Antinociceptive effects of topical mepivacaine in a rat model of HIV-associated peripheral neuropathic pain

BACKGROUND: A consequence of HIV infection is sensory neuropathy, a debilitating condition that degrades the quality of life of HIV patients. Furthermore, life-extending antiretroviral treatment may exacerbate HIV sensory neuropathy. Analgesics that relieve other neuropathic pains show little or no efficacy in ameliorating HIV sensory neuropathy. Thus, there is a need for analgesics for people with this particular pain. While lidocaine is used in the management of painful peripheral neuropathies, another local anesthetic mepivacaine, with a potentially improved bioavailability, could be utilized for the management of HIV neuropathic pain. METHODS: The efficacy of topical anesthetics was evaluated in a preclinical rodent model of painful peripheral neuropathy induced by epineural administration of the HIV envelope protein gp120 delivered using saturated oxidized cellulose implanted around the sciatic nerve. Beginning at 2 weeks following gp120 administration, the effects of local anesthetics topically applied via gauze pads were tested on heat and mechanical hyperalgesia in the hind paw. Rats were tested using several concentrations of mepivacaine or lidocaine during the following 2 weeks. RESULTS: By 2 weeks following epineural gp120 implantation, the ipsilateral hind paw developed significant hypersensitivity to noxious pressure and heat hyperalgesia. A short-lasting, concentration-dependent amelioration of pressure and heat hyperalgesia was observed following topical application of mepivacaine to the ipsilateral plantar hind paw. By contrast, topical lidocaine ameliorated heat hyperalgesia in a concentration-dependent manner but not pressure hyperalgesia. Equipotent concentrations of mepivacaine and lidocaine applied topically to the tail of mice significantly increased tail withdrawal latencies in the tail flick test, demonstrating that both local anesthetics attenuate responding to a brief noxious stimulus. CONCLUSION: These findings showed that mepivacaine, rather than lidocaine, consistently attenuated two distinct symptoms of neuropathic pain and suggest that topical formulations of this local anesthetic could have utility in the alleviation of clinical HIV neuropathic pain

Higher than present global mean sea level recorded by an Early Pliocene intertidal unit in Patagonia (Argentina)

Reconstructions of global mean sea level from earlier warm periods in Earth?s history can helpconstrain future projections of sea level rise. Here we report on the sedimentology and age ofa geological unit in central Patagonia, Argentina, that we dated to the Early Pliocene(4.69?5.23 Ma, 2σ) with strontium isotope stratigraphy. The unit was interpreted as representativeof an intertidal environment, and its elevation was measured with differential GPS atca. 36m above present-day sea level. Considering modern tidal ranges, it was possible toconstrain paleo relative sea level within ±2.7m (1σ). We use glacial isostatic adjustmentmodels and estimates of vertical land movement to calculate that, when the Camaronesintertidal sequence was deposited, global mean sea level was 28.4 ± 11.7m (1σ) above present.This estimate matches those derived from analogous Early Pliocene sea level proxies inthe Mediterranean Sea and South Africa. Evidence from these three locations indicates thatEarly Pliocene sea level may have exceeded 20m above its present level. Such high globalmean sea level values imply an ice-free Greenland, a significant melting of West Antarctica,and a contribution of marine-based sectors of East Antarctica to global mean sea level.Fil: Rovere, Alessio. Universitat Bremen; AlemaniaFil: Pappalardo, Marta. Universidad de Pisa; ItaliaFil: Richiano, Sebastián Miguel. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Centro Nacional Patagónico. Instituto Patagónico de Geología y Paleontología; ArgentinaFil: Aguirre, Marina Laura. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Museo; ArgentinaFil: Sandstrom, Michael R.. Columbia University; Estados UnidosFil: Hearty, Paul J.. University of Texas at Austin; Estados UnidosFil: Austermann, Jacqueline. Columbia University; Estados UnidosFil: Castellanos, Ignacio. Universidad Nacional de La Plata; ArgentinaFil: Raymo, Maureen E.. Columbia University; Estados Unido

An Early Pliocene relative sea level record from Patagonia (Argentina)

We report ciao a geological unit surveyed and dated in central Patagonia, Argentina (Camarones town, San Jorge Gulf). The unit was interpreted as representative of an intertidal environment and dated to the Early Pliocene (4.69-5.23 Ma) with strontium isotope stratigraphy. The elevation of this unit was measured with differential GPS at ca. 36 m above present-day sea level. Considering modern tidal ranges, it was possible to constrain paleo relative sea level within ±2.5m (1s). We use glacial isostatic adjustment models and estimates of vertical land movement to calculate that, when the Camarones intertidal sequence was deposited, global mean sea level was 28.4 ± 11.7m above present. This estimate matches those derived from analogous Early Pliocene sea level proxies in the Mediterranean Sea and South Africa. Evidence from these three locations indicates that Early Pliocene sea level may have exceeded 20m above its present level. Such high global mean sea level values imply an ice-free Greenland, a significant melting of West Antarctica, and a contribution of East Antarctica to global mean sea level.Los datos utilizados para este trabajo pueden accederse haciendo clic en "Documentos relacionados".Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Muse

