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Background: The diagnosis of bladder outlet obstruction (BOO) in women is a challenge for functional urology. In Mexico there are few data that report the prevalence of OTSV in women, being up to 24% in a group of patients., Objective: The aim of this study is to compare six different definitions of bladder outlet obstruction and evaluate the interobserver agreement in an educational setting., Material and Methods: Urodynamic studies (UDS) of women with and without diagnosis of BOO were retrospectively assesed. Farrar, Chassagne, Lemack, Defreitas, Blavais and Groutz, Solomon-Greenwell definitions were evaluated. All UDS were independently reviewed by 5 observers. The easiest, the hardest and the fastest were chosen. Interobserver agreement to classify the patients as obstructed was assessed by kappa reliability statistical analysis. We classified the type of mistakes the participants made; error of interpretation and miscalculation., Results: A total of 28 urodynamic studies were reviewed. All observers had a substantial agreement (0.64-0.78) to classify BOO using all but Lemack and Solomon-Greenwell definitions. A total 120 errors from 840 responses were found; 45.8% errors of interpretation of UDS and 54.1% miscalculation of the equation. Finally, all the participants chose the Solomon-Greenwell was the most difficult definition., Conclusion: Chassagne, Defreitas and Farrar definitions proved substantial interobserver agreement. Solomon-Greenwell and Lemack´s definitions had the highest number of pitfalls and the lowest level of agreement., (Licencia CC 4.0 (BY-NC-ND) © 2023 Revista Médica del Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social.)

Introduction: The use of teleneuropsychology (TeleNP) increased as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic; however, there have been no studies of the benefits and difficulties with this modality in middle-income countries. This study aimed to assess the current use of TeleNP in Mexico., Method: Mexican neuropsychologists were invited to participate in an online survey regarding the use of TeleNP during the COVID-19 pandemic. The survey was based on issues from a literature review and consisted of 36 questions requiring yes/no, multiple choice, or ordinal answers. The survey was created using Google Forms and asked respondents to provide informed consent. A total of 107 clinical neuropsychologists completed the survey., Results: 82% of participants currently use TeleNP, and most reported learning about TeleNP through personal experience, literature research, and colleagues. Brief evaluations, delivery of results, and intervention were the principal services provided, most frequently on a home-to-home basis. Almost 30% of clinicians reported not requiring informed consent for use of the modality. Consultations included children, adolescents, and adults in similar numbers; older adults were less frequent. Technological limitations were the most frequent reason for ruling out the modality with particular patients. Perceived benefits included the ability to continue consultations despite social distancing measures, lesser risk of COVID-19 infection, and the possibility of seeing patients with limited access to neuropsychological services. Reasons for not using TeleNP included a lack of standardized instruments, not feeling comfortable with the modality, and lack of technological resources and skills., Conclusions: Despite the socioeconomic differences between Mexico and high-income countries, most of our findings were similar to reports from those countries. However, technological limitations were common, and smartphones were commonly used, contrary to recommendations in the literature. The future use of TeleNP in Mexico should include formal training and ethical guidelines.

During the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, the emergence and rapid increase of the B.1.1.7 (Alpha) lineage of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), first identified in the United Kingdom in September 2020, was well documented in different areas of the world and became a global public health concern because of its increased transmissibility. The B.1.1.7 lineage was first detected in Mexico during December 2020, showing a slow progressive increase in its circulation frequency, which reached its maximum in May 2021 but never became predominant. In this work, we analyzed the patterns of diversity and distribution of this lineage in Mexico using phylogenetic and haplotype network analyses. Despite the reported increase in transmissibility of the B.1.1.7 lineage, in most Mexican states, it did not displace cocirculating lineages, such as B.1.1.519, which dominated the country from February to May 2021. Our results show that the states with the highest prevalence of B.1.1.7 were those at the Mexico-U.S. border. An apparent pattern of dispersion of this lineage from the northern states of Mexico toward the center or the southeast was observed in the largest transmission chains, indicating possible independent introduction events from the United States. However, other entry points cannot be excluded, as shown by multiple introduction events. Local transmission led to a few successful haplotypes with a localized distribution and specific mutations indicating sustained community transmission. IMPORTANCE The emergence and rapid increase of the B.1.1.7 (Alpha) lineage of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) throughout the world were due to its increased transmissibility. However, it did not displace cocirculating lineages in most of Mexico, particularly B.1.1.519, which dominated the country from February to May 2021. In this work, we analyzed the distribution of B.1.1.7 in Mexico using phylogenetic and haplotype network analyses. Our results show that the states with the highest prevalence of B.1.1.7 (around 30%) were those at the Mexico-U.S. border, which also exhibited the highest lineage diversity, indicating possible introduction events from the United States. Also, several haplotypes were identified with a localized distribution and specific mutations, indicating that sustained community transmission occurred in the country.

