Left Ventricular Mass in Healthy Subjects of the City of Buenos Aires and its Correlation with Anthropometric Measurements

La hipertrofia ventricular izquierda es un predictor de riesgo para eventos cardiovasculares. Los objetivos de nuestro trabajo fueron establecer los valores de referencia para la masa ventricular izquierda en una población aparentemente sana de la Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires; analizar su correlación con la edad y variables antropométricas; y definir la mejor manera de expresar esos datos. Para el cálculo de la masa ventricular izquierda se utilizó metodología ecocardiográfica avalada internacionalmente (American Society of Echocardiography/European Association of Echocardiography), y la fórmula de Devereux ajustada. Luego de aplicar estrictos criterios de exclusión, se incluyeron 1898 pacientes, 48.89 % hombres y 51.1 % mujeres (edad 38±11 años). El valor de masa ventricular izquierda fue para hombres de 155±30 g (percentilo95 206 g), con distribución normal; y de 112±24 g (percentilo95 153 g), con distribución no normal para mujeres (p<0.001 entre géneros). Los valores son comparables a los reportados en estudios con similar metodología. Los índices de masa ventricular izquierda calculados mostraron una moderada correlación para superficie corporal y peso; y diferencias significativas entre géneros. Las distintas variables calculadas exhibieron heterogeneidad en el tipo de distribución (normal o no normal) de sus datos, por lo que consideramos que el percentilo95 es la mejor manera de expresar los valores de referencia. En conclusión, hemos estimado los valores de referencia para masa ventricular izquierda en nuestra población sana, y observamos una moderada correlación con superficie corporal y peso. Proponemos la utilización de percentilo95 para expresar el valor superior de referencia para los datos obtenidos.Left ventricular hypertrophy is a risk predictor of cardiovascular events. The objectivesof this study were to establish reference values for left ventricular mass in anapparently healthy population of the Autonomous City of Buenos Aires, to analyzeits correlation with age and anthropometric variables and to define the best way toexpress the assessed data. Left ventricular mass was estimated using internationallysupported echocardiographic methods (American Society of Echocardiography/European Association of Echocardiography) and the adjusted Devereux equation.After applying strict exclusion criteria, 1898 subjects with mean age of 38 ± 11 years,48.89% of whom were male and 51.1% were female, were included in the study. Leftventricular mass was 155 ± 30 g for men (95th percentile 206 g) with normal distribution,and 112 ± 24 g for women (95th percentile 153 g) with non-normal distribution(p < 0.001 between genders). Values were comparable to those reported instudies using a similar methodology. Left ventricular mass index showed a moderatecorrelation with body surface area and weight, and significant differences betweengenders. As calculated variables exhibited heterogeneity in data distribution (normalor non-normal), the 95th percentile was assumed as the best way of expressingreference values. In conclusion, estimated reference values of left ventricular massin a healthy population correlated moderately with body surface area and weight.We propose the use of the 95th percentile to express the upper reference value of theassessed data.Fil: Segovia, Araceli. Universidad Favaloro; ArgentinaFil: Brandani, Laura. Universidad Favaloro; ArgentinaFil: Killinger, Gisela M.. Universidad Favaloro; ArgentinaFil: Zonis, Leandro. Universidad Favaloro; ArgentinaFil: Risk, Marcelo. Universidad Favaloro; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Paolini, Julieta. Universidad Favaloro; ArgentinaFil: Santos, Maximo. Universidad Favaloro; ArgentinaFil: Rodriguez Correa, Carlos. Universidad Favaloro; Argentin

Функциональное состояние ß-адренорецепторов лимфоцитов у детей с обструктивным бронхитом и эффективность терапии ß-адреноагонистам

The state of lymphocytes’ β-adrenoreceptors was examined for 26 healthy children during their first three years of life and for 143 infants with the obstructive bronchitis. The study concerned the activity of adrenodependant intracellular biochemical processes. Certain decrease of lymphocytes’ glycogenolysis activity obviously correlating with the disease severity and duration was revealed. The restoration of β2 -adrenoreceptors activity in lymphocytes during the treatment with the p2 -adrenoagonists was marked. The data makes it possible to consider that β2 -adrenoreceptors desensitization is typical for infants with an obstructive bronchitis. The diagnostic test complex is proposed for making a decision on the type of a medicamental therapy for the children with obstructive bronchitis.Было изучено состояние  β2-адренорецепторов лимфоцитов у 26 пациентов в первом трехлетием периоде жизни и у 143 детей с обструктивным бронхитом в отношении внутриклеточных биохимических адренозависимых процессов. Было показано определенное снижение активности гликогенолиза лимфоцитов, коррелирующее с тяжестью и длительностью течения болезни. В течение лечения этих больных β2 -адреноагонистами восстановление адренорецепторной активности было показано. Полученные данные дали возможность установить десенсибилизацию β2-адренорецепторов у детей с обструктивным бронхитом. Предполагаемый комплекс диагностических тестов может быть использован в терапии у детей с обструктивным бронхитом

