Oleic acid reduces oxidative stress in rat brain induced by some anticancer drugs.

Oleic acid (OA) is a monounsaturated compound with many health-benefitting properties such as obesity prevention, increased insulin sensitivity, antihypertensive and immune-boosting properties, etc. The aim of this study was to analyze the effect of oleic acid (OA) and some anticancer drugs against oxidative damage induced by nitropropionic acid (NPA) in rat brain. Six groups of Wistar rats were treated as follows: Group 1, (control); group 2, OA; group 3, NPA + OA; group 4, cyclophosphamide (CPP) + OA; group 5, daunorubicin (DRB) + OA; and group 6, dexrazoxane (DXZ) + OA. All compounds were administered intraperitoneally route, every 24 h for 5 days. Their brains were extracted to measure lipoperoxidation (TBARS), H2O2, Ca+2, Mg+2 ATPase activity, glutathione (GSH) and dopamine. Glucose, hemoglobin and triglycerides were measured in blood. In cortex GSH increased in all groups, except in group 2, the group 4 showed the highest increase of this biomarker. TBARS decrease, and dopamine increase in all regions of groups 4, 5 and 6. H2O2 increased only in cerebellum/medulla oblongata of group 5 and 6. ATPase expression decreased in striatum of group 4. Glucose increased in group 6, and hemoglobin increased in groups 4 and 5. These results suggest that the increase of dopamine and the antioxidant effect of oleic acid administration during treatment with oncologic agents could result in less brain injury.

N-Acetylcysteine Attenuates Cisplatin Toxicity in the Cerebrum and Lung of Young Rats with Artificially Induced Protein Deficiency.

Neurotoxicity is a major obstacle in the effectiveness of Cisplatin in cancer chemotherapy. In this process, oxidative stress and inflammation are considered to be the main mechanisms involved in brain and lung toxicity. The aim of the present work was to study the influence of the amount of protein on some oxidative parameters in the brain and lungs of rats treated with Cisplatin (CP) and N-Acetylcysteine (NAC) as neuroprotectors. Four groups of Wistar rats, each containing six animals, were fed with a protein diet at 7% for 15 days. Thereafter, the groups were given either a unique dose of CP® 5 mg/kg or NAC® 5 mg/kg as follows: group 1 (control), NaCl 0.9% vehicle; group 2, CP; group 3, NAC; and group 4, NAC + CP. The animals were sacrificed immediately after the treatments. Blood samples were collected upon sacrifice and used to measure blood triglycerides and glucose. The brain and lungs of each animal were obtained and used to assay lipid peroxidation (TBARS), glutathione (GSH), serotonin metabolite (5-HIAA), catalase, and the activity of Ca+2, and Mg+2 ATPase using validated methods. TBARS, H2O2, and GSH were found to be significantly decreased in the cortex and cerebellum/medulla oblongata of the groups treated with CP and NAC. The total ATPase showed a significant increase in the lung and cerebellum/medulla oblongata, while 5-HIAA showed the same tendency in the cortex of the same group of animals. The increase in 5-HIAA and ATPase during NAC and CP administration resulted in brain protection. This effect could be even more powerful when membrane fluidity is increased, thus proving the efficacy of combined NAC and CP drug therapy, which appears to be a promising strategy for future chemotherapy in malnourished patients.

Intake of oligoelements with cytarabine or etoposide alters dopamine levels and oxidative damage in rat brain.

Research on the relationships between oligoelements (OE) and the development of cancer or its prevention is a field that is gaining increasing relevance. The aim was to evaluate OE and their interactions with oncology treatments (cytarabine or etoposide) to determine the effects of this combination on biogenic amines and oxidative stress biomarkers in the brain regions of young Wistar rats. Dopamine (DA), 5-Hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-Hiaa), Glutathione (Gsh), Tiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) and Ca+2, Mg+2 ATPase enzyme activity were measured in brain regions tissues using spectrophometric and fluorometric methods previously validated. The combination of oligoelements and cytarabine increased dopamine in the striatum but decreased it in cerebellum/medulla-oblongata, whereas the combination of oligoelements and etoposide reduced lipid peroxidation. These results suggest that supplementation with oligoelements modifies the effects of cytarabine and etoposide by redox pathways, and may become promising therapeutic targets in patients with cancer.

A microfluidic card-based electrochemical assay for the detection of sulfonamide resistance genes.

Most electroanalytical detection schemes for DNA markers require considerable time and effort from expert personnel to thoroughly follow the analysis and obtain reliable outcomes. This work aims to present an electrochemical assay performed inside a small card-based platform powered by microfluidic manipulation, requiring minimal human intervention and consumables. The assay couples a sample/signal dual amplification and DNA-modified magnetic particles for the detection of DNA amplification products. Particularly, the sul1 and sul4 genes involved in the resistance against sulfonamide antibiotics were analyzed. As recognized by the World Health Organization, antimicrobial resistance threatens global public health by hampering medication efficacy against infections. Consequently, analytical methods for the determination of such genes in environmental and clinical matrices are imperative. Herein, the resistance genes were extracted from E. coli cells and amplified using an enzyme-assisted isothermal amplification at 37 °C. The amplification products were analyzed in an easily-produced, low-cost, card-based set-up implementing a microfluidic system, demanding limited manual work and small sample volumes. The target amplicon was thus captured and isolated using versatile DNA-modified magnetic beads injected into the microchannel and exposed to the various reagents in a continuously controlled microfluidic flow. After the optimization of the efficiency of each phase of the assay, the platform achieved limits of detections of 44.2 pmol L-1 for sul1 and 48.5 pmol L-1 for sul4, and was able to detect down to ≥500-fold diluted amplification products of sul1 extracted from E. coli living cells in around 1 h, thus enabling numerous end-point analyses with a single amplification reaction.

