New insights into the anti-erosive property of a sugarcane-derived cystatin: different vehicle of application and potential mechanism of action

A new sugarcane-derived cystatin (CaneCPI-5) showed anti-erosive properties when included in solutions and strong binding force to enamel, but the performance of this protein when added to gel formulations and its effect on surface free energy (SFE) requires further studies. Objective: 1) to evaluate the protective effect of gels containing different concentrations of CaneCPI-5 against initial enamel erosion (Experiment 1); and 2) to analyze the SFE (γS) after treating the enamel surface with CaneCPI-5 solution (Experiment 2). Methodology: In Experiment 1, 75 bovine enamel specimens were divided into five groups according to the gel treatments: placebo (negative control); 0.27%mucin+0.5%casein (positive control); 0.1 mg/mL CaneCPI-5; 1.0 mg/mL CaneCPI-5; or 2.0 mg/mL CaneCPI-5. Specimens were treated with the gels for 1 min, the AP was formed (human saliva) for 2 h and the specimens were incubated in 0.65% citric acid (pH=3.4) for 1 min. The percentage of surface hardness change (%SHC) was estimated. In Experiment 2, measurements were performed by an automatic goniometer using three probing liquids: diiodomethane, water and ethylene glycol. Specimens (n=10/group) remained untreated (control) or were treated with solution containing 0.1 mg/mL CaneCPI-5, air-dried for 45 min, and 0.5 µL of each liquid was dispensed on the surface to measure contact angles. Results: Gels containing 0.1 and 1.0 mg/mL CaneCPI-5 significantly reduced %SHC compared to the other treatments (p<0.05). Treated enamel showed significantly lower γS than control, without changes in the apolar component (γSLW), but the polar component (γSAB=Lewis acid-base) became more negative (p<0.01). Moreover, CaneCPI-5 treatment showed higher γS - (electron-donor) values compared to control (p<0.01). Conclusions: Gels containing 0.1 mg/mL or 1.0 mg/mL CaneCPI-5 protected enamel against initial dental erosion. CaneCPI-5 increased the number of electron donor sites on the enamel surface, which may affect AP formation and could be a potential mechanism of action to protect from erosion.&nbsp

Occupational pesticide intoxications among farmers in Bolivia: a cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND: Pesticide use and its consequences are of concern in Bolivia due to an intensive and increasing use. METHODS: To assess the magnitude and reasons for occupational pesticide intoxication, a cross-sectional study with interviews and blood-tests was performed among 201 volunteer farmers from 48 villages in the temperate and subtropical valleys in the eastern part of the Andes Mountains in Bolivia. Of these 171 male farmers using pesticides in their agricultural production were used in the statistical analysis, including linear- and logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: This study documented a frequent use of the most toxic pesticides among farmers who have had almost no instructions in how to use pesticides and protect themselves against the dangers of intoxication, reflected in the hazardous practices used when handling pesticides. Symptoms of intoxications were common in connection with spraying operations. The risk of experiencing symptoms and the serum cholinesterase activity were influenced by whether or not organophosphates were used and the number of times sprayed. The experience of symptoms was moreover influenced by the hygienic and personal protective measures taken during spraying operations while this had no influence on the serum cholinesterase level. CONCLUSION: The study showed that occupational pesticide intoxications were common among farmers and did depend on multiple factors. Pesticide use is probably one of the largest toxicological problems in Bolivia, and a coordinated action by authorities, society and international bodies is needed to limit the number of intoxications and the environmental pollution

La mente abarcadora de Alcide d’Orbigny

1. Intentos de incorporar la economía minera de Bolivia a la primera fase de la Revolución Industrial La tradición científico-naturalista eficaz y generosamente gastada, en Charcas, a lo largo de los ‘últimos días coloniales’, por el egregio espíritu mentor de Tadeo Haenke y, algo posteriormente reavivada, en el país, durante los primeros tiempos del período republicano, por uno de sus hijos, aunque dentro de una personal perspectiva pragmática reductora, se robustece, afortunadamente, aún má..

