Nano dot blot: An alternative technique for protein identification and quantification in a high throughput format.

BACKGROUND: Dot blot technique has been used in a similar way to western blotting, with the major difference being the lack of protein separation with electrophoresis. Protein samples are spotted over a membrane paper, the identification and quantification of a protein is achieved by immunodetection procedures such as colorimetry, fluorescence or chemiluminescence. This technique is widely accepted, but it uses large amounts of sample and antibodies to reveal the presence of the target protein. Significant milestones have been reached to achieve better results with the use of less sample and reagents; however, the ninety-six-well format is still in use. NEW METHOD: In this work, we propose an innovation to this technique, reducing the amount of sample and antibodies to identify a specific protein when compared to the regular dot blot method. Procedure consists of using a sample volume of approximately 200 nanoliters deposited with a multineedle device developed by our group. RESULTS: Five samples of standard protein or antigen can be spotted in a Cartesian format to identify and quantify the protein involved in physiological or pathological conditions. In addition, at least five replicates of sample or antigen are used to enable better statistics to calculate the concentration of every standard and the protein present in a sample. CONCLUSIONS: Hundreds of samples can be deposited in a few minutes and analyzed in a single experimental session. To validate this method, which we called nano dot blot, six proteins involved in the inflammation process were tested in acute and chronic rat models of seizures.

Multimorbidity in a Mexican Community: Secondary Analysis of Chronic Illness and Depression Outcomes.

The aims of this article are: 1) to examine the associations between health provider-diagnosed depression and multimorbidity, the condition of suffering from more than two chronic illnesses; 2) to assess the unique contribution of chronic illness in the prediction of depression; and 3) to suggest practice changes that would address risk of depression among individuals with chronic illnesses. Data collected in a cross-sectional community health study among adult Mexicans (n= 274) living in a low income neighborhood (colonia) in Ciudad Juárez, Chihuahua, Mexico, were examined. We tested the hypotheses that individuals who reported suffering chronic illnesses would also report higher rates of depression than healthy individuals; and having that two or more chronic illnesses further increased the risk of depression.

Place of residence modifies the association between acculturation and dietary tools knowledge among Latina WIC participants: a multi-state study.

This cross-sectional study assessed: (a) awareness and knowledge of federal dietary tools (MyPyramid, Food Guide Pyramid (FGP), and food labels (FL)), and (b) the influence of acculturation and state of residence on FGP knowledge (FGPK) indicators among low-income Latina WIC participants (N = 479) living in Connecticut, Ohio, Texas, and California. Participants were familiar with FGP but only 37% recognized MyPyramid. FGPK was highest for fruits (71%) and lowest for the 'breads and cereals' group (12%). Less than half (47%) used FL's when grocery shopping. Living in OH, was associated with the lowest FGPK. Multivariate analyses showed that more acculturated individuals living in CT/CA had better FGPK than participants living in TX and their less acculturated counterparts in CT/CA. The forthcoming revised federal dietary tools need to be adequately disseminated among Latinos, with special emphasis on those with lower acculturation levels, living in rapid emerging Latino communities or in the US-Mexico border.

Cobertura con la vacuna DPT en Oaxaca, México / DPT vaccine coverage in Oaxaca, México

En este documento se estudia la tendencia de la mortalidad y la morbilidad de la tos ferina en México, de 1930 a 1980. Así mismo, se analiza la cobertura vacunal por regiones socioeconómicas en el Estado de Oaxaca, México donde se profundiza el análisis. El método utilizado fue el estudio de caso, concentrándose el análisis en 17 de los 30 distritos de la entidad, los que fueron agrupados de acuerdo con factores socioeconómicos-demográficos, con la técnica de análisis factorial por componentes principales. Se considera la problemática del subregistro de esta enfermedad, y se hacen recomendaciones para la acción mediata e inmediata. La cobertura de la vacuna DPT presenta una relación inversa con las características socioeconómicas de los niños menores de 5 años observados en las regiones media y baja. En el período analizado, la tendencia de la morbilidad y la mortalidad es descendente. La velocidad de decremento es mayor a partir de la década de 1970. Esto probablemente es debido al subregistro, más que a un descenso real de la tos ferina. Se recomienda que las estrategias de inmunización en los niveles Nacional y Estatal consideren las características socioeconómicas, culturales y regionales, como elementos para incrementar selectivamente la cobertura del programa de vacunación contra la tos ferina .