Tuberculosis y SIDA pediátrico: a propósito de un caso en Mozambique / Tuberculosis and pediatric AIDS: a case report in Mozambique

La Tuberculosis (TB), es una enfermedad producida por el Mycobacterium tuberculosis hominis, bacilo débilmente Gram positivo, aerobio, ácido-alcohol resistente, de aspecto curvo, inmóvil, no esporulado, constituye una de las enfermedades  re - emergentes en la infancia a nivel mundial, el Síndrome de inmunodeficiencia adquirida (sida) es el factor de riesgo mayor para la progresión de la TB. a pesar de que la incidencia de ambas enfermedades es baja con relación a las estadísticas mundiales según la OMS; los estados y autoridades sanitarias ponen el mayor empeño para un control eficaz y manejo adecuado de los casos registrados. Motivados con la presencia del Internacionalismo médico cubano en diversos países fue considerado de interés transmitir una experiencia, presentando el caso de un niño de 4 años de edad, raza negra, procedente de un área rural en  Nampula, Mozambique (África), donde el cuadro clínico y los complementarios confirmaron una TB pulmonar, constatando además la presencia de sida  (VIH positivo y linfocitos  CD4+ en  < 15 %). Se aplicó la terapéutica adecuada siguiendo los protocolos establecidos en Mozambique para ambas enfermedades, que permitió una mejoría del estado clínico e hizo posible un cambio en la calidad y esperanza de vida de este.Palabras clave: TUBERCULOSIS/diagnóstico, VIH, SÍNDROME DE INMUNODEFICIENCIA ADQUIRIDA/terapia. ABSTRACT Tuberculosis (abbreviated TB for tubercle bacillus or Tuberculosis), is a disease caused by Mycobacterium Tuberculosis Hominis, weakly Gram-positive bacillus, aerobic, acid-alcohol resistance, of curved aspect, motionless and sporeless. TB constitutes one of the re-emergent diseases in the childhood all over the world. Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) is the most important risk factor to the TB development. Despite the incidence of both diseases is low in relation to the worldwide statistics; and according to the World Health Organization (WHO), the states and sanitary authorities are making a great effort to carry out an effective control and an adequate management of the cases recorded. Encouraged by the presence of the Cuban Medical Internationalist Missions in several countries the case is presented in order to transmit experience. A 4-year-old, black boy,  coming from a rural region in Mampula City, Mozambique, sub-Saharan Africa; the clinical and laboratory findings confirmed a pulmonary TB, also the presence of AIDS was verified (positive HIV and lymphocytes CD4+ in 15%). An adequate therapeutic taking into account the protocols established in Mozambique for both diseases was followed with the purpose of  improving the clinical conditions of the patient, which  made possible changes  in the quality of life and life expectancy. Key words: Tuberculosis/diagnosis, HIV, ACQUIRED IMMUNODEFICIENCY SYNDROME/therapy

Joint effect of physical activity and sedentary behaviour on cardiovascular risk factors in Chilean adults

Background: To investigate the associations between combined categories of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and sedentary behaviour (SB) with markers of adiposity and cardiovascular risk in adults. Methods: Overall, 5040 participants (mean age 46.4 years and 59.3% women) from the cross-sectional Chilean National Health Survey 2009–2010 were included in this study. MVPA and SB were measured using the Global Physical Activity questionnaire. Four categories were computed using MVPA- and SB-specific cut-offs (‘High-SB &#38; Active’, ‘Low-SB &#38; Active’, ‘High-SB &#38; Inactive’ and ‘Low-SB &#38; Inactive’). Results: Compared to the reference group (‘High-SB &#38; Inactive’), those in ‘High-SB &#38; Active’ and ‘Low-SB &#38; Active’ were less likely to have an obese BMI (OR: 0.67 [0.54; 0.85], P = 0.0001 and 0.74 [0.59; 0.92] P = 0.0007, respectively) and less likely to have metabolic syndrome (OR: 0.63 [0.49; 0.82], P &lt; 0.0001 and 0.72 [0.57; 0.91], P = 0.007), central obesity (OR: 0.79 [0.65; 0.96], P = 0.016 and 0.71 [0.59; 0.84], P &lt; 0.0001), diabetes (OR: 0.45 [0.35; 0.59], P &lt; 0.0001 and 0.44 [0.34; 0.56], P &lt; 0.0001) and hypertension (OR: 0.52 [0.43; 0.63], P &lt; 0.0001 and 0.60 [0.50; 0.72], P &lt; 0.0001), respectively. Conclusions: Being physically active and spending less time in SBs was associated with lower adiposity and improvements in cardiovascular risk factors

