Dapagliflozin Improved Cardiac Function and Structure in Diabetic Patients with Preserved Ejection Fraction: Results of a Single Centre, Observational Prospective Study.

Sodium-glucose cotransporter inhibitors (SGLT2i) have demonstrated a reduction in cardiovascular events in diabetes and heart failure (HF). The mechanisms underlying this benefit are not well known and data are contradictory. The purpose of this study is to analyse the effect of dapagliflozin on cardiac structure and function in patients with normal ejection fraction. Between October 2020 and October 2021, we consecutively included 31 diabetic patients without prior history of SGLT2i use. In all of them, dapagliflozin treatment was started. At inclusion and during six months of follow-up, different clinical, ECG, analytical, and echocardiographic (standard, 3D, and speckle tracking) variables were recorded. After a follow-up period of 6.6 months, an average reduction of 18 g (p = 0.028) in 3D-estimated left ventricle mass was observed. An increase in absolute left ventricle global longitudinal strain (LV-GLS) of 0.3 (p = 0.036) was observed, as well as an increase in isovolumetric relaxation time (IVRT) of 10.5 ms (p = 0.05). Moreover, dapagliflozin decreased the levels of plasma creatin-kinase (CK-MB) and atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP). In conclusion, our data show that the use of SGLT2i is associated with both structural (myocardial mass) and functional (IVRT, LV-GLS) cardiac improvements in a population of diabetic patients with normal ejection fraction.

Preparation and evaluation of (R)-(-)-carvone-doped polymeric resins as potential antibacterial dental materials.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to develop and evaluate resin-based antibacterial materials incorporating carvone for restorative dentistry. The objectives included assessing antimicrobial activity, conversion degree, mechanical properties, hydrolytic and hygroscopic behavior, cytotoxicity, among others. METHODOLOGY: Carvone was incorporated into resin-based materials following established protocols. Antimicrobial activity was evaluated against S. Aureus. Conversion degree, polimerization kinetics, mechanical properties, hydrolytic and hygroscopic behavior, cytotoxicity, and other properties were assessed using standardized tests and methodologies. RESULTS: Carvone-incorporated materials demonstrated significant antimicrobial activity, minimal changes in conversion degree, comparable mechanical properties, improved hydrolytic and hygroscopic behavior, and lack of cytotoxicity. Antimicrobial resins were obtained due to the hydrophobic nature of carvone and its ability to diffuse through the cell walls of microorganisms, causing membrane damage. The polymerization process yielded successful conversion, ensuring adequate material performance. SIGNIFICANCE: This study showcases that incorporating carvone into methacrylate-based resins can confer antimicrobial properties while preserving key material attributes. Antimicrobial activity against S. aureus is achieved without cytotoxicity in human fibroblasts. While flexural properties are affected only at carvone concentrations exceeding 9%, conversion degree and polymerization kinetics remain stable, except for a specific experimental formulation. These findings highlight the balanced integration of carvone. However, further work, including assessing antimicrobial performance against specific strains like S. Mutans and/or C. Albicans, and evaluating long-term effectiveness, is essential to establish the potential of these materials for dental restorations.

Defects in immune response to Toxoplasma gondii are associated with enhanced HIV-1-related neurocognitive impairment in co-infected patients.

