Differential expression of PSMC4, SKP1, and HSPA8 in Parkinson's disease: insights from a Mexican mestizo population.

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a complex neurodegenerative condition characterized by alpha-synuclein aggregation and dysfunctional protein degradation pathways. This study investigates the differential gene expression of pivotal components (UBE2K, PSMC4, SKP1, and HSPA8) within these pathways in a Mexican-Mestizo PD population compared to healthy controls. We enrolled 87 PD patients and 87 controls, assessing their gene expression levels via RT-qPCR. Our results reveal a significant downregulation of PSMC4, SKP1, and HSPA8 in the PD group (p = 0.033, p = 0.003, and p = 0.002, respectively). Logistic regression analyses establish a strong association between PD and reduced expression of PSMC4, SKP1, and HSPA8 (OR = 0.640, 95% CI = 0.415-0.987; OR = 0.000, 95% CI = 0.000-0.075; OR = 0.550, 95% CI = 0.368-0.823, respectively). Conversely, UBE2K exhibited no significant association or expression difference between the groups. Furthermore, we develop a gene expression model based on HSPA8, PSMC4, and SKP1, demonstrating robust discrimination between healthy controls and PD patients. Notably, the model's diagnostic efficacy is particularly pronounced in early-stage PD. In conclusion, our study provides compelling evidence linking decreased gene expression of PSMC4, SKP1, and HSPA8 to PD in the Mexican-Mestizo population. Additionally, our gene expression model exhibits promise as a diagnostic tool, particularly for early-stage PD diagnosis.

Risk Factors Associated with COVID-19 Mortality in the State of Durango, Mexico.

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has caused over six million deaths worldwide since its emergence in Wuhan China, factors associated with COVID-19 mortality, such as comorbidities, age, and observed symptomatology still remain a major subject of study. In the present work, a total of 16,345 SARS-CoV-2 positive cases from Durango Mexico diagnosed from May 2020 to December 2021 were analyzed to establish an association of COVID-19 mortality with clinical and demographic variables in a case-control study. Selected variables include patient age, smoking status, sex, presence of comorbidities such as hypertension, diabetes and obesity, as well as patient symptomatology such as fever, dyspnea, abdominal pain and diarrhea. Results indicate that among analyzed data, the median age was 43 years; 54% were female, with a mortality rate of 5.66%. Multivariate regression analysis indicated that the comorbidities associated with the highest risk factor were advanced age (>60) with an odds ratio of 4.127 (IC 95%, 3.37-5.05), hypertension with 1.961 (IC 95%, 1.57-2.45), diabetes with 1.753 (IC 95%, 1.39-2.20) and obesity with 1.413 (IC 95%, 1.11-1.78) respectively. On the other hand, the symptom associated with the highest risk factor was dyspnea with an odds ratio of 18.369 (IC 95%, 14.42-23.39). Our data suggests an association between hypertension and old age with COVID-19 mortality. Other findings include the prevalence of dyspnea, polypnea and cyanosis as a major predictor for COVID-19 mortality, as well as lower mortality risks among health workers.

Inequity and vulnerability in Latin American Indigenous and non-Indigenous populations with rheumatic diseases: a syndemic approach.

Syndemics are a framework that documents health inequities and vulnerabilities in populations with rheumatic diseases. Compared with other approaches, syndemics are able to conjunctly consider epidemiological, biological, sociodemographic and economic factors, and their interactions. OBJECTIVE: To estimate health inequity and vulnerability among Indigenous and non-Indigenous populations with rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases (RMD) in Latin America using the syndemic approach. DESIGN: This is a secondary analysis of a previously published large-scale study on the prevalence of RMD. SETTING: Studies carried out in five Latin American countries (Argentina, Colombia, Ecuador, Mexico and Venezuela). Health inequity and vulnerability in RMD were identified through a syndemic approach using network and cluster analysis. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 44 560 individuals were studied: 29.78% self-identified as Indigenous, 60.92% were female, the mean age was 43.25 years. Twenty clusters were identified in the Indigenous population and 17 in the non-Indigenous population. RESULTS: The variables associated with RMD among Indigenous populations were rurality, public health system, high joint biomechanical stress, greater pain, disability and alcoholism; and among non-Indigenous people they were being a woman, urban origin, older age, private health system, joint biomechanical stress, greater pain and disability. We identified different health inequities among patients with RMD (ie, lower educational attainment, more comorbidities), associated with factors such as Indigenous self-identification and rural residence. CONCLUSIONS: A syndemic approach enables us to identify health inequities in RMD, as shown by higher prevalence of comorbidities, disability and socioeconomic factors like lower educational attainment. These inequities exist for the overall population of patients with RMD, although it is more evident in Indigenous groups with added layers of vulnerability.

