Ecological interactions affect the bioactivity of medicinal plants.

Essential oils produced by medicinal plants possess important bioactive properties (antibacterial, antioxidant) of high value for human society. Pollination and herbivory can modify the chemical defences of plants and therefore they may influence the bioactivity of essential oils. However, the effect of ecological interactions on plant bioactivity has not yet been evaluated. We tested the hypothesis that cross-pollination and simulated herbivory modify the chemical composition of essential oils, improving the bioactive properties of the medicinal plant Lepechinia floribunda (Lamiaceae). Through controlled experiments, we showed that essential oils from the outcrossed plant progeny had a higher relative abundance of oxygenated terpenes and it almost doubled the bacteriostatic effect on Staphylococcus aureus, compared to inbred progeny (i.e., progeny produced in absence of pollinators). Herbivory affected negatively and positively the production of rare compounds in inbred and outcrossed plants, respectively, but its effects on bioactivity still remain unknown. We show for the first time that by mediating cross-pollination (indirect ecosystem service), pollinators can improve ecosystem services linked to the biological activity of plant's essential oils. We stress the importance of the qualitative component of pollination (self, cross); an aspect usually neglected in studies of pollination services.

Valoración e intervenciones nutricionales en pacientes en hemodiálisis / Assesment and nutrition intervention in hemodialysis patients

INTRODUCCIÓN: La desnutrición en pacientes dializados es altamente frecuente siendo de etiología multifactorial. OBJETIVO: Realizar diagnóstico de situación y evolución de Parámetros luego de la intervención nutricional. Metas esperadas a los 6 meses: evaluación nutricional en 100% de pacientes; 70% con valoración global subjetiva (VGS) tipo A; 80% con albúmina ≥3.5 g/dl; 70% con ingesta proteica (nPNA) >0.8 g/kg/día. MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: Se evaluaron pacientes en diálisis con más de 90 días de tratamiento durante marzo y abril (etapa diagnóstica) y noviembre y diciembre de 2016 (evolución de parámetros); registrando datos personales, antropométricos y de laboratorio, anamnesis alimentaria y VGS. Las acciones nutricionales fueron entrevistas a pacientes y familiares, educación a través de charlas grupales e indicación de suplementos hiperproteicos a pacientes seleccionados según apetito, pérdida de peso y albúmina. RESULTADOS: En etapa diagnóstica se evaluaron 35 pacientes; 18 (51%) tenían IMC >23 y <35, 9 (26%) con nPNA >0.8 g/kg/día. Albúmina ≥3.5 g/dl 24 pacientes (69%). VGS tipo A 16 pacientes (46%), tipo B 12 (34%) y tipo C 7 (20%). Se suplementaron 5 pacientes (14%). En etapa posterior se valoraron 28 pacientes; 11 (39%) IMC >23 y <35. nPNA >0.8 g/kg/día 27 pacientes (96%). Albúmina ≥3.5 g/dl 23 pacientes (82%). VGS tipo A 18 (64%), tipo B 9 (32%) y tipo C 1 (4%). 100% de los suplementados lograron las metas esperadas. CONCLUSIÓN: La valoración nutricional periódica, las intervenciones y la suplementación mejoran los objetivos nutricionales a corto plazo de la población en diálisis

INTRODUCTION: Malnutrition, being a condition with a multifactorial etiology, is very frequent in dialysis patients. OBJECTIVE: TO make a diagnosis of the situation and the evolution of parameters following nutrition intervention. Expected goals after six months: nutritional assessment of 100% of patients; 70% with type A subjective global assessment (SGA); 80% with ≥3.5 g/dL albumin levels, and 70% with >0.8 g/kg/day protein intake (nPNA). METHODS: Patients undergoing dialysis for more than 90 days were evaluated during March and April (diagnostic stage) and November and December 2016 (evolution of parameters), recording personal, anthropometric and laboratory data, food history and SGA. The nutritional actions were: interviews to patients and relatives, education through group talks and indication of hyperproteic supplements to patients selected according to appetite, weight loss and albumin. RESULTS: In the diagnostic stage, 35 patients were evaluated; 18 (51%) had BMI > 23 and < 35; 9 (26%) with nPNA > 0.8 g/kg/day. Albumin was ≥3.5 g/dL in 24 patients (69%). Type A SGA in 16 patients(46%); type B in 12 of them (34%) and type C in 7 (20%). Five patients received supplements (14%). In a later stage, 28 patients were evaluated; 11 (39%) with BMI > 23 and < 35. nPNA; > 0.8 g/kg/day in 27 patients (96%). Albumin was ≥3.5 g/dL in 23 patients (82%). Type A SGA in 18 patients (64%); type B in 9 of them (32%) and type C in 1 (4%). 100% of the supplemented subjects achieved the expected goals. CONCLUSION: Periodic nutritional assessment, interventions and supplementation improve the short-term nutritional goals of the dialysis population

Parotid sialosis: morphometrical analysis of the glandular parenchyme and stroma among diabetic and alcoholic patients.

BACKGROUND: Among the agents that cause parotid sialosis, diabetes mellitus type 2 and chronic alcoholism are included. In this study, the morphometrical modifications in the diabetic parotid sialosis were determined to compare them with the histopathological characteristics of alcoholic parotid sialosis. METHODS: Five parotid biopsy samples obtained from patients with diabetic sialosis, 12 samples from patients with alcoholic sialosis and seven from individuals without these pathologies (control group) were analyzed. A morphometrical study of parotid parenchyme and stroma, using a digital image analyzer attached to an optical microscope, was carried out. Dimensions of serous acini and striated ducts, the area occupied by the fatty tissue, and the number of ducts were recorded. Mean values were compared using the Mann-Whitney U-test (P

Morphometric analysis of the parotid gland affected by alcoholic sialosis.

BACKGROUND: In alcoholic parotid sialosis, the gland is frequently enlarged due to ductal and/or acinar hypertrophy, ductal hyperplasy and stromal fat infiltration. The aim of this study was to determine acinar and ductal dimensions, the number of striated ducts and the proportion of fat tissue in patients with and without alcoholic parotid sialosis. METHODS: Twelve parotid biopsy samples from patients with hepatic alcoholic cirrhosis and those from seven controls were used. A morphometrical study with a digital image analyser attached to an optical microscope was carried out. Direct and indirect indicators from acinar and ductal dimensions were recorded. The number of striated ducts and the proportion of fat tissue in stroma were determined. Fifteen records for each variable were taken. Mean values were compared using the Mann-Whitney U-test (P