Expression analysis of ST3GAL4 transcripts in cervical cancer cells.

ST3GAL4 gene expression is altered in different cancer types, including cervical cancer. Several mRNA transcripts have been reported for this gene; however, their expression levels in cervical cancer have not been analyzed. ST3GAL4 encodes for ß­galactosidase α­2,3­sialyltransferase 4, involved in the biosynthesis of the tumour antigens sLe(x) and sulfo­sLe(x). The present study evaluated the presence of three mRNA variants (V1, V2 and V3) in cervical cancer cell lines, detecting the three variants. Additionally, the expression level of the V1 transcript of the ST3GAL4 gene was determined by reverse transcription­quantitative polymerase chain reaction in cervical cell lines and in normal, premalignant and cervical cancer tissue. The V1 transcript of the ST3GAL4 demonstrated significant decreased expression in premalignant and malignant cervical tissues. The results suggested that deregulation of this gene could occur prior to the presence of cancer and demonstrated the importance of evaluating the expression level of V1, and its association with disease progression.

A multifactorial study on duration of temporary disabilities in Spain.

The extreme variability of temporary disability duration has a deep effect in public health. We tried to understand what factors duration of disability depends on. Through cohort study with data of temporary disabilities collected by Ibermutuamur from 2008 to 2012, we used statistical multivariate methods. The most reliable and convenient algorithm to predict duration was a categorical classification tree that distinguished between brief and long disabilities, taking into account both medical-biological and socioeconomic factors. The influence of socioeconomic factors in the disability process made numeric predictive models not accurate enough. Some of these socioeconomic factors were isolated and their influences were quantified. In particular, the one we named factor unemployment could explain a huge increase in duration for certain common diagnoses such as anxiety, low back pain, headache, and depression.

Evolución del impacto de la cardiopatía isquémica en la reincorporación laboral de trabajadores españoles / Evolution of ischemic cardiopathy impact on spanish workers on their return to work

INTRODUCCIÓN: La cardiopatía isquémica es una de las principales causas de morbimortalidad en los países desarrollados dificultando la vuelta al trabajo de estos pacientes. Pretendemos estudiar la evolución de la incapacidad Temporal y Permanente en trabajadores españoles que causan baja por cardiopatía isquémica, así como analizar las variables que influyen en la reincorporación laboral. MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: Estudio observacional retrospectivo de cohortes con pacientes menores 65 años que sufrieron un infarto agudo de miocardio (IAM) entre Enero de 2000 y mayo de 2011. Se recogieron datos clínicos, demográficos, socioeconómicos y laborales para analizar su relación con la reincorporación laboral. RESULTADOS: Se seleccionaron un total de 5067 pacientes, el 94% varones, y con una edad media de 54,3 años. Un total de 3.679 pacientes (72,6%) se reincorporaron a su actividad laboral tras el infarto, mientras que 1261 (24,9%) obtuvieron la incapacidad laboral permanente. La mayores tasas de incapacidad laboral se observan en los pacientes > 50 años, en los que han sufrido un mayor daño cardiaco (FEVI < 50%), en aquellos con un mayor número de arterias coronarias obstruidas y los que fueron revascularizados mediante cirugía. En cuanto a las variables socioeconómicas se reincorporan menos los trabajadores con salarios más bajos, los trabajadores por cuenta ajena y los que realizan trabajos en los que predomina la carga física y manual frente a las profesiones en que predomina el trabajo intelectual. No encontramos diferencias con respecto a la tasa de reincorporación entre hombres y mujeres o en función del diagnóstico que motivó la baja (síndrome coronario agudo vs. angina). Observamos que la tasa de reincorporación laboral se ha incrementado de forma progresiva en la última década. (Desde tasas de reincorporación del 60% en el 2000-2002 a tasas superiores al 80% a partir de 2010) Este incremento se observa en todos los sectores ocupacionales como en todos los tramos etarios en los que se distribuye la muestra CONCLUSIONES: En nuestro estudio se observa un aumento progresivo en los últimos años en el porcentaje de pacientes que se reincorporan al trabajo. Las variables que mejor predicen la reincorporación laboral tras sufrir una baja por cardiopatía isquémica son viables clínicas como la extensión del daño miocárdico (FEVI <50%/FEVI >50%) y el procedimiento de revascularización empleado (percutáneo/cirugía) así como las variables socioeconómicas referentes al tipo de trabajo (autónomo/cuenta ajena), ocupación profesional (carga física/carga intelectual) y la edad del trabajador

