Grape Pomace Polyphenols Reduce Acute Inflammatory Response Induced by Carrageenan in a Murine Model.

Grape pomace (GP), a by-product of wine production, contains bioactive polyphenols with potential health benefits. This study investigates the anti-inflammatory properties of a polyphenolic fraction derived from GP, obtained by ultrasound-microwave hybrid extraction and purified using ion-exchange chromatography. In the inflammation model, mice were divided into six groups: intact, carrageenan, indomethacin, and three GP polyphenols treatment groups. Paw edema was induced by subplantar injection of carrageenan, and the GP polyphenols were administered intraperitoneally at doses of 10, 20, and 40 mg/kg. The anti-inflammatory effect was evaluated by measuring paw volume, and expression of inflammatory markers: cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), myeloperoxidase (MPO), and cytokines (IL-1ß and IL-6), along with lipid peroxidation levels. The GP polyphenols significantly reduced paw edema and expression levels of COX-2, MPO, and cytokines in a dose-dependent manner effect, with the highest dose showing the greatest reduction. Additionally, lipid peroxidation levels were also decreased by GP polyphenols treatment at doses of 10 and 20 mg/kg. These findings suggest that ultrasound-microwave extraction combined with amberlite purification proved to be effective in obtaining a polyphenolic-rich fraction from GP. Thus, GP polyphenols may serve as a natural anti-inflammatory and antioxidant agent for treating inflammation and oxidative stress-related diseases.

Parenting program versus telephone support for Mexican parents of children with acquired brain injury: A blind randomized controlled trial.

INTRODUCTION: Acquired brain injury (ABI) during childhood typically causes behavior problems in the child and high levels of stress in the family. The aims of this study are: (1) to investigate the effectiveness and feasibility of a parenting intervention in improving behavior and self-regulation in Mexican children with ABI compared to telephone support; (2) to investigate the effectiveness and feasibility of a parenting intervention in improving parenting skills, parent self-efficacy and decreasing parental stress in parents of children with ABI compared to telephone support. Our secondary aims are (1) to explore the impact that parent characteristics have on the intervention outcomes; (2) to investigate if changes are maintained 3 months after the intervention. METHODS: The research design is a blind randomized controlled trial (RCT). Eligible participants include children with a diagnosis of ABI, between 6 and 12 years of age, and their parents. Sixty-six children and their parents will be randomly allocated to either a parenting program group or telephone support group. The parenting program involves six face-to-face weekly group sessions of 2.5 h each. Participants in the control group receive an information sheet with behavioral strategies, and six weekly phone calls, in which strategies to improve academic skills are provided. Children and their parents are evaluated by blind assessors before the intervention, immediately after the intervention and 3-months post-intervention. DISCUSSION: This study will be the first to evaluate the efficacy and feasibility of a parenting program for Mexican parents of children with ABI. TRIAL IDENTIFIER: ACTRN12617000360314.

Cleaner production in a remanufacturing process of air compressors.

This article provides relevant results of a cleaner production program conducted in a company dedicated to remanufacturing air compressors in the city of Hermosillo, Sonora, Mexico. The overall study design was based on an integration of acknowledged cleaner production and pollution prevention programs. Although this kind of program also involves environmental issues, this study focused on occupational health and safety by addressing different aspects of the work environment: ergonomic, physical (noise and lighting), and chemical. Particularly, ergonomic aspects were evaluated through the Modular Arrangement of Predetermined Time Standards (MODAPTS) method. For physical aspects, noise and lighting were addressed through Standard No. NOM-011-STPS-2001 and Standard No. NOM-025-STPS-2008 respectively. In addition, chemical aspects were analyzed through material safety data sheets and different search tools. Root causes of each risk were identified, and options to prevent, eliminate, and/or reduce each risk have been provided.

Detection of allergen sources in the homes of sensitized children.

OBJECTIVE: To identify the presence of environmental factors linked to the onset of allergies and asthma in the homes of children participating in an early detection program that were identified with sensitivity to common allergens in the region of Sonora, Mexico. METHODS: A walkthrough assessment was carried out in the homes of sensitized children; the research tools were the questionnaire and environmental checklist proposed by the Lowell Healthy Homes Program of the University of Massachusetts-Lowell. RESULTS: The results showed the presence of environmental allergen sources, to which most of the children in the study are sensitized, as well as the environmental conditions and habits that determine the quality of the indoor air of the households, were both related to triggering allergies and asthma in this population. A statistically significant association was found between the visual observation of dust inside homes and the sensitivity of children to dust mites. CONCLUSIONS: Dust found inside the home was the most relevant environmental factor related to positive cases of IgE in children. Early detection of allergies in children in the study and the methodology used in this investigation provided a useful framework for the design of plans and intervention alternatives in these homes to prevent the development of allergies and asthma panorama. These plans should be designed with a multidisciplinary approach to impact social, environmental and economic benefits in the family, improving the living conditions of the study population and contributing to the sustainable development goals of the United Nations for 2030.

