos radiológicos de desgaste. Sólo se ha encontrado un caso clínico similar en Madrid con resultados igualmente satisfactorios, por lo que creemos que ésta puede ser una solución a un problema que se presenta cada vez más con mayor frecuencia en la práctica quirúrgica y que originalmente sólo se había descrito en revisiones de prótesis de cadera.

Fasting and postprandial regulation of the intracellular localization of adiponectin and of adipokines secretion by dietary fat in rats.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVE: Dietary fat sources modulate fasting serum concentration of adipokines, particularly adiponectin. However, previous studies utilized obese animals in which adipose tissue function is severely altered. Thus, the present study aimed to assess the postprandial regulation of adipokine secretion in nonobese rats that consumed high-fat diet (HFD) composed of different types of fat for a short time. METHODS: The rats were fed a control diet or a HFD containing coconut, safflower or soybean oil (rich in saturated fatty acid, monounsaturated fatty acid or polyunsaturated fatty acid, respectively) for 21 days. The serum concentrations of adiponectin, leptin, retinol, retinol-binding protein-4 (RBP-4), visfatin and resistin were determined at fasting and after refeeding. Adiponectin multimerization and intracellular localization, as well as the expression of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) chaperones and transcriptional regulators, were evaluated in epididymal white adipose tissue. RESULTS: In HFD-fed rats, serum adiponectin was significantly decreased 30 min after refeeding. With coconut oil, all three multimeric forms were reduced; with safflower oil, only the high-molecular-weight (HMW) and medium-molecular-weight (MMW) forms were decreased; and with soybean oil, only the HMW form was diminished. These reductions were due not to modifications in mRNA abundance or adiponectin multimerization but rather to an increment in intracellular localization at the ER and plasma membrane. Thus, when rats consumed a HFD, the type of dietary fat differentially affected the abundance of endoplasmic reticulum resident protein 44 kDa (ERp44), sirtuin 1 (SIRT1) and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ (PPARγ) mRNAs, all of which are involved in the post-translational processing of adiponectin required for its secretion.Leptin, RBP-4, resistin and visfatin serum concentrations did not change during fasting, whereas modest alterations were observed after refeeding. CONCLUSIONS: The short-term consumption of a HFD affected adiponectin localization in adipose tissue, thereby decreasing its secretion to a different magnitude depending on the dietary fat source. Evaluating the fasting serum concentration of adipokines was not sufficient to identify alterations in their secretion, whereas postprandial values provided additional information as dynamic indicators.

Presentación extraósea primaria de sarcoma de Ewing / Primary presentation of extraosseous Ewing's sarcoma

No disponible

Localisation and quantification of alkali-labile sites in human spermatozoa by DNA breakage detection-fluorescence in situ hybridisation.

The localisation and quantification of constitutive alkali-labile sites (ALSs) were investigated using a protocol of DNA breakage detection plus fluorescence in situ hybridisation (DBD-FISH) and alkaline single-cell gel electrophoresis (SCGE or comet assay), in spermatozoa of infertile and fertile men. Semen samples from 10 normozoospermic patients undergoing infertility treatment and 10 fertile men were included in this study. ALSs were localised and quantified by DBD-FISH. The region most sensitive to alkali treatment in human spermatozoa was located in the basal region of the head. ALSs were more frequent in spermatozoa of infertile men than in those of fertile men. These results were confirmed by SCGE comet assays. In conclusion, the most intense localisation of hybridisation signals in human spermatozoa, representing the highest density of constitutive ALSs, was not randomly distributed and was predominantly located in the base of the head. Moreover, infertile men presented with an increase in ALS frequency. Further studies are necessary to determine the association between ALS, sperm chromatin organisation and infertility.

DFT analysis of Li intercalation mechanisms in the Fe-phthalocyanine cathode of Li-ion batteries.