Tuberculosis y SIDA pediátrico: a propósito de un caso en Mozambique / Tuberculosis and pediatric AIDS: a case report in Mozambique

La Tuberculosis (TB), es una enfermedad producida por el Mycobacterium tuberculosis hominis, bacilo débilmente Gram positivo, aerobio, ácido-alcohol resistente, de aspecto curvo, inmóvil, no esporulado, constituye una de las enfermedades  re - emergentes en la infancia a nivel mundial, el Síndrome de inmunodeficiencia adquirida (sida) es el factor de riesgo mayor para la progresión de la TB. a pesar de que la incidencia de ambas enfermedades es baja con relación a las estadísticas mundiales según la OMS; los estados y autoridades sanitarias ponen el mayor empeño para un control eficaz y manejo adecuado de los casos registrados. Motivados con la presencia del Internacionalismo médico cubano en diversos países fue considerado de interés transmitir una experiencia, presentando el caso de un niño de 4 años de edad, raza negra, procedente de un área rural en  Nampula, Mozambique (África), donde el cuadro clínico y los complementarios confirmaron una TB pulmonar, constatando además la presencia de sida  (VIH positivo y linfocitos  CD4+ en  < 15 %). Se aplicó la terapéutica adecuada siguiendo los protocolos establecidos en Mozambique para ambas enfermedades, que permitió una mejoría del estado clínico e hizo posible un cambio en la calidad y esperanza de vida de este.Palabras clave: TUBERCULOSIS/diagnóstico, VIH, SÍNDROME DE INMUNODEFICIENCIA ADQUIRIDA/terapia. ABSTRACT Tuberculosis (abbreviated TB for tubercle bacillus or Tuberculosis), is a disease caused by Mycobacterium Tuberculosis Hominis, weakly Gram-positive bacillus, aerobic, acid-alcohol resistance, of curved aspect, motionless and sporeless. TB constitutes one of the re-emergent diseases in the childhood all over the world. Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) is the most important risk factor to the TB development. Despite the incidence of both diseases is low in relation to the worldwide statistics; and according to the World Health Organization (WHO), the states and sanitary authorities are making a great effort to carry out an effective control and an adequate management of the cases recorded. Encouraged by the presence of the Cuban Medical Internationalist Missions in several countries the case is presented in order to transmit experience. A 4-year-old, black boy,  coming from a rural region in Mampula City, Mozambique, sub-Saharan Africa; the clinical and laboratory findings confirmed a pulmonary TB, also the presence of AIDS was verified (positive HIV and lymphocytes CD4+ in 15%). An adequate therapeutic taking into account the protocols established in Mozambique for both diseases was followed with the purpose of  improving the clinical conditions of the patient, which  made possible changes  in the quality of life and life expectancy. Key words: Tuberculosis/diagnosis, HIV, ACQUIRED IMMUNODEFICIENCY SYNDROME/therapy

Active commuting is associated with a lower risk of obesity, diabetes and metabolic syndrome in Chilean adults

Background: There is limited evidence on how active commuting is associated with health benefits in developing countries. The aim of this study therefore was to investigate the associations between active commuting and markers of adiposity and cardiometabolic risk in the Chilean adult population. Methods: In total, 5157 participants from the Chilean National Health Survey 2009–10 were included in this cross-sectional study. Active commuting was measured using the Global Physical Activity Questionnaire (GPAQ v2). Body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference (WC) were measured and used to define obesity and central obesity. Type 2 diabetes (T2D) and metabolic syndrome were determined using WHO and updated ATPIII-NCEP criteria, respectively. Results: The main finding of this study is that a 30 min increase in active commuting is associated with lower odds for BMI &gt; 25.0 kg m−2 (0.93 [95% CI: 0.88–0.98, P = 0.010]). Similarly, the odds for central obesity was 0.87 [0.82–0.92, P &lt; 0.0001]. Similar associations were found for T2D (0.81 [0.75–0.88], P &lt; 0.0001) and metabolic syndrome (OR: 0.86 [0.80–0.92], P &lt; 0.0001). Conclusion: Our findings show that active commuting is associated with lower adiposity and a healthier metabolic profile including lower risk for obesity, diabetes and metabolic syndrome

Deep Sequencing of the Mexican Avocado Transcriptome, an Ancient Angiosperm with a High Content of Fatty Acids

