Influence of furfural on the physiology of Acinetobacter baylyi ADP1.

Pretreatment of lignocellulosic biomass produces growth inhibitory substances such as furfural which is toxic to microorganisms. Acinetobacter baylyi ADP1 cannot use furfural as a carbon source, instead it biotransforms this compound into difurfuryl ether using the NADH-dependent dehydrogenases AreB and FrmA during aerobic acetate catabolism. However, NADH consumption for furfural biotransformation compromises aerobic growth of A. baylyi ADP1. Depending on the growth phase, several genes related to acetate catabolism and oxidative phosphorylation changed their expression indicating that central metabolic pathways were affected by the presence of furfural. During the exponential growth phase, reactions involved in the formation of NADPH (icd gene) and NADH (sfcA gene) were preferred when furfural was present. Therefore a higher NADH and NADPH production might support furfural biotransformation and biomass production, respectively. In contrast, in the stationary growth phase genes of the glyoxylate shunt were overexpressed probably to save carbon compounds for biomass formation, and only NADH regeneration was appreciated. Finally, disruption of the frmA or areB gene in A. baylyi ADP1 led to a decrease in growth adaptation and in the capacity to biotransform furfural. The characterization of this physiological behavior clarifies the impact of furfural in Acinetobacter metabolism.

Detailed phenotypic description of stromal corneal dystrophy in a large pedigree carrying the uncommon TGFBI p.Ala546Asp pathogenic variant.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to describe the corneal clinical spectrum and the intrafamilial phenotypic differences in an extended pedigree suffering from stromal corneal dystrophy due to the rare p.Ala546Asp mutation in TGFBI. METHODS: A total of 15 members from a four-generation Mexican family were ascertained for clinical and genetic assessment. All individuals underwent slit-lamp biomicroscopic examination and an extensive ophthalmological examination including corneal topography (OCULUS Pentacam® AXL), corneal biomechanics (OCULUS Corvis ST), and corneal confocal biomicroscopy (Heidelberg Engineering®). A total of 10 individuals carried the heterozygous c.1637C>A (p. Ala546Asp) mutation at TGFBI exon 12. RESULTS: Nine out of 10 mutation positive patients were available for clinical characterization. The mean age was 35.5 years, with the youngest and the eldest ones being 3 years old and 62 years old, respectively. The median age of onset of the symptoms was 19.7 years. Five (55.6%) patients presented with a predominantly granular corneal dystrophy type 2 (GCD2) phenotype, one presented with a lattice corneal dystrophy (LCD) phenotype, and one with a granular corneal dystrophy type 1 (GCD1) phenotype. Interestingly, two mutation positive subjects had no clinical deposits in the cornea, demonstrating incomplete penetrance of the disorder in this family. CONCLUSIONS: Clinical differences in corneal phenotypes within this CD family and with other pedigrees carrying the same TGFBI genetic defect could be explained by the age of clinical examination of individual patients and/or by the presence of genetic and/or environmental modifiers.

Diabetes mellitus e hipertensión arterial en la progresión a deterioro cognitivo leve y demencia: una revisión de la literatura / Diabetes mellitus and high blood pressure in the progression to mild cognitive deterioration and dementia: A literature review

RESUMEN INTRODUCCIÓN: La prevalencia de deterioro cognitivo leve (DCL) y demencia se ha descrito recientemente como alta en Colombia, debido al aumento de la población adulta mayor y a su baja escolaridad. Aun no es claro el mecanismo por el cual la diabetes mellitus (DM) o la hipertensión arterial (HTA), en ausencia de accidente cerebrovascular (ACV), aumentarían el riesgo de DCL o demencia. OBJETIVO: Revisar en la literatura la posible asociación de HTA y DM con el riesgo de progresión a DCL. MÉTODOS: Se realizó una búsqueda en las bases de datos de las publicaciones entre los años 2007 y 2017, de cohortes y casos y controles de adultos de 65 años o más con HTA o DM y que evaluaran como desenlace DCL o demencia. RESULTADOS: La revisión arrojó doce artículos que cumplieron con los criterios de selección. Seis artículos reportaban relación entre HTA y riesgo de presentar deterioro cognitivo; de estos, cinco artículos presentaban como desenlace demencia vascular (DVa) y el otro tanto demencia tipo Alzheimer (DTA) como DVa. Además, informan sobre el riesgo de presentar demencia según las cifras de presión arterial sistólica y diastólica. De los seis estudios de cohortes incluidos, cinco encontraron una relación significativa entre DM y progresión a DCL o DTA. CONCLUSIÓN: Los pacientes con HTA tienen mayor riesgo de DVa, seguido por demencia mixta. La DM se asocia con una mayor frecuencia de DTA, en especial si la DM aparece en edades tempranas.

