The Mouse Model as a Tool for Histological, Immunological and Parasitological Studies of Trypanosoma cruzi Infection

The global expansion of Chagas disease is due to the constant migration of individuals from endemic countries with incidence of vector and nonvector transmission of Trypanosoma cruzi. The disease is present in its various stages: chronological characteristic signs and symptoms of the infection and its mechanism of immune system and cell and tissue damage. The first stage, which lasts 90 days approximately, is diagnosed by direct methods (blood smears stained with Giemsa, fresh and xenodiagnosis). The indeterminate-chronic stage is asymptomatic, but the growth and intracellular binary multiplication of the trypomastigotes continue promoting cell lysis and allowing parasites to infect other cells, with preferential tropism to organs producing mega syndromes such as cardiomyopathy, myocarditis, meningoencephalitis, megaesophagus and megacolon. Inadvertently, this process is repeated for several years leading to Chagas disease. The mouse inoculation allows checking the parasitemia in vivo and the development of the disease in short time (signs, behavior and tropism), histopathological alterations and detection of antibodies in serum. These parameters may vary when using different strains of T. cruzi from different geographical areas; Triatoma species due to their genetic variability are influenced by the environment, nutrition, reservoirs and habitat. The murine model ECA CD-1 has the ability to replicate human findings of Chagas disease

Flavonoids quantification in Acer negundo L., extracts by hplc analysis

a) objective: The objective of this work was to identify and quantify flavonoids from leaf and stem extracts of Acer negundo by High-Performance Liquid Chromatography. b) design / methodology / approach: Ethanolic extracts of Acer negundo were subjected to High-Performance Liquid Chromatography for the quantification and identification of the main antioxidant flavonoids. c) results: In leaf extracts the highest concentrations were for rutin (34.19 µg/mL) and catechin (33.97 µg/mL); in mean concentration apigenin (19.05 µg/mL), gallic acid (19. 04 µg/mL), ferulic acid (17.2 µg/mL) and 2.5 dihydroxybenzoic acid (12.72 µg/mL); and in lower concentration caffeic acid (6.15 µg/mL), quercetin-3-?-glucoside (4.97 µg/mL) and isorhamnetin (4.68 µg/mL). In the stem extracts the highest concentrations were for ferulic acid (7.96 µg/mL), rutin (5.61 µg/mL) and catechin (4.37 µg/mL); at the medium concentration isorhamnetin (3.31 µg/mL) and quercetin-3-?-glucoside (2.01 µg/mL) were identified and at the lowest concentration apigenin (0.79 µg/mL) was identified but gallic acid, caffeic acid and 2,5-dihydroxybenzoic acid were not detected. d) limitations/implications: Some flavonoids have been identified in other Acer species, but have not been identified and quantified in Acer negundo, a Mexican species. e) findings/conclusions: For the first time we report on gentisic acid in Acer negundo leaf extracts. This analytical method can be standardized to serve as a quality analysis of maple tree products.Objective: The identify and quantify, by high performance liquid chromatography,Nflavonoids from leaf and stem extracts of Acer negundo.Design/methodology/approach: Ethanolic extracts of Acer negundo were analysed with high performance liquid chromatography to quantify and identify their major antioxidant flavonoids.Results: Leaf extracts had high concentrations of rutin (34.19 µg/mL) and catechin (33.97 µg/mL), intermediate concentrations of apigenin (19.05 µg/mL), gallic acid (19.04 µg/mL), ferulic acid (17.2 µg/mL) and 2.5 dihydroxybenzoic acid (12.72 µg/mL), and low concentrations of caffeic acid (6.15 µg/mL), quercetin-3-β-glucoside (4.97 µg/mL) and isorhamnetin (4.68 µg/mL). In the stem´s extracts, the highest concentrations were of ferulic acid (7.96 µg/mL), rutin (5.61 µg/mL) and catechin (4.37 µg/mL); medium concentration were identified for isorhamnetin (3.31 µg/mL) and quercetin-3-β-glucoside (2.01 µg/mL) and apigenin (0.79 µg/mL) was identified at the low concentrations. Gallic acid, caffeic acid or 2,5-dihydroxybenzoic acid were not detected.Limitations/implications: Some flavonoids have been identified in other Acer species but have not been identified and quantified in Acer negundo, a Mexicanspecies.Findings/conclusions: For the first time we report gentisic acid in Acer negundo leaf extracts. This analytical method can be standardized to serve as a qualityanalysis of maple tree products

Comparative serology techniques for the diagnosis of Trypanosoma cruzi infection in a rural population from the state of Querétaro, Mexico