New materials with high intercalation capacity are needed for cathodic materials in order to overcome small capacities at high discharge rates in Li-ion batteries. High intercalation capacities have been reported in the experimental setup using iron phthalocyanine (FePc) as cathodic material; however the real intercalation capacity and the chemistry occurring during the intercalation process are still being debated. In this work we analyze the intercalation of Li atoms in FePc periodic structures using density functional theory including a semi-empirical approach to represent van der Waals (vdW) forces. Within this approach we find intercalation capacities of about 20 Li atoms per FePc molecule at a discharge voltage of ~0.5 V (with respect to Li/Li(+)), and up to 37 Li atoms at lower voltages. The intercalation process is driven mainly by electrostatic interactions between positively charged Li ions and negatively charged FePc molecules, with vdW interactions playing an essential role in reaching the high number of intercalated Li atoms. The reduction of the central Fe atom leading to charges evolving from +1.2 to -0.2 is responsible for the high intercalation voltage; however the further reduction contributions of N, C, and even H atoms make FePc a suitable cathode for Li-ion battery applications.

Effect of castration on renal glycosaminoglycans and their urinary excretion in male and female rats with chronic renal failure.

Glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) participate in a variety of processes in the kidney, and evidence suggests that gender-related hormones participate in renal function. The aim of this study was to analyze the relationship of GAGs, gender, and proteinuria in male and female rats with chronic renal failure (CRF). GAGs were analyzed in total kidney tissue and 24-h urine of castrated (c), male (M), and female (F) Wistar control (C) rats (CM, CMc, CF, CFc) and after 30 days of CRF induced by 5/6 nephrectomy (CRFM, CRFMc, CRFF, CRFFc). Total GAG quantification and composition were determined using agarose and polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, respectively. Renal GAGs were higher in CF compared to CM. CRFM presented an increase in renal GAGs, heparan sulfate (HS), and proteinuria, while castration reduced these parameters. However, CRFF and CRFFc groups showed a decrease in renal GAGs concomitant with an increase in proteinuria. Our results suggest that, in CRFM, sex hormones quantitatively alter GAGs, mainly HS, and possibly the glomerular filtration barrier, leading to proteinuria. The lack of this response in CRFMc, where HS did not increase, corroborates this theory. This pattern was not observed in females. Further studies of CRF are needed to clarify gender-dependent differences in HS synthesis.

Effect of castration on renal glycosaminoglycans and their urinary excretion in male and female rats with chronic renal failure

Glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) participate in a variety of processes in the kidney, and evidence suggests that gender-related hormones participate in renal function. The aim of this study was to analyze the relationship of GAGs, gender, and proteinuria in male and female rats with chronic renal failure (CRF). GAGs were analyzed in total kidney tissue and 24-h urine of castrated (c), male (M), and female (F) Wistar control (C) rats (CM, CMc, CF, CFc) and after 30 days of CRF induced by 5/6 nephrectomy (CRFM, CRFMc, CRFF, CRFFc). Total GAG quantification and composition were determined using agarose and polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, respectively. Renal GAGs were higher in CF compared to CM. CRFM presented an increase in renal GAGs, heparan sulfate (HS), and proteinuria, while castration reduced these parameters. However, CRFF and CRFFc groups showed a decrease in renal GAGs concomitant with an increase in proteinuria. Our results suggest that, in CRFM, sex hormones quantitatively alter GAGs, mainly HS, and possibly the glomerular filtration barrier, leading to proteinuria. The lack of this response in CRFMc, where HS did not increase, corroborates this theory. This pattern was not observed in females. Further studies of CRF are needed to clarify gender-dependent differences in HS synthesis.

