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Background: Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) in Brugada syndrome (BrS) has been performed both endocardially and epicardially. The substrate in BrS is thus unclear.Objectives: To investigate the functional endocardial substrate and its correlation with clinical, electrophysiological and ECG findings in order to guide an endocardial ablation.Methods: Thirteen patients (38.7±12.3 years old) with spontaneous type 1 ECG BrS pattern, inducible VF with programmed ventricular stimulation (PVS) and syncope without prodromes were enrolled. Before to endocardial mapping the patients underwent flecainide testing with the purpose of measuring the greatest ST-segment elevation for to be correlated with the size and location of substrate in the electro-anatomic map. Patients underwent endocardial bipolar and electro-anatomic mapping with the purpose of identify areas of abnormal electrograms (EGMs) as target for RFA and determine the location and size of the substrate.Results: When the greatest ST-segment elevation was in the 3rd intercostal space (ICS), the substrate was located upper in the longitudinal plane of the right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT) and a greatest ST-segment elevation in 4th ICS correspond with a location of substrate in lower region of longitudinal plane of RVOT. A QRS complex widening on its initial and final part, with prolonged transmural and regional depolarization time of RVOT corresponded to the substrate locateded in the anterior-lateral region of RVOT. A QRS complex widening rightwards and only prolonged transmural depolarization time corresponded with a substrate located in the anterior, anterior-septal or septal region of RVOT. RFA of endocardial substrate suppressed the inducibility and ECG BrS pattern during 34.7±15.5 months. After RFA, flecainide testing confirmed elimination of the ECG BrS pattern. Endocardial biopsy showed a correlation between functional and ultrastructural alterations in two patients.Keywords: Brugada syndrome; Radiofrequency catheter ablation; Electrocardiography; Mapping; Biopsy.Conclusion: Endocardial RFA can eliminate the BrS phenotype and inducibility during PVS. Fil: Tauber, Pablo E.. Centro Modelo del Corazón; Argentina. Gobierno de Tucumán. Ministerio de Salud. Hospital Centro de Salud "Zenón J. Santillán"; Argentina Fil: Mansilla, Virginia. Centro Modelo del Corazón; Argentina Fil: Brugada, Pedro. Free University of Brussels. Cardiovascular Division. Cardiovascular Institute; Bélgica Fil: Sanchez, Sara Serafina del V.. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tucumán. Instituto Superior de Investigaciones Biológicas. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán. Instituto Superior de Investigaciones Biológicas; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán. Facultad de Bioquímica, Química y Farmacia; Argentina Fil: Honore, Stella Maris. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán. Facultad de Bioquímica, Química y Farmacia; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tucumán. Instituto Superior de Investigaciones Biológicas. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán. Instituto Superior de Investigaciones Biológicas; Argentina Fil: Elizari, Marcelo. Academia Nacional de Medicina de Buenos Aires; Argentina Fil: Chain Molina, Sergio. Centro Modelo del Corazón; Argentina Fil: Albano, Félix A.. Gobierno de Tucumán. Ministerio de Salud. Hospital Centro de Salud "Zenón J. Santillán"; Argentina Fil: Corbalán, Ricardo R.. Centro Modelo del Corazón; Argentina Fil: Figueroa Castellanos, Federico. Clínica Mayo; Argentina Fil: Alzugaray, Damián. Abbott; Argentina

