Estudio transversal de una base de datos sobre casos de COVID-19 y aplicación de indicadores epidemiológicos básicos bajo la modalidad de taller / Cross-sectional study of a COVID-19 cases data base and application of basic epidemiological indicators in a workshop modality

Introducción. La pandemia por COVID-19 ha evidenciado la importancia de la metodología epidemiológica, por lo que es significativo fortalecer su aprendizaje en todos los niveles formativos del área de ciencias de la salud. Objetivo. Aplicar metodología epidemiológica de carácter descriptivo y analítico para el estudio de una base de datos de casos COVID-19 en la República Mexicana. Material y métodos. Se realizó una búsqueda de bases de datos en sitios web oficiales sobre los casos de COVID-19, y se recuperó un archivo en formato Excel con la información de 65,536 casos al día 10 de abril del 2021 a las 01:14hrs. Posteriormente, se realizó análisis estadístico de las diferentes variables mediante el programa SPSS, versión 21 en español, consistente en cálculo de prevalencias, razón de productos cruzados (RPC) y medidas de asociación, en lo cual participaron alumnos del cuarto semestre de enfermería. Resultados. La prevalencia para el género masculino fue de 53 %, y para el femenino de 47 %, con una media aritmética de edad de 35 años. La Chi cuadrada entre género y resultado de laboratorio positivo fue de 6527.9, con un 99 % de probabilidad de que haya asociación entre las variables. Asimismo, para la relación hipertensión y resultado de laboratorio positivo la Chi cuadrada fue de 51.97. La RPC para diabetes y resultado de laboratorio positivo fue de 1.4. Conclusiones. La aplicación de indicadores epidemiológicos básicos representa una herramienta importante para el fenómeno epidemiológico COVID-19, pues establece una caracterización de la epidemia en nuestro país.

Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic has evidenced the importance of epidemiological methodology, so it is significant to strengthen its learning at all educational levels in the area of health sciences. Objetive. Apply descriptive and analytical epidemiological methodology for the study of a database of COVID-19 cases in the Mexican Republic. Material and methods: A search of databases on official websites on COVID-19 cases was carried out, and an Excel format file was recovered with the information of 65,536 cases as of April 10, 2021 at 01:14 a.m. Subsequently, a statistical analysis of the different variables was carried out using the SPSS program, version 21 in Spanish, consisting of calculation of prevalence, ratio of cross products (RPC) and measures of association, in which fourth semester nursing students participated. Results: The prevalence for the male gender was 53%, and for the female 47%, with an arithmetic mean age of 35 years. The Chi square between gender and positive laboratory result was 6527.9, with a 99% probability of an association between the variables. Likewise, for the relationship between hypertension and a positive laboratory result, the Chi square was 51.97. The RPC for diabetes and positive laboratory result was 1.4. Conclusions: The application of basic epidemiological indicators represents an important tool for the epidemiological phenomenon COVID-19, since it establishes a characterization of the epidemic in our country.

DNA methylation profile of a rural cohort exposed to early-adversity and malnutrition: An exploratory analysis.

Barker's hypothesis affirms that undernourishment in early-life induces metabolic reprogramming that compromises organism functions later in life, leading to age-related diseases. We are exposed to environmental and social conditions that impact our life trajectories, leading to ageing phenotypes as we grow. Epigenetic mechanisms constitute the link between both external stimuli and genetic programming. Studies have focused on describing the effect of early adverse events such as trauma, famines, or childhood labor on epigenetic markers in adulthood and the elderly. However, we lack information on epigenetic programming in individuals born in rural communities from underdeveloped countries, exposed to negative influences during fetal and postnatal development, particularly chronic malnutrition. Hence, in this exploratory analysis, we characterize the epigenome of individuals and some parents from Tlaltizapan (a rural community in Mexico originally studied almost 50 years ago) and collect anthropometric data on growth and development, as well on the living conditions of the families. Our results help build a biological hypothesis indicating that most of the epigenetic age measures of the subjects are significantly different among them. Interestingly, the most affected methylated regions correspond to pathways involved in neuronal system development, reproductive behaviour, learning and memory regulation.

