Antimicrobial Activity of Chitosan Membranes Against Staphylococcus Aureus of Clinical Origin

Healthy human skin has beneficial microflora and many pathogens causing infections. Staphylococcus aureus is the most prevalent and can have multiresistance to antibiotics. Chitosan is a polysaccharide composed of glucosamine and N-acetyl-D-glucosamine, which is biodegradable and has antimicrobial activity. As part of a national scientific research project for the development and application of biomaterials, we decided to study the effect of different membranes based on chitosan against strains of S. aureus isolated from infected ulcers. The study found that seven of nine strains of S. aureus are sensitive to rifampin and the least eight of nine strains were multiresistant to more than ten antibiotics. All chitosan-based membranes confirm its antimicrobial effect on direct contact with an increase in its diameter. The contact area of the membranes is increased according to the concentration of chitosan. The highest average area increase was the chitosan membranes with honey and glycerin, 88.32%. Chitosan membranes have shown their effectiveness against S. aureus strains of clinical origin. Thus, these materials can be applied for the treatment of chronic ulcers without toxic hazards and resistance caused by antibiotics

Codificación geométrica y análisis de conglomerados para evaluar el control metabólico de pacientes con diabetes mellitus tipo 2 Geometric coding and cluster analysis to assess metabolic control of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus

OBJETIVO: Determinar la frecuencia de las combinaciones de los parámetros de control metabólico por arriba de lo normal, usando la codificación geométrica y el análisis jerárquico de conglomerados, en pacientes con diabetes mellitus tipo 2 (DM2). MÉTODOS: Se desarrolló en México un estudio transversal descriptivo para evaluar a un grupo de 1 051 pacientes con DM2, cuyos criterios de inclusión eran tener uno o más de los siguientes valores: glucosa en ayunas > 130 mg/dL, colesterol total > 240 mg/dL, triglicéridos totales > 200 mg/dL, índice de masa corporal > 27 kg/m², y presión arterial sistólica mayor de 130 mmHg o presión arterial diastólica mayor de 85 mmHg. Por medio de codificaciones geométricas se obtuvieron las frecuencias de todas las combinaciones. Para definir similitudes entre las combinaciones se utilizó el método de análisis de conglomerados. RESULTADOS: Utilizando el instrumento propuesto, se observó que la combinación en pares con mayor número de sujetos estuvo representada por hiperglucemia-hipertrigliceridemia (7,3%) e hiperglucemia-hipercolesterolemia (3,6%). Las policombinaciones de mayor frecuencia fueron hiperglucemia-hipercolesterolemia-hipertrigliceridemia (13,2%) e hiperglucemia- hipertrigliceridemia-hipercolesterolemia-hipertensión (10,5%). CONCLUSIONES: La codificación geométrica y el análisis por conglomerados podrían llegar a ser un instrumento idóneo para evaluar el control metabólico de los pacientes con DM2, así como para identificar parámetros que contribuyan a mejorar su monitoreo y su tratamiento.OBJECTIVE: Determine the frequency of combinations of higher-than-normal metabolic control parameters, using geometric coding and hierarchical cluster analysis, in patients with type 2 diabetes (DM2) METHODOLOGY: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in Mexico to assess a group of 1 051 patients with DM2. The inclusion criteria were to have one or more of the following values: fasting glucose of 130 mg/dL, total cholesterol of 240 mg/dL, total triglycerides of 200 mg/dL, Body Mass Index of 27 kg/m², and systolic blood pressure higher than 130 mmHg or diastolic blood pressure higher than 85 mmHg. Through geometric coding, the frequencies of all combinations were obtained. Cluster analysis was used to determine similarities among the combinations. RESULTS: Using the proposed instrument, it was observed that the paired combinations with the highest number of subjects were hyperglycemia-hypertriglyceridemia (7.3%) and hyperglycemia-hypercholesterolemia (3.6%). The most frequent polycombinations were hyperglycemia-hypercholesterolemia-hypertriglyceridemia (13.2%) and hyperglycemia-hypertriglyceridemia-hypercholesterolemia-hypertension (10.5%). CONCLUSIONS: Geometric coding and cluster analysis could become a suitable instrument for assessing the metabolic control of patients with DM2, as well as for identifying parameters that will help improve their monitoring and treatment

Chitosan treatment for skin ulcers associated with diabetes

Infections, ulcerations, gangrene and, in severe cases, extremity amputation, are common complications among diabetic subjects. Various biomaterials have been utilized for the treatment of these lesions. Chitosan is an amino sugar with a low risk of toxicity and immune response. In this study, we evaluated chitosan topical gel and film treatments for subjects with diabetic ulcerations and wounds associated with diabetes mellitus. In a pre-experimental design, we described the result of chitosan gel and film treatment for wounds and skin ulcers among patients with long-standing diabetes mellitus. We studied 8 diabetic patients with wounds and skin ulcers (long duration and Wagner degree 1–2). Initially, most lesions had some degree of infection, tissue damage and ulceration. At the end of the treatment (topical chitosan) period, the infections were cured. All patients experienced a significant improvement in the initial injury and developed granulation tissue and a healthy skin cover. This report represents one of the few published clinical experience regarding the chitosan for the treatment of skin lesions among diabetic subjects. These results are relevant and promising for the treatment of this disease

Risk factors for three-vessel coronary artery disease in patients of Northwest Mexico

