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A protein concentrate (PC) was obtained from Grouper fish skin and it was used to prepare films with different amounts of sorbitol and glycerol as plasticizers. The best performing films regarding resistance were then modified with various concentrations of CaCl2, CaSO4 (calcium salts), and glucono-δ-lactone (GDL) with the purpose of improving their mechanical and barrier properties. These films were characterized by determining their mechanical properties and permeability to water vapor and oxygen. Formulations with 5% (w/v) protein and 75% sorbitol and 4% (w/v) protein with a mixture of 15% glycerol and 15% sorbitol produced adequate films. Calcium salts and GDL increased the tensile fracture stress but reduced the fracture strain and decreased water vapor permeability compared with control films. The films prepared represent an attractive alternative for being used as food packaging materials.

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The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of green monochromatic light emitting diodes (LED) or white fluorescent lamps on the growth performance of broilers reared in open houses. Two hundred broilers (Ross 308) were sexed and divided into four treatments, according to sex and supplemental light source: T1, males under green LED; T2, males under fluorescent lamps; T3, females under green LED; and T4, females under fluorescent lamps, totaling 50 birds per treatment with five replicates each (n=10). Broilers of both sexes received natural light during the day and supplemental lighting (fluorescent or LED) during the night, according to age. Individual body weight, mortality, and feed intake were recorded weekly per replicate. Feed conversion ratio and the European Efficiency Index (EEI) were calculated. Data were analyzed by a two-way ANOVA. The results indicated differences (p 0.05) in female body weight in week 6, (2202.31 ± 32.93g green LED vs 2191.08 ± 62.13g fluorescent lamp), but no differences in daily weight gain, feed conversion ratio, or mortality were detected. However, the use of green LED promoted higher EEI in males in weeks 5, 6, and 7, and in females in week 5 (p 0.05). Green monochromatic LED may be used for supplemental lighting of male broilers reared in open houses with natural light. Its use for female broilers is recommended if the birds are marketed up to 5 weeks of age.(AU)

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The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of green monochromatic light emitting diodes (LED) or white fluorescent lamps on the growth performance of broilers reared in open houses. Two hundred broilers (Ross 308) were sexed and divided into four treatments, according to sex and supplemental light source: T1, males under green LED; T2, males under fluorescent lamps; T3, females under green LED; and T4, females under fluorescent lamps, totaling 50 birds per treatment with five replicates each (n=10). Broilers of both sexes received natural light during the day and supplemental lighting (fluorescent or LED) during the night, according to age. Individual body weight, mortality, and feed intake were recorded weekly per replicate. Feed conversion ratio and the European Efficiency Index (EEI) were calculated. Data were analyzed by a two-way ANOVA. The results indicated differences (p 0.05) in female body weight in week 6, (2202.31 ± 32.93g green LED vs 2191.08 ± 62.13g fluorescent lamp), but no differences in daily weight gain, feed conversion ratio, or mortality were detected. However, the use of green LED promoted higher EEI in males in weeks 5, 6, and 7, and in females in week 5 (p 0.05). Green monochromatic LED may be used for supplemental lighting of male broilers reared in open houses with natural light. Its use for female broilers is recommended if the birds are marketed up to 5 weeks of age.

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BACKGROUND: Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is the main risk factor for the development of chronic gastritis, gastric ulcer, and gastric cancer. In H. pylori-infected individuals, the clinical result is dependent on various factors, among which are bacterial components, the immune response, and environmental influence. AIMS: To compare IFN-γ expression with the H. pylori vacA and cagA genotypes in patients with chronic gastritis and patients with gastric cancer. METHODS: Ninety-five patients diagnosed with chronic gastritis and 20 with gastric cancer were included in the study. Three gastric biopsies were taken; one was used for the molecular detection and genotyping of H. pylori; another was fixed in absolute alcohol and histologic sections were made for determining IFN-γ expression through immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: No differences were found in the cells that expressed IFN-γ between the patients with chronic gastritis (median percentage of positive cells: 82.6% in patients without H. pylori and 82% in infected persons) and those with gastric cancer (70.5% in H. pylori-negative patients and 78.5% in infected persons). IFN-γ expression was 69% in chronic gastritis patients infected with H. pylori vacAs2m2/cagA⁻ it was 86.5% in patients infected with H. pylori vacAs1m2/cagA⁻, 86.5% in vacAs1m1/cagA⁻, and 82% in vacAs1m1/cagA⁺. Similar data were found in the patients with gastric cancer. CONCLUSIONS: IFN-γ expression varied depending on the H. pylori vacA and cagA genotype, but not in accordance with the presence of chronic gastritis or gastric cancer.

