Disrupting effect of methanolic extract from Prosopis torquata (CAV. EX LAG.) fruits on male Wistar rats

Los disruptores endocrinos de plantas causan anomalías en el sistema reproductivo de los mamíferos. Estudiamos los efectos del extracto metanólico (MEx) del fruto de Prosopis torquata en la reproducción, histología y morfología del sistema reproductivo de las ratas Wistar macho. Las crías se distribuyeron al azar en cuatro grupos. Tres con dieta libre de fitoestrógeno más inyección por vía subcutánea con MEx, estradiol (E) y vehículo (Ve) respectivamente. El cuarto fue alimentado con dieta que contiene fitoestrógenos comerciales (Cf + Ve). No hubo cambios en valores de hormonas ni en concentración de espermatozoides entre grupos. MEx exhibió una maduración más lenta de testículos, escaso número de espermátidas alargadas y desorganización epitelial en órganos reproductores. El efecto disruptor de MEx, se ha observado previamente en ratas Wistar hembras.Endocrine disruptors from plants cause anomalies in the reproductive system of mammals. We studied the effects of methanolic extract (MEx) from the Prosopis torquata fruit on the reproductive functions, histology and morphology of the reproductive system of male Wistar rats. Offspring were randomly distributed in four groups. Three with a phytoestrogen-free diet and injected subcutaneously with MEx, estradiol (E) and vehicle (Ve), respectively. The fourth was fed with a commercial diet containing phytoestrogens (Cf + Ve). No significant changes were observed in hormones values and in sperm concentration between the groups. The MEx group exhibited a slower testicle maturation, scarce number of elongated spermatids, and epithelial disorganization in the reproductive organs. Disruptive effect of MEx has been observed in our laboratory on female Wistar rats.Fil: Díaz, Yésica. Universidad Nacional de San Luis. Facultad de Quimica, Bioquimica y Farmacia. Departamento de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas; ArgentinaFil: Salinas, Adriana P.. Universidad Nacional de San Luis. Facultad de Quimica, Bioquimica y Farmacia. Departamento de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas; ArgentinaFil: Aguilera Merlo, Claudia. Universidad Nacional de San Luis. Facultad de Quimica, Bioquimica y Farmacia. Departamento de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas; ArgentinaFil: Carrasco, Mirta. Universidad Nacional de San Luis. Facultad de Quimica, Bioquimica y Farmacia. Departamento de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas; ArgentinaFil: Mangione, Antonio Marcelo. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico San Luis. Instituto Multidisciplinario de Investigaciones Biológicas de San Luis; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de San Luis. Facultad de Quimica, Bioquimica y Farmacia. Departamento de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas; Argentin

Effects of photoperiod on epididymal and sperm morphology in a wild rodent, the viscacha (Lagostomus maximus maximus)

The viscacha (Lagostomus maximus maximus) is a seasonal South American wild rodent. The adult males exhibit an annual reproductive cycle with periods of maximum and minimum gonadal activity. Four segments have been identified in the epididymis of this species: initial, caput, corpus, and cauda. The main objective of this work was to relate the seasonal morphological changes observed in the epididymal duct with the data from epididymal sperm during periods of activity and gonadal regression using light and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Under light and electron microscopy, epididymal corpus and cauda showed marked seasonal variations in structural parameters and in the distribution of different cellular populations of epithelium. Initial and caput segments showed mild morphological variations between the two periods. Changes in epididymal sperm morphology were observed in the periods analyzed and an increased number of abnormal gametes were found during the regression period. During this period, anomalies were found mainly in the head, midpiece, and neck, while in the activity period, defects were found only in the head. Our results confirm that the morphological characteristics of the epididymal segments, as well as sperm morphology, undergo significant changes during the reproductive cycle of Lagostomus.Fil: Cruceño, A. M.. Universidad Nacional de San Luis. Facultad de Química, Bioquímica y Farmacia. Cátedra de Histología; ArgentinaFil: De Rosas, J. C.. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Tecnicas. Centro Cientifico Tecnologico Mendoza. Instituto Histologia y Embriologia de Mendoza "Dr. M. Burgos"; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Cuyo. Facultad de Ciencias Médicas; ArgentinaFil: Foscolo, Mabel Rosa. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Tecnicas. Centro Cientifico Tecnologico Mendoza. Instituto Histologia y Embriologia de Mendoza "Dr. M. Burgos"; ArgentinaFil: Chaves, E. M.. Universidad Nacional de San Luis. Facultad de Química, Bioquímica y Farmacia. Cátedra de Histología; ArgentinaFil: Scardapane, L.. Universidad Nacional de San Luis. Facultad de Química, Bioquímica y Farmacia. Cátedra de Histología; ArgentinaFil: Dominguez, S.. Universidad Nacional de San Luis. Facultad de Química, Bioquímica y Farmacia. Cátedra de Histología; ArgentinaFil: Aguilera Merlo, C.. Universidad Nacional de San Luis. Facultad de Química, Bioquímica y Farmacia. Cátedra de Histología; Argentin

