Placental MFSD2A expression in fetal growth restriction and maternal and fetal DHA status.

INTRODUCTION: Fetal growth restriction (FGR) may affect placental transfer of key nutrients to the fetus, such as the fatty acid docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). Major facilitator superfamily domain containing 2A (MFSD2A) has been described as a specific DHA carrier in placenta, but its expression has not been studied in FGR. The aim of this study was to evaluate for the first time the placental MFSD2A levels in late-FGR pregnancies and the maternal and cord plasma DHA. METHODS: 87 pregnant women from a tertial reference center were classified into late-FGR (N = 18) or control (N = 69). Fatty acid profile was determined in maternal and cord venous plasma, as well as placental levels of MFSD2A and of insulin mediators like phospho-protein kinase B (phospho-AKT) and phospho-extracellular regulated kinase (phospho-ERK). RESULTS: Maternal fatty acid profile did not differ between groups. Nevertheless, late-FGR cord vein presented higher content of saturated fatty acids than control, producing a concomitant decrease in the percentage of some unsaturated fatty acids. In the late-FGR group, a lower DHA fetal/maternal ratio was observed when using percentages, but not with concentrations. No alterations were found in the expression of MFSD2A in late-FGR placentas, nor in phospho-AKT or phospho-ERK. DISCUSSION: MFSD2A protein expression was not altered in late-FGR placentas, in line with no differences in cord DHA concentration between groups. The increase in the saturated fatty acid content of late-FGR cord might be a compensatory mechanism to ensure fetal energy supply, decreasing other fatty acids percentage. Future studies are warranted to elucidate if altered saturated fatty acid profile in late-FGR fetuses might predispose them to postnatal catch-up and to long-term health consequences.

Cord blood cardiovascular biomarkers in tetralogy of fallot and D-transposition of great arteries.

Previous reports suggest that cord blood biomarkers could serve as a prognostic tool for conotruncal congenital heart defects (CHD). We aimed to describe the cord blood profile of different cardiovascular biomarkers in a prospective series of fetuses with tetralogy of Fallot (ToF) and D-transposition of great arteries (D-TGA) and to explore their correlation with fetal echocardiography and perinatal outcome. Methods: A prospective cohort study (2014-2019), including fetuses with isolated ToF and D-TGA and healthy controls, was conducted at two tertiary referral centers for CHD in Barcelona. Obstetric ultrasound and fetal echocardiography were performed in the third trimester and cord blood was obtained at delivery. Cord blood concentrations of N-terminal precursor of B-type natriuretic peptide, Troponin I, transforming growth factorß (TGFß), placental growth factor, and soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase-1 were determined. Results: Thirty-four fetuses with conotruncal-CHD (22 ToF and 12 D-TGA) and 36 controls were included. ToF-fetuses showed markedly increased cord blood TGFß (24.9 ng/ml (15.6-45.3) vs. normal heart 15.7 ng/ml (7.2-24.3) vs. D-TGA 12.6 ng/ml (8.7-37.9); P = 0.012). These results remained statistically significant even after adjusting for maternal body mass index, birth weight and mode of delivery. TGFß levels showed a negative correlation with the pulmonary valve diameter z-score at fetal echocardiography (r = -0.576, P = 0.039). No other differences were found in the rest of cord blood biomarkers among the study populations. Likewise, no other significant correlations were identified between cardiovascular biomarkers, fetal echocardiography and perinatal outcome. Conclusions: This study newly describes increased cord blood TGFß concentrations in ToF compared to D-TGA and normal fetuses. We also demonstrate that TGFß levels correlate with the severity of right ventricle outflow obstruction. These novel findings open a window of research opportunities on new prognostic and potential preventive strategies.

Speech-Encoding Deficits in Neonates Born Large-for-Gestational Age as Revealed With the Envelope Frequency-Following Response.

