Exploring the landscape of livestock 'Facts'.

The role of livestock in supporting human well-being is contentious, with different perceptions leading to polarised opinions. There is increasing concern about the health and environmental impacts of a high rate of consumption of livestock products in high-income countries. These concerns are heightened by an increase in consumption in middle-income countries. On the other hand, livestock support the livelihoods of many people, particularly in low income countries. The benefits of livestock for poor livestock keepers are multiple, including the important role livestock play in supporting crop production in mixed systems, in supplying nutrients and income, and in fulfilling cultural roles. In addition livestock can provide resilience against economic and climate shocks. In view of these apparent positive and negative impacts, the role of livestock in human wellbeing is highly contested, with arguments 'for' or 'against' sometimes distorted by vested interests or misinterpretation of evidence. The Livestock Fact Check project, undertaken by the Livestock Data for Decisions community of practice, has investigated several ideas concerning livestock commonly taken as 'fact'. By exploring the provenance of these 'facts' we highlight their importance and the risks of both misinterpreting them or using them out of context. Despite the diversity of the livestock sector resulting in equally diverse viewpoints, the project calls for participants in the livestock discourse to adopt a nuanced appreciation of global livestock systems. Judgement of livestock's role in global sustainable diets should be based on clear and well-interpreted information.

Net benefits of smallholder dairy cattle farms in Senegal can be significantly increased through the use of better dairy cattle breeds and improved management practices.

Senegal, located in West Africa, is an example of a low- to middle-income country where the government has prioritized improving livestock production self-sufficiency, with a strong focus on dairy. Among other initiatives, the use of exotic dairy cattle has been promoted, despite no evidence for the potential livelihood benefits (or otherwise) to smallholder farmers on adopting the new genetics. The current work fills this evidence gap by performing a farm-level economic study comparing the keeping of different breed and cross-breed types of dairy cattle under different management levels. Data for the study were obtained by monitoring 220 smallholder dairy cattle farms, with a combined cattle population of about 3,000 animals, over an almost 2-yr period. Findings of the study suggest that the most net-beneficial and cost-beneficial dairy cattle enterprise that could be used by the smallholder farmers was to keep crossbred indigenous zebu by exotic Bos taurus animals under management standards that are considered good compared with local standards. This dairy enterprise type was 7.4-fold more net beneficial and had a 1.4-fold more favorable cost-benefit ratio than the traditional system of keeping indigenous zebu animals under poor (low-input) management. Interestingly, the keeping of (near) pure B. taurus dairy cattle resulted in the highest milk yields and thus benefit from milk, but was not the most net beneficial due to the high costs of keeping these animals, particularly in terms of feed. We also found that increasing the management level of any of the breed or cross-breed types under consideration, including the indigenous zebu animals, resulted in an increased net benefit of 2.2- to 2.9-fold. Results of this economic analysis are discussed as part of a broader trade-off analysis, resulting in recommendations to strengthen the Senegal dairy sector. The combined intervention of improved dairy cattle genetics and management is considered a promising intervention to improve livelihoods of the rural poor as well as livestock production self-sufficiency for Senegal; some other system constraints are addressed.

The greenhouse gas abatement potential of productivity improving measures applied to cattle systems in a developing region.

Developing countries are experiencing an increase in total demand for livestock commodities, as populations and per capita demands increase. Increased production is therefore required to meet this demand and maintain food security. Production increases will lead to proportionate increases in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions unless offset by reductions in the emissions intensity (Ei) (i.e. the amount of GHG emitted per kg of commodity produced) of livestock production. It is therefore important to identify measures that can increase production whilst reducing Ei cost-effectively. This paper seeks to do this for smallholder agro-pastoral cattle systems in Senegal; ranging from low input to semi-intensified, they are representative of a large proportion of the national cattle production. Specifically, it identifies a shortlist of mitigation measures with potential for application to the various herd systems and estimates their GHG emissions abatement potential (using the Global Livestock Environmental Assessment Model) and cost-effectiveness. Limitations and future requirements are identified and discussed. This paper demonstrates that the Ei of meat and milk from livestock systems in a developing region can be reduced through measures that would also benefit food security, many of which are likely to be cost-beneficial. The ability to make such quantification can assist future sustainable development efforts.

