Variation in the composition and in vitro proinflammatory effect of urban particulate matter from different sites.

Spatial variation in particulate matter-related health and toxicological outcomes is partly due to its composition. We studied spatial variability in particle composition and induced cellular responses in Mexico City to complement an ongoing epidemiologic study. We measured elements, endotoxins, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in two particle size fractions collected in five sites. We compared the in vitro proinflammatory response of J774A.1 and THP-1 cells after exposure to particles, measuring subsequent TNFα and IL-6 secretion. Particle composition varied by site and size. Particle constituents were subjected to principal component analysis, identifying three components: C(1) (Si, Sr, Mg, Ca, Al, Fe, Mn, endotoxin), C(2) (polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons), and C(3) (Zn, S, Sb, Ni, Cu, Pb). Induced TNFα levels were higher and more heterogeneous than IL-6 levels. Cytokines produced by both cell lines only correlated with C(1) , suggesting that constituents associated with soil induced the inflammatory response and explain observed spatial differences.

Particulate matter promotes in vitro receptor-recognizable low-density lipoprotein oxidation and dysfunction of lipid receptors.

Particulate matter may promote cardiovascular disease, possibly as a consequence of its oxidative potential. Studies using susceptible animals indicate that particulate matter aggravates atherosclerosis by increasing lipid/macrophage content in plaques. Macrophage lipid uptake requires oxidized low-density lipoprotein and scavenger receptors; same receptors are involved in particulate matter uptake. We studied in vitro particulate matter potential to oxidize low-density lipoproteins and subsequent cell uptake through scavenger receptors. Particulate matter-induced low-density lipoproteins oxidation was evaluated by the thiobarbituric acid assay. Binding/internalization was tested in wild type and scavenger receptor-transfected Chinese hamster ovary cells, and in RAW264.7 cells using fluorescently labeled low-density lipoproteins. Dose-dependent binding/internalization only occurred in scavenger receptor-transfected Chinese hamster ovary cells and RAW264.7 cells. Competition binding/internalization using particles showed that particulate matter induced decreased binding (∼50%) and internalization (∼70%) of particle-oxidized low-density lipoproteins and native low-density lipoproteins. Results indicate that particulate matter was capable of oxidizing low-density lipoproteins, favoring macrophage internalization, and also altered scavenger and low-density lipoproteins receptor function.

The oxidative potential and biological effects induced by PM10 obtained in Mexico City and at a receptor site during the MILAGRO Campaign.

As part of a field campaign that studied the impact of Mexico City pollution plume at the local, sub-regional and regional levels, we studied transport-related changes in PM(10) composition, oxidative potential and in vitro toxicological patterns (hemolysis, DNA degradation). We collected PM(10) in Mexico City (T(0)) and at a suburban-receptor site (T(1)), pooled according to two observed ventilation patterns (T(0) → T(1) influence and non-influence). T(0) samples contained more Cu, Zn, and carbon whereas; T(1) samples contained more of Al, Si, P, S, and K (p < 0.05). Only SO(4)(-2) increased in T(1) during the influence periods. Oxidative potential correlated with Cu/Zn content (r = 0.74; p < 0.05) but not with biological effects. T(1) PM(10) induced greater hemolysis and T(0) PM(10) induced greater DNA degradation. Influence/non-influence did not affect oxidative potential nor biological effects. Results indicate that ventilation patterns had little effect on intrinsic PM(10) composition and toxicological potential, which suggests a significant involvement of local sources.

Utilidad del monitoreo ambulatorio de la presión arterial. Experiencia cubana de 104 casos / Usefulness of the ambulatory monitoring of arterial pressure. Cuban experience of 104 cases

Se estudiaron 152 pacientes mediante el Monitoreo Ambulatorio de Presión Arterial (MAPA) remitidos de la Consulta Especializada de Hipertensión Arterial del Hospital Hermanos Ameijeiras por comportamiento no habitual de su hipertensión, previamente diagnosticada por el método aneroide. De ellos, se tomaron para el estudio 104 con 90 por ciento o más de registros efectivos para un estudio prospectivo, longitudinal y descriptivo, con análisis estadístico empleando pruebas t-test independiente (p<0,05). El 52,8 por ciento de los pacientes sospechosos de hipertensión ligera resultaron no serlo. Se describió la aparición de hipertensión nocturna. Se halló que las presiones iniciales fueron mayores comparadas con las del resto del estudio de 24 h. Los pacientes normotensos difieren de los hipertensos, en que en los últimos hay una disminución importante en la aparición del fenómeno Dipper y predomina la hipertensión al despertar, con riesgo incrementado para la aparición de complicaciones vasculares. Se concluyó que este método de monitoreo resulta efectivo para el monitoreo de 24 h en el estudio de aquellos pacientes hipertensos que no han tenido la evolución clínica esperada después de diagnosticados, además, contribuye al conocimiento de cómo se comportan algunas variables pronósticas novedosas en el ámbito del manejo de la hipertensión arterial.