SARS-CoV-2 infection is causing a pandemic disease that is reflected in challenging public health problems worldwide. Human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-based epitope prediction and its association with disease outcomes provide an important base for treatment design. A bioinformatic prediction of T cell epitopes and their restricted HLA Class I and II alleles was performed to obtain immunogenic epitopes and HLA alleles from the spike protein of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 virus. Also, a correlation with the predicted fatality rate of hospitalized patients in 28 states of Mexico was done. Here, we describe a set of 10 highly immunogenic epitopes, together with different HLA alleles that can efficiently present these epitopes to T cells. Most of these epitopes are located within the S1 subunit of the spike protein, suggesting that this area is highly immunogenic. A statistical negative correlation was found between the frequency of HLA-DRB1*01 and the fatality rate in hospitalized patients in Mexico., (© 2020 Wiley Periodicals LLC.)

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: The different species of the genus Datura have been used traditionally by some pre-Columbian civilizations, as well as in medieval rituals linked to magic and witchcraft in both Mexico and Europe. It is also noteworthy the use of different alkaloids obtained from the plants for medicinal purposes in the treatment of various groups of diseases, especially of the respiratory and muscularskeletal systems., Aim of the Study: A review of the ethnobotanical uses of the genus Datura in Mexico and Spain has been conducted. We focus on the medicinal and ritualistic uses included in modern ethnobotanical studies, emphasizing the historical knowledge from post-colonial American Codices and medieval European texts. Datura's current social emergency as a drug of recreation and leisure, as well as its link to crimes of sexual abuse is also considered. The work is completed with some notes about the distribution and ecology of the different species and a phytochemical and pharmacological review of Datura alkaloids, necessary to understand their arrival in Europe and the ethnobotanical uses made since then MATERIALS AND METHODS: A literature review and compilation of information on traditional medicinal uses of the genus has been carried out from the main electronic databases. Traditional volumes (codices) have also been consulted in libraries of different institutions. Consultations have been made with the National Toxicological Services of Spain and Mexico for toxicological data., Results: A total of 118 traditional uses were collected in both territories, 111 medicinal ones to be applied in 76 conditions or symptoms included in 13 pathological groups. Although there are particular medicinal uses in the two countries, we found up to 15 similar uses, of which 80% were previously mentioned in post-Colonial American codices. Applications in the treatment of asthma and rheumatism are also highlighted. Apart from medicinal uses, it is worth noting their cultural and social uses, in the case of Mexico relating to diseases such as being scared, astonishment or falling in love, and in the case of Spain, as a recreational drug and lately, for criminal purposes., Conclusions: This review highlights the variety of uses traditionally given to the different species in both territories. The fact that most of the coincident or similar uses in both countries also appear in the classical codices can be found an example of the flow, not only of the plants from America to Europe, but also of their associated information. It is also relevant that particular uses have derived in both countries, reflecting the difference in the cultural factors and traditions linked to rituals and cultural practices. Finally, the significant growth of Datura consumption in recent years as a drug of leisure and recreation, as well as in crimes of sexual submission, should be considered as research of maximum relevance in the field of forensic botany and toxicology., (Copyright © 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Objective: The functional PTPN22 R620W polymorphism (rs2476601) is clearly associated with susceptibility to several autoimmune diseases (ADs). However, the PTPN22 R263Q polymorphism (rs33996649) has been scarcely explored in different ADs. Here we aimed to examine the associations of the PTPN22 R620W and R263Q polymorphisms with susceptibility to or protection against rheumatoid arthritis (RA), systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), and Graves' disease (GD) among Mexican patients., Methods: We conducted a case-control study including 876 patients (405 with SLE, 388 with RA, and 83 with GD) and 336 healthy control individuals. PTPN22 genotypes were determined using the TaqMan 5' allele discrimination assay., Results: PTPN22 R620W was associated with GD susceptibility (OR 4.3, p = 0.004), but was not associated with SLE (OR 1.8, p = 0.19). We previously demonstrated that this polymorphism is associated with RA susceptibility (OR 4.17, p = 0.00036). Moreover, PTPN22 R263Q was associated with protection against SLE (OR 0.09, p = 004) and RA (OR 0.28, p = 0.045), but was not associated with GD., Conclusions: Our data provide the first demonstration that PTPN22 R620W confers GD susceptibility among Latin-American patients. Moreover, this is the second report documenting the association of PTPN22 R263Q with protection against SLE and RA.

