Role of the plasma contact system in the pathogenesis of experimental anti-GBM glomerulonephritis

To study the participation of the Hageman factor-related contact system of plasma in the pathogenesis of glomerulonephritis (GN), an anti-BM GN was induced in a group of 10 normal Brown Norway rats and another of seven Brown Norway BN/Mai Pfd f rats. The latter strain is characterized by a congenital deficiency of plasma prekallikrein and of high-molecular weight kininogen, with lengthening of the activated partial thromboplastin time. In the deficient group, one animal developed crescents in < 25% of glomeruli, five in 25-50% and one in 50-75%. In the group of normal rats, extracapillary proliferation was of greater severity: one animal showed crescents in less than 25% of glomeruli, two in 50-75% and five in more than 75% of glomeruli. Although in both groups intense glomerular fibrin deposition was documented, the intensity of these deposits was less severe in the deficient animals. These data suggest, in the first place, that functional integrity of the contact system is not a necessary requirement for glomerular fibrinogenesis, other mechanisms being implicated in this phenomenon. On the other hand, this functional deficit has exerted a protective effect on crescent formation, which suggests that the contact system can play a role as a mediator of injury in glomerulonephritis, perhaps through the release of contact system-dependent mediators of inflammation

Neurohormonas y citocinas en la insuficiencia cardíaca. Correlación con la reserva de flujo coronario

Introduction and objectives. In heart failure, the coronary flow reserve (CFR) measured by positron-emission tomography (PET) is reduced. As neurohormone and cytokine levels are also altered in patients with the condition, our aim was to determine whether there is a correlation between CFR and neurohormone and cytokine levels. Patients and method. The study included 40 patients with heart failure but without ischemic heart disease. Myocardial blood flow was measured by PET using nitrogen- 13 ammonia at baseline and during ATP infusion. The CFR was calculated for each patient. In addition, levels of the following were determined: norepinephrine, endothelin- 1, angiotensin-II, atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP), brain natriuretic peptide (BNP), tumor necrosis factor-alpha, interleukin (IL)-1β, soluble IL-2 receptor, and IL-6. Results. All neurohormone levels were elevated above reference values. The levels of all cytokines, except IL-1β, were also elevated. There was a significant negative correlation between CFR and the levels of several neurohormones: ANP (r=–0.476), BNP (r=–0.442), and IL-6 (r=–0.509). Conclusions. In heart failure, the decrease in CFR is correlated with increases in the levels of certain neurohormones (i.e., ANP and BNP) and cytokines (i.e., IL-6), with vasodilatory effect. These increases are probably are related to compensatory mechanisms that are unable to correct for the endothelial dysfunction present in these patients

Receptores tipo Toll: bases moleculares de la relación entre respuestas innatas y adaptativas del sistema inmunitario

Microbes have on their surface molecular patterns that are common among a broad range of pathogens. These patterns are recognized by a wide variety of cellular receptors, the most important of which are a family of transmembrane proteins termed "Toll-like receptors" (TLR). TLRs are pattern-recognition receptors that have key roles in detecting pathogens and initiating inflammatory responses. The receptor of Gram negative bacterial LPS, TLR4, is the best characterized member of the TLR family. So far, ten mammalian toll-like receptors (TLR1-TLR10) have been identified. Recent studies revealed that the TLR signaling pathway is a critical mediator of sepsis. An understanding of TLRs and their signaling pathway will reveal a therapeutic target in sepsis and other immune mediated diseas

A transição ao fentanil. Mudanças e continuidades no mercado das drogas no Mexico (2015-2022)

México ha sido, desde la década de los cuarenta del siglo XX, productor importante de amapola y marihuana. Desde los ochenta se consolidó como puente de cocaína entre América del Sur y Estados Unidos. En los últimos años, la crisis del consumo de opioides sintéticos en Estados Unidos y el abastecimiento de precursores químicos provenientes de India y China apuntan a una nueva reconfiguración del papel de México en el panorama mundial de drogas. Este artículo analiza cómo las redes de narcotráfico en México han cambiado a partir del surgimiento de drogas sintéticas como el fentanilo. El artículo busca entender las consecuencias socioeconómicas de esta trasformación, su impacto en los índices de violencia, en el diseño de políticas públicas y en la relación binacional entre los dos países.Mexico has been, at least since the 1940s, an important poppy and marihuana producer. By the 1980s, the country had been consolidated as a drug trafficking bridge between South America and the United States. However, the consumption of synthetic opioids in the United States, and supply of chemical precursors from India and China suggest a new reconfiguration of Mexico’s role in the global drug landscape. This article analyzes how Mexican drug-trafficking networks have altered since the rise of synthetic drugs, such as fentanyl. It also aims to comprehend the socioeconomic consequences of this transformation, its impact on violence indexes, on the design of public policies and the binational relations between Mexico and the United States.O México tem sido, pelo menos desde a década de quarenta do século passado, um importante produtor de papoula e cannabis; desde a década de oitenta, o país consolidou-se como uma ponte do tráfico da cocaína entre América do Sul e os Estados Unidos. Nos últimos anos, no entanto, a crise do consumo de opioides sintéticos nos Estados Unidos e o fornecimento de precursores químicos provenientes da Índia e da China indicam uma nova reconfiguração do papel do México no panorama mundial das drogas. Este artigo analisa a reconfiguração das redes de narcotráfico no México a partir do surgimento de drogas sintéticas como o fentanil. O artigo busca compreender as consequências socioeconômicas dessa transformação, seu impacto nos índices de violência, no desenho de políticas públicas e na relação binacional entre o México e os Estados Unido

