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ABSTRACT Objectives: To estimate the prevalence of allergic rhinitis (AR), atopic dermatitis (AD), and wheezing, and to describe their patterns of co-occurrence according to different characteristics in adolescence and early adulthood. Methods: Cross-sectional analyses from the 15-year and 22-year follow-ups of the 1993 Pelotas (Brazil) Birth Cohort. The outcomes were assessed based on self-reported data, and the patterns of co-occurrence were determined using cluster analysis. The sample was described using absolute and relative frequencies according to the independent variables. Venn diagrams were generated to visualize the co-occurrence of AR, AD, and wheezing. Results: Data on AR, AD, and wheezing were available for 4,286 participants at 15 years and 3,789 at 22 years. At 15 years, AR was reported by 20.9% of participants, AD by 25.2%, and wheezing by 33.4%. Meanwhile, at 22 years, AR was reported by 24.6%, AD by 14.2%, and wheezing by 30.7%. Notably, the overlap between AR and wheezing was greater than that of the other conditions (6.9% at 15 years and 8.3% at 22 years). Participants with lower maternal education and lower income were more likely to report having “no health condition”. At 15 years, White individuals most frequently reported “three conditions” (4.1%; p

Objective To assess the predictive value of four cardiovascular (CV) risk algorithms for identifying high-risk psoriatic arthritis (PsA) patients.Methods Evaluation of patients with PsA enrolled in the Spanish prospective project CARdiovascular in RheuMAtology. Baseline data of 669 PsA patients with no history of CV events at the baseline visit, who were followed in rheumatology outpatient clinics at tertiary centres for 7.5 years, were retrospectively analysed to test the performance of the Systematic Coronary Risk Assessment (SCORE), the modified version (mSCORE) European Alliance of Rheumatology Associations (EULAR) 2015/2016, the SCORE2 algorithm (the updated and improved version of SCORE) and the QRESEARCH risk estimator version 3 (QRISK3).Results Over 4790 years of follow-up, there were 34 CV events, resulting in a linearised rate of 7.10 per 1000 person-years (95% CI 4.92 to 9.92). The four CV risk scales showed strong correlations and all showed significant associations with CV events (p

Abstract Exosomes mediate near and long-distance intercellular communication by transferring their molecular cargo to recipient cells, altering their biological response. Milk exosomes (MEx) are internalized by immune cells and exert immunomodulatory functions in vitro. Porcine MEx can accumulate in the small intestine, rich in macrophages. No information is available on the immunomodulatory ability of porcine MEx on porcine monocytes, which are known precursors of gut macrophages. Therefore, this study aims at (1) assessing the in vitro uptake of porcine MEx by porcine monocytes (CD14+), and (2) evaluating the in vitro impact of porcine MEx on porcine monocytes immune functions. MEx were purified by ultracentrifugation and size exclusion chromatography. The monocytes’ internalization of PKH26-labeled MEx was examined using fluorescence microscopy. Monocytes were incubated with increasing exosome concentrations and their apoptosis and viability were measured. Lastly, the ability of MEx to modulate the cells’ immune activities was evaluated by measuring monocytes’ phagocytosis, the capacity of killing bacteria, chemotaxis, and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. MEx were internalized by porcine monocytes in vitro. They also decreased their chemotaxis and phagocytosis, and increased ROS production. Altogether, this study provides insights into the role that MEx might play in pigs’ immunity by demonstrating that MEx are internalized by porcine monocytes in vitro and exert immunomodulatory effects on inflammatory functions.

Objective:Triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) has high relapse rates due to dysregulated inflammatory signaling pathways and significant changes in the tumor microenvironment, probably influencing the failure of several therapies. The Cysteinyl Leukotriene Receptor 1 (CYSLTR1), a leukotriene modulator of inflammation, has been shown to play an important role in cancer pathogenesis and survival but few studies have been reported on its role in breast cancer.Materials and Methods:The present work was conducted using publicly available platforms that have omics data to assess the clinical potential of CYSLTR1 expression and its prognostic validation in large cohorts of samples from breast cancer patients. Web platforms containing clinical information, RNA-seq and protein data were selected to perform in silico analyses of the potential marker CYLSTR1. Added together, the platforms included modules for correlation, expression, prognosis, drug interactions, and construction of gene networks.Results:Kaplan–Meier curves revealed that reduced levels of CYSLTR1 corresponded to an unfavorable outcome for overall survival (p

En Costa Rica, en la década de 1970, se desplazó de forma involuntaria a 2500 personas de las comunidades de Tronadora, Arenal y otros poblados desconcentrados en el campo para construir el megaproyecto Hidroeléctrico Arenal. Al presentar mayor población, Arenal fue de interés para la investigación, cuyos resultados se exponen en este artículo1. Se indagó sobre la restitución agroforestal, recurriendo a fuentes secundarias, y se aplicaron entrevistas a conocedores del caso. El análisis fue cualitativo, con un alcance exploratorio y descriptivo. Un 94 % de la población de Arenal optó por el reasentamiento involuntario. El 100 % de las familias reasentadas (325) contó con espacio para replicar el huerto casero. Se les brindó árboles para usos diversos y, con el tiempo, la agroforestería recuperó su funcionalidad y fue engalanando el paisaje.

