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Parabens (PBs) are widely used in the cosmetic, pharmaceutical, and food industries as preservatives of products. Because of its great use, humans and other organisms are highly exposed daily. However, little is known about the effect of PBs on male infertility. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of methylparaben (MePB) and propylparaben (PrPB), alone or in combination, on the physiological characteristics of pig in vitro exposed sperm to different concentrations (0, 200, 500, and 700 µM) for viability, motility, and acrosome integrity evaluation and (0, 200, 500, 700, 1000, and 2000 µM) for DNA fragmentation index evaluation, after 4 h of exposure. The results showed that sperm viability decreased after exposure to MePB from the concentration of 500 µM. In the PrPB and mixture groups, viability decreased at all concentrations except for the control. The decrease in viability of sperm exposed to PrPB was greater than that of the mixture and MePB groups. Sperm motility decreased in all the experimental groups exposed to PBs, at all concentrations, except for the control group. Acrosome integrity was not decreased in the MePB group; however, in the PrPB group, it decreased at a concentration of 200 µM and in the mixture at 500 µM. All groups exhibited DNA damage at different concentrations, except for the control group. Additionally, the effect of PBs on sperm quality was concentration-dependent. The results demonstrated that MePB and PrPB alone or in combination can have adverse effects on sperm quality parameters. MePB had lower toxicity than did both PrPB and the mixture. The mixture did not have an additive effect on any of the parameters evaluated. This could partially explain the link between PB exposure and infertility.

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Perfluorohexane sulfonate (PFHxS) is one of the most abundant perfluorinated compounds in the environment. Exposure to this compound has been correlated to a decrease in human fertility, although the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying this correlation have not been described. The adverse reproductive effects of PFHxS could be based on alterations in oocyte maturation, the process rendering oocytes competent for fertilization. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of PFHxS on porcine oocyte viability and maturation in vitro, as well as on gap-junctional intercellular communication (GJIC) in cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs), oocyte mitochondrial membrane potential (mΔΨ) and DNA damage in cumulus cells, as possible mechanisms of action. PFHxS caused cytotoxicity (medium lethal concentration, LC50 = 329.1 µM) and inhibition of oocyte maturation (medium inhibitory concentration, MIC50 = 91.68 µM). GJIC was not affected in exposed COCs. However, the mitochondrial membrane potential was significantly decreased in PFHxS-exposed oocytes at the germinal vesicle breakdown (GVBD) stage. In addition, exposure to PFHxS induced DNA damage in cumulus cells. Thus, inhibition of oocyte maturation by PFHxS could be attributed to a decreased oocyte mΔΨ at the GVBD and to DNA damage of the cumulus cells that support the oocyte.

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Perfluorodecanoic acid (PFDA) is a synthetic perfluorinated compound, which has been reported to exert adverse effects on somatic cells. However, its effects on germ cells have not been studied to date. The aim of the present study was to analyze the effects of PFDA on the viability, intracellular calcium levels and gap junction intercellular communication (GJIC) during porcine oocyte maturation in vitro. PFDA negatively impacted oocyte viability (medium lethal concentration, LC50 = 7.8 µM) and maturation (medium inhibition of maturation, IM50 = 3.8 µM). Oocytes exposed to 3.8 µM PFDA showed higher levels of intracellular calcium relative to control oocytes. In addition, GJIC among the cumulus cells and the oocyte was disrupted. The effects of PFDA on oocyte calcium homeostasis and intercellular communication seem to be responsible for the inhibition of oocyte maturation and oocyte death. In addition, since the deleterious effects of PFDA on oocyte viability, maturation and GJIC are significantly stronger than the previously reported effects of another widely used perfluorinated compound (Perfluorooctane sulfonate) in the same model, the use of PFDA in consumer products is questioned.

