Addition of ß-glucans in diets for tropical gar (Atractosteus tropicus) larvae: effects on growth, digestive enzymes and gene expression of intestinal epithelial integrity and immune system.

The effect of ß-glucans 1,3/1,6 from Saccharomyces cerevisiae yeast at different inclusion percentages (0.0, 0.2, 0.4, 0.6, and 0.8%) in the diet for tropical gar (Atractosteus tropicus) larvae was evaluated on growth, digestive enzyme activity and, relative expression of the immune system genes. The bioassay started on the third day after hatching (DAH) and lasted 21 days, using a total of 1500 larvae of 0.055 ± 0.008 g and, a total length of 2.46 ± 0.26 cm. Larviculture was carried out in a recirculation system with 15 tanks of 70 L using a density of 100 organisms per experimental unit. No significant differences in larval growth were observed by the inclusion of ß-glucans (p > 0.05). Digestive enzymes showed changes in lipase and trypsin activities, presenting higher values in fish fed 0.6% and 0.8% ß-glucans diets compared to the other treatments (p < 0.05). Leucine-aminopeptidase, chymotrypsin, acid phosphatase, and alkaline phosphatase activity showed higher activities in larvae fed with a 0.4% ß-glucan diet compared to the control group. The relative expression of intestinal membrane integrity (mucin 2) muc-2, (occludins) occ, (nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain) nod-2, and immune system lys (lysosome) genes showed over-expression in larvae fed the 0.4% ß-glucan diet to the rest of the treatments (p < 0.05). The inclusion of ß-glucans at 0.4-0.6% in diets for A. tropicus larvae could improve larviculture, as effects on the increase in the activity of several digestive enzymes and the expression of genes of the immune system.

Condición nutricional de escolares indígenas otomíes en situación de alta marginación / Nutritional status of indigenous Otomi schoolchildren in high marginal situation / Estado nutricional de população escolar de cultura indígena otomí em situação de alta marginalização

Resumen Introducción: El panorama de la salud y nutrición de la población mexicana se enmarca en la conjunción de desnutrición crónica infantil, sobre todo en el medio rural e indígena, y el incremento significativo del sobrepeso y obesidad. Esta información proveniente de encuestas arroja resultados generalizados, sin considerar las particularidades del contexto biosociocultural en que viven comunidades indígenas, codeterminante de la condición nutricional de éstas. Objetivo: Estudiar el estatus nutricional de un grupo de escolares de cultura otomí residentes en una comunidad de México en situación de marginación, considerando el contexto biosociocultural en el que viven. Métodos: Estudio prospectivo transversal realizado en una localidad del Estado de México. Muestra por conveniencia constituida por 214 menores, entre 6 y 12 años de edad. Se emplearon técnicas antropométricas internacionalmente aceptadas para recabar la estatura y el peso, y se calculó el IMC. El estatus de nutrición se estimó con base en el peso, la estatura y el IMC para la edad y se compararon con los referentes de la OMS. Resultados: La prevalencia de estatura baja para la edad y la desnutrición es menor, no así el sobrepeso/obesidad que afecta a un tercio de los menores. Solo para el IMC por edad y sexo hubo diferencias en ciertos grupos de edad. Las puntuaciones z de los tres indicadores son semejantes entre niños y niñas. Discusión y Conclusiones: En comparación con los parámetros nacional y estatal, los menores estudiados muestran prevalencia menor de sobrepeso y obesidad asociado a su contexto sociocultural.

Abstract Introduction: The health and nutrition outlook of the Mexican population may be framed in terms of chronic infant malnutrition, largely in the rural and indigenous sectors, and a significant increase in overweight and obesity. This general information is obtained from surveys without taking into account the biosociocultural context that is a codeterminant of the nutritional condition of many small indigenous communities. Objective: To study the nutritional status of Otomí school children living in a marginalized Mexican community from the perspective of the biosociocultural context in which they live. Methods: This is a prospective and transversal study carried out in a location of the state of México, México. The convenience sample was constituted by 214 children between 6 and 12 years old. Internationally accepted anthropometric techniques were used to collect data on the height and weight of these children. BMIs were calculated. The status of nutrition was estimated based on the expected weight, height, and BMI for each age. These data were compared with the corresponding WHO references. Results: The prevalence of low height and malnutrition related to the ages of these children was found to be low, but one in three of these children was found to be overweight or obese. There were some age groups differences regarding the BMI. The z scores of the three indicators are similar between boys and girls. Discussion and Conclusions: In comparison to the national and state parameters, the children studied showed a low prevalence of overweight and obesity associated with their sociocultural context.