RESUMO Objetivo: To describe the initial baseline results of a population-based study, as well as a protocol in order to evaluate the performance of different machine learning algorithms with the objective of predicting the demand for urgent and emergency services in a representative sample of adults from the urban area of Pelotas, Southern Brazil. Methods: The study is entitled “Emergency department use and Artificial Intelligence in PELOTAS (RS) (EAI PELOTAS)” (https://wp.ufpel.edu.br/eaipelotas/). Between September and December 2021, a baseline was carried out with participants. A follow-up was planned to be conducted after 12 months in order to assess the use of urgent and emergency services in the last year. Afterwards, machine learning algorithms will be tested to predict the use of urgent and emergency services over one year. Results: In total, 5,722 participants answered the survey, mostly females (66.8%), with an average age of 50.3 years. The mean number of household people was 2.6. Most of the sample has white skin color and incomplete elementary school or less. Around 30% of the sample has obesity, 14% diabetes, and 39% hypertension. Conclusion: The present paper presented a protocol describing the steps that were and will be taken to produce a model capable of predicting the demand for urgent and emergency services in one year among residents of Pelotas, in Rio Grande do Sul state.

The aim of this work was to evaluate the vasorelaxant and antihypertensive effects of a standardized precipitate of the hydroalcoholic extract from Agastache mexicana (PPAm), comprising ursolic acid, oleanolic acid, acacetin, luteolin and tilianin, among others. In the ex vivo experiments, preincubation with L-NAME (nonspecific inhibitor of nitric oxide synthases) reduced the relaxation induced by PPAm; nevertheless, preincubation with indomethacin (nonspecific inhibitor of cyclooxygenases) did not generate any change in the vasorelaxation, and an opposed effect was observed to the contraction generated by CaCl2 addition. Oral administration of 100 mg/kg of PPAm induced a significant acute decrease in diastolic (DBP) and systolic (SBP) blood pressure in spontaneously hypertensive rats, without changes in heart rate. Additionally, PPAm showed a sustained antihypertensive subacute effect on both DBP and SBP for 10 days compared to the control group. On the other hand, human umbilical vein cells treated with 10 µg/mL of PPAm showed a significant reduction (p < 0.05) in intracellular adhesion molecule-1, compared to the control, but not on vascular cell adhesion molecule-1. In conclusion, PPAm induces a significant antihypertensive effect in acute- and subacute-period treatments, due to its direct vasorelaxant action on rat aortic rings through NO production and Ca2+ channel blockade.

Background: Chitotriosidase (chitinase 1 or CHIT1) is secreted by activated macrophages. Macrophages are involved in the pathogenesis of feline infectious peritonitis (FIP). No reports on CHIT1 activity in cats with FIP are available. Objective: To preliminarily investigate the possible changes in serum CHIT1 activity in cats with FIP. Methods: CHIT1 activity was measured in serum samples from clinically healthy cats (n = 17), cats with FIP (n = 19) and cats with diseases potentially characterized by macrophage activation (n = 20), after a preliminary assessment of the imprecision and linearity of the method. Results: The highest CHIT1 activity was found in cats with FIP, followed by sick cats and clinically healthy cats. The magnitude of the differences between groups was higher than the intra- and inter-assay imprecision of the method (57%, respectively). Based on receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves, CHIT1 may differentiate sick from clinically healthy cats and, to a lesser extent, cats with FIP from cats without FIP. Conclusions: CHIT1 activity may identify sick cats and, within the appropriate clinical context, cats with FIP, although larger and more standardized studies, coupled with additional information on analytical performances of the method, are required to fully explore the diagnostic or prognostic potential of this test for FIP.

Abstract Background The mechanisms by which only some rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients respond favorably to TNF blockade are still poorly characterized. The goal of this study was to identify biological features that explain this differential response using a multilevel transcriptome analysis of the synovial membrane. Methods Synovial samples from 11 patients on anti-TNF therapy were obtained by arthroscopy at baseline and week 20. Analysis of the synovial transcriptome was performed at the gene, pathway, and cell-type levels. Newly characterized pathogenic cell types in RA, peripheral helper T cells (TPH), and CD34-THY1+ fibroblasts were estimated using a cell-type deconvolution approach. TPH association was validated using immunofluorescence. External validation was performed on an independent dataset. Results After multiple-test correction, 16 and 4 genes were differentially expressed at baseline and week 20, respectively. At the pathway level, 86 and 17 biological processes were significantly enriched at baseline and week 20, respectively. Longitudinal expression changes were associated with a drastic decrease of innate immune activity (P

