In Silico and In Vivo Evaluation of the Maqui Berry (Aristotelia chilensis (Mol.) Stuntz) on Biochemical Parameters and Oxidative Stress Markers in a Metabolic Syndrome Model.

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a complex disease that includes metabolic and physiological alterations in various organs such as the heart, pancreas, liver, and brain. Reports indicate that blackberry consumption, such as maqui berry, has a beneficial effect on chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease, obesity, and diabetes. In the present study, in vivo and in silico studies have been performed to evaluate the molecular mechanisms implied to improve the metabolic parameters of MetS. Fourteen-day administration of maqui berry reduces weight gain, blood fasting glucose, total blood cholesterol, triacylglycerides, insulin resistance, and blood pressure impairment in the diet-induced MetS model in male and female rats. In addition, in the serum of male and female rats, the administration of maqui berry (MB) improved the concentration of MDA, the activity of SOD, and the formation of carbonyls in the group subjected to the diet-induced MetS model. In silico studies revealed that delphinidin and its glycosylated derivatives could be ligands of some metabolic targets such as α-glucosidase, PPAR-α, and PPAR-γ, which are related to MetS parameters. The experimental results obtained in the study suggest that even at low systemic concentrations, anthocyanin glycosides and aglycones could simultaneously act on different targets related to MetS. Therefore, these molecules could be used as coadjuvants in pharmacological interventions or as templates for designing new multitarget molecules to manage patients with MetS.

In Combo Studies for the Optimization of 5-Aminoanthranilic Acid Derivatives as Potential Multitarget Drugs for the Management of Metabolic Syndrome.

Metabolic syndrome is a set of risk factors that consist of abdominal obesity, arterial hypertension, alterations in the lipid profile, and hyperglycemia. The current therapeutic strategy includes polypharmacy, using three or more drugs to control each syndrome component. However, this approach has drawbacks that could lead to therapeutic failure. Multitarget drugs are molecules with the ability to act on different targets simultaneously and are an attractive alternative for treating complex diseases such as metabolic syndrome. Previously, we identified a triamide derivative of 5-aminoanthranilic acid that exhibited hypoglycemic, hypolipemic, and antihypertensive activities simultaneously. In the present study, we report the synthesis and in combo evaluation of new derivatives of anthranilic acid, intending to identify the primary structural factors that improve the activity over metabolic syndrome-related parameters. We found that substitution on position 5, incorporation of 3,4-dimethoxyphenyl substituents, and having a free carboxylic acid group lead to the in vitro inhibition of HMG-CoA reductase, and simultaneously the diminution of the serum levels of glucose, triglycerides, and cholesterol in a diet-induced in vivo model.

Frequency of Candida spp. in the Oral Cavity of Asymptomatic Preschool Mexican Children and Its Association with Nutritional Status.

Malnutrition is a public health problem in developing countries, affecting the child population, which favors the appearance of infections such as oral candidiasis. In Mexico, information on the presence of oral colonization by Candida spp. in asymptomatic children is scarce. The present study aimed to determine the presence of Candida spp. in the oral cavity of asymptomatic preschool Mexican children and its association with their nutritional status. A sample of oral mucosa was obtained using a sterile swab and then inoculated in Sabouraud dextrose agar with antibiotics, and the yeast growth was phenotypically identified. The anthropometric profile of children was performed based on the guidelines of the International Society for the Advancement of Kinanthropometry. In addition, eating habits were investigated. The possible associations between the variables were determined through the chi-square test (IC95%, p < 0.05) (GraphPad Prism 8.0). Among the 743 assessed children (403 boys and 340 girls), the average age was 4.6 years, and the average nutritional status was normal (53.7%), followed by undernutrition (28.4%), overweight (12.4%) and obesity (5.5%). In 52 children, Candida was isolated, and the identified species were C. albicans (87.8%), C. glabrata (11.5%), C. krusei (5.8%) and C. parapsilosis (1.9%). The frequency of colonization was greater in males of six years (69.23%). There was no significant association between the colonization by Candida spp. and the nutritional status; however, a relation was observed with a high intake of simple carbohydrates.

High Fructose and High Fat Diet Impair Different Types of Memory through Oxidative Stress in a Sex- and Hormone-Dependent Manner.