Background: Avocado (Persea americana) is an economically important tropical fruit considered to be a good source of fatty acids. Despite its importance, the molecular and cellular characterization of biochemical and developmental processes in avocado is limited due to the lack of transcriptome and genomic information. Results: The transcriptomes of seeds, roots, stems, leaves, aerial buds and flowers were determined using different sequencing platforms. Additionally, the transcriptomes of three different stages of fruit ripening (pre-climacteric, climacteric and post-climacteric) were also analyzed. The analysis of the RNAseqatlas presented here reveals strong differences in gene expression patterns between different organs, especially between root and flower, but also reveals similarities among the gene expression patterns in other organs, such as stem, leaves and aerial buds (vegetative organs) or seed and fruit (storage organs). Important regulators, functional categories, and differentially expressed genes involved in avocado fruit ripening were identified. Additionally, to demonstrate the utility of the avocado gene expression atlas, we investigated the expression patterns of genes implicated in fatty acid metabolism and fruit ripening. Conclusions: A description of transcriptomic changes occurring during fruit ripening was obtained in Mexican avocado, contributing to a dynamic view of the expression patterns of genes involved in fatty acid biosynthesis and the fruit ripening process

Alkamides Activate Jasmonic Acid Biosynthesis and Signaling Pathways and Confer Resistance to Botrytis cinerea in Arabidopsis thaliana

Alkamides are fatty acid amides of wide distribution in plants, structurally related to N-acyl-L-homoserine lactones (AHLs) from Gram-negative bacteria and to N- acylethanolamines (NAEs) from plants and mammals. Global analysis of gene expression changes in Arabidopsis thaliana in response to N-isobutyl decanamide, the most highly active alkamide identified to date, revealed an overrepresentation of defense-responsive transcriptional networks. In particular, genes encoding enzymes for jasmonic acid (JA) biosynthesis increased their expression, which occurred in parallel with JA, nitric oxide (NO) and H2O2 accumulation. The activity of the alkamide to confer resistance against the necrotizing fungus Botrytis cinerea was tested by inoculating Arabidopsis detached leaves with conidiospores and evaluating disease symptoms and fungal proliferation. N-isobutyl decanamide application significantly reduced necrosis caused by the pathogen and inhibited fungal proliferation. Arabidopsis mutants jar1 and coi1 altered in JA signaling and a MAP kinase mutant (mpk6), unlike salicylic acid- (SA) related mutant eds16/sid2-1, were unable to defend from fungal attack even when N-isobutyl decanamide was supplied, indicating that alkamides could modulate some necrotrophic-associated defense responses through JA-dependent and MPK6-regulated signaling pathways. Our results suggest a role of alkamides in plant immunity induction

Schistosomiasis en la infancia. Una experiencia para el internacionalismo médico cubano / Schistosomiasis in childhood: an experience to the Cuban Medical Internationalist Missions

El Schistosoma es un parásito no endémico de Cuba, pero con una elevada frecuencia en los países de África, Asia y América Latina; de ellos, cinco especies infectan al hombre. No existen evidencias de dicho parasitismo en nuestro país. Con la presencia del internacionalismo médico cubano en las diversas tierras del mundo es que fue considerado útil transmitir la experiencia profesional en un país africano. Se presenta un caso clínico de un paciente de 7 años de edad, sexo masculino y estado nutricional adecuado, procedente de un área suburbana de la Cuidad de Nampula, Mozambique, África Subsahariana que al examen físico se constató que tenía lesiones de dermatitis en las manos y los pies, de varias semanas en evolución; acude por la aparición de edemas en miembros inferiores, dificultad para orinar y orinas oscuras. Se sospecha una posible Glomerulonefritis Difusa Aguda según la frecuencia de la entidad en nuestro medio. Después de una respuesta terapéutica escasa, un cambio en la visión epidemiológica y los resultados complementarios, se confirma una forma de presentación infantil de esquistosomiasis masiva, entidad frecuente en las regiones geográficas donde hoy en día está presente el internacionalismo médico cubano. Después de una revisión bibliográfica se consideró útil trasmitir la experiencia al médico internacionalista y se hacen algunas consideraciones al respecto. Palabras Clave: Esquistosomiasis, glomerulonefritis, diagnóstico. ABSTRACT Schistosome is a non-endemic parasite in Cuba, but with an elevated frequency in Africa, Asia and Latin-America; of them, five species infest man. No evidences of this parasite are found in Cuba. Considering the presence of Cuban Medical Internationalist Missions in other parts of the world, it is useful to transmit the professional experience in an African country. A 7-year-old-male patient, presenting an adequate nutritional status, coming from a sub-urban district of Mampula City. Mozambique, sub-Saharan Africa, at physical examination showed dermatitis in hands and feet for several weeks in evolution. The patient attended to the clinic presenting edema in the lower limbs, difficulties to urinate and dark urines. Suspecting, a possible Acute Diffuse Glomerulonephritis according to the frequency of the disease in that environment. After a limited therapeutic response, and a change in the epidemiologic view and the laboratory results; a childhood presentation of a form of massive schistosomiasis was confirmed, a frequent entity in the geographic regions where Cuban medical missions work. Some suggestions to transmit the experience to the medical missions were made taking into consideration several aspects after a medical literature review. Key words: Schistosomiasis, glomerulonephritis, diagnosis