Latin American consumption of major food groups: Results from the ELANS study

Background The Latin American (LA) region is still facing an ongoing epidemiological transition and shows a complex public health scenario regarding non-communicable diseases (NCDs). A healthy diet and consumption of specific food groups may decrease the risk of NCDs, however there is a lack of dietary intake data in LA countries. Objective Provide updated data on the dietary intake of key science-based selected food groups related to NCDs risk in LA countries. Design ELANS (Latin American Study of Nutrition and Health) is a multicenter cross-sectional study assessing food consumption from an urban sample between15 to 65 years old from 8 LA countries (Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Peru, and Venezuela). Two 24-HR were obtained from 9, 218 individuals. The daily intake of 10 food groups related to NCDs risk (fruits; vegetables; legumes/beans; nuts and seeds; whole grains products; fish and seafood; yogurt; red meat; processed meats; sugar-sweetened beverages (ready-to-drink and homemade)) were assessed and compared to global recommendations. Results Only 7.2% of the overall sample reached WHO's recommendation for fruits and vegetables consumption (400 grams per day). Regarding the dietary patterns related to a reduced risk of NCDs, among the overall sample legumes and fruits were the food groups with closer intake to the recommendation, although much lower than expected (13.1% and 11.5%, respectively). Less than 3.5% of the sample met the optimal consumption level of vegetables, nuts, whole grains, fish and yogurt. Largest country-dependent differences in average daily consumption were found for legumes, nuts, fish, and yogurt. Mean consumption of SSB showed large differences between countries. Conclusion Diet intake quality is deficient for nutrient-dense food groups, suggesting a higher risk for NCDs in the urban LA region in upcoming decades. These data provide relevant and up-to-date information to take urgent public health actions to improve consumption of critically foods in order to prevent NCDs. Copyright

Oseltamivir–Resistant Pandemic H1N1/2009 Influenza Virus Possesses Lower Transmissibility and Fitness in Ferrets

The neuraminidase (NA) inhibitor oseltamivir offers an important immediate option for the control of influenza, and its clinical use has increased substantially during the recent H1N1 pandemic. In view of the high prevalence of oseltamivir-resistant seasonal H1N1 influenza viruses in 2007–2008, there is an urgent need to characterize the transmissibility and fitness of oseltamivir-resistant H1N1/2009 viruses, although resistant variants have been isolated at a low rate. Here we studied the transmissibility of a closely matched pair of pandemic H1N1/2009 clinical isolates, one oseltamivir-sensitive and one resistant, in the ferret model. The resistant H275Y mutant was derived from a patient on oseltamivir prophylaxis and was the first oseltamivir-resistant isolate of the pandemic virus. Full genome sequencing revealed that the pair of viruses differed only at NA amino acid position 275. We found that the oseltamivir-resistant H1N1/2009 virus was not transmitted efficiently in ferrets via respiratory droplets (0/2), while it retained efficient transmission via direct contact (2/2). The sensitive H1N1/2009 virus was efficiently transmitted via both routes (2/2 and 1/2, respectively). The wild-type H1N1/2009 and the resistant mutant appeared to cause a similar disease course in ferrets without apparent attenuation of clinical signs. We compared viral fitness within the host by co-infecting a ferret with oseltamivir-sensitive and -resistant H1N1/2009 viruses and found that the resistant virus showed less growth capability (fitness). The NA of the resistant virus showed reduced substrate-binding affinity and catalytic activity in vitro and delayed initial growth in MDCK and MDCK-SIAT1 cells. These findings may in part explain its less efficient transmission. The fact that the oseltamivir-resistant H1N1/2009 virus retained efficient transmission through direct contact underlines the necessity of continuous monitoring of drug resistance and characterization of possible evolving viral proteins during the pandemic