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La hipertensión arterial (HTA) es el principal factor de riesgo para enfermedad cardiovascular, que es la principal causa de morbimortalidad en Chile. La falta de adherencia a terapia es la principal causa de fracaso al tratamiento anti-hipertensivo. El objetivo de este estudio es construir un perfil clínico y de adherencia al tratamiento de pacientes hipertensos controlados en el Centro de Salud Familiar (CESFAM) Llay-Llay, determinando las variables que inciden en la adherencia. METODOLOGÍA: Estudio descriptivo, observacional, con muestreo no probabilístico. Se revisaron datos epidemiológicos y clínicos de pacientes hipertensos controlados en CESFAM Llay-Llay (n=2331). Se aplicó test de Morisky-Green-Levine a 167 pacientes que consultaron al CESFAM entre Mayo-Junio del 2012, para determinar adherencia al tratamiento. Significancia con p<0,05 (t-Student). RESULTADOS: Del total de hipertensos, 37,4 por ciento son hombres y 62,6 por ciento mujeres, edad promedio: 64,71 años. En promedio utilizan 1,39 fármacos, sin diferencias entre sexos. Existe relación directa entre edad y número de fármacos utilizado. De la población estudiada con test de Morisky-Green-Levine, 42 por ciento (n=70) se clasificó como adherente (0 puntos) y 58 por ciento (n=97) como no adherente (mayor o igual a 1 punto). No hubo diferencias significativas en edad promedio, sexo ni cantidad de fármacos entre ambos grupos. Hubo diferencias significativas en cifras de presión arterial entre ambos grupos (120/71 vs. 130/77, p<0,05). CONCLUSIONES: La población hipertensa de Llay-Llay es de predominio femenino y edad avanzada. Tiene buena adherencia al tratamiento, independiente de edad, sexo y número de fármacos utilizados, lo que tiene repercusión positiva en sus cifras de presión arterial...

Hypertension is the main risk factor for cardiovascular disease, which in turn is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in Chile. Non-adherence to therapy is an important cause of antihypertensive treatment failure. The aim of this study is to build a profile of the clinical features and treatment adherence of hypertensive patients from Llay-Llay’s family health center (CESFAM), and to determine variables that affect adherence. METHODOLOGY: A descriptive, observational study with non-probability sampling. We reviewed epidemiological and clinical data of hypertensive patients from Llay-Llay’s CESFAM (n=2331). Morisky-Green-Levine test was applied to 167patients admitted to CESFAM between May and June of 2012, to determine adherence to treatment. Significance with p < 0.05 (t-test). RESULTS: Among hypertensive patients, 37.4 percent were men and 62.6 percent women, mean age 64.71 years. On average, 1.39 drugs were used with no gender differences. A direct relationship between age and number of drugs used was observed. For the population studied with Morisky-Green-Levine test, 42 percent (n=70) was classified as adherent (0 points) and 58 percent (n = 97) as non-adherent (greater than or equal to 1 point). No significant differences in mean age, sex or number of drugs between these two groups. There were significant differences in blood pressure between the two groups (120/71 vs.130/77, p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The hypertensive population of Llay-Llay corresponds mostly to women and the elderly. It had good adherence to treatment, regardless of age, sex and number of drugs used, which has a positive impact on blood pressure...

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INTRODUCTION: Cystic lesions of the spleen are uncommon, and can be classified according to their histological findings in true cysts and secondary cysts or pseudocysts. Frequently, splenic pseudocysts are secondary to trauma, infection or splenic infarcts. The clinical presentation is variable and may be asymptomatic or usually the symptoms are related to compression of adjacent organs. The case of a 14-year-old female with a history of having a fall from a height of 50 cm with a direct trauma in the left lumbar region 3 years ago is presented. She was asymptomatic until one month before going to consultation when she had a minor trauma (a fall from her own height) and a volume increase was detected in the upper left abdominal quadrant. Physical examination revealed splenomegaly 8 cm below the ridge rib and pain was induced after deep palpation. omputed tomography showed a 12 x 10 x 8 cm cystic lesion in the upper splenic pole. Laparotomy and splenectomy was performed. The histological analysis showed that the cyst wall consisted of dense collagen without epithelial lining. Currently the patient is asymptomatic.