Background: The overall estimated prevalence of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in Mexico is 1.6%, but there are major variations in different geographic areas of the country., Objective: This study aimed to determine the impact of individual and regional variables on the geographic distribution of RA in Mexico., Methods: This multilevel analysis used data from a cross-sectional study that investigated the prevalence of RA among 19,213 individuals older than 18 years throughout 5 geographic regions in Mexico. Logistic regression models were used to determine predictors of RA, including individual and regional variables as well as cultural factors. Adjusted odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were determined., Results: The prevalence of RA varied from 0.77% to 2.8% across the 5 regions. Individual factors associated with RA were sex (OR, 2.32; 95% CI, 1.74-3.07), previous medical diagnosis of RA ( OR 3.3, 95%CI: 2919–5.1 [corrected]), disability (OR, 2.07; 95% CI, 1.48-2.93), and the 56- to 65-year age group (OR, 1.95; 95% CI, 1.08-3.74). The regional factor of speaking an indigenous language had an OR of 2.27 (95% CI, 1.13-4.55)., Conclusions: Various individual and regional factors were associated with variations in the prevalence of RA in the Mexican population.

This study aims to evaluate the structural validity of the Community-Oriented Program for the Control of Rheumatic Diseases (COPCORD) core instrument as a screening tool for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) by means of assessing the existence of domains in the questionnaire. The Mexican version of the COPCORD instrument was applied to individuals over18 years of age in five regions of the country through a probabilistic/convenience household survey. Clinical confirmation of RA diagnosis was used. The variables analyzed included self-reported comorbidities and manifestations of the disease, as well as sociodemographic characteristics. The statistical approach was based on polychoric exploratory factor analysis and confirmatory factor analysis by means of probit structural equation models. A total of 19,213 subjects were included in the analysis. The average age for the total sample was 42.89 years old; 40.64 % of the subjects were older than 45 years of age and 20.42 % older than 55. More than 80 % of the variation was related to three underlying factors: recent pain, historical pain, and disability. The findings verified the usefulness of the COPCORD instrument as a screening tool for RA. The results also allowed to characterize how the variation in terms of manifestations of the disease could be accounted for diagnosing the disease in the Mexican context and examined the capabilities of the instrument to measure correctly the main characteristics of patients suffering from RA.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: Agastache mexicana subspecies mexicana (Amm) and xolocotziana (Amx) are used in Mexican traditional medicine to relief cultural affiliation syndromes known as "susto" or "espanto", for "nervous" condition, and as a sleep aid. Despite its intensive use, neuropharmacological studies are scarce, and the chemical composition of the aqueous extracts has not been described. Aims of the study are: (1) To analyze the chemical composition of aqueous extracts from aerial parts of Amm and Amx. (2) To evaluate the anxiolytic-like, sedative, antidepressant-like effects. (3) Analyze the general toxic effects of different doses., Materials and Methods: Anxiolytic-like and sedative effects were measured in the avoidance exploratory behavior, burying behavior and the hole-board tests. The antidepressant-like actions were studied in the forced swimming and tail suspension tests. Finally, general activity and motor coordination disturbances were evaluated in the open field, inverted screen and rota-rod tests. The acute toxicity of Amm and Amx was determined by calculating their LD50 (mean lethal dose). The chemical analyses were performed employing chromatographic, photometric and