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) contributes to the spread of cardiovascular diseases, diabetes mellitus type 2, and neurodegenerative diseases. Evaluation of sex- and hormone-dependent changes in body weight, blood pressure, blood lipids, oxidative stress markers, and alterations in different types of memory in Sprague-Dawley rats fed with a high fat and high fructose (HFHF) diet were evaluated. After 12 weeks of feeding the male and female rats with HFHF, body weight gain, increase in blood pressure, and generation of dyslipidemia compared to the animals fed with chow diet were observed. Regarding memory, it was noted that gonadectomy reverted the effects of HFHF in the 24 h novel object recognition task and in spatial learning/memory analyzed through Morris water maze, males being more affected than females. Nevertheless, gonadectomy did not revert long-term memory impairment in the passive avoidance task induced by HFHF nor in male or female rats. On the other hand, sex-hormone-diet interaction was observed in the plasma concentration of malondialdehyde and nitric oxide. These results suggest that the changes observed in the memory and learning of MetS animals are sex- and hormone-dependent and correlate to an increase in oxidative stress.

Does the Fetus Limit Antibiotic Treatment in Pregnant Patients with COVID-19?

During pregnancy, there is a state of immune tolerance that predisposes them to viral infection, causing maternal-fetal vulnerability to the adverse effects of COVID-19. Bacterial coinfections significantly increase the mortality rate for COVID-19. However, it is known that all drugs, including antibiotics, will enter the fetal circulation in a variable degree despite the role of the placenta as a protective barrier and can cause teratogenesis or other malformations depending on the timing of exposure to the drug. Also, it is important to consider the impact of the indiscriminate use of antibiotics during pregnancy can alter both the maternal and fetal-neonatal microbiota, generating future repercussions in both. In the present study, the literature for treating bacterial coinfections in pregnant women with COVID-19 is reviewed. In turn, we present the findings in 50 pregnant women hospitalized diagnosed with SARS-CoV-2 without previous treatment with antibiotics; moreover, a bacteriological culture of sample types was performed. Seven pregnant women had coinfection with Staphylococcus haemolyticus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Streptococcus agalactiae, Escherichia coli ESBL +, biotype 1 and 2, Acinetobacter jahnsonii, Enterococcus faecium, and Clostridium difficile. When performing the antibiogram, resistance to multiple drugs was found, such as macrolides, aminoglycosides, sulfa, dihydrofolate reductase inhibitors, beta-lactams, etc. The purpose of this study was to generate more scientific evidence on the better use of antibiotics in these patients. Because of this, it is important to perform an antibiogram to prevent abuse of empirical antibiotic treatment with antibiotics in pregnant women diagnosed with SARS-CoV-2.

In Silico-Based Design and In Vivo Evaluation of an Anthranilic Acid Derivative as a Multitarget Drug in a Diet-Induced Metabolic Syndrome Model.

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a complex disease that affects almost a quarter of the world's adult population. In MetS, diabetes, obesity, hyperglycemia, high cholesterol, and high blood pressure are the most common disorders. Polypharmacy is the most used strategy for managing conditions related to MetS, but it has drawbacks such as low medication adherence. Multitarget ligands have been proposed as an interesting approach to developing drugs to treat complex diseases. However, suitable preclinical models that allow their evaluation in a context closer to a clinical situation of a complex disease are needed. From molecular docking studies, compound 1b, a 5-aminoanthranilic acid derivative substituted with 4'-trifluoromethylbenzylamino and 3',4'-dimethoxybenzamide moieties, was identified as a potential multitarget drug, as it showed high in silico affinity against targets related to MetS, including PPAR-α, PPAR-γ, and HMG-CoA reductase. It was evaluated in a diet-induced MetS rat model and simultaneously lowered blood pressure, glucose, total cholesterol, and triglyceride levels after a 14-day treatment. No toxicity events were observed during an acute lethal dose evaluation test at 1500 mg/kg. Hence, the diet-induced MetS model is suitable for evaluating treatments for MetS, and compound 1b is an attractive starting point for developing multitarget drugs.

Size, shape, and direction matters: Matching secondary genital structures in male and female mites using multiple microscopy techniques and 3D modeling.

Studies of female genital structures have generally lagged behind comparable studies of male genitalia, in part because of an assumption of a lower level of variability, but also because internal genitalia are much more difficult to study. Using multiple microscopy techniques, including video stereomicroscopy, fluorescence microscopy, low-temperature scanning electron microscopy (LT-SEM), and confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) we examined whether the complex sperm transfer structures in males of Megalolaelaps colossus (Acari: Mesostigmata) are matched by similarly complex internal structures in the female. While both LT-SEM and CLSM are well suited for obtaining high-quality surface images, CLSM also proved to be a valuable technique for observing internal anatomical structures. The long and coiled sperm transfer organ on the chelicera of the males (spermatodactyl) largely matches an equally complex, but internal, spiral structure in the females in shape, size, and direction. This result strongly suggests some form of genital coevolution. A hypothesis of sexual conflict appears to provide the best fit for all available data (morphology and life history).