BACKGROUND: Ischemic cardiopathy is one of the main causes of morbidity and mortality in developed countries. It affects the patients quality of life and interferes with their return to work, thus generating a significant economic cost. The aim of our study is to assess labor conditions of patients who suffered an acute myocardial infarction (AMI), highlighting the factors that could have an impact on their return-to-work time. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Observational retrospective study with patients under 65 years old who suffered an AMI between January 2000 and May 2011. Data concerning clinical, social, demographic and labor circumstances was collected to better understand its relation with the return to work. RESULTS: A total of 5.067 patients with Coronary Heart Disease (hereinafter referred to as CHD) were selected. 94% of the samples were men, under 54.3 years old. 3679 out of 5067 patients (72. 6%) returned to work after a heart infarct whereas 1261 (24.9%) did not return, obtaining the permanent incapacity to work. Among the clinical and patient factors, the main determinants were age (mostly <50 years), severity of AMI, poor left ventricular function (EF >50% / EF >50%) and revascularization procedures (percutaneous coronary interventions -PCI- and coronary artery bypass graft surgery, CABG). Regarding the economic and job-related factors three variables were found to be the strongest predictors of returning to work: job demands (physically demanding jobs vs. intellectually demanding jobs), incomes and job conditions (self-employment vs. employees). There were no significant differences on the returning-to-work rate between men or women or between sick leave due to an acute coronary syndrome or due to an angina. We observed that the return-to-work activity increased gradually from 2000-2011 (from rates of 60% in 2000-2002 to over 80% in 2010). This increase is present in all occupational activities as well as in all age ranges. CONCLUSION: In our study we observed a gradual increase of patients returning to work in recent years. The variables used to better predict the return-to-work time in a period of sick leave after a CHD episode are categorized as follows: clinic viable like the extent of myocardial damage (LVEF <50%/LVEF >50%) and the revascularization procedures (Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) or coronary artery bypass graft surgery, CABG), socioeconomic variables related to the kind of job (self-employment vs. employees) and lastly labor conditions like job demands (physical-demanding jobs vs. intellectual-demanding jobs) or age

DFT and docking studies of rhodostreptomycins A and B and their interactions with solvated/nonsolvated Mg²âº and Ca²âº ions.

The interactions of L-aminoglucosidic stereoisomers such as rhodostreptomycins A (Rho A) and B (Rho B) with cations (Mg(2+), Ca(2+), and H(+)) were studied by a quantum mechanical method that utilized DFT with B3LYP/6-311G. Docking studies were also carried out in order to explore the surface recognition properties of L-aminoglucoside with respect to Mg(2+) and Ca(2+) ions under solvated and nonsolvated conditions. Although both of the stereoisomers possess similar physicochemical/antibiotic properties against Helicobacter pylori, the thermochemical values for these complexes showed that its high affinity for Mg(2+) cations caused the hydration of Rho B. According to the results of the calculations, for Rho A-Ca(2+)(H2O)6, ΔH = -72.21 kcal mol(-1); for Rho B-Ca(2+)(H2O)6, ΔH = -72.53 kcal mol(-1); for Rho A-Mg(2+)(H2O)6, ΔH = -72.99 kcal mol(-1) and for Rho B-Mg(2+)(H2O)6, ΔH = -95.00 kcal mol(-1), confirming that Rho B binds most strongly with hydrated Mg(2+), considering the energy associated with this binding process. This result suggests that Rho B forms a more stable complex than its isomer does with magnesium ion. Docking results show that both of these rhodostreptomycin molecules bind to solvated Ca(2+) or Mg(2+) through hydrogen bonding. Finally, Rho B is more stable than Rho A when protonation occurs.