OBJECTIVES: The present envelope frequency-following response (FFR ENV ) study aimed at characterizing the neural encoding of the fundamental frequency of speech sounds in neonates born at the higher end of the birth weight continuum (>90th percentile), known as large-for-gestational age (LGA). DESIGN: Twenty-five LGA newborns were recruited from the maternity unit of Sant Joan de Déu Barcelona Children's Hospital and paired by age and sex with 25 babies born adequate-for-gestational age (AGA), all from healthy mothers and normal pregnancies. FFR ENV s were elicited to the/da/ syllable and recorded while the baby was sleeping in its cradle after a successful universal hearing screening. Neural encoding of the stimulus' envelope of the fundamental frequency (F 0ENV ) was characterized through the FFR ENV spectral amplitude. Relationships between electrophysiological parameters and maternal/neonatal variables that may condition neonatal neurodevelopment were assessed, including pregestational body mass index (BMI), maternal gestational weight gain and neonatal BMI. RESULTS: LGA newborns showed smaller spectral amplitudes at the F 0ENV compared to the AGA group. Significant negative correlations were found between neonatal BMI and the spectral amplitude at the F 0ENV . CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicate that in spite of having a healthy pregnancy, LGA neonates' central auditory system is impaired in encoding a fundamental aspect of the speech sounds, namely their fundamental frequency. The negative correlation between the neonates' BMI and FFR ENV indicates that this impaired encoding is independent of the pregnant woman BMI and weight gain during pregnancy, supporting the role of the neonatal BMI. We suggest that the higher adipose tissue observed in the LGA group may impair, via proinflammatory products, the fine-grained central auditory system microstructure required for the neural encoding of the fundamental frequency of speech sounds.

Brain Oxygen Perfusion and Oxidative Stress Biomarkers in Fetuses with Congenital Heart Disease-A Retrospective, Case-Control Pilot Study.

Fetuses with congenital heart disease (CHD) have circulatory changes that may lead to predictable blood flow disturbances that may affect normal brain development. Hypoxemia and hypoperfusion may alter the redox balance leading to oxidative stress (OS), that can be assessed measuring stable end-products. OS biomarkers (OSB) were measured in amniotic fluid in fetuses with (n = 41) and without CHD (n = 44) and analyzed according to aortic flow, expected cyanosis after birth, and a CHD classification derived from this. Birth head circumference (HC) was used as a neurodevelopment biomarker. CHD fetuses had higher levels of ortho-Tyrosine (o-Tyr) than controls (p = 0.0003). There were no differences in o-Tyr levels considering aortic flow obstruction (p = 0.617). Fetuses with expected extreme cyanosis presented the highest levels of o-Tyr (p = 0.003). Among groups of CHD, fetuses without aortic obstruction and extreme cyanosis had the highest levels of o-Tyr (p = 0.005). CHD patients had lower HC than controls (p = 0.023), without correlation with OSB. Patients with HC < 10th percentile, presented high levels of o-Tyr (p = 0.024). Fetuses with CHD showed increased OSB and lower HC when compared to controls, especially those with expected extreme cyanosis. Our results suggest that increased levels of OSB are more influenced by the effect of low oxygenation than by aortic flow obstruction. Future studies with larger sample size are needed to further investigate the role of OSB as an early predictor of neurodevelopmental problems in CHD survivors.

S100B Maternal Blood Levels in Gestational Diabetes Mellitus Are Birthweight, Gender and Delivery Mode Dependent.

Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM) is one of the main causes of perinatal mortality/morbidity. Today, a parameter offering useful information on fetal central nervous system (CNS) development/damage is eagerly awaited. We investigated the role of brain-protein S100B in the maternal blood of GDM pregnancies by means of a prospective case-control study in 646 pregnancies (GDM: n = 106; controls: n = 530). Maternal blood samples for S100B measurement were collected at four monitoring time-points from 24 weeks of gestation to term. Data was corrected for gender and delivery mode and correlated with gestational age and weight at birth. Results showed higher (p < 0.05) S100B from 24 to 32 weeks and at term in GDM fetuses than controls. Higher (p < 0.05) S100B was observed in GDM male new-borns than in females from 24 to 32 weeks and at term, in GDM cases delivering vaginally than by caesarean section. Finally, S100B positively correlated with gestational age and weight at birth (R = 0.27; R = 0.37, respectively; p < 0.01). The present findings show the usefulness of S100B in CNS to monitor high-risk pregnancies during perinatal standard-of-care procedures. The results suggest that further investigations into its potential role as an early marker of CNS growth/damage in GDM population are needed.

A UPLC-MS/MS method for the determination of oxidative stress biomarkers in amniotic fluid.