Caracterización de pacientes con enfermedades autoinmunes del tejido conectivo e hipertensión de arteria pulmonar atendidos en Hospital San Juan de Dios / Patients characterization with autoimmune diseases of the connective tissue and high blood pressure in the pulmonary artery seen in hospital San Juan de Dios

La hipertensión de la arteria pulmonar (HAP) es una grave complicación que pue-den presentar los pacientes con enfermedades autoinmunes del tejido conectivo de prevalencia variable según cada país. Habitualmente su diagnóstico es tardío lo que influye negativamente en su pronóstico y respuesta terapéutica. En el pre-sente trabajo se ha iniciado una revisión en conjunto entre la Unidad de Hemodi-namia y de Reumatología del Hospital San Juan de Dios, con el propósito de tener una caracterización de los pacientes con HAP y enfermedades autoinmunes del tejido conectivo y poder así elaborar planes de manejo de acuerdo a las caracte-rísticas clínicas de estos pacientes e intentar obtener un diagnostico precoz, para mejorar la sobrevida de los portadores de estas enfermedades.

High blood pressure in the pulmonary artery (HAP) is a serious complication that may occur in patients with autoimmune diseases of the connective tissue of vari-able prevalence according to each country. Diagnosis is usually late which affects negatively their prognosis and therapeutic response. In the present work has been initiated a review in conjunction between the unit of Hemodynamic and Rheumatology of the Hospital San Juan de Dios, with the purpose of having a characterization of patients with PAH and autoimmune diseases of the connective tissue and can thus develop management plans according to the clinical features of these patients and try to get an early diagnosis, to improve the survival of the carriers of these diseases.

Poliartritis agudas virales / Viral acute polyarthritis

Las poliartritis agudas son cuadros de menos seis semanas de duración, cuyas causas pueden o no ser infecciosas. Entre las primeras, destacan las virales, con gran varie-dad de agentes causales. Entre ellos se distinguen por su frecuencia: virus hepatitis B,virus hepatitis C, parvovirus B19, virus rubéola y la fiebre Chicungunya. Tienen elementos comunes, como su expresión poliarticular, generalmente simétrica, con predilección por las pequeñas articulaciones de las manos, siendo habitualmente autolimitadas. A su vez, poseen elementos propios, clínicos y de laboratorio, que permiten diferenciarlos, teniendo algunos una evolución más agresiva con morbilidad más significativa. A su vez, por sus características clínicas y de laboratorio, plantean el diagnóstico diferencial con enfermedades inmunoreumatológicas, como la artritis reumatoidea y el lupus eritematoso sistémico, entre otras.Se realiza una revisión del cuadro clínico y de laboratorio de las poliartritis causadas por los virus señalados, su diagnóstico diferencial y posibilidades terapéuticas.

The acute polyarthritis are pictures of less six weeks duration, whose causes can be or not to be infectious. Among the first, the viral ones stand out with a variety of causal agents. Among there distinguished by their frequency: virus hepatitis B, hepatitis C virus, parvovirus B19, rubella virus and the fever Chicungunya. They have common elements, such as his expression polyarticular, usually symmetrical, with a predilection for the small joints of the hands, being usually self-limiting. At the same time, they have own laboratory and clinical elements that allow differentiation, some having a more aggressive evolution with more significant morbidity. At the same time, for its clinical and laboratory characteristics, raise the differential diagnosis of immunohematological diseases, such as arthritis rheumatoid and systemic lupus erythematosus among others.Is done a review of clinical and laboratory of the polyarthritis caused by the mentioned viruses, differential diagnosis and therapeutic possibilities.