IFI16 Impacts Metabolic Reprogramming during Human Cytomegalovirus Infection.

Cellular lipid metabolism plays a pivotal role in human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) infection, as increased lipogenesis in HCMV-infected cells favors the envelopment of newly synthesized viral particles. As all cells are equipped with restriction factors (RFs) able to exert a protective effect against invading pathogens, we asked whether a similar defense mechanism would also be in place to preserve the metabolic compartment from HCMV infection. Here, we show that gamma interferon (IFN-γ)-inducible protein 16 (IFI16), an RF able to block HCMV DNA synthesis, can also counteract HCMV-mediated metabolic reprogramming in infected primary human foreskin fibroblasts (HFFs), thereby limiting virion infectivity. Specifically, we find that IFI16 downregulates the transcriptional activation of the glucose transporter 4 (GLUT4) through cooperation with the carbohydrate-response element-binding protein (ChREBP), thereby reducing HCMV-induced transcription of lipogenic enzymes. The resulting decrease in glucose uptake and consumption leads to diminished lipid synthesis, which ultimately curbs the de novo formation of enveloped viral particles in infected HFFs. Consistently, untargeted lipidomic analysis shows enhanced cholesteryl ester levels in IFI16 KO versus wild-type (WT) HFFs. Overall, our data unveil a new role of IFI16 in the regulation of glucose and lipid metabolism upon HCMV replication and uncover new potential targets for the development of novel antiviral therapies. IMPORTANCE Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) gathers all the substrates and enzymes necessary for the assembly of new virions from its host cell. For instance, HCMV is known to induce cellular metabolism of infected cells to favor virion assembly. Cells are, however, equipped with a first-line defense represented by restriction factors (RFs), which after sensing viral DNA can trigger innate and adaptive responses, thereby blocking HCMV replication. One such RF is IFN-γ-inducible protein 16 (IFI16), which we have shown to downregulate viral replication in human fibroblasts. Thus, we asked whether IFI16 would also play a role in preserving cellular metabolism upon HCMV infection. Our findings highlight an unprecedented role of IFI16 in opposing the metabolic changes elicited by HCMV, thus revealing new promising targets for antiviral therapy.

Synthesis and Biological Evaluation of Amidinourea Derivatives against Herpes Simplex Viruses.

Current therapy against herpes simplex viruses (HSV) relies on the use of a few nucleoside antivirals such as acyclovir, famciclovir and valacyclovir. However, the current drugs are ineffective against latent and drug-resistant HSV infections. A series of amidinourea compounds, designed as analogues of the antiviral drug moroxydine, has been synthesized and evaluated as potential non-nucleoside anti-HSV agents. Three compounds showed micromolar activity against HSV-1 and low cytotoxicity, turning to be promising candidates for future optimization. Preliminary mode of action studies revealed that the new compounds act in an early stage of the HSV replication cycle, just after the viral attachment and the entry phase of the infection.

Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition Associated with Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinomas: A Review.

Head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCCs) are aggressive, recurrent, and metastatic neoplasms with a high occurrence around the world and can lead to death when not treated appropriately. Several molecules and signaling pathways are involved in the malignant conversion process. Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) has been described in HNSCCs, a major type of aggressive carcinoma. EMT describes the development of epithelial cells into mesenchymal cells, which depends on several molecular interactions and signaling pathways that facilitate mesenchymal conversion. This is related to interactions with the microenvironment of the tumor, hypoxia, growth factors, matrix metalloproteinases, and the presence of viral infections. In this review, we focus on the main molecules related to EMT, their interactions with the tumor microenvironment, plasticity phenomena, epigenetic regulation, hypoxia, inflammation, their relationship with immune cells, and the inhibition of EMT in the context of HNSCCs.