Introducción: La actividad de la enfermedad en los pacientes con artritis reumatoide (AR) es frecuentemente determinada utilizando el índice compuesto DAS28. Al utilizar variables subjetivas, la actividad inflamatoria determinada por este índice puede afectarse por factores no inflamatorios y ser sobrevalorada. El DAS28 y sus componentes subjetivos han sido poco estudiados en sudamericanos. Objetivos: Analizar el componente subjetivo del DAS28 y las variables asociadas a él en dos poblaciones sudamericanas. Metodología: Estudio retrospectivo de pacientes con AR del registro BIOBADAGUAY que incluye pacientes de Paraguay y Uruguay bajo tratamiento biológico. Se determinó la fórmula para el componente subjetivo del DAS28 (sDAS28) y se analizaron sus valores al inicio del tratamiento y a la semana 52, así como la asociación de los mismos con variables clínicas y serológicas. Resultados: La población paraguaya registró valores menores de edad, número decomorbilidades asociadas, tabaquistas, DAS28, EVAP, NAD que la población uruguaya. La procedencia, el IMC, el número de comorbilidades, el tabaquismo y uso de metotrexato se asociaron con el sDAS28 al inicio del tratamiento. El sDAS28 al inicio del tratamiento, fue el factor con mayor asociación a la variación del sDAS28 la semana 52 de seguimiento. No se obtuvo asociación con variables objetivas (i.e. PCR, VSG, y número de tratamientos asociados). Conclusiones: Variables no asociadas a la actividad inflamatoria de la enfermedad pueden influir sobre el sDAS28 y el DAS28 de pacientes sudamericanos. El manejo de los mismos debe ser individualizado y no basado únicamente en el valor del DAS28.

Plantago australis Lam. Subsp. hirtella (Kunth) Rahn is a medicinal plant used as a diuretic, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, throat cancer treatment and for the control of diabetes. P. australis was collected in the state of Morelos, México. The hydroalcoholic extract (HAEPa) of P. australis was obtained by maceration and concentrated in vacuo. Once dry, it was evaluated through an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) in normoglycemic mice and in a non-insulin-dependent diabetic mice model. The expression of PPARγ and GLUT-4 mRNA was determined by rt-PCR, and GLUT-4 translocation was confirmed by confocal microscopy. The toxicological studies were conducted in accordance with the guidelines suggested by the OECD, sections 423 and 407, with some modifications. HAEPa significantly decreased glycemia in OGTT curves, as well as in the experimental diabetes model compared to the vehicle group. In vitro tests showed that HAEPa induced an α-glucosidase inhibition and increased PPARγ and GLUT-4 expression in cell culture. The LD50 of HAEPa was greater than 2000 mg/kg, and sub-chronic toxicity studies revealed that 100 mg/kg/day for 28 days did not generate toxicity. Finally, LC-MS analysis led to the identification of verbascoside, caffeic acid and geniposidic acid, and phytochemical approaches allowed for the isolation of ursolic acid, which showed significant PPARγ overexpression and augmented GLUT-4 translocation. In conclusion, HAEPa induced significant antidiabetic action by insulin sensitization through PPARγ/GLUT-4 overexpression.

Resumo: O objetivo foi estimar a prevalência do atraso nas três doses da vacina tetravalente (DTP+Hib) em crianças de 12 a 23 meses de idade, no Brasil, por meio dos dados da Pesquisa Nacional de Saúde (PNS) de 2013 e descrever o atraso em cada uma das doses segundo variáveis sociodemográficas, utilização de serviços e intervenções públicas de saúde. Foram utilizados dados da PNS, estudo transversal realizado em 2013. O desfecho foi o atraso pelo menos em uma das três doses da vacina tetravalente. Considerou-se como atraso a dose recebida pelo menos 30 dias após a data preconizada, segundo informação da caderneta de vacinação. A prevalência do atraso foi descrita segundo variáveis sociodemográficas e utilização de serviços de saúde. Realizou-se análise descritiva obtendo-se frequências absolutas e relativas e seus respectivos intervalos de 95% de confiança. Das 2.016 crianças com informações coletadas, 1.843 foram analisadas. A prevalência de atraso de pelo menos uma dose da vacina foi de 44%. Observou-se atraso de 14,8% na primeira, 28,8% na segunda e 45,4% na terceira dose, sendo que 10% das crianças tiveram atraso nas três doses. Maiores prevalências de atraso foram encontradas em crianças do sexo masculino, de cor da pele parda, pertencentes ao quintil mais pobre de riqueza, moradores da zona rural e da Região Norte do Brasil. Evidenciou-se alta prevalência de atraso na vacina tetravalente (DTP+Hib) em crianças de 12 a 23 meses do Brasil, sendo maior na terceira dose.