Human immunodeficiency virus-1 (HIV-1) and Toxoplasma gondii can invade the central nervous system and affect its functionality. Advanced HIV-1 infection has been associated with defects in immune response to T. gondii, leading to reactivation of latent infections and development of toxoplasmic encephalitis. This study evaluates relationship between changes in immune response to T. gondii and neurocognitive impairment in HIV-1/T. gondii co-infected patients, across different stages of HIV-1 infection. The study assessed the immune response to T. gondii by measuring cytokine production in response to parasite antigens, and also neurocognitive functions by performing auditory and visual P300 cognitive evoked potentials, short term memory (Sternberg) and executive function tasks (Wisconsin Card Sorting Test-WCST) in 4 groups of individuals: HIV-1/T. gondii co-infected (P2), HIV-1-infected/T. gondii-non-infected (P1), HIV-1-non-infected/T. gondii-infected (C2) and HIV-1-non-infected/T. gondii-non-infected (C1). Patients (P1 and P2) were grouped in early/asymptomatic (P1A and P2A) or late/symptomatic (P1B/C and P2B/C) according to peripheral blood CD4+ T lymphocyte counts (>350 or <350/µL, respectively). Groups were compared using T-student or U-Mann-Whitney tests as appropriate, p<0.05 was considered as significantly. For P300 waves, HIV-1-infected patients (P1) had significantly longer latencies and significantly smaller amplitudes than uninfected controls, but HIV-1/T. gondii co-infected patients (P2) had significantly longer latencies and smaller amplitude than P1. P1 patients had significantly poorer results than uninfected controls in Sternberg and WCST, but P2 had significantly worse results than P1. HIV-1 infection was associated with significantly lower production of IL-2, TNF-α and IFN-γ in response to T. gondii from early/asymptomatic stages, when comparing P2 patients to C2 controls. These findings may indicate impairment in anti-parasitic response in co-infected patients, facilitating early limited reactivation of the parasitic latent infection, therefore creating cumulative damage in the brain and affecting neurocognitive functions from asymptomatic stages of HIV-1 infection, as suggested by defects in co-infected patients in this study.

Formation of silver halos by Sphingomonas paucimobilis MX8 and its bioleaching of silver from computer keyboard printed circuit boards.

Silver (Ag) is currently obtained from primary and secondary sources through hydrometallurgical and pyrometallurgical processes. However, these processes consume high amounts of energy and are environmentally unfriendly. The search for bacteria tolerant with a high leaching capacity for to Ag is therefore a necessary requirement as part of the development of bioleaching technologies with reduced impact on the environment and lower energy expenditure. In this sense, the objective of this research was to evaluate the tolerance of Sphingomonas paucimobilis MX8 to Ag added to nutrient agar, and to determine whether this tolerance could favor the bioleaching of Ag present on the printed circuit boards (PCBs) of computer keyboards. The bacteria Sphingomonas paucimobilis MX8 was cultured in Petri dishes with nutrient agar and four different concentrations of AgNO3 (200, 400, 600, and 800 mg L-1) at 28 °C for 10 days. For the bioleaching experiment, the bacteria were grown in a mineral medium with computer keyboard PCBs for 30 days at room temperature (17 to 22 °C) and centrifugation at 150 rpm. The results indicate that Sphingomonas paucimobilis MX8 is tolerant to Ag and forms a silvery halo around its growth in the presence of this metal. Furthermore, Sphingomonas paucimobilis MX8 was able to bioleach 12% of the Ag found in computer keyboard PCBs. The results obtained could help generate more environmentally friendly silver bioleaching processes in which the silver bioleaching capacity of this bacterium is increased.

Photopolymerizable dental composite resins with lower shrinkage stress and improved hydrolytic and hygroscopic behavior with a urethane monomer used as an additive.

This work reports the synthesis of a monomer 2-((2-(3-(prop-1-en-2-yl)phenyl)propan-2-yl)carbamoyl)oxy)ethyl methacrylate (MVTPM) and the evaluation of its performance as an additive in the formulation of Bis-GMA/TEGDMA based composite resins. Experimental composite resins formulated with the MVTPM monomer were compared with a control reference. Double bond conversion, polymerization kinetics, shrinkage and associated stress, sorption, and aqueous solubility, cell viability, as well as mechanical properties were evaluated according to international measurements standards. The experimental composite resins show comparable mechanical properties with the control reference and improvements in other properties, such as better hydrolytic and hygroscopic behavior and lower shrinkage stress, are reported. This makes MVTPM monomer potentially useful in the formulation of dental composite resins.

Lead phytoextraction from printed circuit computer boards by Lolium perenne L. and Medicago sativa L.