Exploring Agronomic and Physiological Traits Associated With the Differences in Productivity Between Triticale and Bread Wheat in Mediterranean Environments

In Mediterranean climates soil water deficit occurs mainly during the spring and summer, having a great impact on cereal productivity. While previous studies have indicated that the grain yield (GY) of triticale is usually higher than bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), comparatively little is known about the performance of these crops under water-limited conditions or the physiological traits involved in the different yields of both crops. For this purpose, two sets of experiments were conducted in order to compare a high yielding triticale (cv. Aguacero) and spring wheat (cvs. Pandora and Domo). The first experiment, aiming to analyze the agronomic performance, was carried out in 10 sites located across a wide range of Mediterranean and temperate environments, distributed between 33°34′ and 38°41′ S. The second experiment, aiming to identify potential physiological traits linked to the different yields of the two crops, was conducted in two Mediterranean sites (Cauquenes and Santa Rosa) in which crops were grown under well-watered (WW) and water-limited (WL) conditions. The relationship between GY and the environmental index revealed that triticale exhibited a higher regression coefficient (Finlay and Wilkinson slope), indicating a more stable response to the environment, accompanied by higher yields than bread wheat. Harvest index was not significantly different between the two cereals, but triticale had higher kernels per spike (35%) and 1000 kernel weight (16%) than wheat, despite a lower number of spikes per square meter. The higher yield of triticale was linked to higher values of chlorophyll content, leaf net photosynthesis (An), the maximum rate of electron transport (ETRmax), the photochemical quantum yield of PSII [Y(II)] and leaf water-use efficiency. GY was positively correlated with Ci at anthesis and Δ13C in both species, as well as with gs at anthesis in triticale, but negatively correlated with non-photochemical fluorescence quenching and quantum yield of non-photochemical energy conversion at grain filling in wheat. These results revealed that triticale presented higher photosynthetic rates that contributed to increase plant growth and yield in the different environments, whereas wheat showed higher photoprotection system in detriment of assimilate production

Biocontrol and plant growth promoting traits of two avocado rhizobacteria are orchestrated by the emission of diffusible and volatile compounds

Avocado (Persea americana Mill.) is a tree crop of great social and economic importance. However, the crop productivity is hindered by fast-spreading diseases, which calls for the search of new biocontrol alternatives to mitigate the impact of avocado phytopathogens. Our objectives were to evaluate the antimicrobial activity of diffusible and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) produced by two avocado rhizobacteria (Bacillus A8a and HA) against phytopathogens Fusarium solani, Fusarium kuroshium, and Phytophthora cinnamomi, and assess their plant growth promoting effect in Arabidopsis thaliana. We found that, in vitro, VOCs emitted by both bacterial strains inhibited mycelial growth of the tested pathogens by at least 20%. Identification of bacterial VOCs by gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (GC–MS) showed a predominance of ketones, alcohols and nitrogenous compounds, previously reported for their antimicrobial activity. Bacterial organic extracts obtained with ethyl acetate significantly reduced mycelial growth of F. solani, F. kuroshium, and P. cinnamomi, the highest inhibition being displayed by those from strain A8a (32, 77, and 100% inhibition, respectively). Tentative identifications carried out by liquid chromatography coupled to accurate mass spectrometry of diffusible metabolites in the bacterial extracts, evidenced the presence of some polyketides such as macrolactins and difficidin, hybrid peptides including bacillaene, and non-ribosomal peptides such as bacilysin, which have also been described in Bacillus spp. for antimicrobial activities. The plant growth regulator indole-3-acetic acid was also identified in the bacterial extracts. In vitro assays showed that VOCs from strain HA and diffusible compounds from strain A8a modified root development and increased fresh weight of A. thaliana. These compounds differentially activated several hormonal signaling pathways involved in development and defense responses in A. thaliana, such as auxin, jasmonic acid (JA) and salicylic acid (SA); genetic analyses suggested that developmental stimulation of the root system architecture by strain A8a was mediated by the auxin signaling pathway. Furthermore, both strains were able to enhance plant growth and decreased the symptoms of Fusarium wilt in A. thaliana when soil-inoculated. Collectively, our results evidence the potential of these two rhizobacterial strains and their metabolites as biocontrol agents of avocado pathogens and as biofertilizers