Anti-erosive potential of a new cistatin derived from sugar cane: defining concentrations and vehicles to be used

A erosão dentária apresenta uma etiologia multifatorial, com isto, existem várias possibilidades preventivas e terapêuticas. A saliva é um dos mais importantes fatores biológicos envolvidos, tendo um papel protetor contra desafios erosivos, por contribuir na formação da película adquirida. Já a incorporação de proteínas á película adquirida, através da sua adição a produtos odontológicos, como soluções para bochecho ou géis, por exemplo, pode afetar sua habilidade em proteger contra a erosão. Experimentos preliminares revelaram que uma cistatina clonada recentemente a partir da cana-de-açúcar, denominada CaneCPI-5, tem uma grande força de interação com o esmalte, sendo capaz de protegê-lo contra a erosão inicial. O objetivo do presente estudo foi avaliar o efeito de soluções ou géis contendo CaneCPI-5, em diferentes concentrações, na proteção contra a erosão inicial do esmalte n vitro. Foram confeccionados 150 blocos de esmalte bovino (4 X 4 mm). Para cada um dos veículos a ser testado (solução ou gel) foram constituídos 5 grupos, sendo um grupo controle, constituído por água deionizada ou gel placebo e 4 grupos experimentais. Para as soluções, os grupos experimentais foram constituídos de: Mucina 0,27% + Caseína 0,5%, CaneCPI-5 0,025 g/L, CaneCPI-5 0,1 g/L e CaneCPI-5 1,0 g/L. Para os géis, os grupos experimentais foram: Mucina 0,27% + Caseína 0,5%, CaneCPI-5 0,1 g/L, CaneCPI-5 1,0 g/L e CaneCPI-5 2,0 g/L O tratamento dos espécimes com as soluções foi feito por 2 h a 30°C, sob agitação, enquanto com os géis foi feito por 1 min. Saliva estimulada foi coletada de 3 voluntários para formação da película adquirida (durante 2 h) sobre os espécimes. Os espécimes foram então incubados em solução de ácido cítrico 0,65% (pH = 3,4) por 1 min a 30ºC sob agitação constante. Cada espécime foi assim tratado uma vez ao dia durante 3 dias. As análises de microdureza de superfície (SHM) foram feitas e as alterações na SMH (SHM baseline SMH pós-erosão; %SHC) foram calculadas nos dias 1 e 3. Os dados foram analisados pelos teste de Kruskal-Wallis, seguido pelo teste de Dunn (p<0,05). As soluções contendo CaneCPI-5 a 0,1 e 1,0 g/l reduziram significativamente %SHC em comparação aos demais tratamentos, para ambos os períodos experimentais, sem diferença entre si. Para os géis resultados semelhantes aos das soluções foram obtidos apenas no primeiro dia de tratamento. Após 3 dias, entretanto, o efeito protetor foi perdido. Em conclusão, o tratamento com solução contendo CaneCPI-5 a 0,1 g/L parece ser uma boa alternativa para prevenir a erosão inicial do esmalte, o que deve ser confirmado em estudos utilizando condições experimentais mais similares às situações clínicas.Dental erosion has a multifactorial etiology, thus, there are several preventive and therapeutic possibilities. Saliva is one of the most important biological factors involved, having a protective role against erosive challenges and contributing to the formation of the acquired enamel pellicle. The incorporation of proteins in the acquired enamel pellicle, by their addition to dental products such as mouthwashes or gels, for example, can affect its ability to protect against erosion. Preliminary experiments from our group have shown that a sugar cane-derived protein that was recently cloned, known as CaneCPI-5 has a strong interaction force with the enamel and is capable of protecting it against initial erosion. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of solutions or gels containing CaneCPI-5, in different concentrations, on the protection against initial enamel erosion in vitro. Bovine enamel blocks (n=150) (4X4 mm) were prepared. For each of the vehicles tested (solution or gel) 5 groups (one control, constituted by deionized water or placebo gel and four experimental) were constituted. For the solutions, the experimental groups were constituted of: 0.27% mucin + 0.5% casein, 0.025 g/L CaneCPI-5, 0.1 g/L CaneCPI-5 or 1.0 g/L CaneCPI-5. For the gels, they were: 0.27% mucin + 0.5% casein, 0.1 g/L CaneCPI-5, 1.0 g/L CaneCPI-5 or 2.0 g/L CaneCPI-5. The specimens were treated with the solutions for 2 h at 30°C under stirring or with the gels for 1 min. Stimulated saliva was collected from three volunteers and the acquired enamel pellicle was formed for 2 h. Then the specimens were incubated in a solution of 0.65% citric acid (pH = 3.4) for 1 min at 30°C under stirring. Each specimen was treated once a day for 3 days. Surface hardness analysis (SHM) was made and changes in SMH (SHM baseline - posterosion SMH; %SHC) was calculated on days 1 and 3. Data were analyzed by Kruskall-Wallis and Dunn´s tests (p<0.05). The solutions containing 0.1 and 1.0 g/L CaneCPI-5 significantly reduced %SHC when compared with the other treatments, for both experimental periods, without significant difference between them. As for the gels, similar results were obtained but only at the first day of treatment. After 3 days, the protective effect was lost. In conclusion, the treatment with solution containing 0.1g/L CaneCPI-5 seems to be a good alternative to prevent initial enamel erosion, what needs to be confirmed using experimental conditions that more closely resemble the clinical situation

