Antioxidant and toxicological evaluation of a Tamarindus indica L. leaf fluid extract.

In the scientific community, there is a growing interest in Tamarindus indica L. leaves, both as a valuable nutrient and as a functional food. This paper focuses on exploring its safety and antioxidant properties. A tamarind leaf fluid extract (TFE) wholly characterised was evaluated for its anti-DPPH activity (IC50 = 44.36 µg/mL) and its reducing power activity (IC50 = 60.87 µg/mL). TFE also exhibited a high ferrous ion-chelating capacity, with an estimated binding constant of 1.085 mol L(-1) while its influence over nitric oxide production in human leucocytes was irregular. At low concentrations, TFE stimulated NO output, but it significantly inhibited it when there was an increase in concentration. TFE was also classified as a non-toxic substance in two toxicity tests: the acute oral toxicity test and the oral mucous irritability test. Further toxicological assays are needed, although results so far suggest that TFE might become a functional dietary supplement.

Appraisal of the difference between the mesiodistal diameters of deciduous incisors and molars and permanent teeth.

AIM: Difference in tooth size between deciduous and permanent teeth can resolve space problems during development of the dentition. AIM: To determine the difference in size between deciduous and permanent teeth in the anterior and posterior areas of the mouth in a group of school-age children from Medellin, Colombia. DESIGN: this longitudinal prospective, descriptive investigation was carried out in 139 skeletal Class I dental stone casts from school-age children from Medellin. Patients were followed annually from 6 to 12 years of age. The final sample consisted of 53 children (35 girls and 18 boys). Leeway space and the incisor liability were determined. RESULTS: A higher positive leeway space was found in the mandible than in the maxilla (3.622 mm and 1.556 mm, respectively). Incisor liability was negatively higher in the maxilla than in the mandible (-7.884mm and -5.386mm, respectively). Six patients showed a negative leeway space between -1.582 mm and -3.184 mm for the mandible and the maxilla, respectively. No statistical significant differences were found by gender; girls showed higher leeway space and incisor liability than boys. CONCLUSION: Normal values for one ethnic group should not be considered normal for another and each group must be treated according to its own characteristics.

The structural modeling of the interaction between levofloxacin and the Mycobacterium tuberculosis gyrase catalytic site sheds light on the mechanisms of fluoroquinolones resistant tuberculosis in Colombian clinical isolates.

We compared the prevalence of levofloxacin (LVX) resistance with that of ofloxacin (OFX) and moxifloxacin (MFX) among multidrug resistant (MDR) MTB clinical isolates collected in Medellin, Colombia, between 2004 and 2009 and aimed at unraveling the underlying molecular mechanisms that explain the correlation between QRDR-A mutations and LVX resistance phenotype. We tested 104 MDR isolates for their susceptibility to OFX, MFX, and LVX. Resistance to OFX was encountered in 10 (9.6%) of the isolates among which 8 (7.7%) were also resistant to LVX and 6 (5.7%) to MFX. Four isolates resistant to the 3 FQ were harboring the Asp94Gly substitution, whilst 2 other isolates resistant to OFX and LVX presented the Ala90Val mutation. No mutations were found in the QRDR-B region. The molecular modeling of the interaction between LVX and the DNA-DNA gyrase complex indicates that the loss of an acetyl group in the Asp94Gly mutation removes the acid base interaction with LVX necessary for the quinolone activity. The Ala90Val mutation that substitutes a methyl for an isopropyl group induces a steric modification that blocks the LVX access to the gyrase catalytic site.

The altered expression of inflammation-related molecules and secretion of IL-6 and IL-8 by HUVEC from newborns with maternal inactive systemic lupus erythematosus is modified by estrogens.