HPLC-ESI-MS techniques., Results: Low doses of Amm and Amx (0.1σ1.0mg/kg) induced anxiolytic-like actions; while higher doses (over 10mg/kg) induced sedation and reduced the locomotor activity, exerting a general inhibition in the central nervous system (CNS)., Conclusions: Results support the use of Amm and Amx in traditional medicine as tranquilizers and sleep inducers. Additionally, this paper contributes to the knowledge of the chemical composition of the aqueous extracts of these plants., (Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Introduction: The etiology of depressive symptoms associated with the transition to menopause is still unknown; hormonal changes, serotonergic system or insomnia, could be a trigger to depressive symptomatology. The aim of the present study was to evaluate gonadal hormonal levels, platelet serotonin concentrations and platelet tryptophan concentrations in a group of depressed perimenopausal women and their healthy counterparts., Methods: A total of 63 perimenopausal women between 45 and 55 years old were evaluated; of these, 44 were depressed patients, and 19 were perimenopausal women without depression. The instruments that were applied included the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D), the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS) and the Green Climacteric Scale (GCS); gonadal hormone levels and platelet tryptophan and serotonin concentrations were measured in all participants. Differences in hormonal levels and tryptophan and serotonin concentrations were evaluated with respect to specific symptoms, such as insomnia, hot flashes, nervousness, depressed mood and loss of interest., Results: No differences between groups were observed with respect to hormonal levels and tryptophan and serotonin concentrations; mean sleep hours and insomnia were significantly correlated with platelet tryptophan concentrations., Conclusions: In this sample, all symptoms of depression could not be explained by platelet tryptophan and serotonin concentrations and hormonal levels; differences were observed only when we evaluated insomnia and hot flashes.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: Several species of Annona (Annonaceae) are used in traditional Mexican medicine by their anti-anxiety, anticonvulsant and tranquilizing properties. It has been reported that the alkaloids isolated from some species of the Annona have affinity to serotonergic 5-HT(1A) receptors and modulate dopaminergic transmission, which is involved in depressive disorders., Aim of the Study: To investigate the antidepressant-like effect of an alkaloid extract from the aerial parts of Annona cherimola (TA) in mice., Materials and Methods: The antidepressant-like effect was evaluated in the forced swimming test. To elucidate a possible mechanism of action, experiments of synergism with antidepressant drugs, such as imipramine (IMI), clomipramine (CLIMI), and fluoxetine (FLX), were carried out. The neurotransmitter content (DA: dopamine, 5HT: serotonin and its metabolites, HVA: homovanillic acid and 5HIAA: 5-hydroxyindoleacetic) in the whole brain of mice were also determined by HPLC method. TA chemical composition was determined using high performance liquid chromatography-electrospray mass spectrometry., Results: The results showed that repeated treatment with TA produced antidepressant-like effects in mice. This effect was not related to an increase in locomotor activity. Administration of TA facilitated the antidepressant effect of IMI and CLIMI as well as increased the turnover of DA and 5-HT. The alkaloids: 1,2-dimethoxy-5,6,6a,7-tetrahydro-4H-dibenzoquinoline-3,8,9,10-tetraol, anonaine, liriodenine, and nornuciferine were the main constituents of TA., Conclusions: Results showed that TA produces an antidepressant-like action from a generalized increase in monominergic turnover, supporting the use in tradicional medicine of Annona cherimolia, and strongly suggest its therapeutic potency as an antidepressant agent., (Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.)

