Opuntia ficus-indica Extract and Isorhamnetin-3-O-Glucosyl-Rhamnoside Diminish Tumor Growth of Colon Cancer Cells Xenografted in Immune-Suppressed Mice through the Activation of Apoptosis Intrinsic Pathway.

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of Opuntia ficus-indica extract (OFI-E) and its glycoside isorhamnetin-3-O-glucosyl-rhamnoside (IGR) on the growth of human colorectal adenocarcinoma cells and in a xenografted-immunosuppressed mice model. The IC50 values of OFI-E and IGR on colon cancer cells (HT-29 RFP) were determinate, as well as their effects on the cell cycle and apoptosis induction. OFI-E and IGR produced an increased in apoptosis induction, ROS production and a G0/G1 cell cycle arrest. In xenografted-inmunosupressed mice, OFI-E and IGR reduced the tumor growth rate, myeloperoxidase activity and total cholesterol levels. OFI-E and IGR reduced the tumor growth through the overexpression of cleaved Caspase-9, Hdac11, and Bai1 proteins. OFI-E reduced the expression of bcl-2. Results demonstrated the chemopreventive effects of OFI-E, and its purified compound IGR, showing their potential as an alternative in the treatment of colorectal cancer.

[Guillain-Barre syndrome in pregnancy]. / Síndrome de Guillain-Barré en el embarazo.

TITLE: Síndrome de Guillain-Barré en el embarazo.

IR characterization of plant leaves, endemic to semi-tropical regions, in two senescent states.

We are developing a robust and economic electro-optical remote sensing methodology to monitor the state of health and hydration of trees, endemic to subtropical regions. We measured reflectance spectra with Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) of three samples of two different oak trees. We find that spectral bands suitable for monitoring the state of the health and senescence of the oak include intervals around 0.9 µm and 1.8 µm. The easiest and the most cost-effective strategy would be to implement an electro-optical remote sensing radiometric system featuring a commercial camera incorporating a traditional charge-coupled device (CCD) or complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) detectors and a wideband transmission filter, from about 0.8 to 1 µm.

Influence of germination time on the morphological, morphometric, structural, and physicochemical characteristics of Esmeralda and Perla barley starch.

The aim of this study was to analyzing the impact of germination time on the morphology, crystallinity, gelatinization and viscosity properties on the starch of Esmeralda and Perla barley variety. The two barley were germinated for 1 to 8 days, at 26 °C and 65% relative humidity. Micrographs showed the presence of pinholes and eroded surfaces. Starch in Esmeralda was hydrolyzed completely at 8 days of germination. Birefringence was reduced from day 4, losing molecular structuring of the crystalline area. Morphometric data: fractal dimension, area, perimeter, circularity, and roundness decreased significantly along germination time in both varieties. The entropy increased significantly, from 0.79 to 10.09 in Esmeralda and from 0.46 to 7.57 in Perla. Relative crystallinity decreased significantly in the Perla from 24.7% to 23.6%. Viscosity peaks were also significantly reduced, pasting temperature was constant in Esmeralda but in Perla was significantly reduced from 95.43 to 95.19 °C with germination, the gelatinization temperature increased significantly in the Esmeralda while in Perla it remained constant. Enthalpy decreased significantly to 75.8% and 37% in Esmeralda and Perla respectively. The study of germination impact on structural and physicochemical properties is important to identify the use of hydrolyzed starches in the food industry or others.

Widespread infection of Areospora rohanae in southern king crab (Lithodes santolla) populations across south Chilean Patagonia.

Cottage cheese disease is caused by microsporidian parasites that infect a wide range of animal populations. Despite its potential to affect economically important activities, the spatial patterns of prevalence of this disease are still not well understood. Here, we analyse the occurrence of the microsporidian Areospora rohanae in populations of the king crab Lithodes santolla over ca 800 km of the southeastern Pacific shore. In winter 2011, conical pots were deployed between 50 and 200 m depth to capture crabs of a wide range of sizes. The infection was widely distributed along the region, with a mean prevalence of 16%, and no significant association between prevalence and geographical location was detected. Males, females and ovigerous females showed similar prevalence values of 16.5 (13-18.9), 15 (9.2-15) and 16.7% (10-19%), respectively. These patterns of prevalence were consistent across crab body sizes, despite the ontogenetic and sex-dependent variations in feeding behaviour and bathymetric migrations previously reported for king crabs. This study provided the first report of the geographical distribution of A. rohanae infecting southern king crabs.

Cn29, a novel orphan peptide found in the venom of the scorpion Centruroides noxius: Structure and function.

A peptide (Cn29) from the venom of the scorpion Centruroides noxius (about 2% of the soluble venom) was purified and its primary and three-dimensional structures were determined. The peptide contains 27 amino acids with primary sequence: LCLSCRGGDYDCRVKGTCENGKCVCGS. The peptide is tightly packed by three disulfide linkages formed between C2-C23, C5-C18 and C12-C25. Since the native peptide was obtained in limited amounts, the full synthetic peptide was prepared using the standard F-moc-based solid phase synthesis method of Merrifield. The native and synthetic peptides were shown to be identical by sequencing, HPLC separation and mass spectrometry. The solution structure of the peptide solved from NMR data shows that it consists of a well-defined N-terminal region without regular secondary structure extending from Leu 1 to Asp 9, followed by a short helical fragment from Tyr10 to Val14 and two short ß strands (Thr17-Glu19 and Lys22-Val24). The primary and tertiary structures of Cn29 are different from all other scorpion peptides described in the literature. Transcriptome analysis of RNA obtained from C. noxius confirmed the expression of a gene coding for Cn29 in its venom gland. Initial experiments were conducted to identify its possible function: lethality tests in mice and insects as well as ion-channel binding using in vitro electrophysiological assays. None of the physiological or biological tests displayed any activity for this peptide, which at present is considered to be another orphan peptide found in scorpion venoms. The peptide is thus the first example of a novel structural component present in scorpion venoms.

Mineral profile of crossbred F 1 Holstein x Gyr dairy cows during the transition period in summer and winter / Perfil mineral de vacas F1 Holandês x Gir durante o período de transição no verão e inverno

The transition period is often a great challenge for dairy cows and mineral imbalances are frequent. With the aim to better understand the mineral profile of F1 Holstein x Gyr dairy cows and their performances under the different conditions of summer and winter, we collected blood samples to measure calcium, magnesium and phosphorus. Samplings were performed during summer and winter, on 15 and 13 pluriparous F1 Holstein x Gyr dairy cows, respectively. Blood sampling started 4 weeks prior to the expected calving date until 30 days postpartum. The mean concentrations of all three minerals had a different pattern during the transition period in each season, representing the interaction time x season. Calcium concentration was lower in winter and more animals suffered from subclinical hypocalcemia (100%) then in summer (38.46%). Magnesium concentration was also lower in winter and 46.67% of animals had hypomagnesemia, contributing for the higher hypocalcemia frequency observed in the same season. A high proportion of animals had hyperphosphatemia what can represent an environmental problem and more attention should be given to it. The high frequency of animals with subclinical hypocalcemia is alarming once that can lead to greater consequences.(AU)

O período de transição é uma fase de grandes desafios para vacas leiteiras, e desequilíbrios minerais são frequentes. O objetivo ao desenvolver este trabalho foi de entender melhor o perfil mineral de vacas leiteiras F1 Holandês x Gir e suas performances sob as diferentes condições de verão e inverno. Para isso, foram mensurados cálcio, magnésio e fósforo sanguíneo. As coletas de sangue foram realizadas durante os períodos de verão e inverno, e utilizaram-se, respectivamente, 15 e 13 vacas leiteiras pluríparas, todas F1 Holandês x Gir. As coletas de sangue começaram quatro semanas antes da data prevista do parto até 30 dias pós-parto. As concentrações médias e o padrão de variação dos três minerais foram distintos em cada estação do ano, representando a interação tempo de coleta x estação do ano. A concentração de cálcio foi menor no inverno, período em que todos os animais apresentaram hipocalcemia subclínica, enquanto no verão 38,46% apresentaram essa condição. A concentração de magnésio foi maior no verão e nenhum animal teve hipomagnesemia, enquanto no inverno 46,67% dos animais apresentaram hipomagnesemia subclínica, contribuindo para a maior frequência de hipocalcemia observada no inverno. Uma alta proporção de animais teve hiperfosfatemia, o que pode representar um problema ambiental. A alta frequência de animais com hipocalcemia subclínica é alarmante principalmente devido às consequências geradas por essa condição.(AU)