iSGLT2 y su potencial efecto nefroprotector en pacientes con diabetes mellitus 2 / iSGLT2 and its potential nephroprotector effect in patients with diabetes mellitus 2

Resumen: La diabetes mellitus 2 es una epidemia mundial, aunado a esto, la nefropatía diabética se ha convertido en la principal causa de insuficiencia renal en etapa terminal. En los pacientes con diabetes mellitus 2 existe sobreexpresión de los cotransportadores de glucosa ligados a la vía del sodio tipo 2 (SGLT2) que contribuyen al mantenimiento de la hiperglucemia. Por tanto, los inhibidores de este transportador representan un tratamiento innovador independiente de la acción de la insulina o la función de las células beta pancreáticas. En estudios recientes se ha demostrado que los iSGLT2 tienen efectos benéficos en la microvasculatura, en especial en la progresión de la nefropatía diabética. Este efecto no sólo se debe a la mejora del control glucémico, sino también a efectos directos en el riñón. Los iSGLT2, al inducir la glucosuria, revierten la glucotoxicidad renal. En estudios experimentales se ha observado que, además, se reduce la hiperfiltración, así como los marcadores inflamatorios y fibróticos. También se ha visto reducción del volumen circulante efectivo y aumento en la actividad de bloqueadores del sistema renina-angiotensina-aldosterona (bloqueadores RAA) circulantes, creando así un efecto nefroprotector.

Abstract: Type 2 diabetes mellitus 2 (DM2) is already a worldwide epidemic, in addition, diabetic nephropathy has become the leading cause of end-stage renal failure. In patients with DM2 there is an increased expression of the sodium-glucose cotransporters 2 (SGLT2) that contribute to the maintenance of hyperglycemia. Therefore, the inhibitors of this transporter represent an innovative therapy independent of the action of insulin or the function of pancreatic beta cells. Recent studies have shown that iSGLT2 have beneficial effects on microvasculature, especially in the progression of diabetic nephropathy. This effect is due not only to improved glycemic control but also to direct effects on the kidney. iSGLT2 induce glycosuria to reverse renal glucotoxicity. In experimental studies it has been observed that, in addition, hyper-filtration as well as inflammatory and fibrotic markers are reduced. There has also been a reduction in effective circulating volume and an increase in the activity of circulating renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system blockers (RAA blockers), thus creating a nephroprotective effect.

Improved radiograph measurement inter-observer reliability by use of statistical shape models.

Pre- and post-operative radiographs of patients undergoing joint arthroplasty are often examined for a variety of purposes including preoperative planning and patient assessment. This work examines the feasibility of using active shape models (ASM) to semi-automate measurements from post-operative radiographs for the specific case of the Oxford™ Unicompartmental Knee. Measurements of the proximal tibia and the position of the tibial tray were made using the ASM model and manually. Data were obtained by four observers and one observer took four sets of measurements to allow assessment of the inter- and intra-observer reliability, respectively. The parameters measured were the tibial tray angle, the tray overhang, the tray size, the sagittal cut position, the resection level and the tibial width. Results demonstrated improved reliability (average of 27% and 11.2% increase for intra- and inter-reliability, respectively) and equivalent accuracy (p>0.05 for compared data values) for all of the measurements using the ASM model, with the exception of the tray overhang (p=0.0001). Less time (15s) was required to take measurements using the ASM model compared with manual measurements, which was significant. These encouraging results indicate that semi-automated measurement techniques could improve the reliability of radiographic measurements.

Autism spectrum disorders.

The term autism spectrum disorder refers to a constellation of symptoms involving impairments in social interaction and communication, and restricted, repetitive behaviours and interests. This article highlights the disorder among professionals who may come into contact with people with autism spectrum disorder.

The role of protease-activated receptors PAR-1 and PAR-2 in the repair of 16HBE 14o(-) epithelial cell monolayers in vitro.