Immunological diagnostic methods for Trypanosoma cruzi depend specifically on the presence of antibodies and parasitological methods lack sensitivity during the chronic and “indeterminate” stages of the disease. This study performed a serological survey of 1,033 subjects from 52 rural communities in 12 of the 18 municipalities in the state of Querétaro, Mexico. We detected anti-T. cruzi antibodies using the following tests: indirect haemagglutination assay (IHA), indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFA), ELISA and recombinant ELISA (rELISA). We also performed Western blot (WB) analysis using iron superoxide dismutase (FeSOD), a detoxifying enzyme excreted by the parasite, as the antigen. Positive test results were distributed as follows: ELISA 8%, rELISA 6.2%, IFA and IHA 5.4% in both cases and FeSOD 8%. A comparative study of the five tests was undertaken. Sensitivity levels, specificity, positive and negative predictive values, concordance percentage and kappa index were considered. Living with animals, trips to other communities, gender, age, type of housing and symptomatology at the time of the survey were statistically analysed using SPSS software v.11.5. Detection of the FeSOD enzyme that was secreted by the parasite and used as an antigenic fraction in WBs showed a 100% correlation with traditional ELISA tests

Neuroasociaciones del consumo de bebidas endulzadas

Uno de los factores de riesgo de obesidad es el consumo de azúcar en las bebidas, particularmente en los refrescos.Se considera que su consumo se asocia con sobrepeso e incrementa el riesgo de presentar diabetes tipo 2 y síndrome metabólico. El objetivo de la presente investigación obtener las asociaciones neurocognoscitivas del consumo de refresco. Participaron 100 personas, 33% fueron hombres y 67% mujeres, de 17 a 68 (media de 29.75, DE= 12.19) años, de la Ciudad de México, el Estado de México y de Querétaro, México. Para obtener las asociaciones neurocognoscitivas del consumo de refresco se utilizó la técnica de redes semánticas naturales. El 38% de la muestra reportó consumir refresco desabor, el 36% refresco de cola y el 12% algún refresco bajo en calorías. Los resultados muestran que se produjeron un total de 955 palabras definidoras que constituyen el tamaño total de la red. Las definidoras positivas fueron 'refrescante', 'sabor', 'dulce', 'quita sed' y 'río'. Las definidoras negativas para fueron azucarado, 'dañino', 'obesidad', 'diabetes' y 'costoso'. La red de palabras asociadas hacen referencia a 'fiesta' 'color', 'agua', 'dinero' y 'consumo'. Por último, las palabras neutras expresadas fueron 'automóvil', 'ibro', 'silla', 'perro' y 'mesa'. Cada una de las asociaciones del consumo de refresco se caracteriza por una combinación de diferentes pensamientos, sentimientos, situaciones y contextos presentes durante el consumo de este tipo de bebida endulzada. Contar con esta red de asociaciones permitirá por una parte desarrollar instrumentos psicométricos y tareas neuropsicológicas a partir de estímulos relevantes que evocan el consumo del refresco y por otra,reconocer la necesidad de implementar programas de intervención neurocognitiva para disminuir su consumo.Fil: Palacios Delgado, Jorge Raúl. Universidad Autonoma de Queretaro; MéxicoFil: Ramirez Amaya, Victor. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Instituto de Investigación Médica Mercedes y Martín Ferreyra. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Instituto de Investigación Médica Mercedes y Martín Ferreyra; ArgentinaFil: Hernández Montiel, Hebert Luis. Universidad Autonoma de Queretaro; MéxicoFil: Anaya Loyola, Miriam Aracely. Universidad Autonoma de Queretaro; Méxic

Influencia de la prematuridad sobre el sistema nervioso en la niñez y en la adultez

OBJECTIVE: To review the influence of prematurity on the nervous system during early life and later life.DEVELOPMENT: Preterm infants are a vulnerable population with high risk of health problems, neurological disabilities and behavioral disorders, poor cognitive performance, and high risk of cerebral palsy and sensory disorders. Moreover, some events that occur early in life influence in the development of diseases in adulthood. Regarding long term, preterm children have increased risk of cardiovascular disease, hypertension and diabetes mellitus in adulthood, and possibly also an increased risk of cancer. Knowledge of these aspects by professionals allows a better understanding of morbidities that occur during the life of preterm children.CONCLUSIONS: Care programs, evaluation and monitoring of preterm infants should take into account the effect of the same in different stages of life.OBJETIVO: Revisar la influencia de la prematuridad sobre el sistema nervioso durante los primeros años de vida y posteriormente durante la adultez.DESARROLLO: Los recién nacidos pretérmino constituyen una población vulnerable. Tienen un elevado riesgo de sufrir problemas de salud, discapacidades neurológicas y trastornos de la conducta, pobre desempeño cognitivo. También cursan con un riesgo elevado de presentar parálisis cerebral y trastornos sensoriales. Por otra parte, es conocido que algunos eventos que ocurren tempranamente en la vida influyen en el desarrollo de enfermedades en la vida adulta. A largo plazo, los niños que nacieron prematuramente tienen mayor riesgo de desarrollar enfermedades cardiovasculares, hipertensión arterial y diabetes mellitus en la edad adulta y posiblemente, también presenten un riesgo mayor de padecer cáncer. El conocimiento de estos aspectos por parte de los profesionales permitiría una mejor compresión de las morbilidades que presentan durante la vida los niños nacidos prematuramente.CONCLUSIONES: Los programas de atención, evaluación y seguimiento de niños pretérmino deben tener en cuenta el efecto de dicho evento en las diferentes etapas de la vida