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BACKGROUND: In order to improve ICSI, appropiate sperm selection and oocyte activation is necessary. The objective of the present study was to determine the efficiency of fertilization using ICSI with chemically activated ovine oocytes and sperm selected by swim up (SU) or swim up + zona pellucida (SU + ZP) binding. RESULTS: Experiment 1, 4-20 replicates with total 821 in vitro matured oocytes were chemically activated with ethanol, calcium ionophore or ionomycin, to determine oocyte activation (precense of one PN). Treatments showed similar results (54, 47, 42 %, respectively) but statistically differents (P < 0.05) than mechanical activated oocytes in sham, ICSI and sham injection (13, 25, 32 %, respectively) (10-17 replicates; n = 429). Experiment 2: Twelve ejaculates and 28 straws of semen were used (11-19 replicates). Sperm were selected by SU in BSA-TCM 199-H medium. A total of 2,294 fresh sperm and 2,760 from frozen-thawed semen were analyzed after SU or SU + ZP binding. Fresh sperm selected by SU showed acrosome reaction (AR) of 59 %, the sperm selected by SU + ZP binding increased AR to 91 %. In comparison, the AR of frozen-thawed sperm using SU or SU + ZP binding was 77 and 86 %, respectively (P < 0.05). Experiment 3: fertilization in 200 mechanical activativated oocytes (17 replicates) was 4 %, but fertilization increased in ethanol activated oocytes after ICSI (12-28 %) (5-6 replicates). When fresh sperm only selected by SU were injected to 123 oocytes, a fertilization rate (28 %) was achieved; in sperm selected by SU + ZP was 25 % (73 oocytes). In comparison, in frozen-thawed sperm selected by SU, fertilization was 13 % (70 oocytes), whereas sperm from SU + ZP binding displayed 12 % (51 oocytes) (P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Chemical activation induces higher ovine oocyte activation than mechanical activation. Ethanol slightly displays higher oocyte activation than calcium ionophore and ionomicine. Sperm selection with SU + ZP increased AR/A and AR/D rates in comparison with SU in fresh and frozen-thawed sperm. According to this, in terms of fertilization rates, chemical activation after ICSI increased oocyte PN formation compared to mechanical activation. Also, fresh sperm treated with SU and SU + ZP were significantly different than frozen-thawed sperm, but between sperm treatments no significant differences were obtained.

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INTRODUCTION: Deep venous thrombosis (DVT) is a manifestation of venous thromboembolism (VTE). It has been estimated that there are 900,000 cases of pulmonary emboli (PE) and DVT per year resulting in 60,000 to 300,000 deaths. About two-thirds of VTE cases are associated with prolonged hospitalizations, emphasizing the importance of major surgery or immobilization as risk factors. METHODS: Retrospective study conducted in a Metropolitan Hospital. A total of 46 records were obtained from the hospital database following the established inclusion and exclusion criteria. For the control group a total of 42 records were selected. Patients included in this study were admitted with the diagnosis of deep venous thrombosis identified either by lower leg Doppler. RESULTS: Monocytosis with DVT, p-value was <0.001, with an Odd Ratio (OR) 9.35 and Interval Confidence (IC) 95% (3.2-27.3). The p-value for eosinophilia with DVT was 0.092, for males with DVT the p-value was 0.35 and age related groups with DVT value was 0.720. Sensitivity of monocytosis was 67.3%, specificity 80%, positive predictive value (PPV) 79.49% and negative predictive value (NPV) 63.9%. CONCLUSION: This study revealed the association between monocytosis and DVT, thus patients with monocytosis are more likely to develop DVT. This evidence is consistent with previous studies establishing that monocytes could have an important role with the coagulation cascade activation and the formation of DVT. The association of monocyte count and DVT can be used in the future as a significant tool in those patients with suspected DVT to increase diagnostic yield.

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Knowledge on how landscape heterogeneity shapes host-parasite interactions is central to understand the emergence, dynamics and evolution of infectious diseases. However, this is an underexplored subject, particularly for plant-virus systems. Here, we analyse how landscape heterogeneity influences the prevalence, spatial genetic structure, and temporal dynamics of Pepper golden mosaic and Pepper huasteco yellow vein begomoviruses infecting populations of the wild pepper Capsicum annuum glabriusculum (chiltepin) in Mexico. Environmental heterogeneity occurred at different nested spatial scales (host populations within biogeographical provinces), with levels of human management varying among host population within a province. Results indicate that landscape heterogeneity affects the epidemiology and genetic structure of chiltepin-infecting begomoviruses in a scale-specific manner, probably related to conditions favouring the viruses' whitefly vector and its dispersion. Increased levels of human management of the host populations were associated with higher virus prevalence and erased the spatial genetic structure of the virus populations. Also, environmental heterogeneity similarly shaped the spatial genetic structures of host and viruses. This resulted in the congruence between host and virus phylogenies, which does not seem to be due to host-virus co-evolution. Thus, results provide evidence of the key role of landscape heterogeneity in determining plant-virus interactions.

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The role of calcium and its relevance have been deeply revised with respect to trypanosomatids, as the mechanism by which calcium enters trypanosomes was, until now, not well understood. There is evidence supporting the presence of a nAChR in another member of the trypanosomatidae family, Trypanosoma cruzi, these receptors being one entry path to calcium ions. The aims of this work were to determine if there was a nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) in Trypanosoma evansi, and to subsequently perform a partial pharmacological characterization of this receptor. After being loaded with FURA-2AM, individual cells of T. evansi, were exposed to cholinergic compounds, and the cells displayed a dose-dependent response to carbachol. This observation indicated that a cholinergic receptor may be present in T. evansi. Although a dose-dependent response to muscarine could not be demonstrated, nicotine could promote an incremental dose-dependent response. The relative potency of this specific agonist of nAChR is in agreement with previous reports. The estimated affinity values were a Kd1 value of 29.6+/-5.72 nM and a Kd2 value of 315.9+/-26.6 nM, which is similar to the Kd value reported for the alpha4 nicotinic receptor. The Hill coefficients were determined to be an n1 of 1.2+/-0.3 and an n2 of 4.2+/-1.3. Finally, our calculations indicated that there are about 1020 receptors in each T. evansi parasite, which is approximately 15-fold lower than the number reported in Torpedo californica electric cells. These results suggest the presence of a nAChR in T. evansi, which is able to bind nicotinic ligands and induce calcium signals.