The developmental activities of 328 elite soccer players aged under-16 years from Brazil, England, France, Ghana, Mexico, Portugal and Sweden were examined using retrospective recall in a cross-sectional research design. The activities were compared to the early diversification, early specialisation, and early engagement pathways. Players started their involvement in soccer at approximately 5 years of age. During childhood, they engaged in soccer practice for a mean value of 185.7, s = 124.0 h · year(-¹), in soccer play for 186.0, s = 125.3 h · year(-¹), and in soccer competition for 37.1, s = 28.9 h · year(-¹). A mean value of 2.3, s = 1.6 sports additional to soccer were engaged in by 229 players during childhood. Players started their participation in an elite training academy at 11 to 12 years of age. During adolescence, they engaged in soccer practice for a mean value of 411.9, s = 184.3 h · year(-¹), in soccer play for 159.7, s = 195.0 h · year(-¹), and in soccer competition for 66.9, s = 48.8 h · year(-¹). A mean value of 2.5, s = 1.8 sports other than soccer were engaged in by 132 players during this period. There were some relatively minor differences between countries, but generally the developmental activities of the players followed a mixture of the early engagement and specialisation pathways, rather than early diversification.

Objective: Rheumatic diseases are vastly underdiagnosed and undertreated, particularly among minorities and those of low socioeconomic status. The WHO-ILAR Community Oriented Program in the Rheumatic Diseases (COPCORD) advocates screening of musculoskeletal complaints in the community. The objective of this study was to evaluate the performance of the COPCORD Core Questionnaire (CCQ) as a diagnostic tool for rheumatic diseases., Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study designed in parallel with a large COPCORD survey in Mexico. A subsample of 17,566 questionnaires, selected from 4 of the 5 states included in a national COPCORD survey were included in the analysis as a diagnostic test to evaluate sensitivity, specificity, receiver operating characteristics curve (ROC), and positive likelihood ratio (LR+) of the CCQ as a case-detection tool for rheumatic diagnosis and for the most frequent diagnoses identified in the survey, osteoarthritis, regional rheumatic pain syndromes, and rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Logistic regression with the questions with LR+ ≥ 1 was performed to identify the strength of association (OR) for each question., Results: Pain in the last 7 days, high pain score (> 4), and previous diagnosis were the questions with highest LR+ for diagnosis, and for diagnosis of RA treatment with NSAID. The variables that contributed most to the model were pain in the last 7 days (OR 2.0, 95% CI 1.8-2.3), NSAID treatment (OR 3.3, 95% CI 3.0-3.7), a high pain score (OR 1.15, 95% CI 1.13-1.17), and having a previous diagnosis (OR 1.4, 95% CI 1.3-1.6). These 4 questions had R(2) = 0.24, p < 0.01, for detection of any rheumatic diagnosis. The single variable that explains 16% (OR 1.33, 95% CI 1.31-134) of variance was a high pain score in the last 7 days., Conclusion: Some variables were identified in the CCQ that could be combined in a brief version for case detection of rheumatic diseases in community surveys. The validity of this proposal has to be tested against the original version.

Objective: To estimate the prevalence of musculoskeletal (MSK) disorders and to describe predicting variables associated with rheumatic diseases in 5 regions of México., Methods: This was a cross-sectional, community-based study performed in 5 regions in México. The methodology followed the guidelines proposed by the Community Oriented Program for the Control of the Rheumatic Diseases (COPCORD). A standardized methodology was used at all sites, with trained personnel following a common protocol of interviewing adult subjects in their household. A "positive case" was defined as an individual with nontraumatic MSK pain of > 1 on a visual analog pain scale (0 to 10) during the last 7 days. All positive cases were referred to internists or rheumatologists for further clinical evaluation, diagnosis, and proper treatment., Results: The study included 19,213 individuals; 11,602 (68.8%) were female, and their mean age was 42.8 (SD 17.9) years. The prevalence of MSK pain was 25.5%, but significant variations (7.1% to 43.5%) across geographical regions occurred. The prevalence of osteoarthritis was 10.5%, back pain 5.8%, rheumatic regional pain syndromes 3.8%, rheumatoid arthritis 1.6%, fibromyalgia 0.7%, and gout 0.3%. The prevalence of MSK manifestations was associated with older age and female gender., Conclusion: The prevalence of MSK pain in our study was 25.5%. Geographic variations in the prevalence of MSK pain and specific diagnoses suggested a role for geographic factors in the prevalence of rheumatic diseases.