BACKGROUND: We recently reported that repair following mechanical wounding of epithelial cell layers in vitro is dependent on fibrin formation and the activity of locally expressed coagulation cascade proteins. Serine proteases of the coagulation cascade are an important group of protease-activated receptor (PAR) activators and PAR-1 to 4 are expressed by the normal bronchial epithelium. OBJECTIVE: We tested the hypothesis that activation of PAR-1 and PAR-2 by coagulation cascade proteases stimulates epithelial repair via effects on fibrin formation. METHODS: Using mechanically wounded 16HBE 14o(-) epithelial cell layers in culture, we investigated the effect of PAR-1 and PAR-2 agonist peptides, control partially scrambled peptides and PAR-neutralizing antibodies on the rate of repair and fibrin formation. Coagulation factors in culture supernatants were measured by immunoblot. RT-PCR was used to investigate PAR-1, PAR-2 and PGE2 receptor (EP-1 to EP-4) expression in this model and qRT-PCR to quantify responses to wounding. Additionally, we investigated the effect of exogenously added factor Xa (FXa) and neutrophil elastase and the influence of PGE2 and indomethacin on the repair response. RESULTS: PAR-1 and PAR-2 peptide agonists stimulated the rate of repair and enhanced the formation of a fibrin provisional matrix to support the repair process. Conversely, PAR-neutralizing antibodies inhibited repair. Under serum-free culture conditions, 16HBE 14o(-) cells expressed EP-2 and EP-3, but not EP-1 or EP-4, receptors. Wounding induced an increased expression of EP-3 but did not alter EP-2, PAR-1 or PAR-2 expression. In the absence of PAR agonists, there was no evidence for a role for PGE2 in fibrin formation or the repair process. Indomethacin attenuated fibrin formation in wounded cultures only in the presence of the PAR-2 peptide. FXa stimulated epithelial repair while neutrophil elastase reduced the levels of coagulation factors and inhibited repair. CONCLUSION: Locally expressed serine proteases of the coagulation cascade activate PAR-1 and PAR-2 to enhance fibrin formation and bronchial epithelial repair.

Fibrin formation by wounded bronchial epithelial cell layers in vitro is essential for normal epithelial repair and independent of plasma proteins.

BACKGROUND: The bronchial epithelium is in contact with, and continually damaged by, the environment. Animal models have indicated that normal epithelial repair is rapid and supported by the formation of a provisional fibrin matrix that is exclusively plasma-derived. OBJECTIVES: Our objectives were to demonstrate the ability of normal human bronchial epithelial (NHBE) cells to produce coagulation cascade proteins and form fibrin in response to damage, independently of plasma proteins, and to show that formation of a cross-linked fibrin matrix is essential for normal epithelial repair in vitro. METHODS: Primary NHBE cells and cells of the 16HBE 14o- bronchial epithelial cell line were grown and maintained in vitro prior to mechanical wounding of confluent monolayers in serum-free media. Tissue factor (TF) and factor XIII (FXIII) were visualized on 16HBE 14o- monolayers using immunohistochemistry. The time-dependent expression of TF, factor VII (FVII), factor X (FX), fibrinogen, soluble fibrin, FXIII subunit A (FXIIIA) and D-dimers following wounding of confluent 16HBE 14o- monolayers was investigated using immunoassays. TF and FVII expression at the mRNA level was investigated by RT-PCR. The role of coagulation cascade proteins in the repair response of NHBE and 16HBE 14o- monolayers was investigated using neutralizing antibodies. RESULTS: Active TF was constitutively expressed in 16HBE 14o- cells. Levels of FVII, FX, fibrinogen, soluble fibrin, FXIIIA and D-dimers in culture supernatants increased rapidly and were maximal 20 min after wounding the monolayers. Expression of TF and FVII mRNA was significantly increased 10 and 4 h, respectively, after wounding. Neutralizing antibodies to TF, fibrinogen and FXIIIA significantly inhibited repair of NHBE and 16HBE 14o- cell layers. CONCLUSIONS: The bronchial epithelium has the potential to respond rapidly to mechanical damage by forming a cross-linked fibrin matrix that is essential for normal epithelial repair, independently of plasma proteins.

O longo caminho da luta contra a pobreza e seu alentador encontro com os direitos humanos / El largo camino de la lucha contra la pobreza y su esperanzador encuentro con los derechos humanos / The long road in the fight against poverty and its promising encounter with human rights

Este artigo tem como finalidade procurar por uma possível fundamentação jurídica da luta contra a pobreza, inclusive em contextos pós-conflito, levando em consideração o princípio dos direitos humanos e da ordem internacional contemporânea.