α-syn and SNP rs356219 as a potential biomarker in blood for Parkinson's disease in Mexican Mestizos.

Clinical criteria diagnose Parkinson's disease (PD), therefore, it is crucial to find biological elements that could support diagnosis or even act as prognostic tools of PD. The SNCA gene codifies a protein called α - synuclein; several studies associate genetic and biochemical factors of SNCA with PD, including transcript and plasmatic protein levels, however, contradictory evidence indicates inconclusive results. We aim to compare SNCA mRNA expression, plasmatic α-syn protein and rs356219 SNP between PD cases and a control group, and to identify a potential biomarker in Mexican mestizos', focusing on these three components determined in blood. We included 88 PD patients and 88 age-matched controls. We observed higher α-syn protein and decreased SNCA mRNA levels in PD subjects, compared to control group (p = 0.044 and p < 0.001, respectively). A statistically significant difference was found in allelic and genotypic frequencies of SNP rs356219 between PD patients and normal subjects (p = 0.006 and p = 0.023, respectively). Logistic regression analysis determined as optimal predictors of PD the GG genotype of SNP rs356219 (OR 2.49; p = 0.006) in a recessive model and α-syn protein (OR 1.057; p = 0.033). Furthermore, the G allele of SNP rs356219 was associated with higher plasmatic α-syn and mRNA levels in PD subjects. The receiver operating curves (ROC) distinguished PD from healthy controls with good sensitivity and specificity considering the plasmatic α-syn protein (AUC = 0.693, Sensitivity = 66.7 %, Specificity = 63.9 %) or a predictive probability of plasmatic α-syn protein and SNP rs356219 in a single model (AUC = 0.692, Sensitivity = 62.3 %, Specificity = 62.5 %). The performance of this classifier model in PD at early stage (n = 31) increase the discriminant power in both, plasmatic α-syn protein (AUC = 0.779, Sensitivity = 72.7 %, Specificity = 73.9 %) and predictive probability (AUC = 0.707, Sensitivity = 63.6 %, Specificity = 62.5 %). We propose that α-syn protein and SNP rs356219 together may work as a good signature of PD, and they can be suggested as a non-invasive biomarker of PD risk.

Leptospira infection in people in the city of Durango, Mexico: a cross sectional study.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the seroprevalence of Leptospira immunoglobulin (Ig)G and IgM antibodies and its association with the characteristics of the study population from the northern Mexican city of Durango, Mexico. METHODS: Through a cross-sectional study design, inhabitants of Durango City, Mexico were surveyed between June 2018 and November 2018. Serum samples from the subjects were analysed for anti-Leptospira IgG and IgM antibodies using commercially available enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. Sociodemographic, clinical, behavioural and housing characteristics were recorded. Data were analysed by bivariate and multivariate analyses. RESULTS: The study enrolled 413 people, of which 124 (30.0%) and 137 (33.2%) were positive for anti-Leptospira IgG antibodies and anti-Leptospira IgM antibodies, respectively. Multivariate analysis showed that Leptospira seropositivity was associated with professional occupation, alcohol consumption, ill clinical status, memory impairment and a history of surgery. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first study to report the seroepidemiology of Leptospira infection in an urban general population in the north of Mexico. The seroprevalence of Leptospira infection found was higher than those previously reported in Mexican studies.

Human Cytomegalovirus and Autoimmune Diseases: Where Are We?

Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) is a ubiquitous double-stranded DNA virus belonging to the ß-subgroup of the herpesvirus family. After the initial infection, the virus establishes latency in poorly differentiated myeloid precursors from where it can reactivate at later times to cause recurrences. In immunocompetent subjects, primary HCMV infection is usually asymptomatic, while in immunocompromised patients, HCMV infection can lead to severe, life-threatening diseases, whose clinical severity parallels the degree of immunosuppression. The existence of a strict interplay between HCMV and the immune system has led many to hypothesize that HCMV could also be involved in autoimmune diseases (ADs). Indeed, signs of active viral infection were later found in a variety of different ADs, such as rheumatological, neurological, enteric disorders, and metabolic diseases. In addition, HCMV infection has been frequently linked to increased production of autoantibodies, which play a driving role in AD progression, as observed in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients. Documented mechanisms of HCMV-associated autoimmunity include molecular mimicry, inflammation, and nonspecific B-cell activation. In this review, we summarize the available literature on the various ADs arising from or exacerbating upon HCMV infection, focusing on the potential role of HCMV-mediated immune activation at disease onset.