Anti-erosive potential of a new cistatin derived from sugar cane: defining concentrations and vehicles to be used

A erosão dentária apresenta uma etiologia multifatorial, com isto, existem várias possibilidades preventivas e terapêuticas. A saliva é um dos mais importantes fatores biológicos envolvidos, tendo um papel protetor contra desafios erosivos, por contribuir na formação da película adquirida. Já a incorporação de proteínas á película adquirida, através da sua adição a produtos odontológicos, como soluções para bochecho ou géis, por exemplo, pode afetar sua habilidade em proteger contra a erosão. Experimentos preliminares revelaram que uma cistatina clonada recentemente a partir da cana-de-açúcar, denominada CaneCPI-5, tem uma grande força de interação com o esmalte, sendo capaz de protegê-lo contra a erosão inicial. O objetivo do presente estudo foi avaliar o efeito de soluções ou géis contendo CaneCPI-5, em diferentes concentrações, na proteção contra a erosão inicial do esmalte n vitro. Foram confeccionados 150 blocos de esmalte bovino (4 X 4 mm). Para cada um dos veículos a ser testado (solução ou gel) foram constituídos 5 grupos, sendo um grupo controle, constituído por água deionizada ou gel placebo e 4 grupos experimentais. Para as soluções, os grupos experimentais foram constituídos de: Mucina 0,27% + Caseína 0,5%, CaneCPI-5 0,025 g/L, CaneCPI-5 0,1 g/L e CaneCPI-5 1,0 g/L. Para os géis, os grupos experimentais foram: Mucina 0,27% + Caseína 0,5%, CaneCPI-5 0,1 g/L, CaneCPI-5 1,0 g/L e CaneCPI-5 2,0 g/L O tratamento dos espécimes com as soluções foi feito por 2 h a 30°C, sob agitação, enquanto com os géis foi feito por 1 min. Saliva estimulada foi coletada de 3 voluntários para formação da película adquirida (durante 2 h) sobre os espécimes. Os espécimes foram então incubados em solução de ácido cítrico 0,65% (pH = 3,4) por 1 min a 30ºC sob agitação constante. Cada espécime foi assim tratado uma vez ao dia durante 3 dias. As análises de microdureza de superfície (SHM) foram feitas e as alterações na SMH (SHM baseline SMH pós-erosão; %SHC) foram calculadas nos dias 1 e 3. Os dados foram analisados pelos teste de Kruskal-Wallis, seguido pelo teste de Dunn (p<0,05). As soluções contendo CaneCPI-5 a 0,1 e 1,0 g/l reduziram significativamente %SHC em comparação aos demais tratamentos, para ambos os períodos experimentais, sem diferença entre si. Para os géis resultados semelhantes aos das soluções foram obtidos apenas no primeiro dia de tratamento. Após 3 dias, entretanto, o efeito protetor foi perdido. Em conclusão, o tratamento com solução contendo CaneCPI-5 a 0,1 g/L parece ser uma boa alternativa para prevenir a erosão inicial do esmalte, o que deve ser confirmado em estudos utilizando condições experimentais mais similares às situações clínicas.Dental erosion has a multifactorial etiology, thus, there are several preventive and therapeutic possibilities. Saliva is one of the most important biological factors involved, having a protective role against erosive challenges and contributing to the formation of the acquired enamel pellicle. The incorporation of proteins in the acquired enamel pellicle, by their addition to dental products such as mouthwashes or gels, for example, can affect its ability to protect against erosion. Preliminary experiments from our group have shown that a sugar cane-derived protein that was recently cloned, known as CaneCPI-5 has a strong interaction force with the enamel and is capable of protecting it against initial erosion. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of solutions or gels containing CaneCPI-5, in different concentrations, on the protection against initial enamel erosion in vitro. Bovine enamel blocks (n=150) (4X4 mm) were prepared. For each of the vehicles tested (solution or gel) 5 groups (one control, constituted by deionized water or placebo gel and four experimental) were constituted. For the solutions, the experimental groups were constituted of: 0.27% mucin + 0.5% casein, 0.025 g/L CaneCPI-5, 0.1 g/L CaneCPI-5 or 1.0 g/L CaneCPI-5. For the gels, they were: 0.27% mucin + 0.5% casein, 0.1 g/L CaneCPI-5, 1.0 g/L CaneCPI-5 or 2.0 g/L CaneCPI-5. The specimens were treated with the solutions for 2 h at 30°C under stirring or with the gels for 1 min. Stimulated saliva was collected from three volunteers and the acquired enamel pellicle was formed for 2 h. Then the specimens were incubated in a solution of 0.65% citric acid (pH = 3.4) for 1 min at 30°C under stirring. Each specimen was treated once a day for 3 days. Surface hardness analysis (SHM) was made and changes in SMH (SHM baseline - posterosion SMH; %SHC) was calculated on days 1 and 3. Data were analyzed by Kruskall-Wallis and Dunn´s tests (p<0.05). The solutions containing 0.1 and 1.0 g/L CaneCPI-5 significantly reduced %SHC when compared with the other treatments, for both experimental periods, without significant difference between them. As for the gels, similar results were obtained but only at the first day of treatment. After 3 days, the protective effect was lost. In conclusion, the treatment with solution containing 0.1g/L CaneCPI-5 seems to be a good alternative to prevent initial enamel erosion, what needs to be confirmed using experimental conditions that more closely resemble the clinical situation