SUMMARY INTRODUCTION: A high prevalence of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and dementia has been described recently in Colombia, due to the increase of the older adult population with low level of schooling. It is still unclear the mechanism by which and high blood pressure (HBP), in the absence of stroke, increase the risk of MCI or dementia. OBJECTIVE: To review the possible association of HBP and diabetes with the risk of progression to cognitive impairment. METHODS: We searched databases from 2007 to 2017, and case-control or cohort studies on adults aged 65 years or older with HBP or diabetes in whom cognitive functions were evaluated over time. RESULTS: The search yielded 12 articles that met the selection criteria. Six articles report the relationship between hypertension and the risk of developing dementia; of these, five for vascular dementia (VDa) and one for both Alzheimer dementia (AD) and VDa as the outcome. They also report on the risk of developing dementia according to systolic and diastolic blood pressure. Of the six cohort studies included, five found a statistically significant relationship of diabetes and progression to MCI or AD. CONCLUSION: Patients with hypertension have an increased risk of VDa, followed by mixed dementia. DM is associated with a higher frequency of AD, especially if diabetes appears at an early age.

Furfural biotransformation in Acinetobacter baylyi ADP1 and Acinetobacter schindleri ACE.

OBJECTIVES: To determine furfural biotransformation capabilities of Acinetobacter baylyi ADP1 and Acinetobacter schindleri ACE. RESULTS: Acinetobacter baylyi ADP1 and A. schindleri ACE could not use furfural as sole carbon source but when acetate was used as substrate, ADP1 and ACE biotransformed 1 g furfural/l in 5 and 9 h, respectively. In both cases, the product of this biotransformation was difurfuryl-ether as shown by FT-IR and 1H and 13C NMR spectroscopy. The presence of furfural decreased the specific growth rate in acetate by 27% in ADP1 and 53% in ACE. For both strains, the MIC of furfural was 1.25 g/l. Nonetheless, ADP1 biotransformed 2 g furfural/l at a rate of 1 g/l/h in the stationary phase of growth. A transcriptional analysis of possible dehydrogenases involved in this biotransformation, identified that the areB and frmA genes were highly overexpressed after the exposure of ADP1 to furfural. The products of these genes are a benzyl-alcohol dehydrogenase and an alcohol dehydrogenase. CONCLUSIONS: Acinetobacter baylyi ADP1 is a candidate for the biological detoxification of furfural, a fermentation inhibitor present in lignocellulosic hydrolysates, with the possible direct involvement of the AreB and FrmA enzymes in the process.

Macronutrientes en el tejido foliar de albahaca Ocimum basilicum L. en respuesta a la aplicación de nitrógeno y potasio / Macronutrients in the leaf tissue of basil Ocimum basilicum L. in response to applications of nitrogen and potassium

RESUMEN La albahaca (Ocimum basilicum L.) es un cultivo promisorio de reciente explotación y expansión en Colombia; sin embargo, esta tendencia se ve limitada por el desconocimiento de la nutrición con elementos, como N y K. Con la aplicación de dosis óptimas de N y K, los productores pueden incrementar la productividad y calidad de este sistema productivo, atrayendo nuevos productores. El objetivo de este estudio fue evaluar el efecto de la aplicación de nitrógeno y potasio sobre el contenido y relación de los macronutrientes en el tejido vegetal de albahaca. Las dosis de N y K fueron combinadas con base en la matriz Box-Berard aumentada (3):2k+2k+2k+1+1, constituyendo un total de 14 tratamientos, dispuestos bajo un diseño completamente al azar, con tres repeticiones. Se estudió la masa seca (MS) y las relaciones N/K, N/P, N/S, N/Ca, K/Ca, K/Mg, K/P y K/S, las cuales, fueron analizas con pruebas de medias y la metodología de superficie de respuesta. La albahaca desarrolló una mayor MS cuando la relación foliar de N y K con el resto de los nutrientes fue alta, a excepción de la relación de estos (N/K), la cual, fue estrecha. En este sentido, la MS fue 116,72% superior para las relaciones asociadas con nitrógeno y 120,84% para las de potasio, con respecto a las dosis mínimas de N y K. En albahaca, la concentración foliar de N y K debe predominar sobre el resto de macroelementos, condición obtenida con dosis de 100-190kg ha-1 de N y de 125-237,5kg ha-1 de K.

ABSTRACT Basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) is a promising crop of recent exploitation and expansion in Colombia, however, this trend is limited by ignorance of nutrition requirements of elements such as N and K. With the application of optimal doses of N and K, producers can increase the productivity and quality of this production system, attracting new producers. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of the application of nitrogen and potassium on the content and ratio of macronutrients in basil plant tissue. The doses of N and K were combined based on the increased Box-Berard matrix (3): 2k+2k+2k+1+1, constituting a total of 14 treatments, arranged under a completely randomized design with three repetitions. The dry mass (DM) and the relationships N/K, N/P, N/S, N/Ca, K/Ca, K/Mg, K/P and K/S were studied, and analyzed with tests of means and the response surface methodology. Basil developed a higher DM when the leaf ratio of N and K with the rest of the nutrients was high, except for the ratio of these (N/K), which was close. In this sense, the DM was 116.72% higher for the ratios associated with nitrogen and 120.84% for those of potassium, with respect to the minimum doses of N and K. In basil, the foliar concentration of N and K should predominate over the rest of macroelements, a condition obtained with doses of 100-190kg ha-1 of N and 125-237.5kg ha-1 of K.