This article proposes to find a possible legal basis for the fight against poverty, even in post-conflict contexts, taking into consideration the principle of human rights and the contemporary international order.

La finalidad de este artículo consiste en acercarnos hacia una posible fundamentación jurídica de la lucha contra la pobreza, incluso en contextos post conflicto, que tenga en cuenta un principio del orden internacional contemporáneo y de los derechos humanos.

Pulse radiolysis studies on galactose oxidase.

Single-Cu-containing galactose oxidase in the GOase(semi) state (Cu(II), no Tyr(*) radical) reacts with pulse radiolysis generated formate radicals CO(2)(*-) to give an intermediate UV-vis spectrum assigned as RSSR(*-), peak at 450 nm (epsilon = 8100 M(-1) cm(-1)). From a detailed kinetic analysis at 450 nm, pH 7.0, the following steps have been identified. First the strongly reducing CO(2)(*-) (-1.9V) reduces GOase(semi) (k(0) > or = 6.5 x 10(8) M(-1) s(-1)) to a species GOase(semi)(*-). This is followed by biphasic reactions (i) GOase(semi)(*-) + GOase(semi) (k(1) = 1.6 x 10(7) M(-1) s(-1)) to give GOase(semi) + P(*-) and (ii) P(*-) + GOase(semi) (k(2) = 6.7 x 10(6) M(-1) s(-1)) to give GOase(semi)RSSR(*-). There are no significant absorbance changes for the formation of GOase(semi)(*-) and P(*-), which are Cu(I) (or related) species. However, GOase(semi)RSSR(*-) has an absorption spectrum which differs significantly from that of GOase(semi). The 450 nm peak is characteristic of an RSSR(*-) radical with two cysteines in close sequence proximity and is here assigned to Cys515-Cys518, which is at the GOase surface and 10.2 A from the Cu. On chemical modification of the RSSR group with HSPO(3)(2-) to give RSSPO(3)H(-) and RS(-), absorbance changes are approximately 50% of those previously observed. The decay of RSSR(*-) (0.17 s(-1)) results in the formation of GOase(red). No RSSR(*-) formation is observed in the reaction of GOase(semi) Tyr495Phe with CO(2)(*-), and a single process giving GOase(red)Tyr495Phe occurs. Similarly in the reaction of GOase(ox) with CO(2)(*-), a single-stage reaction gives GOase(semi).

[Migration from a rural zone to an urban one is associated with android distribution of body fat in obese women]. / La migración de zona rural a urbana se asocia con la distribución androide de grasa corporal en mujeres obesas.

INTRODUCTION: Studies about migration to industrialized countries have shown an increased prevalence of diabetes, obesity and dyslipidaemias, all of them related to android body fat distribution. Migration status might be influence body fat distribution but it has not been sufficiently investigated. The aim of this study is to determine the relationship between body fat distribution and migration from rural to urban areas in Mexico. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This sequential sample of 433 women were seen in the outpatient obesity clinic of four federal states: Tabasco (n = 81), Mexico City (n = 166), Coahuila (n = 80), and Yucatan (n = 106). Migration history from rural to urban area, familial history of diabetes, ages of onset of obesity, height and weight circumferences were obtained. A regression logistic model was used and maintained as dependent variable body fat distribution. Age and federal state were considered as confounders and they adjusted the model. RESULTS: Migrating women from rural to urban area were 121 (27.9%). The waist circumference was higher in Tabasco (102.2 +/- 12 cm), and lesser in Yucatan (93.6 +/- 15 cm, p < 0.001); no differences were found for hip circumference. The logistic regression model showed that body fat distribution is associated to migration from rural to urban area, and also to diabetes of mother and age of onset of obesity. CONCLUSIONS: Migrating from rural to urban area is a risk factor for android body fat distribution and this risk increases with age, history of diabetes in mother and adulthood onset o obesity.

Ciprofibrate versus gemfibrozil in the treatment of mixed hyperlipidemias: an open-label, multicenter study.