Diabetes is associated with metabolic and functional alterations in the gut. Using an experimental model of streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetes in rodents, we analyzed the extracellular matrix (ECM) and TGF-β/Smad signaling in the colon mucosa. Male rats were divided into normal control, diabetic and insulin treated diabetic groups during 4 and 9 weeks. Sirius red staining showed marked increase in the extracellular matrix deposition in diabetic mucosa. High levels of fibrillar collagen (I and III) and fibronectin mRNAs were also detected with an imbalance between MMPs/TIMPs activities. Moreover, an increased mesenchymal cell proliferation together with an enhanced expression of myofibroblasts markers vimentin and α-SMA were observed. TGF-β/Smad signaling-related genes were determined using RT-PCR, Western blotting, and immunohistochemistry. Diabetic rats showed a significant up-regulation of TGF-β1, TGF-β receptors and the effectors p-Smad2/3 in the mucosa compared with control rats. Insulin treatment attenuated the stimulating effect of diabetes on colon ECM deposition and TGF-β/Smad signaling. In conclusion, the overall results showed a deregulation of the TGFβ1 pathway associated with the appearance of myofibroblasts and the accumulation of ECM in the mucosa of diabetic colon. These data provide the first in vivo evidence that TGF-β1/Smad is a key component of intestinal tissue remodeling in diabetes. Fil: D'arpino, María Cecilia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tucumán. Instituto Superior de Investigaciones Biológicas. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán. Instituto Superior de Investigaciones Biológicas; Argentina Fil: Fuchs, Alicia Graciela. Universidad Abierta Interamericana. Facultad de Medicina. Centro de Altos Estudios en Ciencias de la Salud; Argentina Fil: Sanchez, Sara Serafina del V.. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tucumán. Instituto Superior de Investigaciones Biológicas. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán. Instituto Superior de Investigaciones Biológicas; Argentina Fil: Honore, Stella Maris. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tucumán. Instituto Superior de Investigaciones Biológicas. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán. Instituto Superior de Investigaciones Biológicas; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán. Facultad de Bioquímica, Química y Farmacia; Argentina

Brugada syndrome (BS) was reported for the first time in 1992 and is associated with an ST-segment elevation in the right precordial leads in the absence of any demonstrable structural heart disease, as well as with sudden cardiac death due to ventricular fibrillation (VF).1 A patent type 1 electrocardiogram (ECG) is diagnostic of BS and is characterized by a coved ST-segment elevation of ≥2 mm followed by a negative T wave in >1 right precordial lead (V1 to V3) in the presence or absence of a sodium channel–blocking agent, and in conjunction with 1 of the following: documented VF, polymorphic ventricular tachycardia (VT), a family history of sudden cardiac death at

Diabetes mellitus is a chronic metabolic disease that develops mainly due to insulin deficiency or resistance to insulin action. All forms of diabetes are characterized by chronic hyperglycemia, which has an important role in the pathogenesis of diabetic complications. Leaves of Smallanthus sonchifolius (Poepp.&Endl.) H. Robinson (yacon) have been used since ancient times to prepare medicinal herbal tea with beneficial health properties. This review aims to discuss some key aspects related to the potential use of S. sonchifolius leaves and their natural biomolecules for the prophylaxis and treatment of diabetes as well as the potential mechanisms of action. Fil: Honore, Stella Maris. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tucumán. Instituto Superior de Investigaciones Biológicas. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán. Instituto Superior de Investigaciones Biológicas; Argentina Fil: Genta, Susana Beatriz de Fátima. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tucumán. Instituto Superior de Investigaciones Biológicas. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán. Instituto Superior de Investigaciones Biológicas; Argentina Fil: Sanchez, Sara Serafina del V.. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tucumán. Instituto Superior de Investigaciones Biológicas. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán. Instituto Superior de Investigaciones Biológicas; Argentina

