Creación de un Laboratorio de Análisis Socio-Político de América Latina (AMELAT -LAB)

El objetivo principal de este proyecto era crear un espacio de colaboración entre estudiantes, investigadores y profesores para el análisis y comprensión de problemáticas y fenómenos sociales y politicos actuales en América Latina

Extracellular matrix components in atherosclerotic arteries of Apo E/LDL receptor deficient mice: An immunohistochemical study

During accelerated vascular remodeling such as in atherosclerosis, the composition of the extracellular matrix becomes altered. The matrix components of the diseased artery influence cellular processes such as adhesion, migration and proliferation. Furthermore, in atherosclerosis, the inability of the cells within the lesion to produce a mechanically stable matrix may lead to plaque rupture. In this immunohistochemical study of atherosclerotic mice aorta, we have reviewed the presence of ECM components with roles in maintaining tissue structure and function. These components include osteopontin and COMP as well as the leucine rich repeats proteins decorin, PRELP, and fibromodulin. Immunohistochemistry demonstrated presence of osteopontin, COMP, decorin, PRELP and fibromodulin in lesion areas of ApoE/LDLr deficient mice. Some advanced lesions exhibited areas of cartilage-like morphology and were shown to represent cartilage by their content of the cartilage specific proteins collagen II and aggrecan. The results suggest that cartilageassociated cell/collagen binding ECM proteins may be involved in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis

Relation of Helicobacter pylori infection and coronary heart disease.

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Long-term treatment with mesalazine in patients with symptomatic uncomplicated diverticular disease

Abstract The aim of this work was to compare the recurrence of diverticulitis during a 5-year follow-up in a population of patients affected by symptomatic uncomplicated diverticular disease (SUDD), taking either 800 mg of mesalamine b.i.d for 10 days every month or no 5-ASA. Sixty-seven consecutive patients affected by SUDD followed- up every 6 months for 5 years. All patients in this group (M-group) were requested to consume mesalamine 800 mg b.i.d for 10 days every month. A control group (C-group) of 82 subjects with SUDD allocated in an institution for the elderly and taking no 5-ASA medications was also followed-up for the same period. As a result in the M-group 14.9% of patients did not complete the follow-up, and diverticulitis developed in two patients (4%; 95% CI 1.1\u201313.5). In the C-group 6.1% patients did not complete the follow-up, and diverticulitis developed in 8 patients (10.4%; 95% CI 5.4\u201319.2). The difference between the two groups was not significant (difference = -6.4%; 95% CI -15.6 to 4.3; log rank test: p = 0.1256). Cyclic treatment with mesalazine seems to be clinical, although not statistically effective in reducing the incidence of diverticulitis. In future well-designed RCTs are necessary to demonstrate the therapeutic gain of the use of mesalazine, if any, in the management of patients with SUD

Helicobacter pylori eradication: are we really all equal? A controlled study in native and immigrant population

Abstract Italy\u2019s shift to a tertiary economy has modified the working market, concentrating demand also on unqualified one, which includes most immigrants. It is also well established that low socio-economical conditions are associated with an increased prevalence of H. pylori infection. The aims of this study were to compare: (1) the efficacy of a 7 days triple therapy in immigrant and in Italian patients; (2) the prevalence of PUD between these two groups of patients. A total of 116 consecutive immigrant and 112 Italian H. pylori infected patients were recruited between 2007 and 2008. Patients underwent 13C-UBT, endoscopy with biopsies, and were offered a 7-day triple therapy. Eradication rate (ER) was assessed 8 weeks after the end of the treatment using 13C-UBT. The two populations differed for median age (p\0.01), prevalence of PUD (p\0.01), and smoking status (p\0.01). The ER according to the ITT analysis was 70% for Italian and 48.3% for immigrant (p\0.01). Multivariate analysis including country of origin, sex, age, PUD, smoking, and alcohol status found that immigrant had an adjusted OR for not eradicating of 2.14 (p = 0.03). In immigrant patients resident in Italy, performance of triple therapy was lower than expected. Further studies are demanded to confirm and clarify these intriguing result

Gabaergic and opioid receptors mediate the facilitation of NaCl intake induced by α₂-adrenergic activation in the lateral parabrachial nucleus

Alpha2-adrenergic, gabaergic or opioidergic activation in the lateral parabrachial nucleus (LPBN) increases sodium intake. In the present study, we investigated the effects of single or combined blockade of opioidergic and gabaergic receptors in the LPBN on the increase of 0.3 M NaCl intake induced by 2-adrenoceptor activation in the LPBN. Male Holtzman rats (n = 5–9/group) with cannulas implanted bilaterally in the LPBN were treated with the diuretic furosemide (10 mg/kg b wt.) combined with low dose of the angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor captopril (5 mg/kg b wt.) subcutaneously. Bilateral injections of moxonidine (alpha2-adrenergic/imidazoline receptor agonist, 0.5 nmol) into the LPBN increased furosemide + captopril-induced 0.3 M NaCl intake (25.8 ± 1.4, vs. vehicle: 3.8 ± 1.1 ml/60 min). The opioidergic receptor antagonist naloxone (100 nmol) or the GABAA receptor antagonist bicuculline (5 nmol) injected into the LPBN partially reduced the increase of 0.3 M NaCl intake produced by LPBN moxonidine (11.8 ± 4.0 and 22.8 ± 4.5, respectively, vs. vehicle + moxonidine: 31.6 ± 4.0 ml/60 min, respectively). Similar to the treatment with each antagonist alone, the combined injections of naloxone (100 nmol) and bicuculline (5 nmol) into the LPBN also partially reduced moxonidine effects on 0.3 M NaCl intake (15.5 ± 6.5 ml/60 min). The GABAB receptor antagonist saclofen (5 nmol) injected into the LPBN did not change the effects of moxonidine on 0.3 M NaCl intake (24.3 ± 7.8 ml/120 min). These results suggest that the increase of 0.3 M NaCl intake by 2-adrenergic receptor activation in the LPBN is partially dependent on GABAA and opioid receptor activation in this area.Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq