RESUMO

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is an aggressive neurodegenerative disorder that selectively attacks motor neurons in the brain and spinal cord. Despite important advances in the knowledge of the etiology and progression of the disease, there are still no solid grounds in which a clinician could make an early objective and reliable diagnosis from which patients could benefit. Diagnosis is difficult and basically made by clinical rating scales (ALSRs and El Escorial). The possible finding of biomarkers to aid in the early diagnosis and rate of disease progression could serve for future innovative therapeutic approaches. Recently, it has been suggested that ALS has an important immune component that could represent either the cause or the consequence of the disease. In this report, we analyzed 19 different cytokines and growth factors in the cerebrospinal fluid of 77 ALS patients and 13 controls by decision tree and PanelomiX program. Results showed an increase of Adipsin, MIP-1b, and IL-6, associated with a decrease of IL-8 thresholds, related with ALS patients. This biomarker panel analysis could represent an important aid for diagnosis of ALS alongside the clinical and neurophysiological criteria.

Assuntos

RESUMO

OBJECTIVE: To determine the frequency of fecal incontinence and the impact on the quality of life of hospitalized geriatric patients in a sample from a level two hospital in Monterrey, Nuevo Leon, Mexico. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Hospitalized patients over 60 years of age or their caregivers were questioned about the presence of fecal incontinence. Those who responded affirmatively and could respond were given the following questionnaires and scales: Mini-Mental, Rockwood quality of life for fecal incontinence and Wexner scale modified for severity of incontinence; in addition to clinical data. The frequency was calculated based on a sample and associations were determined between degree of incontinence and quality of life. RESULTS: A total of 234 patients were questioned, of whom 135 (57.69%) were women and 99 (42.31%) men. A total of 34 patients with fecal incontinence were documented, this represents a frequency of 14.53% (95% CI, 10.28-19.71%) in this population. A positive correlation of the severity of incontinence was found with the lifestyle dimension (relation (r) = -0.61, p = 0.04), shame (r = -0.70, p = 0.01), behavior (r = -0.73, p = 0.001) and the average of the four dimensions (r = -0.67, p = 0.02) but not with the depression dimension of the quality of life questionnaire in fecal incontinence. CONCLUSION: When compared with other national and international studies, the frequency of fecal incontinence found was lower than that documented in other series. The quality of life of hospitalized elderly patients with fecal incontinence in this sample was diminished and its impact on quality of life correlated with the severity of fecal incontinence.

Assuntos

RESUMO

Objetivo: Determinar la frecuencia de incontinencia fecal y el impacto en la calidad de vida de los pacientes geriátricos hospitalizados en una muestra de un hospital de segundo nivel de Monterrey, Nuevo León, México. Material y métodos: Se interrogó a los pacientes mayores de 60 años hospitalizados o sus cuidadores acerca de incontinencia fecal. A los que respondieran afirmativamente y pudieran responder se les realizaron los siguientes cuestionarios y escalas: Minimental, calidad de vida de Rockwood para incontinencia fecal y escala de Wexner modificada para severidad de incontinencia; además de datos clínicos. Se calculó la frecuencia en base a una muestra y se determinaron asociaciones entre grado de incontinencia y calidad de vida. Resultados: Se interrogaron un total de 234 pacientes, de los cuales 135 (57,69%) eran mujeres y 99 (42,31%) hombres. Se documentó un total de 34 pacientes con incontinencia fecal, esto representa una frecuencia de 14,53% (IC95%, 10,2819,71%) en esta población. Se encontró una correlación positiva de la severidad de la incontinencia con la dimensión de estilo de vida (relación (r) = -0,61, p=0,04), vergüenza (r=-0,70, p=0,01), conducta (r=-0,73, p=0,001) y el promedio de las cuatro dimensiones (r=-0,67, p=0,02) pero no con la dimensión de depresión del cuestionario de calidad de vida en incontinencia fecal. Conclusión: Al comparar con otros estudios nacionales e internacionales, la frecuencia de incontinencia fecal encontrada es menor a lo documentado en otras series. La calidad de vida de los pacientes ancianos hospitalizados con incontinencia fecal en esta muestra se encuentra disminuida y su impacto en la calidad de vida se correlaciona con la severidad de la incontinencia fecal.