Mixed hyperlipidemia is a common risk factor for cardiovascular disease. The aim of this trial was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of ciprofibrate versus gemfibrozil for the treatment of patients with mixed hyperlipidemia carefully selected for similar lipid profiles. A total of 68 patients who had mixed hyperlipidemia after following an isocaloric American Heart Association (AHA) phase I diet for 4 weeks were included. The plasma lipid levels at the inclusion were low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C) > or = 130 mg/dL, cholesterol > or = 240 mg/dL, and triglycerides > or = 200 mg/dL. Patients were randomly assigned to receive ciprofibrate 100 mg/d or gemfibrozil 1,200 mg/d. At the end of the 8-week treatment period, efficacy and safety parameters were compared with baseline values. The primary efficacy parameters of the study were percentage changes in triglycerides and LDL-C from baseline. After 8 weeks, plasma triglyceride concentrations were decreased by 43.5% and 54% compared with baseline during ciprofibrate and gemfibrozil therapy, respectively (P <.001). High-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C) concentrations were increased 20.8% and 19.3% during ciprofibrate and gemfibrozil, respectively (P <.001). Apoprotein B, cholesterol, and very-low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (VLDL-C) concentrations were also improved by the study drugs (18.6%, 13.2%, and 30.9%, respectively, during ciprofibrate and 44%, 13.8%, and 14.4%, respectively, during gemfibrozil). Meanwhile, the effect of the drug was minimal on LDL-C. A significant decrease in non-HDL-C resulted from both treatments (19% and 19.5%, respectively, P <.05). The only statistically significant difference observed between treatments was the effects on fibrinogen concentration, a coronary risk factor. Ciprofibrate significantly decreased its concentration by 18.8%, fibrinogen was slightly increased during gemfibrozil treatment. No patient had a significant modification on any of the safety tests. In summary, ciprofibrate and gemfibrozil are well-tolerated and efficacious treatments for mixed hyperlipidemia. Significant reductions in triglycerides, non-HDL-C, and apolipoprotein B were achieved with both drugs. A significant fibrinogen reduction was obtained with ciprofibrate.

Cardiovascular abnormalities with normal blood pressure in tissue kallikrein-deficient mice.

Tissue kallikrein is a serine protease thought to be involved in the generation of bioactive peptide kinins in many organs like the kidneys, colon, salivary glands, pancreas, and blood vessels. Low renal synthesis and urinary excretion of tissue kallikrein have been repeatedly linked to hypertension in animals and humans, but the exact role of the protease in cardiovascular function has not been established largely because of the lack of specific inhibitors. This study demonstrates that mice lacking tissue kallikrein are unable to generate significant levels of kinins in most tissues and develop cardiovascular abnormalities early in adulthood despite normal blood pressure. The heart exhibits septum and posterior wall thinning and a tendency to dilatation resulting in reduced left ventricular mass. Cardiac function estimated in vivo and in vitro is decreased both under basal conditions and in response to beta-adrenergic stimulation. Furthermore, flow-induced vasodilatation is impaired in isolated perfused carotid arteries, which express, like the heart, low levels of the protease. These data show that tissue kallikrein is the main kinin-generating enzyme in vivo and that a functional kallikrein-kinin system is necessary for normal cardiac and arterial function in the mouse. They suggest that the kallikrein-kinin system could be involved in the development or progression of cardiovascular diseases.

Automated method for cleanup and determination of benomyl and thiabendazole in table-ready foods.

An automated solid-phase extraction (SPE) cleanup with on-line liquid chromatographic (LC) analysis was developed to determine residues of benomyl (as carbendazim) and thiabendazole in table-ready food items from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration Total Diet Study (TDS). A strong-cation-exchange cleanup of an acetone extract replaces the methylene chloride solvent partitioning steps in the procedure described in the Pesticide Analytical Manual (PAM). LC analysis is accomplished with a C8 analytical column and tandem fluorescence and UV detection. Recoveries of both analytes from 32 representative TDS foods fortified at 0.05 and 0.5 microgram/g were determined. Method precision was evaluated with triplicate recovery assays on 11 foods fortified at both levels. Accuracy was tested further by assaying 47 foods for incurred residues in parallel with the validated PAM procedure for comparison, and good agreement was found. The automated SPE method reduces solvent consumption, analysis time, and labor.