Habilitation of Executive Functions in Pediatric Congenital Heart Disease Patients through LEGO®-Based Therapy: A Quasi-Experimental Study.

Congenital heart disease is defined as an abnormality in the cardiocirculatory structure or function. Various studies have shown that patients with this condition may present cognitive deficits. To compensate for this, several therapeutic strategies have been developed, among them, the LEGO® Education sets, which use the pedagogic enginery to modify cognitive function by didactic material based on mechanics and robotics principles. Accordingly, the goal of this study was to evaluate the effect of cognitive habilitation by using LEGO®-based therapy in pediatric congenital heart disease patients. This was a quasi-experimental study; eligible patients were identified, and their general data were obtained. In the treatment group, an initial evaluation with the neuropsychological BANFE-2 test was applied; then, once a week, the interventions were performed, with a final test at the end of the interventions. In the control group, after the initial evaluation, a second appointment was scheduled for the final evaluation. Our results show that >50% of children presented cognitive impairment; nevertheless, there was an overall improvement in treatment patients, showing a significant increase in BANFE scores in areas related to executive functions. LEGO®-based therapy may be useful to improve cognitive abilities; however, future research should be performed to strengthen the data.

A putative siderophore receptor of Gallibacterium anatis 12656-12 under Fur control also binds hemoglobin.

Pasteurellaceae family members obtain iron directly from host proteins or through siderophore-dependent mechanisms. Although Gallibacterum anatis expresses different virulence factors, its response to growth under iron restriction is unknown. G. anatis cultured in the presence of 2,2'-dipyridyl, up-expressed an approximately 65 kDa protein and repressed the expression of a 70 kDa protein. MALDI-TOF analysis of those proteins indicated homology with CirA (65 kDa), a protein involved in iron-siderophore acquisition in Mannheimia succinoproducens and a TonB-dependent receptor (70 kDa protein), a protein that binds chicken hemoglobin; however, G. anatis siderophore production was not detected by chromo azurol S (CAS)-BHI agar determination. This putative G. anatis siderophore receptor is under Fur control, but not the hemoglobin binding protein, as observed in G. anatis 12656-12 fur mutant (Ω fur 126.13) grown in the presence or not of 2,2'-dipyridyl. The addition of FeCl3 to the culture medium diminished the growth and biofilm production in approximately 30% and 35%, respectively, in the wild-type strain, but the growth of Ω fur 126.13 strain was not affected and biofilm production increased in 35%. G. anatis Ω fur 126.13 presented lower virulence when it was inoculated to 35-day-old chickens in comparison to the wild-type strain. The induction of more than one iron uptake mechanism could benefit pathogenic microorganisms such as Gallibacterium.

Inflammatory Process and Immune System in Major Depressive Disorder.

Major depressive disorder (MDD) is one of the most common psychiatric illnesses in the general population. In mental disorders, the activation of inflammatory pathways in the brain is a major producer of excitotoxicity and an inducer of oxidative stress. The occurrence of these 2 events is partly responsible for the neuronal damage inherent in patients with mental disorders. In the case of MDD, the release of hormone and increase in pro-inflammatory cytokines in plasma and indicators of oxidative stress have been identified as consequences of this event. The most important affectations in patients with MDD are changes in their cognitive and executive functions due to brain inflammation. Hence, these biomarkers can serve as diagnostic and severity classification tools and treatment. In this work, we described the communication pathway between the immune and neuroendocrine systems in MDD and suggested possible therapeutic options for the disease.

Importance of Cry Proteins in Biotechnology: Initially a Bioinsecticide, Now a Vaccine Adjuvant.

A hallmark of Bacillus thuringiensis bacteria is the formation of one or more parasporal crystal (Cry) proteins during sporulation. The toxicity of these proteins is highly specific to insect larvae, exerting lethal effects in different insect species but not in humans or other mammals. The aim of this review is to summarize previous findings on Bacillus thuringiensis, including the characteristics of the bacterium, its subsequent contribution to biotechnology as a bioinsecticide due to the presence of Cry proteins, and its potential application as an adjuvant. In several studies, Cry proteins have been administered together with specific antigens to immunize experimental animal models. The results have shown that these proteins can enhance immunogenicity by generating an adequate immune response capable of protecting the model against an experimental infectious challenge, whereas protection is decreased when the specific antigen is administered without the Cry protein. Therefore, based on previous results and the structural homology between Cry proteins, these molecules have arisen as potential adjuvants in the development of vaccines for both animals and humans. Finally, a model of the interaction of Cry proteins with different components of the immune response is proposed.