Experiencia sobre el uso del teléfono móvil como herramienta de enseñanza y aprendizaje en clases de Historia: percepción de los estudiantes / Experience on using mobiles as a teaching and learning tool in history classes: students´ perception

RESUMEN Fundamento: el uso del celular en las clases no constituye una práctica pedagógica generalizada. Aún no existe consenso sobre si es un distractor o si beneficia la adquisición de conocimientos. Objetivo: describir una experiencia sobre el uso del teléfono móvil como herramienta de enseñanza y aprendizaje, desde la percepción de los estudiantes. Métodos: investigación pedagógica realizada en la Universidad de Ciencias Médicas de Cienfuegos durante el primer semestre del curso 2019-2020. Se diseñó una aplicación para teléfonos celulares, en la cual se incluyeron todos los recursos de la asignatura Historia de Cuba I que los estudiantes necesitan. Se realizó una encuesta para conocer las expectativas de los estudiantes y al final se aplicó otra para evaluar su cumplimiento. Resultados: las mayores expectativas estuvieron basadas en el método novedoso que resulta la aplicación (78 opiniones, 82,6 %) y la facilidad para adquirir conocimientos (71 expresiones, 75,26 %). En 63 ocasiones reconocieron la importancia de la tecnología en función del estudio. Todos consideraron que la aplicación cumplió su función y satisfizo sus expectativas en cuanto a la facilidad para adquirir conocimientos y como un método apropiado. Tres estudiantes consideraron como regular su importancia en función del estudio y uno lo evaluó de mal. El 96, 2 % evaluó de bien la influencia en la motivación. El 78 % de los estudiantes en los que se empleó la aplicación obtuvo calificación de cinco, frente a 73 % en los que no la utilizaron. Conclusiones: el empleo del teléfono móvil en el proceso de enseñanza aprendizaje resultó favorable.

ABSTRACT Foundation: using mobile phones in class does not constitute a general pedagogical practice. There is still no consensus on whether it is a distraction or if it benefits knowledge acquisition. Objective: to describe an experience mobile phone usage as a teaching and learning tool, from the perception of the students. Methods: pedagogical research conducted at the Cienfuegos University of Medical Sciences during the first semester of the 2019-2020 academic year. An application for cell phones was designed with all the resources of History of Cuba I students need. A survey was carried out to find out the expectations of the students, and at the end another was applied to assess compliance. Results: the highest expectations were based on the novelty of this method (78 opinions, 82.6%) and the ease for knowledge acquisition (71 expressions, 75.26%). The importance of technology was identified by 63 students. All considered that the application fulfilled its function and met their expectations regarding the ease of acquiring knowledge and as an appropriate method. Three students considered it as ordinary and one evaluated it poorly. Influence on motivation was evaluated by 96.2% as well. The students in whom the application was used, 78% obtained the highest mark compared to 73% in those who did not use it. Conclusion: the use of mobile phones in the teaching-learning process was favorable.

Lower extremity weakness as the first sign of an abdominal aortic aneurysm.

Giant aortic aneurysms are rare entities with a high mortality, and only a few cases have been described. Spinal cord ischemia secondary to an aortic aneurysm occurs even more rarely. We present the case of a giant aneurysm of the infrarenal abdominal aorta that was initially manifested through bilateral lower limb weakness.

Actualización en trasplante meniscal. Resultados clínicos y funcionales de una serie de casos retrospectiva / Actualization in meniscal transplantation

El trasplante meniscal autólogo (TMA) es el tratamiento de elección en el síndrome postmeniscectomía, sin embargo, sigue siendo un procedimiento limitado, existiendo controversias en la literatura. No se encontraron reportes de TMA en pacientes y centros latinoamericanos, lo que imposibilita sustentar una conducta en base a literatura local. El objetivo de este estudio es revisar los aspectos más importantes del TMA, detallar una de las técnicas quirúrgicas más utilizadas y describir y discutir los resultados de una serie de casos consecutivos de pacientes tratados con TMA en un país latinoamericano. Se describe la técnica quirúrgica para un TMA lateral con fijación ósea a través de canal trapezoidal ("Keyhole") que ofrece ventajas para los TMA laterales, pues las raíces son muy cercanas entre ellas y el canal tiene una fijación "pressfit" disminuyendo el stress en las suturas sin la necesidad de realizar túneles óseos, que podrían interferir con procedimientos asociados.Se incluyen los resultados demográficos, clínicos, funcionales y de satisfacción de una serie retrospectiva de 16 pacientes [18 trasplantes (12 laterales y 6 mediales)] consecutivos [mediana de edad 20,5 (15-37)], operados de TMA por un mismo cirujano, entre 2004-2019, con mediana de seguimiento de 3,3 (0,5-14,8) años. No se excluyeron pacientes. Los datos fueron obtenidos a través de revisión de fichas clínicas y encuestas telefónicas. Se realizó un análisis estadístico que incluyó un test multivariado buscando asociaciones entre las variables, Wilcoxon para resultados funcionales y Kaplan-Meier para sobrevida del trasplante (reintervenciones) (p<0,05). Los resultados de esta primera serie de TMA en Latinoamérica son discutidos y se comparan con la literatura, encontrándose resultados similares a lo reportado en otras regiones y concuerdan con lo esperado para un procedimiento de salvataje

Meniscal allograft transplantation (MAT) is the gold standard treatment for post meniscectomy syndrome. However, it is still considered a limited procedure, existing controversies in the reported literature. No reports in Latin American centers and patients were found, hindering the generalization of results with this treatment. This study aims to review the critical aspects of MAT, describe a technical note for a commonly used MAT procedure, and report and discuss the results of a consecutive series of patients treated with MAT in a Latin American country.The technical note for a lateral MAT with the Keyhole bone fixation is described. This technique offers advantages in lateral MAT, where meniscal roots are close together. The keyhole is press-fit fixed into the tibial plateau, decreasing the stress of the holding sutures, and without interfering with associated procedures.The review includes the demographic, clinical, functional, and satisfaction results of a consecutive retrospective series of 16 patients [18 MAT (12 lateral and 6 medial)] with a median age of 20.5 (15-37) years. All patients were operated by the same surgeon between 2004-2019, and the median follow-up was 3.3 (0.5-14.8) years. The data was obtained through the revision of clinical files and telephonic surveys. The statistical analysis included a multivariate analysis for the association between variables, Wilcoxon for functional tests, and Kaplan-Meier for survival rate (reinterventions) (p<0.05).The results of the first Latin American MAT series are discussed and compared to the reported literature, finding similar results and are consistent with a salvage procedure

Sistema de información para la gestión de la producción científica de la Universidad de Ciencias Médicas de Cienfuegos / Information system for the management of scientific production of the University of Medical Sciences of Cienfuegos

RESUMEN Fundamento: garantizar de forma oportuna, confiable y con rapidez la información requerida para la gestión de la producción científica en Universidades de Ciencias Médicas Cubanas es una necesidad insoslayable. Objetivo: diseñar un sistema de información computarizado para la gestión de la producción científica de la Universidad de Ciencias Médicas de Cienfuegos. Métodos: sistema diseñado en la Universidad de Ciencias Médicas de Cienfuegos, basado en tecnología cliente - servidor con metodología RUP, lenguaje de modelado UML, lenguaje de programación PHP y MySQL como gestor de base de datos. Los requerimientos mínimos son: unidad central Dual Core con 2 Gb de memoria RAM, 40 GB de disco duro y aplicaciones MySQL y APACHE. Resultados: el sistema permite la generación de currículos digitales en línea de los profesores de la universidad desde cualquier institución de salud de la provincia, donde se resalta la labor científica de estos, además del cálculo automatizado de indicadores y valores de frecuencia absoluta a nivel individual, de carrera y de institución basados principalmente en parámetros de la Junta de Acreditación Nacional del Ministerio de Educación Superior de Cuba. Conclusiones: constituye una herramienta que permite perfeccionar la gestión de la producción científica de Universidades de Ciencias Médicas Cubanas.

ABSTRACT Foundation: guaranteeing in a timely, reliable and fast manner the information required for the management of scientific production in Cuban Medical Sciences Universities is an outstanding necessity. Objective: to design a computerized information system for the management of scientific production of the University of Medical Sciences of Cienfuegos. Methods: system designed at the University of the Cienfuegos Medical Sciences, based on client-server technology with RUP methodology, UML modeling language, PHP and MySQL programming language as database manager. The minimum requirements are: Dual Core central unit with 2 GB of RAM, 40 GB of hard disk and MySQL and APACHE applications. Results: the system allows the generation of online digital curricula of university professors from any health institution in the province, where their scientific work is highlighted, in addition to the automated calculation of indicators and absolute frequency values at the individual level, career and institution based mainly on parameters of the National Accreditation Board of the Ministry of Higher Education of Cuba. Conclusions: it constitutes a tool that allows perfecting the management of scientific production of Cuban Medical Sciences Universities.