Serjania triquetra is a medicinal plant widely used in traditional medicine for the treatment of urinary tract diseases, renal affections, and its complications. The population can buy this plant in folk markets as a raw material mixed with several herbal remedies or as a health supplement. On the market, two commercial presentations were found for the vegetal material; one had a bulk appearance and the other was marketed wrapped in cellophane bags (HESt-2, HESt-3). Nevertheless, the plant has not been exhaustively investigated and quality control techniques have not been developed. This research aimed to realize a phytochemical study using an authentic, freshly collected sample as a reference for S. triquetra (HESt-1), using the compounds identified. A method for the determination of preliminary chromatographic fingerprinting was developed. Additionally, the vasorelaxant effect from three samples was evaluated with ex vivo rat models. Thus, three hydroalcoholic extracts (HESt-1, HESt-2, and HESt-3) were prepared by maceration. A total of nine compounds were fully identified from HESt-1 after the extract was subjected to open-column chromatography. Seven metabolites were detected by gas chromatography, while ursolic acid (UA) and allantoin were isolated and identified using UPLC-MS and NMR, respectively. Three extracts were analyzed for their chromatographic fingerprint by UPLC-MS. Biological activity was explored by ex vivo rat aorta ring model to evaluate vasorelaxant activity. All extracts showed a vasorelaxant effect in a concentration-dependent and endothelium-dependent manner. S. triquetra vascular activity may be attributed to UA and allantoin compounds previously described in the literature for this activity.

El Síndrome de Dolor Regional Complejo (SDRC) tipo 1 presenta dolor de tipo neuropático, regional, que generalmente sigue a un traumatismo. Clínicamente se caracteriza por dolor ardiente, síntomas vasomotores y deterioro funcional. Presentamos el caso de una mujer de 67 años de edad, con dolor, edema y disminución de la movilidad del miembro superior derecho, sin causa aparente. El diagnóstico del SDRC es clínico, en base a una alta sos- pecha. Los estudios complementarios son importantes para descartar otras causas. Debe abordarse en forma multidisciplinaria, a fin de diagnosticar y tratar en la brevedad posible, sumando tratamiento farmacológico, psicológico y fisioterapéutico.

Introducción: Enfermedad de Paget ósea (EP) afecta principalmente a personas adultas. Tiene una distribución geográfica irregular, con zonas de alta prevalencia, principal-mente en Reino Unido, Francia, y ciertas regiones de España. Dependiendo de los hallaz- gos radiológicos, se clasifican los casos en etapas: inicial u osteolítica; intermedia o mixta y terminal, quiescente u osteosclerótica. Las técnicas de imagen que se emplean para el diag- nóstico son la gammagrafía y la radiología. Los marcadores óseos reflejan de forma indirecta la actividad de la EP y la respuesta terapéutica. El objetivo de este estudio es conocer las principales características clínicas de pacientes con EP en un hospital de referencia. Materiales y Métodos: Estudio retrospectivo, descriptivo, transversal, de pacientes con diagnóstico de EP, en el Hospital Vall d’Hebron de Barcelona, de enero de 1985 a diciembre de 2009. Se evaluaron datos de laboratorio, clínicos, imágenes y tratamiento. La enfermedad ósea de Paget fue diagnosticada por los hallazgos típicos de rayos X. Resultados: Se incluyeron 35 pacientes con diagnóstico de Enfermedad de Paget ósea, con una media de la edad de 61,58 ± 20 años, con una relación F/M de 1/3. El motivo de consulta fue el dolor en 15/35 (42,8%) pacientes. La localización más frecuente fue la hemipelvis, seguida por vértebras, tibia y fémur. La afectación en 17/32 (49%) pacientes fue monostótica y en 18/35 (51%) poliostótica. La fosfatasa alcalina estaba elevada entre 2 a 10 veces el valor normal en 30/35 (86%) de los pacientes al momento del diagnóstico. El tratamiento de elección en todos los pacientes fue un bifosfonato, con una respuesta del 57% a los 3 meses. La complicación más frecuente fue el estrechamiento del canal medular. Conclusión: la enfermedad de Paget ósea afecta a pacientes mayores, con predominio del género masculino, y puede ser de presentación poliostótica o monostótica. El motivo de consulta más frecuente en nuestra serie fue el dolor y la complicación más frecuente el estrechamiento del canal. El diagnóstico temprano y el tratamiento con bifosfonatos son estrategias de suma importancia para estos pacientes.