The Microbial Composition in Circumneutral Thermal Springs from Chignahuapan, Puebla, Mexico Reveals the Presence of Particular Sulfur-Oxidizing Bacterial and Viral Communities.

Terrestrial thermal springs are widely distributed globally, and these springs harbor a broad diversity of organisms of biotechnological interest. In Mexico, few studies exploring this kind of environment have been described. In this work, we explore the microbial community in Chignahuapan hot springs, which provides clues to understand these ecosystems' diversity. We assessed the diversity of the microorganism communities in a hot spring environment with a metagenomic shotgun approach. Besides identifying similarities and differences with other ecosystems, we achieved a systematic comparison against 11 metagenomic samples from diverse localities. The Chignahuapan hot springs show a particular prevalence of sulfur-oxidizing bacteria from the genera Rhodococcus, Thermomonas, Thiomonas, Acinetobacter, Sulfurovum, and Bacillus, highlighting those that are different from other recovered bacterial populations in circumneutral hot springs environments around the world. The co-occurrence analysis of the bacteria and viruses in these environments revealed that within the Rhodococcus, Thiomonas, Thermonas, and Bacillus genera, the Chignahuapan samples have specific species of bacteria with a particular abundance, such as Rhodococcus erytropholis. The viruses in the circumneutral hot springs present bacteriophages within the order Caudovirales (Siphoviridae, Myoviridae, and Podoviridae), but the family of Herelleviridae was the most abundant in Chignahuapan samples. Furthermore, viral auxiliary metabolic genes were identified, many of which contribute mainly to the metabolism of cofactors and vitamins as well as carbohydrate metabolism. Nevertheless, the viruses and bacteria present in the circumneutral environments contribute to the sulfur cycle. This work represents an exhaustive characterization of a community structure in samples collected from hot springs in Mexico and opens opportunities to identify organisms of biotechnological interest.

Frecuencia de la afección auditiva y los factores asociados en pacientes con artritis idiopática juvenil / Frequency of auditory involvement and of associated factors in patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis

Introducción: La artritis idiopática juvenil (AIJ) es una enfermedad autoinmune de curso crónico, caracterizada por la presencia de artritis en menores de 16 años, por más de 6 semanas en ausencia de otra causa conocida. La expresión extra articular en el sistema audiovestibular se relaciona con la afección de las articulaciones de la cadena oscicular, como consecuencia del proceso inflamatorio de la membrana sinovial. Estudios previos realizados en población infantil han reportado que la pérdida auditiva puede ser de tipo neurosensorial y/o conductiva. Objetivo: Determinar la frecuencia de la afección auditiva y los factores asociados en los pacientes con AIJ. Metodología: Estudio prospectivo y analítico. Se incluyó a 62 pacientes con AIJ con edades comprendidas entre 5 y 15 años, a partir de agosto del 2013 a enero del 2014. El estudio fue aprobado por el comité de ética local y los padres firmaron el consentimiento bajo información. Se realizó otoscopia microscópica, audiometría tonal, timpanometría, reflejo estapedial y emisiones otoacústicas transitorias (EOT); la evaluación reumatológica incluyó exploración articular y aplicación de cuestionario para la evaluación del estado de salud en la infancia (CHAQ). Se utilizaron medidas de tendencia y de dispersión; asociación χ2 con una p<0,05 para la significación estadística. Resultados: Se incluyó a 62 pacientes; 56 niñas y 6 niños, edad media 11,9 años, duración media de la enfermedad de 3,4 años; el 46% presentó AIJ poliarticular factor reumatoide (FR) positivo; el 40%, AIJ poliarticular FR negativo; el 15% AIJ sistémica y el 3% oligoarticular. Se encontró enfermedad activa en 29 pacientes y 33 en remisión con medicamentos. Se evaluaron en total 124 oídos; en 78 se encontró curva tipo As de la clasificación de Jerger, curva tipo A en 45 y en uno se reportó curva tipo AD. En la audiometría tonal no se encontró hipoacusia en ningún paciente y esta estuvo acorde con la logoaudiometría. Las EOT se encontraron ausentes en el 4% de los evaluados y sin reflejo estapedial en menos del 10%. Los factores que presentaron una asociación con la afección auditiva fueron la variedad poliarticular FR positivo, el tiempo de evolución, el índice de discapacidad y los niveles de VSG (p<0,001). Conclusión: Se encontró en más de la mitad de los pacientes estudiados alteraciones auditivas presentes en el timpanograma, asociadas con la variedad poliarticular FR positivo, tiempo de evolución, actividad de la enfermedad y la elevación de la VSG