Resumo Introdução: O panorama da saúde e nutrição da população mexicana se enquadra na conjunção de desnutrição infantil crónica, sobretudo no médio rural e indígena, e o incremento significativo do sobrepeso e obesidade. Esta informação vinda de enquetes gera resultados generalizados, sem considerar as particularidades do contexto biosociocultural em que vivem comunidades indígenas, co-determinante da condição nutricional destas. Objetivo: Estudar o estado nutricional de um grupo de escolares de cultura Otomí residentes em uma comunidade do México em situação de marginação, considerando o contexto biosociocultural em que vivem. Métodos: Estudo prospectivo transversal realizado em uma localidade do Estado do México. Amostra de conveniência constituída por 214 menores entre 6 e 12 anos de idade. Empregaram-se técnicas antropométricas internacionalmente aceitas para coletar a altura e o peso, e foi calculado o IMC. O estado de nutrição foi estimado com base no peso, a altura e o IMC para a idade e foram comparados com os referentes da OMS. Resultados: A prevalência da baixa altura para a idade e a desnutrição é menor, no entanto o sobrepeso/obesidade afeta a um terço dos meninos. Apenas para o IMC por grupos de idade e sexo houve diferenças em determinadas faixas etárias. As pontuações z dos três indicadores são semelhantes entre meninos e meninas. Discussão e Conclusões: Em comparação com os parâmetros nacionais e estaduais, os meninos estudados mostram menor prevalência de sobrepeso e obesidade associado ao seu contexto sociocultural.

Population and breast cancer patients' analysis reveals the diversity of genomic variation of the BRCA genes in the Mexican population.

Interpretation of variants of unknown significance (VUS) in genetic tests is complicated in ethnically diverse populations, given the lack of information regarding the common spectrum of genetic variation in clinically relevant genes. Public availability of data obtained from high-throughput genotyping and/or exome massive parallel sequencing (MPS)-based projects from several thousands of outbred samples might become useful tools to evaluate the pathogenicity of a VUS, based on its frequency in different populations. In the case of the Mexican and other Latino populations, several thousands of samples have been genotyped or sequenced during the last few years as part of different efforts to identify common variants associated to common diseases. In this report, we analyzed Mexican population data from a sample of 3985 outbred individuals, and additional 66 hereditary breast cancer patients were analyzed in order to better define the spectrum of common genomic variation of the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes. Our analyses identified the most common genetic variants in these clinically relevant genes as well as the presence and frequency of specific pathogenic mutations present in the Mexican population. Analysis of the 3985 population samples by MPS identified three pathogenic mutations in BRCA1, only one population sample showed a BRCA1 exon 16-17 deletion by MLPA. This resulted in a basal prevalence of deleterious mutations of 0.10% (1:996) for BRCA1 and 11 pathogenic mutations in BRCA2, resulting in a basal prevalence of deleterious mutations of 0.276% (1:362) for BRCA2, combined of 0.376% (1:265). Separate analysis of the breast cancer patients identified the presence of pathogenic mutations in 18% (12 pathogenic mutations in 66 patients) of the samples by MPS and 13 additional alterations by MLPA. These results will support a better interpretation of clinical studies focused on the detection of BRCA mutations in Mexican and Latino populations and will help to define the general prevalence of deleterious mutations within these populations.

Effect of wetting on nucleation and growth of D2 in confinement.