Paraoxonase 1 (PON1) plays a role as antioxidant on HDL. Including in diet additionally ingest of polyphenolic compounds can stimulate PON1 transcription and increase its activity. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of dietary intake, red wine consumption, and PON1 genotypes (Q192R, L55M and C-108T) on the specific activity of PON1 in a healthy population. A descriptive and analytical pilot study was conducted in Mexican volunteers clinically healthy (n = 45) aged from 21–59 years. Over 6 weeks, the study participants ingested 120 mL of red wine per day. PON1 concentration, PON1 activities, genetic polymorphisms and dietary intake were evaluated. The preliminary fingerprinting of the wine was determined to corroborate the presence of phenolic compounds such as tannins and gallotannins. Neither dietary intake nor PON1 genotypes showed an effect on the specific activity of PON1. However, a significant increase in specific AREase activity after red wine consumption period was observed in the study participants. Our data suggest that the moderate consumption of red wine has a beneficial effect on PON1 specific AREase activity in this healthy Mexican population.

Introducción: La supervivencia de las terapias biológicas (TB) es considerada una medida indirecta de su eficacia y tolerabilidad, por lo cual existe un interés creciente en estudiarla. Actualmente la información sobre la supervivencia de las TB en pacientes paraguayos con artritis reumatoide (AR) es limitada. Objetivo: Analizar la supervivencia de las TB administradas a pacientes con AR del Servicio de Reumatología del Hospital Central del Instituto de Previsión Social (IPS). Metodología: Estudio observacional, de una serie de pacientes con diagnóstico de AR que recibieron TB en el Servicio de Reumatología del Hospital Central del IPS durante el periodo comprendido entre enero del 2005 a diciembre del 2015. La supervivencia fue determinada con el estimador de Kaplan Meier. Para analizar el efecto de las covariables se utilizó el modelo de regresión de Cox. Resultados: Se incluyó a 229 pacientes, en los que se identificaron a 258 TB (adalimumab 58,1%, tocilizumab 20, 9% etanercept 18,9% y rituximab1,9%). La supervivencia media del adalimumab, etanercept y tocilizumab fue de 246, 276 y 246 semanas respectivamente. En el análisis global, el número de terapias biológicas previas (NT B) se asoció de forma significativa a un mayor riesgo de retirada. El NTB y el tratamiento con tocilizumab se asociaron a un mayor riesgo de retirada por un evento adverso. Al analizar el grupo de tratamientos retirados por ineficacia, el NTB y el tratamiento con adalimumab se asociaron a un mayor riesgo de discontinuación por este motivo. Conclusión: En esta serie de pacientes con AR de origen paraguayo, se objetivó que la supervivencia media fue mayor para el tratamiento con etanercept y que las variables asociadas a una menor supervivencia varían según el motivo de retirada del tratamiento.

Introducción: El término de Espondiloartritis engloba a un grupo de enfermedades inflamatorias reumáticas crónicas, con características clínicas solapadas e interrelacionadas entre sí, en las que se incluyen: afectación axial, oligoartritis periférica, dactilitis, entesitis, uveítis y la presencia de HLA B27, de inicio insidioso, progresivo, y que condiciona finalmente discapacidad funcional de estos pacientes. Objetivo: Describir las características epidemiológicas y clínicas de un grupo de pacientes con Espondiloartritis. Materiales y métodos: Estudio multicéntrico, descriptivo, de una cohorte de pacientes con Espondiloartritis, procedentes del Hospital de Clínicas y el Hospital Central del Instituto de Previsión Social (IPS). Se incluyeron a todos los pacientes que cumplían criterios de clasificación ASAS para Espondiloartritis. Se realizó un cuestionario clínico y epidemiológico, clinimetría mediante exploración física, estudios de laboratorio y pruebas de imágenes. Se evaluó el estado mental y la autoestima, la calidad de vida y la capacidad funcional según métodos estandarizados. Las variables cualitativas se expresaron en frecuencias y porcentajes y las cuantitativas en medias con su desviación estándar. El análisis se realizó con el programa estadístico SPSS V.23.0. Resultados: Se registraron 26 pacientes con una proporción de varones/mujeres de 10/3, con una edad media de 39,7±13,06 años y con 171,4±152,2 meses de evolución de la enfermedad. Entre las comorbilidades el 6/26 (23,1%) presentaba hipertensión arterial y artrosis con la misma frecuencia. El síntoma más frecuente fue el dolor de inicio insidioso en articulaciones periféricas en18/21 (85,7%) de los pacientes, seguido del dolor lumbar nocturno en 22/26 (84,6%). Presentaron entesitis 12/24 (50%) y lesiones cutáneas 5/20 (25%). 23/26 (88,5%) de los pacientes tuvieron afectación axial, con sacroileitis objetivada mediante resonancia en 20/22 (90,9%) de los pacientes, 13/16 (81,3%) eran HLA B27 positivos. Al examen físico, la distancia dedo suelo media fue de 22, 97± 17,45 cm, y Schöber modificado medio de 4,25±1,95 cm. El promedio de actividad inflamatoria objetivado mediante BASDAI fue de 2,5±2,7, ninguno padecía de depresión y el 17/25 (68%) tenía la autoestima alta. Conclusión: En este estudio describimos las principales características clínico-epidemiológicas de los pacientes con Espondiloartritis, seguidos en dos grandes centros asistenciales de nuestro país.