Introduction: Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) is a chronic autoimmune disease characterized by the presence of arthritis in children under 16 years of age for more than 6 weeks in the absence of any other known cause. The extra-articular manifestations, especially in the audiovestibular system, are related to the involvement of the joints of the ossicular chain as a result of the inflammatory process in the synovium. Previous clinical studies in pediatric patients have shown conductive or sensorineural hearing loss. Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the frequency of hearing impairment and of associated factors in patients with JIA. Methodology: A prospective, analytical study was conducted from January 2013 to August 2014 in 62 patients with JIA aged between 5 and 15 years. The study was approved by the local ethics committee and parents signed their informed consent. All subjects underwent audiological examination involving otomicroscopy, audiometry, tympanometry, stapedius reflex and test for transient otoacoustic emissions (TOAE); rheumatologic evaluation included joint examination and the application of a measure of functional ability (disability) using the Childhood Health Assessment Questionnaire (CHAQ). Measures of central tendency and of dispersion were used (chi-square for associations and P<.05 for statistical significance). Results: Sixty-two patients were included: 56 girls and 6 boys, mean age 11.9 years and mean disease duration of 3.4 years; 46% had rheumatoid factor (RF)- positive polyarticular JIA, 40% had RF-negative polyarticular JIA, 15% had disease of systemic onset and 3% had oligoarthritis. Active disease was found in 29 patients and 33 were in remission with medication. Of the total of 124 ears evaluated according to the Jerger classification for tympanometry, abnormal findings were observed in 78 that were type As and in 1 that was type Ad, whereas there were 45 type A ears. Hearing loss was disclosed by speech audiometry, rather than by pure tone audiometry. The TOAE were absent in 4% of those assessed and the stapedius reflex was absent in less than 10%. Factors that had a positive correlation with hearing impairment were RF-positive polyarticular JIA, disease duration, degree of disability and the erythrocyte sedimentation rate level (P<.000). Conclusion: The presence of an abnormal tympanogram suggested early involvement in the structure of the tympanic-ossicular complex; however, 3.4 years later, no hearing loss had been reported

Frequency of auditory involvement and of associated factors in patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis. / Frecuencia de la afección auditiva y los factores asociados en pacientes con artritis idiopática juvenil.

INTRODUCTION: Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) is a chronic autoimmune disease characterized by the presence of arthritis in children under 16 years of age for more than 6 weeks in the absence of any other known cause. The extra-articular manifestations, especially in the audiovestibular system, are related to the involvement of the joints of the ossicular chain as a result of the inflammatory process in the synovium. Previous clinical studies in pediatric patients have shown conductive or sensorineural hearing loss. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to assess the frequency of hearing impairment and of associated factors in patients with JIA. METHODOLOGY: A prospective, analytical study was conducted from January 2013 to August 2014 in 62 patients with JIA aged between 5 and 15 years. The study was approved by the local ethics committee and parents signed their informed consent. All subjects underwent audiological examination involving otomicroscopy, audiometry, tympanometry, stapedius reflex and test for transient otoacoustic emissions (TOAE); rheumatologic evaluation included joint examination and the application of a measure of functional ability (disability) using the Childhood Health Assessment Questionnaire (CHAQ). Measures of central tendency and of dispersion were used (chi-square for associations and P<.05 for statistical significance). RESULTS: Sixty-two patients were included: 56 girls and 6 boys, mean age 11.9 years and mean disease duration of 3.4 years; 46% had rheumatoid factor (RF)- positive polyarticular JIA, 40% had RF-negative polyarticular JIA, 15% had disease of systemic onset and 3% had oligoarthritis. Active disease was found in 29 patients and 33 were in remission with medication. Of the total of 124 ears evaluated according to the Jerger classification for tympanometry, abnormal findings were observed in 78 that were type As and in 1 that was type Ad, whereas there were 45 type A ears. Hearing loss was disclosed by speech audiometry, rather than by pure tone audiometry. The TOAE were absent in 4% of those assessed and the stapedius reflex was absent in less than 10%. Factors that had a positive correlation with hearing impairment were RF-positive polyarticular JIA, disease duration, degree of disability and the erythrocyte sedimentation rate level (P<.000). CONCLUSION: The presence of an abnormal tympanogram suggested early involvement in the structure of the tympanic-ossicular complex; however, 3.4 years later, no hearing loss had been reported.

Neuroprogression: the hidden mechanism of depression.

For many years, depressive disorder (DD) was considered a transient and natural disease of people's mood. Its etiology had been attributed mainly to biochemical alterations of the monoamines and their receptors. Nevertheless, its prevalence and considerable impact on the family and social environment of those afflicted by it have placed the disease as a global public health problem. Neuroprogression is the term used to describe the changes in several psychiatric conditions evidenced and observed in the clinical manifestations, biochemical markers, and cerebral structures of the patients with major depressive disorder (MDD), which frequently overlap with neurodegenerative disorders. DD is considered a potentially aggressive state of neuronal deterioration involving apoptosis, reduced neurogenesis, decreased neuronal plasticity, and increased immune response. Clinically, it encompasses a poor response to treatment and an increase in depressive episodes, both of which bring about vulnerability and decline of functions associated with structural changes in the brain. The interest of this work is to review the metabolic processes involved in the morphologic alterations in the limbic system reported in patients with MDD, as well as the neurologic bases of this complex pathology that include environmental stress, genetic vulnerability, alterations in the neurotransmission, and changes in the neuroplasticity, all of which today bring into limelight a mechanism of progressive neuronal damage.

Oseltamivir and indomethacin reduce the oxidative stress in brain and stomach of infected rats.

