FABP-2 and PPAR-γ Haplotype as Risk Factors for Dyslipidemia in a Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Population of Santa Rosa del Conlara, San Luis, Argentina

Introduction: Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) is a complex disorder caused by the interaction between genetic predisposition and environmental factors. Genetics plays an important role on lipid homeostasis. Many genes are involved in the lipid metabolism, such as FABP-2 and PPAR-γ. Aim: To evaluate the association between specific SNPs and haplotypes of the FABP-2 and PPAR-γ genes with T2DM and lipid profile in an Argentinean population. Methods: The FABP-2 (rs1799883) and PPAR-γ (rs1801282) polymorphisms were genotyped and analyzed in association with lipid profile and T2DM, separately and also combined in haplotypes. Results: The frequency of the rare Thr54 allele of the FABP-2 polymorphism in control (0.33) was not different from the frequency in T2DM (0.27), whereas the frequency of the rare Ala12 allele of the PPAR-γ polymorphism in control was different from the frequency in T2DM (0.26 and 0.14, respectively; p = 0.0031). Frequencies of haplotypes for these two single-nucleotide polymorphisms differed significantly in control and T2DM. Haplotype association analysis showed the associations between ThrPro haplotype and TG levels (OR = 2.520; 95% CI = 1.139 - 5.575; p = 0.027) and between ThrPro haplotype and TC and LDL-c levels when compared to AlaPro haplotype (difference = 0.175, 95% CI = 0068 - 0.499, p < 0.0001; difference = 0.052, 95% CI = 0.017 - 0.158, p < 0.0001, respectively). Conclusions: These results from a haplotype analysis show for the first time that genetic combinations of alleles of the FABP-2 and PPAR-γ gene could play a role in the susceptibility to develop dyslipemia in T2DM.Fil: Siewert, Susana Elfrida. Universidad Nacional de San Luis. Facultad de Química, Bioquímica y Farmacia. Departamento de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas. Laboratorio de Diabetes; ArgentinaFil: Olmos Nicotra, Maria Florencia. Universidad Nacional de San Luis. Facultad de Química, Bioquímica y Farmacia. Departamento de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas. Laboratorio de Diabetes; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Gonzalez, Irma Ines. Universidad Nacional de San Luis. Facultad de Química, Bioquímica y Farmacia. Departamento de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas. Laboratorio de Diabetes; ArgentinaFil: Fernandez, Gustavo. Universidad Nacional de San Luis. Facultad de Química, Bioquímica y Farmacia. Departamento de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas. Laboratorio de Diabetes; ArgentinaFil: Ojeda, Marta Susana. Universidad Nacional de San Luis. Facultad de Química, Bioquímica y Farmacia. Departamento de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas. Laboratorio de Diabetes; Argentin

Testicular lymphoma in inguinal hernia

Primary testicular lymphoma is a rare disease that has a higher incidence in patients over 60 years of age, presenting as an increase in volume in the inguinal region, which is usually painless and slow-growing. In the case that we present, it is a patient who was initially diagnosed with an indirect inguinal hernia due to the findings on examination and ultrasound, without presenting relevant findings in the laboratory studies, during the trans-operative we found testicular tumor compatible with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, this being the most common variant of testicular lymphoma. This case emphasizes on importance of pre-operative suspicion in older age patients with increased volume in the groin region and without a clear diagnosis

Drugs, Motivation and Prevention Campaigns in Spain (1994-2007). Story of a Misunderstanding

The aim of this article is to analyze and frame the level of efficacy and adequacy of publicity campaigns for the prevention of drug use in Spain To this end the contents of the messages used by the FAD Antidrug Foundation in television campaigns broadcast between 1994 and 2007 have been reviewed The content of these campaigns has also been linked to the progress and motivation of drug users using the biannual surveys of the Ministry for Equality and Social Welfare The results show that the discourse followed in these campaigns has no relation whatsoever with the said motivations linked with drug abuse Consequently a strategy is required which will have an impact on discouraging and dissuading drug user

Effect of a silica nanofiller on the structure, dynamics and thermostability of LDPE in LDPE/silica nanocomposites