Anticuerpos policlonales contra la proteína recombinante NS3 del virus del dengue

Introduction: Dengue is a disease caused by one of four serotypes of the dengue virus (DENV) and is endemic in approximately 130 countries. The incidence of dengue has increased dramatically in recent decades, as well as the frequency and magnitude of outbreaks. Despite all efforts, there are no prophylactic or therapeutic treatments for the disease. Accordingly, research on the processes governing the DENV infection cycle is essential to develop vaccines or antiviral therapies. One of themost attractive DENV molecules to investigate is nonstructural protein 3 (NS3), which is essential for viral replication and a major immune target for infection.Objective: To produce antibodies to support future studies on NS3 and its cellular interactions with other proteins.Materials and methods: Two recombinant proteins of the helicase domain of DENV NS3 serotype 2 were expressed, and used to immunize mice and produce polyclonal antibodies.Results: The antibodies produced were useful in Western blot and immunofluorescence tests. We report an NS3 antibody that immunoprecipitates the viral protein and detects it in Western blot with no need to over-express it or use cell extracts with metabolic radiolabeling.Conclusion: The recombinant proteins expressed and the antibodies produced constitute valuable tools for studying DENV infectious processes involving NS3 and for evaluating tests designed to interfere with its functions.Introducción. El dengue es una enfermedad causada por uno de los cuatro serotipos del virus del dengue (DENV) y es endémica en, aproximadamente, 130 países. Su incidencia ha aumentado notablemente en las últimas décadas, así como la frecuencia y la magnitud de los brotes. A pesar de los esfuerzos, no existen tratamientos profilácticos ni terapéuticos contra la enfermedad y, en ese contexto, el estudio de los procesos que gobiernan el ciclo de infección del DENV es esencial paradesarrollar vacunas o terapias antivirales. Una de las moléculas del DENV más prometedoras es la proteína no estructural 3 (NS3), la cual es indispensable para la replicación viral y es uno de los principales blancos inmunológicos durante la infección.Objetivo. Producir anticuerpos policlonales para contribuir a los futuros estudios sobre las interacciones entre la proteína NS3 y otras proteínas celulares.Materiales y métodos. Se expresaron dos proteínas recombinantes del dominio helicasa de NS3 del DENV de serotipo 2, las cuales se emplearon para inmunizar ratas y producir anticuerpos policlonales.Resultados. Los anticuerpos producidos fueron útiles en ensayos de Western blot e inmunofluorescencia y se reportó por primera vez un anticuerpo policlonal anti-NS3 que permitió la inmunoprecipitación de la proteína viral y la detecta con Western blot sin necesidad de inducir sobreexpresión de NS3 o de usar extractos de células marcados metabólicamente con radioisótopos. Conclusión. Las proteínas recombinantes expresadas y los anticuerpos producidos constituyen herramientas valiosas para estudiar procesos infecciosos del DENV que involucren a la proteína NS3 y evaluar pruebas dirigidas a interferir las funciones de esta proteína

Modelo Estratégico Integral para la implementación del Sistema de Gestión de la Seguridad y Salud en el Trabajo (SG-SST) en la Registraduría Nacional del Estado Civil

A partir de la investigación realizada en la Registraduría Nacional del Estado Civil se evidencia que la organización ha designado todos los recursos necesarios para llevar a cabo una implementación adecuada, cumpliendo con los estándares mínimos establecidos en la normatividad vigente y de esta manera evitar el riesgo de incurrir en faltas que conlleven a fuertes sanciones perjudicando de manera económica a la organización. Por medio de la realización de una auditoria a cada uno de los capítulos que hacen parte de la transición, se busca detectar las posibles falencias que han impedido que la organización culmine satisfactoriamente todo este proceso, pero al mismo tiempo contribuye para que se elabore de forma inmediata los planes de mejora y se ejecuten todas las actividades pendientes para así dar por terminado la fase 3 de la transición al finalizar el año 2018.Based on the research carried out at the National Registry of Civil Status, it is evident that the organization has designated all the necessary resources to carry out an adequate implementation, complying with the minimum standards established in the current regulations and in this way avoiding the risk of incur in faults that lead to heavy sanctions, economically damaging the organization. By means of conducting an audit of each of the chapters that are part of the transition, we seek to detect the possible flaws that have prevented the organization from successfully completing this process, but at the same time it contributes to the preparation of Immediate improvement plans and all pending activities are executed in order to terminate phase 3 of the transition at the end of 2018