Mineral profile of crossbred F 1 Holstein x Gyr dairy cows during the transition period in summer and winter / Perfil mineral de vacas F1 Holandês x Gir durante o período de transição no verão e inverno

The transition period is often a great challenge for dairy cows and mineral imbalances are frequent. With the aim to better understand the mineral profile of F1 Holstein x Gyr dairy cows and their performances under the different conditions of summer and winter, we collected blood samples to measure calcium, magnesium and phosphorus. Samplings were performed during summer and winter, on 15 and 13 pluriparous F1 Holstein x Gyr dairy cows, respectively. Blood sampling started 4 weeks prior to the expected calving date until 30 days postpartum. The mean concentrations of all three minerals had a different pattern during the transition period in each season, representing the interaction time x season. Calcium concentration was lower in winter and more animals suffered from subclinical hypocalcemia (100%) then in summer (38.46%). Magnesium concentration was also lower in winter and 46.67% of animals had hypomagnesemia, contributing for the higher hypocalcemia frequency observed in the same season. A high proportion of animals had hyperphosphatemia what can represent an environmental problem and more attention should be given to it. The high frequency of animals with subclinical hypocalcemia is alarming once that can lead to greater consequences.(AU)

O período de transição é uma fase de grandes desafios para vacas leiteiras, e desequilíbrios minerais são frequentes. O objetivo ao desenvolver este trabalho foi de entender melhor o perfil mineral de vacas leiteiras F1 Holandês x Gir e suas performances sob as diferentes condições de verão e inverno. Para isso, foram mensurados cálcio, magnésio e fósforo sanguíneo. As coletas de sangue foram realizadas durante os períodos de verão e inverno, e utilizaram-se, respectivamente, 15 e 13 vacas leiteiras pluríparas, todas F1 Holandês x Gir. As coletas de sangue começaram quatro semanas antes da data prevista do parto até 30 dias pós-parto. As concentrações médias e o padrão de variação dos três minerais foram distintos em cada estação do ano, representando a interação tempo de coleta x estação do ano. A concentração de cálcio foi menor no inverno, período em que todos os animais apresentaram hipocalcemia subclínica, enquanto no verão 38,46% apresentaram essa condição. A concentração de magnésio foi maior no verão e nenhum animal teve hipomagnesemia, enquanto no inverno 46,67% dos animais apresentaram hipomagnesemia subclínica, contribuindo para a maior frequência de hipocalcemia observada no inverno. Uma alta proporção de animais teve hiperfosfatemia, o que pode representar um problema ambiental. A alta frequência de animais com hipocalcemia subclínica é alarmante principalmente devido às consequências geradas por essa condição.(AU)

Sistema intrauterino liberador de levonorgestrel en el tratamiento del sangrado uterino anormal secundario a miomatosis uterina / Levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system in the treatment of abnormal uterine bleeding secondary to uterine leiomyomas