Oxidative stress in the fetal period is associated with preterm birth as well as short and long-term adverse clinical outcomes. Here, an Ultra-Performance Liquid Chromatography-tandem Mass Spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS) method for the simultaneous quantification of biomarkers of oxidative stress-derived damage to proteins and DNA in amniotic fluid (AF) samples is presented. Appropriate accuracy and precision levels, as well as sensitivity with limits of detection in the low nanomolar (<2 nM) range were achieved. The analytical method was applied to a set of AF samples and reference ranges of the biomarker panel are presented. Median concentrations of biomarkers of protein oxidation (ortho-, 3-chloro-, and 3-nitrotyrosine) and their precursors (para-tyrosine and phenylalanine) ranged between 0.6 and 3 nM and 23 and 30 µM, respectively, while levels of a biomarker of DNA-oxidation (8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine, 8OHdG) and its precursor (2'-deoxyguanosine) were found to be 0.18 and 3 nM, respectively. Detection frequencies of all metabolites were 100% with exception of 3-chlorotyrosine (3Cl-Tyr) and 8OHdG, that were only detected in 8% of samples. The developed method may be applied in research studies focusing on oxidative stress-related complications during pregnancy.

Study of the fetal and maternal microbiota in pregnant women with intrauterine growth restriction and its relationship with inflammatory biomarkers: A case-control study protocol (SPIRIT compliant).

In general terms, fetal growth restriction (FGR) is considered the impossibility of achieving the genetically determined potential size. In the vast majority of cases, it is related to uteroplacental insufficiency. Although its origin remains unknown and causes are only known in 30% of cases, it is believed to be related to an interaction of environmental and genetic factors with either a fetal or maternal origin. One hypothesis is that alterations in the gastrointestinal microbiota composition, and thus alteration in the immune response, could play a role in FGR development. We performed an observational, prospective study in a subpopulation affected with FGR to elucidate the implications of this microbiota on the FGR condition.A total of 63 fetuses with FGR diagnosed in the third trimester as defined by the Delphi consensus, and 63 fetuses with fetal growth appropriate for gestational age will be recruited. Obstetric and nutritional information will be registered by means of specific questionnaires. We will collect maternal fecal samples between 30 to 36 weeks, intrapartum samples (maternal feces, maternal and cord blood) and postpartum samples (meconium and new-born feces at 6 weeks of life). Samples will be analyzed in the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology II, Nutrition and Food Technology Institute of the University of Granada (UGR), for the determination of the gastrointestinal microbiota composition and its relationship with inflammatory biomarkers.This study will contribute to a better understanding of the influence of gastrointestinal microbiota and related inflammatory biomarkers in the development of FGR.Trial registration: NCT04047966. Registered August 7, 2019, during the recruitment stage. Retrospectively registered. Ongoing research.

Prediction of Perinatal Mortality in Ebstein's Anomaly Diagnosed in the Second Trimester of Pregnancy.

OBJECTIVES: Firstly, to describe the outcome of a series of fetuses with Ebstein's anomaly (EA) and, secondly, to study the utility of different second-trimester echocardiographic parameters to predict fetal and neonatal mortality. METHODS: 39 fetuses with EA diagnosed between 18 and 28 weeks of gestation were included. Fetal echocardiography included the cardiothoracic ratio (CTR); right atrial (RA) area index; displacement of the tricuspid valve (TV); tricuspid regurgitation; pulmonary artery; and ductus arteriosus flow characteristics. Additionally, 2 novel parameters were obtained: the relative RA area ratio (RA area/cardiac area) and the TV displacement index (TVDI, TV displacement distance/longi-tudinal diameter of the left ventricle). Correlation between the echocardiographic variables and the primary outcome of perinatal mortality or survival at 1 year of life was evaluated. RESULTS: From the initial cohort, 8 cases were excluded due to complex congenital heart defects. Termination of pregnancy (TOP) was performed in 15 cases, and fetal death was diagnosed in 3 cases. In the live-born cohort of 13 patients, 4 died in the neonatal period, yielding a perinatal survival rate of 29 and 56%, respectively, after excluding TOP cases. Compared with survivors, nonsurvivors showed a significantly higher CTR (56.7 ± 16.2 vs. 42.6 ± 8.6; p = 0.04), relative RA area ratio (0.39 ± 0.13 vs. 0.25 ± 0.05; p = 0.01), and TVDI (0.62 ± 0.17 vs. 0.44 ± 0.12; p = 0.03) at diagnosis. The best model to predict perinatal mortality was obtained by using a scoring system which included the relative RA area ratio and TVDI (AUC 0.905 [95% CI 0.732-1.000]). CONCLUSIONS: Fetuses with a relative RA area ratio ≥0.29 and TVDI ≥0.65 at the second trimester have the highest risk of dying in the perinatal stage.