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of oseltamivir and indomethacin on lipid peroxidation (LP), GABA levels, and ATPase activity in brain and stomach of normal and infected rats (IR), as novel inflammation model. Female Sprague Dawley rats grouped five each, either in the absence or presence of a live culture of Salmonella typhimurium (S. typh), were treated as follows: group 1 (control), PBS buffer; group 2, oseltamivir (100 mg/kg); group 3, indomethacin (67 µg/rat); group 4, oseltamivir (100 mg/kg) + indomethacin (67 µg/rat). All drugs were given intraperitoneally for 5 days. IR received the same treatments and the brain and stomach of the rats were removed in order to measure levels of GABA, LP, and total ATPase, using validated methods. Levels of GABA increased in stomach and cortex of IR with oseltamivir, but decreased in striatum and cerebellum/medulla oblongata of IR with indomethacin. LP decreased in the three brain regions of IR with oseltamivir. ATPase increased in stomach of IR and non-IR with oseltamivir and in striatum and cerebellum/medulla oblongata of IR with indomethacin. Results suggest that the effect of free radicals produced in an infection and inflammatory condition caused by S. typh could be less toxic by a combination of oseltamivir and indomethacin.

Incidencia de parejas serodiscordantes para VIH, en el Hospital Militar "Dr. Carlos Arvelo"

Desde hace años, en diversas partes del mundo conviven parejas serodiscordantes para VIH, entendiéndose como aquellas parejas que independientemente de la orientación sexual, uno de los miembros se encuentra infectado por el VIH, y el otro se encuentra sano, esto representa una condición de riesgo, ya que experimentan en su vida cotidiana, el riesgo de transmisión de manera permanente. Objetivos: 1) Determinar la frecuencia de parejas serodiscordantes que conviven con pacientes VIH/SIDA, que acuden a la consulta este centro. 2) Conocer si las diferentes prácticas sexuales favorece la seroconversión. 3) Identificar los factores de riesgos que influyen en la transmisión. Materiales y métodos: Estudio descriptivo, prospectivo, donde se identificó la orientación sexual, prácticas sexuales y revisión de la Historia clínica de los pacientes no VIH y de sus parejas VIH positivas, que acuden al Departamento de Infectología del Hospital Militar "Dr. Carlos Arvelo", en el período comprendido enero 2016 a diciembre 2016. Resultados: El universo de pacientes que acuden de forma regular es 1 894, el 2,36 % conviven en relación de pareja estable. Las parejas heterosexuales estuvieron conformada por diez (10) mujeres VIH negativas con diez hombres VIH positivo (22,73 %), y solo 1 mujer VIH positiva con 1 hombre VIH negativo (2,27 %). Las parejas homosexuales estuvieron conformadas por 11 hombres VIH negativos con 11 hombres VIH positivos, el tiempo de convivencia sabiendo el diagnóstico de VIH positivo de la pareja osciló en < 3 años (54,55 %), y > de 5 años (18,18 %). Conclusiones: Encontramos 22 parejas serodiscordantes para VIH con compañeros en tratamiento, con cargas virales indetectables, el 2,36 % conviven en relación de pareja estable. No encontramos transmisión sexual del VIH que esté asociada con los diferentes tipos de prácticas sexuales, se puede inferir que el 100 % de estas parejas asumieron ese riesgo.

For several years, HIV-serodiscordant couples have been living together in different parts of the world, meaning that couples who, regardless of their sexual orientation, are HIV-infected and the other healthy. risk, as they experience the risk of transmission permanently in their daily lives. Objectives: 1) Determine the frequency of serodiscordant couples who live with HIV / AIDS patients, who come to the center for consultation. 2) Know if different sexual practices favor seroconversion. 3) Identify the risk factors that influence the transmission. Materials and methods: Descriptive, prospective study identifying sexual orientation, sexual practices and review of the clinical history of non-HIV patients and their HIV-positive partners, who come to the Department of Infectious Diseases of the Military Hospital "Dr. Carlos Arvelo", in the period from January 2016 to December 2016. Results: The universe of patients who attend regularly is 1 894, 2.36 % live together in a stable relationship. The heterosexual couples consisted of ten (10) HIV negative women with ten HIV positive men (22.73 %), and only 1 HIV positive woman with 1 HIV negative man (2.27 %). The homosexual couples consisted of 11 HIV-negative men with 11 HIV-positive men, the time of cohabitation knowing the positive HIV diagnosis of the couple oscillated in <3 years (54.55 %), and in> of 5 years (18,18 %). Conclusions: We found 22 serodiscordant couples for HIV with partners in treatment, with undetectable viral loads, 2.36 % coexist in a stable relationship. We do not find sexual transmission of HIV that is associated with different types of sexual practices, it can be inferred that 100 % of these couples assumed that risk.