This work assessed the ability of Lolium perenne and Medicago sativa for extracting lead (Pb) from particulate printed circuit computer boards (PCB) mixed in sand with the following concentrations: 0.5, 1.0 and 1.5 g of PCB, and including a control treatment without PCB. The PCB were obtained from computers, and grinded in two particle sizes: 0.0594 mm (PCB1) and 0.0706 mm (PCB2). The PCB particle sizes at their corresponding concentrations were applied to L. perenne and M. sativa by using three experimental assays. In assay II, PCB2 affected the biomass production for both plants. For assay III, the PCB1 increased the biomass of M. sativa (236.5%) and L. perenne (142.2%) when applying either 0.5 or 1.0 g, respectively. In regards to phytoextraction, assay I showed the highest Pb-extraction by roots of L. perenne (4.7%) when exposed to 1.5 g of PCB1. At assay I, L. perenne showed a Pb-bioconcentration factor higher than 1.0 when growing at 0.5 g of PCB1, and when HNO3 was used as digestion solution; moreover, in assay III both plants showed a Pb-translocation factor higher than 1.0. Therefore, Lolium perenne and Medicago sativa are able to recover Pb from electronic wastes (PCB).

Usefulness of speckle myocardial imaging modalities for differential diagnosis of left ventricular non-compaction of the myocardium.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Current diagnostic criteria for left ventricular non-compaction (LVNC) may result in over-diagnosis of the disease. We evaluate the role of speckle imaging in differential diagnosis of LVNC. METHODS AND RESULTS: We included all patients who, between January 2012 and May 2015, fulfilled currently accepted criteria for LVNC (28 patients). A control group of 28 healthy individuals and a third group of 13 patients with dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) were created. Speckle-tracking echocardiography was performed in all groups. Thirteen patients with LVNC had an ejection fraction (EF) <50% (33.5%, SD 10). When compared to controls, patients with LVNC and EF<50% had a larger LV, larger left atrial diameter (LA), reduced e', and reduced global longitudinal strain (GLS). All but one patient with LVNC and EF<50% showed an abnormal LV rotation. This abnormal pattern was observed in 4 LVNC patients (27%) with EF≥50% and in none of the controls. In patients with LVNC, EF ≥50%, and abnormal rotation, GLS was lower than in controls, (-17 (SD 3) vs -21 (SD 3)). Rigid body rotation (RBR) was also observed in 2 DCM patients, with significant differences in EF, GLS, LV diameters relative to the rest of the DCM group. CONCLUSIONS: In patients who fulfil the morphologic criteria for LVNC, speckle myocardial imaging techniques could be useful in differentiating between healthy individuals (functionally normal LV) and patients with LVNC (with functional abnormalities in the myocardium in spite of a preserved EF).

[Casuarina equisetifolia (Casuarinaceae) growth in soil with diesel and application of biostimulation and bioaugmentation]. / Crecimiento de Casuarina equisetifolia (Casuarinaceae) en suelo con diésel, y aplicación de bioestimulación y bioaumentación.

Phytoremediation is an ecologically sound biotechnology directed to cleaning up contaminated soils. The study of tree species to treat petroleum contaminated soils is scarce; moreover, the combination of phytoremediation with bioaugmentation and biostimulation processes is also limited. Thus, this work evaluated the effects of the inoculation of Glomus intraradices, a bacterial consortium (M2BOS1-R2 and M2BOSI-F4) and Trichoderma viride, on the growth of Casuarina equisetifolia, fertilized with Floranid or Triple 17, when sown in a diesel-contaminated soil (7 500mg/kg). The factorial experiment 2x5x3 included 30 treatments with 10 replicates in a completely randomized design under greenhouse conditions for 120 days. Diesel significantly diminished plant height, total biomass, and plant index quality (PIQ). Glomus or bacterial consortium significantly increased plant height, total biomass and PIQ when compared to the inoculation of the three microorganisms or to the control. Floranid had negative effects on plant growth and PIQ at diesel contamination. Fertilization with Triple 17 combined with the three microorganisms stimulated plant growth in the absence of diesel, whereas in the presence of this contaminant the treatments combining Triple 17 with the bacterial consortium or with Trichoderma had better plant growth and PIQ. Mycorrhizal colonization was inhibited due to diesel contamination, and especially when Floranid was applied. The fertilizer Triple 17 (biostimulation) combined with the beneficial microorganisms (bioaugmentation) improved growth responses of C. equisetifolia in diesel-contaminated soil.