Resumen ANTECEDENTES: el sangrado uterino anormal por miomatosis intramural de pequeños elementos es una indicación frecuente de histerectomía; el tratamiento hormonal puede disminuir la necesidad de esta cirugía. OBJETIVO: evaluar si con el sistema liberador de levonorgestrel disminuye el sangrado uterino anormal por miomatosis intramural de pequeños elementos. MATERIALES Y MÉTODOS: ensayo clínico fase II de un solo brazo al que se incluyeron mujeres de 35 a 45 años de edad, con diagnóstico de sangrado uterino anormal por miomatosis intramural de pequeños elementos, con útero menor a 12 cm (eje longitudinal por ultrasonido) y biopsia de endometrio sin enfermedad maligna; a todas se les colocó el sistema liberador de levonorgestrel. Se evaluó: el sangrado con la escala PBACs (Pictorial Blood Assessment Chart score), el dolor pélvico con escala de EVA, la recuperación hematológica (hemoglobina sérica), volumen uterino (mm3) y recuperación de la actividad física y sexual antes de la colocación del sistema liberador de levonorgestrel y a los 3, 6 y 9 meses posteriores. RESULTADOS: se estudiaron 20 pacientes, de éstas 3 con histerectomía antes de cumplir los tres meses de seguimiento. A los tres meses 76.4% (IC 95%: 55.9-97) redujeron el sangrado en más de 50% del basal, a los seis meses todas habían reducido más de 50% el sangrado y a los nueve meses, nueve eran amenorreicas, el resto con reducción promedio de 90%. El dolor se redujo y permitió recuperar la actividad física y sexual en 90% de los casos. Las concentraciones de hemoglobina se incrementaron, en promedio, 0.8 g/dL, y no hubo reducción clínicamente significativa del tamaño uterino. CONCLUSIONES: el sistema liberador de levonorgestrel disminuyó de manera muy significativa el sangrado uterino anormal por miomatosis intramural de pequeños elementos a partir de los tres meses de tratamiento.

Abstract BACKGROUND: abnormal uterine bleeding due to small intramural leiomyomas is a frequent indication of hysterectomy; hormone treatment may decrease the need for this surgery. OBJECTIVE: to evaluate if using the levonorgestreal-releasing system decreases abnormal uterine bleeding caused by small intramural leiomyomas. MATERIALS AND METHODS: a phase II single arm clinical trial that included women from 35 to 45 years with a diagnosis of abnormal uterine bleeding caused by small intramural leiomyomas in less than 12 cm uteri (longitudinal axis on ultrasound) and endometrial biopsy with no malignant disease; all the women had the levonorgestrel-releasing system placed. We evaluated: bleeding with the PBAC scale (Pictorial Blood Assessment Chart score), pelvic pain with the EVA scale, hematological recovery (serum hemoglobin), uterine volume (mm3) and recovery of physical and sexual activity before placement of the levonorgestrel-releasing system 3, 6 and 9 months later. RESULTS: 20 patients were studied, 3 of these had a hysterectomy before the three month follow up period. After three months 76.4% % (IC 95%: 55.9-97) decreased bleeding more than 50% compared to baseline, after six months, all had decreased bleeding more than 50% and at nine months, nine had amenorrhea and the rest had an average reduction of 90%. Pain decreased and allowed them to recover physical and sexual activity in 90% of cases. Concentrations of hemoglobin increased an average of 0.8 g/dL and there was no clinically significant reduction of the uterine size. CONCLUSIONS: the levonorgestrel-releasing system significantly decreased abnormal uterine bleeding caused by small intramural leiomyomas after three months of treatment.

Anthocyanins and Phenolic Acids of Hybrid and Native Blue Maize (Zea mays L.) Extracts and Their Antiproliferative Activity in Mammary (MCF7), Liver (HepG2), Colon (Caco2 and HT29) and Prostate (PC3) Cancer Cells.

Blue maize is an excellent source of bioactive components such as phenolic acids and anthocyanins but when it is processed for human consumption, these compounds decrease considerably. Therefore, blue maize could be directed to produce nutraceutical extracts. The aim of this study was to evaluate the relation between anthocyanins composition of acidified and non-acidified extracts from native and hybrid blue maize genotypes and their antiproliferative effect in mammary (MCF7), liver (HepG2), colon (Caco2 and HT29) and prostate (PC3) cancer cells. The most abundant phenolic acid was ferulic acid. Nine anthocyanins were quantified in the extracts, being Cy3-Glu the most abundant. Acylated forms were also obtained in high abundance depending of the extraction method. An extract concentration range of 4.31 to 7.23 mg/mL inhibited by 50% the growth of untransformed cells NIH3T3. Antiproliferative effect on PC3, Caco2, HepG2 and MCF7 cancer cells of acidified extracts from hybrid blue maize was larger than the observed using non-acidified extracts. Among the nine compounds that were quantified in the extracts tested, CyMalGlu I showed the strongest correlation with the reduction of cell viability in Caco2 (-0.876), HepG2 (-0.813), MCF7 (-0.765) and PC3 (-0.894). No significant correlation or differences in antiproliferative effect on HT29 was found among the extracts. The method of extraction of maize anthocyanins must be selected to obtain a high yield of CyMalGlu I more than only Cy3-Glu since acylation affects the inhibition of cancer cell growth.

