Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels in patients with cutaneous lupus erythematosus in a Mediterranean region

Low vitamin D levels have been found in patients with autoimmune diseases, including type I diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis and systemic lupus erythematosus. The main source of vitamin D is exposure to sunlight, but the same solar radiation is known to exacerbate lupus erythematosus. We investigated the prevalence of vitamin D insufficiency in patients with cutaneous lupus erythematosus (CLE). We designed a cross-sectional study including 55 patients with CLE to measure their serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) by chemiluminescence immunoassay and compare it with a control group consisting of 37 healthy sex and age-matched subjects recruited from the patients’ relatives as well as healthcare workers. Correlations with clinical and demographic variables were determined. Approximately 95% of patients with CLE had less than 30 ng/ml of serum 25(OH)D, which is accepted as the lower limit for vitamin D adequacy. Mean serum vitamin D values were significantly lower than controls (p = 0.038) and were associated with higher levels of parathyroid hormone (p = 0.050). A history of CLE was a strong predictor of insufficiency of vitamin D (odds ratio 4.2; 95% confidence interval 1.0–17.4). The results suggest a role of CLE in the metabolism of the vitamin and provide guidance for future studies looking at a potential role for vitamin D in the prevention and treatment of CLE

Non-symmetric pinning of topological defects in living liquid crystals

Topological defects, such as vortices and disclinations, play a crucial role in spatiotemporal organization of equilibrium and non-equilibrium systems. The defect immobilization or pinning is a formidable challenge in the context of the out-of-equilibrium system, like a living liquid crystal, a suspension of swimming bacteria in lyotropic liquid crystal. Here we control the emerged topological defects in a living liquid crystal by arrays of 3D-printed microscopic obstacles (pillars). Our studies show that while −1/2 defects may be easily immobilized by the pillars, +1/2 defects remain motile. Due to attraction between oppositely charged defects, positive defects remain in the vicinity of pinned negative defects, and the diffusivity of positive defects is significantly reduced. Experimental findings are rationalized by computational modeling of living liquid crystals. Our results provide insight into the engineering of active systems via targeted immobilization of topological defects

Decisiones razonables y razonadas sobre medicamentos convencionales y de uso tradicional. El Seguimiento Farmacoterapéutico, integrador de la perspectiva del paciente.

Se presenta un caso de una paciente con síndrome metabólico y comorbilidades asociadas que acude a un consultorio farmacéutico del nivel primario de Atención en Salud en Bogotá (Colombia), donde recibe seguimiento farmacoterapéutico. La paciente usa tratamientos prescritos por sus médicos y se automedica con productos naturales, como son el extracto de balsamina para regular niveles de glucosa, el extracto de arándano azul europeo para problemas oculares y el uso de lecitina de soja para control de triglicéridos. Para la evaluación de la farmacoterapia, se localizó evidencia científica sobre el uso y conveniencia de cada producto en el tratamiento de sus problemas de salud, realizándose las siguientes intervenciones: continuar con la toma de la balsamina, el Bilberry y la lecitina de soja, ya que existen reportes de su utilidad como coadyuvantes en el control de las enfermedades que presenta y la elaboración de un plan de medicación para reforzar la adherencia a los tratamientos. Cuando se evalúan las intervenciones, encontramos que las cifras de glicemia, presión arterial y función hepática se encuentran dentro de objetivos terapéuticos. En este caso, el químico farmacéutico tiene una labor integradora de las terapias de los pacientes, basados en la valoración del riesgo-beneficio y a través del seguimiento farmacoterapéutico obtiene información clínica que permite tomar decisiones sustentadas para el futuro, más aún en el contexto de Latinoamérica, donde los productos naturales son ampliamente usados en la población

Decisiones razonables y razonadas sobre medicamentos convencionales y de uso tradicional. El Seguimiento Farmacoterapéutico, integrador de la perspectiva del paciente.