HPV Meets APOBEC: New Players in Head and Neck Cancer.

Besides smoking and alcohol, human papillomavirus (HPV) is a factor promoting head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). In some human tumors, including HNSCC, a number of mutations are caused by aberrantly activated DNA-modifying enzymes, such as the apolipoprotein B mRNA editing enzyme catalytic polypeptide-like (APOBEC) family of cytidine deaminases. As the enzymatic activity of APOBEC proteins contributes to the innate immune response to viruses, including HPV, the role of APOBEC proteins in HPV-driven head and neck carcinogenesis has recently gained increasing attention. Ongoing research efforts take the cue from two key observations: (1) APOBEC expression depends on HPV infection status in HNSCC; and (2) APOBEC activity plays a major role in HPV-positive HNSCC mutagenesis. This review focuses on recent advances on the role of APOBEC proteins in HPV-positive vs. HPV-negative HNSCC.

Toxoplasma gondii infection in pregnant women: a cross-sectional study in Matehuala City, Mexico.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to determine the seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) infection in pregnant women in Matehuala City, Mexico; and the associated risk factors. DESIGN: A cross-sectional study. SETTING: Matehuala City, Mexico. PARTICIPANTS: 311 pregnant women. PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES: Sera of women were analysed for anti-T. gondii IgG and IgM antibodies by commercially available immunoassays. Bivariate and multivariate analyses were used to assess the association between T. gondii seroprevalence and the characteristics of the pregnant women. RESULTS: Thirteen (4.2%) of the 311 pregnant women studied were positive for anti-T. gondii IgG antibodies. No anti-T. gondii IgM antibodies were found in anti-T. gondii IgG seropositive women. No association between seropositivity and history of blood transfusion, transplantation, caesarean sections, deliveries, miscarriages or number of pregnancies was found. Logistic regression analysis of sociodemographic, behavioural and housing variables showed that availability of potable water at street represented a risk factor for T. gondii infection (age-adjusted OR=2.18; 95% CI: 1.05 to 4.53; p=0.03), whereas being born in Mexico was a protective factor for infection (age-adjusted OR=0.01; 95% CI: 0.001 to 0.35; p=0.008). CONCLUSIONS: In this first study on the seroepidemiology of T. gondii infection in pregnant women in Matehuala, we conclude that the seroprevalence of T. gondii infection is low and similar to those reported in pregnant women in other Mexican cities. However, the seroprevalence found is lower than those reported in pregnant women in other countries in the Americas and Europe. Two risk factors associated with T. gondii infection were identified. Results of the present study may help for the optimal planning of preventive measures against toxoplasmosis in pregnant women.

Factors associated with survival in patients operated on for hilar cholangiocarcinoma with curative intention.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the long-term survival and to analyze the factors associated with it in the patients operated on for hilar cholangiocarcinoma (HC) with curative intention. METHOD: Non concurrent cohort study. We included all patients who underwent surgery with curative intent for HC between 2002 and 2016. An analysis of factors associated with survival using Kaplan Meier, log-rank test and Cox regression was performed. A p-value less than 0.05 was considered significant. RESULTS: Thirty patients were operated on. The median age was 65.5 years (range: 33-84); 24 patients (80%) were male. The surgical margin was negative in 27 patients (90%). Twenty-one patients (70%) presented complications and three patients (10%) died postoperatively. Survival at the year, 5 years and 10 years were 65.7%, 37.3% and 16.6%, respectively. In multivariable analysis, the only factor associated with survival was the T stage (hazard ratio: 0.309; 95% confidence interval: 0.101-0.942; p = 0.03). DISCUSSION: Patients operated on for HC with curative intent in our center have adequate long-term survival, with high postoperative morbidity and mortality. The only factor that was associated with survival was T stage.