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Developing mechanistic models to predict an organism's body temperature facilitates the study of physiological stresses caused by extreme climatic conditions the species might have faced in the past or making predictions about changes to come in the near future. Because the models combine empirical observation of different climatic variables with essential morphological attributes of the species, it is possible to examine specific aspects of predicted climatic changes. Here, we develop a model for the competitively dominant intertidal mussel Perumytilus purpuratus that estimates body temperature on the basis of meteorological and tidal data with an average difference (+/-SE) of 0.410 degrees +/- 0.0315 degrees C in comparison with a field-deployed temperature logger. Modeled body temperatures of P. purpuratus in central Chile regularly exceeded 30 degrees C in summer months, and values as high as 38 degrees C were found. These results suggest that the temperatures reached by mussels in the intertidal zone in central Chile are not sufficiently high to induce significant mortality on adults of this species; however, because body temperatures >40 degrees C can be lethal for this species, sublethal effects on physiological performance warrant further investigation. Body temperatures of mussels increased sigmoidally with increasing tidal height. Body temperatures of individuals from approximately 70% of the tidal range leveled off and did not increase any further with increasing tidal height. Finally, body size played an important role in determining body temperature. A hypothetical 5-cm-long mussel (only 1 cm longer than mussels found in nature) did reach potentially lethal body temperatures, suggesting that the biophysical environment may play a role in limiting the size of this small species.

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El Lupus Eritematoso Sistémico (LES) es una enfermedad autoinmune con afectación sistémica, presentando autoanticuerpos y complejos inmunes. En la actualidad existe creciente evidencia acerca del rol de la apoptosis en la fisiopatología del LES. Si la fagocitosis de las células apoptóticas es lenta, puede gatillar fenómenos de autoinmunidad; dicho retraso se ha relacionado con alteraciones de las señales celulares. Además, se ha postulado que la célula apoptótica puede generar procesos autoinmunes a través de la exposición de autoanticuerpos en la superficie de los cuerpos apoptóticos. La tolerogenicidad de la célula apoptótica depende entonces del ambiente, tipo de célula presentadora de antígenos y señales de peligro, pudiendo o no inducir tolerancia. En los modelos de LES se ha demostrado que existen defectos en la apoptosis y en el aclaramiento de las células apoptóticas. Es posible que en el futuro surjan nuevas líneas de investigación en relación a medir la actividad apoptótica, así como el aclaramiento de los cuerpos apoptóticos, con el fin de desarrollarterapias que regulen la apoptosis en los pacientes con LES.

Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) is a systemic autoimmune disease presenting auto antibodies and immune complexes. There is growing evidence on the role of apoptosis in the physiopathology of SLE. If phagocytosisof apoptotic bodies is slow, due to alterations in surface cell signals, an autoimmune phenomenon may be triggered. Moreover, the apoptotic cell also has the capability of triggering autoimmune diseases by exposing auto antibodies on its surface. The tolerogenic role of the apoptotic cell therefore depends mainly on the environment, type of antigen presenting cell and danger signals, which may either induce or impede tolerance. Defects on apoptosis itself and on the clearance of apoptotic bodies have been demonstrated on SLE models. In the future, new methods of investigation may focus on measuring apoptoticactivity and on apoptotic clearance of apoptotic bodies in order to develop therapies that regulate apoptosis in SLE patients.

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BACKGROUND: The X-linked form of chronic granulomatous disease (CGD) is a primary immunodeficiency that affects phagocytes of the innate immune system and is characterized by an increased susceptibility to severe bacterial and fungal infections. It is caused by mutations in the CYBB gene, which encodes the 91-kD subunit of phagocyte NADPH oxidase. AIM: To identify the mutation in the CYBB gene in two unrelated patients from Chile with the diagnosis of X-linked CGD and their families. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The molecular genetic defects of two unrelated patients from Chile with X-linked CGD caused by defects in the CYBB gene were investigated. The underlying mutation was investigated by single strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP) analysis of PCR-amplified genomic DNA and by sequencing of the affected gene region. RESULTS: We found an insertion c.1267_1268insA in exon 10 leading to a frameshift mutation. This mutation is a novel report. We also identified a splice site mutation in the other patient, that presented a c.1326 +1 G>A substitution in intron 10. The mutation was also detectable in his heterozygous mother. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first report of the clinical and molecular characterization of Chilean patients with mutations in CYBB gene.

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Background: The X-linked form of chronic granulomatous disease (CGD) is a primary immunodeficiency that affects phagocytes of the innate immune system and is characterized by an increased susceptibility to severe bacterial and fungal infections. It is caused by mutations in the CYBB gene, which encodes the 91-kD subunit of phagocyte NADPH oxidase. Aim: To identify the mutation in the CYBB gene in two unrelated patients from Chile with the diagnosis of X-linked CGD and their families. Patients and methods: The molecular genetic defects of two unrelated patients from Chile with X-linked CGD caused by defects in the CYBB gene were investigated. The underlying mutation was investigated by single strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP) analysis of PCR-amplified genomic DNA and by sequencing of the affected gene region. Results: We found an insertion c.1267_1268insA in exon 10 leading to a frameshift mutation. This mutation is a novel report. We also identified a splice site mutation in the other patient, that presented a c.1326 +1 G>A substitution in intron 10. The mutation was also detectable in his heterozygous mother. Conclusions: This is the first report of the clinical and molecular characterization of Chilean patients with mutations in CYBB gene.

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