Progresión del deterioro cognitivo y su relación con factores de riesgo modificables en una cohorte de adultos / Progression of cognitive impairment and its relation to modifiable risk factors in a cohort of adults

Resumen Un estudio de corte transversal realizado entre 2012-2014 en adultos autónomos de Bogotá, mostró una prevalencia de 23% de demencia, encontrándose asociada con baja escolaridad, edad avanzada e hipertensión arterial. La relación de estos factores de riesgo con la progresión del dete rioro cognitivo no ha sido estudiada en nuestra población. Objetivo: evaluar la asociación entre factores de riesgo cardiometabólicos o sociales con la progresión a deterioro cognitivo leve (DCL) o demencia, en adultos autónomos de Bogotá. Material y métodos: una cohorte de sujetos normales y con DCL, del estudio de 2012-2014, se revaluó aplicándose el protocolo neuropsiquiátrico y neuropsicológico del estudio anterior. Se realizaron análisis de correspondencia múltiple y de regresión logística. Resultados: se revaluaron 215 adultos autónomos, 118 sujetos habían sido diagnosticados con cognición normal y 97 con DCL en el primer estudio; 73% fueron mujeres con edad promedio de 71(DE:7.3) años y escolaridad de 8.2 (DE: 5.4) años. Progresaron a demencia 6% de los sujetos en un tiempo de 4(DE:1) años. Un 75% de sujetos normales permaneció sin cambio y 22% progresó a DCL; mientras que 65% de sujetos con DCL no tuvo cambios y un 25% se normalizó. Progresar de normal a DCL se asoció con baja escolaridad OR=2.43 (IC95% 1.004-5.91; p=0.049) y de DCL a demencia con IMC<25 OR=6.3 (IC95% 1.26-31; p=0.025). Conclusión: tener baja escolaridad (<5 años) se asoció en los sujetos normales con un mayor riesgo de progresión a DCL, mientras que tener un IMC <25 aumentó el riesgo de progresión a demencia en los sujetos con DCL. No identificamos factores protectores en los sujetos que se nor malizaron. (Acta Med Colomb 2019; 44: 66-74).

Abstract A cross-sectional study carried out between 2012-2014 in autonomous adults of Bogotá showed a 23% prevalence of dementia, being associated with low schooling, advanced age and arterial hy pertension. The relationship between these risk factors and the progression of cognitive deterioration has not been studied in our population. Objective: to evaluate the association between cardio-metabolic or social risk factors with the progression to mild cognitive impairment (MCI) or dementia, in autonomous adults of Bogotá. Material and methods: a cohort of normal subjects with MCI, from the 2012-2014 study was re-evaluated applying the neuropsychiatric and neuropsychological protocol of the previous study. Multiple correspondence and logistic regression analyzes were performed. Results: 215 autonomous adults were re-evaluated; 118 subjects had been diagnosed with normal cognition and 97 with MCI in the first study; 73% were women with an average age of 71 (SD: 7.3) years and schooling of 8.2 (SD: 5.4) years. 6% of the subjects progressed to dementia in a time of 4 (SD: 1) years. 75% of normal subjects remained unchanged and 22% progressed to MCI while 65% of subjects with MCI did not change and 25% normalized. Progressing from normal to MCI was associated with low schooling OR = 2.43 (95% CI 1.004-5.91; p = 0.049) and from MCI to dementia with BMI≤25 OR = 6.3 (IC95% 1.26-31; p = 0.025). Conclusion: having low schooling (≤5 years) was associated in normal subjects with a higher risk of progression to MCI, while having a BMI ≤25 increased the risk of progression to dementia in subjects with MCI. Protective factors in subjects who normalized were not identified. (Acta Med Colomb 2019; 44: 66-74).

[Utero-cutaneous fistula: a case report and literature review]. / Fístula cutáneo-uterina: reporte de un caso y revisión de la bibliografía.

Utero-cutaneous fistula is a rare clinical entity with less than 15 cases reported worldwide in the last 20 years and this is the first case reported in our country. In this article we review the worldwide literature addressing this condition and present the first case reported in México and the first case reported worldwide in which the fistula is demonstrated using a combination of fistulogram and CT.

Endothelin ET(B) receptors are involved in the relaxation to the pig urinary bladder neck.