Saberes de cuidado de la etnia tacuate: el caso de la muina / Knowledge of care of the Tacuate ethnic group. The case of the muina / Saberes de cuidado de la etnia tacuate. El caso de la muina

"Objetivo Comprender los saberes de cuidado de los principales padecimientos en el proceso salud-enfermedad-atención de la población adulta de la etnia tacuate de Santa María Zacatepec, Oaxaca-México. Escenario Esta investigación se llevó a cabo en el Municipio de Santa María Zacatepec perteneciente al distrito Putla, en la región Sierra Sur (Mixteca de la Costa) en el estado de Oaxaca. Cuenta con 34 localidades, su población total es de 15 076 habitantes. El comercio, la agricultura y la migración son las principales actividades económicas. Profesan la religión católica y su sistema normativo es democrático/usos y costumbres. Métodos Estudio cualitativo con enfoque etnográfico, que derivó de una encuesta previa sobre los principales padecimientos que se presentan en la población. Posteriormente el trabajo de campo fue realizado con dos familias pertenecientes a la etnia tacuate, con integrantes de tres generaciones diferentes, se contactaron por medio de una portera. Se realizó observación participante, entrevistas: informales, semiestructuradas, en profundad y notas de campo. Se realizó análisis de dominios culturales para llegar a la articulación etnográfica. Se consideraron los criterios de credibilidad, confirmabilidad y transferibilidad, así como la reflexividad. Resultados La muina es una entidad cultural originada por situaciones, de las cuales dependerá la severidad de las manifestaciones y por ende sus saberes de cuidado. Puede afectar a cualquier grupo etario sin embargo, los niños son los más perjudicados por considerarlos vulnerables. Esta entidad cultural se relaciona con otras entidades como el espanto y la maldad. Aunado a esto, la muina funge como mecanismo de normatividad social. Por otro lado, en la etnia tacuate coexisten padecimientos tanto tradicionales como biomédicos, lo que conlleva a que en determinado punto éstos coexistan, y debido a la naturaleza de curación de cada uno, en determinado momento se colocan como antagonistas orillando a las personas a tomar decisiones que intervienen con su salud. Conclusión El cuidado de enfermería hacia los grupos étnicos, en el contexto mexicano, requiere construirse desde una epistemología derivada de un profundo conocimiento de las dimensiones culturales y sociales del proceso s-e-a de los pueblos originarios de México y desde una práctica participativa con dichos con ellos que se fundamente en el diálogo de saberes".

"Objective. Understand the care points of the main illnesses in the health-illness-care process in the adult population of the tacuate ethnic group of Santa María Zacatepec, Oaxaca-México. Scenario. This research was carried out in the municipality of Santa María Zacatepec belonging to the Putla district, in the south region (Mixteca de la Costa) of the state of Oaxaca. It has 34 communities with a total population of 15 076 inhabitants. Commerce, agriculture and migration are the main economic activities. The religion is catholic and the ruling system is democratic/customs and habits. Methods. We carried out a qualitative study with an ethnographic approach that derived from a previous survey of the populations main ailments. The field work was carried out with three generations of two tacuate families. We carried out participant observation, informal, semi structured and at depth interviews and field notes. We carried out analysis of cultural dominions in order to arrive at the ethnographic articulation. We considered credibility, confirmability and transferability criteria as well as reflectiveness. Results. The "muina" is a cultural entity that originates from situations from which the severity of the manifestations of an ailment depend, as do the care points. It can affect any age group although children are the most affected due to their vulnerability. This cultural entity relates to other entities such as fright and evil. Added to this the muina works as a social ruling mechanism. On the other hand in the tacuate population traditional and biomedic ailments coexist and due to the nature of how each cure, in some cases treatments could be antagonistic forcing people to make decisions that affect their health. Conclusion. Nurse care towards ethnic groups in the Mexican context requires to be built on from an epistemology derived from a profound knowledge of the cultural and social dimensions of the health-illness-care process and from a participative practice that is based on the dialogue of care points".