Lead is an important heavy metal pollutant in the environment. The nervous system, kidney and liver are the most susceptible organs to lead deposition, showing that this pollutant has no single target system. To examine the cellular and molecular mechanisms involved in their pathobiology of chronic lead at low-dose exposure in the liver, male Wistar rats were exposed to 0.06% lead acetate in drinking water every day for 4 months. At the end of the study, hepatic metal accumulation, morphology and function were examined. Immunochemical staining and Western blot analysis were performed to detect extracellular matrix proteins, α-smooth muscle actin and transforming growth factor (TGF)β1/Smad pathway expression. Results showed increased laminin, collagen IV and fibronectin, located at the perisinusoidal space. Phenotypic transformation of hepatic stellate cells into myofibroblast-like cells was evidenced at the ultrastructural level and a significant expression of α-smooth muscle actin in Disse's space was observed. These findings were associated with a marked increase in TGFβ1/Smad2/3 signaling. Our data suggest that, chronically, exposure to low levels of lead could trigger the onset of a hepatic fibrogenic process through upregulated TGFβ1/Smad signaling. Fil: Pérez Aguilar, Rossana Cristina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tucumán. Instituto Superior de Investigaciones Biológicas. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán. Instituto Superior de Investigaciones Biológicas; Argentina Fil: Honore, Stella Maris. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tucumán. Instituto Superior de Investigaciones Biológicas. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán. Instituto Superior de Investigaciones Biológicas; Argentina Fil: Genta, Susana Beatriz de Fátima. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tucumán. Instituto Superior de Investigaciones Biológicas. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán. Instituto Superior de Investigaciones Biológicas; Argentina Fil: Sanchez, Sara Serafina del V.. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tucumán. Instituto Superior de Investigaciones Biológicas. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán. Instituto Superior de Investigaciones Biológicas; Argentina

Background: The axial skeleton develops from the sclerotome, a mesenchymal cell population derived from somites. Sclerotomal cells migrate from somites to the perinotochordal and perineural space where they differentiate into chondrocytes to form cartilage and bone. In anurans, little is known about the way how the sclerotome changes as development proceeds and how these events are regulated at the molecular level. Pax1, Pax9, and Uncx4.1 genes play a central role in the morphogenesis of the axial skeleton in vertebrates, regulating cell proliferation and chondrogenic specification of the sclerotome. Results: In this work, we cloned and examined through whole-mount in situ hybridization and reverse transcriptasepolymerase chain reaction the expression patterns of pax1, pax9, and uncx transcription factors in the anuran Xenopus laevis. Conclusions: We found that these genes are similarly expressed in the sclerotome and in the pharyngeal pouch. A detailed analysis of the location of these transcripts showed that they are expressed in different subdomains of the sclerotomal compartment and differ from that observed in other vertebrates. Fil: Sanchez, Romel Sebastian. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tucuman. Instituto Superior de Investigaciones Biológicas. Universidad Nacional de Tucuman. Instituto Superior de Investigaciones Biologicas; Argentina Fil: Sanchez, Sara Serafina del V.. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tucuman. Instituto Superior de Investigaciones Biológicas. Universidad Nacional de Tucuman. Instituto Superior de Investigaciones Biologicas; Argentina

El objetivo de este trabajo fue estudiar moléculas involucradas en la activación endotelial, tales como la molécula de adhesión sE-Selectina (sE-S) y el péptido vasoconstrictor Endotelina-1 (ET-1) en individuos diabéticos tipo 2 y su asociación con otros factores de riesgo cardiovascular. Se estudiaron 62 pacientes diabéticos que se compararon con un grupo control. Las concentraciones de sE-S y ET-1 fueron significativamente mayores en los diabéticos que en los controles (sE-S: 90,6±26,2 ng/mL vs. 49,5±9,2 ng/mL, p7%), siendo significativamente mayores los niveles de ET-1 en este grupo (p7%) and in these patients, ET-1 plasma levels were significantly increased (p