The effect of the presence of silica nanoparticles on the structure, thermal stability and dynamics of low density polyethylene, LDPE, has been studied. Different loads of nanoparticles were dispersed within a LDPE matrix using high energy ball milling (HEBM) as a preliminary processing step to ensure a uniform dispersion of nanofiller to obtain nanocomposites in the form of films by hot pressing. The monitoring of the FTIR-ATR spectra of the samples as a function of the temperature has proven as a convenient method to study the interactions at a molecular scale between the polyethylene chains and the nanofiller. Band splitting observed in the bending and rocking modes of the ethylene groups indicated formation of crystalline phases whereas the analysis of absorbance band ratios from the stretching vibrations of PE accounted for the behavior of the polymer bulk. No evidence of strong polymer–filler interactions were found with the exception of a thermal relaxation process observed at 55 °C. Structural, morphological and thermal characterization of the nanocomposites did not reveal remarkable changes at low loads of filler, indicating that in the case of LDPE–silica nanocomposites, where weak interactions between the polymer and filler occur, the volume fraction of nanoparticles must be relatively high in order to produce changes in the bulk properties.The authors acknowledge financial support from projects MAT2007-65752 and MAT2010-16815, and the assistance of S. Martínez with the TGA and FTIR-ATR experiments

Open bile duct exploration as a therapeutic solution for difficult to manage choledocholithiasis: a case report

The most common etiology of bile duct obstruction in patients with cholelithiasis is choledocholithiasis. The diagnosis of cholelithiasis is based on clinical suspicion and confirmed by ultrasound (US) of the liver and bile ducts. The management of bile duct lithiasis has evolved considerably and currently, ERCP is the most common and recommended technique. However, in cases of multiple lithiases, fragmentation of the lithiasis during extraction, excessive preoperative or transoperative handling of the ampullary region, previous stenosis of the ampullary region, juxtapapillary diverticula, primary bile duct stones, or residual intrahepatic stones, a large number of hospitals do not have sufficient resources to perform minimally invasive procedures and offer these therapeutic alternatives instead.

Cyclodextrin-Grafted TiO2 Nanoparticles: Synthesis, Complexation Capacity, and Dispersion in Polymeric Matrices

The modification of the surface of titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO2 NPs) by the incorporation of cyclodextrins (CDs), cyclic oligosaccharides with a hydrophobic cavity, can largely improve the functionality of TiO2 by lodging molecules of interest in the CD to act directly on the surface of the nanoparticles or for further release. With this aim, we have synthesized betaCD-modified nanoparticles (betaCDTiO2 NPs) by a two-step reaction that involves the incorporation of a spacer and then the linking of the macrocycle, and characterized them by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The capacity of the functionalized structures to trap model compounds (Rhodamine and 1-naphthol) has been compared to that of bare TiO2 NPs by fluorescence and Ultraviolet-visible (UV-visible) spectroscopy. The presence of the CDs on the surface of the TiO2 avoids the photo-degradation of the guest, which is of interest in order to combine the photocatalytic activity of TiO2, one of its most interesting features for practical purposes, with the delivery of compounds susceptible of being photo-degraded. The betaCDTiO2 NPs have been dispersed in polymeric matrices of frequently used polymers, polyethylene (LDPE) and polyethylene oxide (PEO), by cryogenic high energy ball milling to produce nanocomposites in the form of films. The surface modification of the nanoparticles favors the homogenization of the filler in the matrix, while the nanoparticles, either in bare or functionalized form, do not seem to alter the crystallization properties of the polymer at least up to a 5% (w/w) load of filler.This research was funded by Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación, project MAT2014-59116-C2-2-R

Current State of Teledentistry in Chile

Chile is a country where the geography and territorial distribution of the population make healthcare a constant challenge. Despite a reported improvement on oral health indicators, some levels of inequality are still noted in terms of access to healthcare services. In this context, teledentistry has been considered an effective tool to respond to the population’s healthcare needs. The aim of this paper is to present the current state of teledentistry in Chile. This paper describes the initiatives and programmes of teledentistry developed in Chile, the ethical and legal aspects, financing sources and pending challenges for its consolidation. It is expected that teledentistry will contribute toward an increase in coverage and access to specialists, improve the appropriateness of referrals and reduce costs of specialist care