"Objetivo Compreender o conhecimento sobre o cuidado das principais doenças no processo saúde-doença-cuidado da população adulta da etnia Tacuate de Santa María Zacatepec, Oaxaca-México. Cenário Esta investigação foi realizada no município de Santa María Zacatepec, pertencente ao distrito de Putla, na região de Sierra Sur (Mixteca da Costa), no estado de Oaxaca. Possui 34 localizações, sua população total é de 15 076 habitantes. Comércio, agricultura e migração são as principais atividades econômicas. Eles professam a religião católica e seu sistema normativo é democrático / costumes e costumes. Métodos Estudo qualitativo, com abordagem etnográfica, derivado de uma pesquisa anterior sobre as principais condições que ocorrem na população. Posteriormente, o trabalho de campo foi realizado com duas famílias pertencentes à etnia Tacuate, com membros de três gerações diferentes, os quais foram contatados por meio de um porteiro. A observação participante foi realizada, entrevistas: informais, semiestruturadas, em profundidade e notas de campo. A análise dos domínios culturais foi realizada para alcançar a articulação etnográfica. Foram considerados os critérios de credibilidade, confirmabilidade e transferibilidade, além de reflexividade. Resultados A muina é uma entidade cultural originada por situações, da qual dependerá a gravidade das manifestações e, portanto, seu conhecimento do cuidado. Pode afetar qualquer faixa etária; no entanto, as crianças são as mais afetadas por considerá-las vulneráveis. Essa entidade cultural está relacionada a outras entidades, como o medo e o mal. Além disso, a muina serve como um mecanismo de normatividade social. Por outro lado, no grupo étnico Tacuate coexistem condições tradicionais e biomédicas, o que os leva a coexistir em um determinado ponto e, devido à natureza curativa de cada um, em um determinado momento eles são colocados como antagonistas que fazem fronteira com as pessoas. decisões que interferem com sua saúde. Conclusão A assistência de enfermagem a grupos étnicos, no contexto mexicano, precisa ser construída a partir de uma epistemologia derivada de um profundo conhecimento das dimensões culturais e sociais do processo, seja dos povos originais do México e de uma prática participativa com eles que basear-se no diálogo do conhecimento".

Effects of water deficit on radicle apex elongation and solute accumulation in Zea mays L.

In this study, we examined the effects of water deficit on the elongation of radicles of maize seedlings and on the accumulation of solutes in the radicle apices of two maize varieties: VS-22 (tolerant) and AMCCG-2 (susceptible). Sections of radicle corresponding to the first 2 mm of the primary roots were marked with black ink, and the seedlings were allowed to grow for 24, 48, and 72 h in polyvinyl chloride (PVC) tubes filled with vermiculite at three different water potentials (Ψ(w), -0.03, -1.0, and -1.5 MPa). The radicle elongation, sugar accumulation, and proline accumulation were determined after each of the growth periods specified above. The Ψ(w) of the substrate affected the dynamics of primary root elongation in both varieties. In particular, the lowest Ψ(w) (-1.5 MPa) inhibited root development by 72% and 90% for the VS-22 and AMCCG-2 varieties, respectively. The osmotic potential (Ψ(o)) was reduced substantially in both varieties to maintain root turgor; however, VS-22 had a higher root turgor (0.67 MPa) than AMCCG-2 (0.2 MPa). These results suggest that both varieties possess a capacity for osmotic adjustment. Sugar began to accumulate within the first 24 h of radicle apex growth. The sugar concentration was higher in VS-22 root apices compared to AMCCG-2, and the amount of sugar accumulation increased with a decrease in Ψ(w). Significant amounts of trehalose accumulated in VS-22 and AMCCG-2 (29.8 µmol/g fresh weight [FW] and 5.24 µmol/g FW, respectively). Starch accumulation in the root apices of these two maize varieties also differed significantly, with a lower level in VS-22. In both varieties, the proline concentration also increased as a consequence of the water deficit. At 72 h, the proline concentration in VS-22 (16.2 µmol/g FW) was almost 3 times greater than that in AMCCG-2 (5.19 µmol/g FW). Trehalose also showed a 3-fold increase in the tolerant variety. Accumulation of these solutes in the root growth zone may indicate an osmotic adjustment (OA) to maintain turgor pressure.