152 patients were studied by Ambulatory Monitoring of Arterial Pressure (AMAP) referred to the Specialized Department of Arterial Hypertension of Hermanos Ameijeiras Hospital because of the unsual behavior of their hypertension, previously diagnosed by the aneroid method. Of them, 104 with 90 percent or more of effective registries were taken for a prospective, longitudinal and descriptive study with statistical analysis, using independent t tests (p < 0.05). 52.8 percent of the patients suspected of mild hypertension were not hypertensive. The appearance of night hypertension was described. It was observed that the initial pressures were higher compared with the rest of the 24-hour study. The normotensive patients differ from the hypertensive. In the latter, there is an important reduction in the appearance of Dipper's phenomenon and there is a predominance of hypertension on awakening, with increased risk for the appearance of vascular complications. This monitoring method proved to be effective for the 24-hour monitoring in the study of those hypertensive patients, who have not had the expected clinical evolution after being diagnosed. It also contributes to know how some novel prognostic variables behave in the management of arterial hypertension.

Utilidad del monitoreo ambulatorio de la presión arterial. Experiencia cubana de 104 casos / Usefulness of the ambulatory monitoring of arterial pressure. Cuban experience of 104 cases

Se estudiaron 152 pacientes mediante el Monitoreo Ambulatorio de Presión Arterial (MAPA) remitidos de la Consulta Especializada de Hipertensión Arterial del Hospital Hermanos Ameijeiras por comportamiento no habitual de su hipertensión, previamente diagnosticada por el método aneroide. De ellos, se tomaron para el estudio 104 con 90 por ciento o más de registros efectivos para un estudio prospectivo, longitudinal y descriptivo, con análisis estadístico empleando pruebas t-test independiente (p<0,05). El 52,8 por ciento de los pacientes sospechosos de hipertensión ligera resultaron no serlo. Se describió la aparición de hipertensión nocturna. Se halló que las presiones iniciales fueron mayores comparadas con las del resto del estudio de 24 h. Los pacientes normotensos difieren de los hipertensos, en que en los últimos hay una disminución importante en la aparición del fenómeno Dipper y predomina la hipertensión al despertar, con riesgo incrementado para la aparición de complicaciones vasculares. Se concluyó que este método de monitoreo resulta efectivo para el monitoreo de 24 h en el estudio de aquellos pacientes hipertensos que no han tenido la evolución clínica esperada después de diagnosticados, además, contribuye al conocimiento de cómo se comportan algunas variables pronósticas novedosas en el ámbito del manejo de la hipertensión arterial (AU)

152 patients were studied by Ambulatory Monitoring of Arterial Pressure (AMAP) referred to the Specialized Department of Arterial Hypertension of Hermanos Ameijeiras Hospital because of the unsual behavior of their hypertension, previously diagnosed by the aneroid method. Of them, 104 with 90 percent or more of effective registries were taken for a prospective, longitudinal and descriptive study with statistical analysis, using independent t tests (p < 0.05). 52.8 percent of the patients suspected of mild hypertension were not hypertensive. The appearance of night hypertension was described. It was observed that the initial pressures were higher compared with the rest of the 24-hour study. The normotensive patients differ from the hypertensive. In the latter, there is an important reduction in the appearance of Dipper's phenomenon and there is a predominance of hypertension on awakening, with increased risk for the appearance of vascular complications. This monitoring method proved to be effective for the 24-hour monitoring in the study of those hypertensive patients, who have not had the expected clinical evolution after being diagnosed. It also contributes to know how some novel prognostic variables behave in the management of arterial hypertension (AU)

Algunas consideraciones sobre enfermedades gastroduodenales en las F. A. R

Se destaca el papel que ocupa actualmente las afecciones del tractus digestivo en los militares de las F.A.R, haciendo un breve recuento del trabajo de la clínica de gastroenterología del I.S.M.M. Se ofrecen datos estadísticos del período 1980-1981 y se precisan los conceptos actuales de la duodenitis, úlcera gastroduodenal y la hernia hiatal, señalando finalmete la conducta a seguir ante éstas y los lineamientos de trabajo en los próximos años(AU)