It is suggested that HPV-18 variants from the A lineage have higher oncogenic potential compared to B variants. Some studies show uneven distribution of HPV-18 variants in cervical adenocarcinomas and squamous cell carcinomas. Regarding HPV-18 variants’ functions, the few studies reported focus on E6, and none were performed using natural host cells. Here, we immortalized primary human keratinocytes (PHKs) with E6/E7 of HPV-18 A1 and B1 sublineages and functionally characterized these cells. PHK18A1 reached immortalization significantly faster than PHK18B1 and formed a higher number of colonies in monolayer and 3D cultures. Moreover, PHK18A1 showed greater invasion ability and higher resistance to apoptosis induced by actinomycin-D. Nevertheless, no differences were observed regarding morphology, proliferation after immortalization, migration, or epithelial development in raft cultures. Noteworthy, our study highlights qualitative differences among HPV-18 A1 and B1 immortalized PHKs: in contrast to PHK18A1, which formed more compact colonies and spheroids of firmly grouped cells and tended to invade and migrate as clustered cells, morphologically, PHK18B1 colonies and spheroids were looser, and migration and invasion of single cells were observed. Although these observations may be relevant for the association of these variants with cervical cancer of different histological subtypes, further studies are warranted to elucidate the mechanisms behind these findings.

High superoxide dismutase 2 (SOD2) expression is associated with a poor prognosis at many cancer sites, the presence of metastases, and more advanced cervical cancer. This study aims to determine whether SOD2 protein expression is associated with the prognosis of stage IIIB cervical carcinoma. Methods: sixty-three patients with stage IIIB squamous cell cervical carcinoma were included. The evaluation of SOD2 expression by immunohistochemistry was based on a positive cell ratio score and the staining intensity score. Taking disease recurrence and death as endpoints, receiver operating characteristic curves were used to discriminate between high and low SOD2 expression. Results: high SOD2 expression was associated with recurrence (p = 0.001), distant recurrence (p = 0.002), and death (p = 0.005). A multivariate analysis showed that patients with high SOD2 expression had a threefold increased risk for recurrence (HR = 3.16; 1.33–7.51) and death (HR = 2.98; 1.20–7.40) compared with patients who had low SOD2 expression. Patients with high SOD2 expression had shorter disease-free survival (p = 0.001) and overall survival (p = 0.003) than patients with low SOD2 expression. Conclusion: high SOD2 expression is a strong prognostic factor for stage IIIB squamous cell carcinoma of the cervix and could be used as a prognostic marker in women with cervical carcinoma.

Introducción: El trastorno temporomandibular (TT M) es una afección que ocasiona una disminución de la calidad de vida de los pacientes que la padecen, ocasionando trastornos del habla y masticatorios. Puede ser secundario a la afectación de la articulación temporomandibular, los músculos masticatorios o ambos. Objetivo: Analizar la frecuencia y gravedad del TT M en una población de pacientes con enfermedades reumatológicas. Metodología: Estudio observacional descriptivo de corte transversal en una muestra no probabilística a conveniencia de pacientes con enfermedades reumatológicas procedentes de un hospital de tercer nivel durante los meses de mayo a junio del 2016. Para determinar la frecuencia y gravedad del TT M se aplicó a todos los pacientes el índice anamnésico simplificado de Fonseca. Resultados: Se realizó la encuesta a 51 pacientes consecutivos en los que el rango de edad fue de 30 a 56 años, con una mediana de 45 años. El 49% correspondía a pacientes con lupus eritematoso sistémico (LES), el 35,3% a artritis reumatoide (AR), el 9,8 % a esclerosis sistémica (ES) y el 5,9% a pacientes con superposición de lupus y artritis reumatoide. El 98% de la población analizada presento algún signo o síntoma de TT M, siendo esta afectación moderada en el 59% de los pacientes. Todos los pacientes con AR y ES, y el 98% de los pacientes con LES presentaron algún signo o síntoma de TT M. Conclusión: El TT M es una patología frecuente en los pacientes con enfermedades reumatológicas como la AR, el LES y la ES, siendo de moderada intensidad en la mayoría de los pacientes de nuestra serie.