Background: The ongoing epidemiological transition in Mexico minimizes the relative impact of neurocysticercosis (NC) on public health. However, hard data on the disease frequency are not available., Methodology: All clinical records from patients admitted in the Instituto Nacional de Neurologia y Neurocirugia (INNN) at Mexico City in 1994 and 2004 were revised. The frequencies of hospitalized NC patients in neurology, neurosurgery and psychiatry services, as well as NC mortality from 1995 through 2009, were retrieved. Statistical analyses were made to evaluate possible significant differences in frequencies of NC patients' admission between 1994 and 2004, and in yearly frequencies of NC patients' hospitalization and death between 1995 and 2009., Principal Findings: NC frequency in INNN is not significantly different in 1994 and 2004. Between these two years, clinical severity of the cases diminished and the proportion of patients living in Mexico City increased. Yearly frequencies of hospitalization in neurology and psychiatry services were stable, while frequencies of hospitalization in neurosurgery service and mortality significantly decreased between 1995 and 2009., Conclusions: Our findings show a stable tendency of hospital cases during the last decade that should encourage to redouble efforts to control this ancient disease.

Aim of the Study: Around the world, Tilia species have been used in traditional medicine for their properties as tranquilizer. Furthermore, Mexican species of Tilia have been grouped as Tilia americana var. mexicana, but their specific content in flavonoids is poorly described. In this study, inflorescences of Mexican Tilia were collected in three different regions of Mexico to compare their flavonoid content and anxiolytic-like response., Materials and Methods: Flavonoid content was analyzed by using an HPLC-MS technique. For anxiolytic-like response, Tilia inflorescences extracts (from 10 to 300 mg/kg, i.p.) were tested in experimental models (open-field, hole-board and plus-maze tests, as well as sodium pentobarbital-induced hypnosis) in mice., Results: HPLC-MS analysis revealed specific peaks of flavonoid composition demonstrating some differences in these compounds in flowers and bracts depending on the region of collection. No differences in the neuropharmacological activity among these samples of Tilia were found. Moreover, their effects were associated with quercetin and kaempferol glycosides., Conclusions: Dissimilarities in the flavonoid composition of Mexican Tilias might imply that these species must be re-classified in more than one species, not as a unique Tilia americana var. mexicana. Since quercetin and kaempferol aglycons demonstrated anxiolytic-like response and that no difference in the pharmacological evaluation was observed between these three Mexican Tilias, we suggest that this pharmacological effect of Tilia inflorescences involves these flavonoids occurrence independently of the kind of glycosides present in the samples reinforcing their use in traditional medicine in several regions of Mexico., (Copyright 2009 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Leptin and adiponectin are cytokines produced by adipose tissue with opposite effects on tumor growth: the former stimulate whereas the latter inhibit it. The objective was to analyze the association of LEP A19G and ADIPOQ+45 T/G and +276 G/T polymorphisms in Mexican patients with colorectal cancer (CRC). 68 unrelated patients with CRC (study group) and 102 blood donors (control group); all subjects were Mestizos from western Mexico. The polymorphisms were established by PCR-RFLP on DNA samples obtained from peripheral blood. The LEP A19G polymorphism showed significant differences between CRC patients and control group (p= 0.01 for G/A genotype and p= 0.02 for the recessive model G/G +G/A); yet, in the analysis stratified by gender, this difference remained significant only in males. The ADIPOQ polymorphisms did not shown any significant differences. Our results suggest that the A19G LEP polymorphism is associated with CRC in Mexican patients.