Measurement of radiation exposure in relatives of thyroid cancer patients treated with (131)I.

This work evaluates the radiological risk that patients treated with I for differentiated thyroid cancer could present to relatives and occupationally exposed workers. Recently, the International Atomic Energy Agency issued document K9010241, which recommends that patient discharge from the hospital must be based on the particular status of each patient. This work measures effective dose received by caregivers of patients treated with I at the Instituto Nacional de Cancerología, Mexico City. Thermoluminescent dosimeters were carried during a 15-d period by 40 family caregivers after patient release from hospital. Relatives were classified into two groups, ambulatory and hospitalized, according to the release mode of the patient, and three categories according to the individual patient home and transport facilities. Categories A, B, and C were defined going from most to least adequate concerning public exposure risk. Measurements were performed for 20 family caregivers in each group. The effective dose received by all caregivers participating in this study was found to be less than 5 mSv, the recommended limit per event for caregivers suggested by ICRP 103. In addition, 70 and 90% of ambulatory and hospitalized groups, respectively, received doses lower than 1 mSv. Caregivers belonging to category C, with home situations that are not appropriate for immediate release, received the highest average doses; i.e., 2.2 ± 1.3 and 3.1 ± 1.0 mSv for hospitalized and ambulatory patients, respectively. Results of this work have shown that the proper implementation of radiation protection instructions for relatives and patients can reduce significantly the risk that differentiated thyroid cancer patients treated with I can represent for surrounding individuals. The results also stress the relevance of the patient's particular lifestyle and transport conditions as the prevailing factors related to the dose received by the caregiver. Therefore, the patient's status should be the criterion used to decide his/her release modality. This work provides support to recommend the implementation of the "patient specific release criteria" in accordance with ICRP 94, IAEA Safety Report No. 63, and IAE document K9010241 A for patients treated with radiopharmaceuticals.

Polymerized-type I collagen for the treatment of patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Effect of intramuscular administration in a double blind placebo-controlled clinical trial.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the efficacy, tolerance and safety of intramuscular injections of porcine type I collagen-PVP in patients with RA in a long term-therapy. METHODS: The study was a double blind placebo-controlled and included 30 patients with active RA (ACR). Patients were treated with intramuscular injections of 2 ml of collagen-PVP (3.4 mg of collagen) or 2 ml of placebo during 6 months. The follow up was done during the next 6 months. The primary endpoints included the Ritchie index (RI), swollen joint count, disease activity score (DAS), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), and C-reactive protein (CRP). The secondary endpoints included morning stiffness, pain intensity on a visual analogue scale (VAS), and Spanish-health assessment questionnaire (HAQ-DI). Improvement was determined using American College of Rheumatology response criteria (ACR20, 50 and 70). RESULTS: Collagen-PVP was safe and well tolerated. There were no adverse events. Patients had a statistically significant improvement (p < 0.05) in collagen-PVP-treated vs. placebo at 6 months of treatment in: swollen joint count (7.1 +/- 0.8 vs. 16.0 +/- 1.6), RI (8.1 +/- 0.8 vs. 15.2 +/- 1.5), morning stiffness (9.2 +/- 3.1 vs. 29.1 +/- 5.9 min), HAQ-DI (50.0 +/- 10.8 vs. 22.9 +/- 10.3), DAS (3.0 +/- 0.2 vs. 4.9 +/- 0.3), ACR20 (78.6 vs. 71.4%), ACR50 (57.1 vs. 0%) and ACR70 (7.1 vs. 0%) and CRP (1.1 +/- 0.4 vs. 2.5 +/- 0.7). Patients treated with collagen-PVP required lower doses of methotrexate vs. placebo (12.6 +/- 0.6 vs. 14.2 +/- 0.7 at 6 months and 12.3 +/- 0.8 vs. 15.4 +/- 0.6 at 12 months; p < 0.05). Serological or haematological parameters remained unchanged. CONCLUSION: Collagen-PVP has been shown to be a safe and well-tolerated drug for the long-term treatment of RA. Combination of collagen-PVP plus methotrexate was more efficacious than methotrexate alone. This biodrug can be useful in the treatment of RA.