Altered cortical development in fetuses with isolated nonsevere ventriculomegaly assessed by neurosonography.

OBJECTIVES: To perform a comprehensive assessment of cortical development in fetuses with isolated nonsevere ventriculomegaly (INSVM) by neurosonography. METHODS: We prospectively included 40 fetuses with INSVM and 40 controls. INSVM was defined as atrial width between 10.0 and 14.9 mm without associated malformation, infection, or chromosomal abnormality. Cortical development was assessed by neurosonography at 26 and 30 weeks of gestation measuring depth of selected sulci and applying a maturation scale from 0 (no appearance) to 5 (maximally developed) of main sulci and areas. RESULTS: INSVM showed underdeveloped calcarine and parieto-occipital sulci. In addition, significant delayed maturation pattern was also observed in regions distant to ventricular system including Insula depth (controls 30.8 mm [SD 1.7] vs INSVM 31.7 mm [1.8]; P = .04), Sylvian fissure grading (>2 at 26 weeks: controls 87.5% vs INSVM 50%, P = .01), mesial area grading (>2 at 30 weeks: controls 95% vs INSVM 62.5%; P = .03), and cingulate sulcus grading (>2 at 30 weeks: controls 100% vs INSVM 80.5%; P = .01). CONCLUSIONS: Fetuses with INSVM showed underdeveloped cortical maturation including also regions, where effect of ventricular dilatation is unlikely. These results suggest that in a proportion of fetuses with INSVM, ventricular dilation might be related with altered cortical architecture.

Cord Blood Biomarkers of Cardiac Dysfunction and Damage in Term Growth-Restricted Fetuses Classified by Severity Criteria.

OBJECTIVE: To assess cardiovascular function and damage in term small-for-gestational-age (SGA) and intrauterine growth-restricted (IUGR) fetuses by echocardiography and biomarkers in cord blood. METHODS: This was a cohort study including 60 normal fetuses and 47 term small fetuses subclassified as small for gestational age (SGA) with estimated fetal weight (EFW) between the 3rd and 9th centiles and normal fetoplacental Doppler (n = 14) or intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR, n = 33) if EFW <3rd centile or EFW <10th centile together with cerebroplacental ratio <5th and/or mean uterine artery pulsatility index >95th centile. Fetal echocardiography included left myocardial performance index (MPI) and annular plane systolic excursion. Fetal B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP), troponin-I, heart-type fatty acid-binding proteins (H-FABP), and homocysteine concentrations were measured in cord blood collected at delivery. RESULTS: Both SGA and IUGR cases presented echocardiographic signs of systolic and diastolic dysfunction with increased MPI (mean controls 0.43 [SD 0.12], SGA 0.47 [0.03], and IUGR 0.57 [0.08], p < 0.01) and decreased mitral annular plane systolic excursion (controls 6.0 mm [1.0], SGA 5.5 mm [0.6], and IUGR 4.9 mm [0.8], p = 0 01). IUGR fetuses presented increased levels of cord blood BNP (controls 17.2 pg/mL [11.5], SGA 22.4 pg/mL [10.7], and IUGR 31.2 pg/mL [26.8], p < 0.01). Troponin I was increased in both SGA and IUGR cases (controls 0.004 ng/mL [0.007], SGA 0.012 ng/mL [0.02], and IUGR 0.018 ng/mL [0.05], p < 0.01). H-FABP and homocysteine showed similar values among groups. CONCLUSIONS: Cardiac dysfunction and cell damage is a common feature of term SGA and IUGR fetuses despite of the severity criteria for perinatal outcome. Further research is needed to evaluate the potential long-term consequences on their cardiovascular system.

Cardiovascular adaptation to extrauterine life after intrauterine growth restriction.