Percepciones sobre el uso del condón y lasexualidad entre jóvenes / Perceptions of condom use and sexuality among young people

El objetivo fue determinar la relación entre percepciones sobre el uso del condóny la actividad sexual de riesgo en jóvenes universitarios y universitarias. Participaron 273 hombresy mujeres estudiantes de pregrado con rango de edad de 19 a 25 años. Aplicamos una escala tipoLikert con 31 reactivos, con cuatro dimensiones que miden percepción negativa del uso del condón,conocimientos sobre conducta sexual segura y creencias erróneas sobre las ITS y el uso del condón.Mostramos diferencias significativas entre hombres y mujeres en la percepción negativa del uso delcondón; obtuvimos correlaciones positivas en el uso del condón en la primera relación sexual y suuso posterior. Discutimos los resultados desde una perspectiva sociocultural y de género.

Characterization and quantification of saponins and flavonoids in sprouts, seed coats and cotyledons of germinated black beans.

Saponins, flavonols and isoflavones were quantified in sprouts, cotyledons and seed coats of black beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) subjected to germination over five days. Sprouts had a higher concentration of saponins compared to cotyledons or seed coats (p<0.05). The saponins concentration in hilum increased 2.3-fold after soaking. After the first day of germination, the saponin concentration in sprouts and cotyledons increased 1.9 and 2.1-fold, respectively. Additional germination days decreased the amount of the most abundant soyasaponins in black bean sprouts. Flavonols and isoflavones were associated with seed coats and less than one third of the initial amount remained after the soaking process. The concentrations of flavonols were also reduced during germination process. Aglycones were detected only after soaking and their concentration remained unchanged during germination. Genistein was detected only after three days of germination. In general, one-day germinated black beans could be recommended for increasing the concentration of saponins and non-glycosylated flavonols in sprouts and seed coats, respectively.

El tratamiento quirúrgico de la enfermedad carotidea / Surgical treatment of carotid artery disease

La endarterectomía carotidea es una técnica estandarizada para la remoción de placas de ateromas obstructivos en la carótida interna. Es una de las intervenciones quirúrgicas más extensamente estudiadas a través de estudios multicéntricos para evaluar su rol en el tratamiento y la prevención de síntomas isquémicos cerebrales. Los estudios de ECST y ACAS en enfermos con estenosis carotidea y síntomas pertinentes, demostraron que la cirugía es beneficiosa para pacientes con 70 y 99 por ciento de estenosis y se ha convertido en una indicación ampliamente aceptada. El estudio de ACAS en enfermos con estenosis asintomática, demostró un beneficio marginal de la cirugía respecto al tratamiento médico y que se invalidaba si la morbi-mortalidad del procedimiento superaba el 3 por ciento. Por estas razones la indicación de remover la placa en forma preventiva en enfermos asintomáticos, debe ser juiciosamente indicada, de acuerdo a la experiencia del centro.

Carotid endarterectomy is a standardized technique for removing obstructive plaques in the internal carotid arteries. It is one of the surgical procedures more extensively studied through multicentric randomized trials to find its place in prevention and treatment of cerebral ischemic symptoms. ECST and NASCET trials in patients with symptomatic carotid stenosis clearly showed a benefit from surgery in patients with 70 to 99 percent stenosis. ACAS trial, designed to study asymptomatic patients with carotid stenosis, showed only marginal benefit from surgery compared to medical treatment and this benefit was abolished if combined surgical morbidity and mortality exceeded 3 percent. Thus the indications for surgical removal of a carotid plaque in asymptomatic patients must be carefully judged according to the results in a specific centre.