Patrón epidemiológico de los nuevos diagnósticos de VIH/SIDA en el Hospital Militar Dr. Carlos Arvelo"

Introducción: El estudio de los cambios de los patrones epidemiológicos en las nuevas infecciones por el VIH es la herramienta principal para lograr el control de la epidemia, esto permite un desarrollo adecuado de la prevención. Objetivos: 1) Cuantificar los nuevos diagnósticos de VIH/SIDA, en la consulta de Infectología. 2) Describir las características epidemiológicas de las personas con diagnóstico reciente de infección por VIH/SIDA. 3) Contribuir a la Vigilancia epidemiológica Nacional de VIH/SIDA. Materiales y Métodos: Se incluyeron todos los nuevos diagnósticos de VIH, Estudio transversal, Ámbito: Hospital Militar "Dr. Carlos Arvelo". Para el análisis se realizó distribución de frecuencia de las variables de interés, cálculo de porcentajes simples y promedios. Resultados: Se evidenciaron 1 111 nuevos diagnósticos de VIH, predominó el sexo masculino (79,93 %), el promedio de edad 32,37, DE 10,90, con edades comprendidas 21 ­ 30 (45,27 %). La Tasa de envejecimiento es de 23,09, relación de dependencia de los jóvenes 8,30, y de ancianos 2,16. El mecanismo de transmisión más probable fue contacto sexual entre heterosexuales (45,99 %), promiscuidad (40,41 %). Discusión: La vía predominante de transmisión del VIH/ SIDA en todos los países latinoamericanos es la sexual, en esta revisión no hubo diferencias. La transmisión heterosexual se mantiene en un nivel endémico estable, las actividades de prevención continúan. Hay una disminución progresiva del número de casos, lo que coincide con algunos estudios españoles. Conclusiones: Se identificaron 1 111 nuevos diagnósticos de VIH/SIDA, la mayor parte de las infecciones VIH diagnosticadas en el período se atribuyeron a relaciones sexuales de riesgo en heterosexuales.

Introduction: The study of changes in epidemiological patterns in new HIV infections is the main tool to achieve control of the epidemic, which allows an adequate development of prevention. Objective: 1) To quantify the new diagnoses of HIV / AIDS, in the Infectology consultation. 2) Describe the epidemiological characteristics of people with a recent diagnosis of HIV / AIDS infection. 3) Contribute to the National Epidemiological Surveillance of HIV / AIDS. Materials and Methods: We included all new HIV diagnoses, Cross-sectional study, Scope: Military Hospital "Dr. Carlos Arvelo ". For the analysis we performed frequency distribution of the variables of interest, calculation of simple percentages and averages. Results: There were 1 111 new HIV diagnoses, predominantly male (79.93 %), mean age 32.37, ED 10.90, aged 21-30 (45.27 %). The rate of aging is 23.09, dependency ratio of young people 8.30, and of elderly 2.16. The most likely mechanism of transmission was sexual contact between heterosexuals (45.99 %), promiscuity (40.41 %). Discussion: The predominant route of transmission of HIV / AIDS in all Latin American countries is sexual, in this review there were no differences. Heterosexual transmission remains at a stable endemic level, prevention activities continue. There is a progressive decrease in the number of cases, which coincides with some Spanish studies. Conclusions: A total of 1 111 new HIV / AIDS diagnoses were identified, most of the HIV infections diagnosed in the period were attributed to risky sex in heterosexuals.

Coinfección tuberculosis y VIH/SIDA, en el Hospital Militar "Dr. Carlos Arvelo"

Las personas infectadas por el VIH/SIDA afrontan un mayor riesgo de presentar tuberculosis, el impacto de la coinfección VIH y tuberculosis es bidireccional. Objetivos: 1) Determinar la frecuencia de tuberculosis en pacientes con VIH/SIDA, que acudieron a la consulta de Infectología enero 2005 a diciembre 2016. 2) Determinar la prevalencia de diagnósticos simultáneos de tuberculosis con nuevos diagnósticos de VIH/SIDA. 3) Describir las características epidemiológicas de las personas coinfectadas tuberculosis/VIH. Materiales y métodos: Estudio transversal, Ámbito: Hospital Militar "Dr. Carlos Arvelo". Para el análisis se realizó distribución de frecuencia de las variables de interés, calculo porcentaje simple y promedios. Resultados: Se diagnosticaron 99 pacientes coinfectados tuberculosis / VIH, la mayoría fueron hombres (80,81 %), promedio de edad 35, la presentación más frecuente fue la pulmonar 67,68 % y con CD4+ < 200 células/dL 48,72.%, con prevalencia del 5 %, al correlacionar método diagnóstico/ tuberculosis pulmonar/CD4+, encontramos 32,05 %, con diagnóstico por baciloscopia. Discusión: La tuberculosis puede ocurrir en cualquier etapa de la enfermedad del VIH y con cualquier recuento de CD4+, sin embargo, al disminuir el contaje de CD4+, aumenta la incidencia de tuberculosis. Conclusiones: Este estudio dejar ver que los pacientes coinfectados tuberculosis /VIH, presenta riesgo de manifestar tuberculosis con más incidencia cuando tienen CD4 + por debajo de 200 células/dL e independiente de la carga viral VIH, por lo que se debe realizar énfasis en el diagnóstico precoz. La detección temprana de la tuberculosis en individuos con o en vulnerabilidad por VIH es prioritaria, porque esto minimiza la interacción devastadora entre estas dos enfermedades.