Crecimiento de Casuarina equisetifolia (Casuarinaceae) en suelo con diésel, y aplicación de bioestimulación y bioaumentación / Casuarina equisetifolia (Casuarinaceae) growth in soil with diesel and application of biostimulation and bioaugmentation

Phytoremediation is an ecologically sound biotechnology directed to cleaning up contaminated soils. The study of tree species to treat petroleum contaminated soils is scarce; moreover, the combination of phytoremediation with bioaugmentation and biostimulation processes is also limited. Thus, this work evaluated the effects of the inoculation of Glomus intraradices, a bacterial consortium (M2BOS1-R2 and M2BOSI-F4) and Trichoderma viride, on the growth of Casuarina equisetifolia, fertilized with Floranid® or Triple 17, when sown in a diesel-contaminated soil (7 500mg/kg). The factorial experiment 2x5x3 included 30 treatments with 10 replicates in a completely randomized design under greenhouse conditions for 120 days. Diesel significantly diminished plant height, total biomass, and plant index quality (PIQ). Glomus or bacterial consortium significantly increased plant height, total biomass and PIQ when compared to the inoculation of the three microorganisms or to the control. Floranid had negative effects on plant growth and PIQ at diesel contamination. Fertilization with Triple 17 combined with the three microorganisms stimulated plant growth in the absence of diesel, whereas in the presence of this contaminant the treatments combining Triple 17 with the bacterial consortium or with Trichoderma had better plant growth and PIQ. Mycorrhizal colonization was inhibited due to diesel contamination, and especially when Floranid was applied. The fertilizer Triple 17 (biostimulation) combined with the beneficial microorganisms (bioaugmentation) improved growth responses of C. equisetifolia in diesel-contaminated soil.

La fitorremediación es una biotecnología ecológicamente racional que está dirigida a la limpieza de suelos contaminados; sin embargo, el estudio de especies arbóreas para la fitorremediación de suelos con hidrocarburos del petróleo es limitado. Más aún, la combinación de la fitorremediación con procesos de bioaumentación y bioestimulación es también limitada. Por lo anterior, este estudio evaluó el efecto de la inoculación de Glomus intraradices, un consorcio bacteriano (M2BOS1-R2 y M2BOSI-F4) y Trichoderma viride en el crecimiento de plantas de Casuarina equisetifolia L. fertilizadas con Floranid® o Triple 17, en suelo contaminado con diésel (7 500mg/kg). El experimento factorial 2x5x3 incluyó 30 tratamientos y 10 repeticiones, distribuidos completamente al azar en invernadero, durante 120 días. El diésel disminuyó significativamente la altura, la biomasa total y el índice de calidad (ICP) de planta. Glomus o las bacterias aumentaron significativamente la altura, la biomasa seca total y el ICP con respecto al tratamiento sin inocular o con la triple inoculación. El Floranid redujo el crecimiento vegetal y el ICP, en presencia de diésel. El Triple 17 combinado con los tres microorganismos produjo mayor crecimiento vegetal en ausencia de contaminación, pero en presencia de diésel, el Triple 17 combinado con bacterias o con Trichoderma, estimuló la biomasa seca total y el ICP. La colonización micorrízica fue inhibida por el diesel, especialmente con la fertilización del Floranid. El Triple 17 (bioestimulación) combinado con los microorganismos (bioaumentación), favoreció el crecimiento de Casuarina en suelo contaminado con diésel.