Heavy metal pollution and toxicity assessment in Mallorquin swamp: A natural protected heritage in the Caribbean Sea, Colombia.

This work reports the level and ecotoxicity impact of metals in the sediments of the Mallorquín swamp, a protected coastal lagoon in the Caribbean coast of Colombia. The distribution of metals was in the following decreasing order: Zn > Cu > Pb > Cd > Hg, showing statistically significant differences among sites. The average Pb and Cd concentrations in sediments were about 17 and 5 times higher, respectively, compared to those in background values. Several contamination indices suggested moderate contamination of Hg, Cu, and Zn, and strong pollution due to Cd and Pb. Multivariate analysis revealed spatial variations for metals and its anthropogenic origin, such as municipal and industrial wastewater discharges (Pb, Zn, and Hg) and agricultural activities (Cd and Cu). These findings showed the negative impact of human activities and the need to apply protective management strategies.

Review of the mite genus Krantzolaspina Datta & Bhattacharjee (Mesostigmata, Parholaspididae) with re-description of K. angustatus comb. nov. (Ishikawa) from Indonesia.

Herein, we update the diagnosis and description of the genus Krantzolaspina Datta & Bhattacharjee and provide a list of the three valid species including new combinations and synonyms, as follows: 1) Krantzolaspina angustatus (Ishikawa, 1987) comb. nov. (= Indutolaelaps jiroftensisHajizadeh et al., 2017syn. nov.), 2) K. rebatii Datta & Bhattacharjee, 1989 and 3) K. solimani (Metwali, 1983) comb. nov. Finally, we re-describe K. angustatus (Ishikawa, 1987) comb. nov. based on the holotype from Japan, voucher specimens from Iran and additional females that we found in soil samples from oil palm plantations in Sumatra, Indonesia.

Sex differences in the performance of cognitive tasks in a murine model of metabolic syndrome.

The metabolic syndrome includes changes in blood glucose levels, arterial hypertension, triglycerides, dyslipidemia and central obesity. Countless reports have described the correlation between the metabolic syndrome and cognitive impairment. However, only a few reports have assessed cognitive impairment associated with the metabolic syndrome in animals of both sexes. For this purpose, Sprague-Dawley male and female rats were fed either with a hypercaloric diet as model of the metabolic syndrome or with a standard chow diet as controls. Subsequently, spatial learning and memory (Morris water maze) as well as short- and long-term memory (passive avoidance task) were evaluated. Body weight, blood pressure, triglycerides, and total cholesterol significantly increased (F(1, 36) = 94.89, p < .001) in rats fed with hypercaloric diet compared to control rats. Furthermore, cognitive impairment was observed in spatial learning and spatial memory on male rats but not on female rats fed with hypercaloric diet. In addition, a long-term memory impairment was observed in both groups fed with hypercaloric diet in comparison to their respective control group (F(1, 32) = 10.61, p = .0027). Immunohistochemistry results showed no changes in the number of positive cells for NeuN, GFAP and Ox-42. In males fed with a hypercaloric diet, a decrease in testosterone levels was observed, whereas estradiol levels decreased in females when compared with their respective control group (p < .0001). In this MetS animal model, metabolic and cognitive differences were observed in males and females, which demonstrates that sex hormones play a significant role in metabolic regulation and neuroprotection related to the CA1 region of the hippocampus.

The biology of Megalolaelaps colossus (Acari: Dermanyssina).

Aspects of life history and host interactions of Megalolaelaps colossus were studied in a laboratory environment. These mites appear to require a host for survival, but hosts do not survive very long in a laboratory setting, leading to a modified rearing protocol relying on regular host replacement. Specific data on phenology and incidence are reported. Direct observations on feeding, mating, transmission, and interaction with other mites could not be obtained, but indirect observations allow some hypotheses in each of these areas.

Review of the mite genus Ololaelaps (Acari, Laelapidae) and redescription of O.formidabilis Berlese.

A species of laelapid mite, Ololaelapsformidabilis, is redescribed based on male and female adults from soil in Sumatra, Indonesia. This species is distinguished from other Ololaelaps species by its metapodal platelet narrowly fused with the parapodal plate and by its hologastric shield having two inverted-V-like ridges. The genus is redescribed based on a review of the literature and examination of specimens of some species. Valid species of Ololaelaps are listed and accompanied by notes on morphological characters to assist future revision of the genus.

miRNA expression profile in multicellular breast cancer spheroids.