Frequency and behavior of Salmonella and Escherichia coli on whole and sliced jalapeño and serrano peppers.

The frequencies of coliform bacteria (CB), thermotolerant coliforms (TC), Escherichia coli, and Salmonella were determined for jalapeño and serrano peppers. In addition, the behavior of four serotypes of Salmonella and three E. coli strains on whole and sliced jalapeño and serrano peppers as well as in blended sauce at 25 ± 2°C and 3 to 5°C was investigated. Chili peppers were collected from markets in the city of Pachuca, Hidalgo, Mexico. CB, TC, E. coli, and Salmonella were detected on serrano peppers in 100, 90, 50, and 10 % of the samples, and on jalapeño peppers in 100, 86, 32, and 12 % of the samples. Concentrations of CB ranged from 3.8 to 7.9 log CFU per serrano sample and from 5.3 to 8.2 log CFU per jalapeño sample, whereas concentrations of TC and E. coli were between < 3 and 1,100 most probable number per serrano and jalapeño samples. On whole serrano and jalapeño peppers stored at 25 ± 2°C or 3 to 5°C, no growth was observed for rifampin-resistant strains of Salmonella and E. coli. After 6 days at 25 ± 2°C, the tested Salmonella serotypes and E. coli strains had decreased from an initial inoculum level of 5 log CFU to 1 and 2.5 log on serrano and jalapeño peppers, respectively, and at 3 to 5°C they decreased to approximately 1.8 and 1.2 log, respectively, on serrano and jalapeño. Both the Salmonella serotypes and E. coli grew on sliced chili peppers and in blended sauce; after 24 h at 25 ± 2°C, both bacteria types had grown to approximately 4 and 5 log CFU on pepper slices and in sauce, respectively. At 3 to 5°C the bacterial growth was inhibited.

Incidence and behavior of Salmonella and Escherichia coli on whole and sliced zucchini squash (Cucurbitapepo) fruit.

The incidence of coliform bacteria (CB), thermotolerant coliforms (TC), Escherichia coli, and Salmonella was determined for zucchini squash fruit. In addition, the behavior of four serotypes of Salmonella and a cocktail of three E. coli strains on whole and sliced zucchini squash at 25+/-2 degrees C and 3 to 5 degrees C was tested. Squash fruit was collected in the markets of Pachuca city, Hidalgo State, Mexico. CB, TC, E. coli, and Salmonella were detected in 100, 70, 62, and 10% of the produce, respectively. The concentration ranged from 3.8 to 7.4 log CFU per sample for CB, and >3 to 1,100 most probable number per sample for TC and E. coli. On whole fruit stored at 25+/-2 degrees C or 3 to 5 degrees C, no growth was observed for any of the tested microorganisms or cocktails thereof. After 15 days at 25+/-2 degrees C, the tested Salmonella serotypes had decreased from an initial inoculum level of 7 log CFU to <1 log, and at 3 to 5 degrees C they decreased to approximately 2 log. Survival of E. coli was significantly greater than for the Salmonella strains at the same times and temperatures; after 15 days, at 25+/-2 degrees C E. coli cocktail strains had decreased to 3.4 log CFU per fruit and at 3 to 5 degrees C they decreased to 3.6 log CFU per fruit. Both the Salmonella serotypes and E. coli strains grew when inoculated onto sliced squash: after 24 h at 25+/-2 degrees C, both bacteria had grown to approximately 6.5 log CFU per slice. At 3 to 5 degrees C, the bacterial growth was inhibited. The squash may be an important factor contributing to the endemicity of Salmonella in Mexico.