Search for ionisation density effects in the radiation absorption stage in LiF:Mg,Ti.

Optical absorption (OA) dose-response of LiF:Mg,Ti (TLD-100) is studied as a function of electron energy (ionisation density) and irradiation dose. Contrary to the situation in thermoluminescence dose-response where the supralinearity is strongly energy-dependent, no dependence of the OA dose filling constants on energy is observed. This result is interpreted as indicating a lack of competitive process in the radiation absorption stage. The lack of an energy dependence of the dose filling constant also suggests that the charge carrier migration distances are sufficiently large to smear out the differences in the non-uniform distribution of ionisation events created by the impinging gamma/electron radiation of various energies.

Effect of maternal age and parity on preimplantation embryo development and transport in the golden hamster (Mesocricetus auratus).

Preimplantation embryo development was studied in the golden hamster (Mesocricetus auratus). Three groups of regularly cycling female hamsters were used: (I) 30 nulliparous young female (NYF) hamsters; (II) 24 nulliparous adult female (NAF) hamsters and (III) 30 multiparous adult female (MAF) hamsters. Female hamsters were mated with male hamsters of proven fertility. Only 15 min were allowed for mating. The moment of ejaculation was registered. Female hamsters were killed from 60 to 69 h after coitus. Corpora lutea were counted in both ovarian surfaces. Oviducts and uterine horns were flushed separately and embryo number, stage of development and distribution were recorded. Adult female hamsters, nulliparous and multiparous, had significant higher ovulation rates than NYF, but their reproductive efficiency was significantly lower. Preimplantation embryo development and transport were highly synchronous in NYF, but not in adults. Morulae were observed in NYF as early as 62-63 h after coitus. In adult female hamsters, significant numbers of morulae were found until 66-67 h. On the contrary, in NYF four-cell embryos were detected only until 60-61 h, while four-cell embryos were found until 64-65 h in NAF, and until 66-67 h in MAF. Embryo transport from the oviduct to the uterus is practically completed at 62-63 h after coitus in NYF, while it is evidently retarded in adult animals. In NYF all eight-cell embryos reached the uterus by 62 h after coitus. In adult female hamsters, both nulliparous and multiparous, a considerable number of eight-cell embryos fail to migrate into the uterus even at 67 h after coitus.

On the correct measurement of relative heavy charged particles to gamma thermoluminescent efficiencies.

In order to better understand the most important experimental aspects for performing correct measurements of relative thermoluminescent (TL) efficiencies, an investigation has been carried out to quantify the effect of using different experimental procedures in the evaluation of 3 MeV proton-to-gamma relative efficiency (etap,gamma) of LiF:Mg,Ti. Variations in batch, presentation, annealing and reader have been studied. When the same protocol is used to measure proton and gamma TL response, efficiency values obtained range from 0.36 to 0.59 for peak 5 and from 0.44 to 0.79 for the total signal. The use of different annealings and different batches leads to 20% and 10% differences in etap,gamma respectively. Large differences (40%) are found between efficiency values measured with TLD-100 chips and those obtained using TLD-100 microcubes. When 'mixed' procedures are used to measure the proton and the gamma response, differences in etap,gamma may increase even more. The main conclusion of this work is to stress the importance of measuring an entire series of experiments in the same laboratory with a carefully defined protocol and using dosemeters from the same batch to obtain heavy charged particle TL response and gamma TL response with identical annealing and readout procedures.

Is the capacity of lead acetate and cadmium chloride to induce genotoxic damage due to direct DNA-metal interaction?