We have performed a computational study to determine how the wetting of liquid deuterium to the walls of the material influences nucleation. We present the development of a pair-wise interatomic potential that includes zero-point motion of molecular deuterium. Deuterium is used in this study because of its importance to inertial confinement fusion and the potential to generate a superfluid state if the solidification can be suppressed. Our simulations show that wetting dominates undercooling compared to the pore geometries. We observe a transition from heterogeneous nucleation at the confining wall to homogeneous nucleation at the bulk of the liquid (and intermediate cases) as the interaction with the confining wall changes from perfect wetting to non-wetting. When nucleation is heterogeneous, the temperature needed for solidification changes by 4 K with decreasing deuterium-wall interaction, but it remains independent (and equal to the one from bulk samples) when homogeneous nucleation dominates. We find that growth and quality of the resulting microstructure also depends on the magnitude of liquid deuterium-wall interaction strength.

A controlled study comparing salivary osmolality, caries experience and caries risk in patients with cerebral palsy.

BACKGROUND: Cerebral palsy (CP) is a permanent neurological disorder accompanied by secondary musculoskeletal masticatory disorder, with repercussion on chewing and deglutition functions. In these conditions, the liquids ingestion is compromised resulting in salivary osmolality alteration. The objective of this study was to compare salivary osmolality, caries experience and caries risk between normoreactive individuals and patients with CP. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The participants were 4-20 years old: 52 patients with CP treated at a reference rehabilitation centre (study group, SG), and 52 normoreactive individuals (control group, CG). Saliva was collected for five minutes using cotton rolls. Following centrifugation, salivary osmolality was determined by freezing point depression osmometry. Evaluations included caries experience (DMFT index), and caries risk based on a caries-risk assessment tool (CAT). Descriptive and inferential statistics (Chi square and Student t tests) were used to compare the groups. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analyses were performed and the area under the ROC curve (Az) was calculated. The level of significance was set at 5%. RESULTS: The groups were homogeneous for sex (p=0.843) and age (p=0.128). In the SG, spastic type CP was the most prevalent (80.8%), and patients showed significantly higher salivary osmolality values compared with the CG (p<0.001). No significant differences in caries experience (p=0.159) or caries risk (p=0.297) were observed. ROC curve analysis determined a salivary osmolality cutoff point of >74 for the SG and >54 for the CG in the presence of dental caries. A significant correlation was verified between salivary osmolality and the DMFT index for the SG (p≤0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Although patients with CP showed higher salivary osmolality values, higher caries experience and caries risk were not observed compared with normoreactive individuals.

Extraction of effective solid-liquid interfacial free energies for full 3D solid crystallites from equilibrium MD simulations.

Molecular dynamics simulations of an embedded atom copper system in the isobaric-isenthalpic ensemble are used to study the effective solid-liquid interfacial free energy of quasi-spherical solid crystals within a liquid. This is within the larger context of molecular dynamics simulations of this system undergoing solidification, where single individually prepared crystallites of different sizes grow until they reach a thermodynamically stable final state. The resulting equilibrium shapes possess the full structural details expected for solids with weakly anisotropic surface free energies (in these cases, ∼5% radial flattening and rounded [111] octahedral faces). The simplifying assumption of sphericity and perfect isotropy leads to an effective interfacial free energy as appearing in the Gibbs-Thomson equation, which we determine to be ∼177 erg/cm2, roughly independent of crystal size for radii in the 50-250 Šrange. This quantity may be used in atomistically informed models of solidification kinetics for this system.

Epidemiological study of multiple sclerosis in La Rioja.

INTRODUCTION: Multiple sclerosis is a demyelinating disease that causes severe disability in younger patients. Many epidemiology studies have confirmed a variable prevalence. The objective of this study was to analyse the prevalence of this disease in La Rioja (Spain), using such variables as age and sex; type of progression, initial form of the disease, EDSS and number of relapses; disease-modifying treatment and reasons for treatment withdrawal; personal and family history of cancer; and incidence and mortality. METHODS: Analysis of patients in La Rioja diagnosed with MS (according to Poser criteria or the 2005 McDonald criteria) during a 10-year period (2001-2011). Data were collected from hospital records, multiple sclerosis associations, and personal records kept by neurologists. RESULTS: The MS prevalence rate in La Rioja is 65 patients/100 000 inhabitants with an incidence rate of 3.5 cases/100 000 residents per year. Relapsing-remitting MS is present in 67.6% of the patient total. Mean age of onset is 20-29 years (range, 12 to 70). Most EDSS scores were mostly ≤ 2. Untreated MS cases account for 47.6% of the total and the most commonly used therapy is interferon. We detected 4 haematological tumours and 7 families with multiple members affected by MS. CONCLUSIONS: Prevalence and incidence are similar to those found in other regions Spain. The average age at onset age for primary progressive MS is slightly higher than in other papers (40-49 years). In families with multiple patients, MS may be more aggressive. Disability in these patients remains very severe. We require more epidemiology studies with a variety of data gathering methods to support findings for prevalence obtained in different provinces.