The Cys-Asn-Ser carboxyl-terminal end group is the pharmacophore of the amebic anti-inflammatory monocyte locomotion inhibitory factor (MLIF).

The monocyte locomotion inhibitory factor (MLIF) is an anti-inflammatory oligopeptide produced by Entamoeba histolytica. Among its different effects, it inhibits locomotion of human monocytes, hence its original name. Previous experimental studies have shown that the anti-inflammatory properties of MLIF (Met-Gln-Cys-Asn-Ser) remained when aminoacid glutamine was substituted by a proline in the second position (pMLIF: Met-Pro-Cys-Asn-Ser). By changing the order of MLIF amino acids, the resulting scrambled oligopeptide (sMLIF: Gln-Cys-Met-Ser-Asn) has failed activity. By means of ab initio study at the Hartree-Fock and Density Functional Theory levels, it was found that MLIF and pMLIF peptides maintain a great structural similarity among the last three amino acids (...Cys-Asn-Ser) predicting a pharmacophore. The objective of this work was to experimentally verify in vivo and in vitro the existence of the pharmacophore group in MLIF. We assayed three tripeptides by respiratory burst and delayed hypersensitivity skin reactions. The tripeptide Cys-Asn-Ser carboxyl-terminal end group maintained 100% of its biological properties, as well as the anti-inflammatory activity of MLIF, while the other tripeptides tested did not do that.

Estudios polisomnográficos en adolescentes neuróticos / Whole-night poligraphic recording in neurotic adolescents

Teniendo en cuenta las características clínicas de los adolescentes con Neurosis de Ansiedad y la aparición temprana de trastornos del sueño, decidimos hacer estudios polisomnográficos de toda la noche en estos pacientes como parte de un estudio multidisciplinario. Se registraron 30 adolescentes con ese diagnóstico que no habián recibido tratamiento en los 30 días anteriores al estudio. Los resultados del polisomnograma se procesaron con programas de computación diseñados con ese fin. Se encontró el alargamiento de la latencia para quedarse dormido y la de aparición del primer período REM. El despertarse por la noche fue más frecuente que en los controles. Se encontró una marcada reducción de los períodos inter REM. Se discute el valor del estudio del sueño nocturno en el análisis de las condiciones funcionales del Sistema Nervioso Central (AU)

Estudios polisomnograficos en adolescentes neuroticos / Whole-night poligraphic recording in neurotic adolescents

Teniendo en cuenta las caracteristicas clinicas de los adolescentes con Neurosis de Ansiedad y la aparicion temprana de trastornos del sueno, decidimos hacer estudios polisomnograficos de toda la noche en estos pacientes como parte de un estudio multidisciplinario. Se registraron 30 adolescentes con ese diagnostico que no habian recibido tratamiento en los 30 dias anteriores al estudio. Los resultados del polisomnograma se procesaron con programas de computacion disenados con ese fin. Se encontro el alargamiento de la latencia para quedarse dormido y la de aparicion del primer periodo REM. El despertarse por la noche fue mas frecuente que en los controles. Se encontro una marcada reduccion de los periodos inter REM. Se discute el valor del estudio del sueno nocturno en el analisis de las condiciones funcionales del Sistema Nervioso Central

Modelo predictivo para evaluar el riesgo de diarrea persistente por giardia lambia / m

Se realizó un estudio caso-control con el propósito de diseñar un modelo predictivo que permitiera evaluar de forma rápida y eficiente el riesgo de establecer un episodio de diarrea persistente en niños con enfermedad diarreica aguda por Giardia lambia, tratados en el Servicio de Diarreas del Hospital Pediátrico Docente "Dr.Angel Arturo Aballí" en el período de enero a diciembre de 1991, sobre la base de sus características más relevantes. Los resultados permiten afirmar que el riesgo relativo de padecer un episodio de diarrea persistente está dado fundamentalmente por la existencia de episodios diarreicos previos el tipo de lactancia y el tratamiento de la fase aguda de la enfermedad. El modelo confeccionado cuenta con la eficacia predictiva de 81,3

y una especificidad de 94,6

, aunque la sensibilidad es baja, de un 36,4

, por lo que puede diagnósticar casos agudos

Modelo predictivo para evaluar el riesgo de diarrea persistente por giardia lambia / Predictive model with values risk of persistent diarrhea for giardia lamblia