OBJETIVO: Determinar la sobrevida a largo plazo y analizar los factores asociados a esta en pacientes operados por colangiocarcinoma hiliar (CH) con intención curativa. MÉTODO: Estudio de cohorte no concurrente. Se incluyeron todos los pacientes sometidos a cirugía con intención curativa por CH entre 2002 y 2016. Se realizó un análisis de los factores asociados a la sobrevida mediante Kaplan Meier, test de log-rank y regresión de Cox. Se consideró significativo un valor de p < 0.05. RESULTADOS: Se operaron 30 pacientes. La mediana de edad fue de 65.5 años (rango: 33-84); 24 (80%) fueron de sexo masculino. El margen quirúrgico resultó negativo en 27 (90%) pacientes. Veintiún (70%) pacientes presentaron complicaciones y 3 (10%) fallecieron en el posoperatorio. Las sobrevidas al año, a 5 años y a 10 años fueron del 65.7%, el 37.3% y el 16.6%, respectivamente. En el análisis multivariable, el único factor asociado a la sobrevida fue el estadio T (hazard ratio: 0.309; intervalo de confianza del 95%: 0.101-0.942; p = 0.03). DISCUSIÓN: Los pacientes operados por CH con intención curativa en nuestro centro presentan una adecuada sobrevida a largo plazo, con una elevada morbimortalidad posoperatoria. El único factor que se asoció a la sobrevida fue el estadio T.

Factors associated with the survival of liver transplant patients due to hepatocellular carcinoma according to Milan criteria.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the overall survival of patients undergoing liver transplantation (LT) for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) following the Milan criteria (MC) and analyze factors associated with survival. METHOD: Non-concurrent cohort study. We analyzed patients undergoing LT for HCC between 2000 and 2016. An analysis of the factors associated with survival was carried out using Kaplan-Meier, log-rank test and Cox regression. A value of p < 0.05 was considered significant. RESULTS: A total of 50 LT were performed for HCC. The average age was 60.8 ± 6.1 years; 38 patients (76%) were male. In the multivariate analysis, the factors associated with survival were compliance with CM (hazard ratio [HR]: 0.104; 95% confidence interval [95%CI]: 0.017-0.637; p = 0.01) and absence of vascular invasion (HR: 0.050; 95%CI: 0.008-0.306; p < 0.01) in the explant biopsy. CONCLUSION: Survival of patients undergoing HT by HCC in our center is similar to that reported in the international literature, and is determined by the compliance of the CM and the absence of vascular invasion in the explant biopsy.

OBJETIVO: Determinar la sobrevida global de los pacientes sometidos a trasplante hepático (TH) por carcinoma hepatocelular (CHC) siguiendo los criterios de Milán (CM), y analizar los factores asociados a la sobrevida. MÉTODO: Estudio de cohorte no concurrente. Se analizaron los pacientes sometidos a TH por CHC entre los años 2000 y 2016. Se realizó un análisis de los factores asociados a la sobrevida mediante Kaplan-Meier, test de log-rank y regresión de Cox. Se consideró significativo un valor de p < 0.05. RESULTADOS: Se realizaron 50 TH por CHC. El promedio de edad fue de 60.8 ± 6.1 años; 38 pacientes (76%) fueron de sexo masculino. En el análisis multivariable, los factores asociados a la sobrevida fueron el cumplimiento de los CM (hazard ratio [HR]: 0.104; intervalo de confianza del 95% [IC 95%]: 0.017-0.637; p = 0.01) y la ausencia de invasión vascular (HR: 0.050; IC 95%: 0.008-0.306; p < 0.01) en la biopsia del explante. CONCLUSIÓN: La sobrevida de los pacientes sometidos a TH por CHC en nuestro centro es similar a lo reportado en la literatura internacional, y se encuentra determinada por el cumplimiento de los CM y la ausencia de invasión vascular en la biopsia del explante.

Accuracy of the BAR score in the prediction of survival after liver transplantation.