Physical and structural characterisation of zein and chitosan edible films using nanotechnology tools.

The use of composite edible films made from biopolymers has attracted interest as a way to reduce pollution and recycling problems; however, the relation between barrier, mechanical and structural properties of the films have been scarcely studied. The aim of this work was to evaluate composite zein-chitosan edible films by applying common nanotechnology tools and to relate the results to zein concentration and film structural changes. Rougher, more elastic, and less hard film structures with better water vapour barrier properties were obtained using larger zein concentrations. Raman spectroscopy exhibited unexpected interactions, as indicated by the disappearance of the thiol groups of cysteine in the zein films and the appearance of O=S=O and C-O-S groups in the blended materials in conjunction with the disappearance of zein ε-amino and -NH2 functional groups in the zein film samples, thereby confirming changes in the blended film structure. Zein concentration presented linear correlations with water vapour permeability (R=-0.978) and film roughness (R=0.929). The composite films presented better barrier and mechanical properties than single ingredient films. This information shows the benefit of using protein-polysaccharide blends to prepare edible films.

Bacteraemic community-acquired pneumonia due to Gram-negative bacteria: incidence, clinical presentation and factors associated with severity during hospital stay.

BACKGROUND: Many studies have evaluated the clinical characteristics of Gram-negative bacteria (GNB) pneumonia. However, in most cases the bacteriological diagnosis is based on unreliable respiratory samples, and research rarely focuses on only bacteraemic patients. The aim of this study was to describe the incidence, clinical characteristics, outcomes, and factors associated with severity during the hospital stay of patients diagnosed with bacteraemic community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) due to GNB. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients consecutively admitted with bacteraemic CAP due to GNB were enrolled in the study, with exclusion of additional foci of infection. RESULTS: CAP due to GNB accounted for 1.2% of the total CAP cases admitted and 3.5% of those with a confirmed aetiological diagnosis. Fifty-one patients were studied (mean age: 73 ± 11.3 years). Escherichia coli (30 cases; 58.8%) and Klebsiella pneumoniae (9 cases; 17.6%) were the most commonly isolated strains. The main symptoms were fever, cough, and dyspnoea. Eleven (21.6%) patients presented mental confusion, ten (19.6%) followed a severe clinical course, and six (11.8%) died. Absence of fever, radiologically multilobar involvement, and the prescription of an inadequate empirical antimicrobial therapy were independent factors associated with severity during the hospital stay. CONCLUSION: Bacteraemic CAP due to GNB is an uncommon entity. Among the patients studied, E. coli was the main GNB found. A total of 19.6% of patients followed a severe clinical course. The factors identified in this study may alert physicians to a group of patients at risk of suffering complications during their hospital stay.

Surface-chemistry-driven actuation in nanoporous gold.

Although actuation in biological systems is exclusively powered by chemical energy, this concept has not been realized in man-made actuator technologies, as these rely on generating heat or electricity first. Here, we demonstrate that surface-chemistry-driven actuation can be realized in high-surface-area materials such as nanoporous gold. For example, we achieve reversible strain amplitudes of the order of a few tenths of a per cent by alternating exposure of nanoporous Au to ozone and carbon monoxide. The effect can be explained by adsorbate-induced changes of the surface stress, and can be used to convert chemical energy directly into a mechanical response, thus opening the door to surface-chemistry-driven actuator and sensor technologies.

Vapor pressure and sublimation rate of molecular crystals: role of internal degrees of freedom.