Aneurisma de aorta abdominal reparación endovascular / Endovascular repair of aortic abdominal aneurysms

En 1991, Juan Carlos Parodi presenta sus primeros intentos exitosos de reemplazar un Aneurisma de Aorta Abdominal usando una vía femoral para desplegar una prótesis que se anclaba en la aorta sana, mediante stents de Palmaz en cada extremo, con lo que inicia una nueva era en el tratamiento de esta enfermedad. Los cambios técnicos introducidos progresivamente, que incluyeron mejores sistemas deintroducción Y de fijación, unidos a una mejor comprensión de las indicaciones de su uso y al reconocimiento de las contraindicaciones anatómicas, han puesto esta técnica al alcance del cirujano vascular, quien con adecuado entrenamiento en procedimientos endovasculares puede lograr muy buenos resultados con esta nueva modalidad terapéutica.

In 1991 Juan Carlos parodi reported his first successful attempt in replacing Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms through a femoral access, deploying a graft that was fixed to the healthy aorta by means of a Palmaz stent in each end, beginning a new era in the treatment of this disease. With further improvement in design, better systems for introduction and fixation, together with a thorough understanding of the anatomic requirements for a successful outcome, vascular surgeons adequately trained in endovascular procedures, may achievevery good results with this new therapeutic approach.

Deafness on the island of Providencia - Colombia: different etiology, different genetic counseling.

Providencia is a small island located in the Caribbean Ocean, northwest of Colombia with an unusually high frequency of individuals with hearing loss (5 in 1,000) is present. The hearing loss in the island was characterized as non-syndromic autosomal recessive deafness accounting for 47% (8/17) of the deaf population, Waardenburg Syndrome (deafness associated with pigmentary anomalies) for 29% (5/17), and the remaining 24% (4/17) are cases of sporadic non-syndromic deafness. For appropriate genetic counseling a complete pedigree of families with deaf individuals was constructed. The 35delG mutation in GJB2 gene, which encodes connexin 26 (Cx26), is responsible for the deafness observed in the 8 individuals with autosomal recessive non-syndromic hearing loss. The deaf individuals with Waardenburg Syndrome and the sporadic cases did not have this mutation. Therefore, we present here an atypical case of an isolated community with at least two different genetic etiologies for deafness: non-syndromic genetic deafness caused by the 35delG mutation in the GJB2 gene and deafness associated with Waardenburg Syndrome not related to GJB2. In a small and isolated population, it is feasible to assume that the deafness is caused by the same factor; however, Providencia is an atypical case. Therefore, it is extremely important to define the exact etiology of deafness in each case, since different etiologies require different genetic counseling.

El control de la reproducción como resultado de decisiones seguras o riesgosas / Control reproduction as result of safe or risky decisions

Objetivo: comprender el proceso que hombres y mujeres viven como pareja para realizar el control de la fertilidad. Metodología: estudio cualitativo realizado en Medellín, Colombia, entre los años 2002 y 2005. Se entrevistaron 17 hombres y 23 mujeres entre 20 y 35 años, de diferentes estratos sociales y niveles educativos, con una relación de pareja no inferior a un año. Metodológicamente se apoya en la teoría fundamentada. Resultados: los hallazgos muestran cómo las parejas, con base en las significaciones de lo femenino y lo masculino, asumen una determinada posición frente a cómo enfrentar la reproducción. Dicho afrontamiento es un proceso que se mueve entre decisiones que van desde correr riesgos hasta estar totalmente seguros. Según esto, algunos(as) están continuamente “buscando la seguridad” para no tener hijos(as) no deseados; otros, están permanentemente “corriendo el riesgo” de una gestación no deseada. Discusión: las estrategias utilizadas por las parejas para enfrentar la reproducción están mediadas por la interpretación que hacen de las normas de género; aquellas que buscan la seguridad asumen las normas de género de una manera flexible, las parejas que corren riesgos las asumen de forma rígida así como las relaciones de poder. Conclusiones: se concluye que las significaciones de hombres y mujeres sobre el deber ser masculino y femenino, influyen en los comportamientos reproductivos. Los contextos y las significaciones que las parejas tienen de la reproducción, definen sus comportamientos en el control de la reproducción. Y conocer los contextos y las percepciones que tienen sobre la reproducción es fundamental si se quiere brindar una educación que transforme comportamientos.