Lineage-Specific Restraint of Pituitary Gonadotroph Cell Adenoma Growth

Although pituitary adenomas are usually benign, unique trophic mechanisms restraining cell proliferation are unclear. As GH-secreting adenomas are associated with p53/p21-dependent senescence, we tested mechanisms constraining non-functioning pituitary adenoma growth. Thirty six gonadotroph-derived non-functioning pituitary adenomas all exhibited DNA damage, but undetectable p21 expression. However, these adenomas all expressed p16, and >90% abundantly expressed cytoplasmic clusterin associated with induction of the Cdk inhibitor p15 in 70% of gonadotroph and in 26% of somatotroph lineage adenomas (p = 0.006). Murine LβT2 and αT3 gonadotroph pituitary cells, and αGSU.PTTG transgenic mice with targeted gonadotroph cell adenomas also abundantly expressed clusterin and exhibited features of oncogene-induced senescence as evidenced by C/EBPβ and C/EBPδ induction. In turn, C/EBPs activated the clusterin promoter ∼5 fold, and elevated clusterin subsequently elicited p15 and p16 expression, acting to arrest murine gonadotroph cell proliferation. In contrast, specific clusterin suppression by RNAis enhanced gonadotroph proliferation. FOXL2, a tissue-specific gonadotroph lineage factor, also induced the clusterin promoter ∼3 fold in αT3 pituitary cells. As nine of 12 pituitary carcinomas were devoid of clusterin expression, this protein may limit proliferation of benign adenomatous pituitary cells. These results point to lineage-specific pathways restricting uncontrolled murine and human pituitary gonadotroph adenoma cell growth

Курортное лечение в комплексе реабилитационных мероприятий больных бронхиальной астмой

In the article, aspects of the sanatorial treatment efficacy that is valuable in the rehabilitational measures complex during bronchial asthma (BA) are discussed. According to data of sanatorial physicians based on parameters of the clinical course of the disease, respiratory function, and data of the inflammational process activity in the bronchial tree, the most of patients with BA were discharged with relief. In conditions of the Kislovodsk sanatorium, the relief was observed in 90.8—98.4% of the patients while remission may be durated near 7.6 months. In 60—70% of the patients the vital capacity increased in 380±20.7 ml, the maximal voluntary ventilation increased in 14.6±2 1, and FEV1 increased in 320±17.5 ml. The normalization of the cholinergic system as the increase of the cholinestherase level 245.8±7. to 254.8±12.1 mkM/hml, p&lt;0.05 promoted to the respiration activation. It was noted, that in 64% of the arriving to the Kislovodsk sanatorium persons the level of IgE and the level of IgG decreased to 217 KI/1 and 1014±25. mg/% respectively.The obtained data testify about the increase of the natural resistance of the organism that assisted the most of patients with BA in the favorable course of the disease and in successful acclimatization. These data pointed to the availability of direction to the sanatorium of patients with early signs of the disease such as predasthma or non pulmonary allergy forms complicated with the occupational harm and cold.В данной статье рассматриваются вопросы эффективности курортного лечения, занимающего видное место в комплексе реабилитационных мероприятий при бронхиальной астме. Согласно данным курортологов на основе показателей клинического течения, функции внешнего дыхания и данных, отражающих активность воспалительного процесса в бронхолегочном аппарате, подавляющее большинство больных БА выбывают после лечения с улучшением. В условиях Кисловодского курорта улучшение наступило у 90,8—98,4% больных, при этом ремиссия может составлять до 7,6 месяца. У 60—70% больных увеличивалась жизненная емкость на 380±20,7 мл, максимальная произвольная вентиляция — на 14,6±2 л, ОФВ1 — на 320±17,5 мл. Активации внешнего дыхания способствовала нормализация деятельности холинергической системы в виде повышения уровня холинэстеразы с 245,8±7 до 254,8+12,1 мкМ/ч*мл, p&lt;0,05. Отмечено также, что у 64% поступивших на Кисловодский курорт снижались уровень LgЕ с 300—560 КИ/л до 217 КИ/л и уровень LgG до 1014+25,0 мг/%.Полученные данные свидетельствуют о повышении естественной резистентности организма, что способствовало у большинства больных БА благоприятному течению заболевания и успешной акклиматизации на курорте. Эти данные также указывают на целесообразность направления на курорт больных с ранними проявлениями заболевания, рассматриваемыми в последние годы как предастма, или лиц, страдающих нелегочными формами аллергии, осложненными профессиональными вредностями и простудными заболеваниями