Simultaneous determination of chloramphenicol, florfenicol, and thiamphenicol residues in milk by gas chromatography with electron capture detection.

A gas chromatographic (GC) method is described for determining residues of chloramphenicol (CAP), florfenicol (FF), and thiamphenicol (TAP) in raw milk, with meta-nitrochloramphenicol (mCAP) as internal standard. Milk is extracted with acetonitrile, centrifuged, evaporated, reconstituted in water, and passed through a C18 solid-phase extraction (SPE) column. The SPE column is eluted with 60% methanol, and then the eluate is evaporated and derivatized with Sylon BFT ¿N,O-bis(trimethylsilyl)trifluoroacetamide [BSTFA]-trimethylchlorosilane [TMCS], 99 + 1¿. After derivatization, toluene is added directly to the sample, followed by water, to quench the derivatization process. After centrifugation, the organic layer is carefully removed. Analytes are determined by GC with electron capture detection (ECD). Milk was fortified with fenicols (the collective name for CAP, FF, and TAP) at 5, 10, 20, 40 and 80 ng/mL (target level = 10 ng/mL). Overall recoveries were 92, 100, and 104% for CAP, FF, and TAP, respectively. Overall interassay (between-day) variabilities were 6.1, 6.7, and 6.0% for CAP, FF, and TAP, respectively. Raw milk samples containing incurred residues of FF were also analyzed.

Prevalence of coronary artery disease risk factors in workers at the general hospital of Mexico of the ministry of health.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the prevalence of coronary risk factors in 2,463 health-care workers at the General Hospital of Mexico. METHODS: The study participants--1,620 women (65.8%) and 843 men (34.2%)--ranged in age from 16 to 65 years old. Study subjects were classified into five occupational subgroups: maintenance workers, 477 (19.4%); administrators, 697 (28.3%); physicians, 495 (20.1%); nursing staff, 559 (22.7%); and students, 235 (9.5%). For each participant, a clinical history was elicited, anthropometric determinations were done, and samples were obtained for determining blood glucose, total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein, high-density lipoprotein, and triglyceride levels. RESULTS: Cholesterol levels above 6.2 mmol/L (>240 mg/dL) were found in 14.9% of the women and 14.8% of the men in the overall study group. Triglyceride levels of more than 2.25 mmol/L (>200 mg/dL) were found in 471 participants (19.1%). The prevalence of obesity was 13.5%, and high blood pressure was detected in 22.2% of study participants. Only 32.2% of subjects engaged in physical exercise one or more times per week; moreover, 32% of those surveyed smoked. The prevalence for diabetes mellitus was 6.25%. The multifactorial coronary risk index was high in 13.2% of men and 43.2% of women older than 30 years of age. CONCLUSION: This study confirmed the high prevalence of risk factors for cardiovascular diseases in personnel of the General Hospital of Mexico. Because many of these risk factors are modifiable, educational efforts and preventive measures should be implemented.

[The prevalence of risk factors for coronary disease in workers of the Hospital General de México]. / Prevalencia de factores de riesgo de enfermedad coronaria en trabajadores del Hospital General de México.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the prevalence of risk factors of coronary heart disease in the personnel of the General Hospital in Mexico City. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We studied 2,228 workers, 1,531 female (68.7%) and 697 male (31.2%) whose ages ranged from 16 to 65 years old in the period of 1993 to 1995. They were divided in work areas: Intendancy 477 (21.4%), Administrative, 697 (31.2%), Physicians, 495 (22.2%) and Nurses, 559 (25.0%). We collected clinical histories, anthropometric measures, and laboratory determinations of glucose, total cholesterol, LDL, HDL and triglicerydes. RESULTS: We found that 367 (14.9%) had total cholesterol above 240 mg/dl, with high values in females of the administrative area (17.1%) and males in the nursing department (26%), which was the highest tendency. Trigliceryde levels above 200 mg/dl were found in 208 males (24.6%) and 263 females (16.2%), with high prevalence in the nursing and administrative departments, in males (39.1 and 34.1% respectively). Obesity was present in 236 females (14.5%) and 97 males (11.5%). High blood pressure in 549 individuals (22.2%), 297 females (18.3%) and 252 males (29.8%) without significance regarding to work area. Smoking habits were positive in 32% of the total with highest prevalence in males from 30 to 45 years and in females from 30 to 50 years. We found an incidence of 6.24% of diabetes in all the subjects studied, 2.27% ignored the diagnosis at the moment they were studied. CONCLUSIONS: In this study we confirmed the high prevalence of risk factors of coronary heart disease in personnel of the General Hospital in Mexico City. In most cases, these risk factors that can be modified and, therefore, prevented.