Background: Although epileptic crises are equally frequent in women and men, several factors cause female epileptics to present a series of gender-specific problems. To date, few studies have been published on the kinetics of carbamazepine (CBZ) and carbamazepine 10,11-epoxide (CBZ-E) active metabolite in a Mexican population, and no information for epileptic women of reproductive age is available. The aim of the present work was to study the pharmacokinetic behavior of this group of women during steady state., Methods: Fourteen epileptic women under chronic treatment receiving only the anticonvulsant CBZ to control their crises were studied. A blood sample was taken before breakfast, before the morning dose of 200 mg, and after the dose at 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 8 h. Serum was separated by centrifugation at 1,350 x g. Serum concentrations of carbamazepine (CBZ) and of the metabolite carbamazepine 10,11-epoxide (CBZ-E) were measured by HPLC. Pharmacokinetic parameters were calculated by statistical moment method after obtaining serum concentrations., Results: Maximum time (T(max)) for CBZ was reached at 2.72+/-0.71 h and for CBZ-E, it was 3.60+/-0.79 h. C(max) for CBZ was 7.30+/-2.30 microg/mL, while C(min) for CBZ was 6.30+/-2.49. Maximum serum values for CBZ-E were 1.01+/-0.57, equivalent to 13.80% of CBZ; t(12) value for CBZ and CBZ-E was 18.20 and 16.10 h, respectively. AUC values for CBZ and metabolite were 70.33+/-17.10 microg/L/h and 9.20+/-2.50 microg/L/h, respectively. CBZ and CBZ-E clearance did not show differences and were 0.37 mL/kg/min and 0.40 mL/kg/min, respectively. Extraction index for serum concentrations of CBZ and CBZ-E AUC(CBZ)/AUC(CBZ-E) was 0.13; positive correlation was observed between serum concentrations of CBZ and E-CBZ, with r=0.94., Conclusions: The schedule we suggest for therapeutic monitoring of serum concentrations of CBZ in chronic treatments is 3 h for maximum peak concentration of C(max) after dose administration and for minimum peak concentration, C(min) prior to subsequent administration of the dose.

The two-electrode voltage-clamp technique was employed to investigate the effects of chloroform-methanol (1:1) extracts derived from five medicinal plants on Xenopus laevis oocytes. When evaluated at concentrations of 1 to 500 microg/ml, the extracts prepared from the aerial parts of Baccharis heterophylla H.B.K (Asteraceae), Chenopodium murale L. (Chenopodiaceae), Desmodium grahami Gray (Leguminosae) and Solanum rostratum Dun (Solanaceae) produced concentration-dependent oscillatory inward currents in the oocytes, while the extract of Gentiana spathacea did not induce any response. The reversal potential of the currents elicited by the active extracts was -17 +/- 2 mV and was similar to the chloride equilibrium potential in oocytes. These ionic responses were independent of extracellular calcium. However, they were eliminated by overnight incubation with BAPTA-AM (10 microM), suggesting that the currents were dependent on intracellular Ca2+ increase. Thus the plant extracts activate the typical oscillatory Ca(2+)-dependent Cl- currents generated in the Xenopus oocyte membrane more probably via a mechanism that involves release of Ca2+ from intracellular reservoirs. These observations suggest that Xenopus oocyte electrophysiological recording constitutes a suitable assay for the study of the mechanisms of action of herbal medicines.

A new furofuranic lignan named (+)-epimembrine together with known (+)-epieudesmine and (+)-epimagnoline were isolated from leaves of R. mucosa. Their structures were determined by spectroscopic data. Palmitone and a mixture of beta-sitosterol and stigmasterol were also isolated.