Hallazgos electroencefalográficos en los pacientes con trastorno específico del desarrollo del lenguaje

OBJECTIVE: To identify the frequency and characteristics of the alterations in the electroencephalogram (EEG) of a group of children with specific language development disorder (SLD).METHODS: EEG was performed in children’s with SLD on spontaneous sleep for about 30 minutes with a 32-channel digital equipment. The signal was obtained with a sampling frequency of 200 Hz and bandwidth filters of 0.5-30 Hz. Each study included 19 surface electrodes according to the international 10-20 system were used. For reference, shorted electrodes placed on both earlobes were used. The visual analysis of EEG evaluated presence of these variables: interictal epileptiform discharges, type, topography, lateralization, propagation.RESULTS: 75 patients, 58 males were studied with SLD. The EEG was abnormal in 89.3 % of patients of which 92.5% had focal interictal epileptiform discharges. The left fronto-temporal region was the most affected. 7.5 % concomitant focal slow activity in the presence of epileptiform activity in all cases this activity was located on the temporal regions.CONCLUSIONS: The interictal epileptiform discharges with a predominant localization of language-related areas are more common in children with SLD. This data suggests that given the semiology of epileptiform discharges, the imposition of a therapeutic for deletion or modification of such discharges can lead to beneficial results.OBJETIVO: Identificar la frecuencia y características de las alteraciones presentes en el electroencefalograma (EEG) de un grupo de niños con Trastorno Específico del Desarrollo del Lenguaje (TEDL).MÉTODOS: El EEG en los niños con TDEL se realizó en sueño espontáneo durante aproximadamente 30 minutos con un electroencefalógrafo digital de 32 canales. La señal fue obtenida con una frecuencia de muestreo de 200 Hz y filtros con un ancho de banda de 0,5-30 Hz. Se utilizaron 19 electrodos de superficie colocados según el sistema internacional 10-20. Como referencia, se usaron electrodos cortocircuitados ubicados en ambos lóbulos de las orejas. El análisis visual del EEG evaluó la presencia de las siguientes variables: descargas epileptiformes interictales, tipo, topografía, lateralización, propagación.RESULTADOS: Se estudiaron 75 pacientes con TDEL. De estos 58 eran del sexo masculino. El EEG resultó anormal en el 89,3 % de los pacientes de los cuales el 92,5% presentó descargas epileptiformes interictales focales. La región fronto-temporal izquierda fue la más afectada. En un 7,5 % concomito la actividad lenta focal con la presencia de actividad epileptiforme, en todos los casos esta actividad se localizó sobre las regiones temporales.CONCLUSIONES: Las descargas epileptiformes interictales con una localización predominante sobre áreas relacionadas con el lenguaje son más frecuentes en los niños con TDEL. Esto sugiere que teniendo en cuenta las características semiológicas de las descargas epileptiformes, la imposición de una terapéutica para la supresión o modificación de dichas descargas podría conducir a resultados beneficiosos

Vasoinhibins prevent retinal vasopermeability associated with diabetic retinopathy in rats via protein phosphatase 2A–dependent eNOS inactivation

Increased retinal vasopermeability contributes to diabetic retinopathy, the leading cause of blindness in working-age adults. Despite clinical progress, effective therapy remains a major need. Vasoinhibins, a family of peptides derived from the protein hormone prolactin (and inclusive of the 16-kDa fragment of prolactin), antagonize the proangiogenic effects of VEGF, a primary mediator of retinal vasopermeability. Here, we demonstrate what we believe to be a novel function of vasoinhibins as inhibitors of the increased retinal vasopermeability associated with diabetic retinopathy. Vasoinhibins inhibited VEGF-induced vasopermeability in bovine aortic and rat retinal capillary endothelial cells in vitro. In vivo, vasoinhibins blocked retinal vasopermeability in diabetic rats and in response to intravitreous injection of VEGF or of vitreous from patients with diabetic retinopathy. Inhibition by vasoinhibins was similar to that achieved following immunodepletion of VEGF from human diabetic retinopathy vitreous or blockage of NO synthesis, suggesting that vasoinhibins inhibit VEGF-induced NOS activation. We further showed that vasoinhibins activate protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A), leading to eNOS dephosphorylation at Ser1179 and, thereby, eNOS inactivation. Moreover, intravitreous injection of okadaic acid, a PP2A inhibitor, blocked the vasoinhibin effect on endothelial cell permeability and retinal vasopermeability. These results suggest that vasoinhibins have the potential to be developed as new therapeutic agents to control the excessive retinal vasopermeability observed in diabetic retinopathy and other vasoproliferative retinopathies