AIMS: The involvement of endothelin receptors in the contraction of the lower urinary tract smooth muscle is well established. There is scarce information, however, about endothelin receptors mediating relaxation of the bladder outlet region. The current study investigates the possible existence of endothelin ET(B) receptors involved in the relaxation of pig bladder neck. METHODS: ET(B) receptor expression was determined by immunohistochemistry and urothelium-denuded bladder neck strips were mounted in organ baths for isometric force recording. RESULTS: ET(B) -immunoreactivity (ET(B) -IR) was observed within nerve fibers among smooth muscle bundles and urothelium. BQ3020 (0.01-300 nM), an ET(B) receptor agonist, produced concentration-dependent relaxations which were reduced by BQ788, an ET(B) receptor antagonist, and by inhibitors of protein kinase A (PKA) and large (BK(Ca) )- or small (SK(Ca) )-conductance Ca(2+) -activated K(+) channels. Pretreatment with BK(Ca) or SK(Ca) channel inhibitors plus PKA blocking did not cause further inhibition compared with that exerted by inhibiting BK(Ca) or SK(Ca) channels only. BQ3020-induced relaxation was not modified by blockade of either nitric oxide (NO) synthase, guanylyl cyclase, cyclooxygenase (COX) or of intermediate-conductance Ca(2+) -activated-(IK(Ca) ), ATP-dependent-(K(ATP) ), or voltage-gated-(K(v) ) K(+) channels. Under non-adrenergic non-cholinergic (NANC) conditions, electrical field stimulation (0.5-16 Hz) evoked frequency-dependent relaxations, which were reduced by BQ788 and potentiated by threshold concentrations of BQ3020. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that BQ3020 produces relaxation of the pig bladder neck via activation of muscle endothelin ET(B) receptors, NO/cGMP- and COX-independent-, cAMP-PKA pathway-dependent-mechanisms, and involving BK(Ca) and SK(Ca) channel activation. ET(B) receptors are also involved in the NANC inhibitory neurotransmission.

Mechanisms involved in endothelin-1-induced contraction of the pig urinary bladder neck.

AIMS: There is no information about the signaling pathways involved in the endothelin-1 (ET-1)-induced contraction of bladder neck. The current study investigates the mechanisms involved in the ET-1-elicited contraction in the pig bladder neck. METHODS: Bladder neck strips were mounted in organ baths containing physiological saline solution at 37°C and gassed with 95% O(2) and 5% CO(2) , for isometric force recording to endothelin receptor agonists, noradrenaline (NA), and electrical field stimulation. Endothelin ET(A) receptor expression was also determined, by both immunohistochemistry and Western blot. RESULTS: ET(A) receptor expression (Western blot) was observed in the muscular layer and urothelium. A strong ET(A) -immunoreactivity (ET(A) -IR) was identified within nerve fibers among smooth muscle bundles. ET-1 and ET-2 evoked similar concentration-dependent contractions of urothelium-denuded preparations. ET-3 produced a slight response, whereas the ET(B) receptor agonist BQ3020 failed to promote contraction. BMS182874, an ET(A) receptor antagonist, reduced ET-1-induced contraction whereas BQ788, an ET(B) antagonist, did not change such responses. ET-1 contractions were reduced by extracellular Ca(2+) removal and by inhibition of voltage-gated Ca(2+) (VOC) (L-type) and non-VOC channels, Rho/Rho-kinase pathway, and neuronal VOC channels. NA produced contractions which were enhanced by ET-1 threshold concentrations. ET(A) receptor blockade enhanced nitric oxide-dependent nerve-mediated relaxations. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that ET-1 produces contraction via muscular ET(A) receptors coupled to extracellular Ca(2+) entry via VOC (L-type) and non-VOC channels. Intracellular Ca(2+) mobilization and a Rho/Rho-kinase pathway could also be involved in these responses. ET-1-evoked potentiation on noradrenergic contraction, and neuronal ET(A) receptors modulating nitrergic inhibitory neurotransmission, are also demonstrated.

Mechanisms involved in the adenosine-induced vasorelaxation to the pig prostatic small arteries.

Benign prostatic hypertrophy has been related with glandular ischemia processes and adenosine is a potent vasodilator agent. This study investigates the mechanisms underlying the adenosine-induced vasorelaxation in pig prostatic small arteries. Adenosine receptors expression was determined by Western blot and immunohistochemistry, and rings were mounted in myographs for isometric force recording. A(2A) and A(3) receptor expression was observed in the arterial wall and A(2A)-immunoreactivity was identified in the adventitia-media junction and endothelium. A(1) and A(2B) receptor expression was not obtained. On noradrenaline-precontracted rings, P1 receptor agonists produced concentration-dependent relaxations with the following order of potency: 5'-N-ethylcarboxamidoadenosine (NECA) = CGS21680 > 2-Cl-IB-MECA = 2-Cl-cyclopentyladenosine = adenosine. Adenosine reuptake inhibition potentiated both NECA and adenosine relaxations. Endothelium removal and ZM241385, an A(2A) antagonist, reduced NECA relaxations that were not modified by A(1), A(2B), and A(3) receptor antagonists. Neuronal voltage-gated Ca(2+) channels and nitric oxide (NO) synthase blockade, and adenylyl cyclase activation enhanced these responses, which were reduced by protein kinase A inhibition and by blockade of the intermediate (IK(Ca))- and small (SK(Ca))-conductance Ca(2+)-activated K(+) channels. Inhibition of cyclooxygenase (COX), large-conductance Ca(2+)-activated-, ATP-dependent-, and voltage-gated-K(+) channel failed to modify these responses. These results suggest that adenosine induces endothelium-dependent relaxations in the pig prostatic arteries via A(2A) purinoceptors. The adenosine vasorelaxation, which is prejunctionally modulated, is produced via NO- and COX-independent mechanisms that involve activation of IK(Ca) and SK(Ca) channels and stimulation of adenylyl cyclase. Endothelium-derived NO playing a regulatory role under conditions in which EDHF is non-functional is also suggested. Adenosine-induced vasodilatation could be useful to prevent prostatic ischemia.