Adolescents with vascular frontal lesion: A neuropsychological follow up case study / Adolescentes con lesión vascular frontal: seguimiento neuropsicológico de estudio de casos

The objective of this research was to identify clinically significant changes in cognitive functions in three adolescents who underwent surgery for resection of a focal vascular lesion in the frontal lobe. Cognitive functions, executive function, behavior regulation, emotion regulation, and social abilities were assessed prior to surgery, six and 24 months post-discharge. Significant clinical changes were observed during all the assessments. Cognitive changes after surgery are not homogeneous. Most of the significant clinical changes were improvements. Especially the significant clinical changes presented in EF domains were only improvements; these results suggest that EF were affected by the vascular lesion and benefitted by the surgery. After resection of a vascular lesion between 15 and 16 years of age the affected executive functions can continue the maturation process. Our results highlight the importance that assessments must include emotional aspects, even if deficits in these domains are not presented in the acute phase. Rehabilitation methods should promote the development of skills that help patients and their families to manage the emotional and behavioral changes that emerge once they are discharged from the hospital

El objetivo de este estudio fue identificar cambios clínicamente significativos en las funciones cognoscitivas de tres adolescentes que fueron intervenidos quirúrgicamente para resección de una lesión vascular focal en el lóbulo frontal. Se midieron funciones cognoscitivas, funciones ejecutivas, regulación conductual, regulación emocional y habilidades sociales en tres momentos, antes de la cirugía, 6 y 24 meses después de la cirugía. Se observaron cambios clínicamente significativos durante los tres momentos de evaluación. Los cambios cognoscitivos después de la cirugía no son homogéneos. La mayoría de los cambios fueron incrementos. Especialmente los cambios clínicamente significativos presentados en funciones ejecutivas fueron mejoras, los resultados sugieren que la resección de una lesión vascular entre los 15 y 16 años de edad permite la recuperación de las funciones ejecutivas. Nuestros resultados señalan la importancia de incluir aspectos emocionales en la evaluación, aún si no se presentaron alteraciones emocionales en la fase aguda. Se sugiere que los métodos de rehabilitación apoyen a los pacientes y a sus familias a manejar los cambios emocionales y conductuales que surgen una vez que son dados de alta del hospital

Adolescents with vascular frontal lesion: A neuropsychological follow up case study.

The objective of this research was to identify clinically significant changes in cognitive functions in three adolescents who underwent surgery for resection of a focal vascular lesion in the frontal lobe. Cognitive functions, executive function, behavior regulation, emotion regulation, and social abilities were assessed prior to surgery, six and 24 months post-discharge. Significant clinical changes were observed during all the assessments. Cognitive changes after surgery are not homogeneous. Most of the significant clinical changes were improvements. Especially the significant clinical changes presented in EF domains were only improvements; these results suggest that EF were affected by the vascular lesion and benefitted by the surgery. After resection of a vascular lesion between 15 and 16 years of age the affected executive functions can continue the maturation process. Our results highlight the importance that assessments must include emotional aspects, even if deficits in these domains are not presented in the acute phase. Rehabilitation methods should promote the development of skills that help patients and their families to manage the emotional and behavioral changes that emerge once they are discharged from the hospital.

Síndrome frágil X / Fragile X Syndrome

Se efectuó una revisión sobre el síndrome frágil X, del cual en Cuba no existían reportes desde el punto de vista poblacional, hasta la realización del estudio psicopedagógico, social y clínico genético de las personas con retraso mental; mediante el cual pudo detectarse un total de 75 personas con defectos del gen FMR-1, que es el gen relacionado con esta enfermedad. Es un síndrome causado en la gran mayoría de los casos por la amplificación o mutación dinámica de las repeticiones del trinucleótido citosina-guanina-guanina (CGG) en la región promotora del gen FMR-1. La traducción de este gen da lugar a una proteína denominada FMRP. Se plantea que la ausencia o deficiencia de esta proteína ocasiona modificaciones de la actividad neuronal. Hoy día no hay cura para el síndrome frágil X, aunque se están desarrollando experimentos basados tanto en la terapia como la ingeniería genética, consistentes en reproducir la carencia de la proteína causante de la enfermedad. El tratamiento médico se limitará a reducir y palear todos los síntomas que pueden observarse en este síndrome. La temprana identificación del síndrome frágil X, resulta muy beneficiosa para los padres y la familia del paciente; pues reduce el impacto psicológico inicial y propicia que se apliquen programas de intervención precoz; proporcionando una mejor comprensión de la historia natural de la enfermedad y el estudio genético entre otros aspectos(AU)

Síndrome frágil X / Fragile X Syndrome

Se efectuó una revisión sobre el síndrome frágil X, del cual en Cuba no existían reportes desde el punto de vista poblacional, hasta la realización del estudio psicopedagógico, social y clínico genético de las personas con retraso mental; mediante el cual pudo detectarse un total de 75 personas con defectos del gen FMR-1, que es el gen relacionado con esta enfermedad. Es un síndrome causado en la gran mayoría de los casos por la amplificación o mutación dinámica de las repeticiones del trinucleótido citosina-guanina-guanina (CGG) en la región promotora del gen FMR-1. La traducción de este gen da lugar a una proteína denominada FMRP. Se plantea que la ausencia o deficiencia de esta proteína ocasiona modificaciones de la actividad neuronal. Hoy día no hay cura para el síndrome frágil X, aunque se están desarrollando experimentos basados tanto en la terapia como la ingeniería genética, consistentes en reproducir la carencia de la proteína causante de la enfermedad. El tratamiento médico se limitará a reducir y palear todos los síntomas que pueden observarse en este síndrome. La temprana identificación del síndrome frágil X, resulta muy beneficiosa para los padres y la familia del paciente; pues reduce el impacto psicológico inicial y propicia que se apliquen programas de intervención precoz; proporcionando una mejor comprensión de la historia natural de la enfermedad y el estudio genético entre otros aspectos.