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Phenolic compounds (PPHs) extracted from Mexican oregano (Lippia graveolens) have shown various biological activities, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anticancer properties. However, these compounds tend to be unstable, show low aqueous solubility, and are sensitive to changes in the pH and temperature of the medium. In this article, the encapsulation of this type of phenolic compounds in different poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) functionalized cationic matrixes, based on poly(N,N′-diethylaminoethyl methacrylate) (PDEAEM) and Chitosan (CS), is reported. Particle sizes between 122 and 458 nm were obtained for the PDEAEM and CS platforms, and the loading content was around 62 % for both systems, while the loading efficiency was higher than 90 %. The identification of the loaded phenolic compounds by Ultra High-Resolution Liquid Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry (UPLC/MS) predominantly showed hesperidin, naringenin, phloridzin, and cirsimaritin. As compared with the plant extract, the prepared formulation led to an increase in the extract's stability and antioxidant activity. It was also observed that concentrations of loaded extract ≤500 μg mL−1did not show cytotoxicity in CCD18 fibroblasts, while they exhibited substantial antiproliferative activity in colon cancer cells (CACO-2). After 72 h, the activity of the loaded systems was similar to the anticancer drug 5-fluorouracil, so these cationic systems loaded with phenolic compounds could act as a good coadjutant in the treatment of colon cancer.

To identify the prevalence and factors associated with cervical human papillomavirus infection in women with systemic lupus erythematosus

The Brugada syndrome is an inherited cardiac disorder initially described in 1992 by Pedro and Josep Brugada, with variable electrocardiographic features characteristic of right bundle-branch block, persistent ST-segment elevation in the precordial leads (V1-V3) at rest and sudden cardiac death. The genetic abnormalities that cause Brugada syndrome have been linked to mutations in the ion channel gene SCN5A which encodes for the a-subunit of the cardiac sodium channel.A consensus conference report published in 2002 described the diagnostic criteria for the Brugada syndrome and described the three distinct types of Brugada syndrome. In 2005, a second consensus report was published which described the risk stratification and approaches to therapy.Two specific types of ST-segment elevation, coved and saddleback, are observed in the Brugada syndrome, the former of which is reported to relate to a higher incidence of ventricular tachycardia/ventricular fibrillation (VT/VF) and sudden cardiac death.The objective of this paper is to review the genetics and the molecular biology behind the Brugada syndrome, the diagnostic criteria, including clinical and electrocardiographic characteristics, and current management.

Objectives:: To determine the clinical significance of human parvovirus B19 infection in patients with primary Sjogren's syndrome (SS) and to investigate the immunologic and hematologic features related to B19 infection. Methods:: We included 80 consecutive patients with primary SS (74 women and 6 men), with a mean age of 62 years (range, 24 to 87 years) that were seen in our Unit. All patients fulfilled the European Community criteria for SS. As controls, we included 140 consecutive sera samples analyzed for B19 antibodies in our Microbiology Department and obtained from adult inpatients and outpatients of our Hospital. Serum from all patients and controls was tested for antibodies to B19 by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Additionally, the presence of B19 DNA in serum and in circulating leukocytes was investigated by nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Results:: Serological evidence of past B19 infection (positive IgG antibodies without IgM antibodies) was present in 28 (35%) patients with primary SS. None of these patients showed evidence for B19 'viremia, and B19 virus DNA was not detected in the circulating leukocytes of IgG-B19(+) patients. Positivity for IgM antibodies to B19 was not detected in any patient. When compared with patients without evidence of past B19 infection, those with primary SS and past B19 infection showed a higher prevalence of cytopenia (57% v 15%; P < .001), and, specifically, of leukopenia (36% v 4%; P < .001), Additionally, when compared with controls positive for IgG-1319, SS patients with these antibodies had a higher prevalence of cytopenia (57% v 13%; P < .001), leukopenia (36% v 3%; P < .001) and thrombocytopenia (21% v 0%; P = .003). Conclusions:: Serological evidence of past B19 infection is associated with the presence of cytopenia in our patients with primary SS. A possible relationship between B19 infection and the presence of cytopenia in primary SS may occur in some patients immunologically or genetically predisposed.