Introduction The adaptive changes of the foetal heart in intrauterine growth restriction can persist postnatally. Data regarding its consequences for early circulatory adaptation to extrauterine life are scarce. The aim of this study was to assess cardiac morphometry and function in newborns with late-onset intrauterine growth restriction to test the hypothesis that intrauterine growth restriction causes cardiac shape and functional changes at birth. METHODS: A comprehensive echocardiographic study was performed in 25 neonates with intrauterine growth restriction and 25 adequate-for-gestational-age neonates. RESULTS: Compared with controls, neonates with intrauterine growth restriction had more globular ventricles, lower longitudinal tricuspid annular motion, and higher left stroke volume without differences in the heart rate. Neonates with intrauterine growth restriction also showed subclinical signs of diastolic dysfunction in the tissue Doppler imaging with lower values of early (e') diastolic annular peak velocities in the septal annulus. Finally, the Tei index in the tricuspid annulus was higher in the intrauterine growth restriction group. CONCLUSION: Neonates with history of intrauterine growth restriction showed cardiac remodelling and signs of systolic and diastolic dysfunction. Overall, there was a significant tendency to worse cardiac function results in the right heart. The adaptation to extrauterine life occurred with more globular hearts, higher stroke volumes but a similar heart rate compared to adequate-for-gestational-age neonates.

Nerve Growth Factor Levels in Term Human Infants: Relationship to Prenatal Growth and Early Postnatal Feeding.

BACKGROUND: Nerve growth factor (NGF) plays a key role in neuroprotection and developmental maturity. We assessed longitudinally the circulating concentrations of NGF in term healthy human newborns and infants as well as their association with prenatal growth and early postnatal feeding patterns. METHODS: Circulating NGF and anthropometric measures (weight, length, body mass index, and ponderal index) were assessed longitudinally-at birth and at age 4 months-in 86 term infants born appropriate (AGA), small (SGA), or large for gestational age (LGA). RESULTS: Cord blood NGF levels in SGA newborns were higher than those in AGA newborns (1.41 ± 0.2 pg/mL vs. 0.66 ± 0.1 pg/mL; p = 0.02) and not different from those in LGA neonates (0.79 ± 0.2 pg/mL). At age 4 months, SGA-breastfed infants showed the highest NGF concentrations (p = 0.02 and p = 0.01 vs. AGA and SGA-formula-fed infants, respectively), while LGA infants depicted a marginal increase. NGF levels in cord blood correlated negatively with the ponderal index at birth (r = -0.36; p = 0.0008). CONCLUSIONS: Circulating NGF is related to both prenatal growth and early postnatal nutrition. The maintenance of increased NGF concentrations in SGA-breastfed infants at age 4 months might be a potential mechanism to counterbalance potential risks for developing cognitive and psychomotor disadvantages.

Large for Gestational Age Newborns from Mothers Without Diabetes Mellitus Tend to Become Tall and Lean Toddlers.

A longitudinal study with dual x-ray absorptiometry disclosed that infants born large for gestational age from mothers without diabetes mellitus and without excessive gestational weight gain tend to be long with increased adipose tissue as newborns and tall and lean as toddlers.

Incidencia de parasitismo en pacientes de zona rural del policlínico Manuel Fajardo Rivero / Incidence of parasitism in patients from Manuel Fajardo Rivero policlinic in rural areas

Fundamento: en Cuba, a pesar de los esfuerzos que realiza el Ministerio de Salud en aras de prevenir la trasmisión de enfermedades parasitarias, se reporta la prevalencia de parasitismo en diferentes provincias.Objetivo: caracterizar variables clínicas y epidemiológicas que pueden incidir en la frecuencia de parasitismo en pacientes de la zona rural del Policlínico Docente Manuel Fajardo Rivero, en el municipio de Las Tunas. Métodos: se realizó un estudio transversal descriptivo en pacientes de consultorios médicos de la familia en la zona rural de la referida institución de salud. Se tuvo en cuenta las variables clínicas y epidemiológicas: edad, sexo, frecuencia por estaciones del año, tipos de especies parasitarias, factores de riesgo, manifestaciones clínicas y tratamiento médico del paciente parasitado. Se analizaron en el laboratorio las muestras de heces fecales mediante los métodos: directo, concentrado y Sumasohb.Resultados: predominaron las edades de 10 a 18 años (35,7 por ciento); en el sexo masculino el parasitismo tuvo su mayor incidencia en la primavera y el factor de riesgo que más favoreció a la parasitosis fue la ingestión de agua de pozo no tratada; la especie entamoeba histolytica se identificó como la de mayor ocurrencia (40 por ciento Policlínico Docente Manuel Fajardo Rivero). La diarrea fue uno de los principales síntomas registrados en historias clínicas. El medicamento de elección más utilizado fue el Secnidazol, 90,9 por ciento del total.Conclusiones: se diagnosticó la especie parasitaria entamoeba histolytica en la mayoría de los pacientes, los cuales presentaron manifestaciones clínicas sintomáticas. La mala calidad sanitaria del agua se consideró como el factor de riesgo fundamental a la infección por parasitosis, se recomendó fortalecer las estrategias de control y prevención de las enfermedades parasitarias en las comunidades rurales (AU)