It is a common practice to approximate the desorption rate of atoms from crystal surfaces with an expression of the form nueff exp(-DeltaE/kBT), where DeltaE is an activation barrier to desorb and nueff is an effective vibrational frequency approximately 10(12) s(-1). For molecular solids, however, such an approximation can lead to a many orders of magnitude underestimation of vapor pressure and sublimation rates due to neglected contributions from molecular internal degrees of freedom. Here, we develop a simple working formula that yields good estimates for a general molecular (or atomic) solid and illustrate the approach by computing equilibrium vapor pressure of three different molecular solids and an atomic solid, as well as the desorption rate of a foreign (inhibitor) molecule from the surface of a molecular solid.

[Mediastinal liposarcoma. A report of 2 cases]. / Liposarcoma mediastínico. A propósito de 2 casos.

Liposarcomas are malignant mesenchymal tumors whose primary location in the mediastinum is rare. We report two cases of mediastinal liposarcoma, describing the clinical signs and radiologic features found and the diagnostic procedures performed. The significance of histologic variability as a factor that conditions treatment and prognosis is underlined.

[Usefulness of bronchoalveolar lavage in the renal transplant patient with suspected respiratory infection]. / Utilidad del lavado broncoalveolar en el paciente trasplantado renal con sospecha de infección respiratoria.

In this retrospective study we aimed to assess the diagnostic yield of bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) in kidney transplant patients who were suspected of having severe respiratory infection or in whom empirical antibiotic treatment had failed. All BAL procedures performed on kidney transplanted patients suspected of having respiratory infections between January 1, 1988 and July 31, 1996 were analyzed. BAL was carried out in the standard way and samples were sent for cytologic and bacteriologic study. Thirty-three patients with a mean age of 48.5 years were enrolled. All had been receiving immunosuppressive treatment and the mean time following transplantation was 320 days. Thirty-one had received antibiotic treatment before BAL. BAL was positive for 21 of the 33 patients (64%). Twenty-two pathogens were identified: 6 Pneumocystis carinii, 4 Cytomegalovirus, 3 Mycobacterium tuberculosis, 2 Aspergillus fumigatus, 2 Herpes simplex type I, 1 Streptococcus pneumoniae, 1 Staphylococcus aureus, 1 Streptococcus mitis, 1 Legionella pneumophila, 1 Legionella longbeachae. BAL was negative for 12 patients, of whom 8 were tentatively diagnosed of bacterial infection, 3 of acute pulmonary edema and one of pulmonary infarction. Based on the results, therapy was changed for 20 patients (61%), 19 (58%) because an unsuspected pathogen was identified and 1 because treatment could be simplified. The diagnostic yield of BAL is high (64%) in kidney transplant patients suspected of respiratory infection and is useful for managing such cases, as evidenced by the fact that a high proportion (19/33) of our patients were infected by pathogens not covered by empirical treatment.

[Skin tumor as presentation form of lung actinomycosis]. / Tumoración cutánea como forma de presentación de la actinomicosis pulmonar.

We report three cases of thoracic actinomycosis whose symptoms were cutaneous tumors on the thorax. Clinical signs and images are described, along with diagnostic procedures. The excellent outcome after antibiotic treatment, which must last at least 6 months, is emphasized as well as the need to keep this disease in mind when certain symptoms and images coincide.

[Tracheobronchial amyloidosis: apropos of 3 cases]. / Amiloidosis traqueobronquial: a propósito de tres casos.

We report 3 cases of tracheobronchial amyloidosis starting with post-obstructive pneumonitis, suggesting underlying neoplasm. The diagnosis was by fiberoptic bronchoscopy. We also describe radiological findings and their usefulness, therapeutic options, and course of disease.

Morphological variations in corneal endothelium following keratophakia and keratomileusis.

We studied in vivo endothelial cell morphology, using the specular microscope, in both eyes of 31 patients who underwent refractive keratoplasty at the Clinica Barraquer. The postoperative cell density following myopic and hypermetropic keratomileusis was reduced when compared to preoperative figures in the same eye or unoperated fellow eye. The reduction was greatest when hypermetropic keratomileusis was combined with cataract extraction at the same procedure. None of the cases developed structural abnormalities or sequelae of inflammatory reaction, such as precipitates on the endothelium.