Depressive symptoms and observed eating in youth

Depressive symptoms in youth may be a risk factor for obesity, with altered eating behaviors as one possible mechanism. We tested whether depressive symptoms were associated with observed eating patterns expected to promote excessive weight gain in two separate samples. In Study 1, 228 nontreatment- seeking youth, ages 12–17 y (15.3 ± 1.4 y; 54.7% female), self-reported depressive symptoms using the Beck Depression Inventory. Energy intake was measured as consumption from a 10,934-kcal buffet meal served at 11:00 am after an overnight fast. In Study 2, 204 non-treatment-seeking youth, ages 8–17 y (13.0 ± 2.8 y; 49.5% female), self-reported depressive symptoms using the Children’s Depression Inventory. Energy intake was measured as consumption from a 9835-kcal buffet meal served at 2:30 pm after a standard breakfast. In Study 1, controlling for body composition and other relevant covariates, depressive symptoms were positively related to total energy intake in girls and boys. In Study 2, adjusting for the same covariates, depressive symptoms among girls only were positively associated with total energy intake. Youth high in depressive symptoms and dietary restraint consumed the most energy from sweets. In both studies, the effects of depressive symptoms on intake were small. Nevertheless, depressive symptoms were associated with significantly greater consumption of total energy and energy from sweet snack foods, which, over time, could be anticipated to promote excess weight gain

Prevalencia de parasitosis intestinal en mujeres embarazadas del Centro de Salud Jaihuayco Julio-Septiembre 2012

Intestinal parasites affect especially low-income populations with a high prevalence in developing countries, probably due to the lack of education (hygiene or food handling), poor accessibility to basic resources (water supply, sewerage, etc.) and poverty. The extreme ages like children and old people as the pregnant women are a sensitive population group to this kind of affection but, in this case the purpose of this work is to show the negative effects of this condition in pregnant women (anemia, malnutrition, children with low birth weight, etc.) . It was realized a quantitative, descriptive and cross-sectional study, the universe was 111 pregnant women who attended to the consultation service in Jaihuayco´s health center located in the south of Cochabamba´s city, where it was achieved the following main results: 25 from the 111 pregnant women have intestinal parasites determining a prevalence of 22,5%. The most prevalent parasites were Entamoeba histolytica/coli with 15,3% and Giardia lamblia with 3, 6%; in the 25 women with parasitosis; 10 of them presented anemia despite they were provided with iron tablets to prevent anemia caused by physiological state.Las parasitosis intestinales afectan de manera especial a poblaciones con bajos recursos económicos, con una alta prevalencia en países en vías de desarrollo, probablemente debido a la falta educación (higiene o de manipulación de alimentos), poca accesibilidad a recursos básicos (agua potable, alcantarillado, etc.) y la pobreza. Los extremos de vida como niños y ancianos, al igual que las mujeres embarazadas son grupos poblacionales vulnerables a las parasitosis, siendo importante la repercusión en la salud de cada uno de estos grupos poblacionales pero, en este caso nos centraremos en los efectos negativos que traen consigo estas enfermedades en las mujeres embarazadas (anemia, desnutrición, niños con bajo peso al nacer, etc.). Se realizó un estudio descriptivo, de corte transversal, el universo fue de 111 mujeres embarazadas que acudieron a consulta del Centro de Salud Jaihuayco ubicado en la zona sud de la ciudad de Cochabamba - Bolivia; se encontró que 25 mujeres de las 111 mujeres embarazadas tenían parasitosis intestinal determinando una prevalencia de 22,5%. Los parásitos más frecuentes hallados fueron: Entamoeba histolitica/coli con 15,3% y Giardia lamblia con 3,6%; de las 25 mujeres con parasitosis; 10 presentaron anemia, a pesar de que en su visita de control se les proporciono las tabletas de hierro para evitar la anemia producida por su estado fisiológico