The Right of Access to Information: Exploring Gender Inequities

The right of access to information is a fundamental and universal right, necessary for economic empowerment and the fulfilment of other rights. However, the recent study discussed in this article demonstrates that women are not able to exercise this right with the same frequency, ease and rate of success as men. The article examines the issue of gender inequity in the exercise of the right of access to information by exploring the legislative framework underpinning the right for women, detailing the value of information for women, describing the principal obstacles that propagate information asymmetries, and exploring potential responses to advance a more universal right to information

Alcohol, microbiome, life style influence alcohol and non-alcoholic organ damage

This paper is based upon the "8th Charles Lieber's Satellite Symposium" organized by Manuela G. Neuman at the Research Society on Alcoholism Annual Meeting, on June 25, 2016 at New Orleans, Louisiana, USA. The integrative symposium investigated different aspects of alcohol-induced liver disease (ALD) as well as non alcohol -induced liver disease (NAFLD) and possible repair. We revealed the basic aspects of alcohol metabolism that may be responsible for the development of liver disease as well as the factors that determine the amount, frequency and which type of alcohol misuse leads to liver and gastrointestinal diseases. We aimed to (1) describe the immuno-pathology of ALD, (2) examine the role of genetics in the development of alcoholic hepatitis (ASH) and NAFLD, (3) propose diagnostic markers of ASH and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), (4) examine age and ethnic differences as well as analyze the validity of some models, (5) develop common research tools and biomarkers to study alcohol-induced effects, 6) examine the role of alcohol in oral health and colon and gastrointestinal cancer and (7) focus on factors that aggravate the severity of organ-damage. The present review includes pre-clinical, translational and clinical research that characterizes ALD and NAFLD. Strong clinical and experimental evidence lead to recognition of the key toxic role of alcohol in the pathogenesis of ALD with simple fatty infiltrations and chronic alcoholic hepatitis with hepatic fibrosis or cirrhosis. These latter stages may also be associated with a number of cellular and histological changes, including the presence of Mallory's hyaline, megamitochondria, or perivenular.and perisinusoidal fibrosis. Genetic polymorphisms of ethanol metabolizing enzymes and cytochrome p450 (CYP) 2E1 activation may change the severity of ASH and NASH. Other risk factors such as its co-morbidities with chronic viral hepatitis in the presence or absence of human deficiency virus were discussed. Dysregulation of metabolism, as a result of ethanol exposure, in the intestine leads to colon carcinogenesis. The hepatotoxic effects of ethanol undermine the contribution of malnutrition to the liver injury. Dietary interventions such as micro and macronutrients, as well as changes to the microbiota have been suggested. The clinical aspects of NASH, as part of the metabolic syndrome in the aging population, have been presented. The symposium addressed mechanisms and biomarkers of alcohol induced damage to different organs, as well as the role of the microbiome in this dialog. The microbiota regulates and acts as a key element in harmonizing immune responses at intestinal mucosal surfaces. It is known that microbiota is an inducer of proinflammatory T helper 17 cells and regulatory T cells in the intestine. The signals at the sites of inflammation mediate recruitment and differentiation in order to remove inflammatory inducers and promote tissue homeostasis restoration. The change in the intestinal microbiota also influences the change in obesity and regresses the liver steatosis. Evidence on the positive role of moderate alcohol consumption on heart and metabolic diseases as well on reducing steatosis have been looked up. Moreover nutrition as a therapeutic intervention in alcoholic liver disease has been discussed. In addition to the original data, we searched the literature (2008-2016) for the latest publication on the described subjects. In order to obtain the updated data we used the usual engines (Pub Med and Google Scholar). The intention of the eighth symposia was to advance the international profile of the biological research on alcoholism. We also wish to further our mission of leading the forum to progress the science and practice of translational research in alcoholism. (C) 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.Peer reviewe

Efecto irritante in vitro del gel elaborado con extracto acuoso del mesocarpio de Hylocereus megalanthus (Cactaceae) “pitahaya” por el método HET-CAM