Extraction and Characterization of Pectins From Peels of Criolla Oranges (<em>Citrus sinensis</em>): Experimental Reviews

The citriculture in the international field is important not only for its nutrient and vitamin characteristics but also for its valuable source of raw materials to obtain pectin, since it was found in the internal and external parts of the citrus peel. In our country, there are several varieties of orange, from which you can obtain by-products other than juice, such as essential oils, fertilizers, concentrates, and pectin. Pectin has different uses in the pharmaceutical industry for the preparation of suspensions, emulsions, cosmetics, capsules, etc. In the food industry, it is used as a film in packaging, thickener, and gelling agent in the manufacture of jellies and preserves, in wines as dehydrating plant tissues, in milk to precipitate casein, etc. The pectin extraction was carried out by basic or acid hydrolysis and then proceeds to purify and clarify. Once purified, the pectin was characterized in aqueous solution to determine its physicochemical properties such as molecular weight, hydrodynamic radius, hydration value, shape factor, etc. Thermal and mechanical characterizations were also performed, to assess its ability to form films

A Seasonal and Age-Related Study of Interstitial Cells in the Pineal Gland of Male Viscacha (Lagostomus maximus maximus)

The pineal gland of viscacha exhibits histophysiological variations throughout the year, with periods of maximal activity in winter and minimal activity in summer. The aim of this work is to analyze the interstitial cells (IC) in the pineal gland of male viscachas in relation to season and age. The S-100 protein, glio-fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), and vimentin were detected in adult and immature animals by immunohistochemistry (IHC). Double-IHC was also performed. The S-100 protein was localized within both, IC nucleus and cytoplasm. GFAP was present only in the cytoplasm. Vimentin was expressed in some IC, besides endothelial cells, and perivascular spaces. In the adult males, the morphometric parameters analyzed for the S-100 protein and GFAP exhibited seasonal variations with higher values of immunopositive area percentage in winter and lower values in summer, whereas the immature ones showed the lowest values for all the adult animals studied. Colocalization of S-100 protein and GFAP was observed. The IC exhibited differential expression for the proteins studied, supporting the hypothesis of the neuroectodermal origin. The IC generate an intraglandular communication network, suggesting its participation in the glandular activity regulation processes. The results of double-IHC might indicate the presence of IC in different functional stages, probably related to the needs of the cellular microenvironment. The morphometric variations in the proteins analyzed between immature and adult viscachas probed to be more salient in the latter, suggesting a direct relationship between the expression of the S-100 protein and GFAP, and animal age.Fil: Busolini, Fabricio Iván. Universidad Nacional de San Luis. Facultad de Química, Bioquímica y Farmacia. Departamento de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - San Luis; ArgentinaFil: Rosales, Gabriela Judith. Universidad Nacional de San Luis. Facultad de Química, Bioquímica y Farmacia. Departamento de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - San Luis; ArgentinaFil: Filippa, Veronica Palmira. Universidad Nacional de San Luis. Facultad de Química, Bioquímica y Farmacia. Departamento de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - San Luis; ArgentinaFil: Mohamed, Fabian Heber. Universidad Nacional de San Luis. Facultad de Química, Bioquímica y Farmacia. Departamento de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas; Argentin