La enfermedad cardiovascular (ECV) constituye la principal causa de muerte en la población adulta en los países occidentales. Entre los factores que contribuyen de manera decisiva en su patogénesis se encuentra la diabetes, la hipertensión arterial, la dislipemia y la obesidad. No obstante que diversos trabajos realizados en la población general de Argentina indican que la presencia de factores de riesgo ECV es semejante a las de otras poblaciones caucásicas, son escasos los datos que existen referentes a las comunidades indígenas. El objetivo de este trabajo fue estudiar factores de riesgo de ECV tales como diabetes, hipertensión, dislipemia, obesidad, alcoholismo y tabaquismo en la población indígena de Amaicha del Valle (Tucumán, Argentina). Se realizó una encuesta clínica y nutricional domiciliaria a 577 habitantes de ascendencia indígena de Amaicha del Valle y zonas aledañas, de los cuales 370 (65%) completaron tanto el interrogatorio como estudios oftalmológicos, cardiovasculares y de laboratorio. La muestra comprendió individuos de ambos sexos (250 mujeres, 120 hombres) y con una edad promedio de 48,3 ± 17,4 años. Las pruebas de laboratorio incluyeron las determinaciones de glucosa, colesterol total (CT), colesterol de lipoproteínas de alta densidad (HDL-C), colesterol de lipoproteínas de baja densidad (LDL-C), triglicéridos (Tg). Se calculó el cociente CT/HDL-C y el índice HOMA. La prevalencia de diabetes fue del 9,2% en la población estudiada. El 12% tenía hipertensión arterial, el 25% eran fumadores y un 33% consumían bebidas alcohólicas. La obesidad estuvo presente en el 24% de las mujeres y en el 12% de los hombres, mientras que el contorno de cintura estuvo incrementado en el 51% de las mujeres y en el 11% de los hombres. Se hallaron valores elevados de CT, LDL-C, Tg y del cociente CT/HDLc en el 64%, 55%, 38% y 45%, respectivamente, de la población indígena, sin embargo los niveles de HDL-C estuvieron disminuidos sólo en el 18% de la misma. El índice HOMA estuvo incrementado el 25% de la población. El hallazgo de altos porcentajes de factores de riesgo de ECV en los indígenas de Amaicha del Valle, sugiere la necesidad de que las autoridades del área de la salud implementen medidas educativas y sanitarias dirigidas a la prevención y control de esta enfermedad. Cardiovascular diseases (CVO) constitute the first cause of death in the adult population of the occidental coun­tries and diseases as Diabetes, hypertension, dyslipide­mia and the obesity contribute in decisive way in the CVO pathogenesis. Although in the whole population of Argentine, diverse studies indicate that the presence of CVO risk factors is similar to those of Caucasus populations, in the indige­nous communities the date of these factors has been scarcely studied. The objective of this work was to study the presence of risk factors of CVO as diabetes, hypertension, dyslipidemia and obesity in the indigenous population of Amaicha del Valle (Tucumán, Argentina). A clinic and nutritional survey was carried out to 577 indigenous inhabitants from Amaicha del Valle and its neighboring areas, out of which 370 (65%) completed either the questionnaire and cardiovascular, ophthalmologic, and laboratory studies. The sample was integrated by subjects of both sexes (250 women, 120 men), and mean age: 48.3 ::!: 17.4 yr. Laboratory tests included serum le veIs of glucose, total cholesterol (TC), HDL-cho­lesterol (HDL-C), LDL-cholesterol (LDL-C), triglycerides (Tg), as well as the TC/HDL-C ratio and HOMA index. The prevalence of diabetes was 9.2 % (Fig.1). Twelve percent of the population suffered from hypertension. Obesity was found in 24 % of the women and 12 % of the men, while waist size was increased in 51 % and 11 % respectively (Table 1). High levels of TC (64%), LDL-C (55%), and an increased TC/HDL-C ratio (45%) were found (Table 11). The HOMA index was increased in 25 % of the population. The finds of high percentages of ECV risk factors in the Amaicha del Valle indigenous, suggest the necessity that the health authorities undertake sanitary and education measures leading to the prevention and control of this disease. Fil: Klyver, María I.. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán. Facultad de Bioquímica, Química y Farmacia; Argentina Fil: Luciardi, Héctor Lucas. No especifíca; Fil: Prado, María M.. No especifíca; Fil: Velarde, María S.. No especifíca; Fil: Sanchez, Sara Serafina del V.. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tucumán. Instituto Superior de Investigaciones Biológicas. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán. Instituto Superior de Investigaciones Biológicas; Argentina Fil: Abregú, Adela V.. No especifíca