Se presenta un caso de una paciente con síndrome metabólico y comorbilidades asociadas que acude a un consultorio farmacéutico del nivel primario de Atención en Salud en Bogotá (Colombia), donde recibe seguimiento farmacoterapéutico. La paciente usa tratamientos prescritos por sus médicos y se automedica con productos naturales, como son el extracto de balsamina para regular niveles de glucosa, el extracto de arándano azul europeo para problemas oculares y el uso de lecitina de soja para control de triglicéridos. Para la evaluación de la farmacoterapia, se localizó evidencia científica sobre el uso y conveniencia de cada producto en el tratamiento de sus problemas de salud, realizándose las siguientes intervenciones: continuar con la toma de la balsamina, el Bilberry y la lecitina de soja, ya que existen reportes de su utilidad como coadyuvantes en el control de las enfermedades que presenta y la elaboración de un plan de medicación para reforzar la adherencia a los tratamientos. Cuando se evalúan las intervenciones, encontramos que las cifras de glicemia, presión arterial y función hepática se encuentran dentro de objetivos terapéuticos. En este caso, el químico farmacéutico tiene una labor integradora de las terapias de los pacientes, basados en la valoración del riesgo-beneficio y a través del seguimiento farmacoterapéutico obtiene información clínica que permite tomar decisiones sustentadas para el futuro, más aún en el contexto de Latinoamérica, donde los productos naturales son ampliamente usados en la población

Supersymmetric AdS_4 black holes and attractors

Using the general recipe given in arXiv:0804.0009, where all timelike supersymmetric solutions of N=2, D=4 gauged supergravity coupled to abelian vector multiplets were classified, we construct the first examples of genuine supersymmetric black holes in AdS_4 with nonconstant scalar fields. This is done for various choices of the prepotential, amongst others for the STU model. These solutions permit to study the BPS attractor flow in AdS. We also determine the most general supersymmetric static near-horizon geometry and obtain the attractor equations in gauged supergravity. As a general feature we find the presence of flat directions in the black hole potential, i.e., generically the values of the moduli on the horizon are not completely specified by the charges. For one of the considered prepotentials, the resulting moduli space is determined explicitely. Still, in all cases, we find that the black hole entropy depends only on the charges, in agreement with the attractor mechanism.Comment: 25 pages, uses JHEP3.cl

Non-supersymmetric Extremal RN-AdS Black Holes in N=2 Gauged Supergravity

We investigate extremal Reissner-Nordstrom-AdS black holes in four-dimensional N=2 abelian gauged supergravity. We find a new attractor equation which is not reduced to the one in the asymptotically flat spacetime. Focusing on so-called the T^3-model with a single neutral vector multiplet, we obtain non-supersymmetric extremal Reissner-Nordstrom-AdS black hole solutions with regular event horizon in the D0-D4 and the D2-D6 charge configurations. The negative cosmological constant emerges even without the Fayet-Iliopoulos parameters. Furthermore, we also argue the formal description of the non-supersymmetric black hole solutions of the T^3-model and the STU-model in generic configurations.Comment: 23 pages, accepted version in JHE

Rotating BPS black holes in matter-coupled AdS(4) supergravity

Using the general recipe given in arXiv:0804.0009, where all timelike supersymmetric solutions of N=2, D=4 gauged supergravity coupled to abelian vector multiplets were classified, we construct genuine rotating supersymmetric black holes in AdS(4) with nonconstant scalar fields. This is done for the SU(1,1)/U(1) model with prepotential F=-iX^0X^1. In the static case, the black holes are uplifted to eleven dimensions, and generalize the solution found in hep-th/0105250 corresponding to membranes wrapping holomorphic curves in a Calabi-Yau five-fold. The constructed rotating black holes preserve one quarter of the supersymmetry, whereas their near-horizon geometry is one half BPS. Moreover, for constant scalars, we generalize (a supersymmetric subclass of) the Plebanski-Demianski solution of cosmological Einstein-Maxwell theory to an arbitrary number of vector multiplets. Remarkably, the latter turns out to be related to the dimensionally reduced gravitational Chern-Simons action.Comment: 23 pages, uses JHEP3.cl