Antimicrobial resistance among migrants in Europe: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND: Rates of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) are rising globally and there is concern that increased migration is contributing to the burden of antibiotic resistance in Europe. However, the effect of migration on the burden of AMR in Europe has not yet been comprehensively examined. Therefore, we did a systematic review and meta-analysis to identify and synthesise data for AMR carriage or infection in migrants to Europe to examine differences in patterns of AMR across migrant groups and in different settings. METHODS: For this systematic review and meta-analysis, we searched MEDLINE, Embase, PubMed, and Scopus with no language restrictions from Jan 1, 2000, to Jan 18, 2017, for primary data from observational studies reporting antibacterial resistance in common bacterial pathogens among migrants to 21 European Union-15 and European Economic Area countries. To be eligible for inclusion, studies had to report data on carriage or infection with laboratory-confirmed antibiotic-resistant organisms in migrant populations. We extracted data from eligible studies and assessed quality using piloted, standardised forms. We did not examine drug resistance in tuberculosis and excluded articles solely reporting on this parameter. We also excluded articles in which migrant status was determined by ethnicity, country of birth of participants' parents, or was not defined, and articles in which data were not disaggregated by migrant status. Outcomes were carriage of or infection with antibiotic-resistant organisms. We used random-effects models to calculate the pooled prevalence of each outcome. The study protocol is registered with PROSPERO, number CRD42016043681. FINDINGS: We identified 2274 articles, of which 23 observational studies reporting on antibiotic resistance in 2319 migrants were included. The pooled prevalence of any AMR carriage or AMR infection in migrants was 25·4% (95% CI 19·1-31·8; I2 =98%), including meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (7·8%, 4·8-10·7; I2 =92%) and antibiotic-resistant Gram-negative bacteria (27·2%, 17·6-36·8; I2 =94%). The pooled prevalence of any AMR carriage or infection was higher in refugees and asylum seekers (33·0%, 18·3-47·6; I2 =98%) than in other migrant groups (6·6%, 1·8-11·3; I2 =92%). The pooled prevalence of antibiotic-resistant organisms was slightly higher in high-migrant community settings (33·1%, 11·1-55·1; I2 =96%) than in migrants in hospitals (24·3%, 16·1-32·6; I2 =98%). We did not find evidence of high rates of transmission of AMR from migrant to host populations. INTERPRETATION: Migrants are exposed to conditions favouring the emergence of drug resistance during transit and in host countries in Europe. Increased antibiotic resistance among refugees and asylum seekers and in high-migrant community settings (such as refugee camps and detention facilities) highlights the need for improved living conditions, access to health care, and initiatives to facilitate detection of and appropriate high-quality treatment for antibiotic-resistant infections during transit and in host countries. Protocols for the prevention and control of infection and for antibiotic surveillance need to be integrated in all aspects of health care, which should be accessible for all migrant groups, and should target determinants of AMR before, during, and after migration. FUNDING: UK National Institute for Health Research Imperial Biomedical Research Centre, Imperial College Healthcare Charity, the Wellcome Trust, and UK National Institute for Health Research Health Protection Research Unit in Healthcare-associated Infections and Antimictobial Resistance at Imperial College London

Genetic landscape of 6089 inherited retinal dystrophies affected cases in Spain and their therapeutic and extended epidemiological implications