Multicellular Tumor Spheroids develop a heterogeneous micromilieu and different cell populations, thereby constituting a cancer model with intermediate characteristics between in vitro bi-dimensional cultures and in vivo tumors. Multicellular Tumor Spheroids also acquire tumor aggressiveness features due to transcription modulation of coding and non-coding RNA. Utilizing microarray analyses, we evaluated the microRNAs expression profile in MCF-7 breast cancer cells cultured as Multicellular Tumor Spheroids. The expression data was used to predict associated cellular and molecular functions using different software tools. The biological importance of two dysregulated miRNAs (miR-221-3p and miR-187) was studied by functional assays. Finally, the clinical relevance of these dysregulated miRNAs was explored using previously reported data. Thirty-three dysregulated microRNAs were found in MCF-7 Multicellular Tumor Spheroids. miRNA expression changes were closely linked with growth, proliferation, and cell development. miRNA-221-3p and miR-187 were implicated in the acquisition of migration/invasion capacities, sensitivity to the deprivation of growth factors, cell cycle phase regulation, and cell death. A panel of 5 miRNAs, including miR-187, showed a good predictive value in discriminating between low and high-risk groups of breast cancer.

Efecto antisecretor gástrico del extracto acuoso de Solanum americanum Mill. "hierba mora" administrado a ratas con ligazón de píloro / Gastric antisecretory effect of aqueous extract of Solanum americanum Mill. (hierba mora) administered to rats with pylorus ligation

La presente investigación tuvo como objetivo determinar el efecto antisecretor gástrico del extracto acuoso del fruto de solanum americanum Mill. "hierba mora" admnistrado a ratas con ligazón de píloro y compararlo con omeprazol. La experimentación se realizó en el bioterio de la Facultad de Medicina, UNMSM, Lima, Perú; se utilizó extracto acuoso de solanum americanum Mill. y ratas albinas Sprague-Dawley machos adultas. Para la evaluación del efecto antisecretor gástrico se utilizaron 24 ratas, a los cuales se les ligó el píloro, y fueron distribuidas aleatoriamente en 4 grupos de 6 ratas cada uno, donde: el grupo 1° recibió solución salina fisiológica 4 mL/Kg; los grupos 2° y 3° recibieron extracto a dosis de 200 y 400 mg/kg respectivamente y el 4° grupo recibio omeprazol a dosis de 10 mg/kg, pasada las 4 horas se liga el cardis y se retiran los estómagos para obtener el contenido gástrico y medir el volumen, pH y los miliequivalentes de iones de hidrógeno del contenido gástrico. Se encontró que el extracto a dosís de 400 mg/kg, evidencia una disminución del volumen (66%) y de los miliequivalentes de hidrogeniones (8.5%) a la vez que aumentó el PH (163%) de la secreción gástrica; comparando con el omeprazol que disminuyó la secreción gástrica (83.6%) y de los miliequivalentes de hidrogeniones en (56.5%), además del aumento del pH (201.5%). Concluyendo que en condiciones experimentales, el extracto acuoso de S. americanum Mill., demostró tener efecto antisecretor gástrico en ratas con ligazón de píloro.

The present study aimed to determine the gastric antisecretory effect off aqueous extract of the fruit of Solanum americanum Mill (nigthshade) administred to rats with pylorus ligation and compared with omeprazole. Experiments were carried out in the animal facility of the Faculty of Medicine, San MArcos University, Lima, Peru, was used aqueous extract of Solanum americanum Mill and albino Sprague-Dawley adult male. For evaluation of the gastric antisecretory effect 24 rats were used, to which the pylorus was ligated, and were randomized into 4 groups of 6 rats each, where: 1° group received physiological saline 4ml/kg, the groups 2 and 3rd received extract at doses of 200 and 400 mg/kg respectively and the 4th group received omeprazole at doses 10 mg/kg, 4 hurs past the cardias ligated and removed stomachs for gastric contents and measuring the volume, pH and the milliequivalents of hydrogen ions of gastric contents. it was found that a dose of 400 mg/kg extract, shows a decrease of volume (66%) and of the milliequivalents of hydrogen ions (8.5%), while the pH increased (163%) of gastric secretion, compared with the omeprazole gastric secretion decreased (83.6%) and of the milliequivalents of hydrogen ions in (56.5%), besides the increased pH (201.5%). Concluding that under experimental condition, the aqueous extract of S. americanum Mill, demonstrated gastric antisecretory effect in rats with pylorus ligation.