[The efficacy, safety and tolerance of fluvastatin sodium 40 mg in patients with hyperlipidemia type IIA]. / Eficacia, seguridad y tolerabilidad de la fluvastatina sódica 40 mg en pacientes con hiperlipidemia tipo IIA.

Fluvastatin sodium is the first wholly synthetic 3 hydroxy-3-methylglytary 1 coenzyme A reductase inhibitor. It reduces cholesterol synthesis, enhances low density lipoprotein catalysis and hepatocyte LDL receptor expression. To evaluate the efficacy, tolerability and safety of fluvastatin sodium 40 mg once a day, we studied 40 patients with type IIA dyslipidemia. We observed a statistically significant reduction in total cholesterol (20.7%, p < 0.01), low density lipoprotein cholesterol (29.5%, p < 0.01), triglycerides (10.56%, p N.S.), very low density lipoprotein cholesterol (10.56%, p N.S.), C-LDL:C-HDL (33.7%, p < 0.01) and an increase in high density lipoprotein cholesterol (2.8%) after 12 weeks of treatment. No patient reported side effects and no clinically significant modifications in safety parameters were observed during the study. We conclude that fluvastatin sodium 40 mg once daily is efficacious, safe and well tolerated in the treatment of type IIA primary dyslipidemia.

Preferential antagonism of the interactions of the integrin alpha IIb beta 3 with immobilized glycoprotein ligands by snake-venom RGD (Arg-Gly-Asp) proteins. Evidence supporting a functional role for the amino acid residues flanking the tripeptide RGD in determining the inhibitory properties of snake-venom RGD proteins.

The inhibitory properties of a panel of snake-venom-derived RGD (Arg-Gly-Asp) proteins, including the disintegrins kistrin, elegantin and albolabrin, and the neurotoxin homologue dendroaspin, were investigated in a platelet-adhesion assay using three immobilized ligands of the glycoprotein IIb-IIIa complex (alpha IIb beta 3), namely fibrinogen, fibronectin and von Willebrand factor (vWF). The snake-venom proteins preferentially inhibited the adhesion of ADP-treated platelets to one or more of the immobilized ligands. Kistrin and dendroaspin exhibited similar inhibitory characteristics, abrogating platelet adhesion to fibrinogen and vWF at nanomolar concentrations, but poorly inhibiting adhesion to fibronectin. Kistrin and dendroaspin share little overall amino-acid-sequence identity, but a considerable level of sequence similarity exists around the RGD tripeptide. Synthetic cyclic peptides corresponding to these regions of kistrin and dendroaspin inhibited platelet adhesion to both fibrinogen and fibronectin with approximately equal potency, but were 100-fold weaker antagonists of the interactions of the alpha IIb beta 3 complex with fibrinogen than their parent proteins. The disintegrins elegantin and albolabrin, which share approx. 60% overall amino-acid-sequence similarity with kistrin but have different residues around the RGD tripeptide, exhibited different antagonistic preferences. Elegantin inhibited platelet adhesion to immobilized vWF and fibronectin, but was significantly less effective at disrupting adhesion to fibrinogen. Albolabrin selectively inhibited platelet adhesion to immobilized vWF and was less effective with fibrinogen and fibronectin as adhesive ligands. In contrast with the behaviour of these venom proteins, the adhesion of ADP-treated platelets to immobilized fibrinogen, fibronectin and vWF was inhibited non-selectively by a range of monoclonal antibodies with specificity for the alpha IIb beta 3 complex. These observations, therefore, define antagonistic preferences in this panel of venom proteins towards the interactions of the alpha IIb beta 3 complex with three immobilized glycoprotein ligands.