Objective: To determine the frequency of fecal incontinence and the impact on the quality of life of hospitalized geriatric patients in a sample from a level two hospital in Monterrey, Nuevo Leon, Mexico. Materials and methods: Hospitalized patients over 60 years of age or their caregivers were questioned about the presence of fecal incontinence. Those who responded affirmatively and could respond were given the following questionnaires and scales: Mini-Mental, Rockwood quality of life for fecal incontinence and Wexner scale modified for severity of incontinence; in addition to clinical data. The frequency was calculated based on a sample and associations were determined between degree of incontinence and quality of life. Results: A total of 234 patients were questioned, of whom 135 (57.69%) were women and 99 (42.31%) men. A total of 34 patients with fecal incontinence were documented, this represents a frequency of 14.53% (95% CI, 10.28-19.71%) in this population. A positive correlation of the severity of incontinence was found with the lifestyle dimension (relation (r) = -0.61, p = 0.04), shame (r = -0.70, p = 0.01), behavior (r = -0.73, p = 0.001) and the average of the four dimensions (r = -0.67, p = 0.02) but not with the depression dimension of the quality of life questionnaire in fecal incontinence. Conclusion: When compared with other national and international studies, the frequency of fecal incontinence found was lower than that documented in other series. The quality of life of hospitalized elderly patients with fecal incontinence in this sample was diminished and its impact on quality of life correlated with the severity of fecal incontinence.

Assuntos

RESUMO

INTRODUCTION: There is a high rate of deliveries in adolescents in Mexico. This age group is vulnerable to obstetric complications, including lacerations of the anal sphincter. OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of third and fourth degree perineal tears in adolescents during childbirth, and to evaluate risk factors in comparison with deliveries with lacerations of adult women. METHODS: All obstetric care episodes were reviewed from a public tertiary hospital data in Monterrey, Mexico in 2014. Age, primiparity, delivery instrumentation, episiotomy, body mass index, product weight and tear´s degree were documented at the deliveries with tears of third and fourth degree. RESULTS: The prevalence of third and fourth degree tears of 2.0% was found in the general population, being adolescents the most affected with 2.5%. The unadjusted odds ratio of high-grade tears in adolescent females at delivery, compared to adult females, was 1.36 (95% CI = 0.99-1.86, p= 0.05). No difference was found when comparing risk factors among high-grade tear deliveries in adolescents versus adults. CONCLUSIONS: A higher prevalence than previous reported for high grade tears during delivery was found. The data suggest adolescence as a risk factor for high-grade tears during delivery.

INTRODUCCIÓN: En México hay una elevada tasa de partos en adolescentes. Este grupo es vulnerable para complicaciones obstétricas, entre ellas laceración del esfínter anal. OBJETIVO: Conocer la prevalencia de desgarros perineales de tercer y cuarto grado en adolescentes durante el parto y evaluar factores de riesgo en comparación con partos con laceración de mujeres adultas. MÉTODOS: Se revisaron todas las atenciones obstétricas en un hospital publico de tercer nivel en Monterrey, Nuevo León, México en el año 2014. Se documentó edad, primiparidad, instrumentación del parto, realización de episiotomía, índice de masa corporal, peso del producto y grado del desgarro en los partos que presentaron desgarros de tercer y cuarto grado. RESULTADOS: Se encontró una prevalencia general de 2.0% de desgarros de tercer y cuarto grado y en adolescentes de 2.5%. La razón de momios sin ajustar de desgarros de alto grado en mujeres adolescentes en comparación con mujeres adultas fue de 1.36 (IC 95%= 0.99-1.86, p= 0.05). No se encontró diferencia al comparar factores de riesgo entre los partos con desgarro de alto grado en adolescentes contra adultas. CONCLUSIONES: Se encontró una prevalencia mayor a lo reportado de desgarros de alto grado durante el parto. Los datos sugieren a la adolescencia como factor de riesgo para desgarros de alto grado.

Assuntos

RESUMO

The occurrence of chronic diseases such as neurological, metabolic and cardiovascular degenerative disorders increases with age. Cell therapy is an emerging approach to the treatment of these conditions. Of particular interest is the application of autologous stem cells because it eliminates post-transplantation immune rejection and there are less ethical concerns associated with their use. The regenerative capacity of stem cells harvested from elderly people is however controversial. In this review, we analyze if self-renewal potential, differentiation capability and expression of stemness genes in stem cells collected from elderly patients validate their application in clinical trials and examine the results.

Assuntos

RESUMO

There is a need for new noninvasive biomarkers (NIBMs) able to assess cholestasis and fibrosis in chronic cholestatic liver diseases (CCLDs). Tumorigenesis can arise from CCLDs. Therefore, autoantibodies to tumor-associated antigens (TAA) may be early produced in response to abnormal self-antigen expression caused by cholestatic injury. Vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-3 (VEGFR-3) has TAA potential since it is involved in cholangiocytes and lymphatic vessels proliferations during CCLDs. This study aims to detect autoantibodies directed at VEGFR-3 during bile duct ligation- (BDL-) induced cholestatic injury in rat sera and investigate whether they could be associated with traditional markers of liver damage, cholestasis, and fibrosis. An ELISA was performed to detect anti-VEGFR-3 autoantibodies in sera of rats with different degree of liver injury and results were correlated with aminotransferases, total bilirubin, and the relative fibrotic area. Mean absorbances of anti-VEGFR-3 autoantibodies were significantly increased from week one to week five after BDL. The highest correlation was observed with total bilirubin (R (2) = 0.8450, P = 3.04e - 12). In conclusion, anti-VEGFR-3 autoantibodies are early produced during BDL-induced cholestatic injury, and they are closely related to cholestasis, suggesting the potential of anti-VEGFR-3 autoantibodies as NIBMs of cholestasis in CCLDs and justifying the need for further investigations in patients with CCLD.