¿Es la hiperglicemia de ingreso un factor pronóstico de mortalida en los pacientes diabét¡cos y no diabéticos con síndrome coronario agudo? / It is the entrace hyperglycemia a factor I predictive of mortality in the diabetic patients and non diabetics wich coronary syndrome?

Existen muchos factores de riesgo asociados a enfermedades cardiovasculares, suficientemente estudiados con buen nivel de evidencias clínica, sin embargo, la hiperglicemia al ingreso de pacientes diabéticos y no diabéticos, como factor de riesgo independiente en su evolución no es considerado un marcador de mal pronóstico. Esta investigación tiene como objetivo determinar la relación entre los síndromes coronarios agudos y la mortalidad de los mismos en los pacientes hiperglicémicos, normoglicémicos, siendo diabéticos o no, que ingresaron al Hospital "Dr. Leopoldo Manrique Terreno". Se utilizó el modelo de investigación retrospectivo de datos muestrales no recogidos por los investigadores, utilizando registros originales, con datos no egresados de las historias médicas correspondientes a pacientes, ingresados al Servicio de Medicina Interna desde enero 1999 hasta diciembre 2004. Con una muestra de 108 pacientes se determinó las glicemias al ingreso de los pacientes con síndrome coronario agudo y se correlacionaron con mortalidad y la ubicación del infarto, los pacientes que ingresaron el 71,29 por ciento presentaron hiperglicemia (glicemia mayor de 140 mg/dl) con una mortalidad de 69,23 por ciento y el 28,70 por ciento presentaron normoglicemia con mortalidad de 30,7 por ciento con una p estadísticamente significativa (p < 0,001). También encontramos en todos los pacientes independientemente del valor de la glicemia que la ubicación más frecuente del infarto del miocardio es la cara inferior. La determinación de la glicemia en niveles mayores de 140 mg/dl en pacientes con infarto del miocardio es un factor de mortalidad.

Macroeconomía y salud: invertir en salud en pro del desarrollo económico / Macroeconomics and health: investing in health for economic development

La Comisión sobre Macroeconomía y Salud (CMS) fue conformada en el año 2000 por la directora general de la OMS, doctora Gro Harlem Brundtland para proponer una estrategia de inversión en salud que fomente el desarrollo económico, específicamente en los países de ingresos bajos y para la población pobre de los países de ingresos medios. La propuesta se fundamenta en la búsqueda de un acuerdo recíproco entre los países en desarrollo y los desarrollados, a partir del cual se intensifiquen los recursos para el sector salud y se encuentren soluciones a los obstáculos no financieros que limitan la capacidad para prestar servicios sanitarios. Con la estrategia se podrían salvar como mínimo ocho millones de vidas cada año, aumentando así la esperanza de vida, la productividad y el bienestar económico de los pobres

Uso de las pruebas de ensayo inmunoabsorbente ligado a enzimas y aglutinación con rivanol para el diagnóstico de brucelosis bovina en Yucatán, México / Use of an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and the rivanol agglutination test for the diagnosis of bovine brucellosis in Yucatan, Mexico

Se usaron sueros negativos de animales vacunados (322) y no vacunados (248) provenientes de hatos libres de brucelosis y sueros positivos (90) a las pruebas de Rosa de Bengala (RB) y fijación de complemento (FC) de hatos infectados con Brucella abortus, para determinar la sensibilidad relativa y la especificidad de las pruebas inmunoenzimática indirecta (I-ELISA) y de aglutinación con rivanol (RIV). La concordancia entre pruebas se determinó mediante el análisis kappa usando 688 sueros. La prueba I-ELISA mostró una sensibilidad del 100 por ciento y especificidad de 92.8 por ciento. La RIV tuvo una sensibilidad de 97.8 por ciento y especificidad de 100 por ciento. La concordancia (Kappa) entre I-ELISA y FC fue de 0.73, entre I-ELISA y RIV de 0.74, entre I-ELISA y RB de 0.79 y entre RIV y FC fue de 0.96. Los valores predictivos (VP); para I-ELISA fueron 66.9 por ciento para positivos y 100 por ciento para negativos y para RIV, 100 por ciento para positivos y 99.7 por ciento para los negativos. La prueba I-ELISA puede ser usada como tamiz en las condiciones de Yucatán o como prueba confirmatoria en lugares donde la vacunación no se lleva a cabo. La prueba de RIV mostró una falta de sensibilidad, por tanto no se recomienda en etapas finales de programas de erradicación, pero podría usarse como prueba confirmatoria en programas de control o etapas tempranas en campañas de erradicación