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Introducción: Los cuidados de las madres a sus hijos durante su crecimiento son fundamentales en el futuro de su salud mental. Las dificultades que surjan tempranamente en el vínculo materno-filial pueden generar graves alteraciones en su desarrollo. Objetivo: Discutir, con base en la clínica y las teorías del vínculo mamá-bebé, las manifestaciones clínicas de patologías del desarrollo mental de los primeros años de vida y acciones preventivas al respecto. Método: Reporte de caso y correlación clínico-teórica. Resultados: Caso de un niño de 36 meses de edad que llega al servicio de psiquiatría infantil con un diagnóstico presuntivo de autismo. La reconstrucción de la historia temprana y la evolución positiva (mejoría en síntomas como la alteración en el lenguaje, el contacto y la relación con otros y consigo mismo) conduce a pensar que no se trata de un autismo primario. Se considera el diagnóstico diferencial de depresión anaclítica y que el paciente tiene una disarmonía evolutiva. Conclusiones: Existen condiciones que deben darse en las primeras etapas de la vida para propiciar un desarrollo sano del psique-soma de los niños, por lo cual es importante concientizar a profesionales de la salud y padres de familia para aproximarse a la prevención de algunas patologías de la salud mental infantil y las implicaciones negativas resultantes al no darse. No siempre los síntomas autistas corresponden a cuadros de autismo infantil.

Introduction: The care given by the mothers to their children during their growth is paramount for their future mental health. Difficulties arising early in the mother-infant bond may give rise to serious alterations in its development. Objective: To discuss, based on clinical experience and mother-infant bond theories, clinical symptoms of mental development pathologies in early infancy, and relevant preventive measures. Method: Case report and clinico-theoretical correlation. Results: A case of a 36-month-old boy arriving as an outpatient at the child and adolescent psychiatry consultation with a presumptive diagnosis of autism is presented. The reconstruction of his early history and positive evolution (recovery in areas such as language, contact and relationship with others and oneself) lead to the belief that it is not a case primary autism. Instead, the differential diagnosis of anaclytical depression is considered and what the patient actually presents is a developmental disharmony. Conclusions: There exist conditions that must be provided in early infancy to favor a healthy development of the children’s psyche-soma. Therefore it is important to make health professionals, parents, and care-givers aware of this, in order to prevent some pathologies in infant mental health and the resulting negative implications when such conditions are not provided The presence of autistic symptoms does not always correspond to a diagnosis of primary autism.

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Objetivos. Realizar una revisión de las teorías sobre el desarrollo y la interacción madrehijo propuestas por John Bowlby, Donald Winnicott y Margaret Mahler, y analizar las características de dicha interacción que pueden contribuir a la aparición de síntomas alimentarios. Método. Revisión de tres teorías del desarrollo normal y búsqueda de la literatura disponible acerca de factores de riesgo materno en el comportamiento alimentario temprano de los hijos. Resultados. El patrón de apego que caracteriza el vínculo madre-hijo puede incidir en la aparición ulterior de psicopatología o puede ser un factor de protección frente a la aparición de un trastorno del comportamiento alimentario en su descendencia. Los estudios analizados reportan patrones de comportamiento anormales de las madres con hijos con este trastorno. Se expresan por la actitud frente al embarazo, la lactancia materna y la comida; los horarios de las comidas, la percepción que tienen las madres de sí mismas, de su peso y su figura; su forma de expresar sentimientos negativos a las hijas a la hora de alimentarse, y los ideales de delgadez de las madres puestos en sus hijas. Estos son factores de riesgo que pueden favorecer la aparición de un trastorno del comportamiento alimentario. Ade inmás, se reportan características familiares como desorganización, pobre manejo de conflictos, críticas, unión escasa, rigidez, sobreprotección, restricción de la autonomía y amalgamamiento, que son consideradas como posibles factores de riesgo en este tipo de patologías.

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We report the case of a 49-year-old man that presented with persistent low back pain after being treated for vertebral osteomyelitis. An abdominopelvic CT scan with intravenous contrast showed a mycotic aneurysm of the abdominal aorta. The patient was taken to the operating room where a bypass reconstruction surgery was successfully performed. The history, pathophysiology, most common organisms, risk factors, and clinical presentation of mycotic aneurysms are discussed. The importance of a high index of suspicion for prompt and proper diagnosis and treatment, is emphasized to create awareness about this dreadful complication of vertebral osteomyelitis.

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