Background: in Cuba, in spite of the efforts that the Ministry of Health carries out for the sake of preventing the transmission of parasitic diseases, the prevalence of parasitism is reported in different provinces.Objective: to characterize the clinical and epidemiological variables that can have an effect in the frequency of parasitism in patients from the rural area of Manuel Fajardo Rivero Educational Polyclinic in Las Tunas municipality.Methods: a descriptive and cross-sectional study was carried out in patients from the family doctors offices of the rural area of the mentioned health institution. The clinical and epidemiological variables: age, sex, frequency per season, types of parasitic species, risk factors, clinical manifestations and medical treatment of the parasitized patient. Feces samples were analyzed in the laboratory by means of direct, concentrated and Sumasohb methods.Results: ages from 10 to 18 years old prevailed, (35,7 percent); parasitism in males had its highest incidence in the spring and the risk factor that mostly favored parasitosis was the ingestion of not well treated water; the Entamoeba histolytica specie was identified as the most frequent one (40 percent). Diarrhea was one of the main symptoms registered in health histories. Secnidazol was the most used medication: 90,9 percent out of the total.Conclusions: the parasitic species Entamoeba histolytica was diagnosed in most of the patients, who showed symptomatic clinical manifestations. The bad sanitary quality of the water was considered as the main risk factor for parasitosis. It is recommended to strengthen the control strategies and prevention of the parasitic diseases in the rural communities (AU)

Estudio de las fracciones lipídicas de colesterol y triglicéridos en pacientes de dos consultorios médicos de la familia / Study of the lipid fractions of cholesterol and triglycerides in patients from two family doctors office

La segunda causa de muerte en la provincia de Las Tunas son las enfermedades del corazón, estas se asocian a múltiples factores de riesgo, como, por ejemplo, los niveles elevados de colesterol y triglicéridos. La alta frecuencia de valores patológicos de colesterol y triglicéridos en pacientes de los Consultorios Médicos de la Familia (CMF) 19-01 y 20-01 en el Policlínico Docente Manuel Fajardo Rivero motivó a la realización de este trabajo, que tiene como objetivo evaluar el comportamiento de las fracciones lipídicas de colesterol y triglicéridos en pacientes de estos CMF, durante el período comprendido entre enero y junio de 2014. Las variables analizadas fueron: rango de valores de colesterol y triglicéridos, edad, sexo, antecedentes patológicos personales, diagnóstico clínico y tratamiento médico. Se incluyeron los pacientes mayores de 20 años de ambos consultorios, los diabéticos, hipertensos, cardiópatas; se excluyeron de la investigación las gestantes, enfermos hospitalizados o con ingreso domiciliario. Se obtuvo como resultado que casi la mitad de los pacientes presentó valores elevados en las fracciones lipídicas de colesterol y triglicéridos, las edades más afectadas fueron los adultos de 41 a 60 años, con predominio del sexo masculino. En la revisión de historias clínicas se tabularon como principales antecedentes patológicos personales que más de la mitad de los pacientes con alteraciones lipídicas son fumadores y un cuarto de ellos consumen alcohol. En el diagnóstico clínico y tratamiento médico registrado en la historia clínica de los pacientes afectados se constató que dos tercios de ellos son hipertensos y utilizan el captopril, enalapril y atenolol y casi un tercio son diabéticos, que se medican con los hipoglucemiantes, insulina y glibenclamida (AU)