Edificación modular, auto construible en zonas suceptibles de anegación

210 páginasIn Colombia there are periodically flooded areas in which there are populations that suffer their consequences in a repetitive manner, both at the level of infrastructure as well as social, economic and environmental; Generally, these populations are low-income, which makes the impacts greater due to lack of infrastructure to mitigate this type of natural disaster. In this work, a modular building was designed, self-building, with a cost per square meter of 581,975 COP focused on populations at risk of periodic flooding, whose budget was made using BIM (building information modeling) and UPA (Unit Price Analysis). A structural design was carried out following the current design and construction regulations (NSR-10) and a space design following Manual de Asistencia Técnica para Viviendas de Interés Social, in order to be versatile in terms of the number of inhabitants, needs and applications. This alternative was the result of a cost-benefit analysis of alternatives to find a viable low-cost solution in the Colombian territory, which meets the resistance earthquake standards of the NSR-10. The methodology followed consists of 3 main phases; design of alternatives, where 2 types of roof, 3 structural systems, 3 floor alternatives and 3 foundations are proposed; analysis of alternatives through the cost-benefit analysis of pre-designed alternatives; and selected alternative design, in which a deeper and more detailed design of the chosen alternative is carried out.En Colombia existen zonas inundables periódicamente en las cuales se encuentran poblaciones que sufren sus consecuencias de manera repetitiva, tanto a nivel de infraestructura como sociales, económicas y ambientales; generalmente estas poblaciones son de bajos recursos lo que hace que los impactos sean mayores por falta de infraestructura para mitigar este tipo de desastre natural. En este trabajo se diseñó una edificación modular para zonas susceptibles de anegación, auto construible, con un costo por metro cuadrado de 581.975 COP enfocada a poblaciones con riesgo de inundaciones periódicas, cuyo presupuesto fue realizado empleando metodología BIM (Building Information Modeling) y APU (Análisis de Precios Unitarios). Se realizó un diseño estructural siguiendo la normatividad de diseño y construcción vigente, Reglamento Colombiano de Construcción Sismorresistente, (NSR-10) y un diseño de espacios siguiendo el manual de Asistencia Técnica para Vivienda de Interés Social, con el fin de ser versátil en cuanto al número de habitantes, necesidades y usos. Esta alternativa fue la resultante de un análisis costo- beneficio de alternativas para encontrar una solución viable de bajo costo en el territorio colombiano, que cumpla con los estándares de sismo resistencia de la NSR-10. La metodología seguida consta de 3 fases principales; diseño de alternativas, donde se plantean 2 tipos de cubierta, 3 sistemas estructurales, 3 alternativas de pisos y 3 de cimentación; análisis de alternativas mediante el análisis de costo- beneficio de las alternativas pre- diseñadas; y diseño de alternativa seleccionada, en el cual se realiza un diseño más profundo y detallado de la alternativa escogida.PregradoIngeniero(a) Civi

Nanomorphology and nanomechanical characteristics of solution-blow-spun PVDF-based fibers filled with carbon nanotubes

Fibers of poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) filled with multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) were prepared by solution blow spinning (SBS). The influence of the MWCNTs on the surface morphology and mechanical behavior of single fibers was studied. The morphology of the materials prepared and the dispersion of the MWCNTs within the polymer were studied by optical microscopy (OM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM), while atomic force microscopy (AFM) was used to inspect the topography of single fibers and to perform nanoindentation tests. OM and TEM images indicated a good dispersion of the MWCNTs within the PVDF. AFM images evidenced clear changes in the topography of the blow-spun fibers when the MWCNTs were present in the polymer. A greater amount of MWCNTs in the PVDF led to more heterogeneous fiber surfaces. The nanoindentation force curves revealed that the stiffness was practically constant along the fibers, which indicated that the mechanical response was homogeneous and, in turn, an even distribution of the MWCNTs. The incorporation of the MWCNTs produced a mechanical reinforcement of the PVDF fibers, showing increases of 31% and 49% in the elastic modulus when 1% and 5% by weight of MWCNTs were added to the polymer, respectively.This work was financially supported by the projects MAT2014-59116-C2 (Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad), 2012/00130/004 (Fondos de Investigación de Fco. Javier Gonzalez Benito, Política de Reinversión de Costes Generales, Universidad Carlos III de Madrid), and 2011/00287/002 (Acción Estratégica en Materiales Compuestos Poliméricos e Interfases, Universidad Carlos III de Madrid). TEM characterization was done at LABMET, which is associated with the Red de Laboratorios de la Comunidad de Madrid. Finally, we would like to express appreciation for the technical support given by Carmen Ballesteros and Beatriz Galiana to perform the TEM tests