Vitamin B12 deficiency is associated with geographical latitude and solar radiation in the older population

Artículo de publicación SCOPUSVitamin B12 and folic acid deficiency are common in the older and are associated with several conditions including anaemia, cardiovascular disease, cognitive impairment and cancer. Evidence from in vitro studies suggests that solar radiation can degrade both vitamins in the skin. Chile is the longest country in the world running perfectly North–South making it an ideal place to study potential associations of latitude and solar radiation on vitamin B12 and folic acid deficiency. Objectives The objective was to examine the association between vitamin B12 and folic acid deficiencies and latitude. Methods Plasma samples were collected from Chileans aged 65+ years (n = 1013) living across the whole country and assayed for vitamin B12 and folic acid concentrations as part of the Chilean Health Survey 2009–2010, which is a national representative sample study. Results Overall, the prevalence of vitamin B12 deficiency was 11.3%, with the prevalence in the North of the country being significantly greater than in the Central and South zones (19.1%,10.5%, and 5.7%, respectively; P < 0.001). The prevalence of folic acid deficiency in the whole cohort was 0.7% with no difference between the 3 geographical zones. Using logistic regression analyses, vitamin B12 deficiency was significantly associated with geographical latitude (OR 0.910 [95% confidence intervals 0.890–0.940], P < 0.001) and solar radiation (OR 1.203 [95% confidence intervals 1.119–1.294], P < <0.001). These associations persisted after adjustments for confounders (OR 0.930, P < 0.001 and 1.198, P = 0.002, respectively).International Society of Nephrology/Kidney Research UK Long-Term Fellowship and by grant support from Becas Chil

Human peritoneal mesothelial cell death induced by high-glucose hypertonic solution involves Ca2+ and Na+ ions and oxidative stress with the participation of PKC/NOX2 and PI3K/Akt pathways

Indexación: Web of Science; Scopus.Chronic peritoneal dialysis (PD) therapy is equally efficient as hemodialysis while providing greater patient comfort and mobility. Therefore, PD is the treatment of choice for several types of renal patients. During PD, a high-glucose hyperosmotic (HGH) solution is administered into the peritoneal cavity to generate an osmotic gradient that promotes water and solutes transport from peritoneal blood to the dialysis solution. Unfortunately, PD has been associated with a loss of peritoneal viability and function through the generation of a severe inflammatory state that induces human peritoneal mesothelial cell (HPMC) death. Despite this deleterious effect, the precise molecular mechanism of HPMC death as induced by HGH solutions is far from being understood. Therefore, the aim of this study was to explore the pathways involved in HGH solution-induced HPMC death. HGH-induced HPMC death included influxes of intracellular Ca2+ and Na+. Furthermore, HGH-induced HPMC death was inhibited by antioxidant and reducing agents. In line with this, HPMC death was induced solely by increased oxidative stress. In addition to this, the cPKC/NOX2 and PI3K/Akt intracellular signaling pathways also participated in HGH-induced HPMC death. The participation of PI3K/Akt intracellular is in agreement with previously shown in rat PMC apoptosis. These findings contribute toward fully elucidating the underlying molecular mechanism mediating peritoneal mesothelial cell death induced by high-glucose solutions during peritoneal dialysis.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphys.2017.00379/ful

Anales del III Congreso Internacional de Vivienda y Ciudad "Debate en torno a la nueva agenda urbana"

Acta de congresoEl III Congreso Internacional de Vivienda y Ciudad “Debates en torno a la NUEVa Agenda Urbana”, ha sido una apuesta de alto compromiso por acercar los debates centrales y urgentes que tensionan el pleno ejercicio del derecho a la ciudad. Para ello las instituciones organizadoras (INVIHAB –Instituto de Investigación de Vivienda y Hábitat y MGyDH-Maestría en Gestión y Desarrollo Habitacional-1), hemos convidado un espacio que se concretó con potencia en un debate transdisciplinario. Convocó a intelectuales de prestigio internacional, investigadores, académicos y gestores estatales, y en una metodología de innovación articuló las voces académicas con las de las organizaciones sociales y/o barriales en el Foro de las Organizaciones Sociales que tuvo su espacio propio para dar voz a quienes están trabajando en los desafíos para garantizar los derechos a la vivienda y los bienes urbanos en nuestras ciudades del Siglo XXI

Brief history of nephrology in Chile

The development of nephrology in Chile is described. The advances in the study and treatment of acute renal failure, urinary tract infections, hypertension, glomerulopathies and other areas are analyzed. The present state of dialysis and transplantation programs is highlighted and the activities of Pediatric and Internal Medicine nephrology branches are summarized

The National Health Survey of Chile gives useful information to health policy planning. Analysis of Diabetic Nephropathy as an index of potential saving

Artículo de publicación IS

Pielonefritis enfisematosa: 3 casos

We report 3 patients who developed emphysematous pyelonephritis. All were diabetic females over 50 years of age with unilateral necrotizing pyelonephritis. Intra and perirenal gas was demonstrated and all patients had infection by E coli. X ray and ultrasound studies allowed the diagnosis. Antibiotic therapy was unsuccessful and all patients had to be operated on

Effect of a simultaneous potassium and carbohydrate load on extrarenal K homeostasis in end-stage renal failure

Patients with chronic renal failure (CRF) are continuously exposed to hyperkalemia. In these patients the extrarenal disposal of a potassium load may be very important to determine the plasma potassium levels. We studied the effects of a combined oral load of potassium (0.5 mEq/kg body weight) and carbohydrate (0.5 g/kg body weight) to mimic normal ingestion of potassium. Eight CRF patients and 5 control subjects were studied. The maximal increase in plasma potassium levels achieved was significantly higher in the patients (1.07 ± 0.1 mEq/l) than in controls (0.39 ± 0.05 mEq/l). Basal insulin levels were higher in the CRF patients and increased with the oral potassium and carbohydrate load in both controls and patients. In the CRF patients only 58.9 ± 3% of the potassium load was translocated to the intracellular space compared to 81 ± 6% in the controls. No correlation was found between the acid base status and maximal potassium increase. We conclude that patients with CRF exhibit a