Inherited retinal diseases (IRDs), defined by dysfunction or progressive loss of photoreceptors, are disorders characterized by elevated heterogeneity, both at the clinical and genetic levels. Our main goal was to address the genetic landscape of IRD in the largest cohort of Spanish patients reported to date. A retrospective hospital-based cross-sectional study was carried out on 6089 IRD affected individuals (from 4403 unrelated families), referred for genetic testing from all the Spanish autonomous communities. Clinical, demographic and familiar data were collected from each patient, including family pedigree, age of appearance of visual symptoms, presence of any systemic findings and geographical origin. Genetic studies were performed to the 3951 families with available DNA using different molecular techniques. Overall, 53.2% (2100/3951) of the studied families were genetically characterized, and 1549 different likely causative variants in 142 genes were identified. The most common phenotype encountered is retinitis pigmentosa (RP) (55.6% of families, 2447/4403). The most recurrently mutated genes were PRPH2, ABCA4 and RS1 in autosomal dominant (AD), autosomal recessive (AR) and X-linked (XL) NON-RP cases, respectively; RHO, USH2A and RPGR in AD, AR and XL for non-syndromic RP; and USH2A and MYO7A in syndromic IRD. Pathogenic variants c.3386G > T (p.Arg1129Leu) in ABCA4 and c.2276G > T (p.Cys759Phe) in USH2A were the most frequent variants identified. Our study provides the general landscape for IRD in Spain, reporting the largest cohort ever presented. Our results have important implications for genetic diagnosis, counselling and new therapeutic strategies to both the Spanish population and other related populations.This work was supported by the Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII) of the Spanish Ministry of Health (FIS; PI16/00425 and PI19/00321), Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER, 06/07/0036), IIS-FJD BioBank (PT13/0010/0012), Comunidad de Madrid (CAM, RAREGenomics Project, B2017/BMD-3721), European Regional Development Fund (FEDER), the Organización Nacional de Ciegos Españoles (ONCE), Fundación Ramón Areces, Fundación Conchita Rábago and the University Chair UAM-IIS-FJD of Genomic Medicine. Irene Perea-Romero is supported by a PhD fellowship from the predoctoral Program from ISCIII (FI17/00192). Ionut F. Iancu is supported by a grant from the Comunidad de Madrid (CAM, PEJ-2017-AI/BMD7256). Marta del Pozo-Valero is supported by a PhD grant from the Fundación Conchita Rábago. Berta Almoguera is supported by a Juan Rodes program from ISCIII (JR17/00020). Pablo Minguez is supported by a Miguel Servet program from ISCIII (CP16/00116). Marta Corton is supported by a Miguel Servet program from ISCIII (CPII17/00006). The funders played no role in study design, data collection, data analysis, manuscript preparation and/or publication decisions

Surgical site infection after gastrointestinal surgery in high-income, middle-income, and low-income countries: a prospective, international, multicentre cohort study

Background: Surgical site infection (SSI) is one of the most common infections associated with health care, but its importance as a global health priority is not fully understood. We quantified the burden of SSI after gastrointestinal surgery in countries in all parts of the world. Methods: This international, prospective, multicentre cohort study included consecutive patients undergoing elective or emergency gastrointestinal resection within 2-week time periods at any health-care facility in any country. Countries with participating centres were stratified into high-income, middle-income, and low-income groups according to the UN's Human Development Index (HDI). Data variables from the GlobalSurg 1 study and other studies that have been found to affect the likelihood of SSI were entered into risk adjustment models. The primary outcome measure was the 30-day SSI incidence (defined by US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention criteria for superficial and deep incisional SSI). Relationships with explanatory variables were examined using Bayesian multilevel logistic regression models. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT02662231. Findings: Between Jan 4, 2016, and July 31, 2016, 13 265 records were submitted for analysis. 12 539 patients from 343 hospitals in 66 countries were included. 7339 (58·5%) patient were from high-HDI countries (193 hospitals in 30 countries), 3918 (31·2%) patients were from middle-HDI countries (82 hospitals in 18 countries), and 1282 (10·2%) patients were from low-HDI countries (68 hospitals in 18 countries). In total, 1538 (12·3%) patients had SSI within 30 days of surgery. The incidence of SSI varied between countries with high (691 [9·4%] of 7339 patients), middle (549 [14·0%] of 3918 patients), and low (298 [23·2%] of 1282) HDI (p < 0·001). The highest SSI incidence in each HDI group was after dirty surgery (102 [17·8%] of 574 patients in high-HDI countries; 74 [31·4%] of 236 patients in middle-HDI countries; 72 [39·8%] of 181 patients in low-HDI countries). Following risk factor adjustment, patients in low-HDI countries were at greatest risk of SSI (adjusted odds ratio 1·60, 95% credible interval 1·05–2·37; p=0·030). 132 (21·6%) of 610 patients with an SSI and a microbiology culture result had an infection that was resistant to the prophylactic antibiotic used. Resistant infections were detected in 49 (16·6%) of 295 patients in high-HDI countries, in 37 (19·8%) of 187 patients in middle-HDI countries, and in 46 (35·9%) of 128 patients in low-HDI countries (p < 0·001). Interpretation: Countries with a low HDI carry a disproportionately greater burden of SSI than countries with a middle or high HDI and might have higher rates of antibiotic resistance. In view of WHO recommendations on SSI prevention that highlight the absence of high-quality interventional research, urgent, pragmatic, randomised trials based in LMICs are needed to assess measures aiming to reduce this preventable complication