Production of HIV particles is regulated by altering sub-cellular localization and dynamics of Rev induced by double-strand RNA binding protein.

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-1 encoded Rev is essential for export from the nucleus to the cytoplasm, of unspliced and singly spliced transcripts coding for structural and nonstructural viral proteins. This process is spatially and temporally coordinated resulting from the interactions between cellular and viral proteins. Here we examined the effects of the sub-cellular localization and dynamics of Rev on the efficiency of nucleocytoplasmic transport of HIV-1 Gag transcripts and virus particle production. Using confocal microscopy and fluorescence recovery after bleaching (FRAP), we report that NF90ctv, a cellular protein involved in Rev function, alters both the sub-cellular localization and dynamics of Rev in vivo, which drastically affects the accumulation of the viral protein p24. The CRM1-dependent nuclear export of Gag mRNA linked to the Rev Response Element (RRE) is dependent on specific domains of the NF90ctv protein. Taken together, our results demonstrate that the appropriate intracellular localization and dynamics of Rev could regulate Gag assembly and HIV-1 replication.

Up-regulation of TLR2 and TLR4 in dendritic cells in response to HIV type 1 and coinfection with opportunistic pathogens.

The ability to trigger an innate immune response against opportunistic pathogens associated with HIV-1 infection is an important aspect of AIDS pathogenesis. Toll-like receptors (TLRs) play a critical role in innate immunity against pathogens, but in HIV-1 patients coinfected with opportunistic infections, the regulation of TLR expression has not been studied. In this context, we have evaluated the expression of TLR2 and TLR4 in monocytes, plasmacytoid dendritic cells, and myeloid dendritic cells of HIV-1 patients with or without opportunistic infections. Forty-nine HIV-1-infected individuals were classified according to viral load, highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART), and the presence or absence of opportunistic infections, and 21 healthy subjects served as controls. Increased expression of TLR2 and TLR4 was observed in myeloid dendritic cells of HIV-1 patients coinfected with opportunistic infections (without HAART), while TLR4 increased in plasmacytoid dendritic cells, compared to both HIV-1 without opportunistic infections and healthy subjects. Moreover, TLR2 expression was higher in patients with opportunistic infections without HAART and up-regulation of TLR expression in HIV-1 patients coinfected with opportunistic infections was more pronounced in dendritic cells derived from individuals coinfected with Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The results indicate that TLR expression in innate immune cells is up-regulated in patients with a high HIV-1 load and coinfected with opportunistic pathogens. We suggest that modulation of TLRs expression represents a mechanism that promotes HIV-1 replication and AIDS pathogenesis in patients coinfected with opportunistic pathogens.

[Risk of glucose metabolism changes in spouses of Mexican patients with type 2 diabetes]. / Riesgo de alteración en el metabolismo de la glucosa en cónyuges de pacientes mexicanos con diabetes mellitus tipo 2.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: To determine whether in the Mexican population the spouses of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM2) have an increased risk of any degree of glucose intolerance compared with spouses of subjects without diabetes. SUBJECTS AND METHOD: An analytical cross-sectional study was made in the Family Medicine Unit number 62 of the Mexican Institute of Social Security, located in the State of México. A random sample of 87 spouses of patients with DM2 (group ED) was compared with 87 spouses of subjects with a normal glucose tolerance (group ENOD). Risk factors for DM2 were investigated; spouses in both groups underwent oral glucose tolerance test, and total cholesterol, triglycerides, blood pressure, body mass index and waist circumference were measured. The frequency of impaired fasting glucose, impaired glucose tolerance and DM2 were compared in both groups and the odds ratio was calculated. RESULTS: In the group ED there were 38 (43.7%) subjects with any degree of glucose intolerance vs. 23 (26.4%) in the ENOD group -odds ratio = 2.16 (95% confidence interval, 1.14-4.08) in the bivariate analysis, and odds ratio = 2.37 (95% confidence interval, 1.14-4.91) in the logistic regression-. In the group ED a higher systolic blood pressure was observed (P=.02). There were no significant differences in age, sex, body mass index, waist circumference, total cholesterol, triglycerides and diastolic blood pressure. The frequency of risk factors for diabetes was similar in both groups. CONCLUSIONS: In the Mexican population, the spouses of subjects with DM2 have a higher risk of any alteration in the glucose tolerance than spouses of subjects with a normal glucose metabolism.