Heart diseases are the second cause of death in Las Tunas province; they are associated to multiple risk factors, such as high levels of cholesterol and triglycerides. The high frequency of pathological values of cholesterol and triglycerides in patients from the doctors office 19-01 and 20-01 of Manuel Fajardo Rivero Educational Polyclinic motivated the implementation of this work, which aim at assessing the behavior of the lipid fractions of cholesterol and triglycerides in patients from that doctors office, from January to June, 2014. The variables were: range of values of cholesterol and triglycerides, age, sex, personal pathological antecedents, clinical diagnosis and medical treatment. The study included cardiopath, hypertensive, and older than 20 years old diabetic patients who belong to both offices, excluding from the investigation the expectant mothers, the inpatients and outpatients. The results are: almost half of the patients showed high values of lipid fractions of cholesterol and triglycerides, the most affected patients were adults from 41 to 60 years old, and males prevailed. In the health histories reviews it was tabulated as main personal pathological antecedents that more than half the patients with lipid alterations are smokers and a quarter of them are alcohol consumers. From the clinical diagnosis and medical treatment registered in the health histories, it was possible to establish that two thirds of the patients are hypertensive and use the captopril, enalapril and atenolol, and almost a third of them are diabetic that are prescribed with hypoglycemic agents, insulin and glibenclamide (AU)

Mitochondrial DNA in placenta: associations with fetal growth and superoxide dismutase activity.

BACKGROUND: Prenatal growth restraint is associated with increased oxidative stress--as judged by mitochondrial dysfunction--in pregnancies complicated by preeclampsia or diabetes, but it is uncertain whether this is also the case in uncomplicated pregnancies. We assessed the link between fetal growth restraint and placental mitochondrial dysfunction, as reflected by changes in mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) content and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity. METHODS: After uncomplicated pregnancies, placentas (n = 48) were collected at term delivery of singleton infants who were appropriate for gestational age (AGA) or small for gestational age (SGA) (n = 24 in each subgroup). Placental mtDNA content was assessed by real-time PCR, placental SOD activity by colorimetry, and citrate synthase activity--to determine mitochondrial mass--by the spectrophotometric method. RESULTS: Placentas of SGA infants had a lower mtDNA content (p = 0.015) and a higher SOD activity (p = 0.001) than those of AGA controls. These differences were maintained after normalization of the mtDNA content by citrate synthase activity. In placentas of SGA infants, there was a negative association between mtDNA content and SOD activity (r = -0.58, p = 0.008). CONCLUSIONS: Fetal growth restraint is accompanied by adaptive changes in the mitochondrial function of the placenta, also in uncomplicated pregnancies.

Less myostatin and more lean mass in large-born infants from nondiabetic mothers.

CONTEXT AND OBJECTIVE: Sexagenarians born large are at lower risk for type 2 diabetes than those born small, a key feature of their body composition being a higher muscle mass, which explains their higher body mass index and also their lower fat-to-lean-mass ratio. Myogenesis is completed in early infancy under the inhibitory control of myostatin. We tested whether large-born infants from nondiabetic mothers develop an early surplus of lean mass while having a lower myostatinemia. Design, Methods, Study Participants, and Main Outcomes: In a longitudinal study (0-4 mo), we compared the body composition and endocrine markers (fasting glucose, insulin, IGF-1, high molecular weight adiponectin) of breast-fed appropriate- vs large-for-gestational-age infants (n = 125) from nondiabetic mothers. Circulating myostatin concentrations were assayed after collection of the above-mentioned data. SETTING: The study was conducted at the University Hospital for Women and Children. INTERVENTION: There were no interventions. RESULTS: Between 0-4 months, large-for-gestational-age infants switched from an adipose to a lean body composition (due to a nearly 20% excess of lean mass) and to an insulin-sensitive and hyperadiponectinemic state while having low IGF-1 concentrations and the lowest myostatinemia hitherto reported in the human (all between P ≤ .01 and P ≤ .0001). CONCLUSION: Large-born infants from nondiabetic mothers were found to combine a low myostatinemia with an excess of lean mass. The fetal-neonatal control of myostatinemia deserves further attention because it could become a target of interventions that aim at reducing the risk for diabetes in later life by augmenting myogenesis in early life.