Introduction: Three-vessel coronary artery disease is an advanced manifestation of atherosclerosis, with high prevalence in Mexico. Objective: The aim of this study was to describe coronary risk factors in a group of patients with three-vessel coronary artery disease in Northwest Mexico. Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted on a population with three-vessel coronary artery disease from May 2015 to February 2016. The disease was defined when ≥70% stenosis was present in each major epicardial coronary artery. Anthropometric and biochemical parameters were measured in each patient. Ankle-Brachial Index was measured with vascular ultrasound, and Syntax score calculation with an on-line application. Statistical analysis for qualitative differences was performed using Pearson X2 test, with p < 0.05 being considered as significant. Results: The study included 100 patients, of whom 75 were male (mean age 63 ± 9 years) and 25 female (mean age 69 ± 9 years). The coronary risk factors observed were diabetes (58%), hypertension (86%), smoking (68%), dyslipidaemia (100%), metabolic syndrome (71%), and obesity/overweight (75%). Diabetes and metabolic syndrome prevalence was higher in women (p = 0.03), but smoking was higher in men (76%, p = 0.003). Ankle-Brachial Index was abnormal in 58% of patients, the mean Syntax score was in 36.9 ± 11.5, and the prevalence of left main coronary heart disease was 36%. Conclusions: This group of patients with complex coronary lesions has a high prevalence of coronary risk factors, which could represent a worse prognosis. Resumen: Introducción: La enfermedad coronaria de tres vasos (ECTV) es una manifestación avanzada de aterosclerosis, con alta prevalencia en el noroeste de México. Objetivo: Describir los factores de riesgo coronario (FRC) en un grupo de enfermos con ECTV en el noroeste de México. Métodos: De mayo de 2015 a febrero de 2016 se realizó un estudio transversal en una población del noroeste de México diagnosticada con ECTV. Se definió ECTV cuando existía estenosis ≥70% en cada una de las arterias coronarias epicárdicas mayores. Se midieron parámetros antropométricos y bioquímicos en cada paciente. Los parámetros para el índice tobillo-brazo (ITB) se obtuvieron con ultrasonido vascular (Edan SonoTrax 8 Hz) y un cálculo de puntaje Syntax con una aplicación en línea. Análisis estadístico con χ2 de Pearson para diferencias cualitativas Se consideró significativo cuando p ≤ 0.05. Resultados: Se estudiaron 25 mujeres (edad 69 ± 9 años) y 75 varones (edad 63 ± 9 años). Los FRC observados fueron diabetes (58%), hipertensión (86%), antecedente de tabaquismo (68%), dislipidemia (100%), síndrome metabólico (71%) y sobrepeso/obesidad (75%). En las mujeres la prevalencia de diabetes y síndrome metabólico fue mayor que en los varones (p = 0.03), pero el tabaquismo fue más prevalente en los varones (76%, p = 0.003). El ITB se encontró anormal en el 58% de los pacientes, el puntaje Syntax promedio fue de 36.9 ± 11.5 y la prevalencia de la enfermedad del tronco de la arteria coronaria izquierda fue del 36%. Conclusión: En este grupo de estudio con lesiones coronarias complejas existe alta prevalencia de FRC que se refleja en y posiblemente un peor pronóstico. Keywords: Coronary artery disease, Atherosclerosis, Risk factors, Syntax score, Ankle-Brachial Index, Mexico, Palabras clave: Enfermedad arterial coronaria, Aterosclerosis, Factores de riesgo, Puntaje Syntax, Índice tobillo-brazo, Méxic

Heritability and Genetic Correlations of Metabolic Disease– Related Phenotypes in Mexico: Preliminary Report from the GEMM Family Study

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a major cause of mortality in the Republic of Mexico, and metabolic syndrome, a complex of CVD risk factors, is increasingly prevalent. To date, however, there have been few studies of the genetic epidemiology of metabolic syndrome in Mexico. As a first step in implementing the GEMM Family Study, a large, multicenter collaborative study, we recruited 375 individuals in 21 extended families, without ascertainment on disease, at 9 medical institutions across Mexico. Participants were measured for anthropometric (stature, weight, waist circumference) and hemodynamic (blood pressure, heart rate) phenotypes; glucose, cholesterol, and triglyceride levels were measured in fasting blood. Variance components– based quantitative genetic analyses were performed using SOLAR. All phenotypes except diastolic blood pressure were significantly heritable. Consistent with the definition of metabolic syndrome, many phenotypes exhibited significant environmental correlation, and significant genetic correlations were found between measures of adiposity and fasting glucose an

Património Industrial Ibero-americano: recentes abordagens

Neste livro, que é um contributo importante para o avanço do conhecimento sobre o Património Industrial no mundo ibero-americano,estão reunidos um conjunto de textos de jovens investigadores que abordam os seguintes temas: a importância de incrementar a ligação entre os testemunhos do património industrial e os recursos documentais para o seu estudo; o desenvolvimento da investigação sobre património industrial na universidade de modo a que se produza uma actualização e normalização das metodologias próprias da arqueologia industrial aplicadas, nomeadamente ao conhecimento e registo activo do património industrial; a importância do trabalho de equipas de carácter multidisciplinar; a necessidade de aplicar critérios rigorosos em relação às práticas de reabilitação do património industrial; o reforço do interesse patrimonial de paisagens, edifícios, instalações e infraestrutura pertencentes aos diferentes processos industriais; e destacar o papel fundamental que os grupos e associações de cidadãos desempenham na defesa e disseminação do património industrial