En el presente estudio, se evaluó in vitro el efecto irritante del gel elaborado con el extracto acuoso del mesocarpio de Hylocereus megalanthus (Cactaceae) “pitahaya”, empleando el método de HET-CAM para demostrar seguridad y eficacia de la formulación. La “pitahaya” fue recolectada en la provincia de Huaral, departamento de Lima, en el sector denominado Virgen de la Esperanza, a una altitud de 190 m s. n. m. El gel fue preparado a base de carbopol, trietanolamina y agua desionizada; su preparación tuvo lugar en el Laboratorio de Industria Farmacéutica de la Facultad de Ciencias Farmacéuticas y Bioquímica de la Universidad Inca Garcilaso de la Vega. Para la elaboración del extracto acuoso, se utilizaron 300 g de mesocarpio de Hylocereus megalanthus “pitahaya” por litro de agua, concentrándose el solvente con ayuda del rotavapor. Las concentraciones de gel preparado con el extracto acuoso fueron del 0.5 % y 1 % y se emplearon NaOH 0.1N y LSS como control positivo. El estudio fitoquímico determinó la presencia de alcaloides, saponinas, flavonoides, quinonas, glucósidos, terpenoides y fenoles. Las formulaciones farmacéuticas elaboradas con el gel mantuvieron intacta la membrana corioalantoidea sin provocar efecto irritante; el control a base de hidróxido de sodio y lauril sulfato de sodio (LSS) resultó ser irritante moderado y severo. Según el método de HET-CAM, el índice de irritación obtenido para todas las formulaciones de extracto acuoso del mesocarpio de Hylocereus megalanthus “pitahaya” permitieron clasificar al producto como no irritante. Se espera utilizar la formulación en ensayos de fase I.In this study, we evaluated in vitro the irritant effect of the gel made with aqueous extract of mesocarp of Hylocereus megalanthus (Cactaceae) “pitahaya” using the HET-CAM method to demonstrate the safety and efficacy of the formulation. The pitahaya fruits were collected in the province of Huaral, department of Lima, in the area called Virgen de la Esperanza, at an altitude of 190 meters above sea level. The gel was prepared based on carbopol, triethanolamine and deionized water; its preparation took place in the Pharmaceutical Industry Laboratory of the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Biochemistry of the Inca Garcilaso de la Vega University. For the elaboration of the aqueous extract, we used 300 g of mesocarp of Hylocereus megalanthus “pitahaya” per liter of water, concentrating the solvent with the help of a rotavap. The gel concentrations prepared with the aqueous extract were 0.5 % and 1 %, and NaOH 0.1N and SLS were used as a positive control. The phytochemical study determined the presence of alkaloids, saponins, flavonoids, quinones, glycosides, terpenoids and phenols. The pharmaceutical formulations made with the gel kept the chorioallantoic membrane intact without causing an irritant effect; the control based on sodium hydroxide and sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) turned out to be moderate and severe irritant. According to the HET-CAM method, the irritation index obtained for all aqueous extract formulations of the mesocarp of Hylocereus megalanthus “pitahaya” allowed classifying the product as nonirritating. The formulation is expected to be used in phase I tests

Intervención educativa: fortaleciendo la conciencia ambiental para la sostenibilidad de la megadiversidad

The objective of this research was to carry out an educational intervention with the purpose of enhancing the participants' knowledge about the importance of caring for the environment and megadiversity in the country. The aim was to generate a protective awareness that permeates their role as citizens and future professionals in their respective fields of work. This work presents a deductive logical, with a descriptive scope and quantitative approach. The sample included 20 participants from the Pharmacy and Biochemistry professional career at the Scientific University of the South (Lima - Peru) who are in the second year of professional training. The survey was used as a technique and the questionnaire as an instrument, this being executed in two different instances. At the beginning of the test application, it was found that the participants reached: an insufficient level 50%, in process 35%, satisfactory 15% and outstanding 0%, after carrying out the educational intervention and applying the test again the following was reached: insufficient level 0 %, in progress 10%, satisfactory 30% and outstanding 60%. The knowledge of the participants about the importance of caring for the environment and megadiversity in the country was enhanced, and positive awareness was generated about the protection of our ecosystem from our position as citizens and professionals.El objetivo de esta investigación fue realizar una intervención educativa con el propósito de potenciar los conocimientos de los participantes acerca de la importancia del cuidado del medio ambiente y la megadiversidad en el país y a partir de ello, buscar generar una conciencia protectora que permee en su rol de ciudadanos y futuros profesionales en sus respectivos campos laborales. Este trabajo presentó una lógica deductiva, de alcance descriptivo y enfoque cuantitativo. La muestra incluyó a 20 participantes de la carrera profesional de Farmacia y Bioquímica de la Universidad Científica del Sur (Lima - Perú) que cursan el segundo año de formación profesional. Se empleó como técnica la encuesta y el cuestionario como instrumento, siendo ejecutado este en dos instancias distintas. Al inicio de la aplicación del test se obtuvo que los participantes alcanzaron un nivel insuficiente 50%, en proceso 35%, satisfactorio 15% y destacado 0%, luego de realizar la intervención educativa y aplicar nuevamente el test se alcanzó un nivel insuficiente 0%, en proceso 10%, satisfactorio 30% y destacado 60%. Se potenciaron los conocimientos de los participantes acerca de la importancia del cuidado del medio ambiente y la megadiversidad en el país, asimismo se generó una conciencia positiva sobre la protección de nuestro ecosistema desde nuestra posición de ciudadanos y profesionales

Seguridad y efecto sinérgico de la actividad hipoglucemiante del extracto hidroalcoholico de las hojas del smallanthus sonchifolius (yacón) y del extracto acuoso de las semillas del vitis vinífera (uva) en ratas con inducción experimental de diabetes mellitus tipo 2

El objetivo del proyecto fue determinar en qué medida el extracto hidroalcohólico de las hojas del Smallanthus sonchifolius (Yacón) y el extracto acuoso de las semillas del Vitis vinífera (Uva) es segura y eficaz en el efecto sinérgico frente a la actividad hipoglucemiante en ratas con inducción experimental de diabetes mellitus tipo 2

Genetic Analysis Workshop 16: Strategies for genome-wide association study analyses

National Institutes of Health (AR44422, N01-AR-7-2232); Genome Canada and Associations AFP; Polyarctique-Groupe Taitbout; Rhumatisme et Travail; Arthritis Research Campaign; National Institute of General Medical Sciences (R01 GM31575

Association of a single nucleotide polymorphism in neuronal acetylcholine receptor subunit alpha 5 (CHRNA5) with smoking status and with ‘pleasurable buzz’ during early experimentation with smoking

AimsTo extend the previously identified association between a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in neuronal acetylcholine receptor subunit alpha-5 (CHRNA5) and nicotine dependence to current smoking and initial smoking-experience phenotypes.Design, setting, participantsCase–control association study with a community-based sample, comprising 363 Caucasians and 72 African Americans (203 cases, 232 controls).MeasurementsCases had smoked ≥ five cigarettes/day for ≥ 5 years and had smoked at their current rate for the past 6 months. Controls had smoked between one and 100 cigarettes in their life-time, but never regularly. Participants also rated, retrospectively, pleasurable and displeasurable sensations experienced when they first smoked. We tested for associations between smoking phenotypes and the top 25 SNPs tested for association with nicotine dependence in a previous study.FindingsA non-synonymous coding SNP in CHRNA5, rs16969968, was associated with case status [odds ratio (OR) = 1.5, P = 0.01] and, in Caucasians, with experiencing a pleasurable rush or buzz during the first cigarette (OR = 1.6, P = 0.01); these sensations were associated highly with current smoking (OR = 8.2, P = 0.0001).ConclusionsWe replicated the observation that the minor allele of rs16969968 affects smoking behavior, and extended these findings to sensitivity to smoking effects upon experimentation. While the ability to test genetic associations was limited by sample size, the polymorphism in the CHRNA5 subunit was shown to be associated significantly with enhanced pleasurable responses to initial cigarettes in regular smokers in an a priori test. The findings suggest that phenotypes related to subjective experiences upon smoking experimentation may mediate the development of nicotine dependence