Intervención educativa encaminada a prevenir la sífilis. Policlínico Gustavo Aldereguía 2009-2010 / Educational Intervention Guided to Prevent Syphilis. Dr. Gustavo Aldereguía Policlinic 2009-2010

La sífilis es una enfermedad infectocontagiosa, producida por el Treponema Pallidum, de transmisión fundamentalmente sexual, con gran afectación de la piel. Sin tratamiento se producen daños a nivel cardiovascular, óseo y neurológico, que pueden causar la muerte. Se realizó un estudio descriptivo en la población del policlínico Dr. Gustavo Aldereguía Lima del municipio Tunas, en el periodo del 2009-2010. Este tuvo el objetivo de conocer la incidencia de la sífilis para elaborar un plan de acciones educativas, encaminadas a prevenir esta situación de salud, que está incidiendo en nuestro medio. El universo lo constituyó todos los pacientes adultos que se realizaron serología, para un total de 2200 pacientes y la muestra de 200 pacientes con serología positiva. A todas las personas estudiadas se les pidió su consentimiento y fueron encuestados, teniendo en cuenta las siguientes variables: edad, sexo, escolaridad y conducta sexual. Toda la información recopilada se analizó estadísticamente por el sistema Epinfo.06, determinándosele cálculo de porcentaje. Los resultados se expusieron en tablas de contingencia de 2 x 2, lo cual permitió determinar que el grupo de 30-35 años predomino en las serologías positivas, el 68 porciento de los pacientes desconocía los aspectos relacionados con la sífilis, la mayoría de los casos no se protegían y predominó el grupo con nivel de escolaridad secundaria (AU)

Syphilis is an infectious contagious disease produced by the Treponema Pallidum, mainly of sexual transmission, with great skin affection. If it is not treated, cardiovascular, bone and neurological damages are produced and may cause death. So, a descriptive study was carried out in the population from Dr. Gustavo Aldereguía policlinic in Las Tunas municipality, from 2009 to 2010, with the objective to know the incidence of syphilis and so design a plan of educational actions directed to prevent this health situation. The universe was made up by all the adults who were tested: 2 200 patients and the sample consists of 200 patients who were positive to the serology test. All the persons studied were asked for consent and were surveyed having into consideration the following variables: age, sex, educational level and sexual behaviour. All the compiled information was analyzed statistically by Epinfo.6 system, determining the percentage calculation. The results were exposed in 2 X 2 contingency tables, what allowed determining that the prevailing positive serology test group was from 30 to 35 years old, 68 percent of the patients did not know the aspects related to syphilis, most of them did not protect themselves sexually, and the group with secondary school level prevailed (AU)

Tratamiento con análogos de la GnRH en la endometriosis de la pared abdominal / Use of GnRH analogues in the treatment of abdominal wall endometriosi

La endometriosis de pared abdominal es inusual y prácticamente siempre se presenta adyacente a las incisiones quirúrgicas por procesos invasivos previos de la cavidad abdominal, con una incidencia máxima del 0,03-0,4% poscesárea y un intervalo de aparición después de la cirugía de 1 a 20 años en la mayoría de los casos. Se presenta como una masa o nódulo relacionado con la cicatriz, que suele asociarse a dolor cíclico. El diagnóstico definitivo es histológico, mediante ecografía, tomografía computarizada y punción-aspiración con aguja fina como métodos complementarios. El tratamiento de elección consiste en la extirpación quirúrgica de piel, tejido adiposo, músculo y peritoneo con una recuperación cercana al 100%; se considera útil el tratamiento adyuvante con análogos de la hormona liberadora de gonadotropina, ya que reducen el tamaño de la tumoración, facilitando que la exéresis de la fascia afectada no sea tan amplia y así evitar la necesidad del uso de mallas. Presentamos un caso clínico de una mujer de 34 años que, después de una segunda cesárea y con antecedente de endometriosis intrapélvica, fue diagnosticada de endometrioma sobre la incisión de Pfannestiel. Discutimos la sintomatología, el diagnóstico y el tratamiento de esta afección (AU)

Abdominal wall endometriosis is uncommon and is almost always adjacent to surgical scars at the site of previous abdominal operations. The maximum incidence is 0.03-0.4% in patients with previous cesarean section. The interval between the procedure and symptom onset is usually 1 to 20 years. The clinical presentation of the disease is a palpable mass near surgical scars, usually associated with cyclic pain. The hallmark in the diagnosis of endometriosis is histology. Ultrasonographic examination, computed tomography and fine-needle aspiration biopsy can be helpful. The treatment of choice is wide local excision with a recovery rate of nearly 100%. Adjuvant treatment with GnRH analogues is used to reduce the size of the mass, thus facilitating fascial excision to avoid synthetic mesh placement. We present a case of cutaneous scar endometriosis occurring in the site of a second cesarean section scar in a 34-year-old woman with a prior history of intrapelvic endometriosis. The clinical findings, diagnosis and treatment of this disease are discussed (AU)