Even though the toxic effects of lead and cadmium compounds have been studied over many years, inconsistent results have been obtained about their mutagenic, clastogenic and carcinogenic properties. However, these metals are considered to be potential human carcinogens. The mechanism of metal-induced carcinogenesis is still unknown, but one possible pathway may involve the interaction of metals with DNA, either directly or indirectly. In this work we explore the capacity of lead, cadmium or a mixture of both metals to interact with acellular DNA, by employing a variant of the comet assay. Our results, using low non-cytotoxic metal concentrations (0.01, 0.1 and 1.0 microM) with the standard protocol for the acellular assay, showed an induction of DNA damage in cells of all organs studied; however, basal DNA damage was different in each organ. To confirm that we were working with pure DNA, proteinase K was added to the lysis solution. With this enriched-lysis solution we found a negative response in the induction of DNA damage in cells derived from the liver, kidney and lung of CD-1 male mice. To support the results obtained by the enriched-acellular assay, we studied the capacity of lead and cadmium (0.1 microM) to induce breaks in pooled genomic DNA in cells of the same organs, with negative results. Consistent with these findings, these metals do not induce DNA breaks in the plasmid pUSE amp+. On the whole, we did not detect direct induction of DNA strand breaks by lead acetate, cadmium chloride or a mixture of both metals, all at low non-cytotoxic concentrations. However, we found an induction of lipid peroxidation and an increase in free radical levels in the different organs of CD-1 male mice after inhalation of lead acetate (0.0068 microg/cc) or cadmium chloride (0.08 microg/cc) for 1 h, suggesting the induction of genotoxicity and carcinogenicity by indirect interactions, such as oxidative stress.

Prevalence and isotype distribution of antiphospholipid antibodies in Chilean patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).

Previous studies have demonstrated that ethnicity plays a role in the prevalence, isotype distribution, and clinical significance of anticardiolipin (aCL) and anti-beta2 glycoprotein I (abeta2-GPI) antibodies in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients. Few studies have been done in Latin American populations. Serum samples from 129 Chilean SLE patients were tested for IgG, IgM and IgA aCL and abeta2-GPI by ELISA. Clinical data were reviewed with the focus on clinical manifestations of antiphospholipid syndrome (APS). Positivity for at least one isotype of aCL was found in 30% of patients, while only 10% were positive for at least one isotype of abeta2-GPI. IgG was the most prevalent isotype for aCL (16%), and the isotype distribution was similar (4%) for abeta2-GPI. In general, the presence of aCL was significantly associated with the presence of abeta2-GPI, but a number of samples were positive for only one antibody, some of them associated with clinical manifestations of APS. ACL antibodies at medium-high titers were significantly correlated with thrombosis (P = 0.0007) and fetal loss (P = 0.009); however, the sensitivity of abeta2-GPI for detecting thrombosis and fetal loss was lower than aCL (19 and 17% vs 56 and 50%, respectively), and the specificity slightly higher (91 and 90% vs 84 and 82%). In Chilean SLE patients, aCL and abeta2-GPI antibodies are important in the evaluation of patients with APS. However, the utility of abeta2-GPI antibodies was limited by the low prevalence of these antibodies in comparison with other ethnic groups. Further studies are needed to define the basis of the observed differences among ethnic groups.

The role of abscisic acid in controlling leaf water loss, survival and growth of micropropagated Tagetes erecta plants when transferred directly to the field.

Plants of Tagetes erecta L. (marigold) cultivated in vitro in ventilated containers exhibited greater control of leaf water loss and increased survival in the field than plants cultivated in sealed containers. Increased field survival of plants cultivated in ventilated containers was attributed to higher levels of endogenous abscisic acid (ABA). Therefore, ABA was supplied exogenously to plants in sealed or ventilated containers by adding ABA (10(-6), 10(-5), 10(-4) M) to the in vitro culture media in order to evaluate control of leaf water loss, growth and field survival. The addition of 10(-4) M ABA to the culture media in sealed containers produced plants that had similar control of leaf water loss and were morphologically similar to plants cultivated in ventilated containers without the addition of ABA. Field survival of 10(-4) M ABA plants (75%) was increased compared to plants cultivated in sealed containers without ABA (31%), with survival being closer to that of plants cultivated in ventilated containers (90-100%). Plants cultivated with 10(-4) M ABA (sealed and ventilated) also exhibited increased plant vigour and leaf area in the field compared to plants cultivated without ABA. The results suggest that the limited field survival and growth of plants cultured in vitro are related to the limited ABA concentrations they accumulate while in vitro. Consequently, conditions that increase the endogenous ABA concentrations of in vitro plants (like ventilation or ABA addition to the medium) would improve the control of leaf water loss, field survival and plant vigour.