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) predominantly affects women, especially those in reproductive age. Genetic contributions to disease susceptibility as well as immune dysregulation, particularly persistent inflammatory responses, are considered essential features. Our aim was to determine whether human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) isolated from healthy newborns to women with inactive SLE show inflammation-related abnormalities that might lead to an early development of SLE in the offsprings. HUVEC isolated from six women with inactive SLE were stimulated with 2.5 ng/mL of TNF-alpha and/or physiological and pharmacological doses of 17-I(2) estradiol (E2). Then the expression of VCAM-1, ICAM-1, E-selectin, toll-like receptor-9 (TLR-9), heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) and HSP90 were measured. The concentrations of IL-6, IL-8, and IL-10 were also determined in maternal serum and in TNF-alpha stimulated and non-stimulated HUVEC culture supernatant. HUVEC from children with no family history of autoimmune disease served as controls. Our results showed that in HUVEC from SLE+ mothers, a constitutively low expression of adhesion molecules was enhanced by TNF-alpha treatment. The E2 (1 ng/mL) increased the expression of adhesion molecules but had no effect upon TNF-alpha-treated cells. IL-6 was constitutively higher in SLE+ HUVEC, whereas IL-8 was lower; E2 treatment diminished the latter. The E2 had no effect upon IL-6 and IL-8 secretions in TNF-alpha-treated cells. SLE+ HUVEC showed a disordered cytoskeleton and overexpressed HSP70, HSP90, and TLR-9. Our results indicate that endothelial cells of newborns to SLE+ mothers are in a proinflammatory condition which can be upregulated by estrogens.

Ulcera hipertensiva de la pierna / Hypertensive ulcer of the leg

En el servicio de cirugía del Hospital de Valparaíso, durante los últimos 10 años, han consultado 22 pacientes por úlcera hipertensiva de la pierna. Se trata de una enfermedad poco frecuente que afecta preferentemente a pacientes añosos, de sexo femenino, portadores de una enfermedad hipertensiva grave mal controlada, en ausencia de patología venosa, linfática o arterial importante en las extremidades inferiores. No existe actualmente algún tratamiento probadamente eficaz para controlar esta enfermedad. En estos pacientes, conjuntamente con el manejo estricto de la hipertensión arterial, tratamiento local de la úlcera, uso de analgésicos y control de la infección sobreagregada, se efectuaron resecciones amplias de las lesiones ulceradas y necróticas, se colocaron injertos dermoepidérmicos y, en varios casos, se practicó una simpatectomía lumbar. De esta manera se logró la cicatrización completa de las lesiones en todos los casos. No hubo casos de amputación de la extremidad ni mortalidad en esta serie. En el seguimiento alejado se observó una significativa menor frecuencia de recidiva local de la úlcera en aquellos pacientes que fueron sometidos a una resección amplia de la úlcera y posterior recubrimiento con un injerto dermoepidérmico, que en aquellos en que no se efectuó este procedimiento (p=0,015). La simpatectomía lumbar no protege de las recidivas alejadas de la úlcera en la extremidad operada

Microbiological and technological aspects of cassava-starch fermentation.

The major genera found in the microflora of fermented, sour, cassava-starch were Streptococcus, Bacillus, Lactobacillus and Saccharomyces with amylase activity. Lactic acid bacteria predominated whereas the presence of moulds was not significant. No coliforms were detected. Electron microscopy showed bacteria and yeasts in contact with the starch granules and signs of erosion on the granule surface. Lactic acid was the main metabolite; no oligosaccharides, maltose or glucose were detected, indicating their rapid utilization. The degree of acidification, which correlated with the decrease in viscosity and the final quality of the product, was influenced by the variable microbial ecology.

[The lipid profile in children with nephrosis]. / Perfil lipídico en niños con nefrosis.

The serum lipid levels of 25 children with SNI of LGM were quantified. All cases showed total cholesterol and triglyceride levels above the 95% percentile for both their age and sex (417 +/- 119 mg/dL and 448 +/- 313 mg/dL respectively). Ninety-two percent of the children showed LBD above the 95 percentile for their and sex (307 +/- 108 mg/dL) and 72% showed LAD in the normal lower limit, under the fifth percentile for their age and sex (26.9 +/- 13.7 mg/dL). A important percentage of the patients showed elevated LMBD (90.8 +/- 61.0 mg/dL). A direct proportional relationship occurred between total cholesterol and LBD (r = + 0.854), yet, an inverted relationship was not seen between total cholesterol and LAD (r = -0.315) nor between total cholesterol and serum albumin (r = -0.248).

[Participation of community members in family planning programs]. / Participación de los miembros de la comunidad en los programas de planificación familiar.

PIP: Mexico has an annual growth rate of 3.5%, the highest in the world. The demographic problem interferes with the distribution of public services, with the balance in age groups, and with the country's economic development. It is important to create a social conscience in the individuals, and to get their active participation in the solution of such problems. Family planning and economic and social development programs will help solve the population problem only if the population is aware and educated enough to understand that their participation is essential, and if the communities work together to achieve the goals set by the government.^ieng