People infected with HIV / AIDS face an increased risk of presenting tuberculosis (TB), the impact of HIV and tuberculosis coinfection is bidirectional. Objectives: 1) To determine the frequency of tuberculosis in patients with HIV / AIDS, who attended the Infectology consultation from January 2005 to December 2016. 2) To determine the prevalence of simultaneous diagnoses of tuberculosis with new diagnoses of HIV / AIDS. 3) Describe the epidemiological characteristics of tuberculosis / HIV coinfected persons. Materials and methods: Crosssectional study, Scope: Military Hospital "Dr. Carlos Arvelo". For the analysis, the frequency distribution of the variables of interest, simple percentage calculation and averages were performed. Results: A total of 99 tuberculosis / HIV coinfected patients were diagnosed, most of them men (80.81 %), mean age 35, the most frequent presentation was pulmonary 67.68 % and CD4+ < 200 cells / dL 48.72 %, with prevalence 5 %, when correlating diagnostic method / pulmonary tuberculosis / CD4+, we found 32.05 %, with diagnosis by smear microscopy. Discussion: Tuberculosis can occur at any stage of HIV disease and with any CD4+ count, but decreasing CD4+ counts increases the incidence of tuberculosis. Conclusions: This study shows that coinfected tuberculosis / HIV patients are at risk of developing tuberculosis with a higher incidence when they have CD4+ cell counts below 200 cells / dL and independent of HIV viral load, so emphasis should be placed on diagnosis early. Early detection of tuberculosis in individuals with or with vulnerability to HIV is a priority because this minimizes the devastating interaction between these two diseases.

Assessment of Mexican Arnica (Heterotheca inuloides Cass) and Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) Extracts on Dopamine and Selected Biomarkers of Oxidative Stress in Stomach and Brain of Salmonella typhimurium Infected rats.

BACKGROUND: The effects of some natural products on dopamine (DA) and 5-hydroxyindole acetic acid (5-HIAA) in brain of infected models are still unclear. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to measure the effect of Mexican arnica/rosemary (MAR) water extract and oseltamivir on both biogenic amines and some oxidative biomarkers in the brain and stomach of young rats under infection condition. METHODS: Female Wistar rats (weight 80 g) in the presence of MAR or absence (no-MAR) were treated as follows: group 1, buffer solution (controls); oseltamivir (100 mg/kg), group 2; culture of Salmonella typhimurium (S.Typh) (1 × 106 colony-forming units/rat) group 3; oseltamivir (100 mg/kg) + S.Typh (same dose) group 4. Drug and extracts were administered intraperitoneally every 24 h for 5 days, and S.Typh was given orally on days 1 and 3. On the fifth day, blood was collected to measure glucose and hemoglobin. The brains and stomachs were obtained to measure levels of DA, 5-HIAA, glutathione (GSH), TBARS, H2O2, and total ATPase activity using validated methods. RESULTS: DA levels increased in MAR group treated with oseltamivir alone but decreased in no-MAR group treated with oseltamivir plus S.Typh. 5-HIAA, GSH, and H2O2 decreased in this last group, and ATPase activity increased in MAR group treated with oseltamivir plus S.Typh. TBARS (lipid peroxidation) increased in MAR group that received oseltamivir alone. Most of the biomarkers were not altered significantly in the stomach. CONCLUSION: MAR extract alters DA and metabolism of 5-HIAA in the brain of young animals infected. Antioxidant capacity may be involved in these effects. SUMMARY: The purpose of this study was to measure the effect of Mexican arnica/rosemary water extract and oseltamivir on both biogenic amines and some oxidative biomarkers in the brain and stomach of young rats under infection condition. Results: Mexican arnica and rosemary extract alter dopamine and metabolism of 5-HIAA in the brain of young animals infected. Antioxidant capacity may be involved in these effects. Abbreviations used: AS: Automated system, ATP: Adenosine triphosphate, CNS: Central nervous system, CFU: Colony-forming unit, DA: Dopamine EDTA: Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid, 5-HIAA: Äcido 5-hidroxindolacético (serotonina), GABA: γ-aminobutyric acid, GSH: Glutathione, H2O2: Hidrogen peroxide, HCLO4: Perchloric acid, iNOS: Inducible nitric oxide synthase, LPS: Lipopolysaccharides, MAR: Arnica/Rosemary, NaCl: Sodium Chloride, NOGSH: nitrosoglutathione, NOS: Nitric oxide, OPT: Ortho-phtaldialdehyde, Pbs: Phosphate buffered saline, pH: potential of Hydrogen, Pi: Inorganic phosphate, ROS: Reactive oxygen species, RNSs: Reactive nitrogen species Tba: Thiobarbaturic acid, TBARS: Thiobarbituric aid reactive, Tca: Trichloroacetic, Tris-HCL: Tris hydrochloride, TSA: Trypticasein Soya Agar.