Inteligencia emocional y aprendizaje en Educación infantil

Esta necesidad de cambio en la educación, se debe, en parte, a las investigaciones que indican la relación existente entre IE y rendimiento académico, teniendo los sentimientos y las emociones un papel imprescindible en el aprendizaje. Concretamente existen tres cuestiones sobre el aprendizaje que se pueden considerar como premisas para decir que la IE tiene una relación directa y positiva con el rendimiento y el éxito académico. Son: - Todo el aprendizaje tiene una base emocional puesto que se inicia, se mantiene y se termina por razones emocionales, por lo que en la medida que prestemos más o menos atención a una tarea de aprendizaje, aprenderemos sobre ella más o menos. Es decir, nos sentimos inclinados a aprender lo que nos interesa; conforme mas positivamente o negativamente se valore el aprendizaje con más o menos eficacia se aprenderá; y aquellos aprendizajes que provoquen en las personas una experiencia positiva será más fácil que sean repetidos, que se preste más atención a ellos, que se quiera aprender más o profundizar sobre ese aspecto; etc. - Las emociones más beneficiosas para los aprendizajes académicos con las emociones positivas, porque favorecen la interconexión neuronal y la flexibilidad cognitiva, posibilitando una mejor comprensión y memorización significativa de la información, y por tanto un mayor disfrute de lo que se aprende y cómo se aprende. - El aprendizaje humano es social, como subrayó Aristóteles. Por medio de la interacción con otros, desde la infancia, se aprende a ser civilizados y educados, aprendiendo con y de los demás. Por ello, se requiere de nuevas ideas que permitan enfocar la actividad docente hacia una enseñanza más respetuosa con los procesos emocionales y de desarrollo de cada alumno, ofreciendo herramientas que les ayuden a disminuir la ansiedad e impulsividad, disponiendo así de más recursos cognitivos para atender y por lo tanto aprender. Además, el aula de infantil y el itinerario académico favorecen que se pueda promover la IE, a través del momento de la asamblea

Liderazgo del profesor: objetivo básico de la gestión educativa.

Numerosos informes evidencian la relación entre la gestión, los procesos de liderazgo educativo y los logros en la calidad de la educación. En este estudio destacamos la importancia del liderazgo del profesor como un objetivo clave de la gestión en los centros educativos que quieren distinguirse por su liderazgo pedagógico. También revisamos la bibliografía más representativa de la última década sobre liderazgo y educación, buscando aquellas publicaciones que hagan referencia al liderazgo del profesor. Comenzamos definiendo el concepto para luego entresacar los principales rasgos de la investigación reciente acerca de lo propio del docente como líder y destacar los focos investigativos que se han abierto recientemente sobre la temática. Dado que la principal dificultad es encontrar fuentes que trabajen este tema específico, abordamos el tema mediante los estudios existentes acerca de otras dos temáticas relacionadas: algunos tipos de liderazgo y el desarrollo profesional del profesorado.Numerous reports show the relationship between the management, the processes of educational leadership and achievements in the quality of education. In this study we emphasize the importance of teacher’s leadership as a key objective of management in schools who want to distinguish by their pedagogical leadership. We also reviewed the most representative bibliography of the last decade about leadership and education, looking for those publications that refer to teacher’s leadership. We start by defining the concept and weed out the main features of the recent research about the teacher himself as a leader, and highlight the research focus that have been opened recently on the subject. Since the main difficulty is finding sources working this specific issue, we address the issue through existing studies on two topics related: some types of leadership and professional development of teachers

Ear, nose and throat manifestations in pemphigus vulgaris

Pemphigus vulgaris (PV) is an autoimmune disease characterized by mucocutaneous intraepithelial blisters and pathogenic autoantibodies against desmoglein 3. There are two clinical forms: mucosal (MPV) and mucocutaneous (MCPV). The frequency of ear, nose and throat (ENT) involvement in PV is not clearly defined. Only a few isolated individual cases have been reported. OBJECTIVES: The objective of our study was to determine the incidence of ENT involvement in patients with PV. PATIENTS: We studied prospectively all 16 patients diagnosed with PV and treated in the Department of Dermatology of the University Clinic of Navarra between 2001 and 2005. They were 10 cases of MPV and six cases of MCPV. All patients were evaluated for ENT manifestations by endoscopic examination. RESULTS: Of the 16 patients, 13 presented with throat symptoms (81%), 12 pharyngeal (75%) and seven laryngeal symptoms (44%). Fourteen patients (88%) had active PV lesions on endoscopic evaluation (eight patients had active lesions on both pharyngeal and laryngeal mucosa, four had PV lesions only on laryngeal mucosa and two had PV lesions on pharyngeal mucosa). Laryngeal lesions were most commonly present in MPV patients. The frequency of nasal symptoms (38%) was lower than active PV lesions (62%) found on ENT examination. Oral symptoms and oral active PV lesions were the most frequent findings (94%). Only three patients with MCPV showed erosions on the external auditory canal. CONCLUSIONS: As ENT endoscopy allows more extensive areas of mucosa to be examined than simple visual inspection, we recommend that it be included in the examination of all patients with PV. By obtaining more complete information concerning the extent of the disease, a more accurate diagnosis can be made, better choice of drug and dose may be decided and, ultimately, response to treatment may be improved