OBJECTIVES: Oxidative stress results from an imbalance between the generation and elimination of oxidant species. This condition may result in DNA, RNA and protein damage, leading to the accumulation of genetic alterations that can favor malignant transformation. Persistent infection with high-risk human papillomavirus types is associated with inflammatory responses and reactive oxygen species production. In this context, oxidative stress, chronic inflammation and high-risk human papillomavirus can act in a synergistic manner. To counteract the harmful effects of oxidant species, protective molecules, known as antioxidant defenses, are produced by cells to maintain redox homeostasis. In recent years, the use of natural antioxidants as therapeutic strategies for cancer treatment has attracted the attention of the scientific community. This review discusses specific molecules and mechanisms that can act against or together with oxidative stress, presenting alternatives for cervical cancer prevention and treatment.

Most human papillomavirus infections are readily cleared by the host immune response. However, in some individuals, human papillomavirus can establish a persistent infection. The persistence of high-risk human papillomavirus infection is the major risk factor for cervical cancer development. These viruses have developed mechanisms to evade the host immune system, which is an important step in persistence and, ultimately, in tumor development. Several cell types, receptors, transcription factors and inflammatory mediators involved in the antiviral immune response are viral targets and contribute to tumorigenesis. These targets include antigen-presenting cells, macrophages, natural killer cells, Toll-like receptors, nuclear factor kappa B and several cytokines and chemokines, such as interleukins, interferon and tumor necrosis factor. In the present review, we address both the main innate immune response mechanisms involved in HPV infection clearance and the viral strategies that promote viral persistence and may contribute to cancer development. Finally, we discuss the possibility of exploiting this knowledge to develop effective therapeutic strategies.

El estudio de la fisiopatología de la Artritis Reumatoide (AR) ha permitido el desarrollo de fármacos capaces de actuar de forma precisa en las vías relacionadas con el proceso inflamatorio, logrando un mejor control de la enfermedad con un menor desarrollo de efectos adversos. Sin embargo, existe un porcentaje de pacientes en los que estas terapias no son eficaces. Hasta el momento no existe ningún biomarcador validado que pueda ser utilizado como un predictor de respuesta en la práctica clínica y tampoco se conoce con exactitud el mecanismo biológico por el cual algunos pacientes no responden de forma adecuada a estos tratamientos. El poder predecir que pacientes responderán a un tratamiento determinado permitirá optimizar el tratamiento con estos agentes. Objetivo: Identificar biomarcadores de remisión no genéticos al tratamiento con terapias anti-TNFα en pacientes con artritis reumatoide en una gran cohorte de pacientes. Materiales y métodos: Se incluyó a los 628 pacientes con diagnóstico de AR del proyecto PSE IMID-Kit que iniciaban una terapia biológica (adalimumab n=159, etanercept n=251 e infliximab n=218). Se registraron una serie de variables epidemiológicas (i.e. procedencia, habitos tóxicos, actividad física, grado de estudios, etc) y un elevado número de variables relacionadas con la propia AR (i.e. edad de inicio, presencia de autoanticuerpos, tratamientos previos, etc). La remisión clínica fue definida como un valor del DAS28

INTRODUCTION:Institute of Medicine gestational weight gain recommendations are based on body mass index (BMI) status using adult cut-off points for women of all ages, even though adolescents have specific criteria, like WHO and CDC, so adolescents can receive inadequate weight gain recommendations. OBJECTIVES:To estimate the proportion of classification disparity between the three criteria (WHO, CDC and IOM) of pre-pregnancy BMI status; and to analyze neonatal outcomes according to weight gain recommendation based on pre-pregnancy BMI using the three criteria. METHODS:Follow-up study in pregnant adolescents 12-19 years. Sociodemographic, anthropometric and pregnancy data were obtained. Percentage of pre-pregnancy BMI classification disparity was calculated between three criteria. Gestational weight gain was categorized in adequate, low and high according to IOM. Regression models were used to analyze negative neonatal outcomes. RESULTS:601 pregnant adolescents were included, mean age was 16±1.4 years. For pre-pregnancy BMI classification, 28.5% had classification disparity using IOM vs WHO, and 14% when comparing IOM vs CDC. Greater classification disparity was observed as BMI increased. When using WHO categories, a high weight gain was associated with increased risk of having a low birth weight baby (OR: 1.91, CI95%: 1.03-3.53). For CDC criteria, a low weight gain was associated with increased risk of having a preterm baby (OR: 2.65; CI95%: 1.16-6.08) and a high weight gain was associated with low birth weight (OR: 2.10; CI95%: 1.10-4.01). For IOM criteria, a weight gain either low or high were associated with increased risk of low birth weight and preterm birth. CONCLUSION:There is pre-pregnancy BMI classification disparity using criteria for adolescents compared to adult criteria. Nevertheless, with WHO and CDC only a high gestational weight gain was a risk for negative neonatal outcome. It is important to have a BMI classification system for adolescents that better predicts neonatal outcomes.