Pensamiento militar del Che: su contribución a la educación patriótica en estudiantes de ciencias médicas / Che's military thinking: its contribution to the patriotic education in medical students

Fundamento: el desarrollo de una cultura patriótica en los jóvenes cubanos es un aspecto esencial en la formación de valores en la educación superior. Objetivo: elaborar acciones extracurriculares que desde el pensamiento militar de Ernesto Guevara, contribuyan a la educación patriótica de los estudiantes de las ciencias médicas. Métodos: se realizó una investigación de desarrollo con enfoque cualitativo durante el curso escolar 2014-2015 en la Universidad de Ciencias Médicas de Villa Clara. Se aplicaron métodos del nivel teórico: análisis-síntesis e inducción-deducción, y empíricos: análisis documental, y la encuesta en forma de cuestionario a estudiantes, para diagnosticar el conocimiento que tienen acerca del pensamiento militar de Ernesto Guevara y su contribución a la educación patriótica. Resultados: en los planes de estudio se declaran estrategias curriculares para complementar la formación profesional. Comprenden la educación patriótica, ambiental, económica, la cultura informática, conocimientos sobre historia de Cuba y de la profesión, el dominio de un idioma extranjero y conocimientos sobre preparación para la defensa del país. En el cuestionario aplicado se diagnosticaron algunas carencias en la educación patriótico-militar y valores en los estudiantes, reflejados en poca motivación para presentar trabajos investigativos que les permitan participar en los talleres patriótico-militares e internacionalistas tanto a nivel de base, regional y nacional, no reflejan sentirse involucrados directamente en ellos, por lo que se propusieron acciones extracurriculares para su estimulación y desarrollo. Conclusiones: la propuesta fue valorada por los especialistas consultados, quienes la consideran como pertinente y factible de ejecutar.

Background: the development of a patriotic culture in Cuban youngsters is an essential aspect in the formation of values in higher education. Objective: to develop extracurricular actions from the military thinking of Ernesto Guevara, contribute to the patriotic education of students of medical sciences. Methods: a development research was carried out within the qualitative approach during the school year 2014-2015 at Villa Clara University of Medical Sciences. Theoretical methods were applied: analysis-synthesis and induction-deduction, and empirical ones: document analysis and survey, in the form of questionnaire to students to diagnose their knowledge about the military thinking of Ernesto Guevara and its contribution to patriotic education. Results: in the curriculum are declared curricular strategies to complement professional training. They include patriotic education, environmental, economics, computer literacy, knowledge about the history of Cuba and the profession, mastering a foreign language and knowledge of preparation for the defense of the country. In the applied questionnaire deficiencies were diagnosed in the patriotic-military education and values in students, reflected in little motivation for presenting research papers enabling them to participate in the patriotic-military and internationalists workshops either at school regional or national level, they do not reflect to feel directly involved on them, so extracurricular activities for stimulation and development were proposed. Conclusions: the proposal was assessed by the experts consulted, who considered it as relevant and feasible to implement.

Pensamiento militar del Che: su contribución a la educación patriótica en estudiantes de ciencias médicas / Che's military thinking: its contribution to the patriotic education in medical students

Fundamento: el desarrollo de una cultura patriótica en los jóvenes cubanos es un aspecto esencial en la formación de valores en la educación superior. Objetivo: elaborar acciones extracurriculares que desde el pensamiento militar de ErnestoGuevara, contribuyan a la educación patriótica de los estudiantes de las ciencias médicas. Métodos: se realizó una investigación de desarrollo con enfoque cualitativo durante el cursoescolar 2014-2015 en la Universidad de Ciencias Médicas de Villa Clara. Se aplicaron métodos del nivel teórico: análisis-síntesis e inducción-deducción, y empíricos: análisis documental, y la encuesta en forma de cuestionario a estudiantes, para diagnosticar elconocimiento que tienen acerca del pensamiento militar de Ernesto Guevara y su contribución a la educación patriótica. Resultados: en los planes de estudio se declaran estrategias curriculares paracomplementar la formación profesional. Comprenden la educación patriótica, ambiental, económica, la cultura informática, conocimientos sobre historia de Cuba y de la profesión, el dominio de un idioma extranjero y conocimientos sobre preparación para la defensa del país.En el cuestionario aplicado se diagnosticaron algunas carencias en la educación patriótico-militar y valores en los estudiantes, reflejados en poca motivación para presentar trabajosinvestigativos que les permitan participar en los talleres patriótico-militares e internacionalistas tanto a nivel de base, regional y nacional, no reflejan sentirse involucradosdirectamente en ellos, por lo que se propusieron acciones extracurriculares para su estimulación y desarrollo.Conclusiones: la propuesta fue valorada por los especialistas consultados, quienes la consideran como pertinente y factible de ejecutar(AU)

Effect of cerebrolysin on dopaminergic neurodegeneration of rat with oxidative stress induced by 3-nitropropionic acid.

The study tested the hypothesis that cerebrolysin protects the brain from free radicals in rats treated with 3-nitropropionic acid (3-NPA). To address this hypothesis, the levels of dopamine (DA) and some oxidative stress biomarkers were measured after administration of 3-NPA. Young male Fischer rats were treated for three days with cerebrolysin, 3-NPA or both substances. Their brains were extracted, and DA, lipid peroxidation (LP), glutathione (GSH), calcium, and H2O2 were measured using validated methods. In the cortex, hemispheres and cerebellum/medulla oblongata of the group treated with cerebrolysin and 3-NPA, the levels of DA and LP decreased. In addition, calcium and H2O2 levels decreased in the hemispheres of the same group, while GSH increased in cortex. The increased dopamine metabolism due to the administration of cerebrolysin led to increased formation of radical species and oxidative stress, especially when free radicals were generated by 3-NPA.