INTRODUCTION AND AIM: The Balance of Risk (BAR) Score, a simple scoring system that combines six independent donor and recipient variables to predict outcome after liver transplantation (LT), was validated in a large U.S./European cohort of patients. This study aims to assess the performance of the BAR score to predict survival after liver transplantation and determine the factors associated with short and long-term survival in Latin-American patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A retrospective cohort study was performed in 194 patients [112 (55.4%) males; mean age 52±14 years] who underwent 202 LT during the period 2003-2015. Demographic, clinical, pathological and surgical variables, as well as mortality and survival rates, were analyzed. The BAR score was investigated through a receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curve with the calculation of the area under the curve (AUC) to evaluate the predictive score power for 3-month, 1 and 5-year mortality in a matched donor-recipient cohort. Youden index was calculated to identify optimal cutoff points. RESULTS: The AUC of BAR score in predicting 3-month, 1-year and 5-year mortality were 0.755 (CI95% 0.689-0.812), 0.702 (CI95% 0.634-0.764) and 0.610 (CI95% 0.539-0.678) respectively. The best cut-off point was a BAR score ≥15 points. In the multivariate analysis BAR score <15 was associated with higher survival rates at 3 months and 1 and 5-years. CONCLUSIONS: BAR score <15 points is an independent predictor of better short and long-term survival in Latin-American patients undergoing LT. The BAR scoring system has an adequate diagnostic capacity allowing to predict 3 and 12-month mortality.

Molecular and genetic characterization of the pOV plasmid from Pasteurella multocida and construction of an integration vector for Gallibacterium anatis.

BACKGROUND: The pOV plasmid isolated from the Pasteurella multocida strain PMOV is a new plasmid, and its molecular characterization is important for determining its gene content and its replicative properties in Pasteurellaceae family bacteria. METHODS: Antimicrobial resistance mediated by the pOV plasmid was tested in bacteria. Purified pOV plasmid DNA was used to transform E. coli DH5α and Gallibacterium anatis 12656-12, including the pBluescript II KS(-) plasmid DNA as a control for genetic transformation. The pOV plasmid was digested with EcoRI for cloning fragments into the pBluescript II KS(-) vector to obtain constructs and to determine the full DNA sequence of pOV. RESULTS: The pOV plasmid is 13.5 kb in size; confers sulfonamide, streptomycin and ampicillin resistance to P. multocida PMOV; and can transform E. coli DH5α and G. anatis 12656-12. The pOV plasmid was digested for the preparation of chimeric constructs and used to transform E. coli DH5α, conferring resistance to streptomycin (plasmid pSEP3), ampicillin (pSEP4) and sulfonamide (pSEP5) on the bacteria; however, similar to pBluescript II KS(-), the chimeric plasmids did not transform G. anatis 12656-12. A 1.4 kb fragment of the streptomycin cassette from pSEP3 was amplified by PCR and used to construct pSEP7, which in turn was used to interrupt a chromosomal DNA locus of G. anatis by double homologous recombination, introducing strA-strB into the G. anatis chromosome. CONCLUSION: The pOV plasmid is a wide-range, low-copy-number plasmid that is able to replicate in some gamma-proteobacteria. Part of this plasmid was integrated into the G. anatis 12656-12 chromosome. This construct may prove to be a useful tool for genetic studies of G. anatis.

Estudio Descriptivo: Detección del Dolor Músculo - Esquelético y Enfermedades Reumáticas Aplicando el COPCORD en la Población Indígena de Saraguro - Ecuador / Descriptive Research: Pain Muscle ­ Esquelectic Detecction and Copcord Aplication Reumatics Copcord Reumatics Illness in Indigena Population of the Saraguro - Ecuador