Se realizó un estudio caso-control con el propósito de diseñar un modelo predictivo que permitiera evaluar de forma rápida y eficiente el riesgo de establecer un episodio de diarrea persistente en niños con enfermedad diarreica aguda por Giardia lambia, tratados en el Servicio de Diarreas del Hospital Pediátrico Docente "Dr.Angel Arturo Aballí" en el período de enero a diciembre de 1991, sobre la base de sus características más relevantes. Los resultados permiten afirmar que el riesgo relativo de padecer un episodio de diarrea persistente está dado fundamentalmente por la existencia de episodios diarreicos previos el tipo de lactancia y el tratamiento de la fase aguda de la enfermedad. El modelo confeccionado cuenta con la eficacia predictiva de 81,3 por ciento y una especificidad de 94,6 por ciento , aunque la sensibilidad es baja, de un 36,4 por ciento , por lo que puede diagnósticar casos agudos

Trastornos del sueño en niños y adolescentes con patología psiquiátrica / Sleep disorders in children and adolescents with a psychiatric disease

Con el objetivo de determinar la incidencia de trastornos del sueño en pacientes con alteraciones psiquiátricas, se estudiaron 100 niños y adolescentes que asistieron por primera vez a la consulta de Psiquiatría de nuestro hospital. Se investigaron las alteraciones del ciclo sueño-vigilia, así como las variables de interés en la aparición de trastornos del sueño, y se compararon con un grupo control de 80 sujetos, pareados en edad, dividiéndose la muestra en 3 grupos etáreos. En ambos grupos, se aplicaron encuentas y se compararon los resultados obtenidos por métodos estadísticos. Se encontró que la parasomniasy otros trastornos del sueño, así como la mayoria de las variables relacionadas con posibles causas de trastornos, aparecieron con más frecuencia en los pacientes que en el grupo control

Posibles efectos del haloperidol sobre el electroencefalograma / Possible effects of haloperidol on EEG

Se realizó un estudio electroencefalográfico longitudinal, a 6 niños y adolescentes con enfermedades psiquiátricas que habían recibido tratamiento con haloperidol. Además de la actividad lenta de regiones posteriores, reportadas habitualmente en estos casos, encontramos un patrón constante de cambios en el electroencefalograma consistente en el enlentecimiento global de la actividad de fondo con la aparición simultánea de oleadas de actividad delta monomorfa bifrontal rítmica. La aparición de las anomalías en el EEG coincidió con la mejoría clínica de los casos, en los que no se detectaron signos de intoxicación por haloperidol. Estas alteraciones del EEG desaparecieron después de suprimir el fármaco, sin que se pudiera demostrar la presencia de daño estructural del SNC. La posibilidad de una idiosincracia medicamentosa a nivel eléctrico cerebral es valorada en la discusión (AU)

Abordagem e tratamento do tabagismo na cidade de Taparuba, Minas Gerais

Este trabalho faz inicialmente, uma reflexão sobre o tabagismo, um problema de saúde pública que pode gerar outras doenças relacionadas. Ações de prevenção e de proteção, articuladas com os profissionais da saúde, da educação e a sociedade em geral, podem evitar as complicações decorrentes do seu uso. O estudo apresentou o problema do tabagismo no município de Taparuba, Minas Gerais, e propôs uma intervenção da Equipe de Saúde da Família direcionada para a formação dos profissionais e a abordagem dos usuários tabagistas. A motivação da pessoa em se tratar foi um ponto relevante. Publicações do Ministério da Saúde e artigos sobre o tabagismo fizeram parte do referencial teórico