Background: The porcine virus denominated La Piedad Michoacan Virus (LPMV) is a member of the family Paramyxoviridae and is the cause of a disease in pigs present only in Mexico. The disease is characterized by meningoencephalitis and respiratory distress in young pigs, epididymitis and orchitis in boars, and reproductive failure and abortion in sows., Methods: The cytopathology, morphology, and distribution of the hemagglutination neuraminidase (HN) and nucleoprotein (NP) proteins of LPMV were investigated following inoculation into PK-15 cells. The cytopathic effect was characterized by cytoplasmic vacuolation and the formation of syncytia and cytoplasmic inclusion bodies., Results: In immunofluorescence assays using a monoclonal antibody (MAb) against the HN protein at 5-60 min post-infection (early infection), a diffuse immunofluorescence was observed near the cell membrane and adjacent to the nuclear membrane. At 24 h post-infection (late infection), a dust-like immunofluorescence was observed throughout the cytoplasm. LPMV-infected cells incubated with the MAb against the NP protein showed punctate cytoplasmic fluorescence during the early stages of infection. At the late infection stage, these fluorescent particles became larger and were seen predominantly in the cytoplasm of syncytia. This pattern was also apparent by immunohistochemical labeling and immunogold electron microscopy. The latter technique revealed that HN protein was diffusely distributed throughout the cytoplasm. When using the MAb against the NP protein, nucleocapsid organization was the most prominent feature and resulted in the formation of cytoplasmic inclusion bodies visible by light and electron microscopy. Immunogold labeling of purified nucleocapsids was shown by electron microscopy. Virus particles and nucleocapsids were morphologically similar to members of the Paramyxoviridae family., Conclusions: The morphologic characteristics of the virions and the distribution patterns of the HN and NP proteins in PK-15 infected cells indicate that the mechanisms of LPMV replication are generally similar to those of the members of the Paramyxoviridae family.

Background: In a previous report of the program of interlaboratory concordancy in the MNIH (Mexican National Institutes of Health) we observed imprecision in nearly half of the analytes assayed by participants B and J., Objectives: 1. To identify possible sources of variation in the analyzers. 2. To take corrective actions and see their effect on precision., Material and Methods: Analyzer B had been operating for 2.5 years and analyzer J for more than ten years (Lab J switched to a new analyzer from a different supplier in the last three months of the study). Both participants submitted their daily results in commercial controls (normal and high). Lab J furnished results for a period of six months (Jul-Sep/92 using the old analyzer, and Oct-Dec using the new one) and Lab B reported five months (it used Jul to change its operating procedure). Lab B assayed 16 analytes (two electrolytes, four enzymes and ten organic analytes) and Lab J 17 (four electrolytes, four enzymes and nine organic). They also agreed to maintain a logbook of any change in calibrators, controls, reagents, analysts, or operating procedures. The information of the first two months was used in a multiple analysis of variance (MANOVA) using the control assays as the dependent variable, and the logbook notations as the independent variables. Precision was expressed as a monthly mean of means of CVs of all analytes., Results: The MANOVA identified two sources of variation in analyzer B: 1) recalibrations (done fortnightly in an effort to improve performance); 2) control flasks. A restriction of calibrations led to an improvement in precision, i.e. from a CV of 5-7% in Aug-Sep to 3-4% in Oct-Dec. In the old analyzer of Lab J, the MANOVA was unable to identify causes of the high imprecision (CVs of 14-19% in Jul-Sep). With the new analyzer, precision improved (CV of 6% in Nov-Dec). Two observations of interest in the new analyzer were: a) a period of familiarization with the apparatus was apparently needed (CV was 11% in Oct); b) imprecision persisted in three analytes (CVs of 11-14% in BUN, calcium, and triglycerides in Nov-Dec). A second MANOVA in this lapse also failed to identify sources of variation for these three analytes., Conclusions: 1. Analyzer B is operating at an acceptable level of precision and can fully participate in our program. 2. The new analyzer of J can participate in the assays of 14 analytes.

A virus morphologically resembling members of the family Paramyxoviridae has been isolated from the brain of a piglet with a central nervous disorder accompanied by pneumonia and corneal opacity. The virus, designated LPM, grows in a large variety of cultured cell types and elicits a cytopathic effect including formation of syncytia and cytoplasmic inclusion bodies. The virus has hemagglutinating, neuraminidase and hemolytic activities. Studies on experimental transmission showed that young pigs are susceptible to infection which induced a disease similar to that in natural cases. The virus killed mice and chicken embryos. The structural proteins of LPM virus, as resolved by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis are similar to those described for other paramyxoviruses. Serologically the virus proved to be distinct from the paramyxoviruses tested so far.