Pooled analysis of WHO Surgical Safety Checklist use and mortality after emergency laparotomy

Background The World Health Organization (WHO) Surgical Safety Checklist has fostered safe practice for 10 years, yet its place in emergency surgery has not been assessed on a global scale. The aim of this study was to evaluate reported checklist use in emergency settings and examine the relationship with perioperative mortality in patients who had emergency laparotomy. Methods In two multinational cohort studies, adults undergoing emergency laparotomy were compared with those having elective gastrointestinal surgery. Relationships between reported checklist use and mortality were determined using multivariable logistic regression and bootstrapped simulation. Results Of 12 296 patients included from 76 countries, 4843 underwent emergency laparotomy. After adjusting for patient and disease factors, checklist use before emergency laparotomy was more common in countries with a high Human Development Index (HDI) (2455 of 2741, 89.6 per cent) compared with that in countries with a middle (753 of 1242, 60.6 per cent; odds ratio (OR) 0.17, 95 per cent c.i. 0.14 to 0.21, P <0001) or low (363 of 860, 422 per cent; OR 008, 007 to 010, P <0.001) HDI. Checklist use was less common in elective surgery than for emergency laparotomy in high-HDI countries (risk difference -94 (95 per cent c.i. -11.9 to -6.9) per cent; P <0001), but the relationship was reversed in low-HDI countries (+121 (+7.0 to +173) per cent; P <0001). In multivariable models, checklist use was associated with a lower 30-day perioperative mortality (OR 0.60, 0.50 to 073; P <0.001). The greatest absolute benefit was seen for emergency surgery in low- and middle-HDI countries. Conclusion Checklist use in emergency laparotomy was associated with a significantly lower perioperative mortality rate. Checklist use in low-HDI countries was half that in high-HDI countries.Peer reviewe

Global economic burden of unmet surgical need for appendicitis

Background: There is a substantial gap in provision of adequate surgical care in many low-and middle-income countries. This study aimed to identify the economic burden of unmet surgical need for the common condition of appendicitis. Methods: Data on the incidence of appendicitis from 170 countries and two different approaches were used to estimate numbers of patients who do not receive surgery: as a fixed proportion of the total unmet surgical need per country (approach 1); and based on country income status (approach 2). Indirect costs with current levels of access and local quality, and those if quality were at the standards of high-income countries, were estimated. A human capital approach was applied, focusing on the economic burden resulting from premature death and absenteeism. Results: Excess mortality was 4185 per 100 000 cases of appendicitis using approach 1 and 3448 per 100 000 using approach 2. The economic burden of continuing current levels of access and local quality was US $92 492 million using approach 1 and$73 141 million using approach 2. The economic burden of not providing surgical care to the standards of high-income countries was $95 004 million using approach 1 and$75 666 million using approach 2. The largest share of these costs resulted from premature death (97.7 per cent) and lack of access (97.0 per cent) in contrast to lack of quality. Conclusion: For a comparatively non-complex emergency condition such as appendicitis, increasing access to care should be prioritized. Although improving quality of care should not be neglected, increasing provision of care at current standards could reduce societal costs substantially