Nel positively regulates the genesis of retinal ganglion cells by promoting their differentiation and survival during development

Peer reviewedPublisher PD

The Effects of Dasatinib in Experimental Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome Depend on Dose and Etiology

Background/Aims: Evidence suggests that tyrosine-kinase inhibitors may attenuate lung inflammation and fibrosis in experimental acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). We hypothesized that dasatinib, a tyrosine-kinase inhibitor, might act differently depending on the ARDS etiology and the dose. Methods: C57/BL6 mice were divided to be pre-treated with dasatinib (1mg/kg or 10mg/kg) or vehicle (1% dimethyl-sulfoxide) by oral gavage. Thirty-minutes after pre-treatment, mice were subdivided into control (C) or ARDS groups. ARDS animals received Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide intratracheally (ARDSp) or intraperitoneally (ARDSexp). A new dose of dasatinib or vehicle was administered at 6 and 24h. Results: Forty-eight hours after ARDS induction, dasatinib 1mg/kg yielded: improved lung morphofunction and reduced cells expressing toll-like receptor (TLR)-4 in lung, independent of ARDS etiology; reduced neutrophil and levels of interleukin (IL)-6, IL-10 and transforming growth factor (TGF)-β in ARDSp. The higher dose of dasatinib caused no changes in lung mechanics, diffuse alveolar damage, neutrophil, or cells expressing TLR4, but increased IL-6, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and cells expressing Fas receptor in lung in ARDSp. In ARDSexp, it improved lung morphofunction, increased VEGF, and reduced cells expressing TLR4. Conclusion: Dasatinib may have therapeutic potential in ARDS independent of etiology, but careful dose monitoring is required. © 2015 S. Karger AG, Basel

Role of the employment status and education of mothers in the prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections in Mexican rural schoolchildren

<p><b>Background:</b> Intestinal parasitic infections are a public health problem in developing countries such as Mexico. As a result, two governmental programmes have been implemented: a) "National Deworming Campaign" and b) "Opportunities" aimed at maternal care. However, both programmes are developed separately and their impact is still unknown. We independently investigated whether a variety of socio-economic factors, including maternal education and employment levels, were associated with intestinal parasite infection in rural school children.</p> <p><b>Methods:</b> This cross-sectional study was conducted in 12 rural communities in two Mexican states. The study sites and populations were selected on the basis of the following traits: a) presence of activities by the national administration of albendazole, b) high rates of intestinal parasitism, c) little access to medical examination, and d) a population having less than 2,500 inhabitants. A total of 507 schoolchildren (mean age 8.2 years) were recruited and 1,521 stool samples collected (3 per child). Socio-economic information was obtained by an oral questionnaire. Regression modelling was used to determine the association of socio-economic indicators and intestinal parasitism.</p> <p><b>Results:</b> More than half of the schoolchildren showed poliparasitism (52%) and protozoan infections (65%). The prevalence of helminth infections was higher in children from Oaxaca (53%) than in those from Sinaloa (33%) (p < 0.0001). Giardia duodenalis and Hymenolepis nana showed a high prevalence in both states. Ascaris lumbricoides, Trichuris trichiura and Entamoeba hystolitica/dispar showed low prevalence. Children from lower-income families and with unemployed and less educated mothers showed higher risk of intestinal parasitism (odds ratio (OR) 6.0, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.6–22.6; OR 4.5, 95% CI 2.5–8.2; OR 3.3, 95% CI 1.5–7.4 respectively). Defecation in open areas was also a high risk factor for infection (OR 2.4, 95% CI 2.0–3.0).</p> <p><b>Conclusion:</b> Intestinal parasitism remains an important public health problem in Sinaloa (north-western Mexico) and Oaxaca (south-eastern Mexico). Lower income, defecation in open areas, employment status and a lower education level of mothers were the significant factors related to these infections. We conclude that mothers should be involved in health initiatives to control intestinal parasitism in Mexico.</p&gt