Systemic review on upper limb treatment in infantile hemiplegic cerebral palsy

Objetivos El objetivo de esta revisión consiste en la búsqueda y la revisión sistemática, utilizando el método científico, de los ensayos clínicos, revisiones sistemáticas y metaanálisis publicados en los últimos 10 años sobre los tratamientos, y su efectividad, del miembro superior en la parálisis cerebral hemipléjica para conocer qué tipo de tratamiento es el más adecuado. Estrategia de búsquedaSe buscó en Medline, LILACS, Embase, PEDro, IME, CINAHL, Cochrane plus de 2000 a 2010.Selección de estudios Veintidós estudios cumplieron los criterios de inclusión y fueron revisados con la escala PEDro y AMSTAR. Síntesis de resultados Los tratamientos aplicados de forma mayoritaria son la toxina botulínica A, la terapia de movimiento inducido por restricción, la terapia de movimiento inducido por restricción modificada, el uso forzado, la cirugía, la electroestimulación y el braceo dinámico. Los estudios encontrados varían en cuanto a muestra, control de variables, existencia de ciegos e interpretación de los resultados. Conclusiones Existe una gran variedad de terapias, y las más utilizadas son la TMIR y la TB-A. Los estudios varían tanto en la metodología como en el rigor del diseño y en la medida de los resultados clínicos. Se observa un mayor efecto beneficioso cuando se combinan varias terapias (AU)

Background This systematic review has been made to make a search and systemic review using the scientific method of clinical trials, systematic reviews and meta-analysis published over the last ten years on the treatment of upper limb hemiplegic cerebral palsy as well as their effectiveness to know which treatment is the most adequate. Search strategy A search was made in the databases of Medline, LILACS, Embase, PEDro, IME, CINAHL and Cochrane plus databases including studies from 2000 to 2010.Study selection A total of 22 studies fulfilled the inclusion criteria and were rated with the PEDro scale and AMSTAR scale. Result synthesis The treatments most used are botulinum-A toxin injections, constraint-induced movement therapy, modified constraint-induced movement therapy, forced use, surgery, neuromuscular electrical stimulation and dynamic bracing. The studies found vary in sample, control of variables, bias control and interpretation of the results. Conclusions There was great variety in the therapies, those used most being TMIR and TB-A. The studies varied in methodology and design rigor as well in the outcome measures. A greater beneficial effect was observed when several treatments were combined (AU)

Soy protein isoflavones differentially regulate liver X receptor isoforms to modulate lipid metabolism and cholesterol transport in the liver and intestine in mice.

AIMS/HYPOTHESIS: Liver X receptor (LXR)α regulates the genes involved in cholesterol, fatty acid and glucose metabolism. Soy protein (SP) consumption reduces the hepatic accumulation of cholesterol and triacylglycerol, and improves insulin sensitivity. However, it is not known whether these effects are mediated via LXRα. We therefore investigated whether the consumption of SP regulates metabolic changes in cholesterol metabolism and insulin sensitivity via LXRα. METHODS: Wild-type (WT) and Lxrα(-/-) (Lxrα, also known as Nr1h3) mice were fed an SP diet with or without cholesterol for 28 days. The expression of LXRα target genes was measured in liver and intestine, as were hepatic lipid content and faecal bile acid concentration. Oral glucose and insulin tolerance tests were also performed. Hepatocytes were used to study the effect of isoflavones on LXR activity. RESULTS: The livers of WT and Lxrα(-/-) mice fed an SP high-cholesterol diet showed less steatosis than those fed casein. The SP diet increased the expression of the ATP-binding cassette (ABC) sub-family genes Abca1, Abcg5 and Abcg8 in the liver and intestine, as well as increasing total faecal bile acid excretion and insulin sensitivity in WT mice compared with mice fed a casein diet. However, these effects of SP were not observed in Lxrα(-/-) mice. The SP isoflavone, genistein, repressed the activation of LXRα target genes by T0901317, whereas it stimulated the activation of LXRß target genes. The AMP-activated protein kinase inhibitor, compound C, had the opposite effects to those of genistein. CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATION: Our results suggest that SP isoflavones stimulate the phosphorylation of LXRα or LXRß, resulting in different biological effects for each LXR isoform.