[Human rights and their relationship with patient's rights]. / Los derechos humanos y su vinculación con los derechos de los pacientes.

This historical article reviews the most important milestones in the evolution of human and patient's rights. The latter have derived from human rights and have followed a similar historical evolution, but in markedly different times. This has lead to the persistence of monarchic type, paternalistic clinical relationship forms in republican societies. The acceptance of informed consent and patient's rights has been a democratization of clinical relationships. On the other hand the right to body health management is a real cultural revolution. The democratization of clinical relationship is in agreement with our technical, pluralist and secularized times.

Nocardia asteroides en absceso pulmonar interpretado como de origen tuberculoso: caso fatal / Nocardia asteroides in a pulmonary abscess considered to be of a tuberculous origin: fatal case

Se informa el hallazgo de cultivos puros de n. asteroides a partir de la colección purulenta obtenida por drenaje quirúrgico de un absceso en base pulmonar derecha, de 6 cm de diámetro, en una niña de 13 años de edad con desnutrición de segundo grado y antecedentes de tuberculosis. Lo prolongado de la evolución diagnóstica, el cuadro infeccioso inespecífico, y el probable deterioro inmunológico pudieron haber producido cierta demora en el diagnóstico y por lo tanto para el desenlace fatal

How Do Stomata Read Abscisic Acid Signals?

When abscisic acid (ABA) was fed to isolated epidermis of Commelina communis L., stomata showed marked sensitivity to concentrations of ABA lower than those commonly found in the xylem sap of well-watered plants. Stomata were also sensitive to the flux of hormone molecules across the epidermal strip. Stomata in intact leaves of Phaseolus acutifolius were much less sensitive to ABA delivered through the petiole than were stomata in isolated epidermis, suggesting that mesophyll tissue and/or xylem must substantially reduce the dose or activity of ABA received by guard cells. Delivery of the hormone to the leaf was varied by changing transpiration flux and/or concentration. Varying delivery by up to 7-fold by changing transpiration rate had little effect on conductance. At a given delivery rate, variation in concentration by 1 order of magnitude significantly affected conductance at all but the highest concentration fed. The results are discussed in terms of the control of stomatal behavior in the field, where the delivery of ABA to the leaf will vary greatly as a function of both the concentration of hormone in the xylem and the transpiration rate of the plant.

Maduración histológica de las neuronas del tronco encefálico en víctimas del síndrome de muerte súbita infantil / Histological maturation of the neurons of the brainstem in victims of sudden death syndrome of children

Se examinaron los cerebros de tres niños fallecidos con diagnóstico de síndrome de muerte súbita infantil (SMSI), con el propósito de determinar el patrón de maduración histológico de los núcleos del puente, oliva bulbar e hipogloso mayor, núcleos del tonco encefálico que no están directamente vinculados con la función cardiorrespiratoria y compararla con el patrón observado en tres niños que fallecieron de causa conocida usando el método de Golgi-Cox y morfometria. Los niños fallecidos del SMSI presentan una reducción significativa de la arborización dendrítica neural en los tres núcleos estudiados, comparado con el grupo control. Estos hallazgos sugieron un retardo de la maduración neuronal de todo el tronco encefálico y no sólo de los centros cardiorrespiratorios como ha sido demostrado en niños que fallecieron del SMSI. Se sugiere que este retardo en la maduración del tronco encefálico representa un sustrato anatómico anormal en la multifactorial patogénesis de este síndrome