Riesgo de alteración en el metabolismo de la glucosa en cónyuges de pacientes mexicanos con diabetes mellitus tipo 2 / Risk of disorders in the glucose metabolism in spouses of Mexican patients with type 2 diabetes

FUNDAMENTO Y OBJETIVO: Determinar si en la población mexicana los cónyuges de pacientes condiabetes mellitus tipo 2 (DM2) tienen mayor riesgo de alteración en el metabolismo de la glucosa(AMG) que los cónyuges de personas sin diabetes.SUJETOS Y MÉTODO: Se ha realizado un estudio transversal analítico en la Unidad de Medicina Familiarnúmero 62 del Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social, ubicada en el Estado de México. Secomparó una muestra aleatoria de 87 esposos de pacientes con DM2 (grupo ED), con 87 espososde personas con metabolismo normal de la glucosa (grupo ENOD). En ambos grupos se investigaronlos factores de riesgo para diabetes, se realizó una curva de tolerancia a la glucosaoral y se midieron el colesterol total, triglicéridos, presión arterial, índice de masa corporal ycircunferencia de la cintura. Se comparó la frecuencia de AMG (alteración de la glucosa enayunas, intolerancia a la glucosa y diabetes mellitus) y se calculó la odds ratio.RESULTADOS: En el grupo ED hubo 38 personas (43,7%) con alguna AMG, frente a 23 (26,4%)en el grupo ENOD, con una odds ratio de 2,16 (intervalo de confianza del 95%, 1,14-4,08) enel análisis bivariado y de 2,37 (intervalo de confianza del 95%, 1,14-4,91) en la regresión logística.En el grupo ED se observó una mayor presión arterial sistólica (p = 0,02). No hubo diferenciassignificativas en cuanto a la edad, sexo, índice de masa corporal, circunferencia de lacintura, colesterol total, triglicéridos y presión arterial diastólica. La frecuencia de factores deriesgo para diabetes fue similar en ambos grupos.CONCLUSIONES: En población mexicana, los cónyuges de pacientes con DM2 tienen mayor riesgode AMG que los cónyuges de personas con metabolismo normal de la glucosa

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: To determine whether in the Mexican population the spouses of patientswith type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM2) have an increased risk of any degree of glucose intolerancecompared with spouses of subjects without diabetes.SUBJECTS AND METHOD: An analytical cross-sectional study was made in the Family Medicine Unitnumber 62 of the Mexican Institute of Social Security, located in the State of México. A randomsample of 87 spouses of patients with DM2 (group ED) was compared with 87 spouses ofsubjects with a normal glucose tolerance (group ENOD). Risk factors for DM2 were investigated;spouses in both groups underwent oral glucose tolerance test, and total cholesterol, triglycerides,blood pressure, body mass index and waist circumference were measured. The frequencyof impaired fasting glucose, impaired glucose tolerance and DM2 were compared inboth groups and the odds ratio was calculated.RESULTS: In the group ED there were 38 (43.7%) subjects with any degree of glucose intolerancevs. 23 (26.4%) in the ENOD group –odds ratio = 2.16 (95% confidence interval, 1.14-4.08) in the bivariate analisys, and odds ratio = 2.37 (95% confidence interval, 1.14-4.91) inthe logistic regression–. In the group ED a higher systolic blood pressure was observed(P=.02). There were no significant differences in age, sex, body mass index, waist circumference,total cholesterol, triglycerides and diastolic blood pressure. The frequency of risk factors fordiabetes was similar in both groups.CONCLUSIONS: In the Mexican population, the spouses of subjects with DM2 have a higher risk ofany alteration in the glucose tolerance than spouses of subjects with a normal glucose metabolism

Propuesta de enseñanza de oftalmología basada en competencias para estudiantes de quinto año de medicina

Se realiza un análisis de una propuesta de educación basada en competencias para la materia de oftalmología, enseñada en la Facultad de Medicina de la Universidad Mayor de San Simón, Examinando sus características más importantes, los elementos, niveles, y tipos de las competencias, en un enfoque globalizado del por qué cambiar de una educación tradicionalista a una más moderna. Se presenta un listado de competencias de oftalmología para el médico general, así como un listado de destrezas.

Propuesta de enseñanza de oftalmología basada en competencias para estudiantes de quinto año de medicina

Se realiza un análisis de una propuesta de educación basada en competencias para la materia de oftalmología, enseñada en la Facultad de Medicina de la Universidad Mayor de San Simón, Examinando sus características más importantes, los elementos, niveles, y tipos de las competencias, en un enfoque globalizado del por qué cambiar de una educación tradicionalista a una más moderna. Se presenta un listado de competencias de oftalmología para el médico general, así como un listado de destrezas.