Objective.To evaluate the prevalence of cytoplasmic and perinuclear (p) antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (ANCA) in patients with primary Sjögren's syndrome (SS), and to correlate the presence of ANCA with extraglandular and immunological manifestations related to SS.Methods.In a cross-sectional study, we included 82 consecutive patients (75 female and seven male; mean age 61 yr; range Community Study Group in 1993. Extraglandular manifestations such as arthralgia and/or arthritis, Raynaud's phenomenon, autoimmune thyroiditis, peripheral neuropathy, renal involvement and cutaneous vasculitis were also recorded. Serum samples were examined by indirect immunofluorescence (IIF) and by ELISA using as substrates myeloperoxidase (MPO) and proteinase 3 (PR3).Results.ANCA were detected in nine (11%) patients: seven had pANCA and two an atypical pattern. These two atypical ANCA became cANCA when paraformaldehyde fixation was applied. ELISA findings showed that two patients had antibodies patients were articular involvement in six (66%) patients, peripheral neuropathy in five (55%), Raynaud's phenomenon in four (44%) and cutaneous vasculitis in four (44%). Of the four patients with cutaneous vasculitis and ANCA, two had a mononuclear inflammatory vascular disease (MIVD) in the biopsy specimen. When compared with patients without ANCA, those with these antibodies had a higher prevalence of cutaneous vasculitis (44% vs 8%, P=0.01), Raynaud's phenomenon (44% vs 8%, P=0.01) and peripheral neuropathy (55% vs 7%, P<0.001).Conclusion.ANCA positivity can be found in patients with primary SS and its detection is associated with the presence of clinical manifestations attributable to vascular involvement (cutaneous vasculitis, peripheral neuropathy and Raynaud's phenomenon).Keywords:ANCA, Cutaneous vasculitis, Primary Sjögren's syndrome.

Objective.To evaluate the prevalence of cytoplasmic and perinuclear (p) antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (ANCA) in patients with primary Sjögren's syndrome (SS), and to correlate the presence of ANCA with extraglandular and immunological manifestations related to SS.
Methods.In a cross-sectional study, we included 82 consecutive patients (75 female and seven male; mean age 61 yr; range Community Study Group in 1993. Extraglandular manifestations such as arthralgia and/or arthritis, Raynaud's phenomenon, autoimmune thyroiditis, peripheral neuropathy, renal involvement and cutaneous vasculitis were also recorded. Serum samples were examined by indirect immunofluorescence (IIF) and by ELISA using as substrates myeloperoxidase (MPO) and proteinase 3 (PR3).
Results.ANCA were detected in nine (11%) patients: seven had pANCA and two an atypical pattern. These two atypical ANCA became cANCA when paraformaldehyde fixation was applied. ELISA findings showed that two patients had antibodies patients were articular involvement in six (66%) patients, peripheral neuropathy in five (55%), Raynaud's phenomenon in four (44%) and cutaneous vasculitis in four (44%). Of the four patients with cutaneous vasculitis and ANCA, two had a mononuclear inflammatory vascular disease (MIVD) in the biopsy specimen. When compared with patients without ANCA, those with these antibodies had a higher prevalence of cutaneous vasculitis (44% vs 8%, P=0.01), Raynaud's phenomenon (44% vs 8%, P=0.01) and peripheral neuropathy (55% vs 7%, P&lt;0.001).
Conclusion.ANCA positivity can be found in patients with primary SS and its detection is associated with the presence of clinical manifestations attributable to vascular involvement (cutaneous vasculitis, peripheral neuropathy and Raynaud's phenomenon).
Keywords:ANCA, Cutaneous vasculitis, Primary Sjögren's syndrome.

Summary: Serum bone Gla-protein (s-BGP or osteocalcin) and other serum biochemical parameters were measured in 19 subjects (8 women and 11 men, aged 20–82 years) without any bone disease. Each subject simultaneously underwent an iliac crest biopsy; tetracycline double-labeling was performed in 11 subjects, allowing correlations between s-BGP and bone histomorphometric parameters. s-BGP was significantly correlated with static bone parameters: trabecular bone volume (r=0.74;P<0.001), osteoid surfaces (r=0.69;P<0.001), osteoblastic surfaces (r=0.68;P<0.002); dynamic bone formation parameters: total labeled surfaces (r=0.72;P<0.01); and the bone formation rate (r=0.69;P<0.01). We conclude that s-BGP is a valuable marker for evaluating bone formation in healthy adult subjects.