INTRODUCCIÓN: El instrumento COPCORD permite identificar el dolor músculoesquelético y enfermedades reumáticas como artrosis, artritis reumatoide, lumbalgia. El objetivo de esta investigación es validar y adaptar transculturalmente el instrumento COPCORD en la población indígena como prueba de tamizaje para la detección de estas enfermedades. MÉTODOS: Se trata de un estudio descriptivo, el universo fue de 210 indígenas mayores de 18 años que residen en Saraguro ­ Loja, Ecuador. Durante el periodo del 1 diciembre de 2016 al 30 de enero de 2017. El COPCORD se ajustó al lenguaje español, se realizó adecuación y validación transcultural al contexto del grupo indígena. La información fue ingresada en el programa estadístico Stata Versión 11, se analizó: alfa de Cronbach, matrices de correlación con la prueba de Spearman. Se correlacionó las variables con el diagnóstico establecido por el reumatólogo. RESULTADOS: La edad promedio fue 46.1 años, 64.7 % del género femenino, la prueba de tamizaje para detectar una enfermedad reumática tiene sensibilidad del 92.3 % y especificidad de 57.9 %. La consistencia interna del cuestionario presentó unidimensionalidad en los apartados de carga biomecánica y capacidad funcional; y multidimensionalidad en la trayectoria del dolor músculo - esquelético y comorbilidades. Se observaron correlaciones significativas del COPCORD comparado con la evaluación del reumatólogo. CONCLUSIONES: Al realizar la validación y adaptación transcultural del cuestionario COPCORD se demostró su utilidad como prueba de tamizaje para la detección del dolor músculo - esquelético y enfermedades reumáticas en la población aplicada

BACKGROUND: The COPCORD instrument allows the identification of musculoskeletal painand rheumatic diseases such as osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, low back pain. The aim of this research is to validate and cross-culturally adapt the COPCORD instrument in the indigenous population as a screening test for the detection of these diseases. METHODS: It is a descriptive study, the universe of 210 indigenous people over 18 years residing in Saraguro - Loja, Ecuador. During the period from December 1, 2016 to January 30, 2017. The COPCORD was adjusted to the Spanish language, a transcultural adaptation and validation was made to the context of the indigenous group. The information was entered into the statistical program of Stata Version 11, analyzed: Cronbach's alpha, correlation matrixes with the Spearman test. The variables were correlated with the diagnosis established by the rheumatologist. RESULTS: The average age was 46.1 years, 64.7 % of the female gender, the screening test to detect a rheumatic disease has sensitivity of 92.3 % and specificity of 57.9 %. The internal consistency of the questionnaire presented a dimensionality in the biomechanical load and functional capacity sections; and multidimensionality in the path of musculoskeletal pain and comorbidities. Significant correlations of the COPCORD were observed compared with the rheumatologist's evaluation. CONCLUSIONS: By carrying out the cross-cultural validation and adaptation of the COPCORD questionnaire, its usefulness could be demonstrated as a screening test for the detection of musculoskeletal pain and rheumatic diseases in the population of Saraguro.of approach including the laparoscopic approach.

TNF-α Polymorphisms and Maternal Depression in a Mexican Mestizo Population.

BACKGROUND: Depressive disorders are common during pregnancy. There is compelling evidence that the inflammatory response system is important in the pathophysiology of depression. Higher concentrations of proinflammatory cytokines including tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) in depressed subjects have been described. Because several polymorphisms in the TNF-α promoter region are known to affect its gene expression, the aim of this study was determine whether TNF-α - 857C/T, -308G/A, and -238G/A polymorphisms confer susceptibility to depression during pregnancy in a Mexican mestizo population. METHODS: This case-control study involved 153 depressed pregnant women and 177 controls. Polymorphisms were genotyped using real-time PCR. Odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals adjusted by age, body mass index, number of pregnancies, months of pregnancy and number of abortions were used to estimate risk. RESULTS: The -857CT genotype was found to increase the risk for depression (OR= 1.73, 95% CI= 1.06-2.82). In contrast, the -238GA genotype reduced the risk (OR= 0.33, 95% CI= 0.14-0.72). The - 308G/A polymorphism was not associated with risk for depression. Finally, the C857-G308-A238 haplotype was associated with a decreased risk of depression (OR= 0.35, 95% CI= 0.15-0.82). CONCLUSION: Our results show for the first time an association between TNF-α -857C/T and -238G/A polymorphisms and prenatal depression in Mexican mestizo population.

Genome Sequence of Actinobacillus seminis Strain ATCC 15768, a Reference Strain of Ovine Pathogens That Causes Infections in Reproductive Organs.

The draft genome sequence of Actinobacillus seminis strain ATCC 15768 is reported here. The genome comprises 22 contigs corresponding to 2.36 Mb with 40.7% G+C content and contains several genes related to virulence, including a putative RTX protein.