Los pacientes con diagnóstico de lupus eritematoso sistémico (LES) presentan una elevada morbi-mortalidad asociada a las manifestaciones cardiopulmonares que se desarrollan durante la evolución de la enfermedad. En este sentido, se han descrito dos picos de incidencia de mortalidad de esta enfermedad inmunológica. El primer pico está relacionado a la actividad de la enfermedad y se observa durante los tres primeros años posteriores al diagnóstico. El segundo pico está relacionado principalmente a las complicaciones cardiopulmonares y se presenta entre los 4 y 20 años posteriores al diagnóstico. Si bien la mortalidad temprana ha disminuido gracias a un mayor conocimiento de la fisiopatología de la enfermedad y al uso de terapias inmunosupresoras, la mortalidad tardía presenta un aumento progresivo de su frecuencia a pesar del avance en el manejo terapéutico. El estudio de estas complicaciones se ha convertido en un tema de gran interés debido a su efecto negativo en el pronóstico de los pacientes que las presentan. Algunos estudios epidemiológicos sugieren que los pacientes con LES tienen un mayor riesgo cardiovascular al ser comparados con la población sana. En este sentido, se ha descrito que estos presentan un mayor riesgo de desarrollar eventos cardiovasculares (infarto agudo del miocardio, accidente cerebro vascular y enfermedad arterial periférica) en comparación con la población general. De forma asociada, se ha objetivado que la presencia de manifestaciones pleuro-pulmonares (pleuritis lúpica, neumonitis, hemorragia pulmonar, embolismo pulmonar e hipertensión pulmonar) aumenta la morbimortalidad de los pacientes con LES. El conocimiento adecuado de las complicaciones cardiopulmonares en los pacientes con diagnóstico de lupus eritematoso sistémico permitirá realizar un manejo individualizado y por lo tanto más eficaz, permitiendo disminuir la morbilidad asociada a las citadas complicaciones. El objetivo de este manuscrito es realizar una revisión de la literatura sobre las principales manifestaciones cardiopulmonares, además de analizar la morbilidad y mortalidad asociada a ellas dentro del contexto clínico de los pacientes con LES.

Extensive knowledge of diabetes and its complications is helpful to find new drugs for proper treatment to stop degenerative changes derived from this disease. In this context, chrysin (5,7-dihydroxyflavone) is a natural product that occurs in a variety of flowers and fruits with anti-inflammatory and antidiabetic effects, among others. Thus, a diabetic model in athymic nude mice was developed and used to establish the ability of chrysin to decrease the secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Also, it was determined the acute (50 mg/kg) and sub-acute (50 mg/kg/day/10 days) antidiabetic and antihyperlipidemic activities after the period of time treatment. Results indicate that chrysin has significant acute antihyperglycemic and antidiabetic effects in nude diabetic mice (p < 0.05). Moreover, triglyceride blood levels were reduced and IL-1β and TNF-α were diminished after 10 days’ treatment compared with control group (p < 0.05). In conclusion, it was found that chrysin could produce similar effects as metformin, a drug used for the treatment of diabetes, since both test samples decreased glucose and triglycerides levels, they impaired the generation of pro-inflammatory cytokines involved in the development of diabetes and its consequences, such as atherosclerosis and other cardiovascular diseases.

ABSTRACT Objective: To estimate the evolution of the prevalence of asthma and wheezing among schoolchildren in Brazil from 2012 to 2015, as well as to identify factors associated with both conditions. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study using data from the Brazilian National School-Based Adolescent Health Survey for 2012 and 2015. To characterize the evolution of the prevalence of asthma and wheezing, we used linear regression with weighted-least-squares estimation and presented the annual percent change (APC). Results: During the study period, there was a reduction in the prevalence of wheezing, from 23.2% in 2012 to 22.4% in 2015 (APC, −0.27). The prevalence of asthma increased from 12.4% in 2012 to 16.0% in 2015 (APC, 1.20). The increase in the prevalence of asthma was greatest in the southern region of the country (APC, 2.17). Having any history of smoking and having consumed alcohol in the last 30 days were factors that influenced the prevalence of wheezing and the prevalence of a self-reported diagnosis of asthma during the two years evaluated. Conclusions: There has been an increase in the prevalence of asthma in recent years in Brazil. Our data underscore the importance of improving health strategies and policies aimed at the control of asthma.

This research is intended to examine the relationship between the Employment Vulnerability Index (EVI) and labor informality in Ecuador in 2018, 2019, and 2021 (considering both preand post-pandemic periods). The EVI was constructed using a polychoric principal components analysis (PCPA), while a logistic regression model and a two-stage least squares linear probability model were employed to evaluate its association with workers’ informal status. The findings indicate a positive correlation between employment vulnerability and the likelihood of a worker being engaged in the informal sector, with this correlation being particularly pronounced among individuals with higher EVI scores. Accordingly, policymakers are advised to concentrate their efforts on enhancing workers’ conditions by increasing educational attainment and implementing programs designed to incentivize formal employment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]