Assuntos

RESUMO

There is a current need to develop low-cost strategies to degrade and eliminate industrially used colorants discharged into the environment. Colorants discharged into natural water streams pose various threats, including: toxicity, degradation of aesthetics and inhibiting sunlight penetration into aquatic ecosystems. Dyes and colorants usually have complex aromatic molecular structures, which make them very stable and difficult to degrade and eliminate by conventional water treatment systems. The results in this work demonstrated that heavy metal-resistant Rhodotorula mucilaginosa strain UANL-001L isolated from the northeast region of Mexico produce an exopolysaccharide (EPS), during growth, which has colorant adsorption potential. The EPS produced was purified by precipitation and dialysis and was then physically and chemically characterized by Scanning Electron Microscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy, and chemical elemental analysis. Here, the ability of the purified EPS produced to adsorb methylene blue (MB), which served as a model colorant, is studied. MB adsorption by the EPS is found to follow Langmuir Adsorption Isotherm kinetics at 25°C. Further, by calculating the Langmuir constant the adsorption capabilities of the EPS produced by the Rhodotorula mucilaginosa strain UANL-001L is compared to that of other adsorbents, both, microbially produced and from agroindustrial waste. The total adsorption capacity of the EPS, from the Rhodotorula mucilaginosa strain UANL-001L, was found to be two-fold greater than the best bioadsorbents reported in the literature. Finally, apart from determining which heavy metals stimulated EPS production in the strain, the optimal conditions of pH, heavy metal concentration, and rate of agitation of the growing culture for EPS production, was determined. The EPS reported here has the potential of aiding in the efficient removal of colorants both in water treatment plants and in situ in natural water streams.

Assuntos

RESUMO

Inflammation is a central feature of liver fibrosis as suggested by its role in the activation of hepatic stellate cells leading to extracellular matrix deposition. During liver injury, inflammatory cells are recruited in the injurious site through chemokines attraction. Thus, inflammation could be a target to reduce liver fibrosis. The pandemic trend of obesity, combined with the high incidence of alcohol intake and viral hepatitis infections, highlights the urgent need to find accessible antifibrotic therapies. Medicinal plants are achieving popularity as antifibrotic agents, supported by their safety, cost-effectiveness, and versatility. The aim of this review is to describe the role of inflammation and the immune response in the pathogenesis of liver fibrosis and detail the mechanisms of inhibition of both events by medicinal plants in order to reduce liver fibrosis.

RESUMO

Following chronic liver injury, hepatocytes undergo apoptosis leading to activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSC). Consequently, activated HSC proliferate and produce excessive extracellular matrix, responsible for the scar formation. The pandemic trend of obesity, combined with the high incidence of alcohol intake and viral hepatitis infections, highlights the urgent need to find accessible antifibrotic therapies. Treatment strategies should take into account the versatility of its pathogenesis and act on all the cell lines involved to reduce liver fibrosis. Medicinal plants are achieving popularity as antifibrotic agents, supported by their safety, cost-effectiveness, and versatility. This review will describe the role of hepatocytes and HSC in the pathogenesis of liver fibrosis and detail the mechanisms of modulation of apoptosis of both cell lines by twelve known hepatoprotective plants in order to reduce liver fibrosis.

RESUMO

Adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) are a heterogeneous cell population that may be enriched by positive selection with antibodies against the low-affinity nerve growth factor receptor (LNGFR or CD271), yielding a selective cell universe with higher proliferation and differentiation potential. This paper addresses the need for determining the quantity of ADSCs positive for the CD271 receptor and its correlation with donor's age. Mononuclear cells were harvested from the lower backs of 35 female donors and purified using magnetic beads. Multipotency capacity was tested by the expression of stemness genes and through differentiation into preosteoblasts and adipocytes. A significant statistical difference was found in CD271(+) concentrations between defined age intervals. The highest yield was found within women on the 30-40-year-old age range. CD271(+) ADSCs from all age groups showed differentiation capabilities as well as expression of typical multipotent stem cell genes. Our data suggest that the amount of CD271(+) cells correlates inversely with age. However, the ability to obtain these cells was maintained through all age ranges with a yield higher than what has been reported from bone marrow. Our findings propose CD271(+) ADSCs as the primary choice for tissue regeneration and autologous stem cell therapies in older subjects.