Prevalencia del Virus Linfotrópico de células T humanas HTLV I/II en donantes sangre

La transmisión de infecciones por ví­a transfusional (sangre y derivados plasmáticos) es una complicación de gran importancia en relación con la morbimortalidad en receptores de sangre, lo que ha creado la necesidad de establecer estrategias de prevención que reduzcan o eliminen este riesgo. Como enfoque principal este estudio pretendió determinar la prevalencia del virus linfotrópico de células T humanas (HTLV) I/II en donantes que acuden a un banco de sangre hospitalario, además de abordar de manera documental y experimental la importancia de la implementación de dicha prueba, durante el tamizaje rutinario para unidades de sangre. Se utilizó el inmunoanálisis quimioluminiscente de micropartí­culas (CMIA) que detecta la presencia de anticuerpos contra antí­genos del HTLV-I/II en el suero del donante y que se basa en la emisión de quimioluminiscencia. En el periodo de estudio se realizaron 650 pruebas que representan el 6.5% del total anual de donantes atendidos en un banco de sangre hospitalario. Los resultados indicaron que la prevalencia del HTLV I/II en esta muestra de donantes fue de 0.15%, con un intervalo de confianza del 95-99.5% [0.14, 0.29], sugiriendo la inclusión de la determinación de HTLV I/II en las pruebas obligadas por la Ley de Servicios de Medicina Transfusional y Bancos de Sangre, Decreto 87-97 de Guatemala es de importancia considerando los datos obtenidos y analizados

Association of muscular fitness and body fatness with cardiometabolic risk factors: The FUPRECOL study

This study investigated the associations of muscular fitness and various indicators of body fatness with cardio-metabolic risk factors and determined the muscular strength and body fatness thresholds for detecting a high risk of cardio-metabolic dysfunction in young adults. A cross-sectional study was conducted on 1798 collegiate students (61.5% females, mean age 20.5 years). Muscular fitness was determined by using a handgrip strength test and normalized grip strength (NGS = handgrip (kg)/body mass (kg)). Body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), percentage of fat mass (BF%), fat-mass index (FMI), and waist-to-height ratio (WHR) were also included as body fatness measurements. A high cardio-metabolic risk cluster was derived by assessing triglycerides, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, fasting glucose, and blood pressure. Logistic regression models showed that men and women with lower NGS had an increased cardio-metabolic risk odds ratio (OR) = 1.8, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.1 to 2.9, p = 0.006, and OR = 1.6, 95% CI 1.0 to 2.5, p = 0.036, respectively). In both sexes, higher levels of all fatness parameters were also associated with increased cardio-metabolic risk (p less than 0.001). In both men and women, high FMI had the highest OR for clustered risk (OR = 4.7, 95% CI 2.6 to 8.4, and OR = 7.3, 95% CI 3.4 to 9.7, p less than 0.001, respectively). Combined analysis showed that unfitness (lower NGS) and high fat had the highest OR for WC and FMI in men and women, respectively (OR = 5.5, 95% CI 2.6 to 11.4, OR = 7.7, 95% CI 2.3 to 15.8, p less than 0.01). Muscular strength and body fatness are independently and jointly associated with increased cardiometabolic risk in young adults, which suggests that both are predictor variables for this. © 2018 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland

2014-2015 Children\u27s Concert

https://spiral.lynn.edu/conservatory_otherseasonalconcerts/1005/thumbnail.jp

Percentage of body fat and fat mass index as a screening tool for metabolic syndrome prediction in Colombian university students

High body fat is related to metabolic syndrome (MetS) in all ethnic groups. Based on the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) definition of MetS, the aim of this study was to explore thresholds of body fat percentage (BF%) and fat mass index (FMI) for the prediction of MetS among Colombian University students. A cross-sectional study was conducted on 1687 volunteers (63.4% women, mean age = 20.6 years). Weight, waist circumference, serum lipids indices, blood pressure, and fasting plasma glucose were measured. Body composition was measured by bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) and FMI was calculated. MetS was defined as including more than or equal to three of the metabolic abnormalities according to the IDF definition. Receiver operating curve (ROC) analysis was used to determine optimal cut-off points for BF% and FMI in relation to the area under the curve (AUC), sensitivity, and specificity in both sexes. The overall prevalence of MetS was found to be 7.7%, higher in men than women (11.1% vs. 5.3%; p and lt; 0.001). BF% and FMI were positively correlated to MetS components (p and lt; 0.05). ROC analysis indicated that BF% and FMI can be used with moderate accuracy to identify MetS in university-aged students. BF% and FMI thresholds of 25.55% and 6.97 kg/m2 in men, and 38.95% and 11.86 kg/m2 in women, were found to be indicative of high MetS risk. Based on the IDF criteria, both indexes’ thresholds seem to be good tools to identify university students with unfavorable metabolic profiles. © 2017 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland